From: "senabenson1@yahoo.com" Sent date: Monday, August 22, 2016 13:05 Subject: DEAR HERE IS MY PICTURES I WILL LIKE TO KNOW YOU MORE Dearest, l am so much excited and happy because of your response to my request. on my mail address, How is the atmosphere of everything around you ( your health and work )? l hope that you are sounding in health which is the most important thing in life and also that you are doing great in your work. Like i said on my mail that i am miss Sena Benson ,Am 24 years of age, single and never married, i am from Liberia in West Africa. l am in a helpless situation and that is why i am looking for a person that will replace the vacuum in my heart which my late father and mother has created in my heart. as a result of civil war that was fought in my country which claims the life's of my parents. My late father and my mother was among the people that was killed by the rebels during the incident of civil war in my country. My late father Eng. Kujabi C. Benson was a good business man before the rebels attacked my house one early morning killing my mother and my father, l was the only survivor because i was in school and manage to ran to a near-by country.l will like to know more about you. What you do for the living, your likes and dislikes, what you do in your free time. l have so much passion in kids and children because i want to have my own children with a man God has made for me. l like reality and truth, i hate pretend and hiding of feelings. l have attached my photos l am very serious in my intention and i want you to be serious with me. Hoping to hear from you. I with impatience will welcome you into my life.I will tell more about myself in my next mail. I must thank you for your cooperation. i am caring and loving some one, i am praying to God that he will show me a person who will be there for me in any situation which i find my self especially a situation like this which i am now. I want you to know that i have a full confidence in you since after fasting and praying before contacting you i know you are God sent and my heart is telling me that you are the right person for me who will be there for me in anything. I need you to assist me and help me out from this place because my life is not save here in this country,i want to come over to you and start a new life with you because no place in this country that is secure for my life. Listen to this information which is very important and also a secret,you are the only person who i am going to tell this apart from the Rev please keep it by your self because my life is not save here. Meanwhile if you are ready to be my foreign partner before i send you every details about the bank and the fund i will like you to send me your full details for me to be sure whom i am going to partner with. I have with me here the documents which my late father used to deposit some money in the foreign bank in London. The amount is 2.5 million US Dollars which he deposited by my name as the next of kin because i am the only child of my Parents. i want you to assist me to get the money out from the bank and transfer it into your account so that you will send me money from there for my papers to come to you and start a new life with you. i want you to know that my life is in danger in this country because i am afraid that my uncle will be looking for me all over the neighboring country to make sure that he kill me so that he will have all my fathers inheritance.Please i promise you that i will not disappoint you in life,i promise to be there for you in anything and also care for you and love you forever. I want you to know that i trust you before i give you all this information and i want you to keep this as secret because i am afraid of loosing my life and the documents of the deposit of the money which i have with me here. i want you to help me because you are the only person my spirit is trusting now despite there is any mad things happening in the internet as the bank in UK warned me to be very careful while i am searching for a foreigner now i am away of Fraud/scam and will not wish to be a victim to lose my late fathers money which is my only hope to live so if you are really God fearing person in my next mail i will send you all the information about the money for you to go through it and get back to me with your information so that i will know much about you and have them with me too so send me your information. COUNTRY STATE CITY ADDRESS YOUR PRIVATE PHONE NUMBER AGE OCCUPATION ID CARD/PASSPORT SINGLE/MARRED YOUR PICTURE So with all this i will also send you any information you want from me to be clear and sure that we are not going to be a victim of fraud i will be waiting for your mail with all this information,i also want you to call me with this number +221772946668 this number belong to the reverend father Paul who is in charge of the church were i am staying right now anytime you call tell him you want to speak with me miss Sena Benson if he is around the church he will send for me to come and speak with you OK i am waiting to hear from you. Take good care of your self for me Yours True Friend Sena. From: "senabenson1@yahoo.com" Transmission date: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 13:30 Thread: Here is the bank contact you will use to contact them. Dearest in Mind I thank you so much once again for your love and concerns towards me. after disclosing everything about my life and inheritance to you. Remember i trust you, that is why i am giving you all this information's .i have informed the bank about my plans to transfer my late fathers money that was deposited in their bank the only thing they told me is to look for a trustee who will stand on my behalf due to my present status and i have told the bank of you and their said that i should tell you to write to them for more verification. so I will like you to write to the bank immediately with this information, tell them that you are my trustee and ask the bank the possibilities of transferring my late fathers $ 2.5 million dollars deposited by my late father of which i am the next of kin. I believed that the bank will transfer the money to your account. Here is the bank contact information's. I will give you% 15 after the bank transfer the money to your account from the total money if you are to go but if you are to be with me forever we will invest the total money together i wish you will understand what i mean. Here is the bank contact you will use to contact them. David Miree. Director - Credit Administration Dept. Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: Bank name Barclays Investment bank Phone number: +44 20 7623 2323 Email: barclyays@accountant.com ACCOUNT INFORMATION . Name of Depositor: Eng. Kujabi C. Benson. Name of Next of Kin: Miss. Sena Benson. Amount Deposited: US $ 2,5,000.00 IBAN: GB29 NWBK 6016 1881 9268 19 ISO Country Code: GB (United Kingdom) IBAN Check Digits: 29 BBAN: NWBK 6016 1881 9268 19 Bank Identifier: NWBK Branch Identifier: 601613 Account Number: 31926819 Dearest, i am glad that God has brought you to help me out from my present situation and i promise to be kind and will equally need you in every area of my life.As i told you before my prayers is to move out from here as soon as possible.I will wait to hear from you and to see any reply which you receive from the bank soonest !. Yours forever, Sena From: "senabenson1@yahoo.com" Sent date: Thursday, August 25, 2016 0:19 Subject: WITH LOVE My Love. Good evening and how are you doing over there? I hope you are doing great as well. I am happy to read you will contact the bank and i will like to know if you have done that did the bank agreed to transfer the money to your account? I am waiting for your mail take care kiss. Yours Ever. Love. From: BARCLYAYS INVESTMENT BANK Sent date: Thursday, August 25, 2016 9:26 Subject: BARCLAY'S INVESTMENT BANK. Barclays Investment Bank: Located in: Canary Wharf Group: Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: Phone: +44 20 7623 2323 Email: barclyays@accountant.com Dear, Beneficiary, Account Ref No. 31926819 . I have been directed by the Director, Credit Administration Dept to write you in respect to your partner's mail which we received. Actually, we have earlier been told about you by the young lady Miss Sena Benson that she wishes you to be her Trustee/Representative for the claim of her late father's deposit with our bank.Eng. Kujabi Benson , was our late customer with substantial amount deposited with us. As asked, the volume of fund currently deposited with our bank is ($ 2.5 Million USD ) Hence you have been really appointed as a trustee to represent the Next of Kin cum Mandate Beneficiary. However before our bank will transact any business concerning the transfer of the fund with you, we will like you to send the following documents to our bank:(1). A power of attorney permitting you to claim and transfer the fund to your bank account on her behalf. This document must be endorsed by a Senegalese resident lawyer.(2). The death certificate of (Her deceased father) confirming the death.(3). A copy of the statement of the account issued to her late father by our bank.(4). An affidavit of oath from the High Court.(5). A scanned copy of your Identity.(6). Letter of probate from the High Court of Justice from where Miss Sena Benson is residing. As requested the entire fund could be transferred to your account on her behalf on receipt of the above Documents. You are advise either to fly down there to arrange an attorney or you simple ask your partner to get an attorney for you to procure all these documents for you urgently to enable us effect transfer as she had earlier requested us to assist her as soon as you contacted us. Note that the above are compulsory, and are needed to protect our interest, yours, the next of kin after the claims. These shall also ensure that a smooth, quick and successful transfer of the fund is made. These shall also ensure that a smooth, quick and successful transfer of the fund is made. To enhance quick this fund, you are to provide this bank with the following information needed in our BTD Form 41. (1) Full Name (2) Contact Address (3) Fax Number (4) Nationality (5) Bank details where this fund is expected to be wired to. (6) Passport No.(7) Occupation/Profession. These information are urgently needed on receipt of this mail so that we can create your Fund Transmission File with the Data Processing Department and International Payment Office/Telex Services Dept respectively. We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Kindly confirm receipt of this mail for our records. Yours Faithfully, For: Barclays Investment Bank Mrs. Acule McLea Senior Manager - FTA International. NOTE: This e-mail message is subject to the Barclays Investment Bank Of United Kingdom: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barclays Investment Bank Of London is Registered in United Kingdom it's also authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Should you not be the addressee and receive this e-mail by mistake, kindly notify the sender, and delete this e-mail, immediately and do not disclose or use same in any manner whatsoever. Views and opinions expressed in this e-mail are those of the sender unless clearly stated as those of the Group.The Group accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damages whatsoever and whosoever incurred, or suffered, resulting, or arising, from the use of this email or its attachments. The Group does not warrant the integrity of this e-mail nor that it is free of errors, viruses, interception or interference. Licensed divisions of the Barclays Investment Bank Of London are authorized financial From: "senabenson1@yahoo.com" Transmission date: Friday, August 26, 2016 0:33 Thread: HONEY CONTACT THIS LAWYER FOR THE DOCUMENTS My dear, I do not know how to express my feelings to you, how i wish you can see me from there to how you have put smiles on my face.I am very grateful to you .Darling i have seen what the bank said and i was thinking that they will only demand for these documents with me here not knowing that they will demand for more things.Darling with the help of Reverend, he has given me the contact of this Lawyer who is a registered member of Senegalese bar association.So darling i will like you to contact him now on how to prepare the power of attorney and affidavit of oath in your name.I do not know how that day will be when i will see you face to face .God will protect you and guide you for me .Below is his contact: Name.Bar. (DR) Teddy Oliver. Email: barristerteddyoliverChamber@dr.com Phone: ... + 221-783031752 You are my source of happiness and i love you take care. Yours Ever. Love. From: BARCLYAYS INVESTMENT BANK Sent date: Friday, August 26, 2016 9:53 Subject: Re: I HAVE THE DOCUMENTS & INFORMATIONS NEEDED FROM ME Barclays Investment Bank: Located in: Canary Wharf Group: Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: Phone:: Fax: +44 161 919 8877 Email: barclyays@accountant.com Dear, Beneficiary, We have received your infomation Waiting for the requested documents from high court Senegal to proceed to your demand transfer to your account. We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Kindly confirm receipt of this mail for our records. Yours Faithfully, For: Barclays Investment Bank Mrs. Acule McLea Senior Manager - FTA International. NOTE: This e-mail message is subject to the Barclays Investment Bank Of United Kingdom: . . . . . . . From: Dr Teddy Oliver Sent date: Saturday, August 27, 2016 14:17 Subject: COST OF GETTING THESE DOCUMENTS. ATTENTION, SEQUEL TO THE EMAIL WE RECEIVED TO MY NOBLE LAW FIRM ON HOW TO GET A LETTER OF AFFIDAVIT AND PREPARE A POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTNER. MY NOBLE LAW FIRM WISH TO BRING TO YOUR NOTICE THAT BEFORE WE CAN PROCEED WITH THIS SERVICES WE WILL WANT YOU TO FORWARD TO THIS LAW FIRM IMMEDIATELY YOUR FULL CONTACT DETAILS (YOUR NAME,AGE,OCCUPATION,PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS AS YOU WANT IT TO APPEAR ON THE POWER OF ATTORNEY) KIND ATTENTION: MY FINDINGS AT THE HIGH COURT, IN REGARDS OF THE NEEDED DOCUMENTS AND FROM MY FINDINGS IN THE HIGH COURT HERE, IT WILL COST THE SUM OF ($160) FOR THE AUTHENTICATION OF THE POWER OF ATTORNEY TO BE PAID IN COURT. ($130) FOR THE SWEARING OF THE AFFIDAVIT OF OATH AT THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT HERE BEFORE IT BECOMES VALID TO BE PAID IN COURT. MY LEGAL PROCESSING FEE OF ($200) (50) FOR NOTARY STAMPING AT THE NOTARY OFFICE HERE TO BE PAID IN COURT. SO THE TOTAL COST NOW FOR ALL THESE PROCESS WILL BE ($440) YOU ARE TO TRANSFER THE MONEY THROUGH THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER OR THROUGH MONEY GRAM WITH BELOW INFORMATION. COUNTRY:- - - - - - - - - - - SENEGAL CITY:- - - - - - - - - - - - - DAKAR RECEIVERS FULL NAME:- - - - - - - - - - - TEDDY OLIVER TOTAL:- - - - - - - - - - - $540 MAKE SURE YOU INFORM ME IMMEDIATELY YOU SEND THE MONEY , SO THAT I CAN START THE PROCESSING OF THE DOCUMENTS WHICH WILL BE READY IN THE NEXT TWO WORKING DAYS.(OUR PRIORITY IS TO RENDER THE BEST SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS) YOURS SINCERELY IN SERVICE, HON. BARRISTER TEDDY OLIVER ADVOCATES & SOLICITOR. TEL: +221783031752 From: BARCLYAYS INVESTMENT BANK Sent date: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 10:54 Subject: Re: I HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO DO, PLZ HELP US !! Barclays Investment Bank: Located in: Canary Wharf Group: Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: Phone: +44 20 7623 2323 Email: barclyays@accountant.com Dear, Beneficiary, We have no business in paying your lawyer, you look for money and pay him, We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Kindly confirm receipt of this mail for our records. Yours Faithfully, For: Barclays Investment Bank Mrs. Acule McLea Senior Manager - FTA International. From: "senabenson1@yahoo.com" Sent date: Monday, September 5, 2016 16:01 Subject: DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD My Dearest. How are you and how was your weekend? I hope you enjoyed it as well. Please i find you in the internet after my fasting and praying that was giving to me by my pastor after i told him what i have in mind together with the bank money meanwhile i don't want you to think i am here to cheat you or to lie with my late parents if you can not do this with me i am not fusing you or your friends OK no how we will succeed without trusting each other but i should be the one to be afraid not you how much are you sending for the documents $200 and i never know your family is such poor i wouldn't have contacted you for this but i believed that everything happened in God control today is Monday if you can not get this small money i may end up looking for another person i am not happy you can not afford this small money and also not happy you don't trust me now i am sending you more of my pictures and i also sending you my late fathers death certificate and also the money that is in the bank certificate and i am waiting to read good news from you this evening so that i will know my faith and what to do i am not fusing you if is the will of God you will get the small money and send it fast to the lawyer for him to get the documents for us OK take care kiss. Yours Ever. Love. From: Dr Teddy Oliver Sent date: Friday, September 9, 2016 17:20 Subject: Re: I AM WAITING FOR THE INFORMATIONS TO TRANSFER THE MONEY LOCALLY ATTENTION: TAKE NOTE: YOU ADVISED TO MAKE THE PAYMENT WITH THIS BANK INFORMATION IN YOUR COUNTRY AFTER MAKING THE PAYMENT YOU SEND ME THE PAYMENT SLIP. I AWAIT FOR THE PAYMENT SLIP FROM YOU TODAY BELLOW IS THE ACCOUNT INFO. DR TEDDY. BANK ACCOUNT NAME: M.BELHASNA HAMID ACCOUNT NUMBER.5235483 cle 94 From: Dr Teddy Oliver Sent date: Wednesday, September 14, 2016 11:08 Subject: KIND ATTENTION: KIND ATTENTION: TAKE NOTE: HERE IS THE COPIES OF YOUR DOCUMENTS I AM POSTING THE HARD COPIES TO UK AS YOUR BANK THERE DEMANDS THIS MORNING THAT IS WHAT THEIR WANT YOUR PARTNER IS STANDING FOR ME TO USE MY MONEY FOR THIS POSTING THAT I WILL BE PAID AFTER THIS TRANSACTION IN THAT CASE I AM GOING TO DO THAT BUT TAKE NOTE OF HOW MUCH YOU ARE GOING TO SEND TO ME AFTER THIS TRANSACTION IT WILL TAKE 24HOURS TO GET TO YOUR BANK AND IF YOU DID NOT HEAR FROM YOUR BANK ON THIS YOU LET ME KNOW SO I CAN CHECK BACK ON THE POST. THANKS. DR, TEDDY. From: BARCLYAYS INVESTMENT BANK Sent date: Thursday, September 15, 2016 15:43 Subject: ACCOUNT ACTIVATION: Barclays Investment Bank: Located in: Canary Wharf Group: Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: Phone: +44 20 7623 2323 Email: barclyays@accountant.com Dear, Beneficiary, SIR. ACCREDITED TO TRANSFER $2.5 000.00 MILLION US DOLLARS. I humbly wish to inform you that the original copies of the documents has been received in our head office through DHL service from your Lawyer in Senegal, Dr.Teddy Oliver and confirmed to be correct and authentic by our legal Department. However we have started processing the transfer of the $2.5 000.00 Million American Dollars and the extra $28000 US Dollars (Twenty Eight Thousand) as interest accumulated from the account of (Eng. Kujabi C. Benson) to your account , Our legal department has scrutinized all the documents necessary for the transfer and found them correct and authentic. We have been instructed to transfer a total sum of US$2.528,000.00 (Two Million Five Hundred Twenty Eight Thousand US Dollars) from the account of Eng. Kujabi C. Benson This payment process is to be carried out by our transfer department and as such,we would be obliged to furnish you with the relevant procedures. It would be necessary to inform you that all dealings with you or your nominated financial institution and our bank would be done under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom Law and our Banking Policy. It would be essential to note that as a financial intermediary, our obligation to guarantee a total fulfillment of the Escrow conditions on the paying and receiving parties cannot be over emphasized. be aware that the account of our late customer Eng. Kujabi C. Benson has been dormant/ UN-serviceable for several years after the expiration of the Fixed Deposit terms applied with Non-Deductible Fund Reference Code No NUMBER-ES34823NG placed on the account.Also, several written and email notifications were sent to our late customer without response,hence the account automatically becomes dormant.Our International remittance office has therefore issued an irrevocable approval for the release of your inheritance funds valued at $2.528,000.00(Two Million Five Hundred Twenty Eight Thousand US Dollars Only),funds of this value will be released to you on the presentation of the account reactivation payment receipt from our account's department. The account of our late customer Eng. Kujabi C. Benson must be reactivated to enable us gain international access for funds transfer into/out of the account due to it has been dormant for years without servicing/transactions.Thus,it needs full reactivation to enable us credit your account since approval to remit has been issued on your name. Note that the cost of the reactivation is $2500 Dollars only Being a mandatory Fee and the said sum is Non-deductible from the principal sum,enabling the discharge of our release obligations to beneficiary, it is impossible for us to make deductions from the funds because of the comprehensive insurance with Non-Deductible Fund Reference Code NUMBER-ES34823NG placed on this fund as at time of deposit by late Eng. Kujabi C. Benson which prevent any institution from making domestic deductions from the account till funds get to new beneficiary in time of death and the fact that the account has gone dormant;hence the reactivation Fee has to be paid by you. The reactivation fee still belongs to you and will be added to your total funds upon activation payment. We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Kindly confirm receipt of this mail for our records. Yours Faithfully, For: Barclays Investment Bank Mrs. Acule McLea Senior Manager - FTA International. NOTE: This e-mail message is subject to the Barclays Investment Bank Of United Kingdom: . . . . . . . . From: Dr Teddy Oliver Sent date: Sunday, October 9, 2016 22:02 Subject: FREE FROM SCAM. KIND ATTENTION: I HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF YOUR RESPONSE: IS VERY GOOD IF YOUR LOCAL BANK DO INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER MAYBE YOUR BROTHERS HERE THAT ARE DOING MONEY EXCHANGE LIE TO ME TO DO BUSINESS BUT NO PROBLEM ALL THE SAME NOW THE MONEY IS READY WITH YOU I AM GOING TO CONTACT THE BANK TOMORROW AND WILL ASK THEM FOR THE INFORMATION THAT WE WILL USE TO SEND THEM THE MONEY I WILL SEND YOU THE ACCOUNT IF THE BANK SEND IT TO ME TOMORROW I WILL ALSO KNOW WHY I HAVE TO CONTACT THEM TOO AND WILL KEEP YOU UPDATE ON SCAM ISSUE PLEASE STAY CLEAR FROM IT ALL THE DOCUMENTS THAT WAS SENT TO YOU IS REGISTERED HERE IN THE HIGH COURT YES WE DO HAVE MANY INTERNET SCAM BUT WE STILL HAVE THE REAL ONES I ONLY KNOW ABOUT ME I DON'T KNOW YOU BUT YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE REAL OR NOT JUST LIKE ME HERE BUT ABOUT THIS TRANSACTION THAT I AM ALSO INVESTING MY FUND NOTHING IS FAKE IN THIS TRANSACTION I GIVE YOU MY GUARANTY THAT YOU WILL NOT LOOS YOUR MONEY AT THE END OF THIS TRANSACTION . THANKS. DR,TEDDY. From: BARCLYAYS INVESTMENT BANK Cc: senabenson2@hotmail.com Sent date: Tuesday, October 11, 2016 9:56 Subject: THANK. Barclays Investment Bank: Located in: Canary Wharf Group: Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: Phone: +44 20 7623 2323 Email: barclyays@accountant.com Dear, Beneficiary, We are ready to transfer your fund on receiving the activation fees $2,500 Dollars but before we do this transfer your advocate has to get us anti fraud certificate for us to be sure we are dealing with the right persons and to defend the policy of our banking law system. Account for the payment; Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: BANK . . BARCLAYS BANK BENEFICIARY. . . MR.B.O. ULUOCHA ACCOUNT. . 93313573 SORT CODE. 20-67-40 SWIFT CODE. . BARCGB22 IBAN. . . GB75BARC20674093313573 Processing Department and International Payment Office/Telex Services Dept respectively. We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Kindly confirm receipt of this mail for our records. Yours Faithfully, For: Barclays Investment Bank Mrs. Acule McLea Senior Manager - FTA International. NOTE: This e-mail message is subject to the Barclays Investment Bank Of United Kingdom: . . . . . . . From: Dr Teddy Oliver Sent date: Saturday, October 15, 2016 10:29 Subject: HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE ?? TAKE NOTE: HERE IN AFRICA WE HAVE MANY FRAUD EVEN HERE IN SENEGAL SO IS VERY HARD TO KNOW WHO IS WHO IN THIS DRAFT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU MUST PAY FOR THE POSTING AND MAYBE NOTHING LIKE THAT AS I TOLD YOU IF YOU CAN NOT MAKE THE PAYMENT BY MONEY FORGET ABOUT THIS TRANSACTION AND IF YOU ARE SENDING THE MONEY FROM OUT OF YOUR COUNTRY USE THE BANK ACCOUNT I AM SURE THEY WILL GET THERE ONE MY IN-LOW PAID BY MONDAY BUT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ALL THE MONEY TELL ME HOW MUCH YOU HAVE NOW LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP MORE I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON TELL ME HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE NOW DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY TO ANY BODY HERE FOR ANY DRAFT POSTING FEE. From: BARCLYAYS INVESTMENT BANK < barclyays@accountant.com > Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 10:20 PM Cc: senabenson2@hotmail.com Subject: Re: I THANK YOU FOR STANDING FOR US AGAIN AND I AM VERY SORRY FOR EVERYTHING BARCLYAYS INVESTMENT BANK < barclyays@accountant.com >Tuesday, October 18, 2016 10:20 PMsenabenson2@hotmail.comRe: I THANK YOU FOR STANDING FOR US AGAIN AND I AM VERY SORRY FOR EVERYTHING Barclays Investment Bank: Located in: Canary Wharf Group: Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: Phone: +44 20 7623 2323 Email: barclyays@accountant.com Dear, Beneficiary, We bring to your notice that we have received $1,250 Dollars on behalf of your activation charges from a name Miss Apoliy Agrity, We are waiting for the completion of this activation to proceed to your final transfer. We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Kindly confirm receipt of this mail for our records. Yours Faithfully, For: Barclays Investment Bank Mrs. Acule McLea Senior Manager - FTA International. NOTE: This e-mail message is subject to the Barclays Investment Bank Of United Kingdom: . . . . . . . From: Dr Teddy Oliver Cc: senabenson2@hotmail.com Transmission date: Thursday, October 20, 2016 23:06 Thread: I WILL SEND YOU LOCAL ACCOUNT FOR THIS PAYMENT OF $ 300USD BY SUNDAY. ATTENTION: TAKE NOTE: DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY TO THE UK BANK ACCOUNT, I WILL SEND YOU A LOCAL ACCOUNT WERE YOU WILL DO THE PAYMENT JUST AS YOU DID BEFORE AND THE BUSINESS MAN HERE WILL GIVE ME THE MONEY, I WILL DEMAND AGAIN FROM MY IN-LAW IN FRANCE TO PAY IN ANOTHER $ 1,250USD AFTER I COLLECTED THIS $ 300USD FROM YOU BY MONDAY AND GIVE IT TO HER FAMILY HERE ANOTHER $ 1,250USD JUST AS I DID BEFORE SHE MADE THE PAYMENT TO YOUR BANK WHICH THE BANK CONFIRMED IN LONDON TO YOU THAT SHE MADE THE PAYMENT, NOW I WILL ALSO WRITE TO THE BANK THAT THE SAME PERSON IS GOING TO DO ANOTHER PAYMENT BY MONDAY AFTER YOU MADE THE PAYMENT OF THIS $ 300USD TO THE ACCOUNT I WILL SEND TO YOU BY SUNDAY AFTER COLLECTING IT FROM THE BUSINESS MAN HERE, I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SAYING AND YOU WILL ALSO HAVE TO SEND TO ME YOUR NEW ACCOUNT SO THAT I WILL FINISH THE BANK WITH IT TOGETHER WITH THE LAST PAPER FOR THE TRANSFER THEIR DEMANDS FROM ME AND ALSO FOR YOUR PARTNER TO SIGN THANKS. DR. TEDDY. From: BARCLYAYS INVESTMENT BANK Cc: senabenson2@hotmail.com Sent date: Thursday, October 27, 2016 2:59 Subject: BARCLAY'S INVESTMENT BANK. Barclays Investment Bank: Located in: Canary Wharf Group: Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: Phone: +44 20 7623 2323 Email: barclyays@accountant.com DEAR, BENEFICIARY, ATTENTION SIR, THIS COMMUNICATION IS FORM THE FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT BARCLAY'S INVESTMENT BANK. UNITED KINGDOM , TO NOTIFY YOU THAT OUR BANK MANAGEMENT HAS RECEIVED THE MONEY FOR THE REACTIVATION OF THE DORMANT ACCOUNT FROM ONE MRS. APOLIY AGRITY, WHO SAID THAT IS DR.OLIVER TEDDY FROM SENEGAL THAT ASKED HER TO PAY THE MONEY ON YOUR BEHALF, THE REACTIVATION OF THE DORMANT ACCOUNT HAS BEEN DONE AND OUR BANK LAWYER HAS GETTING THE NEEDED DOCUMENTS, WE WANT TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE CONCLUDED EVERY ARRANGEMENT TO MOVE YOUR FUND TO YOUR COUNTRY THROUGH DIPLOMATIC COURIER CARGO SERVICE IN CASH AND WE HAVE AS WELL SECURED DOCUMENTS WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION TO SEND THIS FUND TO YOU SAFETY. YOUR FUND HAVE BEEN COUNTED, PACKAGED, SEALED IN A SAFE BOX THEN REGISTERED AS STATIONARY AND PERSONAL VALUABLES (VIPS NON-INSPECTION YELLOW TAG) SO THE BOX WILL NOT BE INSPECTED AT THE POINT OF ENTRY. AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT IN THE CONSIGNMENT IS $2.530,500,000.00 USD DOLLARS CANNOT BE TRANSFER VIA BANK TO BANK TRANSFER FOR SECURITY PURPOSE BECAUSE OF THE LAWS UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT GAVE TO ALL THE BANK'S IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES CONCERNING OUTGOING HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO ANY FOREIGN ACCOUNT BECAUSE OF TERRORIST ATTACKED BY AL-QAIDA AFTER THE 11TH SEPTEMBER 2001. BE INFORM THAT YOUR CONSIGNMENT LUGGAGE HAS BEEN REGISTERED / HANDLED OVER TO USA GLOBAL SECURITY/DELIVERING COMPANY DEPARTMENT AND THE SECURITY & DELIVERING COMPANY HAS ASSIGNED A DELIVERY DIPLOMAT AGENT TO MAKE THIS DELIVERY TO YOUR COUNTRY AS STATED, AND ON HIS ARRIVAL, HE WILL CONTACT YOU VIA: TELEPHONE NUMBER, FOR MEETING HIM IN ANY OF YOUR COUNTRY. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AND CLEARANCE CHARGE AMOUNT OF $5,700 DOLLAR * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * WE WANT TO INFORM YOU AS WELL THAT THE DIPLOMAT ASSIGNED TO MAKE DELIVERY TO YOU DOESN'T KNOW THE CONTENT OF YOUR CONSIGNMENT LUGGAGE AND SHOULDN'T BE DISCLOSED TO HIM FOR SECURITY PURPOSE SO HE WILL USE THEIR DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY TO CLEAR IT FROM SECURITY OFFICE AND HAND IT OVER TO YOU/OUR BANK REPRESENTATIVE, SO YOU HAVE TO WORK HAND TO HAND WHEN MEET HIM AND FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS SO THAT THIS TRANSACTION CAN BE MADE COMPLETE AND SUCCESSFUL. THE DIPLOMAT HAS A LIMITED TIME TO STAY WITH YOU UPON HIS ARRIVAL, SO YOU HAVE TO MAKE THIS HANDLING CHARGE AVAILABLE AS YOU'RE GOING TO MEET WITH THE DIPLOMAT FOR EASY CLEARING OF YOUR CONSIGNMENT. THE DIPLOMAT AGENT HAS TO DEPARTURE AS SOON AS WE HEAR FROM YOU ON ACCEPTANCE TO RECEIVE THIS MODE OF TRANSFER TO THE COUNTRY, AND I URGE YOU TO WELCOME AND TREAT YOUR GUEST WITH CARE. AND NOTE THIS TRANSACTION SHOULD BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND I WANT YOU TO DO YOUR BEST TO MAINTAIN THIS TRANSACTION. UPON RECEIVE FROM YOU AND WE WILL SEND THE DEPARTURE OF THE AIRWAY BILL DOCUMENT AND NOTIFY YOU THE DEPARTING OF THE DIPLOMAT. PLEASE WITH DUE RESPECT. EVERY ARRANGEMENT REGARDS TO YOUR FUND SHIPPING HAVE BEEN CONCLUDED BY OUR CENTRAL BANK. YOU ARE ADVICE URGENT TO SEND YOUR MOBIL PHONE NUMBER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WARNING!!! THIS DIPLOMATIC COURIER SERVICE CHARGE /CLEARANCE CHARGE AMOUNT OF $5,700 DOLLARS, MUST BE AVAILABLE BEFORE ARRIVAL OF THE DIPLOMAT, IT IS PERTINENT TO NOTE THAT THIS PAYMENT IS NOT NEGOTIABLE AND NO DEDUCTED FROM YOUR CONSIGNMENT. THE DIPLOMAT WILL CALL YOU VIA YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER AS SOON AS HIS ARRIVAL IN AND YOU ARE MANDATED TO MEET THE DIPLOMAT WITH THE DIPLOMAT COURIER SERVICE AND THE CLEARANCE FEE. THANKS AND HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Kindly confirm receipt of this mail for our records. Yours Faithfully, For: Barclays Investment Bank Mrs. Acule McLea Senior Manager - FTA International. NOTE: This e-mail message is subject to the Barclays Investment Bank Of United Kingdom: . . . . . . . . . . . . From: BARCLYAYS INVESTMENT BANK Cc: senabenson2@hotmail.com Sent date: Thursday, October 27, 2016 16:55 Subject: Re: I AM GLAD THAT EVERYTHING IS FINISHED NOW Barclays Investment Bank: Located in: Canary Wharf Group: Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: Phone: +44 20 7623 2323 Email: barclyays@accountant.com Dear, Beneficiary, Thanks for your understanding in the new development we appreciate you for that and we will let you know by tomorrow when the US agent will send his Diplomat to your country make sure you keep the $5,700USD for the clearing charges available so that you will not have problem in receiving the fund there in your country, Thank. We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Kindly confirm receipt of this mail for our records. Yours Faithfully, For: Barclays Investment Bank Mrs. Acule McLea Senior Manager - FTA International. NOTE: This e-mail message is subject to the Barclays Investment Bank Of United Kingdom: . . . . . . . . . From: BARCLYAYS INVESTMENT BANK Cc: senabenson2@hotmail.com Sent date: Monday, October 31, 2016 15:05 Subject: Re: WE ARE GOOD TO GO HERE Barclays Investment Bank: Located in: Canary Wharf Group: Address: Canary Wharf, 5 N Colonnade, London E14 4BB, United Kingdom: Phone: +44 20 7623 2323 Email: barclyays@accountant.com Dear, Beneficiary, Kindly take note that the Diplomat Mr, William. Will be in your country tomorrow all your information has been giving to him to contact you on his arrival, Make sure you fellow his instruction and after receiving the fund you advice to contact us for recording, We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Kindly confirm receipt of this mail for our records. Yours Faithfully, For: Barclays Investment Bank Mrs. Acule McLea Senior Manager - FTA International. NOTE: This e-mail message is subject to the Barclays Investment Bank Of United Kingdom: . . . . . . . . . From: Dr Teddy Oliver Transmission date: Monday, November 7, 2016 19:34 Thread: YOU AHVE TO BE FASTER AND GET HIM $ 1000USD. ATTN: TAKE NOTE: MY CHILDREN JUST GO BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ALL THE MONEY I HAVE HOPING ON THIS MONEY IN YOUR COUNTRY, NOTHING I CAN DO NOW, THE AGENT IS STILL THERE, DO WHAT EVER YOU CAN DO MORE WITH YOUR FRIENDS, IF YOUR FATHER CAN NOT SUPPORT YOU TO GET THIS LAST $ 1000USD BEFORE THIS AGENT WILL GO BACK, BECAUSE IF HE GO BACK IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER BILL TO PAY, SO YOU HAVE TO LOOK FOR MONEY AND DO NOT HOPE FROM ME I DO NOT HAVE MONEY RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW I PAID FOR THE ACTIVATION, THAT MONEY HERE IS A BIG MONEY HERE IN MY COUNTRY, SO TRY AND GET HIM THIS $ 1000USD, I CALLED HIM AND HE SAID HE WILL BE GOING BACK STILL THIS WEEK, I AM HAPPY YOU HAVE CONFIRMED HIM IN PERSON AND THE BANK SAID THEIR ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE COMPANY TO RELEASE THE CODE OF THE BOX AS SOON AS THE AGENT HAND OVER THE BOX TO YOU. THANKS. DR, TEDDY. If you received a similar letter, please ignore it. Do not answer it. If you do, you will end up on more of the mailing lists used by the criminals behind this fraud. Read more.... Chances are excellent the pumpkin pie youre going to eat at Christmas dinner started as a seed planted in an Illinois field. About 77 percent of pumpkins in the U.S. grown for processing come from Illinois farmers, most who work a short drive from the Libbys factory in Morton. John Ackerman is one of them. He has been growing pumpkins near Morton for more than 30 years. Though he also grows ornamentals, the processing pumpkins are the bread and butter for Ackerman and many of his neighbors. He grew them on 52 acres this year, in addition to about 30 acres of ornamentals. Each has its own challenges and benefits. The advantages of contracting with a canning company cant be dismissed, he said. A price is set, and Im guaranteed to sell every ton I produce. Libbys, a subsidiary of the Swiss food giant Nestle, is practically synonymous with pumpkin pie. The cannery at Morton churns out millions of pounds of pie filling each year. We have good climate for it, said Mosbah Kushad, a University of Illinois Extension specialist in fruit and vegetable crops. The pumpkin industry is nearly a $50 million business in Illinois, according to the USDAs Economic Research Service. Farm receipts for processed fruit total less than $10 million, a drop in the bucket compared to corn and soybeans. Still, it provides a stable income for many growers. It isnt a huge demand, but its still an important demand, Kushad said. Total pumpkin acreage in Illinois is about 15,000 acres. Acreage had totaled more than 20,000 a few short years ago, but after a crop failure in 2014, Libbys decided to spread some production to other states. Illinois is still by far the national leader, though Californias acres yield better. The company selects fruit for its gastronomic quality rather than other traits such as shelf life or growth rate. Like most suppliers, Ackerman grows progeny of the original Dickinson variety. Unlike ornamentals, which come in a wide array of colors, shapes and sizes, processing pumpkins are beige and weigh 11 to 12 pounds. Libbys provides Ackerman with seeds and harvests the pumpkins. He does everything in between tilling, planting, cultivating and fertilizing. While he has done some experimenting with transplanting sets, Ackerman normally plants seeds directly into the soil. Harvest is a two-step process that begins with a tiller pushed in front of a tractor, set at an angle. It gently rolls the pumpkins, clips the stems off and pushes them into windrows. Then another machine straddles the rows and picks the fruit up with a mounted paddle before loading the pumpkins onto a conveyor that gently lays them into the back of a truck. Most people likely dont give it much thought, as long as they can make room for another slice of pie. CARBONDALE The United Mine Workers of America will waste no time in renewing its fight to guarantee health insurance and pension benefits for retired coal miners after the 115th Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3, said UMWA spokesman Phil Smith. We are already working with our congressional allies on language to be reintroduced the first week Congress is back, Smith said, adding, We intend to have legislation introduced that week, if not that day. The UMWA was hopeful that Congress would take action prior to the end of the year. To draw attention to the cause, thousands of retired coal miners traveled from coal states to Washington in September for a rally on the U.S. Capitol lawn. Nine buses carrying several hundred Southern Illinois retirees and their family members left from various points across the region. On. Dec. 9, Congress agreed to a stopgap spending bill that averted a government shutdown. The deal included $45 million for four months of health insurance benefits for the roughly 16,500 miners and their spouses and widows who faced a loss of health care benefits on Dec. 31. Their benefits will be extended through late April. Approval of the spending plan was pushed an hour shy of Congress deadline to avoid a shutdown as lawmakers wrangled over the issue of benefits for coal miners affected by a rash of company bankruptcies. There are about 3,500 affected miners in Southern Illinois whose benefits were anticipated to run dry at years end or in the spring of 2017, according to the UMWA. While the four-month benefit extension buys some time, the UMWA leadership and regional retired coal miners expressed disappointment with the lack of a long-term deal. This is an issue that is a lifetime issue for these folks, not a four-month issue, Smith said late this past week. What we dont need is to be kicking this can down the road every four to six to eight months and not providing them with the mental security they need. After Patriot Coal emerged from its first bankruptcy proceeding in 2013, a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association, or VEBA, was created to provide for continued payments for health care benefits. It was funded by Peabody and Patriot. That deal fell apart after Patriot emerged from a second Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015. Peabody struck a deal with the UMWA in early 2016 to provide another $75 million to the trust in installments, but that represented roughly half of what was owed under the original plan. Bill Rodgers, who lives just outside of Thompsonville, is among those who would have lost benefits on Dec. 31 without the extension. I guess four months is better than nothing, he said. I think were at the point now where well take anything. Rodgers began working for Peabody Energy in 1969 at Eagle No. 1 mine near Shawneetown. His career with Peabody ended around 1993 when Peabody shut down Eagle No. 2, also located in Gallatin County, he said. Rodgers said he is in a better place than some others because his wife worked for the U.S. Postal Service, and the two took the necessary steps while she was still working to make sure he could be transferred onto her plan if he lost his. Recently, he said, the couple filled out the paperwork to put him on her plan, and then sought to undo that after Congress struck a deal on a four-month extension. Rodgers said that while the uncertainty has created headaches, hes far more worried about those who have no options. Some of these guys, I dont know where their next meal is coming from really if they were to shut off everything, Rodgers said. Jim Miller, who lives near Sesser, is among a group of coal miners whose benefits are slated to expire later in the spring of 2017. He was not directly helped by the four-month extension Congress approved, but could soon face the same predicament as those retirees whose benefits were scheduled to be cut off at years end. Miller retired from Alpha Natural Resources in 2007. He last worked at the Wabash mine in Keensburg. Alpha filed bankruptcy in August 2015. Its frustrating and its mind-boggling and everything all combined, Miller said. I can deal with it. If I have to be on the street without nothing, I can get on. But Miller said hes worried about his wife, as trying to figure out what to do if the benefits evaporate has consumed her, he said. My wife is a nervous basket case. I dont know what to tell her. As the fight continues, Jack McReynolds, a retired coal miner from West Frankfort and president of the UMWA Local Union 2420, District 12, said the one we have to deal with is that Mitch McConnell. Weve got all kinds of people on our side and hes the Senate majority leader and standing in the way McReynolds said. McConnell has been dogged by accusations from UMWA members that he held up passage of the measure because the union supported his opponent in a recent election. McConnell has said, according to multiple media outlets, that he has been committed to attempting to ensure the retirement security of coal miners and other retirees whose pension funds are unstable. Smith said hes seen some encouraging comments from Mitch McConnell regarding the health care piece in recent days. This past week, Sen. McConnell, R-Kentucky, told Kentucky public television that he will seek a permanent fix for retirees health care benefits affected by coal company bankruptcies. McConnell said in the interview he supported a one-year extension, but that was opposed by some House Republicans. Smith noted that the UMWAs push was also for a lifeline for the pension plan that provides retirement payments for members. Thats been the more controversial aspect of the UMWAs push, as some lawmakers have expressed concerns that bailing out a private pension plan may set a risky precedent for the federal government. The Miners Protection Act of 2015 would have expanded the eligible use of interest transferable from a reclamation fund paid into by coal companies, and provided for further supplemental general fund payments for retiree health care and pension costs. Smith said the line item for the supplemental health care fund payments is roughly $490 million annually, but not all of that is used every year. The UMWA is seeking to access that full amount and use whatever is left over to shore up its pension fund. If somehow we solve the health care issue but we dont solve the pension issue, were going to put everybody right back in the same boat, he said. In a statement, UMWA International President Cecil Roberts said the organization is more committed than ever to this fight. Congress needs to understand that these are real people whose lives are at risk, with real health care issues and real dependence on their small pensions to survive, he said. To callously cast them aside as some have advocated in and out of Congress is inhumane and morally reprehensible. His statement concluded, This is not a defeat, only final victory delayed. According to state law, fines, penalties, and license money shall be appropriated exclusively to the use and support of the common schools ... . An exception is fines for overloaded vehicles. Seventy-five percent of those funds go to state highways; 25 percent go to the county general fund where the fine or penalty is paid. Fifty percent of money forfeited or seized in enforcing drug laws goes to counties for drug enforcement. Vehicles seized in drug law cases may be used by law enforcement agencies or sold with the proceeds going to schools. Hurricane Hugo was bad for Steve Potts. The snowstorm that followed was even worse. In 1989 Potts had realized his lifelong dream of starting his own boat-building business. Hed launched Scout Boats with $50,000 of his own money, a rented 2,000-square-foot brick garage in Summerville and three employees his wife, a helper and himself. He was working hard to get the business going when Hugo swirled into Charleston. The monster storm demolished the garage and much of Potts inventory. It was going well, recalls Potts, who started building boats when he was 14. We were building a few boats a week. Then, in September, Hugo levelled the building and destroyed almost everything we had. We spent the next couple of weeks unburying what we could. We were able to save some of our molds. It was a miracle it didnt crush as much as it could have. But it was a freak snowstorm three months later that truly tested Potts resolve. Wed moved the business to a galvanized shed with a dirt floor and were getting some things going again, Potts said. On Dec. 22, the coast of South Carolina had the largest snowstorm in its history. We had almost 11 inches. The roof on the shed collapsed. Hugo was tough, but the snowstorm was our lowest point. Rather than giving up, my emotions were anger and determination. I had worked too hard all of my life not to continue on. Twenty-seven years later, Potts passion for his business is still obvious. Scout Boats is now one of the most respected brands in the marine industry. Scout builds sportfishing, fish n ski, walk-around and bay boat models ranging from 17 to 42 feet. In 2015, the company completed a 30,000-square-foot expansion of its 182,000-square-foot facility. Scout hired 107 new employees last year and expected to hire approximately 90 more this year. The $2.5 million expansion is expected to create 300 jobs. Today, we are one of the most diverse brands in recreational boating, Potts said. Twenty years ago I thought we were going to be a company that specialized in 24-foot and under boats. Now the bulk of our revenue comes from our 27-foot-and-up models. Our recent expansion allows us to respond to increased customer demand both domestically and overseas. We also begun the process for a new expansion that will include a 25,000-square-foot product development and engineering building. Scout Boats is part of a thriving marine industry in Dorchester County near Charleston. Home to four boat-building companies, the county is becoming known as the boat-building capital of South Carolina. Dorchester County has the largest number of employees in marine manufacturing of any other county in the state. Between 2009 and 2014, jobs in the countys marine industry grew by 108 percent. All of our boat builders have either recently completed or are planning significant expansions to their facilities, said John Truluck, director for Dorchester County Economic Development. Sales are growing faster than anticipated, and I expect the trend to continue. Overall, Dorchester County is doing well in terms of economic development, according to Truluck. Since 2011, weve announced more than 2,500 jobs and more than $430,000,000 in investments, Truluck said. We continue to see 5 percent year-over-year growth in population. Weve just passed Florence County to become the 12th largest county in the state. Growth brings its own set of challenges. Were working hard to build roads, schools and other public services to keep up with the population growth. Anna Pinckney, Scana Corp. economic development and local government manager, works closely with Dorchester County as an ally to help recruit companies and ensure SCE&G meets their energy needs. Pinckney also works with Charleston, Berkeley and eastern Orangeburg counties. John and his team have focused a number of efforts on developing new sites and buildings for prospective companies, Pinckney said. Theyve also become a Certified Work Ready Community and partnered with regional efforts to build awareness of the strong business advantages in Dorchester County. This has resulted in strong expansion as well as new industry investment. The counties, regional alliance and allies such as Scana, ReadySC and the Port of Charleston work as a team to create a base of high-value industries to improve the regions economy now and into the future, ultimately creating a globally competitive destination for business, entrepreneurs and talent. Over at Sportsman Boats, Dale Martin and Tommy Hancock have created an overnight success 30 years in the making. The two owned competing companies for many years. Hancock was one of the original founders of Sea Pro Boats, Inc. while Martin was co-founder of Key West Boats Inc. In 2003, Martin sold his interest in the company; a year later, Hancock sold his business as well. But they never really left the marine industry. Wed been following the industry over the years, Martin said, and we thought there was a niche market we could make a big impact in. Because of the economic downturn, we saw an opportunity to come up with some new products with fresh ideas. Sportsman Boats introduced its first model, a center-console saltwater fishing boat, in February 2012 at the Charleston Boat Show. It was an instant success. Since then the company has grown so rapidly, Martin and Hancock have been challenged to keep pace with demand. Our original business plan did not call for the kind of growth that weve accomplished in four years, Hancock said. When we started, the company had six employees and 20,000 square feet of leased space. We now have 200 employees building about 35 boats a week. We offer 17 models ranging from 17 to 31 feet, and well introduce our 18th in the 2017 model year. Its been unbelievable. One of the biggest problems weve had as a growing company is space, Martin said. When we moved in here three years ago, we thought we had plenty of room. We found out real quick that we didnt. We didnt know how large we were going to grow, but we did know that we were going to be successful. Earlier this year, the company completed an expansion project that added 118,000 square feet of space to its original 72,000-square-foot building. Martin said the expansion was necessary to accommodate growing market demand. Its a lot easier to sell a boat than to build a boat, Martin said. The additional space will allow us to build our inventory before we grow our sales force and expand our dealer network. Both Scout Boats and Sportsman Boats have been recognized for their contributions to the county and state. In 2014, Dale Martin was named the Economic Ambassador for Dorchester County. This past May, Scout was one of three companies presented with the South Carolina Export Achievement Award. Last year, the company exported its boats to more than 22 countries. All of our boat builders are great corporate citizens, Truluck said. We are proud of what they have accomplished and we want them to keep growing. Belk named to USA Today's 10Best list CHARLOTTE, N.C. Belk, a private, regional department store company, is among the top three best department stores in the country, based on a national poll done by USA Today. After four weeks of voting, Belk ranked third among 20 nominees in USA Todays 10Best Readers Choice Best Department Store contest. Nominees for the category are chosen by a panel of relevant experts and then voted on by the public to determine the winners. Walmart associates help childrens hospital COLUMBIA Walmart and Sam's Club associates, customers and members wrapped up a seven-week campaign, collecting more than $85,000 on behalf of Palmetto Health Childrens Hospital. It was part of a national campaign for Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals that resulted in nearly $37 million for member hospitals across America. Donations poured in Aug. 29 to Oct. 16 as Walmart and Sams Club associates at 25 locations held various in-store fundraising activities and asked customers and members at the register to help kids live better. As a company, we support many organizations doing great work around the globe, but there is little work more delicate or critical than the services provided by Palmetto Health Childrens Hospital and others like them, said Brooke Mueller, director of Public Affairs for Walmart. We are humbled to play a part in supporting their mission to provide the best care to children and their families in South Carolina. Commerce relaunches LocateSC website COLUMBIA -- The S.C. Department of Commerce announced the relaunch of its LocateSC website -- an online tool for site-selection needs. LocateSC.com connects prospective industries with available properties in all regions of the state. Simplifying the search to help companies locate available industrial sites, buildings and office space, the relaunched website also allows economic development organizations and property owners to register new properties in the free listing database. The website features flexible search criteria and is designed to assist companies in finding certified South Carolina sites. SCMA honors Lucas, McCrary COLUMBIA S.C. House Speaker Jay Lucas and William "Bill" McCrary Jr. were recognized by the South Carolina Manufacturers Association as Roger Milliken Defender of Manufacturing Award Recipients. Established in 2006, the Defender of Manufacturing Award recognizes individuals in the public and private sectors who have worked to advance the manufacturing industry in South Carolina. In 2012, the SCMA Board of Directors voted to rename the award to honor Roger Milliken, who died in December 2010. Recipients are chosen by the SCMA Executive Committee. Lucas was elected to serve District 65 in the S.C. House of Representatives in 1998. In 2010, his colleagues elected him speaker pro tempore and he was elected speaker in 2014. McCrary is president and CEO of William Barnet & Son, LLC, a synthetic fiber, yarn, and polymer firm. He has served in a leadership capacity for a variety of boards, including chairman of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, chairman of the American Fiber Manufacturers Association, and beginning early 2017, he will serve as chairman of the National Council of Textile Organizations. "The manufacturing industry has a significant and meaningful impact on the quality of life for all South Carolinians," said Lewis Gossett, president and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance. We're proud to recognize the individuals with the Roger Milliken Defender of Manufacturing Award for their commitment and support to ensure that the manufacturing industry in South Carolina remains strong, prosperous and competitive for generations." Orangeburg's Budweiser plant and warehouse has closed its doors and merged operations with the Sumter plant. Orangeburg Distributors merged with Sumter-based H&S Wholesalers to become MidCarolina Beverage LLC earlier this year. The merger will result in the loss of 17 jobs. The merger and closure were deemed necessary due to changing market conditions and a need to be more competitive. "The small guy does not stand a chance," Orangeburg Distributors owner Murray Baroody said. "This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make. It is breaking my heart." "I lost 17 really good people," he said. "These people are my family." Baroody owns the company with his sister Georganne Baroody Byrd. Baroody said the company has tried to place as many employees as it could, but he noted, "We are still in a depressed area." "Sumter has a more vibrant economy," Baroody said. "Hopefully, it is a good decision." Baroody said the company still plans to be involved in community philanthropic efforts as much as possible. As for the physical plant, Baroody said he has had little time to think of what will happen to it, though he would likely consider selling or leasing it. The two companies have a long history of beverage distribution within their communities. Orangeburg Distributors is a family-owned business that was founded in 1964 by M.A. "Tootie" and Eva Baroody. H&S Wholesalers was founded in Sumter in 1958 and has been run by its current owner, David Shaw, for 14 years. As part of its community outreach, the company helped bring the famous Budweiser Clydesdales to the Orangeburg area. The horses appeared in Orangeburg in 2015, 2009 and 2004. MidCarolina Beverage will fully serve six counties in South Carolina: Bamberg, Calhoun, Clarendon, Lee, Orangeburg and Sumter. It will also serve Lamar in Darlington County, Blackville in Barnwell County and Salley in Aiken County. Orangeburg Distributors employs 32 people. It has been on Sprinkle Avenue since 1977 and has approximately 42,000 square feet of warehouse space. The company distributes to about 40 different suppliers. This week, the Electoral College confirmed Donald J. Trump as president-elect to be sworn in on Jan. 20. All AMERICANS must, (not should) come together and support him as he and his Cabinet work to drain the swamp and change the direction of our country. I believe if Hillary Clinton had won the election, stick a fork in America, were done. However, our democratic republic survived eight years of left-wing leadership and under President-elect Donald J. Trumps leadership, America will be strong again. The Electoral College remained true and did not give into the wailing and other shameful demonstrations led by left-wingers (probably paid demonstrators). Its time for all Americans to join forces, accept their losses (Democrats), and come together to Make America Great Again. The cycle of a democracy lasts, according to my research, around 200 years before a revolution occurs into socialism, communism or dictatorship. Democrats, Republicans, independents and the far left voted in Barack Hussein Obama in 2008 and 2012 much to the chagrin of Republicans and all registered voters who did not support Obama. I dont recall in 2008 and 2012 any demonstrations or riots as weve witnessed since the election. Shame on the poor losers. This election will be the turning point to a stronger and better America. Christians all over America prayed, seeking Gods blessings, and he answered our prayers. In fact, several weeks before the election, witnessed by my best friend, we were playing Scrabble and all of a sudden, I called out to her in an excited voice. I said that the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, There will be an occurrence happening soon that will shock the world. After much thought and prayer, we knew that God heard our prayers. He did. He blessed AMERICA one more time. I hope you know him. Give God the glory forever and ever! Sonny Briggman, Orangeburg Russians, no; Martians, yes After much research and consideration, I have determined that the mishandling of emails was involved in the loss of the presidential election by Hillary Clinton. However, the Russians were in no way involved. I seems emails sent by Democrats to Santa Claus were deflected by increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and bounced through a hole in the ozone layer to the planet Mars. The Martians changed the emails so they would get the presents and asked Santa to send Donald Trump so the Democrats would not be left out. I am confident that this information will be confirmed by someone on Facebook in the next few weeks. Albert C. Watson, Orangeburg Thanks to military, families As the civilian aide to the secretary of the Army for South Carolina, I would like to extend my gratitude during this holiday season to all the members of the military who serve our state and nation to secure the protections of liberty for each of us. As we gather to celebrate the holidays and enjoy the warmth of family and friends, I hope we can all pause to consider what is perhaps our greatest Christmas gift -- the gift of freedom. Keep close in our thoughts and prayers the men and women who have given us that gift and continue to defend and protect it every day. Please take a moment to remember our service members who are deployed overseas this holiday season. They are far from their families and the comforts of home. For many, these are lonely and difficult days. What goes on in the Middle East is of keen interest to South Carolina. There are significant numbers of airmen and soldiers from the South Carolina National Guard, airmen from Shaw AFB and Charleston AFB, soldiers from Army Central located at Shaw AFB and Marines from the Marine Air Station Beaufort deployed overseas. For every deployed service member that means there are family members at home who will be without a special loved one during the holiday season. We pray that all our service members will return home soon and be reunited with their loved ones. Our deployed service members voluntarily stand up and brave the danger and hardships to defend the freedoms we enjoy. These are young men and women who have chosen service over self. They inspire us all by their willingness to put our safety, our security and our well-being first. It is a very humbling experience to know there are others who will put their lives on the line for people they dont even know. They portray what we Americans value most -- freedom. Lets all give thanks this season and throughout the coming year for the members of our military. Not only do they risk their lives daily, but they have sacrificed precious time away from their families so we can enjoy our freedoms. Let us give thanks as well this season, and throughout the coming year, to the families of the members of our military. It is they who most directly share the burdens of the long struggles to protect our American way of life. As you remember these military families, pray for all the spouses who have been doing the parenting of two while one stands guard for all of us, and remember the children who wait anxiously for mother or fathers return home. Lets be proud, grateful and thankful for all our service members. Each one of them has volunteered to protect our nation. Let us all admire their dedication to duty, their selflessness, and their courage as well as the ultimate sacrifice some have made for us. Pray that our service members have comfort and joy and peace on Earth during this holiday season. Bill Dukes, Chapin All bets are off now that the Security Council voted 14-0 to condemn Jewish settlement activity over Biblical Judea, Samaria, and even Jerusalem. Israel now has the green light to build, baby, build and Trump will have all the incentive he needs to move the United States Embassy to Jerusalem. As of that day, another date that will live in infamy, Friday, December 23, 2016, Israel owes nobody nothin. Annex Judea and Samaria. Forget the Oslo Accord. Forget 800 trucks a day plying food and supplies into Gaza. Forget the illusion of Abbas as a partner in peace. Declare him and his PA (Palestinian Authority) persona non grata. Letting it go through by the trick of abstaining, is an everlasting blight on Obama. That the United States, under Obama, took part in this abomination, by letting it go through by the trick of abstaining, is an everlasting blight on Obama and his failed administration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks on the first night of Chanukah this evening (Saturday, 24 December 2016) at an event in salute of wounded IDF and security forces veterans and victims of terrorism: All because that Security Council measure is so preposterous.Blast and damn the gluttonous Liberals, here, there and everywhere who delivered Israel into the claws and arms of those jackals.Their names will be associated together with Haman.From Donald Trump and US Congress, cease $600 million a year in direct funding for the PA and millions more through UNRWA and other false-front agencies.Dismantle the PLOs office in Washington, D.C.Forget the mirage of a two state solution. For Kerry, Obama, and Samantha Power, the action was taken to further peace.Nothing can be further from the truth. This was an act of infamy against the Jewish State.They say it was meant to advance a two state solution whereby two peoples live side by side in peace and security.Where do Arabs live in peace and security even among themselves Syria, Iraq, Yemen?Thats been the plan all alongto uproot the Jewish people from their ancestral homeland, by hook or by crook.Senators Lindsay Graham and Ted Cruz say so. Heres Cruz: "And for those who acquiesced or facilitated the UN resolution--especially President Obama, Secretary Kerry, and Ambassador Power--history will record your abiding and shameful legacy undermining our friend and ally Israel.How have the mighty fallen? This is President John F. Kennedy in 1961 at his inaugural address: Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.Instead, friends of liberty were blindsided by Obamas farewell address of sorts, his parting shot to sock it to the Jews.So now the table has been set for Donald Trump to do whats right.As the news came in, in anger we wrote (on Facebook): Donald Trump will have to DRAIN THAT SWAMP.Immediately end all financing for the UN, consider all resolutions against Israel flagrant, nonsensical, bigoted and non-binding...dissolve diplomatic status and immunity across the board...give all members 48 hours to pack up and leave town...and then destroy the building to a heap of rubble.Now that weve had a chance to calm down, we say it again, exactly as is, but add Build, Baby, Build.Citizens of Israel, I would like to reassure you. The resolution that was adopted yesterday at the United Nations is distorted and shameful but we will overcome it. The resolution determines that the Jewish Quarter [in the Old City of Jerusalem] is occupied territory. This is delusional. The resolution determines that the Western Wall is occupied territory. This too is delusional. There is nothing more absurd than calling the Western Wall and the Jewish Quarter occupied territory. There is also an attempt here, which will not succeed, to impose permanent settlement terms on Israel. You might recall that the last one who tried to do this was Carter, an extremely hostile president to Israel, and who just recently said that Hamas is not a terrorist organization. Carter passed sweeping decisions against us at the UN of a similar kind, and this was also unsuccessful. We opposed this and nothing happened.All American presidents since Carter upheld the American commitment not to try to dictate permanent settlement terms to Israel at the Security Council. And yesterday, in complete contradiction of this commitment, including an explicit commitment by President Obama himself in 2011 , the Obama administration carried out a shameful anti-Israel ploy at the UN. I would like to tell you that the resolution that was adopted, not only doesnt bring peace closer, it drives it further away. It hurts justice; it hurts the truth. Think about this absurdity, half a million human beings are being slaughtered in Syria. Tens of thousands are being butchered in Sudan. The entire Middle East is going up in flames and the Obama administration and the Security Council choose to gang up on the only democracy in the Middle East the State of Israel.My friends, I would like to tell you on the first night of Chanukah that this will not avail them. It took time but that resolution was rescinded ; it will take time but this one will also be rescinded. Now I will tell you how it will be rescinded. It will be rescinded not because of our retreats but because of our steadfastness and that of our allies. I remind you that we withdrew from Gaza, uprooted communities and took people out of their graves. Did this help us at all at the UN? Did this improve our relations at the UN? We were hit with thousands of rockets and at the UN we were hit with the Goldstone report So I will tell you what is clear, I know, to the vast majority of Israeli citizens: We learned this lesson, and we will not go there. But I also want to tell you something else: We are not alone. I spoke last night with many American leaders. I was pleased to hear from members of the American Congress, from Democrats and Republicans alike, that they will fight an all-out war against this resolution with all the power at their disposal. I heard the exact same things from our friends in the incoming administration, who said that they will fight an all-out war against this resolution. And I heard this from across the spectrum of American public opinion and American politics Republicans, Democrats, Jews and non-Jews. As I spoke yesterday with leaders in Congress and the incoming American administration, they told me unequivocally: We are sick of this and it will not continue. We will change this resolution. We will not allow anyone to harm the State of Israel. They are declaring their intention to pass legislation to punish countries and bodies that try to harm Israel. They say that this will also include the UN itself. I remind you that the UN receives a quarter, 25%, of its budget from the US alone. In my most recent speech to the UN, in September , I said that a storm was expected in the UN before it gets better there. We knew that this is possible and we expect that it will come. The resolution that was passed at the UN yesterday is part of the swan song of the old world that is biased against Israel, but, my friends, we are entering a new era. And just as President-elect Trump said yesterday, it will happen much sooner than you think. In the new era there is a much higher price for those who try to harm Israel, and that the price will be exacted not only by the US, but by Israel as well.Two countries with which we have diplomatic relations cosponsored the resolution against us at the UN; therefore, I ordered yesterday that our ambassadors be recalled from, Senegal and from New Zealand. I have ordered that all Israeli assistance to Senegal be halted, and theres more to come. Those who work with us will benefit because Israel has much to give to the countries of the world.But those who work against us will lose because there will be a diplomatic and economic price for their actions against Israel. Additionally, I have instructed the Foreign Ministry to complete, within a month, a reassessment of all of our contacts with the UN, including Israeli financing of UN institutions and the presence of UN representatives in the country. But I am not waiting; already now I have ordered to halt approximately NIS 30 million in financing for five UN institutions, five UN bodies that are especially hostile to Israel. I have already ordered that this be stopped, and there is more to come.We are on a campaign of improving our relations with the nations of the world. And it will take more time, and I have said this as well, until our improved relations with countries on five continents are also reflected in their decisions in UN institutions. But I would like to tell you something else, and listen closely to what Im saying. Contrary to what you might expect, it is very likely that last nightswill accelerate this process, because it is the straw that broke the camels back. The December IPA Review is out and Andrew Bushnell has an article on Crime and Punishment. Australia is spending money inappropriately on punishment when policing is what is needed in some matters. Bushnell argues for non violent criminals to have alternatives to incarceration. The idea is that incarceration for extended periods is not a strong deterrence as shorter periods with alternative measures. The left wing view that society is at fault is given short shrift. For me the issue is live because of my 2016 experience with Stiffler in Hallam. Stiffer was a pedophile under observation by police who drifted into ice use when a prostitute dealer noticed he had a regular income. Stiffler became violent at home, but when it was reported to police they had to act to protect his pedophile status from being widely known. The result was the police had to protect the pedophile and keep his status under wraps even as his violence escalated. Riot squad was used to remove him from the premises after he did over $10k damage, but because the place was not insured it could have been much more. After being removed by riot squad Stiffler was released again. It took three weeks to obtain a protective order which the courts insisted be watered down at mediation to be a voluntary protective order. Bushnell is right in his analysis, but as well as more police, police need to be given appropriate authority. Further, certain assumptions of duty of care need to be re aligned, as violent youths and pedophiles are not the same as people who have never offended. Touchingly, Bushnell steers clear of the Libertarian view legalising marijuana, but he still puts forward the crazy argument that laws are criminalising behaviours. Last Christmas Dan Andrews, Premier of Victoria, asked Victorians not to say Merry Christmas but instead Happy Holidays. Andrews argued that people could be offended by Christmas references. Not in Sri Lanka where the worlds largest Christmas Tree was built, to the disgust of the Catholic Church who viewed the exercise as waste. No offence in Lebanon, Malaysia or Singapore where Christmas is also celebrated. So who are the Christmas cheer fearing people Andrews is shielding? ISIS supporters? This year, Andrews warns against excessive consumption. Andrews seems to be a terrorist promoting atheist wowser of the worst order. Andrews illustrates why Trump is so popular. Turnbull is the reason why Trump popularity is not strongly expressed in Australia. Andrews (and Shorten) are bad leaders, but Turnbull is not a credible alternative. Malcolm Turnbull is PM, but has bad judgement and no authority without his bedwetters. === from 2015 === It is good to look a the Christmas postings. Some celebrating the birth of jesus, while some are celebrating family and love. I wasn't raised to know God, and I get how most anyone feels in their posts. Except the hate posts. The dark hopes that people will suffer. There is plenty to go around without wanting more. But note, if I thank service men and women who are working on Christmas to keep people safe, they aren't the haters. And I thank them because their service suggests devotion and love. I read an article blaming Israel, and so called Palestinians, for violence in Bethlehem. Apparently the 'reprehensible' Israelis are being stabbed and run over by cars and trying to live. The press want those Israelis to give peace a chance. Another article declares refugees are being burned out of their premises by the hundreds in Germany. Or near mosques in the US. The suggestion being that Islamic peoples aren't safe in the west. But such memes are dangerous. The truth is terrorists rule in so called Palestine. They call themselves Islamic and the reform Islam movement suggests they aren't. Calling all Muslims terrorists is stupid, and feeds the conflagration of memes that terrorists use to justify their insane acts. And the people who post the utter rubbish get to see the fruit of their work as those that serve work extra hard to protect them. Support those who are victims. Love those who are family and friends. And resist those who promote terror. And send so called Palestinians back to Jordan. Merry Christmas. From 2014 The passing of Jeremy Lloyd a groundbreaking comedian. Born in 1930, he was the son of a show dancer and a petroleum engineer. He had begun manual labour, his parents viewing him as a failure, and at age 28 became a writer after making a concept script and forcing a Rank studio executive to hear about it. He became a regular writer when a previous one had moved on and he was asked to replace them. He called them to ask how they had done it, and offered them half the pay. Jeremy was old school. He wrote what became groundbreaking series like "Are You Being Served" and "Allo, Allo" but they have since been surpassed with modern writing teams applying dramatic theory. It is no longer actors delivering lines from a single author. And yet Jeremy delivered that when it was fresh and charming. Situation comedy reached a peak with him, and he had not been raised to it, but applied himself to it because of the turgid nature of post WW2 movie comedy. He died 22nd December at age 84 of pneumonia. One can still learn much watching the master's work. An eight hour siege in Gold coast finished with the gunman walked out of a unit in handcuffs. It isn't analogous to Sydney, where there were hostages. The gunman threatened to harm the property he was holed up in. He had fired two 'warning shots' and police got a siege squad with negotiators involved. The man is said to be suffering from diverse personal issues, but did not appear to be drunk or drug affected. US police shooting. Man pulled gun on police and was killed as they fired in self defence. It is important that police always do that, and not hesitate. To hesitate is to risk the police being the victim. Pulling a gun on police is supposed to be dangerous. Meanwhile the mother has tried to create a riot suggesting her son had been chased and shot by police. Video evidence shows that is not true. It is apparent her son had been with a friend involved with theft at a petrol station. The friend is not yet apprehended. Nanobots .. the next best thing since GM food. Expect scare stories meant to prevent research into something useful. Students need to participate in activities. All of them. The idea that protesting an activity is enlightened, is harmful for kids, as was the idea of exploiting kids for the Chinese cultural revolution or for the Nazi fascist ideal. There is consistent anecdotal evidence that despite the protest movement instilling the unproductive practice of students protesting worthwhile activity such as math drill work or non routine exercises such as BMI discovery, still the AGW hysteric movement has successfully exploited children to support their movement. Critical thinking is important, but obstruction is disempowering. From 2013 As it is Christmas Day, regular columnists haven't posted. Yesterday's editorial focused on criticism of the church. Todays is about Jesus of Nazareth. This blog is secular and welcomes people of all religious persuasions, or none. This writer is a Christian and believes that Jesus was Christ, the son of God. I have embraced two decisions before coming to that conclusion. The first was to accept that God was possible, which at age eighteen, being raised by devout atheists, was a big leap. I had known the straw dogs which are often drawn to demolish the plausibility of a concept such as God. God, as I'd thought before I accepted the possibility, was not only not possible, but absurd. If God could do anything, could he build a bridge so vast he couldn't leap across it? If he couldn't leap across it, he wasn't God, if he couldn't build it he wasn't God, ergo, God could not exist as it is not possible to satisfy both conjectures. Clearly, if God were to exist, he would not be capable of all things. But the mistake of my thinking, I later came to believe, was that my construction of God was what was not possible. If God exists, he is clearly not what I was portraying Him as being. What is the world like without God? Is it any different? Why would God make the world the way he did if he had existed? I accepted that God was possible only after I admitted he was different to what I had constructed him as being. The second decision took twenty five years for me. It was to accept that the resurrection was real. I had thought it inspired by an army of devout believers and hucksters. But, for some reason, it is natural for a person to be religious, and those that don't tend to suffer. The accounts of the gospels and contemporaneous sources are compelling for me that the resurrection happened .. a group of late teen, early twenties men and women who were not well educated did not deceive the best learners of the age. The authorities could have challenged assertions but chose not to. If one accepts the resurrection happened, and that God is possible .. there is debate in Christian circles as to how to worship God, but there is unanimity of thought too .. Jesus was God, and he died for a purpose, and he resurrected. What that means for you, is only something you and the Lord know. Maybe he wasn't born on this precise Day. Maybe he wasn't thirty three years old when he was crucified. But, what does it mean? Merry Christmas. Special thanks to birthday girl Chih Yun, who founded, with her husband, David, the Jesus Family Centre in Cabramatta over twenty years ago. Thanks to her choice to open a church for Chinese peoples living in Sydney, the church has grown to embrace peoples of all nationalities and ethnicities. They accepted me on Christmas Day in 2007. I had become a recluse, besieged by some very bad people. But her family gave me a home. Historical perspective on this day === Publishing News === This column welcomes feedback and criticism. The column is not made up but based on the days events and articles which are then placed in the feed. So they may not have an apparent cohesion they would have had were they made up. === I am publishing a book called Bread of Life: January. Bread of Life is a daily bible quote with a layman's understanding of the meaning. I give one quote for each day, and also a series of personal stories illustrating key concepts eg Who is God? What is a miracle? Why is there tragedy? January is the first of the anticipated year-long work of thirteen books. One for each month and the whole year. It costs to publish. It (Kindle version) should retail at about $2US online, but the paperback version would cost more, according to production cost. If you have a heart for giving, I fundraise at gofund.me/27tkwuc === Editorials will appear in the "History in a Year by the Conservative Voice" series, starting with August , September , October, or at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/1482020262/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_dVHPub0MQKDZ4 The kindle version is cheaper, but the soft back version allows a free kindle version. List of available items at Create Space July June May April March February January December November October September August Collected writings The Amazon Author Page for David Ball UK .. http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B01683ZOWG French .. http://www.amazon.fr/-/e/B01683ZOWG Japan .. http://www.amazon.co.jp/-/e/B01683ZOWG German .. http://www.amazon.de/-/e/B01683ZOWG AUSTRALIA WINS If youre not thankful for being Australian this Christmas, you just havent been paying attention. CHRISTMAS 2016 Merry Christmas to all readers, and best wishes for a fantastic 2017. Tim Blair Best wishes to all readers, commenters and emailers from everyone here at the Blair compounds Christmas Carbon Creation Centre, and lets keep burning it up in 2016: === Tim Blair UPDATE. Readers are invited to celebrate Christmas with Andy Kaufmans uncanny Elvis Presley impersonation:UPDATE. Click and scroll for an epic Christmas tune showdown between Iowahawk and veteran music critic Kurt Loder, whose own bizarre Elvis connection is revealed here === Tim Blair Lady Pages writer Ruby Hamad found herself Earlier this month,writer Ruby Hamad found herself troubled by diversity On Saturday, the day of Victorias election, the Rise Up Australia Party posted the above photo to their Facebook page. Yes, it appears that Australias far right, ultra-nationalist, evangelical Christian, anti-abortion, and anti-immigration party has an extraordinary amount of gender and racial diversity. More so, as I noted someone comment dryly under the photo, than The Greens. How is this possible? It is easily possible once you realise that superwhite middle- and upper-class Greens make Casper look like Blind Joe Reynolds . To get around this conundrum, Hamad literally argues that black is white: Whiteness is essentially those cultural beliefs, practices, norms and values that are sanctioned by white, western society. The term Judeo-Christian values is simply a handy shorthand for all of the above. Rise Up Australia is an example of how you can share in the bounty of white privilege even if you are not white, as long as you are willing to play by the rules. And one of these rules is to talk about race in a way that legitimises the dominance of white culture. Hamad concludes that people who dont conform to her narrow notions of race and culture have betray[ed] their respective communities. And themselves. Yep. Shes straight-up calling them a bunch of Uncle Toms . Interestingly, Hamad previously complained about a too-white panel discussing multiculturalism. Yet, for all she knows, some may hold culural beliefs allowing them to share in the bounty of black history even if they are not black. === === Misinformation and lies can strain families and relationships all the way to the grave. It takes real courage to give the truth and live the truth. That means going out of your way to see that it is correct and doing repair work when wrong. I know we each do not see things the same. We can make amends and someone can still be unsatisfied. Only do what you can from the well of a good heart, let the rest play out. It is so true, and especially around this time of the year where family gets together.. it hurts more because it's family who can perpetuate misinformation and ill feelings. But I always turn to my wife and say "remember how when we met, we wanted a loving family ever since we grew up surrounded by the ones that let us down, this just reminds us to raise our kids by good example" = Sometimes we feel unappreciated and alone as if we do not matter. It is key to try to remember feelings are not always accurate and they can be challenged. We are not prisoners of our thoughts. We can change them to be more realistic and less emotional... ((((Hugs)))) My Christmas wish to you is that we may know peace, serenity, and calmness from the start of the day til the end and may it begin again the following day.. Merry Christmas!!! === www.foxnews.com === "This is what you shall do; Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated person s and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body." === How Do You Explain Jesus Christ? A young man whose father is a carpenter grows up working in his fathers shop. He has no formal education. He owns no property of any kind. One day he puts down his tools and walks out of his fathers shop. He starts preaching on street corners and in the nearby countryside. Walking from place to place preaching all the while even though he is in no way an ordain ed minister he never gets farther than an area perhaps 100 miles wide at the most. He does this for three years. Then he is arrested, tried and convicted. There is no court of appeal so he is executed at age 33 along with two common thieves. Those in charge of his execution roll dice to see who gets his clothingthe only possessions he has. His family cannot afford a burial place so he is interred in a borrowed tomb. End of story? No, this uneducated, propertyless young man who preached on street corners for only three years who left no written word has for 2000 years had a greater effect on the entire world than all the rulers, kings and emperors, all the conquerors, the generals and admirals, all the scholars, scientists and philosophers who ever livedall put together. How do we explain that? Unless He really was what He said he was.Ronald Reagan === www.washingtonpost.com === www.news.com.au This is why we can't have nice things? - ed ...Yep, the trouble with guns is that it takes little skill to kill. So therefore there is little thought involved in training how to use a gun. He could've easily yell out "identify yourself or I will shoot". But a nervous person with a deadly weapon can't think straight. === < Yet despite all the evidence morons still keep electing these left wing Socialist alliance cretins.> mrcltd.org.au === israeltheviewfromhere.blogspot.com === israeltheviewfromhere.blogspot.se === www.algemeiner.com === === israelisoldiersmother.blogspot.com === unitycoalitionforisrael.org === .. there is a specific reason for what is happening .. and it isn't because of Israel. What has happened is the US has voted in a weak President .. he might agree with what is happening, but it is still an erosion of his power. - ed === www.algemeiner.com === www.algemeiner.com === www.foxnews.com === www.washingtonpost.com === www.imra.org.il === www.tlvfaces.com === www.israelnationalnews.com === www.israelnationalnews.com === palwatch.org NIV So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:16-20 === Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon Morning "For your sakes he became poor." 2 Corinthians 8:9 The Lord Jesus Christ was eternally rich, glorious, and exalted; but "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor." As the rich saint cannot be true in his communion with his poor brethren unless of his substance he ministers to their necessities, so (the same rule holding with the head as between the members), it is impossible that our Divine Lord could have had fellowship with us unless he had imparted to us of his own abounding wealth, and had become poor to make us rich. Had he remained upon his throne of glory, and had we continued in the ruins of the fall without receiving his salvation, communion would have been impossible on both sides. Our position by the fall, apart from the covenant of grace, made it as impossible for fallen man to communicate with God as it is for Belial to be in concord with Christ. In order, therefore, that communion might be compassed, it was necessary that the rich kinsman should bestow his estate upon his poor relatives, that the righteous Saviour should give to his sinning brethren of his own perfection, and that we, the poor and guilty, should receive of his fulness grace for grace; that thus in giving and receiving, the One might descend from the heights, and the other ascend from the depths, and so be able to embrace each other in true and hearty fellowship. Poverty must be enriched by him in whom are infinite treasures before it can venture to commune; and guilt must lose itself in imputed and imparted righteousness ere the soul can walk in fellowship with purity. Jesus must clothe his people in his own garments, or he cannot admit them into his palace of glory; and he must wash them in his own blood, or else they will be too defiled for the embrace of his fellowship. O believer, herein is love! For your sake the Lord Jesus "became poor" that he might lift you up into communion with himself. Evening Isaiah 40:5 "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." We anticipate the happy day when the whole world shall be converted to Christ; when the gods of the heathen shall be cast to the moles and the bats; when Romanism shall be exploded, and the crescent of Mohammed shall wane, never again to cast its baleful rays upon the nations; when kings shall bow down before the Prince of Peace, and all nations shall call their Redeemer blessed. Some despair of this. They look upon the world as a vessel breaking up and going to pieces, never to float again. We know that the world and all that is therein is one day to be burnt up, and afterwards we look for new heavens and for a new earth; but we cannot read our Bibles without the conviction that-- "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does his successive journeys run." We are not discouraged by the length of his delays; we are not disheartened by the long period which he allots to the church in which to struggle with little success and much defeat. We believe that God will never suffer this world, which has once seen Christ's blood shed upon it, to be always the devil's stronghold. Christ came hither to deliver this world from the detested sway of the powers of darkness. What a shout shall that be when men and angels shall unite to cry "Hallelujah, hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!" What a satisfaction will it be in that day to have had a share in the fight, to have helped to break the arrows of the bow, and to have aided in winning the victory for our Lord! Happy are they who trust themselves with this conquering Lord, and who fight side by side with him, doing their little in his name and by his strength! How unhappy are those on the side of evil! It is a losing side, and it is a matter wherein to lose is to lose and to be lost forever. On whose side are you? === Today's reading: Habakkuk 1-3, Revelation 15 (NIV) View today's reading on Bible Gateway Today's Old Testament reading: Habakkuk 1-3 1 The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. Habakkuks Complaint 2 How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, Violence! but you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. 4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.... ...read the rest on Bible Gateway Today's New Testament reading: Revelation 15 Seven Angels With Seven Plagues 1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagueslast, because with them Gods wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3and sang the song of Gods servant Moses and of the Lamb: Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. 4 Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.... ...read the rest on Bible Gateway Great and marvelous are your deeds,Lord God Almighty.Just and true are your ways,King of the nations.Who will not fear you, Lord,and bring glory to your name?For you alone are holy.All nations will comeand worship before you,for your righteous acts have been revealed.... ===Tim Blair========= We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Ramblings of a badly aged Baby Boomer who went from Rebel Without a Cause to Bozo Without a Clue in, seemingly, the same afternoon. Baylar mosque has opened in Baku after the renovation work. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony. The head of state and his spouse viewed Holy relics exhibition at the Mosque. Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), ranked second in UAE foreign aid contributions during 2015, claiming Dh2.70 billion ($736.73 million) out of the total aid of Dh32.3 billion ($8.8 billion) 2015, a report said. Government aid ranked first with 86.1 per cent of total aid spent amounting to Dh27.84 billion ($7.57 billion), said Emirates news agency WAM, citing the report titled "UAE's Foreign Aid in 2015" by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MoFAIC. Remarking on the results, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, ADFD director-general, said, "Our leaderships guidance, directives and vision has ensued the UAEs leading role towards global development and humanitarian assistance. Their global outlook and perseverance in philanthropy has helped steer ADFD towards its mission; to support and fund sustainable socio-economic growth." He lauded the funds Dh2.7 billion contribution in 2015 to maintain its commitment and dedication within the field of development work, explaining that alongside ADFDs main objective of administering concessionary loans for developing countries, it also manages the UAEs government grants. He added that development aid ranks first in UAE foreign aid segments; it totalled Dh29.75 billion, leading with 92 per cent over humanitarian and charitable aid. Al Suwaidi also said that the fund, finances projects in key socio-economic sectors such as education, infrastructure, health and social services, agriculture, transport and renewable energy. According to the report, Africa received the lions share; a total of Dh25.11 billion, a 70 per cent increase over 2014s Dh14.67 billion. Countries on the Asian continent received Dh6.63 billion, whereas both Europe and the Americas totalled at Dh586.94 million. Viva Bahrain, a leading telecom services operator in the kingdom, has donated over BD150,000 ($395,000) as financial support to Masaken Housing project in Hamad Town, said a report. The inauguration of the first model of "Masaken" project in Allawzi area in the Northern Governorate was held under the partonage of Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW). HRH Princess Sabeeka thanked Viva Bahrain for its donation to furnish the flats in the project as part of its community responsibility, stressing the key role of the private sector in supporting such quality projects, reported BNA. Princess Sabeeka later attended a briefing by Housing Minister Bassim bin Yaqoob Al Hamar on "Masaken" project. She stressed that the project was in line with a recommendation approved by His Majesty on the basis of a study conducted by SCW to determine the needs of Bahraini women, reported BNA. Lauding the efforts of the Housing Ministry in providing citizens with decent homes, Princess Sabeeka said these type of housing projects were designated to a Bahraini social component. She also affirmed that the right to housing for women is top priority for SCW so as to boost family stability and enhance women's social contribution and development role, it added. The UAE has invested Dh10 billion ($2.72 billion) into the education sector equivalent to a 22 per cent increase in governmental spending on education, both general and higher, experts heard at a recent summit in Oxford, UK. Emirates College for Management & Information (ECMIT), a leading private higher educational institution based in Dubai, participated at the Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 in Oxford, UK held under the theme Investment in Science and Education: Investing in the Future. Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 is an annual event for education, scientific research and business. The UAE is increasingly gaining global importance as an ideal destination for investments in higher education as the Gulf nation gives top priority to education as a means to achieving economic success and development, said Prof Abdul Sattar A Al-Alusi, president and CEO of EMIT during a presentation at the summit. The UAE Government envisions an exceptional system of higher education based on innovation, academic excellence and scientific research. Its policies and regulations, programmes and initiatives are all formulated to meet its overarching goal of building a knowledge-based economy. The results of such efforts are visible in the growth and internationalization of higher education in the country. The UAE Governments higher education strategies have attracted international student mobility to the country, which has exponentially grown to more than 37 branch campuses within the last 10 years the highest number among 200 worldwide higher education providers. This has been achieved by providing the platform for the construction of state-of-the-art campuses, investor-friendly regulations and policies, world-class support services to migrating students, and a wide array of degree specializations that meet current job market requirements, he added. Prof Al-Alusi further explained that in order to ensure excellent access to both public and private higher education for citizens and residents, the UAE adopts several measures and guidelines including promoting educational institution leadership in the areas of R&D, creativity, innovation and competitiveness. The main drivers of growth for higher education in the country lie in policies and infrastructure, and quality and standards. It is evident that the rise of higher education institutions is not random but rather a focused move to boost the economic growth of the country, he further stated. Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 was participated by a wide group of decision makers, education leaders, scientists, and representatives of academic institutions, universities and specialized companies from more than 50 countries around the world. Organized by the European Business Association in Oxford, the session focused on the most important issues and aspects in the areas of education and scientific research. The summit discussed the latest developments and emerging trends on integrating the education, business and science sectors and highlighted the best practices and cutting-edge tools in the field of learning management. TradeArabia News Service A Russian military plane with 91 people on board has crashed into the Black Sea and debris from the plane has been found in the sea near Sochi, media reports said. The plane disappeared from radar 20 minutes after taking off from Adler airport in the resort of Sochi at 05:20 (02:20 GMT), said a BBC report. The Russian defence ministry said the Tu-154 aircraft was carrying service personnel, members of the famed Alexandrov choir and reporters. The plane was reportedly flying to Syria's Latakia province. Russian defence ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said the plane was carrying passengers to a New Year's performance for Russian troops deployed in Syria. Russia - a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - has been carrying out air strikes against what it described as terrorist groups. The aircraft went missing as it was manoeuvring over Russia's territorial waters, a source at the emergency ministry was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. Iran plans to hold several international tenders for its Yadavaran and North Azadegan oil fields, a senior oil official of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said. Deputy for Engineering and Development Affairs Gholam-Reza Manouchehri stressed that the Chinese companies should also attend if they want to continue cooperation with Iran, reported state news agency IRNA. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) is willing to continue the deal on the development of North Azadegan oil field, Manouchehri told IRNA. Stressing that the CNPC should apply according to Iran's new petroleum contracts, Manouchehri said the Chinese company has accepted Iran's conditions. He further noted that the NIOC has already held talks with China's Sinopec on development of Yadavaran oil field but still the company has to win an international tender to be held for it. According to reports, the Chinese companies are responsible for developing the first phases of the two Iranian oil fields, but their performances have attracted certain criticism, persuading Iranian officials to reconsider ceding the development of Yadavaran and North Azadegan oil fields to them again. KBR, a leading engineering and construction company, said it has been awarded a contract by Indonesian power generation company PT PLN for engineering and design services to expand the gas supply infrastructure across Indonesia. Under the terms of the contract, KBR will perform the feasibility study to develop a reliable, efficient and robust infrastructure and logistics ecosystem for the LNG regasification of and gas supply to the multiple gas-fired power plants in Sumatera, Maluku and Papua provinces, with the potential for additional locations. With the findings and recommendations from the feasibility study, KBR will then perform the front end engineering design (Feed) work for the proposed infrastructure schemes, developing preliminary engineering designs and technical design basis, said a statement from the Texas-based company. During the course of the project, the company will also provide on-the-job training to PLN's project team members. Both the feasibility study and Feed work are expected to be performed over approximately nine months through an integrated team led by LNG expertise from KBR's London office with support from KBR's Jakarta office and its Granherne subsidiary. "KBR is very pleased to be awarded this important project for the realization of a significant expansion of Indonesia's gas infrastructure as part of its power supply plan. We look forward to continuing our long history in Indonesia and our valued relationship with PT PLN," remarked Greg Conlon, KBR president for Asia Pacific. "This project demonstrates KBR's ability to offer integrated solutions through a collaborative execution model to our customers in Asia Pacific by bringing together our global knowledge, experiences and expertise," stated Conlon. For more than 40 years, KBR has led the concept development, study, design and construction of over 45 per cent of the world's LNG facilities. KBR has participated in nearly 50 LNG terminal projects covering all project phases including feasibility studies, basic design, Feed and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) execution, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Islamabad is seeking ways to facilitate the purchase of electricity and gas from Iran, a senior Pakistan government official said. Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said that during his upcoming visit to Tehran, Iran he would hold talks on cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in the purchase of electricity for Gwadar port, reported Iran Daily, citing Irna. Pakistan is willing to import electricity from Iran for all areas along the Iran-Pakistan border, he said. He added that in the next few weeks, impediments to banking cooperation between the two countries could be removed. Kuwait's government plans to sell 50 per cent shares in its Az-Zour North One Independent Water & Power Project (IWPP) to the public by the middle of next year, reported the state news agency Kuna. The $1.7-billion Az-Zour North One project located about 100 km south of capital Kuwait City, began full commercial operations last month and is now gearing up for its debut public issue, it stated. The gas-fired combined cycle power and desalination plant has a 1,500 MW capacity. It is 40 per cent owned by three partners: France's Engie , Japan's Sumitomo Corporation and Kuwaiti firm AH Al Sagar & Brothers, while the rest of the stake is with Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund KIA, the Public Institution for Social Security, and the PPP body Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP), said the state new agency. Built on the public-private partnership (PPP) model, the Az-Zour North One boasts a daily capacity of about 480,000 tonnes, accounting for 12 per cent of the installed generation capacity and about 23 per cent of the installed desalination capacity in Kuwait. A long-term 40-year Energy Conversion and Water Purchase Agreement was sealed in 2013 by the government with the partners and the plant was completed on schedule in under three years from the start of construction on November 26, said the Kuna report. Under this, all of the power and water generated through the project will be supplied to the Ministry of Electricity and Water of Kuwait. As per the deal, the government is mandated to sell 50 per cent of its ownership to Kuwaiti citizens, through an IPO. However, it will retain 10 per cent stake following the IPO, the report added. Black Hills Energy appliance deliveries occurred over the last two weeks, including the Casper 12-24 Club, where team members delivered three free-standing fireplaces. A total of 79 appliances were donated to 18 organizations in central Wyoming valued at $117,000 in the past year. Black Hills Energy is making the holidays happier by donating 141 major home appliances valued at $201,000 to nonprofits in 18 communities across Wyoming. This event demonstrates our mission of Improving Life With Energy by taking time to give back to the communities we serve, said Shirley Welte, vice president of Black Hills Energys Wyoming electric and natural gas utilities. As the year draws to a close, we thought this would be a nice way for our employees to reach out and engage with the communities we serve and the places our employees and their families call home. The donated appliances are part of an inventory reduction resulting from the companys decision to discontinue sales of hearth products, kitchen and laundry appliances. Competition in those areas is such that we cannot provide the level of value we want for our customers, Welte said. We will continue to offer sales and service of furnaces and water heaters and our repair program, the Customer Appliance Protection Plan, in communities where we always have. Those remain a good value. Wyoming communities where nonprofits received appliances: Northeast Wyoming: Gillette, Moorcroft, Newcastle, Upton and Wright Central Wyoming: Bar Nunn, Casper, Douglas, Glenrock, Lander and Riverton Southern Wyoming: Cheyenne, Hanna, Laramie, Medicine Bow, Rawlins, Saratoga and Torrington The purple line on the map tells a story. Like holiday revelers making their way home, it dips and dives a bit, but its general trajectory is direct. It shows how thousands of mule deer start in a spot in the middle of the barren Red Desert and end almost 150 miles away in the mountains of northern Wyoming. And while the line is impressive enough it covers more than half the length of Wyoming what it doesnt show is even more striking. The four-legged travelers with big ears and an appetite for sagebrush must squeeze under or jump over more than 100 fences, dodge vehicles as they cross three to four paved highways and avoid dogs and humans as they navigate sprawling rural subdivisions. Among the critters who make that perilous journey is a middle-aged female who researchers aptly named Jet. She isnt unique, and thats the point. She represents a herd of long-distance migrants that has been making the same epic trek for what could be thousands of years. Researchers with the Wyoming Migration Initiative, a group based at the University of Wyoming focusing on big-game migrations, have been posting updates on her progress on social media as a way to help people identify with her travels. The distances she covers, where she stops, how fat she is and whether she delivered and cared for a fawn are all part of her now-public story. People relate to her journey, said Matt Kauffman, director of the Migration Initiative. On one hand, because the fact that people relate to her journey and migration gives us a vehicle to talk about raising a fawn and fences and roads, and its easier to talk about that through the adventure of Jets 130-mile migration than talking about road mortalities. But I think the migration she takes is also familiar to us. In a field that generally doesnt single out individuals populations are important, wildlife biologists say, not one single animal Jets story has become a way to engage the public on the importance of migrations throughout the West. In less than a year, she has gained thousands of followers on Facebook and her own searchable hashtag #WYODEER. Maps show her progress in that purple line, moving slowly up and back down Wyomings open spaces. Its been almost five years since Wyoming researchers discovered the longest migrating mule deer herd in the world. And now Jet and the 39 others wearing tracking collars are poised to show wildlife managers, conservation groups and landowners if all of the work thats needed to preserve migration routes across Wyoming and the West is succeeding. *** Jet the mule deer doe with the 130 mile migration has made it through the worst of the winter. We recaptured her in mid March and gave her a new tracking collar, good for another two years. She had no measurable rump fat in December and hadnt been able to build any fat over winter, which is typical for mule deer and other ungulates. Somehow, she has survived to April. Wyoming Migration Initiative Facebook post from April 22 Jets survival, as with all wild animals, is tenuous. She not only faces human-related perils on her journey from fences to highways she also must navigate the same threats deer have struggled with for centuries. Predators like coyotes and wolves wander some of the route. Groceries on her winter range vary from poor to sometimes nonexistent. One bad winter can prove deadly, especially to the weakest animals. Researchers first collared Jet in March of 2014. An ultrasound showed she was pregnant as she headed north from her winter range near Rock Springs. But when researchers watched her as she returned to her winter range in the fall, she didnt have a baby with her. Almost all of these deer are pregnant when we catch them in March, and some have twins and a couple have triplets in utero, Kauffman said. They give birth in June in the mountains, and if they survive the summer and when they get to winter range, we look for them. In March of 2015, she was pregnant with twins. Once again she failed to return to her winter range with offspring. Researchers named her Jet, after the nickname of the graduate student who built the first collar she wore. The collar was ultimately replaced, but the name stuck. She propels herself across 130 miles of Wyomings landscape, so it was a name that fit, Kauffman said. Having Jet have a name has helped the public relate to her a little more. Kauffmans team hasnt done a formal dental analysis on Jet to decipher her exact age, but they estimate shes about 6 or 7 years old. A mule deer living in the wild making her kind of journey can live into its low teens. When researchers trapped her again this March, they found she was once again pregnant with a single fawn. *** HOME AT LAST: JET, THE #WYODEER, COMPLETES A 7-WEEK LONG MIGRATION Jet the mule deer doe has finally arrived on her summer range in the U.S. Forest Service-Bridger-Teton National Forest. She began her migration on May 31st, when she left her winter range on the Bureau of Land ManagementWyoming lands in the Red Desert. Wyoming Migration Initiative Facebook post from July 30 Shortly after Western Ecosystems Technology research biologist Hall Sawyer discovered the Red Desert to Hoback mule deer migration, he and Kauffman began talking about what perils the deer face. Instead of publishing a scientific paper about the migration and moving on, Sawyer decided to break down the 150-mile corridor bit by bit and explain each obstacle. What he and Kauffman came up with has become a blueprint for where agencies, nonprofits and landowners can focus their efforts. The initial map listed the top 10 threats, from nearly impenetrable elk fencing to bottlenecks between lakes and human activity. Almost immediately, agencies began making changes. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department altered fences and gates along the Finger Lakes region near Pinedale. The Wyoming Department of Transportation lowered the top line and raised the bottom line of fencing along the Highway 28 crossing near South Pass in the Wind River Range. One of the biggest changes came when The Conservation Fund raised $2 million to buy a critical 360-acre section of land squeezed between Fremont Lake and the outskirts of Pinedale. If that area had become developed, it could have essentially blocked the entire migration, Kauffman said. Now Kauffman and varying groups and agencies involved have the chance to do something rarely managed in wildlife research: Study how the conservation changes are benefiting the migration. That was the science piece, and now managers and the state of Wyoming spend millions of dollars every year to enhance habitat: burning, mechanical treatments, using herbicides to get rid of invasive weeds, Kauffman said. We dont always have the ability to monitor it following the treatments. If those things are successful it gives us great information to apply those management efforts to mule deer herds elsewhere. The information which may ultimately span almost a decadecould be particularly important as agencies such as Game and Fish consider adopting rules to protect and enhance migration routes in addition to areas such as winter range. Sawyer is also interested in using information learned from the Red Desert migration and applying it to scores of other migrations than traipse across the western landscape. This collaborative approach to trying to manage long-distance migration is really the only way that it can be successful in these landscapes where the administrative boundaries are so complex and different, Sawyer said. We need both bottom up and top down actions, so bottom up from local land trusts and top down from federal and state agencies. We need both of those entities getting together for a common goal. *** Done with stopping over and foraging in the Prospect Mountains, Jetthe mule deer doemade a big push south across the Red Desert towards winter range. She traveled over 40 miles in 48 hours, crossing highway 28, punching through the Jack Morrow Hills, and mostly skirting the Killpecker Dunes. She is close to her traditional winter range. Wyoming Migration Initiative update from Dec. 10 If the researchers goal in focusing on Jet was to raise awareness by helping people connect with one animal, they succeeded, said Joshua Coursey, president and CEO of Muley Fanatic Foundation in southwest Wyoming. We had an event this past weekend, and I think I had a half a dozen folks who mentioned, Well, I hope Jets made it home for the winter, Coursey said. I think its neat its provided an opportunity for a lot of people to learn more about migration and learn more about the challenges to making that kind of trek and the obstacles that they face. Even with the added notoriety, Jet still faces many of the same obstacles she always has. Shes headed into winter with almost no fat on her rump, Kauffman said. No rump fat will make overwinter survival tougher, but shes done it before. The good news for researchers and others following Jets journey was that after three pregnancies, Jet entered her winter range this year with a fawn. We watched for 20 to 30 minutes, Kauffman said. ... and when the group settled down Jets fawn came up to her, and she nudged it. Alocal Casper food pantry can no longer serve soup after an inspection by the county health department. Poverty Resistance CEO Linda Wicklund said the Natrona County Health Department went to the thrift stores kitchen shortly after Thanksgiving because of reports of someone becoming ill after eating there. (The inspector) told us we could no longer serve food because we did not have a professional commercial kitchen, Wicklund said. We were doing crockpots and making stuff on the stove, but the equipment we had was not commercial grade. That means no more fresh, hot food coming out of Poverty Resistance, but Wicklund said the organization is continuing to distribute sandwiches and that someone had donated ramen cups that can be made with boiling water. Still, Wicklund said that many Poverty Resistance recipients were surprised and disappointed. They say, You mean to tell me Ive walked for two hours to get a bowl of hot soup and I cant get one? Wicklund said. We do have regulars who count on us, so weve doing the best we can in terms of feeding and serving them. Wicklund said it was hard to pinpoint exactly when Poverty Resistance began operating the soup kitchen. It was at least several years ago that the organization first began offering small meals cooked in a crockpot to local residents, but the kitchen had expanded in recent years. She said the kitchen served between 30 and 75 people per day and up to 1,200 per month. A lot of our people are street people, homeless people or people that just dont have a lunch, Wicklund said. If you walked in the door and you wanted a bowl of soup, you got a bowl of soup. The health department inspection noted several safety violations in addition to the lack of a commercial kitchen license. Currently, the area used for food preparation has an unfinished ceiling with exposed upper floor joists and sewer pipes, a wooden outer door with large gaps, a concrete floor, unfinished walls and no dedicated hand sink, Ruth Heald, program manager for the Environmental Health Division of the department wrote in a Dec. 12 letter. Audrey Gray of the Casper-Natrona County Health Department said the goal was not to shut down a food pantry but rather ensure that any food being cooked met safety rules. Even people who arent as economically advantaged as others still deserve safe food, Gray said. Cost of upgrades Wicklund said that in addition to a gas-powered commercial range, the inspector said the organization would need to install sealed exterior doors, a handwashing station and fire suppression equipment. Wicklund estimated the total cost of upgrades at between $20,000 and $25,000. With that, we could get absolutely everything done that we needed to do and get the equipment that we need, she said. The nonprofit is trying to raise the money. Kloes Electrical Solutions donated $1,000 last week, and the organization told K2 Television that about $8,000 was needed to restart hot food service. But Wicklund said the cost balloons if the kitchen needs to install a gas range, and she has been trying to explore other options that would still comply with the health code. This isnt the first time Poverty Resistance has run up against the authorities. Founder Mary Ann Budenske shut down the thrift store after being charged with fire code violations in 2013, 27 years after she had opened it. In addition to hazards including store items blocking electrical equipment and exits, the fire department said that Budenske was allowing homeless people to sleep in the store on cold nights despite it not being approved for residential occupation. At some point, when you write letters and ask for compliance, and youre doing that over and over and over again on the same issue, then you look at whats the next step, Casper Fire-EMS division chief Mark Harshman said the time, explaining why he issued the citations. But new management took over the operations later that year, and Poverty Resistance is showing no signs of slowing down despite temporarily stopping their hot meal preparation. Wicklund emphasized that Billy Brown, the food pantry manager, is a sous chef who has always been very conscientious about food safety and preparation and the organization has every intention of restarting meal preparation if it can raise the necessary funds. That in itself is all going to take time, Wicklund said. We are hoping that in February sometime we can start serving hot meals again. It is hard to believe that the creator of our universe with its billions of galaxies could have sent himself to this little blue blip not so long ago in the form of an infant born to a virgin, to be first worshipped by illiterate shepherds where he lay in a feed trough, livestock peering down at him, Eastern potentates following a star to the site. But here we are again, singing those songs, so we shall see. My mother loved Christmas with her whole heart. With six children and no credit cards and my father ever watchful for unnecessary expense, Christmas was a mountain for Grace to climb, requiring endurance, planning, stealth and skill, but she brought it off to perfection every year, until she was in her 90s, and then she coasted on her memories. Her mother died when my mother was 7 and Mother had no memory of her, which troubled her deeply. She looked at photos of her mother, tall, haggard, from the early 1920s, and tried to dredge up some recollection, anything at all, the sound of her voice, what she cooked, what her hand felt like. Grace was third from the end of 11 children, the 12th having died with the mother, of scarlet fever, and Grace was raised by her older sisters, Marian and Ruby and Margaret. Complaint was not encouraged in that family, and mental health was not a topic for discussion, but clearly Christmas was a shining moment of gaiety in a family of modest means and strict decorum. When I was 19, my older brother asked me to look after his house over Christmas so he and his young family could drive out to New York for a week. His house was in the woods and I, intoxicated by Thoreau at the time, was more dramatic than necessary and announced that I would spend Christmas alone out there to figure things out. A poem of mine got in the college literary magazine, with the lines: The ice is thin and deep is the dark Below, green lights in the trees and red, Winding my way into the winter mist. Coat open and the silver blades are sharp And that long long bend ahead Will take me out and away from you and all of this. Which was about skating but a girl I knew thought it was suicidal and she came out to the woods to visit me and bring me dinner from her mother turkey, candied yams, cranberry, in tinfoil. We lit candles and sat and meditated on the mystery of life, and it was pleasant to have someone be so concerned about my well-being. At the time, I thought of suicide as poetic, an artistic choice stemming from great emotional depths. Two months later, her boyfriend Leeds was killed when a drunk driver pulled out of a parking lot and into his mothers car coming back home from a play at the Guthrie Theater. Twenty-some years later, sunk in depression, my friend filled her pockets with rocks and paddled a canoe out to the middle of a lake and capsized it and drowned. Life is good. On a winter night, looking into a fire, our dead are around us, testifying to that. The books on the shelves, the young people around the table, the carols on the radio in the kitchen, the shining snow on the hill that looks out at the Mississippi River. As you get old, you gain a stripped-down life, minus the clutter and hullabaloo, the excess food and alcohol, the meaningless gifts, and it is quite satisfying to sit with your true love in candlelight, a plate of cookies on the table, and let memories come and go. My mother is there. Its 6 a.m., still dark out, and Ive come down the stairs in my pajamas to the darkened tree, a note from Santa, the crumbs of the gingersnap I left for him, and I hear the padding of bare feet on the stair, and suddenly the tree bursts into light, and my mother is standing there in a raggedy robe. She missed her dead mother and found her every year in making Christmas for us. Even after she moved to Florida, she flew back for a proper Minnesota Christmas with frost on the windows and wind in the chimney. What you do for children is never wasted: This Christmas will live on and nourish them long after you have faded away. When Krista Millay declined an invitation to participate in a UA fraternitys philanthropy event, she didnt think anything of it. She certainly wasnt prepared for the barrage of angry emails, phone calls, tweets and Facebook messages she received in the following weeks, after a website aimed at college students and young adults posted a fake news story about the situation. The post, Arizona Womens Resource Center Cancels AEPis Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Philanthropy For PC Reasons Too Insane To Make Up, appeared on a national website for college fraternities, Total Frat Move, on Nov. 23. Days earlier, Millay, director of the University of Arizona Womens Resource Center, received an email and phone call from a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi, asking if the center would like to participate in the fraternitys philanthropy event, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, during which men walk one mile in a pair of womens high-heeled shoes. According to its website, the walk is a playful opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about the serious causes, effects and remediations to mens sexualized violence against women. Millay called Jack Kaplan, the fraternity member, to decline the invitation, telling him the walk was disrespectful toward transgender people and wasnt an event the center would support. One of the main reasons we disagree with the event is that at this moment in time, a disproportionate amount of our sexual assaults occur in Greek-affiliated houses, Millay said. So we dont we dont want to support our Greek men doing a fun event around sexual assault. A short time later, Kaplan called back to ask if the center would reconsider, and when she declined again, he asked if theyd be protesting the event. I told him its just not on our radar right now to protest fraternity events. We just dont have the capacity for that, Millay said. Kaplan told the Star that he was later called into the office of the Dean of Greek Life, where he was told the Womens Resource Center had threatened to protest the event. I was strongly advised not to hold the event, Kaplan said. I took strongly advised to mean that I cannot do it. Kaplans former employer, who runs a Southern California nonprofit, reached out to Millay on Kaplans behalf to talk to her about participating in the event. She told me we were creating collateral damage and you never say no to young people who are willing to do good, Millay said. I explained that thats not really true. We dont want to lend our name on something we dont believe in. Kaplan said his former employer told him that during the conversation, Millay spoke negatively about white males and rich privileged children. Millay denied making those statements. The fraternity eventually canceled the event, and after hearing about the incident, the author of Total Frat Moves post, Rob Fox, reached out to Kaplan, who sent him a screen shot of the original email he sent Millay. The post that appeared on Total Frat Move said the event had been torpedoed by the womens center for reasons too insane to make up. The post included the screen shot of Kaplans email, followed by a paraphrased conversation between Kaplan and Millay that she says never happened. I dont know if the fraternity understands that it rallied this segment of their population around an issue that wasnt factually true, Millay said, adding that Fox never contacted her for comment before publishing the article. I dont have the authority to cancel a fraternity event ... and Jack and I have never emailed. Ive never exchanged an email with Jack, and the whole premise of the Total Frat Move article was based on this exchange between me and him. Millay said she received phone calls from parents in other states, including a county prosecutor, reprimanding her for the way she spoke to Kaplan, based on what she called obviously fake quotes. In addition to the made-up quote, the related articles that appeared on the website should have indicated to readers that the story was fake, Millay said. I was shocked. I thought, people arent even reading the article in context. Theyre not even looking at the website, she said. Theyre not paying attention to the context clues on the actual site itself. In the weeks that followed, Millay said she received more than 100 hateful phone calls, emails and messages on social media. Some of the email senders visited the centers website and copied all of the student staff members addresses into the messages. Although none of the messages threatened Millays life or safety, she says a number of people threatened to have her fired. After receiving the first few emails, Millay came up with a formulated response to send to anyone who emailed her, addressing the falsities and her reasons for choosing not to participate in the event. She also took the opportunity to present some statistics related to sexual assault on the UA campus, noting statistics from the 2015 Association of American Universities Survey, which says that 40 percent of UA female survivors of non-consensual penetration by physical force were assaulted in a fraternity house. Maybe three people wrote back and said, Oh you know, I see that I didnt have all the information, she said. The messages have slowed since winter break started, but Millay said that shes still seen a few pop up on Facebook. Fox did not respond to the Stars request for comment. "Hanukkah is an eight-day winter festival beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev and celebrates the victory of the Jews over the Seleucid Greeks in 164 B.C.E," according to a release from Temple Emanu-El. "According to legend, when the Temple in Jerusalem was cleaned and rededicated, there was only enough clean oil to keep the Eternal Light burning for one day. By a miracle, the oil lasted for 8 days. For this reason, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days by the lighting of candles in a special Hanukkah candalabrum called a Hanukkah menorah or Hanukkiah. Foods cooked in oil such as potato pancakes ( latkes), and in Israel, special jelly-filled doughnuts called sufganiot, are also traditional for Hanukkah." PHOENIX A state senator is trying again to make it easier for public officials to deny requests for records they believe are unduly burdensome or harassing. The proposal by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, leaves in place existing requirements for records to be open to public inspection, and spells out that those who are denied access can sue and recover their legal fees. But SB 1019 adds a requirement that the records sought must be identified with reasonable particularity. Potentially more significant, it provides public officials with the ability to claim that the request for access to public records is unduly burdensome or harassing. Kavanagh acknowledged that his legislation provides no definition for either term. But the senator said that does not make it a flawed measure. Just like when the personal privacy trumps the publics right to know is vague, he said. But we live with that and we allow judges to make that determination. He said its a matter of common sense, saying some people take pleasure out of making the government do all this work and then not even showing up to look at it. The measure traces its roots to problems in several rural areas. Steven Moore, the Yuma city attorney, said last year that two individuals make 70 percent of all the public-records requests. One, Moore said, made 46 requests in 44 business days, even requesting copies of all his prior requests. And Rep. David Stevens, R-Sierra Vista, made his own stab at changing the law after saying local officials were getting requests that take up to five days to research and fill, with some agencies having to hire additional staffers to comply. Dan Barr, attorney for the First Amendment Coalition, said he understands the desire to deal with that kind of problem. Everyone agrees in the extreme instance where you have some gadfly repeatedly making vague and large public-records requests and in some cases not even picking up the records at that point the public body can say We shouldnt have to comply with these requests anymore, he said. But Barr said he reads existing law to already allow public agencies to get a court order for such extreme instances. He said he fears that the proposed language could be abused. It gives the public body a way to deny the request if they dont want to comply with the request from a reporter or a criminal defense attorney or a private investigator because they feel its harassing them, Barr said. He said that provides cover for officials who would rather not reveal information that could be controversial or embarrassing. And once a public official raises the excuse of burdensome or harassing, it puts the burden on the person requesting the records to hire an attorney and go to court to get the documents. Kavanagh said he understands the concerns and would consider any proposals to tighten up the language. I would certainly not want to make harassing some policy position to be grounds for denial, he said. In fact, if its a controversial policy (at the heart of the request), all the more reason to have public inspection. Kavanagh shepherded legislation with the same language out of the Senate last year on a 22-7 vote, but ran into opposition in the House, where members voted 40-19 to kill the measure amid concerns it could be abused. The city of Tucson wants to put another $100 million into city streets over the next five years, and the Tucson City Council is again asking area residents to pay for it. However, unlike the voter-approved Proposition 409 that asked voters to approve $100 million in bonds which is debt sold by the city this new proposal will raise $20 million a year dedicated to roads with a half-cent sales-tax increase. The tax increase, if approved by voters, is expected to raise $50 million annually. The council has dedicated the remaining $30 million for capital infrastructure improvements for the Police and Fire departments. In the years since the city starting rebuilding roads with Prop. 409 money, officials have grown confident they have demonstrated that they can fix streets as promised and under budget. Weve proven that already, that we can spend $20 million a year pretty effectively, said Daryl Cole, the citys transportation director. Last year, the council expanded the number of streets it was able to repair using Prop. 409 money after projects came in well under expectations cost-wise. We anticipated a lot of reconstruction (of existing roads,) Cole explained, noting several projects were done for less than anticipated. Lower fuel prices also helped cut costs, he said. It was pushing $3-plus a gallon for fuel and we were picturing it going to $4, Cole said. Lower crude oil prices also helped lower the cost of materials used in asphalt. Under Prop. 409, city officials focused primarily on two tiers of projects streets in poor shape needing significant and costly rebuilds, and roads in a fairly good condition that needed inexpensive chemical sealing work to extend their useful life. Cole explains it is simply easier to keep roads in good condition with routine maintenance, rather than trying to fixing them years later. The city, he said, simply couldnt keep up with its maintenance during the height of the recession. If voters approve the half-cent sales tax, the council will make some changes to how it handles Prop. 409 funds. This includes adding maintenance to some city streets that were rebuilt under the bond program. The amount of money spent on maintenance is pretty small, Cole said, estimating it would amount to a fraction of the overall $100 million budget set aside for roads. The council, however, also opted to put more money into both main roads and collector streets, lower-capacity roads that move traffic from local streets to main roads. And unlike Prop. 409, which spent only 15 percent to fix neighborhood streets, the new proposal would spend 40 percent fixing roads in Tucson neighborhoods. The City Council eventually opted in the proposal to end the sales-tax increase after five years, despite acknowledging the revenues raised in that period will fall short of the identified needs in each area. As the city moves forward with the plan that could put an additional $100 million into local streets, Cole admits the decisions made by staff can be puzzling to the average person who is simply weary from driving on crumbling streets. Some road construction, for example, is postponed in order to coincide with plans from other agencies. The Regional Transportation Authority, as well as utilities like Tucson Electric Power and Southwest Gas, can delay the timeline for street repairs. Michael Graham, a spokesman for the city transportation department, points to East Broadway near Camino Seco as an example. The city repaved what he calls a horseshoe along portions of Broadway, Pantano and Speedway. But the work stopped at an intersection east of the area. He gets calls about why crews stopped, explaining that the intersection already was going to be rebuilt by the RTA when it widens the roads in a few years. It wouldnt have been a good use of taxpayer money, he said. The council will meet in early January to sign off on the specifics of the ballot language, outlining how the anticipated $250 million in the overall plan will be spent over the five-year period. Two Tucson police officers caught up in an investigation into a long-running prostitution ring were sanctioned by the state agency that regulates officer certification, officials said. Oscar Ramos was one of eight Tucson Police Department employees who was fired or resigned from the department, after a years-long investigation revealed the men were either customers of or had knowledge of the illegal massage parlors, according to Arizona Daily Star archives. On Wednesday, the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board accepted a consent agreement with Ramos, allowing him to voluntarily surrender his certification, said board spokeswoman Sandy Sierra. Without AZPOST certification, Ramos will no longer be able to work as a police officer in Arizona. The board also accepted a consent agreement with Tucson police Officer Vincent Valenzuela for a three-month suspension of his certification, Sierra said. Valenzuela was fired in August 2015, but appealed his termination with the citys Civil Service Commission, who overturned the departments decision and reinstated Valenzuela to the force, according to city records. In 2011, Tucson police began investigating the prostitution ring, By Spanish, that advertised illicit services on Backpage.com. Over the next four years, police learned that a former employee of By Spanish had started her own company, Daisys Delights, and the two businesses occupied more than 10 locations across Tucson, according to Daily Star archives. In January 2015, police seized hundreds of pieces of evidence during a raid, including cellphones, which were found to contain the phone numbers of Border Patrol agents, Davis-Monthan airmen, Tucson firefighters and at 10 least employees of the Tucson Police Department, including Ramos. In his internal affairs interviews, Ramos admitted to utilizing these services, knowing they offered sex acts in exchange for additional money, according to AZPOST documents. Ramos also admitted to paying for massages from one of the women that ended with sexual contact on more than one occasion, the documents said. Valenzuelas phone number also turned up on one of the cellphones seized in the raid, and an internal affairs investigation revealed that he had a personal relationship with the alleged operator of Daisys Delights, according to AZPOST documents. In his interview with internal affairs, Valenzuela told detectives that he knew Stephanie Garcia from his previous job at her middle school, according to the internal affairs report. Valenzuela told investigators that he went to Garcias house in early 2014 to hang out, but after learning of her lifestyle he cut off contact with her. Internal affairs documents reveal that Valenzuela had phone contact with Garcia during the time he said they werent communicating. During the investigation, detectives learned that in April 2014, Valenzuela used his work computer to run Garcias name through state and federal law enforcement databases for no valid law enforcement reason, AZ Post documents show. When asked about the incident, he told investigators that he didnt remember doing that. During the January 2015 raids on the By Spanish and Daisys Delights locations, Valenzuela assisted in serving a search warrant on Garcias home without notifying his supervisor of their personal relationship, according to the AZPOST documents. He attempted to minimize her role in the search warrants, indicating that had she been at the location, he would have advised his sergeant of his relationship with her, but since she was not present, it wasnt necessary, the AZPOST document reads. Garcia is facing eight felony charges, including illegal control of an enterprise, money laundering, maintaining a house of prostitution and receiving the earnings of a prostitute, according to Pima County Superior Court records. Her trial is scheduled to begin in April. Happy Hanukkah!!! (Guess I have a good feeling why you're reading this article.) Because if you're anything like me, you're cursing life right now and frantically searching for a place to eat some duck. Search no more, my friends! I've got you covered ... Here are five Tucson restaurants open on Christmas Day Sher-E-Punjab, 853 E. Grant Road, will serve its regular Indian buffet from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and then will reopen from 5 to 9:30 p.m. for the dinner service. It will serve its regular menu, which includes classic entrees like chicken biryani, $8.50, and palak paneer, $7.75. Walk-ins welcome. Phone: 520-624-9393 Register for more free articles. Log in Sign up China Szechwan, 1800 E. Fort Lowell Road, will serve both its traditional and Szechwan menus from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Expect a wait if you arrive after 3 p.m. Get the water-boiled fish, $9.95! Walk-ins welcome, and they're also doing takeout. Phone: 520-795-0888 China Phoenix, 7090 N. Oracle Road, will be doing a full dim-sum service from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and continue with the regular dinner service until 9 p.m. They've got several types of duck on the menu, but you'll have to call ahead for Peking. Walk-ins welcome, but reservations are recommended Call: 520-531-0658 Neo Malaysian Kitchen and Sushi, 6133 E. Broadway, will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a special Christmas brunch until 3 p.m. Brunch is $19.99 and includes options like cumin pork loin and lemongrass fried rice. Call: 520-747-7811. Piazza Gavi, 5415 N. Kolb Road, will serve its large Italian menu all day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Breakfast goes until 11:30 and includes frittatas, eggs to order, blueberry pancakes and more. Reservations are recommended. Call: 520-577-1099 Help India! By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net In general parlance it is often stated in Uttar Pradesh that many Muslims lose their seats narrowly due to a split in Muslim votes. Support TwoCircles The phenomenon is not new and was visible in the 2012 assembly polls. An analysis of the election results shows that Muslim candidates lost on as many as 26 assembly seats due to division of votes among their own community candidates. Some of the seats were lost narrowly-by mere 123 votes-while in some seats Muslim candidates occupied all the spots from second to seventh position while other candidates emerged as the winner due to splitting of votes. Among these 26 seats where Muslim candidates in total polled more votes than the winner, BJP won 15 seats while SP won six seats; BSP won three and Congress won two seats. For example, in district Saharanpurs Nakur assembly seat, Dharam Singh Saini of BSP emerged winner with 89,187 votes. On second place was Imran Masood of Indian National Congress who polled 84,623 losing by a margin of 4,564 votes. The division of votes occurred with Firoz Aftab of SP on third place and getting 29,503 votes. At Saharanpur Nagar seat, Raghav Lakhan Pal of BJP emerged winner with 5,170 and won the seat by 12,626 votes with Saleem Ahmed, INC at the second place with 72,544 votes. Here also Mazahir Hasan, SP, with 19,755 votes was on fourth place thus affecting the result decisively. In Saharanpur seat, Jagpal of BSP won after getting 80,670 votes and defeating Choudhary Abdul Wahid of INC who got 63,557 votes with a margin of 17113 votes. But the result was affected as Sarfaraz Khan of SP came third with 43,018 votes. In Gangoh seat, Pradeep Kumar of INC won after getting 65,149 votes while Shagufta Khan of BSP with 41,110 votes on third place and Nahid Hasan, an independent candidate with 33,288 emerged at the fourth place. In Kairana, BJPs high profile leader Hukum Singh won after getting 80,293 votes but here two Muslim leaders were on second and third placeAnwar Hasan, BSP polled 60,750 votes and Ayub Jang, SP polled 21,267 votes. At Thana Bhawan seat where BJPs Suresh Rana won after getting 53,719 votes, Ashraf Ali Khan RLD polled 53,454 votes thus the margin was only 265 votes. Ironically on third place was another Muslim leader Abdul Waris Khan BSP getting 50,001 votes. At Bijnor, the story was repeated again with Kunwar Bhartendu Singh from the BJP getting 68,969 votes and Mahboob BSP getting 51,133 votes. BJP won by 17,836 votes while Shahnawaz Rana RLD easily secured 47,462 votes but the seat was lost. At Noorpur it was Lokendra Singh BJP who got 47566 votes and won with Mohd Usman BSP getting 42093 votes. The margin was 5473 votes and Qutubuddin SP spoiled it by getting 34798 votes on third place. In Asmoli seat, Pinki Singh of SP who is reported to be relative of Mulayam Singh was winner after she got 73873 votes after defeating Aqeelur rehman Khan BSP who got 47484 votes. The margin was huge 26389 votes but there were two other Muslim candidates Asrar Ahmed INC with 23855 on fourth place and Yasin Ahmed of Mahaan Dal with 16338 on fifth place who were responsible for splitting of votes. The most high profile case was Meerut where BJPs former state president Laxmikant Bajpai emerged victorious with 68154. The splitting of votes can be gauged from the fact that from second spot to sixth place there were Muslim candidates dividing the votes. The second place was of Rafiq Ansari SP getting 61,876 who lost by a margin of 6,278 votes. He was followed by Mohd Yusuf Qureshi of INC getting 31,895 and Salim Ansari BSP with 13,164 votes. No lesson was learnt and in Meerut South seat Ravindra Bhadan BJP got 71,584 votes and won with a margin of 9,784 votes. On second position was Haji Rashid Akhlaq BSP with 61,800 votes followed by Aadil SP with 49,103 votes and then Manzoor Saifi RLD with 25,150 votes. Unexpectedly the same thing happened in Dholana seat where Dharmesh Singh Tomar SP got 59,150 and won with a margin of 9,339 votes. The second spot was of Aslam BSP with 49,811 votes and there were other Muslim candidate Basid of Peace Party with 29,026 on fourth place and Kunwar Ayub Khan RLD with 18,423 votes on fifth place. Most narrow win which BJP got due to division of votes was in Sikandarabad seat where its candidate Vimla Solanki got 45,799 and won with a margin of 123 votes only. On second place was Saleem Akhtar Khan BSP with 45,676 votes while closely following him was Badrul Islam SP with 43,535 votes. Both of them lost despite getting over forty thousand votes each. In Agra South, it was on expected lines. BJPs Yogendra Upadhyay won after getting 74,324 votes. The margin was 22,960 votes. Now from second to fifth position, there were Muslim candidates. Second was Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutto of BSP with 51,364 votes, third was Nazir Ahmed of INC with 39,962 votes and fourth was Sareef Usmani of SP with 13,408 votes. BJP also easily won Firozabad seat where Manish Aseeja got 74,878 and defeated SPs Azim Bhai who got 72,863 votes. The difference was only 2,015 votes and another Muslim candidate Khalid Naseer BSP got 51,790 votes and was on third place. At Kasganj seat, it was Manpal Singh SP who got 48,535 votes and won and second position went to Hasratullah Sherwani of BSP with 38,356 votes while on fourth position there was another Muslim candidate Saeed Mustafa Sherwani of INC with 21,656 votes while the margin was only 10,179 votes. At Bareilly Cantt, Rajesh Agarwal of BJP got 51,893 won while on second and third place were Fahim Sabir Ansari of SP got 32,944 votes and Anees Ahmed Khan of Ittehad-e-Millat Council with 24,353 votes. At Shahjahanpur. BJPs senior leader Suresh Kumar Khanna got 81,581 and won easily. Here also Muslim secured all positions from second place to fifth place. The tally is Tanveer Khan SP 65,403, Mohd Aslam Khan BSP 19,936, Nawab Faizan Ali Khan INC 6,055 and Mohd Saleem CPI 1,791 votes respectively. At Mohammadi seat Bala Prasad Awasthi of BSP won with 57,737 votes. On second spot was Imran Ahmed SP 46,393 votes followed by Ashfaq Ullah Khan, INC getting 22,014 votes and fourth place. In Sitapur, Radheyshyam Jaiswal of SP won and got 58,370 votes. Again on second place was Ayub Khan of BSP got 48,702 votes and Haji Jalees Ahmed INC on fourth place with 25,596 votes. On Kanpur Cantt seat Raghunandan Bhadauria BJP won after he got 42,251 votes. Here Muslims secured positions from second place till seventh. Among them Mohd Hasan Roomi of SP got 33,243 votes was third with Abdula Mannan Ansari of INC got 31,122 votes and Sohil Akhtar Ansari BSP 26,205 votes on third and fourth place respectively. In Rudauli, the seat was won narrowly by BJP with a margin of only 941 votes. BJP candidate Ramchandra Yadav got 61,173 votes while Muslim candidates were from second to fourth place. The second spot was occupied by Abbas Ali Zaidi of SP with 60,232 votes. He was followed by Shamshad Khan BSP 34,354 and Muneer Ahmed Khan INC got 13,574 votes. In Nanpara seat, Madhuri Verma INC won after she got 46,987 votes while the runner up was Waris Ali of BSP got 42,665 votes. The role of the spoil sport was played by Ramjan Khan of Peace Party who with 18,554 votes was on fourth place. At Kaiser Ganj seat, Mukut Bihari of BJP won after getting 45,262 votes. Here on third place was Khalid Khan of BSP with 37,528 votes followed by Yunus Saleem, an independent candidate with 20,731 votes and Sayyub Ali INC with 16,174 votes. Similarly on Bhinga seat, Indrani Devi SP got 65,365 and won. Here on second place was Mohd Aslam INC with 58,538 votes followed by A Raheem Khan on fourth place of BSP with 22,114 votes. In Gainsri seat, Shiv Pratap Yadav SP got 56,744 and won easily but the runner up was Alauddin BSP 33,044 votes and on fourth place was Fida Mohammad INC with 23,317 votes. After the massacre of Aleppo, US, EU, Russia, Syria are charged from the public international opinion with having torn the country apart (or with having not avoided it). In the past few days Iranian DM congratulates Syria on the liberation of Aleppo from terrorist. The actual president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, in an exclusive interview with Spanish news agency EFE, one year ago, was clear on his definition of 'Terrorism.. "For us, in Syria, everyone who holds a machine gun is a terrorist, - he said - Without defining this term, reaching a definition, there is no point of a just meeting." A distinction between the different parties was made instead by US President Barack Obama. He pursued a policy of non-intervention in Syria (following a US script that determines intervention on the principle of national interest), but he allowed an air campaign against ISIL (the cost of which has increased by 24 % from June 2015 to July 2016). Non-state actors The definition of "terrorism" provided by the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (Start), a research and education Center of the University of Maryland, is more accurate (the Center maintains also a GTD, Global Terrorism Database, considered to be the most comprehensive dataset on terrorist activity globally). The terrorism could be classified - according to it - as "the threatened or actual use of illegal force and violence through fear, coercion or intimidation." More specifically, terrorist operations are "actions outside the context of legitimate warfare activities." It means acts led by non-state actors, contrary to international humanitarian law. The rank of countries most impacted by terrorism Then, the actions of governments do not get counted. Yet, the connection between State and terrorist is often weighty. 93 % of all terrorist attacks between 1989 and 2014 had taken place in countries with high levels of state-sponsored terror (i.e. political terror): extra-judicial deaths, torture, and imprisonment without trial. Over 90 % of all terrorism deaths occurred in countries engaged in violent conflicts. Only 0,5 % of terrorist attacks occurred in countries that did not suffer from conflict or political terror. The data are elaborated (on the basis of GTD) by the Global Terrorism Index 2016, provided by the Insitute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank (it analyses also the economic impact of terrorism). In the last year, the terrorism increased in the countries engaged in armed conflicts. Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan had risen to more than 800 deaths in 2015. Niger and Chad too had increases in death, because of the greater activity of Boko Haram. A rank of the countries most impacted by terrorism (based on these data) is not unexpected: 1) Iraq, 2) Afghanistan, 3) Nigeria, 4) Pakistan, 5) Syria, 6) Yemen, 7) India, 8) Somalia, 9)Egypt, 10) Lybia (Uk is 34th, the US are 36th). Tactics of the terrorism In this classification, it is counted the number of attacks, but also the number of deaths. They could vary widely due to "differing tactics of the terrorist groups and the message that they wish to to send," states the Report. In India, terrorist attacks, for example, not caused many victims, mainly made by the groups to remind governments their presence, without provoking military reactions. It may signal the openness to negotiate future peace accords. Similarly, it happened in the Philippines. Indeed, it's hard to analyse terrorism out of the country's situation. "Terrorism is statistically related to the acceptance of the rights of others, good relations with neighbours, the likelihood of violent demonstrations and political terror" asserts the report. The Syrian civil war couldn't be simplified as "terrorist groups" - as usually defined - against a government legitimately elected. BEIJING - The Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will convene in Beijing on March 5 next year. The decision was adopted at a week-long bimonthly session of the NPC Standing Committee, which concluded in Beijing on Sunday. BEIJING - Chinese lawmakers on Sunday adopted new legislation to improve cultural services. The National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee approved the law after three readings. The law, which will go into effect on March 1, 2017, aims to carry forward the traditions of Chinese culture and cultural confidence. Public cultural services must be people-oriented and "guided by socialist core values," according to the law. County-level governments and above must improve community cultural service centers, build more of them and offer more products online. Private funds will be invited to finance public cultural facilities. Authorities in rural areas must provide more books, newspapers, magazines, opera performances, movies, radio programs and online information, as well as festivals and sporting activities to ensure equal service in urban and rural areas. Public services should serve special groups such as minors, the elderly, the disabled and migrant workers. They must also ensure quality services in revolutionary bases, ethnic, border and impoverished areas. The state will translate cultural products into minority languages in ethnic regions, and encourage ethnic cultural products and sports. International cooperation and exchanges should be expanded. It is rare in China for a law or an amendment to go through three readings before being passed. One exception was the property law, which was passed in March 2007 after eight readings. At a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Liu Binjie, head of the NPC education, science, culture and public health committee, said the top legislature will draft a law on the cultural industry and another on libraries. It will also work on amending the law on copyright and protection of cultural relics. United States President Barack Obama has signed into law the $618 billion defence budget for 2017, which enhances security cooperation with India and conditions nearly half of the funding to Pakistan on a certification that it is taking demonstrable steps against the Haqqani Network. Currently vacationing in Hawaii, Obama on Friday signed the National Defence Authorisation Act 2017, which asks Defence Secretary and Secretary of State to take steps necessary to recognise India as America's "major defence partner". A summary of the bill released by Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Senator John McCain said NDAA-2017 "enhances security cooperation" between the US and India. It also asks the administration to designate an individual within the executive branch who has experience in defence acquisition and technology to reinforce and ensure, through inter-agency policy coordination, the success of the Framework for the US-India Defence Relationship; and to help resolve remaining issues impeding US-India defence trade, security cooperation, and co-production and co-development opportunities. The NDAA, which among other things creates a $1.2 billion Counter-ISIL Fund, imposes four conditions on Pakistan to be eligible for USD 400 million of the $900 million of the coalition support fund. The US Defence Secretary needs to certify to the Congress that Pakistan continues to conduct military operations that are contributing to significantly disrupting the safe haven and freedom of movement of the Haqqani Network in Pakistan and that Islamabad has taken steps to demonstrate its commitment to prevent the Haqqani Network from using any of its territory as a safe haven. Early this year, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter refused to give a similar certification to Pakistan due to which it was not given $300 million under coalition support fund. In his signing statement, Obama did not mention to any of these provisions of the bill, but he did expressed disappointment over certain other provisions in NDAA-2017. He said: "I remain deeply concerned about the Congress's use of the National Defence Authorisation Act to impose extensive organisational changes on the Department of Defence, disregarding the advice of the Department's senior civilian and uniformed leaders. "The extensive changes in the bill are rushed, the consequences poorly understood, and they come at a particularly inappropriate time as we undertake a transition between administrations. These changes not only impose additional administrative burdens on the Department of Defence and make it less agile, but they also create additional bureaucracies and operational restrictions that generate inefficiencies at a time when we need to be more efficient." The bill, among other things, creates a $1.2 billion Counter-ISIL Fund providing flexible resources to support training and equipping the properly-vetted Syrian opposition, Iraqi Security Forces, the Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga, Sunni tribal elements, and other local security forces with a national security mission such as local security forces that are committed to protecting highly vulnerable ethnic and religious communities. McCain said the bold reforms achieved in this year's legislation on defence acquisition, military healthcare, military justice, and security cooperation are a worthy contribution to this historic legacy of bipartisan support for troops. "(It) refocuses security assistance to Pakistan on activities that directly support US national security interests and conditions a significant portion of funding on a certification from the Secretary of Defence that Pakistan is taking demonstrable steps against the Haqqani Network in Pakistani territory," the summary said. Obama also slammed the Congress for not taking action toward closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "As I have said before, spending hundreds of millions of dollars, year after year, to keep fewer than 60 men in an isolated detention facility in Cuba is not consistent with our interests as a Nation and undermines our standing in the world. "It weakens our national security by draining resources, damaging our relationships with key allies and partners, and emboldening violent extremists," he said. Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. HCM CITY More than 100 Vietnamese alumni of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme from southern Viet Nam participated in the ITEC Day 2016 organised in the city on Dec 23. The event, held by the Consulate General of India in HCM City, aims to share the Indian development experience and expertise in its own quest for growth as a proud independent nation with other developing countries, especially Viet Nam. Smita Pant, Consul General of India, addressed the gathering and highlighted Indias commitment to overall development partnership with Viet Nam. Indias commitments under the ITEC programme, which is fully funded by the Indian Government, have contributed to the capacity development in a wide range of areas, she said. India Viet Nam developmental cooperation now has a wide focus with an emphasis on hydropower, agriculture and capacity building through ITEC in sectors such as IT, financial management, English proficiency, remote-sensing, agricultural research, quality standardisation, science and technology and green energy. Our bilateral relationship will thus continue to flourish in all times to come, she said. She cited the Mekong Delta Rice Research Centre and the Southern Horticultural Research Institute as great examples of cooperation in capacity building in the Mekong Delta. The event was attended by authorities from HCM City, Can Tho, Long An, Binh Phuoc and An Giang provinces as well as senior officials from the Southern Horticultural Research Institute and the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta Rice Research Institute. It was also attended by the president of the University of Social Science and Humanities, vice rectors of University of Training and Education, University of Tra Vinh and HCM City University of Technology and Education. Initiated in 1964, the ITEC programme covers training courses and study tours in India for candidates from ITEC partner countries. Currently, 150 ITEC scholarships are available for Viet Nam (50 administered by the Consulate), which cover a diverse spectrum of courses from IT to rural development, parliamentary practices to entrepreneurship, marine to aeronautical engineering, among others. Full diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and India were established in 1972. The first Vietnamese candidates under the ITEC programme went to India in the 1970s. Over the years, hundreds of ITEC scholarships have been made available to Vietnamese scholars. VNS CEDAR FALLS Jenny Bagenstos, owner of Heres Whats Poppin specialty popcorn shop in downtown Cedar Falls, has a speech she gives to friends, family and employees about the importance of shopping local. She knows it can drive her family crazy, but it doesnt stop her from repeating the message. I try to explain to people, Keep your money downtown, then the money gets (spent local). I try to keep all of our money in the downtown, Bagenstos said while popping corn in the days leading to Christmas. I think that we all downtown support each other. Part of her belief stems simply from self-preservation she depends on loyal customers and building that base but also its about the importance of community. Talking with a half-dozen retailers in downtown Waterloo and Cedar Falls, and their respective Main Street directors, proved a strong desire in the Cedar Valley to preserve and grow a unique, local shopping experience. Beyond that, though, the retailers thoughts on how that effort is going was as varied and unique as their respective shops offerings. Holiday Hoopla Cedar Falls retailers said theyve appreciated having Holiday Hoopla and the month-long events that surround it as an additional draw to get people downtown. Jenna Grover, owner of Twirl Boutique, said she couldnt be more thankful for the set up of the main Holiday Hoopla event, as her fashion store is right near the main stage and where Santa ultimately makes his first appearance. We do quite a bit of sales on those nights, Grover said. Julie Shimek, owner of Vintage Iron, said Holiday Hoopla has helped downtown Cedar Falls during the past eight years of its existence. Its kind of given our downtown a reputation of the place to be at the holidays, Shimek said, adding people come from across the state and the nation to shop and celebrate the holidays in Cedar Falls. Waterloo, meanwhile, is working to build a similar reputation. This year, the city tied together its Winter WonderLoo and fudge walk for Small Business Saturday to raise the profile of the downtown shopping experience. Downtown Waterloo store owners said the Saturday event is always the unofficial kick-off of the Christmas season and a good reminder to shop at locally owned stores downtown. But the Waterloo store owners stressed its a year-round effort to make their stores a destination stop. Because of that, Greg Young of Waterloo Bicycle Works was one of the few shop owners who said the wintry weather the past two weekends hadnt adversely affected his business. Were kind of a destination store, and if people are seeking out bicycle specific stuff, they come out, Young said. Shop local, and online Youngs Waterloo Bicycle Works also is one of the few shops that has used online shopping to their advantage. While many others bemoaned the rise of online shopping, Young and Natalie Mormann, owner of Waterloos Finery Bridal and Trend Boutique, said theyve worked to cultivate a social media presence that keeps people thinking of shopping local while browsing online. Young credits the effort and energy to his wife, Jessica Young, and her hard work to give a personal connection to the local shop. I think it matters, because if we werent spreading that message, it would be easy for people to sit there on the couch, Young said. If we werent raising the consciousness to let them know who we are and what we have available, then they would ignore us. Mormann said the business fielded many questions through social media during recent snowstorms from people who wanted place holds on various items. The store also has worked throughout the year to raise its profile by going to various festivals and sales with a traveling boutique to build on its ready-to-wear lines. Grover, of Twirl Boutique, noted the desire to shop in person and locally is not limited only to those less inclined to tune into social media. She said shes seen an uptick of college-aged women whove said they want to support local business. I feel like the older you get, traditionally, you kind of understand how important it is to shop small or local businesses, and so to see that in that younger generation, I felt like has been really neat to see this Christmas season, Grover said. Ups and downs Newer retailers in both cities said theyve been pleased with the business picking up since their initial openings. They credit not just efforts made to shop locally but working to build a client base and raising awareness about their goods. Its a different experience for some older shops. Shimek, at Vintage Iron, said this year has been good, and her shop has been around for more than 20 years. But Gary Ritter of Robins Surplus in downtown Waterloo said downtown shopping is a shadow of its former self. Ritter, who is now retired while his son Brian runs the shop, said the business has been a Waterloo staple since 1913. Its survived several moves throughout the city, but Ritter said its struggling to keep shoppers coming in the door. He acknowledges as a destination shop, people still come particularly to buy from the army surplus store, but he remembers a time when there was less competition from big box stores and none from the Internet. Anything down here almost has got to be a destination store. People dont come downtown to shop. They go to the shopping centers, Ritter said. You can shoot a cannon down Fourth Street, you wouldnt hit anybody. It is what it is. Id like to give you a better reading out of it, but I dont know how I can. But others like Mormann at Finery the store has been in Waterloo for 10 years but recently expanded from bridal to include ready-to-wear fashion for the past three years said shes seen a more thriving downtown recently. I think its been great with some of the new additions downtown, the new restaurants and things like that have really helped put downtown Waterloo on the map, Mormann said. ST. ANSGAR Although its headquartered in Denver, Colo., Niman Ranch Corp. is impacting pork production in Mitchell County, giving farmers an alternative to standard mass production. The Niman Ranch, which requires sustainable farming methods like raising pigs outdoors, began with Paul Willis of Thornton, the initial pork producer for the company. Willis said his interest in the project began while he was on vacation in California in the late 1980s. He saw free-range chicken was quite common in supermarkets and wondered if free-range pork could become as popular. During his stay, he crossed paths with Bill Niman who was involved in meat marketing. He shared his vision with Niman of selling free-range pork products. Willis said his hogs were being discounted on the regular market, because my pigs had deeper bodies which came as a result of being raised free range. The two collaborated and in 1995 Willis started providing 30 free-range hogs per week for specialty markets and restaurants. The market grew to where Williss operation could not keep up with demand, and soon he was enlisting friends and neighboring farmers in the venture. Today, the Niman Ranch family has grown to 600 pork producers, 65 ranchers and cattle producers and seven lamb producers across the nation. The concept behind the company is producing high-quality meat in a humane manner with no antibiotics, hormones or animal by-products. Niman Ranch producers own their own facilities and livestock, but they must comply with the organizations regulations if they want to market their livestock through the company. Mark Hommez, of Stacyville, is the companys live animal compliance manager. I make sure all the regulations are followed to meet the label claims that are on our meat products, said Hommez, who has been with the organization for 18 months. Ryan Ubben, of St. Ansgar, has been a field agent for Niman Ranch for nine years. I recruit farmers and work with them to meet Niman Ranch standards, as well as troubleshoot, said Ubben. I get to farm from my desk every day. He helps producers develop plans for their operations, such as the amount of space each hog is required to have, monitoring pork rations to make certain they comply with the companys standards and making certain livestock are treated humanely. Hommez pointed out producers are monitored for compliance annually, and if a Niman Ranch standard is not met, the farmer has 30 days to come into compliance. We dont treat livestock in an inhumane manner, said Hommez. If the animal gets real sick and requires antibiotics, they can be administered, but that animal must be tagged and cant be sold to Niman Ranch but must be marketed through a commercial market. The companys requirements not only focus on deleting unnatural feed additives, they also focus on the environment in which the animals are raised. Each animal is to have a predetermined amount of space and access to sunlight, with no farrowing crates being used, only free-stall farrowing. Animals are required to have deep bedding and must be treated humanely. This method of pork production is definitely more labor intensive, but getting into todays conventional type of pork production is a lot more costly, Ubben said. Brothers Rob and Ross Sherrard cited lower cost of equipment as a reason for becoming involved with the Niman Ranch in 2014. The brothers, who farm southwest of St. Ansgar, said their dad had quit raising hogs in 2009, yet he had retained all of his equipment. We were looking to get back into pigs, and all of dads equipment was around and it was a lot cheaper to get back into it this way, said Ross. They agreed it would have taken a much larger investment for them to have built a confinement facility. The brothers currently run a feeder pig-to-finish operation. They buy 18- to 20-pound feeder pigs from a Niman Ranch producer in southern Missouri. They market their animals at about 280 pounds. The pigs are processed in a Niman Ranch facility, and pork products are shipped to restaurants and specialty food stores throughout the country. Because the brand produces no-nitrate bacon and the meat is free of antibiotics and hormone additives, natural health stores are a major market for the trademark. High-end restaurants in many major cities add the Niman Ranch label to their menu entrees. Many chefs use these meat products because of the intermuscular marbling that comes through this type of pork production, which adds flavor. Louies Custom Meats in Clear Lake and a vendor in Rochester carry Niman Ranch products. The high quality in high-end markets translates into a safety net for the companys livestock producers, according to the company. With each new batch of pigs, a guaranteed floor market price is given to the producer. The producer has a guaranteed price, which will adjust upward if feed costs rise. Many of our farmers wouldnt be raising pigs or even farming if it wasnt for our price protection, Willis said. The Sherrard brothers agree. Rob said, I like the consistency on profitability. We make money on every group of pigs. Ross added, It is a pretty fast turnaround as these pigs grow well. Its a good consistent income, and if things continue to go well we can expand. Ubben said another benefit to the Niman Ranch System has a huge local economic impact because everything is purchased locally. Having grown from processing 30 hogs per week to 200,000 annually, Niman Ranch continues to gain in-market share. We have to expand markets, and as markets expand we will be looking for more pork producers, said Hommez. CEDAR FALLS City Attorney Steve Moore is calling it case closed on a 30-year career with Cedar Falls city government. Hes handled everything from municipal traffic court to major land transactions and business developments in the Cedar Falls Industrial Park. The timing is right, said Moore, 66, who emphasizes he is only retiring from city government. He will continue his private practice, which he still enjoys. But that private practice Redfern, Mason, Larsen & Moore had a long history of civic involvement in Cedar Falls. When Moore joined the firm in 1978, one of his partners was former Cedar Falls Mayor William McKinley, who led the city to unprecedented growth through the 1960s and early 70s. The downtown Main Street Parkade was established, and City Hall was built under McKinleys administration, among other accomplishments. Bill McKinley had a real commitment to the city of Cedar Falls, Moore said, and was a major ambassador for the city. Going further back another member of the firm, James Jack Newman, was mayor in the early 1900s. Other members served as legal counsel for many public institutions in town and another late partner, LeRoy Redfern, also served as city attorney. Moore initially was approached to work for the city because of his prior work for Black Hawk County. It was Paul Hoffey and Loras Jaeger, then police chief and an assistant chief, respectively, who approached Moore in 1986. I had been an assistant county attorney part-time, hired by Dave Correll to handle state cases in Cedar Falls. When an assistant city attorney position became open, Moore took it. He handled numerous cases in the days when magistrate court was held in the council chambers at City Hall. Then he began taking on personnel and labor issues. When longtime city attorney Judd Truax retired in 1998, Moore took on those duties, initially sharing them with attorney Gary Jones. Asked what was the most rewarding part of his work, Moore said, Number one, working on issues that were really important to the city, including development agreements in the Cedar Falls Industrial Park. He was involved in the legal work when the Target Distribution Center, now the citys largest private employer, was built in 2001-03 and again when Target added a cold-storage grocery distribution operation in 2007. Moore also was involved with Bossard-Iowa Industrial Products relocation and expansion on 2008 near Target. He also was involved in three rounds of flood buyouts following the 1993, 1999 and 2008 floods. The city acquired over 400 properties, businesses and homes, Moore said. He handled the title work. He also was helped with the development of Pinnacle Prairie in the southeast part of the city and the reconstruction of University Avenue. There was no shortage of work. I think from the time I started way back in 1986 to now, things got so much more complicated. The need for legal counsel is great, he said. Thats part of the reason Moore is being succeeded by a full-time in-house city attorney Kevin Rogers who is joining the city from the Swisher & Cohrt law firm in Waterloo. Moore said the most enjoyable part of his work with the city is the people the staff. Exceptional people the mayors, council department heads. Steve is an unbelievable attorney, said Dick McAlister, retired city administrator, always well prepared, very thorough, great attention to detail. In addition to economic development projects, Moore handled many major innovative initiatives, including the citys lease of municipally owned Sartori Memorial Hospital to Covenant Medical Center and the creation of Cedar Falls Utilities municipal communications utility. DES MOINES When Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds received her degree from Iowa State University on Dec. 17 at age 57, she completed a years-long journey and joined the vast majority of state officials with at least a four-year college degree. In the Iowa Legislature, however, where Reynolds served for two years, there are many state lawmakers without four-year degrees. When the Legislature convenes in a few weeks, one in five state senators will not possess a four-year degree. But Reynolds and other state officials, both with and without a four-year degree, said possessing one is not required to adequately perform legislative duties. Thats not the message Im trying to send (by earning a four-year degree), Reynolds said last week. Reynolds, a Republican, said in addition to the years she spent taking classes to earn her bachelors degree, she also learned on the job by observing those around her and studying Iowa law. She was a pharmacists assistant and worked in the Clarke County treasurers office before her career in public office, where she has served as Clarke County treasurer, state senator and lieutenant governor. I learned every day from the people and the job and the people Ive encountered, the people that I worked with like Gov. (Terry) Branstad. What a phenomenal on-the-job training Ive had from Day 1 partnering with him, Reynolds said. I utilized many educational facilities and institutions to get this done. The rate of four-year degree-holders in the Legislature vastly outpaces the states general population. Among Iowans 25 years and older, 26.7 percent have a bachelors degree or higher, according to Census data. In the Iowa Legislature, 80 percent of senators and 86 percent of representatives possess at least a bachelors degree. Senators are responsible for voting on public funding for the states colleges and confirming appointees to the Board of Regents the state panel that governs Iowas public universities, including the University of Iowa, Iowa State and the University of Northern Iowa. Thats not a problem, said Sen. Jeff Danielson, a Democrat from Waterloo whose district includes the UNI campus and who possesses two degrees from the school. I like Thomas Jeffersons approach to an informed electorate, and that means having an organic feel for, not just the laws that are made in Des Moines, but being able to come back and be a part of your community and be able to communicate why those things are important. That doesnt necessarily require a college degree, Danielson said. It is common for farmers to go straight from high school to full-time work on the farm, and five of the 10 Iowa senators and roughly a third of the 14 representatives without four-year degrees are farmers. Four senators and seven representatives without four-year degrees have business or professional careers. Danielson said he would like to see the states public universities acknowledge life experience as credit toward acquiring a degree. He said he experienced it first-hand when none of his experience serving in the U.S. Navy was recognized for college credit. I want people to achieve being a lifelong learner, and I think we can improve the way in which he recognize that experience, Danielson said. Thankfully, weve changed some of those laws. Rep. Walt Rogers, a Republican from Cedar Falls who holds a degree from UNI and will be chairman of the Iowa House committee on education starting in 2017, said, while he believes post-high school education is important, he also believes Reynolds learned just as much if not more from her professional and political experience. It depends on your perspective, I guess. Practically, I dont think Kim is going to act any differently other than being proud she was able to accomplish that, Rogers said. Obviously 98 to 99 percent of what she knows about government shes learned on the job. All of us, we learn mostly from experience. Reynolds attended Northwest Missouri State University and majored in business administration and marketing, but she did not complete her degree there. Over the years, she also took classes at a pair of community colleges. In 2012, she focused on obtaining her degree through Iowa State. It was a personal goal of mine, has been for a long time. I dont like starting something and not finishing it, Reynolds said. So, it really just was an important goal. I wanted my grandchildren to see that its never too late, and, really, Iowans to see that its never too late. A nontraditional student himself, Danielson applauded Reynolds achievement and said he hopes more Iowans do the same. He said the states universities should do what they can to make that easier, and reiterated those who do not possess a four-year degree can draw on their experiences to serve as state legislators. Weve got a lot of work to do helping people understand the school of hard knocks and higher education are not opposing concepts, Danielson said. What I want is a well-rounded life experience, and we ought to honor both. Our capitol should reflect that. You dont need a college degree to figure out how to help people. John McGlothlen of The Gazette contributed to this report. WATERLOO A church with a congregation of fewer than 50 members is giving the Jesse Cosby Neighborhood Center a 50th anniversary Christmas present. The church, the center and the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa hope it will be a gift that keeps on giving. Saviour Missionary Baptist Church, 1220 Roosevelt St., has contributed $25,000 to establish an endowment fund for the Cosby Center, at 1112 Mobile St., to help support the centers ongoing programming for seniors and youth. What were trying to do is build momentum for others to match it, said center executive director Jesse Henderson. It is the first step toward establishing a $100,000 endowment fund with additional contributions. Once fundraising hits $90,000, the Community Foundation will contribute $10,000. Investment income from the endowment will support center operations. We get a percentage every year, Henderson said. The endowment would provide stable funding for the centers tight-but-improving financial situation. Weve been able to pay our bills, Henderson said. Right now, our major concern is building our client base for our programs, getting more people to utilize the services. The center relies on other agencies and volunteers for various programs, including meals through the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging. It also provides anti-poverty, summer youth mentoring and work experience programs. Its going to be a forever stream of support to the Jesse Cosby Center and their mission, said Elizabeth Hackbarth, director of development with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. As the fund is invested and donors contribute, the fund is going to grow and dollars will be available for Jesse Cosby Center for their mission and their programming and the people they serve. Its a permanent investment. Four percent of the fund balance each year is available to the agency for operation and programs. Saviour Missionary Baptist pastor Rudy Jones said his congregation was able to make the grant because we were fortunate to have people to utilize their gifts, abilities. The late Carolyn Speller, a congregation member who worked at Veridian Credit Union, got us into investing a few years back, Jones said. It was to use the excess for additional ministry, locally and internationally. Those investments grew over time, making more substantial investments possible. Longtime Cosby Center patron Aretha White, 96, is a sister of the founder of Jones church. We want to create a legacy of our folks, Jones said, noting that aiding the center fit into aiding the widows, the orphans, the strangers as the Bible directs. We prayed about it, we talked about it and we thought it would be a good opportunity to join with them, Jones said of the Cosby Center. They do a lot for the community. Theyve earned the right to be given special attention. The church cant provide that programming by itself, Jones said, but can assist entities that can, like the Cosby Center. While his congregation is comparatively small, Jones said, God never used big armies. One of the Cosby Center programs recently saved a life when while delivering meals. Service specialist coordinator Beverly Henderson, who is Jesse Hendersons wife, and Michael Garrett came upon an elderly man who had fallen at home. They notified emergency crews. The man is recovering at a local hospital. The Black Hawk County Gaming Association this past year awarded a $41,800 building improvement grant for the center. Jesse Cosby was a musician, entertainer and square dance caller who attracted black and white audiences together after World War II, making a dent in de facto segregation in the Cedar Valley. His namesake agency, located in what was St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, provides a number of services to people of all ethnic backgrounds throughout Black Hawk County, including senior programs, meals and crisis services. Director Jesse Henderson is Jesse Cosbys great nephew. Think about how many individuals and families this organization has supported over the past 50 years, Hackbarth said. As the need is growing, and theres always more to do, and good to be done, thats going to propel us into the next 50 years. Were excited to grow the fund and grow support of it. Were considering the church the lead donor, but were really challenging the community to get behind it. Ive seen what happens when folks decide they want to do something. It gets done, Jones said. And it gets done sooner than later. Donations checks may be made to the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, with a memo to the Jesse Cosby Neighborhood Center Fund. Contributions also may be made online at at CFNEIA.org/jessecosby. Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the Cosby Center or at foundation offices, 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, 50613. HCC to hold alumni event WATERLOO Hawkeye Community College will host an all-ag alumni reunion Jan. 21. Hawkeye celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, and the history of agriculture-related programs stretches back to the earliest days of the college. The reunion is for alumni and former faculty and students in Hawkeyes agriculture, natural resources and horticulture programs. Events begin at 4 p.m. with tours of ag training facilities on campus. A social will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Brock Student Center, followed by a meal and short program. Hawkeye is located at 1501 E. Orange Road. Interested alumni should RSVP by Jan. 13 by calling 296-4002 or emailing alumni@hawkeyecollege.edu. Waverly trail trimming slated WAVERLY The city of Waverly has contracted with Asplundh Tree Expert Co. to do some major trimming of vegetation along the recreational trail. This will include removing dead wood, removing trees that lean severely over the trail, trimming back the smaller volunteer trees and getting 7 to 8 feet of shoulder clearance along the trail so the city crews can maintain the trail easier in the future. This all will take place in the city-owned right of way. The work should start after Jan. 2, and the contractor estimated they could do about a mile a week. The rail trail will be open on a very limited basis this winter. Signs will be up, and the trail will be closed in the area the contractor will be working. For additional information, call Waverly Leisure Services Dept. at 352-6263. CEDAR FALLS Lilijana Lily Anderson had planned for an average day. Instead, Sept. 29 sparked a series of unforgettable events for the North Cedar Elementary fifth-grader and her family. Lily went to advanced orchestra rehearsal at Lincoln Elementary, which meets before school. Soon after taking her seat in the violin section, she felt ill. She complained her head hurt but not like a headache. The nurse hadnt yet arrived. Lilys teacher, Laurie Busch, sent her to the office with her best friend, Malia Stone, to keep her company. While they waited for Lilys parents, Malia noticed her friend wasnt acting right. Malia quickly realized the situation was as serious as it was unusual. She was laying with her face on the floor, saying it was cooler down there, recalled Malia, also a North Cedar fifth-grader. Lily eventually became nauseous and disoriented. Lilys father arrived to take her home. After monitoring her there and realizing her condition had deteriorated, he took Lily to the emergency room. Doctors there decided to airlift her to University of Iowa Stead Family Childrens Hospital in Iowa City; she had a cerebral arteriovenous malformation, or AVM. Youre just never prepared for something like this, said mom Sonya Anderson. It all happened so quickly. A cerebral AVM is a tangle of arteries and veins with an abnormal connection in the brain. An AVM can occur anywhere in the body, and cerebral AVMs occur in less than 1 percent of the population. Hemorrhages can occur at any time between ages 10 and 40. AVMs are typically congenital, and the cause is unknown. Lilys AVM caused paralysis on the left side of her body. She needed immediate surgery, said Sonya. During those first hours, Sonya provided updates on Lilys condition through Facebook. At North Cedar, classmates believed Lily had a bad case of the flu, said friend Sydney Homewood. However, Malia was concerned it was something worse. North Cedar Principal Jennifer Hartman talked with the Andersons and shared news of Lilys diagnosis with her classmates and teachers. While relieved that Lilys prognosis was promising, her classmates were concerned. These students learned a lot of life lessons that day, said Cindy Spore, Lilys teacher. In these situations, there is a sense of helplessness. Information helped. Lilys mom kept us informed by posting on Facebook, and they couldnt write her fast enough, asking questions and sharing concerns. Classmate Jaylin Pint, one of Lilys best friends, was scared. The day of Lilys hemorrhage, she shared her worries with her grandmother. Together, the pair began working on a rag quilt for Lily, incorporating a variety of her favorite things. Sydney, another classmate and friend, arrived home and learned her mother had followed the story all day on Facebook. I talked to my mom and said we should do something at school for Lilys family maybe a penny drive, recalled Sydney. I told Malia the next day, and we went to the principal and asked what we could do. North Cedar students rally in a crisis, said Spore. These girls came up with an idea of how to help Lily, and they went to work, said Spore. They were 100 percent in charge of this. They stayed late, collected the containers and counted all the money. North Cedar students tend to turn crisis into action, she explained. This is thanks, in part, to the schools emphasis of The Leader in Me program. North Cedar was among the first to serve as a pilot school, and it now serves as a model for other districts. In all, the students raised $1,632, said Sydney. Special donations from teachers increased the total to nearly $2,000, Sonya Anderson added. People were still cleaning up and just getting back into their homes (after the flood), Spore recalled. Just when you think these people cant take anymore, with their houses and school flooding and everything else going on, they step up for this family. The support surprised Malia. There were people who donated that didnt even know Lily, she said. The Andersons were overwhelmed by how quickly North Cedar students reached out to offer help, said her mother. North Cedar Elementary has been great to our family and has helped love and support us in many ways through prayers, gifts, special conversations and cash, said Sonya Anderson. Busch sent Lily a video clip of the orchestra playing, along with a best wishes message from the students. The group also dedicated its fall concert to her. Lily was discharged from the hospital after three weeks. She insisted on stopping at North Cedar before even going home, said Spore. Sydney wasnt surprised: All she cares about is school, she explained, laughing. Hartman and the Andersons kept the visit a secret. Jaylin had brought the quilt to school to have all fifth-graders sign it. She got signatures from all classmates of Lilys brother Shai, a North Cedar second-grader. By coincidence, Lily arrived moments after Jaylin had obtained the final signatures. The quilt includes Lilys favorite images, too, such as an owl, American flag and a pickle, said Jaylin. The quilt demonstrates that North Cedar support system, said Spore. Its a symbol of our arms wrapped around her with love. Lily has done better than many AVM survivors, said her mother, but progress is slow. Shes regained full use of the left side of her body, and she wears a helmet to protect her skull. The kids have been so great about the helmet, said Spore. Theyre protective and careful to make sure no one bumps it. No one picks on her about it, which is very North Cedar; this is a supportive and accepting place. Once quiet and shy, she says the AVM has changed her personality. She returned to school for half days in late October and began trying full days in early November. She must have another surgery in early 2017, which will include closing her skull. A long time ago in the high desert valleys of northern Nevada, I took a long walk out through the sagebrush on a bight sunny day. The valley was surrounded by mountains and the day was peaceful. I noticed something move in the distance, and looking carefully saw a number of small foxes dive into their burrows. They were kit foxes, a beautiful little animal about the size of a large cat and a species on the endangered list. I dont know why, perhaps it was just the peacefulness of the day, but I thought if I were to walk into the center of their little community and sit down quietly and wait, they would come out again. I did, and so did they. They shyly popped up and looked me over, and then one at a time, they came out of the burrows and began their day again as if I didnt exist. They yawned. They rolled over. Some scratched where it itched. Some took a nap in the sunshine, all while I sat quietly in the center. Southeast of Hong Kong is an island called Lantau. It is essentially a mountain emerging out of the South China Sea. On top of the mountain is a large statue of the Buddha and a temple and monastery. One day the monks were kneeling in long rows praying. When finished, there was an elderly monk who could not stand. Two younger monks came over and he smiled at them. On either side, the young monks raised him up. As he was still unsteady, the two younger walked on both sides of the elderly monk, supporting him as they made their way back to the monastery. I noted the act of kindness, but what could not be ignored was the elderly monks peaceful, radiant expression. The two younger men were literally bathed in this beautiful, beneficent and transcendent smile, and in response they too were beaming. Every year, a few days before Christmas, we have the longest night of the year. The ancients believed if the sun continued to retreat in the sky, they would all perish in the cold and dark. By Christmas morning, we know the sun is ascending and the darkness will recede; it will come again, but not now, and we can look forward to a spring that will surely come. So what do little foxes, beautiful elderly monks and the rising of the sun have in common? Peace and hope. The opposite of peace is not war, it is enmity. It is enmity that is the opposite of goodwill, the opposite of kind acts and blessing smiles. It is enmity that darkens the human soul. At Christmas we celebrate peace. It comes with a message of hope that our better natures can ascend while darkness retreats. Even if we do not hear the angels, the message is clear. We, if we strive for it, can see peace on Earth, goodwill toward others and the rising of the sun. Merry Christmas to all. Scott Siepker, 34, an Iowa writer and producer, claims to have created the term Iowa Nice. Hes got to be cringing as to what happened to our unofficial slogan. Iowa not-so-nice examples are voluminous: On Dec. 2, three Iowans were killed at a Pella Wal-Mart store by an out-of-control pickup truck. After the stores frontage was repaired and the store reopened, several Iowa shoppers verbally assaulted workers about how the store being shut inconvenienced their shopping. Nothing was uttered by the disgruntled shoppers about the three lost lives. In spring 2011, when University of Northern Iowa student leaders visited their legislators at the Capitol, a local legislator wrote on the badge of Joel Anderson, president of Northern Iowa Student Government, UNI: waste of money. The legislator still represents the Cedar Valley and does not portray Iowa Nice. Iowas 38th governor Robert D. Ray demonstrated Iowa Nice when in 1975 he encouraged Iowans to assist in the settlement of Vietnamese and Laotian refugees. Quite the opposite was demonstrated by Gov. Terry Branstad when he declared on Nov. 16, 2015, we would not welcome Syrian refugees; 11 million of the nations 22 million people have been displaced by civil war. Iowa records about 14 hate crimes per year. Since Donald Trumps election victory, Iowa has recorded 14 hate crimes in just six weeks, 18th highest in the U.S. About 15 Iowa legislators display a plastic fetus on their House of Representatives desk to show, I can only surmise, their disregard for womens reproductive rights to terminate an unwanted pregnancy due to rape, incest or doctors orders. These legislators, all male, known by lobbyists and peers as the God Squad, are not Iowa Nice representatives of, by and for the people. A Cedar Falls High School female was bullied the day after our Nov. 8 presidential election and was told by a boy, Im glad Trump is president, now I can treat women however I want. Misogyny not only exists with disturbed adult men, but also immature teenagers. Imagine being one of 81,000 students or one of 5,000 faculty and staff at UNI, Iowa State or the University of Iowa where you might feel intimidated based upon your immigration status, and Bruce Rastetter, president of the Iowa Board of Regents, declares (Dec. 10) your institution will not be a sanctuary campus to protect you. The Cedar Valley recalls the Islamophobia and xenophobia demonstrated when the Masjid Al-Noor Islamic Center of Waterloo and Cedar Falls was vandalized on Oct. 13 with paint spraying of the word Trump. Where are the Iowa Nice values among the leaders of Iowa Department of Human Services, West Des Moines Police and Walnut Creek High School who ignored Natalie Jasmine Finns needs, being deprived of food, clothing, shelter, health care or supervision? Natalies eight-month plea for assistance with no response resulted in the 16-year-olds death due to malnutrition and cardiac arrest Oct. 24. These examples just scratch the surface but are evidence many Iowans have lost their human dignity values. Maybe we should change Iowas motto to: Iowa COD (Compulsive Outrage Disorder). Our words and actions should be a role model to our family and friends. Join me in proclaiming that being more Iowa Nice will be one of the 2017 New Years resolutions to uphold. III 2022 , 8 , - 2,2 . WATERLOO A jury found a Waterloo teen accused of robbery guilty on lesser charges Friday. Marcus Anthony Bell, 17, was found guilty of assault, carrying weapons and intimidation with a weapon in a Dec. 3, 2015, incident in the 1800 block of Mulberry Street. Bell initially faced a charge of first-degree robbery in addition to charges of intimidation with a weapon and carrying weapons. Prosecutors said Bell and a 17-year-old girl had arranged to meet so she could sell him her naproxen pills, but he instead displayed a handgun and demanded the medication. The girl began to retrieve a bat from her backseat, and Bell left the car and then fired twice as she drove off, according to police. One bullet lodged in the cars center console, police said. Testimony in the case ended Wednesday, and jurors began deliberations Thursday. They returned a verdict Friday morning. A sentencing date has not been set. Man arrested for burglary RIDGEWAY A Winneshiek County man was jailed following a burglary investigation Thursday. The Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office exercised two search warrants. As a result of the warrants several stolen firearms as well as several other items from past burglaries were recovered. Ronald Harrison, 22, of Ridgeway, was charged with third-degree burglary and possession of stolen property. The warrants were executed as a part of a lengthy ongoing investigation, and this case still remains under investigation, deputies said. No further details were released. Waterloo police investigate stabbing WATERLOO Waterloo police are investigating a reported stabbing Friday morning. Police were called to Covenant Medical Center at about 2 a.m. Friday where Clay Gilmer, 22, of Waterloo, was being treated for an injury. Gilmer reported he had been stabbed at East 11th and Franklin streets in Waterloo. Gilmers injury was apparently minor, according to police reports.. It is a cliche to talk about hope at Christmas, but a couple of weeks ago during Advent, I heard an excellent sermon on the subject and so I thought Id write our Christmas post about hope, however hackneyed or overdone it gets at this time. For the Christian, it is important to remember that hope is considered one of the supernatural or theological virtues (along with faith and love) contrasted with the natural virtues known by reason and available to all through hard work and habituation (justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude, etc.) Only through Gods grace can we experience true hope. When we begin to order our lives toward heaven and the things of heaven as our ultimate good (as Father, now Bishop Barron, who I was listening to put it, we begin to gaze our soul toward the transcendent realm) we start to experience the idea of Christian hope. The reading for the third week of Advent (when I was listening to the sermon) was the lyrical and beautiful poem from Isaiah 35: The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee. While a literal reading suggests the Israelites returning to their Holy Land, we know that the poem is better understood as a foreshadowing of Christs coming and His promise to restore us by healing us of our sins only then can we enter Zion (i.e. Heaven) singing, and with everlasting joy. Why? Because it is there that death will finally be conquered and sorrow and mourning will flee. Interestingly, especially this crazy political year, Bishop Barron contrasts the virtue of hope with the secular idea of optimism. He warns us that all of the dangerous political leaders of the 20th Century were ultimately optimists who believed that man could be shaped to bend (and break) to do their will (Lenin, Stalin, Mao, etc.) He suggests that the real Christian attitude toward this world should ultimately be pessimistic as the Christian knows that we cant conquer death or any of the worlds problems at least not without the Lords help. (Here Barron references the philosopher Schopenhauers metaphor for life we are a boat on a river with rapids, getting knocked about from rock to rock trying to stay afloat only to eventually succumb at the end of our journey to the waterfall that awaits us all.) Bishop Barron even quotes Bob Dylan on life, suggesting that Dylan understood the Christian idea of hope and provided an answer to the pessimistic philosopher: And theres no exit in any direction / Cept the one that you cant see with your eyes. Barron also answers critics who suggest that this focus on heaven sets men up for a spiritual dualism, forever consigned to wallow in misery here in Earth as they suffer injustice only to look forward to their deaths to a glorious afterlife. Not so says the good Bishop remember that heaven is a place of goodness, so when we look to heaven we are reminded of all of the transcendent goods related to God. Those who are given the grace of hope are given a focus on God this is in contrast to the worldly optimist without Christian hope who is restless to make the world better here and now (and right now, or you will be thrown in jail, or worse, for not obeying my worldly, secular vision for what I demand of you to make the world better!) Instead the Christian is encouraged to cultivate patience, for we know that God has a higher purpose and plan for us: Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. James letter has an ironic double meaning during Advent we all get excited at this time to celebrate the birth of Jesus which is an historical event that has already occurred and yet we also must be patient awaiting both our reunion with Christ in heaven and His triumphant return to Earth. Pope Francis recent ongoing catechesis on Christian hope echoes many of these same ideas: When we speak of hope, we often refer to that which man is not able to do and that which is not visible. In effect, what we hope for goes beyond our strength and gaze, the Pope said Dec. 21. However, the birth of Christ speaks of a different hope, a trustworthy, visible and understandable hope, because it is founded on God. In becoming man, Jesus enters the world and gives humanity the strength to walk with him and to live the present moment in a new way, even if its sometimes tiring, he said. For a Christian, then, hope means the certainty of being on a journey with Christ toward the Father who awaits us, Francis said, adding that this hope offers a goal, a good destiny in the present, the salvation of humanity, the beatitude of those who entrust themselves to the merciful God. Hope never stops; its always on a journey, and it makes us walk forward, he added. So this Christmas season be patient and full of hope we place our trust not in worldly kings or leaders but in the King of Kings who will make the desert bloom and restore sight to blind, sound to the deaf, and speech to the mute. Jesus of Nazareth is born on Christmas and this event gives us all great hope! 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(1) How to watch, what to know about South Dakota State at Northern Iowa Vodafone, Cairn Energy and other firms facing retrospective tax demand will have to withdraw legal cases and give up the right to contest constitutional validity of back-dated amendment to I-T laws if they want to avail of the dispute resolution scheme ending on December 31. The government, in the Budget 201617, had announced a scheme to settle the retrospective tax disputes by waiving interest and penalty if the companies paid up the principal tax amount. The scheme opened on June 1 and is due to close on December 31. In the second FAQ on the Direct Tax Dispute Resolution Scheme, 2016, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said that for any company to avail of the settlement, it has to withdraw writ petitions pending before any court against imposition of retrospective taxation and furnish proof of the same. It is, hence, clear that if the assessee avails (of) the scheme, he cannot contest the constitutional validity of retrospective amendment in the high court or the Supreme Court, the tax departments Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) said. So far, none of the companies facing the retrospective tax cases have come forward. After the scheme closes, the Income Tax Department will go ahead with tax demand and pursue legal course, including arbitration, sources said. The sources also said the government had asked the IT Department not to take any coercive action during the time the scheme is open. Weeks before the scheme was announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his budget speech on February 29, the department had issued Vodafone a reminder over its Rs. 14,200crore tax demand and threatened to seize assets in case of nonpayment. UK oil explorer Cairn Energy is facing a tax demand of Rs. 10,247 crore on alleged capital gains made in a 2006 business reorganisation it carried out in its India unit before getting it listed. The total tax due after including interest comes to over Rs. 29,000 crore. British telecom giant Vodafone is facing a total demand of Rs. 14,200 crore in tax, interest and penalty with regard to its USD 11billion acquisition of 67 per cent stake in the mobile phone business owned by Hutchison Whampoa in 2007. Both firms raised their concerns over the tax demands and challenged the matter by initiating international arbitration. Islamic State sympathiser and Bangladeshi national Mohammed Musa, who was arrested from West Bengals Burdwan railway station earlier this year, was planning an attack on Mother House in Kolkata mostly to target foreign nationals, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed on Sunday. Investigators say that he had intended to carry out lone wolf attack, as in the Orlando in the US and Frances Nice. Mother House is the resting place of Mother Teresa, who was canonised on September 4. Mother Teresa worked throughout her life from the premises and her tomb draws many international visitors. The Bangladeshi national was interrogated by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation in Kolkata on December 9. He is believed to have planned the attack in retaliation to the bombing of Islamic State forces in conflict-ridden Syria and Libya. Also, he was quizzed by Bangladesh police in connection with its probe in the July 1 Holey Artisan Bakery attack. 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed in the attack in July this year. Official sources said a team of FBI questioned Masiuddin for over five hours during which they focussed their questions around Armar, alias Yosuf Al-Hindi, who is believed to be planning attacks on American assets and nationals worldwide. Armar, 40, a native of Bhatkal in North Karanatka, is suspected to be in touch with radicalised American youth either looking to join or already recruited by the banned ISIS terror group. The US officials later shared their inputs with the National Investigative Agency (NIA) about their questioning of Masiuddin. The questioning of Masiuddin was allowed on reciprocal basis as the US agency has been extending help to the Indian security agencies in various terror-related cases Masiuddin was arrested in July this year during a joint raid by the NIA and West Bengal CID from Viswabharati fast passenger train at Burdwan station in connection with Burdwan bomb blast of October, 2013 in the state His handler Armar, a fugitive based in Pakistan since 2008, was also part of a group of Indian Mujahideen operatives which had broken away from the organisation to form the IS- affiliated Ansar al-Tauhid in 2014. Ansar al-Tauhid functions from Tehreek-e-Talibans training camps in Pakistans North Waziristan According to officials, Musa also had links with the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and was trying to radicalise youngsters and encourage them to join Isis. He was also in touch with radical elements in Syria, Afghanistan and Bangladesh through social media. He had reportedly told his handlers that he would target foreigners, including US citizens, in India. Nowadays people are discussing about the hardships faced by them after demonetisation. Even opposition parties had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify his stand on notes ban. The common man has to bear the brunt of demonetisation as he has to stand in long queue outside banks for depositing or withdrawing his hard earned money. Even people are queuing outside ATMs for withdrawing money. Some of them are even using two to three cards for withdrawing money. ATMs too are running dry of cash due to massive withdrawals by people. Demonetization has a direct impact on sectors dealing with cashvendors, auto rickshawwallahs, taxi drivers, daily wage earners and small traders. The Modi government has urged people to opt for cashless transactions. However, the nation is yet not ready for cashless economy as more than 80 per cent of transactions are being done through cash. India lacks the necessary infrastructure to handle huge volume of online transactions. Lack of internet penetration is another issue which will pose a major hurdle when the nation is trying to shift towards cashless economy. Today the common man is unaware about how to use debit cards, net banking and mobile wallets then how will he shift towards digital transactions. The government should have first created awareness among people about online transactions and then gone ahead with the demonetisation drive. Earlier people had lauded the Modi governments note ban campaign saying that it will unearth black money. However, their opinion has changed now after facing hardships to withdraw their money from banks and ATMs. Even touts are purchasing demonetised notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 and allowing black money holders to convert their money into white for a commission. After demonetisation there has been a surge in deposit in Jan Dhan accounts. Many people are using these accounts to park their black money. The government is keeping an eye on the amounts being deposited in these accounts. In order to avert the misuse of Jan Dhan accounts RBI has capped the withdrawal from these accounts to Rs 10,000 per month. A person can pay by card or cash only when he works and earns money. India needs to produce goods which are of better quality and cheaper as compared to those manufactured by foreign countries. We need to enhance agricultural and horticultural production, promote fishing activities, increase milk production and industrial production. The PM must first eradicate poverty and malnutrition and later on ask people to adopt digital mode of payment. The government has yet not revealed the names of Swiss bank account holders, accused involved in Panama papers scam etc. They must take steps to clean up politics by abolishing corruption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had blamed the opposition for disrupting parliament and not allowing him to speak. Did he get up to speak? How many times did he attend the parliamentary proceedings? (The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.) A Russian plane headed to an air base in Syria with 92 people aboard, including members of a well-known military choir, crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday minutes after taking off from the resort city of Sochi, Russias defence ministry said. Putin ordered the government to probe the crash of a Syria-bound military plane carrying 92 people. The Tu-154 plane crashed in the Black Sea shortly after taking off from the southern city of Adler where it had been refuelling, defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told Russian news agencies. Fragments of the Russian Defense Ministrys TU-154 aircraft were discovered in 1.5 kilometers from the Black Sea shore of Sochi at a depth of 50-70 meters, according to Sputnik quoting the Russian Defence Ministry. The Interfax news agency cited an unnamed source as saying the plane had not sent an SOS signal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Sunday it was too early to say what had caused the crash. President Vladimir Putin was being kept informed of latest developments, Peskov added. Russias Defence Ministry regularly flies musicians into Syria to put on concerts for military personnel. The base they were heading for, Hmeymim, is in Latakia province. It is from there that Russia flies air strikes against Syrian rebels. Viktor Ozerov, head of the defense affairs committee at the upper house of Russian parliament, said the crash could have been caused by a technical malfunction or a crew error, but he believes it could not have been terrorism because the plane was operated by the military. I totally exclude the idea of an attack bringing down the plane, he said in remarks carried by state RIA Novosti news agency. There were also eight crew members onboard, the ministry said. A list of passengers published by the defence ministry also included Elizaveta Glinka, a doctor and charity worker who serves on the Kremlin human rights council. Mikhail Fedotov, who heads the council, said Glinka was travelling to Syria to bring medication to a university hospital in the coastal city of Latakia near the airbase, agencies reported. Web Toolbar by Wibiya Christmas is here again and the faithful with steadfast fidelity or people who get an opportunity to avail the luxury of long holidays have already become part of the usual hustle and bustle. Christmas decorations saved in the boxes put away in garages or attics give the families a reason to be spiritually satisfied and alleviated or people enjoying holidays get their moneys worth. Shop windows, shopping malls and even privately owned houses festooned with Christmas decorations give an aura of festivities, boisterous merriment and joyfulness. The "War on Christmas" terminology is used to define attacks on Christianity mainly by atheist cults those sprang up during the era of Revolutionary France, the Puritans law of 17th century or the anti-clerical government policies of 20th century Soviet Union. Nazi Germany, as argued, saw Christianity as an enemy and perceived it a threat to absolute power of the state. The greetings Merry Christmas in a planned strategy purposefully converted to Seasons Greetings benefits dominant multi-billion businesses in financial gains compared to forces with the intent to oppose the belief in Christianity. The Churches though declared listed properties, mainly in the western countries, are sold and converted into warehouses or bought by people professing other faiths as perhaps the outstanding technological feats and affluence around diminishes the required fulfilment of daily visible needs through revered invisible sources. The past or post Biblical history replete with stories about the rise and fall of societies with an end remindful of total annihilation is brushed aside as hearsay. However, in the recent times the number of resurging faithful is gradually going up. Jesus Christ conveying a simple message to believe Father in Heaven and be good human beings was misunderstood even by His close associates and disciples. Soon after His crucifixion Jesus in the upper room tried to convince His disciples showing them His hands and side (John: 19) that He was the same person they believed in and to prove the fact asked for broiled fish & honeycomb. After He ate, Jesus said look I am the Jesus in flesh and blood and not a ghost as ghosts do not require to eat. The disciples who had watched Him crucified believing He was dead, were still in two minds and refused to believe He was alive. Santa Claus a money spinning machine for the multi-billion businesses all over the world has its history and, as believed by many, is not connected with Jesus Christ in any manner whatsoever. Millions of children lured to believe that Santa comes during the night travelling in a chariot to bring toys and gifts for all children makes it more of a fun game rather than a religious ceremony. The legend of Santa Claus also referred to as Saint Nicholas revolves round a story that Nicholas was admired for his piety, benevolence and kindness. He spent all his inherited wealth for poor and sick and the best known story is that he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery because their father could not afford to pay the dowry to get them married. Turkey, special dish a must for the day to celebrate Christmas is mentioned nowhere in the Bible but millions of them slaughtered every year makes it a bonanza for the business houses. FELIPE ARAUJO in the Sunday Express giving historical account for the use of Turkey says "Turkeys were introduced in Britain more than 500 years ago by Yorkshireman William Strickland, who acquired six birds from American Indian traders on his travels. Before that, people's meat of choice for Christmas was geese, boars head and even peacocks. But from the moment turkeys arrived in this country, farmers realised that the animals they were killing for their Christmas feasts could be better used to provide other foods. So, it has been left to the turkey to keep our stomachs full on Christmas Day - and many days after that". Christmas tree, another ritual attached to Christianity has a story explained by Edwin and Jennifer Woodruff Tait in the following words "The most likely theory is that Christmas trees started with medieval plays. Dramas depicting biblical themes began as part of the churchs worship, but by the late middle Ages, they had become rowdy, imaginative performances. The plays celebrating the Nativity were linked to the story of creationin part because Christmas Eve was also considered the feast day of Adam and Eve". Three Wise Men, likewise, are not mentioned in the Bible or it does not mention the number of wise men who visited Jesus. But the traditional names of these learned wise men are mentioned as Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior. As is said, the men who came to seek Christ child were not idolaters but upright men of integrity. The bibleinfo.com mentions that the tradition that there were three wise men arose from the fact that the Bible mentions three gifts gold, frankincense and myrrh according to Matthew 2:11. However, the Bible doesnt say how many wise men made the journey to see the baby Jesus. The unfounded idea that they were also kings came from the imagery of Isaiah 60:3. Islamic perspective of Jesus Christ considers Him as one of the greatest Gods messengers to mankind. The Quran testifies His virgin birth and describes the birth of Jesus as follows: (Remember) when the angels said, "O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him (God), whose name is the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, revered in this world and the Hereafter. He will speak to the people from his cradle and as a man, and he is of the righteous." She said, "My Lord, how can I have a child when no mortal has touched me?" He said, "So (it will be). God creates what He wills. If He decrees a thing, He says to it only, "Be!" and it is". (Quran, 3:45-47) Jesus was born miraculously by the command of God, the same command that had brought Adam into being with neither a father nor a mother. God has said: The case of Jesus with God is like the case of Adam. (Quran, 3:59) Neither Muhammad nor Jesus came to change the basic doctrine of the belief in one God, brought by earlier prophets, but rather to confirm and renew it. Jesus Christ in his message to people said "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them". (Matthew 5:17) "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him (God) who sent me. (John 5:30)" it is handsome before God Almighty for believing men and women to believe in Jesus Christ and spread the true message to seek His Fathers mercy. The triumph of good over the evil will, as promised, spiritually fortify the faithful to exchange greetings and celebrate birth of Jesus Christ. Once the summer arrives, the colorful heads begin to produce their achenes, and in this case, the pappus occurs as a snowy mass of silky, plume-like bristles. Cheryl Davis, left, and Carolyn Carpino, volunteers with Huntsville-based Friends of Rescue, drove an extra transport of 17 shelter dogs and cats up to Chicago the week before Christmas. (Courtesy of Friends of Rescue) The trip was scheduled at the last minute. Last weekend, Bethany Marbut got a phone call from the director of an animal shelter in Chicago. Marbut is the transport coordinator for the Friends of Rescue, a Huntsville-based organization that works to find homes for unwanted animals. "They said, 'We're down to two dogs in our facility and we're not going to get any more animals until New Year's Eve. We don't want to sit with empty kennels when there are dogs we can get out,'" recalled Marbut. "So I said, 'Let's make this happen.'" She put a call out to her volunteers, asking if anybody would be willing to make a run up to Chicago on Tuesday. Carolyn Carpino of Madison and Cheryl Davis of Huntsville answered the call. "The fact we had two people willing to go the week of Christmas was unbelievable," said Marbut. "It blew me away." FOR's other volunteers sprang into action, securing a delivery van and contacting FOR's foster families. They were able to pull 13 dogs and four cats from North Alabama animal control facilities that have to euthanize animals when their kennels are full. "It's a Christmas miracle for some of these animals to go," said Marbut. They got the animals loaded safely in their crates in the van on Tuesday morning. Carpino and Davis said the trip was absolutely worth taking time out of their busy schedules. Carpino is a realtor with Caldwell Banker of the Valley and Davis is vice president of contracting company Outdoor Solutions Inc. "It's very important to me that these dogs have a chance at a great life," said Davis. "The people of Chicago want rescues and we have the opportunity to take them. My calendar freed up and Carolyn's freed up and we said, 'Let's go.'" "Now we have another 17 animals that will have a home for Christmas," said Carpino. Friends of Rescues has been facilitating rescue animal adoptions up north since 2009. "(Northern states) have stricter spay/neuter laws and license requirements than we do down here," said Marbut. That's why there aren't nearly as many shelter pets available for adoption in places like Chicago, while in the South, shelters are often filled to capacity, she said. Felines and Canines contacted FOR last spring about the possibility of sending monthly transports of animals up to Chicago. FOR volunteers visited Felines and Canines, then worked out the logistics. FOR made its first Huntsville-to-Chicago run in October. Since the fall, FOR has sent 75 dogs and 42 cats up to Felines and Canines. "They pay the vetting costs and we raise the money for the transport," said Marbut. "For about $50 an animal, we can save that animal from a shelter and get them up north for adoption." The money pays for the rental cost of the vehicle, the cost of gas and an overnight hotel stay for the volunteers who drive. Donation and volunteer information is available at FORrescue.net and on the group's Facebook page. Marbut said they partnered with Felines and Canines because when FOR volunteers went up to visit, they were impressed by the organization and its facility. It has an extended application process for adoption and screens all families wanting to adopt. Families can't take an animal home unless every member of the family comes to the shelter to meet the animal. There are also adoption counselors on hand to make sure pets and families are a good fit. The average stay for a dog in the facility is four days. "You know that they care about these animals, and they are adopting them to families that are going to love and take care of them," said Davis. FOR took a group of animals to Felines and Canines early in December - Carpino drove on that trip as well - and wasn't scheduled to go again until Jan. 13. But when Felines and Canines called about the possibility of an extra transport for Christmas, Marbut said they knew they had to try to make it happen. Carpino and Davis were reached for interview while they were driving up to Chicago. Carpino said the first leg of the journey was nerve wracking, as the van had to maneuver around multiple traffic accidents in rainy, foggy conditions. "But the sun came out by the time we got to Louisville," she said. "Now there's snow by the side of the road, the sun is out, the dogs are quiet and life is good." Donald Trump In this Dec. 1, 2016, photo, President-elect Donald Trump smiles as he speaks during the first stop of his post-election tour in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) President-elect Donald Trump's incoming chief of staff stirred controversy on social media on Sunday after critics interpreted his Christmas message mentioning "the new king" as a comparison between Jesus and Trump. "Merry Christmas to all! Over two millennia ago, a new hope was born into the world, a Savior who would offer the promise of salvation to all mankind. Just as the three wise men did on that night, this Christmas heralds a time to celebrate the good news of a new King," read a statement from Priebus and Republican National Committee co-chair Sharon Day. "We hope Americans celebrating Christmas today will enjoy a day of festivities and a renewed closeness with family and friends." The statement drew outrage on social media by those who interpreted "the new king" as being Trump. So the RNC thinks Trump is our New King? Coming again as Jesus did? This is getting really spooking. What kind of Kool-Aid is that? https://t.co/9Mf5zEA89G Paul Ybarra (@ybarrap) December 25, 2016 The distinction between a president and a king is not trivial https://t.co/8At2sHon1E Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) December 25, 2016 But Republicans, including RNC spokesman and incoming Trump press secretary Sean Spicer said the phrase was only a reference to Jesus, not the president-elect. He added that it was "frankly offensive" that Buzzfeed, which first reported on Priebus' words, asked him whether Priebus was referring to both Trump and Jesus. Vatican Pope Christmas Pope Francis reads his homily as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis urged Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus by thinking about the plight of today's children, bemoaning how some must escape bombs or flee in migrant boats and how others are prevented from being born at all. Francis celebrated a somber Christmas Eve Mass in a packed St. Peter's Basilica, processing to the altar behind cardinals draped in golden vestments as the Sistine Chapel choir sang "Gloria" and the church bells rang out across Rome. Francis has spent much of the year denouncing the Islamic extremist violence that has driven Christians from Mideast communities that date to the time of Christ. He has also demanded Europe in particular do more to welcome refugees, saying Jesus himself was a migrant who deserved more than being born in a manger. And he has called out the wasteful ways of the wealthy when children and the poor die of hunger every day. In his homily, Francis urged his flock to reflect on how children today aren't always allowed to lie peacefully in a cot, loved by their parents as Jesus was, but rather "suffer the squalid mangers that devour dignity." Among the indignities, he said, are "hiding underground to escape bombardment, on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat overladen with immigrants." "Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons," he added. The Mass late Saturday was the first major event of the Christmas season, followed by Francis' noon Urbi et Orbi (To the city and the world) blessing on Christmas Day. In another appeal, Francis called for the faithful to not get caught up in the commercialization of Christmas -- "when we are concerned for gifts but cold toward those who are marginalized." Materialism has "taken us hostage this Christmas," he said. "We have to free ourselves of it!" The wheels are turning to free Williamson High School and the Maysville community of a major eyesore - and one hypothetical outcome is that Ladd-Peebles Stadium could get some new parking space. The property in question is a defunct industrial site, formerly the home of the Yarborough Machine & Iron company. It sits directly across Dublin Street from Williamson High School and Middle Grades Preparatory Academy. It stretches along virtually the whole southern edge of the stadium property, separated from it by a railroad track. In addition to a lot of wide-open space, the site includes several large steel-framed warehouses and one brick building, bordered by a sagging chain-link fence. Aside from any other issues, the fact that a vacant property is accessible to students or to others who might present a threat to students is an obvious concern, said City Councilman Levon Manzie, whose District 2 includes the site. "I was on our school board for five years, starting in '08, and the community even then was complaining about the condition of those buildings and its proximity to those students that attend Williamson High School," Manzie said during a recent tour of the property. "I don't know when the last time was the building was active. But it's definitely a blight and an eyesore and I just, I'm hopeful that the plan that has been worked out is something that we can execute." "I don't know of any other school in the county that has [something like] this sitting right across the street," he said. "It just lends itself to so many negatives." Speaking before President-elect Donald Trump's recent "Thank You" rally in Mobile, Manzie noted that it was somewhat embarrassing to have a huge eyesore within sight of the spot where national media gathered to cover the event. In mid-December, Manzie announced that the city was working to acquire the property through its Neighborhood Renewal Program. The first priority would simply be to acquire it and get rid of the obvious hazards. But eventually, Manzie said, it would become suitable for some new purpose. What that might be is pure speculation at this point. But Manzie said that with a property of this size, located in between two other public properties, there definitely is a range of possibilities. "I think there's a possibility of maybe the school system being interested in it," he said. "I think you could look at the possibility of increased parking for Ladd Stadium." First, though, there's some work that has to be done. Keri Coumanis, an attorney with the city's legal department, said the city had received confirmation late this week that it could acquire the property from the state at minimal cost. Right now the site is "upside down," Coumanis said. The state holds a tax deed because more than $100,000 in taxes are owed; between that and the cost of cleaning it up, the bill is greater than the market value of the land. "The property is in the process of being acquired by the city from the state Department of Revenue," Coumanis said. The city successfully argued that because it has spent federal Brownfield money identifying environmental hazards there, and because it plans to improve it for the public good, it should be able to take over the tax deed for what's called a "municipal best price" of $100. The city should get the deed in four to six weeks, Coumanis said, and then it'll take steps to make sure the title is clear. Meanwhile, it's working on a bid packet for the work to clear the site of buildings and overgrown vegetation. That likely will be released in January, so demolition work could begin in early spring. Coumanis declined to speculate on how much the demolition work might cost the city. Manzie said it was clear that Mobile wasn't simply getting some land virtually for free. "The teardown could be six figures, because of the level of construction that's there," he said. "Basically we're going to end up with a clear site," said Coumanis. "I know we are going to look at all options." Among other things, she said, the city will look to see if federal grants are available to help remediate the environmental hazards identified on the land. Manzie said that whatever the long-term use of the property turns out to be, the short-term gain of cleaning up the blight will have a big impact. "You want to create an environment that's conducive to teaching and learning," he said of the site's proximity to a school. "And this isn't the environment for our young people to see" right outside their classrooms." "This is a colossal piece of property," he said. "Which is why it's such a colossal blight and hazard to our community." Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world has a weird foam layer on the surface and emits a smell of decay. Puno, Peru Taking a boat from the pier of Puno into Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, means moving through murky water full of floating plastic first. Along the shores of the lake that lies on the border of Bolivia and Peru, the water has a weird foam layer on the surface and emits a smell of decay. The famous floating islands of the Uros tribe lie only a few kilometres off the bay of Puno. They are a native tribe in Peru who live on islands made of reed. Joel Porcela, 57, lives with his family on one such island. His wife lays out the fresh catch of silverside fish on a blanket to dry under the shining sun, while his daughter is in the back cutting the reed. The Uros not only use this plant for their floating islands, they also build their houses and boats from it, and use it as fuel for cooking. Its a way of life that has existed for generations. Everything they need basically comes from the lake: the reed, the fish they eat, the water they drink and the contamination of the lake, which is advancing from the shores towards the islands, is a threat to their lifestyle. I think the water is still clean where we are, says Porcela. But, if we are drinking contaminated water, we probably have already become resistant. Either way, this is how we have always lived, so we cannot change that. This contamination is clearly connected to the cities surrounding the lake. Puno for instance, grew out to become a city of 120,000 people, while its sewage systems can cope with only a third of that number. But not all contamination is as visible: in the Ramis river, a tributary that feeds into the lake on the northwest side, high levels of mercury have been found in the sediment, which probably stem from wildcat gold mining in the area. READ MORE: Is mining to blame for the drought in Bolivia? Decontamination plans Lake Titicaca spans a big area, with a maximum length of 190km and a width of 80km. Engineer Alfredo Mamani Salinas, who works for the Autoridad Binacional del Lago Titicaca, a bi-national organisation that monitors the lake, says they are still in the process of assessing how contaminated the lake is. Contamination is mostly concentrated on some points where rivers enter the lake, after which it is diluted, says Salinas. Last November, the Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who took office on July 2016, agreed with Bolivian President Evo Morales to start with the first part of a huge $500m plan to clean up the lake. This first step, with an estimated cost of $63m, would consist of constructing 10 water treatment facilities to make sure the water entering the lake is clean of industrial waste and sewage water. According to Salinas, just building plants is not enough to tackle the problem. It is important to start with cleaning the water and the sediment in the lake along with treating the water of the rivers. The contamination is already in the lake, so we have to take that out to have a positive effect. But, the promise of building treatment facilities works a signal of hope for the Uros. Porcela says he believes the new Peruvian president will do a good job in cleaning the lake. Kuczynski grew up in this area, tells Porcela, while he looks out over the water, referring to the part of his youth that President Kuczynski spent in Puno. He understands the problems we have here. According to Porcela, before Kuczynski, the only president who was interested in the fate of the Uros was Alberto Fujimori, the dictator who reigned the country in the 90s and who is currently serving a 25-year prison term for corruption and crimes against humanity. Fujimori had visited the lake. There are still solar panels on the floating islands that were built by the Fujimori government, giving the Uros something to remember this president by. READ MORE: The Bolivian teenager turning e-waste into robots Dead frogs Along the boulevard of Puno on a small patch of land, 32-year-old Edgar has his sheep graze on the grass. His father and grandfather were also sheep herders. But back in those days, it was a lot cleaner here. Now Edgars sheep walk through dark mud full of plastic waste. During the rainy season, a lot of waste is flushed into the lake, cleaning up the shores a bit, he says. But you cant drink the water from the rivers any more, as my father and grandfather used to do. The lake is still liveable now, but the contamination keeps coming. by Victor Hugo Apaza, Engineer Last October, thousands of frogs were found dead along the shores near the River Coata, which is a tributary to the lake on the northern Peruvian side. The frog, named a scrotum frog for its baggy skin that allows it to take in enough oxygen at a high altitude, is a critically endangered species found only in Lake Titicaca. According to engineer Victor Hugo Apaza Vargas, who oversees a part of the national reserve in Lake Titicaca for the Peruvian Ministry of Environment, an official reason for the death of the frogs has never been given because the samples didnt reach the laboratory in Lima on time. But it is reasonable to assume it had to do with pollution, he says in his office in Puno. There was cleaning going on in the canals of the city of Juliaca, upstream. So, we can easily conclude polluted sediment had reached the frogs territory. According to Apaza, a similar incident happened in 2013, when a lot of dead fish were found in the bay of Puno. They had died of asphyxiation, which, according to the engineer of the ministry, was a result of a combination of a high influx of sewage water during the holiday season when many tourists visit the town and an abnormal high temperature that month. Apaza explains how the reeds, around the floating islands of the Uros, are a natural barrier for contamination. This way the contamination doesnt enter the area where the islands are, but the quality of the reed on the edges of the islands has deteriorated: both Uros and people living on the shores of the lake, who use the reed as fodder for their animals, have complained about this to the Ministry of Environment. The lake is still liveable now, Apaza says. But the contamination keeps coming. We have to do something about this fast, otherwise there will be huge problems here in the future. Ever since the engineer started his job in Puno five years ago, he has heard complaints and seen incidental protests by villagers. He sent requests to the head office in Lima often, but the reaction has been slow, so he is glad finally that there is bi-national consensus on how to start cleaning up the lake. READ MORE: Bolivian women mining for a living and for respect Drought Besides contamination, the lake might have another problem to face. In November 2015, neighbouring Lake Poopo in Bolivia dried out. Johnny Terazas Garcia, working for the research institute CEPA in Bolivia, says this happened due to the clogging up of the rivers feeding into the lake from mining wastewater in combination with global warming between 1995 and 2005 the temperature around the lake had risen by 0.9 degrees Celsius. What is left of Lake Poopo now is only a salt flat, comparable with the Salar de Uyuni, in Bolivia. Fishermen have moved away from the area to find other work. Just like Poopo, Lake Titicaca is also shrinking: the surface is on average already a metre lower than before, according to biologist Jose Luis Vilca Ticona, working for the Lake Titicaca Special Project, PELT. Satellite photographs clearly show this difference. This is a strong preoccupation for us, says Vilca. Although we have to note this still might change for the better. There is always fluctuation in the lakes surface. But we are going through a year where it is very low. Meanwhile, for the Uros life goes on as usual. Every day they take boats full of tourists to their islands, where they tell a story about their traditions. Normally they dont mention the contamination and their worries about the lake to visitors. But when a tourist throws an empty plastic soda-bottle in the water, Porcela gets angry at him. After the tourists have left his boat, he says: Without tourism these islands probably wouldnt have existed any more. But, they have to respect our lake. Residents evacuated from the Syrian city of Aleppo are beginning their lives anew in Idlib. Idlib, Syria Abdullah was one of the last people to leave eastern Aleppo. Leading up to his evacuation via bus to rebel territory outside of the city, it seemed that hope of an escape was lost for him, his wife and their two children. We stayed homeless for many days because regime forces were near us, and we were without food or water, using only our belongings for warmth, said Abdullah, who spoke to Al Jazeera under a pseudonym for security reasons. People couldnt bring all their belongings when they left, so they burned them. Abdullah said that he also witnessed attempted harassment of civilians by pro-government forces: Conditions were really horrible. At least 35,000 people left east Aleppo this month, after a deal was struck to evacuate the citys remaining rebel-controlled areas. Many went to Idlib province, where they are now starting their lives anew. As of now, the security situation is much better no bombs or shelling, Mahmoud Taraqji, an Aleppo native, told Al Jazeera. New arrivals point to the better security situation in Idlib city, contrasted against the frequent air strikes and clashes that have gripped Aleppo in recent weeks. The situation in the city is quiet, said Abd al-Latif Tarboush, an Aleppo resident who arrived in Idlib this week. Theres no bombing or clashes, thank God. There have, however, been some air strikes reported in rural areas of Idlib over the past week. Taraqji said that, unlike in Aleppo, where residents faced the threat of starvation due to a protracted government siege, his family has enough food in Idlib, and has been relying on takeaway food while they move into a new home. He and his family arrived in Idlib early last week. But Taraqji says that his family is facing other difficulties, including the trauma of displacement. Well never go back to our old house, he said. Our lives and memories are buried now, and we cant go back. The evacuation deal ended on Thursday as the Syrian army declared itself in full control of the city, which had been divided between rebel and government forces since 2012. Many viewed their flight as necessary due to the rapid incursion of pro-government forces into the citys east. We were forced to leave after the regime put pressure on the rebels to leave after taking most of the city, Taraqji told Al Jazeera. Taraqji, Tarboush and others say they opted to go to rebel territory after leaving eastern Aleppo in an effort to avoid further run-ins with government forces. Some residents fear detention by the government or worse fears that escalated after the United Nations reported that hundreds of men had gone missing after entering government territory during the final days of the battle. In addition to Idlib, some evacuees fled to rebel areas in the countryside west of Aleppo. Others, however, moved to government territory as the rebels lost ground, images from Syrias state-run news agency SANA show. The city of Idlib, and the province of the same name, is the most prominent rebel stronghold left in Syria after the victory of the Syrian regime and its allies in Aleppo. Various rebel groups, including the Fateh al-Sham Front, maintain a presence in the area. For those used to living in Aleppo Syrias prewar largest city Idlib is quite different. Life in Idlib is rural in most areas, and the regime forces arent here, whereas in Aleppo its a small area with a big population being bombed, said one doctor from Idlib, who practised medicine in eastern Aleppo before returning home last year. Now working in Idlib, the doctor said that he has been treating many Aleppan victims. Theyre victims of the bombing. They have multiple fractures and internal injuries, said the doctor, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity. The influx of displaced people from eastern Aleppo, however, has raised new humanitarian concerns in Idlib and elsewhere, particularly as the harsh northern Syrian winter sets in. People dont always have proper winter clothing, so we find them a place to stay and give blankets and food, said Christy Delafield, a spokeswoman for Mercy Corps, which has been assisting recent evacuees in northern Syria. Delafield told Al Jazeera that many of those who left eastern Aleppo were deeply scarred after more than five years of war. Everyone is traumatised, she said. We try to give them some peace. As the war continues elsewhere in Syria, former residents of eastern Aleppo are grappling with the fact that their city has been forever changed. I wish to get the chance to go back there, Taraqji said. It doesnt feel close, but I hope I will. Observers are divided on whether the recent UNSC resolution will lead to any substantive change. In the dying days of his presidency, Barack Obama caused a diplomatic storm on Friday by doing nothing. The US abstention on a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution condemning Israeli settlements has left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu furious but observers are divided over how much difference the vote will actually make. There was nothing new to the substance of UNSC Resolution 2334, which reaffirmed long-standing positions of the international community, including previous UNSC resolutions, about the illegality of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. So, was that enough to prompt outrage from Netanyahu and his coalition partners? INTERACTIVE: Building the occupation Nadia Hijab, executive director of Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network, notes the significance of paragraph 5, which calls on all States to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. This, she told Al Jazeera, is effectively a call to cease trade, economic and financial transactions with the settlements. This is likely to boost growing efforts to subject Israel to various forms of boycotts, including the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaign especially since, as Hijab notes, the settlements are an integral part of the Israeli economy. However, many Palestinians are under no illusions about Obamas overall record during his two terms. As Diana Buttu, analyst and former adviser to Palestinian negotiators, commented: Prior to this vote, the Obama administration had been the only US administration since 1967 that had prevented the Security Council from condemning Israels illegal actions. Indeed, Obama exercised the US veto in 2011 to block a resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity, while during his two terms, signed an unprecedented military aid package and backed Israel through two significant assaults on the Gaza Strip, including the brutal 2014 offensive. For many, therefore, the decision to abstain (though not vote in favour) is too little, too late. Meanwhile, it appears that the resolution caught Israel by complete surprise, Channel 2 journalist Meron Rapoport told Al Jazeera. Just at the moment when Netanyahu was enjoying the prospect of a pressure-free Israel under the coming Trump administration, this resolution came and brought him brutally down to earth, Rapoport said, noting that while it is not clear what tangible impact it will have on Israel, the resolution will surely limit Israels freedom of manoeuvre. At the end of the day, this resolution is intended to salvage a two-state solution that Israel killed off with settlement construction years ago. by Diana Buttu, analyst and former adviser to Palestinian negotiators Yet the reaction by Israeli politicians economy minister Naftali Bennett, for example, declared that failing to oppose the resolution equated to support for terrorism seems utterly disproportionate, considering that the wording in many ways simply echoes the language of the peace process. Criticism of settlements, for example, is balanced with condemnation of terror and incitement, a common complaint levelled at the Palestinian Authority by Israeli authorities. Indeed, although the resolution avoided several pitfalls present in draft resolutions some months previously, Hijab told Al Jazeera, such as giving in to Israel demands that it be recognised as a Jewish state, the exclusive focus on settlements came at the omission of any reference to the rights of Palestinian refugees. The resolution appears to be as much about the international guardians of the peace process, the United States and Europe in particular, as it is about Israel and the Palestinians themselves. The resolution comes from a place of growing disquiet among Israels allies, as shown in numerous statements by European and American officials, about the direction being taken by the Netanyahu government. OPINION: Barack Obama, John Kerry, and the Palestine saga In Washington, this concern has been intensified, especially within the Obama administration, by the prospect of a Trump presidency. Trumps approach to Israel looks likely to be shaped by senior advisers who openly back Israeli colonisation of the occupied Palestinian territory. For an Israeli government including explicit opponents of Palestinian statehood, this could be a green light for steps such as annexation of all or part of the West Bank. At the end of the day, said Buttu, this resolution is intended to salvage a two-state solution that Israel killed off with settlement construction years ago. Buttu added that it is long past time to start looking for alternative ways to realise the rights of Palestinians outside of a two-state framework that was never really a lasting solution in the first place. Events this week have shown how much the Israeli government has utter disdain for, yet simultaneously fears, international law and accountability. The resolution is unlikely to make a difference in and of itself, as there are already multiple UNSC resolutions condemning various Israeli policies, but there has been a lack of political will to enforce them. It remains an open question, therefore, whether this resolution will lead to meaningful pressure on the Netanyahu government. While the vote in New York certainly constituted a diplomatic defeat for Israel, exactly what sort of victory it represents for the Palestinians remains to be seen. The exploitation of the suffering of people in Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Libya and Iraq needs to stop. Back in May 2011, it took me a miracle to leave Gaza through the Rafah Crossing in order to join the Young Leaders Visitors Programme in Sweden. Among the many wonderful people I met were Dima, from Syria, and Thana, from Yemen. One lazy afternoon, while stretching out on the shore of a serene lake out in the Swedish countryside, someone in the group asked me the infamous question, How did you travel from Gaza to Sweden? I thought to myself, How do I explain to them the agony of fighting my way out of Palestinian Rafah into Egyptian Rafah, waiting for hours on the border, obtaining a permit to enter Egypt, and then having to fly from Cairo Airport (luckily, I wasnt deported)? Dima, for example, had simply flown out of Damascus, and Thana from Boston, where she was studying at the time. OPINION: No peace in sight in Syria I began to explain the process, although in the back of my head I realised how little sense my explanation made to simply anyone who never experienced crossing Rafah. One question led to another, and my friends then asked what life in Gaza is like, especially when the Israelis attack. The first thought that jumped into my head was how earlier that day, as we were enjoying our breakfast in the surreal tranquillity of the countryside cottage that we were staying at, I found myself unconsciously starting at the sound of an imaginary explosion. A few weeks earlier, a sudden explosion erupted in the middle of a quiet morning, and shook our house after Israelis killed 14 people in one F-16 attack. Sharing the destruction In October 2016, I met Dima and Thana in London, five years after our Swedish exchange. This time, our encounter felt strikingly different; it was me asking the question now, How did you get to London? Thana told us how she had to apply for a very special and expensive permit in order to travel to Jordan, just to apply for a British visa, which was issued just in time for her to catch the last flight from Sanaa to London before Sanaas airport was closed in August due to air strikes in the country. Dima, on the other hand, has been unable to return to Bashar al-Assad-controlled Damascus in the last three years and is torn between longing for Syria and settling in her new home, Lebanon. Remember what you told us that one morning when we were having breakfast in the cottage? Back then, I had no idea what you were talking about. But now those startled reactions to imaginary explosions happen to me all the time, confessed Thana. I'm in the position of a betrayed watcher: Betrayed by the media, by the double standards that rule the world, and, worst of all, by knowledge of the fact that sympathy is prompted by hatred for a certain enemy, not genuine support for all victims. by Whereas back in Sweden, Palestine was the most intricate and emotional topic, this time in London, our conversation felt heavier, gloomier, and completely depressing. The three of us felt mentally and emotionally exhausted. The three of us had no way of returning to our home countries. We had grown older not just in age, but the suffering and injustice we all endured had made us outgrow our age. Watching the horrors of war unfold in Syria, Yemen, Iraq (to name a few) every day, while not being able to do anything meaningful about it made me realise what people like Dima and Thana were going through as they were watching the horrors of Israeli aggression on Gaza in 2008/9, 2012, and 2014. Whereas the victims (in Gaza, Aleppo, or Sanaa) feel betrayed by the complicit silence of world leaders, those who watch from outside feel betrayed by their inability to do much. Betrayed by the world This time, instead of being a betrayed victim, Im in the position of a betrayed watcher: Betrayed by the media, by the double standards that rule the world, and, worst of all, by knowledge of the fact that sympathy is prompted by hatred for a certain enemy, not genuine support for all victims. During the United Nations Security Council meeting on the resolution condemning illegal Israeli settlements on December 23, Israels ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, opened his presumptuous speech by accusing the Security Council from condemning the only true democracy in the Middle East while thousands are being massacred in Syria. OPINION: The Palestinisation of the Syrian people Similar to Israels ambassadors insidious abuse of the Syrian peoples suffering, take, for example, how Aleppo featured in most mainstream headlines, supported by supposedly impromptu social media campaigns led by activists from around the world. Simultaneously, Boris Johnson expressed profound concern for the ongoing suffering of people in Aleppo, mainly blaming Russia and Iran, both old enemies of the West. At the same time, the British government still refuses to stop arms sales to Riyadh, which recently admitted to using UK-made cluster bombs in Yemen, and where one child dies of hunger every 10 minutes according to a recent report by UNICEF. Similarly, not much is being reported on the civilians caught in the crossfire in Mosul, where the United States-led coalition forces have not fulfilled the assurances they made to protect civilians, according to a report by Amnesty International. Therefore, sympathy with Aleppo is largely cultivated by the existence of a common enemy: Russia and Iran. Exploitative sympathy Sympathy gives rise to a class of experts on the cause. A video featuring expert Eva Bartletts pro-Assad analysis of the situation in Aleppo went viral, as she apparently held the truth about Aleppo. According to her blog, Bartlett has extensive experience in Syria and in the Gaza Strip, which, like the much desired conflict-zone jobs sought by international NGO workers, translate to unchallenged expertise on the topic. A documentary, This is Exile: Diaries of Children Refugees, was screened at an event in London last month, and was followed with a panel of four speakers, none of whom were Syrian. Similarly, a film by UNICEF called, Children on the Frontline, was followed by a discussion with the films director, an expert on Syria who has recently returned from working as the BBCs Middle East Correspondent. Another fundraiser for Save the Children called, Festive Feast from the Middle East, invited people to buy $80 tickets in order to enjoy a night of festive fun with delicious food, great wine, international DJs, xmas market and more, all for an incredible cause! Do the organisers of this Save the Children feast really think that Syrian people whom they claim to be enjoying their festive feast in order to help think of their suffering as an incredible cause? OPINION: Whitewashing Assad and his allies must be challenged Surviving the 51 days of Israeli assault on Gaza made me lose the little hope I had left in the world. The day after the assaults ended, many people had realised that death could have been a better option than living in the uncertainty and desolation that was brought about by the smell of death that still lingers in the city to this day. Watching the same scenario repeat itself with my friends in Yemen, Syria, Libya, and Iraq is an eerie testament to the fact that in reality, our suffering is expertly exploited by many politicians, arms manufacturers, journalists, experts, NGOs, fame-seekers, to name but a few. It is more important for us to expose and stand up to the double-faced intentions of those who claim to sympathise with us and exploit our suffering, rather than Like each others causes on Facebook. Yasmeen Elkhoudary is a Palestinian from Gaza currently based in London. She is an independent researcher specialised in Gazas archaeological and cultural heritage. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Regional official blames group led by Ugandan rebels for civilian deaths in North Kivu province near Beni over weekend. At least 22 civilians were killed in Democratic Republic of Congos North Kivu province over the weekend, an official said, blaming the attacks on an armed group led by Ugandan rebels. The killings happened in Eringeti, a town 55km north of the regional hub Beni, a city plagued by a wave of deadly attacks, according to regional official Amisi Kalonda. Yesterday, they killed 10 civilians. Twelve other bodies were found [on Sunday] in the surrounding villages, he told AFP news agency on Sunday. For the past two years, the region around Beni has been afflicted by a series of killings. Nearly 700 civilians have died, most of whom were hacked to death. Congolese officials have blamed the attacks on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group of rebels dominated by Ugandan Muslims, but several reports have suggested that other groups including elements within the Congolese army took part in some killings. A Congolese army spokesman confirmed the attacks saying military forces had killed four ADF rebels but added that the toll on the civilian side is very heavy. Political crisis The violence came amid a major political crisis in the country, in which opposition leaders are trying to prevent President Joseph Kabila, who has been in office since 2001, from serving a third term. Congolese politicians have agreed in principle to a deal under which Kabila will leave office by the end of 2017, opposition leaders said on Friday, an unexpected breakthrough after dozens were killed in anti-government protests this week. READ MORE: Beni, DRC They hacked him and threw him in a pigsty In return, the constitution cannot be changed to let Kabila stand for a third term. A prime minister will be named from the main opposition bloc and its leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, will oversee the implementation of the deal. A government spokesman declined to comment on the specifics of the deal, which requires final approval by all the delegates at negotiations mediated by DRCs Catholic church. Network denies all charges against news producer Mahmoud Hussein, who was arrested after arriving in Cairo on holiday. Al Jazeera Media Network has denied fabricated charges against its news producer who was arrested in Egypt on December 20. The Qatar-based network has demanded Mahmoud Husseins immediate release, saying that he was in Egypt on holiday and not for work. Al Jazeera deems all accusations against Hussein, including those which might be added later to the current allegations, to be a result of practices which violate international norms and conventions, and which, unfortunately, prevail in Egypt as exposed by human rights organisations, the network said in a statement. It also said it was deeply surprised that Egypts interior ministry issued an official statement that contained an alarming number of false facts and allegations. Egypts interior ministry said that Hussein was arrested at a house in Giza, on the outskirts of the capital, Cairo. He has been detained for 15 days pending investigation. The ministry in a statement claimed that Hussein used several residences to avoid security monitoring in light of Al Jazeeras unauthorised work in the country and its failure to obtain the needed licences. Hussein was accused of incitement against state institutions and broadcasting false news with the aim of spreading chaos. Al Jazeera denied all charges, and said it was concerned over Husseins safety. [Hussein] is a news producer in the Al Jazeera Arabic newsroom and not a correspondent supervisor as alleged by the statement Al Jazeera also warns the Egyptian authorities against subjecting Hussein to torture or extracting any information from him by force. On vacation Hussein, who lives in the Qatari capital Doha, used to work in Egypt before Al Jazeera closed its office there in 2013. He was questioned for more than 15 hours at Cairos airport after arriving for a holiday, security sources told The Associated Press news agency. State security also stormed the homes of Husseins two brothers and arrested them. READ MORE: Al Jazeera journalists freed from Egypt prison Egyptian authorities have over the past few years arrested several Al Jazeera employees, raising concerns over media freedom in the country. In May, a Cairo court recommended the death penalty against Ibrahim Helal and Alaa Omar Mohamed Sablan, charging them in absentia with endangering national security. Al Jazeeras Baher Mohamed, Mohamed Fahmy and Peter Greste along with seven colleagues outside the country were accused of spreading false news during their coverage of demonstrations against a military overthrow of then-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, the year they went into custody. Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy spent 437 days in jail before being released. Greste spent more than a year in prison. There has been a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood since the army takeover in 2013 stripped Mohamed Morsi a prominent member of the group of power following mass protests against his rule. Thousands of Brotherhood supporters, including Morsi, are in jail. Egypt has designated the group, which says it is non-violent, as a terrorist organisation. Dozens of others injured in string of blasts targeting commercial areas of Iraqi capital and its surrounding districts. Separate bombings in and around Baghdad have killed at least 11 civilians and wounded 34 others, according to Iraqi officials. The deadliest attacks took place in the southeastern Nahrawan district and southwestern Suwaib district, where three civilians were killed in each, police said on Sunday. A total of 15 civilians were wounded in the two attacks all of them carried out with bombs and targeting commercial areas. Medical officials confirmed casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to release information. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks. Daily attacks Iraq witnesses near-daily attacks, including in Baghdad, which have frequently been claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). ISIL, also known as ISIS, has been losing territory in Iraq over the past year. The group is now facing a big battle to hold the northern city of Mosul, its last stronghold in the country. Dan Shapiro had earlier been excluded from summons targeting 14 envoys of UNSC member states that voted for resolution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has summoned the US ambassador to Israel over a resolution condemning settlements on Palestinian territories. The summons on Sunday came hours after envoys of all other UN Security Council members were asked to appear before the foreign ministry following the UN vote. Dan Shapiro, who was excluded from earlier summons targeting 14 UNSC member states, was called to discuss the US decision to abstain, which enabled the adoption of the resolution. Ahead of the vote, Netanyahu had called on the US to block the text. On Friday the Council passed the first resolution since 1979 condemning Israel over its settlement policy. The resolution demands Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. It says settlements have no legal validity and are dangerously imperilling the viability of the two-state solution. Netanyahu calls for action plan Netanyahu has asked the foreign ministry to prepare an action plan to present to the security cabinet within a month over how to handle Israels relations with UN institutions. We will do all it takes so Israel emerges unscathed from this shameful decision, Netanyahu said. READ MORE: A symbolic resolution against Israeli settlements By way of rebuke of the vote, Israels Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman also announced on Sunday that Israel was cutting civilian coordination with Palestinians. Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said Israel now had to choose between closing itself off or opening itself up to negotations. I call upon you this morning to seize the opportunity, to wake up, to stop the violence, to stop settlements and to resume negotiations, he told Israel Radio on Sunday. Netanyahu claims that US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry were behind the resolution. We have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it, stood behind it, coordinated the drafts and demanded to pass it, Netanyahu said at the beginning of a weekly cabinet meeting. READ MORE: Security Council vote on Israeli settlements praised This is, of course, in total contradiction to the traditional American policy of not trying to impose conditions of a final resolution. And, of course, the explicit commitment of President Obama himself in 2011 to avoid such measures, he said. The Israeli leader said that he had told Kerry friends dont take friends to the Security Council. In addition to the pledges made on Sunday, Netanyahu cancelled his upcoming meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May. Planned visits to Israel by Senegals foreign minister and Ukraines prime minister were cancelled in light of those countries support for the UN vote. While the resolution contains no sanctions, Israeli officials are concerned it could widen the possibility of prosecution at the International Criminal Court. They are also worried it could encourage some countries to impose sanctions against Israeli settlers and goods produced in the settlements. Army radio reported that Lieberman has ordered Israeli security to halt cooperation on civilian matters with the Palestinians, while retaining security coordination. Israeli officials refused to comment on the report. OPINION: Barack Obama, John Kerry, and the Palestine saga The measures taken on Sunday add to Netanyahus order to review engagements at the United Nations, including funding for UN agencies and the presence of its representatives in Israel. Right-wing Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said on Saturday night that Israel should announce a full annexation of settlement blocs in response to the resolution. Education Minister Naftali Bennett of the far-right Jewish Home told army radio that his party would soon propose a bill to annex Maale Adumim, a settlement city east of Jerusalem. No claims of responsibility of the abduction of a female employee who worked with a childrens NGO. A female French aid worker has been kidnapped in Malis restive north, the French foreign ministry has confirmed. Sophie Petronin was abducted in the city of Gao on Saturday, the ministry said, adding that French and Malian authorities were working together to find and free our compatriot as quickly as possible. It was not clear who was responsible for the act, or why the aid worker was taken, according to a Malian commandant Baba Cisse. We immediately launched a search, a Malian security source told AFP news agency, without revealing how she was abducted. French soldiers of the Barkhane force (in Mali) are actively taking part in the search alongside the Malians, a French military source told AFP news agency without giving further details. READ MORE: American aid worker abducted in Niger A local radio station in Gao said the aid worker was affiliated with Aide Gao, a small nonprofit that helps children suffering from malnutrition. Petronin, who is in her sixties, had been working in Gao for a long time. She was taken by a group of men who drove off in a Toyota pick-up truck, the radio station said. Malian officials had reported the kidnapping of a woman with French and Swiss nationality in Gao, but there was as yet no confirmation that Petronin held dual citizenship. Gao seized by armed groups in 2012 before French forces drove them out a year later is considered the best-secured town in northern Mali with multiple UN, French and Malian army checkpoints along main roads. However, the offices of the UN peacekeeping mission located next to the airport terminal were razed by a truck-bomb explosion last month. Malis government signed a peace deal last year with secular armed groups, but fighters pledging allegiance to both al-Qaeda and ISIL have fought on and launched dozens of attacks on Western targets in recent months. At 192 metres and costing $530m, the memorial off Mumbais coast will be twice the size of the Statue of Liberty. Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, has laid the foundation stone for what is set to be the worlds tallest statue nearly four kilometres into the sea off Mumbai, as its projected cost and environmental impact drew criticism. The 192-metre statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, a medieval Hindu ruler in the western state of Maharashtra who fought the Muslim Mughal dynasty and carved out his own kingdom, is expected to be completed by 2019. To be built at a cost of about $530m, it will be more than twice the size of the Statue of Liberty in New York and five times higher than Christ the Redeemer in Brazils Rio de Janeiro. OPINION: The myth of the murderous Muslim Even in the midst of struggle, Shivaji Maharaj remained a torchbearer of good governance, Modi said at the inaugural event on Saturday. So many aspects of his personality inspire us. The government of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, has come under criticism for the project. By Saturday evening, about 27,000 people had signed a Change.org petition asking that the government spend the money on infrastructure and development instead. Apart from a waste of money, this statue is going to be terrible for the environment, for the traffic situation in South Bombay and a security nightmare, the petition said. Environmentalists claim the project would involve reclaiming land and disturbing the fragile marine ecosystem along the coast. Marine life would be impacted and fishermen would be hard hit, Stalin Dayanand of non-profit Vanashakti said. The 17-hectare area on which the project is planned was a prime fishing area and the construction would affect the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of fishermen, Damodar Tandel of local fishermens union AMMKS said. More than 50 fishermen, who were protesting against the proposed memorial, were arrested before the foundation laying ceremony on Saturday, according to the news website thewire.in. WATCH: Is dissent being stifled in Modis India? How can we think about the cost when it comes to building a memorial for Shivaji Maharaj? Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, recently said in the state legislative assembly. He is our pride and it is only fitting that we should build a grand memorial in his name. Shivaji is revered by many in Maharashtra. Mumbais main train station and airport are named after the ruler, who is also one of the symbols of a Hindu cultural revival promoted by Modi. Patel statue This is not the first time that a large amount of taxpayer money has been set aside to build a massive statue or memorial to a popular leader in India. In 2014, shortly after Modi became prime minister, the national budget set aside about $34m to build a massive structure to honour independence leader Vallabbhai Patel. That project is under way in Modis home state of Gujarat. Once complete, it is expected to cost about 10 times the amount set aside in the budget. The rest is expected to be filled by private and corporate donations. It is time for weapons to be still for ever and actively seek negotiated solution, Francis says in Vatican address. Pope Francis has urged an end to the fighting in Syria as he gave his Christmas address at the Vatican, saying far too much blood has been spilled in the conflict. His traditional Urbi et Orbi (To the City and The World) message on Sunday was linked by a common theme of war, violence and suffering. It is time for weapons to be still for ever, and the international community to actively seek a negotiated solution, he told some 40,000 people gathered in St Peters Square. Francis, marking the fourth Christmas season since his election in 2013, also urged Palestinians and Israelis, facing renewed tension after a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements on occupied land, to have the courage to put aside hate and revenge and write a new page of history. Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, which have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities, he said. READ MORE: Pope in historic talks with Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Security was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and at the Vatican after Italian police killed the man believed to be responsible for the Berlin market truck attack while other European cities kept forces on high alert. Today this message [of peace] goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace, he said, speaking in Italian from the central balcony of St Peters Basilica. He called for immediate assistance to the exhausted population of the city of Aleppo, which Syrian government forces recaptured last week after four years of devastating fighting with rebels. Members of the Christian minority community gathered at St Elias Cathedral in Aleppos old city, as prayers were held for peace at the first Christmas Eve Mass for five years. The festive atmosphere is great. Its a new birth for Jesus Christ and a new birth for the city of Aleppo, George Bakhash, a Christian community leader, told Reuters news agency. Francis, the first Latin American pope, also said Christmas should inspire everyone to help the less fortunate, including migrants, refugees and those swept up by social and economic upheavals. Peace to the people who suffer because of the economic ambitions of the few, because of the sheer greed and the idolatry of money, which leads to slavery, he said. At his Christmas Eve Mass on Saturday, Francis said the feast had been taken hostage by dazzling materialism that puts God in the shadows. On Sunday, he also called for an end to fundamentalist terrorism in Nigeria, a reference to Boko Haram, which has killed 15,000 people and displaced more than two million during a seven-year campaign to create an Islamic state. Francis further appealed for an end to tensions between the government and opposition in Venezuela, for harmony in Colombia which recently ended a civil war with FARC rebels and an end to strife on the Korean peninsula and in Myanmar. More than 3,000 personnel join search for bodies after Syria-bound military jet with 92 on board crashes into Black Sea. Vigils have been held in Russia after a plane bound for Syria carrying 92 people crashed into the Black Sea shortly after takeoff. Russian president Vladimir Putin went on television to declare Monday a nationwide day of mourning. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons and will do everything to support the victims families, Putin said. Backed by ships, helicopters and drones, rescue teams have been searching for the victims of Sundays crash. All 84 passengers and eight crew members on board the plane operated by the Russian military are believed to have died when it crashed two minutes after taking off at 5:25am local time (02:25 GMT) in good weather from the southern Russian city of Sochi. The Russian defence ministry said it had recovered 10 bodies by late Sunday. Transport minister Maxim Sokolov, in charge of a state probe into the crash, said on state television that investigators were looking into a whole spectrum of theories on the cause of the crash of the Soviet-built Tu-154 plane. When asked if a terror attack could have been behind the crash, Sokolov said: It is premature to speak of this. He added that the aircrafts black boxes had yet to be found. More than 3,000 people including over 100 divers flown in from across Russia worked from 32 ships and several helicopters to search the crash site, the defence ministry said. Drones and submersibles were also being used to help spot bodies and debris. Powerful spotlights were brought in so the search could continue around the clock. Emergency crews found fragments of the plane about 1.5km from shore. By Sunday evening, rescue teams had recovered 11 bodies and Sokolov, the transport minister, said fragments of other bodies were also found. Famous doctor, choir on board The plane belonging to the defence ministry was taking its famed choir, the Alexandrov Ensemble, to a New Years concert at Khmeimim airbase in Syrias coastal province of Latakia. Those on board also included nine Russian journalists and a Russian doctor famous for her work in war zones. Yelizaveta Glinka has won wide acclaim for her charity work, which has included missions to war zones in eastern Ukraine and Syria. Her foundation said Glinka was accompanying a shipment of medicine for a hospital in Syria. Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was among numerous foreign leaders who sent a condolence note to Putin, saying he received the news with deep grief and sadness. The Black Sea search area which covered 10 square kilometres was made more difficult by underwater currents that carried debris and body fragments into the open sea. Minister Sokolov said the planes flight recorders did not have the radio beacons common in more modern aircraft, so locating them on the seabed was going to be challenging. The Tu-154 is a Soviet-built three-engine airliner designed in the late 1960s. More than 1,000 have been built, and they have been used extensively in Russia and worldwide. The plane that crashed on Sunday was built in 1983, and underwent factory check-ups and maintenance in 2014 and earlier this year, according to the defence ministry. Investigators are exploring a number of possible causes to the crash, including a catastrophic malfunction, a pilot error or a bird flying into the engine, said Al Jazeeras Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from Moscow. Russian planes have been brought down previously by attacks. In October 2015, a Russian plane carrying mostly Russian tourists back from vacation in Egypt was brought down by a bomb over the Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people aboard. The local affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group claimed responsibility. Tu-154 In recent years, Russian airlines have replaced their Tu-154s with more modern planes, but the military and other government agencies in Russia have continued to use them. While noisy and fuel-guzzling, the plane is popular with crews that appreciate its manoeuvrability and ruggedness. Still, since 1994 there have been 17 major plane crashes involving the Tu-154 that have killed over 1,760 people. Most resulted from human error. Government should take exceptional measures to avoid Somalisation of country, security forces say. Tunisias security forces have called on the government to adopt exceptional measures to deal with potential security threats from fighters who have returned to their home country. On Friday evening, the countrys interior minister, Hedi Majdoub, told parliament that 800 Tunisian nationals who had travelled abroad to fight for armed groups in other countries have since returned to Tunisia. Tunisia has witnessed a wave of attacks since its 2011 revolution, including on foreign tourists, and the United Nations estimates that there are more than 5,000 Tunisians fighting for armed groups, mainly in Iraq and Syria. The return of terrorists from hotbeds of unrest in Tunisia is worrying and could lead to the Somalisation of the country, said a statement from the internal security forces national union. Fighters have received military training and have learnt to use all sorts of sophisticated weapons, it added. READ MORE: Tunisia Why foreign fighters abandon ISIL? The warning came a day after Tunisian authorities said they had arrested three people, including the nephew of Anis Amri, the 24-year-old suspected of carrying out a deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market this week. Hundreds of people gathered outside parliament in Tunis on Saturday to protest against allowing fighters back in the country. President Beji Caid Essebsi said earlier this month that Tunisia would refuse to pardon Tunisians who fight for armed groups. Many of them want to return, and we cant prevent a Tunisian from returning to his country, he told AFP news agency, but we will be vigilant. Following a storm of criticism in the press and on social media, on December 15 he told Tunisian local television that we will not be indulgent with the terrorists. Europes Baltic Sea region is seeing increased activity as NATO soldiers continue military exercises in the area. Growing tensions between Russia and the West concerning the Baltic an area once mainly ruled by the Soviet Union means Moscows military build-up is just as forceful. NATO plans to station thousands of additional troops near Europes borders with Russia in one of the biggest military expansions in the area since the end of the Cold War. It is important to have a value-based view of what we are doing in international politics. If we don't, we open up the door for things that could be very negative. by Peter Hultqvist, Swedish Defence Minister Although Sweden does not border Russia, Vladimir Putins ambitions in nearby Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have led Stockholm to deploy a permanent military presence on its strategically important island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. In 2014, a Russian submarine was reported to have entered Swedish waters its navy had failed to detect the submarine. Russia has continued to violate Swedish airspace since the incident and Swedens military budget was increased last year. Yet the government remains firmly opposed to joining NATO, preferring to keep its non-aligned status We speak to Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist on Talk to Al Jazeera about security in the Baltic region, why he still believes Sweden should stay out of NATO despite regional tensions and whether Russia poses a threat to Sweden. We never talk about threats in that way, Hultqvist said. We talk about realities and things that have happened. The fact is, they wanted Crimea. They have more military equipment today, they [execute] more complex exercises they have more of a presence in our part of the world. We are seeing more intelligence activities. We can see that they are doing more things and that is something that we have to react to in the way that we are now upgrading our military capabilities and deepening our cooperation with other countries. Hultqvist said the increased Russian activity in the Baltic Sea region should be of concern to all countries in the area and not just Sweden. Using the annexation of Crimea as an example, Hultqvist said Russias willingness to use military power as a means to achieve political goals in breach of international law emboldens Swedens decision to support EU sanctions against Russia, and should do the same for others in the region. With Russian interest in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia increasing, Al Jazeera asked Hultqvist whether Sweden would answer requests for help from any of these countries should Russia threaten peace in the area. Different countries [carry out] exercise with each other and give information to each other, Hultqvist said in response. When you create interoperability, you signal to the world that this is something that can be used in a specific situation. However, we try to manoeuvre in a way that creates stabilisation in the area, to have peace in the future. But we must heighten the threshold together. Theres a new security environment and we have to behave from that position, he said, before talking about Swedens increased military budget and recent presence on Gotland Island. We think it is necessary to have a battle group on the island of Gotland and we started with this a year before. We have more exercises on the island, we have a presence at the airport and a presence of our naval forces in the area. Gotland is very important and is strategically positioned if you control Gotland, you control the sea and air spaces between us and the Baltic states. In light of US President-elect Donald Trump potentially moving ahead with claims he feels the United States could, and should, be closer to Russia and conduct more business with Vladimir Putin, Al Jazeera asked Hultqvist what dangers could be in place for Europe. The most important thing is that all countries respect international law, he said. It was against international law to make the annexation of Crimea and that is a very basic principle. The Swedish government is very clear on that position. International law must be respected. I think this is something that is important to the US and the Obama administration worked on it to build a strong transatlantic link with Europe and to support the sanctions in the European Union. You can talk to Al Jazeera, too. Join our Twitter conversation as we talk to world leaders and alternative voices shaping our times. You can also share your views and keep up to date with our latest interviews on Facebook. English News Yemen accuses UK of arming Saudis. More persecution of Bahrainis Alwihda Info | Par Bahrain Freedom Movement - 25 Decembre 2016 The Saudi illegal war on Yemen is has continued to irritate the international community and embarrass the allies of the Saudis. Last week the US indicated that it was reducing military aid to Saudi Arabia as the civilians became the main target of the military campaign. Human rights bodies have criticised both USA and UK for supplying arms to the Saudis enabling them to pursue their aggression. It is known that both countries are supplying Riyadh with guided bombs and missiles, intelligence and specification of the targets and experts to operate the control and command centres. Those NGOs have repeatedly warned that those allies would be implicated in the war crimes that have been committed by the Saudis at large scale. But the Americans have continued to help refuel the Saudi aircrafts carrying out daily raids mostly on civilian targets. Neither Washington nor London has indicated it would be stop the support they offer the Saudis. Yemens Prime Minister, Abdul Aziz AlHabtour said: They know that the Saudis are dropping them on civilians in Sanaa and Sada. He said that UK is more interested in making money; not protecting human rights. This is serious. It means that war crimes tribunals could be established by the UN Security Council at which Americans, British and Saudis could easily be charged with those most serious offences. The annual Martyrs Day commemorations were held by the people on 16th and 17th December in their customary styles of protests, rallies, meetings and visits to the graves of the victims of Alkhalifa terror. Fathers of the martyrs led many of those protests which were held in most Bahraini towns; Sitra, Nuwaidrate, Maamir, Duraz, Maqsha, Bani Jamra, AlMarkh, Karrana, Barbar, Sanabis, Daih, Musalla, Sehla, Shahrakkan, Karzakkn, Buri, Saar, Abu Saiba, Malikiyah, Nabih Saleh and Bilad Al Qadeem. The protests dealt severe blows to the regime that had, one week earlier attempted to convey to the world a false picture of the situation. Alkhalifa troops were furious and were told to exact revenge on the people for the failure of the GCC summit less than two weeks ago. The meeting of the leaders of the six GCC states in the presence of Prime Minister, Teresa May, failed to agree on the Saudi-initiated proposal to form the Gulf Union. Many of the journalists who accompanied Mrs May said they were surprised by the extent of the public discontent, the viciousness of the regime and the versatility of the Bahrain people. They were amused to see that the Bahrainis have maintained the spirit of the Arab Spring despite the cruelty of the counter-revolution forces led by the Saudis. In the week 12-18th December the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights documented at least 22 arbitrary arrests including five children. None of them has been released. There were 59 protests and demonstrations in 26 town and villages. Several of them were mercilessly attacked by the foreign-staffed riot police and masked men. Eight native Bahrainis were sentenced to a total of 67 years for their anti-regime peaceful activities. Despite international calls for the release of Nabil Rajab, the regime insists on persecuting him for his peaceful human rights work. Last week he appeared at Alkhalifa court and his case was postponed until 28th December for the fifth time. Amnesty International and over 50 other NGOs have signed a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on behalf human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, to urge his office to urgently and publicly call on the Government of Bahrain to immediately and unconditionally release him and drop the charges against him. The case of the disappeared native Bahraini, Sayed Alawi Sayed Hussain Al Durazi is still causing great concern and fear for his life, having been subjected to most horrific torture over the past two months. Last week he called his wife and said three words only in very week voice: I am well, before the call was abruptly and suspiciously cut. A statement by Bahrain Scholars was issued last week calling on the regime to end his ordeal. The statement said that the abduction of Mr Alawi confirms the barbarity of the Alkhalifa tribal rule. Fears are growing for the safety of hundreds of inmates at the notorious Jaw Prison. Last week they started hunger strike to protest the inhumane conditions at the torture chambers and the continuous attacks on their beliefs. The inmates at Block No 4 were prevented from holding their mass prayers or reciting religious texts. For one week now there have been no communications with those on strike. Nothing is known of their welfare and fears are growing that they are undergoing similar treatment to that inflicted on them in March 2015 when many received severe wounds at the hands of the Jordanian officers. Mohammad Al Khabbaz who was condemned to death by the tribal dictatorship has been denied the pleasure of his son, Abbas despite his severe illness that led to his death few days ago. His family was prevented from taking the child for treatment abroad and was poorly-treated at the militarised Salmaniya Hospital. Bahrain Freedom Movement Dans la meme rubrique : < > China enhances efforts to promote biodiversity conservation China stress its commitment to push ahead peace and development for humanity at 20th CPC National Congress CPC's governance experience is worth learning from Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) The good feelings of the election and Donald Trumps victory have given way to the horrors of Jihadist reality. As we celebrate of the birth of our Savior, we are brutally reminded how dangerous the world has become for Christians. And not just in the Middle East and Africa, but now in Europe and America. The bombing of the cathedral in Cairo, Egypt that targeted women and children, and the truck attack at a Christmas market in Berlin are further reminders that Islam is at war with us. It doesnt matter if we want this war, believe it, deny it or call it something else. They fervently believe they are at war with us; it is up to us in only how we decide to respond. One does not want to think of war during the Christmas season; that is why so many Christians ignore the reality. But those worshipers at St. Pauls in Cairo only wanted to worship and share in the majesty of the Christmas season; the Germans who visited the Christmas market in Berlin only wanted to shop, be with friends and share in the wondrous spirit of the yuletide. They didnt want to think of war either. Now, to the rub. This is not the time for lighting candles in town squares, hashtags of peace, vigils and prayers for understanding. It is time to spiritually prepare ourselves for battle. We need to spiritually go to war with the ideology of Islam as it is being practiced and believed by millions, not just a few million, but it seems hundreds of millions, so yes, we are going to war with Islam. How can we win? After all, we are always reminded that we cant go to war with over a billion Muslims. Literally, I agree. There arent enough armies in the world for that ultimate battle, but can we not bring back the evangelizing spirt of the Church? Do we no longer believe in the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word? Yes, I am talking about conversion; we need to march as soldiers to evangelize to every one of the billion plus Muslims. The moment is now, and I believe, not only are their hearts of Muslims yearning but this great spiritual Crusade will save the Church. As David Goldman so brilliantly pointed out, Islam is dying. It cannot cope with the modern world; it has been in decline for several centuries; it is in its death throes. The throes will be violent; they are already violent. We could be destroyed with it or damaged beyond repair. But it need not be so. The underground church in Iran is thriving; the conversions of thousands, hundreds of thousands of are being reported. Bibles in huge numbers are being smuggled into Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan and more every day. They are ready to receive the Word. And yet we are almost ashamed of this, our churches shy away from the spreading the Word. We have become so stricken by political correctness that we are unable to proudly proclaim our Faith to our friends our family, much less the world. The Pope talks about income inequality and global warming; our mainline Protestant churches talk of peace and dialogue with Islam, the Muslim Jesus and appeasement. We appease those who want to destroy us while reserving our hatred for fellow Christians and worst of all, for the Jews who bequeathed us the greatest gift in world history. The appeasement is nothing but suicide, anti-Semitism is the disease that destroys the stricken with Gods wrath. Except at its birth, Christianity has never been united; it wont be again until the Return. But there has been some unity in times of desperate need. This is one of those times. We can no longer ignore the plight of the persecuted; we can no longer bury our heads in the sands when our brothers and sisters are being slaughtered, not just in Aleppo, Cairo and Kirkuk, but also in Paris, Berlin and London. We need church leaders of all denominations to proclaim the Good Word and that we will be spreading that Word with a Holy vigor into Muslim lands. It will only take a few brave leaders to get the greater Church behind us. And so too will our political leaders follow, this revival of Spirit will reawaken the Church in ways that are indescribable. There is hope. Reports say that the Christians of Egypt, living under the most horrible dhimmi conditions, are heartened by the election and words of Donald Trump. As the Soviet prisoners languishing in the Gulag were heartened by the words of Ronald Reagan, so now are the hearts warmed by the members of the persecuted church by the words on Donald Trump. Think about that for a moment. This most unlikely of leaders, this most unlikely of Christian leaders, has spoken in defense of the persecuted unlike any President in memory. The man who so many mocked has shocked the world. What lies in Donald Trumps heart, I dont know, and certainly those who speak so derisively of him dont know either. Nor do we know how God has chosen him and how He will use him. But I do feel that Providence is at work here. Who among us will mock that? May Gods hand be on us this joyous time of the year, not just for Christians, but for all of mankind. May we pray for a new time of awakening, for freedom for the persecuted, for the prayers of martyred, for salvation for those in Islam who so desperately need the love, the light and the good news of the Lord. Merry Christmas! As the parents of four young children (ages 14, 12, 10, and 8), my wife and I have had many years of joyous celebration at Christmas time. Interestingly, weve done this without ever doing Santa Claus. In other words, we have never pretended with our children that the gifts under the tree and the goodies in their stockings were the result of the magical efforts of a jolly fat man. Dont get me wrong, we dont shun Santa. As the above implies, we embrace most of the traditions surrounding Christmas. We have a Christmas tree with presents underneath. We decorate the house inside and out with wreaths, bows, Nativity scenes, and the like. We have our stockings hung by the chimney with care. We send and receive Christmas cards (one of our best efforts from a few years ago is below), and so on. Weve taught our children that some families, even Christian families, use the Santa Claus myth as a means of enhancing the joy and fun of the Christmas season. Have a Merry ChristmasOr Else! Of course, we work hard at keeping Christ the center of Christmas. Weve cautioned our children that traditions often can distract us from the profound Truth that Christmas presents. In addition, those who hate the real meaning and message of Christmas will go to great lengths to keep us from this Truth. Thus, as is almost always the case, at this time of year, we must endure again the War on Christmas. Why wage a war on Christmas? Whats so scary about Christmas? Is the birth of Jesus really that scary? Yes, it is. In fact, whether we would admit it or not, each of us, whether privately or publicly, at one time or another, has waged a war on Christmas. Sometimes its as subtle as Clark Griswold at the end of the film Christmas Vacation. While staring at what he thinks is the Christmas star, with the typical Hollywood drivel, Clark declares Thats all that matters tonight. Its not bonuses or gifts or turkeys or trees. You see, kids, it means something different to everybody; now I know what it means to me. The moment is supposed to warm our hearts, but instead its just another lie about Christmas. We lie about Christmas, because the real meaning and message of Christmas makes us confront a frightening truth. Christmas means one thing and one thing only. As C.S. Lewis put it, Christmas is the story of how the rightful king has landed. When Jesus stood before Pilate, just prior to going to his execution, the Roman governor asked Him, Are you the king of the Jews? After some discussion Pilate concluded to Jesus, You are a king, then! Jesus answered him, You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world Of course, He was not just any king. He was a king with a holy mission. He was a king who was born to die. Amazing love, how can it be, that you my King would die for me? Jesus was, and is, our Savior King. Because, the frightening truth is that we are all in desperate need of salvation. As author Charles Sell put it, If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior. In Christian circles, it is often told that, early in the twentieth century, The Times (UK) either invited essays on, or ran a piece entitled, Whats wrong with the world? Noted theologian, author, and apologist G.K. Chesterton replied, Dear Sir, I am. Yours, G.K. Chesterton. As Chesterton implies, none of us is innocent. We have all gone our own way and done our own thing with disastrous results. In spite of the foolish notion often portrayed by some, no nation, no culture, no individual is basically good. This world is filled with evil, and at one time or another, weve all had a hand in it. As the prophet Isaiah puts it, We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah wasnt merely painting a picture of sinful humanity. The above Scripture was a prophecy of the coming Messiah. Ultimately, the world doesnt have a poverty problem, or a crime problem, or a sexual problem, or a terrorism problem, or even (and of course) a climate problem. The world has a sin problem, and Jesus is the answer. The most quoted portion of the Bible, John 3:16 declares, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (Emphasis mine.) Less well known is the verse immediately following. John 3:17 says, For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. The Red Cross offers Operation Save-A-Life. Those wanting us to donate blood or organs do so by imploring us to Give the gift of life. With Christmas, God gave the gift of life as it has never before been given. How many dying individuals would say no to a lifesaving medical procedure made possible through the efforts or generosity of another? Yet how many reject the amazing gift of everlasting life that God offers through Jesus? Theres no escaping this all important eternal truth: we are all in dire need of a Savior. Your life can be filled with treasures and pleasures, but if you ignore Jesus and His message, you will regret it for eternity. Your life can be riddled with poverty, sickness, and strife, yet if you repent and believe in Christ, the magnificent riches of eternal life await you. And whether rich or poor, sick or well, imprisoned or free, in good times or bad, we all need the gift that was given on that first Christmas. Merry Christmas! Trevor Grant Thomas At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason. Trevor is the author of the brand new book The Miracle and Magnificence of America www.trevorgrantthomas.com tthomas@trevorgrantthomas.com In the Jewish calendar its the year 5777. Thats how long we date our history. The United Nations has lasted a mere seventy-one years (arithmetic corrected) Founded to promote world peace, it has devolved into a corrupt, anti-democratic, anti-Semitic den of thieves, where a cartel of Bronze Age backward nations regularly gets resolutions passed to attack the only democratic, modern state in the Middle East while ignoring genocide, despotism, slavery, and ethnic and religious persecutions that take place in their own lands. Only people as blinkered as Obama, Power, and Kerry could think otherwise, unless they, too, so despise Jews and Israel that they willingly accept the fiction that the UN is an impartial body trying to bring peace to the area. This week, with the connivance of the usual bastard nations and with the surprising addition of New Zealand (whose main export, wine, should be boycotted in disgust) rammed through a resolution to ban settlements outside the 1967 borders of Israel. They did this despite unprecedented efforts by president-elect Trump to keep the resolution from being considered. At his behest, Egypt postponed the effort to consider the resolution, only to have the administration succeed in conniving with New Zealand and the Palestinians to get it back on the agenda. This is the very sort of resolution the United States used to veto as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. This time, Obama repaid Jewish citizens, the vast majority of whom voted for him twice, by refusing to veto this resolution, certain -- if enforced -- to make peace in the Middle East less likely and Israels position even more precarious. With an eye to this weeks events at this nefarious outfit, David Goldman (as he often does) echoes my thoughts: Trump's election was the perfectly natural outcome of political and economic processes, but to the Jewish people it was a nes, a miracle. According to the Washington Post: The resolution declares settlements constructed on land Israel has occupied since the 1967 war, including in East Jerusalem, to have no legal validity. It said settlements threaten the viability of the two-state solution, and it urged Israelis and Palestinians to return to negotiations that will lead to two independent nations. The United States abstention Friday was a rare rebuke to Israel, and it reflected mounting frustration in the Obama administration over settlement growth that the United States considers an obstacle to peace. With President Obamas time in office due to end in barely a month, his decision not to veto was a last-minute symbolic statement of that displeasure and a sense of exasperation that the time has come for two states to be carved out of the contested land. The administrations move also defied Donald Trumps call on Thursday for the United States to veto the resolution. The incoming Trump administration has signaled that there will be a shift in U.S. policy toward Israel, a point the president-elect hammered home about an hour after Fridays vote when he tweeted, As to the U.N., things will be different after Jan. 20th. Trump has supported moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He has appointed David Friedman, a bankruptcy lawyer who believes Israelis should annex and settle the West Bank, as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel. It is impossible to see how caving in to the Palestinian thugs drives them closer to a two-state solution, the fantasy of the present administration. Instead, it opens the way to countless boycott and divest actions which only encourage the Palestinians to bide their time until the UN votes to obliterate Israel altogether At a time when the resolution was still pending, Elliott Abrams described what was so bad about it. The first paragraph above calls all settlement activity illegal under international law. That could have an impact in Europe and elsewhere in how Israeli settlers and officials are treated. Are they all criminals? Can they be brought before the International Criminal Court? Prosecuted in local courts? The second paragraph refers to East Jerusalem, and suggests that all Israeli housing construction must stop -- even including construction in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. Thats madness. The third paragraph above, treating everything beyond the old Green Line or 1949 armistice line as illegal and demanding that all states do so, begs for boycotts. It logically means that any product from East Jerusalem, the Golan, or the West Bank be boycotted and prevented from being sold. After its passage Abrams was no less critical of it: President George W. Bush sought to move peace talks forward in 2004 by asserting what all sides had already tacitly acknowledged that there could be no return to the 1967 lines in light of the blocs existence, and that any negotiated border would have to reflect this reality. By refusing to confirm Bushs position, Obama dragged the process backward and harmfully reopened old debates. This regression is enshrined in the resolution, which underlines that it will not recognize any changes to the armistice lines, and demands the cessation of all settlement activities everywhere. This is unnecessary and unrealistic Israelis will not bring life to a halt in towns that no one disputes they will keep and is more likely to obstruct than facilitate the revival of peace talks. Second, the resolution rewards those who argue for internationalization of the conflict that is, for using international forums such as the U.N., European Union or International Criminal Court to impose terms on Israel, rather than resorting to negotiations. For the resolution does indeed dictate terms to Israel, not merely condemn settlement activity. It adopts, as noted above, the position that the 1967 lines, rather than todays realities, should form the basis of talks despite the fact that many Israeli communities east of those lines are decades old and that Jews have had a near-continuous presence in the West Bank for thousands of years. It implicitly prejudges the disposition of East Jerusalem one of most contentious issues dividing the parties by characterizing Israeli construction as settlement activity, a stance Israelis reject. The resolution would demand an absolute halt to construction in East Jerusalem, even in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, something no Israeli government ever would agree to do. Moreover, the resolution is conspicuously silent on Israeli concerns. Theres no demand, for example, that the Palestinians acknowledge Israels very right to exist. The resolution undermines what sentient people must acknowledge is the only path to resolutiondirect negotiations between the two interested parties. Indeed, for years the U.S. position has been that only direct talks between the two parties will resolve their differences. Refusing to veto this resolution and choosing to abstain after working hard to have it back on track before Obamas term ends defies both long-term policy and common sense. Wars end when one side knows that it has lost and is willing to make peace. The Arab side refuses to accept that it was defeated in four wars and various insurgencies. Arafat walked away from Ehud Barak's peace offer in 1999 without a response and Abbas refused to even consider Olmert's similar offer in 2008. Like the Duke brothers in "Trading Places," the Palestinian Arabs think they can re-trade the Israeli War of Independence, go back in time, erase the historical record, and reclaim victory. If you lose and refuse to make peace, you pay a penalty, and the normal penalty is loss of territory. For opportunistic reasons (placating Muslim trading partners and restive Muslim populations) most countries indulge the Muslim fantasy that defeat is inconceivable and therefore reversible. That simply leads to more futile violence. Just as important is the Jewish presence in what would have been a Palestinian state, if the Palestinians had wanted to have a state in 1999 or 2008. That ship probably has sailed; chaos in the region around them makes it impossible de facto to create a Palestinian state today. If the Palestinians wanted peace, then they would tolerate a Jewish population in their putative state, just as Israel embraces a 20% Arab minority. The fact that the Palestinians demand a state entirely Judenrein ("clean" of Jews) betrays hostile intent. To indulge the Palestinians on the matter of ethnic cleansing of Jews from Judea and Samaria is unprecedented in international peace negotiations, and utterly and despicably hypocritical on the part of the majority of Security Council members. President-elect Trump has promised a new approach to the UN after January 20 and Republicans are threatening UN funding cuts as a result of this resolution: Senate Republicans threatened to "suspend or significantly reduce" funding for the United Nations and any American allies who support a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction in disputed Palestinian territory. "Any nation which backs this resolution and receives assistance from the United States will put that assistance in jeopardy," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Friday in anticipation of the vote. It remains to be seen how many Democrats, if any, will go along with this. To be sure, senators Blumenthal and Schumer, doubtless more attuned to their re-election chances than anything else, had urged lame duck Obama to veto this, but will they walk the walk when it comes to taking action against the UN and those who supported the resolution? It would be a hoped for miracle if the UN is forced to move or shutter its operations. David Goldman reflects: Obama just destroyed the Democratic Party, which has splintered into a far-left hulk attended by people who would rather be somewhere else. By the time the next Democratic president is elected, Barron Trump will have turned that eyesore at 42nd St. and the East River into a hotel. Given that the decision to abstain came on the day before Chanukah, which celebrates both the defeat of the Syrian-Greeks who tried to abolish the Jews freedom of religion and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago, the move was particularly offensive. For those Jews who voted for Obama twice, this action should not come as a surprise, though I suppose they werent paying attention. As far back as 2011, I noted what was happening. The preamble to this week's Obama epic foreign policy blunder was the president's comment on May 10 in Austin that there was a "Teutonic shift" taking place in the Middle East. To me, the grandiose albeit risibly erroneous description signaled that Obama's narcissistic needs needed stoking with some bold new initiative which no one but such a genius as he is could imagine. The following day, someone in the White House brain trust corrected the transcript to read "tectonic shift," but the writing on the wall was clear, even though White House spokesman Jay Carney denied it. Obama intended to and, in fact, did go on to make a stupid but dramatic call that Israel return to the indefensible 1967 borders.[snip] Because the president's comment lends support to the anticipated effort to get the U.N. Security Council to mandate an Israeli return to the 1967 borders, the Obama plan is more than silly and faithless -- it would mean Israel's destruction. And any suggestion that some international peacekeepers could protect Israel after a massive shift of its population to forty-year-old boundaries is beneath consideration. Those who voted for him a second time either didnt pay attention or like the anti-Israeli J Street adherents didnt care. Now, its time for the feckless Jewish Democrats to wake up though it seems they have been terminally hoodwinked -- seduced by social justice warriors into supporting actions that only promote war. Will the scales fall from their eyes? Will it take the selection of anti-Semite Keith Ellison as head of the DNC to do the trick? It will be yet another miracle as great as defeating the Seleucids and the election of Trump if they do -- for it is clear that their allegiance is not to the truth or their religion or the best interests of their country and the world. It is to the left and its search for ever more power, including the power to blind us to the obvious with falsehoods. Christmas, if not a time for utter extravagance, is at least a season for pulling out some of the stops. This year is the first that my daughter and her husband will spend in their new home, and what better way to highlight that vaulted ceiling than with a glorious fir tree? Yes, it is a monster -- one that would strain the limits of many a household measuring tape, as it fills their home with that aroma of unspoken promise that can best be christened: magical. And as the magical points its exquisite finger towards the miraculous, should we then be surprised when creation, in all her exalted grandeur, leaves her trail of breadcrumbs to the very door of the transcendent? Can a tree stand as a living metaphor for hope of that abounding life that is ever so faintly visible behind this tangible veil of scented wood and joyous expectations? Can nature serve to direct that elusive longing that nothing in this world can possibly satisfy? The Christmas tree is no less than a central cultural icon fused into our treasury of Western lore. Countless stories, songs, and films have been fitted around the blazing hearth and a tree of varying magnificence. It has been: a straight-man for the most raucous slapstick comedies, a target of irresistible interest for Fido and Kitty, and a perennial tear-jerker when children point to it and remind us that whenever a bell rings, an angel gets his wings. It is the source of exuberant delight for every child who ever lived under the aura of its grace. And as it is lit with the incandescent heirlooms that are handed down from generations, every fresh new tree carries in its boughs the traditions and memories that evoke not only what is endearing to us, but what we pray will come to pass as our best intentions resolve into Christmas Day. So, how odd that when we consider Christmas in its purest form, another tree should grasp hold of our imaginations: the tree of Calvary. In calling upon the gospels, how terrible was the punishment inflicted upon the quivering flesh of a bruised and blood-drenched remnant of a man who was wholly without guile? And after rough soldiers pierced his side, quickening a torrent of water and blood, was not Jesus lifeless form hurriedly taken down so that the memory of Him might be buried and forgotten? Was it not written, Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree? On this tree of inexpressible woe, Christ took the worst that mankind had to offer and transmuted our poisons into the promise of joy everlasting -- but only after first fulfilling a ministerial life of obedient perfection. Our human vocabulary lacks the words to describe this greatest action in human history, and how a poor man acquainted with the deepest of sorrows should perform it with humility beyond measure. This singular death and resurrection -- the culmination of a perfect atonement between God and man, comes with its own unique set of mysteries. The King of the Universe, lashed and nailed to the axis of a roughhewn tree, was that same King swaddled helplessly in a filthy wooden box used to feed beasts. The Lord of Creation, scourged and murdered by his enemies, was that same Lord who was whisked away to Egypt to escape Herods slaughter of the newborns. Both similitudes bring to the forefront, in no uncertain terms, the controlled power of divine meekness in the interest of Gods all-encompassing redemptive plan. Knowing this, how astonishing that an infant, arriving in the humblest of circumstances, should one day be the pivotal figure who prevailed against the very gates of Hell. If one were to be honest, the very idea of the incarnation of God into man defies serious comprehension, once one fathoms the immense gulf that separates both parties. Yet, the love of the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world for us can only be fully understood in the figure of Jesus. Having assented to bridge that gulf, He shared in our burden of flesh to purchase back the relationship we had cast aside. Having first been born to die and then risen to reign, the triumphant God-Man proclaimed the good news across the full panorama of His creation -- with words and deeds almost too beautiful to behold. As the first fruits of a new type of life, Jesus blazed the path so that we might then follow. Indeed, are not truth, love, forgiveness, justice, and mercy made coherent in Gods sublime affliction on that precious tree? And by that same Christmas babes suffering, are we not then the heirs to so great a kingdom, if we would but throw down our rebel arms, and be healed? This Christmas will be more precious to me than any that have ever passed before. The lamb that God has given me these last 35 years looks as lovely to me as she first did sitting beneath our first Charlie Brown tree, but her eyes betray their weariness as she anxiously looks ahead to tomorrows suffering. The hard lessons we have learned about love, life, and God have been etched in the lines and scars of a drama that has moved so very fast -- in a dream that is even now coming undone. And this year, our children, who are amongst the brightest and strongest of this crooked age, have done the heavy lifting in loving regard, as we approach in unison our dreaded appointment with grief. So on this Christmas day, I need no machine or bauble that this jaded world has to offer. And since no doctor can summon up the cure we so desperately need, I require a miracle so stunning that men might see it and believe. O God, who guides the sun and stars, and raises up the weary and afflicted who call out to you in their time of deepest need: Grant us one more dance around thy procession of days. Allow us one more celebration beneath the arms of that wonderful tree. Merry Christmas, friends. Glenn Fairman writes from Highland, Ca. He can be contacted at arete5000@dslextreme.com and followed at www.stubbornthings.org. It was Christmas week 1989, and the old Soviet bloc was falling apart and undergoing a birth of freedom. In Romania, a communist dictatorship collapsed this week: The end of 42 years of communist rule came three days after Ceausescus security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Timisoara. After the armys defection, Ceausescu and his wife fled from Bucharest in a helicopter but were captured and convicted of mass murder in a hasty military trial. On December 25, they were executed by a firing squad. Watching all of this was Dr. Ileana Johnson Paugh, who left in the late 1970s looking for freedom. She left her family behind. She wrote about her Romanian memories, her parents, and a Christmas tree. Here is the beginning of the article: As long as I can remember, my Dad came home every December with a scraggly blue spruce, fragrant with the scent of winter, tiny icicles hanging from the branches. The frozen miniature crystal daggers would melt quickly on Moms well-scrubbed parquet floor. I never knew nor asked where he had found it, or how he could afford it. His modest salary of $70 a month barely covered the rent, utilities, and food. Mom had to work as well to afford our clothes. Prices were subsidized by the government and salaries were very low for everybody regardless of education and skill. We had to make do with very little. It is a great article and should be read in full. Merry Christmas! It is especially meaningful to those of us who understand communism and efforts to celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas, and remember those who are not as fortunate as Americans are. P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. The United States contributes about $3 billion a year to the UN's regular and peace keeping budget. That's more than 20% of the regular budget total and 29% of the peace keeping budget. All told, including voluntary and mandatory funds supplied courtesy of the US taxpayer, the US gives the UN $8 billion a year. Our contributions represent more than 176 other nations' contributions combined. Senator Ted Cruz thinks it's ti me we use that leverage to protect our Israeli allies. The Hill: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) vowed Saturday to not allow the U.S. to give money to the United Nations until it reversed its Friday decision forcing an end to Israeli settlements. Cruz tweeted that he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding, "No US $ for UN until reversed." Cruz's tweet echoes the sentiments of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who said Saturday he would propose halting U.S. funding to the U.N. as well. "It's that important to me," Graham told CNN. "This is a road we haven't gone down before. If you can't show the American people that international organizations can be more responsible, there is going to be a break. And I am going to lead that break." The U.N. voted 14-0 Friday to stop Israel settlements in areas of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. President Obama authorized the U.S. to abstain from voting on the measure, drawing backlash over the decision to break from the longstanding U.S. policy of shielding Israel from U.N. reproaches. If there was ever a time the US government should stick it to the UN, this is it. Previous presidents were too enamored of the UN's high minded goals to lower the boom on the fat cat UN diplomats who gladly take our money and then trash us on the floor of the general assembly. For most nations, it's always popular to savage Israel and the US, making us the villian or the cause of their own government's corruption and incompetence. But most on the left and even some conservatives believe we should overlook those facts in order to support an organization that takes on many burdens - like the care of refugees and world health. In truth, the refugees are worse off with the UN caring for them than they would be if private concerns ran the refugee program and world health crises, like the recent ebola outbreak, show that WHO is nearly helpless without massive assistance from the United States. During the cold war. the UN was a convenient place where the superpowers could meet and defuse crises before they got out of control. But the absolute failure of the UN to deal with the Syrian civil war, and other conflicts in Africa show that the American taxpayer - and the world - is not getting any value for their contributions. US out of the UN? It certainly is something that must be seriously considered. At the very least, there's no need to fund an organization that deliberately undermines a key ally in an important part of the world. Disaster must have struck at Politico, wiping out their database of photos. I presume that because nearly every photo I see of Donald Trump makes him look awful. From an article about the Trump University lawsuit, here's a photo of Trump looking as though he is passing a kidney stone. Has anyone ever seen a photo of Obama looking so pained? This next photo, from an article talking about Trump's call with Bill Clinton, features a menacing giant hand reaching out to grab the reader: Has anyone ever seen a photo of Obama with a giant hand reaching out for you? Here's a photo showing Trump appearing pompous: Does anyone remember ever seeing a photo of Obama with his mouth so wide that a butterfly could land inside it? Here's a photo from an article with the unbiased title "Trump's unpopularity threatens to hobble his presidency": Does anyone recall seeing a photo of Obama where the front half of his head was cut off by a black box? I don't. I'm sure it's not bias. Politico will show us a non-grimacing, smiling photo of Trump real soon, right? As for me, my favorite photo of Trump doesn't actually exist in reality: Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com. See also: Professor that wished for white genocide faces a firestorm The Caucasians among the tender young minds exposed to Professor George Ciccariello-Maher at Drexel University are on notice that their teacher wants them exterminated because of their race. Not exactly a welcoming atmosphere. I wonder if any of them might be triggered by this tweet the good professor offered in the spirit of the holiday? All I Want for Christmas is White Genocide George Ciccariello (@ciccmaher) December 25, 2016 Update: Below are screen grabs of the now-inaccessible tweets: Accused of being alt-left, Professor Ciccariello-Maher shot back an indignant denial. He is a communist, not a mere alt-leftist. Sorry, I'm not "alt-left," just an actual communist. George Ciccariello (@ciccmaher) December 11, 2016 Screen grab: The professor describes his academic specialty as: My research and teaching center on what could be called the decolonial turn in political thought, the moment of epistemic and political interrogation that emerges in response to colonialism and global social inequality. My first book, We Created Chavez, is a theoretically rich peoples history of contemporary Venezuela which locates the origins of current political dynamics in the long-term history of Venezuelan social movements, demonstrating that Hugo Chavez was not the cause, but rather the result, of a broader and more fundamental transformative process. My second book project, Decolonizing Dialectics, seeks to contribute in a theoretical register to what my first book analyzes practically. In it, I plumb the history of political thought for a radicalized understanding of the relationship between conflict and group identity (in the work of Georges Sorel), further charting the decolonization of this very conception and its projection onto a global framework (in the work of Frantz Fanon and Enrique Dussel). He is, in other words, an expert on Venezuela, one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources, yet which currently is starving under the yoke of the socialism and communism the professor embraces. Perhaps he has not noticed that children are dying and that food stores are being looted? Quite the intellect there. The top of his Twitter page is probably indicative of the good professor's mindset, and offers a glimpse into an entirely un-self-aware pedant: The good professor sits in a cafe sipping a latte (or maybe it is a macchiato -- more macho) and enjoying a pastry warm and cozy while outside it is raining. But in a figurative thought bubble above his head, he is with the insurgentes in the jungle. And he has the best facial hair! Wow! What a tough guy. Tuition and fees for the privilege of imbibing the professors race hatred and political deep thinking are over $34,000 a year at Drexel. Why any parent would send a child to a school harboring such a professor is beyond my understanding. Hat tip: David Paulin Donald Trump's critics seem to say that on one hand, our president-elect is going to give away the store to Vladimir Putin and on the other hand, provoke him into war. Well, it can't be both, but judging from their reaction to Trump's tweet on modernizing and expanding our nuclear arsenal, they seem to be leaning to the latter at the moment. Yet all Trump is saying, while borrowing the "peace through strength" slogan from President Ronald Reagan, is what Reagan said and Kennedy said in the constitutional context of defending us against foreign enemies. This contrasts with President Obama's mantra that weapons, not tyrants, cause wars, a theme he echoed when he visited Hiroshima, the site of the use of the first atomic bomb in war. That our nuclear arsenal needs upgrading as Russia, China, and North Korea expand theirs, with Iran waiting in the wings, is beyond question. As the Heritage Foundation notes in its publication The Daily Signal: The United States is the only nuclear power that does not have a nuclear modernization program. The U.S. approach to the nuclear triad during the Cold War was different than that of today: Replacing weapons was routine, with updates occurring every decade. This is not true today. The ICBMs, however, are not the only aging leg of the nuclear triad. The Navy has been relying on Ohio-class submarines for about 30 years. Its replacement is scheduled for the 2030s. The B-2 bomber has been in service for more than 14 years and the B-52 bomber for more than 50 years. When it comes to modernizing nuclear weapons programs, other countries are not being timid. Russia is aggressively working on a new class of nuclear-capable submarines that have already begun sea trials. President Reagan was once treated with the same apocalyptic disdain, dismissed as a Cold War cowboy ready to plunge us into a nuclear Armageddon. Yet his commitment to a U.S. nuclear and military buildup, including the Strategic Defense Initiative for missile defense, secured not only peace, but also victory in the Cold War. As Investor's Business Daily noted, Reagan's response to Soviet belligerence in Europe and elsewhere was quite different from Obama's: Crimea was Putin's Rhineland, and the sanctions involving travel restrictions on low-level oligarchs was laughable. Tyrants do not move swiftly. They test the waters. They nibble. They watch. Weakness and inaction only delay the inevitable. When Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev met Ronald Reagan in Reykjavik, Iceland, in October 1986, he hoped the U.S. president would be willing to trade his Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) away in exchange for arms-control agreements and vague promises of making nice with America. Reagan refused to negotiate the SDI away. He opposed the proposed nuclear freeze and put Pershing missiles in Europe to counter the Soviet SS-20s that were targeted on Western Europe. He put America's security in the hands of American technology, not the goodwill of its enemies. Would President Obama have dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima? Probably not. It wasn't quite an apology at Hiroshima, though some might argue that President Obama's mere presence at the site of the world's first use of nuclear weapons was itself an apology. What it was is a reiteration of President Obama's mantra that our weapons are the threat, whether guns or nukes, and not the criminals and tyrants who would use them against us. As the New York Times reported his remarks: We may not be able to eliminate man's capacity to do evil, so nations and the alliances that we form must possess the means to defend ourselves. But among those nations like my own that hold nuclear stockpiles, we must have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without them[.] ... And yet that is not enough. For we see around the world today how even the crudest rifles and barrel bombs can serve up violence on a terrible scale. We must change our mind-set about war itself. To prevent conflict through diplomacy and strive to end conflicts after they've begun. This is a rehash of what he said in Prague in October 2009: So today, I state clearly and with conviction America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons[.] ... [T] he United States will take concrete steps towards a world without nuclear weapons. To put an end to Cold War thinking, we will reduce the role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy, and urge others to do the same. Munich, Mr. President, was an attempt to "prevent conflict through diplomacy." Appeasement, not any arms buildup, brought on World War II. We ignored Hitler's global game plan, written in Mein Kampf, just as we ignored the plans of Imperial Japan. We ignored Japan's aggression against China. We ignored the rape of Nanking. The road to Hiroshima began at Pearl Harbor. World War II was not caused by our battleships, Mr. President. It was caused by the ambitions of Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany. We ignored them, just as your are ignoring the ambitions of Putin's Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. As Investor's Business Daily editorialized in 2013, it is the policy of "Peace Through Strength," not the absence of weapons that deters both war and aggression: When Kennedy proclaimed "Ich bin ein Berliner" in June 1963, it was a statement of solidarity with the free people of West Berlin and a pledge of resistance to the tyranny that surrounded it. It was not an act of appeasement or a vain hope for peace in our time. Similarly, Kennedy said in his 1961 inaugural address that "only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed." The next year, Kennedy used our supremacy to make the Soviets blink during the Cuban missile crisis. Obama probably would have apologized for threatening Cuba. Ronald Reagan, who in June 1987 stood in West Berlin to demand that Mikhail Gorbachev tear down the Berlin Wall, spent his presidency rephrasing Kennedy's doctrine as "peace through strength." He built a 600-ship Navy, launched the Strategic Defense Initiative and, when Gorbachev in October 1986 in Iceland demanded he give it up, told him, "Nyet!" The result was the Berlin Wall came down and the Soviet Union with it. It was Obama's vision of a "world without nuclear weapons" set out in a speech in Prague in 2009, three months into his presidency, that arguably earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. He ignored the fact that before 1945 we lived in such a world, and it was neither peaceful nor secure. It is arguable that U.S. possession of nuclear weapons prevented World War III. Obama forgets that the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the end result of murderous tyrants seeking to extinguish freedom and liberty throughout the world. He forgets the Bataan death march, the rape of Nanking, and what the world would have been like if Japan had won or gotten the atomic bomb before we did. It is not nuclear weapons that threaten us, but rather the tyrants and terrorists who would use them against us. We are not threatened by French, British or Indian nukes. We are threatened by those in the hands of China, Russia, and North Korea, and someday, thanks to his appeasement, Iran. A world without nuclear weapons or a world without resistance to tyrants? Putin knows full well Obama's weakness in responding to any foreign threat to U.S. interests and security. President Obama has been the Neville Chamberlain of our era, promising "peace in our time" as he invites war with weakness, disarmament, apologies, and appeasement. The Russians respect strength, and they will respect President-Elect Trump, just as they respected Kennedy and Reagan as they stared into their eyes and blinked. Daniel John Sobieski is a freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investor's Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications. KCR BJP : - ; Local Shriners recently collected more than 1,000 toys for patients at St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children. On Dec. 16, eight members of the ECMO Shrine Club in Bonne Terre drove a truck load of toys to the hospital. Local residents had been asked to drop off donations of small toys or money at the Park Hills Police Department, New Era Bank, First State Bank, and Terre Du Lac Association Office. The Shriners also stood outside Farmington Walmart Nov. 23 for a few hours collecting donations. Todd Inserra said they are very grateful to the community members who donated money and toys. All the money went to purchase toys for patients. The ECMO Shriners would like to say thank you for all the support we received from the community in our toy drive, he said. We were able to reach our goal and deliver a truck load of toys to the St. Louis Shriners Hospital. We also would like to say thank you to the Park Hills Police Department, Terre Du Lac Association, Dollar General Stores, New Era Bank and First State Bank and our local Walmart stores for their help, too. Inserra said they had a good time collecting the toys for kids. He hopes they can give more next year. Tammy Robbins, regional director of public relations for Shriners Hospital, said the ECMO Shrine Club is a dedicated group of Shriners who are committed to what the hospital is doing. She said she has found people in the Park Hills area to be very giving and community-minded. The toys are used for a variety of things. When children undergo surgery, they wake up to find a toy in their recovery room. Before they go into surgery children are told that there will be a toy waiting when they wake up. For them its like Christmas with something to look forward to and something to distract them from the fear surgery. Outpatients also receive a toy as they are leaving. Children receive ongoing services often receive toys on their birthday. Toys are also used for Bingo and other activities. Since 1924, Shriners Hospitals for Children St. Louis board-certified surgeons and staff have been providing high-quality pediatric orthopedic care to children up to age 18, regardless of the families' ability to pay. The hospital and clinic specialize in treating children with orthopedic conditions in an environment designed to put children at ease. The St. Louis Shriners Hospital serves children from all over the U.S. and the world, but the primary catchment area is the nine states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa. Many of these children face incredible challenges and many operations. At the hospital, each child receives a child as a way to help them cope with their stay at the hospital. They have asked for help to keep this Toy Chest tradition going. Toys need not be expensive or large but it needs to be new, not used. They ask for things like Hot Wheels, playing cards and other card games, coloring or activity books, small dolls, Legos, art sets, travel games, small action figures, small dolls such as Barbies, and small stuffed animals (no Beanie Babies). Each week hospital staff gives out about 150 to 175 toys to their outpatient children. If you have any questions about donating call Park Hills Police at 573-431-3122 or call President of Hospital Committee Bill Bradford at 314-974-3084 or email bradford.william@sbcglobal.net Shriners International is a fraternity based on Masonic principles that supports Shriners Hospitals for Children. Win McNamee/Getty Images(PALM BEACH, Fla.) -- President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump attended a Christmas Eve service Saturday night at the Palm Beach, Florida, church where they married in 2005. They arrived at the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, an Episcopal church just minutes from his Mar-a-Lago estate, around 10:30 p.m. Some members of the congregation stood up and clapped for the Trumps when they arrived. They attended the same service at the church last Christmas Eve, and also visited the church for Easter. The program for the service listed the Trumps as one of 569 households who contributed to Bethesda-by-the-Sea's December fundraising campaign. When it was time for the the passing the peace during the two-hour service, a few people approached Trump to honor this ritual of greeting and bidding peace to those around you. Communion was offered at midnight, with the Trumps taking communion around 12:15 a.m. The Trumps started their evening at Mar-a-Lago, which hosts a Christmas dinner for members and their guests. Earlier in the evening, Trump also tweeted a Hanukkah greeting, writing "Happy Hanukkah," along with an image of a menorah captioned, "Wishing You a Bright and Happy Hanukkah! Donald & Melania Trump." Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. For many of us, a perfect Christmas involves sitting around the tree opening presents Christmas morning. But for many, Christmas hasnt always been a family event filled with joy and glee. It was a cold night, a humid jungle or a rolling ocean, alone, and far from ones family. For some, Christmas came and went without even a notice. Over the years, Christmas for many of the men and women of the United States Armed Services was just another day. For Jay Shoulder, three holiday seasons passed with barely a mention as he served aboard the USS BonHomme Richard during World War II. My first Christmas away from home I was on my ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Shoulder said. I dont really know where we were because there was nothing but water around us. To tell you the truth, we didnt even know it was Christmas. For Shoulder and the men on his ship, they were given a task, to win the war, and even Christmas was set aside until that task was complete. We were doing a job that we were sent to do, and that was it, Shoulder said. It was just another day for us. Like Shoulder, many veterans who were deployed during a time of war or away from home during the holiday season, had a job to complete, a battle to wage or people to help, and Christmas would just have to wait. For Al Kennon, who was a Navy advisor on a river patrol boat, Christmas in Vietnam came with no celebration and actually no distinction over any other day. I was on my boat eating sea rations on Christmas day, Kennon said. When you were out on the river, you had a job to do and you didnt have time to think about it. During Kennons service, he would miss 10 Christmases away from his family, but he remembers his time in Vietnam very well. You felt kind of alone because you werent with your family, Kennon said. We would get letters every now and then, but when we were out on the river, there was no mail. It was just another day. Another local veteran, Larry Lazoen, who was a 20-year-old medic in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, remembers his first Christmas away from home. I was over there in 68 when the Tet Offensive began, Lazoen said. It was my first Christmas away from home and I was medic. We didnt have time to think about it being Christmas. It was just another day. The following year, Lazoen was able to get home for Christmas. In fact, he was able to get home two days before. I got home on the 23rd of December, Lazoen said. Just getting home was memorable but it being Christmas as well made it more so. Wink Rickus first Christmas away from home was in 1957 and he had just arrived for basic training in San Antonio, Texas with the U.S. Air Force. For a country boy who had never been too far from home, it was quite a shock, Rickus said. We knew it was Christmas, but were in basic, so for us, it was just another day. Rickus would spend four years in the service, from 1957 to 1962, mostly in Seville, Spain, but was only able to make it home once during that four years. I had one Christmas home, the rest were spent in Spain, Rickus said. We got to celebrate a little, but we didnt have our families. During this second year in service, Rickus was able to make it home and see his family. My second Christmas in the service I was able to make it home, Rickus said. I got to see my family and friends. It was nice to be able time with my loved ones. As the years passed and the world changed, being a soldier never did. Senior Master Sgt. Ernest Heflin spent his first Christmas away from his wife and his three year old daughter in 1990 deployed to Abu Dhabi gearing up for Desert Shield. I was serving for the first time away from my wife and my daughter who were back at the Air Force Base in Little Rock, Arkansas, Heflin said. We kept our spirits up by staying busy. I think thats what most people who have been in military will tell say. You need to keep busy. One way Heflin kept himself busy, or at least entertained, was reworking one of his favorite Christmas carols into, Have an Abu Dhabi Christmas in a place that never snows, oh by golly have an Abu Dhabi Christmas this year According to Heflin, getting into the Christmas spirit when you are far from home and gearing up for war is not a very easy endeavor. We were focused on what we were doing, Heflin said. From August to December, we were building up. We knew what we were doing; we were getting briefings from Intel daily. In January, we knew we were going to give Saddam Hussein that last get out or you will be removed. So we stayed busy. But on Christmas day, his base, around 1,200 military personnel, were able to stand down for a short period of time and enjoy the day. We had a huge Thanksgiving-type dinner, festivities and music, Heflin said. But when we went to bed that night, we knew it was game time. We were focused. Although many military veterans have some dark memories of Christmas past, fortunately, there are some who did have fond memories. Colonel Randy Sparks, who served in the Air Force for 25 years, experienced something completely different than most. I was fortunate, in 25 years I was never away from my wife and children on Christmas, Sparks said. I may have missed a few anniversaries and some birthdays, but I never missed a Christmas. According to Sparks, many of his Christmases were spent overseas in some amazing places. One of the blessings serving overseas during the holidays is experiencing these cultures and how they celebrate Christmas, Sparks said. For example, I am a big fan of the German Markets. We were Athens, Greece one year for Christmas, and we were able to celebrate Christmas Eve at the Vatican. Whether they were on a ship in the Pacific, somewhere in the Mekong Delta, walking across the a Saudi Arabian desert, or celebrating with their families, the men and women of the Armed Force have and will always, willingly, sacrifice their Christmas for their nations. As the sign at the Farmington VFW post reads, Remember our troops this holiday season. Nacogdoches, TX (75965) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 66F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 66F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. remaining of Thank you for reading! 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Mumbai: Ace filmmaker Karan Johar has given innumerable hits to Bollywood industry, making him worthy of several awards. When attacked by the media if he has ever lobbied for one, the 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' director denied the remark. At the recently held press conference of 62nd Jio Filmfare Awards 2016, KJo said, "I have never in my entire life called anyone for awards. There's no point. I have won very few awards in my career and that too glamour related awards." "As a director I have just got two awards. Those who are confident about their films don't need to call anyone as they get what they deserve," said Karan. The awards ceremony will be held on January 14, 2017 at the NSCI Dome in Worli which was announced at a press conference attended by Filmfare editor Jitesh Pillai, Karan and actress Alia Bhatt. Dharma's upcomign project was shot by filmmaker Punit Malhotra. Mumbai: Being the boss woman that she is, Priyanka Chopra is working even on her vacation. While we wait for Priyanka to disclose her Bollywood films, she recently shot for Dharmas upcoming project with Sidharth Malhotra. Oh wait, dont get your hopes up just yet. The two came together to shoot for an advertisement and not a film. Only this year Karan Johar stepped in the world of advertising with Dharma 2.0. For their new project, they roped in Priyanka Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra. The advertisement was shot by filmmaker Punit Malhotra, who took to his official Twitter account to give fans a sneak peak. It is only this year that Karan Johar has ventured into the advertising world with Dharma 2.0 and the banner as we know is already out with some amazing work. Now with another project on its way, heres an interesting pairing that KJo is all set to treat us with. Two gorgeous stars shot for Dharma 2.0 last night. Guess who? Fun stuff coming your way!, Punit tweeted. The actor was shocked when he heard about the actress who is still in a serious condition. A day after Carrie Fisher was rushed to the hospital after she suffered a massive hear attack on a flight, her co-star from Star Wars, Harrison Ford, sent her a message. Ford, told People, I am shocked and saddened to hear the news about my dear friend. Our thoughts are with Carrie, her family and friends. It was only recently that Fisher revealed that she and Ford had an affair, on the sets of the the film Star Wars, but Ford has not yet commented on that issue, reported Dailymail.co.uk. The actor was just one of the many popular stars who sent their thoughts and wishes to Carrie. As of Sunday, the actress still remained in a serious condition in Los Angeles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday warned that the battle against black money would not end till it is won. New Delhi: Addressing the 27th edition of Mann Ki Baat in New Delhi on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government has launched two schemes to encourage cashless transactions in the nation. Before announcing the schemes, Modi wished the nation a Merry Christmas, saying it is a day of service and compassion. Jesus not only served the poor but also appreciated the service done by poor. This is real empowerment, he added. He also extended birthday wishes to former prime minister and veteran BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. Today is also the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji; country will never forget his contribution to the nation. It is also the anniversary of Madan Mohan Malviya, who gave modern teaching a whole new direction, Modi asserted. Speaking on how the government's move to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes has "encouraged" the citizens to move towards cashless economy, Modi said, "Today there is curiosity among people as to how can one go cashless. People want to learn from each other". He then unveiled two award schemes the government has instituted to promote cashless transactions. Government has launched 2 schemes today, for consumer the scheme is called 'Lucky Grahak Yojana', and for small traders 'Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana, Modi said. Modi claimed that 30 crore people in the country have RuPay cards, out of which 20 crore belong to poor families with Jan Dhan accounts. He added that in the last few days, cashless transactions across the country have increased by 200-300%. Awareness towards online payments and using technology for economic transactions is increasing, the PM said. The Prime Minister congratulated the Assam government for embracing cashless transactions, and also hailed the role of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandababu Naidu in heading the panel on recommendations to handle problems caused by demonetisation. Calling on people to be at the forefront of using digital means to make payments and transactions, Modi said it was a golden opportunity for the youth and for startups to explore new avenues. Businessmen who make digital payments will also receive Income Tax benefits, the PM said. In a veiled attack on the Opposition, Modi said the people have given a fitting reply to those who tried to spread rumours about demonetisation. The Prime Minister added that many people had written to him, and some had praised the government's move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. However, they also spoke about the problems they faced due to demonetisation. "A lot of questions are being raised about frequent rule changes. But I am determined to take on those indulging in corruption," Modi stated. Regretting the washout of the Winter Session of Parliament, Modi called on political parties to have a discussion on their funding. The law is equal for all. Be it any individual or any political party, Modi asserted. The PM, who addressed the nation via All India Radio (AIR), earlier on Sunday wished former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee a happy 92nd birthday. He also wished his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif the same, in spite of frosty relations between the two countries following two major terrorist attacks in India in 2016, and the surgical strikes across the border by the Indian Army. Reiterating his promise to reduce the pain of common people in 50 days post-demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned that the battle against black money would not end till it is won. Modi, who was in Mumbai to lay the foundation stone for the Rs 3,600 crore Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial, that only the dishonest would suffer due to the demonetisation decision. Modi on Saturday also kick-started projects worth `one lakh crore ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls in the city scheduled next year. In a veiled attack on Congress for opposing demonetisation, he also said the "sins" of benami properties would not have happened and people would not be standing in queues now had necessary decisions been taken in the past. "In 1988, Parliament passed Benami Property Act but it never got notified and implemented. The papers had got lost somewhere in a stack of files. It was me who re-opened it. Sins of benami properties would not have happened had the law been implemented," he said after the inauguration of Pune metro. Musa was arrested by the NIA on July 4 from Visva-Bharati Fast Passenger train in West Bengal's Burdwan railway station. Kolkata: Islamic State sympathiser and Bangladeshi national Mohammed Musa, who was arrested from West Bengal's Burdwan railway station earlier this year, was planning an attack on Mother House in Kolkata, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed on Sunday. According to reports, Musa, who is also an activist of radical Islamic militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, was planning to attack foreign nationals working with the charity home run by Mother Teresas Missionaries of Charity. "Musa wanted to kill American, British, Russian and other European tourists as retaliation to the offensive against Islamic State in the Middle East," an NIA official said. Musa was arrested by the NIA on July 4 from the Visva-Bharati Fast Passenger train in West Bengal's Burdwan railway station carrying a knife. He had planned the attack in retaliation to the bombing of IS forces in conflict ridden Syria and Libya, NIA sources said. The idea is one of the measures considered by the government to make the food in the states prisons more nutritious. Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government is mulling to offer 'salad' along with the daily meal served to inmates across all prisons in the state, an official said. "Providing 'salads' along with the meals is one of the measures being mooted by the Jail Department in its effort to make the food in state's prisons more nutritious," said Sanjay Choudhary, Director General (Jail). The issue was discussed at a meeting here on Friday convened to review the functioning of jails in state. It was chaired by Minister for Jail Kusum Mehdele and attended by Jail department's senior officials along with the superintendents of 39 district and 11 Central jails. After the Bhopal's Central prison jail break by eight operatives of the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in October this year, Jail department had banned outside food items, mostly brought by the family members of the inmates in all jails of the state. "The meeting was informed that essential items like tooth-paste and brush would also be provided in the jails. However, there would be total ban on bidis and cigarettes," a Public Relations department officer said. It was also decided that additional barracks would be constructed in those jails that are housing more inmates than their capacities. "Outer walls of the jails would also be constructed. The minister assured that the issues raised by the jail superintendents would also be soon sorted out," he added. The victim had alleged that she was drugged by her tour guide and gangraped by four people at a hotel in Delhi. An American national who was allegedly drugged and gangraped at a hotel in Delhi in April, has returned to India to record her statement and identify the accused. (Representational image) New Delhi: An American national who was allegedly drugged and gangraped at a hotel in Delhi in April, has returned to India to record her statement and identify the accused. According to a report in NDTV, the victim had alleged that she was drugged by her tour guide and gangraped by four people. "I had come on a guided tour, and I was straightaway taken to the five star hotel in Connaught Place. I was drugged first two days and raped by two employees of the tour company and two of the hotel who I recognise by face," the woman, a teacher by profession, said. She regained the memory of the alleged gangrape only after three months in July and filed a complaint with an NGO American Overseas Domestic Crisis Violence Centre in US after returning home in Pennsylvania. She said she did not file a case in India as the process here was very difficult. "I got in touch with an NGO, which alerted the American embassy, and forwarded my complaint letter to the Delhi police commissioner. But despite having written in by October, the FIR was delayed by a month and a half," the woman said. A case in India was registered in November and since then the police have questioned 11 men in connection with the alleged gangrape. After the woman identifies her rapists, police will take the accused into custody. "I was very excited when I came to India. It was my lifelong dream. I still have love for India as a country. But this problem the country has with rape and violence is a serious issue," she said. Asthanas appointment as the CBIs interim chief has already been challenged in the Supreme Court. New Delhi: Delhi police commissioner Alok Verma has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to become head of the nations premier investigative agency, the CBI. The collegium, that is headed by the Prime Minister and includes the leader of the main Opposition party in Parliament, that was to meet Monday to finalise the name of the full-time CBI director, will now hold this meeting on January 4. A source said: The government has already prepared a list of senior IPS officials (all from 1979-1982 batches) for the coveted post. Although the collegium may meet on Monday, a final decision to select a fulltime CBI director may be taken on January 4. Delhi police commissioner Alok Verma is the frontrunner for the post, the sources said. The CBI is now headed by Rakesh Asthana, an IPS officer of the 1984 batch, Gujarat cadre, who is holding additional charge of the post. Besides Mr Verma, some other names are also doing the rounds for the CBI directors post. Among the prominent names are the director-general of the Sashastra Seema Bal, Archana Ramasundram (IPS 1980 batch, Tamil Nadu cadre); the director-general of the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Dr M.C. Borwankar; ITBP director-general Krishna Chaudhary; Union home ministry special secretary R.K. Dutta (1981 batch, Karnataka cadre); and Maharashtra DGP Satish Mathur (IPS 1981 batch). Mr Asthanas appointment as the CBIs interim chief has already been challenged in the Supreme Court. After the enactment of the Lokpal Act, meant to give more teeth to the CBI, the agencys director has to be appointed by a collegium comprising the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India or his nominee and the Leader of the Opposition. As per existing norms the Central government has to appoint the CBI director only on the recommendation of the collegium, a source said. Under the Supreme Court guidelines, officials with experience in anti-corruption or in the CBI from the seniormost four batches of the IPS cadre will be empanelled, after which a shortlist of three officers will be sent to the collegium, the source added. The proposed committee for preparing the draft NEP will prepare the final draft soon. New Delhi: With Union human resource development minister Prakash Javdekar virtually on tour since he took office, the crucial task of finalising the national education policy has been hit. Mr Javdekar attended events outside the national capital for at least 40 days out of his first three months in office the ministers travel details accessed by this newspaper reveal. While the minister was sworn into office on July 5, his first trip outside the city entailed a visit to Kochi on July 9 itself for interactive session with students of Kendriya Vidyalaya. The maximum number of visits by the minister were to his home state of Maharashtra, which he visited six times during this span of his first three months in office. Other states which also got the ministers major share of attention were Karnataka (five), Kerala (four), Uttar Pradesh (four) and Telangana (three). Interestingly, the educationally, socially and economically backward states of the Northeast were only able to get four such visits by the HRD minister during this period. Extremism-affected states of Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgar got one such visit on August 6 for inauguration of IIT Jammu and one visit on August 7 for inauguration of IIT Bhilai and interaction with tribal students respectively. It is understood that the ministers travel schedule for the subsequent months has also been as tightly packed as his first three months. Sources in the HRD ministry claimed that most of these visits were to attend various events related to the education sector. They further added that though the announcement of a committee headed by an eminent educationist, which would to draft the National Education Policy (NEP), has been delayed it can be expected shortly. The proposed committee for preparing the draft NEP will prepare the final draft soon. But its implementation could take up to an entire year, sources stated. The Subramanian committee report is now only being utilised as an input in the wider scheme of things in the education reforms, sources added. The indication being that the report prepared by TSR Subramanian panel convened during the tenure of former HRD Minister Smriti Irani has effectively been put in cold storage. Foreign suppliers have raised concerns about the Right to Recourse under the Act, which they feel is ambiguous. The Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Act , 2010, was passed by Parliament two years after the historic Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreement between the US and India. New Delhi: Indias Civil Nuclear Liability law still seems to be haunting its atomic sector, with US major GE reportedly expressing concern over the absence of a sustainable regulatory environment and seeking more clarity before entering into a partnership with the Indian side. According to news agency reports, while Indian officials do admit that there has been a lukewarm response by GE, they played it down saying the company does not have a reference plant, a pre-requisite to go ahead with the project. GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, one of the two US companies, is supposed to build six reactors in India. Banmali Agrawala, president and CEO for GE South Asia, was quoted by news agency PTI as saying GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy believes the path forward requires a sustainable regulatory environment, which would include a nuclear liability law that channels liability to plant operators consistent with global practices. We continue to have a strong interest in providing our technology to India for the eventual construction of multiple ESBWRs (economic simplified boiling water reactor). Mr Agrawala asserted that though the Indian government has taken several steps, including establishing a Nuclear Insurance Pool, to address the concerns of the foreign collaborators, the law required more clarity. After all, it is the law that prevails and not the clarification (referring to the FAQs), he said. The Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Act , 2010, was passed by Parliament two years after the historic Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreement between the US and India. Foreign suppliers have raised concerns about the Right to Recourse under the Act, which they feel is ambiguous. However, Indian officials said the GE was raising the concern, as it does not have a reference plant, without which it cant go ahead with the setting up reactors in the country. They (GE) should furnish a reference plant by the time negotiations are sealed, a senior government official was quoted as saying. The department of atomic energy has also asked other foreign collaborators like the French company, EDF, and US WestingHouse to provide them with information on their reference plant, he said. Following the concerns raised by foreign suppliers, India also ratified the Convention of Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, marking an important step in addressing matters related to civil nuclear liabilities earlier this year. India has been, to a large extent, able to address the concerns of the French and the Russian companies but some others like GE still insist that a strong and sustainable regulatory mechanism was required to move forward. As per the information on GE-Hitachis website, in 2015, DTE Energy received the first-ever ESBWR-based combined construction and operating license from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Dominion Virginia Power has also selected the ESBWR as its technology of choice for a potential third reactor at the North Anna site, the website states. However, there is no operational reference plant. Gurvinderjit Kaur approached the Indian government with the formal written request in this regard, BJP leader Vijay Jolly said. Five-year-old Aryan with his parents in Oslo. The boy was taken away from his parents by Norwegian authorities on a complaint of abuse. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The Indian woman, whose son has been taken away by the Norwegian authorities, has approached the Indian Embassy in Oslo seeking the governments intervention, following which the ministry of external affairs said it will now chalk out the future course of action in the case. Gurvinderjit Kaur approached the Indian government with the formal written request in this regard, BJP leader Vijay Jolly said. Ms Kaur and her husband, who are a Norwegian nationals, have alleged that authorities in that country have taken away their 5-year-old son Aryan, also a Norwegian national, on a frivoulous complaint of abuse. Confirming that Ms Kaur has approached the government, MEA officials said they were now empowered to pursue the matter with the Norwegian authorities and they will chalk out the future course of action in the case. The Indian couple had first sought Mr Jollys help in getting back the custody of their child, after which he wrote to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who had said that India will provide them help. In its response, the Norwegian Embassy here had asked for restraint in the case, assuring that it is being handled with complete sensitivity and awareness. According to Mr Jolly, the Indian ambassador is slated to meet highly placed Norwegian officials in Oslo on December 27. Mr Jolly also maintained that according to the mother, the child is being daily served porridge and bread while he is fond of Indian food. This is the third case since 2011 when children have been taken away from their Indian-origin parents by the authorities in Norway on the grounds of abuse. In 2011, a three-year-old and a one-year-old were separated from their parents, prompting the then UPA government to take up the issue with Norway. The Norwegian court later allowed the children to be reunited with their parents. In December 2012, an Indian couple was jailed on charges of ill treatment of their children, 7 and 2 years. Later, they were sent to their grandparents in Hyderabad. Remembering his meetings with Vajpayee, Modi said he had the privilege of working with him as a party worker. PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah with the family members of former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee on his 92nd birthday in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: With Sunday marking a year of Prime Minister Narendra Modis much-hyped and sudden but brief visit to Lahore last Christmas to wish Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, the current chill in Indo-Pak ties meant the birthday wishes this time were restricted to only a single tweet from Mr Modi on Sunday, saying, Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life. The solitary tweet is perhaps a reflection of how much things can change in a year. Last December, the Indo-Pak ties were marked by warmth, and at a pinnacle. External affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had visited Islamabad for the Heart of Asia conference in Islamabad. Mr Modi was visiting Afghanistan later that month and in a surprise announcement while in Afghanistan, it was revealed that he would be visiting Lahore for a brief visit during which he would personally greet Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on his birthday on December 25. Mr Modi also attended the wedding of the grand-daughter of the Pakistan PM at Raiwind near Lahore during the visit. The visit was marked by much warmth between the two Prime Ministers. But things began to rapidly unravel as soon as the New Year began since the Pakistan Army under its then chief Gen. Raheel Sharif started feeling uncomfortable over the bonhomie. The Pathankot terror attack was orchestrated from Pakistan in January, 2016. Later in the year, the unrest in the Kashmir Valley worsened the ties, after which the Uri attack happened. Following this, the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes at terrorist targets in PoK. Mr Modi also visited former PM and veteran BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee and wished him good health and long life on his birthday. Mr Modi, who was accompanied by BJP cheif Amit Shah, also met the family of Mr Vajpayee, who completed 92 years on Sunday, and is ailing for a few years now. Wishing our most beloved and widely respected Atal ji a happy birthday. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life. Atal jis exemplary service and leadership has had a very positive impact on Indias growth trajectory. His great personality is endearing, he tweeted. Mr Modi also put out a video of his younger days when he had met Mr Vajpayee and tweeted on Sunday, See what Atal ji does when he meets a party karyakarta. This simplicity and warmth of Atal ji we all cherish. He also said that he went to the veteran leaders residence to greet him. He spent some time with Mr Vajpayees family and enquired about his health. According to news agency reports, Mr Vajpayee has been indisposed for some years now after suffering age-related problems and has not been seen in public. Later in his Mann ki Baat programme, the PM spoke about the former PM, lauding his contribution to the country when it grew in stature as a nuclear power. Today is also the birthday of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister venerable Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. This country can never forget Ataljis contributions. Under his leadership, the country proudly grew in stature in the field of nuclear power also. Whether in the role of a party leader, Member of Parliament, a minister or the Prime Minister, Atalji always established an ideal. I salute Atalji on his birthday and pray to God for his good health, he said. Remembering his meetings with Vajpayee, Modi said he had the privilege of working with him as a party worker. Many memories emerge before my eyes. This morning when I tweeted, I shared a video in which you can see for yourself how as a small party worker one had the fortune of having affection showered upon him by Atalji, he said in his programme. The Prime Minister also paid tributes to freedom fighter and educationist Madan Mohan Malaviya on his birth anniversary. I bow to Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya on his Jayanti. He has left an indelible contribution in the history of India, he said. This rally is being described as a mahakumbh of all rallies that the state has seen so far. New Delhi: With controversies and criticism over the demonetisation move raging before the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, all eyes are now on Prime Minister Narendra Modis Parivartan Rally in Lucknow on January 2, where he is expected to make some important announcement. Also, the BJP has activated its entire machinery to ensure that this Maha Parivartan Yatra, last of the seven scheduled Parivartan Yatras of the Prime Minister, is attended by seven to eight lakh people from across the state. This rally is being described as a mahakumbh of all rallies that the state has seen so far and the BJP leadership has given task to its leaders and workers, in more than 13,050 sectors of the state, to match the target for the gathering at this maha rally. Last month, the BJP had flagged off four Parivaran Yatras from four corners of UP Saharanpur, Jhansi, Sonebhadra and Ballia which touched all the 403 Assembly constituencies and covered a distance of more than 17,162 kilometres. Mr Modis Lucknow rally would be culmination of these yatras, which the BJP leaders claimed received tremendous response. With good governance and development as its main poll planks, the BJP is desperately trying to end its more than 14 years long political vanvaas in this politically crucial state. Unlike its opponents, the BJP has no chief ministerial candidate and is banking entirely on the Prime Ministers popularity and initiatives taken by the central government. Being the star campaigner and face of the party, Mr Modi would be addressing more rallies in the election-bound state. Not just the people (of Uttar Pradesh) even the God is with us. Our political opponents also organised yatras (SP), roadshows (Congress) and rallies (BSP) to kick start their campaign but they met with bad omen. Someones rath broke down barely travelling for two kilometers or someone fall sick or people died due to a stampede in a rally, these were bad omen. But look at our Privartan Yatras... Such tremendous response we received. We addressed sabhas even as late as 8 pm and saw huge crowds waiting for us. These are signs that even the God is with us, said BJP state general secretary, Swatantra Dev Singh. A separate vyavastha team has been set-up, which is in regular touch with leaders, till the booth level, and also monitoring the progress. Senior leaders are also camping in districts to make sure that are no hurdles are faced by party workers. From each sector a minimum of one bus will be leaving for Lucknow for the maha rally with supporters and workers. The party is also making sure that essential items like food and water are available to workers and supporters at regular interval, if they are coming from far off places like Gorakhpur, Ghaziabad, Agra and Bijnore. It will be just like mahakumbh...mahakumbh of all rallies. No matter what our opponents say. people have faith in Narendra Modi and they know his every decision will help them and the country in prospering, said another state general secretary, Ashok Katariya. Plans to step up attacks on PM to highlight 50 days of note ban. Kolkata: In a bid to put up a united opposition against the BJP government, chief minister Mamata Banerjee is slated to go to New Delhi on Monday to attend a meeting of Opposition parties on December 27. While announcing the scrapping of notes (on November 8), (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi had said that normalcy would be restored in 50 days. However, the situation has not changed much. The 50-day deadline will be over on December 28. The CM wants to launch a more scathing attack. Tuesdays meeting with the Opposition parties is crucial as the next line of action will be chalked out in the meeting, a party MP said on the condition of anonymity. Besides this, Ms Banerjee is likely to hold a separate meeting with her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal. She could also meet with President Pranab Mukherjee during her stay in Delhi, which is expected to continue till Thursday. Ms Banerjee, who has been opposing Centres demonetisation move and demanding its rollback since the beginning, had participated in a protest dharna in Delhi besides holding protest meetings in Lucknow and Patna last month. She has already instructed her party to go on a week-long agitation campaign at all blocks in West Bengal beginning January 1 during which Modi hatao, desh bachao will be the TMCs main slogan. She has asked party MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy to make a list of the employees who have been rendered jobless and are returning to Bengal due to demonetisation. Bankura, Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly and a number of other districts have witnessed workers returning to their homes after losing jobs in different states. If she gets an appointment with the President, Didi will hand over the list to him, a senior TMC leader said. Meanwhile, the Congress, too, is learnt to be attempting to contact all Opposition parties for a meeting to decide their future course of action in regard to continuation of their fight against the currency ban. UP ruling party reportedly not willing to keep aside 100 seats for Congress alone. New Delhi: Talks of an alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress for the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh have hit a roadblock on the number of seats each party will get, according to sources. The Samajwadi Partys meagre seats offer to Congress has irked the party, which has been campaigning on a massive scale in the state. That is perhaps the reason none of the parties has come forward and confirmed the reports. The Samajwadi Party apparently wants the Congress, RLD and the JD(U) to limit themselves to a little more than 100 seats. This means that the Congress will have to restrict itself to 88 seats, a suggestion the party is not pleased with, given that it has been organising a high-octane campaign in Uttar Pradesh since July this year. For the alliance to come about, the Congress will need a minimum of 100 seats and also the specific seats. The political logic behind this is that it will lead to consolidation of the Muslim Yadav vote. Ideally, the Congress would have been more at ease with BSP. The other issue with the proposed alliance is the allocation of Assembly seats in the parliamentary constituencies of Amethi and Rae Barielly. One of the MLAs from Amethi is a sitting cabinet minister in the Uttar Pradesh government. The other is the assembly segment Unchahar in Rae Barielly where another sitting MLA is the cabinet minister in the Uttar Pradesh government. These are some of the rough edges which need to be ironed out if a deal has to be struck. According to sources in the Congress, the party wants to delay the decision for it is waiting for the December 30 deadline (of demonetisation) to get over. Post that, there will be an assessment whether it will be beneficial for the party to go in for an alliance or contest alone. Incidentally, Congress vice-president, Rahul Gandhi, has taken on the SP government in his rallies and yatras but has not hit out at the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav. The same holds true for Mr Akhilesh, who has never taken a direct dig at Mr Rahul. This is being done to avoid any embarrassment if the two parties do decide to come together. Dikshit, who is also the Congress chief ministerial candidate in Uttar Pradesh, strongly denied the charges. New Delhi: The allegations of corruption being levelled by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi unexpectedly took a U-turn and hit the former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Sunday after a controversy erupted when the Congress party uploaded a list linked to the diary reports on Twitter. The link also mentioned a reference of Ms Dikshit, which prompted her to junk the documents. Ms Dikshit, who is also the Congress chief ministerial candidate in Uttar Pradesh, strongly denied the charges, saying the Supreme Court has already made its observations on the issue. There is not even an iota of truth in the allegations. I totally reject these allegations, It surprises me. She, however, said she has nothing to do with the issue and refused to speak about it, saying the matter is sub judice. BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh said, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and his spokes-persons are making stupid mistakes time and again. A horse has died and his death has been certified by the Supreme Court. Lybrate, an online doctor consultation platform, released the report post analysis. New Delhi: The young population of the country has become wary of diseases cropping up because of unhealthy lifestyle, pushing them to reach out to doctors for early diagnosis and preventive help, stated a recent report. In a welcoming sign that can have far-reaching positive impact on Indian healthcare system in the future, the report states about 45 per cent people, in the age group 20-45 years, actively consult doctors for prevention of lifestyle diseases, while majority of others reach out to experts for either sexual or mental health. Lybrate, an online doctor consultation platform, released the report today post analysis of around 70 million interactions, including booking of lab tests, that happened on the platform over a period of 12 months, starting January 1 this year. The top seven lifestyle issues, the report points out, that hovered greatly on the minds of young Indians which they want to stay away from include Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases, Cancer and Hypertension. Majority of the interactions happened around prevention, but there has also been a remarkable rise in interactions on treatment of these diseases from those who are already suffering from them. Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, hypertension and COPD are non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that put extreme burden on Indian households and healthcare delivery systems. NCDs lead to about 40 per cent of all hospital stays and roughly 35 per cent of all recorded outpatient visits in India, the report states. "The inclination of young people towards preventive health assumes greater significance given the pressure it builds on the country's healthcare infrastructure. The awareness will bring about a huge change in the behavior towards health and greatly reduce the cost burden on households and healthcare delivery in the country," Saurabh Arora, Founder and CEO, Lybrates said. While preventive health has gained prominence among people in tier-1 cities, people from tier-2 and 3 cities too have become conscious about it. However, in tier-2 and 3 cities, the data show, people are more inclined to discuss issues related to their sexual or mental health. The interactions over stress and depression have remarkably increased from these cities in the last one year, showing the stigma attached to these subjects is fading even in small towns and cities. With rise in pollution levels in Delhi and Bangalore in the month of November, interactions around respiratory issues saw a significant rise, while during Dengue and Chikungunya outbreak between July and September, Delhi witnessed maximum number of interactions taking place with doctors. In Chennai and Kolkata, women have been more proactive about their health issues compared to any other metropolitan city. Prevention of lifestyle diseases is what made most of the people from Mumbai and Hyderabad reach out to doctors. Bhargava was suffering from cardiac ailments since past decade, family said. Bhopal: Dinanath Bhargava, a co-artist in the team that sketched the national emblem 'Lion Capital of Ashoka' and decorated the pages of the Constitution's manuscript, died at the age of 89 in Indore on Saturday. Bhargava was suffering from cardiac ailments since past decade, family sources said. His daughter-in-law Sapekshi Bhargava told PTI that he breathed his last yesterday. "He is survived by four children including two sons. Elder son is living in Germany," she added. Born on November 1, 1927 at Multai in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, Bhargava was chosen by noted painter Nandlal Bose (then the Principal of Kala Bhavan Shanti Niketan) in the group for designing the pages of the Indian Constitution's manuscript. Bhargava, who was in early 20s, was pursuing 3-year Diploma in Fine Arts at Shanti Niketan at that time, the family informed. Priyanka flew to Guwahati after accepting her appointment as the brand ambassador for Assam Tourism. Guwahati: Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra flew to Guwahati from Mumbai on Saturday after accepting her appointment as the brand ambassador for Assam Tourism. Priyanka said that she would leave no stone unturned to promote the diverse cultural and natural heritage of Assam across the globe. I intend to promote the state on global platform. Despite my busy schedule, I will take out time to promote my state, the actor said. Welcoming Ms Chopra, Assam tourism minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Assam Tourism has chalked out an unique plan Amar Alohi (Our Guest) to promote tourism and depict the states cultural heritage for the global audience. We are going to promote it at large scale by facilitating hospitality training to rural youths, he said asserting that his government was committed to harness its potential in the tourism sector. Priyanka, who also visited the Kamakhya temple said, I have been associated with Manipur for my film on Mary Kom. What I have felt that entire Northeast is the crowning glory of India but each state has unique beauty and heritage of its own. The Bajirao Mastani actor denied that law and order situations cause problems for the state tourism industry. I am sure that government is quite vigilant to these issues. Each state has problems, but it doesnt imply that we should not take initiative for its betterment, she said. The actor reiterated that she would never let down the state and Assams unity and integrity appeal to her the most. Priyanka addressed a meet of international tour operators. Mr Sarma who had announced that Assam has set aside Rs 460 crore to promote state tourism also unveiled state tourism policy. The couple had announced on November 30 that they were expecting their second child. London: Queen Elizabeth IIs eldest granddaughter has lost her baby, a spokeswoman for Zara and Mike Tindall said on Saturday. The couple had announced on November 30 that they were expecting their second child. The baby would have been 18th in line to the British throne and the 90-year-old monarchs sixth great-grandchild. Very sadly, Zara and Mike Tindall have lost their baby. At this difficult time, we ask that everyone respects their privacy, the spokeswoman said. The news comes as Britains royal family gather at the sovereigns private Sandringham country estate in Norfolk, eastern England, for their traditional Christmas get-together. It is understood Zara Tindall is not in any medical danger. Buckingham Palace declined to comment. It is a reporters need and duty to protect the identity of the source of his information. The law in India is in a precarious state on a vital aspect of freedom of the press: the lack of statutory protection of a journalists sources. The fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression includes press freedom. This covers an entire process from news gathering, editorial judgement, publication and distribution of printed matter. Press freedom covers all four stages. Curb any of them and press freedom is curbed in its entirety. Of them all, the least understood is the scope of the first stage the collection of news. It is a reporters need and duty to protect the identity of the source of his information. Else, vital information of concern to the people in a democracy would be suppressed. The US Supreme Court noted that without some protection of seeking out the news, freedom of the press could be eviscerated. Journalists regard the protection of sources as a matter of professional honour. In 1963, Lord Cyril Radcliffe inquired into a spy ring in the Admiralty. Two journalists refused to answer questions germane to the inquiry because they entailed disclosure of their sources. Their claim to protection of sources was rejected, and they went to prison. On July 6, 2005, Judith Miller, an investigating reporter for the New York Times, refused to divulge the name of a source. She told the judge: If journalists cannot be trusted to guarantee confidentiality then journalists cannot function and there cannot be a free press. She spent 85 days in prison and secured her release only after her informant (I. Lewis Scooter Libby) gave her permission to reveal his identity. Three bills were introduced in Congress to provide protection for sources. They were far narrower than the privileges provided by state laws, called shield laws. The US Supreme Court had failed dismally. In a leading case, Branzburg vs Hayes, the court was badly split (5-4). Justice Powells concurring opinion with the four became the law. It did not suffer from excess of clarity. He let the balance of vital interests to be decided in the future on a case by case basis. British case law has had its zigzags, but amidst some splendid dissents. In 1981, Lord Salmon said: The immunity of the press to reveal its sources of information save in exceptional circumstances is in the public interest, and has been so accepted by the courts for so long that I consider it is wrong now to sweep this immunity away The freedom of the press depends on this immunity. Were it to disappear so would the sources from which its information is obtained; and the public would be deprived of much of the information to which the public of a free nation is entitled. He relied on a passage from the judgement of Lord Denning, who was in the majority in the same case: The newspapers are the agents of the public to collect that information and to tell the public of it. In support of this right of access, the newspapers should not in general be compelled to disclose their sources of information. Their sources would dry up. Wrongdoing would not be disclosed. Charlatans could not be exposed. Unfairness would go unremedied. Misdeeds in the corridors of power, in companies or in government departments, would never be known. Section 10 of the Contempt of Courts Act 1981, enacted in the UK, reads: No court may require a person to disclose, nor is any person guilty of contempt of court from refusing to disclose, the source of information contained in a publication for which he is responsible unless it is established to the satisfaction of the court that it is necessary in the interests of justice or national security or for the prevention of disorder or crime. Some judges relaxed the word necessary. A journalist who had lost in the courts in the UK took his case to the European Court of Human Rights. It ruled in his favour: Having regard to the importance of the protection of journalistic sources for press freedom in a democratic society and the potentially chilling effect an order of source disclosure has on the exercise of that freedom, such a measure cannot be compatible with Article 10 of the (European) Convention (on Human Rights) unless it is justified by an overriding requirement in the public interest. Since Article 10 of the Convention is of the same tenor as Article 19 of the Indian constitution and presumably of similar provisions in other constitutions the ruling is a highly persuasive authority. It does not, however, dispense with the need for legislation that explicitly protects journalists sources while giving the courts power to order disclosure on specified grounds in compelling circumstances. By arrangement with Dawn A report in the New York Times said a fake news story prompted Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to threaten to go nuclear. New York: Pakistan's defense minister threatened Israel that his country could use nuclear weapons after a fake news report that his Israeli counterpart had threatened "nuclear retaliation" for Islamabad's role in Syria against ISIS, highlighting the serious problem proliferation of fake news poses. A report in the New York Times said a fake news story prompted Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to threaten to go nuclear. In a post on Twitter, Asif lashed at Israel after a false report which the minister apparently believed that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons. "Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh," the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. "Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too." The NYT report said Asif appeared to be reacting to the fake news article published on awdnews.com, which was titled 'Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack'. The article had appeared on the website on December 20, alongside articles with headlines like 'Clinton is staging a military coup against Trump'. The fake story about Israel even misidentified the country's defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. Israel's current minister of defence is Avigdor Lieberman. The Israeli Defence Ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious. "The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said," the ministry wrote in Twitter post directed at Asif. The Israeli ministry added in a second post: "Reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false." The NYT report added that the proliferation of fake news stories, spread on social networks and produced by a variety of sources including pranksters, foreign governments and enterprising individuals who hope to receive advertising revenue by driving traffic to their websites, has become an increasingly serious problem. A North Carolina man was arrested this month after firing a gun at a Washington pizza parlor, because investigators said he was investigating claims in fake news articles that the pizzeria was at the center of a child sex slave ring linked to Hillary Clinton. Her family had hoped that Doris Stayffers body would be used to study Alzheimers disease. Surprise: Jim Stauffer thought he was doing the right thing. He had cared for his elderly mother, Doris, throughout her harrowing descent into dementia. In 2013, when she passed away at age 74, he decided to donate her brain to science. He hoped the gift might aid the search for a cure to Alzheimers disease. At a nurses suggestion, the family contacted Biological Resource Center, a local company that brokered the donation of human bodies for research. Within the hour, BRC dispatched a driver to collect Doris. Jim Stauffer signed a form authorizing medical research on his mothers body. He also checked a box prohibiting military, traffic-safety and other non-medical experiments. Ten days later, Jim received his mothers cremated remains. He wasn't told how her body had been used. Records reviewed by Reuters show that BRC workers detached one of Doris Stauffers hands for cremation. After sending those ashes back to her son, the company sold and shipped the rest of Stauffers body to a taxpayer-funded research project for the U.S. Army. Her brain never was used for Alzheimers research. Instead, Stauffers body became part of an Army experiment to measure damage caused by roadside bombs. Internal BRC and military records show that at least 20 other bodies were also used in the blast experiments without permission of the donors or their relatives, a violation of U.S. Army policy. BRC sold donated bodies like Stauffers for $5,893 each. Army officials involved in the project said they never received the consent forms that donors or their families had signed. Rather, the officials said they relied on assurances from BRC that families had agreed to let the bodies be used in such experiments. BRC, which sold more than 20,000 parts from some 5,000 human bodies over a decade, is no longer in business. Its former owner, Stephen Gore, pleaded guilty to fraud last year. In a statement to Reuters, Gore said that he always tried to honor the wishes of donors and sent consent forms when researchers requested them. Jim Stauffer learned of his mothers fate not from BRC or the Army but from a Reuters reporter. When told, Stauffer curled his lip in anger and clutched his wife Lisas arm. We did right, Lisa reassured him. They just did not honor our wishes. The story of how an Arizona grandmothers remains came to be used in a Pentagon experiment shines a spotlight on a growing but little-known industry: the trade in human cadavers and body parts. The body-brokering business is distinct from organ transplantation, in which hearts, livers, eyes and lungs are carefully removed from the dead to extend or enrich the lives of the living. It also is separate from the business of using skin, tendon or bone from cadavers to repair joints or other parts of the body. Those practices are strictly regulated by U.S. law. In contrast, the buying and selling of human bodies not used for transplant receives scant oversight. No federal law regulates body brokers like BRC, and no U.S. government agency monitors what happens to cadavers pledged for use in medical education and research. It is not illegal to sell a whole body or the parts of a body for research or education, said University of Iowa law professor Sheldon F. Kurtz, who helped modify the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, which has been adopted by 46 states. Although the act was updated in 2006, Kurtz said, the issue of whole bodies or body parts for research or education never came up during our discussions. Since then, the body trade has become big business. Only one state, New York, keeps detailed records on the industry. According to the most recent data available, companies that did business in New York shipped at least 100,000 body parts across the country from 2011 to 2014. Reuters obtained the data, which have never been made public, from the states health department. The New York figures represent a fraction of the industry: Any company that handles bodies but doesnt do business in New York state is not included. A handful of other states either require companies to register with state health departments or seek approval to ship individual body parts across state lines. Most states compile no such records. We are in a complete vacuum, said Michel Anteby, a Boston University business professor who has researched the trade in bodies. Thats a real problem because we are treating bodies as a potential commodity like any other. Brokers procure virtually all their cadavers for free from donors who believe the remains will be used for science. As a result, brokers can turn a profit of thousands of dollars on each body donated. Its about $2,500 to $3,000, said John Cover, chief operating officer of Research for Life, a body broker based in Phoenix. When bodies are subsequently dismembered and sold part by part, the profit margin can be even higher. BRC charged $5,893 for a whole body in 2013; a few years earlier, the company priced spines at $1,900, legs at $1,300 each, and torsos at $3,500, BRC documents show. Cadavers and donated body parts provide vital tools to teach anatomy and medical students. They also serve as a cornerstone of the medical-device business. Artificial hips, dental crowns and surgical devices are best tested on real human tissue. Surgeons and dentists who implant the devices and use new tools have to be trained. Theres no way any medical institution could function without the donation of cadavers, said David Morton, a University of Utah School of Medicine professor and a board member of the American Association of Anatomists. Most medical schools have strict rules for handling bodies, Morton said. Those quality controls and ethical guidelines, however, arent always followed. This year, The New York Times reported that New York University buried an unknown number of donated bodies in mass graves. The school apologized and said it had changed its policy in 2013 to better protect donor wishes. The BRC case is not the first time bodies donated to medical schools have been misused in military experiments. In 2004, Tulane University disclosed that bodies donated to the school were shipped to a broker who then provided them to the Army, which used them for landmine experiments. As happened with BRC, these donors had not consented to military use. A Bloody Cooler Federal authorities began investigating BRC in 2011. That year, a Detroit body broker from a company called International Biological Inc was stopped by U.S. customs agents as he crossed the border from Ontario. He had 10 human heads with him. According to an FBI affidavit, agents traced one of the heads to BRC. Within a year, investigators had identified at least 250 suspect body parts sold by BRC to the Detroit broker. Records from the Detroit and Phoenix cases show that thousands of bodies donated for research and education were dismembered and then sold or leased, often for commercial purposes. In January 2016, the Detroit broker and his wife were arrested by the FBI on fraud charges related to their practices at International Biological. The broker, Arthur Rathburn, has pleaded not guilty and is jailed awaiting trial. His wife, Elizabeth Rathburn, pleaded guilty to a single fraud charge but has not been sentenced. Arthur Rathburn leased human heads, torsos and other body parts for medical and dental training in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Italy, Greece and Israel, authorities said. In 2012, two coolers that contained eight bloody heads and were addressed to Rathburn were seized at the Detroit airport. Government documents unsealed this year also allege that Arthur Rathburns inventory included more than 100 body parts infected with hepatitis, HIV, sepsis, meningitis, the life-threatening bacteria MRSA, and the flesh-eating disease necrotizing fasciitis. Rathburns lawyer, Byron Pitts, said his client committed no crime. I think the government has overstepped and I dont think they are going to be able to prove their charges, Pitts said. In a court filing this year, Pitts noted that the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act does not prohibit the sale of body parts and said Rathburn should not be held accountable criminally for paperwork errors or the actions of others, including BRC. BRC also shipped infected body parts, according to Arizona state investigation summaries reviewed by Reuters. These included portions of eye and ear tissue infected with Hepatitis B sent to researchers in Tucson; eyes from a body that tested positive for Hepatitis C to Utah for use by a biomedical firm; and a left foot infected with Hepatitis B to a podiatry training center near Atlanta. In at least one case, BRC notified next of kin about the infections but failed to warn researchers who received the tissue or body parts, the records show. When a 76-year-old woman died the morning of April 29, 2012, BRC staffers rushed to remove her brain by mid-afternoon and shipped the 13-pound package the same day to the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center near Boston. In a standard industry practice, BRC also sent a blood sample from the womans body to a lab. Three days later, the sample came back positive for Hepatitis C. BRC promptly notified the womans son. Unfortunately, we received an unfavorable report for infectious disease blood testing, BRC staff wrote in a letter. These blood tests could not confirm that an infectious disease was present, but did prohibit us from using the body for safety reasons. Military blast experiment BRC, however, did not warn Harvard researchers handling the diseased brain, records show. In fact, the researchers did not learn that the specimen was infected until nearly two years later, when Arizona authorities contacted them. We would never knowingly use [a brain sample] with a history of disease, said Harvard brain donation coordinator Joseph Manzo. He said privacy rules restricted him from commenting further on a specific specimen. In an email exchange with Reuters, Gore apologized for not notifying researchers. I simply have no excuse, he said. The risks of infection are real: Records of the Arizona state investigation show that one worker at the Georgia podiatry facility was accidentally stuck by a needle used with the hepatitis-infected foot. The worker had been vaccinated. A Labour of Love In emails to Reuters, Gore said that the troubles at BRC represented only a fraction of the work by the company, which served scores of research and training entities it supplied. BRC had an incredibly kind, professional and caring staff on all levels, Gore said. Because BRC sold bodies and parts to various Army subcontractors and not directly to the military Gore said he sometimes received different instructions about what BRC needed to provide. But he said he sent consent forms whenever researchers requested them. It is my belief that we did what we could to honor the donors consent as we understood it, Gore said When he was sentenced in 2015 for the charge related to misleading donors and families, Gore presented a letter to the judge explaining what went wrong. He said he created BRC because he had grown bored as an insurance salesman. Though he held no more than a high school degree, Gore had previously spent nine years at a local eye and organ bank, he said, working with donor families and assisting surgeons. This was never about financial gain but rather a labor of love, Gore wrote. Instead of hiring a qualified medical director to supervise how bodies and parts should be used, Gore said he relied on books and the Internet. This was an industry that had no formal regulations to look to for guidance, Gore wrote in his letter to the judge, and I believe that many times I was simply overwhelmed and I tried to do the right thing but often did not. Arizona prosecutors said in their filing that Gores fraud misled those who had hoped to provide the most precious gift a person could bestow on society, their own body, to benefit scientific and medical research. It was free: In interviews, family members who signed BRC consent forms said they were focused on saving money and serving society. They said they didnt realize the bodies of their loved ones would be sold or used for commercial purposes. This was an industry that had no formal regulations ... Many times I was simply overwhelmed and I tried to do the right thing but often did not. I had no money, said Tina Johnson, who gave her husband Kerrys body to BRC when he died of liver failure in 2012. It was a free cremation. Mary Hughes, whose 52-year-old son, Grady Hughes Jr, died of cancer in late 2012, recalled that somebody from hospice gave us a pamphlet. It was a good idea, Hughes said. The cremation was free, and it was donating the body for medical purposes. Months after the donations, Johnson, Hughes and dozens of others received a vague form letter from BRC listing nine potential medical education and research uses. None cited military experiments. Some BRC donors willed bodies with the expectation that they would be used for a specific disease. Jim Stauffer, for example, said he hoped his mothers brain would be used to study Alzheimers. It shocks me that the military was involved, he said. The BRC consent form permitted the broker to sell cadavers and parts to almost any entity, including commercial ventures. Under current law, relatives have no right to learn what happened to their loved ones. Army Project: The Armys human-body experiments were part of a program to protect U.S soldiers from improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. During wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army scrambled with limited success to fortify vehicles. Early this decade, the Army launched a long-term study of the biological impact of an IED blast that thrusts a vehicle into the air. The most vulnerable body parts are those already in contact with the inside surfaces of a vehicle. Its your feet, your butt in the seat, and to some extent your back, said Randy Coates, the civilian engineer who directed the Army project, which is based at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. To study a blasts effect, the Army considered experimenting with crash-test dummies, the biometric mannequins used by engineers to improve automotive safety. But crash-test dummies have limitations: They enable researchers to collect data only on front, rear and side collisions common in traffic accidents, not from explosions beneath a vehicle. When cadaver experiments confirmed that a crash-test dummy couldnt replicate battlefield wounds, the Army set out to create a mannequin that could show the effects of explosions. The project required experiments involving more than a hundred cadavers and included researchers from nine universities. In addition to building the blast mannequin, the Army is using cadavers to obtain data to develop a virtual dummy for computer simulations. Donated bodies are not obliterated in explosions, Coates said. But the blasts do break bones and snap spines. In an experiment witnessed by a Reuters reporter this year, two bodies wired to 100 biosensors flailed violently during an explosion and came to rest slumped, but intact. Army policy requires that body donors or next of kin consent to the blast experiments. But records reviewed by Reuters show that the bodies or body parts of 34 people were shipped to the military without donor permission. Mind-boggling: In 18 of the 34 cases, the donor consent forms neither mentioned nor offered any warning language about potential military experiments. In the remaining 16 instances, the consent form presented an option to allow military and other violent experiments. Twelve of the 16 families explicitly rejected violent experiments. Four made no choice. All 16 were shipped to the Army anyway. Among those shipped to the military were Nancy Culvers son and Marla Yales grandfather. Oh, no. Oh, no, Culver said when a Reuters reporter told her that the right arm of her son, Timothy Smith, was detached and used for a military experiment against her wishes. She donated his body two days after he took his own life in late 2012. I wanted something good to come of this, she said. Marla Yale recalled watching grandfather Kurt Hollstein sign a donor form two months before he died of cancer in 2013. Hollstein, an Army veteran, was so angry about the health care he was provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, she said, that on the consent form he checked No to military experimentation. Yale learned what really happened to her grandfather from Reuters. This is almost beyond belief that his entire body went somewhere else without his permission, and especially to a place that he absolutely did not want to be, she said. To go to the Department of Defense is absolutely mind-boggling. Whos responsible? According to Army policy, If it is clear that a donor prohibited the contemplated use, then the donors cadaver will not be used. The policy requires that authorization forms must explicitly state that donors or next-of-kin agree that their bodies may be used in explosions. But the consent forms the Army examines are not necessarily the same ones signed by donors. In the BRC case, the Army said, the military reviewed heavily redacted forms or forms signed by an agent of BRC that indicated consent. Army officials said their first indication that something was amiss came in January 2014, after law enforcement authorities searched BRC. Coates, who oversaw the military project, said experiments were halted immediately. An Army safety officer then traveled to Arizona to compare the documents the military reviewed with those kept by BRC. In at least 34 cases, the forms did not match, records show. Coates said that the Army acted in good faith because it believed the consent forms it received were valid. The Army was a victim of BRC business practices, he said. Even so, the Army said in a statement that it still relies on brokers to accurately represent the wishes of donors and does not review the original consent forms before experiments begin. Amending consent: BRC records also show that in at least two cases, consent forms were amended after the donor died. In each case, records show, an elderly widow agreed to countermand a husbands written instructions that his body not be subjected to explosive military experiments. Both widows made the change after being contacted by BRC, donor case files show. In an interview with Reuters, one of the widows, Dona Patrick, said she didnt fully grasp what she had agreed to: that husband Conrads head and spine would be severed and shipped to one of the universities conducting the military experiments, his case file shows. The call from BRC came less than 48 hours after her husband died, at a time when you are susceptible to anything just to get it out of your mind, she said. Patrick said yes to the BRC caller because Conrads soul was already gone, and the body was nothing, she said. Probably now if they would have called me, I would have said no. But then, I didnt know what to do. BRC recorded the conversation for legal reasons and quality assurance. On the call, the BRC employee asked: As next of kin, do you agree to amend the consent form to allow special non-medical projects that could involve exposures to destructive forces for example, impacts, crashes, ballistic injuries and blasts involving agencies such as the military? Patrick, her voice quavering, said, Yes, I do. Excellent, the body broker replied. That takes care of everything. State media said, it is the first time that the Liaoning has headed to "distant sea waters." Beijing: China's first aircraft carrier has set off for the Western Pacific for an open-sea training exercise, the Defense Ministry said. State media said on Sunday that it is the first time that the Liaoning, which was commissioned by the Chinese navy in 2012, has headed to "distant sea waters." The Western Pacific region stretches from China to New Zealand and encompasses countries in the Pacific, Oceania and parts of Asia. The statement said a navy formation including the Liaoning set off Saturday for training in the Western Pacific, without elaborating on the location, as part of an annual training plan. The exercise takes place at a time of tension between China and the United States, the Pacific Ocean's dominant power, over the sensitive issue of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory. President-elect Donald Trump took a congratulatory December 2 phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, marking the first time an American President or President-elect has publicly spoken to Taiwan's leader since Washington broke off its formal diplomatic relationship with Taiwan in 1979. To outrage in Beijing, Trump later suggested he could re-evaluate US policy on Taiwan. China seized a US Navy underwater glider in the South China Sea on December 16 in what was seen by Chinese analysts as a warning to Trump. China said in November that its aircraft carrier, purchased as an incomplete hull from Ukraine more than a decade ago, was ready to engage in combat. The Liaoning recently completed its first live-fire exercise along with fighters in the Bohai Sea in eastern China and, on Friday, the military announced it had carried out a series of fighter launch, recovery and air combat exercises slightly farther afield in the Yellow Sea. On Saturday morning, the Liaoning carried out training in the East China Sea, according to footage shown on state broadcaster China Central Television. A separate statement from the Defense Ministry said that several carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters took off one after another and returned after completing an air tactical confrontation and air refuelling exercise. The Japanese Defense Ministry said it spotted the Liaoning as part of a fleet of eight Chinese warships that included destroyers and frigates, in the central part of the East China Sea for the first time. It said there was no incursion into Japanese waters. China hasn't described specifically how it intends to use the Liaoning, but it is seen as helping reinforce China's increasingly assertive claims over almost all of the South China Sea, which is home to key shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds and a potential wealth of mineral resources. Five other governments claim the maritime space either in part or in whole, and the Philippines and Vietnam, in particular, have sought assistance from the US and others in beefing up their ability to resist China, including its construction of seven islands by piling sand atop coral reefs. Zardaris objective will be to improve the partys numerical strength in the legislatures. Islamabad: Pakistans former President Asif Ali Zardari has returned to the country, ending his 18-month-long self-imposed exile, amidst speculations about his future role in the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which has threatened a major protest against the Nawaz Sharif government. The party has asked the government to change the interior minister and appoint a full-time foreign minister, among other demands, before December 27 or face street demonstrations. So far, none of the demands have been fulfilled. Mr Zardari landed at Karachis Jinnah International Airport on Friday afternoon and later addressed a huge rally criticising Prime Minister Sharif. But, the local media was not sure about the role of Mr Zardari, who with his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is the co-chairman of the PPP, which is the largest Opposition party and also rules southern province of Sindh. Will Zardari take back the reins of PPP? Will he change the partys strategy in dealing with the ruling PML-N? Will his son take the back seat? These are the questions making the rounds in political circles as Zardari returned to Karachi, the Express Tribune reported. The answer to all these questions is no. This is at least what the Express Tribune has learnt from top PPP officials in background interviews. They say Bilawal will remain the face of the party, while Mr Zardari will act as a patriarch. Mr Zardaris objective will be to improve the partys numerical strength in the legislatures. May says she wants to begin the formal process of withdrawing from the EU. Britains PM Theresa May wants to the country to come together in 2017 post-Brexit. (Photo: AFP) London: British Prime Minister Theresa May urged the country to come together in 2017 after a year of bitter divisions exposed by the Brexit referendum, in her first Christmas message released Saturday. She said Britain needed to unite and seize the opportunity to forge a new role in the world as it leaves the European Union. In the June referendum, 52 per cent voted for Britain to leave the EU and wrangling over the issue dominated the rest of the year. Ms May says she wants to begin the formal process of withdrawing from the EU, which can take up to two years, by the end of March. As families gathered for Christmas, Ms May said coming together is also important for us as a country. As we leave the European Union we must seize an historic opportunity to forge a bold new role for ourselves in the world and to unite our country as we move forward into the future. Ms May said on Tuesday that she was planning to negotiate both Brexit and Britains future relationship with the EU by 2019 but a transition period may be required after that. Britains Supreme Court is set to rule in January on whether parliaments approval is required for Ms May to trigger the exit process. The plane was carrying the famous Alexandrov military band for a concert at the Russian air base in Syria. A Russian military plane carrying 91 people has disappeared from radar after taking off from the southern city of Adler. (Photo: AFP/Representational) Moscow: A Russian plane headed to an air base in Syria with 92 people aboard, including members of a well-known military choir, crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday minutes after taking off from the resort city of Sochi, Russia's Defense Ministry said. There was no indication anyone survived the crash of the Tu-154, which belonged to the Defense Ministry and was taking the Alexandrov Ensemble to a holiday concert at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia. Crews found at least one body and ships, helicopters and drones were searching the area for more. A total of 84 passengers and eight crew members were on the plane when it disappeared from radars two minutes after taking off in good weather. Emergency crews found fragments about 1.5 kilometers (less than one mile) from shore. There was no immediate word on the cause. Viktor Ozerov, head of the defense affairs committee at the upper house of Russian parliament, said the crash could have been caused by a technical malfunction or a crew error, but he believes it could not have been terrorism because the plane was operated by the military. "I totally exclude" the idea of an attack bringing down the plane, he said in remarks carried by state RIA Novosti news agency. The passenger list released by the Defense Ministry included 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, among them its leader, Valery Khalilov. The ensemble is the official choir of the Russian military and also includes a band and a dance company. Nine Russian journalists, including a TV crew from Channel One, were also among the passengers. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was personally coordinating the rescue efforts, and President Vladimir Putin has received official reports on the incident. The Tu-154 is a Soviet-built three-engine airliner designed in the late 1960s. More than 1,000 have been built, and they have been used extensively by carriers in Russia and worldwide. In recent years, Russian airlines have replaced their Tu-154s with more modern planes, but the military and some other government agencies in Russia have continued to use them. While noisy and fuel-guzzling by modern standards, the plane has been popular with crews that appreciate its maneuverability and ruggedness. "It's an excellent plane, which has proven its reliability during decades of service," veteran pilot Oleg Smirnov said in televised remarks. The plane that crashed was built in 1983, and underwent repairs in 2014, according to the Defense Ministry. In April 2010, a Tu-154 carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others crashed while trying to land in bad weather at a sporadically used military airport in Smolensk in western Russia, killing everyone on board. Investigations by both Polish and Russian experts blamed pilot error in bad weather conditions, but Polish authorities have launched a new probe. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in Berlin, which killed 12 and injured 56 others. The Tunisian man suspected of driving a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin was killed on Friday in a shootout with police in Milan, ending a Europe-wide manhunt, Italys interior minister said. Checks conducted after the shootout showed the person killed, without a shadow of a doubt, is Anis Amri, the suspect of the terrorist attack, interior minister Marco Minniti said. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in Berlin, which killed 12 and injured 56 others. Amri, 24, who had spent time in prison in Italy, was stopped by two officers during a routine police check in the Sesto San Giovanni neighbourhood of Milan on Friday. He pulled a gun from his backpack after being asked to show his identity papers and was killed in the ensuing shootout. It was unclear how and when Amri travelled from Berlin to Milan. On Tuesday, a Pakistani asylum seeker was apprehended for mowing down Christmas shoppers in a crowded market in the heart of Berlin with a large truck, killing at least 12 people and injuring nearly 50 others even as authorities retracted later saying he may not be behind the terror attack. Chancellor Angela Merkel had labelled the deadly rampage a likely terrorist attack. TSS incorporates 3rd generation forward-looking infrared sensor that provides target sighting in day, night, or adverse weather conditions. Islamabad: The US Department of Defence has awarded a USD 284.6 million contract to Lockheed Martin to produce infrared target sight systems or TSS for the US Navy and Pakistan, a media report said on Saturday. The system will be used for the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters, which have proved very effective in combats against militants, particularly in difficult terrains. In the US, the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter is used by US Marine Corps expeditionary forces, the Dawn reported. The TSS incorporates a third-generation forward-looking infrared sensor that provides target sighting in day, night, or adverse weather conditions. A Pentagon press release describes the TSS system as a large-aperture mid-wave forward-looking infrared sensor with a laser designator/rangefinder turret. It provides the capability to identify and laser-designate targets at maximum weapon range, significantly enhancing platform survivability and lethality. The company's Orlando-based missile and fire control unit will produce the sight system in Orlando and Ocala, Florida, through January 2022 for the US Navy and Pakistan under the foreign military sales portion of the award, the paper said, citing the Pentagon release. The contract has a base value of USD 150.96 million but its accumulative cost would go up to USD 284.6 million. The government of Pakistan will pay about 12 per cent of the total cost through an arrangement with the US under the Foreign Military Sales programme. In January, Lockheed Martin received a smaller contract of USD 14 million to provide the same target system for Pakistan. The contracts include software development and testing, system modification, and installation requirements to integrate the TSS into the Cobra helicopters. The TSS provides target information and tracking data for the helicopter, in addition to passive targeting for integrated weapons. Work on the first contract, performed in Florida, would be completed by December 2017. Although the United States and Pakistan were once close allies, relations between the two countries strained in 2011, when the US eliminated al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden during a covert raid at his compound in Abbottabad. The bilateral ties slipped further after the US Congress blocked financing of eight F-16 fighter jets earlier this year despite strong lobbying by Islamabad. The US lawmakers accused Islamabad of continuing to support the Afghan Taliban. Today, as in Jesuss times, If we want to celebrate Christmas authentically, we need to contemplate this sign: the fragile simplicity of a small newborn, the meekness of where he lies, the tender affection of the swaddling clothes. God is there. Vatican City (AsiaNews) On the night of the Child, during the Midnight Christmas Mass celebrated in St Peters Basilica, Pope Francis spoke about the children who suffer today. This night of Christmas, a night of glory, of light and joy, because God is with us is an invitation to be challenged by the Child in the Manger, a night also allow ourselves to be challenged by the children of todays world, who are not lying in a cot caressed with the affection of a mother and father, but rather suffer the squalid mangers that devour dignity: hiding underground to escape bombardment, on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat overladen with immigrants. Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons. Today, as in Jesuss times, If we want to celebrate Christmas authentically, we need to contemplate this sign: the fragile simplicity of a small newborn, the meekness of where he lies, the tender affection of the swaddling clothes. God is there. With this sign the Gospel reveals a paradox: it speaks of the emperor, the governor, the mighty of those times, but God does not make himself present there; he does not appear in the grand hall of a royal palace, but in the poverty of a stable; not in pomp and show, but in the simplicity of life; not in power, but in a smallness which surprises. In order to discover him, we need to go there, where he is: we need to bow down, humble ourselves, make ourselves small. The Child who is born challenges us: he calls us to leave behind fleeting illusions and go to the essence, to renounce our insatiable claims, to abandon our endless dissatisfaction and sadness for something we will never have. It will help us to leave these things behind in order to rediscover in the simplicity of the God-child, peace, joy and the meaning of life. The mystery of Christmas, which is light and joy, questions and unsettles us, because it is at once both a mystery of hope and of sadness. It bears within itself the taste of sadness, inasmuch as love is not received, and life discarded. This happened to Joseph and Mary, who found the doors closed, and placed Jesus in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (v. 7). Jesus was born rejected by some and regarded by many others with indifference. Today also the same indifference can exist, when Christmas becomes a feast where the protagonists are ourselves, rather than Jesus; when the lights of commerce cast the light of God into the shadows; when we are concerned for gifts but cold towards those who are marginalized. Yet Christmas has essentially a flavour of hope because, notwithstanding the darker aspects of our lives, Gods light shines out. His gentle light does not make us fear; God who is in love with us, draws us to himself with his tenderness, born poor and fragile among us, as one of us. He is born in Bethlehem, which means house of bread. In this way he seems to tell us that he is born as bread for us; he enters life to give us his life; he comes into our world to give us his love. He does not come to devour or to command but to nourish and to serve. Thus there is a direct thread joining the manger and the cross, where Jesus will become bread that is broken: it is the direct thread of love which is given and which saves us, which brings light to our lives, and peace to our hearts. In his message, Francis expressed a wish for peace for those who suffer in war, from war-torn Aleppo to the Holy Land, from Nigeria to Myanmar, and for all those wounded by violence; peace also for those who lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, to exiles, migrants and refugees, to all those who in our day are subject to human trafficking, to those who suffer economic exploitation, to children deprived of the joys of childhood, and to men and women of goodwill. Vatican City (AsiaNews) In his Christmas message, Pope Francis expressed a wish for peace in those parts of the world that suffer in war, from war-torn Aleppo to the Holy Land, from Nigeria to Myanmar, and for all those wounded by violence; peace also for those who lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, to exiles, migrants and refugees, to all those who in our day are subject to human trafficking, to those who suffer economic exploitation, to children deprived of the joys of childhood, and to men and women of goodwill, who work quietly and patiently each day, in their families and in society, to build a more humane and just world, sustained by the conviction that only with peace is there the possibility of a more prosperous future for all. After his message, the Pontiff delivered the traditional blessing Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) in which the Church once again experiences the wonder of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and the shepherds of Bethlehem, as they contemplate the newborn Child laid in a manger: Jesus, the Saviour. The power of this Child, Son of God and Son of Mary, is not the power of this world, based on might and wealth; it is the power of love. It is the power which created the heavens and the earth, which gives life to all creation: to minerals, plants and animals; it is the force which attracts man and woman, and makes them one flesh, one single existence; it is the power which gives new birth, pardons faults, reconciles enemies, and transforms evil into good. It is the power of God. This power of love led Jesus Christ to strip himself of his glory and become man; it led him to give his life on the cross and to rise from the dead. It is the power of service, which inaugurates in our world the Kingdom of God, a kingdom of justice and peace. For this reason, the birth of Jesus was accompanied by the angels song as they proclaimed: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased! (Lk 2:14). Today this message goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace. Peace to men and women in the war-torn land of Syria, where far too much blood has been spilled. Above all in the city of Aleppo, site of the most awful battles in recent weeks, it is most urgent that assistance and support be guaranteed to the exhausted civil populace, with respect for humanitarian law. It is time for weapons to be still forever, and the international community to actively seek a negotiated solution, so that civil coexistence can be restored in the country. Peace to women and men of the beloved Holy Land, the land chosen and favoured by God. May Israelis and Palestinians have the courage and the determination to write a new page of history, where hate and revenge give way to the will to build together a future of mutual understanding and harmony. May Iraq, Libya and Yemen where their peoples suffer war and the brutality of terrorism be able once again to find unity and concord. Peace to the men and women in various parts of Africa, especially in Nigeria, where fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children in order to perpetrate horror and death. Peace in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so that divisions may be healed and all people of good will may strive to undertake the path of development and sharing, preferring the culture of dialogue to the mindset of conflict. Peace to women and men who to this day suffer the consequences of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, where there is urgent need for a common desire to bring relief to the civil population and to put into practice the commitments which have been assumed. We implore harmony for the dear people of Colombia, which seeks to embark on a new and courageous path of dialogue and reconciliation. May such courage also motivate the beloved country of Venezuela to undertake the necessary steps to put an end to current tensions, and build together a future of hope for the whole population. Peace to all who, in different areas, are enduring sufferings due to constant dangers and persistent injustice. May Myanmar consolidate its efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and, with the assistance of the international community, provide necessary protection and humanitarian assistance to all those who gravely and urgently need it. May the Korean peninsula see the tensions it is experiencing overcome in a renewed spirit of cooperation. Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, and to those who have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities. Peace not merely the word, but a real and concrete peace to our abandoned and excluded brothers and sisters, to those who suffer hunger and to all the victims of violence. Peace to exiles, migrants and refugees, to all those who in our day are subject to human trafficking. Peace to the peoples who suffer because of the economic ambitions of the few, because of the sheer greed and the idolatry of money, which leads to slavery. Peace to those affected by social and economic unrest, and to those who endure the consequences of earthquakes or other natural catastrophes. Peace to the children, on this special day on which God became a child, above all those deprived of the joys of childhood because of hunger, wars or the selfishness of adults. Peace on earth to men and women of goodwill, who work quietly and patiently each day, in their families and in society, to build a more humane and just world, sustained by the conviction that only with peace is there the possibility of a more prosperous future for all. Dear brothers and sisters, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: he is the Prince of peace. Let us welcome him! Try this website. There is a filter which will help with deciding which visa will be best for you! border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1 You'll have to manually type it because I'm unable to paste a link in a thread have been living in Australia on a valid Australian visa for four years immediately before applying which must include the last 12 months as a permanent resident Click to expand... HiNeed some advise on below.So I have applied for 309 on 18-Mar-2016 and received the grant on 24-Nov-2016. And i entered Australia on 17-Dec-2016And as for the citizenship requirement below is mentioned.So as I understand 3 years in australia on a valid visa + 1 year under PR.Does the 3 years counted after DOL on 309 spouse visa (18-Mar-2016) or after the grant date (24-Nov-2016) or after the date i entered Australia (17-Dec-2016) ? Thanks Mish... Appreciate your reply... Our immi lawyer is applying for priority processing because of domestic violence issues with my ex husband whilst my fiance is back in the states... So if there is no expedited processing what could he be meaning and how long am I looking at for processing? The new Kia Picanto will be offered in five-door form only. Will be revealed in full at the Geneva motor show. Kia has released a set of design sketches that preview the new Picanto. The sketches show a new front-end design similar to that of the new Rio, which is slated for an international launch in February 2017. Kias rival to the Volkswagen Up and Ford Ka+ will be offered in five-door form only due to slow sales of the three-door version of the outgoing car. The new model will be revealed in full at the Geneva motor show in March, before sales commence in international markets. The decision to drop the three-door Picanto, coupled with Kias launch of the Rio as a five-door only model, suggests a move away from small three-door cars for the brand. A Kia spokesman also pointed out that the Picanto was the first car in the city car segment to be offered as a five-door. On the outside, intricate LED headlights incorporate the grille accents into their design, while red trim appears behind the grille in the lower air intakes and along the sides of the car on higher-end trims. Inside, a simple interior also draws heavily from the Rio supermini, with a dominant central infotainment touchscreen flanked by piano-black gloss trim and mounted high atop a considerably less button-heavy dashboard. A raft of technology and safety features new to the Picanto will be featured. Kia says the new Picanto will be made available with a greater range of personalisation options, as is evident from the colour accents on the exterior and interior. Kias India plan Its no secret that Kia Motors, a part of the Hyundai Motor Group, has been exploring an entry into the Indian market for several years. In fact, its surprising that Kia has taken so long to enter such an important market that has long been ripe for the picking. Kia has the massive advantage of piggybacking on its sister brand, Hyundai, which is a hugely successful in India. Kia is yet to identify a location for its first factory in India and it's only after this big hurdle is cleared that a formal announcement on its entry into India can be expected. For now, the only official statement Kia has made on its India project is We at Kia Motors are continually evaluating potential locations for overseas manufacturing facilities, including India, to secure additional engines for future growth. However, as of now, no concrete plans have been finalised. Kias model line-up for India is far from decided, but we expect a top-down strategy to be adopted. This means launching high-end products first and bringing mass-market models later, once the distribution network is established and the plant is humming smoothly. Kia will obviously try and mirror Hyundais model range and the next-gen Picanto could be one of the models that would come to our shores. NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Hefty fines were supposed to be implemented starting August 2016, and they could have even been applied to MY2015 vehicles because they were announced in summer 2015. However, several delays have postponed the application of the new fines, which will be enforced starting with the 2019 model year.Thehas announced that it will delay the implementation of its plan to double fines for automakers that do not meet federal mile-per-gallon average fuel economy targets until MY2019 vehicles enter the production line. The penalties were supposed to be applied for each one-tenth of a mile-per-gallon in average fuel economy that exceeded the standard for a model year.Thewanted to raise the penalty from $5.50 to $14 for the said measuring unit, for each vehicle that was sold in that model year without complying with the federal standard of fuel economy.This delay came after persistent requests from groups that lobby for automakers in Washington. As Detroit News notes, the NHTSA did acknowledge that increasing penalties for non-compliance before the model year 2019 would not enhance compliance or improve fuel economy.In other words, they figured out that the only thing that could have come from the new rules would have been a financial penalty for automakers. Those penalties could have been extensive, especially since American customers have changed their preferences back to vehicles that have a higher fuel consumption.The current fleet-wide average sits at approximately 34 miles per gallon for cars and trucks, but it will have to reach 54.5 mpg by 2025. MY2017 vehicles were expected to have an average of over 35 mpg, and the 2018 model year was supposed to bring a 36 mpg fleet average fuel economy.According to a lobby group, the sudden rise of those fines by such magnitude meant potentially hefty fines for some automakers, and the retroactive character of those penalties would have brought the impossibility of moderating those costs for some companies. The same group argued that the expenses of those losses would flow to consumers. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA A recent decision made by the Federal Trade Commission in the USA could put vehicles that have been subjected to a safety recall , but have not been fixed, in the hands of consumers that buy a certified vehicle.The ruling will allow dealers to sell those vehicles through their certified programs without being compelled to mention that the cars must be repaired through a recall.According to the NY Times , the situation has appeared following a settlement between General Motors, the FTC, and two used-car chains. The only obligation faced by dealers of certified pre-owned vehicles is to post notices that their cars could be subject to recalls, and then inform customers where they can inquire about safety campaigns.Without any surprise to anyone, this ruling comes against thes policy, which asked dealers fix all of the recalled vehicles on their lots before selling them to customers. Unfortunately, thedoes not have the authority to impose that measure, which would have meant significant costs for some dealers, but fair deals for customers.Consumer groups across the U.S. are against the FTCs ruling, which they describe as reckless. It goes without saying that selling a car that is part of an active recall, without having it fixed or at least informing the customer that it must be fixed as soon as possible could lead to more people getting killed in preventable incidents.Some safety recalls, like the one that involves Takatas airbag inflators, might result in dealers getting stuck with cars on their lots for extended periods, which is bad for business.However, people dying in cars that were not recalled when they could have been being bad for everyone else. Fortunately, the NHTSAs website lets anyone check if a car is part of an active recall just by using the VIN, and you can even discover if it has had any recalls fixed. ()IaJc %ojz #merrychristmas A photo posted by kiwileehan (@kiwileehan) on Dec 22, 2016 at 7:00am PST Kiwi began her modeling carrer on Instagram back in February 2013, with her fanbase having reached 170,000 meanwhile. She puts on her Santa suit (not too much of a Santa face, though) for this ad, where she showcases the smartphone potential of the Fi Exhaust the V10 supercar is gifted with.Truth be told, many aftermarket exhaust developers still struggle to offer valve-gifted systems that allow the driver to play with the sound, so efforts such as the one we have here, which include touch-each access to the feature, deserve our attention.As for the supercar used to showcase the abilities of the Taiwan-based developer, the naturally aspirated V10 heart of the Huracan made the model an obvious choice.Those of you willing to dig deeper into this Sant'Agata Bolognese matter will be remembered that the Italian engineers are currently working to complete the development of a model that will make many Huracan -destined aftermarket bits useless.We're talking about the Huracan Performance, which we've recently seen testing some new center-lock shoes. Wheels aside, the fixed wing of the no-longer-a-Superleggera model will take away many tuners' pleasure of gifting the Huracan with such a feature - here are the latest spyshots of the factory-massaged Huracan.Then there's also the exhaust, the extra oomph and a host of other goodies the Performante will be gifted with by the factory.As for the part of our readership that would enjoy continuing down the path mentioned in the intro, the Instagram post underneath the clip below should have you covered. It all kicks off with the standard Huracan , is we may call the 610 hp supercar that. The specialists over in Sant'Agata Bolognese designed the Gallardo successor in a way that allows the supercar to be the most friendly vehicle in the history of the Raging Bull.With a bit of effort on the driver's side (and we don't mean this in a Caterham-daily-pain way), the Huracan can be used for daily tasks - just don't call it routine. The only important drawback that's somehow linked to this comes form the slightly understeer-friendly nature of the machine, but that's another story for another time.However, certain people simply feel the factory stock Huracan is not enough, which is where aftermarket developers step in. And while most Huracan-aimed tuning packages come from the US, Russian tuner Gosha Turbo Tech also has a twin-turbo proposal for the Aventador's little brother, one we've discussed in the past.The forced-fed approach pushes the 5.2-liter V10 heart of the huracan all the way to 900 hp. And while US developers that have pushed the Sant'Agata Bolognese machine well above the 2,000 hp mark will tell you a triple-digit output is nothing, we feel this can bring plenty of worries along with the obvious thrills it delivers.For one thing, most packages that push the Huracan to 800-900 ponies see the internals remaining in factory stock condition. So, as strong as Lamborgini powerplants are, the engine could decide to quit its job at any given time, especially since such cars spend quite an important part of their lives playing drag strip games.Then there's the lifestyle associated with such cars, which can easily generate tons of problems. For instance, what if we never manage to find t-shirts such as that of the drag girl seen in the promo video below? The automaker had to sell the surplus chassis and parts, but to whom? The answer to that question came from Henry Kaiser, a gentleman who bought Willys-Overland in 1953 and changed the name to Willys Motor. Soon after acquiring the company, Kaiser retired to Hawaii , where the guy owned a resort complex on Waikiki Beach. Now wait a minute, Kaiser thought to himself. Why dont our guests use the DJ-3A around these places?""But first, we need to lose the roof, he might have thought. And the rest, as they say, is history. With this idea in mind, Willys Motor got down to business. Thus sprang the Jeep Gala, which went the way of export markets such as Mexico, the Caribbean, and Henry Kaisers resort in Hawaii, among others.At home in the U.S., the stripy ragtop model was named Surrey, because why not? The Jeep well talk about on this occasion, though, was an export market Gala originally specified in Cerulean Blue. Restored from the ground up in the same chromatic scheme, the Gala in the adjacent photos shows only 45 miles on the odometer since the completion of the nut-and-bolt restoration.Roughly 1,000 units of the Jeep Gala were produced through 1964, but this one here certainly deserves a thumbs up for the tip-top condition it presents itself in. Expected to fetch as much as $35,000 at a RM Sothebys auction, the blue-painted Gala doesnt have much to boast as far as toys are concerned.The front passenger, for example, is offered with a manual windshield wiper, whereas the driver has a column shifter and a clutch pedal to worry about. Passengers seated in the rear, meanwhile, can entertain themselves by looking at the floor mat. Jokes aside, it does look neat, doesn't it? A Russian military aircraft carrying 92 people, including the Red Army Choir heading to entertain troops in Syria, crashed Christmas Day into the Black Sea. The Tu-154 took off from Sochi just after 5 a.m. Moscow time and disappeared from radar a short time later. It was carrying 84 passengers, including 64 members of the Alexandrov military band, which was to play a concert at the Russian air base in Syria. Interfax was reporting the crash site had been located but the Russian government had not yet confirmed that. There were also nine journalists on the plane. The crash sent Russia into a state of mourning and most television stations switched from entertainment programming to nonstop coverage of the recovery effort. President Vladimir Putin promised a thorough investigation but terrorism is not thought to be a factor. The Tu-154 is a three-engine airliner thats been in service since the 1960s. Its been a workhorse of both airlines and military and is in widespread service in Russia. The crash airplane was 33 years old but had been recently serviced and the crew was experienced. The other evening I was returning from a flight to the east coast of Florida in an aircraft Sarasota Avionics kindly loaned me for the day. I landed just past dusk when, rare for Florida, the temperature and dewpoint came together and as I was tying down, the fog was forming. We occasionally get marine layers off the Gulf, too, but if that happens four times a year, Id be surprised. The best the approaches into Venice can do is 360-foot MDAs and a mile of required visibility. Its unlikely theyd be of much help in dense fog. For the past three days by early evening, the ASOS had been reporting 200 feet and a mile, if not indefinite. Im glad I made it in before it got worse. Well, my friend Dan mentioned half seriously, youve always got the synthetic vision. True enough. The airplane has a pair of Aspen EFD1000s, with synthetic vision. My initial reaction was that Id never use syn vision to land or carry on below MDA, but after I thought about that, I asked myself why. The kneejerk answer is that FAR 91.175 is so baked into to me and as an instrument instructor Ive taught its thou-shalt-not religion for so long that I dont know anything else. In case youre rusty on your FARs, 91.175 requires the runway or its environment to be in sight before descending below MDA or DH. There are technical reasons the regulation is worded the way it is and it isnt based on some bureaucratic capriciousness. Instrument approaches are designed to be and are 100 percent guaranteed safe if you fly them exactly the way theyre charted and if the equipment youre flying is functioning correctly. The obstacle clearance is carefully considered with margins for system and human error. The FAA routinely flight checks procedures looking for anomalies. But once you depart the black lines, youre on your own. To find a runway out of the clag, however, you necessarily have to fly down a funnel to the minimum obstacle clearance at which point youre supposed to be able to see the runway visually and land safely. For a standard CAT I ILS, thats only 200 feet and some GPS approaches offer MDAs nearly as low as that. Two hundred feet isnt much, which is why instrument pilots who hope to survive to a long and rewarding career best not make a habit of busting DA/DHs and MDAs. On conventional instrument approaches, the actual statistical risk of busting descents is one of those ineffables. Where and how you do it and in what conditions drives how risky it really is. Its one thing to burn 50 feet on a needles-centered CAT I ILS, but another to dive out the clouds from a GPS MDA with nothing showing but faith and hope. Yet pilots do it, although I suspect not routinely. I was once at a Connecticut airport standing outside the FBO shack in dense fog with an instrument student. We were waiting to get at least a half mile to depart on a training flight. We heard one of the local jet operators check in, inbound on the ILS. I told my student hed get to at least hear a genuine missed approach. As we stood outside on the sodden gray ramp, waiting to hear the roar of spooling engines, we heard instead the unmistakable double squeak of tires on pavement. The lineman shrugged. No way they had the required minimum vis of a mile. It was RVR weather. At least it was an empty leg. When staring at the digital glory of synthetic vision on a PFD, the temptation to do this routinely must be overwhelming. In really low weather, the runway may not be visible out the windshield, but its bigger than hell right there on the PFD. Whats the risk of just going for it if you dont see anything at DA/MDA? Probably not that much, although I doubt if theres any meaningful data to put a number on it. Synthetic vision doesnt depict close-in obstacles off the end of runways, but a runway with an instrument approach isnt likely to have meaningful close-in obstacles, at least from the missed approach forward to the threshold of the runway. But this varies by approach. Ive flown dozens of visual approaches in airplanes with synthetic vision and never noticed one in which the runway wasnt where it was supposed to be or was misaligned enough to detect, but I also wasnt looking for apparent misalignment. Even the synthetic centerline matches the real world view, which is impressive when you consider that synthetic vision is doing that with WAAS GPS matched to a terrain database. Weve come to take this level of performance for granted without thinking about how well it works. I havent tried landing under the hood with just synthetic vision because it doesnt provide the necessary depth perception clues. But in low vis, you could certainly use it to get close enough to acquire the runway visually then land normally. Id guess that would work in quarter-mile visibility or a little less. Are people actually doing it, despite the lack of legal framework, to bend FAR 91.175? No one I know has confessed, but human nature being human nature, Id be surprised if someone hasnt done it and if some arent doing it routinelyhomegrown CAT II. Id like to see some system reliability and accuracy data on synthetic vision, but I think its time to allow its use for descent and visibility credit for not-for-hire operations. Sure, theres risk in doing so, but let pilots assume it if they want. The fact that were not doing it already probably has more to do with legal inertia than technical considerations. I asked Garmin if they had synthetic vision in mind for this kind of upgrade and they declined to comment. I take that as a yes. For years, the transport industry has used head-up displays to qualify crews for lower landing minimums or at least to smooth the transition from the gauges to the visual. I flew on in an Alaska Airlines simulator 20 years ago. Ive poked around to find some data on how widespread HUDs are in airline use, but I cant get an accurate sense of market penetration, but its probably the majority of the fleet. On a recent Southwest flight, the captain told me the entire fleet is HUD equipped and he liked it and used it on every approach, including visuals. Periodically, we see attempts to offer HUDs for light GA aircraft but they never seem to gain traction. We reported on the latest offering in this video.MyGoFlight says it can integrate synthetic vision, but Im not sure what that would look like. HUDs have proven expensive and cumbersome, requiring a combiner-type display to be positioned in front of the pilots eyes only when needed. The military is way ahead on this technology and now projects it in a helmet display or, before that, on a mounted combiner thats permanently in view in the pilots sightline out the canopy. And for GA, how often would a HUD matter? How many pilots fly weather that requires bitter-end transition from the gauges to the visual and how much good would a HUD really do? Not much, I d guess. Or maybe not enough to justify spending $10,000 to add it. This is a rarified risk area in which there are too few accidents to make much sense of the probabilities. In the aviation press, we write evergreens with tips about how to transition from the gauges to the visual as though its fraught with hazards and tricks. It isnt. Just look out the window. The Southwest skipper told me he saw benefits in using it for visuals because it gave good windshear cures and made staying on speed easier. Fair enough. But little airplanes are still hand-eye machines and thats why a lot of us still fly them. Do we really need or even benefit from so much technology just to land a Bonanza? Would it help? If the FAA ever approves synthetic vision for approach mins credit, I think it would be festooned with so many system and certification requirements that it would be impossible to certify. But then at one time, I thought that about GPS approaches and non-TSOd gyros too. Maybe the very act of my thinking this will cause it to become true. We can only wish. 25 December 2016 12:25 (UTC+04:00) The biggest opportunity for developing cashless payments market in Azerbaijan is concentrated within applying various innovations, says Mandy Lamb, Visa group country manager for CIS and Southeastern European countries. Technologies and innovations are main part of the support Visa provides to the market, Lamb said in an interview with Trend. "Consumers are more and more connected and want to rely on their mobile telephones while making transactions," she said. "Therefore, we need to make sure that they can consolidate their plastic cards and their mobile phones, and that they have access points through which they can make their payments. Therefore, technologies and innovations present major part of support we provide to the market." "The network is also very important, the fact that you can have the same experience here as in another country and that you can have the same rules which are consistent in every country," she added. "So I believe that the biggest opportunity in the market of Azerbaijan is certainly about innovations moving from the physical plastic cards into digitally issued cards and being able to use it in contactless environment, using mobile payments while purchasing online etc." Lamb mentioned that Visa is working on similar initiatives within the entire CIS, including Azerbaijan. "I believe, our company is ready to offer Azerbaijan a number of rules and innovations," she said. "For example, together with our partners we have launched "Zero Liability" policy, which is an example of our global mandate, our global program." "Thanks to this policy, consumers can feel that they and their cards are very well protected against frauds," Lamb added. "It is very important for us to introduce these kinds of rules and innovations that are relevant for the country." Lamb added that governments of countries play major part in developing cashless payments, and therefore, Visa actively cooperates with them. "We actively cooperate with governments of various countries all over the world, as they play a critical role in helping us in expanding of contactless terminals in points of sales, as well as in increasing financial literacy of the population," she said. "We work using the following model we have a consumer, a merchant, as well as an issuer bank and an acquirer bank. Therefore, we call it the four-party model." Lamb said that governments, which want to develop cashless economy successfully, must work with all four sides of this model. "They must work with consumers, raise their literacy, explain advantages of using cards rather than cash and carry out much work around financial literacy," she added. "On the other hand, government can also work with merchants. There are countries, where government issues special mandate that there should be point of sale terminals at each store." "Such ideas are very important for the government, as well as for Visa to work on the market," she said. "It is also essential to encourage particularly smaller merchants to start accepting cards. Furthermore, from issuer and acquirer side it is important to make sure that cashless payments are beneficial from the tax perspective." In conclusion, Lamb said all these measures should help the government move out the so-called grey economy, as well as ensure transparent collection of taxes. According to the data from the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, in October 2016, the value of payment card transactions at ATMs and POS terminals was 1.07 billion manats, growing by 4 percent compared to October 2015. There were about 7.11 million payment card transactions in Azerbaijan in October 2016. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 December 2016 13:36 (UTC+04:00) A scientific conference titled Multiculturalism: Azerbaijan`s experience was held in Belgrade, Serbia. The event was co-organized by the country`s Embassy to Serbia and Azerbaijan Culture Center. The event also saw presentation of book titled Azerbaijan`s well-known women/well-known women of Serbian people. The event brought together members of Serbian Parliament, representatives of Belgrade Mayor`s Office, political, scientific and cultural figures of Serbia and the public. Director of Azerbaijan`s Culture Center Zarifa Alizade stressed the importance of the event in terms of popularization of the scientific and cultural values. Other speakers said that the conference serves to peace in the world. They also highlighted Azerbaijan`s model of tolerance. They spoke about living in peace and stability of representatives of various confessions in Azerbaijan, adding various peoples of the region have historically enjoyed good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation based on the robust tolerance traditions, mutual respect and trust. The event also saw speeches by representatives of Institute of International Politics and Economics, cultural figures. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 December 2016 14:06 (UTC+04:00) The winners of the competition of individual journalistic work were awarded. The competition was held by the State Support for Media Development Fund under the President of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity of world Azerbaijani and the Near Year. The event brought together state officials, MPs, heads of leading local and foreign Media. The event saw speeches by Azerbaijani President`s Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov, Executive Director of the State Support for Media Development Fund under the President of Azerbaijan Vugar Safarli, Chairman of Azerbaijan Press Council, MP Aflatun Amashov. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 December 2016 10:35 (UTC+04:00) Work on the development of the second stage of the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz gas and condensate field has been completed by 87 percent, reads the article of Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, published by official press on Dec. 24. The minister reminded that the foundations for the Southern Gas Corridor project and the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project were laid in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Mustafayev also noted the significance of the Southern Gas Corridor project which is being implemented under Azerbaijans initiative. The Southern Gas Corridor project envisages full-scale development of the Shah Deniz gas and condensate field, production and supply of Azerbaijani gas to European markets through appropriate infrastructure. This project will make a valuable contribution to strengthening of Europe's energy security," he said. The minister added that 72 percent of work to expand the South Caucasus Pipeline, 60 percent of work to construct TANAP and 30 percent of work to construct the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has been completed. Reserves of the Shah Deniz field are estimated at 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas and 240 million tons of condensate. Shah Deniz Stage 2 will add a further 16 billion cubic meters per year of gas production to the approximately 9 billion cubic meters per year produced by Shah Deniz Stage 1. The gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets through expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of TANAP and TAP. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 December 2016 11:23 (UTC+04:00) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that Turkey will never allow the formation of a new state in northern Syria, Anadolu reported. "We will never allow the founding of this kind of state, despite efforts to do so, Erdogan told Turkeys Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in Istanbul. Erdogan also reiterated Turkeys wish to see a terror-free safe zone in northern Syria for the safety of its southeastern border provinces. "We have been saying this from the beginning. If this [issue] isnt dealt with, Gaziantep is always hanging by a thread, Kilis is always hanging by a thread, Sanliurfa is hanging by a thread," he added, mentioning three border provinces. Later, at the opening of a governmental complex, Erdogan spoke on the Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces in northern Syria backed by the Turkish army. "The Free Syrian Army is the epitome of moderate opposition in Syria, he said. It has nothing to do with [being a] terrorist organization, but it is precisely a resistance movement. They are trying to save their territory." On the completion of the evacuation of civilians and opposition fighters from war-battered eastern Aleppo, Erdogan said: "We have saved our 45,000 brothers from Aleppo ... We can bring them to our territories if necessary." Separately, meeting with women entrepreneurs in Istanbul, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stressed the goals of Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria. "Our aim in being there is ensuring the safety of life and property of our citizens who live along our southern borders," said Yildirim, adding that Turkey has long wanted to block the danger coming from northern Syria. Separately, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli spoke on Turkey's current Al-Bab operation as part of Operation Euphrates Shield. "Operation Euphrates Shield should definitely be crowned with victory," Bahceli said at MHP headquarters in Ankara. "If we emerged empty-handed from Al-Bab, we would endanger Diyarbakir and Ankara. Al-Bab should collapse around the hellhounds, and they should all perish." The Turkish army is supporting Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters efforts to liberate Al-Bab from Daesh, a strategic city for the terrorist group. The Turkish army is currently active in northern Syria under Operation Euphrates Shield, which began in late August to improve security, support coalition forces, and eliminate the terror threat along Turkeys border using FSA fighters backed by Turkish artillery and jets. Since the launch of Operation Euphrates Shield, Turkish explosive ordnance disposal teams have neutralized 2,208 handmade explosives and 42 mines in areas rid of Daesh. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The Californian remembers the people we lost this year who helped shape the citys identity and inspire us. Reflections on country music great Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Rev. Jackson Ole Sapit, Archbishop, Anglican Church of Kenya stated that Kenyans need to stay vigilant and urge the president not to sign the currently changed electoral bill in order to have a peaceful country. The Cardinal John Njue, Roman Catholic Church Archbishop, and a leader also urged the president to have a second thought on the controversial bill that was passed by the legislatures last week. The Catholic leader also directed his grievances to the opposition following the Next week demonstrations. The Mombasa Dioceses leader and Archbishop Martin Kivuva hosted the president of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta and he had the same message of peace. He urged Kenyans to be curious and sensitive about political incite. The president also echoed the speech from the bishop about uniting Kenya and avoid violence. In the Vatican, the same message was sent by pope Francis about the peace mission in Palestina and Israel. He also urged united nations to intervene in Syria and control the situation. The Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad does not see the purpose of leaving office hence the international community should intervene to rescue the situation in Syria. Pope Francis urged African leaders to practice good leadership and with democracy. Christmas is a day celebrated by the Christians to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. The main theme for today's Christmas was all about peace and forgiveness. When Jesus was born in Israel, it was a symbol of unity and human re-birth when they are saved. A Tampa Bay-area Gold Star family that opened a barbecue restaurant in honor of the son they lost spent this Christmas providing holiday meals for free to veterans in need. Frankie's Patriot BBQ is at 6250 Ulmerton Road in Clearwater Craig Gross opened restaurant in honor of son, Army Cpl. Frank Gross Gross was killed in action by IED in Afghanistan in July 2011 Pictures of Army Cpl. Frank Gross hang proudly throughout Frankies Patriot BBQ restaurant on Ulmerton Road in Clearwater. Owner Craig Gross, Frank's father, hasnt seen his son in more than five years but said they spend quality time together at the start of every day. I come here and I stand in front of my son's picture behind me and I salute and say the Pledge of Allegiance with my son every morning," Gross said. Cpl. Gross was killed by an improvised explosive device in July 2011 while on a rescue mission in Afghanistan. He was buried with full military honors on his birthday at Arlington National Cemetery. (Katie Jones, staff) Its a loss no parent should ever have to face. Craig Gross said he turned to cooking to help cope. "The restaurant is my therapy," Gross said. "I believe in God, and I believe in the power of prayer, I believe in God's word, but I needed to stay busy." Gross later opened the restaurant in honor of his late son and his sacrifice for his country. Gross spent his Christmas in 2016 giving back and expressing gratitude to other veterans who have protected and served. Veterans and friends joined with Craig, his wife and staff, along with other Gold Star families, serving holiday meals for free. "The reason why I'm doing it is very simple. I want to say 'thank you,'" Gross said. "I want to say 'thank you' to those who have given us our freedom." Gross said it was the least he could do to say thanks to those who have risked it all. "I want them to know that because I'm their friend, they have somebody, they can come here anytime. If they're hungry, I'll always feed them. I'll never say no to a veteran, never," he said. He also said he believes his son Frank is looking down on them with love and pride. "I don't know if people can see us from heaven," Gross said. "I'd like to believe that they can. And I believe that my mom, dad, Frankie, they're all up there smiling down, saying, 'Good job.' " Paul Michael Slayton, better known as Houston rapper Paul Wall, is scheduled to appear in court today on charges of organized crime, accused of working together to sell THC, the waxy extract of marijuana. Slayton, 35, and three other men were arrested Friday and charged with felony intent to distribute between 4 and 400 grams of the controlled substance Tetrahydrocannabinol. In three weeks Donald Trump will be the man responsible for stopping terrorism in this country, whether a lone wolf or an intricate plot. We should pray for his success, because he will need all the help he can get. The unpleasant truth about this modern threat is that it's often impossible to prevent. We can put armed guards and vehicle barriers around key facilities, but there's always a soft target just a few blocks away, whether a store or a stadium. Terrorists may be evil, but they aren't stupid. They know this as well as anyone and can be counted on to follow the easiest path to what they think is martyrdom. Take the latest tactic they have adopted, driving a truck into crowds of civilians. It first happened in Nice, France, in July and killed 84. On Nov. 28, it happened again at Ohio State University. By the grace of God no one was killed, and a campus police officer just happened to be nearby to investigate a gas leak. His service pistol ended the threat, further proof that a good guy with a gun can make a tremendous difference. Then on Dec. 19 it happened again in Berlin, killing 12. Again, fortuitous police work helped catch the killer. Two policemen saw the suspect loitering in a train station at 3 a.m. Friday in Milan, Italy. They started to question him and he started to shoot at them. Their aim was better. Yet that kind of terrorism, or something like it, will never be stopped by wiretaps or ID checks. Once a terrorist is in a country - and that is a key point - prevention becomes perilous. Many of these killers aren't even part of an organized cell, which can be surveilled. They're basically lone wolves who self-radicalize by tapping into the flood of propaganda posted on social media by organized terrorists. In fact, consider this scary stat: Since 9/11, every major terror attack on U.S. soil has been carried out by a legal permanent resident or a U.S. citizen. A third even converted to Islam from another religion. Strict vetting of new immigrants can of course screen out some - but not all - of the next round of assassins. That is where President-elect Trump differs from the current occupant of the Oval Office, and it's hard to argue against tighter controls. But even a total shutdown of Muslim immigration that Trump has proposed (and backed away from and re-adopted) won't address the thousands of potential recruits already in this country. What Trump can do is hasten the demise of ISIS in Iraq and the country that used to be called Syria. The Iraqi offensive to retake Mosul has stalled but is likely to succeed eventually. Once that happens, the U.S. and its allies can focus more on evicting ISIS from its self-proclaimed capital in Raqqa, Syria. When ISIS no longer can pretend to have a country of its own, or a "caliphate," it won't seem so magnificent to impressionable youths. Obama has used aerial bombing and special forces for these tasks, but he was clearly wary of getting drawn into another Mideast war. Without committing ground combat troops, Trump can continue this effort with fewer restrictions. For example, Obama initially didn't want to bomb ISIS's oil trucks because of the pollution it would cause. I am serious. Yet that oil, once refined, powered tanks that ISIS had captured and was a key part of its money-making schemes. The new approach should be to bomb any ISIS target wherever and whenever it presents itself, and Trump is likely to do just that. But we still can't defuse the ticking time bombs who are already in our country. If Trump and his team can find a new way to fight this old problem, more power to them. Unfortunately, terrorism will continue to vex the new president and whoever follows him. We'll be lucky if our children are spared this nightmare. ------------------ Thomas Taschinger, TTaschinger@BeaumontEnterprise.com, is the editorial page editor of The Beaumont Enterprise. Follow him on Twitter at @PoliticalTom To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below A motorist has been taken to hospital after a car crashed through a fence at Musgrave Park in Belfast A motorist has been taken to hospital after a car crashed through a fence at Musgrave Park in Belfast. A motorist has been taken to hospital after a car crashed through a fence at Musgrave Park in Belfast. A motorist has been taken to hospital after a car crashed through a fence at Musgrave Park in Belfast. A motorist has been taken to hospital after a car crashed through a fence into a Belfast park. The Christmas Day collision happened on Stockmans Lane. A silver Volvo left the busy road close to the M1 motorway and crashed through a steel fence into trees in Musgrave Park. The PSNI tweeted a picture of the crash site, along with a road safety message for the festive season: "It's the people around the table that make Christmas not what's on it. Christmas in hospital for this driver." Seventy years after its publication, John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men* continues to stimulate debate, pro and con, about the death penalty. But justifying capital punishment was the last thing on the mind of the author, a liberal thinker who created the character of Lennie to increase our understanding of the mentally challenged and the American underclass. As a defense attorney who admires Of Mice and Men for this very reason, Im angry that Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Cathy Cochran used Lennie in a 2004 legal opinion about imposing the death penalty when mental capacity is at issue. The Lennie standard she proposed continues to have consequences in the courts, and in the lives of the condemned. John Steinbecks late son Thom, an accomplished writer, was furious about Judge Cochrans opinion after it was rendered. In a 2012 interview with the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise, Thoms wife Gail Steinbeck, an attorney, said that his ears turned red when her husband first learned of Ex Parte Briseno. In his view, the decision was a gross distortion of his fathers meaning. In a statement published by The New York Times on August 8, 2012, Thom complained bitterly about the misconstruction of his fathers intentions in writing Of Mice and Men: I had no idea that the great state of Texas would use a fictional character that my father created . . . as a benchmark to identify whether defendants with intellectual disability should live or die, Thom Steinbeck said. My father was a highly gifted writer who won the Nobel Prize for his ability to create art about the depth of the human experience and condition. His work certainly wasnt meant to be scientific, and the character of Lennie was never intended to be used to diagnose a medical condition like intellectual disability. I find the whole premise to be insulting, outrageous, ridiculous and profoundly tragic. I am certain that if my father, John Steinbeck were here, he would be deeply angry and ashamed to see his work used in this way. The Supreme Court considers the case of John Steinbeck In 2002, the Supreme Court outlawed the death penalty for the intellectually disabled, but left it to the states to define what constitutes intellectual disability. Since 2004, courts in Texas have used Judge Cochrans ill-considered Lennie standard to determine intellectual disability in capital punishment cases. Arguing before the Supreme Court last month in Moore v. Texas, the solicitor general of Texas, Scott Keller, bristled when Justice Sonya Sotomayor asked him about the states use of the Lennie standard, an illogical jumble concocted from a sentimentaland incorrectinterpretation of John Steinbecks character. The character from Of Mice and Men was never part of the test, asserted Keller in the states defense. It was an aside [in Judge Cochrans] opinion, Justice Sotomayor replied. But it informed its view of how to judge [intellectual disability], insisting that Texas clearly used the Lennie standard. Questions about Judge Cochrans odd Of Mice and Men citationand the quirkiness of a judge relying on a work of literary fiction to support a legal opinionhad been predicted long before oral argument before the Supreme Court began. M. Todd Henderson, a University of Chicago law professor, pointed out the nature of the incongruity in 2008. Citations to literature are extraordinarily rare in federal appellate court opinions, appearing in only 1 out of every 10,000 federal appellate cases, Henderson wrote. When judges do cite fictional works in judicial opinions, they are most likely to cite to novels for propositions that are closely related to their own work and job. Thats why its baffling that Judge Cochran was reportedly unfazed when she learned of Thom Steinbecks outrage over her violation of his fathers purpose in writing Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck wrote most Of Mice and Men at the Steinbeck family cottage in Pacific Grove, Calif. Ironically, Judge Cochran is said to have reread all of Steinbeck while living in nearby Monterey, three decades later, in the 1960s. Of Mice and Men is a novella written by author John Steinbeck. Published in 1937, it tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch workers, who move from place to place in California in search of new job opportunities during the Great Depression in the United States. George Milton, an intelligent but uneducated man, and Lennie Small, a bulky, strong man but mentally disabledare in Soledad on their way to another part of California. They hope to one day attain the dream of settling down on their own piece of land. Lennie's part of the dream is merely to tend and pet rabbits on the farm, as he loves touching soft animals, although he always kills them. This dream is one of Lennie's favorite stories, which George constantly retells. They had fled from Weed, after Lennie touched a young woman's dress and wouldn't let go, leading to an accusation of rape. It soon becomes clear that the two are close and George is Lennie's protector, despite his antics. is a novella written by author John Steinbeck. Published in 1937, it tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch workers, who move from place to place in California in search of new job opportunities during the Great Depression in the United States. George Milton, an intelligent but uneducated man, and Lennie Small, a bulky, strong man but mentally disabledare in Soledad on their way to another part of California. They hope to one day attain the dream of settling down on their own piece of land. Lennie's part of the dream is merely to tend and pet rabbits on the farm, as he loves touching soft animals, although he always kills them. This dream is one of Lennie's favorite stories, which George constantly retells. They had fled from Weed, after Lennie touched a young woman's dress and wouldn't let go, leading to an accusation of rape. It soon becomes clear that the two are close and George is Lennie's protector, despite his antics. Read more (Wikipedia)... Recently, my wife and I traveled to the National Steinbeck Center in neighboring Salinas to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Driving through John Steinbecks beloved Salinas Valley, we saw the still poor, still struggling migrant workers toiling under the California sun, like Lennie and George, for subsistence pay. That evening, we left our comfortable bed and breakfast to stroll hand-in-hand along the shore celebrated by Steinbeck in Sea of Cortez and Cannery Row. Nowhere, not even in the turbulent tide pools that Steinbeck explored with his wife Carol, did we perceive the death penalty. Source: calcoastnews.com , Opinion, Stephen Cooper, December 24, 2016. Stephen Cooper is a former D.C. public defender who worked as an assistant federal public defender in Alabama between 2012 and 2015. He has contributed to numerous magazines and newspapers in the United States and overseas. Follow him on Twitter @SteveCooperEsq. | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! Beechfield Primary School has held its last ever school production before its doors close for good this summer. Cinderella with a Twist involved performances from pupils, parents and teachers and took place at the school in Beechfield Street on Monday and Tuesday evening. The script was written by Niki Doherty who has worked with the teachers and pupils in P4/5 and P6/7, and also assisted with the recent production of Dan Gordon's Ulster Scots play Clabberin Hitler wi' a Lemonade Bottle. Principal Maureen Blacklaw said pupils, parents and teachers were all keen to be involved in the production. The parents took on the roles of the ugly sisters and the fairy godmother, while the cleaner and caretaker took on the role of Queen Blacklaw, the mother of Prince Charming, she said. The pupils performed a few dance routines and attended the ball whilst the younger ones were mice. Also assisting in the production were the parents of St. Joseph's Primary School in Slate Street who continue to meet regularly with the parents of Beechfield for a range of projects throughout the year. One of the parents involved in the Beechfield play said the production went really well but that it was a sad time because of the imminent closure of the school. Everyone loved both nights and it was a good send off, she said. We are now planning for next Wednesdays party at the school which is open to all the children at the school, from nursery up to P7, as well as their parents. Local politicians Dawn Purvis, John Kyle and principals and vice principals from Elmgrove Primary, Avoniel Primary St. Matthew's Primary and McArthur Street Nursery were among those who attended the production. The school, which was first opened in 1938, has seen falling pupil numbers in recent years and follows the the closure of Mersey Street Primary School just a few years ago. Mrs Blacklaw said everyone associated with school was deeply saddened by its imminent closure, especially the parents who have always been extremely supportive and and stalwart in their efforts to maintain the school which they consider to be the heart of their community. A young girl has died after falling ill on a Christmas Eve trans-Atlantic flight to London. The 10-year-old was travelling from Toronto to Heathrow Airport when she suffered a medical problem, resulting in the flight being diverted to Shannon, Ireland, on Saturday. It is understood a doctor and nurse were on board the Air Canada flight at the time and helped the crew assist the child. The Irish Mirror reported that it is understood the girl was travelling on the Boeing 787 with three adult siblings and that the pilot reported they had a child in cardiac arrest on board. According to the paper, an ambulance and rapid response advanced paramedic unit were sent ahead of the flight arriving at around 7.40pm. She was taken to University Hospital Limerick where, a short time later, she was pronounced dead, with a post-mortem examination set to be arranged. The flight, which had been carrying 230 passengers, later carried on to London. Thousands of citizens of Augsburg in southern Germany are being evacuated after a 1.8-ton World War II bomb was discovered More than 54,000 people in the southern German city of Augsburg must leave their homes on Christmas morning while a giant 1.8-ton aerial bomb from World War II is defused. The city's medieval cathedral and City Hall are in the area to be sealed off. Police said no-one will be allowed into the surrounding streets from about 8am on Sunday and everyone must be out by 10am. Police say it is impossible to say exactly how long it will take to make the bomb safe. Schools are being opened for people who cannot stay with relatives or friends. Police said people can bring their pets to shelters and that public transportation will be free on Christmas morning. Finding bombs from the war is not unusual in Germany but this evacuation is even bigger than on the occasion when 45,000 people were evacuated temporarily to remove a bomb in Koblenz in 2011. Large parts of Augsburg were destroyed on February 25 - 26 1944, when the city was attacked by hundreds of British and US bombers. AP The Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem Thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world together with local Christians gathered in the biblical town of Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas Eve in the traditional birthplace of Jesus, with spirits lifted by a slowdown in recent violence and cool, clear weather. Security was tight in Bethlehem after recent deadly attacks on Christian targets in neighbouring Egypt and Jordan by Islamic extremists. Yet the faithful braved the chilly weather outside the town's Manger Square as traditional Christmas songs like Jingle Bells played in Arabic over loudspeakers and scout groups paraded with bagpipes and sang carols. Elated tourists and local Christians alike wandered around the square illuminated by festive red and golden lights and a large Christmas tree, visiting souvenir shops and restaurants. Adding to the holiday spirit for the Palestinians, locals celebrated a key diplomatic victory at the United Nations the day before, where the Security Council passed a resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Sharolyn Knight, a 28-year-old teacher from Georgia, said she was in Bethlehem for the first time and experiencing mixed emotions. "It's been sobering and humbling because it's a place with a lot of heavy stuff, religious and historical. At the same time, disillusioning because there is so much strife in the place where Jesus was born." She said she would come back again, maybe next time with her children. "It's very unique, I've never seen anything like it," said Rodrigo Reis, 23, who came from Louisville, Kentucky, "It's very meaningful, its Christmas time, where everything started." Christian clergymen welcomed the top Catholic cleric in the Holy Land inside the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus Christ, as Christians worldwide begin to prepare to celebrate Christmas this year. Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, is the temporary chief clergyman to the local Catholic population. He travelled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Saturday in a traditional procession. Later, he was to celebrate Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity, built at the grotto revered as Jesus' birthplace. "I wish this joyous atmosphere of Christmas will continue in the year and not just for a few days and I hope the coming year will bring a little more serenity and peaceful relations in our country. We need it," he said. "I am happy that the war, at least the military war, in Aleppo is finished and that for the first time in Aleppo the Christians can celebrate without fear the Christmas season. I wish that they can now reconstruct, rebuild the city, not only the infrastructure but also the common relations that was a tradition over there," he told The Associated Press. The Syrian government assumed full control of Aleppo earlier this month when rebels, including some Islamic militants, agreed to withdraw from their last remaining enclave after more than four years of heavy fighting over the country's largest city. Christmas festivities brought a boost of holiday cheer to Christians in the Holy Land, who make up just a small percentage of the population. The region has which has experienced a wave of Israeli-Palestinian bloodshed that erupted over a year ago. The violence has tapered off in recent months, but has not halted completely. Rula Maaya, the Palestinian minister of tourism, said all the hotels in Bethlehem were fully booked. "Bethlehem is celebrating today, we are receiving tourists from all over the world," Ms Maaya said. "All people over the world are looking at Bethlehem so we hope more and more tourists will come during the year and that next year we will celebrate Christmas without occupation." Ms Maaya spoke a day after the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Julie Suhain, 20, from Ramallah said she was delighted with the UNSC resolution. "It's like getting a Christmas gift," she said. "We've been waiting for this for a long time." Despite the Christmas cheer, politics loom large in the background - the concrete barrier that surrounds parts of Bethlehem is just one hulking reminder. It was built by Israel last decade during the second Intifada, or uprising, when Palestinian suicide bombers attacked buses and cafes. Israeli says the barrier is meant to keep out Palestinian attackers, but because it dips inside the West Bank, Palestinians see it as a land grab that also stunts their economy. Security was tight in Bethlehem after recent attacks on Christian targets in Egypt and elsewhere in the region by Islamic extremists. AP Israel's prime minister lashed out at President Barack Obama, accusing him of a "shameful ambush" at the United Nations over West Bank settlements and saying he is looking forward to working with his "friend" President-elect Donald Trump. Benjamin Netanyahu's comments on Saturday came a day after the United States broke with past practice and allowed the UN Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as a "flagrant violation" of international law. Although the US opposes the settlements, it has traditionally used its veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council to block resolutions condemning Israel, saying that disputes between Israel and the Palestinians must be resolved through negotiations. Welcomed by the Palestinians, the resolution, while mostly symbolic, could hinder Israel's negotiating position in future peace talks. Mr Trump also condemned the UN vote on Saturday,using Twitter to say it "will make it much harder to negotiate peace". But, he added: "We will get it done anyway." A year ago, Mr Trump told The Associated Press that he wanted to be "very neutral" on Israel-Palestinian issues, but his comments became much more pro-Israel as the race progressed and he took a sharp tone against the Palestinians. Mr Netanyahu said the US abstention was "in complete contrast" to US commitments - including one that he said Mr Obama made in 2011 - not to impose conditions for a final agreement on Israel at the Security Council. "The Obama administration conducted a shameful anti-Israel ambush at the UN," Mr Netanyahu said. The US and much of the international community consider Israel's settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as an obstacle to peace. Mr Netanyahu rejects such claims, blaming the failure of peace efforts on the Palestinian refusal to recognise Israel's Jewish identity. The decision to abstain from the vote was one of the biggest American rebukes of its long-standing ally in recent memory and marked a final chapter in the icy relations between Mr Netanyahu and Mr Obama over the last eight years. Mr Netanyahu called the decision "distorted" but said Israel will overcome it. He said he had spoken with US leaders, both Democrats and Republicans, who vowed to fight the move, including he said, from Israel's "friend" in the incoming administration, the president-elect. "The decision taken at the UN yesterday was part of the swan song of the old world biased against Israel," Mr Netanyahu said. "We are entering a new era and as the President-elect Trump said yesterday, this is going to happen much quicker than people think. In this new era there is a high price for those trying to harm Israel," he said. AP Mr Netanyahu has already ordered several retaliatory steps against countries that supported the resolution. He told his Cabinet on Sunday that Israel was looking into a "plan of action" against the UN. Since the vote passed, Israel has recalled its ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal for consultations and cancelled a planned January visit to Israel by Senegal's foreign minister. A visit by Ukraine's prime minister has also been cancelled, reportedly in light of the UN. vote. AP Chile has been rocked by an earthquake A powerful earthquake has shaken southern Chile, prompting the evacuation of some 4,000 people for fear of a possible tsunami. The alert was eased about 90 minutes after the quake struck, said national emergency director Ricardo Toro. Mr Toro said there was no information of loss of life although some highways were damaged. Power was cut to about 22,000 customers, the local electric company reported. A Chilean taxi driver reported cars equipped with loudspeakers roaming the streets urging people to evacuate beach areas. The taxi driver, Luis Ramirez, said he was washing his car in his home town of Ancud when the quake hit. "I'm 48 years old and I've never felt anything so strong," he said. The US Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.6 quake struck near the southern tip of Chiloe Island, about 25 miles south-south-west of Puerto Quello and at a depth of 22 miles. The area, some 800 miles south of the capital of Santiago, is relatively sparsely populated. AP One of the joys of 2016 has been watching the stuffy rules of public debate get stripped away. For example, this week Brendan Cox suggested it was dangerous to blame politicians who helped immigrants for outrages such as the one in Berlin. A couple of years ago we'd have respected the opinion of a man whose immigrant-helping wife had recently been murdered. Not any more. Nigel Farage said Brendan Cox "supports extremist organisations," and Ukip supporter James Delingpole asked, "When are we allowed to say Brendan Cox is an a***?" At last, someone has dared to say what all decent people are thinking; that men whose wives were murdered should stop whining and get on with selling dresses on eBay. Then they can leave important issues to people who understand them, because they've been in a lift with Donald Trump. There has always been a consensus that, when someone is grieving, especially after a brutal murder, that it's polite to take their suffering into account before publicly insulting them a few months after the tragedy. This goes to show what a poncey, effeminate society we've become. When Britain was a great power, if your wife was murdered, you swept her up and got over it by invading Kenya. Now we can get back to those times, so instead of the usual turgid, predictable speeches at funerals of murder victims, about how awful it is that someone so bright was brought down, etc, etc, we can invite Ukip members to liven things up by shouting into the coffin, "You brought this on yourself, you traitorous, liberal wretch." Arron Banks, who funds Ukip, complained Brendan Cox "politicised his wife's murder". And isn't that typical of the metropolitan elite, as soon as their wife, known for giving assistance to immigrants, gets murdered by an anti-immigrant fascist yelling, "Give us back our country" in the middle of a referendum in which the main issue is immigration, the grieving idiot claims the murder had something to do with immigration. He should be more like Ukip, who always respond to murders, whether in Paris, or Berlin, or Tunisia, by issuing a statement that goes, "What a shame. The main thing is not to apportion blame, but find ways of all getting along." Nigel Farage explained: "I'm sorry, Mr Cox, but it's time people started taking responsibility for what happened." And while we may be too politically correct to admit it, the people who should take responsibility more than anyone are the families of murder victims. On and on and on they go, with their flowers round railings and Christmas singles, with not a thought for how that annoys those of us who haven't been widowed. It's got to the point where all you have to do is get someone to murder your wife, then you can bask in the glory of having hundreds of people read your comments on Twitter. It's an easy way to get noticed. The extremist organisation Brendan Cox supports is Hope not Hate, campaigners against fascism. It's fair to categorise them as extremist, as they are completely opposed to fascism, whereas they could take a more moderate approach and be against it on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Even their name proves they're extreme. Instead of compromising between hope and hate, it has to be all one and none of the other. Even our pantomimes prove we're unfairly biased against hate, all about how marvellous hope is, while hate is always the villain. If we were impartial, there would be a Cinderella in which she fits the slipper, marries the Prince, then gets stabbed to death by the ugly sisters, and when the Prince announces this is a dreadful calamity brought about by jealousy, Ukip supporters shout, "When are we allowed to say Charming is an a***?" So, now we face the inevitable backlash, because if you tell the white working class they're no longer allowed to squash dog mess through a Somalian's letter-box, is it any wonder that eventually they snap? We've become so beholden to facts that we're too afraid to state something is true just because we've made it up. Politicians are literally scared to say our fish stocks have been destroyed because they've all been squashed by drowning immigrants. Or five million Nepalese tribesmen come here every day, costing the NHS a million pounds a minute as we're obliged to straighten out the matted hair on their yaks. This is the service that Farage and Trump have carried out for us; they've changed the rules of what is acceptable and normal. All that was once considered an electoral disaster is now seen as fair and "anti-establishment". In the next TV debate, Farage could answer a question on transport by saying, "I don't want to get bogged down in details about infrastructure, but what I shall do is put this hamster in a liquidiser." Then he can at last return us to the British Christian values we've lost, as illustrated in the tale we all recall at this time of year, in the story of the birth of baby Jesus. Because what we learn is that the innkeeper told Joseph and Mary there was no room at the inn and, as a result, the other guests had a marvellous night's sleep without being woken up by howling and screaming from some old immigrant giving birth to a do-gooding Jew, coming to Bethlehem disrupting our hay, instead of staying in Nazareth where they belong. Austin Myers (left) and Timothy Mosley The plan was to rob Justin Back's place and kill him. Austin Myers would distract him, giving Timothy Mosley an opening to choke Back with a garrote made out of two handles and a wire cable. Then, the two 19-year-olds would dump Back's body and douse it with septic enzymes so that it would decompose faster. Almost everything went according to plan. Almost. In January 2014, court records say, Myers and Mosley showed up at Back's home in rural Waynesville, Ohio, under a false pretense that they wanted to hang out and watch movies with the 18-year-old. Myers lured Back into the kitchen as Mosley came up from behind. But the garrote ended up across Back's chin, and not his neck. Back tried to escape, and all three teens ended up fighting on the kitchen floor. Panicking, Mosley improvised. He pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed Back 21 times. As the knife pierced his skin and flesh, Back begged Myers for help. Back didn't know Mosley, but he'd known Myers since they were in middle school. "Relax; it will be over soon," Myers told Back, according to testimony. Back died of blood loss, court records say. His assailants cleaned up the crime scene, wrapped Back's body in a blanket and dumped it in a wooded area in a neighboring county. There, Myers fired two rounds into Back's corpse before pouring the septic enzymes. Mosley and Myers were eventually convicted in the death. Both had hatched an elaborate plan to rob and kill Back. But their fates took opposite turns. Mosley, the one who used the garrote and knife on Back, is in prison for life. Myers, who ignored Back's pleas for help but didn't strike the fatal blow, has been sentenced to die. The disparity in the punishments for the two men was the result of their own legal decisions. Mosley struck a plea deal that spared him from a death sentence. Myers decided to go to trial and was convicted. His death sentence is now the subject of an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court, which could hear it next year. The state's justices must decide whether Myers should have received the same punishment as Mosley, or whether he was more culpable and deserving of the harshest punishment of all - even if he did not strike the fatal blow. His appellate attorney, Timothy McKenna, said Myers's sentence should be reduced to life without parole. "The state is arguing that both defendants planned the murder, both are equally culpable," McKenna said. "If you believe that, then why is our client getting the death penalty and the other guy is getting life without parole?" But Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said that if anybody deserved any degree of mercy, it wasn't Myers but Mosley. He'd been cooperative, even pointing investigators to evidence that incriminated not only Myers, but also himself. Although Mosley was the attacker, the idea to kill Back came from Myers, Fornshell said. He added that there was never any indication that Myers, who was caught on a store surveillance video buying the garrote and whose fingerprints were found on it, intended to plead guilty. Franklin Zimring, a law professor at the University of California at Berkeley, said the case presents a problematic scenario in which the punishment is based not on the level of culpability but on who decides to cooperate. "It's crystal clear that the difference between life or death is electing a jury trial, not what happened at the crime scene," said Zimring, who has written about capital punishment. "The thing that makes that forcefully problematic is that the only difference between life and death is the procedural decision that the defendant made." But Warren County Common Pleas Court Judge Donald Oda II said in court records that Myers is more culpable because Mosley would not have had any reason to hurt Back if it weren't for Myers, who'd known Back since middle school. "Myers was the brains, but Mosley was the weapon that he used. He came up with all the plans to do it," said Back's stepfather, Mark Cates. "He chose to get Mosley to help him. He chose Justin." Looking back, Mark Cates says he wishes Myers and Mosley had made other choices on the afternoon of Jan. 28, 2014. They could have waited a couple more weeks to rob, and no one would have been home. Back would have left to join the Navy, and Cates and his wife would have been at work. But the teens - specifically Myers - chose to rob the Cates house, knowing that there was a safe inside and knowing that Back would be home. "He had a choice; Justin didn't have a choice," Sandy Cates, Back's mother, said of Myers. "He could have stopped it. He could have called 911. He could have stepped in. He could have helped save Justin, but he didn't. Again, that was his choice." And for that, Back's parents believe Myers should die. As for Mosley, they believe he earned the right to keep his life after he showed remorse. "He did own up to what he did," Sandy Cates said. "That's the difference." Although Oda, the judge, called the plea agreement with Mosley "troublesome," he wrote that Myers "does not escape culpability just because Mosley cannot be put to death for his crimes." Fornshell said the plea deal was a risk that prosecutors were willing to take and believes it was the "best strategic decision." "Because we believe strongly that Tim [Mosley] providing that information helped the jury better understand what the whole case was about, what Tim's role was and what Austin's role was," Fornshell said. McKenna, Myers's attorney, said that in cases involving plea deals, the less problematic defendant is usually the one who testifies against the more blameworthy one. He argues that in this case, the level of culpability is the same. Myers had just turned 19 at the time of the murder. Mosley was also 19. "Teens' brain simply aren't developed enough to understand what's happening to them to get the death penalty," McKenna said. Oda agreed, citing statements that Myers made to the jury: "If you kill me, it won't fix anything." "It won't bother." "It won't hurt me." "I won't feel anything." Those are the words of a child, the judge wrote. "The defendant does not understand how precious life is - at his age, it would be virtually impossible for him to have such an appreciation." Executions of people who did not directly kill the victim are extremely rare. The Death Penalty Information Center lists just 10 such instances that didn't involve contract killings. An additional 11 involve contract killings, in which the person who was executed had contracted to have the victim killed. None of those executions were in Ohio, which has executed 53 people since 1976. If executed, Myers would be the youngest defendant to be put to death in the state. For Mark and Sandy Cates, justice was served when Myers was sentenced to death - and efforts to reverse that sentence only brings them back to the worst moment of their lives. "We need closure," Sandy Cates said. "Every time there's an appeal, every time there's something legal coming up, literally, it tears your heart out." "We've lost Justin over and over and over and over," she added. "And we're never going to have any closure until all appeals are done. We need it to be over at some point." | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! Source: The Washington Post, Kristine Guerra, via Napa Valley Register , December 25, 2016 Indonesian police killed two suspected militants in the latest raids aimed at preventing planned attacks during the Christmas and New Year holidays, a police spokesman said. The suspects, identified as Abu Sofi and Abu Fais, were killed in a shootout with the anti-terror police squad Densus 88 when they raided a floating house at Jatiluhur Lake in the Purwakarta district in West Java on Sunday afternoon, said Brig. Gen. Rikwanto, chief of the national polices public information bureau. There were two men there and there was a gunfight and we had to shoot them because they fought back when asked to surrender, Rikwanto told reporters in Jakarta. Police said they raided the house after receiving information from two suspects identified as Ivan and Rijal, who were arrested by the Densus 88 members at Ubrug village in Purwakarta district around 9 a.m. The village is about one kilometer from The Jatiluhur Lake. Police said they fired five warning shots to force the suspects to surrender, but Abu Fais came toward officers while brandishing a machete, causing officers to shoot and kill him. Police also shot and killed Abu Sofi after he tried to fight officers using a knife and machete. Rikwanto said police seized evidence including weapons and a letter indicating they planned to launch an attack during the holidays. Police said both suspects are linked to the Jamaah Anshar Daulah (JAD) network affiliated with Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian who is believed to be in Syria and leading an Islamic State (IS) combat unit made up of Southeast Asian fighters. Police blame him for being the mastermind behind a terror attack in Jakarta on Jan. 14 that killed eight people, including the four attackers. National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Second Deputy Arif Darmawan said there is high potential of threat from a new cell led by Bahrun Naim because members have moved their focus from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. So now they tend to execute acts of terror in their respective territories, he said. Candle 2016 BNPT and police have said they prepared for terror threats by adding security personnel in several locations. We will do security checking, patrol in several public places including malls, amusement parks and churches, Arif told BenarNews. On Thursday, Indonesia President Joko Jokowi Widodo discussed preparations for securing the nation and called on the army to assist police in maintaining security during the security operation code named Candle 2016 through Jan. 1. National police Chief Tito Karnavian said 85,000 of his police, 15,000 military personnel and 50,000 others including as security guards, municipal police, Ministry of Transportation personnel and others will be deployed during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Meanwhile, police said officers thwarted potential Christmas and New Years attacks Wednesday when they killed three suspects and captured four others. Police said they relied on testimony from a female would-be suicide bomber who had been captured earlier Dec. 10 before she was able to blow herself up during a changing-of-the-guard ceremony outside the Presidential Palace. Three extradited from Turkey The head of foreign ministry's director for the protection of Indonesian nationals and entities abroad, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, said three Indonesian were extradited from Turkey after allegedly joining Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF) in Syria. They were arrested by the Turkish police on Dec. 22 in Hatay, Turkey, and sent back to Indonesia yesterday. Hatay is a city near Raqqa where a lot of people travel before going to Syria, he said. The three are identified as Tomi Gunawan, 18, of Pekanbaru, Riau province, Jang Johana, 25, of Bandung, West Java, and Irfan, 21, of Jakarta. They arrived yesterday and were handed over to police to be questioned in Mobile Brigade Command Headquarters detention center in Depok, West Java, he said. Based on their testimonies, they do not know each other, he said. Since January 2015, 220 Indonesians have been deported by the Turkish government over attempts to travel to Syria to join IS. Attacks tied to Guantanamo prisoner Al Chaidar, a terrorism analyst from the Malikussaleh University in Lhokseumawe, Aceh, said Wednesdays raids were connected to a doctrine issued in 2000 by Hambali, a former leader of the Southeast Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiyah. Hambali is incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba, and had earlier called for attacks to be carried out during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The main target is police because they believe police are taghout so they should be attacked, Chaidar told BenarNews, using a term from Islamic theology that refers to idolatry or to the worship of anything except Allah. Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata contributed to this report. ein Google-Unternehmen Google-Dienste anzubieten und zu betreiben Ausfalle zu prufen und Manahmen gegen Spam, Betrug und Missbrauch zu ergreifen Daten zu Zielgruppeninteraktionen und Websitestatistiken zu erheben. 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Sofern relevant, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auerdem, um Inhalte und Werbung altersgerecht zu gestalten. Wir verwenden Cookies und Daten, umWenn Sie Alle akzeptieren auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auch, umWahlen Sie Weitere Optionen aus, um sich zusatzliche Informationen anzusehen, einschlielich Details zum Verwalten Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellungen. Sie konnen auch jederzeit g.co/privacytools besuchen. Blog Hinangai While there is much discussion in Guam about the economic benefits of increasing the islands military presence, the damages/dangers that they represent are rarely mentioned. This blog, a supplement to the Peace and Justice for Guam Petition, is meant to counter that by providing information about the US military in Guam, with the hopes of steering policy away from a dangerous unilateralist course to more sustainable notions of regional development and a strengthening international solidarity. A year ago today, we posted Bee merry on Christmas & these happy holidays, sharing some charming folklore from the British Isles and Ireland in which bees hum the doxology at midnight as Christmas Eve becomes Christmas Day. This year, we have a different pollinator-related matter that we hope will generate some buzz. On Thursday, the first meeting of the Governors Committee on Pollinator Protection took place. Here's the agenda for the meeting, sent by a staff member after we requested it, a report discussed at the meeting and any audio/video recording of the meeting: Agenda for the first meeting of the Governors Committee on Pollinator Protection posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Scribd Unfortunately, we were told that the Pollinator Report was still in draft and that no recording was made, but we would be sent minutes of the meeting when they were available. While Minnesota's open meeting law does not require meetings (other than official "legislative body" committee meetings) to be recorded and made available to the media and the public, Bluestem would think that the Governor's Office, the agencies, and the Environmental Quality Board would tape the meetings in the future. There's precedent for going beyond what the law requires for meetings. Witness Senator Ron Latz having all the meetings of the 2015-2016 Prison Population Task Force video taped (and streamed for the wider public). An informal task force needn't record its meetings (witness the Senate Rural Task Force meetings beginning in November 2014) but transparency is considered sweet honey these days. Why tape the meetings of this executive committee? When the governor issued Executive Order 16-07, requiring the state to take specific actions to reverse the decline of bees and other pollinator populations back in late August, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth on the part of Republicans, a few Democrats willing to front for the ag chemical industry like so-to-be-former state senator Vicki Jensen, DFL- Owatonna, some farm groups and the ag chemical industry. The complaint? That they had not been consulted and that the process wasn't transparent. We posted in September about a special House hearing about the matter here--and included the list of those who attended the pollinator summit held last winter. A wide range of stakeholders were invited, including state legislators, farm groups and lobbyists. We sat at a table in conversation with a Monsanto guy, for instance, and recognized a number of other ag lobbyists at the summit from our years of watching Minnesota House ag and environmental hearings. As far as we could discern, farm groups and pro-pollinator group were kept on a even footing throughout the process that led up to the executive order (and we're puzzled by those who don't think beekeepers aren't part of agriculture). The governor's office announced the roster of those on the new committee on December 2. Members include beekeepers, farm group representatives like MN Farm Bureau president Kevin Papp, folks from pesticide skeptic and pro-pollinator organizations, bee scientists and other informed people. Taping their future meetings would not only make the process more transparent, but would also lessen the ability of any faction from playing the butt-hurt game. The latter communication strategy could possibly emerge should the committee decide to follow a "consensus" model, rather that actually making decisions by voting on actions put before the committee. Under Minnesota's open meeting law, such votes must be recorded in minutes for nearly every meeting of an executive-level or agency committee: Subd. 4.Votes to be kept in journal. (a) The votes of the members of the state agency, board, commission, or department; or of the governing body, committee, subcommittee, board, department, or commission on an action taken in a meeting required by this section to be open to the public must be recorded in a journal kept for that purpose. (b) The vote of each member must be recorded on each appropriation of money, except for payments of judgments, claims, and amounts fixed by statute. Subd. 5.Public access to journal. The journal must be open to the public during all normal business hours where records of the public body are kept. A consensus model paired with no audio or video taped meetings is a recipe for mischief. Let's nip the possibility of this nonsense at the bud. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the EQB should tape the meetings (audio is fine). Looking over the statute also generated a question about the report that was under discussion at the first meeting. Were committee members provided with a copy of the draft? If so, the state open meeting law is suggestive about those documents being open to the public during a meeting: Subd. 6.Public copy of members' materials. (a) In any meeting which under subdivisions 1, 2, 4, and 5, and section 13D.02 must be open to the public, at least one copy of any printed materials relating to the agenda items of the meeting prepared or distributed by or at the direction of the governing body or its employees and: (1) distributed at the meeting to all members of the governing body; (2) distributed before the meeting to all members; or (3) available in the meeting room to all members; shall be available in the meeting room for inspection by the public while the governing body considers their subject matter. Would such a document be available for review by an individual covering the issue (but who couldn't travel from greater Minnesota to attend the meeting)? Or do documents available to the public at a meeting magically become off limits for data practice requests following the meeting? It's not our area of expertise. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our readers. Clip art: What conversations will go on behind the curtain if meetings aren't taped? If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 33166 770th Ave, Ortonville, MN 56278) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post. Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient. Indian Memes That Nearly Broke The Internet In 2016 Pulse oi-Syeda Farah With everything being constantly updated on social sites, one needs to be careful with what gets posted on the social media. Amidst all this, we all enjoy the most when the celebs and famous personalities get trolled. There are so many memes that get created instantly with a single picture of these celebs. You May Also Like To Read: A Pregnant Girl Snapped A Suicide Note & The Whole World Saved Her In the world of Twitter, from high-ranking CEOs to superstars, socialites and everyone else in between, no one is off-limits when it comes to being trolled. Also Read: Photos That Prove There's Nothing A Woman Can't Do Here are some of the most famous memes that have gone viral in 2016. Check them out, as you would have fun reading them. Baba Ramdev Leading Indian Airforce... Now Indian Fighter Plane are More Reliable. pic.twitter.com/K4fokfjhCx Aamir Khan (@wise9211) July 14, 2016 Baba Ramdev Baba Ramdev appeared in a yoga posture that would best be described as bending over and facing the camera with his head upside down, and between his legs. This took no time for his picture to get viral and see one of the memes that described this picture in themost funniest way! Man - Bhaisaab time kya ho raha hai ??? Tiger Shroff - 6 bajh rahe hai pic.twitter.com/44Pizb2vtR Arjun (@zoomphatak) October 10, 2016 Tiger Shroff This actor is known for his flexible body and for mastering martial art forms such as Kalaripayattu, Modern Kung fu, Krav Maga and Silat. Apparently, he shared a photo of his youthful and agile self on his official Facebook account and alas this had to happen! .@chetan_bhagat No backdrop can be more beautiful for your book than this sir. pic.twitter.com/PgGNclrYGP Smokinder Skills (@SmokingSkills_) October 10, 2016 Chetan Bhagat He posted a picture of his latest novel and asked people to share some pics of the book in a beautiful backdrop. The result of his request was hilarious, as people posted pictures like these! Relationship Status: #BewafaaiZoned By Sonam Gupta. ;)#BlackMoney #blackMoneycleanup #ModiFightsCorruption #digitalbanking #SonamGupta pic.twitter.com/bgRibML7bp Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) November 13, 2016 Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai Twitter managed to find humour during the demonitisation and make 'Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai' top-trending on all social media channels. Check out this meme. NDTV came prepared to protect their microphone in case someone waters those plants mid-interview pic.twitter.com/IoxMVsHuzV St_Hill (@St_Hill) June 28, 2016 Arvind Kejriwal Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met fishermen in Goa. He was welcomed by the community in a traditional way and was made to wear a tiara made out of flowers. The photo spread like wildfire on social media, and he became a meme in no time. Check out. Friend: bhai tera pet nikal raha hai. Me: nahi bhai yeh mera #dangal look hai. zakir khan (@Zakirism) November 29, 2016 Aamir Khan For his role in Dangal, Aamir Khan who is 51 years old transformed from a 97-kilo-weighing retired wrestler to a six-pack sporting sportsperson. Social media did what it does its best and made this pic a meme as well! When photoshop license on your laptop expires but you still gotta do it. pic.twitter.com/lCh8DZkmf7 Aisi Taisi Democracy (@AisiTaisiDemo) April 20, 2016 Narendra Modi He joined the ranks of prominent global figures in the world famous wax museum Madame Tussauds. Inevitably, social media chimed in with some harmless yet hilarious jokes! Pineapple Pen Amidst all this was a famous "PPAP song", which became an instant hit. The infectious song has had over 37 million views on YouTube. Check out the video, here! Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/12/2016 (2140 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Hopes of a brewery coming to Brandon are fading, especially after a planned capital funding project was recently poured down the drain. The Manitoba Craft Liquor Opportunity Fund a project aimed at helping local craft brewers get a head start in the industry has been cancelled, according to a letter distributed to about 30 brewers by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries. The letter explained to brewers that the Manitoba Craft Liquor Opportunity Fund was outside of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries core mandate and expertise, and agencies such as the Business Development Bank of Canada are better able to provide programs that offer opportunities for funding and advisory services to help support your businesses. Chris Warwaruk, co-owner of craft brewer Farmery Estate Brewery in Neepawa, said he is disappointed with the provinces decision to axe the program. When it was first announced to us last year it was a huge boost for filling a niche that traditional lenders wouldnt do, Warwaruk said. Its a missed opportunity. Im hoping that the new government can recognize that theres a unique way craft breweries based in Manitoba can really add to the economy and I hope that they come up with even a better strategy for support. The craft beer scene isnt as big in Manitoba as it is in other provinces, Warwaruk said, adding that Farmery Estate Brewery is the only brewery in rural Manitoba. We know that provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia already support their local breweries in a big way, in fact in such a big way that its even tough for Manitoba breweries to compete, Warwaruk said. We cant enter the Alberta market, for example, with the same advantages as Alberta breweries can enter into Manitobas market. According to Warwaruk, Manitobans spent $330 million on beer in 2015. The majority of that money was spent on products from outside the province, he said. Manitoba-produced brewed beer earns back less than 10 per cent of that 330 million 90 per cent of that is leaving the province it doesnt make sense, Warwaruk said. He said they were planning on taking advantage of the loan to invest in the brewery and equipment costs, much like a lot of breweries starting out. It would have definitely benefited us it would have been some welcome relief, Warwaruk said. Startup costs are a major hurtle for breweries, with equipment costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, said Grant Hamilton, who proposed that Brandons historic Central Fire Station be transformed into a brewpub, the Brewtinerie, in 2013. The proposal was rejected by city council due to financial uncertainties about the project. Starting from scratch, needing the money that was a huge barrier, especially for anything in brewing because the equipments specialized and you have to put a lot of money up front, Hamilton said. Thats where guaranteed loans or support can really make the path a little easier for people. After travelling across Canada and in Europe, Hamilton said breweries and brewpubs are everywhere. Manitobas way behind the curve, but theres huge potential for growth theres plenty of bubbles left in the bottle, Hamilton said. Theres good support for craft beer in Brandon I think the opportunity is definitely there. Warwaruk said he is confident the province will replace the cancelled program with a better strategy. (The new government) recognizes what contributions we do make to the local economy Im sure they recognize that and will be supportive in some way. To not be supportive of that would be a big disappointment. edebooy@brandonsun.com Twitter: @erindebooy A suicide bomber has killed a young student and a woman in Cameroon. It happened at a market full of Christmas shoppers in the northern town of Mora. A tsunami warning has been issued in the Pacific - after an earthquake more than 100 miles west of Chile. The 7-point-7 magnitude quake was about nine miles deep. Two Libyan men have appeared in court in Malta on charges of hijacking a domestic Libyan flight to the Mediterranean island. Moussa Saha and Ahmed Ali each entered pleas of not guilty and wore bulletproof vests at their appearance Sunday. They face up to life in prison if convicted. LAGOS: More than 600 people are now known to have perished in the worst floods in a decade in Nigeria, according to... PARIS: People with monkeypox can spread the virus up to four days before symptoms appear, with more than half of... A protected tree in Manuka has been at the centre of a potentially precedent-setting legal battle between one of Canberra's best-known property developers and the territory's Conservator of Flora and Fauna. The case centred on property developer Sotiria Liangis' company Liangis Investments applying in November last year to de-register the protected London Plane tree on the block also housing the Capitol Cinemas Manuka. The large London Plane tree on Franklin Street, Griffith, at the Manuka Shops, which was at the centre of a Tribunal case involving a move by Liangis Investments to have the tree removed from the ACT's tree protection register. Credit:Elesa Kurtz The Conservator of Flora and Fauna, Annie Lane, rejected the application, sparking Mrs Liangis' company to appeal the decision to the ACT Civil and Administration Tribunal, which dismissed the application last month. But the case has highlighting drafting errors in amendments made to the ACT's Tree Protection Act in 2009, which could have wider implications for more than 100 other protected trees across the nation's capital. Sydney mum Faria Hossain. When I decided to have a family, not remotely did I anticipate that I was about to embark upon one of life's toughest journeys, where my hopes of being a mother were crushed several times. It was during a prenatal ultrasound check-up I was first diagnosed with adhesions in my uterus. I had a strong feeling my earlier miscarriage which resulted in an unnecessary dilation and curettage (D&C) had contributed to it. Months of online research later my signs and symptoms were mimicking a condition known as Asherman's syndrome, "a condition caused by D&C or uterine surgeries that results in adhesions in the uterus and thin uterine lining, thus trouble falling and sustaining pregnancy". After months of wasting money on specialists, scans, unnecessary hormone therapy that resulted in terrible headaches, I found a specialist who confirmed my fear and diagnosed me with Asherman's syndrome. I was shattered, knowing I would have to go through several corrective surgeries. I was angry that a D&C that caused it could have been avoided and I was never informed of the risks. After several surgeries, acupuncture and regularly crying myself to sleep, I got pregnant. I thought my days of agony and struggle to feel like "a normal woman" were over. It was a perfect day of warm sun and cool breeze as I walked towards my 19-week scan, and I was elated that I was about to find out my baby's gender. As I looked at the scan images and saw tiny little arms, the emotions I felt cannot be explained. I was completely unaware of the commotion around me as the radiologist called in another doctor to look at my scan. When I realised something was not right, my heart was pounding and the worst scenarios were playing out in my mind. I asked what was wrong. The baby was perfectly fine but my cervix was shorter than expected and dilating, none of which made sense to me then. The medical term is cervical incompetence, which means "the inability of the uterine cervix to retain a pregnancy in the absence of the signs and symptoms of clinical contractions, or labour, or both in the second trimester". In a nutshell, I could lose the baby any time. I decided on surgery, known as a rescue cerclage. Statistically it has poorer chance of success than an elective cerclage that is done earlier in pregnancy to prevent a premature labour. I was made aware of all risks and possible fatal consequences. I knew my body could go into labour and reject the cerclage and there were risks of perforation during the surgery itself. It was the only way to save my son so I went ahead with it. At 19 weeks the survival rate of my son if I were to deliver then was zero. My obstetrician and I were hoping to get to a viable stage, which was still a good six weeks away. Incompetent cervix in many cases is not even caught until a woman has had one or two second trimester losses, I learnt in an online forum. Desperate to save my child, I listened to my instincts and put myself on the strictest form of bed rest, my logic and the general consensus among women who delivered with a rescue cerclage was the less pressure you put on your cervix, the higher the chances. Thus began my four-month journey of perinatal anxiety, depression, panic and bedrest. I had to resign from my job and stop all form of physical activities. My life came to a halt. With each passing day, weeks and months lying on my bed staring at the ceiling or on a good day looking outside the window and crippled with fear of losing my baby, I somehow developed a certain kind of inner strength and determination to tackle my emotions. It was during those months of my life I truly felt grateful for life itself and for those little things we otherwise take for granted. I visited the hospital weekly, and that was my treat day, a day where I went out of the house walked few steps and breathed fresh air. What a blessing those were! I felt grateful for my family and my closest friends that stood by me and reminded me of my strength and reassured of a positive outcome. Above all I felt grateful for the life that was still beautifully growing and breathing inside me. Water loss In a report sent to Planning Minister Rob Stokes, just before the latest approval, the NSW National Parks Association (NPA) estimated 29-40 million litres a day of water were entering the coal mines in and around the Illawarra Special Areas, including Dendrobium. South32 CEO Graham Kerr at the annual meeting in Perth last month. Credit:Trevor Collens (See map below of the Wongawilli (lower mines) and Dendrobium coal mines (upper set) sprawling between the Avon and Cordeaux Reservoirs.) According to the NPA, the mid-range estimate is equivalent to about 10 per cent of the total daily supply taken from the Avon, Cataract, Cordeaux, and Woronora reservoirs. "It's important to note that there is currently no reliable means of knowing how much of this water would have otherwise gone into the storage reservoirs", Peter Turner, NPA mining projects officer, said. Those estimates, though, may be conservative because they don't include inflows that are adding to water bodies accumulating within the mines, Dr Turner said. "There doesn't appear to be any reporting or auditing of water pooling in either the current or the old mines within and around the Illawarra Special Areas," he said. "It's not clear whether the Dendrobium and adjacent Wongawilli mines are staying within their water licence limits." A spokesman for South32 said groundwater assessments at the mine were "comprehensive and ongoing". "We submit reports to government, but the publishing of those reports is a matter for the government," he said, adding the 2012 report sought by the NPA and Planning "was never finalised". "A report was produced, which satisfies the condition of approval for Dendrobium Area 3B [the expansion zone including the seven longwalls], and this is publicly available on our website," the spokesman said. As reported by Fairfax Media, the mine was approved in 2013 to dig five longwalls, each up to two kilometres long, even though it didn't submit a separately commissioned groundwater report until 13 months later. 'Fundamentally flawed' Dr Turner said consultants Coffey produced reports in October 2012 for 3.4m-high extractions and one a month later for 4.5m. "The latter matched the mining actually planned and has not been made available and requests for it have been denied," he said. 'It's outrageous that a mining company can withhold information relating to our Special Areas." The later reports, provided by a different consultancy HydroSimulations, used a different calculation method for drainage zone impacts that is "fundamentally flawed and significantly underestimates the likely height of the drainage zone, by around 50 per cent", Dr Turner said, (See NPA chart below, interpreting how the drainage zone will be affected with 4m-high longwalls in the Area 3B. Using the Tammetta equation, red dots indicate intersection with the surface, pink ones 0-25m and orange between 25-50m.) According to Dr Turner, the same flawed method has been used for groundwater assessments at other coal mines in the state, such as Springvale, Moolarben and Narrabri. It's also been used to provide advice to India's Adani for its mammoth Carmichael coal mine proposal in the Galilee Basin in Queensland and to that state's land NSW Planning downplayed the extent of the water loss at Dendrobium, citing work by independent groundwater expert Col Mackie, who estimated it amounted to 2.33 million litres a day, or 830 ML a year. "By comparison, Sydney's catchment dams hold over 2.3 million megalitres, and it is estimated that 420,000 megalitres is lost each year in evaporation and environmental flows from the catchment," the spokeswoman said. Dr Turner said the government had yet to make public Dr Mackie's calculations. Given the rainfall-dependent average daily inflow into Dendrobium is about 8 ML a day, the loss of 2.3 ML amounts to about 29 per cent of the water entering the mine is being lost from storage reservoirs. Apart from the losses of water into the mines, an unknown amount is also being lost into subsidence cracks. This water then joins groundwater flows that leave the catchment, bypassing the reservoirs. Risk taking Adam Searle, Labor's mining spokesman, said the government should not be taking risks with the catchment. "No approvals should be given when the impact on water is unclear, especially in the Special Areas," Mr Searle said. "To do so would be negligence of the highest order, and would constitute serious regulatory failure." Jeremy Buckingham, Greens energy spokesman, said the government was again cutting corners in its rush to approve new coal projects. "There are no red lights in the current planning system, so it is no surprise that longwall coal mining is being approved under the Sydney drinking water catchment without a proper understanding of the impact on water and the environment," Mr Buckingham said. "Longwall coal mining will inevitably fracture the bedrock, drain the swamps and cause irreparable damage and that is why the Greens support a ban on all coal mining [in the catchment]." Planning, though, said it was applying "a precautionary approach" in only allowing mining to take place in Longwalls 14 and 15, and further approval will be need for numbers 16-18. "The [Subsidence Management Plan] approval also requires South32 to undertake a comprehensive range of additional subsidence and groundwater monitoring and research, so that the NSW government has all the relevant information available to assess future SMP applications at the Dendrobium mine," the spokeswoman said. Dr Turner, though, likened the government's approach to feeding Mr Creosote, the grotesquely obese gourmand in "The Meaning Life" who blows up after eating one final "wafer thin" morsel. "The Department has a well-established record of not taking into proper consideration the accumulating impacts of mining within and around the Special Areas," he said. "The catchment isn't going to suddenly explode, but it is imploding in slow motion." According to the NPA, short of a significant direct fracture connection between a reservoir and the mine or between a watercourse and the mine, having the drainage zone reach the surface or connect to the surface fracturing is the worst kind of impact to have in a water catchment. "Stream water, swamp water and runoff will be lost. Unless drainage is provided, when the mine below is closed and abandoned the mine will slowly flood and eventually, decades later, contaminated mine water will seep out at the surface", Dr Tuner said. Loading "The [Planning] department has set a disturbing precedent in approving mining it knows risks the drainage zone reaching the surface". Police have fined 1900 speeding motorists from across Queensland on Saturday, including one motorcyclist who was allegedly clocked travelling more than double the speed limit near Maryborough. Police stopped the 38-year-old rider on the Bruce Highway at Cherwell about 7.15pm after he was allegedly travelling 240km/h in a 100km/h zone. Queensland police fined 1900 speeding motorists on Christmas Eve. He was issued with a speeding fine of $1138 and eight demerit points. The 1900 of drivers caught speeding on Saturday was markedly smaller than the 3200 speeding motorists captured on Friday. The number of trains cancelled across the south-east Queensland network on Christmas Day has been revised to 235. However a Queensland Rail spokesman said trains on Monday were "absolutely fine, not expecting any cancellations today". The Rail, Tram and Bus Union was allowed to run riot in QR, writes Bill O'Chee Credit:Glenn Hunt The only service still affected is the Sunshine Coast/Caboolture line due to scheduled track works, which began on December 24. The revised number of Christmas Day cancellations was released just before midday Sunday, after 150 last-minute cancellations were announced by QR about 6pm on Saturday, just 12 hours before the first train cancellation on Christmas Day. Those who found themselves without plans on Sunday were welcomed by Wesley Mission Queensland to enjoy Christmas lunch on them in Brisbane's CBD. Rock n' Roll Ray belted out some popular tunes as 86 volunteers dished up a hot Christmas lunch to more than 100 guests at Ann Street. The tables were filled with bonbons and lollies for Wesley Mission Queensland's Christmas lunch. Credit:Amy Mitchell-Whittington Lunch was served from 12pm and included prawns and pate for starters, chicken, turkey, ham and three salads for lunch and plum pudding with custard for dessert. The spread was thanks to donations from OzHarvest, Foodbank and Wesley Mission Queensland's central kitchens. An unborn baby has died and three people were injured in a two-car crash on the Fraser Coast on Saturday night. Police said preliminary investigations indicated a Mitsubishi sedan was driving south on Booral Road at Booral when it struck the side of a van travelling northbound about 6.45pm. The sedan lost control, veered into the path of an oncoming Toyota sedan and the two collided, police said. The driver of the Toyota, a 44-year-old pregnant woman, was rushed to Hervey Bay Hospital with serious injuries, and tragically lost her unborn baby as a result of the crash, police said. For the first time, David Formosa decided he would not spend Christmas Day with his family this year. But his daughter sent a text message from Phillip Island on Christmas morning saying he made her proud and she loved him. It was an emotional moment for the father of two adult daughters who chose to volunteer at the Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda serving disadvantaged people lunch. Despite missing his family, Mr Formosa, an IT worker, felt lucky to give up his time. VALLETTA - The two Libyan plane hijackers appeared at a Maltese court on Sunday, charged with a string of offences including terrorism. The two Libyan men, 28-year-old Ali Saleh and 27-year-old Moussa Soko, arrived at Malta Law Courts on Sunday noon, escorted by armed guards. They were charged with hijacking the plane and holding the 109 passengers and 6 crew members against their will. Both the hijackers calmly denied the charges in court. They did not file a request for bail. On Friday, they hijacked the Libyan flight operated by Afriqiyah Airways, and diverted it to Malta International Airport. The plane was flying a domestic route in Libya in the day, from the southern city of Sebha to its original destination of the Libyan capital Tripoli. After a four-hour standoff at the Maltese airport, all passengers and crew were safely released. The two hijackers surrendered peacefully. They were later found to have used replica weapons for the hijacking. World Series collides with TNF: Both feature Philly, Houston teams Thursday will mark the seventh time a World Series game and NFL game involving teams from the same two cities will play on the same day. FBI has 'credible information' about 'broad threat' to NJ synagogues Law enforcement agencies as well as synagogues across the state increased security and patrols Thursday, following alerts from the FBI. Microsoft just made a rare investment into a Chinese start-up. Even the entrepreneur behind it, Wang Guanchun, sounds a bit surprised by who led the series A funding for his app. The decision by government-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to buy stake in Gujarat State Petroleum Corporations (GSPCs) Krishna-Godavari basin block has raised eyebrows, with some seeing it a bail-out for the latter entity. In a bid to beef up its copper earnings, is set to more than double the contribution of value-added products to the red metal business by early 2018. After almost five years, ICICI Venture, the largest domestic private equity (PE) firm, is looking to raise a new real estate fund, according to a source. Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app. Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006. Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. 26 years of website archives. Mobile wallet and trader organisations are going all out to educate people about . According to market sources, mobile wallet, payment gateways and e-payment alone are planning to spend around Rs 150 crore to organise camps, media campaigns around awareness programmes. The autumn of a patriarch As Ratan Tata, Interim Chairman, Tata Sons, celebrates his 79th birthday on December 28th, he will have many reasons to look back on 2016 with satisfaction. He is back in charge even if temporarily of the $100-billion Tata Sons and has successfully removed his former protege Cyrus Mistry, 48, and his friend-turned-foe Nusli Wadia from the group -- perhaps forever. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has initiated proceedings against Gurgaon-based Vishvapradhan Commercial, for not having made a public announcement in 2009 of a change of control in television company NDTV. His company is currently adapting to the streets of Boston what it has learnt in Singapore; it will further adapt its technology to cities throughout the world. But highly complex driving environments like those in India will require substantial adaptation and customisation of self-driving software, says Karl Iagnemma, an alumnus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the founder of nuTonomy, a developer of software for self-driving vehicles. So, the introduction of self-driving vehicles in India will likely be later than in cities of North America, Europe, and the rest of Asia, Iagnemma tells Mugunthan K in an emailed interview. Chennai-based Voltech Group has entered into two joint venture agreements with from Kuwait and Zambia for electrical contracting, telecom services and solar power generation. The joint venture with Kuwait-based Rank General Trading Company (RGTCC) will help the group offer its engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for electrical projects in Kuwait. The JV would also set up India operations to execute EPC contracts on turnkey basis and to offer services in the domains of networking, telecommunications and security systems solutions. RGTCC would bring in the technology while Voltech would offer its technical manpower, logistics and local support to customers, a statement said. The joint venture with Zambia-based Goldberg Associates Ltd (GAL) will build and operate solar-based power plants in Zambia and other African countries, starting with a 10 MW project approved by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO). Voltech expects a faster return on investment from this JV as Zambia offers Rs 12 per unit of power and the contract is for 20 years. "Based on the 50-50 partnership, Voltech will invest a total of around Rs 120 crore," said the M Umapathi, managing director, Voltech Group. The investment would be from internal accruals and other financial sources, he said. He added that Voltech's solar panel manufacturing facility, built with an investment of around Rs 20 crore, will be ready in a month. The facility will have 75 MW capacity and the solar panels for the Zambia project would be exported from this unit. The company expects the joint ventures to bring in around Rs 50 crore of business in the first year, and expand to Rs 400 crore in the next five years. Social networking giant received 609 requests from Indian government agencies to preserve account records of 850 users/accounts in the first half of the year, the fourth highest after the US, Canada and Brazil. This is the first time that the US-based firm has disclosed the number of 'preservation requests' it receives across countries from government agencies as part of its Government Requests Report. "We will take steps to preserve account records in connection with official criminal investigations for 90 days pending our receipt of formal legal process," it said. Deputy General Counsel Chris Sonderby said when receives a preservation request, it will preserve a temporary snapshot of the relevant account information. "We do not disclose any of the preserved records unless and until we receive formal and valid legal process. During this reporting period, we received 38,675 preservation requests for 67,129 accounts," he added. According to the report, the US had made 31,893 requests, while Canada and Brazil had made 1,163 and 777 such requests, respectively, in the first half of 2016. India also made 6,324 data requests during January-June 2016, up from 5,561 in the previous six months. Facebook said it was able to produce "some data" in 53.59 per cent of the cases, up from just over 50 per cent as stated in the previous report. "We respond to valid requests relating to criminal cases. Each and every request we receive is checked for legal sufficiency and we reject or require greater specificity on requests that are overly broad or vague," it said. Of the 6,324 requests, 6,282 were with respect to "legal process", while 42 were "emergency" requests, the report said. Sonderby said Facebook may disclose information where it believes that the matter involves an imminent risk of serious injury or death. In all of these cases, it will require law enforcement to describe the emergency and explain how the requested disclosure might prevent harm. In the July-December 2015 report, Facebook had said it received 5,561 requests seeking details of 7,018 users/accounts from Indian government agencies. This is the second highest after the US, which made 23,854 requests for 38,951 users/accounts during January-June 2016. Facebook also restricted access to 2,034 content in India. "We restricted access to content in India in response to legal requests from law enforcement agencies and the India Computer Emergency Response Team within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The majority of content restricted was alleged to violate local laws against anti-religious speech and hate speech," it said. Are divine decrees more sacrosanct than the man-made laws? Do the "personal laws" of a community always have precedence over the Constitution? The questions came back to haunt India's collective conscience through a string of cases in 2016three decades after it was "settled" in what can be called a high-handed way. The year-that-was saw the Muslim orthodoxy pitted against the courts of law on more occasions than one with the courts, as well as the liberal opinion, repeatedly questioning the Muslim clergy's contention that personal laws were above all scrutiny. The not-so-happy memories of the Shah Bano case of 1985-86where the Rajiv Gandhi government, riding on a brute majority in Parliament, upturned the Supreme Court's ruling in the divorcee's favour through legislationcame haunting back with Shayara Bano's case. Shayara Bano, a 38-year-old woman from Uttarakhand, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court to ban the practice of triple talaq. Her move came after she suffered for 14 years in a marriage with an Allahabad man. Shayara Bano, a mother of two, said that she was made to undergo at least half a dozen abortions which wrecked her emotionally and physically. She was not allowed to meet her close relatives (Notably, the husband did not deny this). But she still lived on, trying to somehow save her marriage. What she got instead was a talaqnama through a telegram. The Supreme Court is hearing the case. In yet another jolt to the champions of conservatism, the Allahabad High Court in December dubbed triple talaq as "cruelty against Muslim women" while hearing petitions filed by Hina and Umarbee, two residents of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. The court observed that the Islamic law was being wrongly interpreted. The women's rights brigade got a shot in the arm when after five years of legal battle, the Bombay High Court ruled in August that women had equal right as men to pray at the Haji Ali shrine. The Supreme Court upheld the decision and a group of 250 women finally entered the shrine on November 29. Meanwhile, the Union government told the Supreme Court that 'triple talaq', 'nikaah halala' and polygamy were not integral to the practice of Islam or essential religious practices. Clerics and several Muslim organisations, cutting across sects and schools of jurisprudence, decried the government's stand as well the courts' verdicts as "uncalled for interference" in the personal laws of the community. The courts are, however, not convinced. In October, the Law Commission posted on its website 16 questions to seek public opinion on the uniform civil code (UCC) issue. A number of prominent Muslim organisations, led by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), erupted in protest and dubbed the questionnaire as "misleading and divisive". Cutting across schools of jurisprudence, the Sunni, Shia, Barelvi and Ahle Hadith, all called this an "unacceptable attack" on their identity and accused the Narendra Modi government of politicising the issue ahead of the assembly elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. However, unlike the Rajiv Gandhi government that buckled under pressure from the practitioners of patriarchy in the 1980's, the Narendra Modi government has been unwavering in its "commitment" to women's right to equality. And senior government functionaries are openly advocating a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all. While no major political party is against the UCC in principle, they feel it should be done with "consensus" and not imposed unilaterally. Finally, with both the Muslim orthodoxy and the government unwilling to cede their space, the year 2017 may see some sparks flying on the Shayara Bano front. A 23-year-old woman IT professional from West Bengal was murdered by an unidentified person after an argument between them barely a few metres from her office at Pune, police said as details of the case emerged on Sunday. Having fulfilled the commitment of returning land to the farmers of Singur, the West Bengal government is planning to auction the metal scrap and car sheds of Tata Motors lying at the stackyard in Singur, Hooghly. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) on Saturday said it has collaborated with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for developing ferry services at 18 locations in six cities on National Waterway-1. The dairy industry says there are issues in taking up the governments exhortation to market far more of from indigenous breeds. While dairy cooperatives say they are gearing up to try, private companies in the segment point to the low output of home breeds. Adam Pittenger, who has moved six times in six years, shares his home in Hoboken, New Jersey, with his girlfriend and a roommate. With his frequent firsthand experience as a guide, he started a company this year to help make moving less of a chore. Many stocks have started to appear attractive on dividend yield, following a sharp correction in the past eight weeks. This yield is the dividend per share paid by a company during a financial year as a percentage of share price. Sattvik, the traditional food festival being organised by Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies (SRISTI) for the past fourteen years, aims to provide market-based incentives for conserving agro-biodiversity. The creation of demand for rarely or less-cultivated nutritionally rich crops and varieties may stimulate their cultivation. The paradox of development is that the food that the rich eat is often of poor quality, while the food that the poor grow in poorer regions is of a richer variety. In regions that have less rainfall, soil minerals don't leach much and thus crops grown there like millets, sorghum and pulses etc., are richer in nutrient value. This festival aspires to put the lesser known but nutrient-rich food from various areas on the plate of urban communities, helping them to adopt healthier food habits and lifestyles. The festival also hopes to encourage farmers to grow such crops and augment their incomes. Sattvik also hosts an innovation exhibition by Innovation Foundation, and Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network. "This year's Sattvik will witness many new features. The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has sponsored 50 food and craft stalls from different parts of the country. You must patronise them to make them feel that Ahmedabad is place which nurtures innovations and enterprises, small or big. We gratefully acknowledge the proactive step taken by the WCD ministry," said IIM professor Anil Gupta. "An added attraction of this year is that we will be exhibiting 200 varieties of rice of which dishes of 20 varieties of rice will be available for tasting. Another interesting feature of the Sattvik 2016 is that we will be offering traditional recipes of food from North eastern states such as Nagaland, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh," he added. Keeping with demonetisation, Sattvik has made provisions of Paytm and swiping machine for credit/debit card holder to facilitate cashless payments, in view of the demonetisation (no transaction will be possible with old Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 notes) For the last 14 years, the festival has been organised at IIM-Ahmedabad. However, due to space constraints because of the ever increasing size of the festival in terms of number of stalls and foot falls, this year organizers had to shift Sattvik to other location. "Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institution (SRISTI) is extremely grateful to the management of IIM-A for extending their wholehearted cooperation to Sattvik and permitting us to organise 13 Food Festivals at IIM-A ground. We gratefully acknowledge their contribution and continued support in making Sattvik such a great success," Gupta added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stating that it will include a third party in the USD 51 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in consensus with Pakistan, China has said it is wondering if India would join the project on the request of a Pakistani General. Last week Commander, Southern Command, Lt. Gen. Aamir Riaz invited India to join the CPEC, saying New Delhi should "shun enmity" with Islamabad and jointly reap the benefit of the multi-billion dollar project. When asked about this proposal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, "I wonder whether the Indian side takes this offer made by the Pakistani general as a goodwill gesture." She added, "The CPEC, as an important component of China's Belt and Road initiative, is an open initiative. China would like to discuss the possibility of introducing a third party on the basis of consensus with the Pakistani side through consultation." Chunying said that China regards the CPEC project as a framework for cooperation built by the two sides with a focus on the long-term development of bilateral cooperation in various fields and hope it would contribute to regional connectivity, peace, stability and prosperity. Earlier, Chinese media suggested India to accept the Pakistani General's offer, saying that such an opportunity could be of transient benefit to all involved. "New Delhi should consider accepting the olive branch Pakistan has extended in a bid to participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, said an article in the Global Times, adding that there is a possibility that the open attitude toward India joining the CPEC will quickly be overwhelmed by opposition voices from Pakistan if India does not respond in a timely manner. It said that since India's primary strategy is to promote economic and social development in the Kashmir region, the best way to reduce hostilities is by establishing economic cooperation based on mutual benefits to put aside what cannot be reached by a consensus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Along with the whole world, hundreds of christians in India's northeast state Tripura, gathered at Nandannagar Don Bosco Church to celebrate the annual Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. They prayed to the Lord for world peace along with their state and hope that the festival like Christmas can restore peace and harmony in the region. The priest of the church viewed that Jesus came to this world to bring peace. Special prayers and musical programs from midnight of Saturday were conducted during the annual Christmas Eve Midnight Mass here. The first Christian settlement, in once kingly state Tripura, is the Proteges who had a small colony at Moriamnagar on the outskirts of Agartala and had come as warriors and bodyguards for the Manikya dynasty kings who ruled the state for more than 500 years. The mass prayed to the Lord with the theme 'Jesus Christ savior of the world', and for bringing down in the sufferings of people. Thousands heard the priest speak inside the cathedral and people including, a good number of youth, turned out for the day. Agartala diocese covers the whole state. Agartala, where the diocese is based, is Tripura's capital, 2,585 kilometers east of New Delhi. Nearly 80 percent of the state's 3.7 million people are Bengali-speaking Hindus. Most migrated from Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan), which surrounds three sides of Tripura. The state is linked to the rest of India through Assam and Mizoram state to the east. Christianity entered the hilly kingly Tripura which later merged with India in October 1949. However, along with the Christians, hundreds of people from other religion as well celebrated the festival with full devotion and decorated their houses with lights and stars for the day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme, the Congress on Sunday accused the former of misusing Prasar Bharati while stating that this is absolute violation of the Prasar Bharati Act. "The Prime Minister is misusing Prasar Bharati and 'Mann Ki Baat' is an abuse of Prasar Bharati Act. If Prasar Bharati is giving space to the Prime Minister then they need to give equal space to leaders of opposition," Congress leader Manish Tewari told ANI. The Congress leader said Prasar Bharati, which is regulated by an independent act of Parliament, is a public broadcaster and not an instrument of the government. "What the Prime Minister has been doing over all these years is complete and absolute violation of the Prasar Bharati Act," he added. Taking on Prime Minister Modi, Tewari said the former has never addressed full-fledged press conference as he only wants everyone to listen to him. "Democracy is not a monologue that one person talks and everybody listens. He should answer the people's questions and concern," Tiwari added. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi in his 27th 'Mann Ki Baat' address hit out at the opposition and accused them of attempting to mislead the people. "I congratulate the people for not only enduring pain but also for giving appropriate answers to those who were trying to mislead them," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Party on Sunday urged the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal Government to take immediate measures to restore peace and normalcy in the violence-hit area of Dhulagarh in Howrah district. Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told ANI that the state government is limiting itself in taking action against people responsible for creating such a problem in the state. "Our urge to the government is that immediate measures should be taken in order to restore peace and normalcy in the region because rumor has been spreading," he said. "It is a matter of great concern... This kind of communal tension doesn't confine to a particular area... But the state government is exhausting all its resources to hide this issue," he added. Earlier on Saturday, a three-member Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation visited Dhulagarh to look into incidents of violence with the party alleging that its supporters and members of a particular community are being targeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The guitarist of English rock band 'Status Quo' Rick Parfitt died on December 4 in a Spanish hospital. He was 68. The veteran musician had been recuperating since June when he suffered a heart attack but died after he was taken into hospital in Marbella due to complications with a pre-existing shoulder injury and a severe infection, reports the Daily Mail. His son, Rick Jr, paid his own emotional tribute on social media, tweeting, "I cannot describe the sadness I feel right now. To many he was a rockstar, to me he was simply 'Dad', and I loved him hugely. RIP Pappa Parf." One of the most celebrated live performances of Parfitt's career came at Live Aid on July 13 1985, when he opened the historic 16-hour concert with the band in a 15-minute slot at the original Wembley Stadium which was broadcast around the world. As a member of Status Quo, Parfitt found success globally with hits such as 'Rockin' All Over The World' and 'Whatever You Want'. Rick is survived by his third wife Lyndsay Whitburn, their twins Tommy Parfitt and Lily Parfitt, and his adult children Richard Parfitt and Harry Parfitt. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan in a letter has urged the World Bank to fulfill its role regarding the (IWT) and move ahead with the appointment of a Chairman of the Court of Arbitration. The letter written by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, was in response to the latter's letter of December 12 and their decision to pause the process of empanelment of the Court of Arbitration, reports the Radio Pakistan. Dar, said in his letter, that this decision of the World Bank will seriously prejudice Pakistan's interests and rights under the Indus Waters Treaty 1960. The letter to Kim has been sent with approval of all concerned stakeholders. It strongly conveys that the matter of appointment of a Chairman of the Court of Arbitration has been inordinately delayed. It urged the World Bank to execute its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty. The Finance Minister noted that the pause proposed by the World Bank President will merely prevent Pakistan from approaching a competent forum and having its grievances addressed. The letter noted that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 does not provide for a situation wherein a Party can "pause" performance of its obligations under the Treaty. Earlier this month, the World Bank asked both India and Pakistan to consider alternative ways to resolve their disagreements over the Dispute 1960. The bank said it is temporarily halting the appointment of a neutral expert as requested by India, and the Chairman of the Court of Arbitration, as requested by Pakistan, to resolve issues regarding two hydroelectric power plants under construction by India along the Indus Rivers system. The Joint Commission of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will meet in Vienna on January 10 to address the issues raised by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to European Union Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini after extension of the Iran Sanctions Act by the US Congress. The meeting will include Deputy Foreign Ministers of Iran and the G5+1 member states, and a senior representative of the European Union (EU) as coordinator. The sanctions task force will hold a meeting at the expert-level before a meeting of the Joint Commission takes place. The Joint Commission meets at foreign ministerial as well as expert levels on both nuclear and sanctions issues. The Joint Commission, which is tasked with supervising implementation of the nuclear deal with the objective of resolving the problems, held several meetings before execution of the nuclear deal and after that. The decisions made in the meetings represent a common understanding of the scope of relevant commitments of the JCPOA. Iran's Foreign Ministry official website published the Joint Commission of JCPOA resolutions in order to prevent release of baseless reports in that regard by the western media. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had earlier ordered the Foreign Ministry to pursue the US breach of its obligations in the JCPOA. Zarif had already informed the Parliaments National Security and Foreign Policy Commission that the call for the JCPOA Joint Commission meeting came along with the Presidential orders to the Foreign Ministry and Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to take appropriate measures in the face of the extension of Iran sanctions Act (ISA) by the United States. Zarif had said that now the Foreign Ministry has a clear roadmap to follow. "We have had continuous talks with other members of the P5+1 group of countries and negotiations are still underway," Zarif was quoted as saying by the spokesman of the parliamentary commission. The Foreign Minister also said his ministry has also held talks with China and Russia and all other parties involved. Iran considers the renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act as violation of the internationally recognized nuclear deal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has said that his party has no issues with China on CPEC but with the ruling government at the Centre. Khan was addressing a rally in Swabi on Sunday. Geo News quoted Khan, as saying that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will change the fate of Pakistan. He said the project contract should be made public by the federal government. The PTI chief said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had promised to develop the western route of the project first. Attacking the Prime Minister, Khan said, "Appointment of an independent chairman NAB (National Accountability Bureau) would be destructive for Nawaz Sharif. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Party on Sunday took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address and said there is nothing left in the programme. "Nothing is left in his 'Mann Ki Baat' besides talking about demonetisation. He will read out two or three letters and will give his reaction on it in his programme," Congress leader Meem Afzal told ANI. The prime minister on Sunday addressed the last 'Mann Ki Baat' of the year. It will be his 27th edition of the programme. Started since October 3, 2014, he has been speaking with this programme almost every month. Afzal further criticised the government's demonetisation drive, saying there is no respite even after 47 days and people are still suffering. "The prime minister told that after 50 days, the problems will decrease, but there is no hope that people will be relieved so soon," he said, adding that demonetisation move has not been launched with strategic planning. The Nawaz Sharif Government has admitted of violating the 18th Constitutional Amendment by giving extension in mining lease for Sui - the country's largest gas field - to Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) without consent of the Balochistan Government. Under the new arrangement, consumer gas prices are likely to jump up 9.7 percent in order to recover Rs. 25.4 billion following the increase in gas price for the Sui field located in Dera Bugti, Balochistan, reports the Express Tribune. The Sui mining lease was to expire on May 31, 2015 and the federal government was required to put in place an arrangement in line with the legal requirement to continue to produce gas from the field. But the government allowed PPL to continue the production process for one year with effect from June 2015 without consulting Balochistan. According to a senior government official, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri had during a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on December 13 expressed concern about the same while stating that extension granted was a negation of the spirit of 18th Constitutional Amendment. Following the meeting, the ECC was asked to revoke the lease extension and order the signing of a new agreement in consultation with Balochistan. A representative of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources informed the ECC that in an attempt to arrive at a consensus, deliberations had been held with the provincial government and that both sides agreed for a new arrangement under the prevailing petroleum policy of 2012. Consequently, the Petroleum Ministry and Balochistan Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Under the new agreement, the PPL would continue to operate in the Sui field whereas the wellhead gas price would be fixed at 55 percent of the 2012 petroleum policy. The PPL would also pay 10 percent of the wellhead price as lease extension bonus to the Balochistan Government. Apart from these, all financial obligations of the petroleum policy including employment for locals, training, social welfare and production bonus would be applicable to PPL. It would also have to offer a special package for scholarship for the people of Dera Bugti and the rest of the province as part of the agreement. PPL would carry out all corporate social responsibility (CSR)-related activities in consultation with the provincial government. It would invest Rs. 20 billion in exploration activities in the province during the lease period. PPL would enter into a new gas pricing agreement (GPA) with the federal government to incorporate the revised wellhead price formula with effect from June 1, 2015. The new GPA would also allow application of the incentives that have been given to existing leases under tight, marginal, low British thermal unit and shale gas policies, 2012 petroleum policy and any other policies issued from time to time. The estimated financial impact on consumer prices would be Rs14.4 billion for financial year 2015-16 with an approximate increase of 4.7 percent across the board. In the next fiscal year, the financial impact would be Rs10.9 billion with around 4.2 percent increase across the board. The ECC was also informed that as the price formula was being revised with retrospective effect, the impact of 2015-16 would be absorbed in 2016-17 with a cumulative impact of Rs25.4 billion, indicating around 9.7 percent increase across the board. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has reportedly agreed to hold a dialogue with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on the four demands put forward by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. According to The Express Tribune, the PML-N used backdoor measures to signal the talks and conveyed the message through a friend of Zardari. The ruling party also said in the message that it does not want to indulge in a political battle with the PPP and wants to negotiate on its demands. Earlier in October, Bilawal demanded that the federal government appoint a full-time foreign minister, form a parliamentary panel on national security, pass the opposition's bill to probe the Panamagate scandal and implement the resolution passed in May last year by an all-parties conference on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and gave the government time till December 27 to accept the demands. According to sources, the PPP has started consultations with senior leaders and most likely the party will show a softer stance toward the PML-N government by not taking to streets as it had earlier threatened. "The PPP's main demand is to stop the political victimisation of its leaders," a senior PPP leader said, adding that Zardari and others leaders are annoyed with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for using paramilitary Rangers and other agencies against the PPP. "Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (PML-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman have also been given the task by the Prime Minister to woo PPP leadership on this issue," sources said. Zardari, who recently returned to the country after an 18-month- long self-imposed exile, yesterday held meetings with the PPP leaders to deliberate different options including talks with the government as well as a possible alliance against it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan has released 220 Indian fishermen out of the 518 fishermen, who were arrested for allegedly entering and fishing in Islamabad's territorial waters and will release the other 219 on January 5 next year. This goodwill gesture is seen as a step to improve the current tense situation between the two Asian neighbours arising due to recent cross border terror activities and also the release coincides with Christmas and birthday of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan. The freed Indian fishermen will be handed over to the Indian authorities at Wagah Border in Lahore, local media reports said. The Pakistan authorities decided to release the fishermen after confirming their national status with the Indian Government. Giving details, Shunail Hussain Shah, Assistant Superintendent of Police Malir Jail, informed that the step has been taken under the treaty between two nations and added that the other 219 fishermen will be released in second phase on January 5, 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday extended his warm greetings to the nation on the occasion of Christmas. "Warm greetings & best wishes for a blessed Christmas to all my fellow citizens in India & abroad," President Mukherjee tweeted. "May the spirit of Christmas fill our hearts with love and compassion. May the divine teachings of Lord Jesus Christ inspire us to contribute our very best for the welfare of humanity," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to extended his warm wishes on the occasion saying, "Merry Christmas! We remember & celebrate the life & teachings of Jesus Christ. His message of peace, unity & compassion inspires us all." Joining the beeline, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also extended Christmas greetings to everyone and wished for peace and happiness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for appreciating his government's initiative to promote cashless economy in the state. "I thank Prime Minister Modi in behalf of the entire population of Assam. We just worked according to the instruction provided by the Centre. I thank PM Modi for his appreciation of Assam's initiatives towards cashless economy," said Sonowal. He further said this move is aimed at making Assam the most successful state of the country. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi in his 27th 'Mann ki Baat' address congratulated the Assam Government for taking initiatives to promote cashless economy. "I Appreciate the Assam Government for their efforts to turn towards digital payments and transactions," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Skoda has started the production of the new Octavia G-TEC at its main plant in Mlada Boleslav for the first time. To go on sale in the Czech market in June 2014, this will be the first time Octavia is fitted with natural gas drive and the car will come in both hatchback and estate body versions. With the Octavia G-TEC, Skoda now has three natural gas models, Octavia G-TEC, Octavia Combi G-TEC and the CNG version of the Citigo. Skoda has also inaugurated a new CNG testing facility and filling station with an investment of 5 million Euros to carry out mandatory safety testing of CNG powertrains. Both the versions of the Skoda Octavia G-TEC will be powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre TSI engine that puts out an output of 110 HP and will run on both petrol and also compressed natural gas (CNG). The vehicles can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.9 s and reache a top speed of 195 km/h. As standard equipment, the cars will get Green tec package that includes start-stop system and brake energy recuperation. The powertrain of Octavia G-TEC meets EU 6 emission standard requirements that are coming into play from September 2014. The Octavia G-TEC and Octavia Combi G-TEC will travel up to 410 km on CNG power alone and with petrol only, the range is up to 920 km. With both fuel tanks full, the Octavia G-TEC offers a range of up to 1 330 km. As the price of natural gas in Czech Republic and many other European countries is significantly lower than that of petrol or diesel, vehicles powered by natural gas offer mobility at a more affordable price. Now with the introduction of the new Octavia G-TEC and Octavia Combi G-TEC, Skoda is has expanded its range of cars powered by natural gas to three models. On sale since October 2012, Skoda Citigo with CNG drive consumes just 2.9 kg of natural gas per 100 km that equals to 79 g CO2 /km of emissions. The total range of Citigo is 620 km with 400 km on gas and 220 km on petrol. Skoda now has a total of 22 cars that have emissions below 100 g CO2 /km and 112 models with emissions below 120 g CO2/km. The new Skoda Octavia GreenLine has set new standards in the compact category with low CO2 emissions of just 85 g/km. After the Czech market launch, the new Octavia G-TEC and Octavia Combi G-TEC will be gradually made available in 14 other countries across Europe. Though it will be highly unlikely for Skoda to launch Octavia G-TEC versions here, we cant help but hope so. Source : CarDekho Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh on Sunday visited Eastern Command headquarters at Fort William in Kolkata as part of his farewell visit to the Army's Eastern Command. Singh is set to retire on December 31 and will be succeeded by Lt. General Bipin Rawat. He addressed the officers of HQ Eastern Command at Albert Ekka Auditorium, in Fort William. "He spoke about the current multi-pronged challenges faced by the Indian Army starting from low-intensity conflict, disaster management, infrastructure development, fast track modernisation to preparedness for conventional warfare," said an official statement here. "General Dalbir Singh stated that the Indian Army was fully prepared for any eventuality. He also interacted with the JCOs and soldiers and praised them for their splendid hard work and urged them to continue the same for the nation," it added. Lt. Gen Praveen Bakshi, GOC-in-C Eastern Command thanked General Dalbir Singh for steering the Indian Army with his exemplary leadership and presented a memento on behalf of the Eastern Command. --IANS ao-sid/lok/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, has left for the waters of the Western Pacific to carry out military drills in the region, the Chinese Defence Ministry said. The aircraft carrier left on Saturday and was spotted by Japan, according to its Defence Ministry statement on Sunday which clarified that it had not entered Japanese territorial waters. The ministry added that the drills are a part of the annual routine exercises, although it comes at a moment of tensions in the Pacific owing to the recent phone conversation between US President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, Efe reports. This month, Liaoning has been carrying out drills in the South and East China Sea, where China is involved in territorial disputes with its neighbours, including the Philippines and Japan. The aircraft carrier also carried out military exercises in the Yellow Sea, which separates China from the Korean Peninsula and Japan. According to the Chinese Defence Ministry, the Russian-made Liaoning has been acquired from Ukraine and reconstructed for use mainly in training and research missions. --IANS vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In an ancient Iraqi Christian town recently liberated from the Islamic State (IS) terror group, Christmas was celebrated for the first time in over two years on Saturday, a media report said on Sunday. It was an emotional return for members of Bartella town's displaced Christian community, who had been forced to flee when their hometown was overrun by the Islamist terror group, CNN reported. Hundreds of Christians had made the pilgrimage in buses on a gray, rainy Christmas Eve. They came mostly from camps for the displaced that have been set up in the city of Irbil. Bartella is just 20 km east of the IS stronghold of Mosul -- where coalition forces still are battling thousands of militants. As mass was celebrated on Saturday, dozens of Iraqi and US security forces were on standby to protect worshipers at the historic, battle-scarred Mart Shmony Church. During the mass, the church's priest delivered a defiant message, CNN noted. "We are here to challenge the sons of darkness and this is why we held this mass here. IS are sons of darkness. "This is a message to the entire world that we Christians ... are the inherent component of this country and we are staying," said Father Yaqub Saadi. In another corner of the church, several US soldiers were celebrating Christmas. They held candles and prayed. At the end of the service a new cross replaced the one destroyed by the IS. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Christmas was celebrated on Sunday across northeast India with special prayers, hymns, and masses in churches, besides the traditional mass community feasts and delicious food. Over 5.3 million Christians live in Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur while there are a significant number of Christians in the other northeastern states -- Tripura, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh. The annual carnival began from Saturday night with church services and fellowships where the congregation sang Christmas carols -- both western and local songs, composed by the local spiritualists and composers. "The Christmas eve celebrations since Saturday night were completely peaceful and incident free. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in Mizoram," a police official in capital Aizawl said. He said: "Adequate security arrangements have been made in Aizawl, its outskirts and other parts of the state to hold the Christmas festivity peacefully." The traditional festive spirit was evident everywhere at the capital town and other places of Mizoram as the colourful decorations and illuminations were made by the revellers. Worship services marked the Christmas and community feasts would be held on Sunday and Monday in most of the villages and localities of the urban areas of the state. The festive spirit has gripped the plains, hills and valleys of Christians dominated Nagaland as Christmas celebrations started at the stroke of midnight when church bells rang and midnight mass was held. Churches, private and government buildings, schools, markets and homes have been decked up and illuminated in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung and several other towns and villages of predominantly Christian state. People are also conveying greetings and good wishes to one another as Christmas is a time for goodwill, faith and fun. Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang appealed to the people to forgive and learn from the wrongs of the past, and to steer the destiny of the Naga people to a better future. Despite demonitisation of high value currency notes, people have been thronging markets for the last few days, while residents staying elsewhere and students pursuing academic careers in other states have returned to their hearths and homes to join the festivities. In Meghalaya, besides decoration of churches, homes and streets have put up Christmas trees with beautiful bells and lights while the streets have been illuminated as a major part of Christmas celebrations. Right from the early morning, people are visiting Police Bazar and the local markets in capital Shillong to buy goodies and other attractive items tghat would enable them to rejoice the occasion. Various state governments in the region have announced holidays for several days to enable the people to join Christmas celebrations. Governors and chief ministers of the northeastern states have wished the people on the occasion. Churches in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya play a very significant role in the life and culture of the societies in northeastern states. "Christianity is the harbinger of modernity as well as women's liberation in Mizoram. The Christian missionaries, therefore, are regarded as a symbol of modernisation, leading to gradual changes in the conservative attitude of men towards women," a Church head, Zosangliana Colney, told reporters in Aizawl. "In a reciprocal gesture, Tripura government has been supplying 10 MW electricity to Mizoram to help the state to meet their additional power requirements on the occasion of the Christmas," the Tripura State Electricity Corporation general manager told IANS. He said during the Durga Puja, Mizoram and Meghalaya provided electricity to Tripura to meet its additional requirement of power. Non-Christians are also participating in the celebrations and feasts organised by various Christian organisations. --IANS sc/ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress has set its eyes on opposition unity to corner the Narendra Modi government on a host of issues, sending out an invitation to other opposition parties for a joint press conference in the national capital on December 27. The Congress move comes days after its Vice President Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking kickbacks from corporate houses. According to informed sources, Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel has approached leaders in the Janata Dal-United, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Left parties. The proposed press conference is scheduled at the Constitution Club here, and not at the Congress headquarters so that it doesn't get projected as a party event. According to Trinamool sources, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will arrive in the national capital on Monday for Tuesday's presser. Leaders of Left parties and JD(U) confirmed they have been approached by the Congress but are yet to decide on attending. Sources in the RJD and the NCP confirmed they will attend the press conference. The aim is to give out an impression of opposition unity on the November 8 demonetisation issue. A host of opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, had submitted a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee on December 16, the last day of the winter session of Parliament, accusing the government of stifling the opposition's voice and subjecting parliamentary democracy to "severe threat". While leaders of the TMC, RJD, JD-U and some other parties joined the Congress-led delegation, the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, NCP, DMK, Communist Party of India-Marxist, Communist Party of India and JD(Secular) stayed away. The stand-off between the opposition and the government over demonetisation led to a washout of the entire winter session of Parliament. Some 16 opposition parties had united to corner the Centre on demonetisation. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on December 21 accused Modi of taking kickbacks amounting to Rs 65 crore from corporate houses during his stint as Gujarat Chief Minister and demanded an independent inquiry into the charge. --IANS sid/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pomp and gaiety marked Christmas celebrations across Telugu states Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday. Special prayers in churches since midnight, carol singing, and bursting of fire crackers were the highlights of celebrations in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and other towns of Telangana and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Christians in both the states celebrated the festival with religious fervour and gaiety with congregations and special prayers in churches since the early hour of the day. The festivities began with midnight mass at many churches in Secunderabad, which has a sizeable population of Christians. A major congregation was held at the 200-year-old St John's Church in Secunderabad. Hundreds of Christians also attended the mass at St Mary's Church, All Saint's Church, Wesley Church, Holy Trinity Church and Millennium Methodist Church. The priests prayed for peace and highlighted the message of Jesus. The Anglo-Indian community in Lalaguda in Secunderabad celebrated Christmas with enthusiasm and in a traditional manner. In Little England, as Lalaguda is known, the community celebrates the festival in their unique style. Cake and wine making at home is an integral part of the celebrations for the community. Attired in their best, men, women and children attended the midnight services in specially decorated churches. Prayers in some churches began early Sunday. Christian families cut the cakes as part of the celebrations and greeted one another on the occasion. The three-day celebrations also began at the historic Church of South India (CSI) at Medak, about 100 km from here. Believers carried a decorated cross into the church and placed it before a specially-erected hut. Medak Church, the second biggest of its kind in Asia, was constructed between 1914 and 1924. It has been built with granite in the Gothic style with story of Bible painted on its stained glass windows. The celebrations were also held at Khammam, Adilabad and other towns in Telangana. In Andhra Pradesh, the celebrations were held in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Ongole, Kadapa, Bheemavaram and other towns. YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy and his family members joined in the prayers at CSI church at Pulivendula town in Kadapa district. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu, Governor of the two states E.S.L. Narasimhan and leaders of various political parties greeted people on the occasion of Christmas. "The birthday of Lord Jesus, who taught us love and compassion, is celebrated worldwide with happiness and joy," said Chandrasekhar Rao. "Christmas is a time of joyous remembrance of Jesus Christ. It is also an occasion to renew the bonds of love, tolerance and compassion which Jesus had taught the world," Narasimhan said in a message. --IANS ms/sm/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he wanted a debate in Parliament on donations being given to political parties but it could not take place. Speaking in his radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi said: "I wish there was a discussion in Parliament on funding for political parties." He added that rumours were being spread on funding for political parties. "Law is the same for everyone, whether it is individual, organisation or a party," he said. The Prime Minister, however, added that amid the disruptions, something good also happened, and thanked the members of Parliament for passage of the disability bill. "This time Parliament session was the reason of people's dismay. People expressed anger against the disruption, so did the President and Vice-President," said the Prime Minister. "The disability bill was passed and for that I thank all MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on behalf of the Divyangs (disabled)," he added. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, was passed in Parliament in the winter session. --IANS ao/sm/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least nine civilians were killed and another 17 wounded on Saturday after the Islamic State jihadist group shelled mortars at two neighbourhoods east of the Iraqi city of Mosul. Nineveh provincial council member Hossam Eddin al-Abbar said that IS intensively shelled the al-Zuhur and al-Qudis neighborhoods in Mosul, Efe news agency reported. Al-Abbar added that the Iraqi forces failed to move the wounded to hospitals as IS militants control al-Qudis neighbourhood, while al-Zuhur remains under the control of Iraqi forces. Over the past few days, the Iraqi forces-held eastern neighbourhoods of Mosul have been targeted by mortar shells, as well as other indiscriminate attacks carried out by the IS. The Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces launched an offensive on October 17 to free Mosul and the entire province of Nineveh from the IS, which conquered large swathes of northern Iraq in 2014. --IANS vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his 66th birthday. "Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life," Modi tweetws. The Prime Minister wished Sharid, right after greeting the nation on the ocassion of Christmas. "Merry Christmas! We remember and celebrate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. His message of peace, unity and compassion inspires us all," the Prime Minsiter said in his Christmas tweet. Modi then wished Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion of his 91st birthday in a series of tweets along with a video of the two leaders together. "Wishing our most beloved and widely respected Atal ji a happy birthday. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life," he tweeted. "Atal ji's exemplary service and leadership has had a very positive impact on India's growth trajectory. His great personality is endearing," Modi added. --IANS kd/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The makers of Pawan Kalyan starrer upcoming Telugu drama "Katamarayudua, a remake of Tamil film "Veeram", has been confirmed to release next year in March around the festive occasion of Ugadi. In an official statement, the makers confirmed that the principal shooting will be wrapped up by February 2017, and that they are targeting release in March for Ugadi. Directed by Dolly, the film also stars Shruti Haasan, Siva Balaji, Ajay, Kamal Kamaraju and Chaitanya Krishna. The film's latest schedule was completed in Pollachi (Tamil Nadu). "An action block and a duet on Pawan and Shruti were filmed in this schedule," read the statement. Pawan and Shruti , the lead pair, have teamed up for the second time after "Gabbar Singh". --IANS hp/rb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee hoped to visit here in a train after laying the foundation stone of the railway station 17 years ago -- a wish, that still remains unfulfilled. Only one train from Etawah to the Taj city runs through the once dreaded dacoit territory between the Chambal and Yamuna rivers. Vajpayee laid the foundation stone of the railway station on April 6, 1999, and hoped to travel in a train to the holy town that boasts of 101 Shiva temples along the bank of the Yamuna. Residents of Bateshwar wished the former Prime Mminister well on his birthday on Sunday but regretted his ill health. The 'mohalla' once had over 60 Vajpayee families but most have now moved on. Only Vajpayee's sister's house remains, said Swadesh Dixit, an elderly gentleman who praised the former Prime MInister's notable contribution to India. "The area is in shambles and Bateshwar still looks for a saviour to speed up development," said shopkeeper Murari Lal, who sells items for puja at Shiva temples. Only a handful of people here can recall Vajpayee's early childhood. "Unlike politicians of today, Vajpayee never showed any special favour for Bateshwar, his birth town. No development work was started. The area remained backward, crying for infrastructural upgradation," a 'panda' (priest) at the Yamuna ghat said. The railway station at Bateshwar even today hardly attracts passengers. "The train remains largely empty," said a vendor. The Chambal Safari project, popularised by Ram Pratap Singh of Jarar, recently concluded a three-day international bird festival attended by over 100 foreign and domestic ornithologists and wild life lovers. "The Chambal river along the cycle track affords spectacular view of alligators, crocodiles, several species of birds, tortoises. The Chambal is perhaps the cleanest river of India as the water sparkles and remains unsullied, as there is no big town on its banks, after Kota," said wild life photographer Gopal Pasricha. To promote the area, IIT engineer and conservationist Ram Pratap Singh and his environmental scientist wife Annu developed a centre at Jarar town from where the visitors are taken for the Chambal safari escorted by a guide and guard. --IANS bk/pgh/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ace comedian Vadivelu is not a part of superstar Rajinikanth's upcoming Tamil science-fiction action-thriller "2.o", contrary to reports. If a source close to Vadivelu is to be believed, he wasn't even approached for a role in the project. "The rumour started when he was misquoted by the press. He had said he's waiting for filmmaker Shankar to complete '2.o' so that he can commence work on 'Imsai Arasan 2' in his production. It was assumed that he is a part of '2.o', which is not true," the source told IANS. Shankar had produced Vadivelu's 2006 Tamil comedy "Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi", and will also be bankrolling its sequel. Having made a comeback with latest Tamil release "Kaththi Sandai", Vadivelu will next be seen in Vijay's yet-untitled 61st Tamil outing. He also has a yet-untitled Tamil comedy film with actor-composer G.V. Prakash Kumar. --IANS hp/rb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One of the problems of forecasting the impact of a complex and massive first-time event of removing 86 per cent of the currency in circulation is that you are likely to be way off the mark in understanding all its ramifications. This is what could have happened to the forecasts that predicted huge gains for banks. A quick Google search shows that authors of such forecasts ranged from an eminent tax consultant, to a storied foreign broking company, one of Indias largest private-sector banks and an eminent economist. In short, a wide spectrum of experts believed banks would gain. As many as 71 Indian security personnel were killed this year by terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir as on November 27 up 34 per cent since 2013, when 53 were killed, and the worst in four years, according to data tabled by the home ministry in the Lok Sabha. It is that time of 2016 when Uttar Pradeshs officialdom is not looking at year-end destination breaks. The elections are a little more than a month away and the pre-poll scenario seemed muddled by the reckoning of Lucknows establishment, which otherwise has a finger on the popular pulse ahead of pollsters. Nobody is sure if a new regime will be seated in by March next year or the old order will continue. More than 100 skiers have been rescued after being trapped on the slopes of the Italian resort of Cervinia after a lift failed in high winds, authorities announced. Adriano Favre, the head of the rescue team in the Aosta Valley, yesterday announced the successful rescue just before midnight. The skiers had been stuck since 1430 GMT (2000 IST). "Luckily the wind wasn't too cold... There are no cases of hypothermia, and everything is under control," Favre said. The wind had been blowing at up to 150 kilometres an hour and had caused damage to infrastructure on the mountain, he added. Around 150 rescuers worked for hours to free the 130 skiers, who were stuck between two points of the lift - between 2,550 metres and 2,800 metres. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Libyan men have been arraigned in a Maltese court on charges of hijacking a domestic Libyan flight to the Mediterranean island of Malta. Defendants Moussa Saha and Ahmed Ali each entered pleas of innocent and wore bulletproof vests in their appearance today. They face up to life in prison. The hours-long hijacking standoff Friday at Valletta airport ended peacefully after negotiations. Those on board the hijacked Afriqiyah Airways plane returned to Libya on a different plane yesterday. Other charges include possession of imitation weapons, using violence against a person on a flight, holding people against their will, making threats of violence and attempting to cause financial or economic instability to a government. Afriqiyah Airways said the hijackers wanted to go to Rome but ended up in Malta due to fuel limitations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An over enthusiastic devotee biting the ear of another to jump the queue at a temple, a man putting his wife for sale on Facebook and believe it or not an Air India plane falling off a crane on to a busy road - 2016 had all the mix of the ridiculous, the outlandish or downright ludicrous incidents. The year was witness to incidents of all types being played out which made the readers sit up and take note of, some of them kooky and some tragic-comic. Even serious crimes like murder seemed to have spawned by weird reasons like that of an 85-year-old man allegedly killing his wife and ailing son in their house in Kerala for using the air conditioner disregarding his diktat against it to bring down the power bill. After the incident, Paul Painadathu allegedly tried to kill himself by hanging from the roof but could not climb the ladder due to his old age, police said. Weird status updates on Facebook continued with a 30-year-old man from Madhya Pradesh's Khargone district allegedly posting a 'status update' on social networking site Facebook seeking to sell his wife for Rs 1 lakh, in order to clear his debts. The woman lodged a police complaint over the objectionable post, following which a case was registered against her husband Dilip Mali. In his Facebook post in Hindi, the man had also uploaded a photo of his wife and two-year-old daughter and mentioned his mobile number for "interested" people to "contact me". Some freak mishaps also ended in tragedy as a 21-year-old youth died of an electric shock after he spat on a high tension wire. Mohammed Yasin was chewing gutka and received shock from a high tension wire as he spat gutka on it from window of the room on the first floor. Hyderabad took the cake when it came to a freak incident in which an AI aircraft collapsed during road transport! The training aircraft, Airbus A-320, collapsed and suffered partial damage while being shifted by a crane from Begumpet airport to a training institute in Hyderabad. The aircraft was being transported by road from Begumpet airport to Central Training Establishment at Ferozguda in Balanagar when the crane bars got bent down and the aircraft suddenly fell on a nearby compound wall. Goofups galore put many people in unpleasant situations like Manmohan Singh, a 54-year-old farmer of UP's Pilibhit village. Singh does not even know who Vijay Mallya is, but his banking facilities have been terminated for standing as "guarantor" for the liquor baron, who has defaulted on loan repayment and is facing money laundering charges. Singh, a resident of Khajuria Naviram village under Bilsanda police station, was informed by Naand branch of Bank of Baroda that his two accounts were being frozen for standing as "guarantor" for Mallya. Acting on instructions of BOB regional office, Mumbai, Manager Mange Lal froze Singh's accounts, one having a deposit of Rs 12,000 and the other Rs 4,000. Singh says he does not even know Mallya or anything about his company. "Leave alone Mallya or Kingfisher, I have never travelled to Mumbai or even Lucknow," he said. The farmer said he had taken a loan of Rs four lakh some two years ago for which he had submitted documents relating to his land with the bank. Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines has been accused of defaulting on bank loans of over Rs 9,400 crore. In Thane, a 40-year-old man bit a devotee's ear in his bid to enter into core area of a temple to offer prayer following which he was arrested. Shivaji Nana Salunke alias Yuvraj was one among scores of devotees who had queued up at the Swayambhu Amarnath here yesterday on festival Mahashivratri to offer prayer. Demonetisation move of the Centre also landed some persons in strange situations. It was an experience that a 35-year-old man waiting in a queue outside a bank in Nashik must have wished he never had. As he was standing outside a bank, he was spotted by his ex-lover, a 23-year-old woman. However, what followed was not reunion of old lovers, but settling of an old score as the woman claimed that he had walked out of the relationship four years back. The woman immediately informed her brother and father who came to the spot and allegedly thrashed him in full view of public and bank staffers and later, on her complaint, a case was registered against the man. On the medical front, there was some good news for people suffering from unique problems. A needle which got embedded into the body of a 12-year-old while he was playing, was removed by doctors in Thiruvananthapuram 22 years later. The man, now aged 34, had approached doctors complaining of severe pain and swelling on his back side. A scan revealed the presence of a needle on his left buttock. The needle had penetrated his body accidentally when he was playing as a child. Though he was rushed to a hospital, doctors could not trace it bank then and the family eventually forgot about it. However, when Kiran Kumar developed pain and swelling, he was referred to the Medical College Hospital where a thorough examination revealed a rusted needle, which was then removed after a two hour-long surgery, they said. In Nagpur, a 18-year-old boy had been living with a 18-cm long tail as his family did not see a doctor due to the social stigma and superstition attached to it. A team of neurosurgeons at a government Super Specialty Hospital (SSH) successfully removed the tail, apparently the longest recorded so far, from the back of the boy after its abnormal growth turned painful for him. But the parents as well as the child hid the fact all these years. The defect can be surgically corrected within few months of birth, the doctors said. "When the size of the tail grew and a bone developed inside it, the tail began to press on the boy's back. It was cosmetically and psychologically disturbing for him. Hence the parents approached us," a doctor explained. The patient was unable to sleep or sit properly. Human tail generally manifests into problems related to bladder functioning - like lack of control of bowel.It can also result in pain and loss of function in lower limbs or legs. Six persons have been arrested for allegedly stealing 38 from a shipment of 140 and replacing those with tiles in southeast Delhi's Okhla area, police said today. Sandeep Sharma, manager of a cargo company, told police that on December 5, a total of 140 were loaded in a vehicle from Okhla for transportation to the firm's warehouse in Gurgaon, Romil Baaniya, DCP(southeast), said. "On checking, 38 were found stolen and those were replaced with tiles affixed in an iron cabinet," the officer said. During investigation police suspected insider role in the theft and questioned Aadesh Kumar, the driver of the vehicle. "During interrogation, he confessed to his involvement in the crime and was arrested. He also led police to four of his accomplices," Baaniya said. Aadesh Kumar, Shailender Kumar, Subodh Rai, Mithun Kumar and Sanoj Kumar were arrested, while the sixth accused Jayesh Nanji Desai was arrested from Mumbai today, the officer said, adding 28 laptops with chargers were recovered along with 12 sets of stone tiles. It was also revealed that another accomplice, Jayesh Patel had come to Delhi from Mumbai a few days back and it was then the plan to steal the laptops was hatched, he said. According to their plan, Mithun Kumar and Shailender Kumar, who worked in the cargo company, loaded the laptop boxes in the vehicle driven by Aadesh Kumar. Mithun Kumar put a dummy seal on the back door. Later, Aadesh parked his vehicle in a backlane near the warehouse. They removed the seal from the door and stole 38 laptops and chargers replacing those with tiles affixed in an iron cabinet. After the incident, Jayesh took 10 laptops with him and left for Mumbai the next day, the police officer said. Seven persons were killed and six listed missing in two fireworks-related explosions in China in which 16 others also suffered injuries. Five persons were killed in east China's Shandong Province when an explosion took place at a house at Jiulongmiao village, Dezhou city at around 3 pm yesterday. Police have held the house owner under custody and investigation is under way, state-run Xinhua agency reported late last night. In another incident yesterday, two persons were killed and six others went missing after an explosion destroyed a fireworks workshop in north China's Hebei Province. The explosion at 1 pm levelled down the workshop and damaged about a dozen homes nearby in Yanzihe village in Fengrun District of Tangshan City, the district's public security bureau said. Sixteen others were injured, with one suffering severe eye injuries and the rest suffering bruises. A police investigation found that the workshop owner, a villager surnamed Gao, was allegedly involved in illegal storage and production of fireworks. Police have retrieved some human tissues at the site and were conducting DNA testing, Xinhua reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A policeman posted at Gudagaur Ji police station here was today arrested by the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 5,000, officials said. Accused Mahesh Chandra had demanded a bribe of Rs 9,000 against releasing accidental vehicle of complainant Sanjay Singh, who had previously paid Rs 3,600 to the policeman, Additional Superintendent of Police, ACB, Prithviraj Meena told PTI. Taking cognisance of the complaint, a team of ACB officers caught Chandra red handed accepting the bribe. He will be produced before the ACB court tomorrow, the officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Consumer electronic brand Akai, which has re-entered the Indian market through its licensee Hometech Digital, is aiming to have around Rs 1,500-2,000 crore sales in next four years. Hometech Digital has launched around 60 products under brand in categories including LED TV, Washing Machines, Air conditioners, Refrigerators, Air Purifiers and Home Appliances. "We have come with a full range of products across six categories. We are aiming for sales of Rs 1,500 crore to Rs 2,000 crore by FY 2020-21," India Director Anurag Sharma told PTI. As part of its strategy, the company would position itself among the B segment customers, who want quality product but cannot afford the top brands. "We would provide qualitative product at competitive price," he said. Adding that would have a network of around 200 distributors and 2,000 retailers by the mid of 2017. Akai had first come to India in 1995 by launching its range of colour televisions. However, it lost market share to Korean rivals like LG and Samsung. "We are expecting that 65 per cent of our sales would be from consumer electronics and rest to come from the appliances sector," Sharma added. The company would spend around Rs 150-200 crore on branding and marketing, and also bank on brand recall of Akai. Hometech Digital has got brand license for Akai in July 2016 for next 10 years. Hometech Digital is a part of Paras Group, which retails products of leading brands as Sony, LG Electronics, Nikon etc. Akai is also in talks with leading e-commerce channels as it expects a good volume from the online platform as its popularity is increasing. Besides, the company is also focusing on the consumer satisfaction aspect and have already made 55 service centres operational in eight states. "We would import products in SKD (semi knocked down) form from countries like Taiwan and China and then assemble it locally here," he added. Akai, which was founded in Japan (1929), is now based in Singapore. It is now held by Hong Kong-listed Grande Holdings Ltd, which has other Japanese brands such as Nakamichi and Sansui in its fold. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandranabu Naidu today said his Government is committed to maintain religious harmony in the State. Naidu participated in Christmas celebrations at a church at Pedakakani near here. On the occasion, he said the TDP-led Government is committed to maintain religious harmony in the state. Naidu said the Government has distributed essential commodities worth Rs 334 crore to the poor so that they could celebrate festivals like Eid, Christmas and Pongal. The CM said his Government has allocated Rs 57 for the welfare of Christians. The financial aid to visit Jerusalem by Christians has been enhanced from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 per person. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rs 6,000-crore special package announced by the government in June for the textiles sector will help push exports to over $30 billion in the next three years, AEPC today said. Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman Ashok Rajani said the initiatives announced by the government along with good quality products aided by innovative design prowess will drive the change for the industry. "We have an ambitious target for export and job creation in the next three years. The industry is poised to grow in 2017. I am sure we will not only achieve the $30 billion mark in next three years for exports, but have the potential of exceeding the expectation," he said in a statement. Currently, the country's apparel exports stood at around $17 billion annually. He said India has an immense pool of talent and this industry can harness this resource maximum. On demonetisation, Rajani said: "Temporally, we are facing a lot of pain as our workers are having difficulties opening bank accounts and migrant workers from our principal centres from Delhi, Tirupur and Karnataka are going back to their villages." Earlier this month, AEPC honoured the apparel exporters for their contribution in Indian ready-made garment exports, by presenting them Export Awards here. Dinanath Bhargava, a co-artist in the team that sketched the national emblem 'Lion Capital of Ashoka' and decorated the pages of the Constitution's manuscript, died at the age of 89 in Indore. Bhargava was suffering from cardiac ailments since the past decade. His daughter-in-law Sapekshi Bhargava told PTI that he breathed his last yesterday. "He is survived by four children including two sons," she added. Born on November 1, 1927 at Multai in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, Bhargava was chosen by noted painter Nandlal Bose, then the Principal of Kala Bhavan Shanti Niketan, in the group for designing the pages of the Indian Constitution's manuscript. Bhargava was pursuing a 3-year Diploma in Fine Arts at Shanti Niketan at that time. The national emblem of India was adapted by the Government of India on 26th January 1950. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 17 Sabarimala pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh were injured, two of them seriously, in a "minor stampede" at the famous hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa this evening, which witnessed heavy rush of devotees, officials said. Due to the heavy rush, a rope barricade between 'Sannidhanam' and 'Mallikapura' snapped and the pilgrims, who were leaning on it fell on each other, Pathnamthitta District Collector R Girija told PTI. The injured were initially taken to the Sannidhanam hospital of which two seriously injured were shifted to Kottayam medical college hospital and three others to Pamba hospital, she said. The two grievously injured pilgrims have suffered head and rib injuries but they are conscious, she said. There was a heavy rush of pilgrims today, the penultimate day before the culmination of 41-day 'mandala pooja'. The mishap occurred just as the holy 'Thanga Angi' procession carrying the ornaments that is to be adorned on Lord Ayyappa on Mandala pooja tomorrow had reached the temple this evening. The procession starts from Aranmula Sree Parthasarthy temple, four days prior to the Mandala pooja. Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said there was heavy rush of pilgrims at the shrine when the 'thanga angi' procession arrived. He was at the temple shortly before the stampede and had left the shrine after the 'deeparadhana' (evening prayers) with the Thanga Angi. The minister said he was on his way to the hospital. He later said the situation has been brought under control. Police are restricting the movement of pilgrims from downhill Pamba to Sannidhanam because of the heavy rush. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dinanath Bhargava, a co-artist in the team that sketched the national emblem 'Lion Capital of Ashoka' and decorated the pages of the Constitution's manuscript, died at the age of 89 in Indore yesterday. Bhargava was suffering from cardiac ailments since past decade, family sources said. His daughter-in-law Sapekshi Bhargava told PTI that he breathed his last yesterday. "He is survived by four children including two sons. Elder son is living in Germany," she added. Born on November 1, 1927 at Multai in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, Bhargava was chosen by noted painter Nandlal Bose (then the Principal of Kala Bhavan Shanti Niketan) in the group for designing the pages of the Indian Constitution's manuscript. Bhargava, who was in early 20s, was pursuing 3-year Diploma in Fine Arts at Shanti Niketan at that time, the family informed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP's maiden electoral victory ending the 15-year rule of Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government, protests against a proposed bill granting citizenship status to Hindu Bangladeshis and arrest of Assam Public Service Commission in cash-for-job scam were some of the major developments in Assam during 2016. The state witnessed sporadic incidents of violence. Fourteen people were killed by NDFB militants at a market place in Kokrajhar in August while three army personnel were gunned down by ULFA-I militants at Pengeri in Tinsukia district. Rhino killings in the state continued unabated with 16 pachyderms falling prey to poachers while human-elephant conflict assumed alarming proportions with nearly 20 elephants killed during the year despite eviction drives of encroachers from Kaziranga and Manas national parks. The assembly elections were a litmus test for the BJP which launched an aggressive campaign to make its foray into the northeast with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah leading the campaign. BJP and its allies registered a historic win in the two- phase elections in April capturing 88 seats while Congress, adversely affected by a strong anti-incumbency factor, managed to win only 26 of the 122 seats it contested. BJP, led by then Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal, registered wins in 60 of the 89 seats it contested while its allies-- AGP won 14 seats, BPF 12 and the Rabha and Tiwa Aikya Manchas a seat each. Chief Minister Sonowal and his 10-member cabinet took oath of office at a grand public ceremony attended by top brass of the party, including Modi, Shah, veteran L K Advani and all chief ministers of BJP-ruled states. BJP's winning spree continued in the subsequent bypoll to the Lok Sabha seat vacated by Sonowal and the Baithalangso assembly constituency. The going for the new government, however, has not been as smooth as its ascent to power with widespread protests against the Centre's decision to privatise some oilfields rocking the state within the first month itself. The matter continues to simmer but has taken a back seat to another major issue that came to the fore following the introduction of the bill to grant citizenship to Hindu refugees from Bangladesh. Finance, Education and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been the most vocal supporter of the Hindu citizenship issue though a section of the BJP state leaders have expressed reservation on this issue. BJP's alliance partner AGP also voiced concern over the step along with all Opposition parties, influential organisations like All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), intellectuals and a cross-section of Assamese society. The state had witnessed a long-drawn agitation over the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh leading to the signing of the Assam Accord, many of whose clauses are yet to be implemented, and majority of the state's population are not ready to accept citizenship status for any migrants irrespective of their religion. Close on the heels of this issue, Sarma announced that all madrasas in the state which had earlier observed Friday as a holiday will henceforth have their weekly holiday on Sunday leading to widespread resentment and protests in minority-dominated areas. The arrest of Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) chairman Rakesh Paul, who was subsequently removed from office, and four others brought to fore the cash-for-job scam with the ruling BJP pointing fingers at the former Congress government in the state but the charges were denied. The Congress cried foul when the Centre removed the NSG security of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi within a year of the party's loss in the state. Gogoi claimed grave injustice by the Centre saying it acted suo moto as the state government informed him that no report was sent regarding removal of his security cover. Delhi BJP leaders and workers today came out for voluntary sanitation work as they swept and removed garbage from streets to mark former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday as 'Swachhta-Shuchita Divas'. They also put in efforts to promote cashless transactions as part of the 'Sanitation-Good Governance Day' celebration. More than 25,000 BJP workers joined the campaign across Delhi, according to a statement from the party. Union ministers Harsh Vardhan and Vijay Goel, and other leaders of the party's Delhi unit organised sanitation-related programmes in several areas and popularised e-transactions. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari joined the campaign in his North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency at Malka Ganj and Roshanara Road. Later, he and BJP lawmaker Meenakshi Lekhi helped party workers in removing debris from under Moolchand flyover in south Delhi area. Tiwari called upon people to contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives to make India a "cashless economy", and also help in making 'Swachh Bharat' campaign a success, saying the two programmes will ultimately benefit the poor. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Camlin Fine Sciences (CFS) said it is acquiring 51 per cent stake in China-based Ningbo Wanglong Flavors and Fragrances Company Ltd (NWFFCL). "We have entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire 51 per cent stake in an entity in China. The acquisition is subject to RBI approval and expected to be completed on or before June 30 next year and cost of proposed acquisition will be disclosed after the completion...," the company said in a statement here. NWFFCL is a medium-sized company engaged in research, development and production of flavours and fragrances (food additives), as well as an agency of import and export of goods and technologies. It sells its products directly to food manufacturers, distributors and industrial customers globally and utilizes proprietary processes and technology. Camlin Fine Sciences, a provider of shelf life extension solutions including antioxidants, aroma ingredients and performance chemicals, recently acquired 65 per cent stake in Mexican company Dresen Quimica to cover Central America. The company caters to the demands of its end-consumers by bringing high-quality products to the food, pet food and animal nutrition sectors as well as pharmaceutical, dye, biodiesel, petrochemical, agrochemical, textile and tanning industries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after actress Carrie Fisher suffered a mid-air heart attack, her sister took to social media to thank people for their support. Joely Fisher, Carrie's 49-year-old sister and a fellow actress who has appeared on "Last Man Standing," posted on Twitter a throwback photo of them with fellow sister and TV star Tricia Leigh Fisher. "Fisher Girls...Your love and prayers are deeply felt...@TriciaLFisher @carrieffisher @Gary_TheDog," Joely wrote. Joely, who is performing in the Laguna Playhouse's production of "Sleeping Beauty," also tweeted that she would perform a matinee of the pantomime that afternoon as scheduled, then return to Carrie's bedside. The 60-year-old Star Wars' actress' brother and 58-year-old producer Todd said that actress was treated in the ICU following her cardiac arrest, which took place on a plane just before it landed in Los Angeles, reported E! online. "She's obviously a very tough girl who has survived many things. I encourage everyone to pray for her," Todd said. Carrie's mother, 84-year-old actress Debbie Reynolds, has not commented on her daughter, nor has the actress' only child and daughter, Billie Lourd. The 24-year-old actress, who appears on "Scream Queens," was spotted entering the hospital Friday with her mother's French bulldog Gary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police today caught two trucks transporting 110 cattle at Kedareshwar Ghat area in the district and arrested two persons. "We had received information that two trucks transporting cattle illegally were coming from Shahpura in Bhilwada (Rajasthan)," said Madan Meena, in-charge of Sarwan police station. Police stopped the two trucks and found 110 cattle including bulls and calves crammed inside in an inhuman way, he told PTI. "The cattle were rescued and handed over to a Gaushala (cow-shelter) at Sailana. We nabbed two persons while two others escaped from the spot. We are searching for them," he added. Initial inquiry revealed the animals were being taken to Indore for slaughtering, Meena said. Further probe was on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There is an undampened Christmas spirit in Jammu and Kashmir despite freezing cold as the birth of Jesus Christ is being celebrated with religious fervor at various churches in Jammu, though it remains a subdued affair in Srinagar due to the situation in the Valley. Special prayers for world peace were conducted at the churches in Srinagar with the biggest gathering in the Valley held at the Holy Family Catholic Church at Moulana Azad Road in the heart the city. Members of Christian community assembled at the church to celebrate Christmas, though decorations were not like the last year. The Church functionaries here said the community did not want to celebrate the festival in a big way because of the unrest in the Valley and the resulting human tragedy. Father Matthew Roy at the Holy Family Catholic Church said, "prayers were held but for those who have suffered and their families because there is sorrow and pain". Prayers were also held at other Churches across the Valley. In Jammu region, special prayers are being held across all the churches to mark the day, with the main attraction at the Gandhi Nagar Church. "It has become a tradition that people of all faiths and different walks of life come to this church to offer prayers and greet the Christians on this day which is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Jesus," a local resident said. Keeping in view the heavy rush of the people to the Gandhi Nagar church, elaborate security arrangements have been kept in place to thwart any untoward incident, a a senior police officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress is striving for uniting the opposition on the issue of Rahul Gandhi's charges of "personal corruption" against the Prime Minister and plans are afoot for a joint press conference by its President Sonia Gandhi and other opposition leaders on December 27. While there is no formal word from Congress about the initiative or the press conference, reports from Kolkata said West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee will be attending a joint opposition meeting on December 27. She is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow. Leaders of Left parties said they have been approached by Congress but are not aware of the details. They also remained non-committal about their participation in the meeting. Sources said NCP, JD(U) and some other opposition parties have also been approached by Congress for the joint meeting to step up the attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. The sources said NCP leader Tariq Anwar, CPI leader D Raja and Mamata Banerjee have been approached, besides some other leaders. Congress is working towards projecting a united opposition to dispel the impression that cracks developed in the opposition ranks on the last day of the Winter Session of Parliament on December 16 when some parties backed out at the last minute from an opposition delegation to meet the President. Congress' move comes close on the heels of Rahul Gandhi targeting the Prime Minister on his home turf of Mehsana in Gujarat last week in which he made the allegations against Modi. BJP leaders have dismissed the charges levelled by Rahul. The Prime Minister too had mocked Rahul, who in turn, hit back at Modi saying that the PM could make as much fun of him as he can but he should say whether the charge of corruption is correct or not. The Congress Vice President had also emphasised on an independent probe. A TMC leader said, "Our party supremo will go to Delhi tomorrow and will attend the meeting of opposition parties on December 27. In that meeting, the next line of action will be discussed." Besides this, Banerjee is likely to hold a separate meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. She will also be meeting some other leaders. The just-concluded Parliament session had seen several opposition parties getting their act together as a united force by holding daily meetings to strategise their plans to target the government. This was for the first time that such meetings to strategise opposition plans took place since Modi took charge as the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, a senior Congress leader, who declined to be identified, has raised doubts over the strategy, saying that the plan to step up attack on Modi might not hold ground as former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's name has also allegedly figured in the same documents. She has junked the charges. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Congress president Adhir Chowdhury's peace march was today stopped from entering the villages at Dhulagarh in Howrah district where clashes had taken place earlier this month. The peace march, which started from Alampur in the same district, was stopped by the police at old Dhulagarh Chowrasta, roughly 8 km from the cluster of villages where the clashes had occurred on December 13. After being asked by the police to terminate the march, Chowdhury addressed a gathering where, he alleged that "some people" had hurled stones during his speech. He urged authorities to arrest "miscreants" responsible for the series of clashes and demanded proper compensation for the affected. "We want peace and communal harmony," Chowdhury said. Yesterday, a BJP central team was stopped by the police from entering the violence-hit villages, which later set up a road blockade in protest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vodafone, Cairn Energy and other firms facing demand will have to withdraw legal cases and give up the right to contest the constitutional validity of the back-dated amendment to the income tax (I-T) laws if they want to avail of the dispute resolution scheme ending on December 31. The government, in the Budget 2016-17, had announced a scheme to settle the disputes by waiving interest and penalty if the companies paid up the principal tax amount. The scheme opened on June 1 and is due to close on December 31. In the second FAQ on the Direct Tax Dispute Resolution Scheme, 2016, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said that for any company to avail of the settlement, it has to withdraw writ petitions pending before any court against the imposition of retrospective taxation and furnish proof of the same. "It is, hence, clear that if the assessee avails (of) the scheme, he cannot contest the constitutional validity of (the) retrospective amendment in the high court or the Supreme Court," the tax department's FAQ said. So far, none of the companies facing the cases have come forward. After the scheme closes, the I-T Department will go ahead with the tax demand and pursue legal course, including arbitration, sources said. The sources also said that the government had asked the I-T Department not to take any coercive action during the time the scheme is open. Weeks before the scheme was announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech on February 29, the department had issued Vodafone a reminder over its Rs 14,200-crore tax demand and threatened to seize assets in case of non-payment. UK oil explorer Cairn Energy is facing a tax demand of Rs 10,247 crore on alleged capital gains made in a 2006 business reorganisation it carried out in its India unit before getting it listed. The total tax due after including interest comes to over Rs 29,000 crore. British telecom giant Vodafone is facing a total demand of Rs 14,200 crore in tax, interest and penalty with regard to its $11-billion acquisition of a 67 per cent stake in the mobile phone business owned by Hutchison Whampoa in 2007. Both firms raised their concerns over the tax demands and challenged the matter by initiating international arbitration. According to the rules of the scheme, the companies deciding to go for the tax settlement needs to provide proof of withdrawal of "any proceeding for arbitration, conciliation or mediation or any notice thereof under any law for the time being in force or under any agreement entered into by India with any other country or territory outside India whether for protection of investment or otherwise". A dalit man was beaten to death while six others were injured, one of them seriously, by a group of musclemen during fishing at Purikh village in Bihar's Saharsa district today. The deceased has been identified as Chano Ram (55) who succumbed to his injuries during the course of treatment at Sadar hospital, Deputy Superintendent of Police Subodh Viswash said adding that six injured persons are being treated at the hospital. An old land dispute could be the reason behind the incident, DySP said adding that one Purushottam Singh, one of the attackers, has been arrested in this regard. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Local distributors of the latest Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal in Pakistan are pinning their hopes on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to give his formal approval to its release in the country and are expecting the film to be screened soon. According to Pakistani media reports, the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage in association with the Ministry of Commerce, has sent an official summary to Sharif seeking his permission to release the film in Pakistan. The local distributors have rubbished reports in Indian media as "false" that the film would not be released in the country, saying its screening may get delayed by a week. "That is false news. Yes, there are hurdles that we are facing in releasing the film in Pakistan but we haven't lost hope yet. The film might get delayed by a week or so but no final decision has been taken as yet," Mohammad Nasir of Geo films said. Pakistani cinema owners are pinning their hopes on the release of and other Indian films to be released in January to make up for the losses they suffered during a three-month voluntarily ban on screening of Indian films in Pakistan. The ban was lifted last week in a low-key fashion, but the release of still remains uncertain. According to officials, local distributor Geo films are in direct correspondence with Aamir, who also happens to be the producer of the film, to make its release possible. A ministry source said that now only the Prime Minister can move things forward. Zoraiz Lashari, chairman of the of the Film Exhibitors Association of Pakistan, has said that they too are awaiting the Prime Minister's response. "We have been suffering grave financial issues due to the suspension. Indian artistes and distributors want their films to be screened in Pakistan but the local distributors are hesitant to purchase new films before the government gives it a green light," he said. "I want to make it clear that there is no ban on Indian films in Pakistan as no official notification was issued by the government," he stated. According to industry sources, local distributors pay around rupees 80 to 100 million to Indian distributors and the buying group must earn around 200 million rupees as they also have to pay off some amount to the cinemas and make profit. Pakistan is considered as the third largest market for Indian films. Indian movies returned to Pakistani cinema houses in 2008 after a 43-year-long hiatus imposed during the 1965 war. Denied leave for a long time after falling sick, an Armed Forces Battalion constable here allegedly shot himself dead, a senior police official said today. R Gopinath from Vadipatti in Madurai district was found dead with a head injury inside the premises of Armed Reserve Battalion where he was working, he said. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the constable may have taken the extreme step as he had not been feeling well for a long time and had been requesting leave, which was denied to him. "An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered since it is an unnatural death. His family has been informed. The constable's body has been taken to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for autopsy," the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dense fog occurred at many places in Uttar Pradesh today resulting in killing of seven people and injuring 14 others in separate road mishaps. Five people were killed and seven others injured in separate incidents in Bhadohi today. While four persons were killed and five others injured when a truck hit their van near Lalaganj locality in Gopiganj area in Bhadohi, police said. In a separate incident in the same district, two persons were seriously injured when their SUV rammed into a stationary truck in Amva village in Gopiganj area. In Mau district, two elderly persons were killed and seven others injured when a roadways bus hit a jeep in Haldharpur area due to fog in the district, they said. Teju Yadav (60) and Jagdish Yadav (70) were killed on the spot in the mishap, they said. The injured were rushed to a hospital, where their condition is stated to be serious. According to the MeT department, night temperature rose markedly in Agra division, rose appreciably in Moradabad and Meerut divisions, rose in Allahabad divisions and changed a little in the remaining divisions of the state. The lowest minimum temperature over the state was 7.1 degrees Celsius and the weather was dry over the state. The MeT department has forecast dry weather over the state with a possibility of shallow to moderate fog at many places. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today inaugurated eight public libraries constructed under Swaraj Fund in the Karawal Nagar assembly constituency in north east Delhi. These libraries have been put together with the help of Citizen Local Area Development (C-LAD) or Swaraj fund. People chose them as priority projects in Mohalla Sabhas conducted in various assembly constituencies. Karwal Nagar MLA and Water Minister Kapil Mishra was also present on the occasion. A press statement released by the Delhi Government said they had conducted over 400 Mohalla Sabha meetings in 11 constituencies to ask, tabulate and execute works that the citizens wanted and needed in their community. "To execute this, Delhi Government has piloted the Swaraj Fund, under which all development works would be proposed and awarded by Mohalla Sabhas, for which Rs 350 crore was allocated in 2015-16," the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) While Rahul Gandhi recently targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the 'Sahara diaries' bribery issue, a controversy erupted with the Congress party putting out a list linked to it on Twitter. The list also had reference to its own leader, former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who was prompt in junking the document. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) immediately latched on to the issue, saying there could not be double standards and that Rahul Gandhi was "whipping a dead horse". It also clarified that the Supreme Court had already cleared the matter. Parties like the Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Nationalist Congress Party, meanwhile, demanded that everyone mentioned in the diaries should be probed. Dikshit, who is also the Congress' chief ministerial candidate for Uttar Pradesh, strongly denied the charges and trashed the documents, saying the Supreme Court had already made its observations on them. "There is no iota of truth in the allegations. I totally reject these allegations," she said. Asked about the Congress putting out the "list" publicly on its twitter handle, she said: "It surprised me". She, however, said she had nothing to do with the issue and refused to speak further, saying the matter was sub judice. Sources close to her said she might take up the matter with the party. "The list has so many names. Then why are you focusing on Sheila Dikshit. I don't even remember anything like this. There are names of other chief ministers. Why don't you talk about them? Why only Sheila Dikshit?" she said. BJP Secretary Siddharth Nath Singh said: "There cannot be double standards, but Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and their spokespersons are making stupid mistakes time and again. A horse has died and its death has been certified by the Supreme Court." Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, he said the Congress leader "should have gained wisdom by now; he is no more a child". JD(U) leader K C Tyagi said, "I want that the should now be made public and all the people named in it should be questioned." "There are accusations against Sheila Dikshit, Raman Singh and Shivraj (Singh Chouhan) and some other leaders that they have received money from Sahara and that is why we demand that the entire list should be made public," he alleged. RJD leader Manoj Kumar said immediate action should be taken and a probe should be carried out by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, irrespective of who has been named in the list. "Because we don't want to target an individual, we don't want the Prime Minister's position losing its credibility in front of the entire world, and this is our priority," he said. Majeed Memon of NCP said, "It does not matter if the person is from Congress or BJP or is a PM or a former CM. "If someone has committed a crime and he/she is being accused, he/she should be dealt with in accordance with the law." Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that Narendra Modi had taken money from Sahara and Birla groups as Gujarat chief minister -- a charge rejected by BJP -- and demanded an independent inquiry into it. The ruling party had said the "baseless, false, shameful and mala fide" allegations were an attempt to divert attention from the AgustaWestland probe as names of Congress leaders and the "family" were coming up. The government received Rs 34,800 crore from the sale of minority stakes in an array of state-owned firms this year even as it prepared the ground for the first strategic sale of public sector undertakings (PSUs) in over 12 years. This year will also be remembered as a watershed for the government's programme as Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to transform the Department of (DoD) from a mere seller of government stake in central PSUs to Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) the manager of its assets. The renaming of the 17-year old DoD to DIPAM signalled a revamp in the way the government manages its investments in state enterprises by focusing on monetising non-strategic holdings from surplus land and assets with a PSU to privatising non-core companies. The year saw the exchequer getting about Rs 34,800 crore from of minority government stake in PSUs, a tad lower than the record high of Rs 35,236 crore collected through part-sale of its stake in 2015. The disinvestment proceeds stood at about Rs 18,000 crore in 2014 and Rs 22,000 crore in the previous year. In 2016, the government focused on identifying and doing the spade work for the strategic sale of some of the nearly 200 PSUs while asking cash-rich companies to put their idle money to use by either doing share buy-backs, bonus issues and special dividend. The NITI Aayog was asked to prepare a list of PSUs that can be divested outright. Scooters India, Pawan Hans, Hindustan Newsprint and units of Cement Corporation of India were among those identified. Selling four steel plants of NMDC and Steel Authority of India as well as offloading 26 per cent stake in Bharat Earth Movers Ltd to a strategic bidder is on the cards. In addition, Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation Ltd, National Project Construction Corporation Ltd, and Engineering Project (India) Ltd are to be merged with other sectoral central public sector enterprises (CPSEs). Through share buybacks and strategic sale, the government is eyeing about Rs 40,000 crore from PSU share sale in 2017. Parallel, the minority disinvestment continues starting with Engineers India Ltd, NTPC and Concor. With no strategic stake sale policy in place, the DoD, which was carved out of the Finance Ministry in 1999, could not privatise any PSU till the last financial year. But now a Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment, or CGD, on strategic sale has been set up. From its first CPSE stake sale in 1991-92, DoD has surely come a long way and has transformed its role to giving ideas on how to monetise idle assets of PSUs as well as emulate the private sector by restructuring their capital and utilising their cash balance for resource augmentation. NITI Aayog has prepared a list of public sector units where the government can sell its majority stake to private companies in order to bring in greater efficiency and professionalism in functioning. Based on its suggestions, the DIPAM has finalised a model of strategic disinvestment. Since the beginning of the year, the department got into full swing and divested stake in Engineer's India, which fetched the exchequer Rs 642 crore, followed by NTPC (Rs 5,014 crore) and Concor (Rs 1,155 crore). Besides, it all bought back shares in two unlisted PSUs Hindustan Aeronautics (Rs 4,284 crore) and Bharat Dynamics (Rs 199 crore). All these happened in the January-March quarter. Beginning April, the start of the financial year, the department has focused more on buy back with five cash rich PSUs buying back their shares. While the NALCO buy back fetched the government Rs 2,832 crore, NMDC got Rs 7519 crore, MOIL (Rs 793 crore), BEL (Rs 1802 crore) and Coal India (Rs 2,638 crore). Besides, the offer for sale of NHPC and NBCC garnered Rs 2,716 crore and Rs 2,201 crore, respectively, and paring some of SUUTI Holding fetched the exchequer Rs 2,096 crore. For the financial year ending March 2017, the disinvestment target has been set at Rs 56,500 crore. Of this, Rs 36,000 crore is to come from minority stake sale in PSUs and another Rs 20,500 crore from strategic stake sale. The fiscal target continues to remain far off with total collections of about Rs 24,000 crore in the nine months of the financial year so far. In his Budget speech, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: "We will encourage CPSEs to divest individual assets like land, manufacturing unit to release their asset value for making investments in new projects." "We will adopt a comprehensive approach for efficient management of the government investment in CPSEs by addressing issues such as capital restructuring, dividend, bonus shares," he added. The CGD will be headed by Cabinet Secretary and also include secretaries to the department of revenue, economic affairs, expenditure, disinvestment, public enterprises, corporate affairs and legal affairs besides those of administrative ministries concerned with the PSU. The last strategic sale took place in Jessop and Co in 2003-04 under the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpyaee, when 72 per cent of government stake was sold to Indo Wagon Engineering for Rs 18.18 crore. Incidentally, the first strategic sale in a PSU also happened under the NDA rule in 1999-2000 when the government sold 74 per cent equity in Modern Food Industries to Hindustan Lever for Rs 105.45 crore. The collector of Naxal-affected Kondagaon district in Chhattisgarh had received a letter threatening to kill him, police said today. The collector Samir Bishnoi received the letter by post three days ago and the police were conducting a probe in this regard, Additional Superintendent of Police, Kondagaon Maheshwar Nag told Bhasha/PTI. The letter mentions among other things drive against illegal constructions in Kondagaon city and had 'Maowadi-Kondagaon Committee' written at the end. However police suspect that some mischievous persons might have send the letter in the name of Naxals, Nag added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As cooperative banks in Tamil Nadu come under the I-T scrutiny amid reports about deposits of large amount of demonetised notes, DMK and PMK today demanded that the state government order an inquiry and protect the integrity of the institutions. DMK Treasurer M K Stalin demanded that Chief Minister O Pannerselvam order the inquiry while PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss sought the intervention of state Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao. Referring to the inspections carried out by Income Tax sleuths in Central Cooperative Banks, especially in Salem and Cuddalore last week, Stalin said there were reports that these banks had been allegedly used by some ruling AIADMK leaders to convert blackmoney post scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. In a statement here, Stalin, also the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, said the inspection at the Salem Central District Cooperative Bank, which had received the President's award four times for best performance, has shocked the people. Co-operative banks had been directed not to take up any financial transactions of demonetised currency, he said adding suitable investigation should be taken up on how these banks accepted "fixed deposits of old (Rs 500 and Rs 1,000) notes". He demanded that Chief Minister appoint a committee to conduct a probe into the alleged illegal deposits of scrapped notes, sack those heads of banks found guilty and protect the integrity of the cooperative institutions. Ramadoss in a statement urged Governor Rao to order an investigation into the issue as the cooperative banks come under the purview of state government. Noting that Income Tax department and Reserve Bank of India had taken up separate investigations, he said, "Since these banks come under the control of state government, the Governor and Chief Secretary should conduct an inquiry." Income Tax investigation officials have undertaken a state-wide exercise to check whether there was any illegal transfer of funds in co-operative banks following reports that a large amount of demonetised notes have been deposited in some branches of the Co-operative Banks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Egypt's state agency says the state prosecutor has ordered the arrest of an Al-Jazeera TV producer for "fabricating reports" on the country's internal situation with the aim of harming national security and sedition against the state. MENA, quoting an Interior Ministry statement, said today State Security arrested Mahmoud Hussein Gomaa. No additional details were provided. The Qatar-based Al-Jazeera network carried the report on its own website Friday. The ministry's statement is Egypt's first confirmation of Gomaa's arrest. In September 2015, two Al-Jazeera English journalists received presidential pardons for their 3-year sentences for collaborating with the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood group in a highly-publicized case widely condemned by rights groups. Two separate Al-Jazeera employees were sentenced to death in abstentia in July for passing secret state documents to Qatar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Egypt today sentenced to life two men linked to the Islamic State group for plotting an attack on a Red Sea resort hotel during which three tourists were hurt, a court official said. The men armed with knives stormed the restaurant of the Bella Vista hotel in Hurghada last January as tourists were having dinner, slightly wounding an elderly Austrian couple and a Swedish tourist. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, during which police shot dead one of the assailants, Mohamad Hassan Mohamed Mahfouz, and wounded the other, Mohamed Magdy Abul Kheir. The prosecution said that the pair had plotted the attack along with fellow Egyptian Ahmad Abdel Salam Mansour, identified as an Islamic State group jihadist based in Syria where IS is active. The court official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Abul Kheir was present in court for the verdict while Mansour was sentenced to life in absentia. According to the prosecution, Mansour incited the other two to carry out attacks against tourists in Hurghada and to join the IS jihadist group. The IS Egyptian affiliate is waging an insurgency in the north of the Sinai Peninsula that has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers. The jihadists have claimed attacks on other targets in Egypt, including a bomb attack on a Cairo church this month that killed 27 people. IS said it is also behind the October 2015 bombing of a Russian airliner carrying holidaymakers from the Sharm el-Sheikh Red Sea resort, an attack that killed all 224 people on board and that crippled Egypt's tourism industry and economy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 25 lakh new investor accounts or folios have been added to equity (MFs) during the first eight months of the current financial year, primarily on account of strong participation from retail investors. This is over and above an addition of 43 lakh folios in 2015-16 and 25 lakh in 2014-15. In the past two years, investor accounts increased mainly due to robust contribution from smaller towns. Folios are numbers designated for individual investor accounts, though an investor can have multiple accounts. According to the Securities and Exchange Board of India data on investor accounts with 43 active fund houses, the number of equity folios jumped to 38,591,768 at the end of November from 36,025,062 at the end of the last financial year, a gain of 25.66 lakh. Overall, the industry has witnessed an addition of 44 lakh investors' accounts to reach an all-time high level of 5.2 crore. The latest inflow has pushed the assets under management of equity MFs to Rs 4.68 lakh crore at the end of November, from Rs 3.86 lakh crore in March-end. Growing participation from retail investors and huge inflows in equity schemes have helped in increasing the folio counts, experts said. "Investors have seen the volatility of this year as a positive to average out costs. Besides, retail investors appear to have become savvier, using liquid schemes to either earn higher returns or to run Systematic Transfer Plan into equity funds to average costs," says Srikanth Meenakshi, COO of FundsIndia.com, an online investment portal for MFs. MFs have reported net inflows of over Rs 73,000 crore in equity schemes in the first eight months (April-November) of the current financial year. "Inflows in equities have regained pace since August 2016. Investors are investing whenever there is a drop in the as they consider it to be a good opportunity, which is a good sign," Quantum MF Chief executive Jimmy Patel said. "The impact of demonetisation on the stock is likely to linger for some time and may lead to more inflows into equities if the continue to be bearish," he added. In the wake of the violence in Manipuar and paramilitary personnel being rushed to the state, the Assam Rifles chief today said the force is "prepared at all times" to deal with any situation. "We are prepared at all times to deal with any situation at any time," Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan told reporters at the sideline of National Integration and Youth Leadership Camp here. "The mere fact that Assam Rifles is in Manipur, it means we are assisting them (state government)," he said. Reacting to a query on the present situation in Manipur and the internal security in that state, he said, "Every situation is dynamic and once that situation comes up, we will deal with it...". Violence erupted Sunday last in Manipur following an economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council since November 1 on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 37 (Imphal-Jiribam) -- that serve as lifelines for the landlocked Manipur. The Centre has rushed over 15,000 paramilitary personnel. The blockade was imposed to protest against the creation of seven new districts in areas inhabited by the tribal Nagas. Indefinite curfew was clamped last Sunday in Imphal East district after a mob torched and vandalised 22 passenger vehicles on the Imphal-Ukhrul road, while an evening-to-dawn curfew was imposed the same day in Imphal West district. Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang had sought the intervention of both the Centre and Manipur governments in securing the lives and property of Naga people in the Imphal valley. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's defense minister threatened Israel that his country could use nuclear weapons after a fake news report that his Israeli counterpart had threatened "nuclear retaliation" for Islamabad's role in Syria against ISIS, highlighting the serious problem proliferation of fake news poses. A report in the New York Times said a fake news story prompted defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to threaten to go nuclear. In a post on Twitter, Asif lashed at Israel after a false report - which the minister apparently believed - that Israel had threatened with nuclear weapons. "Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh," the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. "Israel forgets is a Nuclear state too." The NYT report said Asif appeared to be reacting to the fake news article published on awdnews.com, which was titled 'Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack'. The article had appeared on the website on December 20, alongside articles with headlines like 'Clinton is staging a military coup against Trump'. The fake story about Israel even misidentified the country's defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. Israel's current minister of defence is Avigdor Lieberman. The Israeli Defence Ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious. "The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said," the ministry wrote in Twitter post directed at Asif. The Israeli ministry added in a second post: "Reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false." The NYT report added that the proliferation of fake news stories, spread on social networks and produced by a variety of sources including pranksters, foreign governments and enterprising individuals who hope to receive advertising revenue by driving traffic to their websites, has become an increasingly serious problem. A North Carolina man was arrested this month after firing a gun at a Washington pizza parlor, because investigators said he was investigating claims in fake news articles that the pizzeria was at the center of a child sex slave ring linked to Hillary Clinton. In what may be the first known transmission of bird flu from cats to humans, a veterinarian in the US has been infected with a strain of avian flu that spread among more than 100 cats at animal shelters. However, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) in the US said that its ongoing investigation of the outbreak of H7N2, a strain of influenza A virus, among cats housed at Animal Care Centres (ACC) shelters confirms that the risk to humans is low. The infected veterinarian was involved in obtaining respiratory specimens from sick cats. The illness was mild, short-lived, and has resolved. More than 160 employees and volunteers, including several people who had similar exposure to sick cats, were screened by the Health Department and not found to have infection. The Health Department also contacted more than 80 per cent of the people who adopted cats from the shelter and none is suspected of having H7N2. There have been two previous documented human cases of H7N2 infection in the US - one in a person managing an outbreak of the virus in turkeys and chickens in 2002 and the other with an unknown source in 2003. Both of these patients also had mild illness and recovered. This is the first reported case due to exposure to an infected cat. There has been no documented human-to-human transmission. "Our investigation confirms that the risk to human health from H7N2 is low, but we are urging New Yorkers who have adopted cats from a shelter or rescue group within the past three weeks to be alert for symptoms in their pets," said Health Commissioner Mary T Bassett. Since last week, more than 100 cats have tested positive for H7N2 across all NYC shelters. This was expected because the virus is highly contagious among cats. All of the newly infected cats are experiencing mild illness and have been separated from other animals in the shelters. One cat admitted to the shelter with H7N2 infection died. ACC suspended adoptions of cats once the virus was discovered. The Health Department, working with ACC, has identified a location where the cats will be quarantined soon, which will allow ACC to resume full intake and adoption of cats. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cold wave conditions today prevailed in Rajasthan even as foggy weather affected rail traffic in the region. According to a MeT department spokesperson, districts including Sriganganagar, Churu, Alwar, Bharatpur and Hanumangarh were covered by dense fog resulting into cold wave conditions. Alwar recorded lowest minimum temperature at 7.2 degrees Celsius in the state. Sriganganagar recorded 7.7 degrees Celsius, Falodi 8.0 degrees Celsius, Chhittorgarh 8.1 degrees Celsius, Udaipur 8.4 degrees Celsius, Jodhupur and Bikaner 8.8 degrees Celsius, Banasthali 9.4 degrees Celsius, Churu 9.6 degrees Celsius, 10 degrees Celsius in the desert state hill station Mount Abu, respectively. Dense fog in the northern region has affected trains in north western railway division. Ajmer-Jammutavi, Jaipur-Allahabad passenger train departure was delayed by more than 6 hours, respectively. Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) of North Western Railway, Tarun Jain said that fog affected 15 passenger trains in the division. All the trains were delayed by one hour to 14 hours, he added. He said that Hawrah-Sriganganagar by 14 hours 30 minutes, Kolkata-Bikaner by 11 hours, Jammutavi-Ajmer by 8 hours 50 minutes, Allahbad-Jaipur 8 hours 20 minutes, Siyaldah-Ajmer by 8 hours 20 minutes, Hawrah-Jodhpurby 7 hours 15 minutes, Jammutavi-Bhatinda by 7 hours, Varanasi-Jodhpur by 6 hours 15 minutes were running behind their schedule time. MeT department officials forecast drop in maximum temperature in the next 24 hours due to fog and cold wave conditions across the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign investors have pulled out a massive $3.5 billion from the capital market this month so far following the rate hike by the US Federal Reserve. Most of the outflows by the Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have been witnessed in the debt during the period under review. The latest FPI outflows took place following a withdrawal of over Rs 49,700 crore on net basis from the capital market (equity and debt) in the last two months (October-November). Prior to that, FPIs had poured in Rs 46,000 crore in the capital market in the preceding three months (July-September). "The US Federal Reserve's rate hike was certainly one of the reason for the outflow as the week leading to the announcement saw the maximum outflows as investors exited, expecting lower spread with a US rate hike," fundsindia.com Head of Mutual Fund Research Vidya Bala said, adding, "But independent of that, it appears that the sharp rally in November in Indian gilts could have also led to profit booking by FPIs in the debt segment." Net withdrawal by FPIs from equities stood at Rs 3,744 crore during December 1-23, while the same from the debt market was Rs 19,027 crore, translating into a total outflow of Rs 22,771 crore ($3.35 billion), depositories' data showed. The pullout by FPIs started in October 2016 following uncertainty over the US election results and similar trend was observed in other emerging . This year, so far, FPIs have invested a net sum of Rs 24,998 crore in stocks, while they pulled out Rs 43,737 crore from the debt market, resulting in a combined net outflow of Rs 18,739 crore. "As of December 23, equities still remain positive on inflows for the 2016 calendar. It was the debt market that was witness to massive FPI outflows in December," she said, adding, "The net outflows in the month of November and December alone accounted for 92 per cent of the net outflows in debt market, thus far this calendar." A Frenchwoman who runs an aid group has been kidnapped in Mali's restive north, the French foreign ministry confirmed today. Sophie Petronin was abducted in the city of Gao yesterday, the ministry said, adding that French and Malian authorities were working together "to find and free our compatriot as quickly as possible". Petronin was the director of a non-governmental organisation that helps children suffering from malnutrition, the ministry said, adding that officials were in contact with her family. Malian officials had yesterday reported the kidnapping of a woman with French and Swiss nationality in Gao, but there was as yet no confirmation that Petronin held dual citizenship. "We immediately launched a search," a Malian security source said yesterday on condition of anonymity, without revealing the victim's identity or how she was abducted. Northern Mali fell to jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda from March 2012. These forces were driven out of key towns by a French-led military intervention the following year. Barely a week goes by without attacks on security forces despite a peace pact signed last year following lengthy negotiations between the government, groups backing it and ethnic Tuareg rebels. Kidnappings, however, are rare. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the peel of the midnight bells, churches across Goa celebrated the birth of Lord Jesus heralding the Christmas season which will culminate with New Year festivities. Lakhs of faithfuls attended the midnight masses which were held across the state celebrating birth of Jesus Christ, followed by traditional dances at various places. Goa has 27 per cent of its population following Roman Catholic faith. Cribs were unveiled at many places after midnight masses, depicting the birth of Jesus Christ in the stable. Archbishop of Goa and Daman Fr Filipe Neri Ferrao's Christmas eve message was broadcast across the state through cable network on television in which he emphasised for the nations to take unified action against environmental degradation and irresponsible development. "This Christmas let us make room for God to change us and through us change the world around us. Cutting across man-made barriers, let us commit ourselves to build a new society wherein everyone would be welcomed, accepted and loved," the Archbishop said in the traditional message. The Archbishop's Palace, located at Altinho in Panaji city, would be hosting a civic reception on December 28 which is expected to be attended by several prominent personalities, including Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Governor Mridula Sinha and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, a spokesman for the church said today. While locals are busy celebrating Christmas, more tourists are expected to arrive in the state to usher in the New Year. "We expect good response for the New Year season this year. The visitors have already started arriving. This is the time when everyone wants to be in Goa and they are right in deciding Goa as their New Year celebration destination," state Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar told PTI. He ruled out any impact of demonetisation on the tourist inflow. "There was slight impact initially, but now things are normal," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 27-year-old small-time goldsmith was allegedly duped of Rs 13 lakh in old demonetised notes by two persons here, police said today. Anoop Parmar did petty jewellery work for some gold traders in Kalyan and mostly collected his payment in cash, a personnel in Mahatma Phule police station said. Problems started for Parmar after demonetisation of higher currency notes in November as he had a hefty sum of Rs 13 lakh in demonetised notes and was finding it difficult to exchange them with new ones. He then met an acquaintance Balveersingh Bhavarsingh, who was also into the same business, the personnel said, adding that Bhavarsingh then offered help to Parmar by assuring that he would exchange the old currencies for him or pay gold worth Rs 13 lakhs with help of his friend, Sagar Bhadoria. Accordingly, on November 11, the victim handed over the cash to Bhavarsingh. And since then the duo has been untraceable. Later, when Parmar visited Bhavarsingh's shop in Mumbai, he came to know that the accused handed over his business to someone else and left the city. The victim then lodged a case in this regard with Kalyan police under sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) rw 34 (common intention) of the IPC, police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Soon villagers will be able to call central government's toll free number to complain or enquire about health facilities for mother and children in their vicinity. As part of its Integrated Child Development Services the government set up a Mother and Child Tracking Facilitation Centre (MCTFC) in 2014 from where calls are made to ASHA workers and beneficiaries to monitor the quality of health services being imparted locally. This facilitation centre will soon be introducing inbound calling facility, which will for the first time enable both rural populace and health workers to contact the government through MCTFC, a senior official of National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) said. A caller can give a miss call at toll free number 10588 and will receive a call back within 90 seconds. The MCTFC operates from the premises of NIHFW here. 86 call agents make 5,000 calls every day on an average. The job of a call agent is to contact an expectant mother to know whether the ASHA worker has counselled her about the benefits of delivering a child in a hospital, shared information on various government and state policies designed for her and administered nutrition supplements like iron and folic acid among others. An MCTFC caller also calls ASHA workers to know from them if they have sufficient stock of vaccines, drugs and nutrition supplements. She is also a point person from whom details about health infrastructure like a labour room, primary health care centre, in a village is collected. This is also a medium to educate ASHA workers about new government schemes announced for the benefit of mothers and children. Since the launch of MCTFC in April 2014, call centre agents have contacted nearly 40 lakh beneficiaries. Similarly, they have reached out to over 2 lakh Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs)and nearly 6 lakh ASHAs. The facility is now available for 13 states and uses Hindi and English for communication. Five new regional languages - Gujarati, Telugu, Odiya and Assamese- will soon be incorporated as well. Officials at MCTFC say this mechanism has helped them flag misuse of contraceptive methods on occasions and also to ensure, for instance, that a mother doesn't leave the hospital until 48-hours after delivering a child in order to ensure basic ante-natal care. Escalation of a tussle between judiciary and government over appointment of judges for higher courts and rumblings within the Collegium over its "opaque" working dominated high-voltage events in 2016 in the Supreme Court, where the Modi government suffered huge embarrassment over central rule in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The government was also kept on tenterhooks after the televised announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as illegal tenders, with the apex court regularly expressing concern over its impact on the people and asking inconvenient questions. Though it refused to tinker with demonetisation, a batch of petitions challenging the move has been referred to a five- judge constitution bench for an authoritative pronouncement. Besides getting the flak on demonetisation, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led (BJP-led) Democratice Alliance (NDA) government also got a shock treatment from the apex court for imposing President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, even as it was engaged in a war of words with the judiciary over appointment of judges for higher judiciary with each accusing the other of crossing the 'Lakshmanrekha'. The turf war between them that had begun last year after the quashing of the Judicial Appointment Commission (NJAC) Act escalated this year as the court first threatened to take up the issue of judges' appointment in the judicial side but later took up a PIL and blamed the Centre for bringing the judiciary to a "grinding halt". Emotion and high drama were witnessed over the issue as Justice T S Thakur, who will demit office as Chief Justice of India on January 3, broke down at a function attended by the Prime Minister while complaining about huge vacancies in judiciary. He made light of the constant plea of the Centre that it was the collegium which was not finalising the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) on the appointment of judges, saying nonfinalisation of MoP was no ground for not appointing judges. While it was grappling with the common criticism of the Collegium being opaque in functioning, a voice of dissent came from within as Justice J Chelameswar, part of the Collegium, wrote to the CJI, withdrew from collegium meetings and sought written notes on deliberations to decide on names for appointment as judges. Amid all this drama, the supremacy of the top court's judgements was questioned by its former judge Markandey Katju, who became the first apex court judge since its establishment on January 28, 1950, to be slapped with a contempt notice for allegedly using "intemperate" language and "scandalising" the judiciary through his blogs, after he appeared before a bench and embroiled himself in heated exchanges. Besides these developments, the cash-rich BCCI had to bite the dust for its defiance in falling in line with the massive structural reforms recommended by the high-level panel comprising former CJI R M Lodha and two retired judges of the apex court. The final blow came before the year end when BCCI President Anurag Thakur came on the firing line as the court threatened to initiate contempt and perjury proceedings with a warning that he may have to land in jail for interfering with the administration of justice. While entertaining PILs, the apex court came in for an acid test when activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan through NGO Common Cause tried to drag the name of the Prime Minister accusing him of receiving money from two corporate houses which were raided by the income tax department in 2012-13. However, his endeavour appears to be yielding no result, rather incurring the court's wrath for seeking recusal of CJI -designate Justice J S Khehar who had questioned him for approaching the apex court with "zero material". The Modi government also had a tough time dealing with the issues of appointment of Lokpal and the CBI director which came up before the apex court. The government dared for the first time in India's constitutional history to oppose the practice of triple talaq, 'nikah halala' and polygamy among Muslims and favoured a relook by the Supreme Court on grounds like gender equality and secularism which was opposed by various Muslim bodies. The year also saw politicians like late J Jayalalithaa, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Subramanian Swamy and BJP President Amit Shah as the newsmakers from the Supreme Court as well. Shah was among them to get a huge relief from the apex court which upheld the Bombay High Court decision giving him a clean chit in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case by dismissing an appeal, a subsequent review and curative petitions. The Delhi High Court has sought an explanation from Bar Council of India for its alleged action in writing to the Delhi University's Law Faculty to relax attendance rules for over 500 students in the backdrop of the difficulties faced after demonetisation. "How can the Bar Council of India (BCI) issue such a letter? How can you (BCI) ask the Delhi University (DU) to relax attendance rules? Explain your act," a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said. It also issued notice to the BCI, a statutory body that regulates the legal practice and legal education in India and the DU, while directing them to explain their stand. The court's direction came on a plea by S N Singh, former Dean of Faculty of Law, who said that attendance and promotion rules were "flagrantly violated" by the DU during the academic year 2015-16 and that no regard was given to the statutory rules in these matters. Over 500 law students did not fulfil the minimum attendance requirement prescribed by the BCI for academic year 2015-16 but were allowed to take semester examinations on the basis of a letter dated December 17, 2016, sent by the BCI Secretary to the university, asking it to consider the matter "sympathetically for relaxation of attendance rules". "We request you to consider their matter sympathetically on the ground of their undertaking to fulfil the shortfall in their attendance in the next semester, failing which they should not be allowed to take the next semester exams. The recent currency ban may have been a ground and a genuine difficulty in attending the classes," Singh said in his plea. He told the court that the BCI had "no legal authority" to send any communication to DU for relaxing the attendance requirements. The plea claimed that some of these LLB students did not attend even a single class but were allowed to take the exam. Singh asked the court to order cancellation of the ongoing semester examinations for students who did not fulfil minimum attendance requirement. The petition has sought directions to call for the entire records pertaining to this case for academic years 2015-16 and 2016-17 and an enquiry into the alleged illegalities committed by the university by allegedly flouting attendance rules. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian-origin man, who has been charged in the US with fraud and aggravated identity theft for obtaining two H-1B visas by false immigration documents, has rejected the allegations. "No Grand Jury has indicted me. I have categorically rejected all the charges and I have requested a Grand Jury. No evidence has been shared with me and there has been no trial yet (we did not even had a pre-trial yet). "It is, therefore, very unfortunate that the US Attorney's office has chosen to release this information without the trial and due diligence," 49-year-old Abhijit Prasad said in a statement. According to a release issued by US Attorney's Office Eastern District of California, the federal grand jury returned a 33-count indictment on December 23 against Prasad of Tracy, California, charging him with 31 counts of visa fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. According to the indictment, Prasad filed 31 petitions for H-1B nonimmigrant visas containing false statements, made under penalty of perjury, as to purported work projects to be performed at various locations in California. The indictment further alleges that Prasad obtained two H-1B visas procured by fraud and false statements, and used the means of identification of a real person to effectuate his visa fraud scheme, the release by Attorney Phillip A Talbert's office said. On December 23, the defendant was arraigned on the indictment and released with conditions, including the surrender of his passport and a bond until a further detention hearing. The defendant's next appearance is on December 28, 2016, before a US Magistrate Judge, the release said. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten years on each visa fraud count, and a USD 250,000 fine. He faces a two-year mandatory, consecutive sentence on the aggravated identity theft counts, as well as a USD 250,000 fine. "Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. "The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," the release by US Attorney's office said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israel pressed forward with promises of retaliation and damage control today following a UN vote last week on an anti-settlement resolution that passed thanks to an abstention by the US, Israel's close ally. Israel's Foreign Ministry said it began summoning the ambassadors of countries who voted in favour of the resolution, including those from the permanent members of the Security Council Russia, China, the UK and France. The US ambassador was not being summoned because it had abstained and not voted in favour, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon. Speaking to a weekly meeting of his Cabinet today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was also considering a "plan of action" against the UN, without elaborating. "We will do all it takes so Israel emerges unscathed from this shameful decision," Netanyahu said. The resolution, which condemned Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, sparked outrage in Israel and led to a new low in relations between Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama. Israel has accused Obama of colluding with the Palestinians against the Jewish state. "We feel betrayed, extremely frustrated. We are angry. This is not how you treat friends," said Cabinet minister Yuval Steinitz. The resolution's immediate impact appears to be largely symbolic, but Israel fears it could open the door to an increase in international steps, including economic measures. Much of the international community considers the settlements illegal or illegitimate and an obstacle to peace. In addition to the measures declared today, Israel has recalled its ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal for consultations and cancelled a planned January visit to Israel by Senegal's foreign minister. A visit by Ukraine's prime minister has also been cancelled in light of its support for the UN vote and Israel has pledged to cut millions of shekels in funding to certain UN agencies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Describing tourism as the best mean to promote people-to-people engagement, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said her government was making efforts to create a world-class tourist infrastructure. "Tourism promotes people-to-people contact and tourists become goodwill ambassadors of a place. Like the maxim - 'seeing is believing', a tourist can testify the veracity of the claim about a place only after visiting it," she said. She dismissed the notion that the state was unsafe for tourists in the aftermath of months-long unrest in the Valley. "Jammu and Kashmir is as safe for tourists, particularly women, as any other place in the country," she said here at an meeting with a delegation of tour operators from across India. Mehbooba said her government plans to create a world-class tourism infrastructure in the state. "Road connectivity to tourist destinations, bed capacity at tourist spots, wayside facilities etc are being improved and upgraded to address the requirements of every segment of tourists. Theme-based parks and places are being added to provide variety of attraction to tourists. "Similarly, heritage lovers and trekkers would be having more spots and treks to visit by adding new heritage sites and routes to their check list," the chief minister said. Every region in the state has a unique attraction for tourists and they should be promoted, she said. The state's tourism department has organised a three-day familiarisation tour to the Valley for travel agents from Bangalore, Mumbai, Gujarat and Indore. The agents, who arrived here yesterday, pitched for point- to-point rail services from Mumbai, Gujarat and Kolkata to the Valley to facilitate the travel of tourists to Kashmir, and sought subsidy in aviation fuel charges to bring down air fares. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rapper Kanye West will not move ahead with his European tour dates because of his ongoing health concerns after he was admitted to a hospital for exhaustion and sleep deprivation last month. Although, the 39-year-old star has been discharged from the hospital, he is not considered to be ready to return to the stage for the scheduled appearances on his Saint Pablo Tour, reported People magazine. "Fitness- physical and mental- are essential to him being able to be restored fully and cleared to work. He has health issues that need to be resolved prior to returning to work," a source said. There are reports, which says that West's cancellation of his European tour could put a serious strain on his finances, but a source close to him has insisted he will be fine, despite the lost income. "He reinvests a lot of his earnings into his companies. A lot of what he does he finances himself. Money that comes in from touring, he uses to finance his fashion stuff," the source said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh's own classical dance 'Kuchipudi' found a place in the Guinness World Records yet again when a record 6,117 dancers came together to present a show at the IGMC Stadium here this evening. Guinness adjudicator Rishinath declared that "Jayamu Jayamu" item presented in unison by the participants created a new record and handed over a certificate to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. In 2012, a similar feat was achieved when 5,900 dancers performed 'Kuchipudi' in Hyderabad. The "Maha Brunda Natyam" (grand group dance) was organised as part of the '5th International Kuchipudi Dance Convention' organised by the state Department of Language and Culture. "Jayamu Jayamu" is one of the glorious items of 'Kuchipudi' dance choreographed by the legend Vempati China Satyam. This 12-minute item was chosen for this year's group dance at the event. Dancers from across the country as also from countries like US, UAE, UK, Russia, Hong Kong and Mauritius took part in it. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, eminent 'Kuchipudi' gurus of yesteryears Raja-Radha Reddy, Yamini Krishna Murthy and many others attended the closing ceremony. Ananda Tandavam, another hallmark 'Kuchipudi' composition by Vempati China Satyam, presented by Madhavapeddi Murthy at the event stood as the highlight. Speaking on the occasion, Chandrababu wished their would be at-least one computer literate and one 'Kuchipudi' dancer in each family in the state. "We will hire gurus by paying an honorarium of Rs 12,000 a month to train students in 'Kuchipudi' in the state," the Chief Minister said. In 2010 also, over 2,500 'Kuchipudi' artistes had achieved a similar feat in Hyderabad (in then undivided Andhra Pradesh). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lt General Santosh Kumar Upadhya has been appointed as the newcommandant of prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA). A decorated soldier,Lt General S K Upadhya is an alumni of National Defence Academy (NDA) and IMA. In 1981, he was commissioned tothe13thBattalionof theGarhwal Rifles. During a career spanning over three decades he hasserved in various capacities in military operational services inSri Lanka, North East India, Jammu and Kashmir andPunjab, according to a press release issued by IMA. He is a recipient of Sena Medal (Distinguished), Vishisht Seva Medal, Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card and GOC-in-C Commendation Card. Apart from commanding his Battalion, a Brigade and a Division, he has held varied staff and instructional positions besides serving twice with the United Nations inRwandaand Cote D'lvoire. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The managing director of a stevedores firm and his aide, who were sought by police for the murder of a senior official of a shipping company at the port town of Paradip, have been detained in Thailand, a top police official said today. Mahimananda Mishra, managing director of Odisha Stevedores Ltd, and Basant Bal were detained yesterday in Thailand, with the assistance of Interpol, and the process was being expedited to bring them to Odisha, state DGP K B Singh said. Mishra and Bal would be formally arrested after they reach India, the DGP said. According to police, the duo had escaped to Kathmandu via road after hiding in Amritsar and Gurgaon following the murder of Seaways Shipping official Mahendra Swain on October 26. The assailants had hurled crude bombs at Swain's vehicle while he was heading towards his office. When Swain attempted to escape, they opened fire killing him on the spot, police said. On Friday, a Kujang court had issued a non-bailable warrant against them. So far, seven persons have been arrested in connection with the murder, Singh said. The key accused in the case Susant Sethy, another close associate of Mishra, was arrested by police from an airport in New Delhi on Friday. Sethy had helped Mishra and Bal escape to Thailand. The two had reached Bangkok from Nepal on 15-day tourist visas, police said adding that a lookout circular had been issued for Mishra earlier. Police interrogated Mishra's wife last week and raided his houses at Baramunda in Bhubaneswar, Paradip, his hotel in Bhubaneswar and office. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Misconceptions regarding Muslim Personal Laws need to be removed both among the Muslims as well as non-Muslims in the country, said secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Khaled Saifullah Rehmani. "A few elements are trying to divide the communities by spreading misconception," said Rehmani during a press conference here today. He added, "They (community members) are comfortable with the existing law and it should not be changed." Rehmani and by his UP counterpart Zafaryab Jilana were in the city to address the two-day workshop on Muslim Personal Law. Jilana said, "Shariyat includes everything from nikah (marriage), divorce, wakf and other important subjects. Some people are spreading fake rumours related to personal laws and dividing the nation." He said, "It is a misconception that a Muslim can have four wives without any reason. Till there is love and affection in the relation the marriage subsists, but once there is hatred and despite repeated efforts there are no chances of reconciliation only then the option of talaq is exercised." Rehmani appealed to various sects of Muslim community to unite to allay misconceptions of Personal Law among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Christmas was today celebrated with religious fervour and merry making in the Christian-majority state of Mizoram. The day was marked by prayer services across local churches. Special congregations took place for singing Christmas songs. The customary community feasts would be organised in Aizawl city and all the villages tomorrow instead of today. Unlike the rest of the country, no official function to observe Good Governance Day was organised today being Christmas Day. Both Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC) or conglomerate of leaders of 14 major churches and major NGOs had objected to the government's earlier decision to observe Good Governance Day on Christmas Day. Aizawl District SP Lalhuliana Fanai said that Christmas was celebrated peacefully without any untoward incident. "No drunkards created problems on the streets and road accidents were also minimal," Fanai said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a jolt to the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in its stronghold of Dadar-Mahim area ahead of next year's municipal elections, former corporator Prakash Patankar today joined Shiv Sena. Patankar joined Shiv Sena alongwith over 1,700 workers in the presence of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at latter's residence,'Matoshree', here. Patankar worked as Dadar-Mahim area 'Vibhag Pramukh' (area head) of MNS after he was denied a ticket by the Raj Thackeray-led party in the civic polls of 2012. Dadar is considered to be an MNS stronghold. Raj Thackeray lives in the same area. "MNS does not like people who work hard. It likes those who do publicity stunts," said Patankar. He clarified that he had no grievance against Raj but was upset with those who poisoned his ears. Patankar was with Shiv Sena from 1990. He joined MNS when Raj formed the party in 2005. He also served as a corporator for two years (2010-2012) after the sitting Sena corporator was disqualified for providing a fake caste certificate. "I will work to ensure that all Sena candidates from Mahim Assembly constituency win in BMC polls," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has summoned US Ambassador Daniel Shapiro, two days after Washington abstained in a vote on a UN resolution against Israeli settlements. Their meeting came after Israel yesterday called in 10 representatives of 14 other states that voted for the resolution. An official Israeli source confirmed only that Netanyahu and Shapiro had met, without elaborating on the content or outcome of their discussions. The UN Security Council passed the measure Friday after the United States abstained, enabling the adoption of the first resolution since 1979 to condemn Israel over its settlement policy. The resolution demands that "Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem". It says settlements have "no legal validity" and are "dangerously imperilling the viability of the two-state solution." Netanyahu, who also holds the foreign ministry portfolio, had rejected the resolution as a "shameful blow against Israel". Yesterday, he repeated Israel's claim that US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry were behind it. "We have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it, stood behind it, coordinated the drafts and demanded to pass it," the premier said at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting. "This is of course in total contradiction to the traditional American policy of not trying to impose conditions of a final resolution," he said, "and of course the explicit committment of President Obama himself in 2011 to avoid such measures." The Haaretz daily's website said that for Israel to summon an American ambassador was "considered a most unusual step". "Even more unusual is the fact that unlike the other envoys who were summoned on Sunday (yesterday) to the foreign ministry, Netanyahu will conduct the conversation himself at his office," it said ahead of the meeting. By deciding not to veto the UN move, Washington took a rare step that deeply angered Israel, which accused Obama of abandoning its closest Middle East ally in the waning days of his administration. The text was passed with support from all remaining members of the 15-member council, with applause breaking out in the chamber. The landmark vote came despite intense lobbying efforts by Israel and calls from US President-elect Donald Trump to block the text. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today greeted the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 92nd birthday. "I wish a long, healthy and radiant life to Vajpayeeji on the occasion of his 92nd birthday," he said in a message. Kumar held key portfolios like railways, agriculture and surface transport in the NDA government headed by Vajpayee between 1998 and 2004. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Russian military plane crashed on its way to Syria today, with no sign of survivors among the 92 onboard, who included dozens of Red Army Choir members heading to celebrate the New Year with troops. The Tu-154 plane crashed in the Black Sea shortly after taking off from the southern city of Adler where it had been refuelling, defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told Russian agencies. It disappeared from radars just two minutes after it took off at 5:25 am (0755 IST). The ministry told agencies there was no sign of any survivors at the crash site and that four bodies had been recovered off the coast of the resort city of Sochi, after authorities launched a frantic search operation. "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres," it said. President Vladimir Putin has ordered Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to head a government commission to investigate the crash. The plane had been on a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase in western Syria, which has been used to launch air strikes in Moscow's military campaign supporting its ally President Bashar al-Assad in the country's devastating civil war. Among the plane's 84 passengers were Russian servicemen as well as 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group also known as the Red Army Choir, and its conductor Valery Khalilov. They were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the airbase. Nine journalists were among the passengers, with state- run channels Pervy Kanal, NTV and Zvezda saying they each had three staff onboard the flight. There were also eight crew members onboard, the ministry said. A list of passengers published by the defence ministry also included Elizaveta Glinka, a doctor and charity worker who serves on the Kremlin human rights council. Mikhail Fedotov, who heads the council, said Glinka was travelling to Syria to bring medication to a university hospital in the coastal city of Latakia near the airbase, agencies reported. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told agencies that Putin was being kept updated on the search operation and was in constant contact with defence minister Sergei Shoigu. Konashenkov said that Deputy Defence Minister Pavel Popov had flown to Adler along with a team tasked with clarifying the circumstances surrounding the crash. The ministry has not put forward any possible causes of the crash. Konashenkov said that the aircraft had been in service since 1983 and had flown some 7,000 hours since. The plane last underwent repairs in December 2014 and was serviced in September, he said. Russia's Investigative Committee said a criminal probe had been launched to determine whether violations of air transportation safety had led to the crash. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian woman whose son had been taken away by the Norwegian authorities has approached the Indian Embassy in Oslo seeking government intervention. Following this, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said it will chalk out the future course of action in the case. Gurvinderjit Kaur had approached the Indian government with the "formal written" request in this regard, BJP leader Vijay Jolly said. Kaur and her husband, a Norwegian national, have alleged that authorities in that country have taken away their 5-year-old son Aryan, also a Norwegian national, on a frivolous complaint of abuse. Confirming Kaur had approached the government, MEA officials said they were now "empowered" to pursue the matter with the Norwegian authorities and they will chalk out the future course of action in the case. The Indian couple had first sought Jolly's help in getting back the custody of their child, after which he wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who said India would provide them help. In response, the Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi asked for "restraint" in the case, assuring that it was being handled with "complete sensitivity and awareness". According to Jolly, the Indian Ambassador "is slated to meet highly placed Norwegian officials in Oslo on December 27". Jolly also maintained that according to the mother, the child is being "daily served porridge and bread while he is fond of Indian food". This is the third case since 2011 when children have been taken away from their Indian-origin parents by the authorities in Norway on the grounds of abuse. In 2011, a three-year-old and a one-year-old were separated from their parents, prompting the then UPA government to take up the issue with Norway. The Norwegian court later allowed the children to be reunited with their parents. In December 2012, an Indian couple was jailed on charges of ill treatment of their children, 7 and 2 years. Later, they were sent to their grandparents in Hyderabad. Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar today said his party would protest in the Assembly if the hardships of people due to demonetisation are not mitigated by December 31. "The Modi government in the name of demonetisation has worsened the plight of farmers, labourers, the poor and the youth. BJP will have to face the consequences of this decision," he said. Congress would protest in the Assembly if the government cannot find solution to the problem of people standing in queues at banks by December 31, Tanwar said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi while announcing the note ban decision on November 8 had said there will be some "inconvenience" to people for the initial 50-day period. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Barack Obama and his daughters spent part of the Christmas weekend playing an "escape room" game, while White House successor Donald Trump ushered in the holiday overnight with a visit to church. According to pool reports, Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia and some friends spent part of yesterday evening playing "Breakout Waikiki" -- a live-action game where players are locked in a room with one hour to figure out a series of clues and riddles to escape. The Obamas are spending the holidays in Hawaii. Escape room games are all the rage in the United States, after years of popularity in Asia and elsewhere. "Your goal is simple: You have 60 Minutes to break out from one of our real life escape rooms," the website for Breakout Waikiki says. "Crack the codes. Use your gut. Solve the riddles. Find out if you have what it takes to break out in time!" The Obamas did, apparently. "They were yelling, screaming, having a blast. They broke out with 12 seconds left," the manager of Breakout Waikiki told BuzzFeed . "To be totally honest, we didn't know that they were coming. It was 100 percent unexpected. They booked under a different name," manager MacGregor Greenlee told BuzzFeed . "An hour earlier, Secret Service showed up." Afterwards, the Obamas enjoyed a local tropical specialty, flavored shaved ice, as the commander-in-chief shook well-wishers' hands. Michelle Obama was not part of the outing. The first lady spent part of her Christmas Eve volunteering with Canadian and American defense agency workers charting Santa's path around the globe and answered phone calls from excited children. "I'm detecting something on the radar screen. It is -- yes, it is Santa and he is being pulled by reindeer," the first lady told two young phone callers. Volunteers of the North American Aerospace Defense Command have been tracking Santa's round-the-world voyage every Christmas Eve, and taking phone calls from excited children, for more than 60 years. President-elect Trump and his wife, Melania, who are spending their Christmas holiday at the family's Mar-A-Lago resort attended services late yesterday at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach -- the same church where they were married in 2005. Both Obama and Trump sent out holiday greetings via Twitter. "Wishing you a bright and Happy Hanukkah!" the president-elect wrote in a tweet signed by Donald & Melania Trump. Another Trump tweet sent today read "#MerryChristmas, accompanied by a picture of Trump standing before a Christmas tree with a celebratory raised fist. Obama also tweeted out Christmas greetings. "The best part of the holiday is the time we share with those we love," he wrote under his @POTUS handle. "On behalf of Michelle, Malia and Sasha, Merry Christmas everyone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Barack and first lady Michelle have sent their final Christmas salutations from the White House, highlighting common values uniting Americans of all faiths. "The idea that we are our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated," Michelle said. "Those are values that help guide not just my family's Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; nonbelievers and Americans of all backgrounds," the president added. The Obamas' seasonal greeting comes at a time when America is deeply divided after a brutal presidential campaign that pitched populist Donald Trump and his frequently incendiary rhetoric against Hillary Clinton. The Obamas appeared jovial in their greeting, showing a flashback to the filming of their first Christmas message in 2009, when the president couldn't stop giggling. Barack Obama also used the address to re-cap his time in office, saying the country was much stronger than it had been than when he succeeded George W Bush. "Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low," he said. "We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more." As is custom, the couple also thanked US troops and their families. Pakistan on Sunday released 220 Indian fishermen held for allegedly violating territorial waters, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, goodwill gestures that came despite strained ties over cross-border terror incidents. Modi took to Twitter to greet Sharif, a year after he made an unscheduled stopover in Lahore to meet the Pakistani leader on his birthday. Pakistan responded by releasing the 220 fishermen lodged in Malir jail in Karachi, in what may seem a reciprocal gesture notwithstanding the severe chill in ties after a year of violence, tension and mistrust. The fishermen were released in a "goodwill" gesture, Jail superintendent Hassan Sehto said. They were arrested for allegedly entering Pakistan's territorial waters illegally and fishing, Sehto said. "We have released 220 Indian fishermen today and they will be handed over to Indian officials at Wagah border. "The interior ministry ordered the release of the 220 fishermen while 219 are still in our custody," Sehto said. The fishermen boarded a train to Lahore and are expected to cross the border on Monday, he added. The development comes amid strain in ties between the two countries after Pakistan-based terrorists attacked an Indian army base in Uri in September. Pakistan and India frequently arrest each others' fishermen for violating the territorial boundary. They spent months and sometimes years in jails before being repatriated. Last week, the Pakistan fishermen forum claimed that Indian maritime authorities had picked up dozens of Pakistani fishermen from inside Pakistan's territorial waters near the Gujarat coastline and taken them away, though the government has not responded to the claim so far. today released 220 Indian fishermen, a goodwill gesture which comes amid strain in ties after the recent cross border terror incidents. The 220 fishermen released from Malir jail here were arrested for allegedly entering Pakistan's territorial waters illegally and fishing, jail superintendent Hassan Sehto told PTI. The fishermen boarded a train to Lahore, from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border. "The interior ministry ordered the release of the 220 fishermen while 219 are still in our custody," Sehto said. The goodwill gesture comes amid strain in ties between the two countries after Pakistan-based terrorists attacked an Indian army base in Uri in September. Last week, the fishermen forum claimed that Indian maritime authorities had picked up dozens of Pakistani fishermen from inside Pakistan's territorial waters near the Gujarat coastline and taken them away, though the government has not responded to the claim so far. President Pranab Mukherjee today said the people of West Bengal and Karnataka share a deep bonding by way of many things, including the literature of the two states. "People of West Bengal and Karnataka share a deep bonding by way of many things, including Kannada and Bengali literature," he said at the inauguration of the 89th annual conference of Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan here. Tracing the roots of Bengali literature, he said it hasa rich heritage and is a part of India's culture. Bengali-speaking people are spread across the country, he said. "Language binds the people of society and it is the basic foundation of unity in diversity. One should rise above the boundaries of language to contribute and enrich culture," he said. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Kannada and Bengali literatures have a history of long connect as eminent Kannada poets Kuvempu and Da Ra Bendra were deeply influenced by the concept of Rabindranath Tagore's cosmic consciousness. "Eminent Kannada poets Kuvempu and Da Ra Bendra were deeply influenced by the concept of Gurudev's cosmic consciousness. There are 28 translations in Kannada of the magnum opus of Gurudev, Gitanjali," he said. Siddaramaiah said another Jnanpith awardee Dr U R Anantha Murthy, who headed the Tagore Chair till his death, was profoundly impressed by the propagation of the ideal of national integration espoused in Gurudev's all-time classic. The Chief Minister said that in these times of international strife, both Gurudev and Gandhi advocated the concept of plurality, while denouncing competition and violence in civilised world. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after Prime Minister laid foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 1.06 lakh crore in Mumbai, Congress on Sunday alleged that he "misled" about the cost of the projects which was actually much lower. "The PM announced various projects with an eye on civic polls, including several metro projects the cost of which is not more than Rs 44,000 crore," Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam said in Mumbai. "By saying the total cost of projects is over Rs 1 lakh crore, the PM has lied and the statement was made only with an eye on the coming BMC polls," he said. Bharatiya Janata Party-led (BJP-led) Maharashtra government had no concrete plan of action, nor had it arranged funds for the projects, he said. Nirupam also said that police's action against Congress workers on Saturday created "an atmosphere of terror". Congress workers had no plans to disrupt the prime minister's rally at BKC (Bandra-Kurla Complex) but the police detained them on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's orders, he alleged. Modi on Saturday laid foundation stones for many key infrastructure projects worth over Rs 1.06 trillion in the megapolis, including the country's longest sea-bridge and two Metro lines. "Developmental works of over Rs 1.06 trillion are getting started in a single city at a single event. This will be a big milestone in the city's history," the prime minister said at his rally. Prime Minister on Sunday greeted his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, notwithstanding the severe chill in relations between the two countries. "Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life," Modi tweeted. Sharif turned 67 today. Modi extended birthday wishes to Sharif even though the two countries have been witnessing a severe chill in their relations because of repeated terror attacks in India emanating from Pakistan. Last year on this day, Modi had made a huge gesture by travelling to Lahore on an unscheduled visit to wish Sharif personally and attend the marriage ceremony of his kin. However, the warmth in the bilateral ties witnessed at that time evaporated after terror attack on the airbase in Pathankot on January 1 this year. Since then the relations have just been sliding as tensions escalated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited veteran BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee and wished him good health and long life on his birthday. Modi, who was accompanied by BJP President Amit Shah, also met the family members of the former Prime Minister, who completed 92 years today and is ailing for a few years now. "Wishing our most beloved & widely respected Atal ji a happy birthday. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life. "Atal ji's exemplary service & leadership has had a very positive impact on India's growth trajectory. His great personality is endearing," the Prime Minister tweeted. Modi also put out a video of his younger days when he met Vajpayee and tweeted, "See what Atal ji does when he meets a party 'karyakarta'. This simplicity and warmth of Atal ji we all cherish." He also said that he went to the veteran leader's residence to greet him. He spent some time with Vajpayee's family members and enquired about his health. Vajpayee has been indisposed for some years now after suffering age-related problems and has not been seen in public. Later in his 'Mann ki Baat' programme, he spoke about the former Prime Minister, lauding his contribution to the country when it grew in stature as a nuclear power. "Today is also the birthday of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister venerable Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. This country can never forget Atalji's contributions. Under his leadership, the country proudly grew in stature in the field of nuclear power also. "Whether in the role of a party leader, Member of Parliament, a minister or the Prime Minister, Atalji always established an ideal. I salute Atalji on his birthday and pray to God for his good health," he said. Remembering his meetings with Vajpayee, Modi said he had the privilege of working with him as a party worker. "Many memories emerge before my eyes. This morning when I tweeted, I shared a video in which you can see for yourself how as a small party worker one had the fortune of having affection showered upon him by Atalji," he said in his programme. The Prime Minister also paid tributes to freedom fighter and educationist Madan Mohan Malaviya on his birth anniversary. "I bow to Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya on his Jayanti. He has left an indelible contribution in the history of India," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis urged peace in the Middle East as tens of thousands gathered to hear his Christmas address today, while offering comfort to victims of terrorism after a year of bloody jihadist attacks. The 80-year-old Argentine called for guns to fall silent in Syria, saying "far too much blood has been spilled" in the nearly six-year conflict. And he urged Israelis and Palestinians to "have the courage and the determination to write a new page of history" in his message from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica to a crowd of 40,000 gathered in the square below which, despite the sunny weather, was far from full. As Europe ramped up security for the holiday just days after the truck attack that left 12 dead at a Berlin Christmas market, the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics said he hoped for "peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism". In Milan, where suspected Berlin attacker Anis Amri was killed in a police shootout on Friday, there was a heavy police presence around the cathedral. The entrance has been protected by concrete barriers since the Berlin attack. In France, where Berlin has raised grim memories of the jihadist truck rampage in June that left 86 people dead, 91,000 members of the security forces have been deployed to guard public spaces including churches and markets over the weekend. Religious ceremonies in Germany were heavy with the weight of Monday's attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State group. "Christmas this year carries a deep wound -- we are celebrating this festival in a different way this year," said Gebhard Fuerst, bishop of Rothenburg in the southeast. But Baden bishop Jochen Cornelius-Bundschuh offered a note of hope. "At Christmas, a light shines in the world -- it shines in powerful darknesses like those we have seen in recent years with the horror of war, civil war and terrorist attacks," he said. In Israel, security was tight for Christmas celebrations coinciding with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Some 2,500 worshippers packed the Church of the Nativity complex, built over the grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born, for midnight mass in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa used his homily there to plead for compassion for refugees and for a halt to the violence wracking the Middle East. "We fear the stranger who knocks at the door of our home and at the borders of our countries," he said. "Closed doors, defended borders, before personal and political choices, are a metaphor for the fear that inevitably breed the violent dynamics of the present time." Pope Francis struck a similar tone in his Christmas Eve mass, urging a 10,000-strong crowd in St Peter's Square to feel compassion for children, notably victims of war, migration and homelessness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin welcomed the "Syrian army's victory against the terrorists in Aleppo" during a phone call, Iranian media reported today. "The Syrian army's victory sends a message that the terrorists cannot achieve their objectives. We must stop terrorists using the ceasefire to rebuild their forces and create new bases in other regions of Syria," Rouhani said following the call last night, according to a statement published by state media. Putin also welcomed the defeat of rebel forces in Syria's second city and said cooperation between Tehran and Moscow "will continue". They said peace talks would take place in Kazakhstan, without providing further details. Iran and Russia have been the key backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and label all rebel forces in the country as "terrorists". "The result of this cooperation is a major victory in the fight against terrorism," added Putin. Syrian troops this week retook control of eastern Aleppo, which has been held by disparate rebel groups since mid-2012, after a devastating month-long offensive that has caused tens of thousands of refugees to flee their homes. Russia's entry into the conflict in September 2015 - primarily through air strikes - helped turn the tide for Assad, while Iran has provided military advisors and frontline "volunteer" fighters. Newly appointed BJP Assam unit President Ranjeet Kumar Dass today resigned from the post of Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly to assume charge of his new responsibility. Dass handed over his resignation letter to Assam Assembly Deputy Speaker Dilip Kumar Paul at a function in his constituency, Sorbhog. During late afternoon, Dass took charge as the President of BJP's Assam unit at the state headquarter in Guwahati. He was welcomed and felicitated by party workers at the party office after taking charge. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to regulate the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other forms of plastic in flags and banners by political parties during elections after a plea alleged that it damages the environment. A bench headed by Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued a notice to the MoEF and asked it to take a view in relation to banning or regulating PVC within six months. "The ministry would take a view in relation to banning or regulating PVC and chlorinated plastic in the use banners, flags, hoarding etc within a period of six months," a bench said, adding, "The applicant is at liberty to pursue the matter with the ministry which shall deal with the subject matter thereof expeditiously and in any case within the prescribed period under the judgement of the tribunal." The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Andhra Pradesh resident Ravikiran Singh seeking directions to the Election Commission of India to issue orders asking all political parties and people contesting elections to refrain from using PVC banners and flags and impose hefty fines on all political parties and politicians who continue to campaign by such medium. Referring to the new Plastic Waste Management Rules notified by the Environment Ministry, senior advocate Pradeep Rai and advocate Gautam Singh, appearing for the petitioner, said these hoardings were "no better if not worse" than plastic carry bags against which a notification prescribing proper disposal has been issued. "That the notification dated March 18, 2016, leaves out the great evil of flex (PVC) banners and focuses only on the plastic necessary for packaging purpose. It is submitted that it is very difficult to substitute plastic with another packaging material. However, plastic can be easily substituted with something else for the purpose of making banners/hoardings or flags," it said. The petitioner contended that very huge banners made of PVC are put on public spaces depicting election slogans of political parties and once the poll is over, the election material is dumped without due care. Regional Transport Offices in the national capital are set to go cashless from January when fees for all services including driving licence, auto permit and fitness certificate can be paid electronically. The Transport Department has started installing Point of Sale (PoS) machines at its zonal offices and the trial run of the cashless transaction system is being carried out at some places. "From January, people coming to RTO offices can pay fee of various services -- permits, driving licence, fitness certificates - using their debit, credit cards. Applicants won't be required to make payments in cash," a senior government official said. There are 14 zonal offices of the Transport Department in the city. The official said that the move would ensure hassle-free services for the people of Delhi. The step is in line with the Delhi government's plan to bring all departments under cashless transaction system. "At present, e-PoS machines are being installed at all zonal offices. Besides, computer software of the department is also being updated in view of the cashless transactions," the official said. Earlier this month, Transport Minister Satyendar Jain had directed his department to start accepting fees and payments in the form of bank drafts and pay orders for all transport services in view of cash crunch after . Madhya Pradesh government is mulling to offer 'salad' along with the daily meal served to inmates across all prisons in the state, an official said. "Providing 'salads' along with the meals is one of the measures being mooted by the Jail Department in its effort to make the food in state's prisons more nutritious," Sanjay Choudhary, Director General (Jail) told PTI. The issue was discussed at a meeting here on Friday convened to review the functioning of jails in state. It was chaired by Minister for Jail Kusum Mehdele and attended by Jail department's senior officials along with the superintendents of 39 district and 11 Central jails. After the Bhopal's Central prison jail break by eight operatives of the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in October this year, Jail department had banned outside food items, mostly brought by the family members of the inmates in all jails of the state. "The meeting was informed that essential items like tooth-paste and brush would also be provided in the jails. However, there would be total ban on bidis and cigarettes," a Public Relations department officer said. It was also decided that additional barracks would be constructed in those jails that are housing more inmates than their capacities. "Outer walls of the jails would also be constructed. The minister assured that the issues raised by the jail superintendents would also be soon sorted out," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Market regulator is looking into regulations concerning clearance for scheme of arrangements such as merger and acquisitions by listed firms to check any possible 'bypassing' of norms due to the companies directly seeking approval of courts for such deals. As per the listing agreement norms, a listed company needs to file any scheme of arrangement with the stock exchanges for observations at least one month before filing it with any court or tribunal for approval. Further, the stock exchanges have to forward their objection/no-objection letter on the scheme with which can also review the scheme and issue necessary observations. At a recent industry event, Chairman U K Sinha said, "There has been an observation from one of the high courts that what is the locus with Sebi in asking companies to first come to Sebi and then move the high courts...It is not provided in any Sebi regulations that listed companies should come to Sebi first before moving the courts...So is there a violation?" "Sebi should provide that companies have to come to Sebi otherwise if they don't come to Sebi and go directly to the high court or the National Company Law Tribunal what is the violation for that. So, we are going to amend our regulations and make specific provision for that," Sinha added. According to Nishith Desai Associates' Co-Head (M&A) Simone Reis, prior to 2013, listed companies were required to file a draft with the stock exchanges on scheme of arrangements and could move courts after receiving an NOC. "In 2013, Sebi stepped in and said it would also review and issue observations on the schemes. However, the companies would approach the courts before receiving observations from Sebi...So, things were running on parallel lines," Reis told PTI. She further said, "The regulator could bring in a provision wherein it stipulates a violation for approaching the courts/tribunals without awaiting Sebi approval." Finsec Law Advisor' Founder and Sebi's former Executive Director Sandeep Parekh said that the listed companies are "bypassing" certain regulatory requirements and approaching courts directly with respect to the schemes of arrangement. Noting that consequences of such action by a listed company is not clear, Parekh said, "Sebi could amend the listing norms to specifying violations to such acts." A scheme of arrangement is a court-approved agreement between a company and its shareholders or creditors. The role of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the stock exchanges in reviewing the scheme can help ensure that it is not in violation of the securities norms and also safeguard the interest of shareholders. Going by the norms issued by Sebi in 2013, upon receipt of objection/no-objection letter from the exchanges, Sebi has to provide its comments on the draft scheme to the bourses. While processing the draft scheme, Sebi may seek clarifications from any entity relevant in this regard including the listed company or the stock exchanges and may also seek an opinion from an independent chartered accountant. Sebi has been taking an average of 13 days to issue observations on scheme of arrangements as against prescribed time limit of 30 days, Sinha had said at the event. Congress today got a boost ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, with some leaders from Shiromani Akali Dal, Aam Aadmi Party and BJP joining the party in the presence of PCC chief Amarinder Singh here today. Former SAD leader from Atam Nagar and councillor Kamaljit Singh Karwal, once considered close to MLA Simarjit Singh, and former AAP central executive committee member Yamini Gomar were among those pledged their allegiance to Congress. Other AAP leaders to join Congress were L R Nayyar, former chief commissioner (Income Tax), and party observer Gagan Sahni. Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Congress president Amarinder said all these leaders had joined the party "unconditionally". "They had become completely disillusioned with the policies of their respective parties and the agendas of their leaders," he said. Amarinder hailed their joinings as another milestone in the Congress's journey towards a "clear majority" in the upcoming Assembly polls, saying these developments highlighted the "complete wipeout" of all the other parties in the fray. Karwal, who had met Amarinder in Delhi, was associated with SAD since 2007, except for a brief period in 2014. "The anti-people policies of the party," he said, had encouraged him to take the decision to move to the Congress. Yamini, who had openly accused Kejriwal and AAP of being "anti-Dalit, anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab," said, "AAP was in a total mess, with its leadership befooling the people of Punjab with fake promises." "AAP leadership is not even ready to blink its eyes over the issues of corruption and promotion of criminals in the party," she said. Yamini said there was hardly any AAP leader who fulfilled the party's motto of not being involved in corruption and not having criminal record. "More than 70 per cent of the AAP volunteers, who had joined the party with an aim to see Punjab on roads of progress, are completely shattered with party leaders busy promoting their own vested interests", she said. Many more genuine people in AAP, who were feeling suffocated there, would join Congress fold in the coming days. Yamini, who contested 2014 Lok Sabha elections on AAP ticket, said no honest person who has the interests of Punjab in his heart can remain with AAP, given the complete moral bankruptcy of its leadership. She said the Congress could save the state and its people from doom. Both Nayyar and Sahni also backed Yamini, saying AAP was a party of "corrupt and greedy individuals who had no interest in the welfare of the people of Punjab." Meanwhile, a number of the BJP leaders from Doraha, also joined Congress. Prominent among them were Doraha BJP Mandal chief Rahul Bector, vice-president Anish Bector, secretary Varun Sharma and general secretary Anoop Bector, besides several Municipal Councillors and other BJP leaders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Himachal Pradesh government has put in place a single window clearance system to assist filmmakers in getting permission for film shooting, movement of equipment and clearance related to law and order issues. The directorate of Information and Public Relations is the nodal agency for issuing permissions for film shooting in the state. A nodal officer will be appointed for promoting and facilitating film shooting. Familiarisation tours for foreign filmmakers would also be facilitated with support of the state government, an official spokesperson said. Aiming to promote film tourism in the state, the government is also exploring possibilities of setting up film studios. "Bestowed with immense natural beauty, Himachal Pradesh has always been a big attraction for the filmmakers from different parts of the world. The state has innumerable locations, especially in lesser known places which is ideal for film shooting. It would be the government's endeavour to extend all possible assistance to the film industry," he said. The spokesperson said cinema has vast employment potential and efforts would be made to harness this to optimum level. Permissions for setting up of theatres is on, while conversion of single screen halls into multiplexes will be considered by the state government. The state government is pursuing the matter regarding upgrading and extension of runway of airports at Shimla, Kullu and Dharamshala for operating regular flights. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special CBI court in Indore remanded three accused including two senior officials of the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) in 14-day judicial custody in a bribery case. "Bhopal branch of CBI had registered a case in October this year under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 against Mukesh Khatri, CBN Superintendent posted in Ujjain, Dharm Singh Meena, another Superintendent posted in Kota (Rajasthan) and other unknown person on the basis a complaint," a CBI spokesman said today. The accused had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 25 lakh by threatening to implicate the complainant in a case of his friend Sudhir Gupta, who was booked by Meena under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Kota. The release stated that Meena demanded the bribe through Khatri. "Bhopal unit of CBI yesterday filed the charge-sheet against these accused before the special judge, CBI court, Indore," the spokesman said, adding, the court rejected bail of the three and sent them to 14-day judicial remand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is slated to be conferred with honorary doctorate by the city-based Maulana Azad National Urdu University tomorrow. President Pranab Mukherjee would be the chief guest at the sixth convocation of the university where nearly 48,000 students will be awarded degrees. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan would be the guest of honour at the event to be presided over by the varsity's Chancellor, Zafar Younus Sareshwala. Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali will be the other guest of honour. Along with Shah Rukh Khan, Urdu aficionado and founder of Rekhta Foundation Rajiv Saraf would be given 'honorius causa' for their contribution in the promotion of Urdu language and culture, a release from the varsity said. The university was established here in 1998. About 2,885 graduates and postgraduates and 276 M.Phil and PhD scholars from various disciplines in regular courses will be awarded the degrees. Besides, 44,235 graduates and post graduates under the distance mode of learning would also be given degrees in absentia, the release added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A suicide bomber apparently targeting a religious site on Christmas day killed two civilians in northern Cameroon, a region often hit by Boko Haram jihadists from Nigeria, the local governor said today. "The suicide bomber was certainly targeting a religious site, but we cannot say exactly which one. It's Christmas day and there are prayers" being said everywhere, Midjiyawa Bakari, governor of the Far North region of Cameroon, told AFP. "We have two deaths reported at the site, the suicide bomber and a member of a security committee, and a third person died at hospital," he said, referring to a 19-year-old student. The governor added that there were also five others wounded and hospitalised but their condition was not life-threatening. Police have surrounded a Christian church in the town of Mora which has been locked down by soldiers, a Christian teacher there who requested anonymity told AFP. The region is home to Christians, Muslims and animists. Northern Cameroon, bordering Nigeria and Chad, has been frequently targeted by Boko Haram Islamists who have waged an insurgency in northern Nigeria since 2009. The Cameroonian army has joined a regional offensive to end Boko Haram's brutal insurgency that has left at least 20,000 people dead and some 2.6 million displaced. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alleging that the list of donors AAP has submitted to Election Commission and tax authorities is different from the one it has put on its website, Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India today challenged it for a debate on its sources of funding. The allegation and the challenge come a day after the AAP challenged the Congress and the BJP for a public debate at the Jantar Mantar on their sources of funding. On December 23, Anna Hazare had castigated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not putting its list of donors on its website. The AAP, which had taken the donors' list off its website in June this year, has alleged its donors are "being targeted" by tax authorities. "Why did the party presents two different list of contributions, one to the tax authorities and Election Commission and another to the public on its website? Why do the two lists not match? What did the party wish to conceal?" Swaraj India's spokesperson Anupam said. He also alleged the AAP "collected crore of rupees in cash" in Punjab and questioned where has the money been deposited since it "does not have a bank account in Punjab". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Crashing data tariffs, free voice calls, disruptive entry of Reliance Jio and a no-holds-barred turf war to safeguard Rs 9 lakh crore worth of cumulative investments have set the tone for an action-packed 2017 for the telecom sector, which also had to grapple with the thorny issue of call drops in 2016. If anything, the high-voltage narrative of 2016 has left mobile subscribers craving for more in the coming year both in terms of tariffs which have touched new lows, and technology. 4G has boosted mobile speeds to levels never experienced before by the data-hungry Indians. "About Rs 9,27,000 crores have been invested so far by telecom service providers (TSPs) in building world class telecom infrastructure," body COAI's Director General Rajan S Mathews said. Incumbent telecom operators in representations throughout the year have shared how their revenues have taken a hit on various accounts ranging from Trai's decision to bar differential tariff platforms like Facebook's Free Basics, Airtel Zero, to Reliance Jio unveiling free services. Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP Partner Hemant Joshi said however that the prohibition on discriminatory tariffs has played a significant role to make data services affordable and accessible by everyone and is one of the important factors behind the rising adoption of data services in India. The telecom regulator's latest recommendation to allow third party platforms to provide free data without bias towards a particular telecom operator or internet content is likely to rekindle the debate on net neutrality in 2017. Looking back, the going year started-off with a setback- of-sorts for consumers when the Supreme Court quashed penalty provision for call drops, prompting the regulator to seek more powers to penalise errant telecom operators. The Telecom Department and regulator launched a combined offensive -- in form of review meetings and drive tests - to ensure that service quality issues remain at the forefront all through the year. To address the problem of call drops, operators have added about 3.51 lakh BTSes in last 12 months, according to Mathews. Besides this, Trai continues to work on review of service quality norms, ombudsman model, and interconnection all of which are expected to take shape in 2017. There was never a dull moment for the telecom sector this year, and the market pulsated with action thanks to improved affordability, falling handset prices and operator investments in improving network coverage (helped by policies like Right of Way and spectrum sale). The year saw India overtaking US to become the world's second-largest smartphone market with an installed base of 275 million devices. It has also predicted that 4G connections will grow to 280 million by 2020. According to global mobile body GSMA, India will add 330 million unique subscribers by 2020 (from 616 million unique users as of June 2016). In addition, the is set to invest heavily, with operator capex growing to USD 34 billion between 2016 and 2020, says GSMA. If anything, demonetisation and digital push -- resulting in increased adoption of mobile wallets -- will put the market on a turbo charge, say industry watchers. Already, the average Indian is consuming data -- movies, gaming, connecting on social media -- like never before, in the aftermath of the industry price war triggered by the entry of India's richest businessman Mukesh Ambani in the telecom industry. Jio, which launched full-fledged 4G services in September, has promised free voice calls for life along with rock-bottom data prices, once its ongoing free services come to an end on March 31, 2017. The market's appetite for data can be gauged from the fact that Ambani had set a target of 100 million customers in the "shortest time possible" for Reliance Jio, but the new venture notched 52 million customers in just 83 days, growing faster than Facebook and WhatsApp. The data and voice charges are likely to see further fall in 2017 as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular and the new entrant Reliance Jio slug it out to capture a larger chunk of what is now the world's second largest mobile market. "2016 ushered in bundled voice and data integrated plans. Increasingly, this is going to be the norm in 2017, with more innovative and segmented packages in the offering. Headline mobile data tariffs have largely remained stable, but operators have increased data allowance significantly," EY Global Telecommunications Leader Prashant Singhal said. He has cautioned that in the long term, lower tariffs are not sustainable, with high spectrum fees and ongoing capex requirements. "To put it into perspective, the cumulative bid in spectrum auctions since 2010 amounted to Rs 3.5 lakh crore, which is quite significant considering sector revenue of about Rs 2.6 lakh crore. As a result, the sector debt level has increased to approximately Rs 4.2 lakh crore after the 2016 spectrum auctions," Singhal said. Deloitte's Joshi says that the downward trend of mobile tariffs in India has always been a challenge for the service providers as they operate in a market with rock-bottom Average Revenue per User (ARPUs). "Though the voice ARPU is going down, the high adoption of data services is transforming telcos' offerings in the data sector," Joshi said. Tariffs apart, Jio's entry opened up new battlefronts in telecom sector and a large part of the year was mired in bitter exchanges between the newcomer and incumbent operators over network connectivity issues. Jio has been accusing incumbent operators of not providing it sufficient points of interconnect leading to massive call failures while the operators have blamed the free calls offered by the newcomer for unleashing a "tsunami" of network traffic. Trai called the warring sides for meetings, and when the call failures continued to surpass prescribed limits despite warnings, it recommended a cumulative penalty of Rs 3,050 crore on Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea Cellular for denying interconnectivity to Jio. The penalty recommendation has now been challenged in court by Vodafone, which has called Trai's move 'arbitrary' and sought quashing of the regulator's recommendations. The year also saw incumbent telecom firms under the aegis of industry body COAI clashing with the regulator and Reliance Jio to the extent that the industry body alleged that Trai was favouring new entrant. Elsewhere, another corporate tussle brewed as an international arbitration court ordered the now-embattled Tata group to pay nearly Rs 7,956 crore to the NTT DoCoMo for alleged breach of agreement over telecom JV Tata Teleservices. While estranged partners traded charges, fresh mergers and acquisitions were solemnised in the sector. Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications announced the merger of its wireless telecom business with smaller rival Aircel to create the country's 4th-biggest mobile phone operator. On the flip side, spiralling debt and steep pricing of 700 MHz band, turned India's biggest-ever spectrum sale into a damp squib. Seven telecom including Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, Idea cellular and Reliance Jio made commitments of Rs 65,789 crore for buying 964.80 MHz of spectrum in various frequency bands, as against 2,354.55 MHz of radiowaves on the block. Government had hoped to raise as much as Rs 5.63 lakh crore from the auction, but even at the end of the five-day auction, nearly 60 per cent of the spectrum remained unsold, including in the premium 700 MHz band. The Telecom Department maintained however that the auction was successful as government was able to end the spectrum scarcity nudging the sector towards better services and fewer call drops. Thousands of residents were fleeing coastal and other hazardous areas in the eastern today as a powerful typhoon barrelled towards the disaster-prone archipelago. Officials warned 2.5-metre high waves and landslides posed the biggest threats as Nock-Ten closed in on the Bicol peninsula and nearby islands. "We went around with megaphones and gave instructions to our people to eat breakfast, pack and board the military trucks," Alberto Lindo, an official of Alcala, a farming village of 3,300 people near the active Mayon volcano, told AFP. "There are large ash deposits on the slopes. Heavy rain can dislodge them and bury our homes in mud." Philippine and weather services said Nock- Ten, named after a bird found in Laos, was set to hit Bicol today before reaching the rest of the main island of Luzon tomorrow. The US Joint Typhoon Warning Center has forecast sustained winds of 231 kilometres an hour and gusts of 278 kilometres an hour when Nock-Ten makes landfall. The typhoon will affect an area populated by nearly 42 million people, including the capital Manila, which was forecast to be hit tomorrow. Civil defence officials in Bicol said earlier nearly half a million people in the region were in harm's way and needed to be evacuated. The government called for preemptive evacuations in the region on Friday, with nearly 4,000 residents moving into emergency centres and more than 8,000 seeking shelter elsewhere, according to an official tally. Evacuations were continuing early on Christmas Day with trucks provided by the military as well as local governments sent to coastal communities and other areas that have been hit by landslides or flash floods in previous storms. Nock-Ten, which will arrive outside the normal typhoon season, disrupted the celebration of one of the most important holidays in the mainly Catholic country's religious calendar, with all ferry services and some commercial flights suspended. Some of the thousands of commuters stranded at dozens of Bicol ports that were closed for the typhoon spent the night inside evacuation centres on Friday. Elsewhere, the coastguard today ordered the beaches south of Manila to be cleared of holidaymakers by tomorrow. "All forms of recreational activity (on the coasts) will be banned," coastguard spokesman Armando Balilo told local broadcaster ABS-CBN television. He said residents of seaside slums in Manila have also been warned to leave their homes. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world descended in the biblical town of Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, to celebrate Christmas, amidst a lull in violence after a tense year between Palestinians and Israelis. The manger square, the centre of festivities, right in front of Church of Nativity, believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus, was buzzing with activities on a clear, but cold day, as tourists jostled for space and vendors tried to sell them inflatable Santas, peanuts, toys and other items of traditional craftsmanship. Security arrangements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank town were scaled up in view of recent attacks on Christian sites in neighbouring countries like Egypt and Jordan by Islamic extremists and the Berlin market attack on Monday. Israel beefed up security in all big cities, as this year Christmas coincides with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Tour agents in Bethlehem and officials in the Palestinian Authority (PA) said that the hotels in Bethlehem were fully booked and they expected pilgrims and tourists to spend an extended holiday this time in Jesus's birthplace. "Bethlehem is celebrating today. We are receiving tourists from all over the world," Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maaya said. "People over the world are looking at Bethlehem so we hope more and more tourists will come during the year and that next year we will celebrate Christmas without occupation," said Mayaa, sharing the enthusiasm of other Palestinians in the wake of Friday's UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Celebrations kicked of yesterday around noon time when Rev. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, started his traditional march from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Pizzaballa was welcomed in Bethlehem by Christian clergymen inside the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus Christ. "I wish this joyous atmosphere of Christmas will continue in the year and not just for a few days and I hope the coming year will bring a little more serenity and peaceful relations in our country. We need it," the clergy said. The forlorn streets of Bethlehem deserted by tourists, who are the major contributors to the local economy in the West Bank town, during a difficult year marked by sporadic violence, showed signs of revival with Palestinian scouts adorning colourful outfit marching through them and children in Santa Claus outfit strolling all over the place shaking hands with tourists and wishing them Merry Christmas. Locals were, however, not much optimistic regarding the revival of local economy or tourism. "The wall built by Israel that separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem has completely ruined the lives of the people. The local economy in this West Bank town has suffered a major hit and there is no way to revive things here as long as this structure continues to be present here," local resident, Raed Salah, said. Israel built a 25-feet high concrete wall surrounding Bethlehem from three sides as part of the security barrier following a wave of suicide attacks during the second intifada. Meanwhile, the birthplace of Jesus, once a town dominated by Christians comprising 86 per cent of the population in 1950, has seen their numbers dwindle with only 12 per cent from the community still living in Bethlehem. "Most of them left in search of a better life but also due to political uncertainties surrounding the region," Annan, a local Christian, said. This trend is echoed across the West Bank as well where in the 1970's Christians made up 5 per cent of the population but have come down to 2 per cent recently. Israel made several arrangements to ease the movement of tourists with officials estimating the arrival of about 120,000 people from abroad to participate in the Christmas celebrations. The inter-ministerial panel formed to look into the issues pertaining to Tilaiya UMPP relinquished by has failed to make any headway in the matter relating to the bank guarantee and has sought fresh comments from the power ministry and PFC. "IMG (Inter-Ministerial Group) thus noted that in absence of any concrete comments/reply from the Ministry of Power, no decision on the matter could be taken. IMG, therefore, recommended seeking fresh specific comments from the Ministry of Power...And place them for further consideration," an official said. The Coal Ministry had earlier issued a show-cause notice to Reliance Power, seeking reasons for delays in developing coal mines allocated for Tilaiya UMPP. The panel was of the view that the comments received from the Ministry of Power and the Jharkhand government did not reveal anything specific so as to facilitate decision making on the issue of release/deduction of bank guarantee (BG), the official said. The official further said the power ministry had clarified that with regard to development of coal blocks earmarked for UMPPs, it was no way involved and the actual responsibility for the mines development was of the procurers of this project. The ministry further informed the panel that the procurers had accepted the termination of power purchase agreement (PPA), however, refused to accept the delay in development of coal block on their part. Joint Secretary in the Power Ministry "reiterated that as per the PPA, it was the responsibility of the procurers to fulfill their obligations, which as per JIPL claim have not been complied with", the official said. The IMG met this month to deliberate upon the issue of deduction/release of bank guarantee with regard to coal blocks including Kerandari B&C mine submitted by the allotee company (Reliance Power). Reliance Power/JIPL (Jharkhand Integrated Power Ltd) was allocated Kerandari B&C coal block for using coal captive in the Tilaiya Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP), however, has relinquished it. 'Agree to Terminate' option was exercised and accepted voluntarily by RPL and the Procurers. This act, though authorised, is extraneous to the course of development of coal block. Pushing for development of the pictureseqe Nubra Valley, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has announced setting up of a Tourism Development Authority and said Rs 17 crore will be spent to develop the area. The Chief Minister said Nubra-Turtuk Valley has immense tourism potential and the need of the hour is to exploit this to the optimum. Addressing a public meeting here after inaugurating a bridge in neaby Thang Valley yesterday, she said the Government has already started various tourism development projects in Nubra valley and with the setting up of the authority these projects would get a focused attention. A cultural institute would be set up at Turtuk for the promotion and preservation of local culture, music and language. Similarly, an interpretation centre would be set up for the information and guidance of tourists visiting the area, she said. Also wayside facilities and residential accommodation for tourists besides upgradation of infrastructure would be undertaken, she said. The chief minister said she was personally aware of the problems of the people of the area, more so on account of connectivity, and efforts would be made to redress them. She said survey on Turtuk-Haanu road would be conducted and once constructed, the road would reduce the distance between Nubra and Kashmir Valley considerably. The opening of Turtuk-Khapaloo route would be taken up to help people of the area meet their relatives living across the LoC as has previously been done in case of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote routes. Responding to the demands of locals, Mufti said adequate manpower and stock of medicine would be made available at the Public Health Centre, Turtuk. The chief minister said she would ask the CAPD Department to open up a fair price shop in the area for the benefit of people. She said other issues raised by the people would also be addressed. Chairman, Legislative Council, Haji Anayat Ali, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar, Minister for Cooperatives & Ladakh Affairs, T. Dorjey; Chairman, LAHDC, Leh, Dr. Sonam Dawa, Executive Councilors, MLA, Anjum Fazili, Secretary Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Deputy Commissioner, Leh, P. Ramaswamy and other senior officers were present on the occasion. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated an 80 metre-long bridge at Kharpon-Thang over Shouq river. Built at a cost of Rs seven crore, the bridge would connect Thang village with Leh district and consequentially with the rest of the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police today arrested two persons in connection with the firing on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a private bank here last week, ending a multi -state search for the suspects. Ten police teams were tracking the accused Shaik Abdul Raheem and E Naresh while they were on the run in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala since December 18. One of the teams arrested the duo from Secunderabad railway station, Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahendar Reddy told reporters. KBS Local Area Bank Ltd CEO Manmath Dalai was shot at allegedly by Raheem on December 18 at his house in Masab Tank area here during a robbery attempt. Armed with a country-made revolver, Raheem demanded money from the victim and during exchange of words, the accused fired two shots with one of the bullets hitting Dalai's thigh, he said. "On December 17, Raheem and Naresh went to KBS Bank's Madhapur branch here to withdraw money. When the bank manager asked for PAN card and photograph from Naresh he gave reference of his cousin Srihari, who earlier worked as a car driver with the bank's CEO. The bank manager subsequently allowed Naresh to withdraw Rs 2,000," he said. On the same day, while consuming liquor Raheem and Naresh discussed about the demonetisation move and involvement of bank officials in exchange of old currency notes. They thought bank officials keep huge amount of new currency at their homes and then planned to commit robbery at the house of Dalai, the Commissioner said. "Naresh and Raheem initially went to the corporate office of the bank and found it to be locked. Later both went to the CEO's house where Naresh dropped Raheem, who entered his apartment," Reddy said. Police said Raheem had bought the country-made firearm and bullets used in the crime from Bihar in November third week. Further probe is on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In what could cause more friction in the already strained ties between BJP and ally Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray today asked the farmers affected by the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway project to continue their agitation. The expressway, connecting two major cities of the state, is an ambitious project of the BJP-led state government. The farmers from Shahapur in neighbouring Thane district whose land is likely to fall under the project met Thackeray at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra. They have alleged large scale purchase of land along the proposed road by several serving and retired bureaucrats. "I will not let your fertile lands to be wasted. Continue your agitation and Shiv Sena will back you," he said, after listening to grievances of the farmers. "Though we are a part of the government, me and my party back farmers completely. The Sena will support your agitation," said Thackeray, who had yesterday shared stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Mumbai. "Many assurances are given by governments in the name of development at the start of projects but nothing happens in the end. It seems that this time, in the name of development, fertile land of farmers is being taken away. I will talk to the Chief Minister and try to find out a solution for this," the Sena chief said. Speaking in the Assembly during the recent winter session at Nagpur, Fadnavis had assured a probe into the allegations of large scale purchase of land by bureaucrats. Shiv Sena, which is part of the ruling alliances in Maharashtra and also at the Centre, has been critical of various decisions taken by government, including demonetisation. It has also accused the BJP of hijacking the yesterday's Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial 'jal pujan' event for political gains. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Additional undercover and armed officers are on standby in the UK over the Christmas and New Year festive period that comes in the shadow of Berlin terror attack, a media report said today. A counter-terrorism source told 'The Sunday Times' that Scotland Yard are considering using temporary concrete barriers to protect areas where crowds gather in thousands on New Year's Eve. The latest alert is in response to last week's attack in Berlin, where a hijacked lorry ploughed into crowds at a Christmas market, killing 12 people and injuring almost 50 others. "Security will be tightened and there will be more visibility [of uniformed police] but not in a dramatic way that would not reassure people. Everyone wants people to go out and do things," the newspaper quoted a source as saying. Concrete barriers were installed around Birmingham's German market after the Berlin attack. Other cities, including Manchester, have increased police patrols in key areas. In Edinburgh, a record number of armed officers will be available to respond to any terrorist incident as up to 150,000 revellers take part in one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve street parties. Police Scotland confirmed their procedures had been reviewed following the Berlin attack. They decided earlier this year, in response to the terrorist attacks in Paris last year and Brussels in March, to increase the number of armed-response officers from 275 to about 400. The other anti-terror plans included a 5-million-pound "ring of steel" to protectthe heart of London's financial district and its skyscrapers from terrorist attack. Followingadvice from MI5 and counter-terrorism police, the Corporation of London plans to install manned checkpoints, rising street bollards and crash-proof barricades. This new plan for London would be subject to a consultation but could be fully implemented by 2022, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 31-year-old American tourist was arrested after being allegedly found in possession of a satellite phone, banned in India, while on his way to board a flight back home at the airport here, police said today. Marks Jordan Andrew, a US citizen, was detained yesterday after Immigration officials found the satellite phone in his bag. He was questioned by CISF, in-charge of airport security, and later handed over to local police. The American was arrested and a case registered under the Wireless and Telegraph Act, police said. He was produced before a city court which remanded him to 14 days judicial custody. Andrew, hailing from California, had arrived here via Mumbai-Bengaluru and was on his way back to US via Dubai when he was intercepted. Police said Andrew told them that he was unaware that satellite phones are banned in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police are being assisted by a team of psychologists and psychiatrists in their investigation into the alleged gangrape of a US national in a five-star hotel earlier this year. "We have taken the help of psychologists and psychiatrists in investigation so that they can help us tie up the loose ends," said a senior police officer. The team has also spoken to the woman to help her recall the details of the incident coherently, he added. Police are also working to determine whether all the accused were present in the hotel during the two days as it appeared that some of them had been present somewhere else, he said. The US national arrived here a few days ago to join the probe and she recorded her statement in front of a judicial magistrate where she reiterated the charges she had made in her complaint. Earlier, she had said that she was not satisfied with the probe and was ready to come to India to identify the accused. On December 8, the tourist guide, accused of raping the woman, along with his accomplices, was questioned by police after his arrival from Nepal. Police had identified the man and contacted him while he was in Nepal. The tour guide had denied his involvement in the matter and told police that the victim had given him a positive feedback in the forms and internal inquiry by the travel agency hadn't found him guilty. The woman had alleged that she was raped by the men for two days. They also threatened her with dire consequences if she reported the matter to anybody. She had also stated that the accused had made a video of the act and had threatened to make it public if she reported the matter to anyone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 23-year-old woman software engineer working with an IT firm here was hacked to death by an unidentified assailant barely some metres away from her office on the outskirts of the city. Antara Das, who hailed from West Bengal, was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon at around 8 PM on Friday night when she was returning home from work near Tathwade area, a senior police official of Dehuroad Police Station said. "Das was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she was declared dead on arrival," he said. According to the officer, robbery angle has been ruled out as the valuables the woman was carrying were intact. A case was registered in this regard, police said, adding a probe was underway. According to a statement given by her company Capgemini to the police, Das left the office at 8 PM on Friday night and decided not to travel by the office cab. The woman mentioned in the office register that she would be taking an auto to get back home, police said. The attack took place barely some metres from her office and she was rushed to hospital by passers-by. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Paramilitary rangers have carried out raids and booked a close aide of former president under anti-terrorism law, as Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairperson returned to the country ending his 18- month-long self-imposed exile. Political analysts see the raids carried out on the offices and residence of businessman Anwar Majeed (who is still at large), just hours after Zardari's return on Friday, as a message by the establishment to the firebrand leader to stay out of politics. Other close aides of Zardari, including an influential former petroleum minister and businessman Dr Asim Hussain are already languishing in jails facing several cases of corruption and aiding terrorism. "The rangers decision to carry out the raids on the same day as Zardari arrived. It shows that the powerful lobbies are not keen to have him in the country," political analyst Nigar Jafri said. "There are several cases and issues pending in which his close aides have been accused of massive corruption and some are in custody, so basically it is a message to him to go back to Dubai," another analyst said. However, Zardari appeared calm when he visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah today to pay homage to the founder of the country on his birthday. "Yes Anwar Majeed is a friend but why the rangers have raided his offices you should ask the interior minister," Zardari told the media. He said he was also keeping abreast of the cases against Asim. "I have said before, these charges are political victimisation," he added. Interestingly, Zardari's return to Karachi was not celebrated as a big occasion by the PPP as everyone expected and instead of going from the airport to his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's house in a motorcade the former president and his close aides preferred to fly from the airport by a helicopter prompting speculations that there were security threats to his life. Political analysts and citizens had expected the PPP to make a big show of Zardari's return on the main Karsaz road, where in October 2007, a deadly attack on the motorcade and procession of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who had returned home from a self-imposed exile after nine years, had killed around 160 PPP activists. Despite repeated calls for greater transparency, political parties have shied away from providing details about their funding. As Chart 1 shows, political parties in 2014-15 received Rs 1,130 crore in funding from unknown sources. Further, as Chart 2 shows, 51 per cent of total donations to five political parties came from donors whose details are not available in the public domain. These details are only available when political parties file their returns. As such, it is difficult to get a comprehensive picture about their funding. As much of these donations are below the Rs 20,000 limit, reviewing these limits might go a long way in bringing greater transparency in political funding. In a bid to calm frayed nerves of stock market players, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday clarified the government has no intention to impose a tax on long-term capital gains from trading in shares. He went on to blame some sections of the media for misinterpreting Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech in Mumbai on Saturday. A total of Rs 2.60 crore cash and 95 kg of gold and silver has been seized and four persons arrested by the DRI in connection with its probe into alleged diversion of duty free gold worth about Rs 140 crore, imported under a special concession scheme, by a firm operating from a Noida-based SEZ. The sleuths of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence's Lucknow zonal unit carried out the searches for two days on the premises of M/s Shri Lal Mahal Limited and the residences of company officials as part of its anti-black money operations after demonetisation, the agency said in a statement. Four people associated with the firm were arrested late evening after questioning, a DRI official said. "It is found that the unit has illegally diverted and sold 430 kg (valued at about Rs 140 crore) of duty free gold in the market. "Cash amounting to Rs 2.60 crore (Rs 2.48 crore in old currency notes and Rs 12 lakh in new notes) has been seized. "Unaccounted 80 kg of silver found in the factory has also been recovered. Further, 15 kg of gold jewellery has been seized from the premises of the firm," the statement added. The DRI alleged that the firm had also "transferred huge amount of money through RTGS (funds transfer through banking channels) to a firm operating from their premises to purchase gold coins or bars of 24kg after November 8 (the day Rs 1000/Rs 500 were demonetised) from MMTC, India's largest public sector trading body, also to sell in the market for old demonetised currency". Earlier, the agency had said that directors of the firm were either admitted in hospital or avoiding investigations, as a result two persons had been detained for questioning. The move is the first disposal in recent times by the acquisitive Altice group, which in the past two years has bought French mobile operator SFR; Cablevision, now called Optimum, and Suddenlink in the US; Portugal Telecom; and Oranges Dominican Republic business. No reason has been given for the deal, which some see as indicating that Altice wants to focus on its larger operations. The business it is selling is called Coditel Brabant, but it also uses the SFR BeLux brand. Liberty Global is buying the operation, subject to regulatory approval, via its majority-owned Telenet subsidiary in Belgium. John Porter, Telenet CEO, said: We are very pleased with the acquisition of SFR BeLux as it would enable Telenet to extend its geographical footprint and offer approximately 90,000 customers in Belgium and 15,000 customers in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg the high-quality services for which our company has already won acclaim. Telenet specialises in the supply of broadband internet, fixed and mobile telephone services and cable television to customers throughout Flanders and Brussels. In 2015it agreed to buy Base, the Belgian mobile operator, from KPN for 1.325 billion. That deal was completed in February 2016. Telenet said that the acquisition means it will extend its cable footprint beyond the current Flemish and Brussels coverage areas to parts of Wallonia and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, while covering roughly two-thirds of the Brussels footprint post this acquisition. Following the Base acquisition that was concluded in the beginning of the year, we have entered a new phase of growth and this acquisition is a next, very important step in this strategy, said Porter. Our ambition is to have the best networks fixed and mobile and the best services landline and mobile telephony, high-speed internet, digital TV in Belgium. We are also very delighted to be able to launch our great services in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on our own network. Telenet said it intends to finance the acquisition through a combination of existing cash and cash equivalents and available liquidity under its revolving credit facilities. It plans to invest 12 million in 2017-18 on the newly acquired networks beyond the current capex plans. Liberty Global owns a number of operations across Europe, including Virgin Media in the UK and Ireland, and Cable & Wireless Communications in central America and the Caribbean. The Canada Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has set telcos targets of offering speeds 10 times faster than the average currently available in the country, as part of plans to build broadband networks in rural and remote areas over the next five years. Telcos will be compelled to help fund the $750 million infrastructure project, which will see CRTC introduce targets of 50Mbps download speeds and 10Mbps upload speeds to handle increasing demand for data. CRTC said currently just 82% of households and businesses receive that level of service, but aims to increase that to 90% within five years, and 100% in between 10-15 years. These goals are ambitious, they will not be easy to achieve and they will cost money. But we have no choice, Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said at a news conference. The future of our economy, our prosperity, our society indeed the future of every citizen requires us to set ambitious goals, and to get on with connecting all Canadians for the 21st century. The move will be funded in part by reallocating a $100 million subsidy for voice services towards broadband, while the regulator will also continue to collect money from service providers. At a press conference, Blais explained that up to 10% of the money raised during the first five years of the project will go towards satellite-dependent communities. Blais ruled out pricing caps, however, saying that the regulator would monitor pricing as new high-speed services are put in to place. The Canadian government has already announced a $500 million fund to build new high-speed infrastructure. TKSAT-1 was launched in December 2013 and went in to operation the following April. According to the director of the Bolivian Space Agency (ABE) Ivan Zambrana, it is currently operating at 70% capacity. Speaking to EFE, Zambrana said: We think that in another year we'll be above 80 or 85 percent, which is almost the commercial physical limit for a satellite ... But we haven't stopped meeting the objectives that led us to launch it, which is for all Bolivians to have communications services. "That makes us think that we need a second satellite. And that second satellite, which is also going to be paid for within its operating life, is a highly viable project. With that criterion, we've started working on that project," The second satellite will launch in 2020 or 2021, and will be called TKSAT-2, although Zambrana said he expected it to cost less than the $300 million spent on TKSAT-1. During its first year, TKSAT-1 produced an income of $7 million, although this figure topped $25 million in 2016. Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ... Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Despite being given a new face, additional tech features, and even a dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Dacia Duster SUV needs a replacement to stay competitive and relative in its segment. A new model is in the works, though, as Autossegredos reports that it should arrive in the first markets sometime next year, with some regions, including Europe, getting it as a Dacia and others, with Renaults badges. The report says that the second generation model could switch to the CMF (Common Module Family) that is found underneath several Nissan and Renault vehicles, including the Kadjar. In this case, it could get a longer version offering the option of adding two additional seats. Details about the engine lineup are scarce too, but in Brazil, Renault will reportedly continue offering the same 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter units, while on European soil, Dacia might replace the 1.5-liter dCi with the more efficient 1.6-liter diesel engines. * Current Dacia Duster pictured PHOTO GALLERY You could have the missing piece of the puzzle that will help the RCMP put someone behind bars. Here are some recent crimes that Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers hope you can help solve by calling our anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net or text to CRIMES (274637), keyword Ktown. CRIME: THEFT FROM VEHICLE DATE: December 20, 2016 RCMP FILE: 2016-74549 At 2:38 p.m. on December 20th a man reported the theft of some articles from his unlocked 2006 Chevrolet Sierra truck parked on his property on the 10,500 of Bonnie Road in Lake Country. Although there were several items of value in the truck, the thief took only a radar detector from the visor and a mail key from the console. The radar detector is a black Escort 9800IX with serial number 22075308 and is worth almost $600. Photo: Crime Stoppers If you know anything about this crime, or any other crime, call the Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net. Your information will be kept confidential and could lead to a reward of up to $2000.00. CRIME: MISCHIEF DATE: December 16, 2016 RCMP FILE: 2016-73979 An employee of the Davidson Elementary School in Lake Country exited the building around 11:00 p.m. on December 16th and noticed that a gate was dented on the side of the building. Two hours earlier he had noticed a tan vehicle enter the parking lot and then leave. Some pylons were knocked over in the parking lot and the gate was dented and could barely be secured for the night. You can help catch these suspects and qualify for a reward by calling Crime Stoppers anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net or text to CRIMES (274637), keyword Ktown. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. Photo: Contributed Is "beep beep" going bye bye? WorkSafeBC reports more B.C. businesses are replacing traditional back-up alarms on commercial vehicles with white noise generators. Such broadband alarms meet occupational health and safety requirements and uses the same cadence, but emit a range of frequencies, rather than a single tone. Back-up alarms have become so common, people sometimes tune them out. When we hear beeping from back-up alarms all the time, we gradually learn to ignore it as a warning signal, says WorkSafeBC occupational audiologist Sasha Brown. With the broadband alarm, because were not hearing it as much in our daily lives, we are less likely to become used to the sound, or habituated to it, and are therefore less likely to tune it out when it is important for us to hear it. The broadband alarm emits a pulsing, psssht-psssht sound that is more focused in the area where a person is potentially at risk, thereby alerting workers and pedestrians in the vicinity of the vehicle, while reducing disturbance in the community. WorkSafeBC statistics show 11 workers were killed in the 10-year period from 2006 and 2015 when backing vehicles or mobile equipment pinned them against an object and/or struck them. The University of Victoria has been installing broadband alarms on its fleet since 2015. Whistler and Delta also have them on their municipal fleets. It has a very unique sound, it makes it more noticeable to those who need to hear it for safety reasons, and its eliminated our noise complaints from nearby residents," said UVic spokesman Darryl Huculak. Photo: Contributed Dont let your family ruin your day What do you picture when you imagine yourself having a happy life? Do you imagine having bad hair days, and feeling frustrated with your family? I have never researched the answer to that question, but I suspect most people see themselves in a world without negative emotions and annoyances. Having lots of money and being retired are probably typical scenarios that pop into your mind. Unfortunately, we live in a society that promotes the idea of never-ending happiness. It is as though we expect happiness to look like a fairytale life once the bad guy has been banished. In reality, a happy life is one where the wicked queen sticks around and keeps popping up when you least expect it. You live in an ever-changing environment that you have little control over. No matter how hard you try to avoid running into people and situations that you know will upset you, you dont have that sort of power. Happy people accept that. Close your eyes and imagine taking a walk in the countryside: concentrate on the path you are following. What does the trail look like? Does it go in a perfectly straight line, or does it twist and turn? Are you going up and down, or is it perfectly level? If you imagine a realistic looking route, it will undulate and wind its way through nature. This is what your life looks like. It will bend and curve around the events you encounter, sometimes going uphill and other times sloping down. You have little control over the circumstances of your life. You will encounter tough times, and experience magical ones where everything goes smoothly. It isnt the challenges in your life that make you unhappy, its the way you deal with them. If you celebrate Christmas, or have a tradition of getting together with family, and friends over the holiday period, this knowledge may be invaluable. No matter how hard you try, you cannot control what other people do; you can reason with, encourage, or threaten them, but you cannot guarantee they will behave the way you want them to. This is especially important if you belong to a family that hasnt modelled themselves after the Waltons. You cant choose your family, and throwing everyone together in the same room every December, does not ensure things will go smoothly. Remember, it isnt the challenges that will ruin your holiday, it is the way you deal with them that determines whether the fireworks start, or not. To help you deal with those annoyances and frustrations, let me give you some coping skills. Try to get enough sleep and eat as well as possible. A healthy body creates a healthy mind, and dealing with difficulties is easier when you are rested and feeling healthy. Remind yourself that life is like a journey, the only path you ever really experience is your own. Dont assume your sister is travelling the same route you are. Because everyone takes their own journey; try not to judge the choices and decisions others make. In my experience, the most destructive characteristic when it comes to family, is judging others. No one likes to be seen in a poor light by their family members, or friends. Set the example, and accept others for who they are, rather than trying to change them into who you would like them to be. See challenges and difficulties as opportunities to learn more about yourself and the world around you. Set yourself the goal of triumphing over them, rather than melting into them like the Wicked Witch of the West. Remember that you cant control the circumstances you find yourself in, so dont try. You can only control your reactions, and actions. Remind yourself of the old Irish blessing, to help you achieve this. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. Maintain a sense of humour. Sometimes the biggest family fiascoes make the best stories in the years to come. Good luck and enjoy all the experiences your holiday has to offer. Remember it isnt the people around you that will make, or break your day, it is how you choose to react to them. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. Photo: The Canadian Press (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Decrying the suffering in Syria, Pope Francis on Sunday wished Christmas peace and hope for all those scarred by war and terrorism, which he said is sowing "fear and death in the heart of many countries and cities." Some 40,000 tourists and Romans calmly endured long security lines to enter St. Peter's Square to see the pope on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he delivered the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" ("to the city and to the world") Christmas message and blessing. Francis spoke sorrowfully of the suffering caused by the Syrian war, especially in Aleppo, pressing the international community to help negotiate a solution. He urged Israelis and Palestinians to "write a new page of history, where hate and revenge give way" toward building a future of understanding and harmony. He also cited the "brutality of terrorism" in Iraq, Libya and Yemen. In Nigeria, the pope lamented, "fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children," a reference to child suicide bombers. He expressed hope that dialogue would prevail over "the mindset of conflict" in both South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The heavy security at the Vatican reflected apprehension in much of Europe, which is reeling from extremist attacks. Last week, 12 people died in Berlin when a Tunisian man who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group plowed a truck through a crowd at a Christmas market. He was killed a few days later in a shootout near Milan. "Peace to all those who have been injured or have suffered the loss of a loved one due to the brutal acts of terrorism that have sown fear and death in the heart of many countries and cities," the pope said. Referring to the meaning of Jesus' birth, Francis said: "Today this message goes out to the ends of the Earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace." His Christmas message also recalled Colombia, which has seen his personal intervention try to end Latin America's longest running conflict, and Venezuela, where a papal envoy has tried to facilitate talks between the government and the opposition as Venezuelans endure widespread food and medicine shortages. Francis expressed concern over tensions on the Korean peninsula, and over Myanmar, which he said should "consolidate efforts to promote peaceful coexistence." During Christmas Eve Mass in the basilica, Francis said Jesus' birth, in a humble stable, calls to mind how some children today must hide in underground bomb shelters, live on the street, lie on the bottom of overcrowded smugglers' boats, are given weapons instead of toys or aren't allowed to be born at all. Throughout his papacy, Francis has denounced the Islamic extremist violence that has driven Christians from Mideast communities that date to Christianity's foundations. He has also demanded that Europe in particular do more to welcome refugees. Reflecting the pope's concern for migrants, refugees and others on society's margins, Bologna's archbishop celebrated a Christmas Eve Mass for the homeless in a waiting room of that Italian city's main train station. Photo: Contributed Drug overdoses don't take a holiday. First responders patrolling Vancouver's Downtown Eastside have been busy leading up to Christmas and expect the same post-Christmas. Last Wednesday alone, emergency crews responded to more than 100 overdoses. In a CTV Vancouver story, those battling addictions in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside know they're walking a fine line between their addiction and the potential risks involved. "Every time I come down here and turn a corner somewhere, someone is overdosing," said Mike, who is battling addiction. "I've narcan'ed seven people in the last three weeks." "I know I'm taking a risk," he said. "Myself I haven't overdosed, and thank God for that." Raven, who also carries a Naloxone kit, said the current crisis shocks her. "I've seen it peak and go, but this is total insanity," she said. "I've had a really good friend die in the bathroom across the street." Fentanyl is the main reason for the spike in overdoses and overdose deaths. More than 750 people have died as a result of the drug, a number that could climb to 800 by year's end. Earlier this month, the BC Coroner's Service warned the drug was seeping into the suburbs, spreading to recreational users as well as those on the streets. "Nobody's immune to it," said Mike. "There are kids in Grade 8 that have access and are doing it." --with files from CTV Vancouver [From Christmas 1996. I repost this every year.] There are times when it seems beyond doubt that we are living in the age of the triumph of evil. Believe it or not, there is still some good in the world. Not much, and on the rare occasions when it shows itself, goodness must peep up from its hiding place like a cautious groundhog and generally pop back underground very quickly to avoid the swooping predators---but every now and then, we get a glimpse. Kameraden On October 31st Herbert Perry, a retired businessman in Durham, North Carolina suffered a stroke. He recovered in hospital and early in November was sent to Hillcrest Convalescent Home. He had a roommate, an 88 year-oldman named Helmut Bartsch, who had been on a visit from Germany to his married daughter in Durham and who had also suffered a stroke on October 25th. At first the two elderly gentlemen didn't talk much, but then Perry's son-in-law brought him some of his effects from home, including a bedside clock with a B-17 bomber on top. It turned out the two roomies had something in common. "Ah, I remember that silhouette," spoke up Bartsch when he saw it. "I remember the sound, too. It was like a hammer of smiths, crack, crack, crack." Over 50 years ago, Herbert Perry was a corporal in the Army Air Corps in England, an air traffic controller. Helmut Bartsch was across the Channel in Normandy, commanding an anti-aircraft battery in the Wehrmacht. "I put 'em up, he shot 'em down," commented Perry to a local news reporter. "We're very similar even though we're enemies," continued Perry. "He had a stroke on the right side, I had a stroke on the left side. Now we talk about our days in the army. Every time he gets a little blue we sing a German hymn." "The newspapers were always reporting air attacks on small towns,"said Bartsch, explaining why he volunteered for anti-aircraft. "It was only my duty to serve in the army." Herbert Perry lost a lot of friends among the air crews he sent up into the sky, heading for Germany, many of them never to return, but he never let himself become bitter and he has always maintained a deep respect for the German people and their culture and intellect. "I even said it back during the war. The German people were smart and if the Americans hadn't come to England Hitler would have conquered them." The two families are now friends and the old vets will be staying in touch after Bartsch returns to Stuttgart. Better Late Than Never Crawford J. Ferguson of Charlotte, North Carolina is 72 years old. Half a century ago Crawford T. Ferguson was part of a B-17 crew that flew 35 missions over Germany in 1944, raids which slaughtered untold hundreds of thousands of people. For fifty years it has haunted his sleep. "I keep seeing the plumes of fire down below as the cities fall apart, and at the same time it's like I'm down in the city, burning, running through the flames looking for a child or a wife or a sister," Ferguson told a reporter."I have known for years that there was something I had to do before I die." What Ferguson had to do was apologize, and this year he did so. He wrote out a total of 13 letters, about 100 words each, and addressed them to the city hall in every German town his plane had ever bombed: Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Frankfurt, Kassel, Hamburg, Munich, and others not revealed in the news article. In each letter he put a simple, heartfelt apology forwhat he had done in 1944. "Our target was strategic, but innocent lives were lost, citizens maimed and civilian property destroyed. I beg forgiveness for the agony I helped inflict upon you..." The first few letters got some publicity in Germany; the mayor of Kassel sent Ferguson a thank-you note and the local newspaper printed the apology. A weekly TV news program called Hessenschau picked up the storya nd ran a feature on it. Ferguson also received a letter from the Munich city council, requesting permission to make his letter public, which he granted. The mayor of Munich, Christian Ude, wrote a personal letter of thanks. Then something odd happened. About half of Ferguson's letters got through, but six of them appear to have been intercepted and returned by the German Federal postal authorities without explanation, possibly because they were deemed to contain "Nazi propaganda." Ferguson says with wry humor, "I wrote to our beloved President Bill Clinton. I sent the letters to him and I told him they had been returned. I invited him to read them and if he thought they merited being forwarded I was going to rely on him to take care of the situation. I've still not heard back from him." "He Is One Of Us Now" I read this in a British newspaper over ten years ago and I cannot remember all the details; I will quote from memory as best I can. In a small village in the Norfolk fen country is a war memorial cemetery for the local dead in both wars. In one corner stands a small white obelisk bearing a Luftwaffe eagle and Swastika. In the early 1980s some of the "anti-fascist" scum came up from London to squawk and deface and attempt to destroy the headstone. The police and a number of local men came to the cemetery and "saw them off," apparently none too gently. The "antifas"scurried back to London screaming about police brutality and right-wing vigilantes. In the course of reporting this, the press also retold how the stone came to be there. In 1944 and 1945 a lot of British and American air groups were operating out of fairly small airfields all across East Anglia. One such was this place in Norfolk. One day there was a massive daylight raid against what was left of Hamburg, using planes from all over these various fields. They dropped their load of death and were headed home when they ran into a number of German fighters. "We broke up and flew our separate ways back to base, but there was this one German who stuck with us and wouldn't give up," recalled an American pilot. "He shot down at least two planes in our group and probably some more when the dogfight first began, but we just couldn't shake him. Our radio operator spoke some German and he could hear this guy's flight commander ordering him to come back, he would run out of fuel if he didn't, but the German pilot told him something like, 'You saw what they did today. They left nothing. I have nothing to go back to.' Evidently we'd bombed this guy's house, probably killed his family. "We dodged into a cloud formation and for a while we thought we'd lost him, but over the coast of Holland we had to drop down and get our bearings, and there he was, still on our tail, still shooting at us, shredding us up pretty bad and wounding two of our crew. Our gunners shot back but could never hit him. Damn if the SOB didn't chase us all the way back to England! Our flak opened up on him as we came over the English coast, but they missed. By the time we got back to our field he had two British Spitfires on his tail, but they couldn't seem to tag him either. The guy seemed bulletproof. I got her down and we all jumped out of the aircraft and ran like hell, dragging our wounded with us, and he crashed his Messerschmitt right into our B-17. He finally got us, even though it was at the cost of his own life. His plane didn't catch fire because his fuel tanks were bone dry; he must have been flying on fumes. When they pulled him out of the wreckage dead, it was this blond kid, couldn't have been more than 19 or 20. He didn't have any papers on him, and we never learned his name." The incident had been witnessed by the local villagers, who were so impressed by the boy's courage that the vicar offered him a burial plot in the church's war cemetery, where he lies to this day, unknown. All of the above is quoted from memory, but one thing I do remember with absolute accuracy, because I wrote them down, and that is the words on that young hero's grave in an enemy land. They were composed by an RAF colonel who also witnessed his death: "Call them misguided, call them even wicked if you must; but no nation or cause ever brought forth defenders of greater courage and worth.They fought like the Northland gods of their ancient and warlike race, and few indeed are those among us who can say that ever we saw their backs." When the British media asked the local people why they defended the grave of a Nazi, one of them answered, "We don't care what he was. We just know that he was a brave lad who one morning flew all the way from Germany to our village to die here, because he thought it was right that he do so. He is one of us now, and when those yobs came up here from London and insulted his memory they insulted us and all our own dead as well. They weren't even alive during the war, they don't know what it was like back then. Why don't they just bloody well belt up?" These are the true words of the men who were there, who fought the Jews' war for them and who are far more entitled to speak of that time and those other men than any Deborah Lipstadt or Ken McVay or howling, slobbering Rich Graves. I have met many men down through the years who were veterans of that war, and I never pass up a chance to see if I can get them to speak of their experiences. While I have to concede that there is a great deal of hatred remaining among those who fought against the Japanese, I have never met a single genuine combat veteran of any Allied Army, American, Canadian, British or South African, who fought against the Germans and who did not speak with respect and admiration of their courage, their skill and devotion as soldiers, and their human qualities of fortitude, humor and compassion in victory and in defeat. If there are those who can't handle this view of Nazis, then I recommend you start with some of the accounts left by Allied veterans of the first war. (Robert Graves' Goodbye To All That springs to mind, but there are many other good examples.) As for these hate-filled reptiles at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the ADL and the AFA and Nizkor, I can only quote again the little old English lady: "Why don't they just bloody well belt up?" Jimmy Gomez California elected 5 new freshmen this year all Democrats replacing Democrats: Ro Khanna, who won a primary against Mike Honda, Jimmy Panetta, who took the seat Sam Farr retired from, Salud Carbajal, who took the seat Lois Capps retired from, Nanette Barragan, who took the seat Janice Hahn retired from and Lou Correa, who took the seat Loretta Sanchez gave top when she ran, unsuccessfully, for the Senate. Politically all the freshmen are pretty much like their predecessors. Lou Correa is, by far the most conservative, and like Sanchez, hes part of the Blue Dog caucus. Hahn and Honda were members of the Progressive Caucus and so are Barragan and Khanna. All of the California incumbents either endorsed Hillary or stayed neutral. None endorsed Bernie. The Berniecrat House candidates all lost in California: Bao Nguyen to the conservative Correa, Wendy Reed to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Yet its hard to deny that Bernies Revolution is now one of the more dominant forces if not the most dominant inside the Democratic Party. Bernie didnt do much for the California candidates who backed him. But I was very heartened that he sent out a letter to raise money for Nanette Barragan in the general and helped her raise the money she needed to win. It didnt look good going into the home stretch. State Senator Isadore Hall, the corrupt establishment pick, was heavily favored to win. He had it in the bag. Nanette had been getting some help from Blue America, but not enough to cover the expenses for a viable field operation that she sensed would be her shot at winning. EMILYs List was also helping Nanette but they only raise money that they can get rake-offs and kickbacks from expensive and nearly useless TV ads, for example but not field operations. But thats where Bernie came in. Even though Nanette had backed Hillary during the primary, someone in Bernies political operation prevailed upon whoever had to be prevailed upon and they operated the way an effective party should operate overlooking that the most progressive candidate (Nanette), who basically was campaigning on a Bernie-like platform, had backed his rival and backed her against a corrupt conservative who serves the interests of tobacco lobbyists, Big Oil and anyone with an open checkbook. Thanks, in part to the Bernie-financed field operation, Nanette stunned the entire California Democratic Party establishment and beat their candidate decisively. From a weak primary showing that saw Hall best her 40,200 (40.1%) to 22,031 (22%), she came roaring out of the general with a 93,124 (52.2%) to 85,289 (47.8%) win. Hall was so shocked that he went to Washington and insisted he had won and tried voting on internal Democratic Party matters just like the other freshmen. The freshmen responded by electing Nanette one of the co-presidents of the freshman class and electing her regional Democratic whip. Hall disappeared. All in, Hall had spent $1,900,360 and, thanks to Bernie, Nanette kept pace in the crucial final weeks. Her total spend was $1,815,773. The Cooperative of American Physicians spends money helping right-wing politicians. This year Hall was their second biggest investment ($100,122) after Republican Joe Heck ($299,578). Im bringing this up the Bernie camps pragmatic attitude and decisive action because I want to applaud it and I want too see more of this. If the BernieRevolution is going to take root and become viable within the Democratic Party, theyre going to have to win races with Berniecrats and forge alliances with like-minded progressives, like Nanette Barragan. It pains me when I see Bernie fans rallying behind second-rate candidates based solely on loyalty to Bernie. Thats a prescription for failure. against all odds a Senate majority for the GOP. Ive never been very enthusiastic about Obamas final Supreme Court pick, Merrick Garland, but he was the president and hes the one who gets to pick Supreme Court nominees, not me. And not the opposition party. But the opposition party figured out how to do it and it looks like theyll get away with it basically because Chuck Schumer shoved unelectable Senate candidates down Democratic voters throats, particularly Patrick Murphy (FL), Katie McGinty (PA), Ted Strickland (OH), Patty Judge (IA) and Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ). Despite polling showing that Joe Sestak would have won the Pennsylvania Senate race against Toomey, well never really know for sure if democracy would have given the Democrats a Senate majority. But we do know that Schumers authoritarian approach backfired and guaranteed a Senate majority for the GOP. NYTimes editorial board decided, for the record, to remind their readers about the On Christmas Eve theeditorial board decided, for the record, to remind their readers about the stolen Supreme Court seat Soon after his inauguration next month, President-elect Donald Trump will nominate someone to the Supreme Court, which has been hamstrung by a vacancy since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February. There will be public debates about the nominees credentials, past record, judicial philosophy and temperament. There will be Senate hearings and a vote. No matter how it plays out, Americans must remember one thing above all: The person who gets confirmed will sit in a stolen seat. It was stolen from Barack Obama, a twice-elected president who fulfilled his constitutional duty more than nine months ago by nominating Merrick Garland, a highly qualified and widely respected federal appellate judge. It was stolen by top Senate Republicans, who broke with longstanding tradition and refused to consider any nominee Mr. Obama might send them, because they wanted to preserve the courts conservative majority. The main perpetrators of the theft were Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, and Charles Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Committee. But virtually all Republican senators were accomplices; only two supported holding hearings. The Republican party line that it was an election year, so the American people should have a voice in the selection of the next justice was a patent lie. The people spoke when they re-elected Mr. Obama in 2012, entrusting him to choose new members for the court. And the Senate has had no problem considering, and usually confirming, election-year nominees in the past. Of course, Supreme Court appointments have always been political, and the courts ideological center has shifted back and forth over time. But the Senate has given nominees full consideration and a vote even when the party in power has opposed a presidents choice. That is, until this year, when Republicans claimed that though the Constitution calls for the Senates advice and consent, senators arent obligated to do anything. This is a bad-faith reading of that clause, even if there is no clear way to force a vote. It certainly obliterates a well-established political norm that makes a functioning judicial branch possible. As Paul Krugman wrote in his column on Monday, institutions are not magically self-sustaining, and they dont protect against tyranny when powerful people start defying political norms. This particular norm is of paramount importance because the courts institutional legitimacy depends on its perceived separation from the elected branches a fragile concept in the best of times. By tying the latest appointment directly to the outcome of the election, Mr. McConnell and his allies took a torch to that idea an outrageous gambit that, to nearly everyones shock, has paid off. But while Republicans may be celebrating now, the damage they have inflicted on the confirmation process, and on the court as an institution, may be irreversible. The slope is both slippery and steep. If Republicans could justify an election-year blockade, whats to stop Democrats in the future from doing the same? For that matter, why should the party controlling the Senate ever allow a president of the opposing party to choose a justice? Indeed, in the weeks before the election, Senate Republicans were threatening, with the encouragement of leading conservative thinkers, never to confirm anyone to fill the vacancy if Hillary Clinton won. Can anything be done to repair the harm? One step as obvious as it is unlikely would be for Mr. Trump to renominate Mr. Garland. Conservatives will scoff, but they know he is as qualified for the job as anyone in the country. When Mr. Garland was floated as a possible choice for the Supreme Court in 2010, Orrin Hatch, the senior Republican senator from Utah, called him a consensus nominee and said there was no question that he would be confirmed with bipartisan support. Thats partly why Mr. Obama nominated him this time, and also why Mr. McConnell denied him a hearing he knew he couldnt prevent a Senate vote once Americans saw an eminently qualified and reasonable jurist testify on live TV. At the very least, Mr. Trump could follow President Obamas example and pick a centrist someone who commands wide respect and operates within the bounds of mainstream legal thought. That would be an appropriate gesture from a man who lost the popular vote by more than 2.8 million votes and will enter office with the lowest approval ratings in recent history. The shameful, infuriating actions of the Senate Republicans wont be ignored in the history books. In a desperate effort to keep a conservative majority on the court, they rejected their own professed values of preserving American institutions. Theres little hope that they will come to their senses now, but they and Mr. Trump have the power, and the obligation, to fix the mess they created. I want to answer a question the Times editors posed. They asked whats to stop Democrats from doing the same, blockading whichever nominee sure to be less qualified and less of a consensus type candidate than Garland Trump pukes up? A couple of weeks ago NPRs Audie Cornish interviewed one of the embodiments of the reason why the Democrats wont be blockading anything: Blue Dog Joe Donnelly, a bright-of-center political coward from Indiana who is an accidental senator from a red state up for his first reelection test in 2018. Donnelly was a putrid House member and knew he was about too be defeated in 2012. He had one of the worst voting records of any Democrat in the House and there was no real enthusiasm for him in his district, which had, in any case, been gerrymandered by the Republican legislature specifically to defeat him. Inn 2010, Jackie Walorski had nearly defeated him. He managed two squeak by with a 2,500 vote win (48.2-46.8%) win, having spent $1,983,118 to Walorskis $1,316,805. The stop was ready to outspend him by whatever it took in 2012. But instead of marching to his doom, he threw the ultimate Hail Mary pass and won. Well, he didnt so much as win as luck out with a crackpot GOP nominee, tea bagger Richard Mourdock, who had managed to defeat Richard Lugar in the Republican primary. Mourdock proven to be as unhinged as Donnelly needed him to be and as the GOP Establishment feared he would be. Mourdock blundered from one crazy, outrageous statement to another and Donnelly shocked everyone by winning the Senate seat 1,281,181 (50.04%) to 1,133,621 (44.28%). A Libertarian taking 145,282 votes (5.67%). Donnelly is a pro-NRA, anti-Choice, anti-LGBT, anti-immigrant throwback. When Cornish pressed him on his conservative voting record, Donnelly responded I'm a proud Blue Dog, absolutely. You tell me, does this guy sound like hes going to stand firm against Trumps nominees right before his reelection campaign kicks in? CORNISH: Now, Republicans, particularly Republicans in the Senate, decided early on to essentially stand fast against President Obama. And that worked pretty well for them. Should Democrats become the party of no during a Trump administration? DONNELLY: Well that seems pretty un-American to me - what they did. My job isn't to represent the Democrat Party or the Republican Party. It's to represent Hoosier families. I thought that was shameful behavior. And my job is to do what's right. And that's what I'm going to try and do. CORNISH: You talked about Hoosier families. But Trump won your state by nearly 20 percent. So does it sound like they agree with his agenda? And what does that leave for you, as a Democrat in the Senate? DONNELLY: Well, I think that the people in our state want to see more jobs, more opportunity. And they want to make sure that Washington listens to them. Look, I have an agricultural community that's second to none in the world. And every time they tried to move forward, it seemed the EPA was working against them in-- turn after turn. And so they've always said, we want clean water. But we want to be part of the solution. And so I think that was a message that the folks not only in my state but around the country want people to listen to them and know that they're here, know that they have a lot to contribute and make our country stronger. CORNISH: You mentioned concerns about the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency. When you look at these cabinet choices by the incoming administration, which one are you worried about? Because there are Democrats who look at them and say, you've got picks who want to abolish the departments they may be leading, who want to roll back major Democrat-penned legislation like Obamacare. Which one do you think Democrats should challenge? DONNELLY: I'm very concerned about the Tom Price nomination because he talks about privatizing Medicare He talks about privatizing Medicare. You know, our seniors shouldn't have to check their stock balance before they can get knee surgery. And we're going to stand up for our seniors on this issue. I'm also very concerned about the nominee named today, Rex Tillerson, for secretary of state. I'm very, very concerned about the Russian connections that we're seeing, the potential damage to our national security and the lack of experience. And so I'm concerned about both of those. I think that General Mattis is a good choice in Defense, though. CORNISH: You know, when you were first elected back when you're elected in the House, it was with Blue Dogs, right? There was, like, a whole coalition of red-state Democrats. That's been decimated. DONNELLY: I'm a proud Blue Dog, absolutely. CORNISH: Now you're here in the Senate with, again, just a handful of other Blue Dogs. This is not a group of Democrats that's growing. Can Democrats regain the ground that they've lost with voters in states like yours? DONNELLY: When we talk to them about issues of importance to them, when we talk to them about their family and making sure that we can have better skills training for their kids to get good jobs - that we can try to keep jobs here in America rather than seeing them go overseas - that we'll fight for our friends and neighbors. We'll fight for the people of Muncie and Richmond and Evansville. When they hear... CORNISH: But you don't think Democrats have been doing that up until this point? DONNELLY: Well, not when we've had trade deals that have ship jobs overseas, absolutely not. What we need to do is stand up and fight for our people in our states. And Donnelly isnt even the worst of the right-of-center Democrats from red states up in 2018. Obviously he has an F from ProgressivePunch, but his overall record for the just ended session (48.19) is actually worse than Dianne Feinsteins, Tim Kaines, Mark Warners and Tom Carpers. The only Senate Dems with more putrid records are Joe Manchin (44.58), Claire McCaskill (42.68) and Heidi Heitkamp (40.96). Donnellys voting record is way closer to Rand Pauls than it is to even moderates like Debbie Stabenow, Gary Peters or Ron Wyden, let alone to progressives like Bernie, Mazie Hirono, Tammy Baldwin or Elizabeth Warren. To die-hard fans, Apple's Macintosh sometimes seems like an afterthought these days. Mac upgrades, once a frequent ritual, are few and far between. The Mac Pro, Apple's marquee computer, hasn't been refreshed since 2013. The affordable and flexible Mac mini was last upgraded in 2014. And when a new machine does roll out, the results are sometimes underwhelming, if not infuriating, to devotees. Advertisement In October, after more than 500 days without an update, Apple unveiled the new MacBook Pro, with a slimmer design and louder speakers. The laptop garnered mostly favorable reviews from the technology press but grumbles from creative types, a key constituency, who said the device under-performed rival products. Interviews with people familiar with Apple's inner workings reveal that the Mac is getting far less attention than it once did. They say the Mac team has lost clout with the famed industrial design group led by Jony Ive and the company's software team. They also describe a lack of clear direction from senior management, departures of key people working on Mac hardware and technical challenges that have delayed the roll-out of new computers. Advertisement While the Mac generates about 10 percent of Apple sales, the company can't afford to alienate professional designers and other business customers. After all, they helped fuel Apple's revival in the late 1990s. In a stinging critique, Peter Kirn, founder of a website for music and video creators, wrote: "This is a company with no real vision for what its most creative users actually do with their most advanced machines." If more Mac users switch, the Apple ecosystem will become less sticky-opening the door to people abandoning higher-value products like the iPhone and iPad. People now have more options. Microsoft, once derided by Mac loyalists for its clunky, buggy software, offers Windows 10, which provides the tablet type functionality Apple pioneered with the iPad. Microsoft's Surface computers offer Apple-esque quality and a well-reviewed creative paint program aimed at the Mac's audience. Sensing an opportunity, Microsoft called the MacBook Pro a "disappointment" and said more users than ever were switching to its Surface laptops. An Apple spokesman declined to comment. However, the company has said the Macintosh remains one of its most important products and denies it takes a back seat to other gadgets. Four years ago at Apple's annual developer conference, marketing chief Phil Schiller pledged to keep the computer front and center in the company's product arsenal. "Nobody turns over their entire line as quickly and completely as we do at Apple," Schiller said. "We're really proud of the engineering team and the work they do to do this quick so you can get the exact product you need." Two years later, the company held a 30th birthday party for the Macintosh, a splashy event that featured a OneRepublic concert at Apple's Cupertino, California headquarters. The company also created a website celebrating the Mac's history. To be fair, Apple depends on Intel Corp., which still makes key chips for Macs. Like the rest of the PC industry, Apple's innovation and product cycles are sometimes constrained by when Intel produces new chips-a process that's getting more difficult. Making a laptop stand out is also harder these days. But when Apple has tried to leapfrog the competition, it has fallen short. Take the company's attempt to create a longer-lasting battery for the MacBook Pro. Apple engineers wanted to use higher capacity battery packs shaped to the insides of the laptop versus the standard square cells found in most machines. The design would have boosted battery life. In the run-up to the MacBook Pro's planned debut this year, the new battery failed a key test, according to a person familiar with the situation. Rather than delay the launch and risk missing the crucial holiday shopping season, Apple decided to revert to an older design. The change required roping in engineers from other teams to finish the job, meaning work on other Macs languished, the person said. The new laptop didn't represent a game-changing leap in battery performance, and a software bug misrepresented hours of power remaining. Apple has since removed the meter from the top right-hand corner of the screen. Advertisement In the Mac's heyday, people working on new models could expect a lot of attention from Ive's team. Once a week his people would meet with Mac engineers to discuss ongoing projects. Mac engineers brought prototypes to Ive's studio for review, while his lieutenants would visit the Mac labs to look at early concepts. Those visits have become less frequent since the company began focusing more on more-valuable products like the iPhone and iPad, and the change became even more obvious after the design team's leadership was shuffled last year, according to a person familiar with the situation. In another sign that the company has prioritized the iPhone, Apple re-organized its software engineering department so there's no longer a dedicated Mac operating system team. There is now just one team, and most of the engineers are iOS first, giving the people working on the iPhone and iPad more power. That's part of a broader shift toward making Macs more like iPhones. Apple prioritizes features, like thinness and minimal ports, that sell its iPhones and iPads, which generated about 75 percent of revenue this year. Those are contrary to professional needs, like maximum computing power. Early prototypes of the 12-inch MacBook used the iPhone's Lightning connector, although this was ditched for a more standard USB-C port. There was even a gold MacBook Pro planned, but this was shelved because the color didn't look good on such a large product. In recent years, Apple managers have also become more likely to float two or more competing ideas, meaning designers and engineers must work on more than one concept at a time. In the past, managers pushed a more singular vision. Engineers are now "asked to develop multiple options in hopes that one of them will be shippable," a person familiar with the matter said. When the company was developing the first 12-inch MacBook, Apple tested two primary prototypes. One, known internally as Stealth Fighter, was lighter. The second, a slightly less ambitious design known as Stealth Bomber, was heavier. The lighter model prevailed, but with engineers developing and testing two competing concepts, they had less time to figure out how to cram all the electronics into a thin slab of aluminum that would hold together. In the end, Apple shipped the laptop in 2015, months after its 2014 goal. For a 2016 MacBook update, some Apple engineers wanted to add a Touch ID fingerprint scanner and a second USB-C port (which would have made some power users happy). The update instead included a new rose gold color option alongside a standard speed increase. Advertisement The internal turmoil has taken a toll. More than a dozen engineers and managers working on Mac hardware have left for different Apple teams or other companies in the past year and a half, said people familiar with the situation. Some were looking for a less all-consuming work environment, while others felt the future of Mac hardware was unclear in a world of iPhones and iPads. In 2013, Apple launched a redesigned Mac Pro, a black cylinder with bright white LED lights. It was a powerful desktop machine created partly to cast a halo over the entire Macintosh lineup. The Mac Pro was also the first Apple computer in years to be assembled in the U.S. Under pressure from politicians to create manufacturing jobs at home, Apple was looking to score political points. The decision caused production headaches though. The Mac Pro's glossy exterior and chrome beveled edges meant Apple had to make its own manufacturing tools and then train people to run those machines in an assembly plant. This slowed production and constrained Apple's ability to make enough computers to meet demand. Three years on, the Mac Pro is ripe for an upgrade with its chips and connector ports lagging rival products. Because of the earlier challenges, some Apple engineers have raised the possibility of moving production back to Asia, where it's cheaper and manufacturers have the required skills for ambitious products, according to a person familiar with those internal discussions. The political environment is tougher for such a move now. During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump hammered Apple for building most of its products overseas and since his election he has pushed other companies to keep some jobs in the U.S. Still, Apple hasn't given up on Macs. In a recent company Q&A session, employees asked whether Mac desktop computers remain strategically important. "We have great desktops in our roadmap. Nobody should worry about that," Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said, according to a transcript of the discussion obtained by Bloomberg News. Advertisement The latest MacBook Pro has a "Touch Bar," a thin touchscreen built into the keyboard that lets users quickly access app shortcuts, change system settings, and pick emojis. The laptop also has Touch ID to speed up online purchases and a giant trackpad for easier gesture control. Apple designers are already exploring standalone keyboards with the touch strip and a fingerprint reader for desktops. Apple will decide whether to release these based on how well the features do on the MacBook Pro. Mac fans shouldn't hold their breath for radical new designs in 2017 though. Instead, the company is preparing modest updates: USB-C ports and a new Advanced Micro Devices Inc. graphics processor for the iMac, and minor bumps in processing power for the 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro. Cue the outrage. Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in the 1977 film "Star Wars." (20th Century Fox) "Star Wars" actress Carrie Fisher was spending Christmas in intensive care at UCLA Medical Center two days after suffering a "cardiac episode" during a flight from London to Los Angeles. Fisher's mother, entertainer Debbie Reynolds, said on Twitter on Sunday that her daughter was in stable condition. Advertisement "If there is a change, we will share it. For all her fans & friends, I thank you for your prayers & good wishes," Reynolds tweeted. Fisher, 60, was rushed to the hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics shortly after noon Friday, after her 11-hour flight touched down at LAX. Advertisement A source who was not authorized to discuss the incident said the actress was "in a lot of distress on the flight." Hospital officials have not provided any details about Fisher's condition. But family members have suggested doctors have been able to stabilize her. "She's obviously a very tough girl who's survived many things," Todd Fisher, Carrie Fisher's brother, told KABC-TV Channel 7. "I encourage everyone to pray for her." A statement released by United Airlines said that medical personnel met Flight 935 from London on arrival Friday after the crew reported a passenger was unresponsive. "Our thoughts are with our customer at this time," the statement read. Just prior to arrival, a pilot told the control tower that passengers who were nurses were attending to an "unresponsive" passenger. "They're working on her right now," the pilot said in a public recording of the conversation on liveatc.net. According to the Los Angeles Airport Police, officers responded to Terminal 7 around 12:15 p.m. to a call of a female passenger in cardiac arrest. On arrival, they found paramedics performing CPR on the victim, according to Officer Alicia Hernandez. Advertisement Fisher, who rose to stardom as Princess Leia on "Star Wars," recently published an autobiography titled "The Princess Diarist," her eighth book. She is the daughter of famous Hollywood couple Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. Fisher, who has written and spoken openly about her struggles in the movie business, is considered Hollywood royalty. She took on her prickly relationship with her mother in the book-to-movie "Postcards From the Edge." She's also been outspoken about her mental health issues and the solution she found: radical-sounding electroshock therapy. News of Fisher's condition sparked an outpouring of support and sympathy on social media. Many of her "Star Wars" co-stars wished her well on Twitter, including Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca; Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker; Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO; Dave Prowse, who acted as Darth Vader; and Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian. "I'm shocked and saddened to hear the news about my dear friend. Our thoughts are with Carrie, her family and friends," co-star Harrison Ford said in a statement Saturday. Advertisement Thoughts and prayers for our friend and everyone's favorite princess right now.. @carrieffisher Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) December 23, 2016 as if 2016 couldn't get any worse... sending all our love to @carrieffisher Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) December 23, 2016 At last I know what I want for Christmas. The galaxy's beloved Princess, fully functional once more. And soon. Anthony Daniels (@ADaniels3PO) December 24, 2016 All I want for Christmas... love, Bill pic.twitter.com/wMI5nK8Zx9 William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 24, 2016 My wishes to U Carrie Fisher, are a complete & speedy recovery.Your Princess Leia is a true and beloved national treasure. carl reiner (@carlreiner) December 24, 2016 Sending love and well wishes to 'our Princess' @carrieffisher. The Force is strong with you... #YubNub x pic.twitter.com/TP1Z0msUjO Warwick Davis (@WarwickADavis) December 23, 2016 richard.winton@latimes.com joe.serna@latimes.com Twitter: @LAcrimes and @JosephSerna This summer, I made a reservation by phone for a stay at the Days Inn property in Maui, Hawaii. I was quoted $108 a day plus three free breakfasts for me and my son. When we arrived, it took more than 45 minutes to check in. After all that waiting, we signed paperwork that did not show the price until the very last sheet, which showed a much higher rate than $108 per night for five nights. Advertisement I gave the receptionist my confirmation number, and was told that the rate I'd been quoted by phone was wrong. The actual rate was between $129 and $189 per night, depending on the day, plus tax. The receptionist told me to call reservations back. I called the same evening we arrived and was on the phone for over an hour. Reservations called the hotel back, and a representative later told me that the company was going to write up the hotel because the receptionists were rude and put reservations on hold three times with no resolution. Advertisement I was told that an investigation would take place and that I would hear back within 10 days. I never did. When I checked out, the hotel would not let me leave without paying the whole amount. I've sent a detailed letter to the CEO of Days Inn with a return receipt requested. It was signed for, but I never got a response. I'd like Days Inn to adjust my rate and refund the $600 extra I had to pay. Can you help me? Chris Danscuk, Novato, Calif. A: Days Inn should have charged you the rate you agreed to pay when you made your reservation no more, no less. Your case underscores the importance of taking a printout of your reservation, including your rate, when you travel. Make sure there's a reservation number, in case you need to verify the rate with your hotel. Don't trust the company to keep these records; it may or may not, as you discovered. Days Inn properties, such as the one you stayed in, are independently owned and operated, so corporate can't always tell a hotel what to do. That may be why even Days Inn was getting hung up on as it tried to fix the price discrepancy. But the warning signs that this might be a difficult stay were there long before the pricing dispute: A 40-plus-minute wait to check in, even on a busy day, suggests that the hotel has some operational problems. You imply that the hotel wanted to lure you in with a low rate and then charge you more, a classic bait-and-switch. I want to give the hotel the benefit of the doubt. Maybe its operational challenges extended beyond your long wait. Perhaps its reservations systems were affected as well, making it difficult to see the rate you were quoted. The Days Inn property tried to address this by offering you a military rate, but you still were out $600, which is far too much. Incidentally, a $108-per-night rate in Maui is really, really good. Maui has a well-deserved reputation as a pricey destination. You might have tried contacting one of the Days Inn customer-service executives. I list their names, numbers and email addresses on my consumer-advocacy site: http://elliott.org/company-contacts/wyndham-hotel-group. Advertisement I contacted the company on your behalf, and it adjusted your rate, refunding the extra $600 you'd been charged. Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine and the author of "How to Be the World's Smartest Traveler." You can read more travel tips on his blog, www.elliott.org or email him at chris@elliott.org. RELATED STORIES: Downers Grove man may be the most traveled person in the world Ashland, Virginia gives Amtrak riders a holiday light spectacular 9 souvenirs the U.S. government can confiscate Seven years after he was charged in the slaying of a Nailah Franklin, Reginald Potts has yet to go to trial. And as of late October 2014, he changed his legal team again, making a January trial date unlikely. (Anthony Souffle/Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune) It has been nearly two years since Nailah Franklin's story captured the heart of this city. She was the 28-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative who was reported missing on Sept. 19, 2007. Hers was the lovely face that smiled broadly on the thousands of fliers that family members and friends distributed while praying for a positive outcome. But within a few days, she was found dead in Calumet City woods. Reginald Potts Jr., 32, was charged with murder and remains in jail awaiting trial. Much of what we learned about Nailah (pronounced Na-EE-luh) Franklin was cast in terms of the investigation. According to police, she was a young woman who felt threatened and afraid as she tried to fend off a man whom she had dated. But to get a better glimpse into who Franklin really was, you have to see her through the stories of her tightly knit, blended family. Only now has the grief subsided enough for them to speak publicly of their loss -- and of the many ways Franklin enriched their lives. I spoke with her parents and three siblings, whose words provide a template for how those struck by tragedy may begin the seemingly impossible task of moving on and remembering the good. Even in this family of standouts -- the father is a retired biochemist and businessman; some of the siblings attended such universities as Notre Dame and Stanford -- Nailah Franklin made an indelible imprint on her family. Maria Maner is Franklin's mother. She lived in the Chicago area for many years before moving to North Carolina three years ago: When I was pregnant with Nailah, I didn't know whether I could carry her to term because there was a small complication. But she was determined to get here. I was looking in a book of names and I came across "Nailah." It's Arabic and means "one who succeeds," which was appropriate because she succeeded in coming into this world. When she was born, she had so much hair that the nurses at Highland Park Hospital heard about it and had to come see. Some stopped me as we were leaving the hospital. Advertisement Nailah was a blessing to me -- a good luck charm. Everything she touched seemed to turn to gold. If you knew her, you would have been tempted to believe that might always be the case. She didn't suffer in her life. I think that last year was her most challenging. The January after she died, our family decided to meet at her condominium near the University of Illinois at Chicago campus. Many of us hadn't been there since her death, and we had come together as a family to pack up some things. We each planned to pick out a few keepsakes. It didn't take long to realize that Nailah had taken a little part of each of us already. Her dad found a book she'd taken from him. Her sister Lehia discovered a hat that belonged to her. Another sister found her camera. And there was an unfinished wall of photographs. Some were glamour shots of Nailah, but many were pictures of older relatives that Nailah had asked me for, but I'd told her she couldn't have them. They were framed and on her wall. About a week before Nailah was reported missing, she and I talked on the telephone for more than an hour. We hadn't talked that long in quite some time and it felt so good. As we visited, I looked around my living room at the wonderful gifts she'd given me over the years. I can understand why she wanted something of ours; it was a blessing to have something from her so close to me. As she was growing up, I wondered why she always seemed to be in such a hurry to live life. I think her spirit knew she had such a short time on this Earth and she had to cram in as much living as possible. Advertisement Lehia Franklin Acox is Nailah Franklin's oldest sister. She lives in Chicago with her husband and 2-year-old daughter and runs her own public relations firm: I was in Chicago in the summer of 1991 and on my 21st birthday, I decided to throw myself a party at my father's Lincoln Park home. It was the very first birthday party I ever threw for myself. I got champagne and food and I was running around like a crazy person. But it was Nailah, only 12 years old at the time, who took center stage. Hair and nails freshly done, she sat dressed in a brand-new outfit with her legs crossed, holding grown-people conversations as my guests looked on in astonishment. She was asking them how they were doing in school and what they were doing with their lives. Nailah was the only kid at the party, but you never would have known she was a child. There was a moment when I saw her sitting by the stereo, getting ready to change my music. At first I was a bit annoyed, but I couldn't help but laugh. She was having the time of her life. If you want to know Nailah, then that is who she was as a girl and as a woman. She had this little baby voice that she never grew out of, but she was bold and spirited, headstrong and beautiful. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana with a degree in advertising but took a leap of faith and changed professions. That's how she landed at Eli Lilly as a pharmaceutical sales rep. She believed a sales job would help her better control her destiny and be more financially lucrative. She also had just decided to take up interior decorating as a sideline. Nailah had helped an ex-boyfriend decorate his home, so she just assumed she could do it and get paid for it. Before she died, she had a couple of people lined up who were going to pay her to decorate their homes. I see Nailah's spirit echoed in my daughter Harper, who's nearly 3 years old. Being nine years older than Nailah, I watched her grow up. I don't know if what I see in Harper is real or wishful thinking, but sometimes it makes me laugh; other times it makes me cry. Lee Franklin is Nailah Franklin's father. A retired biochemist and businessman, he lives in Chicago: On the Father's Day before Nailah died, she told me that she wanted to take me to this nice restaurant to celebrate the day. We were always going out, and we'd have these elaborate conversations about her life or something in the news. She was an exceptionally smart woman. We had this great dinner and when the check came, she looked at it and I looked at her. I looked at it and then she looked at me. We did this back-and-forth for a few minutes until I just pulled out my credit card. That was Nailah. She and I had a special relationship, I think because when her mother and I divorced, she spent every other weekend with me and all of her summers. But she also reminded me so much of my late mother. We called her Grandma Moot because once she said something all other points were moot. My mother, who died about two years before Nailah died, used to say that of all of her many grandchildren, Nailah was her favorite. I'd say, 'Mama, you can't say that.' And she'd say, 'Well, it's true and I don't care who knows it.'" I admire all of my children. My daughter Lehia got a scholarship to Notre Dame; my son John-Ashton received full scholarships to MIT and Stanford. I lobbied for MIT but he chose Stanford, where he's currently an honors student. My daughter Marina is an internationally known comedian, and Ashlee is a social worker. I admired Nailah because she was smart, hardworking and didn't believe in excuses. No excuses. I think about Nailah every day and not a day goes by when I don't find myself missing her. I know that will always be the case. Ashley Chappell is Franklin's 21-year-old sister. She is a nurse who lives in south suburban Chicago with her husband and young daughter. I grew up in the same house with Nailah. When I got older, she told me that she thought she was supposed to be mean to me. I would come home after getting my hair professionally straightened and she would say it needed to be washed again. She'd wet my hair and leave it, and it would revert back to an Afro, looking like I hadn't had anything done to it. Once, Nailah told me that I could cut off all my Barbie's hair and it would grow back. Of course, I did and it didn't and I was heartbroken. To be honest, we were mean to each other. When she was in high school, I would tear pages out of her homework notebooks. It would crush her because she had taken extensive notes. I would answer her telephone calls and tell her best friend Dana that she'd just eaten and was in the bathroom. When she would leave the house, I would try on her prom dresses and she hated that. She loved clothes and had such a terrific sense of fashion. But when Nailah left for college, I cried so hard that I couldn't stand it. Years later, I tried to go to the University of Illinois at Urbana but my grades weren't up to par, and I remember her writing me a letter saying how much she believed in me. When Nailah came up missing, I had just started in a nursing program. I wanted to spend my time handing out fliers or just searching for her. When we learned she had died, I considered quitting the nursing program. But I remembered how much she believed in me and I thought it was important to keep going. Ashlee Allen Gilot is Franklin's 22-year-old sister. A social worker and newlywed, she lives in Bloomington, Ill.: Nailah was only 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 110 pounds. But she had such a presence that when she walked into a room, you knew she was there. She wasn't loud at all; she was charismatic, charming and so self-assured. She was 8 years older than me and always so concerned about how I was doing in school. Even when I went to college, she kept up with me. She called me her little pen pal because we would always trade e-mails. Even before I went out on a date, she wanted to know if I had my cell phone. She quizzed my boyfriends. She was unafraid. That's what made what happened to her so ironic. That January when the family met at Nailah's condominium, it was the first time I'd been there since her death. When I first walked in, I could smell her perfume and I almost expected her to come running out. Other relatives had come ahead of us -- when the police said it was OK -- to clean up a few things: They did the dishes and made her bed. But everything else was the way she left it, even the cup that she used for her morning coffee was on the counter. It was very hard. But soon, the day began to feel like we were there for a family gathering. At one point, somebody went out to get something to eat. At another, we were going throughNailah's CD collection and had to laugh because it was such a reflection of her -- a combination of old school songs by Luther Vandross and Tae Bo exercise DVDs. I left with her vacuum cleaner and some outfits -- not that I can wear them because she was much smaller than me. But they'll remind me of her. I dealt with being angry and bitter about her death for a long time. It was making me physically sick and turning me into a person I didn't like. I had already lost my sister, I refused to lose myself. So I decided that although I could never ignore what happened, I had to focus on all the laughter. In this Jan. 19, 2016 file photo, handguns are displayed at the Smith & Wesson booth at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas. (John Locher / AP) Gun rights advocates view the upcoming legislative session as their best bet to get rid of an Indiana law that requires a license to carry handguns. The controversial legislation didn't advance during the 2016 session, but supporters believe this time could be different after sweeping Republican wins on Election Day and the appointment of Republican state Rep. Ben Smaltz to the House Public Policy Committee, which acts as a gatekeeper on such bills . Smaltz has been a staunch advocate of gun rights. Republican state Rep. Jim Lucas plans to file the bill when lawmakers convene in January. He and other advocates of the bill , including the National Rifle Association, see licensing requirements and fees as unnecessary impediments to the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. INDIANAPOLIS Critics of the measure have said it is unnecessary and could have unintended consequences for public safety and the police. Democrat St. Joseph County Prosecutor Ken Cotter said if people were not required to have a license to carry a handgun then police would lose a way to quickly obtain information about a person discovered with a concealed weapon during an encounter. Currently police officers may legally ask a person found with a weapon to produce a permit . In agreement was Republican LaPorte County Sheriff John Boyd, who said a valid handgun license also shows a police officer that a person does not have a felony, conviction, history of violence, certain mental illnesses or other factors that could signal danger "In dealing with the public, we're working against the clock," Boyd said, "and if it's very time-consuming, we may have to let someone go before we find out they're the subject of a protective order or a convicted felon." Advertisement According to Indiana State Police statistics, police denied licenses to 2,044 people who were deemed unfit to carry handguns through the first three quarters of 2016. The state has more than 750,000 active gun licenses. Associated Press A teenage blogger from Singapore whose supporters say is seeking asylum is in custody after being detained last week at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, U.S. immigration officials said Saturday. Amos Yee, 18, was detained Dec. 16 and remains in custody "pending federal immigration court proceedings," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Gail Montenegro said in a written statement. Separately, Marilu Cabrera with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which handles some asylum requests, said the agency "cannot confirm or deny" details of any asylum case. The Human Rights Watch deputy director for Asia, Phil Robertson, called on the U.S. to recognize Yee's asylum claim, saying he has been consistently harassed by the Singapore government for publicly expressing his views on politics and religion and severely criticizing the city-state's leaders, including late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Yee was imprisoned for six weeks in September on charges of hurting religious feelings of Christians and Muslims after repeatedly breaching bail conditions following a four-week prison sentence he served in July last year on the same charges. He was also due to be called up for mandatory military service. His U.S. lawyer, Sandra Grossman, told the South China Morning Post on Saturday that Yee was likely detained because he entered the country on a tourist visa despite an intention to apply for asylum. She said Yee would have to undergo a "credible fear interview" by an asylum official who would assess if he faces a credible fear of persecution or torture back home. She said the process usually takes a few days, but the holiday season could delay it. He would then appear before an immigration judge, but that could take years because of backlogs in the immigration system. Yee, who won a local filmmaking prize at age 13, ruffled feathers in Singapore with a video blog laced with expletives as the city-state was mourning Lee's death in March last year. Such open criticism and lampooning of leaders is rarely seen in Singapore, where laws are strictly enforced. The government of the multiethnic state says Yee crossed the red line on religion when he mocked Christians and Muslims and the law had to be enforced on him to protect racial and religious harmony. Robertson said Yee has faced intensive government surveillance and monitoring of his public and online comments. "Amos Yee is the sort of classic political dissident that the U.N. Refugee Convention was designed to protect, and Human Rights Watch hopes the U.S. will recognize his asylum claim," he said in a statement. Associated Press Vice President Joe Biden during a campaign rally in Virginia on the eve of the November election. After his speech, Biden remarked backstage on the lack of apparent enthusiasm for the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton. (Molly Riley / Associated Press) Washington Over a career in elected public office lasting more than 46 years, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. has seen campaigns from the rudimentary, family-run effort that first launched him unexpectedly to the U.S. Senate as a 29-year-old to the sophisticated, data-driven juggernaut that helped elect him and Barack Obama twice to the nation's highest offices. But rarely has he trusted anything as much as his own gut instinct, attuned to the middle- and working-class sensibilities of his former neighbors in towns like Scranton, Pa., and Claymont, Del. Advertisement And so as he sat in his office one day in October and watched footage of a Donald Trump rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., not far from his childhood home, Biden sensed trouble. "Son of a gun. We may lose this election," Biden said, recalling his reaction during an interview in his West Wing office. Advertisement "They're all the people I grew up with. They're their kids. And they're not racist. They're not sexist. But we didn't talk to them." Now, as the Democratic Party struggles to understand what went wrong in an election that left them with the least power in state and federal offices in decades, that same instinct leads Biden to offer a diagnosis and a prescription for what he sees as a more successful approach, one which pushes back, if ever-so-gently, against a powerful current in Democratic politics. It begins, in typical Biden fashion, with a reference to family wisdom. "My dad used to have an expression. He said, 'I don't expect the government to solve my problems. But I expect them to understand it," Biden said. "I believe that we were not letting an awful lot of people high school-educated, mostly Caucasian, but also people of color know that we understood their problems." There's "a bit of elitism that's crept in" to party thinking, he worries, setting up what he sees as the false impression that progressive values are inconsistent with working-class values. "What are the arguments we're hearing? 'Well, we've got to be more progressive.' I'm not saying we should be less progressive," he said, adding that he would "stack my progressive credentials against anyone" in the party. "We should be proud of where the hell we are, and not yield an inch. But," he added, "in the meantime, you can't eat equality. You know?" Advertisement He also distinguishes what he describes as the middle-class agenda that President Obama has put forth from the more populist, anti-Wall Street message that helped power Bernie Sanders' rise in the Democratic primary. "I like Bernie," Biden said, adding he agrees with the Vermont senator on many issues. "But I don't think 500 billionaires caused all our problems." :: It was election eve, and Biden had just concluded the last of 83 campaign events he would headline on Hillary Clinton's behalf. Something once again didn't feel right. Stepping off the stage after an at-times sentimental appearance in northern Virginia with Sen. Tim Kaine, the man he hoped would succeed him, the vice president shared a nagging concern with aides: Any enthusiasm among the crowd of several thousand was not about the party's presidential nominee. "You didn't see any Hillary signs," Biden recalled. "Every time I talked about Hillary they listened. But " Advertisement Biden's speech that night mirrors his message to Democrats now. "God willing we're going to win this, but there's a lot of people who are going to vote for Donald Trump," Biden told the crowd. "We've got to figure out why. What is eating at them? Some of it will be unacceptable. But some of it will be about hard truths about our country and about our economy. A lot of people do feel left out." Speaking weeks later beside a crackling fireplace in his West Wing office, Biden was more blunt. "I was trying to be as tactful as I could in making it clear that I thought we constantly made a mistake of not speaking to the fears, aspirations, concerns of middle class people," he said. In the campaign, "you didn't hear a word about that husband and wife working, making 100,000 bucks a year, two kids, struggling and scared to death. They used to be our constituency." When Biden considered running himself in 2016, he and his aides envisioned a campaign that would combine the continued popularity of the Obama administration in which he'd served with his reputation as a middle class warrior and his affable often blunt persona. Advertisement In a memo to Biden's vast network of former staff and supporters, a top aide wrote that a Biden campaign would be "optimistic," a "campaign from the heart" and, naturally, "it won't be a scripted affair." If Biden entered the race, former Sen. Ted Kaufman wrote in the memo, which quickly became public, it would be because of "his burning conviction that we need to fundamentally change the balance in our economy and the political structure to restore the ability of the middle class to get ahead." Biden, of course, did not run. The emotional toll of the death that spring of his eldest son, Beau, made a campaign an impossibility. But the clarity of Kaufman's memo contrasts notably with Biden's critique of Clinton's campaign. In the interview, Biden pointed to questions that came even from members of Clinton's inner circle, revealed in emails made public by WikiLeaks, about whether the Democratic front-runner had figured out why she was running. "I don't think she ever really figured it out," Biden said. "And by the way, I think it was really hard for her to decide to run." Clinton's decision to run did not reflect raw ambition or a desire to move back to the White House, he said, calling those characterizations of her unfair. Instead, he said, he saw her decision to run as ultimately stemming from a sense of duty and her belief that her victory "would have opened up a whole range of new vistas to women" in a similar way that Obama's had for African Americans. Advertisement "She thought she had no choice but to run. That, as the first woman who had an opportunity to win the presidency, I think it was a real burden on her," he said. Theyre all the people I grew up with. Theyre their kids. And theyre not racist. Theyre not sexist. But we didnt talk to them. Joe Biden, vice president It was one of several times Biden went out of his way to emphasize that he doesn't see Clinton as singularly responsible for the November defeat. It was, rather, the result of a combination of factors that includes the unique candidacy of the president-elect. The core of the Democratic agenda is popular with the American people, Biden said, but was not always communicated effectively to those who would benefit from it. As he said during the campaign, Biden became frustrated with coverage of the race that seemed devoid of substance, based more on documenting an unending series of controversial public statements from Trump that "sucked all the oxygen" that should have been devoted to issues. Asked about comparisons between his and Trump's freewheeling rhetorical style and economic message, Biden seemed cautious to avoid directly criticizing the president-elect. "I think there's a difference between authenticity and ," he said before pausing to choose his words carefully. "I don't think I've ever said anything that I didn't believe. Now maybe I shouldn't have said it. But I believed it." Advertisement What he more clearly disputes is the notion that Trump was any more successful than Clinton in offering both empathy and hope to economically distressed Americans. "I don't think he understands working-class or middle-class people," Biden said. "He at least acknowledged the pain. But he played to the prejudice. He played to the fear. He played to the desperation. There was nothing positive that I ascertained when he spoke to these folks that was uplifting." :: The party's defeat leaves the Democrats without a clear leader. But Biden says he's not going anywhere, which he means literally and figuratively. Like Obama, he is planning to live in Washington, at least part time, after moving out of the vice president's residence on Jan. 20. The presence of both the former president and the former vice president in the capital will be historically unusual. But Biden's decision to remain nearby is, like many he's made in his political career, largely driven by family. His wife, for one, will continue teaching at a community college in Virginia. Still, the decision to live even part time in the nation's capital will give him proximity to the unfolding Trump administration and the decision-makers and media figures interacting with it. Advertisement And it will allow him to continue stoking the political fires he seems to revel in the notion that he might be fit enough to challenge Trump in four years, when he would be 77 and Trump 74, although he has not publicly committed to any plans. Others close to him are less reticent. "Biden's going to be the country's conscience," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the former chair of the Democratic National Committee who forged a close relationship with him. Biden will be freer to speak out about Trump administration actions than Obama, Wasserman Schultz said. "And he's certainly not shy." michael.memoli@latimes.com @mikememoli A 44-year-old man allegedly shot another man at a family Christmas party in South Holland on Saturday night, South Holland police said. The shooting occurred about 9 p.m. at the 17000 block of Parkside Avenue. Advertisement The suspect, whose identity police haven't released as Sunday afternoon, was apparently attending the party with his girlfriend when the two began arguing. Her family members escorted him out and he returned about an hour later and shot a 35-year-old man in the stomach, police said. Advertisement Several of the girlfriend's family members held the shooter down until police arrived. He was arrested and police took the gun into evidence. The victim was taken to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. South Holland police are working with Illinois State Police in the investigation. Frank Vaisvilas is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. While most of the exhibit at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum includes Christmas items, there also is a small Hanukkah display. (Erin Gallagher / Daily Southtown) One does not have to be a Scrooge to get a visit from the ghost of Christmas past. For some, many of the items on display at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum during its Step Back into a 1950s Christmas exhibit may conjure up memories of childhood celebrations, complete with toys they may have received from Santa or for Hanukkah. Throughout the year the museum is filled with day-to-day items circa 1948 to 1953, sort of like stepping into a set of the "I Love Lucy" show, only with lots more stuff. It opened in 1998 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Park Forest, said Jane Nicoll, museum director, and president of the Park Forest Historical Society. Advertisement "It was supposed to be a two-month exhibit and we're still around," Nicoll said. The museum is housed in two rooms that were formerly classrooms at the Church of St. Mary, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest. However, once inside, it is easy to forget where it is located because history comes to life. Advertisement Memorabilia is staged to represent what Park Forest's iconic co-op townhouse would have looked like in the postwar years. Visitors are encouraged to open the kitchen cabinets to find vintage Tupperware tumblers and bowls. The drawers are filled with S&H green stamps, and the closet has a military coat, indicative of the village's role in housing veterans returning from World War II. . Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > The permanent exhibit offers visitors thousands of antiques to see. There are two Patti Playpal dolls, Fiestaware dishes in colors unique to the era and a 1959 Barbie wearing a black and white striped bathing suit. There is also a milk cooler with milk jugs inside. Through January 4, visitors receive an added bonus. "We've decorated for the Christmas holiday and we still have a small Hanukkah (display)," Nicoll said. The front entrance features a forest green aluminum, musical rotating Christmas tree, called a Brilliant Noble Fir, made by the C. Sincere Company in Chicago with midcentury modern ornaments. There are metal toys that have long since been replaced with safer versions. The hutch is filled with Rosbro plastic figurines, and other collectibles. The dining room table has Gurley candles. The museum is funded through a $5,000 grant from the village, which it must match through its own fundraising efforts. The museum is selling bricks from Park Forest's original Marshall Field's Store, along with a variety of books and Holiday Theatre prints. The museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 3:30 p.m., and will be open New Year's Eve. The cost is $5 for adults, with children 12 and under free. To learn more about the museum, or to visit the online museum store, go to http://www.parkforesthistory.org. Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. Holiday-themed shadow boxes will be on display in downtown Antioch starting next November. Residents can get a preview of three boxes currently placed in front of the village hall, including this one, titled Day after Christmas, where the elves are celebrating in one room, while Santa and Mrs. Claus are dancing in another room. (Antioch Chamber of Commerce) After sitting in storage for several years, about 60 six-foot shadow boxes that were once an annual part of Zion's holiday decor have found a new home in Antioch. Three are on display at Antioch Village Hall to preview what is planned for next year, officials said. Formerly known as Kringle's Kingdom, the boxes went on seasonal display in Zion for 13 years, said Dee Stratmoen of Zion, who was among the creators of the boxes. Advertisement "When they ran into financial difficulties, they wanted to get rid of it," Stratmoen said. She agreed to purchase the boxes rather than see them sold out-of-state, she said. Because each box is about six-foot-square, they took up a lot of space in storage, which was donated by Rick Delisle, she said. For the past few years, she and others who created the decorations attempted to display them in different ways. Advertisement "We had come to realize we couldn't make this work," she said. The boxes were donated to the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, which already exhibits the Dickens Holiday Village, a volunteer public art exhibit. Like the Dickens exhibit, the Kringle's Kingdom shadow boxes were constructed by volunteers who donated the boxes to the exhibit, said Barbara Porch, the executive director of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce. Likened to the Marshall Field's holiday display windows along Chicago's State Street, the holiday boxes have different themes. "They're animated, so there's some movement in them and they're all lit up," Porch said. Currently on display at Antioch Village Hall, 874 Main St., are three boxes. They are "Footprints in the Snow," which is a shoe shop; the "Day After Christmas," featuring elves celebrating; and Snoway, which is modeled after a Subway sandwich shop, Stratmoen said. Snoway was created by Alene and Tom Backis, who owned Subway shops in Zion and Beech Park, Stratmoen said. Instead of bags of potato chips, Snoway has bags of ice chips, Porch said. Each shadow box has tremendous detail, Porch said. For example, there is a beauty shop that caters to reindeer. As one reindeer sits under a hair dryer, she reads the magazine called "Fur" instead of a hair magazine, she said. With nearly sixty boxes, not all will be put out in a given year, Porch said. The displays will rotate from year to year, she said. Advertisement Some of the box themes are a tailor shop with clothes for Santa, a jewelry store, Christmas in the Forest, and many more. One called "Kneeling Santa" is a particular highlight, Stratmoen said. "It's a beautiful box that shows a beautiful setting with Santa kneeling in front of the Christ child," Stratmoen said. One depicting a music studio was made by Angela Broker, who dedicated it to her grandmother, Ethyl Stried, who taught piano lessons in Zion for many hears, Stratmoen said. With the Dickens Village already part of Antioch's holiday displays, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce is offering a preview of a substantial addition planned for next year. Although Stratmoen said she has spent "many restless nights" worrying about what to do with the exhibit, she said there were many people involved with the project. "There were so many volunteers who spent hours and hours and hours," she said. "I'm over the moon about it. When Antioch said they would take it, it was a godsend." Advertisement Porch said the display has taken a new name, Kringle's Christmas Village Tour, and will be on display throughout downtown Antioch from Nov.4 to Dec. 25, 2017. In addition to the boxes, the display includes other holiday decor, such as a 30-foot train that children can play on, she said. Like the Dickens exhibit, the public will be able to access a walking tour from http://www.antiochchamber.org. Both the current preview at village hall, and next year's full exhibit are free to the public, Porch said. A guide can be provided for larger group of 20 or more, she said. "We love donations for our larger tours, but it's free to the public," Porch said. "There's so much to this that we're very proud to put it out next year." Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun. In Glen Ellyn, city officials wont ticket homeowners for not shoveling their sidewalks, but encourage them to shovel. (Marwa Eltagouri / Chicago Tribune) When it snows, most suburban homeowners clear sidewalks in a timely fashion. But every neighborhood seems to have one house that lets the white stuff pile up, making the morning trip around the block tricky for dog walkers and devoted exercisers. Advertisement Julius Hansen believes some are hesitant out of fear of their legal responsibility should someone slip and fall in front of their house. "That's my theory of why people don't remove the snow," said Hansen, Glen Ellyn's public works director. "I've heard this from a few people now. That if they change or alter the snow on their sidewalks, once they intervene, they could possibly be liable if someone falls." Advertisement So with each winter, the "to shovel or not to shovel" debate ensues, neighbors say. Since Glen Ellyn has no village ordinance mandating residents shovel, there's no punishment for those who leave the snow untouched and watch it pile day after day. The village joins a number of western suburbs, such as Downers Grove and the Tri-Cities in Kane County, that don't require or enforce sidewalk shoveling, or ticket properties for not shoveling. Last week, the Elgin City Council expressed little interest in creating such an ordinance, citing the difficulties of cost and enforcement. Glen Ellyn resident Jane Newkirk, who lives on Greenfield Avenue, said neighbors don't have much of a choice as to whether to shovel because Abraham Lincoln Elementary school is located down the street, and children rely on the sidewalks to get to school. Newkirk typically adds shoveling to her winter morning to-do list, unless a courteous neighbor with a snow blower plows the sidewalk for her entire block. "If someone doesn't do it, someone else will," she said. Those who opt out of shoveling risk endangering not only their fellow neighbors but mailmen as well, who trudge through heaps of snow, one snow-booted foot after another, to reach mail slots on front porches. "Even if they remove the snow from their driveways, they leave the stupid (porch) stairs for me to have to go up," said a local mailman who declined to be named. "I'm constantly worried about getting hurt. And if I did, the post office could tell me, 'Well, maybe you just weren't wearing the right shoes.'" City officials say residents shouldn't worry about shoveling liabilities, and for the most part, they're right, said Jonathan Crannell, an attorney with Naperville-based firm Marker and Associates. The Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act insulates residential homeowners from liability should someone slip and fall on their sidewalk, by making it difficult to prove the accident was the result of negligent snow or ice removal. One purpose of the legislation, Crannell said, is to make sure children can get to school safely. Advertisement "To shovel or not to shovel? The answer, now, is yes," he said. "Even if someone negligently shoveled their sidewalk, they wouldn't be responsible for any injuries. A reckless disregard for safety would have to be proven, and that's a tough thing to prove." He called the act a "double-edged sword" because it also insulates company-owned apartment complexes from liability, even though those complexes often hire a professional company to remove snow. Under the act, should the snow removal do a negligent job in removing snow and cause someone to fall, the apartment complex wouldn't be held liable if sued, Crannell said. With regard to businesses, Crannell advises they hire a reputable snow removal company that carries its own insurance, so that the business not be held liable in the event of a slip-and-fall accident. While most western suburbs rely on neighbors voluntarily shoveling sidewalks, several municipalities have ordinances prohibiting people from piling or shoveling snow onto public rights of way. City officials worry that if a resident places a pile of snow on a street that's been cleaned and salted, the snow will form a frozen iceberg that's hazardous to cars and difficult to remove. Municipalities like Wheaton and St. Charles issue notices to residents about the rule at the beginning of winter. Violators, if caught, will often be issued a warning or reminder. "We prefer to work with property owners, tenants and residents, and be helpful where we can," said AJ Reineking, St. Charles' public services manager. "If it's a large amount that's hard for a regular resident to remove, we try and help. Fortunately, we've only had a couple of events this year." Advertisement The main issue this year for municipalities has been January's frigid temperatures. The cold temperatures following snowfall cause ice to develop more frequently, said Vince Laoang, Wheaton's public works director. "The one snow ice event a few weeks back had rain proceeding the snow which proceeded the cold temperatures," he said. "So instead of snow piles, it's basically large chunks of ice." Hansen, Glen Ellyn's public works director, said less than an inch of snow in that situation can create slippery conditions, requiring officials to use far more salt than they would normally use. "It hasn't put us over budget, but when you look at the depth of snow we received and the amount of salt it took to make the streets safe, there's a disparity," he said. meltagouri@tribune.com Twitter: @marwaeltagouri You are here: Home China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) will adjust tariffs on a number of exports and imports. The new plan comes into force on Jan. 1, according to the MOF website. To meet domestic demand, tax rates will be lower on some imported commodities next year including hydraulic actuators for aircraft. Imports tariff will also be reduced on commodities including tuna and arctic shrimp. Exports tariffs on commodities including nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers will be scrapped and commodities such as steel billet will see reduced export tariffs. In line with trade pacts, more imports from Hong Kong and Macao will be tariff-free next year, while some commodities from countries including the Republic of Korea, Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand will see reduced tariffs. The number of items to be taxed in 2017 will reach 8,547, said the plan. A Chinese consortium is set to acquire a 40 percent stake in Pakistan's main bourse. At least 17 entities had expressed an interest in the Pakistan Stock Exchange, whose benchmark stock index was one of the best performing indices worldwide this year. The deal is estimated to be worth about US$84 million, according to an official who requested anonymity. The PSX is currently owned by more than 300 Pakistani brokers. "The bid submitted by Chinese consortium at 28 rupees (27 US cents) per share emerged as the highest and most acceptable under the relevant regulations," the PSX said in a statement. The consortium comprises three Chinese exchanges China Financial Futures Exchange Co, the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and two local financial institutions, Pak-China Investment Co and Habib Bank. "The Divestment Committee will now issue the Letter of Acceptance to the above Consortium, subject to formal approval of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan," the statement added. Following the sale, the company plans to offer 20 percent of its shares to the public. Under its stock exchange reforms, Pakistan merged its three stock exchanges the Karachi Stock Exchange, the Lahore Stock Exchange and the Islamabad Stock Exchange to form the PSX in January. Confidence in Pakistan is growing, with the International Monetary Fund saying in October that the country has emerged from crisis and stabilized its economy after completing a bailout program. Its credit rating has improved, while there are encouraging signs of foreign investment, such as a massive Chinese infrastructure project officials call a "game changer." You are here: Home Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong said Saturday China will do more to ensure that workplace safety rules are better enforced. "Work safety in China still faces severe situation, despite progress," Wang said while answering legislators' questions at a joint inquiry meeting. The meeting, attended by top legislator Zhang Dejiang, is part of the ongoing bimonthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. Legislation on work safety will be improved, and supervision and inspections enhanced, Wang said. Authorities will focus on key industries and sectors, preventing serious accidents, Wang added. In answering a legislator's question about recent major safety accidents in coal mines, Yang Huanning, director of the State Administration of Work Safety, said inadequate investment in equipment upgrades and weak safety management have led to the accidents. Work safety authorities will send out staff to over 7,000 coal mines nationwide for supervision, and dispatch 30 secret investigation teams to mines at city-level or below, according to Yang. Meanwhile, regions or mines spotted with work safety problems will be named and shamed, Yang added. During the meeting, Chen Zhenggao, minister of housing and urban-rural development, called for standardized supervision and management over the construction and quality of houses in rural areas, as frequent accidents in this regard have occurred in China. According to vice minister of agriculture Chen Xiaohua, China has around 25 million tractors and combine harvesters, with over 1,000 people killed in safety and traffic accidents related to farm machinery on average each year. "We have enhanced management on plates and driving licenses for tractors and combine harvesters, and provided subsidies for farmers to buy farm machinery of high quality," said Chen. During the inquiry, legislators also discussed a report on traffic safety. To safeguard road safety, transport minister Li Xiaopeng promised better channels for the public reporting on illegally modified or overloaded trucks, and tougher punishments for the violators. Incidences of scientific misconduct seem to be on the rise, at least if we may believe reporting by the mainstream news media and whistle-blowing sites like RetractionWatch.com. Think of plagiarism, image manipulation, lack of ethical approval, statistical faux pas, manipulation of peer review, ghost authorship, and similar offences. High-profile recent cases include that which led to the dismissal of the Italian surgeon Paolo Macchiarini from the prestigious Karolinska Institute and Hospital in Sweden just a few months ago, but also instances of plagiarism highlighted in the doctoral theses of government ministers and even national leaders in a growing number of countries around the world. Most remedial measures to prevent future misconduct cases are implemented after the fact. Few systems have been set up to proactively attempt to avoid behavior that might lead to misconduct cases developing. It is therefore refreshing to realize that CAST, the China Association for Science and Technology, has proactively implemented a regulatory framework to facilitate just this. Its cardinal guidelines boil down to the need for researchers to take responsibility for their own actions rather than relying on a third party to write, edit, or submit their articles for publication, and to act ethically in terms of assigning authorship credit and managing the peer-review process. The stakes for the career progression of individual academics are huge, since the "publish or perish" mantra is as strong as ever in Chinese academia. Just last week, the National Natural Science Foundation of China demonstrated unequivocally that it takes instances of misconduct very seriously indeed: the NSFC disclosed information about 117 cases of scientific misconduct, reaffirming its zero-tolerance approach to treating individuals caught red-handed. This is a very welcome development for the vast majority of hard-working Chinese scientists who perform their research with the greatest integrity. Internationally, when the media or other stakeholders discuss examples of scientific misconduct, it has almost become the default approach to point the accusing finger to Chinese scientists. This is a lazy choice. Chinese science has come a very long way in recent decades. Many academics and researchers at the key institutions nationally, and increasing numbers at their provincial counterparts, are foreign-educated, fully up to speed with international ethical standards, and keen to make an impact in the world of science. A record blemished by allegations of misconduct would signify the end of one's career, for all practical purposes. This implies, in turn, that the need to conduct one's research with the greatest integrity is indeed the big red flag at the forefront of most scientists' minds. The regulatory framework in China goes well beyond that imposed by either the CAST or the NSFC. Research involving human subjects or animals must pass through rigorous review by institutional ethical review boards, just like anywhere else at leading scientific institutions. After all, the absence of review board approval precludes publication of one's results in the most prestigious journals that can make or break a career. Pointing one's finger to cases of misconduct in China by default is therefore an oversimplification of a complex international problem. More importantly, such allegations have real consequences for individual scientists in the country: many Chinese scientists say that they feel that their work is placed under a magnifying glass to a much greater extent than that of their collaborators and competitors in the traditional scientific powerhouses. Chinese researchers often feel that their work is tarnished with a stamp of "guilty until proven innocent" even before it has been carefully reviewed. This is disheartening, to say the least, and generally unwarranted. Lazy reporting like this thus has real consequences for actual people. NSFC's zero-tolerance attitude will go some way to alleviating the problem, but we need a more structural approach to change ingrained ideas in the minds of our accusers. From my perspective, I strongly advocate for increasing international collaboration among research partners, building people-to-people networks to achieve this goal -- one collaboration at a time. A sustained effort at breaking into the well-established old boys' networks of mostly Western senior scientists dominating the international research landscape is long overdue. With increasing numbers of talented scientists returning from overseas to take up leadership roles at domestic institutions, I am optimistic that change is coming --but don't expect miracles to occur overnight. Richard de Grijs is a Dutch professor of astrophysics at the Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (Peking University) in Beijing. He is also actively involved in the world of international scientific publishing through his roles as Deputy Editor of The Astrophysical Journal Letters, the pre-eminent journal in his field, and as member of the Board of Directors of ORCID, the Open Researcher and Contributor ID. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash Rolling his wheelchair through the rubble-strewn crossing of Bustan al-Qasr into the former rebel-held eastern Aleppo, 53-year-old Bakri Maruf was fearless, unlike the first time he crossed through the same area three years ago, when shrapnels sliced through his legs and placed him in his wheelchair. "I was hoping I could cross back into eastern Aleppo on my feet, but because of my condition I couldn't, but I am happy anyway because I will take a look at my house in the Mashad neighborhood," he told Xinhua, as his son was walking beside him to help him. Maruf is one of thousands of people who have started returning to check on their homes in eastern Aleppo city in northern Syria, after the army declared its control over the entire city, following the withdrawal of the last rebel groups on Friday. Bustan al-Qasr was the main crossing between the former rebel-held areas in the east and the government-controlled ones in the western part of the city. The crossing was so important for the residents of Aleppo who used to cross back and forth between both parts of the city to visit their relatives or attend to their jobs, or schools. The wreckage of two buses sandbags had been used at the entrance of the crossing, which was a lifeline to both part of the city, especially when the rebels besieged the government side of Aleppo in 2012, the same year eastern Aleppo fell under the rebel control. At the time, the checkpoint was controlled by a group of rogue rebel groups who tried to extort money from the war-weary people using it. But with the recent military offensive in Aleppo, which has seen the evacuation of the rebels and their families from the eastern part of the city, the notion of eastern Aleppo and western Aleppo was over. It's one now, according to pro-government activists from Aleppo who want to see the city back as one again. Government trucks were quick to start removing the sandbags and the wreckages of buses blocking the crossings or streets between both parts of the city, which facilitate the flow of civilians, who had fled eastern Aleppo for a long time, to return to check on their homes. "I was afraid to not live the day when I return to my home, and even though it could be destroyed, my son will rebuild it one day, I am confident of that," said Maruf. On another part of the crossing, Foad Hilwani, a 38-year-old taxi driver, said he had been a merchant working with his father for 12 years ahead of the beginning of the crisis in 2011, which deprived him of his business. "When the war reached Aleppo, my business was negatively affected, and I finally lost my shop in the Bab al-Faraj area," he told Xinhua. Hilwani wished to return to his previous profession as a trader, as he expressed dismay with his current job. "I can't be a taxi driver forever, because I hate this job, so I need to return to my shop and home," he said. For her part, Suad Mazaneh, a 26-year-old mother of one child, said she was crossing back to eastern Aleppo to check her home in Zibdiyeh neighborhood. "I want to return home, to repair it and raise my kid there, to teach him the history of Aleppo and how beautiful this city is," she hoped. Mazaneh said that "now we can cross back and forth through Bustan al-Qasr, and the good part is that there is no more eastern or western Aleppo, now it's one and we are free again to go wherever we want without checkpoints between both sides of the city." The people in Aleppo in general has taken a breath after the eastern part of the city was emptied of rebels, as 35,000 people, including 5,000 rebels, have been evacuated during a week-long operation brokered by Russia and Turkey. Now, the entire city is under the government control, but the amount of destruction is so huge. Muhammad Hmaish, the chairman of Aleppo governorate council, said Saturday that over 10,760 civilians have been killed and 50,000 others wounded by the rebel mortar shelling on western Aleppo since 2012. Hmaish said the destruction that has befallen the city of Aleppo is estimated at 800 billion Syrian pounds, roughly 1.6 billion U.S. dollars. He added that the industrial wheel will return to the city, Syria's largest and once economic hub. Flash A WWII veteran has sent an open letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, urging him to apologize to the Chinese people for the atrocities committed by Japan's imperial army during the war. John Yee, who was a Chinese member of the legendary Flying Tigers squadron and is now living in the United States, said in the letter that the Dec. 27 visit to Pearl Harbor by Abe is "more USA-Japan theater." The full text of the open letter is as follows: I was 17-years old and living in Kunming when the Japanese slaughtered hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Nanking, 1,340 miles (2,156 km) away. It was a horrible, sickening event, and shocked everybody in China. It started a long period of atrocities committed by the Japanese military against innocent Chinese people. Japan tried to take over Asia and Germany tried to take over Europe. Same thing, and just like Hitler tried to exterminate the Jews in Europe, the Japanese committed a genocide against the Chinese. But Western educators and media have yet to recognize the extent of the atrocities committed by Japan. The visit to Pearl Harbor by Shinzo Abe is more USA-Japan theater. The first people the Japanese should apologize to are the Chinese -- for the Rape of Nanking, for invading China, for murdering millions of Chinese people. Japan invaded Manchuria (Northeast China) in 1931, and when China appealed to the League of Nations, the Japanese contingent got up and walked out of the room. And the world's big Western powers -- England, France, Germany, Italy and America -- did nothing. Had they intervened, in any capacity, the slaughter of millions of Chinese might have been averted. The Japanese have no more excuse than Hitler had. There are several countries that Japan should apologize to, and China is at the top of the list. Not the USA. More Japanese and American back-rubbing seems to be on show in Pearl Harbor this week. A little more than two years ago, Yemens Houthi militia, swept south from its northern strongholds. The rebels were supported by Yemens former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who resigned after thirty years in power due to peaceful protests in 2011. The rebels seized the countrys capital of Sanaa and much of the countrys northern territories, and took over the government, expelling the administration of sitting President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. In March 2015, as part of an effort to push the Houthis out of Sanaa and restore the Hadi government, a coalition of Gulf Arab nations launched a campaign of air strikes against the rebels. And as is usually the case in war, its the civilian population that suffers. The United Nations estimates that of around 9,000 people that have died since the escalation of the conflict, at least half were civilians. The United States has called on all parties to the conflict to take every possible measure to avoid civilian casualties, and to investigate those incidents when they occur. "You can see from the humanitarian situation, which is dire and deteriorating rapidly, that it is urgent that we try to bring this war to a close," said Secretary of State John Kerry recently at a press conference. He spoke in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after a meeting of diplomats from the United States, the United Kingdom, Oman and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen. The purpose of our meetings was to talk about the challenge of bringing the war in Yemen to a close and how to move forward with a plan to stop the fighting and to negotiate a political settlement, said Secretary of State Kerry. We believe that only the UN-proposed plan, properly negotiated over time, is the way to bring this war to a close. The UN proposal outlines a comprehensive agreement whose details would be settled in negotiations. It includes a sequence of political and security steps to lower tensions and build confidence, temporary appointments to facilitate the period of government transition, and the formation of a national unity government. None of the measures would go into effect until all parties have signed a comprehensive agreement. Its a framework for an outline that will bring the negotiations to a reality, said Secretary of State Kerry. We think thats the only way to resolve this. A Chinese worker processes steel at a factory in Qingdao city, East China's Shandong province, July 1, 2016. [Photo/IC] BEIJING - Through high-level meetings in late 2016, the Chinese leadership has signaled a clear orientation for the nation's policy stance for next year: to hold the economy steady, press ahead with reforms and improve the well-being of ordinary people. Economic stability "Stability" was the theme that emerged for 2017's economic work at last week's Central Economic Work Conference. China will maintain its proactive fiscal and prudent monetary policies, according to a statement released after the meeting. Specifically, monetary policy was described as "prudent and neutral," and fiscal policy will be "more proactive and effective." "Neutral" means neither stimulating nor contractionary, said Zeng Gang, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "When implementing monetary policy, a balance has to be achieved between propping up growth and fending off risks, and now it is more pressing to control risks." Given rising corporate leverage and global uncertainties, regulators have turned more cautious toward monetary easing, but have more frequently resorted to fiscal measures. Fiscal support is necessary to push forward economic restructuring, stabilize the economy and improve people's livelihood, said Bai Jingming, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences. Public spending will continue to bolster infrastructure improvement amid a prolonged economic slowdown, while more funds will be channeled to areas including re-employment of laid-off workers, industrial technological upgrades, health care, and education. Analysts also expect continued tax breaks to relieve business burdens. Despite volatility in the stock market and real estate sector, the Chinese economy is ending 2016 on a firm footing, with encouraging signs ranging from industrial profits to railway freight. In the first three quarters, GDP expanded 6.7 percent year on year, within the government's target range of between 6.5 and 7 percent. Further reform Reform remained on the front burner as the economy urgently needs to address entrenched structural imbalance and find sustainable growth momentum. "Next year's major economic task can be summarized as deepening supply-side structural reform," said Yang Weimin, deputy head of the Office of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Economic Affairs. The reform was proposed at the end of 2015 and briskly carried out this year, with five major tasks: cutting industrial capacity, bringing down housing inventory, reducing leverage levels, lowering corporate costs and improving weak economic links. Last week's meeting agreed to strengthen efforts and expand reform to more areas, including overhauling the supply side of agriculture, reviving the real economy and stabilizing the property sector. Yang expects the reform to be a main theme of the country's economic work in the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020). President Xi Jinping highlighted curbing property bubbles at a meeting of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Economic Affairs on Wednesday, the fourth time asset bubbles were mentioned by Chinese leaders in the second half of the year. China will take a varied approach to regulating the property market, adopting financial, fiscal, tax, land and regulation measures to build a long-term housing mechanism that provides housing for all people, according to Xi. Thanks to policies introduced by local authorities in October, the property market in big cities continued to stabilize in the last month, gradually retreating from sky-high prices. "Houses are built for living, not for speculation," policymakers have agreed. China will also introduce private funds into more sectors dominated by state-owned companies, push forward legislation on a civil code, better protect property rights, and improve the old-age insurance system, as well as steadily and properly promote fiscal, taxation and financial reforms. People-centered development China should stick to its people-centered development philosophy and address people's common concerns in promoting economic growth, Xi said during Wednesday's meeting. "The fundamental goal of maintaining the growth pace and promoting economic development is to seek proper solutions to prominent issues of people's common concern," Xi said. Xi's remarks added to China's ambitious plans to substantially improve the lives of common people. By 2020, the last year of the current five-year plan, the country will build an all-round moderately prosperous society, double the average annual incomes of both urban and rural residents from 2010 levels, and completely eliminate poverty. A two-day central rural work conference ending Tuesday targeted improving farmers' incomes, partly by enhancing agricultural productivity and competitiveness. The meeting demanded more targeted efforts to lift another 10 million rural people out of poverty in 2017, as growth of per capita disposable rural income in the first three quarters slipped to its lowest level in almost 13 years. The government will work on several fronts to reduce poverty: promoting industrial development in poor regions, improving access to employment services for the poor, improving health care and education, and improving infrastructure in poor regions. China has lifted 700 million people out of poverty through more than 30 years of reform and opening-up. Policymakers also agreed to promote clean energy, regulate the housing rental market, improve garbage sorting, improve nursing homes for the aged, and reinforce food safety supervision. Luo Yixiao, a 6-year-old girl in Shenzhen, died in the early morning of Christmas Eve after a three-month struggle with leukemia. She was known by the public for an online fundraising effort launched by her father, which had sparked a bitter controversy, reports the paper.cn. According to the report, the young girl passed way at six o'clock on Saturday morning. Her parents have donated her body to Shenzhen University donation center for medical research. Luo Yixiao was diagnosed with leukemia on September 8. Since then, her father Luo Er has kept journals about his daughter's progress on his personal account on the social networking app WeChat. Within half a month, the father had collected over 32,000 yuan after his journal entries were reposted thousands of times. As the girl's condition worsened in early November, Luo Er began to cooperate with marketing company Xiaotongren, which is owned by his friend Liu Xiafeng, to promote his journals. The company promised to donate 1 yuan for each repost of the journals published on its WeChat account, up to a ceiling of 500,000 yuan. Frantic reposts were seen across social media, and netizens also donated to Luo through WeChat's "reward" function, which allows users to give financial rewards to authors of posts. By November 30, Xiaotongren had received over two million yuan on its WeChat donation platform alone. The company said it will donate 500,000 yuan to support the sick girl, and the rest will be given to other charity programs. But the situation changed dramatically when reports surfaced that Luo Er's family owns three apartments and most of his daughter's treatment expenses can be covered by medical insurance. Many donors said they felt cheated. Luo's friend Liu was accused of taking advantage of the public sympathy to promote his company. Some argued that the company could have made its donation directly instead of devising ploys in order to boost its own exposure. Confronting the criticisms, Xiaotongren company announced on December 1 that the company and Luo will use all the donations to set up a leukemia foundation, and then from the foundation they will apply money for Luo's daughter's treatment through legal means. In another interview early this month, Luo said his daughter, who turned six on December 7, was in a complicated condition as she was also suffering from hemophagocytic syndrome. The father added he would only accept judicial investigation on related online allegations. To highlight International Human Rights Day in December, the United States government launched the #FreeToBeHome campaign highlighting the stories of families and their loved ones who face politically motivated imprisonment for their beliefs and speech. This campaign, sponsored by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, is profiling through the holiday season the cases of 10 prisoners unjustly held around the world and the families they leave behind. Political prisoners do not serve their sentences alone. Their absence is felt profoundly by family and friends, who too must serve out these punishments. They are sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, and entire communities. The stories of these individuals highlight the broader struggle faced by so many families of political prisoners. Narges Mohammadi is one of the prisoners featured in the campaign. Ms. Mohammadi is a lawyer, human rights defender, and mother of two young children. She is currently serving a sixteen-year prison sentence for her peaceful activism, including her opposition to the death penalty. Ms. Mohammadi was previously a spokesman for Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadis now banned Center for Human Rights Defenders; she was an advocate for womens rights and for religious and ethnic minorities and political prisoners. When an appeals court in September upheld her outrageous 16- year sentence, international rights monitors denounced it: Human Rights Watch said the verdict was another example in Iran of the judiciary crushing dissent; Amnesty International called it yet another cruel and devastating blow to human rights in Iran, which demonstrates the authorities utter contempt for justice. Narges Mohammadi is currently being held in notorious Evin prison. She has a history of seizures and loss of vision and requires specialized medical care which has been denied her by the authorities. Her two young twin children have been awaiting her return. Her husband Taghi Rahmani has noted that every time Narges Mohammadi returned home, She filled the house with glowing and radiant cheerfulness Everyone in the family now misses this light and warmth in their lives. The United States calls on the Government of Iran to release Narges Mohammadi immediately and reunite her with her family. Like all political prisoners around the world, Narges Mohammadi, as Ambassador Power said, should be free to believeshould be free to be lovedshould be free to be home. President Xi Jinping, in a meeting with Leung Chun-ying, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in Beijing on Friday, praised Leung and the SAR government for their efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and the principle of One Country, Two Systems. This is yet another signal to those intent on seeking "Hong Kong independence" that the authorities have zero tolerance for separatism and will never let their guard down against it. Leung, who was delivering his work report for the year, was on what is expected to be his final duty visit to Beijing as chief executive, as his term in office ends on July 1 next year. Xi's remarks emphasize that there should be no doubt that the next chief executive is expected to follow Leung's example and exercise the utmost vigilance against separatism. Hong Kong's rule of law has been challenged repeatedly by separatist groups, sometimes violently, since the Occupy Central illegal movement in fall 2014. As recently as last month, some lawmakers elect demonstrated their "independence" aspirations by violating Article 104 of the Basic Law and Section 21 of HK's Oaths and Declarations Ordinance. Two of them Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching have since been disqualified as Legislative Council members by the High Court. So far those separatist opposition politicians have shown no sign of remorse. On the contrary, they are soliciting cash donations to fund their court cases and seeking assistance elsewhere, which suggests the fight against separatism will very likely intensify in the days ahead. Since those seeking "independence" jeopardize the SAR's economic development and social stability, also undermine national sovereignty and security, the authorities should continue to contain "Hong Kong independence" according to the law. This is the only way to respect the wishes of the overwhelming majority of HK residents and protect the interests of both the SAR and the country. Agra, a city in northern India, and Chengdu, capital of southwestern China's Sichuan province, signed an Agreement for the Establishment of Friendly Cooperation Relations on Thursday. The two cities will tap cooperation potential in cultural areas and tourist exchanges. The agreement also involves education, E-government, economic and trade cooperation. In 2013, the Indian city of Bangalore and Chengdu signed the Chengdu-Bangalore, India, Sister Cities Relations Establishment Agreement, becoming the first pair of sister cities between China and India. Last May, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China and the two countries released the Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India, officially announcing the establishment of an Indian consulate-general in Chengdu. It is the fourth in China after Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Following the in-depth implementation of full-region opening-up, 16 countries have already obtained approval to open diplomatic missions in Chengdu. At present, the number of Chengdu sister cities has risen to 32, and that of friendship cooperation cities increased to 39. China's first law on traditional Chinese medicine was passed by the top legislature on Sunday to ensure development of the time-honored medical science and enhance the public's ability to access more quality products and related services. The law will take effect on July 1. "It is a milestone for TCM development as it's recognized by law," Wang Guoqiang, head of the State Administration of TCM, said at a news conference on Sunday. The law is also an indication of public demand and expectations for TCM, which has proved effective but at times cannot be easily defined or regulated by mainstream Western medical approaches, he said. "The adoption of the law is only a start, and more matching policies and regulations will follow in the spirit of the law boosting TCM," he said. TCM long ago was the only treatment available in China, but Western medicine first introduced in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) began to dominate over time. In recent years, some have even called on authorities to drop TCM's status as a legally accepted treatment option. The law recognizes TCM as an important part of the country's healthcare system and encourages TCM's development. It also allows it to be managed and regulated according to its own characteristics. Unlike many doctors of Western medicine, some TCM practitioners learned their skills from a master instead of going through a standard school education. But "many do command great skill. The law allows them to get a license to practice TCM and go mainstream", said Deng Yong, a researcher of law at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The new law stipulates that practitioners must pass exams highlighting practical skills and treatment outcomes by provincial-level TCM authorities, and obtain recommendations from two certified practitioners. That's a major breakthrough as "many competent TCM doctors work underground since they couldn't pass the exams for medical doctors that focus on Western medicine or the English tests", he explained. The law also makes it easier to open individual practices and clinics by requiring only the filing of a record at the local health authority, instead of an approval, he added. There are 3,966 TCM hospitals and 42,528 TCM clinics across the country with roughly 452,000 practitioners, according to a white paper on TCM issued by the State Council Information Office this month. Annually, they receive an average 910 million visits nationwide, it said. "The law will help bring more competent TCM doctors to the patients," said Wang Guoqiang. By clearly setting the boundaries of treatment, the law helps eliminate fake TCM doctors who often boast they can cure all diseases, Deng said. "That protects patients' rights and health and the reputation of TCM," he said. TCM products and services can be advertised only with approval from the local TCM authority, the law stipulates. To safeguard consumers' health, the law also calls for strengthened management and quality control over TCM raw materials and related procedures including raising, planting, collecting and stocking such materials. Highly toxic pesticides cannot be used to cultivate medicinal herbs, it said. China to set up 126 smog monitoring sites Xinhua | Updated: 2016-12-26 07:05 BEIJING - China will set up 126 monitoring sites nationwide to study the effect of air pollution on health. The National Health and Family Planning Commission has been researching correlations between health and smog, Ma Xiaowei, deputy head of the commission, told a press conference held on Friday. "This work is still in its primary stage, but we are losing no time," said Ma. China has started smog risk assessments and a program on smog warning technology to identify typical pollutants that harm people's health and establish an evaluation system. Premier Li Keqiang delivers a keynote speech at the opening of the annual Meeting of the NewChampions in Tianjin on June 27, 2016. [Feng Yongbin / chinadaily.com.cn] As 2016 has demonstrated, leaders must be responsive to the demands of the people who have entrusted them to lead, while also providing a vision and a way forward, so that people can have a better future. True leadership in a complex, uncertain, and anxious world requires leaders to navigate with both a radar system and a compass. They must be receptive to signals that are constantly arriving from an ever-changing landscape, and they should be willing to make necessary adjustments; but they must never deviate from their true north, which is to say, a strong vision based on authentic values. That is why the World Economic Forum has made Responsive and Responsible Leadership the theme for its annual January meeting in Davos. As leaders in government, business and civil society chart a course for the next year, five key challenges will warrant their attention. To begin with, they will have to come to grips with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is redefining entire industries, and creating new ones from scratch, owing to groundbreaking advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, the internet of things, self-driving vehicles, 3D printing, nanotechnology, biotechnology and quantum computing. These technologies have only begun to show their full potential; in 2017, we will increasingly see what used to be science fiction become reality. But, while the Fourth Industrial Revolution could help us solve some of our most pressing problems, it is also dividing societies into those who embrace change and those who do not. And that threatens our well-being in ways that will have to be identified and addressed. Second, leaders will have to build a dynamic, inclusive multi-stakeholder global-governance system. Today's economic, technological, environmental and social challenges can be addressed only through global public-private collaboration; but our current framework for international cooperation was designed for the postwar era when nation-states were the key actors. Geopolitical shifts have made today's world truly multipolar. As new global players bring new ideas about how to shape national systems and the international order, the existing order is becoming more fragile. So long as countries interact on the basis of shared interests, rather than shared values, the extent to which they will be able to cooperate will be limited. Moreover, non-state actors are now capable of disrupting national and global systems, not least through cyber attacks. To withstand this threat, countries cannot simply close themselves off. The only way forward is to make sure that globalization is benefiting everyone. A third challenge for leaders will be to restore global economic growth. Permanently diminished growth translates into permanently lower living standards: with 5 percent annual growth, it takes just 14 years to double a country's GDP; with 3 percent growth, it takes 24 years. If our current stagnation persists, our children and grandchildren might be worse off than their predecessors. Even without today's technologically driven structural unemployment, the global economy would have to create billions of jobs to accommodate a growing population, which is forecast to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, from 7.4 billion today. Thus, 2017 will be a year in which social inclusion and youth unemployment become critical global and national issues. A fourth challenge will be to reform the market and to restore the compact between business and society. Free markets and globalization have improved living standards and lifted people out of poverty for decades. But their structural flawsmyopic short-term nature, increasing wealth inequality, and cronyismhave fueled the political backlash of recent years, highlighting the need to create permanent structures for balancing economic incentives with social well-being. Finally, leaders will need to address the pervasive crisis in identity formation that has resulted from the erosion of traditional norms over the past two decades. Globalization has made the world smaller but more complex, and many people have lost confidence in institutions. Many people now fear for their future, and they are searching for shared but distinct beliefs that can furnish a sense of purpose and continuity. Identity formation is not a rational process; it is deeply emotional and often characterized by high levels of anxiety, dissatisfaction, and anger. Politics is also driven by emotion: leaders attract votes not by addressing needs or presenting long-term visions, but rather by offering a sense of belonging, nostalgia for simpler times, or a return to national roots. We witnessed this in 2016, as populists made gains by fostering reactionary and extreme beliefs. Responsible leaders, for their part, must recognize people's fears and anger as legitimate, while providing inspiration and constructive plans for building a better future. But how? The world today seems to be engulfed in a sea of pessimism, negativity, and cynicism. And yet we have an opportunity to lift millions more people out of poverty, so that they can lead healthier and more meaningful lives. And we have a duty to work together toward a greener, more inclusive and peaceful world. Whether we succeed will not depend on some external event, but rather on the choices our leaders make. The coming year will be a critical test for all stakeholders in global society. More than ever, we will need responsive and responsible leadership to address our collective challenges, and to restore people's trust in institutions and in one another. We do not lack the means to make the world a better place. But to do so, we must look past our own narrow interests and attend to the interests of our global society. That duty begins with our leaders, who must begin to engage in open dialogue and a common search for solutions to the five major challenges on the horizon. If they acknowledge that ours is a global community with a shared destiny, they will have made a firstalbeit modeststep in the right direction. The author is founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum. Project Syndicate File photo of Tu-154 aircraft. [Photo/Xinhua] A Russian Defence Ministry plane that had disappeared from radar over the Black Sea with 91 people on board has crashed, Russian media reported on Sunday, citing an unidentified source. A rescue team had found the crash site in the Black Sea near the coast of the Sochi. The wreckage of the aircraft has been found in the Black Sea, Defense Ministry authorities said Sunday. The flight carrying dozens of people has vanished from the radar screens after departing from the resort city of Sochi, Russian media reported Sunday, citing preliminary findings. A total of 91 people were on board the Tu-154 aircraft, including musicians and media representatives, the Sputnik news agency quoted a security service source as saying. "Fragments of the Russian Defense Ministry's TU-154 aircraft were discovered in 1.5 kilometers from the Black Sea shore of Sochi at a depth of 50-70 meters," the ministry's press service said. The plane was conducting a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim air base near Latakia, said the ministry, adding that among those on board were Russian servicemen and members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the Russian army's official choir, who were headed to the base for New Year celebrations. There were also nine media representatives on board, the ministry noted. Russia's Investigative Committee said it has launched a criminal case over the crash. Based on preliminary information, the misfortune was caused by technical malfunction or pilot error, a law enforcement source was quoted as saying. The vanished airplane is not a civilian one, according to Russian aviation and emergency ministry authorities. The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Russian aerospace and defense company Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. LOS ANGELES - A veteran of the famous Flying Tigers jet fighters squadron during World War II has sent an open letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, urging him to apologize to the Chinese people for the atrocities committed by Japanese imperial army during the war. John Yee, who was born in China and is now living in the United States, said in the letter that the Dec 27 visit to Pearl Harbor by Abe is "more USA-Japan theater." "The first people the Japanese should apologize to are the Chinese -- for the Rape of Nanking, for invading China, for murdering millions of Chinese people," said Yee, who added that he intends to send this letter through Xinhua. "I was 17-year old and living in Kunming when the Japanese slaughtered hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Nanking, 1,340 miles (2,156 km)away," Yee said at the beginning of the letter. "It was a horrible, sickening event, and shocked everybody in China. It started a long period of atrocities committed by the Japanese military against innocent Chinese people," he said. "Japan tried to take over Asia and Germany tried to take over Europe. Same thing, and just like Hitler tried to exterminate the Jews in Europe, the Japanese committed a genocide against the Chinese. But Western educators and media have yet to recognize the extent of the atrocities committed by Japan," he said. Photo taken on Dec 25, 2016 shows vessels taking part in a rescue operation on the Black Sea coast at the crash site of Russian Defense Ministry's TU-154 aircraft. [Xinhua/Sputnik] A Russian military Tu-154 aircraft carrying 92 people crashed Sunday in the Black Sea after taking off from the resort city of Sochi. Four ships and five helicopters are currently operating in the crash site, said the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman Igor Konashenkov, adding that the ministry is maneuvering more forces and equipment for the rescue mission. The ill-fated plane, en route to a Russian Navy base in the Syrian port city of Latakia, vanished from the radar screens shortly after taking off from an airfield in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi at 5:40 a.m. Moscow Time (0240 GMT). Latest information from the ministry said 92 people, including 84 passengers and eight crew members, were on board. Among them were 64 members from the Alexandrov Ensemble, the renowned choir of the Russian Armed Forces and its head Valery Halilov, as well as nine Russian journalists. They were heading to the air base for New Year celebrations. Fragments of the aircraft have been discovered in 1.5 kilometers from the Black Sea shore of Sochi at a depth of 50-70 meters, the ministry said. Several bodies of the victims have been recovered at the crash site by rescue workers. A defense ministry commission headed by Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov has arrived in Sochi. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the establishment of a special committee led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to investigate the incident, the Kremlin press service said. Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case over the crash. Based on preliminary information, the misfortune was caused by technical malfunction or pilot error, a law enforcement source was quoted as saying. The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Russian aerospace and defense company Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and has been widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. LONDON - Britain's Queen Elizabeth, 90, will miss a traditional Christmas church service on Sunday for the first time in nearly 30 years due to a heavy cold, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said. Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning living monarch, and her husband Prince Philip, 95, suffered what the Palace described as heavy colds this week that delayed by a day their journey to their Sandringham country residence in eastern England. They travelled instead by helicopter on Thursday. Elizabeth has attended the Christmas service at the parish church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham every year since 1988. "Her Majesty The Queen will not attend Church at Sandringham this morning. The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery," a Palace spokesman said. "Her Majesty will participate in the Royal Family Christmas celebrations during the day," the Palace said. After more than six decades on the throne, the Queen has cut back on international tours but still regularly performs official duties around Britain, although she said on Tuesday she would reduce the number of her patronages. Signing into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, outgoing United States President Barack Obama added further complexity and potentially explosive uncertainty to China-US relations. The 2017 NDAA merits particular vigilance on Beijing's part because, for the first time in history, it includes a section on high-level military exchanges with Taiwan. Section 1284 of the act obligates the US Defense Secretary to carry out a program of exchanges with the island involving senior military officers and senior officials. This permits generals or flag officers of the US armed forces on active duty, as well as Pentagon officials above the level of assistant defense secretary, to visit the island. On the surface, a stipulation like this may seem more symbolic than substantive. After all, on its own, sending higher-ranking officials and officers to the island does not change the nature of exchanges, as long as longstanding agreements, written and tacit alike, are observed. However, at a deeper level this may be a dangerous time bomb for the recently volatile relationship between the US and the mainland, particularly when it is seen in the context of the upcoming change of guard at the White House. And, as the 2017 NDAA has upgraded US military ties with Taiwan, it serves to reinforce the impression of independence seekers on the island that they can count on greater US protection for their anti-mainland stunts. Since Donald Trump, the US president-elect, has displayed personal interest in playing the Taiwan card in dealing with Beijing, the 2017 NDAA will only amplify the likelihood of higher-profile military exchanges being exploited provocatively under the next US president. Up to this point, Obama had been very rational about Beijing's sensitivity to the Taiwan issue and the significance of the one-China policy to relations with the mainland. Yet while calling on his successor to exercise prudence, the incumbent US president has laid a stepping stone for Trump's dangerous Taiwan game. Trump's transition team has declared they will not enact immediate changes to the US' policies toward the mainland. But that will not prevent Taiwan from being used a bargaining chip in matters of substantial bilateral concern. Beijing has reiterated its bottom line regarding Taiwan, which is good, but not enough. We all wish the relationship between the mainland and the US could stay on a healthy track. But it takes two to tango. Given both the next US president's inclination to use Taiwan as his trump card, and Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's eagerness to assume that role, Beijing must prepare contingency plans for all possibilities, the worst included. The United States continues to look for ways to collaborate with others in the international community to fight transnational organized crime, cybercrime, terrorist and criminal networks, and illicit trade. A top priority is to keep weapons of mass destruction, or WMD, out of the hands of terrorist networks, said U.S. Senior Director for National Security and Diplomacy Anti-Crime Programs David Luna to counterparts at a recent security conference in Paris. "We must also continue to work together on countering the flow of foreign terrorist fighters into Iraq and Syria, and other regions of conflict or instability, and to track and disrupt the terrorist or criminal activity of violent extremists returning to their homes of origin, including Europe and the United States." The U.S. government is working with international partners to counter WMD proliferation by investigating, prosecuting, or sanctioning suspected WMD smuggling and trafficking networks. Technology has also made possible the expansion of criminality in unprecedented ways, said Mr. Luna. Terrorists and transnational criminal organizations are increasingly using the Internet to raise funds, move people, transfer arms and other contraband. Latin American cartels are doing business with Asian triads; Eurasian mafias are colluding with Middle East syndicates; and so on. Transnational crime drives hundreds of billions of dollars in illicit commerce that includes narcotics trafficking, wildlife trafficking, human trafficking, illegal logging, counterfeit consumer goods and medications, stolen antiquities and art, and other illicit enterprises. This illicit trade not only fuels webs of corruption and criminality but in some cases, finances terrorist activities. The United States' response has been to work with its international partners to combat transnational illicit networks by breaking their corruptive power, attacking their financial underpinnings, stripping them of their illicit wealth, and disrupting their networks. The U.S. is also helping its partners to improve their capacity to undertake complex investigations to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal networks, and to strengthen information-sharing across borders. Through diplomatic engagement and global partnerships, the U.S. stands ready to advance freedom and the rule of law and deter the transnational threats that threaten collective security and prosperity. The 2016 Race How the Obama Coalition Crumbled, Leaving an Opening for Trump New demographic estimates for the election, and a look at how the key alliance of Northern white voters and black voters shrank for Hillary Clinton. At every point of the race, Mr. Trump was doing better among white voters without a college degree than Mitt Romney did in 2012 by a wide margin. Mrs. Clinton was also not matching Mr. Obamas support among black voters. This was the core of the Obama coalition: an alliance between black voters and Northern white voters, from Mr. Obamas first win in the 2008 Iowa caucuses to his final sprint across the so-called Midwestern Firewall states where he staked his 2012 re-election bid. In 2016, the Obama coalition crumbled and so did the Midwestern Firewall. This spells bad news for the Democrats going forward. In the next session Nate Cohn shows how the Obama coalition didn't hold up - and really, how could it? Did we expect the same number of black people to vote for Hillary as voted for Obama? The Obama Coalition Falters The countryside of Iowa or the industrial belt along Lake Erie is not the sort of place that people envision when they think of the Obama coalition. Yet it was an important component of his victory. Campaign lore has it that President Obama won thanks to a young, diverse, well-educated and metropolitan coalition of the ascendant an emerging Democratic majority anchored in the new economy. Hispanic voters, in particular, were credited with Mr. Obamas victory. But Mr. Obama would have won re-election even if he hadnt won the Hispanic vote at all. He would have won even if the electorate had been as old and as white as it had been in 2004. Largely overlooked, his key support often came in the places where you would least expect it. He did better than John Kerry and Al Gore among white voters across the Northern United States, despite exit poll results to the contrary. Over all, 34 percent of Mr. Obamas voters were whites without a college degree larger in number than black voters, Hispanic voters or well-educated whites. In most Northern states, white voters shifted left. In the South, the opposite happened. Change in margin among white voters between 2004 and 2012 He excelled in a nearly continuous swath from the Pacific Coast of Oregon and Washington to the Red River Valley in Minnesota, along the Great Lakes to the coast of Maine. In these places, Mr. Obama often ran as strong or stronger than any Democrat in history. In 2016, Mr. Trump made huge gains among white working-class voters. It wasnt just in the places where Democratic strength had been eroding for a long time, like western Pennsylvania. It was often in the places where Democrats had seemed resilient or even strong, like Scranton, Pa., and eastern Iowa. It was a decisive break from recent trends. White voters without college degrees, for the first time, deviated from the national trend and swung decidedly toward the Republicans. No bastion of white, working-class Democratic strength was immune to the trend. For the first time in the history of the two parties, the Republican candidate did better among low-income whites than among affluent whites, according to exit poll data and a compilation of New York Times/CBS News surveys. According to exit polls, Mr. Trump did better than Mr. Romney by 24 points among white voters without a degree making less than $30,000 a year. He won these voters by a margin of 62 to 30 percent, compared with Mr. Romneys narrow win of 52 percent to 45 percent. In general, exit poll data should be interpreted with caution but pre-election polls show a similar swing, and the magnitude of the shifts most likely withstands any failings of the exit polls. Mrs. Clintons profound weakness among Northern white working-class voters was not expected as recently as six months ago. She was thought to be fairly strong among the older white working-class voters who were skeptical of Mr. Obama from the start. Most of Mr. Obamas strength among white voters without a degree was due to his gains among those under age 45. But Mr. Trump expanded on Republican gains among older working-class white voters, according to Upshot estimates, while erasing most of Mr. Obamas gains among younger Northern white voters without a degree. Trumps White Working-Class Surge Spans Age Groups Donald J. Trump continued the trend of G.O.P. gains among older Northern white working-class voters and reversed President Obamas gains among the young. Margin of presidential vote for Democrats of Northern white voters without a college degree, by age His gains among younger working-class whites were especially important in the Upper Midwest. Young white working-class voters represent a larger share of the vote there than anywhere else in the country. Mr. Obamas strength among them and Mrs. Clintons weakness was evident from the beginning of the 2008 primaries. It Wasnt Turnout Mr. Trumps gains among white working-class voters werent simply caused by Democrats staying home on Election Day. The Clinton team knew what was wrong from the start, according to a Clinton campaign staffer and other Democrats. Its models, based on survey data, indicated that they were underperforming Mr. Obama in less-educated white areas by a wide margin perhaps 10 points or more as early as the summer. The campaign looked back to respondents who were contacted in 2012, and found a large number of white working-class voters who had backed Mr. Obama were now supporting Mr. Trump. The same story was obvious in public polls of registered voters. Those polls arent affected by changes in turnout. The best data on the effect of turnout will ultimately come from voter file data, which will include an individual-level account of who voted and who didnt. Most of this data is only beginning to become available. But the limited data thats already available is consistent with the story evident in the pre-election polling: Turnout wasnt the major factor driving shifts among white voters. The voter-file data in North Carolina, where nearly all of the states jurisdictions have reported their vote, shows that the turnout among white Democrats and Republicans increased by almost the exact amount about 2.5 percent. The same appears to be true in Florida. Nationally, there is no relationship between the decline in Democratic strength and the change in turnout. Mr. Trump made gains in white working-class areas, whether turnout surged or dropped. The exit polls also show all of the signs that Mr. Trump was winning over Obama voters. Perhaps most strikingly, Mr. Trump won 19 percent of white voters without a degree who approved of Mr. Obamas performance, including 8 percent of those who strongly approved of Mr. Obamas performance and 10 percent of white working-class voters who wanted to continue Mr. Obamas policies. Mr. Trump won 20 percent of self-identified liberal white working-class voters, according to the exit polls, and 38 percent of those who wanted policies that were more liberal than Mr. Obamas. It strongly suggests that Mr. Trump won over large numbers of white, working-class voters who supported Mr. Obama four years earlier. The Obama-Trump Vote The notion that Mr. Trump could win over so many people who voted for Mr. Obama and who still approved of his performance is hard to understand for people with ideologically consistent views on a traditional liberal-conservative spectrum. Mr. Trump, if anything, was Mr. Obamas opposite. But the two had the same winning pitch to white working-class voters. Mr. Obama and his campaign team portrayed Mr. Romney as a plutocrat who dismantled companies and outsourced jobs. The implication was that he would leave middle-class jobs prey to globalization and corporations. The proof of Mr. Obamas commitment to the working class and Mr. Romneys callousness, according to the Obama campaign, was the auto bailout: Mr. Obama protected the auto industry; Mr. Romney wrote Let Detroit Go Bankrupt in The New York Times. There was one place where Mr. Romney was able to effectively argue that he could protect the industrial economy and the people who worked in it: coal country. There he made big gains after the Obama administration pushed climate-change policies that would reduce the production and use of coal. In retrospect, the scale of the Democratic collapse in coal country was a harbinger of just how far the Democrats would fall in their old strongholds once they forfeited the mantle of working-class interests. Mr. Trump owned Mr. Obamas winning message to autoworkers and Mr. Romneys message to coal country. He didnt merely run to protect the remnants of the industrial economy; he promised to restore it and make America great again. Just as Mr. Obamas team caricatured Mr. Romney, Mr. Trump caricatured Mrs. Clinton as a tool of Wall Street, bought by special interests. She, too, would leave workers vulnerable to the forces of globalization and big business, he said. According to Mr. Trumps campaign, the proof of his commitment to the working class wasnt the auto bailout but the issue of trade: Mr. Trump said free trade was responsible for deindustrialization, and asserted that he would get tough on China, renegotiate Nafta and pull out of the trans-Pacific Partnership two trade agreements that Mrs. Clinton supported or helped negotiate (she later rejected the trans-Pacific deal). Like Mr. Obama, Mr. Trump ran against the establishment and against a candidate who embodied it far more than John McCain or Mr. Romney did. The various allegations against Mrs. Clinton neatly complemented the notion that she wasnt out to help ordinary Americans. Taken together, Mr. Trumps views on immigration, trade, China, crime, guns and Islam all had considerable appeal to white working-class Democratic voters, according to Pew Research data. It was a far more appealing message than old Republican messages about abortion, same-sex marriage and the social safety net. None of this is to say that changes in turnout didnt help Mr. Trump at all. Its just not the reason he made such large gains among white working-class voters. There was no relationship between the change in Democratic support and the change in turnout, or the change in turnout and Democratic strength. But the Democrats did have a turnout problem in November. It wasnt a broad Democratic turnout problem. It was a black turnout problem. Black Turnout Fades The turnout probably increased among all major groups of voters Hispanics, white Democrats, white Republicans except black voters. The conclusive data is available in the Southern states where voters indicate their race on their voter registration forms, and they point toward a considerable decline in black turnout. In Georgia, the black share of the electorate fell to 27.6 percent from 29.9 percent, and in Louisiana it fell to 28.5 percent from 30.1 percent, according to the completed state turnout data. The data is not yet final in North Carolina, but the black share of the electorate looks unlikely to reach 21 percent of voters down from 23 percent in 2012. The data is even less complete in Florida, but there too it appears that black turnout will fall by a similar amount perhaps to 12.7 percent of voters from 14 percent. In all of these states, the black share of the electorate is still poised to be higher than it was in 2004. It just wasnt as high as it was with Mr. Obama at the top of the ticket. Young black voters appear to be a key driver of the decline. They registered at a lower rate than they did ahead of the 2012 and 2008 presidential elections, causing the black share of registered voters to dip. And those who were registered turned out at a far lower rate than black registrants did four years ago. Young Black Turnout Plummets The change in black turnout between 2012 and 2016, by age. The data is not so authoritative elsewhere in the country, but it tells a similar story. Turnout dropped by 8 percent in the majority black wards of Philadelphia, while rising everywhere else in the city. The turnout in Detroit fell by 14 percent. Turnout fell in other industrial centers with a large black population, like Milwaukee and Flint, Mich. Its hard to know just how much of this is lower black turnout instead of black population decline the census can struggle to make population estimates in places with a declining population but the turnout certainly dropped faster than the reported population decline. Taken in totality, it appears that black turnout dropped somewhere between 5 percent and 10 percent with few exceptions. It should be noted that the decline in black turnout appears very consistent across the country, regardless of whether states put in new laws that might reduce turnout, like those cutting early voting or requiring a photo ID. Was the decline in black turnout enough to change the result of the election? It seems so. If black turnout had matched 2012 levels, Mrs. Clinton would have almost certainly scratched out wins in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Florida and North Carolina would have been extremely close. But pinning Mrs. Clintons loss on low black turnout would probably be a mistake. Mr. Obama would have easily won both his elections with this level of black turnout and support. (He would have won Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin each time even if Detroit, Cleveland and Milwaukee had been severed from their states and cast adrift into the Great Lakes.) Perhaps more important, the Clinton campaigns models and public polls all assumed lower black turnout and still showed Mrs. Clinton on track for victory. The Clinton Coalition Fell Short The Clinton campaign believed it could compensate for the loss of the Obama coalition by winning the so-called rising American electorate or coalition of the ascendant of well-educated voters and Hispanic voters a caricature of the Obama coalition. These demographic shifts have benefited Democrats over the last decade, but most of these gains have come in noncompetitive states. Demographic Gains Concentrated in Noncompetitive States Demographic shifts helped turn Nevada and Virginia blue in the last decade, but werent enough to flip Texas, Georgia or Arizona. Democratic gains (percentage point margin) because of demographic changes between 2004 and 2012. This year, the exit polls again exaggerated the importance of well-educated and Hispanic voters. Last time, it was said that these voters won the election for Mr. Obama and this time that they lost it for Mrs. Clinton. According to the exit polls, Mrs. Clinton fared a tad worse among white voters but much worse among Hispanic, Asian-American and black voters than Mr. Obama. And those polls said she didnt win well-educated white voters, as many pre-election polls indicated. But the preliminary Upshot analysis of voting returns, census and pre-election polling data suggests that Mrs. Clinton was stronger among well-educated white and nonwhite voters than the exit polls imply. It is important to emphasize that these estimates are preliminary. They will change over the next few years with more data from the Census Bureau and additional polling. But it nonetheless paints an alternative picture thats more consistent with the actual results, pre-election polls and the consensus of academics and campaign analysts on the electorate. The Upshot estimates suggest that Mrs. Clinton really might have become the first Democrat to win white voters with a college degree (although it is very possible that Mr. Obama did so in 2008 as well). Clinton May Have Won Well-Educated White Voters Upshot estimates indicate that Hillary Clinton did better among well-educated white and among Hispanic voters than was reflected in the exit polls. Upshot estimates of presidential vote choice by race and white educational attainment Mrs. Clintons gains were concentrated among the most affluent and best-educated white voters, much as Mr. Trumps gains were concentrated among the lowest-income and least-educated white voters. White Voters by Education Whites without high school degrees and those with postgraduate educations moved in drastically different directions. She gained 17 points among white postgraduates, according to Upshot estimates, but just four points among whites with a bachelors degree. There was a similar pattern by income. Over all, she picked up 24 points among white voters with a degree making more than $250,000, according to the exit polls, while she made only slight gains among those making less than $100,000 per year. These gains helped her win huge margins in the most well-educated and prosperous liberal bastions of the new economy, like Manhattan, Silicon Valley, Washington, Seattle, Chicago and Boston. There, Mrs. Clinton ran up huge margins in traditionally liberal enclaves and stamped out nearly every last wealthy precinct that supported the Republicans. Scarsdale, N.Y., voted for Mrs. Clinton by 57 points, up from Mr. Obamas 18-point win. You could drive a full 30 miles through the leafy suburbs northwest of Boston before reaching a town where Mr. Trump hit 20 percent of the vote. She won the affluent east-side suburbs of Seattle, like Mercer Island, Bellevue and Issaquah, by around 50 points doubling Mr. Obamas victory. Every old-money Republican enclave of western Connecticut, like Darien and Greenwich, voted for Mrs. Clinton, in some cases swinging 30 points in her direction. Every precinct of Winnetka and Glencoe, Ill., went to Mrs. Clinton as well. Her gains were nearly as impressive in affluent Republican suburbs, like those edging west of Kansas City, Mo., and Houston; north of Atlanta, Dallas and Columbus, Ohio; or south of Charlotte, N.C., and Los Angeles in Orange County. Mrs. Clinton didnt always win these affluent Republican enclaves, but she made big gains. But the narrowness of Mrs. Clintons gains among well-educated voters helped to concentrate her support in the coasts and the prosperous but safely Republican Sun Belt. It left her short in middle-class, battleground-state suburbs, like those around Philadelphia, Detroit and Tampa, Fla., where far fewer workers have a postgraduate degree, make more than $100,000 per year or work in finance, science or technology. A similar divide may have helped obscure whether Mrs. Clinton improved among Hispanic voters, a question addressed in depth by Harry Enten at FiveThirtyEight. Mrs. Clinton was expected to excel among Hispanic voters, because of Mr. Trumps proposals to deport undocumented workers, his plans to build a wall along the Southern border and his inflammatory comments about Mexican immigrants. The pre-election polls generally showed Mrs. Clinton poised to make good on that possibility. But the exit polls show a marked decrease in Democratic strength, with Mrs. Clinton winning just 66 percent of the Hispanic vote, down from Mr. Obamas 71 percent in 2012. Mrs. Clinton plainly fared worse than Mr. Obama in many heavily Hispanic areas like South Texas or South Colorado. Our estimates suggest that Mrs. Clinton did about the same as Mr. Obama among Hispanic voters over all. The estimates hint at a potential explanation for the results in some heavily Hispanic areas: Mrs. Clinton may have faltered among Hispanic voters without a high school degree, while making gains among those with some college education or better. Nationwide, Mrs. Clintons success in reviving the elements in the caricature version of the Obama coalition really did let her compensate for losses among black voters and working-class whites. She won the popular vote. But it did not do nearly enough good in the decisive battleground states. I loved this election analysis by Nate Cohn which differs from some of the earlier post-election data. It is a good corolarry to this recent post: Team Bernie: Hillary F*cking Ignored Us in Swing... It shows that there were so many Trump voters who had voted for Obama plus others who were Bernie people. But it also shows that despite winning 92% of the black people who voted, the loss of black votes, particularly from the young, was a crippling factor in the battle ground states. I'm including the entire article but without the interesting graphics - so check it out on the Times site. (Photo : Getty Images) China's Food and Drug Administration uncovered nearly 500,000 food safety violations including cases of falsified advertising, use of forged products and ingredients, and sale of contaminated food products. Advertisement Chinese officials found over 500,000 food safety violations during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, according to a report published by the National People's Congress. The report claimed that the food safety regulatory body conducted more than 15 million inspections in the first three quarters of 2016 and detected more than half a million lapses of serious food security issues. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Bi Jingquan, head of China Food and Drug Administration, said on Friday that "deep seated" issues continue to plague the food sector despite decades of significant progress. Bi added that some of the serious lapses found during inspections included false advertising, use of forged products and ingredients, and sale of contaminated food products. Two severe cases of food lapses including use of industrial gelatine on food in Jilin province and high use of counterfeit and low-quality salts in Guizhou province were reported. Over the years, China's food sector has witnessed a series of big food scandals. The impact has been so severe that big players such as KFC, Pizza Hut, and McDonald's were forced to overhaul their businesses to minimize losses. The first reported food security controversy erupted in 2008, when substantial numbers of restaurants were allegedly using recycled "gutter oil." In the same year, it was also discovered that baby formulas sold in the market contained lethal amounts of an industrial chemical called melamine. Advertisement TagsChina Food Safety Issues, China Food and Drug Administration, china food scandal, china Archbishop Of Canterbury: God's Glory Is Found Among Persecuted Christians The Archbishop of Canterbury focused on persecuted Christians in his message at Canterbury Cathedral today. The Most Rev Justin Welby reflected on a year that feels "awash with fear and division". In his Christmas Day message he said that amid the uncertainty and difficulty of 2016, he most found evidence of God's glory in oppressed believers. The power of God can chase away "the fear of terror" and "economies of despair" he said. "Uncertainty in the midst of much, but far from universal, prosperity is a sign of our trust being in the wrong things," he told the congregation in his own Cathedral of Canterbury. "It tells us that our values are in the wrong place... Economic progress, technological progress, communication progress hasn't resulted in economic justice. "It hasn't delivered glory for us." Welby has walked a tightrope this year of offering a home to a Syrian refugee family in the grounds of Lambeth Palace while at the same time defending those who fear migration. He told Parliament's The House Magazine it was "outrageous" to label those who worry about the impact of immigration as racist insisting there was "genuine fear" about the impact on housing, jobs and the NHS. But he has also clashed with UKIP leader Nigel Farage who he accused of an "inexcusable pandering to people's worries and prejudices, that is giving legitimisation to racism". Farage leader was "accentuating [people's] fear for political gain and that is absolutely unacceptable", Welby told MPs in June. And in his address today Welby said it has been among the poorest and most persecuted believers that he saw the glory of God this year. "It is amongst those on the edge, those ignored, and amongst persecuted believers that I have most clearly seen the glory of God this year, a glory that chases away the fear of terror, the power of death, and the economies of despair. "Let me tell you about a bomb-injured woman in Pakistan, bereft of her youngest child in the blast, who said, 'One thing we know, Jesus really is the Good Shepherd.' "And a lonely elderly woman in London, and a trafficked teenager in Watford, both of whom spoke recently at a Carol service: they have seen the glory of God in Jesus and he has brought transformation to their lives." He concluded: "How then do we find glory? The only place and person who can bring glory to us is the child of Bethlehem who became the victim on the cross." Israel To Reassess UN Ties After Vote Condemning Settlements Israel will re-assess its ties with the United Nations following the adoption by the Security Council of a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement building, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday. The vote was able to pass the 15-member council on Friday because the United States broke with a long-standing approach of diplomatically shielding Israel and did not wield its veto power as it had on many times before - a decision that Netanyahu called "shameful". "I instructed the Foreign Ministry to complete within a month a re-evaluation of all our contacts with the United Nations, including the Israeli funding of UN institutions and the presence of UN representatives in Israel," Netanyahu said in broadcast remarks. "I have already instructed to stop about 30 million shekels ($7.8 million) in funding to five UN institutions, five bodies, that are especially hostile to Israel ... and there is more to come," he said. The Israeli leader did not name the institutions or offer any further details. Defying heavy pressure from long-time ally Israel and President-elect Donald Trump for Washington to use its veto, the United States abstained in the Security Council decision, which passed with 14 votes in favour. Israel for decades has pursued a policy of constructing Jewish settlements on territory captured by Israel in a 1967 war with its Arab neighbors including the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Most countries view Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as illegal and an obstacle to peace. Israel disagrees, citing a biblical connection to the land. O Little Town Of Bethlehem: How The Birthplace Of Jesus Is Being Strangled By The Israeli Occupation On the face of it, the holy city of Bethlehem is flourishing this Christmas. It has had some 2.3 million visitors this year, up from 2.2 million in 2015, and its 3,700 hotel rooms are fully booked. Compared to recent years some described last year as the worst ever for Bethlehem, with tourism down 11 per cent thanks to local violence this is good news for the "little town" where Jesus was born. But under the surface lies a different story. Of the 2.3 million visitors, only 900,000 have stayed overnight, and a majority of those are Palestinians. Understandably, they tend to spend considerably less money than foreign tourists in the poverty-stricken West Bank city which has an unemployment rate of 48 per cent, higher than any part of the Palestinian territories apart from Gaza. The key to understanding the plight of Bethlehem lies in the Israeli occupation, which now means the city is surrounded some would say strangled by illegal settlements and the wall (or "separation barrier") that snakes round the town. Foreign visitors are discouraged from visiting Bethlehem by the Israeli authorities, who subject passengers to more extensive questioning if they declare an interest in visiting the town while at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv when they land. Those who do venture to Bethlehem cannot avoid seeing the checkpoints and the wall erected by Israel supposedly to stop suicide bombers entering Jerusalem 10 km to the north, with detrimental effects on the every day lives of ordinary Palestinians. The majority of pilgrims and tourists who enter the city stay for just an hour or two, visiting the Church of the Nativity and driving out again on buses, usually organised by Israeli-run firms. The Israelis control all entrances into Bethlehem, and while there are around 50 Israeli tour guides operating in Bethlehem, there are 42 Palestinians with permits to conduct tours "on the other side" in Jerusalem, compared to 7,150 Israelis. Indeed, Israel controls all entry points into the West Bank, with tourists either arriving from Ben Gurion or neighbouring Jordan through check-points controlled by Israel. At the same time, Palestinian tour buses are forbidden from entering Israel to collect visitors from the airport and they are not allowed to take groups to visit holy sites in Jerusalem or Galilee. Just as Christmas is linked to Easter, Bethlehem is or should be linked to Jerusalem, scene of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Yet Palestinian Christians say the wall has separated both cities for first time in 2,000 years of Christianity. For Palestinian ID holders, entry to Jerusalem remains restricted. Of those who are lucky enough to obtain an Israeli military permit, the vast majority are still restricted to certain hours and are disallowed from using a car. Thousands of Palestinian Jerusalemites have been prevented from obtaining family reunification for their spouses and children from the rest of the Palestinian territories, especially affecting Palestinian Christians that had intermarried between Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Ramallah for centuries. As Xavier Abu Eid, a senior adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organisation, explained to Christian Today: "Bethlehem's connection with Jerusalem, its twin city, has been cut for the first time in 2,000 years of Christianity by an illegal 'annexation wall' built by Israel. The Palestinian government has very limited access over our natural resources. As a matter of fact, the limited Palestinian control in Bethlehem doesn't go beyond 13 per cent of the district. "In this scenario it's impossible to develop the economy just as planning for the future results into a tortuous exercise with over 100,000 illegal Israeli settlers grabbing more land around the city. This is the main reason why Bethlehem has the second higher unemployment rate in Palestine, only after Gaza." Rula Maa'yaa, the Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, was more positive. She told Christian Today: "Despite the security unrest in the Middle East and the Israeli occupation and their measures and actions to undermine the Palestinian tourism industry, the Palestinian tourism has witnessed a remarkable increase in the second half of the year 2016 in comparison with the same period in 2015. This comes as result of the intensive efforts of the Ministry and the private sector with the support of the international community to promote Palestine in many traditional markets, penetrate new ones and approach new target groups. In addition to the classical markets, Palestine Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is planning to implement marketing campaigns in South America, China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia. Palestine is proud of its developed tourism infrastructure, modern facilities and unique service and hospitality that offer an unforgettable experience to all visitors." Bethlehem today has a population of more than 220,000 people, including more than 20,000 living in three refugee camps (at Dheisheh, Aida and Beit Jibrin). At the same time there are 100,000 Israeli settlers surrounding the town, including in areas within the Israeli-defined, expanded and annexed "Jerusalem municipality". The most prominent Israeli settlements in the Bethlehem area are Gilo and Har Homa to the north; Har Gilo, Beitar Illit and Neve Daniel to the West; Efrat to the south and Nokdim and Tekoa to the East. Prominent contemporary settlers include the right-wing Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and Minister of Environment and Jerusalem Affairs, Ze'ev Elkin. Officials say that in the absence of the Israeli occupation, Bethlehem would have open roads connecting it with Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. The occupation and the wall make that but a distant dream. Pilgrims still come, however, to see Bethlehem as it is. The Catholic Church hierarchy remains especially committed to visiting the Palestinian territories. Pope Benedict XVI once said that every Christian should visit Bethlehem, as Muslims seek to travel to Mecca, and the UK's own Cardinal Vincent Nichols usually leads an annual trip to Bethlehem and Gaza in the run up to Christmas. Christian Today spoke to the Archbishop of Birmingham Bernard Longley, who is tipped inside the Church one day to succeed Cardinal Nichols as the next Archbishop of Westminster and Cardinal from England and Wales. Archbishop Longley recently visited Bethlehem with the Anglican Bishop of Worcester, John Inge, on an ecumenical pilgrimage run jointly by the British religious tour companies Tangley and McCabe. The Archbishop sounded an optimistic note, while acknowledging the destructive role of the wall in the lives of Bethlehemites. "It is three years since I was last in Bethlehem, and my impression was that there was a much more positive and fulfilled atmosphere among people we met," he said. "They were realistic about the challenges they face, but there was a great awareness of what can be achieved and what can be done and certainly the leaders in the communities seem to be giving time and energy to improving people's lives. But at same time, there is inevitably that sense of realism about the difference the wall has made to their communities." Archbishop Longley, who spent three days and three nights in Bethlehem, added: "We wanted to stay in Bethlehem so as to support the local community there. We are very conscious of the need to maintain links to Bethlehem and its neighbouring Christian towns of Beit Sahour and Beit Jala... In Bethlehem itself we stayed together in Manger Square. I was conscious it was an opportunity to support local business some of our parishes buy alter wine from vineyards in Bethlehem. To base ourselves in Bethlehem and experience some of what the local community experience [was the aim], crossing check-points but of course without the severe experiences that they [the Palestinians] experience. We deliberately wanted to give time to Bethlehem not just to support the local community there but also to meet with some of the local community." This Christmas, thousands of pilgrims will flock to Bethlehem, bringing life and some prosperity to the town. Hundreds will pack into Manger Square for Midnight Mass, to pray, sing carols and worship. But look beyond the candles and decorations of Manger Square, and this is a city slowly being surrounded. As Xavier Abu Eid concluded: "Not even the spirituality of Bethlehem is respected by the Israeli occupation." Pope Francis: Christmas Has Been 'Taken Hostage' Pope Francis said on Saturday that Christmas had been "taken hostage" by dazzling materialism that puts God in the shadows and blinds many to the needs of the hungry, the migrants and the war weary. Francis, leading the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas for the fourth time since his election in 2013, said in his Christmas Eve homily that a world often obsessed with gifts, feasting and self-centeredness needed more humility. "If we want to celebrate Christmas authentically, we need to contemplate this sign: the fragile simplicity of a small newborn, the meekness of where he lies, the tender affection of the swaddling clothes. God is there," the Pope said at St. Peter's Basilica. At the solemn but joyous service, attended by some 10,000 people as well as dozens of cardinals and bishops, Pope Francis said many in the wealthy world had to be reminded that the message of Christmas was humility, simplicity and mystery. "Jesus was born rejected by some and regarded by many others with indifference," he said. "Today also the same indifference can exist, when Christmas becomes a feast where the protagonists are ourselves, rather than Jesus; when the lights of commerce cast the light of God into the shadows; when we are concerned for gifts, but cold toward those who are marginalized." He then added in unscripted remarks: "This worldliness has taken Christmas hostage. It needs to be freed." Security was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and at the Vatican after Italian police killed the man believed to be responsible for the Berlin market truck attack while other European cities kept forces on high alert. St. Peter's Square was cleared out six hours before the mass started at the basilica so that security procedures could be put in place for those entering the church later. Francis, who has made defense of the poor a trademark of his papacy, said the infant Jesus should remind everyone of those suffering today, particularly children. "Let us also allow ourselves to be challenged by the children of today's world, who are not lying in a cot caressed with the affection of a mother and father, but rather suffer the squalid mangers that devour dignity: hiding underground to escape bombardment, on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat over-laden with immigrants," he said. Outside the basilica, thousands of people who could not get into the largest church in Christendom watched on large screens in the chilly night. "Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons," he said. On Christmas Day, Francis will deliver his twice-yearly "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and to the World") blessing and message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Francis' Christmas Message Calls For End To War Pope Francis used his Christmas blessing to call for an end to fighting in Syria and the Holy Land. The pontiff delivered his annual blessing from the Vatican on 25 December, known as Urbi et Orbi, meaning "To the City and the World". He spoke from a balcony to thousands of Catholics gathered in the square of St Peter's Basilica. He also urged Palestinians and Israelis to abandon hate and revenge days after the United Nations security council passed a resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. He said the two countries must come together to "write a new page of history" in the midst of heightened tensions as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would reassess links with the UN after the vote. He warned it had been a year where "far too much blood has been spilled" in war. He urged the international community to "actively seek a negotiated solution" to the five-year war in Syria. "Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, which have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities," he told some 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square. "Today this message (of peace) goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace," he said, speaking in Italian from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. He called for peace in Syria, urging immediate assistance to the exhausted population of the city of Aleppo, which Syrian government forces recaptured last week after four years of devastating fighting with rebels. "It is time for weapons to be still forever (in Syria), and the international community to actively seek a negotiated solution, so that civil co-existence can be restored in the country," he said. Francis, the first Latin American pope, also said Christmas should inspire everyone to help the less fortunate, including migrants, refugees and those swept up by social and economic upheavals. "Peace to the peoples who suffer because of the economic ambitions of the few, because of the sheer greed and the idolatry of money, which leads to slavery," he said. His homily comes after a Christmas Mass celebration on Christmas Eve where he said the festival had been "taken hostage" by consumerism. "If we want to celebrate Christmas authentically, we need to contemplate this sign: the fragile simplicity of a small newborn, the meekness of where he lies, the tender affection of the swaddling clothes. God is there," the Pope said at St. Peter's Basilica. "Jesus was born rejected by some and regarded by many others with indifference," he said. "Today also the same indifference can exist, when Christmas becomes a feast where the protagonists are ourselves, rather than Jesus; when the lights of commerce cast the light of God into the shadows; when we are concerned for gifts, but cold toward those who are marginalized." Additional reporting from Reuters. Queen's Speech: 'Jesus Christ's Example Shows Me Value Of Small Things With Great Love' The Queen has said Jesus Christ's example helps us to see the value of doing small things with great love. In her annual Christmas address broadcast at 15.00GMT, the Monarch spoke of her own faith and how she takes inspiration from his life and teaching. Her Majesty used Christ's example to encourage people into "small acts of goodness" which she said can make a difference even when the world's problems seem so vast. The Queen also praised the achievements of British Olympians and Paralympians in the summer games in Rio. "Having discovered abilities they scarcely knew they had, these athletes are now inspiring others," she said. But she went on: "Even with the inspiration of others it is understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems are so big we can do little to help. "On our own we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice. "But the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine. "At Christmas our attention is drawn to the birth of a baby some two thousand years ago. "It was the humblest of beginnings. His parents Joseph and Mary did not think they were important. Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life and never traveled far. "He was maligned and rejected by many though he had done no wrong. "Yet billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives "I am one of them because Christ's example helps me to see the value of doing small things with great love whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe." Her Majesty also mentioned the achievements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year and The Prince's Trust, which passed its 40th anniversary. The Queen did not attend church on Christmas Day for the first time in nearly 30 years. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said she is still suffering from a heavy cold. The message was recorded before the news that her granddaughter, Zara TIndall and her husband Mike, had lost their baby. The couple had been expecting their second child in late spring. It would have been the Queen's sixth great-grandchild. "Very sadly, Zara and Mike Tindall have lost their baby. At this difficult time, we ask that everyone respects their privacy," a spokeswoman said. This year's alternative Christmas message on Channel 4 will be given by Brendan Cox, widower of murdered MP Jo Cox. He will call for an end to the "rise in hatred" as well as paying tribute to his late wife. The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p. Blogarrhea Internationale From New Orleans, New York City, Mississippi Delta, India's Himalaya Mountains and Zimbabwe Galactic trombone man goes solo and winds up making possibly the album of the year. (Photo : courtesy Louisiana Red Hot Records) New York City guitarist Larry Corban invites you to 'Corban Nation.' (Photo : courtesy Nabroc Records) Derrick Procell will tell you 'Why I Choose To Sing The Blues.' (Photo : courtesy of Hear and Now Music ) Drummer Franklin Kiermyer went to the Himalaya Mountains in India to get his mojo. (Photo : Carsten Anikdal) Composer Ken Schaphorst learns 'How To Say Goodbye.' (Photo : Ellen Argyros) Trombone man Corey Henry grew up in the Treme section of New Orleans amongst musicians. A member of Galactic since 2009 (the internationally known Louisiana jam-band), his solo debut on Louisiana Red Hot Records is a 2016 Best-Of entry. Lapeitah (pronounced la-pee-tah) is a traditional Crescent City dance and dance you will on this kitchen-sink of a mix that contains eight vocalists (check out Living Colour's Corey Glover singing lead on Jimi Hendrix's "If 6 Was 9" at blog's end), four trumpeters (including his daughter Jazz Henry and the last known recordings of Travis "Trumpet Black" Hill who died from a dental infection in 2015 at the age of 28), five saxophonists, two trombonists, two tuba men, four bassists, three keyboardists, four drummers and an electric violinist. Henry co-produced and wrote or co-wrote nine of the 10 barn-burning totally funked-up joyous tracks. THIS is the album that Trombone Shorty has yet to make. In-demand New York City guitarist/composer Larry Corban takes time out from the pit orchestras of numerous Broadway musicals as well as Radio City Music Hall Christmas shows with the Rockettes and even the Big Apple Circus to return to Corban Nation (Nabroc Records; spell it backwards). This former member of trumpeter Roy Hargrove's band, on his third release with The Aperturistic Trio, barrelhouses through eight originals and a stunning cover of Charlie Parker's "Segment" with bassist Harvie S, keyboardist James Weidman and drummer Steve Williams. Saxophonist Steve Slagle makes it a quintet on the opening "In-Vision" jam, the title track and a delectable slice of deliciousness called "Slow Fizz" that rambles on for 7:23. Recommended. "If you've been to Mississippi at the crossroads in the rain/Heard a wailin' on the wind you'd swear was callin' out your name/The cry of Robert Johnson with the fire at his heels/Well, I hear it every day now and I know just how it feels."-Derrick Procell on the title track of Why I Choose To Sing The Blues (Hear and Now Music). The story-songs contained herein corral the ear because Procell can truly sing up a storm. When he opens with "The Wolf Will Howl Again," you listen and listen hard. It grabs your ear and won't let go. Whether it's "The Eyes Of Mississippi" or "Who Will Tell Lucille," his subject matter gets under your skin so while you're groooooooving to this solo trip (Procell provides his own keyboards, mouth harp, bass and drum programming), complete with guest guitarists, drummers and singers (including Billy Branch, Bob Margolin and Eddie Shaw), there's still room to chew on what he's spewing out lyrically. I call it "blues-plus." He has his pulpit and this is one congregation I want to be a part of. Maybe drummer Franklin Kiermyer would've been his generation's Buddy Rich, a superstar with vision enough to transcend jazz like Rich into the larger pop culture. He's certainly got the talent. Two startlingly good 1994 albums (Soloman's Daughter featured Pharoah Sanders, the ex-Coltrane sideman) were followed up with...nothingness. Like singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen [1934-2016], Kiermyer opted to follow success by studying with a Tibetan Buddhist monk for 12 years. It was a time of meditation deep in the Himalaya Mountains in India where he'd sleep under the stars or in caves. He came back in '99 to record Sanctification, then again in 2014 for Further. That's why the release of Closer To The Sun (Mobility Music) makes for headline jazz news. Produced by Michael Cuscuna, the 13-track stunner features a new band made up of sax man Lawrence Clark, pianist Davis Whitfield and bassist Otto Gardner. One room. No headphones. Little mixing. No overdubs. No edits. Thirteen tracks. Taken from a five-week Brooklyn span, three hours a day, it opens with "Greetings To Pharoah" before "Unified Space-Time" and "Ota Benga" makes one sit up and take notice. The solos spiral upwards as "Song For My Daughters" and "Prayer" give way to "Mixed Blood" and "Humanity," highlights all. The freedom with which Kiermyer gives his band is exhilarating, thus all four musicians get to shine yet their individual contributions are subliminated into the greater whole. Best thing is-the more you listen, the more self-revealing truths make themselves evident. "How can I not have heard that the first time around," thought I as the sixth or seventh play revealed new worlds of wonder. It's that good. The Ken Schaphorst Big Band instructs How To Say Goodbye (JCA Recordings) on its fourth CD. Filled with longing odes like "Take Back The Country" for trombonist Bob Brookmeyer [1929-2011], an outspoken liberal who bought land in Canada upon Bush beating Gore in 2000, and "Blues For Herb," for trumpeter Herb Pomeroy [1930-2007]. Both men were key in Schaphorst's development as a trumpeter, composer, band leader and educator at the New England Conservatory. Students of all three men provide stirring solos, not the least of which is Donny McCaslin's tenor sax (a sax that graced David Bowie's Blackstar). "Amnesia" takes tango as its base while "Mbira #1" and "Mbira #2" takes its cue from the Southern African country of Zimbabwe. Trumpeter Ralph Alessi solos madly on closer "Descent." "Green City" is a swing and "Global Sweat" depicts a gathering storm, ending in a pouring rain of interplay like the finale of a fireworks display. Highly recommended. 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TagsCorey Lewis, Blogarrhea, Larry Corban, Derrick Procell Q: We just had a very strange experience. We had a vitamin order show up at our house that we didn't order. They had my husband's name on the order but an address that was close to ours but not quite (3519, not 3513, which is our address). We quickly found the fraudulent charge on our credit card from a few days ago and called the credit card company and the vitamin company. The vitamin company had already flagged this order as "suspicious activity" and stopped it. (There were supposed to be a few more payments and deliveries.) They are sending us a return label to return the vitamins free of charge. And we are getting a new credit card number and they are refunding us the $10.75 charge. The vitamin company told me this was an online order. I'm only still concerned because these people had our name and (almost right) address. It seems like this is different from the credit card fraud we have had in the past, which was most likely criminals just randomly trying credit card numbers until one worked. How did they get our name and address? What else should we do to protect ourselves from fraud? J.C., Cleveland A: First, how the thief got your name and credit card number: He or she could have gotten it from any of the vast number of merchant data breaches we've had the past few years. Or your data could have been stolen from someplace where you put in an online order. It's odd though that the thief wouldn't have had the vitamins sent to his or her home. If your card was skimmed or compromised in a merchant data breach where you used your card in person, the thief could have: The card's account number. The cardholder's name. The cardholder's ZIP code. The card's expiration date. A security code, but not the same 3- or 4-digit code printed on the card. Whether it was a debit or credit card. The thieves would not have gotten a person's full address because it's not on the card's magnetic stripe. So your address -- or the address that was almost correct -- had to come from somewhere else. It's interesting to remember that a credit card has two security codes, one on the mag stripe for in-person transactions and one on the back for online or phone transactions. They are not the same. If your card was compromised at a store or restaurant, the thief wouldn't have your security code that's supposed to be needed for online transactions. So either the vitamin company didn't request or verify your security code, or your card was compromised by a merchant you provided with the security code you can see on your card. That points to an online merchant -- someone you provided with your card information and billing address. As far as what else you should do to protect yourself: 1. In case this was a breach of a shopping website, you should first make sure that any password on any of your bank or investment accounts aren't the same password you've used for any online merchant. 2. Watch out for suspicious emails or phone calls that try to trick you into disclosing personal information, based on already having some information about you that may have been compromised as part of this incident. Whoever calls or emails you may know your name or address or credit card number. They may even know about the order for vitamins. But stores, banks and investigators will never contact you out of sky blue and ask for personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, etc. Never. Ever. And they'll never contact you by email and ask you to change your password by clicking on an unknown link. Don't click on links or reply with any information. Never. Ever. 3. Consider that this could be a broader attack on your identity. Contact your banks and investment accounts first, then credit cards and other types of financial accounts. Ask whether you can put additional verbal passwords on your accounts that don't involve any public record data such as your date of birth. We're talking about PINs or random words (like peanut or parrot). You want to make sure someone can't access your accounts for wire transfers or to change your contact information without your secret password. 4. Monitor your primary bank accounts, credit cards, investments, etc., more carefully than ever. Every week is good. Every day is better. 5. Watch out for anything odd -- a medical explanation of benefits for a service you didn't have or from a provider you don't recognize, a rejection letter for an account you didn't apply for, a missing credit card statement that is more than a few days late. These could be signs of identity theft. 6. I've never been a huge fan of credit freezes across the board. That's starting to change. It's almost come to the point where everyone should consider having their credit files frozen so that someone can't open new accounts in their name. Yes, credit freezes can be a hassle if you need to unfreeze your reports because you're applying for a loan or insurance or renting a new apartment. It can take up to three business days to unfreeze it and allow access. And yes, freezing and unfreezing them costs $5 per credit bureau. But a credit freeze would prevent any new accounts from being opened without your expressed permission, indicated by providing your 10-digit PIN that you're given when you freeze the files. If you want to do a credit freeze, you'll have to contact each of them individually: Equifax: http://www.equifax.com/help/credit-freeze/en_cp or call 1-800-685-1111. TransUnion: https://freeze.transunion.com or call 1-888-909-8872 Experian: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html or call 1-888-397-3742. One of my primary sticking points with credit freezes is that they can give people a false sense of security. Credit freezes won't help prevent fraud on existing accounts, which constitutes 88 percent of identity theft. 7. Check your credit reports regularly. You're entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus. Go to annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. Or you can fill out a paper request and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, Georgia 30348-5281. You'll be asked to provide your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth and which bureau you want a report from (Equifax, TransUnion or Experian). Best advice: Order a credit report from one of the bureaus every four months. 8. Put every type of protection you can on your financial accounts. If you can use two passwords, do it. If you can require codes to be sent to your phone in order for you to log in, do it. If you can request email or text alerts for purchases or bank account withdrawals or changes to your contact information, then do it. While you're at it, make sure that companies you do business with have all of your current contact information in their files. 9. If you're really worried, consider paying for identity theft protection. You're looking for the kind that can alert you to any underground use of your Social Security number, credit card numbers, driver's license number or email. Cleveland police car.png Four people were wounded in separate shootings Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Cleveland. (File photo) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Four people were wounded in four separate shootings late Christmas Eve and early Christmas Day in Cleveland, police said. Investigators released few details and did not provide updates on the victims' conditions. A 58-year-old woman was shot in the face just after 11 p.m. Saturday on West 54th Street near Field Avenue. She was taken to MetroHealth for treatment, police said. Police also reported three other shootings: A 24-year-old man was shot multiple times just after 10:30 p.m. Saturday on East 185 A 28-year-old man was shot in the thigh just after midnight Sunday on East 104 A 32-year-old man was shot early Sunday on Woodside Avenue near East 130 Police have not reported any arrests in connection with the four shootings. No other information was immediately available. If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Sunday's crime and courts comments section. oped.jpg Guest columnist Jackie Stewart, state director of Energy In Depth-Ohio, argues that banning fracking would be a disaster for the state's economy. ((Plain Dealer file photo)) Jackie Stewart is state director for for Energy In Depth-Ohio. Guest columnist Jackie Stewart is state director for Energy In Depth-Ohio. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently released a report that explains what would happen if fracking were to be banned in Ohio and across the nation - and the results are not pretty. The report found that Ohio would lose 397,000 (predominantly union) jobs, $33 billion in GDP, and Ohio households would be hit with an extra $3,956 per year in cost-of-living expenses. Ohioans have a lot to lose with a ban on fracking, so it's really no surprise that they made their voices heard at the polls. In Youngstown, for example, voters rejected an anti-fracking ballot measure for the sixth time in a row on Election Day. Not only that, but due to a Democratic platform that threatens to reject fossil fuel development, Ohio's union households voted Republican in the presidential election by a margin of 52 percent, a major shift from 2012 when 37 percent voted Republican. In other words, Ohioans voted overwhelming for energy production and all the benefits that come with it. One area of production that will bring some of those benefits is infrastructure. The building trades are anxiously awaiting their opportunity for the thousands of jobs tied to $8 billion in pipelines that are under construction or currently pending for approval. Not only will these pipelines create jobs, they'll also provide millions in tax revenues that are slated to go to our schools. Medina, Lorain, and Erie schools will see over $116 million from one pipeline alone. Elected officials in Harrison County have said there are already millions in tax revenues coming in from these projects. The very small towns in southeastern Ohio have watched their tax coffers swell by millions. Even though drilling may not be occurring around Cleveland, infrastructure--pipelines, natural gas compressor stations, and power plants--are in the works all over the state, which in turn will revitalize the entire state's economy. That's not all. Ohio has a once-in-lifetime opportunity to really bring our manufacturing back, and to do that we must continue to develop Utica Shale. Only a few years ago, the United States watched manufacturing jobs get shipped overseas. In fact, some of the hardest hit areas were in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, leaving the tristate, typically defined as the "Rust Belt," suffering economically. But then fracking came to the Marcellus and Utica shales and everything changed. Within a few short years, vacant plants along the Ohio River were given new life and thousands of new jobs were created. To date, there is a direct correlation with the uptick in manufacturing jobs, and oil and natural gas production. However, we would expect the number of manufacturing jobs to increase much faster once pipelines and infrastructure are built out--something that we are still waiting on in Ohio. The fact is that even though we have been drilling Utica Shale wells for almost eight years, we are still in the infancy of what this development can actually yield for the Buckeye State. In short, natural gas development must happen if we want to see our manufacturing jobs come back. Another key fact is that Ohio has lost 10,000 megawatts of electricity due to closed coal-fired power plants, but thanks to fracking, we have billions of dollars in investments pouring into the state, replacing that lost power with natural gas-fired electric, and as a result keeping our costs low. In other words, without oil and natural gas, developed by fracking, the manufacturing of the products we use every day and the ability to keep electricity costs low would not even be possible. As we continue to develop Ohio's Utica Shale, it's important to keep in mind that doing so will unlock a multitude of other benefits as well. In short, when it comes to oil and gas development in Ohio and a manufacturing rebirth--we are just getting started. We need to embrace this opportunity and rally behind our domestic energy sources. It's time we become energy secure and start making things in Ohio again. Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Notification Settings (in blue) just below. Readers are invited to submit Opinion page essays on topics of regional or general interest. Send your 500-word essay for consideration to Linda Kinsey at lkinsey@cleveland.com. Essays must also include a brief bio and headshot of the writer. Essays rebutting today's topics are also welcome. veterans.jpg Members of the Cleveland detachment of the Coast Guard march in observance of Veterans Day in Cleveland this year. Guest columnist Chad Cook urges employers to consider the many highly skilled and talented veterans seeking employment. (Thomas Ondrey/The Plain Dealer/file photo) Chad Cook is a founding member of NEOVETS, Inc. Guest columnist Chad Cook is an adjunct professor for Baldwin Wallace University's School of Business. He is a founding member of NEOVETS, Inc., a nonprofit organization located in downtown Cleveland that educates employers and builds bridges between veterans and employers in Northeast Ohio. Across our region, there is an incredible, untapped talent pool that should be put into action as a force for good. Northeast Ohio has approximately 160,000 working-age veterans, many of whom are underemployed or seeking employment. These servicemen and women have been trained to work in teams and accomplish their missions. They are also highly skilled in areas that transfer to such specialties as healthcare, information technology, security, food service, engineering, finance and more. Our colleges and universities are increasingly aware of the training the military provides and how it differs from the requirements for civilian positions. Educational institutions are developing, or have developed, curriculums to help close those gaps by offering degreed and certification programs for veterans. At the same time, schools like Baldwin Wallace University offer credit for education and experience achieved during active duty. Specialized software suggests how to maximize the skills of former military personnel in traditional work environments. Many military-ready employers are taking advantage of this trained workforce and some, such as the Cleveland Clinic, have customized programs in place to bridge the education gap for their former and current military employees. Retention of veterans is another area of focus for pro-military employers. There is a significant difference between the culture of the military and the culture of most civilian organizations. Progressive employers are providing in-house onboarding and awareness programs that smooth this transition for both veterans and their managers. Recently, I visited a business that organizes itself in teams and finds veterans to be well-trained and experienced in teamwork. Veterans tend to be very collaborative in achieving team targets. Hyland Software in Westlake is one such company that capitalizes on the benefits of being military-optimized versus just military-friendly. If you plan to recruit, hire and retain veterans in your organization, here are a few best practices from military-optimized companies: Involve veterans Expand your onboarding/orientation program Form a veteran community Provide ongoing training and career planning Enlist veterans By the way, military hires meet diversity employment requirements and will help contribute to your equal opportunity workplace objectives. So, instead of saying, "thank you for your service," consider extending the service of a military veteran here at home. Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Notification Settings (in blue) just below. Readers are invited to submit Opinion page essays on topics of regional or general interest. Send your 500-word essay for consideration to Linda Kinsey at lkinsey@cleveland.com. Essays must also include a brief bio and headshot of the writer. Essays rebutting today's topics are also welcome. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 3, 2015. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday summoned the U.S. ambassador to Israel to discuss the U.S. abstention in a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an end to settlement-building. Separately, the envoys of 10 other nations were called in to the Israeli Foreign Ministry to be reprimanded on Sunday, and Netanyahu had more harsh words for Washington over Friday's U.N. vote. An Israeli spokesman gave no details of when Netanyahu would meet U.S. Ambassador Daniel Shapiro. The resolution was passed in the 15-member Security Council because the U.S. broke with its long-standing approach of diplomatically shielding Israel and did not wield its veto power, instead abstaining. Netanyahu put his personal imprint on Israel's show of anger by repeating at the weekly cabinet meeting what an unidentified Israeli government official contended on Friday that the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama had conspired with the Palestinians to push for the resolution's adoption. The White House has denied the allegation. "According to our information, we have no doubt the Obama administration initiated it (the resolution), stood behind it, coordinated the wording and demanded it be passed," Netanyahu told the cabinet in public remarks. Another official said Netanyahu had ordered that for the coming three weeks, until President-elect Donald Trump takes office, cabinet ministers refrain from travelling to or meeting officials of countries that voted in favor of the resolution. watch now Will 2017 be the year your home becomes under attack from cyber criminals? Experts expect the number of attacks on the Internet of Things (IoT) will likely increase in 2017. IoT includes devices like webcams, DVRs and connected thermostats that make life easier for homeowners, but are susceptible to cyber-intrusions. These gadgets add conveniences like locking your door or shutting off the lights all from a smartphone app, but they come with certain risks, experts warn. "The sharks have smelled the blood in the water and they're now circling to use your IoT device for further attacks," said James Lyne, global head of security research for Sophos, a U.K.-based cybersecurity company. The concerns about technological vulnerabilities come as experts say smart home devices are hot gifts this holiday season. The growing reach of smart devices makes the dangers more acute, some say. "I think we're going to see real strength in the Internet of Things and it's not just your thermostat, it's going to be everything in your house, your refrigerator, your washing machine, your dishwasher," Jan Kniffen, a consultant specializing in retail and CEO of J. Rogers Kniffen Worldwide, said on CNBC's "On The Money" recently. Despite the proliferation of smart gadgets, Kniffen suggested consumers were either unaware or unconcerned about hacking risksand not taking appropriate measures to prevent them. 'More insecure than secure' Intel Smart Home coffee maker and tablet. Harriet Taylor | CNBC In October, hackers took over 100,000 IoT devices and used them to block traffic to well-known websites, including Twitter and Netflix . "This is just the beginning of cybercriminals finding ways to creatively use the internet of things. Almost like a test attack," Sophos' Lyne said. The type of attack is known as a distributed denial of services (DDoS). "To translate it to the physical world, you know when you go to a shop you've got a revolving door," Lyne continued. "It's like getting a ton of your friends to go to this shop and all run around in circles in the revolving door, so no actual customers can get inside," Lyne said. While the attack is not believe to have cause any lasting damage, sometimes DDoS attacks are used to cover more damaging attacks. "We've seen cybercriminals previously launch these big attacks against websites to draw everyone's attention in, whilst in the background they conduct a more sinister attack of a financial nature," said Lyne. I think all of us, from industry to individuals, to government are going to have to up our game in terms of making sure these devices are safe from the very real threat of cyber hackers. Mark Warner U.S. Senator This was the first wide-scale attack that used these devices, but as more a more consumers add the devices to their home, attacks are expected to grow. "We're going to go from 12 billion devices we currently have, to over 30 billion devices by 2020, all interconnected. That's going to add to the ease of our life but if all these devices are easily hacked into it could mean we could have a whole new host of security concerns," said Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat. Warner is a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and co-founder of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus. Smarthome devices are vulnerable because of poor programming. "Devices like these often come with a really bad and easy to guess username and password," Lyne said. Cybercriminals then take over IoT gadgets by searching the web for those with default passwords. Guessing the password allows the hackers to take over the device and harness its processing power for attacks. Accordingly, a closed caption television camera or DVR "is enough of a reason to attack you so that you can be useful to attack other people. You are a target," said Lyne. Many of the devices used in the October attack were recalled by Chinese manufacturer, Xiogmai. But according to Lyne, many vulnerable devices are still for sale. "Chances are right now if you're buying an Internet of Things device, you're more likely to be buying something insecure, than secure," he said. The 1974-D aluminum cent was returned to U.S. Mint custody in 2016, and later went on display at the American Numismatic Association Worlds Fair of Money. A modern U.S. Mint rarity returned to federal custody and was put on public view during 2016. The only known example of the 1974-D Lincoln aluminum cent was returned to the U.S. Mint, settling a dispute between two men and the Mint. The U.S. Mint then placed the coin on display during the American Numismatic Association Worlds Fair of Money in Anaheim, Calif., in August. Tom Jurkowsky, the U.S. Mints director of corporate communications, told Coin World March 18 that Bill Bailey, assistant chief of police of the U.S. Mint, and U.S. Mint Chief Counsel Jean Gentry, took possession of the 1974-D aluminum cent on March 17 in San Diego. Connect with Coin World: Sign up for our free eNewsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Before being taken into custody by U.S. Mint officials, the 1974-D aluminum cent was cracked out of its Professional Coin Grading Service Secure holder, where it bore a grade of Mint State 63. Michael McConnell, owner of La Jolla Coin Shop in La Jolla, Calif., one of the two private claimants to the coin, carefully removed the coin from its grading service holder and placed the coin into another plastic capsule in preparation for the coins surrender to authorities at a federal building in San Diego. PCGS certified the piece in early December 2013 and noted that its weight, 0.93 gram, matched the Albert P. Toven example of the 1974 Lincoln aluminum cent, which surfaced in 2005. That cent remains in private hands. The 1974-D aluminum cent came to public view after Randall Lawrence sold to McConnell, for $300, a small bag of coins that his father had owned that included the aluminum cent. Once McConnell determined the validity of the aluminum strike, he and Randall Lawrence became partners in the coins disposition. It was set to be a highlight of the Heritage April 24, 2014, Central States Numismatic Society Platinum Night auction and estimated to sell in the neighborhood of $250,000. In a March 17 press release, the U.S. Attorneys office for the Southern District of California in San Diego wrote, Mr. Lawrence and Mr. McConnell claimed that there were estimates that the piece might fetch upwards of $2 million at auction. During Heritages sale planning, Heritages executive vice president Todd Imhof said that Heritage was provided legal advice that the 1974-D aluminum cent was legal to own and, as such, could be sold at auction. However, the Mint sent separate letters to Lawrence and McConnell on Feb. 26, 2014, demanding return of the piece, and the Mint sent a letter to Heritage requesting removal of the piece from auction. Lawrence and McConnell responded on March 17, 2014, by filing a federal lawsuit, asking the court to declare them the rightful owners of the piece. The U.S. Mint argued that it was the owner because there was no authorization for striking 1974-D aluminum cents at the Denver Mint and since federal employees are not permitted to remove federal property without proper authorization, the piece always has been and remains federal property. Heritage officials withdrew the 1974-D aluminum cent from the auction and held it until the case was settled. The 1974-D cent was a centerpiece of the U.S. Mints exhibit during the ANA Worlds Fair of Money, drawing hundreds of onlookers daily to view the rarity. Read all of our Coin World Top 10 of 2016 series: - U.S. Mint issues gold Centennial coins - Pogue IV auction tops $16 million - Rare English gold coin found in toy box - Boutique bullion trend catches on worldwide - Langbord 1933 double eagle case rolls on - 1974-D aluminum cent returned to U.S. Mint - Treasury announces new Federal Reserve note designs - 1964 Morgan dollar tooling uncovered - American Liberty silver medal released - U.S. Mint plans yearlong 225th anniversary party City receives feedback on Whitegate Park proposal Community members had an opportunity to provide feedback on a proposal for a new neighborhood park on Whitegate Drive in Columbia. In the recent Netgear router flaw, it's easy to blame Netgear for ignoring the initial report of the vulnerability. They have since admitted that it fell through the cracks. But there is plenty of blame to go around. While Netgear owners are indebted to someone who goes by Acew0rm for finding the flaw, he appears to have dropped the ball. After notifying Netgear of the vulnerability on August 25, 2016 he walked away from the issue. His total effort in getting Netgear to acknowledge the problem was a single email message. I think he could have done more. When an email is not acknowledged, it's not much work to re-send it a second or, if needed, a third time. And, then there is CERT. Who? According to their website: "CERT is a part of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) operated by Carnegie Mellon University." On December 9, 2016, CERT publicized the router flaw which drew a ton of attention to the problem. I heard about it from an article that quoted CERT as the source of the story. When CERT went public, it was unclear which Netgear routers were vulnerable. And, since there was no work-around, CERT drew a ton of press with their suggestion to take Netgear routers off-line. The inevitable headlines followed CERT Warns Users to Stop Using Two Netgear Router Models Due to Security Flaw Unplug Your Easily Hijacked Netgear Routers Pronto Stop using Netgear routers with unpatched security bug, experts warn It may be time to turn off your router: Netgear confirms security vulnerability A Ton of Popular Netgear Routers Are ExposedWith No Easy Fix It was a typical hair-on-fire story even though the vulnerability was much harder to exploit compared the huge flaws abused by a Mirai variant that recently knocked Deutsche Telekom, TalkTalk and Eir customers off-line. Did CERT do the right thing? In my opinion, no. I say this because CERT did not try to contact Netgear before running with the story. CERT has their rules for this sort of thing and they are hiding behind them. I would hide too, if I put up a billboard telling bad guys how to attack routers at a time when there was no defense. But, after multiple emails back and forth with two people at CERT, they are fine with it. Their position is that since the flaw was made pubic on December 7th at exploit-db.com, the cat was already out of the bag. I am not familiar with the exploit-db.com website, but all the publicity here stemmed from the CERT notice. The exploit-db.com site generated no press interest at all. CERT made a bad situation worse by publicizing the flaw when there was no work-around, without giving Netgear a chance to respond. This despite their website which says "Working with software vendors, we help resolve software vulnerabilities." Except when they don't. And, a CERT blog by Garret Wassermann says " ... we help security researchers communicate with software vendors to resolve security issues." Except when they don't. And the Vulnerability Disclosure Policy that they hide behind includes this: Q: Will you surprise vendors with announcements of vulnerabilities? A: No. Prior to public disclosure, we'll make a good faith effort to inform vendors of our intentions. Except when they don't. It also says "We will apprise any affected vendors of our publication plans and negotiate alternate publication schedules with the affected vendors when required." Yet, in this case, CERT blind-sided Netgear. Why was it not required in this case to give Netgear a chance to get a handle on things? Maybe, with some warning, Netgear could have come up with a work-around to hold down the fort until the flaw was fully patched. Eventually, we got exactly that, but it came from a third party, Bas van Schaik. I didn't see anything in the policy about publicizing a vulnerability simply because someone else already leaked the information, which, is the justification I was given by CERT. All publishing is not the same. When CERT publishes, people notice. It's like advertising during the Super Bowl. And, all flaws are not the same. This particular vulnerability is somewhat hard to exploit, a victim has to be lured to a malicious web page. If an ISP gave millions of vulnerable routers to their customers, then it would make sense for bad guys to target this flaw. But, that was not the case here. The initial flaw was found in one Netgear router, the R7000. It was not a dire situation. Then too, the CERT advisory itself is flawed. As I write this, it says "For users of models without a firmware fix, we recommend the following workarounds..." But there are no models without a firmware fix and there have not been for a while. For one thing, Netgear committed to fixing the problem in every vulnerable router. Then, they initially issued beta firmware before rolling out production firmware. I am writing this on December 24th and, as of yesterday, all the vulnerable routers have new production firmware to fix this problem. The CERT advisory is also missing a test for the vulnerability. Many have been published and it's a simple thing to do. By testing their routers before and after a firmware update, Netgear owners can verify that the firmware did, in fact, fix the problem. And, if all Netgear owners tested their routers we may find a vulnerable model that the company missed. Finally, CERT never entertained the possibility of using a Guest network to block the problem. Guest Wi-Fi networks have different security profiles. It's possible that, depending on the options chosen, a Guest network would prevent a Wi-Fi user from accessing the router and thus block exploitation of the flaw. I mentioned this previously, but without access to a vulnerable Netgear router I can't test it. Back in March 2015, How-To Geek reviewed the NETGEAR Nighthawk X6 AC3200, a.k.a. the R8000, a vulnerable router. The review pointed out that the router has a Guest network option called "allow guests to see each other and access the local network." It is possible that blocking access to the local network would have kept people safe. But, we don't know because CERT let the opportunity for feedback slide. The Netgear advisory also had a "not invented here" problem, never discussing Bas van Schaik's hack that killed the web interface. Does it really work? Does it impact anything else in the router? Netgear owners deserved answers they never got, especially since this was the only defense for a while. Or was it? Netgear too, never addressed the issue of using a Guest network as a defense mechanism. FIRMWARE UPDATING Now that all the vulnerable routers have updated firmware available, the process of installing it shows itself to be sub-optimal. Last time, I griped about the manual nature of the firmware update which guarantees many router owners won't do it. But even within the realm of manual updates, the Netgear procedure is poor. Some routers can search for new firmware simply by clicking a button in their web interface. Judging by the Netgear instructions (see the R8000 for example), their routers can not. Another problem that some routers exhibit with firmware updates, is losing track of configuration changes. That is, installing new firmware may reset some changed options back to their default values. Netgear doesn't even know if their firmware does this or not. The first step in the update procedure is. Write down all the settings which you changed from the default values, since you may need to re-enter them manually. Better routers deal with this by letting you download a file with the current configuration. My favorite router, the Pepwave Surf SOHO not only offers this, it goes so far as to notify you every time you update the firmware that it would be a good idea to save the current configuration. DEFENSIVE STEPS Finally, let me point out that this was far from the first router attack via a malicious web page, and there are defensive steps available. To begin with, change the default subnet. That is, rather than using 192.168.1.x, use 192.168.22.x. Any number between 5 and 250 should be fine. Also, don't make the router the first device on the network. For example, instead of assigning 192.168.22.1 to the router, make it 192.168.22.3. If possible, change the TCP/IP port used for LAN side router access. For example, if you normally access the router from the LAN side with http://1.2.3.4 this would mean using http://1.2.3.4:9999 instead, where 9999 is the alternate port number. Good port numbers are between 3,000 and 65,000. Netgear routers do not offer alternate ports. Finally, if it's offered, force router access over HTTPS rather than HTTP. FEEDBACK Now that Computerworld, and all of parent company IDG's websites, have eliminated user comments, you can get in touch with me privately by email at my full name at Gmail. Public comments can be directed to me on twitter at @defensivecomput This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON In 1989, then Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., was one of the few Democrats to vote for President George H.W. Bushs pick for defense secretary, Sen. John Tower, R-Texas. Dodd did so because in 1967, Tower voted against censuring his father, Sen. Thomas Dodd, D-Conn., for diverting campaign funds for personal use. I owe John Tower, the younger Dodd said at the time. But Tower ultimately failed to win confirmation because of excessive drinking, womanizing and conflicts of interest. Fast-forward to 2016: The senator who took Christopher Dodds seat in 2011, Richard Blumenthal, has no qualms about voting against President-elect Donald Trumps Pentagon nominee, retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis if it comes to that. Mattis would bring a sobering and stabilizing mind to the cabinet on decisions about war and peace, Blumenthal said. Nevertheless, Im going to be asking tough questions and reaching a conclusion at some point after hearing, if not before, he said. Weighing civilian control The confirmation of Mattis to run the Department of Defense is just one of several such hearings in which Blumenthal will play a role. Hell also be in on confirmations of Trumps nominee for labor secretary, Elaine Chao; Wilbur Ross for commerce secretary; an as-yet unnamed pick for secretary of veterans affairs, and Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., to be attorney general. Of all those, the confirmations of Mattis and Sessions are expected to generate the most heat, because defense and justice are two of the four major inner-cabinet departments (the other two being the treasury and state departments). Mattis, known by the nickname Mad Dog, commanded U.S. forces in the Middle East before retiring in 2013. Notwithstanding some salty quotes, he is widely respected as a thoughtful commander, knowledgeable on world affairs and defense strategy. But several Democratic senators Blumenthal included worry that confirmation of a defense secretary so recently departed from the military could compromise the tradition of civilian control of the Pentagon. U.S. law requires a seven-year interval between retirement and leadership of DOD. Mattis would need a Senate waiver to win confirmation. Civilian control over the military is a bedrock principle, said Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee that will conduct Mattis confirmation hearing. The burden is on General Mattis to make the case on why he should be an exception. That is high bar, in my review, and I have yet to reach a conclusion. For Connecticut, which ranks 15th in the nation in value of defense contracts, the stakes are high. Whoever is secretary of defense will have a lot to say about military expenditures, and Connecticut has a lot of defense contracts, said University of Connecticut political scientist Ronald Schurin. Among the major players are Sikorsky in Stratford, Electric Boat in Groton and United Technologies in Farmington. One line of thinking on Mattis has been that while civilian control of the Pentagon is desirable, Trumps lack of experience in foreign affairs and defense policy makes the former four-star general a significant counterweight to the new presidents impulsiveness. I have deep respect for Mattis as professional, proven leader, strategist and maybe even statesman, Blumenthal said. But the principal of civilian control is bedrock. Republican control The Sessions nomination for attorney general puts Blumenthal in the position of sitting in judgment of a colleague. In the 1980s, the Senate turned Sessions down for a federal judgeship because of racially insensitive remarks he made as U.S. attorney in Alabama. Sessions was among the first on Capitol Hill to get on Trumps bandwagon, and Trump has rewarded him with nomination as the nations top law-enforcement officer. Blumenthal said Sessions past is less important than his present. My primary focus will be on his record of positions on key issues of our time: civil rights, voting rights, the First Amendment, Blumenthal said. These fundamental principles are threatened as never before. The chief of law enforcement in America should be committed to protecting and fighting for these bedrock freedoms and rights. However Blumenthal votes, the reality is that confirmations require only 51 votes. With the Senate to be in control of Republicans 52-48, GOP senators dont need any Democrats to push through Trumps choices. Nevertheless, the confirmation hearings offer Blumenthal and all other panel members a theatrical venue for making points and grabbing attention. A former U.S. attorney and Connecticut state attorney general, Blumenthal is practiced in the art of cross-examination. But he is far from the kind of bombastic showman questioner who generally makes the headlines in confirmations. Hes a liberal senator from a blue state, so the attitude will be what do you expect? said Schurin. Im sure Blumenthal will make good points, but I dont see him attracting national notice. dan@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @danfreedma NORWALK American Family Care Urgent Care is celebrating the grand opening of its second Bridgeport clinic with a holiday food drive to benefit the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Bridgeport Rescue Mission serves hungry, homeless or addicted men, women and children throughout coastal Fairfield County, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The mission provides food, clothing, shelter, training and guidance to these individuals with a goal of fighting poverty from the inside out. The organization is not funded by the government but receives support through grants, family foundations, corporate and individual donations. Civil War Gala to be held Saturday in Somerset The 14th annual Col. Robert Cummins Civil War Gala will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Somerset Church of the Brethren, 606 Berlin Plank Road in Somerset. With soaring temperatures predicted for the coming weeks, thousands will be flooding to the beach to make the most of their time off. And while most people are respectful of their fellow beach goers, some need to be reminded of simple beach etiquette. Julie Lamberg-Burnet, the founder of the Sydney School of Protocol, has spoken to FEMAIL about some of the most important etiquette rules to be mindful of this summer. be mindful: Julie Lamberg-Burnet, the founder of the Sydney School of Protocol , has spoken to FEMAIL about some of the most important etiquette rules to be mindful of this summer KEEP YOUR LOOK STYLISH AND FLATTERING Ms Lamberg-Burnet advises both men and women to be 'brutal about where your body parts lie.' 'Unless you Giselle Bundchen dont wear white - it is highly probable that you will see through white when it is wet,' she said. 'Choose swimwear that flatters you and your body shape - slenderizing swimwear for women is available in abundance.' Ms Lamberg-Burnet also urges people to cover up when walking through a village or a resort. Avoid white and be mindful of beach etiquette in different countries: 'Unless you Giselle Bundchen dont wear white - it is highly probable that you will see through white when it is wet,' Ms Lamberg-Burnet said 'We do not all wish to see either your private parts or bare chests when we are either taking a coffee or dining over a sumptuous summer meal,' she said. Sun protection is also crucial. 'Do not bake yourself in the sun and end up looking like a boiled lobster cover up and protect yourself with the recommended sunscreens,' Ms Lamberg-Burnet said. 'Invest in a good quality hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the harsh rays of the sun. Self-tanning products are a good way to avoid the excess of natural sun tanning and look good.' DON'T INVADE PERSONAL SPACE There's nothing worse than dealing with people flicking towels or kicking up sand in thongs (flip flops) and showering their neighbours with sand. 'When choosing your spot be careful not to encroach into your neighbours area, whether laying your towels out or erecting a tent,' Ms Lamberg-Burnet said. 'Be aware of personal space bubbles, protect your space politely and do not encroach on the space of others.' Watch out for others: 'When choosing your spot be careful not to encroach into your neighbours area, whether laying your towels out or erecting a tent,' Ms Lamberg-Burnet said WHAT ARE SOME PRE-BEACH CHECKS? * Do your pre-beach checks on your swimwear and the elastic as they degrade over time and will not offer support in the vital places * Prepare your body to look your best get rid of all the unwanted fuzzy hair and exfoliate well so the sunscreen goes on smoothly * Apply sunscreen before leaving home for a perfect application and do not forget to be continually topping up * Check the weather and the tides it is good to know what the swimming conditions are particularly if you are planning either to surf, swim or jet ski, for the safety of yourselves and others * If you are in an unfamiliar place do your research to check on the type of beaches in the area * Be respectful of the country and the beach you are at G-strings and going topless may look wonderful on some beaches but not necessarily on a family orientated beach Advertisement PARENTS, WATCH YOUR CHILDREN Ms Lamberg-Burnet reminds parents to watch their children carefully to prevent disruptive behaviour. 'Parents do not let your children throw sand around and create havoc with attention grabbing behavior or noise - move to a spot away from everyone else if there is a likelihood the children are going to create noise,' she said. 'Teach your children courtesies for at the beach to avoid unwanted beach rage. 'And parents with young babies, change nappies in the nearest changing facility - this is not to be performed in front of people all around you.' DON'T BE NOISY People are advised to keep it down when at a beach, especially if it is busy. 'Long in-depth phone conversations when on the beach are not appropriate and an annoyance to those around wishing to relax and enjoy the natural sounds of beach and quiet conversations,' Ms Lamberg-Burnet said. 'Text or move to a quiet spot away from others to discuss personal matters.' Watch your kids: 'Parents do not let your children throw sand around and create havoc with attention grabbing behavior or noise,' Ms Lamberg-Burnet advised Loud music is, according to Ms Lamberg-Burnet, totally unacceptable. 'It is intrusive and invades the personal space of everyone else at the beach. Listen to the natural sounds of the ocean instead,' she said. 'If you must listen to music do so through your headphones and leave the boom box at home if you cant resist the temptation to hike up the volume.' Don't be loud: People are advised to keep it down when at a beach, especially if it is busy DON'T SMOKE OR DRINK 'Do not make a fool of yourself drinking alcohol follow the rules of the beach. The effects of alcohol are much like at altitude when you are flying, where the impact is felt far greater, far sooner,' Ms Lamberg-Burnet said, adding that smoking is also a no-go. 'Do not smoke on the beach (many beaches have restrictions) out of respect for others. 'If you are desperate for a cigarette move away from the beach and remember to place your butts into the rubbish. Help the cleaners and reduce the hundreds of disgusting butts picked up daily on our beaches.' On that note, leaving rubbish behind is also unacceptable and any sand holes should be filled up before leaving the beach. LEAVE THE INTIMACY AT HOME While at sunset it may be seen as the perfect place for a romantic rendezvous, the beach is not a place for excessive PDA. 'Keep intimate gestures and love making to the bedroom rather than the beach,' Ms Lamberg-Burnet said. 'The beach is a happy place, however we do not need to be distracted by an over zealous attraction between partners, friends or with your latest Tinder date.' Quit the PDA: 'Keep intimate gestures and love making to the bedroom rather than the beach,' Ms Lamberg-Burnet said THINK BEFORE TAKING YOUR PETS TO THE BEACH 'Hot cars and beaches are not compatible environments for animals. If you do take your dog to the beach check regularly they are hydrated and keep them on a lead at all times. Clean up after a dog, as you would do in your local park,' Ms Lamberg-Burnet said. 'No matter what the local rules are at all times keep your pet under control to ensure they do not bother others either swimming or enjoying the beach or picnic area. Nannies are often exposed to some shocking behaviour on the job, but are unable to say a word about it. Now, nannies who have worked for the 'extremely wealthy' have taken to social media to anonymously reveal some the craziest things they've seen. One of them said her job involved 'drama that is just like TV.' 'Drama just like TV': Nannies who have worked for the 'extremely wealthy' have taken to social media to anonymously reveal some the craziest things they've seen 'The dad in the family I nannied for had a secret daughter and had had another family for 5 years,' she wrote on Reddit, adding that money was just 'thrown around.' 'A $500 rocking chair is the wrong shade of orange? Just throw it in the garbage and go buy a new one,' she wrote. 'Daughters are fighting with each other over their Barbie dream houses? Calm them down by taking them to the American Girl store for new dolls and then get them a blowout afterwards.' Shocking: 'The dad in the family I nannied for had a secret daughter and had had another family for 5 years,' one nanny said Another women said her roommate nannied for 'an Asian billionaire who had seven kids.' At Christmas the kids would get tired from opening so many presents. 'Only the first kid, a girl, was actually conceived and born from his wife. The other 6 were all carried by surrogate mothers, and they were all sex-selected so they're all boys. Yeah,' she wrote. Others were shocked by how 'uninvolved' some parents were with their children. 'She [the daughter] was born early in October, and by the end of the month, my sister was already spending 80+ hours a week with her,' a Redditor wrote. Why? 'Sometimes I go to work and BOTH parents are there just hanging out while I play with the kids - and they pay me well so it's not like it's cheap!' Another said 'The husband has only been home one day since she started working for them and the wife is gone from 6am-9pm every day.' Another agreed, saying the parents in the family she nannied for spent minimal amount of time with the kids even though they were just five months and three years old. 'The mum had 7 more months of maternity leave, I worked 2 days per week, they had another uni student part time for another two days, a full time nanny on Fridays and a house cleaner that came twice a week,' she wrote. 'Sometimes I go to work and BOTH parents are there just hanging out while I play with the kids - and they pay me well so it's not like it's cheap! I often get the feeling that they just had kids because they got older and it's expected, not because they actually wanted them.' 'It's hard to reward these kids': 'The most striking thing I've witnessed in some families is such a short-lived excitement that the kids get from receiving gifts/gadgets/outings,' another said Some nannies noted the lack of excitement children felt at gifts and new experiences. 'The most striking thing I've witnessed in some families is such a short-lived excitement that the kids get from receiving gifts/gadgets/outings/pocket money, and it is because they get these things EVERYDAY!' She wrote. I had to get up every morning to get the kids ready for school because the mom couldn't do it herself. 'To them it's normal and expected. It's hard to reward these kids for good behaviour when the rewards aren't rewarding!' 'At Christmas the kids would get tired from opening so many presents. The unopened gifts would get put away and some weren't opened until months later,' another added. One nanny said the family she worked for spent close to $1,000 a week on five nannies and the mother wouldn't go anywhere without one. Fancy: 'The girls have numerous name brand clothing items - Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, etc. The 6 year old's backpack was 85 bucks,' another nanny wrote 'I worked as a nanny for a few months for a wealthy family with two kids to make extra money while in college. I had to get up every morning to get the kids ready for school and then walk them to school because the mom couldn't do it herself,' the nanny wrote. 'Play date at the playground with another family? I would go and watch her kids while she would just sit there and chat with the other parent. It was so weird.' Another nanny was shocked by the clothing items owned by the young girls. 'The girls have numerous name brand clothing items - Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, etc. The 6 year old's backpack was 85 bucks,' the nanny wrote. When I arrive at her New York apartment, Alessandra Ferri is standing by a blazing fire and, for a split second, I mistake her tiny, compact size for that of a child, not a 53-year-old mother of two. Of course, the honed and chiselled body of Alessandra the world-famous protegee of Mikhail Baryshnikov is a tribute to a career at the very top of her profession. Her life is neatly book-ended by two facts: she became the youngest ever prima ballerina at the Royal Ballet aged 19, and now shes about to return to the Royal Opera House as the oldest leading lady since Dame Margot Fonteyn. Alessandra Ferri in Giselle in June 1987 (left) and in the world premiere of Wayne McGregor's Woolf Works at The Royal Opera House last year Earlier this year, Boots featured Alessandra in a TV ad for No 7 cosmetics that saw her dancing with a hologram of her 19-year-old self. It was an informing experiment in some ways, the poised, experienced version out-dances the younger, fresher, more innocent version of 1982. Of course, agrees Alessandra. Dancing is not just physical. When I dance, I am an actress. Today, I have a whole lifetime to draw on. That other girl was a little seed, Im the grown tree. There is a lot more depth to my dancing than there was. She argues that though she is in her 50s she has as much to offer on stage. We cant be the 20 or 30-year-old woman that we were. But it doesnt mean there isnt an extreme beauty, lightness, enthusiasm and creativity in a 50-year-old person. Or a 60 or 70-year-old, but Ill let you know when Im there. Alessandra has not always been this sanguine about the ageing process, however. Alessandra with husband Fabrizio Ferri (left) and daughter Matilde Ferri (right) In June 2007, aged 44, she bowed out of her 22-year career. Back then, the idea was that she was going to retire to spend more time with her daughters, Matilde and Emma (now 19 and 14 respectively) that she would be, in her own words, a mum. I wanted to be with my kids a lot. I wanted to be with their dad [Fabrizio Ferri, a photographer, whom shed been married to for 15 years]. Also, maybe, I was a little bit afraid I was getting old. But instead of bringing her family together, she makes a startling admission about her decision to retire: tragically, she blames it for destroying her marriage. The idea of a middle-aged prima ballerina may draw gasps nowadays, yet throughout the Seventies and Eighties, it was not thought odd for prominent dancers to perform on through their 40s and 50s and even beyond. In 1986, Margot Fonteyn appeared as the Queen in Sleeping Beauty aged 66. Alicia Alonso, the Cuban prima ballerina, now 95, danced into her 70s. But, by 2000, there was a cultural shift. When Margot was dancing later in her life, it was acceptable for a dancer to be older, says Alessandra, who sees Fonteyn as a role model for her. In June 2007, aged 44, she bowed out of her 22-year career. Pictured in Woolf Works Ballet And then, the world changed and not just the world of dance. You had to be young. Actresses were stopped mid-career, too. A whole generation of actresses were not allowed to get old. Beauty became associated with youth only. So Alessandra stopped dancing. She didnt even exercise shes at a loss to explain why going from five hours training a day to nothing. At first, she didnt notice what was happening to her body: she was throwing herself into the role of a mother, getting the girls up in the mornings, making snacks, taking them to school, picking them up. You know all the things mums do. I took them to clubs and music lessons, made pasta. And it was wonderful, its not like I didnt enjoy it, she says. But then, she started getting small twinges. My body didnt feel energetically at its best, she says. I started feeling lethargic, which Im not. From moving and training hard, like an Olympic athlete, to suddenly nothing, it was very difficult for my body. I suppose its like if you have a Ferrari and only drive it at 10mph. Im a trained machine. After around six months, the pains increased her joints first, then her back and her feet. I think because the muscle and joints were so used to being moved, they almost felt as if they were going rusty. Alessandra says there was an emotional response, too. Not dancing, I felt I didnt have a real purpose. She started to question why shed given up in the first place and felt bereft. Alessandra says there was an emotional response. Not dancing, I felt I didnt have a real purpose' Even though my life was full I had two kids and a husband, I had taken the role of artistic director of a festival in Italy, I was watching shows and reading books I was not the one creating. And that caused an emptiness. I ask whether she suffered from a form of depression, like Darcey Bussell after she retired from ballet in 2007 aged 38. Yes, I did, she says. I wouldnt call it really bad depression, but I was definitely unhappy. Suddenly, life is very empty. As her identity faded, Alessandra began to question why she had given up in the first place. I realised what had been difficult wasnt so much the physical, but the psychological. I had still been thinking in a more traditional way that, at a certain age, youre too old to dance. Maybe I was afraid of being compared with my younger self. After two or three years, the sense of not being fulfilled was unbearable. She realised shed made a mistake the idea of being the dancer who couldnt dance gave me great sadness. So Alessandra started doing ballet classes, as well as yoga and Pilates. I realised my body was great. It was still in shape and I could still move. And I thought: Well, why am I not dancing then? Thats what Im here for. Thats my great mission in life. Thats bigger than being a mother. I thought: Youre not going to dance like you did when you were 20 years old, but you can dance like you will at 50. And whats wrong with that? With this revelation came others. Alessandra found she no longer suffered from anxiety before a show. I was anxious my whole career. I had stage fright the whole time. And then, I didnt. Theres something cruel in the irony of what happened next. In 2012, Alessandra wrote and choreographed a short piece called The Piano Upstairs, a story about a marriage breaking down. It wasnt based on my experience at all. I wrote it and then it happened. As I was rehearsing, the same thing was happening to me at home. Her husband (coincidentally, they shared a surname before marriage) was photographed by an Italian gossip magazine frolicking with an unnamed woman near their home on the island of Pantelleria, Sicily. Alessandra says his departure came out of nowhere. It was a crushing experience, destroying. I didnt see it coming, and I believed so much in love. I wasnt the one who wanted to do it. So it was shattering. For three months, she and her two daughters slept in the same bed, along with their two Irish wolfhounds her youngest only stopped a year ago. Alessandra has resolved to draw lessons from her experience like never being ashamed. That its OK to speak about how you feel. And also for my daughters they were as heart-broken as I was, maybe more to teach them by example, not to hold on to anger. Nobody owns anybody. And things change. And we can still love each other in different environments. The strength is not anger and resentment. The strength is to go: OK, I am in pain, but I still go on. I will rebuild myself. The truth is that the more I look now at married couples, I dont know if were really meant to be together for ever. Of course, its everyones dream to have kids and the perfect family. But now, I dont know anymore. In the past year, I started to feel really happy about who I am for the first time in my life. For three months, she and her two daughters slept in the same bed, along with their two Irish wolfhounds - her youngest only stopped a year ago. Pictured in 1987 with Mikhail Dbaryshnikov I now think: Well, would I really want to live with someone else? I dont know if I would. I love to be in love, but I think we are OK on our own. Does she think her marriage broke down because shed stopped working? Maybe I do. [Fabrizio] says not, but I think maybe it did. The fact that I gave up my independence I am not talking about economic independence, I am talking about becoming dependent on him, really, to fill up my life. Far from creating bitterness the pair are now on friendly terms she has come to view the experience as important. One of the reasons I went back [to dancing] is because I realised I have to find who I really am now, the part that belongs to me: its the moment when I dance. Those moments are mine and nobody elses and I needed that again. She still believes in love, but not relationships. I dont care about relationships. I want a great love, like the greatest love ever I gave up my whole life for him and the children, and then that crashed and I had nothing. I didnt have my passion, my career, I didnt have him. I had my children, of course, but it wasnt enough. She still believes in love, but not relationships. I dont care about relationships. I want a great love, like the greatest love ever. I dont care about the companion just to keep me company on vacation or to spend time with. That I can do without. But love I believe in. If I dont have that, Im happy with nothing. Would she do away with age as a barrier in love? Absolutely, yes. Age is no barrier. Its fun to have a younger boyfriend. If hes there, he wants to be there. And at 53, how does she maintain her rigorous four hours of daily rehearsals (with a yoga class slotted in before she starts)? Are there supplements she takes to keep her joints well-oiled? I take ibuprofen, she laughs, adding that she also dyes stray grey hairs. In general, I dont have many problems. Of the approaching menopause, she says: Dancing doesnt affect it one way or the other. It doesnt make the problem worse. I dont get hot flushes. I am lucky. And she doesnt fear osteoporosis because the more you exercise, the less you have a problem. Of course, there are certain roles I dont dream of even attempting any more Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, all those ballets require tremendous physical strength and power. And thats fine. They belong to another moment in my life. [There are] all these wonderful newly created roles for me, and its brilliant that theres interest in creating roles for an older woman instead of only doing roles for younger dancers. I broke the mould, somehow. I didnt plan it. I thought: Who cares? Yes, there is space for the young, but that doesnt mean there is no space for older women. We turn 50 and then we believe that we have to behave a certain way. A lot of it is conditioning. But I realised I am not that woman, I dont feel 50, I dont act 50, so I thought: Forget about the number and just live the way you feel. The Godfather of Soul. Mr Dynamite. Soul Brother Number One. The Hardest Working Man In Showbusiness. The list of names that James Brown was known by goes on. An icon whose influence stretched far beyond the music industry he did so much to shape, he rubbed shoulders with Presidents, lobbied for civil rights and inspired millions the world over. Right up until his death, he never lost his sense of drama, bowing out on Christmas day in 2006 after a career spanning more than half a century. Scroll down for video James Brown pictured in March 2005, the year before he died, performing in Buenos Aires, Argentina Icon: James Brown, pictured performing alongside Aretha Franklin, died on Christmas Day 2006 after a career spanning more than five decades And yet since his death, his wish to leave the bulk of his estimated $100million fortune to provide scholarships for needy children has caused a huge legal fallout. In a book published earlier this year, author James McBride lamented: 'Not a dime of it has reached a single kid.' A state Supreme Court has even warned that the debacle could discourage others from leaving money to charity on their death, after his will was challenged by members of his family. It was a situation that the soul music superstar sadly saw coming. Brown, who charted nearly 100 times on the Billboard chart, confided to a close friend that there would be a 'big mess' when he died. He was right. Thousands of people lined the streets outside the scene of some of his greatest triumphs, the Apollo Theatre in New York, to see Brown's coffin Brown's body laid in state at the legendary Harlem concert venue for fans to pay their respects. Close friend the Rev Al Sharpton is pictured speaking two days after Soul Brother Number One's death Rev Jesse Jackson, superstar Michael Jackson and Rev Al Sharpton stand in front of Brown's coffin at his funeral in Augusta, Georgia, on December 30, 2006 But as thousands of people lined the streets outside the Apollo Theater - the scene of some of Brown's finest musical triumphs - a decade ago, few had any idea about the chaos which was to follow. When news of his death broke, Michael Jackson described him as 'my greatest inspiration'. Mick Jagger called him a 'one-of-a-kind, never to be repeated star', while an emotional Snoop Dogg said it was like losing a member of his family. Even the incumbent President, George W Bush, expressed his sense of loss, describing Brown as 'an American original'. Mick Jagger speaking to James Brown in 1965. After Brown's death, Jagger would produce biopic Get On Up, as well as a HBO documentary about the Godfather of Soul's rise to fame Even the incumbent President, George W Bush (pictured with Brown in 2001), expressed his sense of loss, describing Brown as 'an American original' Reflecting on her father's legacy, daughter Deanna Brown Thomas told MailOnline: 'He was a cultural icon. The messages in his music are still very relevant today, such as don't be a dropout, and "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud. 'His music moves you physically and emotionally. Generations of people can feel his music. It moves the soul as well.' Deanna Brown Thomas has said her father 'always believed in not forgetting from whence he came' Now president of the James Brown Family Foundation, which helps support needy children during the festive period, she said her intention is to carry on her father's charitable work. 'He always believed in not forgetting from whence he came. 'He had very humble beginnings where he was sent home from school for insufficient clothing, they were filled with holes and were not clean,' Brown Thomas said. 'He never had a Christmas tree with toys flanked around it. 'So for him to create the opportunity for others to be blessed is just what he his nature called for... caring and sharing in his community.' And Brown Thomas described charity work as 'the core of his spirit'. It was this generosity of spirit that prompted the soul and funk music pioneer to leave the bulk of his fortune to provide scholarships for underprivileged children in his native North Carolina and in Georgia, where he spent most of his childhood. But a decade after his death, this wish has yet to be fulfilled, and the money he left behind has dwindled. In the introduction to his book Kill 'Em and Leave: Searching For The Real James Brown, published earlier this year, author James McBride wrote: 'Untold millions have been frittered away by lawyers and various factions of his destroyed family.' James Brown perfroming Living in America during a three-hour concert at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles in 1991 Icon: Brown, pictured signing autographs for fans in London during the 1960s, died on Christmas Day 2006 Brown Thomas declined to comment on McBride's book, saying she had not read it. Brown (pictured in 1966), predicted before his death that his death would cause a 'big mess' Although he has been described by friends and associates as intensely private, the legal wranglings following Brown's death have been played out in the full glare of the public. Back in 2000, when he made his will, the soul music icon left an audio tape explaining his intentions - and warned that anyone who challenged it would be disinherited, saying disputes would be an 'affront' to his wishes. He left $2million in scholarships for his seven grandchildren, and left property worth another $2million to be shared among the six children he recognised. This was not, however, the end of the matter. A telling line in McBride's book is from Brown's long-term associate, Charles Bobbit. Aware that his death would open a hornet's nest, Bobbit recalled that Brown had told him: 'Its gonna be a big mess when I die, Mr Bobbit. A big mess. Stay out of it.' Bobbit told the author he has been pained by what had happened since. Charles Bobbit (left) said Brown told him that his death would cause a 'big mess', and advised him to stay out of it James Brown, The Godfather of Soul, died on Christmas Day in 2006 at the age of 73 The will was challenged by some of Brown's children, and by his partner, Tomi Rae Brown, who was eventually recognised as his widow. Such was the legal mess that ensued that South Carolina's government seized control of his estates, redirecting half of his assets in 2008. In a book published earlier this year, author James McBride lamented that money Brown left for disadvantaged children had not been used as intended The intervention by state Attorney General Henry McMaster prompted an outcry after more than half the cash bequeathed to charity was instead awarded to Brown's relatives. But in 2013 McMaster's decision was overruled by the state's Supreme Court, which described it as an unprecedented overstepping of authority. A decision published at the time stated: 'It appears Brown painstakingly developed his estate plan over the course of several years.' He had also 'made it clear that he intended the bulk of his estate to be used for the education of disadvantaged youths, as he had provided for his family members during his lifetime'. Further claimants, the ruling said 'were purposefully excluded', it said. It added: 'Brown had a reputation as a strong-willed individual who did not take orders from others, and he made his desires abundantly clear during his lifetime.' The result of the Attorney General's intervention, the ruling said, was 'to take a large portion of Brown's estate that Brown had designated for charity and to turn over these amounts to the family members and purported family members who were, under the plain terms of Brown's will, given either limited devises or excluded'. Music fans across the world mourned the death of the Godfather of Soul after he died on Christmas Day a decade ago After years of legal wrangling, Tomi Rea Brown was recognised as the icon's widow. They are pictured together at the BET Awards in Los Angeles in 2003, where he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award Brown with the Rev Al Sharpton outside the White House in January 1982, where they had met President Reagan to advocate making Martin Luther King's birthday a national holiday Such an undermining of Brown's intention, it warned, would create a chilling effect on others who want to leave money to charity after their death. 'Were we to accept the new estate plan, we would undermine any confidence citizens may have in their ability to do with their personal assets as they wish, leading to a chilling effect on future testators in South Carolina wishing to make charitable testamentary devises,' the ruling read. A decade after Brown's death, this remains unsettled. In 2003 Michael Jackson, who described Brown as an 'inspiration', presented the star with a lifetime achievement award at the BET Awards Soul star: James Brown pictured opening Woodstock '99 in June 1999, where he is thought to have played in front of 200,000 music fans A scene from the film The Tuxedo, released in 2002, in which Brown appeared in a scene alongside actor Jackie Chan A deal was struck earlier this year, in which four of Brown's six children, Larry, Yamma, Vanisha and Deanna, agreed to end their opposition to the will in exchange for one-sixth of the property. But two, Daryl and Terry, are against this, and the case is now going through the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Official documents reveal that the I Feel Good trust, set up to distribute Brown's wealth to children, had no assets and had carried out no charitable activity in 2015. Papers filed to the IRS in February this year reveal that no money has been distributed by the James Brown 'I Feel Good' Trust for each of the years since 2010. The document was signed by trustee Russell L. Bauknight. Brown (pictured in 2002 performing in London) left $2million in scholarships for his seven grandchildren, and left property worth another $2million to be shared among the six children he recognised Brown with Joss Stone during recording for BBC show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross in June 2005 Brown embraces Paul McCartney during a jam session at the end of the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction dinner in New York City Interest in Brown's legacy has spiked, with the 2014 release of biopic Get On Up, starring Chadwick Boseman as Brown. And an HBO documentary, Mr Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown, was released the same year, produced by Mick Jagger. The films chart the musician's rise to fame after an impoverished childhood, during which he was abandoned by his mother at an early age and living for years in his aunt's brothel. A mourner stands in front of James Brown's coffin during a public viewing at the Apollo Theater 10 years ago He grew up in Augusta, Georgia, and by the time his career began to take off in the early 1950s, he had served time in a juvenile detention for robbery before securing an early release. Yet his electric stage shows and massive catalogue of hits ensured he became one of the best-known musicians on the planet. Advertisement Nine employees in southern California spend their days painstakingly sculpting faces, pouring silicone into molds and customizing fake nipples to create high-end sex dolls. Each 'RealDoll' is created with a flexible skeleton and requires about 80 hours of work from start to finish - although more specific requests, ranging from multiple heads to elf ears, take up additional time and handiwork. Photographer Robert Benson captured the surreal world at Abyss Creations outside San Diego, where faceless bodies hang from the ceiling and shelves are neatly lined with dildos. But Benson likened it to any other workplace, saying: 'Everyone was super passionate about what they're doing, and they take the work seriously. I guess the fascination wears off after a week and it becomes like any other job.' Nine employees in southern California spend their days painstakingly sculpting faces, pouring silicone into molds and customizing fake nipples to create high-end sex dolls (pictured) Each 'RealDoll' is created with a flexible skeleton and requires about 80 hours of work from start to finish - although more specific requests, ranging from multiple heads to elf ears, take up additional time and handiwork Photographer Robert Benson captured the surreal world at Abyss Creations outside San Diego, where faceless bodies hang from the ceiling and shelves are neatly lined with dildos Artist Matthew McMullen, who founded the company Abyss Creations, claims it was all a happy accident. McMullen, who once worked for a Halloween mask manufacturer, was sculpting a female figure for a personal art project in 1994, when it 'kind of took on a life of its own,' he told Vanity Fair in 2015. He came up with the idea to create a realistic mannequin, and the project soon morphed into the first posable silicone sex doll due to 'the public's demand,' he said. While sex dolls had been produced in Japan since the 1980s, they were made from plastic. McMullen's RealDoll, on the other hand, was created with a high-grade silicone, which retains heat and allows for a 'more realistic feel and greater elasticity', according to the company's website. The flexible skeleton also means clients can bend the doll however they like, and interchangeable faces, along with a high level of personalization, enhance the doll's life-like features. Matthew McMullen, who founded the company Abyss Creations, said he creating the first posable, silicone sex doll, was an accident. Nearly two decades later, he is pushing the envelope again, incorporating artificial intelligence in his creations Standard dolls, which come with the choice of 18 female body types, or two male figures, start at $6,500 while more specific creations start at an eye-watering $12,000 The figures are even fitted with a hinged jaw, with 'soft, stretchy lips, ultra soft tongue, soft silicone teeth' Radio personality Howard Stern once gave the RealDoll a rave review, saying: 'I swear to God! This RealDoll feels better than a real woman!' He added: 'Best sex I ever had! Standard dolls, which come with the choice of 18 female body types, or two male figures, start at $6,500 while more specific creations start at an eye-watering $12,000. Each doll is anatomically correct, and genitalia, like everything else, can be custom made to a client's preferred specifications. The figures are even fitted with a hinged jaw, with 'soft, stretchy lips, ultra soft tongue, soft silicone teeth.' Radio personality Howard Stern once gave the RealDoll a rave review, saying: 'I swear to God! This RealDoll feels better than a real woman!' He added: 'Best sex I ever had!' Nearly two decades later, McMullen is pushing the envelope yet again, outfitting the dolls with artificial intelligence so they can respond to people and simulate emotional intimacy. 'We are designing the AI to be fun and engaging, more than focusing on whether it can fool you into thinking it's a person,' he said on a Reddit, adding that it was their goal to simulate feelings of love. Pictured, a chart displaying different varieties of nipples available for customers to choose from. Dolls can be highly customized to match the desired specifications of each customer Despite the unusual nature of the work, Robert Benson said: 'Everyone was super passionate about what they're doing, and they take the work seriously. I guess the fascination wears off after a week and it becomes like any other job' Advertisement A photographer has asked Americans across the nation to reveal their biggest fears - and received answers ranging from ISIS to personal failure, while one policeman worried about not being able to express his love to his family and friends. Mike Belleme, who lives in Swannanoa, North Carolina, has spoken to about 60 men and women across 11 states for his 'States Of Fear' photo series. He started working on the project in March this year and intends to carry on. 'Im very interested to see the direction it takes post election. It feels like a huge shift in terms of who is afraid and what we are afraid of,' Belleme told the DailyMail.com. Belleme has taken three trips for this series, asking each subject: 'What is your biggest fear or concern?' Fear, he said, makes people look inward. Concern, on the contrary, makes them look outward - and some subjects have expressed concern for their country or their families. Some fears reflect what have become running themes of the year 2016 - hate crimes, terrorism and concern for the country's future. Others take on a more personal, sometimes metaphysical turn. Tom Pierce, 30, a nationalist politician and activist from Knoxville, Tennesse, told Belleme what he fears most is eternity and the final judgement. Another interviewee, 37-year-old Reema from Washington, DC, said she was concerned about people not being able to feel comfortable in themselves. Some, who were interviewed before November, had concerns related to the presidential election. A 21-year-old man feared for his family remained in Iraq. Chris Valetin, 62, a retired steal worker of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, fears ISIS and the America the next generation will live in. He told Belleme before the presidential election that the current political climate had caused him so much frustration that, for the first time since he was 18, he may not vote for a president. 'I got nieces, they got little kids. I love 'em to death, but what the hell is the world gonna be like when they get to be my age if they make it that far? I just don't understand it all.' He added about ISIS: 'Somebody's gotta go down there and take care of things, and we're the only country that's gonna do it. ... If we don't stop them over there, they're gonna come over here.' Muhammed Quraishi, 21, is originally from Baghdad. He fled Iraq for Lebanon with his sister and younger brother in 2010, and arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee almost three years ago. Muhammed, who works as a restaurant server, fears extremists harming or killing his siblings in Iraq. His older brother and sister were over 18 so they were not granted refugee status. The family has been separated for six years. 'My father was a translator for the US Army and he was shot and killed. When my brother got married, I could not be there. There is no way to go back, I would be stupid to go. You don't have a future in Iraq, you don't know when you're gonna die.' Fatuma Hussein, 39, the founder of an immigrant resource center in Lewiston, Maine, fears never having a place to belong. She is frustrated by the lack of acceptance she says she has experienced as tension grows between Lewiston's natives and the city's growing Somali population. 'When you're Muslim, when you're black, when you're a woman, when you're an immigrant, it's just so many layers of barriers that are against you - and it's very, very painful. And for me, how I deal with it is determination, I think. Remember we are starting from a place of historical trauma, crazy war, all kinds of stuff, right? And you come here and you want to start your life over again, but it's just so scary. ... The American Dream is not a reality for us. So where do we belong, you know?' Peggy May, 46, of Lewiston, Maine, fears discrimination and hate crimes. May came out as gay about five years ago after three marriages and four children. She told Belleme watching her hometown change and become one of the biggest landing spots for Somali refugees and immigrants has been scary for her, especially because she believes Muslim culture is less tolerant of homosexuality. 'Ever since [the Orlando shooting] in the gay club, we have to worry here as well. We had gay pride that weekend, and a lot of people didn't show up because they were terrified.' Reema, 37, a nurse in Washington, DC, fears people not being able to feel comfortable in themselves. The rise of Donald Trump has caused Reema, a lesbian woman with middle-eastern origins, to feel that the United States has moved away from social progress. The shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando has had a lasting effect on her because she lost her good friend, KJ, who was working the door at Pulse the night of the shooting. 'A gay club used to be a safe haven for me especially growing up and not being out, it was a place you could just go and be yourself and you feel that sense of freedom,' she told Belleme. 'Now since what took place at Pulse, I feel a little different about that. I've become a little bit more weary about going to a gay club or even clubs in general where it's crowded. Their lives were stolen you know? I lost someone I knew due to hate.' Fear, according to Belleme, has grown in the United States over the past years - but he hopes his photos give another perspective on it. 'The topic of the project is actually the polarity and disjointed nature of our population. Im using fear as a way to address this in the hopes that empathy can bridge the gap,' he said. 'I believe in activism that comes from a place of love, compassion and understanding. Another way that fear can bridge these gaps is that through the sequencing of the stories, certain unexpected parallels emerge. All of the sudden, its not all of these people over here versus all of these people over here. A more complex depiction of the population can be seen in the similar fears, and circumstances that span economic, racial, and political gaps.' Belleme took three trips around the country for 'States Of Fear'. The first, a road trip through the southeastern US, took him through his home state of North Carolina, as well as South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia. 'For that trip, I think I had one person lined up whom I had photographed previously for an assignment, but otherwise, it was just walking or driving around and seeing who or what peaked my interest,' Belleme said. 'I kind of hold in my head all of the fears and stories Ive heard so far, and Im looking for things to balance them or transitions that can be made between them.' He then flew to Maine and embarked on a road trip, traveling through Massachusetts, New York and Washington, DC. His third and last trip was to California and Nevada. Melvin Kyle, 46, of Knoxville, Tennessee, fears going back to prison. He was recently released after a violent assault that he claims was self-defense when someone pointed a gun at him. Melvin, who has two daughters aged 3 and 7 and a 25-year-old son,says he was protecting his family. 'I just got out of prison and it's been rough ever since. I'm worried about my son trying to follow my footsteps.' Sergeant Rob Farley, 39, of Kentucky State Police, fears the inability to express love to family and friends. His fears have to do with being a good Christian and a good family man. 'My biggest fear is expressing to the ones in my inner circle, my family and friends, that I love them. I don't want to fail in that aspect of my life. My kids know that I love them, but I'm not a very open person. As a police officer I don't express emotions and whatnot.' Tom Pierce, 30, a nationalist politician and activist in Knoxville, Tennessee, fears eternity and the final judgement. He has never supported a mainstream party politician, but told Belleme he would vote Republican for the first time in his life in order to support Trump. Pierce believes that the world should be culturally and racially segregated and hosts confederate flag rallies to fight for his right to fly the flag. 'What's my eternal destination going to be? What's my neighbor's eternal destination going to be? I worry about it all the time,' he said. 'We are all predisposed to evil and we're gonna stand judgement one day for every deed we did whether it was seen by man or not. It's all gonna be revealed. Any time I'm in a situation and don't mention it I feel like I'm gonna have to answer for that at the Judgement.' Missy Bianchi, 48, a funeral home stylist in Harlan, Kentucky, fears the life decisions of her children aged 16, 17 and 22. Bianchi is grateful to have spent so much time close to death because it has made her and her family very comfortable with it. She does not fear death, due to her Christian beliefs, but instead worries about the choices that her children will make. Her oldest son is in the air force. 'He is at that threshold where he is making his own decisions. I just have to sit back and let him do it. That's hard for a parent. We still have some say in what happens to them. My faith colors everything about my life. For them to stray away from their faith would be, in my opinion, the worst thing that could happen to them.' Forest Wallingford, 22, a student and photographer in Asheville, North Carolina, fears becoming alienated from her religious family. Her father's side of the family are Republican evangelical Christians, while she is a politically liberal atheist. Most of Forest's contact with the family comes in the form of notes and Christian literature sent to her to try to convince her to change her ways. After eight years of not seeing them, Forest recently visited her father in Missouri to try to salvage the relationship. 'One of my biggest fears is the idea of disappointing my family and losing contact with them because of my disbelief in God. I have completely lost touch with my father because of it. He is so afraid of the person that I have become and the lifestyle that I lead that he hasn't touched my bedroom closet since I lived with him when I was 12 years old.' Carl Mumpower, 63, a clinical psychiatrist and former Republican politician in Asheville, North Carolina, fears America's postponement culture colliding with reality. Mumpower's hardline stance on immigration has earned him backlash in Asheville. His own fear is not for himself but he's afraid America's 'postponement culture' will result in a painful reckoning, when debt from excessive government spending eventually cripples the country. 'You don't get around reality when the bill is finally due. I am fearful of the consequences for many people. We've been stealing off of your future and when you find out, you are going to be really upset with us, and rightfully so... I think fear is the single most destructive psychological variable there is.' Nigel McCourry, 34, an Iraq war veteran who now lives in Asheville, North Carolina, fears complacency. After serving in Iraq, McCourry returned to the US suffering from severe PTSD, resulting in extreme feelings of isolation, insomnia and debilitating hyper-vigilance. He was part of a trial experiment treating soldiers with PTSD using MDMA (ecstasy). It successfully treated his PTSD, which McCourry says is almost unheard of. He is now trying to find the balance between hyper-vigilance and complacency. 'We got shot at every day. After three months it was like primitive survival mode. There were signs in Iraq that read "Complacency Kills". Becoming complacent makes you vulnerable and lazy. Fear can be a good friend or a wicked enemy. As a friend fear allows us to identify our own insecurities and weaknesses, and it communicates to us when we are in danger. As an enemy, it haunts us and makes us targets of manipulation.' Kameron Horn, 32, a musician and artist in Oakland, California fears the lasting effects of a recent race-related experience. What was supposed to be a much-needed relaxing break in the woods with his girlfriend became very tense as he overheard people talking about him being with a white girl. At one point he started to fear for his life, and eventually he and his girlfriend fled the campsite. 'I had that feeling that I was actually gonna die. You're literally helpless to human beings that hate you because you're colored. Little does this guy know that I just got my DNA done and I'm 44.9 per cent European. He wouldn't even care - just because I look black to him, he hates me. ... It hurts your pride. I guess I just don't want it to change who I am. I also don't want to develop a hatred for people, because I love people. I'd be scared of this having a lasting effect on me.' Tiffany Narron, 31, a writer in Asheville, North Carolina, fears trusting people. She struggled with obesity as a child and has been a victim of sexual assault on several occasions. Now, Narron is looking for ways to confront her inner fears rather than hiding from them. 'There is some healing that has to happen around it. Just it being a part of me as a person and wanting to move on from it and not have it be my life story. That's the hardest part, wanting to move on and trust other people and having to admit that I can't fully all the time. ... I'm always thinking that worst-case scenario.' April Hileman, 26, of Lebanon, Virginia, fears relapsing. She has been dealing with serious addiction to prescription pills since the age of 19. After getting in legal trouble, Hileman started attending a drug court but became addicted to a treatment called Suboxone. After a short jail sentence and wanting to straighten up for her daughter (aged 3 at the time), Hileman completed the drug court program and is now fighting to stay sober while supporting her daughter as a single mother. 'You're going to wind up in prison for a really long time or you're gonna end up dead. That's a major fear of mine. I feel like I can avoid it. It's a thin line between staying sober and falling back into that lifestyle. You have to become very familiar with yourself. It can sneak up on you. There's been a few times that I felt confident that I could stay sober then I relapsed before I knew it. It's all part of growing.' Taylor Jobin, 24, a program instructor at an educational non-profit in Washington, DC, fears failure. He has a strong drive to make it in the competitive world of Washington politics. The tattoo on the inside of his arm says, 'Limits, like fear, are often just an illusion'. It was the last line of Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame speech. 'He was my favorite basketball player growing up. Whenever I'm kind of afraid to do something, I say it in my head and try and convince myself, like, it's not real, it's just in your head.' Chris Crutcher, 54, a homeless man in New York City, fears dying and not having a funeral. Crutcher lives in a shelter after being in and out of prison for 20 years. 'I don't have no insurance and I'm not too much in contact with my family, and New York got a system here where, when you pass away and they can't get in contact with family members, they bury you in their cemetery. My family members have an old perception of me. During my incarceration, they really never got a chance to meet me during my change. I changed over from thinking like a boy, to a man. I became a father, and they haven't yet met my daughter. I think that I'm more relevant to people than they think I am; they just don't know those parts about me. ... I'm a good fella. I am. I'm a really good fella.' Claire Hummel, 33, of Half Moon Bay, California, fears daily stress around having and doing enough. Her life is all about prioritizing happiness. She works for herself as a jewlery repairer and pursues other artistic endeavors. Her continuous insistence on fun and pleasure often clashes with reality and causes daily financial stress. 'I wake up daily fearing not being able to pay back bills that I owe. It creates a stress. I never chose the path of having a full-time career with benefits. I wanted to feel a little bit more free everyday. Sometimes I'll put things before paying rent or paying your health insurance bill, because you want to be happy. Or that is going to create happiness for others, so you prioritize that first.' Some subjects' answers have challenged Belleme's stereotypes, or have changed his perspective on things. 'One of my favorite conversations was with Chris Crutcher in Manhattan. He was a homeless man who has been trying to work his way up through a homeless shelter to get placed in housing,' Belleme said. 'I think many of us, especially those who live somewhere where homelessness is very visible, put a certain emotional guard up around homelessness. 'If we see it every day, we simply cant feel the full weight of what it means to be homeless every time, so we kind of create an emotional barrier that may involve blaming them, or thinking its not that bad. 'Crutchers fear made it very real to me. He feared dying and not having a funeral. This fear came down to that nobody cared about him or valued his life enough. He hes spent almost twenty years in jail, and feels that his family has an old perception of who he is and have not seen all of the effort he has made to better himself. He does not want to die before rectifying that.' Being surprise, Belleme said, is one of the most gratifying part of his projects - and, according to him, it happens 'surprisingly often'. 'I think we all think we are better judges of character than we actually are. Its a skill that I pride myself in, but often, I would go into a conversation with certain expectations, preconceived notions based on stereotypes, and would have all of that shattered,' Belleme said. 'That has made me challenge those pre-conceived notions, and my hope is that it will do the same for the viewer. That is really what the project is about, challenging our perceptions of the "other" in a dangerously polarized nation.' Robert Gibson, 44, a coal miner in Harlan, Kentucky, fears getting laid off and having to leave everything behind. After a decade of coal mining, Robert is facing the very real possibility that he could lose his job as more and more coal mines shut down. 'My biggest fear would be having to leave. I'm too old to change now. Don't want to. I've been here all my life. This is what we love. It ain't lookin' good around here. We'll see what the next administration does. It's depressing seeing all the empty houses and people picking up and moving. I've seen friends get laid off and have to sell everything they worked for.' Barbara Campos, 51, of Grass Valley, California, fears the judicial system. Her career as a paralegal came to a stop when she got in a car accident and became disabled. Campos moved out afterwards and she and her boyfriend got a rental truck. He apparently made a mistake bringing it back, which resulted in her being charged with grand theft auto. Campos served 90 days for the felony offense before getting it reduced, then dismissed. But for unclear reasons, her record shows not one, but nine felonies. 'It's hard to get a job if you have a felony. People don't really want to associate with you. It's very expensive to go through and change your record. You have to have lots of documentation to prove that it's not you. They have all these other cases they want to prosecute. It's not affecting them.' Joseph Otwell, 51, of Susanville, California, fears not living long enough to see his daughter graduate college. At age 26, Otwell sustained a back injury that left him disabled. He has had several procedures that have resulted in scar tissue around his intestines. Otwell has a battery-powered spinal cord stimulator that enables him to walk. But once the battery dies in eight or nine years, doctors told him they will probably not be able replace it because of the scarring. He would be left totally immobile, an existence he doesn't want to experience. 'I tell my kids I won't be around a long time like Grandpa. I'm suffering way too much pain.' Josh McBroome, 42, of Dayton, Nevada, fears lack of personal accountability in the country. Even with a solid blue-collar income, McBroome, a machinist, and his wife often find themselves barely scraping by. Even so, he believes that all should stand on their own two feet without government help, except in completely desperate situations. 'I wanna see more people with more personal responsibility. Don't rely on the government for everything. Yes, you lost your job. Okay. Here's a year's worth of benefits. That year's up, go get a job. If you lose your house because you didn't go out and get a job, fine. That's not our responsibility. I pay my taxes, and I don't get squat back from the government in freebees.' Julia Castillo, 51, of New York City, fears yhe lack of control that comes from living in a big city. She moved from El Salvador to New York 20 years ago to 'see what the American dream was about'. Castillo has watched the city change and has felt it change her.'After 9/11 you feel fear. You can survive and have your daily living, but you don't have the same emotional stability, like you think something is gonna happen. The past comes to the present in a negative way. I think my worst fear is that we cannot control that more bad things will happen. I don't know the people who live next door. We are not even talking to each other. You don't trust nobody. New York changes the way you see people. I've had to learn how to survive here.' Certain themes come back regularly when Belleme's subjects reveal their biggest fears. This became noticeable as he worked on the project throughout the year. 'Right before the election there was all of the sudden a huge serge of fear around the possibility of another world war,' he said. 'This fear was shared on both sides of the political spectrum, but for different reasons. The most common fears had to do with terrorism. That fear was prevalent in all corners of the country and didnt seem to be specific to any definable demographic although its most prevalent in more conservative folks.' Belleme, however, didn't bring up politics. Some of his subjects brought up the topic on their own. 'The project was not just about understanding the Trump vote, although I was curious about it, it was about understanding the American psyche today. In fact, I didnt ask people about their political affiliations unless they volunteered that information, which they often did,' Belleme said. 'I wanted to keep the perspectives balanced and represent as many different viewpoints as possible. As the idea took shape and I started finding subjects, it really became about creating a safe and open space where people can be vulnerable and share the things in their life that are truly causing them concern.' Belleme's own biggest fear has changed over the year. 'When I started the project I would have said it either had to do with my dads health, or my own career,' he said. 'Over time, both of those fears have diminished somewhat. I think Ive faced the career fears head on and realized that I dont care so much about the usual benchmarks of success, and what I really need to be doing is what I did this year, push myself and use my voice to tell the stories that I want to tell. So this project helped solidify that in my mind. 'While Im working on the project intensely, I develop anxiety, which is something Ive never dealt with in any other point in my life. I lose sleep from it. I think part of that is just the stress of trying to pack in as much as I can on these trips, but also Im holding all of these stories of other peoples stories in my head. 'I run them back and forth in my head non stop looking for connections between them. So I may be imbibing some of their fear. Right now, there are so many fears having to do with the next four years of our country. For me the scariest place that we are going to lose ground is with environmental issues, but also social issues like immigration and race relations could get really ugly.' Cindy Hedges, the owner of a shop in Paris, Kentucky, fears lack of control over potential terrorist threats. 'I think it's really too late for us to have any control now I think there are so many people in our country that are terrorists that probably live next door to you and you don't even know it. I think most of them are already here. Just because we are a small town you might think that we would be the least of somebody's worries, but think about it, a small town, a terrorist would probably think, "They would never suspect us bombing a small town." But no, I don't feel like anybody is completely safe anymore.' Aaron Pringe, 25, a farmer in Davis, Calfornia, fears the loss of the American way of life. Pringe wasn't raised on a farm, but he started working on a friend's farm at a young age. 'I like being able to see the results of what you did in a more tangible way. I also like providing safe food for people. I take a lot of pride in that. Different political issues and different policies and things make it a lot harder. At least for me, my ultimate goal would be to have my own business, and trying to start a farm is almost impossible unless your family comes from that, just because the startup costs are so high. Allowing foreign companies to come in and buy our agricultural companies and our agricultural land has made prices just skyrocket. It's just tough when people higher up make decisions that affect the people that are really working hard and really driving this country and doing all the dirty work.' Kevin Baugh, 54, president of the micronation of Molossia in Dayton, Nevada, fears not finding a suitable successor and the death of his country. Baugh was 14 when he and a friend decided to start their own country. The friend lost interest quickly but the country of Molossia is alive and well 40 years later. Baugh takes the role of president of his own country with a combination of humor and serious ambition. The country is not a protest, and Baugh fought for the US Army for 27 years. 'Right now, there are four human citizens and four dog citizens. A total of eight residents in the nation. The cat is not a member of the population, you can't trust cats, it's probably a spy. There's a certain amount of political satire that goes with it. We have a good time with the idea of having our own country. I am always a little bit concerned about what's going to happen to Molossia after I'm gone.' Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam (R) hosts Katayama Satsuki, Acting Chairwoman of the Policy Research Council under the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (Photo: VNA) Deputy PM Dam expressed his desire that, with her prestige and position in Japan, Satsuki would urge the Japanese parliament to provide more assistance for Vietnams socio-economic development. He noted with pleasure that the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan has developed strongly over the recent past, adding that their bilateral cooperation has reaped encouraging outcomes in the fields of defence, security, economy, agriculture, climate change adaptation, and exchanges among localities. The Deputy PM hoped more Japanese businesses would invest in Vietnam, especially in hi-tech agriculture, education, human resource development, and people-to-people exchanges. Regarding agriculture, Japan is expected to help the Southeast Asian country increase productivity and create highly competitive farm produce. Deputy PM Dam also asked Japan to receive more Vietnamese trainees to work at Japanese businesses, particularly nurses. He suggested the two countries promote cultural exchanges through festivals for better mutual understanding. In turn, Katayama Satsuki said she is due to meet with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Education and Training, and Ministry of Industry and Trade during her working visit to Vietnam to discuss joint projects in agriculture, trade, labour, and environment./. A Japanese artist has given hermit crabs a chance to relocate to New York City - all thanks to the powers of imagination and 3D printing. Aki Inomata, of Tokyo, was inspired by the site of the former French embassy in Japan, which has changed hands between the two countries. This reminded Inomata of how hermit crabs change shells. 'A piece of land is peacefully exchanged between two countries. While it is the same piece of land, our definition of it changes. In the same way, the appearance of hermit crabs changes completely as they exchange shelters,' she wrote on her website. Inomata, who documented her process in a video, used a 3D printer to generate miniature versions of New York City, Bangkok temples and Dutch windmills. Japanese artist Aki Inomata created 3D models of miniature cities, including New York, and offered them to hermit crabs so that they could pick their new shells (pictured) She studied the shapes of hermit crab shells found in the wild and replicated them while creating her own. Inomata had previously tried to give the crabs spherical shapes only, but they ignored them. She placed the new shells in a terrarium with several hermit crabs and let them pick their new homes. The new tiny shelters are see-through, which makes it possible to see the small crabs crawl into their new shells. 'The hermit crabs in my piece, who exchange shelters representing cities of the world, seem to be crossing over national borders,' Inomata wrote. 'It also brings to mind migrants and refugees changing their nationalities and the places where they live.' She is hoping that eventually her passion could turn into a full-time venture Keeping up with popular culture, she has perfected Advertisement A mother-of-two boys has managed to create a wealth of sculptures using just party balloons. Rochelle Cohen, 38, from Leeds in the U.K., trained and worked as a pharmacist, but after taking giving up her day job she began to look for something else for inspiration. Ditching her white lab coat, she began to work from home with something altogether far more colorful and creative, and began to make extravagant and elaborate sculptures from balloons. Her designs are now regularly posted to her Facebook and Instagram accounts. Santa's here! Rochelle Cohen, 38, creates incredible designs from balloon of all shapes and sizes Festive: With Hanukkah falling on the same day as Christmas this year, it pays to be topical when creating fresh designs From Chewbacca's Star Wars, to Super Mario and Winnie The Pooh, nothing is off limits when it comes to the designs Wedding day: The designs range from celebrations for anniversaries, weddings and birthdays, to popular culture Greenery: Rochalle's original designs were far simpler like this snake, left, but have now grown in complexity like this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, right, 'My dad was the inspiration making balloon dogs and flowers when I was a child, but I'd never been artistic at school. Somehow with balloons, everything just clicked,' Rochelle tells DailyMail.com. The designs were simple at first, such as a long, thin balloon being turned into snake or a simple bouquet of flowers. But over the course of the year, Rochelle has become ever-more adventurous and daring with her designs with everything from The Queen to My Little Pony within her grasp. These balloons perfectly capture contestants on X-Factor. They may not have stars in their eyes, but they do on the balloons! Rochelle has managed to keep up with popular culture with these designs from Finding Dory and Batman Vs Superman Milk & sugar? Who would be able to turn down a cup of tea with the Queen? Thankfully her handbag matches the balloons Regal: The Queen, her crown and her corgi's are represented here, left, with Tinkerbell landing at the foot of the stairs, right Rochelle is the mother of two boys, Josh, left, and Oliver, right, and a wife to Simon Her creativity sees her keeping up with popular culture and in recent months she has created her own versions of Finding Dory, Super Mario, Batman Vs Superman, R2D2 & Chewbacca from Star Wars as well as the stars of Pokemon. 'I can't explain exactly how it happens', confesses Rochelle,'it kind of just does!' Rochelle, who has two young boys, Oliver, 5, and Josh, 7, made the extravagant balloons to impress them. But now orders are starting to come in and the kids have adopted more carefree attitudes. The star of the LEGO movie is recreated, while Princess Celestia from My Little Pony looks bright and ready to gallop Game on! The cast of characters from Pokemon are nicely represented here with a couple of pops and twists Rochelle appears to be able to turn her hand to anything, from goalkeepers to spacemen Yoda, the legendary Jedi Master from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, is valiantly defending the staircase here It seems that her children aren't the only one's who are impressed. Word is quickly spreading of Rochelle's talents, with people celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and weddings all placing requests for something unique from her. 'What many people don't realize is that nothing is pre-made. I create everything from the designs on the balloons to the eyes on character's faces,' she adds. Creating all of her designs in the back bedroom of her home, Rochelle is hoping her talent may soon turn into a full time business and has set up a Facebook page called Pop 'n' Twist showcasing her colorful work. Two is a magic number! This giant 2 takes on a life of its own. A sure sign that the party will have plenty of birthday cake Woody from Toy Story appears lifelike in rubber, left, a couple celebrate 50 years, center, while this bouquet of flowers will likely last long than the real thing, right Creative: Sometimes the designs are based on the person who is celebrating a birthday, left, while others a 'simple' teddy bear for does the job, center. The design on the right was another original creation - a woodland themed baby shower One fashion design student has cleverly figured out a way to tell off her professor... and get away with it. Lama Ali, who attends a university in Virginia, carefully crafted a secret message into her final painting for her fashion art class. That said message, 'You got me f**ked up', was in retaliation against her professor who assigned her class three finals that were all due on the same day, Buzzfeed reported. He rude, but very skillfully hidden message was written in the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet. One fashion design student has cleverly figured out a way to tell off her professor and get away with it. Lama Ali, who attends a university in Virginia, carefully crafted a secret message into her final painting. That said message, 'You got me f**ked up' Lama Ali (pictured), 20, said that her professor 'absolutely loved' the drawing, but did ask about the hand signs. She said the act was in retaliation against her professor who assigned her class three finals that were all due on the same day The 20-year-old said that her professor 'absolutely loved' the drawing, but did ask about the hand signs. Ali said she was able to brush it off when the professor asked what the significance of the hands were as her classmates held back chuckles during her critique. She told the professor that she merely wanted to practice more on drawing hands. In order to understand the message written within the painting using the ASL alphabet, you must follow the hands of all her models from left to right. Ali told Buzzfeed that her 'secret is still safe', at least for right now. Her post has been shared and liked more than 50,000 times on Twitter. For those who were trying to decode the hidden message on social media, someone was kind enough to circle the hand signals on the painting (pictured) She said she was working in the library when the idea popped into her head. 'After being on maximum overdrive for that long, the only thing that kept repeating in my head was "you got me f**ked up",' she told Buzzfeed. 'And then I decided to write it in sign language so it would be less detectable.' For those who were trying to decode the hidden message on social media, someone was kind enough to circle the hand signals on the painting Two baby orangutans have been rescued in an undercover sting by Thai police, after they arranged to buy the primates from traffickers. An anonymous tip alerted police to an online advertisement for the endangered animals, who are less than one year old and the size of infants. Police then posed as interested buyers and contacted the seller over mobile messaging service WhatsApp, according to deputy national park director Adisorn Noochdumrong. Thai police rescued two baby orangutans after undercover officers posed as interested buyers and contacted the seller over WhatsApp The police became aware of the plan to sell the orangutans when an anonymous tipper told them about the online advert Police pretended to be interested buyers and started a conversation with the traffickers 'They agreed to buy the two orangutans for 700,000 baht ($19,400) and transferred a 100,000 baht down payment to a bank account that belongs to a Thai man,' he said. The undercover officers arranged to pick up the baby apes outside a Bangkok supermarket on December 21, where the orange-furred creatures were delivered by a city taxi driver. The driver was arrested but cleared after authorities determined he was not part of the smuggling gang, according to wildlife police officer Anothorn Srithongbai. They convinced them to sell the animals for $20,000 and arranged to pick them up at a Bangkok supermarket The driver was arrested but later cleared as it was made clear he wasn't linked directly with the smuggling gang The link is thought to be just one in a much larger chain, and social media helps the police track more offenders 'As far as the real trafficker goes, that's still under investigation,' he added. Orangutans are native to Malaysia and Indonesia but they are often illegally smuggled throughout Southeast Asia, either for private zoos or as pets. Thailand has long served as a transit hub for contraband wildlife products bound for major markets like Vietnam and China. Counter-trafficking organisation Freeland, which assisted with the orangutan rescue, said the attempted sale was linked to a 'major regional criminal syndicate' involved in the lucrative illegal wildlife trade. Matthew Pritchett from Freeland said social media has become an integral tool for such gangs to set up sales. A mother of two young children was killed by a driver who tried to avoid a drunken-driving checkpoint in southwest Virginia, according to state police. Police say the crash occurred Friday afternoon on Route 58 in the town of Coeburn, in Wise County. Samantha Dennis, 36, of Coeburn was driving a sport-utility that abruptly stopped after arriving at a DUI checkpoint, according to authorities. Police say she made a U-turn and headed west in the eastbound lane before colliding head-on with another car. Scroll down for vehicle Rebecca Starling (left), a mother of two young children, was killed by Samantha Dennis (right), a driver who tried to avoid a drunken-driving checkpoint in southwest Virginia, according to state police The driver of that car died at the scene. Police identified her as 32-year-old Rebecca Starling of St. Charles, Missouri. Her daughters, five and two, were in the car at the time. They suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They were taken to area hospitals. The five-year-old had serious injuries, while the two-year-old had minor injuries, WYMT reported. Starling, left, died at the scene. Samantha Dennis, right, was taken to an area hospital for treatment, before being taken to jail. She has been charged with felony murder and felony elude Starling and her children wore seat belts at the time of the crash, with her daughters in child safety seats, according to the TV station. Wise County Commonwealth's Attorney Chuck Slemp told the Bristol Herald Courier that Starling and her daughters were traveling from Missouri to North Carolina to see family. Dennis has been charged with felony murder and felony elude, Slemp revealed. She was taken to an area hospital for treatment, before being taken to jail, the Herald-Courier reported. Dennis is held without bond. Her passenger, 29-year-old Mallory Tomko of Coeburn, was taken to an area hospital for life-threatening injuries, the newspaper said. Last minute holiday shoppers have been filmed brawling with each other in New Jersey, Alabama and Georgia shopping malls ahead of Christmas. A fight broke out at Jersey City's Newport Center Mall on Friday night when two people started punching each other in the middle of a huge crowd. As onlookers gathered around while several people hit each other, a separate fight broke out off to the side. Last minute holiday shoppers were filmed brawling with each other at Jersey City's Newport Center Mall. The fight broke out on Friday night when two people started punching each other in the middle of a huge crowd Multiple security guards tried to intervene and were punched in the process. Video shot by a witness captured the ordeal, which happened right near where a line of children were waiting to meet the mall's Santa Multiple security guards tried to intervene and were punched in the process. Video shot by a witness captured the ordeal, which happened right near where a line of children were waiting to meet the mall's Santa. It is unclear exactly how many people were involved in the fight. Security guards can be clearly seen trying to restrain at least one person as children ran past and cried out for their parents. A woman who only identified herself as Larissa told the New Jersey Journal she was shopping with her mom when she heard the fight break out. 'I just seen a bunch of flying fists and I seen the security guards getting punched and anyone that was in the way getting punched,' she said. Video courtesy of Willie James McKinnon Other fights broke out in Alabama and Georgia on Saturday as shoppers tried to finish up their Christmas shopping. In the Alabama incident (left and right), a fight erupted between two women but was soon broken up by officers at the scene But once the officers broke up the first fight (left), another fight ensued between two other women (right) Police said the fight was instigated by a number of minors but no one was injured or arrested as a result. Other fights broke out in Alabama and Georgia on Saturday as shoppers tried to finish up their Christmas shopping. In the Alabama incident, a fight erupted between two women but was soon broken up by multiple officers at the scene. But another fight ensued between two different women. Video courtesy of Pablo Chulo And the fight in Atlanta, Georgia, broke out in a Topshop store between two women (left and right), who knocked down several items of merchandise before the fight was broken up by mall security At least one female in the first fight in the Alabama mall was seen in handcuffs as police led her out of the mall. And the fight in Georgia broke out in a Topshop, a women's clothing store, between two women, who knocked down several items of merchandise before the fight was broken up by mall security. One woman is seen punching another woman, who is on the ground. The same woman is then seen pulling the other's hair while friends try to pull her away. Also on Christmas Eve, a man was taken to the hospital after he was stabbed while trying to break up a fight between two teenagers at the Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood. Alexander Blackman (pictured) was denied bail earlier this week and will therefore spend his fourth Christmas behind bars The Royal Marine who was jailed for life for murdering a Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan is reportedly set to sue his lawyers. Alexander Blackman, 42, was denied bail earlier this week and will therefore spend his fourth Christmas behind bars. He is arguing that those who represented at his trial in Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire in 2013 failed to commission psychiatric reports. Lawyers representing Blackman, from Taunton, Somerset, are understood to have contacted three of his legal team, reports Patrick Foster at the Daily Telegraph. They are believed to have written to them as the psychiatric reports could have reduced his murder conviction to manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility. The lawyers are said to have warned his former legal team that they could face a civil claims for professional negligence. Jonathan Goldberg QC is leading his new team after new evidence was found which suggests the former sergeant was suffering from a mental disorder. The undiagnosed illness was thought to have affected Blackman at the time when he shot the wounded Taliban insurgent in 2011. His appeal will be heard on February 7 next year and a court will decide whether they will reduce his murder conviction. It comes as Blackman's supporters reacted with fury earlier this week after it emerged that a 50million Nigerian conman had been released from prison on the same day the ex-serviceman was denied bail. James Ibori was freed on Wednesday - half way through his 13-year sentence - and despite the fact he refused to pay back any of the money he stole. His wife, Claire Blackman, spoke at the High Court after the Royal Marine was denied bail And on the same day, Blackman was told he would be spending his fourth Christmas in prison after his bail application was refused. Lawyers acting for the sergeant reportedly wrote to Anthony Berry QC and junior barrister Peter Glenser, to warn he might sue them for professional negligence, according to the Telegraph. Blackman's solicitor Issy Hogg is believed to have been given letter and the three lawyers are all denying his claim, the paper reports. Two people died after a bus carrying student musicians on their way to perform at a Christmas concert crashed down a bank near Gisborne, New Zealand. The bus, which was carrying students and teachers from Mailefihi Siulikutapu College on Vavau Island, Tonga, crashed around 10.30pm on Christmas Eve on State Highway 2, about 30km from Gisborne, according to the St John ambulance service. Out of the 45 passengers, 27 were transported to hospital. Eight people were admitted to Gisborne Hospital and two were airlifted to Hastings Hospital, emergency officials said. Two people died after a bus carrying student musicians on their way to perform at a Christmas concert crashed down a bank near Gisborne, New Zealand The patients admitted to Gisborne Hospital ranged in age from 16 to 65 and included a 55-year-old man in serious condition, according to St Johns This picture reportedly shows a passenger who was injured in the bus crash. Twenty-seven were hospitalised The patients admitted to Gisborne Hospital ranged in age from 16 to 65 and included a 55-year-old man in serious condition, according to St Johns. Pictures from the crash scene posted to a Tongan discussion forum on Facebook showed people gathered by the side of the road, as well as scenes from inside a hospital. 'Much love and prayers to them all,' one member of the Facebook group wrote. 'God be with them all and hope everything will be alright. Prayers for all of them involved in the accident so sad,' wrote another. The identities of the deceased were not yet confirmed on Christmas morning, police said. Many of the passengers were members of a brass band and were scheduled to perform at a Christmas fundraising event, according to emergency officials. Pictures from the crash scene posted to a Tongan discussion forum on Facebook showed people gathered by the side of the road Many of the passengers were members of a brass band and were scheduled to perform at a Christmas fundraising event, according to emergency officials It is not yet known what caused the deadly crash. The bus driver is assisting police, officials said. 'The location of the crash scene is approximately 100m down a steep bank,' police wrote in a press release. 'Serious Crash Unit have attended and report that the extraction of the bus is likely to be challenging and may take a number of days to complete due to the terrain and availability of the necessary heavy equipment during the Christmas period.' As Laura Bacon-Smith cuddles her baby daughter, she knows she is nothing short of a miracle. She had been told by doctors that she had an extremely rare form of cancer that is hard to treat and had widespread tumours in her liver. She started on gruelling chemotherapy treatment and was given just six months to live. But five years later not only was she still alive - but she had just fallen pregnant against all the odds, after doctors told her the treatment would leave her infertile. Now she is set to celebrate Christmas with her miracle daughter Lake, who celebrated her first birthday the day before Christmas Eve. As Laura Bacon-Smith (right) cuddles her baby daughter Lake (left), she knows she is nothing short of a miracle And not only was baby Lakes arrival a miracle - but amazingly she has shrunk her mothers tumours - which means she is able to spend more time with her precious family. Delighted Miss Bacon-Smith said: Lake really is my miracle baby. Not only have I survived against all the odds to fall pregnant with her - but she has actually managed to make me better. She is the best thing to have ever happened to me. When Miss Bacon Smith, 28, was first diagnosed with the cancer, she was devastated. She had collapsed at work as an account manager in 2010 and was immediately transferred to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. She said: It felt like I had a stitch in my right side, but Id done nothing to warrant it. The next day I went to work as usual, but the pain was so bad that I collapsed at work. She was rushed to hospital and was kept there for more than two months because doctors didnt have a clue about what was wrong with her. Eventually she had three biopsies which came back as cancerous and doctors confirmed she had Hepatic Epithelioid Hemangio Endothelioma, an extremely rare form of cancer affecting the lungs, liver, soft tissue and blood. Laura had been told by doctors that she had an extremely rare form of cancer that is hard to treat and had widespread tumours in her liver Five years after being told her time was coming to an end, not only was she still alive - but she had just fallen pregnant against all the odds, after doctors told her the treatment would leave her infertile It is such a rare cancer, that it accounts for only a fraction of one per cent of all cancers. It was at this point they announced that she would not live to see the end of another year. She said: I was told I had a maximum of six months to live and then I had two rounds of chemo, which meant I lost my hair. Despite her devastating diagnosis, Miss Bacon-Smith then went on to meet her boyfriend Lewis Neeve and since then they have been inseparable. She said: Lewis knew about my diagnosis from the start and he said that the cancer didnt matter and we should continue to make every minute count. Then in April last year, she made the most amazing discovery. After managing to survive for a further five years following her terminal diagnosis she was pregnant. She said: The doctors didnt believe I was pregnant at first so I had to have an internal ultrasound, but we were all left amazed. I had to take eight pregnancy tests until we really believe it. 'The doctors had told me I would be infertile because of all the treatment Id had, but I still managed to fall pregnant. This baby was obviously meant to be. Miss Bacon Smith couldnt give birth naturally because of the strain on her heart, and baby Lake was born 11 months ago by caesarian the day before Christmas Eve last year. She is set to celebrate her first birthday this Christmas, and the couple, who live in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, plan to have a special celebration. Despite her devastating diagnosis, Miss Bacon-Smith (right) then went on to meet her boyfriend Lewis Neeve (left) and since then they have been inseparable Miss Bacon-Smith said: She is such a special baby. It will be our first proper Christmas this year. 'We were allowed to bring her home on Christmas Eve last year, but she had only just been born, so it will be a real proper Christmas this year. And doctors have also made another startling discovery. A scan carried out in May this year revealed that being pregnant with her miracle baby had actually caused Miss Bacon-Smiths tumours to shrink. She added: They told me that because of all the pregnancy hormones, it would either mean my tumours would accelerate, or that they would shrink. And when they did the scan in May it showed that amazingly they had shrunk, which was fantastic news. At the moment my diagnosis is still terminal, as it is a cancer they cant cure, but my baby has managed to shrink my tumours and give me more time as a mother. We dont know what the future will hold. Six years ago I was given just six months to live. 'But Im still here and about to see my baby celebrate her first birthday. Afghanistan's first female pilot to serve in the air force since the fall of the Taliban has applied for asylum in the United States. Capt. Niloofar Rahmani told the Wall Street Journal: 'I would love to fly for my country that is what I always wanted to do. But I'm scared for my life.' Rahmani, 25, has defied death threats from the Taliban and even members of her own extended family to become the first female fixed-wing Air Force aviator in Afghanistan's history and the first female pilot in the Afghan military since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Scroll down for video Capt. Niloofar Rahmani, Afghanistan's first female pilot to serve in the air force since the fall of the Taliban, has applied for asylum in the United States (April 2015 photo) Rahmani, 25, has defied death threats from the Taliban and even members of her own extended family (April 2015 photo) She was honored with the US State Department's International Women of Courage Award in 2015. Her bio on the department's page listing the 2015 award winners says: 'Captain Rahmani was only 18 years old when she heard an announcement in the media about the recruitment of young women into the Afghan Air Force, including the opportunity for pilot training. 'Soon after, she enlisted in officer training and graduated as a Second Lieutenant. 'In July 2012 just two years after hearing the recruitment announcement Captain Rahmani graduated from flight school and completed her first solo flight in September in a Cessna 182, an American four-seat, single-engine light airplane.' Rahmani was honored with the US State Department's International Women of Courage Award in 2015 (April 2015 photo) She traveled to the United States last summer for C-130 transport plane training with the US Air Force in Arkansas which finished on Thursday - and was supposed to return Saturday, yet did not. She is pictured in Afghanistan in April 2015 According to the State Department, 'She continued to expand her skills and challenge all odds when she graduated from advanced flight training and became qualified to fly a C-208 military cargo aircraft. 'Unfortunately, after her story was publicized, Captain Rahmani and her family began to receive threats from the Taliban and from members of her extended family, who disapproved of her career and ambition. 'As a result, her family has had to take tremendous caution and relocate several times in Afghanistan.' Rahmani has said that if she gets asylum, she'll fly with the US Air Force or commercially (April 2015 photo) Threats have led her immediate family to relocate three times since Rahmani went to the United States, according to the newspaper. Her attorney Kimberly Motley told the Journal: 'There are great concerns for her safety if she returns. The threats she has received have been well documented. 'Unfortunately, some of her superiors within the Afghan military have failed in their duty to protect her.' She traveled to the United States last summer for C-130 transport plane training with the US Air Force in Arkansas which finished on Thursday - and was supposed to return Saturday, yet did not, the Journal reported. Rahmani has said: 'It was not easy finishing flight school, it was very hard, but someone had to accept the risk so that other women can do what they dream' (April 2015 photo) Rahmani's training with the US Air Force took place at Little Rock Air Force Base (pictured in a file image) An Afghan air force spokesman told the Journal pilots have to come back after finishing training elsewhere. Rahmani told the newspaper that if she gets asylum, she'll fly with the US Air Force or commercially. She previously told WTKR: 'You can't just see yourself as a woman, but as a human and believe in yourself. 'It was not easy finishing flight school, it was very hard, but someone had to accept the risk so that other women can do what they dream.' Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) meets with Lao Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sommad Pholsena (Photo: VNA) PM Phuc made the proposal while receiving Lao Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sommad Pholsena in Hanoi on December 24th. He expressed his hope that the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam and Laos will step up bilateral cooperation in the fields of natural resources and environment defined in a cooperative agreement between the two governments for the 2016-2020 period, and build coordination blueprints for the coming time. The PM also suggested Laos and Vietnam consider the engagement in the Convention on the Protection and Use of Trans-boundary Watercourses and International Lakes. For his part, Minister Sommad Pholsena said Laos will apply modern technologies in waste treatment and learn experience from Vietnam to avoid environmental pollution during its development process. He affirmed that the construction of hydropower plants on the Mekong River will strictly follow the Mekong River Commissions regulations and international law. Laos pledged to use effectively and sustainably its water sources, he added. The Mekong River runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam./. The Queen has paid tribute to those who inspire the nation by saving lives, winning sporting medals or impressing through quiet dedication, in her annual Christmas message. Looking back on a year that has seen momentous change with the Brexit vote and national celebrations for her 90th birthday, the Queen highlighted the efforts of these remarkable individuals. In her televised message the Queen said 'on our own' we could not solve global problems but the collective effect of many could have a positive impact. For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Monarch today missed the annual Christmas services in the St Mary Magdalene Church at the Sandringham Estate, having been struck down with a heavy cold all week. The Queen praised the 'inspirational' Team GB athletes in her Christmas Day address, as well as the achievements of 'ordinary people doing extraordinary things' In her speech, she said: 'But even with the inspiration of others, it's understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems are so big that we can do little to help. 'On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine.' In her message to the nation the Queen singled out for special praise ordinary people like volunteers and carers doing 'extraordinary things'. She described how Mother Teresa, declared a saint this year by Pope Francis, summed up the contributions of these unsung heroes with the words: 'Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.' There was no mention in the Christmas message of Brexit, which saw David Cameron resign as prime minister in the wake of the UK voting to leave the European Union. The Sun newspaper attempted to involve the Queen in the issue when it published a front page suggesting she was in favour of the UK leaving the EU. Its headline 'Queen backs Brexit', published in March, was later ruled to be 'significantly misleading' by the Independent Press Standards Organisation after Buckingham Palace complained to the watchdog, insisting the Queen was 'politically neutral'. A photograph of the Queen with Prince Charles, released earlier this month to mark the end of the Queen's 90th birthday year, can be seen on her desk during the broadcast But the Queen highlighted one of the major sporting events of the year, the Rio Games, and spoke about the impact the UK's medal-winning Olympians and Paralympians, and Commonwealth athletes, were having on the next generation of sportsmen and women. At this point during the message footage was shown of the Buckingham Palace reception held in honour of ParalympicsGB and Team GB medal winners, with the Duke of Cambridge pictured greeting Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds. The Queen made reference to her 90th birthday celebrations only to praise the hundreds of charities and organisations which have her as their patron. Many of them had taken part in a special street party in The Mall - the Patron's Lunch - to mark the anniversary. The head of state, who recorded her Christmas message in Buckingham Palace's regency room earlier this month, said: 'Many of these organisations are modest in size but inspire me with the work they do. 'From giving friendship and support to our veterans, the elderly or the bereaved; to championing music and dance; providing animal welfare; or protecting our fields and forests, their selfless devotion and generosity of spirit is an example to us all.' Footage was shown of the revellers enjoying the Patron's Lunch, parades entertaining the crowds and the Queen watching events from the royal box. The Queen spoke about the success of the country's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Pictured are members of the GB hockey team posing with their gold medals Team GB athletes posing for a group photograph after arriving home at Heathrow Airport following their success at Rio 2016 The Queen also highlighted the work of organisations associated with members of her family, like the medical staff and crew members from East Anglian Air Ambulance with whom her grandson William flies helicopters. In her message she said: 'A few months ago, I saw inspiration of a different kind when I opened the new Cambridge base of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, where Prince William works as a helicopter pilot. 'It was not hard to be moved by the dedication of the highly-skilled doctors, paramedics and crew, who are called out on average five times a day.' As she spoke, footage was shown of her visit, with the Duke of Edinburgh, to the new base, with William showing his grandparents the rear of a helicopter where equipment was stored. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and The Prince's Trust celebrated significant milestones this year, with Philip's organisation now 60 years old and the Trust, founded by his son the Prince of Wales, marking its 40th birthday in 2016. Looking back on a year that has seen momentous change with the Brexit vote and national celebrations for her 90th birthday, the Queen highlighted the efforts of remarkable individuals The Queen with her family on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the Trooping the Colour ceremony In her televised message the Queen said 'on our own' we could not solve global problems but the collective effect of many could have a positive impact 'The message of Christmas reminds us that inspiration is a gift to be given as well as received, and that love begins small but always grows' Dressed in a deep jade, silk cloque dress, by Angela Kelly, and wearing a pearl and diamond brooch, the Queen said: 'These started as small initiatives but have grown beyond any expectations, and continue to transform young people's lives.' The Christmas address, written by the Queen, ended on a religious note, as she said: 'The message of Christmas reminds us that inspiration is a gift to be given as well as received, and that love begins small but always grows.' At the end of the broadcast a montage of video footage showing highlights from the Queen's year was screened, with the Queen seen at the State Opening of Parliament, the annual Maundy service, and with her family on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the Trooping the Colour ceremony. The Queen was featured meeting well-wishers on her 90th birthday - April 21 - outside Windsor Castle and chatting to Nadiya Hussain, last year's winner of the BBC's The Great British Bake Off, who had made a three-tiered orange drizzle cake. The message ended as it had begun, with music from the Massed Bands of the Foot Guards. They started the broadcast by playing the national anthem outside the gates of Buckingham Palace and ended it with the Wassail from A Christmas Intrada, by Alfred Reed. This year's broadcast comes at the end of a momentous year in which the UK voted for Brexit, leading to David Cameron resigning A hero nurse delivered a baby with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck inside a McDonald's bathroom stall when a woman went into labor. April Jones was eating breakfast with her mother Nancy at the Sarasota, Florida fast food restaurant when she heard a woman scream. In the bathroom she found Cathy Jordan, who was eight months pregnant and went into labor while her husband Sean waited in line to order food. Surprise: Cathy and Sean Jordan (above) went to a Sarasota McDonald's on Saturday for breakfast. Cathy, who was pregnant, had to use the restroom so she left Sean in line with their two-year-old son While inside the McDonald's (above) restroom, Cathy felt her son's head and screamed out. Sean ran inside and was followed by April Jones, a nurse who just happened to be at the fast food chain 'I felt the baby's head. This scream came out of me came, from my toes, quite the scream,' Cathy told WTSP. 'The whole restaurant heard it. Somebody in the other stall asked if I was ok I said "No I'm having a baby."' Sean heard his wife's scream and rushed into the bathroom to help, as one of the assistant managers looked after their two-year-old son. 'I was scared for her life and the baby's life,' Sean said. With no time to rush to the hospital, Cathy knew she had to give birth in the stall. Luckily, nurse Jones was there and she immediately rushed into the restroom. 'When April came in and told me she was a nurse we were relieved,' Cathy said. 'She was amazing.' Jones (above) told Cathy the baby's umbilical cord was around his neck, but she was able to loosen the cord just as the baby came out Paramedics arrived on scene to give the baby oxygen, as he wasn't breathing. Sean (left) said that 'the best feeling ever' was when the baby boy named Parker, took 'a gulp of air' Of the nurse, Sean added, 'She wasn't scared, she was ready for anything.' But the couple's relief quickly faded, as the umbilical cord was around the baby boy's neck. Cathy said, 'When she told me the cord was around the baby's neck I was screaming "My baby is going to die" I was praying "Help, don't let him die."' The nurse was able to loosen the cord just as the baby boy came out, but he wasn't breathing. Paramedics arrived on the scene moments later and put an oxygen mask on the newborn. 'I had oxygen on the baby's face, and he gave a gulp of air Best sound of my life,' Sean recalled. Parker (above), who weighed 5 pounds and 9 ounces at birth, is healthy and is being monitored at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The couple hopes to bring him home in time for Christmas He added: 'To be sitting there, thinking going to lose your child and to hear the baby breath... the best feeling changed my life.' The baby, who they named Parker, is healthy despite being born a month early. 'He's perfect - 10 fingers, 10 toes, beautiful dimples. He's got a full head of hair,' Cathy shared. Sean added: 'He's here, he's healthy and he's beautiful.' Reports say her relatives became confused about who was caring for her A toddler who died after being found unconscious in a car in 30 degree heat had been left inside after confusion over who was caring for her. The three-year-old girl was seen about 2pm before being found inside the car about 4.30pm in Glenwood, northwest of Sydney on Christmas Eve when her relatives became confused about who was looking after her, according to reports. They had joined the girl's mother to prepare Christmas dinner before the girl was found, not breathing, The Daily Telegraph reported. Scroll down for video The toddler died in Westmead Children's Hospital after being pulled unconscious from a car. Pictured are people speaking with police at the scene The girl, believed to be three, was reportedly locked in the car for a number of hours after returning from Christmas shopping with her family on Saturday Temperatures in the Sydney's west hit about 29 degrees on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services were called about 4.45pm and when police arrived family members were performing CPR, police said in a statement. Police took over until New South Wales Ambulance arrived. The girl, who was in cardiac arrest, was taken to Westmead Hospital where she died. She was pulled from a car on Cameo Circuit in the northwest Sydney suburb of Glenwood It's said the toddler had returned home with her family about midday after going Christmas shopping. Pictured is the scene surrounded with police tape Police will investigate if the family members had believed the other was supposed to be caring for her, according to The Daily Telegraph. It's said the toddler had returned home with her family about midday after going Christmas shopping before her death. Police will also investigate if the girl was locked in the car the whole time or if she entered the car herself, reports said. A crime scene has been established at the location while police from Quakers Hill Local Area Command investigate all the circumstances surrounding the girl's death. Police are asking anyone with information to assist them to come forward. Emergency services were called to the address about 4.45pm and the child was taken to Westmead Children's Hospital NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia the child was believed to be three It's been almost a year since Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old American student, was detained in North Korea - and not much progress has been made in the case to get him back. Warmbier, a University of Virginia undergraduate, was sentenced in March to 15 years of hard labor after he confessed he had tried to steal a propaganda banner from a Pyongyang hotel. Warmbier, of Wyoming, Ohio, was arrested on January 2 as he was departing the East Asian country. He told a North Korean court he tried to steal the banner as a trophy for an acquaintance who wanted to hang it in her church. He had also been charged with trying to gather information that could be used against the North Korean leadership. Scroll down for video It's been almost one year since Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old American student, was detained in North Korea - and not much progress has been made in the case to get him back. Warmbier is pictured in April 2016 Warmbier, a University of Virginia undergraduate, was sentenced in March to 15 years of hard labor after he confessed he had tried to steal a propaganda banner from a Pyongyang hotel The Coming Collapse of China author Gordon Chang told Fox News: 'I assume he feels isolated. He's likely only reading propaganda and feels abandoned by the outside world.' The US government condemned the sentence and accused North Korea of using such American detainees as political pawns. In April, North Korea's foreign minister Ri Su Yong countered that Warmbier was being used by Washington 'as a tactic to make our lives difficult' by creating internal disturbances. In April, North Korea's foreign minister Ri Su Yong (pictured) said that Warmbier was being used by Washington 'as a tactic to make our lives difficult' by creating internal disturbances Ri noted that the North Korean government has allowed previous detainees to leave the country, often after senior US statesmen have come to get them. Indeed, former president Bill Clinton traveled to North Korea in 2009 and met with officials. Kim Jong-il would pardon American journalists Euna Lee and Lisa Ling, who had been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. Regarding the efforts to get Warmbier, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson told Fox News this month: 'We don't know anything new, the progress has been very slow, but the North Koreans did accept my delegation from my foundation [ed note: the Richardson Center for Global Engagement] that specializes in getting American soldiers out of prisons around the world.' Richardson said: 'The progress has been slow. I've proposed to the North Koreans that I go to try talk to them. This is - the White House is aware of this. 'They've been supportive, but it's not a government-to-government deal, because we have a very bad relationship with North Korea.' He explained: 'We're trying to do this on a humanitarian basis, not a government-to-government basis.' Richardson told Fox News, referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, 'in the past, we could talk to his father [Kim Jong-il] when he was the president and you could make deals, but now there's just like silence. There's nothing coming back.' In June, North Korean state media said the country will not negotiate with the US over Warmbier and another American it is holding, Kim Dong Chul, until former detainee Kenneth Bae stops publicly talking about his time in prison. North Korea arrested Bae, a US missionary, in November 2012 and sentenced him to 15 years' hard labour for crimes against the state. He was released two years later and has written an account of his detention in a memoir released in May. Since then, Bae has spoken about his experiences at several public appearances and given interviews to promote the book. In August, the US urged North Korea to pardon and release on Warmbier on humanitarian grounds, with State Department spokesman John Kirby calling for Warmbier's pardon and release during a daily news briefing. Warmbier told a North Korean court he tried to steal the banner as a trophy for an acquaintance who wanted to hang it in her church (March 2016 photo) In November, North Korea said that it had discussed the issue of American and Canadian detainees with the Swedish ambassador in the country. A North Korean Foreign Ministry official met with the Swedish ambassador on November 24 for talks on consular access for Canadian detainee Hyeon Soo Lim, a Christian pastor, sentenced last year to life in prison with hard labor, according to Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency. The Swedish ambassador used the meeting as a chance to raise the issue of consular affairs for the American detainees. The Pyongyang official, identified as the director general of the ministry's European Department 2, reiterated a position that the North will handle the issues of detained Americans line with a wartime law, according to the KCNA. In July, North Korea announced that it would handle all issues between the two countries in line with a wartime law in response to US sanctions that target leader Kim Jong-un. It has not elaborated on what wartime law means, although analysts say that suggests North Korea could deal with US detainees in a harsher manner. Korean-American Kim Dong Chul is serving a 10-year prison term with hard labor, while Warmbier received 15 years. Lim, who pastored the Light Korean Presbyterian Church in Toronto, was convicted by Pyongyang's Supreme Court for trying to use religion to destroy the North Korean system and helping US and South Korean authorities lure and abduct North Korean citizens. North Korea is often accused by other governments of using foreign detainees as a way to win concessions from other countries. Pyongyang is locked in a long-running standoff with Washington and other countries over its pursuit of nuclear weapons. State Department spokeswoman Julie Mason told Fox News that 'now that Mr. Warmbier has gone through this criminal process, we urge the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] to pardon him and grant him special amnesty and immediate release on humanitarian grounds'. A Christmas carols service in Sri Lanka mistakenly printed out the lyrics to gangster rapper Tupac's hit song 'Hail Mary' on thousands of its service programmes. The unfortunate mix-up took place at the Catholic 2016 Joy to the World Festival, which was held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Instead of reflecting on the traditional Catholic prayer's message of how 'blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus' - attendees were presented with lyrics reading: 'I ain't a killer but don't push me, revenge is like the sweetest joy, Next to gettin' p***y.' A Christmas carols service in Sri Lanka accidentally printed out the lyrics to gangster rapper Tupac's hit song 'Hail Mary' on thousands of its service programmes Instead of the traditional Catholic prayer 'Hail Mary' - service programmes had the vitriolic lyrics to Tupac's hit 1997 song The song 'Hail Mary' was released shortly after Tupac was shot dead in 1996. It bares no real resemblance to the Catholic prayer (Pope Francis pictured right) Sri Lankan journalist Jithendra Antonio uploaded photographs of the carols program to his Twitter account, tagging Pope Francis and CNN. The lyrics were printed on over 1,000 flyers for the event - which is heralded as one of the biggest carol services in the country, according to Pedestrian TV. The event was billed by organisers as 'a fund-raiser for poverty alleviation projects jointly organised by the Archdiocese of Colombo and St. Joseph Vaz Trust.' The Hail Mary, also known as the Ave Maria or Angelic Salutation, is a traditional Catholic prayer which draws inspiration from two passages in Luke's gospel. Conversely, Tupac's hit song Hail Mary deals with the rapper's struggles with gang violence, drug dealing, sex and the afterlife. The song was released shortly after Tupac was shot dead in 1996. How do the Hail Mary's compare? Tupac's 1997 hit song I ain't a killer but don't push me Revenge is like the sweetest joy next to getting p***y Bow down, pray to God hoping that he's listening Seeing n***as coming for me, to my diamonds, when they glistening Now pay attention, rest in peace father I'm a ghost in these killing fields Traditional Catholic prayer Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Advertisement The lyrics were printed on over 1,000 programmes for the event - which is heralded as one of the biggest carol services in the country A baby who was born blind and without a skull is being cared for by a kindly Buddhist monk over Christmas. Nurafaiha, from Sayaburi in Thailand, cannot take milk normally and has to be fed through a tube. The 8-month-old's case was highlighted on social media, and people clubbed together to raise funds for her care. Nurafaiha, from Sayaburi in Thailand, cannot take milk normally and has to be fed through a tube Monk Bhin and the foundation are well known for good works in assisting poor families with special needs. The other four children in the Nurafaiha's family all go to school, which is a challenge when the family only have the father's meagre income from his job in a factory. Nurafaiha needs regular hospital treatment and, in the future, will need several operations on her face and skull. Monk Bhin has so far been able to raise 200,000 Thai baht (4,400) from the foundation funds and individuals who have responded to his Facebook appeals to assist the family. Nurafaiha needs regular hospital treatment and, in the future, will need several operations on her face and skull A property owned by the parents of a man charged with the murders of two young women during the 1990s is being searched by police. Bradley Robert Edwards, 48, was arrested last week and charged with the murders of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon in the upmarket Perth suburb of Claremont. Now his parents' investment property at Madora Bay, south of Perth, is being searched, two decades after the disappearance of three women after a night out sparked Australia's longest-running police investigation. Scroll down for video Bradley Robert Edwards (pictured left) was arrested and charged with the murders of two young women who disappeared from Claremont in Perth in 1996 and 1997 Police search a property south of Perth owned by the parents of a man charged with two murders Police officers continued to guard the property on Challenger Road on Friday night, WA Today reported. The accused man's parents haven't lived there for some years and rent the property out, the Fairfax Media report said. The Telstra worker appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday charged with the abduction and murder of Jane Rimmer, 23, and Ciara Glennon, 27 in 1996 and 1997. A third woman who disappeared during that period, Sarah Spiers, remains missing, almost 21 years after leaving the Club Bay View in Claremont. Sarah Spiers has never been found since she disappeared from Claremont in early 1996 Ms Rimmer disappeared after a night out with friends in 1996. Her body was found in bushland at Wellard in Perth's southern suburbs on August 3 that year. Ms Glennon disappeared in March 1997, also after a night out in Claremont. Her body was found in bushland in Eglington, north of Perth. Jane Rimmer was 23 when she went missing in 1996 after a night out in Claremont Ciara Glennon was 27 when she disappeared in March 1997 in upmarket Claremont in Perth West Australian Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said the investigations were continuing. 'So there is still much work to be done, but this has already been the biggest and most complex police investigation in WA history,' he said. 'Hundreds of police officers have worked on this case over the 20 years.' Edwards has also been charged in relation to attacks on other women, including two counts of deprivation of liberty, two counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, one count of breaking and entering and one count of indecent assault. A white kimono that may provide police with vital clues in the cold case murders Commissioner O'Callaghan told reporters last week police would allege he abducted a 17-year-old girl as she walked through a park in 1995 and took her to a nearby cemetery where he sexually assaulted her. He is also alleged to have entered the bedroom of an 18-year-old girl in 1988, and attacked her while she slept. He fled after she struggled but left behind a white kimono, which he accidently dropped. A State Farm commercial showing a black man proposing to a white woman has been targeted by racists. The insurance giant tweeted out the seemingly innocuous advertisement on Wednesday, showing the young couple getting engaged. 'Who said yes? Cheers to the newly engaged this holiday season! Be sure to #ProtectTheBling!' a caption with the picture read. It also linked information on its 'personal article policy'. A State Farm commercial showing a black man proposing to a white woman (pictured) has been targeted by racists The insurance giant tweeted out the seemingly innocuous advertisement on Wednesday, showing the young couple getting engaged However, just moments after it was posted, bigoted users began replying to the tweets with a bevy of offensive comments. 'Seriously, it's getting ridiculous Trump's America, now. We gotta be FIRM on this,' Brenda Gale tweeted. 'Been a State Farm customer for 20 years. Will be taking business elsewhere next week,' another person said. 'This is f**king disgusting. Why do ad execs think race mixing sells product?' one user wrote. 'Absolutely disgusting. I am venomously opposed to Inter-racial relationships. I will boycotting State Farm,' Reg Keane tweeted. 'This is revolting. What's wrong with you?' one said. 'Anti white (sic) filth will get you shut down in WHITE AMERICA,' another wrote. 'Sad. Preserve your race, white people,' a tweet read. Thousands of comments were left on the commercial after it was posted, many of which were racist 'What the hell are you doing? This is disgusting and nobody wants to see this,' another added. Others began suggesting the commercial's casting was part of some larger conspiracy by the insurance company. 'Why are interracial relationships uncommon IRL but extremely common in advertisements? Blatant social engineering. That's why,' Reinhard Wolff said. 'Awesome. I now know that I'm not ever supporting a company that promotes genocide like this,' another wrote. Offensive comments were being posted to State Farm's tweet by racists who were upset with the ad One person even suggested the advertisement was the equivalent of 'interracial porn'. Thankfully, others were quick to call out the offensive and racist remarks. 'These comments are so disgusting, how could people be so hateful?' Mikayla Bruendl said. 'This is a really sweet ad. I'm sorry people are being horrible and disgusting bigots,' Kristen McHugh wrote. Other people were quick to call out the racist comments, while some celebrated State Farm for casting an interracial couple 'The racist response to this simple tweet from @StateFarm is disgusting, and an affront to interracial families like mine,' Timothy Buck tweeted. 'Thanks for daring to cast a racially mixed couple, sad to see all the ugly mentions,' Jamiah Adams said. 'The replies to this are DISGUSTING I feel SICK,' another person added. A California man is fighting to have a charge of driving under the influence of caffeine dismissed. Joseph Schwab was driving home on August 5, 2015 when he was pulled over by an agent from the California department of alcoholic beverage control who was driving an unmarked vehicle. The agent claimed that he cut her off and was driving erratically, so Schwab, 36, was given a breathalyzer test that showed he had a 0.00 per cent blood alcohol level, his attorney Stacey Barrett told the Guardian. Despite the test showing he had no alcohol in his system, Schwab was arrested and booked into Solano County Jail where his blood was drawn to be tested to see if he had taken any drugs. Scroll down for video Joseph Schwab was stopped by a California department of alcoholic beverage control agent who claimed he cut her off and was driving erratically in 2015. The agent gave Schwab a breathalyzer test that came back negative, but still arrested him (file above) He was taken to jail where a toxicology test was done on his blood but came back negative for drugs. Instead, months later, a second test found he had caffeine in his system and he was charged with DUI (file above) The resulting toxicology report was negative for benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, THC, carisoprodol (a muscle relaxant), methamphetamine/MDMA, oxycodone, and zolpidem. A laboratory in Pennsylvania screened the sample for a second time and found that the only positive result was for caffeine. Schwab was charged by the Solano County district attorney with a misdemeanor driving under the influence of a drug charge. 'I've never seen this before,' Barrett told the Guardian. 'I've never even heard of it.' Now, nearly 18 months later, he is preparing to go to trial, where the only evidence the district attorney has provided in the case is the second blood test showing the presence of caffeine. Since the charges in the case weren't brought against Schwab until June 2016, Barrett has filed a motion to have the case dismissed. His attorney, Stacey Barrett, (above) is trying to get the misdemeanor driving under the influence of a drug charge dismissed. Of the case, she said, 'I've never seen this before' If it is denied, Schwab will appear in front of a jury on January 11. In a statement, chief deputy district attorney for Solano County, Sharon Henry, said that her office is conducting further investigation in this matter'. 'The charge of driving under the influence is not based upon the presence of caffeine in his system,' she added. However, Barrett has asked that if the DA's office has evidence of a different drug in Schwab's system then the information should have been provided to her due to the rules governing criminal proceedings. Chief deputy district attorney for Solano County, Sharon Henry (above), said her office is conducting further investigation in this matter 'I have not been provided with any evidence to support a theory of prosecution for a substance other than caffeine at this time,' Barrett said. 'Nor I have received any statements, reports, etc documenting any ongoing investigation since the [toxicology report] dated 18 November 2015.' Schwab said in a statement that the case has damaged his reputation. 'No one believed me that I only had caffeine in my system until I showed them the lab results,' he said. 'I want the charges to be dismissed and my name to be cleared.' California vehicle code classifies a 'drug' as any substance besides alcohol that affects a person in a manner that could 'impair, to an appreciable degree' the ability to drive normally. A singer in the Red Army Choir declared dead in the Sochi air disaster is alive as his passport was out of date and he was forbidden to fly. The Tu-154 model plane, which belonged to the Russian defence ministry, crashed two minutes after leaving the southern city of Adler at 5.40am (2.40am GMT). There were no survivors. The military plane was carrying soldiers, reporters and 64 members of the famed Alexandrov military music ensemble who were to perform for Russian troops in Syria as part of New Year celebrations. Roman Valutov, 29, was in the list of the aircraft passengers, but did not board the doomed flight as his passport expired in July. A Russian plane has disappeared from radar over Sochi while en route to Syria. The missing plane was a Tu-154 model (pictured) This is the last picture of the Tu-154 before it crashed into the Black Sea. It was posted by NTV cameraman Evgeny Tolstov Roman Valutov, 29, was in the list of the aircraft passengers, but did not board the doomed flight as his passport expired in July He said: 'I was going through immigration and the girl there said: 'Are you joking? Your passport expired back in July.' 'I hadn't realised. She told me to wait. I stood there worrying if I'd be allowed to fly, and in a few minutes I was told: 'You're not going anywhere.' 'I was nervous about the mistake over my passport, but I went home. 'I was there at 3.30 am and afterwards people start calling me, asking if I was alive. I checked and found myself in the list of the dead. 'I was crying. My friends and relatives are shocked.' Soloist Vadim Ananyev, whose wife just delivered a baby and pleaded with him to remain at home to help, also avoided boarding the flight. The couple have three small children. He said: 'I feel as if I were hit over the head. I still can't believe it. They are telling me now I was born with a silver spoon.' Twelve bodies have been recovered off the coast of Sochi as a frantic search operation continues to find the missing. The cause of the Christmas Day crash wasn't immediately known, but some experts pointed at a terror attack as a possibility a scenario rejected by Russian officials. Viktor Ozerov, head of the defence affairs committee at the upper house of Russian parliament, said he 'totally excluded' terrorism as a possible cause of the crash because the plane was operated by the military. However, some experts contested Ozerov's claim, saying the crew's failure to report a malfunction pointed at a possible terror attack. 'Possible malfunctions... certainly wouldn't have prevented the crew from reporting them,' Vitaly Andreyev, a former senior Russian air traffic controller, told news agency RIA Novosti, adding that it points at an 'external impact'. Russia's transport minister said all causes were being considered, including a terror attack. Fragments of the aircraft were found about one mile from the Black Sea coast of Sochi Rescue workers push a cart with remains of the military plane which crashed in the Black Sea A frantic search operation is underway to locate the bodies of those killed in the plane crash The Russian Defence Ministry said it found debris from the missing Tu-154 in the Black Sea one mile from Sochi Russian police involved in the rescue operation at a pier outside Sochi today TU-154 AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS Tu-154 aircraft have been involved in a number of accidents in the past. In April 2010 many high-ranking Polish officials, including then president Lech Kaczynski, were killed when a Tu-154 airliner went down in thick fog while approaching the Smolensk airport in western Russia. A Tu-154, operated by Siberian Airlines, was shot down over the Black Sea in October 2001, killing 78 people. The plane was travelling from Tel Aviv in Israel to Novosibirsk in Russia, and most of the passengers were Israeli. Advertisement The plane, a Soviet-era design first introduced in the 1970s, had been on a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase in western Syria, which has been used to launch air strikes in Moscow's military campaign supporting its ally President Bashar al-Assad in the country's devastating civil war. Among the 84 passengers on the plane were 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group internationally known as the Red Army Choir, who were travelling to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the airbase. The choir sang 'Get Lucky' at the opening of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games that Russia hosted in Sochi, becoming an instant online sensation. Ralina Gilmanova, 22, and her fiance Mikhail, who were members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, were also killed. The young couple were engaged last year and due to marry soon. A three-year-old boy was orphaned by the crash after his parents Oleg and Ekaterina Korzanov, dancers in the Red Army Choir, died in the crash. The boy, Artem, who will be four in February, was staying with relatives. Singer Alexander Shutko, 30, posted a haunting last photo minutes before the doomed flight crashed in the Black Sea. His sister, Emma, said: 'Alexander called me and said 'we are already on board, taking off in 15 minutes, I'll call you when we stop in Sochi. 'But he didn't call us. We tried to contact him but his phone was out of coverage.' She said he had been promised a soloist's role in the choir, that saw 64 of its members killed in the crash. She said: 'He was so happy about his new job. He was promised a career of a soloist, he had a rare and beautiful voice. He was engaged to Yulia, who wrote: 'My love, my life, you are the best in this world, I always told you this! Rest in peace.' As word of the crash spread on Sunday, people placed bouquets of flowers outside the ensemble's Moscow headquarters. 'We all loved this ensemble,' said Moscow resident Mark Novikov. They are our brothers, our friends, our colleagues.' Pavel Kogan, the director of Moscow State Academic Symphonic Orchestra, described the choir as 'a symbol of the country' and said the loss of the artistes was 'a nightmare'. Ralina Gilmanova, 22, and her fiance Mikhail, who were members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, were on the flight that crashed in the Black Sea The young couple, both in the choir, were engaged last year and due to marry 'soon' Ekaterina Korzanov, a dancer in the Red Army Choir, died in the crash, along with her partner Daria Trofimova, one of the 64 people in the Red Army choir who was killed in the plane crash Lilia Pyryeva, a member of the Alexandrov Ensemble, who died in the Christmas Day crash Nine journalists were among the passengers, with state-run channels Pervy Kanal, NTV and Zvezda saying they each had three staff onboard the flight. There were also eight soldiers, two civil servants, and an NGO member. There were also eight crew members on board. Yelizaveta Glinka, a prominent charity activist and humanitarian worker who served on the Kremlin human rights council, was among the dead. Mikhail Fedotov, who heads the council, said Glinka was travelling to Syria to bring medication to a university hospital near the airbase. Anton Gubankov, the chief of the Directorate of Culture of the Russian Defense Ministry, was also killed. Singer Alexander Shutko, 30, posted a haunting last photo minutes before the doomed flight crashed in the Black Sea Among the dead in the crash was Yelizaveta Glinka, a doctor and charity worker who serves on the Kremlin human rights council (pictured with Vladimir Putin) Sixty-four members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group, and its conductor Valery Khalilov (pictured) were on board the plane travelling to Syria Channel One sound engineer Alexander Soidov (left) and cameraman Vadim Denisov (right) were on the flight that crashed early this morning Channel One reporter Dmitry Runkov was also on the flight that crashed in the Black Sea Zvezda TV Channel reporter Pavel Obukhov was one of the nine journalists killed in the crash The plane took off in Sochi about 5.40am local time, and was flying to Syria when it vanished A Russian military plane crashed in the Black Sea as it made its way to Syria from Sochi airport (pictured) with 92 people onboard THE RED ARMY CHOIR The Alexandrov Ensemble is the official choir of the Russian military, and it also includes a band and a dancing company. It was founded in 1928 during the Soviet era. It has for decades showcased its repertoire of famed Russian folksongs and spiritual music on the global stage. During the Cold War period, when the USSR and the West were locked in a nuclear standoff, the group was one of the rare Soviet ensembles to tour beyond the Eastern bloc, playing a prominent role in the Kremlin's attempts to portray itself to the rest of the world. It takes its name from its first director, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov, who wrote the music to the national anthem of the Soviet Union. The ensemble consists of between 100 and 120 members depending on the type of performance given. Since their performance at the airbase in Syria was going to be mostly a cappella, only the choir and a handful dancers were aboard the plane, Russian media reported. Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was being kept updated on the search operation. Putin said Russia will observe a national day of mourning tomorrow. A spokesman for the defence ministry said: 'Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres. No survivors have been spotted. 'Four ships, four helicopters, one aircraft and drones are involved in the search and rescue operation. Six ships and vessels of the Black Sea fleet, remotely operated submersibles and 63 divers have been additionally sent to the crash area. Fifty more divers from other fleets will be brought to the crash area in about an hour,' the ministry added. Deputy Defence Minister Pavel Popov has flown to Adler to look into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The plane underwent routine maintenance in September and was flown by an experienced pilot, according to the defence ministry. The aircraft had been in service since 1983 and flown some 7,000 hours since. A source told the Interfax agency the plane had not sent an SOS signal. An audio recording played on Russian media and said to be of the final conversation between air traffic controllers and the plane showed no sign of any difficulties being faced by the crew. Russia's Investigative Committee said a criminal probe had been launched to determine whether violations of air transportation safety had led to the crash. Investigators are currently questioning the technical personnel responsible for preparing the plane for take-off, the committee said. A security source indicated the plane had crashed because of a technical malfunction or a pilot error. Russia's official weather forecast agency said conditions near the airport were 'normal, easy,' the Interfax news agency reported. Rescuers were searching in the Black Sea near coastline of Sochi for wreckages of the doomed Russian Tu-154 plane The plane belonged to the Russian Defence Ministry, in Sochi, Russia, December 25 Emergency services were seen searching in the Black Sea after the flight on Christmas Day Search vessels were seen out in the Black Sea earlier today following the tragic plane crash A former member of the Alexandrov Ensemble lays a flower at the military choir's building in Moscow after 64 members were killed in a plane crash this morning A man bows his head at the Alexandrov Hall today following news of the plane crash in Sochi A mourner covers her face near the memorial outside the building of the Alexandrov Ensemble Two women cry near an office of Fair aid charity organization, founded by Doctor Yelizaveta Glinka in Moscow Floral tributes in front of portraits of the Russian TV journalists who died in the plane crash Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said: 'This awful tragedy has claimed the lives of people who were energetic and had plans. Among those killed are journalists, servicemen and musicians of the renowned Alexandrov ensemble. They flew to Syria with a very benevolent and peaceful mission. 'The circumstances of the incident will be thoroughly investigated, and everyone affected by this tragedy will receive the necessary assistance.' A Russian jet was previously shot down in the Latakia region in November 2015. In that incident, Su-24 was hit by air-to-air missiles fired by Turkish F-16s over the Syrian region. Vladimir Putin (pictured with Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev today) has declared a day of national mourning tomorrow A criminal probe has been launched to determine whether violations of air transportation safety led to the crash Ninety-two people were on board the plane when it vanished from radar, including 64 members of the famous Alexandrov Ensemble military band (pictured, performing in 2015) It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the Donald Trump's election surprised pollsters across the board, with the overwhelming majority deducing the former reality TV host had no chance of winning the White House. But Tom Jackson and Martin Sykora, researchers at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom, were able to calculate a Trump triumph ahead of time by using Twitter. Their election-predicting tool, called Emotive, was able to gather information on thousands of tweets every second to create a snapshot of how people truly felt about the two candidates. Scroll down for video Two pollsters say data proved Donald Trump 'dominated' the campaign - so much so they were able to predict his win days before the election Tom Jackson (right) and Martin Sykora (left), researchers at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom, were able to calculate a Trump triumph ahead of time by using Twitter Tweets were then assigned into one of eight categories: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise, shame or confusion. The basic rule of the analysis was that the more a candidate was tweeted about with 'extreme emotion', the lower their final vote count would be on November 8. They also looked at 'choppiness', which was when there were seemingly differing emotions on a candidate. It was better for a candidate to be steady. Trump was much steadier than Clinton, the results found, with the Democratic nominee significantly 'choppier'. The research also found the emotions people used when tweeting about Hillary Clinton changed more throughout the campaign These charts show the emotions with which people tweeted about both candidates during the campaign This graph shows how the emotions people used towards Hillary Clinton spiked and dropped regularly during the campaign By contrast, Donald Trump maintained a relatively steady emotion, which made him the stronger candidate, according to the study 'We did think: this cant be right,' Jackson told the Huffington Post. 'People were saying "youve got it wrong, youve got it wrong". But we were saying - "weve done a lot of analysis before, this is what its saying."' Sykora told the website Trump incredibly managed to be a more calming figure on Twitter, despite being dogged by a number of sexual assault allegations and the infamous 'p***ygate' recording. 'In the three weeks ahead of November 8, our model was telling us Trump was ahead based on the measures we were using,' he said. 'There were maybe two or three instances where Hillary caught up and was slightly ahead, but the data was telling us he was dominating.' These word graphs show the different words most associated with key phrases and hashtags during the campaign Jackson went on to say he believes the method can help pollsters in future, as the traditional method of asking people who they plan to vote for becomes increasingly outdated. 'The world has changed. The pollsters ask "who are you going to vote for?" Thats a snapshot in time,' he said. 'With this type of system - longitudinal, over a long period of time - you cant really lie. Asylum seekers at the Manus Island detention centre took control of parts of the facility on Christmas Eve after a refugee died. Overnight on Manus guards were forced out and refugees took control for a short time. Senior Sergeant Thomas Lelepo, who is based on the island, told the ABC: 'There was a situation there ... over the death of a resident'. An image acquired from social media shows a food services tent believed to be on Manus Island, which detainees took control over The 27-year-old Sudanese male refugee, known as Faysal, who died in the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital on Saturday Behrouz Boochani, an Iranian journalist detained at the centre, wrote on Facebook that they 'kicked the officers and staff out. 'We took control of the whole prison.' Staff returned to the facility on Christmas Day, Sunday. On Thursday, the 27-year-old Sudanese male refugee, known as Faysal, sustained the injuries and was flown to Brisbane on Friday afternoon, refugee advocates say. He died at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital on Saturday. The Immigration Department said he had died from injuries suffered after a fall and seizure at the Manus Regional Processing Centre. Facilities at the Manus Island Regional Processing Facility 'The department is not aware of any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and expresses its sympathies to his family and friends,' a statement said. Refugee advocates have claimed Faysal had suffered numerous blackouts and collapses over past months. They now want a royal commission into medical care at Australia's offshore detention centres on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island and Nauru in the Pacific. Every day Faysal went to medical asking for help. They did not help him. Behrouz Boochani, an Iranian journalist detained on Manus Island National Justice Project principal solicitor George Newhouse said on Sunday: 'It appears that Faysal did not receive appropriate treatment for his condition and we now have another death that was likely to have been entirely avoidable.' Faysal had been ill for more than six months, according to fellow refugee, Mr Boochani. 'Every day Faysal went to medical asking for help. They did not help him,' Mr Boochani said in a statement from Manus Island released by the Refugee Action Coalition. 'A few days ago a nurse... told Faysal that he was fine and didn't need medical treatment.' Faysal, who fled Sudan in 2013 and tried to come to Australia by boat, had complained of heart problems and headaches, according to the statement attributed to Mr Boochani. Two people who died in a bus crash in New Zealand have been named as 12-year-old student Sione Taumalolo and 20-year-old teacher Talitha Moimoi. The pair were among a group of student musicians and teachers on their way to perform at a Christmas concert, when their bus crashed down a bank about 30km from Gisborne about 10.30pm on Christmas Eve, reported the NZ Herald. The students and teachers were from Mailefihi Siulikutapu College on Vavau Island, Tonga. Two people who died in a bus crash in New Zealand have been named as 12-year-old student Sione Taumalolo (right) and 20-year-old teacher Talitha Moimoi (left) Of the 45 passengers, 27 were transported to hospital. Eight people were admitted to Gisborne Hospital and two were airlifted to Hastings Hospital, emergency officials said. The NZ Herald reported the brakes on the bus had failed. The driver said the brakes suddenly gave way and the bus picked up speed. He tried to stop the vehicle but ended up going off the road. He said he was 'absolutely devastated'. Friends and family posted heartfelt tributes to the pair on Facebook. The bus was carrying student musicians on their way to perform at a Christmas concert when it crashed down a bank near Gisborne, New Zealand The patients admitted to Gisborne Hospital ranged in age from 16 to 65 and included a 55-year-old man in serious condition, according to St Johns One person wrote: 'So sad to hear of the tragic loss of Talita Moimoi and Sione Taumalolo. Prayers go out to their families.' Another person wrote: 'Rest in peace Sione Taumalolo! Your face kept appearing to me once I heard a little boy had passed away, I remember your smiley face from our choir practices we had the last past weeks... Such a sad Christmas for us. Rest in Gods love and also my cousin Talita moimoi Fifita.' The patients admitted to Gisborne Hospital ranged in age from 16 to 65 and included a 55-year-old man in serious condition, according to St Johns. This picture reportedly shows a passenger who was injured in the bus crash. Twenty-seven were hospitalised Pictures from the crash scene posted to a Tongan discussion forum on Facebook showed people gathered by the side of the road, as well as scenes from inside a hospital. 'Much love and prayers to them all,' one member of the Facebook group wrote. 'God be with them all and hope everything will be alright. Prayers for all of them involved in the accident so sad,' wrote another. The identities of the deceased were not yet confirmed on Christmas morning, police said. Many of the passengers were members of a brass band and were scheduled to perform at a Christmas fundraising event, according to emergency officials. Pictures from the crash scene posted to a Tongan discussion forum on Facebook showed people gathered by the side of the road It is not yet known what caused the deadly crash. The bus driver is assisting police, officials said. 'The location of the crash scene is approximately 100m down a steep bank,' police wrote in a press release. 'Serious Crash Unit have attended and report that the extraction of the bus is likely to be challenging and may take a number of days to complete due to the terrain and availability of the necessary heavy equipment during the Christmas period.' Passengers who didn't require hospitalisation were accommodated by the local Tongan community, the Methodist Church, and the Victim Support organisation, police said. Police are investigating after two men were killed in two separate blazes as fires tore through their homes. Emergency services were called to an incident in the Nellfield Place area of Aberdeen at around 8pm on Christmas Eve. Firefighters found the man in the flat and he was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but later died, police said. A force spokesman said inquiries in to the cause are ongoing. It follows another death in a flat fire in Kilmarnock on Friday. Emergency services were called to an incident in the Nellfield Place area of Aberdeen at around 8pm on Christmas Eve Firefighters found the man in the flat and he was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but later died, police said Crews were called to a blaze in Orchard Street in the East Ayrshire town at about 2.35am on Friday. The body of a man was found in the flat after the fire was extinguished. He has not yet been formally identified. A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Inquiries are at an early stage and a joint investigation will be carried out with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of the fire, which at this time is not thought to be suspicious. 'A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.' Six former British soldiers turned 'pirate hunters' are spending Christmas Day in a 'hellhole' Indian prison after their hopes of gaining freedom were dashed. The six ex-paratroopers were working as mercenaries for US maritime company AdvanFort to protect ships from Somali pirates when they were arrested after entering Indian waters in October 2013. They were jailed for five years in January for 'importing guns for jihadists' although the punishment was branded a 'miscarriage of justice' by their families and politicians in Britain. The six who have a combined 74 years of service - are Nick Dunn, from Ashington; Ray Tindall from Chester; Paul Towers, from Yorkshire; John Armstrong, from Wigton, Cumbria; Billy Irving, from Connel, Argyll, and Nicholas Simpson, from Catterick, North Yorkshire. Last month their appeal was heard in court but the languorous legal system in India has meant a ruling on their appeal is expected until the New Year. John Armstrong (pictured, with his mother Helen and father John) will miss Christmas away from his family, stuck in an Indian hellhole jail They were all sentenced to serve five years in Puzhal Central Prison, Chennai, (pictured), where they are said to have to go to the toilet 'in a hole in the ground' If they fail to quash their convictions they face four more years behind bars at Puzhal prison, home to 3,000 inmates including murderers and rapists, in Chennai, formerly known as Madras. Armstrong's brother, Joanne Thomlinson, from Wigton, Cumbria, said: 'Christmas and birthdays, you would normally be with your family. These days are a bit harder for John and the others to get through. The whole thing is an absolute tragedy. 'It is incredible to think what impact this has had on so many lives. So many parents, children, brothers and sisters, wives - just completely lost while their loved one suffers in prison.' Paul Towers (pictured, in Afghanistan) spent 12 years in the Paras and 20 as a prison officer Billy Irving, 35, left, and Ray Tindall, 41, are also among the veterans jailed in India Indian coastguards first boarded their vessel, the MV Seaman Guard Ohio, and arrested them for bringing weapons into India's territorial waters in October 2013. The charges were initially quashed when the men argued the weapons were lawfully held for anti-piracy purposes and their paperwork, issued by the UK Government, was in order. But a lower court reinstated the prosecution and they were sentenced to five years in jail. Their families say the 'Chennai Six' are being held in 'horrendous' conditions, sleeping on concrete floors, in sweltering heat with inadequate water, prison meals of 'curried slop and rice' and poor sanitation, with toilets being a hole in the floor. The smell 'just hits you' on entering the prison, say relatives who have visited to take supplies including teabags, sweets and toilet paper. None of the men are allowed telephone calls home. (From left) Mr Simpson, Paul Towers, 52, Mr Tindall and Billy Irving were all working for US marine company AdvanFort when they were arrested in 2013 Ann Towers, whose husband Paul spent 12 years with the Parachute Regiment and 20 as a prison officer, said: 'I'm really quite bitter about the fact that we are in this situation, three years after it started, and this is their fourth Christmas in that country.' Mrs Towers, from York, said: 'That prison is a hellhole. We have led lives with integrity. We have never done anything wrong. We have paid taxes, we have worked since leaving school, we have served. This is just abhorrent. 'It's such a time of family Christmas. And then not to be together, because we are a close family, it's horrendous.' Mrs Towers said the fact Theresa May raised the matter on a recent visit to India and Britain's High Commissioner in India has visited the men in jail 'speaks volumes' and shows they are not guilty men convicted abroad who simply want to come home. She said: 'I truly believe they know these men are innocent. We have just got to hope and pray what's gone on behind closed doors is going to do something, have some effect. Former para Nick Dunn, 30,who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, has begged the British government to secure his release as well as five other veterans who were jailed in India in January on gun-running charges. He is pictured with his older sister Lisa, 37 'Until we get this decision through, we are in limbo, this horrendous torture.' When Yvonne MacHugh visited her fiance Billy Irving recently she took their two-year-old son William, said: 'It was only the second time he had seen him, the first time he was only three months old, so this time he was running about saying 'Daddy!'. That's what made him so positive about all this, he's just desperate to get home in time for Christmas and see William. 'That's the one place they want to be. It's Christmas. It's not a time to be in prison.' Miss MacHugh, from Glasgow, said she believed Foreign Office diplomacy to get the men home was not working. 'They speak a good game and say they are doing all they can. For the last three years, they have managed to do nothing,' she said. Their US employer, AdvanFort, 'walked away' from the situation and have not paid salaries or helped with legal and travel fees, the families say. The firm was not available for comment. Nicholas Simpson, 46, pictured with wife Tracy, 45, served in the army for 24 years and is currently separated from his two young sons Family and friends have rallied round, the Mission To Seafarers charity has helped and legal advice has come for free from City lawyer Stephen Askins, a maritime law expert and ex-Royal Marine. Mr Askins said: 'It's a miscarriage of justice. They should not have been charged.' A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said the matter had been raised regularly at the highest levels. She said: 'We recognise what a difficult time this is for those involved and we have taken significant action on this case. 'Foreign Office staff in India have been providing support to all six men since their arrest and are working to make sure their welfare is protected in prison. We are also in regular contact with their families in the UK.' Advertisement Dozens of royals attended a church service at the Sandringham Estate today - a cornerstone of the family's Christmas celebrations - however the Queen herself was notably absent as she continues to recover from a heavy cold. Prince Charles, The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Harry, the Earl of Wessex and Prince Andrew joined other royals as they made their way from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church where they enjoyed two Christmas services. As supreme Governor of the Church of England, the Queen's faith is incredibly important to her - and this is the first time in nearly 30 years the 90-year-old Monarch has missed the service, which she and her husband Prince Philip, 95, have attended every year since 1988. It is thought the Queen has not missed a Christmas Day service at either Sandringham or Windsor Castle - the previous location for the monarch's festive break - in living memory. This comes amid a tumultuous week for the royals, which has seen the Queen and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh struck down with illness and the tragic news her granddaughter Zara Tindall had lost her unborn baby. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall led the way as the family arrived for a second, more public service at the church on the Sandringham Estate Prince Harry delighted this lady - who is 93 and a half, and had been waiting for hours - as he stopped and took the time to wish her a Merry Christmas Despite feeling under the weather, the Duke of Edinburgh was in high spirits as he left the church with Prince Harry and Sophie, Countess of Wessex TRAGEDY AS ZARA AND MIKE TINDALL LOSE BABY The couple, pictured at Grand National Horse Racing Festival at Aintree in April It is thought Zara, 35, would have been about four-months pregnant, and the baby was expected to arrive in late Spring. She and her husband Mike Tindall, 38, were said to have been 'thrilled' about the prospect of a baby brother or sister for their daughter Mia, nearly three. It is understood the royal had a miscarriage but it is not known when. A spokeswoman for the couple said: 'Very sadly, Zara and Mike Tindall have lost their baby. At this difficult time, we ask that everyone respects their privacy.' The spokeswoman would not give any details about the circumstances surrounding the loss of the couple's baby but it is understood Zara is not in any medical danger. Advertisement The service at Sandringham is one of the highlights in the Royal calendar, in which members of the family spend quality time with one another. However this is the first time in some 28 years the Queen has not attended. A spokesman for Kensington Palace said today: 'Her Majesty The Queen will not attend Church at Sandringham this morning. 'The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery. 'Her Majesty will participate in the Royal Family Christmas celebrations during the day.' There was an outpouring of grief yesterday following news the Queen's granddaughter Zara Tindall and her 38-year-old husband lost their unborn baby, just weeks after revealing they were expecting their second child. The pair had been expected to spend Christmas at Sandringham but were not seen today. And in a break from tradition, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have this year chosen to spend the holidays with Kate's parents, Michael and Carol Middleton, at their home in the village of Bucklebury, Berkshire, some 170 miles away. It came as a surprise to many that, in this special year the Queen reached her magnificent 90-year milestone and Prince Philip turned 95, two of their great-grandchildren Prince George, aged three, and Princess Charlotte, 18 months, will not be with them. Prince Harry, meanwhile, is at the estate alone as his girlfriend, American actress Meghan Markle, 35, spends the festive season with her family in Toronto. Although Miss Markle was not invited the Queen is said to be 'fully supportive' of her grandson's relationship with the actress. Senior members of the family have joined the Queen at Sandringham and they will all be sitting down promptly at 1.15pm in the green-walled dining room hung with Spanish tapestries and rising after just over an hour to be in good time to watch her annual message on TV to the Commonwealth at 3pm. In her Christmas speech broadcast later on today, t he Queen will praise the 'inspirational' Team GB athletes in her Christmas Day address, as well as the achievements of 'ordinary people doing extraordinary things'. In a break from tradition, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (pictured with Prince George and Princess Charlotte), hare spending the holidays with Kate's parents, Michael and Carol Middleton, at their home in the village of Bucklebury, Berkshire Prince William and Kate have opted to spend Christmas with her family in Bucklebury, where they were pictured arriving at church this morning From left, Savannah Phillips, Autumn Phillips, Prince Harry, Prince Charles, Princess Eugenie and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall Prince Harry was all smiles - despite his girlfriend, American actress Meghan Markle spending the holidays in Toronto The Duke of Edinburgh - who has been suffering with a heavy cold all this week - took his coat off before entering the church Prince Harry: The 32-year-old royal even stopped to say hello to a dog wearing a festive get-up including baubles and a jumper Little Isla Phillips, four, holds hands with her grandmother Anne, Princess Royal, and her father, Peter Phillips Prince Harry stood outside the church with his father, Prince Charles after attending the traditional Christmas morning church service near the Sandringham estate in rural Norfolk Princess Eugenie (left) wore a red felt cocktail hat by Sarah Cant and a black clutch bag by new London handbag designer Stacy Chan, while Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (right) wore a long blue royal blue coat with black accessories Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, James, Viscount Severn, Princess Eugenie and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex greeted crowds with 13-year-old Lady Louise Windsor who looked smart and elegant in her nude ballet pumps, grey marl coat and pale blue dress with matching silver clutch bag Princess Beatrice (left) teamed her military-style coat, cinched in at the waist with a thick black belt, with vertiginous platform heels and a gingham headband complete with red rose. Her sister Princess Eugenie (right) opted for black court shoes, a grey marl coat, black leather gloves, a red felt cocktail hat by Sarah Cant and a black clutch bag by London designer Stacy Chan Autumn Phillips - the wife of Peter Phillips, the oldest grandchild of Queen, with her daughter Savannah Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales - who could be seen leaning on his umbrella outside the church Prince Harry - looking smart in a paisley-print blue tie with matching shirt - smiled as his legions of fans greeted him In her annual televised message to the nation, the monarch will speak on the theme of 'inspiration', citing the work of 'unsung heroes' across the nation. The broadcast comes at the end of a momentous year in which the UK voted for Brexit, leading to David Cameron resigning, and the Queen celebrated her 90th birthday. The Queen, wearing a blue dress by Angela Kelly, will also refer to the achievements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which celebrated its 60th anniversary, and The Prince's Trust, which turned 40 this year. Earlier in the week, royal aides were forced to cancel plans for the Queen and her husband to travel to Sandringham by train at the last minute after doctors deemed them too unwell to go. Just over 24 hours later on Thursday and in a very unusual move, the royal couple took off from Buckingham Palace by helicopter. The Queen never normally travels to Sandringham by helicopter, preferring to go by train or car, and her helicopter is only usually used to carry members of the Royal family on public engagements. On Tuesday the Queen hosted her annual pre-Christmas lunch - a royal tradition which allows her to catch up with more distant relations who are not invited to join her at Sandringham on the 25th. And it was also revealed earlier this week that the Monarch had relinquished more than two dozen of her most high profile patronages as she took another step back from royal duties. As she carried a white floral arrangement, Sophie, Countess of Wessex looked fantastic in her red and black dress Prince Harry meetinng the public - many of whom had travelled from around the country - after the service The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Edinburgh and (back row), The Earl of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor and the Countess of Wessex head to the church at Sandringham Prince Charles, The Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Edinburgh attend the early Christmas Day Service Prince Harry, his cousin Princess Eugenie and Princess Anne's daughter-in-law Autumn Phillips head to the service Prince Philip, 95, walking back to Sandringham House: This is the first time in nearly 30 years his wife, the 90-year-old Monarch, has missed the service St Mary Magdalene Church Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, wrapped up in a woollen scarf as he made his way to St Mary Magdalene Church The Earl of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor and the Countess of Wessex appeared to be embracing the festive spirit en route to the church Left, Princess Beatrice and Peter Phillips, the oldest son of Anne, Princess Royal and right, Anne, Princess Royal The Duke of Edinburgh, pictured just behind the Duchess of Cornwall, has been struck down with a heavy cold this week Princess Eugenie seemed to be in high spirits as she chatted animatedly to Princess Anne's daughter-in-law Autumn Phillips and Prince Harry walked alongside them Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Edinburgh wrapped up warm against the cold wind as they led the way to the private mass Zara Tindall along with her husband Mike and daughter Mia, were thought to have been planning to spend Christmas Day at the Queens country house in Norfolk. However they were not seen with other members of the Royal Family today. Speaking to Country Life magazine in November, Zara spoke about how she was looking forward to spending Christmas with her family. She said: 'Having all the generations of my family together at Christmas is my favourite part of the season. 'Christmas takes on a new magic when you have children'. She continued: 'Mia will share this Christmas with lots of her cousins , some very close in age to her, and I think this year will be the one when she really starts to understand it all.' QUEEN'S ABSENCE: ONE OF THE RARE OCCASIONS MONARCH HAS MISSED AN ENGAGEMENT The Queen's absence from the annual Christmas Day church service at Sandringham is one of the rare occasions she has missed an engagement. She has been a steadfast presence during her reign, but there have been a small number of incidences when ill health has caused her to withdraw from her royal duties. An official trip to Rome was cancelled in 2013 when the Queen was treated for the symptoms of gastroenteritis and stayed overnight in a private hospital. In 2011 she had to miss a service of the Royal Victorian Order at Windsor Castle after suffering a nosebleed. That was thought to be the first time she had missed a key public engagement in five years. In 2006 she cancelled engagements after straining a back muscle and had official appointments scaled down after she underwent knee surgery in 2003. Earlier this year an undisclosed minor ailment forced the Duke of Edinburgh to miss commemorations marking the anniversary of the First World War Battle of Jutland in Orkney, but he was present at the church service in Sandringham on Sunday. He missed the Christmas service in 2011, after being admitted to hospital for a heart operation. Advertisement Prince Philip merrily waved to the public as he made his way to his car after the church service This lady in her festive blanket, Father Christmas earmuffs, tinsel and Union Jack flag, waited patiently for the royals - and it paid off when Prince Harry came over to greet her Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie stopped to wish members of the public a Merry Christmas The Princess Royal stopped to talk to the Reverent outside St Mary Magdalene Church Prince Andrew walks with his daughter Princess Beatrice, who wore a fetching gingham and red hairband With his wife at home ill, the Duke of Edinburgh maintained tradition as he went to the service Prince Philip walks with Sophie, Countess of Wessex who looked suitable festive in her red and extravagant black feathered hat The service at Sandringham is one of the highlights in the Royal calendar, in which members of the family spend quality time with one another Christmas with the Middleton's: William and Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte and Kate's brother and sister, Pippa and James with Carol and Michael Middleton instead attended a service in Berkshire THE STYLISH ROYALS: GEORGE DONS 120 WOOL COAT WHILE KATE RECYCLES HOBBS JACKET Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the Duchess of Cambridge made for a very stylish family on Christmas Day As they attended the Christmas service this morning, the Duchess of Cambridge and her children wrapped up warm in their festive coordinating outfits. The Duchess of Cambridge dressed Prince George in a 120 Pepa & Co wool coat. Similar garments were still available today in grey, blue and red, but in limited sizes. Kate often turns to the Spanish boutique designer company for pieces for her children. George's double-breasted wool coat features velvet detail on the buttons, collar and side pockets. His warm coat was accompanied by his trademark look of socks pulled high, while Charlotte teamed festive red tights with a navy coat, and wore her hair tucked behind her ears. Kate kept warm in a festive-coloured stole and coat which looked similar to one she wore in 2013 that was a hit with royal fashion watchers. The Hobbs Unlimited Celeste wool coat has a belt at the waist and belted detail at the wrists. In 2013, royal officials said the coat was burgundy in colour, but the fashion community favoured chestnut brown. Meanwhile at Sandringham, Princess Eugenie wore a red felt cocktail hat by Sarah Cant and a black clutch bag by London handbag designer Stacy Chan. Advertisement This is the second time William and Kate have spent time with the Middleton family over Christmas. In 2012, Kate was suffering with severe morning sickness while pregnant with Prince George so stayed with her parents. In another unusual move for the family, Kate and William chose to take their children along to church this morning - a move they would not usually make at Sandringham. Prince George and Princess Charlotte attended their first Christmas communion service at the 12th century St Mark's Church in Englefield near the Middleton family home. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children were joined by newly-engaged Pippa Middleton and James Matthews for the service where the pair recently announced they will marry next year. Bells rang as the Royals arrived outside the church where some 100 smiling locals were seen entering for its 10.30am Sunday service. Prince George walked along holding his father's hand while and Princess Charlotte was carried in her mother's arms. Prince William could be seen talking animatedly to his son as they strolled through the church yard, as the youngster wrapped up warm against the cold wind in a smart grey woollen coat. The Duchess of Cambridge looked stylish and suitable festive as she recycled her maroon Hobbs coat previously worn in March 2013. THE QUEEN'S CHRISTMAS SPEECH: 'ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS' In her Christmas the Queen praised the 'inspirational' Team GB athletes as well as the achievements of 'ordinary people doing extraordinary things' Here is the Queen's Christmas message in full: 'There was a time when British Olympic medal winners became household names because there were so few of them. But the 67 medals at this year's Games in Rio and 147 at the Paralympics meant that the GB medallists' reception at Buckingham Palace was a crowded and happy event. 'Throughout the Commonwealth there were equally joyful celebrations. Grenada, the Bahamas, Jamaica and New Zealand won more medals per head of population than any other countries. 'Many of this year's winners spoke of being inspired by athletes of previous generations. Inspiration fed their aspiration; and having discovered abilities they scarcely knew they had, these athletes are now inspiring others. 'A few months ago, I saw inspiration of a different kind when I opened the new Cambridge base of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, where Prince William works as a helicopter pilot. It was not hard to be moved by the dedication of the highly skilled doctors, paramedics and crew, who are called out on average five times a day. 'But to be inspirational you don't have to save lives or win medals. I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special. 'They are an inspiration to those who know them, and their lives frequently embody a truth expressed by Mother Teresa, from this year Saint Teresa of Calcutta. She once said: 'Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love'. 'This has been the experience of two remarkable organisations, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and The Prince's Trust, which are 60 and 40 years old this year. These started as small initiatives but have grown beyond any expectations, and continue to transform young people's lives. 'To mark my 90th birthday, volunteers and supporters of the six hundred charities of which I have been patron came to a lunch in The Mall. Many of these organisations are modest in size but inspire me with the work they do. 'From giving friendship and support to our veterans, the elderly or the bereaved; to championing music and dance; providing animal welfare; or protecting our fields and forests, their selfless devotion and generosity of spirit is an example to us all. 'When people face a challenge they sometimes talk about taking a deep breath to find courage or strength. In fact, the word 'inspire' literally means 'to breathe in'. 'But even with the inspiration of others, it's understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems are so big that we can do little to help. On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine. 'At Christmas, our attention is drawn to the birth of a baby some two thousand years ago. It was the humblest of beginnings, and his parents, Joseph and Mary, did not think they were important. 'Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life, and never travelled far. He was maligned and rejected by many, though he had done no wrong. 'And yet, billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ's example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe. 'The message of Christmas reminds us that inspiration is a gift to be given as well as received, and that love begins small but always grows. 'I wish you all a very happy Christmas.' The message was transmitted on television and radio at 3pm on Christmas Day and was produced this year by ITN. It will be available on the Royal Channel on YouTube and will also be shown in Commonwealth countries. Advertisement Wellwishers waited excitedly with their Union Jack flags to greet members of the royal family - and this lady was in luck later in the day when Prince Harry stopped to say hello Excited members of the public have gathered near St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the royals Mr Justice Holman (above) has said more than 100,000 of public money has been spent More than 100,000 of British taxpayers' money has been spent on a family court dispute centred on a seven-year-old boy who was born in Afghanistan and has never set foot in the UK, a judge has revealed. The boy's parents left him with an uncle in Afghanistan when he was a month old, judges in London have heard. They then travelled to England and subsequently separated. The boy's mother, Hadiah Hashimi, says she has not seen her son since she left Afghanistan and wants him brought to England. She says her estranged husband, Sayed Hashimi, knows where he is and she has taken legal action. Mr Justice Holman says both parents are getting legal aid. The judge has told how the boy's mother has run up more than 60,000 in lawyers' bills and his father more than 40,000. He has revealed figures in a written ruling on the latest round of litigation. Mr Justice Holman says at some stage a judge will have to balance the overriding objective of the litigation against the cost. Earlier this year another judge had concluded that Mr Hashimi knew where the boy was, and ordered him to provide information about the youngster's whereabouts. Mrs Hashimi claimed that Mr Hashimi had not told the truth and had breached that order. She asked Mr Justice Holman to rule that Mr Hashimi was in contempt of court and to jail him. Mr Justice Holman dismissed her application. The judge analysed the contempt allegations at a public hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London. He has named Mr and Mrs Hashimi in his ruling but has not said where they live. 'The fact is that within about a month of the birth of the child, the mother and the father did both travel to England leaving the child at that stage in the care of the uncle,' said Mr Justice Holman. 'It is the case of the mother that she understood that the child would follow fairly soon to England, once his capacity to enter the United Kingdom had been established. 'The mother has never seen that child again. For at least six years she has not had the slightest idea where her child is. She does not know whether he is still in Afghanistan and, quite frankly, in view of the strife within that country in recent years, she cannot even reliably know whether her child is still alive.' Sayed and Hadiah Hashimi, who are receiving legal aid, are currently fighting in the Family Division of the High Court in London over their son He added: 'It is hard to imagine a greater suffering and torment than that which that mother must daily go through.' But he said there had to be 'some limits' to the litigation, which the woman had launched nearly six years ago. 'Over 100,000 of public money has already been expended on litigation in relation to the whereabouts of this child, who has in fact never, ever set foot in the United Kingdom,' said Mr Justice Holman. 'At some point a judge will have to grapple with the overriding objective and considerations of cost and proportionality.' Detail of the case emerged in May, in a ruling by another judge. Mr Justice Peter Jackson concluded that the father knew where the boy was, and ordered him to provide information about the youngster's whereabouts. Lawyers representing the man said the 'investigation' into the boy's 'situation' was in the hands of Afghan authorities and they said a judge in England should not 'seek to take over'. Mr Justice Jackson said the case was 'highly unusual' and described the order he made as unprecedented. Advertisement These harrowing pictures show the harsh reality of forgotten churches which have been left to rot. Some of the places of rest are covered in graffiti, while others have bones strewn on the floor and decaying pews. Austrian student Thomas Windisch travelled across Europe photographing the churches - some of which 'upset' him. Sanctuary: Greenery taking over a church in Italy, which has been abandoned and left to be overtaken by nature Left to rot: Orphanage Chapel, Italy, which is sometimes referred to as Crying Baby Hospital, a decaying summer camp Church time forgot: Country Estate Chapel, Italy where many beautiful features remain but there is a overwhelming decay and dirt Refuge: Once providing a quiet place for prayer and contemplation, this hospital chapel, in Italy has long been forgotten The 34-year-old said: 'When an old temple in Syria is destroyed, for example, public outrage is huge. 'But when a beautiful church from the 14th Century rots in your neighbourhood, nobody cares. 'The idea behind this project was simply to create awareness in our society to preserve our cultural heritage.' It is understood some of the churches and chapels collapsed during earthquakes, while smaller chapels in hospitals or schools were abandoned when the main complex was closed. Thomas, who spent three years on the project, added: 'I was a bit upset by how much vandalism there was as well as the natural decay. 'Not only was there graffiti, but altars had been smashed. 'I'm not religious, but I can hardly understand how anyone can treat a sacred place with that little respect.' Ruins: An overgrown Italy church is a shadow of its former glory. The photographer, Thomas Windisch, said the sight of some of these places left him feeling upset Blue light: There's a haunting backdrop of coloured light to this Blue Chapel Monastery, also in Italy. The area behind the altar is panted which gives a glow when the light stream through Pews: Much of the traditional pew seating in this ancient chapel remains in tact, and there are still figures in the alcoves in the walls Decay: Leaves are strewn across the floor of Calvary Church, Austria where paint is faded and stripped back from the walls Graffiti: Vandals have left their mark in this abandoned church, in Germany. Photographer Thomas Windisch said he was surprised at how people could treat sacred places with little respect Bones: Dubbed the church of bones, this Italian church is particularly eerie thanks to the remains strewn across the floor Forgotten: This stained glass in a church in Belgium has no one to appreciate it as the building around it has been left to ruin Cobwebs: This beautiful chapel, in Italy is victim of spiders with cobwebs and dust hanging from the ceilings Destroyed: This church in Italy looks as though it has been vandalised with furniture lying across the floor and broken tables Grand: In Italy, this abandoned cathedral would once have been just one testament to the country's deep religious tradition A man who claims a client refused to pay him $30,000 for construction work has dumped truckloads of dirt in front of the employer's store. Barry Hart, who owns Central Trucking Ltd, unloaded four piles of dirt in front of an Auckland restaurant on Friday. Mr Hart, who recorded video of the trucks dumping off the 'smelliest' soil, told the New Zealand Herald he decided to take matters into his own hands when he heard the restaurant owner had purchased two expensive vehicles instead of allegedly paying his contract bill. Scroll down for video An Auckland man who claims a client refused to pay him $30,000 for completed construction work dumped four truckloads of dirt in front of the employer's store on Friday (pictured) The Central Trucking Ltd owner said he was hired as a subcontractor to demolish a building behind a restaurant Mr Hart said he was subcontracted by Central Site Works Ltd to demolish a building behind the restaurant and create new building foundations. He claims the owner never paid the $88,000 bill to Central Site Works Ltd, which is now seeking legal advice. Mr Hart is owed $30,000 of the total. 'It's disappointing that it's had to come to this, but I'd had a gutful of it. I had to do something,' he told. He claims the restaurant owner has stopped answering his calls and he threatened to visit the shop with another truckload of dirt after the New Year if the bill wasn't resolved. The restaurant now owes $88,000 for the work - $30,000 of which is owed to Mr Hart - he claims He claimed the police arrived to the scene but said 'basically nothing happened' He claims the restaurant owner has stopped answering his calls and he threatened to visit the shop with another truckload of dirt after the New Year if the bill wasn't resolved 'I hope he does the right thing.' Mr Hart posted a video of the truck dumping dirt on Friday and posted it on Facebook. He claimed the police arrived to the scene but said 'basically nothing happened.' Advertisement The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte for a Christmas morning church service. This comes as other members of the family gather for one of the highlights in the royal calendar - their annual church service at Sandringham. In a break from tradition, William and Kate have this year chosen to spend the holidays with her parents, Michael and Carol Middleton, at their home in the village of Bucklebury, Berkshire, some 170 miles away from the Sandringham estate. The pair and their children were joined by Kate's parents and brother James as well as her newly-engaged sister Pippa Middleton and James Matthews for the service at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire - where Pippa is set to marry next year. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have stepped out with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte for a Christmas morning church service Princess Charlotte was carried in her mother's arms as they walked into the church - wearing adorable matching outfits William and Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte and Kate's brother and sister, Pippa and James with Carol and Michael Middleton One-year-old Princess Charlotte (left) and three-year-old Prince George (right) both enjoyed a candy cane after church This is the second time William and Kate have spent time with the Middleton family over Christmas. In 2012, Kate was suffering with severe morning sickness while pregnant with Prince George so stayed with her parents. In another unusual move for the family, Kate and William chose to take their children along to church this morning - a move they would not usually make at Sandringham. Prince George and Princess Charlotte attended their first Christmas communion service at the 12th century St Mark's Church in Englefield near the Middleton family home. Bells rang as the Royals arrived outside the church where some 100 smiling locals were seen entering for its 10.30am Sunday service. Prince George walked along holding his father's hand while and Princess Charlotte was carried in her mother's arms. Prince William could be seen talking animatedly to his son as they strolled through the church yard, as the youngster wrapped up warm against the cold wind in a smart grey woollen coat. Princess Charlotte looked adorable as she wore a navy coat accessorised with thick red tights and a red ribbon in her hair. Three-year-old Prince George was given a candy cane as his father thanked the Reverend - but the youngster looked less than impressed Pippa Middleton, James Matthews and Michael Middleton: The Duchess of Cambridge's sister is set to walk down the aisle at the same church in May next year Michael Middleton, James Matthews, James Middleton, Pippa Middleton and Carole Middleton head into the church The Duchess of Cambridge lovingly guided Princess Charlotte as the tot walked out of the church service Prince William could be seen talking animatedly to his son as they strolled through the church yard One-year-old Princess Charlotte was making funny faces at the cameras as her mother took her into the church While Carole and Michael Middleton thanked the Reverend, Kate and Princess Charlotte were distracted by something on the ground Prince George - wearing his trademark knee-length socks and smart shoes - made funny faces at photographers outside the church Princess Charlotte was in a playful spirit as she tried to place her candy cane in the ground The Duchess of Cambridge's little sister is set to marry James Matthews (pictured) at the church on the 20th of May next year Prince William pointed something out as his inquisitive three-year-old son looked up before they went to the service In another unusual move for the family, Kate and William chose to take their children along to church this morning - a move they would not usually make at Sandringham THE STYLISH ROYALS: GEORGE DONS 120 WOOL COAT WHILE KATE RECYCLES HOBBS JACKET Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the Duchess of Cambridge made for a very stylish family on Christmas Day As they attended the Christmas service this morning, the Duchess of Cambridge and her children wrapped up warm in their festive coordinating outfits. The Duchess of Cambridge dressed Prince George in a 120 Pepa & Co wool coat. Similar garments were still available today in grey, blue and red, but in limited sizes. Kate often turns to the Spanish boutique designer company for pieces for her children. George's double-breasted wool coat features velvet detail on the buttons, collar and side pockets. His warm coat was accompanied by his trademark look of socks pulled high, while Charlotte teamed festive red tights with a navy coat, and wore her hair tucked behind her ears. Kate kept warm in a festive-coloured stole and coat which looked similar to one she wore in 2013 that was a hit with royal fashion watchers. The Hobbs Unlimited Celeste wool coat has a belt at the waist and belted detail at the wrists. In 2013, royal officials said the coat was burgundy in colour, but the fashion community favoured chestnut brown. Meanwhile at Sandringham, Princess Eugenie wore a red felt cocktail hat by Sarah Cant and a black clutch bag by London handbag designer Stacy Chan. Princess Beatrice (left) teamed her military-style coat, which was cinched in at the waist with a thick black belt, with some vertiginous platform heels and a gingham headband complete with red rose. Her sister Princess Eugenie (right) opted for black court shoes, a grey marl coat, black leather gloves, a red felt cocktail hat by Sarah Cant and a black clutch bag by London designer Stacy Chan Advertisement The Duchess of Cambridge looked stylish and suitable festive as she recycled her maroon Hobbs coat previously worn in March 2013. It came as a surprise to many that, in this special year the Queen reached her magnificent 90-year milestone and Prince Philip turned 95, two of their great-grandchildren Prince George, aged three, and Princess Charlotte, 18 months, will not be with them. Royals including Prince Charles, The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Harry, the Earl of Wessex and Prince Andrew made their way from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church to enjoy a private mass at 9am, before a second service at 11am today. However the Queen herself was notably absent as she continues to recover from a heavy cold. As supreme Governor of the Church of England, the Queen's faith is incredibly important to her - and this is the first time in nearly 30 years the 90-year-old Monarch has missed the service, which she and her husband Prince Philip, 95, have attended every year since 1988. This comes amid a tumultuous week for the royals, which has seen the Queen and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh struck down with illness and the tragic news her granddaughter Zara Tindall had lost her unborn baby. Pippa Middleton and her fiance James Matthews made for quite the attractive pair as they made their way home As he took part in the service in Berkshire, Prince William's grandmother was absent from her mass in Sandringham due to illness Princess Charlotte and Prince George looked both adorable and excited for Christmas Day as they skipped out of church Holding onto her one-year-old daughter, and with her father Michael Middleton at her side, Kate shook hands with the Reverend Prince William laughed as he led his three-year-old son out of the Berkshire church Pippa Middleton warmly greeted the Reverend - as she prepares for her own wedding at the same church next year Prince George was happily eating his candy cane, possibly gifted to him by the church congregation Pippa Middleton wore a grey marl checked coat to the service, completing the look with brown leather gloves and a floral print scarf TRAGEDY AS ZARA AND MIKE TINDALL LOSE BABY Zara and Mike Tindall, pictured together at the Grand National Horse Racing Festival at Aintree in April this year It is thought Zara, 35, would have been about four-months pregnant, and the baby was expected to arrive in late Spring. She and her husband Mike Tindall, 38, were said to have been 'thrilled' about the prospect of a baby brother or sister for their daughter Mia, nearly three. It is understood the royal had a miscarriage but it is not known when. A spokeswoman for the couple said: 'Very sadly, Zara and Mike Tindall have lost their baby. At this difficult time, we ask that everyone respects their privacy.' The spokeswoman would not give any details about the circumstances surrounding the loss of the couple's baby but it is understood Zara is not in any medical danger. Advertisement Pippa Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge's sister, will be a spring bride as she walks down the aisle at her family church in May next year. According to friends, the ceremony will take place on Saturday May 20 at St Marks' Church in Englefield, Berkshire, with the reception taking place back at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury a few miles away. Prince George, Pippa's nephew, is tipped to be a page boy and her niece Princess Charlotte, who will have just turned two, a flower girl. The Duchess of Cambridge's little sister shot to public attention when she wore a bottom-hugging bridesmaid's dress at the royal wedding in 2011. But she is said to have wanted a smaller, more intimate 'family' wedding when she weds wealthy hedge fund trader James Matthews next year. The couple are believed to be setting a marquee up in the garden of Michael and Carole Middleton's mansion with upmarket Portaloos brought in for the occasion. Trendy designer Giles Deacon is rumoured to be making Pippa's dress after he was spotted carrying garment bags into the 17 million house with his and hers bathrooms she and James share in London. Chelsea florist Lavender Green is arranging the flowers likely to include spring blooms like daffodils. Former swimming champion Susie Maroney, her parents and two sisters have all had their tyres slashed in a brazen attack on Christmas Day. The family were shocked to discover their cars had been targeted and believe the offender struck sometime after dark. 'I think we're still in shock because you know, who would do something like this and it's Christmas Day,' Susie Maroney told Nine News. Scroll down for video Former swimming champion Susie Maroney (left), her mother and two sisters have all had their tyres slashed in a brazen attack on Christmas Day The family believe the offender struck their cars sometime after dark While Susie's car was parked in Cronulla when the attack took place, the offender also targeted her parent's car parked across the street. They then travelled to Ingledene and then Heathcote to slice her sisters' tyres. Replacing the tyres will cost the family thousands of dollars in repairs. Susie Maroney told Nine News: 'I think we're still in shock because you know, who would do something like this and it's Christmas Day' Susie Maroney's sister Karen Sochaki told Nine News: 'We're going away tomorrow so we're desperately trying to find a tyre place who can fix our tyres. It's just annoying.' The Maroney sister have since filed a report with police. Linda Maroney said: 'It's Christmas Day so we're here together and that's the main thing. 'We don't give up, that's what we're trying to say, we'll win in the end,' Susie said. The Maroney sisters (pictured) have since filed a report with police over the incidents. It's expected to cost them thousands of dollars to get the tyres fixed Susie Maroney became a household name in 1990 when she became the fastest Australian swimmer to swim the English Channel. She also made headlines earlier this year when she revealed she had beaten cancer. She underwent treatment for a malignant nodular melanoma on her back and beat the disease earlier this year. Maroney, who has been married twice before, wed her current partner Perry Cross earlier this year in a secret ceremony in Byron Bay. Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was stabbed to death inside a working man's club on Christmas Eve. The 19-year-old, named locally as Owen Kerry, was attacked inside the busy Cramlington Workmen's Club in the Northumberland town last night at about 10pm. The teenager was treated by paramedics then rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle but died at hospital as result of his injuries. Officers have arrested a 35-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman on suspicion of murder and they are in custody. The 19-year-old, named locally as Owen Kerry, was attacked inside the busy Cramlington Workmen's Club in the Northumberland town last night at about 10pm A Police car parks outside the Cramlington Working Men's Club in Northumberland this morning Flowers are left at the scene of a stabbing on Christmas Eve. Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder Detective Chief Inspector Lisa Theaker, said: 'We know the club was very busy at the time of the incident and police are asking for anyone who was there at the time on Christmas Eve to please get in contact as they may be able to help us with our enquiries.' A spokesperson for the force added: 'Extra officers are in the area making enquiries, speaking to local residents and offering reassurance and answering any concerns the local community may have. 'Anyone who saw or heard anything around the time of the incident, or anyone with any information that could help police, is asked to contact officers on 101 quoting reference number 973 of 24/12/16. 'Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' The teenager was treated by paramedics then rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle but died at hospital as result of his injuries. An impromptu dance party began on Sydney's Coogee Beach as thousands of people continued their Christmas Day celebrations into the evening. The party appeared to kick off on Sunday in the late afternoon as the crowd of revellers at the eastern suburb beach continued to grow throughout the day. Video footage captured thousands of people, many dressed in bikinis and Santa hats, dancing in the simmering temperatures. Scroll down for video An impromptu dance party began on Sydney's Coogee Beach as thousands of people continued their Christmas Day celebrations into the evening (pictured) The party appeared to kick off on Sunday in the late afternoon (pictured) The crowd of revellers at the eastern suburb beach continued to grow throughout the day (pictured) The music can be heard pumping in the background as the camera pans the wall to wall people and bright blue water behind them. Woman can be seen cheering as they sit on friend's shoulders and sway to the music. Others were spotted dancing on top of trailers and roofs. Revellers were spotted dancing on roofs of nearby trailers (pictured) Woman can be seen cheering as they sit on friend's shoulders and sway to the music (pictured) Rubbish was seen covering the grassy area near the beach after the rave ended (pictured It was reported many members of the crowd were European who are known to enjoy a hot Christmas Day on one of Australia's many beaches. Natalie William, a 23-year-old backpacker from London, told the Sydney Morning Herald she 'absolutely loved' spending this year's Christmas on Bondi Beach. 'Normally, I'd just be at home and it would be cold, probably raining. This is so much better.' It was reported many members of the crowd were European who are known to enjoy a hot Christmas Day on one of Australia's many beaches (pictured) Tori Gabriel and daughter Jessica, who asked her mother for a Thomas the Tank Engine dress for Christmas A three-year-old girl has been sent her dream Christmas present by a stranger in Australia after her mother thought it would an impossible gift. Tori Gabriel's heart sank when her toddler daughter Jessica asked for a Thomas the Tank Engine dress for Christmas. She knew shops would only be selling the famous engine merchandise for boys, but searched high and low, and on eBay and Etsy in desperation. The 33-year-old mother decided to buy her little girl a pair of boys' Thomas pyjamas and posted a rant on Facebook about gender stereotypes. On the 'Let Toys Be Toys' group, Tori said: 'I hate the fact that my Thomas the Tank Engine-obsessed daughter wants a Thomas DRESS for Christmas and I know I haven't got a hope. 'I already buy all her Thomas stuff from the boys' section.' A month later, she came home to a missed delivery note and when she went to pick up the parcel there was a Thomas the Tank Engine dress inside. Tucked next to it was a Christmas card and a Thomas toy sent by Emma Morgan from Melbourne, Australia - whose little boy also loves the classic talking train. She had spotted Tori's post in a parenting group and, a keen sewer, decided to make the dress and send some Christmas cheer 10,462 miles across the globe. After turning detective, Emma had found the mum's parenting blog, which fortunately had her address on for PR requests, and popped the special parcel in the post. Jessica proudly showing off her new Thomas the Tank Engine dress, all the way from Australia The special delivery made its way from Melbourne, Australia to Ramsgate, in Kent, for a delighted Jessica Bookshop worker Tori, of Ramsgate, Kent, said the toddler is delighted with her new dress. The mum-of-two said: 'She loves Thomas the Tank Engine so much. She has everything there is - the bedding, slippers, toys, pyjamas, lights, a table, chair, DVDs. 'I was hoping I would find a dress somewhere but I couldn't, so I posted a rant online about two months ago. 'Then a couple of days ago I got home from work and had missed a package. 'We picked it up and when I opened it there was this dress inside. We were in the car and I showed it to Jessica. 'She said, "Is it a Thomas dress? Is it mine, is it for me?" 'I was absolutely stunned. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was such a sweet thing for a complete stranger to do.' Emma posted the dress 10,000 miles to the family home in Ramsgate, and sent it with a handwritten card, explaining why she decided to make the dress Emma Morgan, with her son Revan, left, and her post on Facebook when she found out the dress she had sent was well-received She added: 'Jessica loves it. She only asked for two things - the Thomas dress and a bottle of Cillit Bang toilet cleaner. 'She is not getting the Cillit Bang, but this has definitely made her Christmas.' Tori took to Facebook again in a bid to track Emma down and after the post was spread around all the same parenting groups, she eventually got lucky. Amazingly, Emma's dentist spotted the post and asked if she was the kind stranger. Tori added: 'She sent me a message and I was able to thank her profusely for doing such a sweet thing. 'She didn't want any recompense. 'I just think it's incredible of her. There are so many horrible stories and I just think it's amazing that she would do that.' Business manager Emma, 37, said that when she saw Tori's original post she simply had to help. She said: 'I could tell that she was resigned to the fact that it would be nearly impossible to find one, so I wanted to make it happen. 'I didn't know where to send it or even how big to make it, but I knew I had to go buy some fabric and a pattern, and see what I could come up with.' She added: 'It's not a magic fix for the overarching issue of gendered toys and clothes, but I hoped it would make a three-year-old happy and send a bit of kindness out into the world at Christmas. Theresa May was in fully-festive mood as she attended a lunch for the lonely elderly in her constituency. The Prime Minister attended the Maidenhead Christians Christmas Lunch in her constituency, which allows those out of touch with their families to socialise and enjoy a proper festive dinner, as she has every year since she was elected in 1997. And the Prime Minister was spotted pulling crackers and posing for pictures with some of the 75 guests, all of whom are at risk of spending Christmas alone this year. Prime Minister Theresa May today spent her Christmas with her local constituents - attending a lunch with elderly people at risk of loneliness The MP for Maidenhead has attended the Maidenhead Christians Christmas Lunch The allows those out of touch with their families to socialise and enjoy a proper festive dinner, every year since she was elected in 1997 The event was held in the town at SportsAble, with roughly 100 volunteers cooking, registering the guests and taking care of them as they ate. Mrs May, 60, arrived at 1pm with her husband Philip, and chatted to guests sat at long tables before they ate their meals. She looked smart in a 600 purple Escada pencil dress that she has already recycled for several high profile occassions, such as on the day she was would become Prime Minister and her first keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference. She said: 'It is great to be here at this event again this year. 'It is simply a fantastic event. It is very important. 'They can come together to have a good time, and probably sing a song or two at some point.' Mrs May, 60, arrived at 1pm with her husband Philip, and chatted to guests sat at long tables before they ate their meals The event was held in the town at SportsAble, with roughly 100 volunteers cooking, registering the guests and taking care of them as they ate Christmas films played on a projector in the hall before Mrs May arrived, and she gave a short speech thanking volunteers and wishing everyone in the room a merry Christmas Christmas films played on a projector in the hall before Mrs May arrived, and she gave a short speech thanking volunteers and wishing everyone in the room a merry Christmas. Guests were then served their traditional meal, accompanied by live music. Despite the name, the lunch is available to people of all faiths - provided they are at risk of loneliness on Christmas. For some of the guests, their loved ones have passed away. For others, they are not able to get to their family, who could be living hundreds of miles away. Many are known to the volunteers, having attended for several years. Helen Wilson, who lives in the town, is a volunteer of 10 years but this was the first time the 94-year-old had attended as a guest. Her husband passed away about 20 years ago, and she enjoyed coming along to have 'a natter'. She added: 'Life gets very dreary. Nobody should be alone at Christmas.' A younger people stops to take a selfie with the Prime Minister. Many guests are known to the volunteers, having attended for several years Despite the name, the lunch is available to people of all faiths - provided they are at risk of loneliness on Christmas The 600 purple Escada pencil dress that has been already recycled for several high profile occasions, such as on the day she was confirmed as Prime Minister (left) and her first keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference (right) Earlier in the day, she turned to God on her first Christmas morning as Prime Minister after outlining her hopes of healing the Brexit divide in 2017. The Prime Minister, a devout Christian who was brought up in a Vicarage and husband Philip were seen arriving at St Andrew's Church in Sonning, Berkshire, situated within her Maidenhead constituency. The pair had a security guard following them in tow, who was carrying what appeared to be a taser tucked under his jacket. Mrs May is still a regular attendee at the the St Andrews, and attempts to go to services whenever her premiership does not get in the way. It comes after she outlined that re-uniting the country following the bitter Brexit fallout is at the top of her Christmas wishlist. In her first festive address as Prime Minister, she vowed to unite the country after a year of divisions over the European Union and forge a 'bold new role' for the UK in the world. The Prime Minister and husband Philip were seen arriving at St Andrew's Church in Sonning, Berkshire, situated within her Maidenhead constituency Mrs May, a devout Christian who was brought up in a Vicarage, looked smart in a purple dress, a smart coat and shoes with a multicoloured scarf as she arrived at the Christmas service In her first festive address as Prime Minister, she vowed to unite the country after a year of divisions over the European Union and forge a 'bold new role' for the UK in the world She said: 'Coming together is also important for us as a country. 'As we leave the European Union we must seize a historic opportunity to forge a bold new role for ourselves in the world and to unite our country as we move forward into the future. Berliners have called for more CCTV cameras in the wake of the Christmas market terrorist attack. A survey carried out following the murder of 11 people by Anis Amri showed 83 per cent of those in the German capital wanted extra surveillance in public areas. It also found that 68 per cent wanted a rethink on Germany's immigration policy after Tunisian and ISIS fanatic Amri drove a 35-tonne lorry into shoppers on Monday. Europe's most wanted man was shot dead in Milan four days later, raising questions as to how he was able to evade detection despite crossing into France and Italy. Amri was named as a suspect after his wallet was discovered inside the lorry which mowed down shoppers at the Christmas market The research, carried out by the Emnid research institute on behalf of German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, also found 11 per cent would now avoid public events. In contrast, 84 per cent of those polled said they wouldn't change their habits and behaviour in the wake of the attack. In a show of defiance, five per cent even claimed that they wanted to visit busier areas more frequently as a result of the mass killing. CCTV footage of the attack has yet to be published, despite the atrocity taking place in one of the busiest public spaces in the city. It is not yet known why Anis Amri was in Milan yesterday, having travelled from Germany through France The use of surveillance cameras is considered to be much more restrictive than in similar Western countries due to its strict privacy laws. However new legislation has been proposed to increase CCTV use in public places such as shopping centres, notably in the aftermath of July's Munich shootings. German authorities launched a Europe-wide manhunt for Amri on Wednesday. Two days later the rejected asylum seeker was killed by Italian police in Milan. Italy's Interior Minister Marco Minniti said that Amri had been fatally shot after firing at police who had stopped him for a routine identity check around 3am. Amri had been missing since escaping after Monday's attack in central Berlin. He had links to Italy, having arrived in the country from his native Tunisia in 2011. Amri's temporary residence permit for Germany and fingerprints were found in the cab of the truck he rammed into the packed Christmas market. But in a development that stoked public anger, it emerged that German officials had already been investigating Amri. Prosecutors in Berlin believed he was planning a burglary to raise funds to buy weapons, possibly to carry out an attack. However, after trailing him for six months, they had to let the case drop due to a lack of evidence against him - they thought he was only a small-time drug dealer. Questions were also raised on Friday about how Amri managed to flee Germany, evading the Europe-wide manhunt and making it all the way to Italy. He is believed to have travelled at least part of the route by train, passing through France. He had no phone on him and only a few hundred euros. Twelve people were killed when Amri drove a truck into the middle of a crowded Christmas market in the heart of Berlin on Monday Amri left Tunisia and moved to Italy in 2011, serving a four-year sentence there for setting fire to a school which had been converted into a refugee shelter. Security sources believe Amri was radicalised during his time in prison. He arrived in Germany in July 2015 and applied for asylum, which was rejected in June. However, his deportation became bogged down in red tape as Tunisia denied he was a citizen. Just an hour after the carnage, the police declared they had a chief suspect already in custody, a Pakistani asylum seeker. Police released him 24 hours later, after failing to find evidence of his involvement. The mix-up gave Amri another 30 hours to flee. After the bloody assault, the Islamic State-linked Amaq news agency hailed Amri as a 'soldier' of the group. Investigators at the scene of yesterday's shooting, where the terrorist opened fire on two police officers A man (bottom right) places a candle on the memorial at the Christmas market near the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedaechtniskirche (Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church) in Berlin on Christmas Eve After Amri was shot dead, ISIS released a video in which he is shown pledging allegiance to group chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Tunisia said it had arrested Amri's nephew and two other men who were members of a 'terrorist cell'. It made no direct link between the trio and the Berlin attack. The truck used to carry out the attack belonged to Polish driver Lukasz Urban, who was heading to Berlin to deliver steel beams from Italy. But the delivery was put off until the following day, so he went to park his Polish-registered lorry in an industrial zone in the northwest of the city. Police found Urban, shot dead, in the passenger seat of the truck's cab. According to Urban's cousin Ariel Zurawski, who was shown photos of the body, the 37-year-old had a stab wound and 'his face was bloodied and swollen'. Eleven other people were also killed, seven of them German nationals. The others came from Czech Republic, Italy, Israel and Ukraine. Thames Water has confirmed residents in south west London were without water this morning Thousands of homes in south west London were without water earlier today after a Thames Water pump broke. Residents in Twickenham, Hampton, Teddington and Shepherd's Bush were unable to cook their Christmas lunches or shower for several hours this morning after an 'issue' with one of the Thames Water pumps in Hampton. Several were photographed panic-buying bottled water in the limited number of open shops. The lack of water supply meant many were also unable to flush their toilets and have showers and baths. A spokeswoman for Thames water apologised for the problems caused to residents' festive celebrations. She said: 'We apologise that customers in the TW and W postcodes are without water. 'This is because of an issue with our Hampton pumps. 'We have experienced technicians on site who are working to restore supply as quickly as possible. 'Our pumps have failed at one of our sites. Out experienced engineers are on site and we will update you.' ManjiriKC tweeted: 'No water in Twickenham! I can't par boil my potatoes!' EmmaJLing said she couldn't cook her Christmas dinner due to the lack of running water John Soones said his bathrooms had no water and there was a 'dribble' downstairs. He also voiced his concern for those working on Christmas Day She added the water supplier had received 1,500 calls from customers about the water outage by 11.15am. Twitter user @EmmaJLing wrote: 'There is no running water in Twickenham on Christmas Day, can't cook Christmas dinner. Merry Christmas to you all. Bah humbug.' Emma Pound added: 'Christmas Day and we have no NO WATER! @thameswater please hurry and get the TW area back in action.' While John Soones said: 'No water in the bathrooms and only a dribble upstairs. I'm sorry for the poor people working on Christmas Day to put this right.' Other residents complained about the lack of information about the progress of the engineers, while some said it had ruined Christmas. Emma Pound wrote on Twitter: 'Christmas Day and we have NO WATER! @thameswater please hurry and get the TW area back in action.' Thames Water tweeted at 11.52am that their engineers have now fixed the issue and homes should have running water soon A Twitter user, called The Hamptonite, tweeted a photograph of a glass of water sitting in wrapping paper, and wrote: 'My best Christmas present #watergate #hampton' The Hamptonite later said there was a 'queuagedon' as several residents rushed to purchase water from a local shop Spencer posted on Twitter: '@thameswater ruining everyone Xmas so there engineers can get double bubble payment. So don't expect to be bk on till 6ish #xmasbonus.' Event planners Agem Events wrote: 'Come on @thameswater many Xmas dinners are hanging in the balance.' Twitter user Natalie added: 'My dad has just had open heart surgery and there's no water to take his medication?! Disgraceful.' The water supplier tweeted an update at 11.52am, which said: 'Our engineers have managed to restart pumps on site - this means that you will slowly start to regain pressure.' Richmond Council tweeted: 'The water pumps have been fixed and will be restoring water shortly.' A 27-year-old man has died while swimming at a beach in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, on Christmas Day. Emergency services were called to the Watamolla Lagoon in the Royal National Park near Sutherland about 6.45pm, following reports a man had been pulled unconscious from the water. Police said they were told that nearby swimmers saw the man disappear under the water; they searched for him and pulled him back to shore. A 27-year-old man has died while swimming at Wattamolla Lagoon (pictured) in the Royal National Park on Christmas Day A number of bystanders performed CPR while others contacted emergency services. NSW Ambulance paramedics and doctors arrived and took over performing CPR. However, despite the best efforts of bystanders and emergency service personnel the man died at the scene. Police are now investigating all the circumstances surrounding the man's death. NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia the man is yet to be formally identified. Police are urging people to remain vigilant around waterways, beaches and swimming pools during the festive season following today's incident. Emergency services were called to the Royal National Park near Sutherland about 6.45pm, following reports a man had been pulled unconscious from the water Lorry driver Lukasz Urban was found dead in the passenger seat after the massacre Monday Between 3pm and 4pm: Polish lorry driver Lukasz Urban, 37, has his lorry hijacked. He was on his way back to his truck from a kebab shop when he was ambushed. 8pm - The truck is driven into a large crowd of people at outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in the centre of Berlin. Urban's body was found in the passenger seat after the attackers fled. He had been shot and stabbed, but authorities believe he was alive when the truck ploughed into the crowd. Twelve people were killed and 50 more were injured. 9pm - A Pakistani man is arrested a mile-and-a-half from the scene, after witnesses claimed to have seen him leaving the truck. It was revealed that he had entered Germany under a false name in February. The suspect was arrested a mile-and-a-half from the scene of the atrocity, after witnesses claimed to have seen him getting out of the truck 10.16pm - Controversial far-right activist Lutz Bachmann, who heads the anti-immigrant PEGIDA group, tweeted on Monday night that he had 'internal police information' that the perpetrator was a Tunisian. Tuesday 4am - Police raid a refugee camp at Tempelhof, believed to be where the Pakistani suspect resided. 8am - The suspect is named as Naved B, a 23-year-old man from Pakistan, but police later reveal that the man has denied any involvement in the attack and urged people to be vigilant. Angela Merkel confirmed it was being treated as a terrorist attack 10am - German chancellor Angela Merkel confirms the attack is being treated as an act of terrorism. 12pm - Germanys interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere, confirms that 18 of the 50 people hurt in the attack were 'very seriously injured'. 1.20pm - Police admit that they have arrested the wrong man. A senior officer says: 'The true perpetrator is still armed, at large and can cause fresh damage.' 6.50pm - Authorities confirm that the wrongly-arrested man has been released. ISIS claims responsibility for the attack, releasing a statement which describes the lorry driver as a 'soldier' and praised him for 'targeting nationals of the coalition countries'. Wednesday It is revealed that police are looking for a Tunisian man, named as Anis Amri, after his ID was found under the driver's seat. It emerged that the failed asylum seeker, who had a 100,000 euro reward on his head, had been under the surveillance of German intelligence for several months, and had been arrested three times this year, but deportation papers were never served. Reports in Germany suggest intelligence services had lost track of him weeks ago. A cousin of Naveed Baluch, the wrongly accused suspect, was 'mentally unfit' and had not been heard from since he was released. His cousin Waheed told MailOnline he was 'very worried' about the missing man. Thursday Dalia Elyakim, from Herzliya, Israel, was named as the first victim of the massacre. Her husband Rami, pictured with her, is fighting for his life An Israeli woman became the first named victim of the Berlin lorry massacre. Dalia Elyakim, from Herzliya, Israel, was with her husband Rami when the atrocity happened. Rami was in hospital fighting for his life. The market where the massacre happened reopened, with heightened security. Stalls on Breitscheidplatz square opened again three days after the 25-tonne lorry was used as a weapon to kill and maim shoppers. The market, in the centre of Berlin, reopened on Thursday morning with heightened security, three days after the massacre Two of Amris brothers, Walid and Abdelkader, said they believed he had been radicalised in prison in Italy, and Abdelkader told reporers: 'I ask him to turn himself in to the police. If it is proved that he is involved, we dissociate ourselves from it.' Two men were arrested after a police raid at a mosque in Berlin's Moabit neighbourhood, where Amri was allegedly captured on CCTV just eight hours after the mass killing. Friday 3am - Amri was shot dead in Milan. He immediately produced a gun when approached by police. In a press conference at 9.45am, the Italian Interior minister, Marco Minniti, said Amri immediately produced a gun when approached by police and shot an officer during a routine patrol. The Tunisian was then killed, and there is 'absolutely no doubt' that the man was Amri, Minniti said. It has emerged that German police are linking Amri to the murder of a 16-year-old German boy in Hamburg two months ago. ISIS claimed responsibility for the October 16 knife attack which killed the teenager, identified by authorities as Victor E. He has also previously been jailed in his native Tunisia for hijacking a truck. Saturday A diver found floating in the sea with his throat cut off a Thai island has been identified as an American who police say had killed himself. Police in the town of Pattaya, south of Bangkok, said they had identified the man who was found tied to a pole in the water off the island of Larn as Frank Thomas Kech. For several days after the discovery of the body, tied to a concrete post used to attach buoys, the identity of the man, wearing a full wet suit and flippers, had remained a mystery. No-one had come forward to report a Westerner missing but shopkeepers on the island said after looking at photos of the dead man that they believed he had visited their stores and had been speaking Russian. A diver (above) found floating in the sea with his throat cut off a Thai island has been identified as an American who police say had killed himself But police in Pattaya have now confirmed his identity and nationality - and also located his Thai wife with whom he had been living in Bangkok. However, police said he had traveled to Pattaya alone, leaving her behind in Bangkok while he checked into a hotel in the sleazy resort town. CCTV images suggested that the American had visited a store in the town with a woman who was not his wife - although police said it was possible that the woman in the images was not actually with Mr Kech. Located in Bangkok, Mr Kech's wife - who has not been named - confirmed they had been living together in Bangkok but her husband had traveled to Pattaya alone and had checked into a hotel on Second Road. Police in the town of Pattaya, south of Bangkok, said they had identified the man (above) who was found tied to a pole in the water off the island of Larn as Frank Thomas Kech Shopkeepers on the island said after looking at photos of the dead man that they believed he had visited their stores and had been speaking Russian Thai media, including Pattaya One and the Bangkok Post, reported that Mr Kech's wife told police that her husband had said to her many times that he wanted to die because he did not want to grow old and weak. He wanted to end his life while he was still strong, she allegedly claimed to police. According to police who had examined CCTV footage, Mr Ketch went to Bali Hai Pier alone at 7am on the morning of December 14. CCTV images suggested that the American had visited a nearby store with a woman who was not his wife, although police said it was possible that the woman was not actually with Kech When he was found tied to the post, his only injury was the severe gash to his throat. There were no other signs of violence. Police divers found diving goggles and, more pertinently, a box cutter knife on the sea bed near where the body was located. Melania Trump joined her president-elect husband for midnight mass in Florida wearing a very short mini dress as fellow churchgoers cheered wildly as they arrived. Trump and his wife kicked off Christmas by attending midnight services at an Episcopal church in Palm Beach, Florida on Saturday night. They were pictured arriving at the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea at about 10.30pm. Scroll down for video The soon-to-be first lady Melania Trump attended midnight mass with her husband Donald in Palm Beach, Florida on Saturday night wearing a very short mini dress and high heels It is the same church where the couple were married in 2005. Melania stood by Trump dressed in the mini dress and heels as they spoke to a minister in the church doorway. Most members of the church could be seen standing up and cheering when the Trumps arrived and took their seats. A fellow churchgoer snapped a photo of the soon-to-be first couple once they were sitting inside in a church pew as the midnight service got underway. Donald and Melania Trump took their seats inside the the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea at about 10.30pm on Saturday Some members of the church stood up and clapped when the Trumps arrived Some members of the congregation stood up and clapped when the Trumps arrived before they sat in one a pew among the other churchgoers Melania stood by Trump dressed in the mini dress and heels as they spoke to a minister in the church doorway Trump's appearance at church comes as he bemoaned the increased use of the term 'Happy Holidays' in place of 'Merry Christmas' as a sign that Christianity is under attack. He has said he will reverse that trend as president. The president-elect is spending the holidays at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, where he's been holding meetings with senior staff, advisers and business executives. Trump tweeted wishes for a 'Happy Hanukkah' earlier Saturday. Eric Trump shared this photo of his wife and their dogs celebrating Christmas in North Carolina Donald Trump Jr. shared a before and after of his children opening their Christmas presents The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Springs, Florida is the same place Melania and Donald got married in 2005 If you've ever torn open the wrapping paper to uncover a disappointing Christmas gift, spare a thought for these poor souls. Disillusioned social media users have lifted the lid on the awkward Christmas gifts they received this year by sharing images online. From a sock bouquet, to expired airline gift-cards, to a lint roller, it seems Christmas cheer is in short supply for some shallow shoppers. Social media users have lifted the lid on their awkward Christmas gifts - with this sock bouquet leading the pack Research shows 70 per cent of Australians will be disappointed with their gifts - a figure likely to include the receiver of this lint roller The outpouring of gift-fails come in line with new research from British online classifieds site Gumtree.com. The figures show 70 per cent of Australians will be sorely disappointed with their Christmas gifts this year, according to Sydney Morning Herald. According to the research 65 per cent confess to fanning the flames by giving their own unsuitable presents. An astonishing 2.8 million Australians reportedly plan to re-sell unwanted presents, with many flocking to online classifieds sites to sell them off. According to new research 65 per cent of Australians confess to giving their own unsuitable presents - such as this soap on a rope These expired airline gift-cards would no doubt have been a crushing blow The research showed 88 per cent of people prefer this method to the garage sales (6 per cent) or reselling the gifts to friends and family (4 per cent). The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) told the publication gift returns to retailers were on the downward slide as people are turn to gift cards instead. Staggeringly, 300,000 Australians have admitted bestowing the unwanted item to the same person who gave it them. 2.8 million Australians reportedly plan to re-sell unwanted presents - so keep an ear to the ground if you like the look of this baby sweater that is clearly too big for the recipient Jeremy Clarkson has declared war on Argentina again with a very unseasonally aggressive tweet, two years after his famous Falklands number plate row. The former Top Gear presenter, whose new show The Grand Tour launched recently, tweeted in the early hours today: 'Happy Christmas to everyone. Except the Tierra Del Fuego people of Argentina. You lot can sod off.' In October 2014 Clarkson and his Top Gear team were forced to flee the town of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego in the far south of Argentina under police escort as furious thugs tried to 'kill' them. Jeremy Clarkson (pictured, left) clearly bears a grudge after he came under attack two years ago for driving this car (right) around Argentina. The number plate was seen as a reference to the 1982 Falklands war Clarkson's tweet today shows he has not got over the incident in Argentina in October 2014 Rock-throwing protesters had vowed to 'barbecue' the controversial motoring show host after he drove a Porsche with the plate H982 FKL, seen as a reference to the 1982 conflict, around Argentina. Veterans of the Falklands - or Malvinas - conflict laid siege to the hotel where Clarkson and fellow presenters Richard Hammond and James May were staying after news of the number plate appeared online. Clarkson, who was filming a Top Gear special for the BBC - who later fired him, said at the time: 'I've been to Iraq and Afghanistan, but this was the most terrifying thing I've ever been involved in.' His abusive Twitter post has attracted further ire from Argentinians, with the Mirror reporting that Argentinian voice artist Albert Canil slammed Clarkson as 'buffoon'. Mr Canil said: 'Jeremy Clarkson has needlessly insulted Argentines with his vulgar Twitter that made the headlines today. 'What a disservice this buffoon has rendered to the UK.' Lost in translation? This headline in an Argentine newspaper says 'The offensive Christmas greeting of the British driver who mocked the Falklands' His latest broadside has been met with fury by Argentine newspapers but one of them managed to mix him up with May, whose photograph was used on the story. It was not clear if that was a deliberate insult or just a mistake caused by him being not famous in Argentina, but the picture was later changed. Albert Canil, a voice artist from Argentina, told Mail Online: 'Jeremy Clarkson has needlessly insulted Argentines with his vulgar Twitter that made the headlines today.' He said: 'The electronic media have already reproduced the offensive message and, as the day progresses, this un-Christmas tirade continues to spread sowing ill will not only against Clarkson but against Britain. What a disservice this buffoon has rendered to the UK.' The headline in La Nacion says 'British driver makes fun of Argentines in his Christmas greeting' but used a picture of James May, instead of Clarkson Clarkson has always denied the number plate row was a deliberate provocation of locals' feelings about the conflict, which resulted in the death of 649 Argentines, around half of them on the sunk battleship General Belgrano. He said at the time when he asked the office to find a Porsche 928GT, only two were available. One was grey and the other black. He said because black 'doesn't work on television' he chose the grey one, and 'didn't even see it' until he arrived in Argentina. Clarkson went on to say no-one in the Top Gear crew realised the potential offence the plate would cause until three days later while they were filming in Chile. Michelle Obama has helped make holiday wishes come true by helping children track how much progress Santa had made on his gift-giving journey on Christmas Eve. The first lady joined military personnel by answering phone calls and emails on Saturday as part of the annual North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa operation. While many would love to receive a Christmas Eve phone call from the first lady, a little boy named Austin really just wanted to speak to Santa. 'I want to hear Santa talk,' said Austin, one of a handful of kids who called the NORAD Tracks Santa program on Saturday and found Michelle Obama on the other end of the line. First lady Michelle Obama told kids across the country how much progress Santa had made on his gift-giving journey on Christmas Eve Mrs Obama, who is in Hawaii on vacation with her family, patiently explained that Santa couldn't get to the phone 'because he's delivering all the gifts'. But Austin also had another concern in mind: Would Santa know where to go? 'I'm going to move to another house,' said Austin, joined by three other kids in North Carolina. No matter, Mrs Obama replied. 'He's going to be able to find you no matter where you go,' she said, according to a transcript released by the White House. 'That's the special thing about Santa.' The first lady spent roughly a half-hour taking calls before joining her husband, daughters Sasha and Malia and family friends for lunch in Honolulu. But before the family fun, there was a geography lesson as the first lady updated children about Santa's most recent locales on his gift-giving voyage: Sardinia, Malta and Hungary, to name a few. If there was a lesson for Mrs Obama, it was a crash course in the latest hot-item gifts. Children from around the world are calling NORAD to ask where Santa is, and they're getting a cheery answer about the mythical route. Maj Jared Scott, makes sure NORAD's Santa tracker is working correctly at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, on Friday The volunteers sit elbow-to-elbow in conference rooms at the base in Colorado, answering phones and checking computer-generated maps projected onto big screens The tradition started in 1955 when a Colorado Springs newspaper ad invited children to call Santa Claus but accidentally listed the number for the hotline at the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD's predecessor A girl named Kirsten told Mrs Obama she wanted a drone from Santa. Joshua wanted a Hot Wheels garage, while Aiden wanted a hoverboard. But it was Adilyn whose gift seemed to catch the first lady off guard. 'I'm getting a hedgehog tomorrow,' Adilyn said. It is the last time Mrs Obama will carry out her annual Christmas ritual as first lady. It'll be up to the next first lady, Melania Trump, to decide next year whether to continue the tradition. Navy Lt Cmdr Paul Noel said 1,500 volunteers answered nearly 141,000 phone calls and more than 2,800 emails last year as part of the program. The volunteers sit elbow-to-elbow in conference rooms at the base in Colorado, answering phones and checking computer-generated maps projected onto big screens. Last year, NORAD's website had 22 million unique visitors, Noel said. When Shoup figured out he was talking to a little boy, he pretended he was Santa. More children called, and Shoup instructed airmen to play along. It's now a tradition, beloved by kids and the military Volunteers range from generals and admirals to enlisted men and women, who sometimes report for telephone duty in military uniform and a Santa hat The tradition started in 1955 when a Colorado Springs newspaper ad invited children to call Santa Claus but accidentally listed the number for the hotline at the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD's predecessor. Air Force Col Harry Shoup took a call from a child and thought he was being pranked. When he figured out he was talking to a little boy, he pretended he was Santa. More children called, and Shoup instructed airmen to play along. It's now a tradition, beloved by kids and the military. Volunteers range from generals and admirals to enlisted men and women, who sometimes report for telephone duty in military uniform and a Santa hat. NORAD is a joint US-Canada operation that defends the sky over both nations and monitors sea approaches. A powerful earthquake shook southern Chile today but there were no immediate reports of deaths. The earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck 140 miles southwest of Puerto Montt. Around 4,000 people were evacuated for fear of a possible tsunami after the quake, but the alert was eased about 90 minutes later. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had warned hazardous waves were possible on coasts located up to 1,000km from the earthquake's epicentre. Scroll down for video A damaged road is seen after a quake at Tarahuin, on Chiloe island, southern Chile An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 off the coast of Chile has triggered a tsunami alert. It struck 140 miles southwest of Puerto Montt Chile's national emergency office ordered the evacuation of coastal areas of Los Lagos region. Chile's President Michelle Bachelet wrote on Twitter: 'Much strength and encouragement to the compatriots affected by the tremor in Chile and other areas in the south. Emergency procedures are already in place.' According to media reports, the quake was felt as far as the southwest Argentine city of Bariloche. Taxi driver Luis Ramirez said cars equipped with loudspeakers were roaming the streets urging people to evacuate beach areas. He said he was washing his car in his hometown of Ancud when the quake struck. He said: 'I'm 48 years old and I've never felt anything so strong,' he said. Cars line up for petrol in Castro, Chiloe Island off the Pacific coast of southern Chile, after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake rattled the country on Christmas Day Chile is one of the most seismically active locations on the globe. The latest quake comes after an 8.3-magnitude quake hit the country in September last year, which left 13 dead and caused a million people to leave their homes. That followed an 8.8-magnitude quake in 2010, which devastated large swathes of Chile and killed 524 people. In the hours after that quake, President Bachelet and her government misjudged the extent of damage and declined offers of international aid. This delayed the flow of assistance to disaster areas, leaving many survivors feeling they had been abandoned by the government. Two Libyan men have appeared in court in Malta on charges of hijacking a domestic Libyan flight to the Mediterranean island. Moussa Saha and Ahmed Ali each entered pleas of not guilty and wore bulletproof vests at their appearance on Sunday. They face up to life in prison if convicted. The hours-long hijacking standoff on Friday at Valletta airport ended peacefully after negotiations. Other charges include possession of imitation weapons, using violence against a person on a flight, holding people against their will, making threats of violence and attempting to cause financial or economic instability to a government. Moussa Saha and Ahmed Ali each entered pleas of not guilty and wore bulletproof vests at their appearance Sunday. They face up to life in prison if convicted Two Libyan men have appeared in court in Malta on charges of hijacking a domestic Libyan flight to the Mediterranean island Other charges include possession of imitation weapons, using violence against a person on a flight and holding people against their will Afriqiyah Airways said the hijackers wanted to go to Rome but ended up in Malta due to fuel limitations. The passengers from the hijacked Libyan flight that was diverted to Malta left the Mediterranean island and returned home on Saturday. Officials claimed the men flew to Malta to scure political asylum in Europe and create a new political party in honor of the late dictator Moammar Gadhafi. After hours of negotiations, the standoff ended peacefully with the hijackers freeing all 117 people on board and walking off the plane to surrender. The passengers were subsequently interviewed by officials. Passengers disembark from an Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320 upon their arrival at Tripoli's Mitiga airport A Christmas tree and a candle are believed to have caused a serious house fire in Worthing, where an elderly couple in their 80s have suffered burns, believed to be to their hands. Dramatic images show smoke billowing from the property in Durrington Hill on Christmas Day afternoon. The road was closed to allow six fire engines to attend the scene at 1pm, according to the Worthing Herald. The couple have lost their home and were taken to hospital where they were treated for burns and smoke inhalation. Dramatic images show the scale of the fire and the damage caused in Durrington Hill, Worthing The fire is believed to have started when a candle set the Christmas tree ablaze on Christmas Day afternoon Area commander Adrian Murphy of West Sussex Fire and Rescue said the Christmas tree fire resulted in the total loss of the bungalow. 'If you catch a Christmas tree on fire, they are spectacular,' Cmdr Murphy said. 'They turn into a huge ball of fire. 'It would have involved the whole room very quickly. 'I believe they are of German descent and they were demonstrating to their grandchildren a traditional German Christmas. Six fire engines attended the scene and police were also on hand to help with road closures 'I'd say the grandchildren were quite young. 'I would like to remind everybody how dangerous real candles on a Christmas tree can be.' He told the West Sussex paper: 'A Christmas tree fire is catastrophic and fortunately the victim is the house and no one was hurt.' Police are also attending the incident. The fire service believes the fire was started when a candle set light to the residents' Christmas tree. Residents suffered burns to their hands according to reports from the scene and the road around the home was closed The grandparents were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns before being taken to Worthing hospital. Firefighters were initially concerned there were people still in the house when they arrived. The elderly couple, their grandchildren and their parents were all accounted for before firefighters tackled the blaze. A Hasidic Jewish landlord is being sued by Latino tenants who claim that he has purposefully neglected their rent-stabilized apartments in Brooklyn to force them to move out. The residents Cindy Sanchez, Sara Oyola, and Kathleen Santiago say that Naftali Steinmetz has forced out other Latino residents of their building on Lee Avenue, which runs through a section of Williamsburg, Brooklyn that has been increasingly populated in recent years by Orthodox Jews. The plaintiffs in the suit say they are the only three remaining Latino tenants on their block, according to the New York Post. Lee Avenue in Williamsburg (above) has seen its black and Latino population dwindle while a greater number of Hasidic Jews have moved in According to the complaint, Steinmetz has made living in the building 'unpleasant and untenable' for the non-Hasidic residents. The plaintiffs allege that they were made to live through two winters without heat in their apartment and that Steinmetz has neglected to maintain the floors, which have been left in a 'visibly dangerous' state. Since Steinmetz bought the apartment building in 2006, the Latino residents there have had to put up with 'years of neglect, fights in Brooklyn Housing Court for repairs, and incessant harassment to take buyout offers,' the lawsuit alleges. This is not the first time that a local landlord has been accused of trying to intimidate tenants into moving out of their apartments. Three Latino residents filed a lawsuit accusing their Hasidic landlord of trying to force them out of their apartment. Hasidic Jews are above seen in Williamsburg The lawsuit against the landlord, Naftali Steinmetz, was filed in Brooklyn federal court (above) Aron Stark, the brother of a Menachem Stark, a Brooklyn developer whose murder in 2014 made headlines, was sued last year by tenants at a rent-stabilized apartment in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, according to the New York Daily News. A huge fire has broken out in Haifa, after a fuel storage tank set ablaze at an Israeli oil refinery. Plumes of black smoke could be seen in the sky after the fire on Sunday morning. Emergency services are at the scene tackling the huge flames. A blaze can be seen after fire erupted in a fuel tank at Oil Refineries Ltd in the Israeli northern city of Haifa Firefighters were quick to the scene to tackle the blaze on Sunday morning According to jpost, the tank in question, which has a 12,000-cubic meter capacity, was around 10% full when it caught on fire, a statement from ORL said. Firefighters battled the flames this morning but it reignited again in the afternoon. Workers watch fire fighters fight flames in a fuel tank in Oil Refineries Ltd in Haifa bay, Israel Residents in the nearby districts were warned to keep doors and windows closed to avoid pollution Firefighters had to use hoses directed from all angles to get the flames to die down Smoke could be seen for miles around as the fire reignited in the afternoon after the blaze had been put out once The services were initially called to the refinery at 11.30am but when the fire had not completely died down, but had reignited, it emerged the amount of gas left may have been miscalculated. Investigations are currently underway as to whether the fire was caused by static electricity, reports Ynetnews. A spokesman from the national firefighters' commission, Yoram Levi, told Ynet: 'The incident is centered on one tank that is burning and that will burn until the fire is put out. The aim is to prevent damage to other tanks. Investigations are currently underway as to whether the fire was caused by static electricity 'Fire fighting aircraft are not relevant for this incident. We are using foam and water cannons. In addition, we are cooling down the gas tanks situated nearby. 'This is a very serious incident it can potentially cause extremely serious danger.' Jpost added that the Haifa District Municipal Association for Environmental Protection encouraged all residents of Kiryat Haim and Kiryat Motzkin to close their windows and doors and stay inside, due to the fine particle pollution caused by the gasoline combustion. Miriam Savino (above) was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy at her home in Polk County, Florida, on Saturday A Florida sheriff's deputy fatally shot a woman who authorities say threatened him with a knife. A Polk County Sheriff's Office statement said 53-year-old Miriam Ann Savino called 911 requesting help Saturday afternoon for 'a matter of life or death.' Sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said Deputy David Lockard found no medical emergency when he arrived at Savino's Lake Wales home. Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters that Savino approached Lockard with a butcher knife and ignored his commands to drop it, according to The Ledger. Grady said Lockard then shot Savino, who was pronounced dead at a hospital. Judd said that Lockard, 26, 'responded to a life threatening event.' 'He shot her to neutralize the threat to his life,' Judd said. 'It's unfortunate we ever have to use deadly force,' he said. 'We never choose to shoot someone; they choose to have us shoot them.' The sheriff's office placed Lockard on administrative leave. Savino was white. Lockard's race was not released. The sheriff's office said that Savino had approached the deputy with a butcher's knife after ignoring his warning to put the knife down. Savino's home is seen above Savino had been jailed in Polk County five times since 2004 for battery and other charges. The incident began when Savino call 911 requesting help for her son and hung up at around 1:30pm, the Sheriff's Office said. Savino (above) had been jailed in Polk County five times since 2004 for battery and other charges When dispatchers tried calling her back, the phone went to voicemail three times. Moments later, she once again called 911 to say that her son was in the hospital and this was 'matter of life or death.' When Lockard came to her home, he met Savino at her front door and started talking to her, Judd said. When he saw that Savino was alone and there was no medical emergency, he canceled the EMS call. Judd said that Savino 'starts retreating back into the house' as the two were talking. 'She reaches around and grabs a butcher knife and starts walking toward the deputy,' he said. 'He starts screaming at her to drop the knife.' When she kept coming at him with the knife, the deputy was forced to shoot, according to Judd. Advertisement Christians in Syria's Aleppo took part in Christmas services after President Bashar al-Assad's forces retook full control of the ruined former economic hub. The Old City's Saint Elias Cathedral, its roof collapsed under rocket fire, hosted its first Christmas mass in five years. More than 4,000 fighters recently left rebel-held areas of Aleppo in the 'last stages' of an evacuation clearing the way for Syria's army to retake the city. A week into the rebel withdrawal from the east of Syria's second city, the evacuation of fighters and civilians from the one-time opposition stronghold appeared to be reaching its final hours. The loss of east Aleppo marks the biggest defeat for Syria's rebellion in more than five years of civil war and a major victory for President Bashar al-Assad, who on Christmas Day was pictured meeting orphans at a convent. The Old City's Saint Elias Cathedral, its roof collapsed under rocket fire, hosted its first Christmas mass in five years Christian clerics lead a mass at the Saint Elias Cathedral in Aleppo's Old City, which has been retaken by Syria's Army The loss of east Aleppo marks the biggest defeat for Syria's rebellion in more than five years of civil war and a major victory for President Bashar al-Assad, who on Christmas Day was pictured meeting orphans at a convent Syrian President Bashar Assad, centre left, and his wife Asma, centre right, speak with christian orphans during their visit to Sednaya Convent More than 4,000 fighters recently left rebel-held areas of Aleppo in the 'last stages' of an evacuation clearing the way for Syria's army to retake the city, allowing Christians to attend masses And in Bartalla, near the Iraqi city of Mosul, Christians filled the pews of the fire-scarred Mar Shimoni church for the first service since the town was retaken from ISIS jihadists who had seized it in 2014. The predominantly Christian towns of Bartella and Qaraqosh on the outskirts of Mosul were recently liberated as part of the Mosul offensive. It comes after Pope Francis wished peace and hope for all those scarred by war and terrorism during his Christmas address. Some 40,000 tourists and Romans calmly endured long security lines to enter St. Peter's Square to see the pope on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he delivered the traditional Christmas message and blessing. Francis spoke sorrowfully of the suffering caused by the Syrian war, especially in Aleppo, pressing the international community to help negotiate a solution. A young boy dressed in a santa outfit waits for the start of Christmas Day mass at Mar Hanna church near Mosul, Iraq A soldier from the Iraqi Army Special forces stands guard in front of a defaced Christian statue during the Christmas mass Soldiers from the Iraqi Army Special Forces light candles during the Christmas mass at the Mar Shimoni Church in Bartella Priests lead a Christmas Day mass at Mar Hanna church in Qaraqosh in Mosul, Iraq. The predominantly Christian towns of Bartella and Qaraqosh on the outskirts of Mosul were recently liberated The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a man is in critical condition after being shot by police answering a domestic call. Authorities say two officers who answered the call around 7pm on Christmas Eve were confronted by a man wielding a knife at a home in Buford, an unincorporated area of Gwinnett County. In a news release, Gwinnett County police say the man was shot several times. The officers were not injured. Scroll down for video The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a man is in critical condition after being shot by police answering a domestic call. Police officers are seen above near the scene of the shooting Gwinnett Sgt. Rich Long (above) said that a 'young man armed with a knife...confronted the officers in a threatening manner' GBI spokesman Bahan Rich said in an email the man was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition Sunday. The identities of those involved have not yet been released. Authorities said the officers entered the home after receiving a call about a domestic disturbance. 'Once inside they were confronted by a young man armed with a knife. He confronted them in a threatening manner,' Gwinnett Sgt. Rich Long told WSB-TV. Carrie Fisher is in a stable condition just days after suffering a massive heart attack while on board an 11-hour flight, according to her mother. Her actress mom Debbie Reynolds tweeted news of Fisher's condition on Sunday and said the family would share any updates. She also thanks the public for its 'prayers & good wishes.' It comes as social media users rallied around a health stricken Fisher begging for her to pull through. Scroll down for video Carrie Fisher is in a stable condition in hospital just days after suffering a massive heart attack while on board an 11-hour flight, according to her mother actress Debbie Reynolds Her actress mom Debbie Reynolds tweeted news of Fisher's condition on Sunday and said the family would share any updates Debbie Reynolds, pictured with daughter Carrie Fisher in 2015, thanked the public for its 'prayers & good wishes' following news of the heart attack Earlier in the day, Oscar winner Sally Field tweeted that she was thinking of the Star Wars actress with all her 'heart and soul.' Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill of 'Star Wars' fame are among many others who have expressed hope that the 60-year-old Fisher recovers after being admitted to a Los Angeles hospital on Friday. Those on social media said the year 2016 had already claimed too many - including Prince, Muhammad Ali, David Bowie and Leonard Cohen - and they begged for Fisher not to be one of them. The 60-year-old suffered a massive heart attack on board an 11-hour transatlantic flight from London to Los Angeles. A harrowing distress call made by the flight's pilot revealed that Fisher was kept alive with CPR administered by a fellow passenger after she stopped breathing for about 10 minutes. Carrie Fisher (seen above on December 11 in London) suffered a massive heart attack on board an 11-hour United Airlines flight from London to Los Angeles on Friday A gathering of media personnel camp outside the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles on Friday A nurse on board the flight rushed to help the starlet after flight attendants asked if anyone had medical experience. It's been claimed by fellow passengers on the flight that she was not breathing for '10 minutes or so' Prior to landing at LAX, the pilot of the United Flight told the control tower that passengers aboard the plane were helping an 'unresponsive passenger,' but did not name who it was. He revealed that that at least one of the passengers who rushed to the aid of Fisher - best known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise - was a nurse. During the recording, an official from the control tower asked the pilot: 'United 935, I need the nature of your medical emergency, and also the sex of the patient and if there is medical personnel at the gate.' 'Yeah, we've coordinated medical personnel for the gate, we have some passengers, nurses, assisting the... unresponsive passenger,' the pilot replied. 'So they're working on her right now, we're going to have her seated in about two minutes and we should hopefully be on the deck in about five.' Fisher's medical emergency occurred about 15 minutes before landing and it is understood that paramedics worked on her for another 15 minutes before they were able to get a pulse, TMZ reported. Her daughter, Billie Lourd, 24, was photographed along with her mother's beloved French bulldog Gary sitting outside the UCLA Medical Center on Friday afternoon. Lourd, who is also an actress who starred in Scream Queens and had a cameo alongside her mother in The Force Awakens - is Carrie's only child with talent agent Bryan Lourd. Actress and well-known YouTube performer Anna Akana was seated in front of Fisher on the United flight. Akana said on Twitter that Fisher 'was not breathing for 10 minutes or so' and that CPR was administered on Fisher until the plane landed. Akana wrote: 'Don't know how else to process this but Carrie Fisher stopped breathing on the flight home. TMZ reported that Fisher's health episode occurred around 15 minutes before landing. Fisher is currently in the middle of a book tour for her biography, The Princess Diarist. She shared the photo above to her Twitter on December 21 There was no indication the actress was in poor health prior to the flight on Friday. She is pictured above in London on December 20 in a photo she shared to Twitter Akana sent the series of tweets above about the incident involving Fisher Outside of her Beverly Hills home, Fisher's housekeeper, Mike Gonzalez (above), told DailyMail.com: 'We don't know how she is yet. We had a Christmas meal planned here.' 'Hope she's gonna be OK. So many thanks to the United flight crew who jumped into action, and the awesome doctor and nurse passengers who helped.' Outside of her Beverly Hills home, Fisher's housekeeper, Mike Gonzalez, told DailyMail.com: 'We don't know how she is yet. We had a Christmas meal planned here. Who knows what will happen now. 'She didn't have problems with her heart - but it could happen to anyone, even kids can have heart attacks. I'm really shocked. 'She's really nice. I've worked with her for 15 years. When they said it was a heart attack this morning I was very worried.' Nearly 90 motorists a week are being handed compensation by councils for damage done to their cars by potholes, figures show. Over the past four years, councils across the country have settled nearly 19,000 compensation claims and have just under 6,000 more outstanding. In that period they have written cheques totalling 12million to put right damage done to cars from holes in the road. That means the average payment for damage to vehicles is a staggering 650. Nearly 90 motorists a week are being handed compensation by councils for damage done to their cars by potholes, figures show The startling scale of compensation payouts was revealed by hundreds of Freedom of Information requests to individual councils. But with only one-third of councils replying, the true total is likely to be significantly higher. The revelations will heap pressure on councils to spend more on fixing crumbling roads instead of shelling out for broken cars. Jenny Randerson, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman, said: This is crazy economics; a lose-lose situation for everyone, motorists, councils and taxpayers. People have to fork out so much to drive a car, the least they should expect is their motor doesnt get ruined by the roads. We are seeing millions shelled out by councils when they just need to fix our roads. This is a symptom of the hand to mouth approach we have to infrastructure investment in the UK. Freedom of Information requests were made to 500 councils in England, Scotland and Wales. From the 150 which responded, they revealed 66,497 claims for pothole-damaged cars over the past four years. Over the past four years, councils across the country have settled nearly 19,000 compensation claims and have just under 6,000 more outstanding Of those 18,350 have been settled, and town hall officials have admitted partial or full liability. The compensation bill in the same period is 12,094,216. Another 5,812 cases are still open. Potholes can damage a vehicles suspension, tyres and wheel alignment. Figures from the Local Government Association (LGA) suggest there is a backlog of 12billion of local road repairs and estimate it could take 14 years to fix them all. Town halls claim to fix one pothole every 15 seconds, but lack cash to do proper road repairs, officials say. That is despite promises from ministers to spend 1billion extra on fixing potholes by 2020. There are an estimated 18million potholes on the UKs roads. Earlier this year it emerged one council would only fill in potholes if they were 2.36in deep instead of the standard depth of 1.5in. Officials at Perth and Kinross made the standard definition of a pothole more than 50 per cent bigger as they sought to save 120,000 a year, but were accused of a false economy. The RAC Foundation said in October that motorists whose cars are being damaged by potholes on crumbling Third World roads are making a compensation claim to councils every 17 minutes It is thought councils across the country have been changing the rules around road defects, with some looking to increase the depth required for them to qualify for repair. The LGA says harsh winters and decades of underfunding by successive governments had caused the backlog of repairs to spiral. It said councils were trapped in a frustrating cycle of patching up rather than carrying out proper resurfacing. Strolling out of church on Christmas Day, Theresa May and her husband Philip smiled for the cameras. But following closely behind and wearing a much more serious expression was a member of her security team, who appeared to be carrying a Taser. The stun guns deliver a power electric shock of 50,000 volts and could disarm someone posing a threat. It could be seen tucked into a holster on the mans waist. As Theresa May and husband Philip left church today, a member of her security team appeared to be carrying a Taser (circled) Mrs May (pictured arriving at church with the security guard behind) is still a regular attendee at St Andrew's Church in Sonning, Berkshire, situated within her Maidenhead constituency The Prime Minister later went on to spend the day with her local constituents - attending a lunch with elderly people at risk of loneliness Mrs May was leaving the Christmas Day service at St Andrews Church in Sonning, Berkshire. She later went on to spend the day with her local constituents - attending a lunch with elderly people at risk of loneliness. The Prime Minister attended the Maidenhead Christians Christmas Lunch as she has every year since she was elected in 1997. Mrs May, 60, was spotted pulling crackers and posing for pictures with some of the 75 guests, all of whom are at risk of spending Christmas alone this year. Mrs May attended the Maidenhead Christians Christmas Lunch as she has every year since she was elected in 1997 It allows those out of touch with their families to socialise and enjoy a proper festive dinner The Prime Minister was seen pulling crackers and posing for pictures with guests The event was held at SportsAble, with roughly 100 volunteers cooking, registering the guests and taking care of them as they ate. Mrs May, 60, arrived at 1pm with her husband Philip, and chatted to guests sat at long tables before they ate their meals. She looked smart in a 600 purple Escada pencil dress that she has already recycled for several high profile occassions, such as on the day she was would become Prime Minister and her first keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference. She said: 'It is great to be here at this event again this year. It is simply a fantastic event. It is very important. 'They can come together to have a good time, and probably sing a song or two at some point.' Mrs May, 60, arrived at 1pm with her husband Philip, and chatted to guests sat at long tables before they ate their meals The event was held in the town at SportsAble, with roughly 100 volunteers cooking, registering the guests and taking care of them as they ate Christmas films played on a projector in the hall before Mrs May arrived, and she gave a short speech thanking volunteers and wishing everyone in the room a merry Christmas Christmas films played on a projector in the hall before Mrs May arrived, and she gave a short speech thanking volunteers and wishing everyone in the room a merry Christmas. Guests were then served their traditional meal, accompanied by live music. Despite the name, the lunch is available to people of all faiths - provided they are at risk of loneliness on Christmas. For some of the guests, their loved ones have passed away. For others, they are not able to get to their family, who could be living hundreds of miles away. Many are known to the volunteers, having attended for several years. Helen Wilson, who lives in the town, is a volunteer of 10 years but this was the first time the 94-year-old had attended as a guest. A younger people stops to take a selfie with the Prime Minister. Many guests are known to the volunteers, having attended for several years Despite the name, the lunch is available to people of all faiths - provided they are at risk of loneliness on Christmas The 600 purple Escada pencil dress that has been already recycled for several high profile occasions, such as on the day she was confirmed as Prime Minister (left) and her first keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference (right) Her husband passed away about 20 years ago, and she enjoyed coming along to have 'a natter'. She added: 'Life gets very dreary. Nobody should be alone at Christmas.' Mrs May went to church on her first Christmas morning as Prime Minister after outlining her hopes of healing the Brexit divide in 2017. Mrs May is still a regular attendee at St Andrew's Church, and attempts to go to services whenever her premiership does not get in the way. It comes after she outlined that re-uniting the country following the bitter Brexit fallout is at the top of her Christmas wishlist. Mrs May, a devout Christian who was brought up in a Vicarage, looked smart in a purple dress, a smart coat and shoes with a multicoloured scarf as she arrived at the Christmas service In her first festive address as Prime Minister, she vowed to unite the country after a year of divisions over the European Union and forge a 'bold new role' for the UK in the world In her first festive address as Prime Minister, she vowed to unite the country after a year of divisions over the European Union and forge a 'bold new role' for the UK in the world. She said: 'Coming together is also important for us as a country. 'As we leave the European Union we must seize a historic opportunity to forge a bold new role for ourselves in the world and to unite our country as we move forward into the future. Police are searching for a man who stared a fire outside of a Sydney brothel dressed in a Santa suit. The fire was started in the entrance of the brothel on Larkin Street, Camperdown at 10.55pm on Sunday. The man who started the blaze was described as being in his 20s and dressed in a Santa suit. Police are searching for a man who stared a fire outside of a Sydney brothel dressed in a Santa suit on Sunday night He fled the scene after lighting the blaze and firefighters arrived on scene a short time later. The entrance of the building was damaged in the fire in which the firefighters were able to extinguish. No one was injured. Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. The man who started the blaze was described as being in his 20s and dressed in a Santa suit As Australians ring in the Christmas cheer, NRL star Sam Burgess and his wife Phoebe were spotted down at their local pub celebrating the festive season this week. Taking to Instagram on Christmas Eve, a heavily pregnant Phoebe posted a family snap from the The Burrawang Pub in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. The mother-to-be was pictured beaming as she flaunted her growing baby bump in a red dress in true Christmas fashion. Scroll down for video 'Tis the season': NRL player Sam Burgess and his wife Phoebe were spotted down at their local pub on Christmas Eve to celebrate the festive season She captioned the festive snap: 'Twas the night before Christmas at The Burrawang Pub.' Phoebe cut a casual figure in the loose fitting red dress which featured a white and blue detail on the arm and an off-the-shoulder cut. Sam also cut a casual figure in a blue polo shirt and shorts as he put his arm around Phoebe and her sister Harriet Hooke. Festive: Prior to the snap, Phoebe posted a boomerang video which saw a group of her close friends and family spending Christmas eve together Cute: The video saw the group waving back and forth as they posed for the video Harriet was seen wearing a crisp white blouse and denim jeans as she smiled at the camera. The family photo comes the night before Christmas and saw fans gushing over the pair while sending festive wishes to the popular media personalities. Prior to the snap, Phoebe posted a boomerang video which saw a group of her close friends and family spending Christmas eve together. The video saw the group waving back and forth as they posed for the video. Meanwhile, Phoebe has been seen embracing the Christmas season with open arms as seen in a number of pictures posted to Instagram. 'Not quite the Clause but she'll do': On Friday, Phoebe was seen sitting on her friend's lap and smiling as the pair enjoyed a day shopping together On Friday, Phoebe was seen sitting on her friend's lap and smiling as the pair enjoyed a day shopping together. She wrote: 'Not quite the Clause but she'll do @phoeberwhite.' The blonde beauty added the hashtag, 'lovechristmas' to the end of the caption. Phoebe and Sam married at her parent's country NSW estate in December 2015 after 18 months of dating and are expecting their first child. Fans may have been up in arms at the news that a brand new actress would be playing Michelle Fowler in EastEnders, but they've had little time to get used to the idea. Just 24-hours after the news broke, the new look Michelle was pulling up in a taxi at Albert Square in the Christmas Eve soap special on Saturday night. Actress Jenna Russell takes on the role from Susan Tully, and as she arrived in Walford headed straight for her late father Arthur's memorial bench. Scroll down for video Making her entrance: Jenna Russell's Michelle Fowler made her Albert Square debut on Saturday night Meanwhile, with her partner Phil Mitchell in dire straits, Sharon was sobbing outside the Queen Vic when her long lost best friend arrived. Noticing her, Sharon called her friend by name, to ensure any long term EastEnders fans would realise a new actress was playing the feisty Fowler. Susan had originally played the infamous role for a decade after she joined the soap from its conception in 1985 until she bid farewell to the show in October 1995. Friends reunited: Sharon and Michelle were thrilled to see each other again Hugging it out: Sharon and her old pal embraced in the Square Is it really you? An upset Sharon notices Michelle looking at her across the Square The 49-year-old - who gave up acting and is now a successful director - had soap bosses trying for nearly two decades to lure her back to the much-loved series but to no avail. A source said: 'EastEnders have been trying to convince Susan to come back for more than 20 years but they agreed enough was enough and have decided to recast the role. 'They thought Jenna was a great fit and think she will do a great job as Michelle who is one of the most popular characters in the show's history. Who's that girl: Fans are intrigued at the new storylines in store for the new look Michelle Great job: The shows bosses apparently thought Jenna was a great fit and think she will do a great job as Michelle who is one of the most popular characters in the show's history Perfect timing: Michelle's arrival came at a good time for a distressed Sharon 'The show has faced accusations of being boring lately, but curveballs like this shows it still keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.' A spokesperson for EastEnders told MailOnline they have no comment. Now taking over the role, Jenna, 49, is best known for Olivier Award winning turn as Dot in Sunday in the Park with George in the West End and on Broadway. The news of the replacement caused outrage on social media with a number of fans taking to Twitter in their droves to express their opinion. One loyal viewer wrote: 'Michelle Fowler has been recast! I think that for some characters you just can't do that. Michelle is too much of a legend to change faces.' She's back! : Jenna Russell (left) plays Michelle Fowler in EastEnders instead of original actress Susan Tully, 49,(pictured in 1996) Shaking things up: Meanwhile, Michelle was involved in a number of major storylines during her ten years on the BBC1 soap The lady's not returning: Susan Tully has been asked multiple times over the last two decades to go back to the square but she has refused While another weighed in: 'If its true that @bbceastenders have re cast Michelle Fowler its got to be one of there lowest moves sue made this character iconic'. A fan posted: 'I haven't watched EastEnders in years but recasting Michelle Fowler? Could they not have dreamt up a new character for the actress to play?' Before one echoed many's sentiments: 'Just when you think we're safe from 2016, EastEnders go and recast Michelle Fowler.' Meanwhile, Michelle has been involved in a number of major storylines during her ten years on the BBC1 soap. Outrage: The startling reports have since caused outrage on social media with a number of fans taking to Twitter in their droves to express their opinion She famously had two children from one-night stands on the series Vicki, who she had with Dirty Den, and then Martin, who she had with Grant Mitchell. Michelle has since been mentioned throughout the years on screen by her nearest and dearest but hasn't appeared on the show since she moved to America in 1995. The soap character missed family funerals, including her father Arthur, mother Pauline and brother Mark, and was even name checked by Ian Beale's after his daughter Lucy died in 2014. Shocking storylines: She famously had two children from one-night stands on the series Vicki, who she had with Dirty Den, and then Martin, who she had with Grant Mitchell Back in the day: Susan Tully (far right) pictured with Bill Treacher as Arthur Fowler, Wendy Richard as Pauline Fowler, Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale, Peter Dean as Pete Beale (back row) as well as Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale, Anna Wing as Lou Beale (front row) When it was revealed Peggy Mitchell - played by Barbara Windsor - was dying from cancer, Sharon called Michelle to inform her of the icon's illness. Yet, Michelle was too late to correspond with the landlady after a letter she sent her arrived the day following her death, but Sharon read the letter and immediately visited her. Upon her return to Walford in August, Phil discovered the letter and discovered that Martin was his brother Grants son. Back in the day: Michelle has since been mentioned throughout the years on screen by her nearest and dearest but hasn't appeared on the show since she moved to America in 1995 Advertisement She wowed millions of viewers with her recent stint on Strictly Come Dancing. And Daisy Lowe was showing off the results of her strenuous dancing workouts on Miami Beach on Thursday. The 27-year-old model displayed her toned hourglass figure in a plunging black and white strapless swimsuit as she frolicked on the white sands. Star in stripes: Daisy Lowe showed off her hourglass figure in a stunning strapless swimsuit as she hit the beach in Miami on Thursday The model looked every inch the beach babe as she waded into the surf in the sizzling stripy one-piece, which teased a hint of cleavage thanks to the keyhole neckline. The brunette beauty wore her raven tresses in a tousled straight style, while her trademark blunt fringe perfectly framed her pretty features. Looking natural for the sun-soaked outing, she eschewed make-up as she made her way playfully down the beach. Beach babe: The model looked every inch the beach babe as she waded into the surf in her sizzling stripy one-piece, which teased a hint of cleavage thanks to the keyhole neckline Making a splash: Looking naturally pretty for the sun-soaked outing, she eschewed make-up as she made her way playfully down the beach Daisy appeared to be in great spirits, despite being recently single following her split from boyfriend Bradley 'Frankie' Wade - who she had begun dating in August. 'Daisy and Frankie have had a discussion and decided to call it a day due to their mutually busy schedules,' a spokesperson for Daisy told MailOnline in November. A friend of the British beauty told The Sun: 'They could not find time to spend together because he is busy with shoots as a successful fashion model. 'They had a discussion and decided they were better off as friends.' Understated beauty: The brunette beauty kept accessories to a minimum, rocking a simple gold pendant necklace Mane attraction! She wore her raven tresses in a tousled straight style, while her trademark blunt fringe perfectly framed her pretty features The time Daisy dedicated to extra dance training during the second week put a strain on their relationship, the newspaper alleged. There is no suggestion that Slovenian pro Aljaz Skorjanec, 26, who Daisy is partnered with this year, is involved in the split. With claims that she had fallen foul to the Strictly curse - a trend that has seen many celebrities split from their partners during or shortly after an appearance on Strictly - the star was then sadly eliminated from the competition, one week later. Daisy found herself in a dance-off against over Olympian Greg Rutherford, 30, during week eight, but judges Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Craig Revel-Horwood and Bruno Tonioli voted to save the sportsman. Bum's the word! The statuesque beauty flaunted her pert behind in the skimpy swimwear Working her angles: Daisy proved her model credentials as she took centre-stage on the beach Having a whale of a time! She appeared to be in great spirits, despite recently splitting with her boyfriend Bradley 'Frankie' Wade - and being eliminated from the competition one week later Fresh from her Strictly exit, Daisy spoke about her departure from the dance competition with Radio 1 Breakfast Show DJ Nick Grimshaw. 'I'm pretty heartbroken but I'm really proud of myself because I actually managed to survive eight weeks of it,' Daisy told pal Nick. 'I loved every minute of it and I'm never going to stop dancing. It created the most mental adventure of my whole entire life.' Going their separate ways: 'Daisy and Frankie have had a discussion and decided to call it a day due to their mutually busy schedules,' a spokesperson for Daisy told MailOnline in November after the split Having fun in the sun: She seemed to be lapping up the down time as she waded into the cool blue waters Some well-deserved rest: The Strictly Come Dancing star enjoyed a dip in the sea with a female friend Christmas is a time for giving. And that couldn't be any more true than at Pia Miller's house, where her Christmas tree was so full of presents that they filled the floor of her home this week. The insane amount of gifts looked fit for an entire orphanage. Scroll down for video Presents: Actress Pia Miller showed off all her presents underneath the Christmas tree on Christmas Day On Christmas Eve, the slender model was pictured enjoying time with her boyfriend Tyson Mullane. 'Feliz Navidad Prospero ano y felizidad,' she captioned the Instagram snap in Spanish - which translates to 'Merry christmas and happy new year.' The happy couple cuddled up on an outdoor couch, where they were seen relaxing in the sunshine. Happy couple: On Christmas Eve, the slender model was pictured enjoying time with her boyfriend Tyson Mullan Pia is currently based in Sydney, where she films Home and Away. However, she recently returned home to Melbourne for Christmas. The 33-year-old is also spending the festive season with Tyson, as their relationship grows more serious. Home for the holidays! Pia returned to Melbourne on Friday to spend Christmas with family and her boyfriend Tyson Mullane In several Instagram posts on Friday, Pia is pictured drinking coffee and walking through the streets of Melbourne. In one photo, the Chilean-born beauty sipped on a latte in a trendy cafe. Wearing a simple black dress, the brunette beauty looked happy and relaxed as she rested her elbows on the table. The model is known for sharing candid photos of her family life with sons Isaiah and Lennox, and her beach dates with Tyson. He has four beautiful women waiting to celebrate Christmas with him at the Stallone residence. So the pressure is on for patriarch Sylvester Stallone, who was spotted doing some very last-minute shopping in Beverly Hills on Christmas Eve, to get his foxy younger wife and three stunning daughters some great holiday presents. The 70-year-old actor stopped by a local diamond store - Fine Jewelry by Rafi - to peruse some costly fine jewelry. Throw it in the bag: Sylvester Stallone, 70, was spotted in Beverly Hills doing some last-minute Christmas shopping at a fine jewelry store The Rocky Balboa legend was seen checking out some watches and reportedly settled on one with a hefty price tag as he walked out with an ominous brown paper bag. Though it is unclear who the luxury item is for - perhaps wife Jennifer Stallone, 48, will be having a very merry Christmas this year. The Hollywood icon wore an interesting blue-and-white paisley button down shirt with light blue boot cut denim jeans for his last minute outing. Who's it for? Perhaps wife Jennifer Stallone, 48, will be having a very merry Christmas this year Dad outfit: The Golden Globe winner paired the festive outfit with a pair of black shiny dress shoes and an understated pair of brown shades The Golden Globe winner paired the festive outfit with a pair of black shiny dress shoes and an understated pair of brown shades. Sly recently reportedly turned down a role in Trump's administration as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Rambo actor suggested that he'd like to play a role elsewhere in the Trump administration, preferably working with military veterans. 'I am incredibly flattered to have been suggested to be involved with the National Endowment of the Arts,' he said in a statement sent to DailyMail.com, after we broke the story about Stallone being approached about the job. Desired man: Sly recently reportedly turned down a role in Trump's administration as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts 'However, I believe I could be more effective by bringing national attention to returning military personnel in an effort to find gainful employment, suitable housing and financial assistance these heroes respectfully deserve.' Meanwhile, however, Sly is set to star in the upcoming, highly-anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which is set to hit theaters in May of 2017. He recently shot for the new season of The Celebrity Apprentice, hosted by his good friend Arnold Schwarzenegger. Zoe Kravitz celebrated Christmas Eve in Miami Beach with a refreshing dip alongside her new boyfriend Karl Glusman. At 6ft2in, the Bronx-born actor towered over his 5ft2in LA-born ladylove as they strolled into the warm Atlantic Ocean surf. The couple of two months - both 28 - coordinated in matching black swimwear for their sun-filled outing in Florida. Scroll down for video Wet and wild! Zoe Kravitz celebrated Christmas Eve in Miami Beach with a refreshing dip alongside her new boyfriend Karl Glusman The look of love: At 6ft2in, the Bronx-born actor towered over his 5ft2in LA-born ladylove as they strolled into the warm Atlantic Ocean surf Twinning! The couple of two months - both 28 - coordinated in matching black swimwear for their sun-filled outing in Florida The nepotistically-privileged daughter of Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz opted for a sheer-paneled string bikini and full-coverage bottoms. There was not an inch to pinch on Zoe, who's battled anorexia and bulimia in the past. Back in October, colourist Daniel Moon bleached the Allegiant actress' brunette mohawk, which got a big boost thanks to waist-length micro-braid extensions. The Alexander Wang model - who relies on stylist Andrew Mukamal - is known for her eccentric, bohemian fashion. Two-piece: The nepotistically-privileged daughter of Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz opted for a sheer-paneled string bikini and full-coverage bottoms Fit: There was not an inch to pinch on Zoe, who's battled anorexia and bulimia in the past Plaited: Back in October, colourist Daniel Moon bleached the Allegiant actress' brunette mohawk, which got a big boost thanks to waist-length micro-braid extensions Chic: The Alexander Wang model - who relies on stylist Andrew Mukamal - is known for her eccentric, bohemian fashion Glusman has been calling Kravitz - who previously romanced Twin Shadow, Chris Pine, and Michael Fassbender - his 'bae' and 'mine' on social media. On Friday, the Teardrop songstress sported a black blazer for dinner at late-night Korean BBQ spot Drunken Dragon founded by Conrad Gomez. 'Yum time. Thank you @conradgomez1 @drunkendragon #imsofull #couldntstopeating!' Zoe - who boasts 2.2M followers - captioned her Instagram. Karl and his six-pack abs were last seen as Dean in Nicolas Winding Refn's modeling cannibal flick The Neon Demon. It's official: Glusman has been calling Kravitz - who previously romanced Twin Shadow, Chris Pine, and Michael Fassbender - his 'bae' and 'mine' on social media 'Happy Holidays!' On Friday, the Teardrop songstress sported a black blazer for dinner at late-night Korean BBQ spot Drunken Dragon founded by Conrad Gomez (R) Zoe - who boasts 2.2M followers - captioned her Instagram: 'Yum time. Thank you @conradgomez1 @drunkendragon #imsofull #couldntstopeating!' The PSU drop-out currently plays gang member Lou in Tom Ford's neo-noir psychological thriller Nocturnal Animals alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, and Amy Adams. Last month, the director of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them confirmed that Zoe's Leta Lestrange will have a more significant role in the 2018 sequel. 'She's quite complicated and damaged and confused, and Newt is absolutely still in love with her,' David Yates explained to CinemaBlend. 'So, she has a kind of power over him, and she, yeah, shes a kind of tragic figure, so we will see a bit more of her in the second movie.' Beefcake: Karl and his six-pack abs were last seen as Dean in Nicolas Winding Refn's modeling cannibal flick The Neon Demon In cinemas: The PSU drop-out currently plays gang member Lou in Tom Ford's neo-noir thriller Nocturnal Animals alongside Jake Gyllenhaal (L) and Michael Shannon (M) 'She's a taker': Last month, the director of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them confirmed that Zoe's Leta Lestrange will have a more significant role in the 2018 sequel The SUNY Purchase drop-out is the spitting image of her mother as Bonnie Carlson in Big Little Lies premiering February 19 on HBO. The seven-part miniseries also features Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, and Laura Dern. Kravitz has also been recording her fourth record - tentatively titled 'Prom' - with her R&B/electropop trio LolaWolf. Cosby kid? The SUNY Purchase drop-out is the spitting image of her mother as Bonnie Carlson in Big Little Lies premiering February 19 on HBO Based on Liane Moriarty's 2014 novel: The seven-part miniseries also features Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, and Laura Dern She bid an tear-jerking farewell to her son Liam before heading to court to await her fate on Saturday's Coronation Street. And as Maria Connor received a 12 month sentence for her sham marriage to Pablo, fans took to Twitter to attempt to kickstart a 'free Maria' campaign. 'Let Maria out!' one fan wrote, while another tweeted: 'Free the Weatherfield one... let's get Maria out. We can do this!' Scroll down for video Tear-jerking: Fans were distraught as Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon) bid farewell to her son Liam on Saturday's episode of Coronation Street Maria, played by Samia Longchambon, reduced some viewers to tears as she bid farewell to her son Liam in one poignant scene. In a sentimental Christmas touch, she gave him a snow globe to remember her by. Maria had admitted marrying Argentinian tourist Pablo to help him stay in the country to enable him to be with his British boyfriend. However, her admission of guilt and lack of financial gain from the marriage wasn't taken into account by the judge who wanted to make an example of her. Memento: In a sentimental Christmas touch, she gave him a snow globe to remember her by Alone: Poor Liam was left with his snowglobe and in the charge of Maria's brother Kirk who was in court to witness Maria's sentence In trouble: Maria had admitted marrying Argentinian tourist Pablo to help him stay in the country to enable him to be with his British boyfriend Outraged: Fans took to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction with Maria's fate and their intention to start a 'free Maria campaign' Poor Liam was left with his snowglobe and in the charge of Maria's brother Kirk who was in court to witness Maria's sentence. Coronation Street fans found it hard to watch such a traumatic event on Christmas Eve, with viewer Jenni tweeting: 'Liam's little face. Hard to watch.' One fan even joked about 'picketing Home Secretary Amber Rudd's office, while another pledged to start a 'free Maria campaign. Another fan expressed his satisfaction with keeping his previous 'Free The Weatherfield One' T-shirt. Deidre Barlow's infamous wrongful conviction for fraud back in 1998, led many Corrie fans to launch a campaign to free her. The holiday season is a time for giving. And Jennifer Lawrence did just that while visiting Norton Children's Hospital in her hometown - Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday, according to Wave 3 News. The 26-year-old actress beamed while posing with children, their families and also hospital staff members. Jennifer Lawrence visited Norton Children's Hospital in her hometown - Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday, according to Wave 3 News This is not the first time Jennifer has took time out to bring joy and smiles to her local community; she also stopped by the same hospital last year as well. The selfless star looked lovely in a cream knitted sweater with black leggings and lace-up boots. The Passengers star styled her short blonde tresses loose with waves, opting for a deep side part. Last week, her Jennifer Lawrence Foundation had a special early screening of her film Passengers before it hit theaters - to benefit the American Heart Association's fundraiser, reports Wave 3 News. So happy: The Passengers star visited the children and posed for photos with the families and staff members All proceeds go toward AHA's fundraiser for Jefferson County Public Schools. The news site spoke to Valarie Gates, the senior Vice President of the American Heart Association, who said: 'Through this partnership, we've also been able to provide additional physical education equipment' as well as 'recess equipment for those schools.' Three theaters were sold out for the screening to benefit her foundation; tickets were priced at $100. According to her foundation's website, the goal is to assist and empower 'charitable organizations that fulfill children's vital needs and drive arts awareness and participation.' Holiday cheer: The 26-year-old actress beamed while at the local children's hospital In character: Last week, her Jennifer Lawrence Foundation had a special early screening of her film Passengers before it hit theaters, reports Wave 3 News Last February, Jennifer announced she donated $2 million to the Kosair Children's Hospital (now called Norton's Children Hospital). She also revealed that her foundation will establish the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, reports Just Jared. After making the announcement, she said: 'As part of my effort to help these children and caregivers, I challenge the entire community to get behind this cause and help match my gift by raising an additional $2 million to support all of these brave and inspiring children,' via Just Jared. Jennifer, who was born and raised in Kentucky, just returned to the states after promoting Passengers in Beijing, China. Her latest movie, Passengers, is currently in theaters; the film also stars actor Chris Pratt. She's got a good heart: Jennifer, who was born and raised in Kentucky, just returned to the states after promoting her film Passengers in Beijing, China; seen in China on December 17 Kim Kardashian West debuted a new lower-lip ring piercing at her fame-hungry family's annual Christmas Eve bash in Calabasas. The 'shaken yet unharmed' 36-year-old made sure to pucker out her latest body modification - which might have been clip-on - during Snapchats with her sister Khloe. The Selfish author also showcased her substantial cleavage in a plunging golden flounce frock and ornate choker selected by her stylist Monica Rose. Scroll down for video Read my lips: Kim Kardashian West debuted a new lower-lip ring piercing at her fame-hungry family's annual Christmas Eve bash in Calabasas Lip service: The 'shaken yet unharmed' 36-year-old made sure to pucker out her latest body modification - which might have been clip-on - during Snapchats with her sister Khloe 'Sisters!' The Selfish author also showcased her substantial cleavage in a plunging golden flounce frock and ornate choker selected by her stylist Monica Rose The former sex tape star has kept an uncharacteristically low profile ever since her alleged $10M robbery in France on October 3. Parisian authorities have yet to find or prosecute even one of the five masked men who reportedly held Kim at gunpoint inside her Hotel de Pourtales suite. And shockingly, Kardashian hasn't shared anything with her 168.1M social media followers since the scary incident. Also enjoying the ostentatious festivities was the Keeping Up with the Kardashians stunner's three-year-old daughter North wearing an 'Alexander Wang custom little dress.' She's backkkk #KimKardashianWest @kimkardashian via @khloekardashian's #snapchat A video posted by Kardashians & Jenners (@allthingskuwtkj) on Dec 24, 2016 at 8:14pm PST Scroll down: The former sex tape star has kept an uncharacteristically low profile ever since her alleged $10M robbery in France on October 3 Unsolved? Parisian authorities have yet to find or prosecute even one of the five masked men who reportedly held Kim at gunpoint inside her Hotel de Pourtales suite You going to eat that corndog? And shockingly, Kardashian hasn't shared anything with her 168.1M social media followers since the scary incident 'She loves it!' Also enjoying the ostentatious festivities was the KUWTK stunner's three-year-old daughter North wearing an 'Alexander Wang custom little dress' Squad: R&B belters Babyface and John Legend performed at the party, which was attended by most of the Kardashian-Jenner clan and their children R&B belters John Legend and Babyface performed at the party, which was attended by most of the Kardashian-Jenner clan and their children. Ominously, Kim's third husband Kanye West opted to skip the party and catch a movie at ArcLight Sherman Oaks instead. The 39-year-old designer/rapper was released from UCLA Medical Center on November 30 following a nine-day stay for 'temporary psychosis.' Over it? Ominously, Kim's third husband Kanye West opted to skip the party and catch a movie at ArcLight Sherman Oaks instead On the mend: The 39-year-old designer/rapper was released from UCLA Medical Center on November 30 following a nine-day stay for 'temporary psychosis' (pictured Thursday) Still going strong? On December 21, Us Weekly reported that Kimye 'are not in couples counseling, but Kanye does still see a therapist every day' (pictured August 28) On December 21, Us Weekly reported that Kimye 'are not in couples counseling, but Kanye does still see a therapist every day.' Perhaps the raven-haired socialite plans on attending the February 12 Grammy Awards ceremony with Yeezy, who's up for eight trophies including best rap song for Famous. Before the CBS awards show, Kardashian is scheduled to participate in Mario Dedivanovic's make-up master class happening January 13 at Dubai's MusicHall. Will he win? Perhaps the raven-haired socialite plans on attending the February 12 Grammy Awards ceremony with Yeezy, who's up for eight trophies including best rap song for Famous She recently confessed her love to new boyfriend Jeremy Banks on social media after the pair returned from Bali to spend Christmas Eve together in Sydney. And on Christmas Day, Bachelor's Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris was seen spending time with her boyfriend's pet horse at his family's farm. In a post to Instagram, Kiki was seen holding a carrot and wearing a Santa hat while standing with a large brown mare named Inka. Scroll down for video Merry Christmas to all the animals in the world!': Bachelor's Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris was seen spending time with her boyfriend's pet horse Inka at his family's farm on Christmas Day 'Merry Christmas to all the animals in the world too! This is @jembanks beautiful horse Inka, a wonderful day spent on the farm with all the animals,' she wrote. Kiki was spotted wearing a white off-the-shoulder playsuit as she stood in the emerald green grass of the Coffs Harbour farm. Her honeycomb tresses were out for the occasion and she wore sandals to finish the casual chic ensemble as she pet the chocolate brown equine. Hours after Kiki's post her new boyfriend Jeremy took to social media to wish his followers and friends a Merry Christmas next to a picture of himself and his partner. 'Love you': Kiki took to social media the night before Christmas to confess her love for Jeremy in a lengthy post to Instagram, which saw the pair posed together in a selfie Wearing a paper crown, typically found inside Christmas crackers, Jeremy rocked a denim shirt as he stood beside the reality star. He captioned the picture: 'A very merry Christmas to you all. And a very special thank you to you @kikimorris for making this the best one yet - I love you.' Kiki replied to the post and said: 'Thanks for making this the fattest Christmas yet, I'll have to jog home from Coffs. Love you too doodle.' 'Tis the season! The pair were seen enjoying a Christmas lunch earlier this month and posted selfies to social media Kiki took to social media the night before Christmas to confess her love for Jeremy in a lengthy post to Instagram, which saw the pair posed together in a selfie. She wrote: 'It Christmas Eve, It's that time of year I reflect on the past 12 months and evaluate things. This year I learn that happiness isn't a destination, it's a journey. 'The small things, really are the big things! Do what you love, with who you love and enjoy the ride through the highs and the lows. Holiday! Jeremy and Kiki later posted pictures from their romantic getaway to Bali together 'My year has been filled with so many stand out memories I can't help but feel like that I already received all the gifts I could possibly ever want. 'Merry Christmas to everyone that has contributed to my 2016 being as life changing and positive. Love to all, and @jembanks love you so much.' The pair were seen enjoying a Christmas lunch earlier this month, in which the pair donned all white ensembles before jetting off to Bali together. Boo-tiful: It would appear the couple have been almost inseparable since their relationship was confirmed on Halloween - only three months ago It would appear the couple have been almost inseparable since their relationship was confirmed on Halloween - only three months ago. Kiki rose to prominence after starring in season four of The Bachelor with Richie Strahan. She later made a name for herself in the Sydney social scene and has recently moved in with Bachelor bestie and co-star Noni Janur. BFFs: Kiki rose to prominence after starring in season four of The Bachelor with Richie Strahan and later moved in with co-star and Bachelor bestie Noni Janur The pair are often seen pictured together across social media and recently went sky diving with their Bachelor co-stars dressed in Santa costumes. Noni and Kiki were joined by Keira Maguire and Olena Khamula who also starred in season four of The Bachelor. They event was in Wollongong December 17 and organised by RedBalloon - who were attempting to set a new Guinness World Record for 'the most tandem parachute jumps in eight hours'. She's the loveable radio host who often shares adorable pics of her daughter Mae. And on Christmas morning, Kate Ritchie shared another stunning pic to Instagram. With Mae dressed in a fluffy red and white polka dot robe and her mother in a casual nightie and boots, the pair are pictured sharing a sweet kiss and cuddle. Scroll down for video True love! On Christmas morning, Kate Ritchie shared another stunning pic to Instagram. With Mae dressed in a fluffy red and white polka dot robe and her mother in a casual nightie and boots, the pair are pictured sharing a sweet kiss and cuddle Kate captioned the post: 'Hello Christmas morning' and hashtagged the post #truelove. Her two-year-old is often the focus of Kate's social media posts. The day before, the 38-year-old mother-of-one shared a photo of Mae clearly starstruck by buskers while out shopping. Scroll down for video 'Uh-oh she loves a muso!' Kate Ritchie's daughter Mae can't hide her delight as she listens to busking carollers while Christmas shopping In the social media snap, the toddler kneels in awe as two older boys play instruments outside David Jones' Sydney store. Mae is barefoot and appears to be wearing a navy cardigan over a summer dress, before accessorising with a headband. Her proud mum captioned the photo humourously, explaining the golden haired girl was starstruck by the tween musicians. 'Uh oh.. She (love's) a muso,' Kate penned the post. Sharing fun stories: The Instagram post isn't the first time Kate has documented her daughter's cute antics and fashion choices The radio host also adds the cheeky hash-tags: 'at least its not the drummer', 'Am I right guys'. Kate has documented plenty of her daughter's cute antics and fashion choices. On the morning of the ARIAs, the actress showed a photo of Mae's orange hands after she had gotten into Kate's fake tan. Cutie: Mae is the two-year-old daughter of Kate and her husband of six years Stuart Webb Tan time: On the morning of the ARIAs, the actress showed a photo of Mae's orange hands after she had gotten into Kate's fake tan (Pictured at a Nova Red Room in June) Mum Kate wrote: 'This is what happens when little hands (or one little hand) couldn't stay away from Mummy's @aria_official spray tan overnight!' The precious tot has also in the past gotten her hands dirty with her famous mother's makeup kit. 'Definition of tonight's #firstworld problem,' Kate shared. Baby's first tan: Mae suffered a little bit of a tanning mishap while her mother was getting ready for the ARIAs 'Texting friends about our Christmas dinner to find this': Mae also go into Kate's make up collection 'Texting friends about our Christmas dinner to find this...and the only coloured flannel I can find for the emergency shower is the @missoni,' the radio host continued. The family were recently spotted holidaying in Byron Bay. The brunette actress shares Mae with husband Stuart Webb, who she has been married to since 2010. They fell head over heels for each other on The Bachelorette. And Lee Elliott and Georgia Love have enjoyed their first Christmas together with a hilarious Instagram post. 'Christmas Day Expectation vs Reality,' Lee captioned a split photo he shared on Instagram on Sunday. Scroll down for video 'Christmas Day Expectation vs Reality': Georgia Love and Lee Elliott celebrated their first Christmas together with a quirky Instagram post In the first, an unimpressed Georgia was seen standing with her beau in front of a small Christmas tree with a very modest selection of presents. In the other, the brunette beauty beamed as she stood beside a lavish tree while the pair enjoyed a glass of champagne. 'So I got @georgiealove a fridge for Christmas,' Lee joked in the caption. 'I can't wait to see her face light up when she opens it!' Lovebirds: Georgia found love on The Bachelorette with Lee earlier this year He added the hashtags 'when I think of you I touch myself' and 'we're here because our presents are required.' It comes after Georgia shared an emotional post about having the support of her best friends during the festive season after losing her mother to cancer. The 28-year-old shared a photograph to her Instagram account on Friday to sing the praises of a group of nine women who came to Sydney to be by her side before Christmas. Besties: Georgia Love shared a moving tribute to her friends on Instagram after they threw her a surprise Christmas party ahead of her first Christmas without her beloved mother, Belinda Someone's missing: This Christmas will be Georgia's first without her mother Belinda, who died from pancreatic cancer in October She was pictured flashing a peace sign with a bright smile on her face, something she wasn't expecting ahead of her first Christmas without her mother. 'This is a photo of me and nine of the best friends to have ever existed,' she captioned the image. 'They know this time of year is going to be extremely tough for me so they threw me a surprise Christmas party!!! 'I might not have my Mum this year but gosh I have a lot of beautiful people around me and so much love in my life. Matchy matchy! Georgia's female friends channelled the reality television star by all wearing her wardrobe staple - an off-the-shoulder top The six women in attendance all seemed to match their reality star's signature look, dressed in off-the-shoulder tops. While it was picked up by fans in the comment section, it was not clear if the move was intentional. Georgia has plenty to keep herself busy over the festive season, as she takes up her guest role as a co-host on panel show Studio 10. She will be filling in for regular host Sarah Harris who has taken time off to enjoy the festive season with her one-year-old son. Earlier this week, The Bachelorette's Sam Johnston told his social media followers he would be having a 'pretty weird' summer. But so far, it appears the reality contestant has had more of a luxurious season than a weird one. On Christmas Eve, he shared a photograph of himself reclining on a boat - days after revealing he had done an 'amazing' photoshoot. Scroll down for video 'Still waiting for summer': Despite boasting to Instagram followers about his upcoming 'pretty weird' festive season, Sam Johnston looked unimpressed with his first few days off work 'Still waiting for summer,' he captioned the picture, which showed him resting his head in one hand while resting the other on the side of his boat. Above the water, storm clouds appeared to be rolling in, earning the ire of the part-time model. The 28-year-old flaunted his chiseled abs as he went shirtless for the photograph, concealing his modesty with a pair of flamingo-print boardshorts. On Wednesday, he finished work as an electrician for the year, and celebrated his newfound freedom through a bizarre social media post. Still working? The part time model boasted about an 'amazing' photo shoot he had done just a day after finishing work as an electrician for the year Sam Johnston has vowed to have a 'pretty weird' summer, kicking off the weirdness by posting a photo of himself fondling his nipple as he wrapped up work for 2016 The electrician and part-time model was seen relaxing on a boat at Sydney's Balmoral Beach as he pulled back his shirt to reveal his nipple. He captioned the snap: 'FINISHED WORK FOR 2016! things are going to get pretty weird this summer.' He added the hashtag 'free the nipple' to the post, on which fellow Bachelorette contestant Jake Ellis commented 'classic'. Earlier this month the reality TV villain stripped down to his 'birthday suit' on his 28th birthday. 'Birthday suit on my birthday!!!' Sam stripped down for a raunchy bath snap on Instagram on his 28th birthday The hunk took to Instagram to share some images from a very raunchy bathtub photoshoot. 'Birthday suit on my birthday!!!' wrote Sam. In the image, the brunette smiled as murky white water protected his modesty. Naughty pictures on his birthday appear to be a tradition for the brunette hunk, who was spotted lying on a bed without clothes in a picture posted last year. Something on your mind? In another photo, the male glamour model showcased a more contemplative expression for fans Dare to bare: The Bachelorette reject has no problem getting naked for the cameras and is often seen posed topless in photos posted to social media Fans gushed over Sam's envy-inducing physique, some commenting that they wished the water was more transparent. One fan wrote: 'OMFG I wish that water was clear.' While another commented: 'Best present I have ever received.' Another wrote: 'Happy birthday big fella!' What's going on here? Meanwhile, Sam made headlines earlier this year when he posed when he stripped down to nothing, in a racy photo shoot presumably promoting office furniture Meanwhile, Sam made headlines earlier this year when he stripped down to nothing in an X-rated photo shoot, presumably promoting office furniture. In one sizzling frame, captured by photographer Jose Alexander, Sam is seen straddling a stool which he had his legs wrapped around while firmly gripping its adjustable lever. Sam found fame after appearing on The Bachelorette Australia with Georgia Love before being sent home after brutally revealing he was on there to further his career. 'This has just given me like a little kick to get moving quicker': Sam signed his early exit papers on The Bachelorette after admitting he'd joined to further his acting career 'It was like freight train right into the face': Georgia Love was not impressed by his honesty 'I think presenting's kinda cool... it was kind of heading that direction before this,' he explained on the show when on a date with Georgia. Adding: 'If I left this experience without you, I wouldn't, you know, be absolutely heartbroken.' It was the line, that clinched Georgia's decision to send Sam packing from the Bachelorette mansion. It's been a blockbuster year for the Hemsworths, with high-profile movies, engagements, and career resurgences. And Luke, Chris and Liam were all in the mood to celebrate come December 25, along with their partners and children. Pictures shared to Instagram from the A-lister family showed the gang dressed in matching festive pyjamas as they celebrated in what appeared to be a perfectly styled living room. Scroll down for video In sync! The Hemsworth's celebrated Christmas in style with matching onesies, puppy slippers and 'Merry Christmas' spelled out in lights Each person's personality was taken into account for the design of their onesie - which all featured a name or message on the bum flap. Luke and Chris Hemsworth's children posed together in one picture, showing off their names on the backside of their red onesies with snowflake print. Elsa Pataky showed off her hilarious flap, which featured the words naughty and nice. A box next to 'naughty' was ticked. Everyone is involved! Chris and Luke's children were also seen in matching onesies with their name on the back side Earlier, the Fast and the Furious star showed off her hunky husband to Instagram, sharing a picture of herself in a bra and pants and being kissed by Chris. 'Best Christmas present ever! A kiss from @chrishemsworth,' she gushed to her extensive social media following. Liam's fiancee Miley Cyrus added a headband with ears to her outfit, fitting it back into her ostentatious aesthetic. Cheeky! Elsa Pataky had 'naughty' checked on her bum flap and proudly displayed it as the large family prepared for their Christmas photo A big family photo, which appears to include a few friends, shows every adult wearing large stuffed slippers shaped like puppies in Santa costumes. The grown ups were seen squished in on a large couch in front of a table covered in candles and an indoor bonfire. A giant sign behind the couch spelling out Merry Christmas with lights inside each letter gave the celebration a Hollywood touch. She's put body-shaming trolls in their place numerous times. And on Christmas Day, while most are tucking into roast turkey and ham, Victoria's Secret bombshell Bridget Malcolm celebrated the festive season with a huge box of cherry tomatoes. PIctured with the box, makeup free and hair loose, Bridget captioned the post: 'Merry Christmas to me!' and hashtagged the post: #tomatosForDays. Scroll down for video Delicious! On Christmas Day, while most are tucking into roast turkey and ham, Victoria's Secret bombshell Bridget Malcolm celebrated the festive season with a huge box of cherry tomatoes Home for the holidays, last Tuesday Bridget soaked up the rays at Rottnest Island, off the Western Australia coast. Flaunting her slender, toned bikini body on Instagram, the 25-year-old was snapped enjoying some down time at the beach, after wrapping up her modelling commitments for the year. Bridget matched the beaming post with an equally positive caption: 'Yessssssss life.' Scroll down for video Defiant: Victoria's Secret model Bridget Malcolm has showed off her slender figure in her latest Instagram photo as she posed on the beach in a tiny bikini In the image, the blonde beauty wore a red and white striped bikini as she raised her toned arms to the sky in a celebratory stance. The post sent a defiant message, proving the vegan model will continue to proudly show off her slender frame, regardless of negativity that's been levelled against her online. Criticism: The post comes weeks after the 25-year-old was swamped by negativity comments from fans who called her 'too thin' on social media Bridget has been a repeat recipient of harsh body-shaming since entering the public eye in 2013. Last week she copped a lengthy sermon after posting an image of herself wearing nothing but her beige underwear. A fan complimented her in a comment, saying, 'You have the most beautiful face', before later adding: 'but you are so thin, too thin.' The commenter then went so far as to infer that Bridget was setting a bad example for little girls that admired her. The negativity comes despite the fact the Perth-born beauty repeatedly denies claims that she has an eating disorder. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph earlier this month, she adamantly stated that she did not suffer from the 'horrific' disorder. Extremely fit: She has been dealing with the negative body image feedback for some time and has repeatedly denied having an eating disorder Last year, Bridget responded to online trolls who again claimed she had an eating disorder. 'I am extremely fit and healthy and am not in the slightest way anorexic,' she clearly stated. Bridget added: 'Maybe today take a look inside yourself and wonder why you feel the need to shame strangers over the Internet about their bodies.' He almost crashed the internet when naked pictures of him emerged during the filming of Taboo earlier this year. And Tom Hardy gave fans a real Christmas treat on Sunday, as a trailer of the new mini-series emerged, with the hunk stripping off completely to reveal his toned and tattooed physique. The handsome British actor, 39, can be seen causing quite the stir as he returns to his village after being presumed dead. Scroll down for video Hunk: Tom Hardy is sure to send pulses racing in new mini-series Taboo, as he strips off completely to reveal his toned and tattooed physique. Taboo, which premiers on 10th January 2017, tells the tale of adventurer James Keziah Delaney - who builds his own shipping empire in the early 1800s. The short series is based on a story written by Tom and his father, and follows the journey of Delaney- played by Tom, returning to London having lived in Africa for ten years. Uncovering a mysterious legacy left by his murdered father, he is driven to start a war of revenge- stuck between a warring Britain and America. Turning heads: The handsome British actor, 39, can be seen causing quite the stir as he returns from a village after being presumed dead And in this newly released trailer his sister is seen gasping, 'He's alive', as he makes a dramatic return to the village. 'You look the same,' he is told, as he replies gruffly, 'I'm not'. And it appears he is still a target, as dark scenes see him hunted down and tossed naked in a dark chamber as one man shouts, 'That man will hang for treason'. Intense: The short series is based on a story written by Tom and his father, and follows the journey of Delaney- played by Tom, returning to London having lived in Africa for ten years Shock! In this newly released trailer his sister is seen gasping, 'He's alive', as he makes a dramatic return to the village Directed by Kristoffer Nyholm, the eight-part American and British miniseries will also star House Of Cards actor Michael Kelly, Brazil star Jonathan Pryce and Game Of Thrones' Oona Chaplin. Polly Hill, Controller of BBC Drama commissioning said in a statement: 'The talent on-and off-screen is incredible and I am so excited to see Steve's captivating scripts come to life. 'Tom Hardy and the rest of the cast are set to bring this original and spectacular story to life in a unique and epic way.' Wanted! It appears he is still a target, as dark scenes see him hunted down and tossed naked in a dark chamber as one man shouts, 'That man will hang for treason'. Upcoming: Taboo, which premiers on 10th January 2017, tells the tale of adventurer James Keziah Delaney - who builds his own shipping empire in the early 1800s The Hammersmith-born heartthrob- who has a 1-year-old child with wife Charlotte Riley and an older son with ex-girlfriend Rachael Speed, recently told Esquire that he promised to let Leonardo DiCaprio design a tattoo for him after he lost a bet. However he has yet to complete his side of the bargain, 'I haven't got it yet, because it sucks, he laughed. 'He wrote, in this really sh***y handwriting: 'Leo knows everything.' Ha! I was like, 'OK, I'll get it done, but you have to write it properly,' he laughed. He became a dad for the first time last week. And NRL star Jarryd Hayne is clearly enjoying fatherhood as he took to Instagram on Christmas Day to share an adorable snap of his newborn daughter sleeping. The beautiful baby girl is pictured blissfully sleeping as the father captions the post: 'Bubba smiling in her dreams. Makes my heart melt ''. Scroll down for video Adorable! NRL star Jarryd Hayne is clearly enjoying fatherhood as he took to Instagram on Christmas Day to share an adorable snap of his newborn daughter sleeping Last week Jarryd debuted his adorable newborn in a sweet snap from a private Gold Coast hospital. Jarryd, who shares the baby girl with rumoured girlfriend Amellia Bonnici, 25, rested the youngster on his muscular chest as he looked down at her in awe. Jarryd and Amellia met on Instagram early this year, and the 28-year-old athlete was surprised to discover she was pregnant, it was claimed at the time. Scroll down for video 'Daddy's girl': NRL star Jarryd Hayne debuts adorable snap with newborn daughter he shares with rumoured girlfriend Amellia Bonnici... after meeting on Instagram earlier this year Captioning the cute image, the footaballer said: 'All praise to god above, for he never makes mistakes!!!! #daddysgirl.' The sleeping beauty was dressed in a pink onesie and white beanie as Jarryd lay still in a white T-shirt. It's a girl! Jarryd Hayne (L) and his rumoured girlfriend Amellia Bonnici (R) welcomed their daughter into the world 'a few days ago', The Sunday Telegraph reported The name of the child is yet to be revealed. Jarryd's manager declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. Sources told The Sunday Telegraph that Amellia gave birth 'a few days ago' and both parents were 'besotted' with their new child. It's also understood Jarryd has moved the brunette into his apartment in the Gold Coast and vows to support her. First time father: It's understood Jarryd has moved the brunette into his apartment in the Gold Coast and vows to support her in raising their daughter. Pictured: Jarryd in June 2016 It is believed the pregnancy played a part Jarryd quitting the San Francisco 49'ers and returning to Australia to play for the Gold Coast Titans. The couple have remained silent on the topic of Amellia's pregnancy. Jarryd has repeatedly declined to comment, as have family members. Amellia grew up in Tuncurry, NSW, where her parents still live. She was a student at Great Lakes High School, before graduating and moving to Sydney. Return home: It is believed the pregnancy played a part Jarryd quitting the San Francisco 49'ers and returning to Australia to play for the Gold Coast Titans She was living in the beachside suburb of Coogee, when she met Hayne early this year through Instagram, New Idea claimed. Considering Jarryd's faith - and Amellia's presence at a service of the controversial church recently - it is possible they will raise the child with the help of Hillsong. Since joining in 2008, after an altercation in a Kings Cross alleyway which almost saw him shot, Jarryd has become a supporter of the church. She recently revealed she is planning to have a baby with convicted criminal Joey Morrison next year. And on Christmas Day Lauren Goodger left fans baffled after showing off a 'meaningful' diamond ring she got for Christmas - before moving it to her wedding finger. Sharing a gushing post about her soon-to-be released boyfriend, she then hit back in the comments section at suggestions she was 'attention-seeking' or 'engaged'. Scroll down for video Lauren Goodger shared this picture of herself with her 'brother in law' on Christmas day, before denying engagement to convicted criminal Joey Morrison 'Not long now': She posted a gushing tribute to her boyfriend on social media as she awaits his release Posting a snap alongside her brother-in-law Kyal Johnson with her middle finger up, she enjoyed Christmas day with Joey Morrison's family. Earlier in the day she had shared a snap of her new diamond ring on her right ring finger, before sending gossips into a spin by placing it on her left as she enjoyed a festive feast with his family. But replying to a comment on the post, Lauren hit back at speculation that she was engaged, writing: 'not wanting attention and not engaged, I wear it on both hands depending on what I'm doing'. 'I wear it on both hands depending on what I'm doing': Sharing a gushing post about her soon-to-be released boyfriend, she then hit back in the comments section at suggestions she was 'attention-seeking' or 'engaged' Hitting back: Lauren denied she was engaged, despite switching the diamond band to her wedding finger Lauren then posted a gushing snap about Joey, writing: 'And whilst I'm at it with the photos Merry Christmas to this one Thank you for everything and we all wish you was here, not too long now and you will have your life back. 'I can't believe how strong you are to have done the time you have and are still happy and smiling everyday, your strength is.. you, the people who know you all know why you are in there ...... 'People will speculate and form opinions but everyone I speak to who knows you speaks highly of you and cannot wait too see you. Happy Christmas and 2017 is nearly here ..if you know you know as people keep saying to me' (sic). Christmas festivities: Lauren appeared in good spirits as she celebrated with her pals later 'I'm a very lucky girl#love': Keeping them guessing: Lauren Goodger shared snaps of her new ring earlier in the day with telling captions The comments came after she shared snaps of her new ring earlier in the day with telling captions. The first picture read: 'I'm a very lucky girl#love #whitegold #diamomd #engraved #Christmas #2016 #happy #thankyou #meaningful', she wrote alongside the festive snap, including heart and diamond emojis. While she added on the second snap: 'Love my beautiful diamond ring... thanks for keeping it secret so I had a surprise on Christmas Day.' She then shared snaps of her out with Morrison's family - and a brooding snap of the man himself, who is completing the last few months of his sentence. 'Got something special in my hand I can't wait to open in the morning' Lauren wrote on Christmas Eve Family time: On Christmas eve she shared a snap with her sister-in-law Jacqueline Johnson, though it was not clear whether that is Joey's sibling On Christmas eve she shared a snap with her 'sister-in-law' Jacqueline Johnson, though it was not clear whether that is Joey's sibling. 'Love this lady @johnson1985279 merry xmas sister in law', she captioned the snap. MailOnline has contacted Lauren's representative for comment. At the beginning of the month Lauren reveals she's planning a baby with a convicted criminal next year. Speaking to Closer, the 30-year-old said that while she describes Joey Morrison as a 'close friend', she can't wait to become a mother. She said: 'I'll have one [a baby] next year. I want one right now, really. Hopefully I'll have a little girl, but if I have a boy first, then it's fine because she'll have an older brother.' Lauren's 'love interest' is currently serving an 18-year-sentence but is due to be released in a matter of months after serving half his time. Freedom! Lauren's love interest Joey is currently serving an 18-year-sentence but is due to be released in a matter of months after serving half his tim And the former TOWIE star couldn't be happier. She told the publication: 'He's not a bad person because he's in prison. Yes, he's not been an angel but people deserve a second chance and his crimes never involved innocent people.' The prison is rated as category D open prison, meaning prisoners work within the community outside of the jail and there is a more relaxed attitude for visits. Morrison, alongside accomplice Marvin Russell Jacobs, was convicted of possession with intent to supply, possession of a firearm, kidnap, blackmail, actual bodily harm and aggravated burglary following an eight-week trial at Wood Green in North London. Former flame: Lauren's love life has often been thrust into the limelight, and her last serious relationship was with Jake McLean, who also spent time behind bars In one incident, the pair were accused of forcing their way into a home in Enfield and using a stun gun on a 27-year-old man while demanding 2million. When the victim told them the police were outside, the suspects fled. The judge at the time said the victims were concerned in the supply of drugs. Lauren's love life has often been thrust into the limelight, and her last serious relationship was with Jake McLean, who also spent time behind bars. The couple first started dating in 2012 before splitting in 2013, only to rekindle their love for a few months between 2015 and 2016. Prior to her relationship with Jake, Lauren was engaged to co-star Mark Wright, following a rocky ten year relationship. She recently headed home for the holidays. But Shanina Shaik has been experiencing a rather hot festive season this year. With temperatures soaring in Melbourne, the model was pictured cooling off near a fan next to an inflatable Santa. Scroll down for video Hot, hot , hot! Shanina Shaik has been experiencing a rather hot festive season this year. With temperatures soaring in Melbourne, the model was pictured cooling off near a fan next to an inflatable Santa The 25-year-old captioned the post shared to Instagram: 'No white Christmas for me!' Wearing a pretty white frock, Shanina was seen bare foot, with her hair loose and face makeup free. The Victoria's Secret model now based in New York city headed to Australia a couple of day back. Home for the holiday! Wearing a pretty white frock, Shanina was seen with her hair loose and face makeup free The stunner was pictured on Friday tucking into a Macadamia and Ferrero-Rocher ice cream while out at Melbourne's St Kilda beach. In the photo shared to Instagram, the dark-haired beauty was casually dressed wearing little-to-no make-up. The model was on trend with an off the shoulder denim top. She paired it with loose white shorts which showed off her long tanned legs. Pre-wedding diet? Shanina Shaik enjoyed an ice cream treat on Friday, ahead of her nuptials to fiance DJ Ruckus, sharing a photo from her day out in Melbourne on Instagram With a handbag slung over one shoulder, Shanina was completely engrossed by the dessert she was eating. 'Macadamia nut and Ferrero Rocher icecream,' she captioned the photo. Happy to be home: The model shared a cute flashback photo on Friday morning showing her cuddling up to a koala, less than 24 hours after returning to her Melbourne home Earlier in the day, the former Victoria's Secret model shared an adorable flashback snap as she cuddled a koala. Shanina, who dressed in a slim two-tone denim dress with see through detailing, swept her enviable brunette locks to the side to highlight her glowing skin. 'I'm home for Christmas,' she wrote excitedly in the caption. The couple found love on hit reality series The Bachelor. But this year Sam Wood and Snezana Markoski's family Christmas lunch was marred somewhat when Snezana ordered the wrong size table. Taking to Instagram on Christmas Day, Sam shared a snap of the family squished around a kid's table looking a little less amused. Scroll down for video Too small? Taking to Instagram on Christmas Day, Sam shared a snap of the family squished around a kid's table looking a little less amused He captioned the post: 'When you have 16 family members coming over for Xmas lunch and Snez orders kids tables by mistake.' The fitness trainer hashtagged the post #passmethecushion. It was a stark contrast to the day prior when they shared an adorable family photo. Along with Snezana's 10-year-old daughter Eve, they were joined by Sam's chocolate Labrador Hendrix and a pet cat who looked a little disgruntled. Scroll down for video Family photo! Bachelor Sam Wood and his fiancee Snezana Markoski marked their first Christmas under one roof with a cheesy costumed family photo Everyone - including the animals - dressed in their festive best for the picture. Sam, Snezana and Eve all donned Santa hats and Christmas sweaters, while the dog wore reindeer antlers and the cat paired an elf collar with a matching hat. The trio moved into a new home in July and now they're celebrating their first Christmas as a family. This week, the Bachelor couple both shared adorable images of Eve and Snez decorating their Christmas tree on Instagram. Family time: Sam Wood, Snezana Markoski and Snez's 10-year-old daughter Eve are preparing to celebrate their first Christmas as a family in their Melbourne home In one of the images, the mother and daughter duo looked overjoyed as they posed in Santa hats and festive jumpers by an elaborately decorated tree. 'Is it too late to get on Santa's nice list?' the 36-year old mum joked in her caption. Her personal trainer beau had earlier posted his own image to Instagram, showing the girls at the beginning stages of decorating the pine tree. 'And so it begins. My girls have started decorating this beauty,' Sam gushed, jokingly adding the hashtag, #goingtobealongnight. Making memories: Over the last week, both Sam and Snezana have shared adorable images of of the young family decorating their Christmas tree on Instagram Doggone it! The family pooch, Hendrix, also got in on the action, with Sam posting a photo of the unhappy brown pup wearing a Santa hat with caption, 'No comment required' The family dog, Hendrix, also had a special mention in on the action, with Sam posting a photo of the unhappy pup wearing a Santa hat with caption, 'No comment required.' The former Bachelor has bonded with Snezana's daughter, posting a photo to Instagram of the pair donning face masks and cucumber slices on their eyes for a beauty sesh. 'Friday night feels with my little partner in crime,' he captioned the pic, making it clear that the new family are getting on swimmingly. Bonding: Sam is getting into the Christmas spirit with Snezana's 10-year-old daughter Eve One of the girls: Last week he shared an image of himself and the 10-year-old getting a facial, with the caption: 'Friday night feels with my little partner in crime' Sam and Snezana purchased their first home in January, a $1.4million, three-bedroom house in Melbourne. It took the threesome six months to finally move in as they had been waiting for a good moment in order not to disrupt Eve's schooling. The mother-of-one had been living Perth while her gym-owner boyfriend was based in Melbourne. Christian Wilkins isn't afraid to make a fashion statement. And the son of Today show presenter Richard was at it again on Christmas Eve, rocking a sarong as he took a stroll in Sydney with his father by his side. The 21-year-old model, known for his extravagant outfits, ignored the buttons on his white shirt and showed off his torso. Scroll down for video He's at it again! Christian Wilkins, son of TV host Richard, isn't afraid to make a fashion statement His TV presenter father got into the Christmas spirit with a Santa hat as the pair ambled through the sun-soaked promenade overlooking Balmoral Beach in the city's north. Christian is fresh from signing a deal with Chadwick Models earlier this month. He took to social media to jokingly label himself as a 'lanky kid' as he announced his signing to the big-time agency. Christmas spirit! Cristian's TV presenter father got sported a Santa hat as the pair ambled through the sun-soaked promenade overlooking Balmoral Beach New adventure: Christian Wilkins is set to take on the world of modelling after signing to big-time agency Chadwick Models 'EEEEEEEK! I'm so very excited to join the @chadwickmodels family,' he wrote. 'Huge thanks to @themrwalsh for the modelling tips and teaching this lil lanky kid a few things!' Christian concluded the caption with the hash-tag: 'hail the taxi'. No joke! The 21-year-old took to social media to jokingly label himself as a 'lanky kid' while revealed his plans to move into modelling via the agency Get ready! He wrote: 'EEEEEEEK! I'm so very excited to join the @chadwickmodels family. Huge thanks to @themrwalsh for the modelling tips and teaching this lil lanky kid a few things' Many took to the post to congratulate the up-and-coming model on his agency signing. NRL WAG and beautician Kara Ryan gushed on the post, writing: 'So you remember me telling you at the Logies after party a couple of years back you need to be a model. 'Congrats this pic looks great,' she added. He's a natural: Cristian is regularly seen posing up a storm at red carpet events Extra TV host, Renee Bargh simply posted, 'YES!' while Christian's sister Rebecca commented a number of love hearts. Christian is regularly seen at A-lister events alongside his TV personality father. Last month the pair walked the ARIA Awards red carpet together and weeks earlier they attended the Spring Champion Stakes Day together in Randwick, Sydney. The Bachelor's Alex Nation made her son's dreams come true this Christmas. Six-year-old Elijah was gifted a brand new dirt bike by her mother and her boyfriend Richie Strahan. The 25-year-old reality star shared a sweet video of the youngster unveiling his present. 'How do we ride it?' the excited, yet confused child repeatedly asked. Captioning the video she shared on Instagram, Alex revealed her son thought it was a model motorbike. 'Well this kid is in disbelief. He didn't realise it was a REAL motorbike!' she wrote. Alex tagged her Bachelor boyfriend Richie Strahan and wrote: 'We have done pretty well in making this legend of a boy very happy on Christmas!' The smile says it all! Alex Nation gave her six-year-old son Elijah a dirt bike for Christmas The blonde beauty also thanked a Melbourne motorbike dealership for easing her concerns about Elijah's safety. 'Thank you for being so amazing and making this Mumma feel totally comfortable about putting her little man on his very first motorbike,' she wrote. 'Merry Christmas little Buddy, you deserve the world.' Upload: Alex posted an endearing video as the youngster unveiled his first real motorbike Meanwhile, Alex has been enjoying plenty of quality time with her son of late. The pair recently enjoyed a day at the cinema to see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Alex shared an Instagram photo of Elijah enjoying a chocolate milkshake before the pair went in to the theatre. 'My Gold Class date today,' the 25-year-old wrote in the caption. Date night! The Bachelor's Alex Nation took her son Elijah, six, to see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in style on Saturday Taking in the view: The Bachelor's Alex Nation shared a picture of her son sitting peacefully and watching the sunset at the beach on Friday afternoon Earlier, Alex shared a photograph of her son sitting on the beach and staring up at a picturesque sunset. 'Chasing sunsets with my little soulmate,' she captioned the image shared with her 106,000 followers. Elijah turned six years old earlier this month and enjoyed birthday lunch with his family at a restaurant in Melbourne. Birthday boy! Last week, Elijah turned six years old and enjoyed birthday lunch with his family at a burger restaurant in Melbourne A picture posted to Alex's social media account showed Elijah holding a burger with a Happy Birthday candle stuck into it. Earlier that day, Alex shared a photo of her son holding a giant balloon shaped like the number six. 'Six years ago today I held you for the first time and looked at you in complete awe,' she wrote in the caption. Quality time: Alex often shares endearing messages directed at her son on her Instagram page 'Six years on, I still look at you in the very same way. 'Little man, I am so proud to be your mum and you have filled my life with an abundance of love and happiness. Happy Birthday you little legend.' It came weeks after Alex and Elijah took part in a magazine photo shoot with her boyfriend, The Bachelor's Richie Strahan. This time last year she was head over heels with her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice. But Georgia May Foote has received the best gift this Christmas - love. The former Coronation Street star has confirmed reports she is dating male model George Alsford. Scroll down for video Pucker up! Georgia May Foote has received the best gift this Christmas - love - and confirms her romance with male model George Alsford The pair were first linked in October but have played it cool when it comes to showing off the romance on social media. However, Georgia was feeling in the festive spirit on Christmas Day and shared a snap of her kissing her hunky new beau. With the pair leaning in for a steamy smooch, a loved-up Georgia wrote: 'My fave xmas prezzie.' As she moved on front her split from Giovanni in August, it was revealed that she had fallen hook, line and sinker for handsome George. Minty fresh: The pair were first linked in October but have played it cool when it comes to showing off the romance on social media, until recently Happier times: Georgia and Giovanni Pernice split in August after falling for each other on last year's Strictly Pec-tacular: George, who stands at 6ft 3 in tall, has appeared in campaigns for Hugo Boss and Pepe Jeans Speaking to the Daily Star, a source said: ' George fancies the pants off Georgia. They met at the offices of their agency and have been meeting up as much as they can around her hectic work schedule.' 'They're really enjoying each other's company. He thinks she's really hot and they're having a lot of fun together.' George, who stands at 6ft 3in tall, is signed with Select Model Management, the same firm which represents Georgia. He has appeared in campaigns for Hugo Boss, Pepe Jeans and Russell & Bromley, among other top-flight brands, and frequently shows off his gym-honed torso on his Instagram account. Georgia announced her split from Giovanni on Twitter in August, making it clear that the decision came down to them and them alone. The 25-year-old wrote: 'It is with great sadness we have decided to split up. There is nobody else involved. 'Although it was not an easy decision to make, sometimes you realise that it is better to be friends and this is one of those times.' Maigret's Dead Man (ITV) Rating: Call The Midwife (BBC1) Rating: Rowan Atkinson plays Maigret in the ITV drama set into 1950s Paris Unto us a child was born on both main channels, yet neither Maigrets Dead Man (ITV) nor Call The Midwife (BBC1) felt in the least Christmassy. The detective drama in particular was a poor choice for the most festive night of the year. Theres something of the Old Testament about Chief Inspector Jules Amedee Francois Maigret. He is implacable, incorruptible the walking embodiment of justice. He brings down retribution like a hammer upon the sinful. But theres nothing saintly about the world he inhabits. Maigret knows every pickpocket and petty criminal, every strip joint and cheap hotel in Fifties Paris. He walks the filthy alleys of Montmartre and the Quartier Pigalle, then goes home to his patiently devoted wife Louise and shuts the door on the city. Rowan Atkinson gives him a tenderness that doesnt exist in the original novels by Georges Simenon a ruthlessly unromantic man and sex addict who wrote about the backstreet brothels from long personal experience. Rowan Atkinson gives Maigret a tenderness that doesnt exist in the original novels by Georges Simenon, says Stevens When a murderous junkie called Maria gave birth to a baby in police custody, after torturing and killing an elderly couple in a Picardy farmhouse, Maigret made sure there were flowers beside her hospital bed. The flowers were dying, which was apt: Maria was destined for the guillotine. The widow of another murder victim, a woman who ran a dockside cafe, wanted to adopt the baby. If there were echoes here of the baby in a manger, they were too faint to be discernible. We werent asking for a star blazing above the Au Petit Albert inn, and three coppers bearing gifts. But the ending might have been a little bit more hopeful if we had been shown the child cradled in the arms of its new mother. This was Atkinsons second outing as Maigret, and he was more confident in the role We werent even given that: the programme petered out with the detective promising to put in a word with the authorities. This was Atkinsons second outing as Maigret, and he was more confident in the role saying little, rarely reacting, and letting his face remain stolid and impassive. Hes still an odd choice for the character: Simenons hero was a brick wall of a man, who drank liquor like weak tea, and whose staff regarded him with equal terror and awe. RECIPE OF THE SEASON Lets hope youd finished your dinner before Victorian Bakers At Christmas (BBC2) revealed how to make old-fashioned mince pies using cows tongue, boiled calves feet and tripe that smelt like catfood, all steeped in brandy. Not for me, thanks, Im full already . . . Advertisement Atkinson is fairly slight and seemingly too fastidious to be a drinker. But he does achieve the difficult feat of being humourless. When Maigret attempts a joke, its as heavy as a cell door slamming. Its hard to remember this is the same actor who gurned and pratfalled his way to a lucrative Hollywood career as Mr Bean, and whose lethally sarcastic Blackadder was the nastiest wit in sitcom. Meanwhile, the best joke in Call The Midwife had Fred the handyman (Cliff Parisi) contorting his face as he gripped the hand of a mother giving birth. When the baby gave its first cry, Fred slumped back, beaming a dazed smile. Dont worry, old chap, the second one will be easier. Its a shame that a series which is usually to be so truthful about the past can go to pieces on its holidays, writes Stevens about Call the Midwife's Christmas episode Last nights special episode started in fine Christmas mode, with Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt) baking a cake that no one fancied eating, and Vanessa Redgraves voice-over ramped up to maximum sentimentality, reminding us that the most precious gift costs nothing. Then the story veered wildly and crash-landed in the African bush, where the nuns and nurses were helping to run a mission hospital. This was apartheid era South Africa, which meant the police were harsh and grumpy, and made Trixie (Helen George) turn off her portable Dansette. A farmer was a crosspatch, too, and wouldnt allow hospital waterpipes to be laid over his land. Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) solved that by telling him he looked sad and she was going to pray for him. Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter), pictured, starred in Call The Midwife's Christmas episode Before you knew it, bad Mr Boer was cuddling an African baby and tapping his foot to native songs. Thats apartheid sorted out! Perhaps next well see Trixie go to Moscow and end the Cold War by wrapping the Kremlin in ribbons. The Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, was refitted from a former Ukrainian vessel, Varyag. The carrier is 306.4 meters long and 74.4 meters wide. It has a displacement of more than 50,000 tons, and a maximum speed of 28 knots per hour. [Photo: 81.cn] A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning, headed towards the West Pacific on Saturday for scheduled blue water training, according to Chinese Navy spokesperson Liang Yang. This undated photo shows a carrier-borne J-15 fighter jet landing on China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. (Xinhua File Photo/Zha Chunming) She had a busy 2016 which saw her get breast implants, lip fillers, and most recently, a nose job. But on Christmas day, Skye Wheatley took to social media to urge followers not to focus on the superficial aspects of the holiday, like presents, and to instead celebrate the true meaning behind Christmas. The 23-year-old wrote: 'Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones and coming together to share the LOVE not about how many presents you can fit under yo [sic] big ass pretentious Christmas tree.' Scroll down for video 'Love you all don't forget the real meaning of Christmas!' Instagram model Skye Wheatley sent her followers an important message on Christmas day She continued: 'Hehe love you all don't forget the real meaning of Christmas my lovers xo.' The Instagram model accompanied the important message with a busty selfie that provided her followers with a serious eyeful of her artificial assets. Skye previously confessed to bursting into tears after seeing the results of her nose job earlier this month. 'Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones and coming together to share the LOVE not about how many presents you can fit under yo big ass pretentious Christmas tree,' wrote the plastic fantastic 23-year-old But the former reality TV star appears to have regained her self-confidence in recent weeks after sharing a string of provocative photos to social media. On Friday, posted another photo of herself looking polished as she posed with a glass of champagne. The 23-year-old showed off her plump pout, the result of her habit of getting lip filler injections. Barbie girl? The former Big Brother star has been showing off the results of her recent nose job recently, in addition to the breast implants and lip fillers she had done previously Her skin appeared radiant, though her glow was the result of heavy make-up and an 'airbrush' Instagram filter. The Big Brother star also showed off her surgically-enhanced cleavage in a busty white crop top. Though she was rocking a dark brunette wig only recently, it seems Skye has made a return to her natural blonde hairstyle. Saying farewell: Skye said she wanted to 'fix' her nose because she didn't like the way that her nostrils look Earlier this month, she traveled from Queensland to Sydney for a nose job. After the operation, Skye told Yahoo7 Be she initially hated the look of her new nose so much, she burst into tears. 'I bawled my eyes out,' Skye recalled. 'I was like, 'What the f*ck' is this?',' she said. Perfectly plastic: The bombshell blonde recently debuted her new nose and plumped up lips for fans on Instagram Is it really you? Skye often describes herself as 'an ugly ducking' and has transformed herself through plastic surgery since her appearance on Big Brother two years ago (L) Skye previously had a breast enhancement in Thailand, which was unfortunately 'botched' and left her chest uneven. She said the surgery made her lose sleep the night before her rhinoplasty. 'I was just stressing out because I was like, 'I need this to be perfect'. I've had a botched surgery before so I was really nervous and I knew there were complications involved so that was always in the back of my mind.' She's spending the festive season in New York with her husband Sam Worthington and their two children. And it appears Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) and her 20-month-old son Rocket Zot have been spoilt at Christmas, with the mother-of-two sharing snaps of their gifts via Instagram. The 29-year-old model took to social media on Christmas morning in the US to show off new presents, including a luxury sleeping eye mask for herself that contours to your face and a ride-on Land Rover toy for baby Rocket. Scroll down for video Christmas in New York! Lara Worthington has taken to Instagram to show off her Christmas presents as well as son Rocket Zot's The Sydney-born stunner showed her 480,000 Instagram followers a snap of Rocket's hand on his new black car in one shot. In another short clip, Lara showed off the convertible car, which is a mini version of the luxury vehicle, while captioning it: 'It plays music too!' It appears the blonde beauty's son also received a book titled Fair Dinkum Aussie Christmas, which apparently comes with a free CD. Baby's first Land Rover: Lara's 20-month-old son Rocket received a ride-on Land Rover convertible, which also plays music, as pointed out in her Instagram story Sleeping beauty: Lara meanwhile, scored a contoured sleep mask, which according to the model is the 'best present!' However, Lara noted in the caption the bub might not be able to take advantage of the book, writing in the caption: 'I don't think I have a CD player anymore!!' Meanwhile, Lara also scored some fabulous gifts herself, showing off an eye mask while laying in bed. 'Best present! @tempurpedic sleep mask. Contours to your face! (sic)' Lara wrote on the snap of herself trying on the mask, which retails for around $55. Book worm: Rocket also appeared to receive a book of 'Fair Dinkum Aussie Christmas' songs All rugged up: The mother-of-two also received a designer knitted jumper, which will come in handy during the New York winter Sporting a chic pyjama shirt, Lara also appeared makeup-free as she tested her new gift. Another snap saw the mother-of-two showing off a cosy grey knitted jumper, which will come in handy during the New York winter. Lara - who hails from Cronulla - was joined by her mother Sharon and brother Joshua for her family's Christmas celebrations in New York. Family time: Lara was joined by her mother Sharon and brother Joshua (left) as they celebrated Christmas in the US this year Sharing a short Instagram video on Sunday, Lara can be seen in a chilly New York rugged up as she and her sibling go for a drive, after they baked cupcakes together. The day before, Lara and her mother enjoyed a day getting manicures and pedicures. Lara gave birth to her second child in October, and is yet to reveal his name. Obamas send their final Christmas message from White House President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama sent their final Christmas salutations from the White House on Saturday, highlighting common values uniting Americans of all faiths. "The idea that we are our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated," Michelle Obama said. "Those are values that help guide not just my family's Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; nonbelievers and Americans of all backgrounds," the president added. US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016 SAUL LOEB (AFP/File) The Obamas' seasonal greeting comes at a time when America is deeply divided after a brutal presidential campaign that pitched populist Donald Trump and his frequently incendiary rhetoric against Hillary Clinton. The Obamas appeared jovial in their greeting, showing a flashback to the filming of their first Christmas message in 2009, when the president couldn't stop giggling. Barack Obama also used the address to re-cap his time in office, saying the country was much stronger than it had been than when he succeeded George W. Bush. "Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low," he said. "We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more." Gambians turn back to migration as political impasse drags Ansu Sanyang was ready. Sick of providing so little for his parents and sisters with any work he could find, the young Gambian resolved to take the migrant route through Libya to Europe. Then on Friday, December 1, he hesitated, hanging back to cast his vote in a presidential election that felt different to previous years. "I changed my mind," said Sanyang, a couple of days after longtime President Yahya Jammeh accepted defeat and seemed willing to leave office after 22 years. The Gambia accounts for the highest number of migrants per capita of any nationality crossing the Sahara through Niger to Libya where they board rickety boats to Italy ALBERTO PIZZOLI (AFP/File) "I was glad, very glad, because I had hoped that that man (would) get this," the 25-year-old added, referring to the unexpected election victory of self-made real estate developer Adama Barrow. Weeks later, the elation Sanyang felt has turned to uncertainty over the vote's disputed outcome, while his life and those of thousands of other Gambians are left hanging in the balance. A nation of fewer than two million people, The Gambia accounts for the highest number of migrants per capita of any nationality crossing the sands of the Sahara through Niger to Libya where they board rickety boats that ply the Mediterranean to Italy. That a man like Barrow, who struggled financially before establishing himself as a businessman, could one day become Gambian president had lit a small flame of hope for the young in this poor west African country. "There is a crisis in The Gambia, that's why everyone is taking the Back Way (migrant route)," Barrow told AFP earlier this month. Combining study with grinding work as a security guard in London, Barrow has lived the migrant experience himself. "You hear the name Europe, you think it's heaven. It's never like that," he said. Jammeh however has taken a different line. "Anybody who wants to migrate, let them migrate," he said recently. "It's a matter of taste, migration is a choice, it's not because of poverty." - 'All gone the Back Way' - On a bad day, Sanyang earns as little as 250 dalasis (about $6 / 5.6 euros). One recent day he was helping fishermen bring in their catch, and took home 1,000 dalasis -- a really good haul. When he isn't helping on the boats, Sanyang breaks bricks at construction sites, or does whatever job he is told is available that morning in the neighbourhood, labouring until nightfall. There was resignation in his voice as he admitted he was once again thinking of leaving, after it became clear Jammeh would not go without a fight. Desperate Gambians feel they have no time to waste. "Decades before, Gambians were not travelling across Africa, but now you see kids aged 12, 13, 14 joining them," said student Mbembe Kuyateh, 25, after Friday prayers in the Westfield district on the outskirts of the capital, Banjul. "Many of my friends left The Gambia. Some drowned in the Mediterranean Sea and some made it to Europe," Kuyateh said. Others describe the villages upriver where there are almost no men aged between their late teens and early 40s. "I couldn't believe it, they had all gone the Back Way," said one Banjul-based diplomat who passed through such a village on a recent trip. - 'He wouldn't give up' - The scars left by the departed who never reached the shores of Italy are visible all around The Gambia. Samba Mbengu, a mechanic, recalls the endless fights he had with his brother, Ali "Mille Franc" Mbengu, a rising star on the wrestling circuit who worked as a tailor by day. "He insisted he wanted to travel and in order to convince him (to stay) I bought him a sewing machine, but even after all that he wouldn't give up," Mbengu recalled. After months of arguing, Mbengu agreed to finance the trip, and stayed in close contact with his brother as he made his way through to Libya. "I never anticipated I was going to spend this much money," he told AFP, refusing to give a precise figure but admitting it was more than 100,000 dalasis ($2,300). "He called me telling me how much pressure they came under from the agents over there, and how sometimes they could be maltreated if the money isn't sent on time," Mbengu added. One week in November, his brother's usual phone calls stopped. Looking up at the ceiling of the tailor shop to compose himself, Mbengu recalled the moment one of his brother's fellow travellers told him Ali had drowned. "It has traumatised us... that's all I can say," the mechanic added, looking away. - 'Only me and God' - The first time he had readied himself to leave, Sanyang didn't even tell his closest family about his decision, describing the deep shame he felt at being the eldest son, the breadwinner, but unable to provide enough so his parents could stop working. "I don't like my mum crying, they dont want you to go," he said. "We have no help, only me and God." The Gambian economy has suffered several blows in the last three years, making life extremely hard for those without connections to the ruling party or family in Europe sending back remittances. A 2013 drought was followed by the region's Ebola crisis, which despite never actually touching The Gambia itself scared off tourists who account for 20 percent of GDP. Then a dispute over tariffs with Senegal, whose territory surrounds The Gambia, effectively cut the country off from supplies for months. Sanyang believes that betting his life on a journey to Europe may still be worth it. "I have a lot of friends telling me I should do it. I must do something for the family," Sanyang said. "It's no good for me to sit here." That Adama Barrow, who struggled before establishing himself in business, could become Gambian president lit a small flame of hope for the young in the country SEYLLOU (AFP/File) Longtime Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh, who initially conceded defeat in a December 1 presidential poll, has lodged a Supreme Court case to challenge the result MARCO LONGARI (AFP/File) Saudi soldier killed near Yemen border A Saudi soldier was killed in a cross-border firefight with Yemeni rebels, the interior ministry said Sunday. A border post was attacked overnight by Huthi rebels, a spokesman said, adding that one soldier wounded in the exchange died before reaching hospital. He was the latest of at least 111 Saudi soldiers and civilians to die in the country's south since the kingdom launched a coalition to battle Yemeni insurgents in March 2015. More than 7,000 people have been killed in Yemen, mostly civilians, since March last year according to the United Nations Abdullah al-Qadry (AFP/File) Most Saudi casualties have been from retaliatory cross-border rocket attacks or combat. But there have also been previous deadly mine blasts in Jazan. In Yemen itself, more than 7,000 people have been killed, mostly civilians, since March last year according to the United Nations. A Yemeni military official said Sunday that five rebels were killed in a coalition air raid in the southern Shabwa province. Also in Shabwa, three armed tribesman were killed in an ambush by fighters belonging to the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda. Yemen's conflict has allowed jihadist groups including Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group to expand, mainly in the country's vast desert east. President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi Sunday visited the port city of Mukhalla, on Yemen's southeast coast, for the first time since loyalist forces retook it from jihadists. In Shibam, around 100 kilometres (65 miles) north of Mukhalla, a local official survived an assassination attempt blamed by security sources on Al-Qaeda. Search for French aid worker kidnapped in Mali A Frenchwoman who runs an organisation for malnourished children has been kidnapped in Mali's restive north, France's foreign ministry confirmed on Sunday, as French troops joined in the search for the aid worker. Sophie Petronin was abducted in the city of Gao on Saturday, the ministry said, adding that French and Malian authorities were working together "to find and free our compatriot as quickly as possible". "We are continuing the search for Sophie. We have men deployed on the ground to find her. But up until now, there has been no result," a Malian security source told AFP Sunday. Soldiers of the Barhkane operation stand next to debris following a suicide car bomb attack at the airport of Gao on November 30, 2016 A French military source meanwhile told AFP: "French soldiers of the Barkhane force (in Mali) are actively taking part in the search alongside the Malians." Thousands of French soldiers have been deployed across the Sahel region just south of the Sahara since Operation Barkhane was launched in 2014. The troops have a base in Gao. The Barkhane forces' mission is to target jihadist groups that are active in the area including Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Despite sustained efforts, it has proven extremely difficult to bring the vast desert terrain of northern Mali under control with jihadists, rebels and criminals still on the loose. - 13 French hostages - Petronin is the director of a non-governmental organisation called "Aide a Gao" (Help Gao) that assists children suffering from malnutrition, the ministry said, adding that officials were in contact with her family. Petronin, who is in her sixties, had been working in Gao for a long time as head of the NGO she founded. According to French media, she is a doctor specialising in nutrition and tropical diseases who had escaped a kidnapping by Islamists in Gao in 2012. In Paris, prosecutors opened an investigation into Petronin's kidnapping, a judicial source said. Petronin is the latest French aid worker to fall prey to kidnappers in the Sahel. From 2010 to 2013, 13 French citizens were kidnapped or killed in the region, mostly by groups linked to AQIM. While those behind the kidnappings have often claimed to be holding their victims for political reasons, they have later -- behind the scenes -- demanded ransom in exchange for their release. Northern Mali fell to jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda from March 2012. These forces were driven out of key towns by a French-led military intervention the following year. But barely a week goes by without attacks on security forces despite a peace pact signed last year following lengthy negotiations between the government, groups backing it and ethnic Tuareg rebels. Tunisia security forces warn of returning jihadis Tunisia's security forces called on the government on Sunday to take "exceptional measures" to combat the return of jihadists fighting for extremist groups abroad. Tunisia has seen a wave of jihadist attacks since its 2011 revolution, including on foreign tourists, and the United Nations estimates that more than 5,000 Tunisians are fighting for extremist outfits, mainly in Iraq and Syria. "The return of terrorists from hotbeds of unrest in Tunisia is worrying and could lead to the Somali-isation of the country," said a statement from the internal security forces' national union, referring to the Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab group in Somalia. Tunisians demonstrate outside parliament in Tunis on December 24, against allowing Tunisians who joined the ranks of jihadist groups to return to the country Fethi Belaid (AFP) Battle-hardened fighters "have received military training and have learnt to use all sorts of sophisticated weapons", it added. The warning came a day after the authorities said they had arrested three people including the nephew of Anis Amri, a Tunisian suspected of carrying out a deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market this week. Hundreds of people gathered outside parliament in Tunis on Saturday to protest against allowing jihadists back into the country. The demonstrators also chanted slogans hostile to Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamist Ennahdha party, who had in the past backed the idea of "repentance" in exchange for renunciation of violence. On Sunday, he said he opposed a ban on returning Tunisian jihadists, saying the country should "assume its responsibilities". "This disease has to be dealt with seriously," Ghannouchi told a public meeting, saying his "treatment" was "justice, police, education and therapy". On Friday, Interior Minister Hedi Majdoub told parliament 800 Tunisians who had fought for extremist groups abroad had since returned home. President Beji Caid Essebsi said earlier this month the authorities would refuse to pardon Tunisians who fight for jihadist organisations. "Many of them want to return, and we can't prevent a Tunisian from returning to his country," he told AFP in Paris, "but we will be vigilant." Following a storm of criticism in the press and on social media, on December 15 Essebsi told Tunisian television that "we will not be indulgent with the terrorists". On Sunday, the interior minister said five people had been arrested in Ariana, north of Tunis, suspected of "recruiting young people to send them to conflict areas". Pope comforts terror victims in Christmas message Pope Francis urged peace in the Middle East at his Christmas address Sunday, in which he offered comfort to terrorism victims after a year of brutal jihadist attacks. The 80-year-old Argentine pontiff called for guns to fall silent in Syria, saying "far too much blood has been spilled" in the nearly six-year conflict which has also contributed to mass migration and homelessness. And despite few signs of progress, he urged Israelis and Palestinians to "have the courage and the determination to write a new page of history" in his message delivered from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica. Pope Francis waves from the balcony of St Peter's basilica during the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas message on December 25, 2016 Andreas Solaro (AFP) A crowd of 40,000 gathered in the square below which, despite the sunny weather, was far from full. In her traditional Christmas Day speech, Queen Elizabeth II spoke out about the need for unity to overcome violence in the world. "On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine," she said in the pre-recorded televised speech. Europe has ramped up security for the holiday just days after the truck attack that left 12 dead at a Berlin Christmas market on Monday. In Milan, where the suspected Berlin attacker was killed in a police shootout on Friday, there was a heavy security presence around the cathedral. The entrance has been protected by concrete barriers since the Berlin atrocity. In France, where the killings in Germany evoked memories of the jihadist truck rampage in June that left 86 people dead in Nice, 91,000 members of the security forces have been deployed to guard public spaces including churches and markets over the weekend. Religious ceremonies in Germany were heavy with the weight of Monday's attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State group. "Christmas this year carries a deep wound -- we are celebrating this festival in a different way this year," said Gebhard Fuerst, bishop of Rothenburg in the southeast. But the country's interior minister Thomas de Maiziere praised the public's reaction as "brilliant". "I am impressed by the determination... the Germans remain unshakeable," he told the Bild newspaper. - 'Closed doors, defended borders' - In Israel, security was tight for Christmas celebrations coinciding with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Around 2,500 worshippers packed the Church of the Nativity complex, built over the grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born, for midnight mass in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa used his homily to plead for compassion for refugees and for a halt to Middle East violence. "We fear the stranger who knocks at the door of our home and at the borders of our countries," he said. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury who is the spiritual leader of the world's Anglicans, said 2016 had left the world less stable. "The end of 2016 finds us all in a different kind of world; one less predictable and certain, which feels more awash with fear and division," he was due to say in his sermon Sunday. In The Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander called for national unity, pointing to unsettled politics, warning that the "extreme seems to have become the new normal". "The contradictions in the world have become bigger," he said on national television. - Icy swim, meat auction - Around the world, many braved winter temperatures to celebrate. In Slovakia 30 hardy swimmers took the plunge at Bratislava's Zlate Piesky lake, with some drinking beer in the nearly freezing water. But in the world's conflict-torn countries, there were reminders of the violence that has ravaged the world this year. Christians in Syria's Aleppo were preparing for Christmas services after President Bashar al-Assad's forces retook full control of the ruined former economic hub. The Old City's Saint Elias Cathedral, its roof collapsed under rocket fire, was set to host its first Christmas mass in five years. And in Bartalla, near the Iraqi city of Mosul, Christians filled the pews of the fire-scarred Mar Shimoni church for the first service since the town was retaken from IS jihadists who had seized it in 2014. People mourn at a makeshift memorial for the victims of the Christmas market attack near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin John Macdougall (AFP) Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas speaks with Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa (R) during midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem MUSA AL SHAER (AFP) An Iranian woman lights a candle during Christmas Eve mass at the St Joseph Armenian Catholic church in Tehran ATTA KENARE (AFP) Egypt detains Jazeera reporter over 'fake news' Egypt has ordered the detention for 15 days of an Al-Jazeera journalist accused of incitement and fabricating news, a prosecution official said on Sunday. It was the latest move against the Qatar-based broadcaster which Egypt accuses of supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood of ousted president Mohamed Morsi. Egyptian Mahmoud Hussein, 51, flew to Cairo on Tuesday for a family holiday but was stopped and interrogated at the airport for several hours before being released. Egypt accuses the Qatar-based broadcaster of supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood Mohammed Abed (AFP/File) On Friday, police raided his Cairo home and arrested him. He was questioned again on Saturday and Sunday, when prosecutors decided to hold him for 15 days. The prosecution official said Hussein would be held "pending an investigation into accusations that he incited against the state and broadcast fake news and documentaries". The interior ministry confirmed the accusations in a statement posted on its Facebook page. It said Hussein was implicated in an Al-Jazeera "plot" aimed at "fomenting discord and inciting against state institutions... and broadcasting false news as well as fabricated news reports and documentaries". In November, Al-Jazeera broadcast a documentary called "The Soldiers" in which former conscripts spoke about compulsory military service in Egypt, drawing criticism from the media. Al-Jazeera Managing Director Yasser Abu Hilalah denounced Hussein's arrest in remarks broadcast by the news channel. "Mahmoud Hussein was on a visit to his country and was not working for Al-Jazeera at the time," he said, adding that the arrest "will not stop Al-Jazeera from its professional role". "We will continue to cover Egypt and we don't succumb to pressure," he said. Egypt provoked international condemnation in 2013 when it arrested three Al-Jazeera journalists, including a Canadian and an Australian, and sentenced them to jail on similar accusations. They were later released. Obamas play Christmas Eve escape game; Trumps attend late night service President Barack Obama and his daughters spent part of the Christmas weekend playing an "escape room" game, while White House successor Donald Trump ushered in the holiday overnight with a visit to church. According to pool reports, Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia and some friends spent part of Saturday evening playing "Breakout Waikiki" -- a live-action game where players are locked in a room with one hour to figure out a series of clues and riddles to escape. The Obamas are spending the holidays in Hawaii. US President Barack Obama enjoys shave ice with his daughter Malia and friends at the Island Snow parlor in Kailua, Hawaii, on December 24, 2016 NICHOLAS KAMM (AFP) Escape room games are all the rage in the United States, after years of popularity in Asia and elsewhere. "Your goal is simple: You have 60 Minutes to break out from one of our real life escape rooms," the website for Breakout Waikiki says. "Crack the codes. Use your gut. Solve the riddles. Find out if you have what it takes to break out in time!" The Obamas did, apparently. "They were yelling, screaming, having a blast. They broke out with 12 seconds left," the manager of Breakout Waikiki told BuzzFeed News. "To be totally honest, we didn't know that they were coming. It was 100 percent unexpected. They booked under a different name," manager MacGregor Greenlee told BuzzFeed News. "An hour earlier, Secret Service showed up." Afterwards, the Obamas enjoyed a local tropical specialty, flavored shaved ice, as the commander-in-chief shook well-wishers' hands. Michelle Obama was not part of the outing. The first lady spent part of her Christmas Eve volunteering with Canadian and American defense agency workers charting Santa's path around the globe and answered phone calls from excited children. "I'm detecting something on the radar screen. It is -- yes, it is Santa and he is being pulled by reindeer," the first lady told two young phone callers. Volunteers of the North American Aerospace Defense Command have been tracking Santa's round-the-world voyage every Christmas Eve, and taking phone calls from excited children, for more than 60 years. President-elect Trump and his wife, Melania, who are spending their Christmas holiday at the family's Mar-A-Lago resort, attended services late Saturday at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach -- the same church where they were married in 2005. Both Obama and Trump sent out holiday greetings via Twitter. "Wishing you a bright and Happy Hanukkah!" the president-elect wrote in a tweet signed by Donald & Melania Trump. Another Trump tweet sent on Sunday read "#MerryChristmas, accompanied by a picture of Trump standing before a Christmas tree with a celebratory raised fist. Obama also tweeted out Christmas greetings. "The best part of the holiday is the time we share with those we love," he wrote under his @POTUS handle. "On behalf of Michelle, Malia and Sasha, Merry Christmas everyone." WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 -- President-elect Donald Trump is spurring controversy by appointing several billionaires to his cabinet, sparking criticism from media and pundits that these industry titans will be on the side of the wealthy and forget about their working class supporters. Trump shocked the world last month by clinching the White House after the vast majority of pundits, polls and experts predicted he would lose. Trump won mostly with the support of white, working class Americans, many of whom have been left behind in an economy that has not fully recovered from the 2007-2008 economic nose dive. As the brash businessman prepares to take office, he is busy putting together a cabinet that includes a few billionaires, including now former Exxon CEO and incoming secretary of state Rex Tillerson. "I think there is some legitimate criticism about billionaires in the cabinet and their views of economic and business policies-especially regulatory protections, market mechanisms and transparency, etc," Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, told Xinhua. "But for the working class voter, it is worth noting that much of the anger isn't directed at the wealthy per se, but at the professional and political classes... There is still respect for wealthy individuals, including Trump, because they are seen as successes in their fields," he said. However, others have noted that many in Trump's cabinet, while industry giants, have no diplomatic experience. An argument has ensued in U.S. media over whether those with no experience in government - despite being big names in business - will be successful in their new role. "I certainly don't want to discount the importance of business experience as part of a cabinet secretary's skill set, and many successful business leaders have been able to make significant reforms and have an outsized impact on government because of their business experience," Mahaffee said. "Still it is worth noting how these cabinet members will be able to adapt to the slower pace and peculiarities of government, where much more has to be done through consensus and proper procedure rather than the pace they are used to as a business executive," Mahaffee said. "With regards to Tillerson specifically, I think there is a mindset among the Trump team and Trump supporters that is important to note...In their mindset, traditional diplomats have seemed quite adept at dealing with things like UN General Assemblies, conferences in Paris, and the Geneva cocktail party circuit. However, in the worldview of Trump and his team, global policy is not being driven by these traditional institutions, but by the actions of leaders like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," he said. "It is just one part of a greater emphasis by the Trump team on a world where it'll be less about traditional diplomacy and more the transactional relationship between great powers and regional powers," he said. Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua the problem for Trump is not billionaires in his cabinet but the policies they are proposing. "Most of the proposals being floated are tilted to the rich. Half of the benefits of his tax cut will accrue to the top one percent. Working people will be surprised they won't get more from him, because he campaigned against the establishment," West said. "Since his policies are more likely to help the well-to-do than ordinary folks, this will be a rude surprise for people who voted for him. When they realize what he is doing, it will undermine his political support," he said. Still, Trump has vowed to roll back the avalanche of regulations - more than 600 since President Barack Obama took office - that many believe have stunted economic growth. That, Trump believes, will unleash the power of the U.S. economy and rev up small businesses, enabling them to start hiring again instead of spending many hours and much money on dealing with regulations. Trump has vowed to cut corporate taxes from the current top rate of 35 percent - the highest in the developed world - to 15 percent. Small businesses would also pay 15 percent, as long as the profits are re-invested into the company. Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, told Xinhua that being a businessman does not always mean being a great political official. "There are many examples like Robert McNamara, who saw that their business acumen didn't translate into successful politics," he said, referring to the former secretary of defense who played a major role in escalating the U.S. war in Vietnam. "It is different," Zelizer said, comparing the two roles. "You are working for an elected government and responsible to an electorate, you are dealing with the political pressures within other countries, and you are not simply making economic decisions," he said. "Ideology, culture, politics and much more all must be considered," Zelizer said. West said many of the business people Trump has put on his cabinet have had successful backgrounds and have built tremendous value for their companies. "The major question about them is will they be effective in government. Many private sector people have difficulty adjusting to government life because it is a very different structure," he said. "It is harder to get things done because you can't just order people to do things and then see them automatically implemented. That will be a big surprise for many of the corporate leaders," he said. "The lack of diplomatic experience is a problem because they won't have the experience to resolve diplomatic issues," he said. "It is different running an international company from dealing with foreign policy. You need to know the right people in government and how to navigate local sensitivities all around the world," he said. China's 1st aircraft carrier heads for Western Pacific BEIJING (AP) China's first aircraft carrier has set off for the Western Pacific for an open-sea training exercise, the Defense Ministry said. State media said Sunday that it is the first time that the Liaoning, which was commissioned by the Chinese navy in 2012, has headed to "distant sea waters." The Western Pacific region stretches from China to New Zealand and encompasses countries in the Pacific, Oceania and parts of Asia. The statement said a navy formation including the Liaoning set off Saturday for training in the Western Pacific, without elaborating on the location, as part of an annual training plan. FILE - In this undated file photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, China's aircraft carrier Liaoning berths in a port of China. China's military says its first aircraft carrier group has carried out a series of fighter launch, recovery and air combat exercises in the Yellow Sea amid tensions with the U.S. and Taiwan. The Defense Ministry announced late Friday that the Liaoning carrier group conducted the drills in the Yellow Sea in recent days and is scheduled to continue exercises farther afield. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Li Tang, File) The exercise takes place at a time of tension between China and the United States, the Pacific Ocean's dominant power, over the sensitive issue of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory. President-elect Donald Trump took a congratulatory Dec. 2 phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, marking the first time an American president or president-elect has publicly spoken to Taiwan's leader since Washington broke of its formal diplomatic relationship with Taiwan in 1979. To outrage in Beijing, Trump later suggested he could reevaluate U.S. policy on Taiwan. China seized a U.S. Navy underwater glider in the South China Sea on Dec. 16 in what was seen by Chinese analysts as a warning to Trump. China said last month that its aircraft carrier, purchased as an incomplete hull from Ukraine more than a decade ago, was ready to engage in combat. The Liaoning recently completed its first live-fire exercise along with fighters in the Bohai Sea in eastern China and, on Friday, the military announced it had carried out a series of fighter launch, recovery and air combat exercises slightly farther afield in the Yellow Sea. On Saturday morning, the Liaoning carried out training in the East China Sea, according to footage shown on state broadcaster China Central Television. A separate statement from the Defense Ministry said that several carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters took off one after another and returned after completing an air tactical confrontation and air refueling exercise. The Japanese Defense Ministry said it spotted the Liaoning as part of a fleet of eight Chinese warships that included destroyers and frigates, in the central part of the East China Sea for the first time. It said there was no incursion into Japanese waters. China hasn't described specifically how it intends to use the Liaoning, but it is seen as helping reinforce China's increasingly assertive claims over almost all of the South China Sea, which is home to key shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds and a potential wealth of mineral resources. Five other governments claim the maritime space either in part or in whole, and the Philippines and Vietnam in particular have sought assistance from the U.S. and others in beefing up their ability to resist China, including its construction of seven islands by piling sand atop coral reefs. ___ Saudi Arabian border guard killed in exchange of fire RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) Authorities say a Saudi border guard has been killed in an exchange of fire with Shiite rebels in Yemen. Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki said in a statement carried Sunday by the official Saudi Press Agency that the clashes took place on Saturday. Al-Turki blamed Yemen's Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, for launching the attack and said the soldier died before reaching the hospital. Cross-border fire has killed repeatedly killed Saudi security agents and civilians since a Saudi-led coalition launched a campaign in Yemen against the rebels in March 2015. Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country, has been at war since the Houthis swept into the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Pakistan releases 220 Indian fishermen KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) Pakistani officials say 220 Indian fishermen have been released from a jail in Karachi and will be handed over to Indian authorities on Monday. Prison official Shunail Shah said that some 500 Indian fishermen had been imprisoned over the past year for fishing illegally in Pakistani territorial waters. Shah said the first batch of fishermen left Karachi Central Jail Sunday and another 219 will be released next week. The Pakistani and Indian maritime agencies frequently arrest each other's fishermen on illegal fishing charges. Detained Indian fishermen sit in a police facility in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. Pakistani officials say 220 Indian fishermen have been released from a jail in Karachi and will be handed over to Indian authorities on Monday. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan) Indonesian police fatally shoot 2 militants, arrest 2 others JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Members of Indonesia's elite anti-terrorism squad fatally shot two suspected militants and arrested two others during a raid Sunday on the main island of Java. The suspects were shot by the anti-terror unit after refusing an appeal from authorities to surrender from their safe house at Jatiluhur reservoir in West Java's Purwakarta district, said National police spokesman Brig. Gen. Rikwanto. The arrest came amid a security crackdown in several cities on Java after police arrested a would-be suicide bomber and other suspected Islamic militants who were allegedly planning a holiday season suicide bombing earlier this month. Rikwanto, who goes by one name, said two suspects were captured alive, including one who was injured and taken to a police hospital in the capital, Jakarta. He said police seized several machetes and documents from the suspects' floating house near the reservoir, including a will in which they stated that they had pledged their allegiance to the Islamic State group and wished to take part in suicide attacks. Three suspected militants who were allegedly planning a New Year's Eve suicide bombing were killed in a gunbattle this past week on the outskirts of Jakarta. Police said the holiday season plot was uncovered during the interrogation of militants arrested Dec. 10 who were planning a suicide bomb attack on a guard-changing ceremony at the presidential palace in Jakarta the next day. Police have said that foiled plot, in which a woman was to be the suicide bomber, was orchestrated by Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian with the Islamic State group in Syria. They also say Naim was behind a bomb lab that was raided last month in West Java and contained enough explosive materials to make bombs three times more powerful than those used in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people. The government has increased security across Indonesia. It has deployed 150,000 security personnel to safeguard churches, airports and other public places in a national security sweep. 2 Libyans charged in Malta with hijacking a flight VALLETTA, Malta (AP) Two Libyan men have been arraigned in a Maltese court on charges of hijacking a domestic Libyan flight to the Mediterranean island of Malta. Defendants Moussa Saha and Ahmed Ali each entered pleas of innocent and wore bulletproof vests in their appearance Sunday. They face up to life in prison. The hours-long hijacking standoff Friday at Valletta airport ended peacefully after negotiations. Those on board the hijacked Afriqiyah Airways plane returned to Libya on a different plane Saturday. Other charges include possession of imitation weapons, using violence against a person on a flight, holding people against their will, making threats of violence and attempting to cause financial or economic instability to a government. Trump adopting same behavior he criticized Clinton for WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump spent the past two years attacking rival Hillary Clinton as crooked, corrupt, and weak. But some of those attacks seem to have already slipped into the history books. From installing Wall Street executives in his Cabinet to avoiding news conferences, the president-elect is adopting some of the same behavior for which he criticized Clinton during their fiery presidential campaign. FILE - In this Dec. 13, 2016, file photo, President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center in West Allis, Wis. Trump is embracing some of his top attacks on Hillary Clinton as he forms his new administration, engaging in some of the same behavior he used against his rival during the presidential campaign. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Here's a look at what Trump said then and what he's doing now: ___ GOLDMAN SACHS Then: "I know the guys at Goldman Sachs," Trump said at a South Carolina rally in February, when he was locked in a fierce primary battle with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. "They have total, total control over him. Just like they have total control over Hillary Clinton." Now: A number of former employees of the Wall Street bank will pay a key role in crafting Trump's economic policy. He's tapped Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn to lead the White House National Economic Council. Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary nominee, spent 17 years working at Goldman Sachs and Steve Bannon, Trump's chief strategist and senior counselor, started his career as an investment banker at the firm. Trump is following in a long political tradition, though one he derided on the campaign trail: If Cohn accepts the nomination, he'll be the third Goldman executive to run the NEC. ___ BIG DONORS Then: "Crooked Hillary. Look, can you imagine another four years of the Clintons? Seriously. It's time to move on. And she's totally controlled by Wall Street and all these people that gave her millions," Trump said at a May rally in Lynden, Washington. Now: Trump has stocked his Cabinet with six top donors far more than any recent White House. "I want people that made a fortune. Because now they're negotiating with you, OK?" Trump said, in a December 9 speech in Des Moines. The biggest giver? Incoming small business administrator Linda McMahon gave $7.5 million to a super PAC backing Trump, more than a third of the money collected by the political action committee. ___ NEWS CONFERENCES Then: "She doesn't do news conferences, because she can't," Trump said at an August rally in Ashburn, Virginia. "She's so dishonest she doesn't want people peppering her with questions." Now: Trump opened his last news conference on July 27, saying: "You know, I put myself through your news conferences often, not that it's fun." He hasn't held once since. Trump skipped the news conference a president-elect typically gives after winning the White House. Instead, he released a YouTube video of under three minutes. This week, Trump abruptly canceled plans to hold his first post-election news conference, opting instead to describe his plans for managing his businesses in tweets. "I will hold a press conference in the near future to discuss the business, Cabinet picks and all other topics of interest. Busy times!" he tweeted in mid-December. ___ FAMILY TIES: Then: "It is impossible to figure out where the Clinton Foundation ends and the State Department begins. It is now abundantly clear that the Clintons set up a business to profit from public office. They sold access and specific actions by and really for I guess the making of large amounts of money," Trump said at an August rally in Austin. Now: While Trump has promised to separate himself from his businesses, there is plenty of overlap between his enterprises and his immediate family. His companies will be run by his sons, Donald Jr and Eric. And his daughter, Ivanka, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have joined Trump at a number of meetings with world leaders of countries where the family has financial interests. In a financial disclosure he was required to file during the campaign, Trump listed stakes in about 500 companies in at least 25 countries. Ivanka, in particular, has been caught making early efforts to leverage her father's new position into profits. After an interview with the family appeared on "60 Minutes," her jewelry company, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, blasted out an email promoting the $10,800 gold bangle bracelet that she had worn during the appearance. The company later said they were "proactively discussing new policies and procedures." Ivanka is also auctioning off a private coffee meeting with her to benefit her brother's foundation. The meeting is valued at $50,000, with the current top bid coming in at $25,000. "United States Secret Service will be Present for the Duration of the Experience," warns the auction site. Trump on Saturday said he would dissolve his charitable foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month. ___ CLINTON INVESTIGATIONS Then: "If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation, because there has never been so many lies, so much deception. There has never been anything like it, and we're going to have a special prosecutor," Trump said in the October presidential debate. Now: Since winning office, Trump has said he has no intention of pushing for an investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server as secretary of State or the workings of her family foundation. "It's just not something that I feel very strongly about," he told the New York Times. Jennifer Lawrence visits Louisville children's hospital LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Jennifer Lawrence has visited the Norton Children's Hospital to spread some holiday cheer. The Courier-Journal reports (http://cjky.it/2hemBpi ) the Oscar-winning actress visited the hospital's patients and staff on Christmas Eve. The newspaper reported Lawrence, a Louisville native, has visited the hospital every year since 2013. But her visits are kept secret. Even some hospital staff members did not know about it. The hospital posted photos on social media showing Lawrence visiting with patients. Others posted their own social media photos, including showing Lawrence posing with a child dressed as a character from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Pastors in Fort Worth and Arlington have gathered to protest against the incident Fort Worth Police has placed the officer involved in incident on restrictive duty 911 to report an assault on Craig's son, aged seven It came after they had Dozens of Fort Worth and Arlington pastors say the recent arrest of a black mother and her two teenage daughters by a white officer was racist despite other characterizations from city officials. The pastors gathered on Christmas Eve at Beth Eden Baptist Church to ask the black community to remain calm while an internal investigation is completed. Several pastors said the community still believes the police chief, mayor and other city officials want to work with the pastors and the black community, but they have lost faith in the ability of the officer, who hasn't been named and is on paid restricted duty, to police the community. Scroll down for video Dozens of people feel the recent arrest of a black mother and her daughters by a white officer was racist. The incident began when the officer (seen above) was called to the scene. Craig (seen above right) complained that the man in the blue shirt above choked her son When the officer suggested that Craig's son deserved to be choked because he littered, Craig grew angry. Her daughter, Brea Hymond, tried to come between her mother and the officer A Fort Worth police officer used force to subdue Jacqueline Craig (left) and Brea Hymond (right) during a heated confrontation that escalated quickly on Wednesday 'We do not trust him to carry a gun nor does he have our permission to come in our community and enact deadly force,' B.R. Daniels Jr., pastor of First Greater New Hope Baptist Church told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 'He has lost credibility in our community.' The arrest was filmed on a cellphone and a video was posted to Facebook late Wednesday. It had been viewed millions of times as of Sunday. City officials held a news conference Friday to address the video. During it, Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald, who is black, said: 'I can't call it racism but I noticed in the video that the officer was rude. There's a difference between rude and racism.' City officials also have asked the community to remain calm during the investigation. After the scuffle, the officer wrestles Craig to the ground and presses a Taser to her back (above); he then points the taser at family members protesting the treatment Police were called to an argument between Jacqueline Craig and a neighbor who Craig said choked her seven-year-old son after the neighbor said he littered and refused to pick it up. The video shows a quickly escalating argument between Craig and the unnamed officer. The officer asks Craig why she didn't teach her son not to litter. Craig answers that whether he littered or not, the neighbor didn't have the right to put his hands on her son. The officer can be heard asking, 'Why not?' Hymond (left) and her mother (right) are pictured at the Fort Worth jail after the arrest People protested against the Fort Worth Police Department at the Tarrant County Courthouse in Fort Worth on Thursday He is seen wrestling Craig to the ground after one of her daughters tries to step between the officer and Craig. He points a Taser into Craig's back and, after cuffing her, points the Taser at the daughter who tried to intervene and arrests her. Police said the daughter filming the incident was arrested, too. Craig's attorney, S. Lee Merritt, has asked that charges be dropped against the woman. He also wants the officer to be fired and prosecuted. Inmate forced to take drugs will represent himself at trial HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Should Connecticut compensate a prison inmate who was injected with psychotropic drugs against his will? A trial set for January, in which the inmate is representing himself, will decide. The inmate, Kacey Lewis, was taken from his cell, shackled and subdued with pepper spray for some of the 42 injections he received from the medical staff at Northern Correctional Institution in Somers, according to court records. U.S. District Judge Vanessa Bryant found the prison staff violated Lewis' rights to due process and ordered the civil trial, scheduled for the first week of January, to determine whether he is entitled to financial damages or other relief. The trial also will determine whether medical staff violated Lewis' rights against cruel and unusual punishment by being deliberately indifferent to his medical needs and through the suffering caused by the injections. Lewis, who is acting as his own attorney, has been imprisoned since 2009 on a 15-year sentence for the assault and kidnapping of his girlfriend. A panel made up of the three doctors at the Northern Correctional Institution determined after a hearing 2011 that the drugs were needed to treat a mental health condition they had diagnosed. In a letter to The Associated Press, Lewis insisted that he is not mentally ill and that the doctors "used false information and a bogus diagnosis to rationalize and justify" forcing him to be medicated. An advocate was appointed to represent Lewis' interests at the 2011 hearing. But that advocate, Dr. Mark Frayne, was the supervising psychologist who had been treating Lewis at the prison, and was on the three-person panel that recommended his the injections. Frayne later presided over and denied Lewis' appeal of the ruling, according to court documents. Bryant ruled that was a conflict of interest that denied Lewis his 14th Amendment rights to due process. "There is no evidence Defendant Frayne actually advocated on behalf of Plaintiff Lewis's opposition to involuntary medication at the hearing, nor is there any evidence that Defendant Frayne made any effort prior to the hearing to investigate any basis, or fashion any rationale, to support Lewis's objection to being forcibly medicated," Bryant wrote. Frayne did not respond to messages seeking comment. The state Department of Correction referred all comment to the University of Connecticut and its Correctional Managed Health Care department, which oversees the medical treatment in the prisons. A UConn Health spokeswoman said the school would not comment on the pending litigation. Dan Barrett, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, said it is not involved in the case, but is monitoring it because it has concerns over whether the due process rights of other inmates are being violated when it comes to decisions about their mental health. Pipeline uncertainty illustrates broader concerns for tribes For hundreds of protesters, it was cause to cheer when the Obama administration this month declined to issue an easement for the Dakota Access pipeline's final segment. But that elation was dampened by the uncertainty of what comes next: a Donald Trump-led White House that might be far less attuned to issues affecting Native Americans. "With Trump coming into office, you just can't celebrate," said Laundi Germaine Keepseagle, who is 28 and from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, where the demonstrators have been camped out near the North Dakota-South Dakota border. Anxiety over the 1,200-mile pipeline illustrates a broader uncertainty over how tribes will fare under Trump following what many in Indian Country consider a landmark eight years. FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2016, file photo, President Barack Obama tips he hat as he stands with Brian Cladoosby, President of National Congress of American Indians, at the 2016 White House Tribal Nations Conference in Washington. The transition to Donald Trump's administration signals a possible end of eight years of sweeping Indian Country policy reforms under Obama, who met with tribal leaders annually. Trump, who rarely acknowledged Native Americans during his campaign, and since the election, hasn't publicly outlined how he would improve or manage the United States' longstanding relationships with tribes. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file) President Barack Obama has won accolades among Native Americans for breaking through a gridlock of inaction on tribal issues and for putting a spotlight on their concerns with yearly meetings with tribal leaders. Under his administration, lawmakers cemented a tribal health care law that includes more preventive care and mental health resources and addresses recruiting and retaining physicians throughout Indian Country. The Interior Department restored tribal homelands by placing more than 500,000 acres under tribes' control more than any other recent administration while the Justice Department charted a process approved by Congress for tribes to prosecute and sentence more cases involving non-Native Americans who assault Native American women. Before Obama, a gap in the laws allowed for such crimes to go unpunished. In addition, the federal government settled decades-old lawsuits involving Native Americans, including class-action cases over the government's mismanagement of royalties for oil, gas, timber and grazing leases and its discrimination against tribal members seeking farm loans. "In my opinion, President Obama has been the greatest president in dealing with Native Americans," said Brian Cladoosby, chairman of the Swinomish Tribe north of Seattle and president of the nonpartisan National Congress of American Indians, based in Washington, D.C. "The last eight years give us hope going forward with the relationships we have on both sides of the aisle." Trump, meanwhile, rarely acknowledged Native Americans during his campaign and hasn't publicly outlined how he would improve or manage the United States' longstanding relationships with tribes. His Interior secretary pick, Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana, sponsored legislation that he says would have given tribes more control over coal and other fossil fuel development on their lands. But some of Trump's biggest campaign pledges including repealing health care legislation and building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border would collide with tribal interests. In Arizona, Tohono O'odham Nation leaders have vowed to oppose any plans for a wall along the 75-mile portion of the border that runs parallel to their reservation. And the nonprofit National Indian Health Board in Washington says it's aiming to work with lawmakers to ensure the Indian Health Care Improvement Act remains intact. The law, which guarantees funding for care through the federal Indian Health Services agency, was embedded in Obama's health care overhaul after consultation with tribes. The government's role figures prominently in Native Americans' daily lives because treaties and other binding agreements often require the U.S. to manage tribal health care, law enforcement and education. Some tribal members say they're unsure how much Trump understands or cares about their unique relationship with the federal government. "I think there was a great hope that we had here in Indian Country with the direct dialogue that President Obama had established with tribal nations," said Duane "Chili" Yazzie, president of the Navajo Nation's Shiprock Chapter. "If a similar effort to communicate with us were carried on by the Trump administration, I would be surprised." Though most reservations lean Democratic in presidential elections, Trump does have some supporters in Indian Country. They hope the businessman can turn around lagging economies in rural reservations, such as the 27,000-square-mile Navajo Nation, which covers parts of Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. "Trump is pro-job growth, and tribes need a healthy dose of business creation," said Deswood Tome, a former spokesman for the tribe from Window Rock, Arizona. "To do that, a lot of federal barriers must be removed. We're the only ethnic group who have so much federal control in our lives." The Dakota Access pipeline illustrates another chasm between Obama and Trump. This fall, the pipeline dispute led Obama's administration to begin tackling a final piece of its Indian Country agenda: guidelines for how cabinet departments should consult with tribes on major infrastructure projects. A top complaint from the Standing Rock Sioux was that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to properly consult with them before initially approving a pipeline route that ran beneath Lake Oahe, the tribe's primary source of drinking water. After the administration halted construction on the project in September to review the complaint, it held seven meetings with tribal leaders and began drafting a report on how federal officials should consult with tribes. U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said the report will be completed before Obama leaves office, and she expects it to have a lasting impact, even with an incoming administration that promises to undo some of the president's policies. What's unclear is whether Trump, who once owned stock in the pipeline builder, will seek to reverse the Army's decision this month to explore alternate routes. A spokesman said only that the president-elect plans to review the move after he takes office. However, Trump's transition team said in a recent memo to campaign supporters and congressional staff that he supports the pipeline's completion. In the meantime, Standing Rock Sioux Chairman David Archambault has begun lobbying for a meeting with Trump to make a case for his tribe's opposition to the project, which the chairman says threatens not just water but sacred cultural sites. "You have to respect Mother Earth; she's precious," Archambault said. "You can still believe in capitalism, and you can still invest in infrastructure projects, but these infrastructure projects should be focused toward renewable energy rather than fossil fuel development." ___ Associated Press writers Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Regina Garcia Cano in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, contributed to this report. ___ Follow Mary Hudetz on Twitter at http://twitter.com/marymhudetz. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/mary-hudetz. FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, file photo, Beatrice Menase Kwe Jackson, center, walks with Daniel Emory, both of the Ojibwe Native American tribe as they lead a procession to the Cannonball river for a traditional water ceremony at the Oceti Sakowin camp where people have gathered to protest the Dakota Access oil pipeline in Cannon Ball, N.D. Some Native Americans worry the transition to a Donald Trump administration signals an end to eight years of sweeping Indian Country policy reforms. Trump rarely acknowledged Native Americans during his campaign. And he hasn't publicly outlined since the election how he would improve or manage the United States' longstanding relationships with tribes. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2016, file photo, travelers arrive at the Oceti Sakowin camp where people have gathered to protest the Dakota Access oil pipeline as they walk into a tent next to an upside-down american flag in Cannon Ball, N.D. Some Native Americans worry the transition to a Donald Trump administration signals an end to eight years of sweeping Indian Country policy reforms. But Trump's Native American supporters said they're hopeful he will cut through some of the government red tape that they believe has stifled economic progress on reservations. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) FILE - In this Dec 4, 2016, file photo, Dan Nanamkin, of the Colville Nez Perce Native American tribe in Nespelem, Wash., right, drums with a procession through the Oceti Sakowin camp after it was announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers won't grant easement for the Dakota Access oil pipeline in Cannon Ball, N.D. Some Native Americans worry the transition to a Donald Trump administration signals an end to eight years of sweeping Indian Country policy reforms. Trump rarely acknowledged Native Americans during his campaign. And he hasn't publicly outlined since the election how he would improve or manage the United States' longstanding relationships with tribes. But Trump's Native American supporters said they're hopeful he will cut through some of the government red tape that they believe has stifled economic progress on reservations. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) FILE - In this Thursday Dec. 1, 2016 file photo, the Oceti Sakowin camp where people have gathered to protest the Dakota Access oil pipeline stands in the background as a children sled down a hill in Cannon Ball, N.D. Some Native Americans worry the transition to a Donald Trump administration signals an end to eight years of sweeping Indian Country policy reforms. But Trump's Native American supporters said they're hopeful he will cut through some of the government red tape that they believe has stifled economic progress on reservations. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) The robot "Du Mi" meets customers at KFC's first intelligent robot concept store "Original+" in Shanghai on April 25, 2016. [Photo: thepaper.cn] Kentucky Fried Chicken launched its first artificial intelligence-enabled store in Beijing on Friday, and the fast-food chain said it plans to further expand its layout of smart restaurants, creating more innovative and interesting dining experiences for customers. With the cooperation of Baidu Inc, China's largest search engine, KFC started its first smart restaurant in the Financial Street area in Beijing. At the store, customers are able to take pictures with a machine, which will recognize the diner's face, sex, age, mood and other features, then help to recommend suitable food and set meals and complete the ordering process. "If the consumer visits the store again and takes a picture with the machine, it will be able to recognize his or her face and show the previous purchase history, remember the customer's dining habits, and help to place an order faster," said Wu Zhongqin, deputy director of the Institute of Deep Learning of Baidu Inc, which helped to develop the technology. With another machine with an augmented reality, or AR function, customers are able to interact with the machine, change facial expressions by shaking their heads in front of the machine, take photos, and save them to their phones. In April, KFC, an affiliate of Yum China Holdings Inc, started its first Chinese smart restaurant in Shanghai. The outlet is equipped with intelligent robot ordering, debuting the use of artificial intelligence in chain restaurants. Zhao Li, general manager of Beijing KFC, said smart restaurants are not only about the cool hardware, but more about providing convenience to consumers. "Our innovations make use of the cutting-edge technologies and they will help to attract more young consumers who prefer fashionable new things. The digitalization of the restaurant will also help to provide faster and easier services," she said. "We believe that the restaurant dining experiences must continue to upgrade. With 5,000 stores in China, we plan to expand such services nationwide soon, to adapt to the digital age and enable more consumers to experience enjoyable ordering experiences." 5 ways museums are using technology for new experiences NEW YORK (AP) Museums are always looking for ways to make their exhibitions more exciting. Now, new technologies are making that easier. New York's American Museum of Natural History recently asked children to test a virtual reality prototype that "shrank" them to the size of a beetle for a close-up view of the weevil's anatomy. The Field Museum in Chicago created a traveling exhibition that used CT scanning to "unwrap" ancient mummies. FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2015 file photo, the reconstructed face of an Egyptian mummy known as the Gilded Lady is on display at the Natural History Museum, in Los Angeles. It is part of a traveling exhibition that used CT scanning to "unwrap" ancient mummies and is an example of museums working to present exciting and meaningful exhibits by increasingly relying on technology. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) At Washington's Smithsonian Museum, a team is exploring many potential applications of 3-D technology to broaden public access in both galleries and the virtual world. 3-D scanning tools also allow experts to analyze fragile specimens. FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2015, file photo, Alexis Hyde, right, looks at an interactive display of a CT scan from a Peruvian mummy of a woman with two children at the Natural History Museum, in Los Angeles. It is part of a traveling exhibition that used CT scanning to "unwrap" ancient mummies and is an example of museums working to present exciting and meaningful exhibits by increasingly relying on technology. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2016 file photo, visitors to the American Museum of Natural History examine a replica of a 122-foot-long dinosaur on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. An Explorer app at the American Museum of Natural History uses hundreds of Bluetooth hotspots to navigate visitors around its vast labyrinth of halls to artifacts that interest them most. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) In this Dec. 13, 2016 photo provided by the American Museum of Natural History, a visitor at the museum in New York experiences 'AR Shark,' a prototype augmented reality program that overlays CT scan data on a Mako shark model in the Hall of Biodiversity. Museums working to present exciting and meaningful exhibits are increasingly relying on technology. (Roderick Mickens/American Museum of Natural History via AP) Red Christmas in Mexico: decapitations and a mass slaying MEXICO CITY (AP) Western Mexico's plague of violence continued on Christmas Day with the discovery of six decapitated heads in one state and the slaying of seven people in another. The Michoacan state prosecutor's office said the six heads were found in Jiquilpan, a municipality near the state of Jalisco in a region that has been a battleground between competing drug gangs in recent years. In a brief statement, it said the six men had not yet been identified and their bodies had not been found. Meanwhile state security officials in the neighboring state of Guerrero said gunmen entered a house and shot to death seven people in the municipality of Atoyac de Alvarez. Five were members of one family and two were a married couple. State security spokesman Roberto Alvarez Heredia said in a statement that two of the seven killed were municipal police officers and one a state police officer. The preliminary investigation suggested the gunmen wanted to kill one of the victims in a revenge attack but ended up killing them all. The Latest: Obama honors US troops in final Christmas visit HONOLULU (AP) The Latest on President Barack Obama's annual holiday vacation in Hawaii (all times local): 4:45 p.m. President Barack Obama says it has been "the privilege of my life" to serve as the commander in chief of the U.S. military. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are visiting U.S. troops at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Oahu's Kaneohe Bay. It's the last time Obama will take part in his annual Christmas tradition as president. Obama says his gratitude to the military won't stop once his term ends. He says his commitment to standing by the military "every step of the way" continues. The president is noting that U.S. troops are serving on Christmas in dangerous places like Iraq and Afghanistan, with some engaged in missions against the Islamic State group. He says they should know that Americans understand that they serve every day to protect U.S. freedoms. ___ 12:40 p.m. President Barack Obama will spend Christmas afternoon visiting with U.S. Marines and their families. The White House says the president and first lady Michelle Obama will visit Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, to thank troops for their service. It's become an annual Christmas Day tradition for the president. The visit is the major outing for the president this Christmas. The White House says Obama and his wife and daughters spent the morning at their vacation rental playing games and opening Christmas gifts. ___ 11:40 a.m. President Barack Obama is thanking U.S. troops serving overseas during Christmas and the holidays for serving the nation. The White House says Obama spent Christmas Eve calling service members from each of the military's branches, including the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Army and Navy. White House spokesman Eric Schultz says Obama "expressed his gratitude on behalf of all Americans for the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families." Obama placed the calls from Hawaii, where he is on vacation with his family. ___ 10:50 a.m. President Barack Obama is celebrating Christmas with a quiet morning at his vacation home in Hawaii. The president, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia are on the island of Oahu. Obama was expected to stay at the rental home in Kailua for much of the day, opening presents with his family and taking part in other family traditions. Traditionally, Obama spends part of the day at a nearby military base visiting with U.S. troops as they have Christmas dinner. The Obamas are midway through their annual two-week vacation in Obama's home state. This is the last time Obama will celebrate Christmas in Hawaii at least as president. Six British ex-soldiers will spend Christmas Day in a hell hole Indian jail after their hopes of coming home were dashed again. The six hoped their appeal last month would allow them to be reunited with their loved ones for the first time in four years. But the tortuous legal system in India has meant any decision is now not expected until the new year. And if they fail to quash their convictions, they face four more years behind bars after being jailed last January on weapons charges while working as security guards on ships to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean. Joanne Thomlinson, from Wigton, Cumbria, whose brother John Armstrong, 29, an ex-Paratroop Regiment soldier, is one of the six jailed, said it would mean the absolute world to get her brother home. Mrs Thomlinson said: It is incredible to think what impact this has had on so many lives. So many parents, children, brothers and sisters, wives just completely lost while their loved one suffers in prison. John Armstrong (Family handout/PA) Indian coastguards first boarded their vessel, the MV Seaman Guard Ohio, and arrested them for bringing weapons into Indias territorial waters in October 2013. The charges were quashed when the men argued the weapons were lawfully held and their paperwork, issued by the UK Government, was in order. But a lower court reinstated the prosecution. The latest appeal was heard in November but no decision has been released. It means another grim Christmas behind bars at Puzhal Prison in Chennai. Paul Towers with his wife Ann (Family handout/PA) Also jailed is Paul Towers, 53, from Bootle, Merseyside, who spent 12 years in the Parachute Regiment before working for 20 years as a prison officer. His wife, Ann Towers, is a former Army nurse and now works in a prison and their son, Jordan, is also serving in the British Army infantry. Mrs Towers, from York, said between them, they had given more than 70 years of public service and feel let down. Im really quite bitter about the fact that we are in this situation, three years after it started, and this is their fourth Christmas in that country, she said. Billy Irving and his son William (Family handout/PA) Yvonne MacHugh, from Glasgow, is the fiancee of Billy Irving, 37, another ex-Paratrooper from Campbeltown, Argyll. They have a son, William, aged two. Miss MacHugh, who visited Mr Irving in June, said: I had William with me. It was only the second time he had seen him, the first time he was only three months old, so this time he was running about saying Daddy!. Thats what made him so positive about all this. The other three Britons jailed are Nick Dunn, 30, another ex-para, from, Ashington, Northumberland, Ray Tindall, 41, who served with the Yorkshire Regiment and Welsh Regiment, from Chester, and Nicholas Simpson, 45, who served in the Yorkshire Regiment, from Catterick. Their US employer, AdvanFort, walked away from the situation, the families say. The firm did not comment. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have taken their children to church for the Christmas Day service. William held Prince Georges hand, while Kate carried Princess Charlotte, as they made their way into St Marks Church in Englefield, Berkshire. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte followed by Carole, James and Michael Middleton arrive to attend the morning Christmas Day service at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire. They were joined by the Middleton family Kates mother Carole, father Michael, sister Pippa and bother James for the service, and Miss Middletons fiance, financier James Matthews, was also present. (Andrew Matthews/PA) Kate kept warm in a festive-coloured stole and coat which looked similar to one she wore in 2012 that was a hit with royal fashion watchers. The Hobbs Unlimited Celeste wool coat has a belt at the waist and belted detail at the wrists. In 2012, royal officials said the coat was burgundy in colour, but the fashion community favoured chestnut brown. Duchess of Cambridge at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire. For the Christmas outing to church, William wore a red tie which toned in with the colour of his wifes coat. George wrapped up in a grey knee-length coat with navy detailing on the pockets, buttons and collar, accompanied by his trademark look of socks pulled high, while Charlotte teamed festive red tights with a navy coat, and wore her hair tucked behind her ears. The pair were pictured holding candy cane as they left the service. The Duke of Cambridge and Prince George leave following the morning Christmas Day service at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire The Cambridges are spending Christmas with Kates family at the Middleton home near Bucklebury instead of joining other members of the royal family at the Queens Sandringham estate, in Norfolk. It will be the second time the couple will have joined the Middletons for Christmas Day since they married in 2011 and the first since their children were born. James Middleton, Carole Middleton,Pippa Middleton, James Matthews and Michael Middleton leave following the morning Christmas Day service at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire The last time the couple stayed away from the traditional royal gathering was in December 2012, shortly after Kate was discharged from hospital having been treated for severe morning sickness when she was pregnant with George. In 2014, William and Kate were believed to have lunched with the Middletons before attending the Christmas Day church service with the royals. he Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte leave following the morning Christmas Day service at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire Homelessness on the rise, says British charity as Christmas shelters open LONDON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - More than 4,000 homeless people in Britain are expected to use temporary shelters set up over Christmas by charity Crisis, which said the number of people sleeping rough was rising sharply. Staffed by an army of around 13,000 volunteers, the charity will provide food, shelter, haircuts, massages and dentistry services at shelters until Dec. 30. According to government statistics from 2015, more than 3,500 people sleep rough in England on any given night, but Crisis said that number had risen significantly. "In the last year, (that...) has gone up by 30 percent," its Chief Executive Jon Sparkes told Reuters at a temporary centre opened in North London on Thursday. "That figure has doubled in the last six years so we are seeing a big increase." For one man who said he had been sleeping rough in London for eight months after a struggle with illness and financial issues, the shelter offers a brief chance to reconnect with a lost part of himself. "The people who assist you give you back your humanity because being homeless makes you feel inhuman," said Marc Anthony Tiwarri. French-Swiss aid worker kidnapped in Malian city of Gao By Adama Diarra BAMAKO/PARIS, Dec 24 (Reuters) - A French-Swiss aid worker has been kidnapped in the city of Gao in northern Mali, and French and Malian authorities are working together to rescue her, the French foreign ministry said on Sunday. Sophie Petronin, who runs a non-governmental organisation that helps children suffering from malnutrition, was kidnapped on Saturday afternoon, but, so far, no one has made a claim of responsibility, Malian Commandant Baba Cisse said. Mali has been beset by attacks from resurgent Islamist groups, including Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) this year, especially in the north. Gao - seized by Islamist militants in 2012 before French forces drove them out a year later - is considered the most secure town in northern Mali with multiple U.N., French and Malian army checkpoints along main roads. "In liaison with the Malian authorities, they (French authorities) are fully mobilised to seek and release, as soon as possible, our compatriot," the French foreign ministry said. A local radio station in Gao said the aid worker was affiliated with Aide Gao and was snatched by a group of men who drove off with her in a Toyota pickup truck. Aide Gao was not available for comment. Last month, despite the relatively heavy security in Gao, the offices of the U.N. peacekeeping mission located next to the city's airport terminal were razed by a truck-bomb explosion. Mali's government signed a peace deal last year with secular armed groups, but Islamist militants pledging allegiance to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State have fought on and launched dozens of attacks on Western targets in recent months. Indonesian police kill 2 militants after raid on house in Java JAKARTA, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Indonesian police killed two suspected Islamist militants on Sunday in a gunfight during a raid on a house in West Java, a police spokesman said. Two men had been arrested in Cibinong and led police to a house at the Jatiluhur dam, national police spokesman Awi Setiyono said. Indonesian police kill 2 militants during raid on house in Java JAKARTA, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Indonesian police killed two suspected Islamist militants in a house in West Java on Sunday, a police spokesman said, in the latest in a series of raids aimed at preventing planned attacks in the Muslim-majority nation. Two men had been arrested in Cibinong, in West Java, and led police to a house nearby, at the Jatiluhur dam, where two other men were found, national police spokesman Awi Setiyono said. "They were told to surrender, but they refused and tried to attack officers with machetes, so we fired warning shots. When they still approached, we shot them," Setiyono said. He earlier said that a gunbattle had occurred. Police seized some weapons and a letter which said the group had planned an attack at an undisclosed location on New Year's Eve (Dec. 31), West Java police spokesman Yusri Yunus told Metro TV. A police bomb squad was still scanning the area for any explosives, Yunus added. Earlier this week, Indonesian anti-terrorism police killed three suspects in a gunbattle on the outskirts of the capital Jakarta, and said they had foiled a suicide bombing planned for the end of the year. Police have arrested dozens of suspected militants in recent months, including a cell on Batam island that planned a rocket attack on neighbouring Singapore. Indonesia has foiled at least 14 attacks this year alone and made more than 150 arrests. A gun and bomb assault in the heart of Jakarta in January 2016 killed four people and was the first attack in Southeast Asia claimed by Islamic State jihadists. Suicide bomber in Cameroon kills two in attack on Christmas market YAOUNDE, Dec 25 (Reuters) - A suicide bomber in the northern Cameroon town of Mora killed a young student and a woman in an attack on a market full of Christmas shoppers, an aide to the governor of Far North region said on Sunday. Suicide bombers suspected of belonging to the Islamist militant group Boko Haram have launched attacks in Mora, about 30 km (20 miles) from the Nigerian border, several times before. The bomb also killed the attacker and wounded five other people, said the aide to Governor Midjiyawa Bakary. "The suicide bomber was pretending to be a beggar and was walking towards the market which was full because of Christmas. Members of a vigilance committee spotted him before he could penetrate the market," a Cameroonian soldier told Reuters. "He was stopped and in panic he detonated his explosives. If he hadn't been spotted the death toll would have been higher," he said. Fighters from Boko Haram have killed thousands in their campaign to carve out an Islamist state in their base in northeast Nigeria and have also launched attacks in neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon. The group has frequently used female bombers and children to hit targets. (Xinhua) 09:58, December 25, 2016 CAIRO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Arab world received Friday's endorsed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution demanding immediate and complete halt of Israeli settlement activities on occupied Palestinian territories. Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit congratulated the Palestinian people and government on the "pivotal" resolution that was endorsed by a large majority and after more than 35 years of attempts to issue a similar resolution. "The resolution reflects massive international support for the historical struggle of the Palestinian people to get their legitimate rights, atop of which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital," said the AL chief in a statement Saturday. The resolution was endorsed Friday by 14 out of the council's 15 member states, while the United States, Israel's biggest ally, abstained but did not veto despite attempts of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Egypt, which initially proposed the draft resolution, attempted to delay the whole vote on the resolution, which was seen as response to pressure from Trump, yet the Egyptian foreign ministry later explained that the requested delay was only meant to make sure veto right will not be exercised against the resolution. The draft resolution was later on Friday resubmitted by New Zealand, Venezuela, Malaysia and Senegal and it was massively endorsed. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, also Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), thanked in a phone call on Saturday Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry for Egypt's vote in favor of the resolution. "Erekat reiterated confidence of the Palestinian people in Egypt due to its care and defense of the Palestinian cause," said the Egyptian foreign ministry in a statement. The spokesman of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hailed the adoption of the resolution as a "day of victory," and described it as "a blow to the Israeli policy." Earlier in December, the Knesset, Israel's parliament, has initially approved a couple of controversial pro-settlement bills that are meant to retroactively legalize about 4,000 settlement homes as well as unauthorized Israeli outposts and to allow expropriation of more Palestinian lands in the West Bank. Over 400,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the West Bank and at least 200,000 others live in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as the capital city of their future state. The Arab Parliament also hailed in a statement Saturday the UN anti-settlement vote and regarded it as "a step on the way of returning the rights of the oppressed Palestinian people who started to yield the fruits of their struggle." The Arab Parliament's chief Meshal al-Sulami called on the UNSC to pressure Israel to implement the resolution as well as the rest of UN relevant resolutions to achieve the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The resolution was also praised by many Arab states including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Sudan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Yemen and others, mostly describing it as "historic." Among non-Arabs, the anti-settlement resolution was welcomed by regional powers such as Turkey and Iran, several bodies including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Amnesty International, and world figures including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Israel is blamed by the international community for the deadlock of the Middle East peace process due to its settlement expansion policy that is rejected even by the United States. Supported by the United States, Russia, China, the European Union and many others, a UN-sponsored two-state solution seeks to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict via the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. Congo ethnic militia kills 13 civilians in apparent revenge attack KINSHASA, Dec 25 (Reuters) - An ethnic Nande militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least 13 Hutu civilians on Sunday with guns and machetes in an apparent revenge attack for the deaths of Nande civilians last week, a local activist said. Tit-for-tat massacres by Hutu and Nande militia in eastern Congo's North Kivu province have killed dozens this year. Relations between the communities have worsened due to population movements and operations by the Congolese army against the largest Hutu militia in the area. Militia violence across the country has spiked in the last week, raising fears that political instability over President Joseph Kabila's tenure could stoke a surge in localised conflicts by creating a local security vacuum. Mai Mai Mazembe, a predominantly Nande militia, attacked the town of Nyanzale early on Sunday morning, Innocent Gasigwa, spokesman for the Civil Society of Rutshuru territory, said, adding that two militiamen were also killed. "This must be the response for last time," Gasigwa said, referring to an attack on Thursday by Nyatura, an ethnic Hutu militia, that killed at least 17 civilians in a nearby village. An army spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment. At least 40 people died last week in protests against President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down at the end of his constitutional mandate last Tuesday. The government says he will remain in office until an election can be organised in 2018. Mediators from the country's Catholic church hope talks between Kabila's ruling coalition and the main opposition bloc will produce a deal by Friday that would see Kabila step down after an election in late 2017. MIDEAST STOCKS-State budget boosts Saudi, rest of Gulf sluggish; Egypt drops By Andrew Torchia DUBAI, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's stock market rose sharply on Sunday in response to the release of the 2017 state budget, which includes an increase in government spending, while other major Gulf bourses were sluggish and Egypt retreated on profit-taking. The Saudi stock index added 1.5 percent to 7,191 points, nearing technical resistance on this year's peak of 7,235 points, hit earlier this month. Trading volume rose to its highest in over a week. Financial analysts generally welcomed the budget as balancing the need to continue cutting Saudi Arabia's fiscal deficit with support for economic growth. But many said it would not avert a further slowdown next year from the 1.4 percent gross domestic product growth in 2016. "We expect that the economy will continue to decelerate in 2017, dragged down by slower growth in the oil sector, while non-oil sector growth is expected to rebound but remain subdued," Jadwa Investment said in a post-budget report. National Commercial Bank predicted the economy would contract by 1.0 percent in 2017 as Saudi Arabia cut oil output in line with an OPEC agreement, and that the non-oil sector would expand only 1.2 percent. Nevertheless, utility Saudi Electricity jumped 8.7 percent after the government said in the budget it would raise domestic fuel and electricity prices by unspecified margins later this year. The petrochemical sector was strong, rising 2.2 percent, after the government said it would not raise gas feedstock prices before 2019. A feedstock price hike in the 2016 budget squeezed some petrochemical producers' margins. Construction firm Abdullah Abdul Mohsin al-Khodari and Sons gained 1.9 percent after the government pledged to raise infrastructure spending, said it had settled unpaid bills to the private sector, and promised to settle future bills within 60 days of receiving them. Construction was plagued by delays in recovering money from the government this year. Zain Saudi rose 1.9 percent after saying it was in talks to sell its mobile transmitter towers to a consortium of TASC SAL and ACWA Holding . Rival Mobily edged down 0.2 percent after the United Arab Emirates' Etisalat, which owns 27.4 percent of Mobily, said its management agreement with Mobily had expired and the companies would negotiate a new technical alliance. Elsewhere in the Gulf, major markets moved little and trade was thin in the absence of foreign investors during the Christmas holidays. Dubai's index edged up 0.2 percent in a broad-based rise although retail and hospitality firm Marka, which surged last week after news that its chief executive Nick Peel had resigned, fell back 3.1 percent. Abu Dhabi inched up 0.1 percent as Etisalat rose 0.6 percent. Qatar's index fell 0.3 percent. Egypt's index dropped 1.4 percent as Orascom Telecom, the most heavily traded stock, pulled back 4.6 percent. But Arabia Cotton Ginning climbed 5.9 percent after its board approved splitting the company into two separate entities. SUNDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS SAUDI ARABIA * The index rose 1.5 percent to 7,191 points. DUBAI * The index edged up 0.2 percent to 3,525 points. ABU DHABI * The index inched up 0.1 percent to 4,439 points. QATAR * The index fell 0.3 percent to 10,395 points. EGYPT * The index dropped 1.4 percent to 12,251 points. KUWAIT * The index rose 0.4 percent to 5,700 points. OMAN * The index edged down 0.1 percent to 5,731 points. BAHRAIN * The index points rose 1.0 percent to 1,211 points. Carrie Fisher fans saddened by 'Star Wars' star's illness By Daniel Trotta and Bob Chiarito NEW YORK/CHICAGO, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Fans of Hollywood actress Carrie Fisher said they were saddened that the "Star Wars" star was hospitalized but also inspired by the appearance of a young Princess Leia in the most recent installment of the cinematic space saga. Fisher, 60, suffered heart problems during a flight on Friday from London to Los Angeles, and as of Saturday was in critical condition and undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of an L.A. hospital, her brother Todd Fisher said. Todd Fisher did not respond to requests for an update to her condition on Sunday, and a spokeswoman for the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center has declined to comment, citing patient confidentiality laws. After celebrity friends and co-stars wished her well on Saturday, many fans went to a Christmas Day screening of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," in which a digital replica of the young Princess Leia appears on screen at the end. "It's kind of surreal that this movie is coming out now and to think of Carrie Fisher/Princess Leia having a heart attack, it's pretty terrifying," Mike Rosenberg, 28, who works in finance, said at a Times Square cinema. "It's Christmas Day. I'm sure everyone has her in their heart today." The audience gasped when seeing Princess Leia, said Heather Kemp, a 44-yer-old attorney who had just seen "Rogue One" in a Times Square cinema. "It was sad and it was inspiring at the same time," Kemp said. "Whenever you see any of the characters like C3PO and R2D2, there were reactions. But yeah, definitely for her." The Princess Leia character, who was courageous and a capable fighter as well as glamorous, was a role model for Kemp when she first saw the original movie. "She's spunky," Kemp said. At least one fan in the Chicago suburb of Skokie expressed optimism for Fisher by attributing Leia-like abilities to the actress. "She's a warrior and will pull through," said Alexa Mullally, 38. "I grew up watching Star Wars and adored Princess Leia." At another screening in Evanston, Gary Mendel, 50, summed up the feelings of many fans who saw a long list of beloved celebrities die in 2016. "I'm hoping 2016 took enough of our idols and will let her recover," Mendel said. Egypt confirms Al Jazeera producer's arrest for "provoking sedition" CAIRO, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Egypt confirmed on Sunday that it had arrested an Al Jazeera news producer, accusing him of "provoking sedition" on behalf of the Qatar-based broadcaster that it considers a mouthpiece of the banned Muslim Brotherhood. Judicial sources said Mahmoud Hussain, who was detained on Friday, was being held on charges of disturbing public security and spreading false news. The Interior Ministry said in a statement that Al Jazeera officials "had ordered some individuals collaborating with the channel inside the country to continue implementing its media plan of provoking sedition, incitement against the state, and spreading chaos through broadcasting false news". It identified Hussain as a person implementing that plan for the channel which is not allowed to operate inside Egypt. Al Jazeera issued a statement later on Sunday denying the "fabricated charges" brought against Hussain and demanding his immediate release, adding that he was in Egypt on vacation and not for work. "(Hussain) is a news producer in the Al Jazeera Arabic newsroom and not a correspondent supervisor as alleged by the statement ... (he) would not have travelled through the airport at Egypt if he was undertaking any illegal activities as alleged by the MOI statement," the statement said. The broadcaster expressed concerns over Hussain's safety. "Al Jazeera holds the Egyptian authorities against subjecting Mahmoud to torture or extracting any information from him by force," it said. Egypt has arrested several Al Jazeera reporters over the past two years, raising concerns over the freedom of journalists working in the country. In May, a Cairo court recommended the death penalty against two of them, charged in absentia with endangering national security by leaking state secrets to Qatar. The Brotherhood is a Qatar-backed movement that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has cracked down on since an army takeover in 2013 stripped former president Mohammed Mursi - a prominent member of the group - of power following mass protests against his rule. Militia kill 34 in Congo; church leader makes appeal to Kabila By Aaron Ross KINSHASA, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Militias in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least 34 civilians over the weekend, the army and local activists said, and the violence stoked concerns over political instability. Attacks have surged across the country in the past week alongside violent protests over President Joseph Kabila's failure to step down at the end of his constitutional mandate on Tuesday. While it is not clear that all the violence is related, analysts fear political instability over Kabila's tenure is stoking localised conflicts by creating security vacuums. An ethnic Nande militia killed at least 13 Hutu civilians on Sunday in the eastern town of Nyanzale with guns and machetes in an apparent revenge attack for the deaths of Nande civilians last week, local activist Innocent Gasigwa said. "This must be the response for last time," Gasigwa said, referring to an attack on Thursday by Nyatura, an ethnic Hutu militia, that killed at least 17 civilians in a nearby village. He said two militiamen were killed as well. On Saturday, 21 civilians and four militiamen were killed on Saturday in attacks near the city of Beni, 300 km (185 miles) north of Nyanzale, local army spokesman Captain Mak Hazukay told Reuters. Hundreds of civilians have died in raids near Beni since October 2014. The government blames the ADF, a Ugandan Islamist group, though analysts say others, including Congolese soldiers, are involved. At least 40 people died last week in protests against Kabila's refusal to step down at the end of his constitutional mandate last Tuesday. The government says he will remain in office until an election can be organised in 2018. Local mediators from the Catholic church hope talks between Kabila's ruling coalition and the main opposition bloc will produce a deal by Friday for Kabila to step down after an election in late 2017. Catholic priests across Congo on Sunday read out a message from the church's national head, Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo, saying: "The time is over when one tried to hold onto power with arms by killing one's people, these young people who only seek out their right to live with a little more dignity." A total of 572 prisoners, who were sentenced for minor offences, had been set free from all the prisons across the country to mark the Christmas Day, Prisons Department said today. Prisons Spokesman T.N. Upuldeniya said prisoners who had been convicted for minor offences under the Penal Code had been granted Presidential pardon. Inmates jailed for minor offences including those who were jailed for not being able to pay fines have been released. Seven female inmates were among the released prisoners, he said. Mr. Upuldeniya said special arrangements had been also made to the family members of the Catholic inmates in jail to see their relatives today. (Darshana Sanjeewa) Video by RM An underworld gangster known as Udamwita Samare was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at the Veyangoda Railway Station last night, Police said. They said another individual was with him was also admitted to the Wathupitiwala hospital with gun-shot injuries. He was later transferred to the Colombo National Hospital in critical condition. The 42-year-old deceased was a resident of Nittambuwa. The Police was under obligation to provide news to private media institutions, especially when the Right to Information (RTI) Act is in effect in the country, the National Police Commission (NPC) Secretary Ariyadasa Cooray said today. The Police had earlier said that the Police news would not be sent daily to private media institutions through emails with effect from December 21. The IGP was reported to have instructed that the daily updates be sent only to State media institutions. The decision was taken after the uproar in the country resulting from IGPs telephone conversation during a recent meeting in Ratnapura. The news was telecast on a private media channel. Police sources said the Police Chief had also instructed his officers not to invite private media representatives to any functions held at the Police Headquarters in the future. Mr. Cooray said the commission will look into the matter if they received a complaint from such media institutions. We are still unaware about such thing. However, the Police should be able to provide news especially when RTI is in place. We could discussed the matter and come to a decision following a meeting, he said.(Darshana Sanjeewa) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's big ticket demonetisation drive is a huge success. Ignore the naysayers, they have an agenda. To oppose is the Opposition's job. The word success is defined as the accomplishment of an objective. If one goes by the stated objectives - removing black money from the system, eliminating funding for terrorist activities and other random RBI announcements - then, of course, one could call it a failure as former PM Manmohan Singh did. If Dr Singh knew his politics as well as he knows his economics, he would have known that stated objectives are for the simple-minded. It's the intended objectives that count. Primarily three: 1. To dig out unaccounted money so that the government knows where the dough is. 2. Reassure the electorate that the government is not going anywhere and will protect her from evil. 3. Appropriate more power for itself, reclaim territory it surrendered over time and be stronger than ever. Surgical strike on black money All countries have a parallel economy running on black money. In India, the parallel economy ran on white money as well. But only the privileged were part of this grey economy. Regular people were part of the regular economy. Over the years, with prosperity, a lot of ordinary citizens went over to the dark side. The daily raids and seizures are a way to let everyone know that the government knows. It's more powerful than ever. Credit: PTI Doctors, engineers, small businessmen, bullion traders, bureaucrats, stock brokers, real estate thugs, all joined the bandwagon, to avoid paying taxes. What was till recently an elite club run by politicians, became the average middle class playground. The government was gradually reduced to being a mere spectator. A government has to be the doer, not someone sitting around watching, especially if it has to run the world's largest democracy. Democracy needs regular elections. The average politician spends 100 times more on his daughter's wedding than what the Election Commission allows him for campaigning. Buying the silence of the electorate for a five-year period is an expensive affair. Hence, the need for cash, a lot of it, all unaccounted because the Election Commission checks the accounts. Where do you think that comes from? Trees? You run a legal operation, you pay the government its share because it makes laws to extract its lawful share. It's called tax and politicians can swindle only part of it. Part of it is spent in running the country. Politics needs much more than that, so it allows a network of unlawful enterprises, which give politics its unlawful share. Politics helps run the illegal establishment, this establishment helps run politics. This will have to continue if the democratic system in its current form has to function. Therefore, the process of turning the pink notes into black money is already running full-steam. Soon there will be enough black money for the parallel economy to return to normalcy. But there will be no hidden black money, for now. The daily raids and seizures are a way to let everyone know that the government knows. People are scared and uncertain. The government is armed with information and more powerful than ever. Some experts have calculated that the government couldn't foresee the fallout. The government has an army of experts and a lot more information than what is public. They have your iris, fingerprint, bank details, purchases and travel history. The government not only knew it will be painful, it told you so. Still it went ahead because nobody would dare doubt the intent. Not even Rahul Gandhi. Big success. Government is the saviour The single reason we vote in large numbers in elections is to install our favourite people in high places so that they can watch over us, take care of our dreams and aspirations. Trust the collective wisdom of the people, who placed their trust in the strong by replacing the weak who ruled for a decade. Two-and-a-half years on, just when this trust was waning, the flash of a spine! A surgical strike inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Soon followed by the November 8 strike on black money. Finally, some action, you said. Along came the pain. Wisdom promises great pleasure to those who bear the pain, with a smile. People willingly queued up to go through this pain, for their own good. For prime minister Modi, it was a risk worth taking. For the people, it was a suffering worth suffering. All differences dissolved as India united to defeat the enemy: black money. Defeating an enemy is a thing of joy. You have to see the expression of triumph on the face of the man who got one pink note after three hours in the queue. Victory makes the bitter sweet and obliterates all pain. This crisis shall pass, but the memories of how we defeated it will stay with us, with that uplifting feeling: the government did something. Unlike the previous ones that did nothing worth remembering. Public memory is notoriously short. Heroes or villains, doers make memories. Scars of a war are proof of victory. PM Modi is with us, we are with PM Modi as we are at war with the evil banker, the corrupt system, the greedy jeweller, the notorious hawala operator, and all the supporters of black money who together tried to sabotage this effort. The mismanagement may be monumental but the intent was noble. Nobody doubts that, not even Rahul Gandhi. Big success, again! And by the way, who's cracking down on these new black money mafia? Who's striking the dagger of fear into the cold hearts of the hoarders? The strong government we elected 2.5 years ago. Strong, stronger, strongest Strengthening it further and arming it with new powers is the most significant objective. Would you like your government weak and inefficient? If your answer is no, then you already know that minimum government is a feel-good phrase. The cat minimises only to deceive the mouse. The lion never told the jungle he would reduce himself minimum if elected king. What kind of childish delusion is this idea of minimum government? The whole purpose of existence of any living being is to make itself larger, stronger and faster. The government naturally wants to expand its powers and perpetuate itself. To serve people, of course. Alas, over the years, some monumental figures watched as the powers of the government gradually eroded as real power lied in another building. Education and liberalisation have done their share of the damage. The so-called Inspector Raj was dying a slow death. The long arm of the law was losing muscle because of this new culture of people armed with internet-enabled devices citing the law, demanding more rights, confronting and questioning the government's rights. Muscles wither away if not exercised regularly. Hence the exercise of this size. Almost 85 per cent of all money gone in a puff. You are significantly disempowered overnight and suddenly aware of the truth that the government can take away your freedom whenever it chooses. You are at the mercy of the bank clerk who till yesterday begged you to buy a fixed deposit scheme. Today, you beg him to buy your reason for making a deposit. In case you want to withdraw some, he would give only half of what you need and firmly tell you to come again tomorrow. Heck, the ATM guard you never acknowledged stops you from sliding another card into the slot. Keep your hands off your money. The police can randomly check you, your car and your belongings looking for cash. After all, you queued up and took off your shoes at the airport. You were told it's for your safety. The mall security guard checks your bonnet, bag and all your pockets. You get frisked at hotel doors, metro stops, cinemas, public parks and new places join this list every day. All of course for your own safety. New sets of people are authorised to doubt your intentions, question your integrity, presume you are up to some hanky-panky. The Income Tax department will soon expand in size because the government has discovered too many of you have money. Among the Opposition, only Nitish Kumar supported demonetisation? Not because he is partial to a particular colour of money. But because he is a politician who has recently tasted success in a similar state empowerment endeavour. He declared a perfectly legal commodity illegal. It suddenly had powers it did not have. Now his police can put you in jail if it so desires, by simply planting a quarter in your pocket. Gotcha! Cops can raid homes, cars, trucks and trains and people are happy to see their government is doing something about something, even as it takes away their fundamental freedoms, one piece at a time. Keep the boisterous Bihari in your thoughts when you raise a toast to this New Year. He can't because Nitish Kumar has snatched away his freedom to do so. Nobody doubts his intent. Not even Rahul Gandhi. He, in fact, is party to it. Happy New Year It's not about this government or that, BJP or Congress. People want their government strong. A rape shocks the nation and people insist the government gave itself the right to hang the rapists. Don't we all want the government to expand the scope of death sentence so that we can get rid of more criminals? What about business criminals? Don't we want them to be behind bars if not hanged? The popular craving for tougher laws emboldens the government, gives it an opportunity to give itself more power. Where does that power come from? You. You give some, government takes some. You become weaker, the government becomes stronger. Of course, for your safety. You love tough guys with tough measures, don't you? Happy New Year wherever you are, in Delhi or Kolkata, in Stockholm or denial. Migratory birds are seen at Poyang Lake, east China's Jiangxi Province, Dec. 24, 2016. According to the minitoring of the Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve, more than 160,000 migratory birds of 14 categories have arrived at the lake area in Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Hu Chenhuan) Ma Xiaoqiu, a single mother in northeast Chinas Shenyang city is asking for help from the public with her twin sons, both of whom are seriously obese, and both of whom have autism. While the elder son Zhang Hangjun weighed 550 pounds with a 300cm waist, his younger brother Zhang Yuanjun weighed 275 pounds. Both aged 22, yet due to their suffering of cerebral palsy and autism, they both had severe learning disability. And the elder brothers IQ was equivalent to a 1-year-old child. He has just learned to say the word mom in recent years. Their mother, Ma, said the premature birth and obstructed labour in 1994 was the cause of their illnesses. Yuanjun, the younger son, had the same issues as his brother but milder. While his brother was completely unable to take care of himself on the daily basis, Yuanjun was able to accomplish some preliminary chores. He was good at playing piano and singing, and he even held his personal concert with the help of the president of Beijing Wanbo Brain Health Hospital. Ma said most of her income was spent on food. The two boys ate a lot more than ordinary people. Now, the single mother is asking the society for help with her beloved sons. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. CoreLogic, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides property information, insight, analytics, and data-enabled solutions in North America, Western Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Property Intelligence & Risk Management Solutions (PIRM) and Underwriting & Workflow Solutions (UWS). The PIRM segment combines property information, mortgage information, and consumer information to deliver housing market and property-level insights, predictive analytics, and risk management capabilities. It also offers proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with decision-making and compliance tools in the real estate and insurance industries. This segment primarily serves commercial banks, mortgage lenders and brokers, investment banks, fixed-income investors, real estate agents, MLS companies, property and casualty insurance companies, title insurance companies, government agencies, and government-sponsored enterprises. The UWS segment combines property, mortgage, and consumer information to provide comprehensive mortgage origination and monitoring solutions, including underwriting-related solutions, and data-enabled valuations and appraisals. This segment also provides proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with vetting and onboarding prospects, and meeting compliance regulations, as well as understanding, evaluating, monitoring property values. It primarily serves mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage brokers, credit unions, commercial banks, fixed-income investors, government agencies, and property and casualty insurance companies. The company was formerly known as The First American Corporation and changed its name to CoreLogic, Inc. in June 2010. CoreLogic, Inc. was incorporated in 1894 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 13125882 Canada Inc., 211 E. Russell Road LLC, 4458664 Canada Inc., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES ASIA PTE. LTD., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES BORROWER S.C.A., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES LLC, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES MIDDLE EAST FZE, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES SERVICES LIMITED, ASTRUM IT GmbH, Accudyne Industries Acquisition S.A r.l, Accudyne Industries Canada Inc., Accudyne Industries S.A r.l., Air Dimensions, Air Dimensions Inc., Albin Pump SAS, BOC Edwards Global Low pressure Air business, CISA S.p.A., Cameron-Centrifugal Compression, Comercial Ingersoll-Rand (Chile) Limitada, Comingersoll-Comercio E Industria De Equipamentos S.A., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Dosatron International SAS, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Proprietary Limited, FlexEnergy Holdings LLC, Frigoblock Grosskopf Gmbh, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First (UK) Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings II Inc., GD Global Holdings Inc., GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., GPS Industries, Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp (Canada), Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Limited, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica SL, Gardner Denver Inc., Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver International Inc., Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Investments Inc., Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan Ltd., Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte. Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia s.r.o., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH (f/k/a ILMVAC GmbH), Gardner Denver Thomas Inc., Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Ghh-Rand Schraubenkompressoren Gmbh, HASKEL EUROPE LTD., HASKEL HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, HASKEL INTERNATIONAL LLC, Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, Haskel France SAS, Haskel Sistemas de Fluidos Espana S.R.L., Hibon Inc., Highspeed Newco LLC, Hingerose Limited, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, INGERSOLL RAND ITS JAPAN LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHANG ZHOU) TOOLS CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHINA) INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND CHINA LLC, INGERSOLL-RAND COMERCIO E SERVICOS DE MAQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA., INGERSOLL-RAND DE PUERTO RICO INC., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY B.V., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL SP. Z O.O., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S. INC., INGERSOLL-RAND PHILIPPINES INC., INGERSOLL-RAND SPAIN S.A., INGERSOLL-RAND U.S. HOLDCO INC., IR HPS Holdco. Inc., ITO Emniyet, Ingersoll Rand Cyprus Investments Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Finance LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Investments LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Ventures LLC, Ingersoll Rand Hong Kong Investments Limited, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Ingersoll Rand Investments (SG) Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Investments B.V., Ingersoll Rand Schweiz Investments Gmbh, Ingersoll Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (Australia) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (China) Investment Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Guilin) Tools Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Hong Kong) Holding Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Ab, Ingersoll-Rand Air Solutions Hibon Sarl, Ingersoll-Rand Beteiligungs Und Grundstucksverwaltungs Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Colombia S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (Uk), Ingersoll-Rand Company South Africa (Pty) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Cz S.R.O., Ingersoll-Rand De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Equipements De Production S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Ireland Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International (India) Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Italia S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Italiana Manufacturing S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Korea Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Korea Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments II S.A R.I., Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Industrial Company S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Machinery (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Malaysia Co. Sdn. Bhd., Ingersoll-Rand S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Services And Trading Limited Liability Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Singapore Enterprises Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand South East Asia (Pte.) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Superay Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technical And Services S.A.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Technologies And Services Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Tool Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Trading Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Vietnam Company Limited, Instrum Rand JSC, Interflex Datensysteme, Ir Canada Holdings Ulc, Ir Canada Sales & Service Ulc, Ir France Sas, Kryptonite corp, Lawrence Factor Inc., LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MILTON ROY (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MILTON ROY (UK) LIMITED, MILTON ROY EUROPA B.V., MILTON ROY EUROPE SAS, MILTON ROY INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD., MILTON ROY LLC, MILTON ROY US PURCHASER INC., MP Pumps Inc., Maximum AG Technologies Inc., Maximus Solutions, Mb Air Systems Limited, Nash Elmo, Officina Meccaniche Industriali Srl, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Plurifilter D.O.O., Pt Ingersoll-Rand Indonesia, Robuschi, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, SEEPEX, Seepex (M) SDN, Seepex Australia Pty Ltd, Seepex Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung, Seepex France S.a.r.l., Seepex GmbH, Seepex Inc., Seepex India Private Ltd., Seepex Italia SRL, Seepex Japan Co. Ltd., Seepex Nordic A/S, Seepex OOO, Seepex Pumps (Shanghia) Co. Ltd., Seepex UK Ltd., Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Shanghai Ingersoll-Rand Compressor Limited, Shenzhen Bocom System Engineering Co., Superay, Syltone, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, Tamrotor Marine Comp AS Norway, Tecno Matic Europe s.r.o., Thomas Industries Inc., Trane Technologies, Tri-Continent Scientific Inc., Vacuum and Blower Systems division, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zaxe Technologies Inc., Zeks Compressed Air Solutions Llc, Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, Zinsser NA Inc., and crayon interface. Read More Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. The company primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals, as well as oil and gas. Its assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. The company also operates a portfolio of oil and gas properties primarily located in offshore California and the Gulf of Mexico. As of December 31, 2021, it operated approximately 135 wells. The company was formerly known as Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. and changed its name to Freeport-McMoRan Inc. in July 2014. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. The company also provides home decor products under the West Elm brand; kids accessories under the Pottery Barn Kids brand; and an organic bedding to multi-purpose furniture under the Pottery Barn Teen brand. In addition, it offers made-to-order lighting, hardware, furniture, and home decors inspired by history under the Rejuvenation brand; and women's and men's accessories, travel, entertaining and bar, home decor, and seasonal items under the Mark and Graham brand, as well as operates a 3-D imaging and augmented reality platform for the home furnishings and decor industry. The company markets its products through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs, and retail stores. It operates 544 stores comprising 502 stores in 41states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico; 20 stores in Canada; 19 stores in Australia; 3 stores in the United Kingdom; and 139 franchised stores, as well as e-commerce websites in various countries in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea, and India. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. (Xinhua) 13:10, December 25, 2016 File photo taken on Dec. 4, 2010 shows an image of Tu-154 plane after its emergency landing at Domodedovo airport in Moscow, Russia. The wreckage of a missing Russian military Tu-154 aircraft has been found in the Black Sea, Defense Ministry authorities said Sunday. The ill-fated plane, carrying 91 people en route to the Syrian port city of Latakia, vanished from the radar screens shortly after taking off from the resort city of Sochi, according to preliminary reports. "Fragments of the Russian Defense Ministry's TU-154 aircraft were discovered in 1.5 kilometers from the Black Sea shore of Sochi at a depth of 50-70 meters," the ministry's press service said. The plane was conducting a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim air base near Latakia, said the ministry, adding that among those on board were Russian servicemen and members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the Russian army's official choir, who were headed to the base for New Year celebrations. There were also nine media representatives on board, the ministry noted. Based on preliminary information, the misfortune was caused by technical malfunction or pilot error, a law enforcement source was quoted as saying. Russia's Investigative Committee said it has launched a criminal case over the crash. The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Russian aerospace and defense company Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. UPDATE: Vanished Russian TU-154 aircraft possibly has crashed in mountains in Krasnodar Krai -- report UPDATE: Russian Ministry of Defense confirms 91 people on board the missing aircraft. UPDATE: Missing Russian plane has 82 passengers & 10 crew members on board, allegedly been heading to Latakia, Syria: RT MOSCOW, Dec. 25 -- A Russian Defense Ministry flight carrying 70 people has vanished from the radar screens after departing from the resort city of Sochi, Russian media reported Sunday, citing preliminary findings. The Tu-154 aircraft is not a civilian one and was en route to the Syrian port city of Latakia, the Sputnik news agency quoted Russian aviation and emergency ministry authorities as saying. The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Russian aerospace and defense company Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. VMware, Inc. provides software solutions in the areas of modern applications, cloud management and infrastructure, networking, security, and digital workspaces in the United States and internationally. It offers VMware multi-cloud solutions, including VMware vSphere, a data center infrastructure that provides the fundamental compute layer; vSAN and VxRail, which offers holistic data storage and protection options to applications running on vSphere; and vRealize Cloud Management solutions that manages hybrid and multi-cloud environments running in virtual machines and containers, as well as VMware Cloud Foundation, a cloud platform that combines its vSphere, vSAN, and NSX with vRealize Cloud Management into an integrated stack and delivers enterprise-ready cloud infrastructure for private and public clouds. The company also provides networking solutions, such as VMware NSX, NSX Distributed and Gateway Firewalls, NSX Network Detection and Response Engine, NSX Advanced Load Balancer, Tanzu Service Mesh, and VMware SASE; security solutions consisting of VMware Carbon Black Endpoint, Workload, and Container; and digital workspace solutions comprising Workspace ONE Unified Endpoint Management, Access, Intelligent Hub, and Horizon. In addition, it offers application modernization solutions, such as Tanzu Application and Operations Platform, Tanzu Application Service Platform, Tanzu Observability, Tanzu Community Edition, and Tanzu Labs; and cloud management solutions, including vRealize Cloud Management, vCloud Suite, and CloudHealth by VMware Suite. The company sells its products through distributors, resellers, system vendors, and systems integrators. VMware, Inc. has a strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services to build and deliver an integrated hybrid solution. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Veeva Systems Inc. provides cloud-based software for the life sciences industry in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The company offers Veeva Commercial Cloud, a suite of software, data, and analytics solutions, which include Veeva customer relationship management (CRM) and Veeva Medical CRM, Veeva CLM, Veeva CRM MyInsights, Veeva CLM, Veeva CRM Approved Email, Veeva CRM Engage, Veeva Align, Veeva CRM Events Management, Veeva Nitro, Veeva OpenData, Veeva Link, Veeva Network, Veeva Crossix, Veeva Data Cloud, and MyVeeva for Patients; and Veeva Vault, a cloud-based enterprise content and data management applications for managing commercial functions, including sales and marketing, and medical content and communications, as well as research and development functions, such as clinical, regulatory, quality, and safety. It also provides professional and support services in the areas of implementation and deployment planning and project management; requirements analysis, solution design, and configuration; systems environment management and deployment services; services focused on advancing or transforming business and operating processes related to Veeva solutions; technical consulting services related to data migration and systems integrations; training on its solutions; and ongoing managed services that include outsourced systems administration. The company was formerly known as Verticals onDemand, Inc. and changed its name to Veeva Systems Inc. in April 2009. Veeva Systems Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. operates bookstores for college and university campuses, and K-12 institutions in the United States. It operates through three segments: Retail, Wholesale, and Digital Student Solutions. The company sells and rents new and used print textbooks, digital textbooks, and publisher hosted digital courseware through physical and virtual bookstores, as well as directly to students through Textbooks.com. It also offers First Day and First Day Complete access programs; BNC OER+, a turnkey solution for colleges and universities, that offers digital content, such as videos, activities, and auto-graded practice assessments; and general merchandise, including collegiate and athletic apparel, school spirit products, lifestyle products, technology products, supplies, graduation products, and convenience items. In addition, the company sources, sells, and distributes new and used textbooks; and sells hardware and a software suite of applications that provides inventory management and point-of-sale solutions to approximately 350 college bookstores. Further, it offers direct-to-student subscription-based writing services; and bartleby, a direct-to-student subscription-based offering that includes textbook solutions, expert questions and answers, and writing and tutoring services. The company operates 805 physical college and university bookstores; 622 virtual bookstores; 8 True Spirit e-commerce websites; pop-up retail locations; 73 customized cafes and 11 stand-alone convenience stores; and a media channel for brands targeting the college demographic. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 Trend: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev offered condolences to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. "I am deeply shocked by the news of heavy casualties after the crash of a Tu-154 plane," the president said in his letter of condolences. "On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to you, the loved ones and relatives of those who died, and whole people of Russia." Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery. In addition, it provides internet banking, mobile banking, trust and wealth management, retail brokerage, mortgage services, and treasury management, as well as debit and credit cards. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated 273 full-service banking locations comprising 65 in the Houston area, including The Woodlands; 30 in the South Texas area including Corpus Christi and Victoria; 63 in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area; 22 in the East Texas area; 29 in the Central Texas area, including Austin and San Antonio; 34 in the West Texas area, including Lubbock, Midland-Odessa and Abilene; 16 in the Bryan/College Station area; 6 in the Central Oklahoma area; and 8 in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area doing business as LegacyTexas Bank. Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is based in Houston, Texas. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 24 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the opening of Marionette Theatre in Icherisheher. The president cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the theatre. President Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva viewed the conditions created here. The president and his wife were informed about the work done here. Marionette Theatre was built in neoclassical style in 1880 using antique images and motives. It has operated under the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration since 2013. Complex measures were taken to expand the activities of the theatre through support of President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azerbaijan's first lady Mehriban Aliyeva. This included allocation of a building for the theatre in Icherisheher. Marionette Theatre was first established in the mid-1980s in Azerbaijan at the initiative of director and artist Tarlan Gorchu. President Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva then watched a scene from Leyli and Majnun opera performed by marionettes. Arshin Mal Alan (The Cloth Peddler) operetta, and Leyli and Majnun opera are major highlights of the repertoire of Marionette Theatre. The theatre successfully premiered Arshin Mal Alan in France in 1990, then traveling to a number of other countries. Today, the theatre's tour map includes Germany, the U.S., Russia, Poland, Switzerland. President Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva also reviewed the new "Shirvanshakhs" collection of the Icherisheher Center of Traditional Arts here. The center was established in October 2012 at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation under an agreement between the Administration of Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve under the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan and the Prince's School of Traditional Arts of Great Britain. CHICAGO What if your doctors gender could influence your chance of surviving a visit to the hospital? A big study of older patients hospitalized for common illnesses raises that provocative possibility and also lots of questions. Patients who got most of their care from women doctors were more likely to leave the hospital alive than those treated by men. The differences were small about 11 percent of patients treated mostly by women died within 30 days of entering the hospital, versus 11.5 percent of those treated by men. But the all-male research team estimated that there would be about 32,000 fewer deaths each year in the U.S. if male physicians performed at the same level as their female peers. The study didnt probe why there might be these differences in survival. And Dr. Ashish Jha, the lead author, said the study doesnt mean patients should avoid him and all other male physicians. But he said male doctors could take a cue from women doctors tendencies that might contribute to better care. According to other research, women doctors are more likely than men to follow treatment guidelines, provide preventive care more often and communicate more with patients. Jha said that it was important to better understand the reasons behind the differences, and to share that information with all physicians to improve care. Jha, an internist and Harvard Medical School professor, said he has not spoken to his own patients about the study yet. As a male physician, I have a stake in this, Jha said. The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The researchers looked at data involving more than 1.5 million hospitalizations for Medicare patients ages 65 and older between January 2011 and December 2014. Patients illnesses included pneumonia, heart failure, intestinal bleeding, urinary infections and lung disease. All were treated by general internists in the hospital. The researchers compared results in patients who got most or all of their care from women internists with those who got most or all of their care from men. Most patients survived and were sent home within a month of treatment. But in addition to better survival chances, those treated by women doctors were slightly less likely to be re-admitted to the hospital within that first month. On average, women doctors were in charge of fewer patients, and some of their patients werent as sick as those of male doctors, but the researchers considered those factors and still found a link between doctors gender and patients survival differences. Dr. Lisa Schwartz of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice said the study doesnt prove whether doctors sex accounted for the results. To make a stronger case, youd need information on doctors practices in the study, she said. For example, she said, did women physicians give patients with pneumonia antibiotics sooner than men physicians treatment that potentially could improve survival chances? Dartmouth policy analyst Dr. H. Gilbert Welch called the results intriguing but preliminary and not something for patients to act on. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 24 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: Azerbaijans State Oil Company SOCAR and Russias Transneft have agreed on volumes of oil transportation via the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline for 2017, a source in SOCAR reported. In 2017, SOCAR plans to export about 1.5 million tons of oil through Russia, while in 2016 this figure is expected to reach 1.3 million tons, according to the source. "Until the end of 2016, SOCAR will transport another 80,000 tons of oil via the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline, and after that, the whole plan of oil volume for this year will be carried out," said the source. "In 2017, it is planned to increase the volume of pumping to 1.5 million tons of oil, 325,000 tons of which are planned to be pumped in the first quarter of 2017." SOCAR transported 1.27 million tons of oil via Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline in 2015, as compared to 932,160 tons in 2014. The Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline is 1,147 kilometers long. The length of its Azerbaijani section is 231 kilometers and Russian section - 916 kilometers. The pipeline was filled with oil in October 1996, according to SOCAR. Its highest capacity stands at 105,000 barrels a day. A new agreement between SOCAR and Russias Transneft company, according to which SOCAR will transport 1.3 million tons of oil produced by it at onshore and offshore fields via Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline in 2016, was signed in February 2016. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov The annual budget process is approaching for Albemarle County Public Schools, and a focus in the upcoming funding request will be addressing equity and access disparities across the division. Matt Haas, deputy superintendent, has been putting together the details in the budget request with input from around the division that he hopes can address these issues, while keeping in mind other significant cost-drivers and lowered state revenue projections. In recent years, changing socioeconomics and other factors of the student population particularly in the urban ring of the county have resulted in the division needing to identify and search for different services, programs and teaching practices to best address the needs of all of its students. By doing so, the school system hopes it can work toward closing achievement gaps or opportunity gaps, as many in the division refer to it. To get a broader sense of what the needs are across the division, Haas said he sent out requests to principals and department heads to get feedback on what areas the schools should address both now and in the long term in the upcoming budget. One example Haas mentioned was increased professional development funding that, for instance, could be used for a practice known as culturally responsive teaching. The idea with culturally responsive teaching is that it helps teachers find ways to better communicate and understand the needs of all of their students and more closely connect curricula with students backgrounds and experiences. With professional development around culturally responsive teaching practices, teachers become better practitioners, they emphasize reaching every student and differentiating over classroom management, and you start to see a reduction in students sent out of class, sent to the office, Haas said. Because theyre in class more, you see that they are doing better academically, their attendance improves, and so the gap data that we have for those students would improve, as well. Other options might include additional staffing to cover needs that are not being met at all schools or for enough students. For Jay Thomas, principal of Albemarle High School, the biggest thing that needs to be done at his school and across the county is figuring out how to eliminate achievement gaps. I think were doing a good job of starting to close some gaps, he said. Other gaps were still having a little bit of a hard time with, but how do we truly eliminate these gaps and put structures in place that no matter whos in the classroom, whos in administration, whos in central office that these gaps will continue to stay closed? Haas said the hope is that any of the initiatives theyre able to put in place would address these gaps and disparities in the long term. Over time, if were better able to address the social, emotional needs of students to make them more comfortable in school, to build relationships with teachers better, then will we also encourage them to take on higher-level academics? he said. I believe theres a connection there, and that will be the change that youll see. Kate Acuff, chairwoman of the School Board, expressed the same concern. Our one strategic objective is to prepare all students for success as learners, workers and citizens, and weve often stated that all means all, she said in an email. But, as seen this year and in years prior, projected revenues do not meet existing and new expenses. The division is looking at a $5.66 million budget gap in its effort to address growth and pay for certain initiatives, according to a presentation from county schools staff that was given to both the School Board and the Board of Supervisors in early November. Jackson Zimmermann, director of finance for the county schools, said the figures are likely to change to some degree in the coming weeks, but updated numbers will not be readily available until after the budget request is given to the School Board in January. Zimmermann added that, given Gov. Terry McAuliffes budget amendment announcement on Dec. 16, county schools staff recently completed further work and state dollars improved some over our last estimate, so the overall gap has narrowed in comparison to the figures presented in November. But some of the drivers resulting in increased expenses for the county schools include a 2-percent salary increase for teachers, intended to help the divisions pay rates remain competitive in comparable markets; a state-mandated contribution to the Virginia Retirement System; and a projected increase in health care costs. As the annual budget process approaches, Acuff said the School Board is determined to protect and grow the investment our community has made in local education. Education remains the single most powerful change agent for a community, for a family and for individual students, she said. We need to keep moving forward to protect the future quality of life here in Albemarle County. Superintendent Pam Moran is scheduled to make her annual budget request to the School Board on Jan. 19. Last year, more than 1,800 children across Central Virginia received school supplies, clothes, medicine and other essentials thanks to the generosity of those who donated to the Santa Fund. Though the Santa Fund drive lasts about six weeks, the money goes to good use year-round. It also can serve as a safety net for families facing crises. Robin Cleary, a social worker for Louisa County Public Schools, recalled helping one woman who left the house with her children, hoping to get away from an abusive spouse. Suddenly, she was the sole provider for her family. All she had was the clothes on her back, Cleary said. Another woman found herself caring for four grandchildren after the mother was suddenly unable to provide for them. The grandmother did not have transportation to go shop for school supplies, so Cleary and a teacher took the children on a shopping trip. I try to keep a little bit of a reserve, Cleary said. If theres a fire, we are able to help out some families this year who were homeless, or who were in abusive domestic situations. About 150 Louisa County families received assistance from the Santa Fund last year, and Cleary said the need is growing. Through the first semester of the school year, the district has spent $14,000 of the $17,000 it received from last years drive. Vetting by school officials ensures that families receiving assistance really need it, Cleary said. To make sure of that, we see if the student qualifies for free [or reduced-price] lunch, Cleary said. But [its] also about developing a rapport with the parents. There are many charities worth giving to over the holidays, but the Santa Fund ensures area schoolchildren have the things they need throughout the year, such as coats, shoes, eyeglasses, medicine and books. Its not about toys although toys are great, said Carolina Emerson, vice president of community outreach at the United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area. its about making sure kids needs are being met. Established in 1894 by the founding publisher of The Daily Progress, James H. Lindsay, the Santa Fund is a partnership between The Progress, the local United Way and radio station WINA. Proceeds benefit children in the city of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Orange. Each year, Central Virginia residents and businesses make hundreds of monetary donations, many of them dedicated in the memory of a loved one. It is a fixture of the holiday season in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area, Emerson said. The Santa Fund has a lot of tradition associated with it, she said. Its the best example of neighbors helping neighbors. Organizers are hoping to match the roughly $150,000 in donations raised last year. Donations may be sent to: Santa Fund, 806 E. High St., Charlottesville, VA 22902. Donations also may be made at thesantafund.org. Todays donations From Ginny Haney in memory of my husband, Roy, $50 In loving memory of Chris and Monte, $250 In loving memory of Anna, $50 From Worf in memory of Rick, Daisy, Watson and Didi, $150 Anonymous, $100 In memory of Dr. Cary Moon Jr. and Dr. David Strider, $200 In honor of our grandsons, Ellis and Theo, $30 From Hazel Jane and Oliver Debs, $50 In memory of wonderful parents Helen and Blaine Gullett, $50 David and Nancy Ross, $100 In memory of Patsy, who loved giving to kids, $300 In memory of Elsie and Ollie Shiflett, from Bonny and Ben Greenbaum, $50 Anonymous, $50 In memory of my parents, Johnnie and Belle Lawson, from Charles Lawson, $200 In memory of Ron and Nancy from Bill and Judy, $200 Todays total: $1,830 Running total: $102,534.99 Goal: $150,000 To reach goal: $47,465.01 LET the children have their night of fun and laughter, let the gifts of Father Christmas delight their play. Let us grown-ups share to the full in their unstinted pleasures before we turn again to the stern tasks and formidable years that lie before us, resolved that by our sacrifice and daring these same children shall not be robbed of their inheritance or denied their right to live in a free and decent world. Winston Churchill, prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 AND THE ANGEL said unto her, Fear not, Mary: For thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. The Gospel according to Luke Lo, how a rose eer blooming, From tender stem hath sprung, Of Jesses lineage coming, By faithful prophets sung. It came a floweret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night. Isaiah twas foretold it, The rose I have in mind, With Mary we behold it, The virgin mother kind. To show Gods love aright She bore for us a Savior, When half spent was the night. 15th-century German carol I sing the birth, was born tonight, The author both of life, and light, The angels so did sound it, And like the ravished shepherds said, Who saw the light, and were afraid, Yet searched, and true they found it. The Son of God, th Eternal King, That did us all salvation bring, And freed the soul from danger, He whom the whole world could not take, The Word, which heaven, and earth did make, Was now laid in a manger. Ben Jonson, English playwright, poet, actor and literary critic of the 17th century Let every man be jolly, Each room with ivy leaves is dressed, And every post with holly. Though some churls at our mirth repine Round your foreheads garlands twine, Drown sorrow in a cup of wine, And let us all be merry! George Wither Dear George, remember, no man is a failure who has friends. note from Clarence the Angel to George Bailey in Its a Wonderful Life Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere: Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born! While shepherds kept their watching Oer silent flocks by night, Behold throughout the heavens There shone a holy light. The shepherds feared and trembled When lo! Above the earth, Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Saviors birth. Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn. AfricanAmerican spiritual from the 1800s The Word has become flesh. That is the meaning of Christmas. Jesus is ImmanuelGod with us. He is the personal approach from the unseen. We almost gasp as the Picture steps out of the frame . . . I look at the character and life of Jesus, and I know what Gods character is like . . . [And] I too must become the word made flesh. E. Stanley Jones, 20th-century American missionary in India God rest ye merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Saviour Was born on Christmas Day; To save us all from Satans power When we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy! London carol, 18th century WE SHALL HEAR the angels, we shall see the whole sky all diamonds And our life will grow peaceful, tender, sweet as a caress. I believe, I do believe. Anton Chekhov And he who gives a child a treat Makes joy-bells ring in Heavens street, And he who gives a child a home Builds palaces in Kingdom come. John Masefield God bless us, every one! said Tiny Tim. Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol TO WHICH ye editors say, Amen. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec. 25 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The construction materials sector on the basis of local raw materials has been greatly supported in Turkmenistan, the Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary state news service reported. According to the message, among the significant events in this area are the commissioning of the cement plants in Balkan and Lebap regions, the reconstruction of the plants of large-panel housing construction in the central region, Demirbetononumleri enterprise in Turkmenabat city and the casting yard in Dashoguz city. An industrial complex for the production of waterproofing materials was commissioned in the Ak Bugday district of Akhal province. The design capacity is 10 million square meters per year, the message said. According to the message, among the import-substituting enterprises are the plant for the production of inert materials with a capacity of 70,000 cubic meters per year, built in Kaahka district of Akhal province. The enterprises producing thermal insulation materials, composite building materials and other items based on super-thin, highly durable basalt fiber are being built in the country, the message said. The enterprises under Turkmenmineral production association, located in Magdanly town of Lebap region, are being built in the country. Those enterprises produce calcium carbide, anhydrous gypsum, caustic dolomite, various non-metallic construction materials, chlorinated lime for the chemical industry, food-grade salt, the message said. Among the new technologies is manufacturing of float glass. A factory producing quartz sand used as a raw material for glass production in Ovadan-Depe and Geok Tepe districts of Akhal province is based on this technology, the message said. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec. 25 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The Turkmen governmental delegation visited the mining plant for the production of potash fertilizers, which is being built by Belarusian Belgorkhimprom joint stock company in Turkmenistan, Turkmenistans Watan newspaper reported. "In particular, irregularities were revealed in providing the contracting companies with the necessary materials, the message said. According to the message, the necessary building materials were purchased on the domestic market to accelerate the project implementation. "The Belarusian side promised to commission the plant on March 31, 2017," the message said. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed the importance of implementing the grand project within a specified period and instructed to control the pace of construction, the message said. Belgorkhimprom company has been constructing a plant worth more than $1 billion since June 2009. The plant is planned to produce 1,400 million tons of fertilizers per year. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iran needs to spend $3.6 billion on transportation projects over the coming fiscal year starting (March 21), a transportation official said. Amir Amini, a deputy transportation minister, has said that the ministry for implementing development projects in transportation needs to allocate 120 trillion rials (about $3.6 billion) over the coming year, Mehr news agency reported. The official added that this amount should be invested in constructing new roads and maintaining the existing roads as well as creating new small-sized airports. According to the official, the country needs to construct 4,000 kilometer-long roads over the next Iranian calendar year. He further expressed his concerns over proposed budget for his ministry saying the governments draft budget is unlikely to meet the transportation sectors needs. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Dec. 4 presented the governments proposed budget bill for the next year. The bill has envisaged allocating $2.4 billion rials to the transportation sector over the next year. The government has also proposed to spend about $235.1 million (7.76 trillion rials) on railways. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian Foreign Ministry has extended condolences to Russian government and nation over a deadly plane crash that killed more than 90 people on board. Iranian Foreign Ministrys spokesman, Bahram Qasemi, has expressed his sympathy with the Russian government and nation over the tragic incident which took place on Sunday, ISNA news agency reported. Russian authorities have announced that a plane carrying 92 people crashed into the Black Sea on its way to Syria on Dec 25. The Russian TU-154 Tupolev plane disappeared from radar screens two minutes after taking off from Sochi in southern Russia. The Russian sources reported that nobody on board survived following the incident. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 25 By Orkhan Quluzade Trend: The Turkish government has ratified the agreement on the Turkish Stream with Russia, said a message posted on the website of Turkeys Resmi Gazete (Official newspaper). Previously, the agreement was approved by the parliament and the Turkish president. During the meeting on December 16, the Russian government also approved the ratification of the agreement on the Turkish Stream pipeline project with the Turkish government. Russia and Turkey signed an intergovernmental agreement October 10 on the implementation of the Turkish Stream project. The agreement involves construction of two branches of the main gas pipeline under the Black Sea, the power of each branch being 15.75 billion cubic meters of gas. One branch is provided to supply gas directly to the Turkish market, the other for the supply of gas by transit through Turkey to Europe. Warsaw and Washington signed deal on supplying Poland with Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM ER), designed to destroy hostile air defenses before aircraft are within range, Sputnik reported. The $223 million (940 million zlotys) contract was signed Saturday, the ministry said. "National Defense Ministry informs, that over the past days the US and Polish representatives signed an agreement, guaranteeing delivery of JASSM Extended Range missiles to Poland." On November 29, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the US Department of State has made a determination to approve a possible sale of seventy JASSM ER missiles to Poland for upgrades to F-16 combat aircraft. In April, Russian district Commander, Col. Gen. Andrei Kartapolov said the United States planned to provide its allies in the Eastern Europe with the JASSM ER missiles, which would make it possible for NATO aviation to reach targets in Russias territory at a distance of no less than 807 miles. Since 2014, NATO has been building up its military presence in Europe, especially in Eastern European countries neighboring Russia, using Moscows alleged interference in the Ukrainian conflict as a pretext. Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims and warned NATO that the military buildup on Russias borders is provocative and threatens the existing strategic balance of power. At present, all Whirlpool's built in product range is imported from Europe in India. New Delhi: Home appliances maker Whirlpool of India is eyeing USD 1 billion revenue by 2020 on the back of new product innovations and growing Indian economy. "India is a growth market for Whirlpool...with the growing economy, we see a lot of fuel in discretionary space and we have got plenty of opportunity in categories we operate. We are aiming for USD 1 billion turnover by 2020," Whirlpool of India Managing Director Sunil DSouza told PTI. The company, which reported turnover of Rs 3,488 crore in the financial year 2015-16, recently officially launched its premium built-in kitchen appliance product range under brand 'Kitchen Aid' in India. Talking about future growth drivers, DSouza said the company is focused on expanding beyond key categories refrigerators and washers. "We expect revenue from water, air conditioners, cooking led by built-in appliance categories to grow from 10 per cent at present to about 20 per cent revenue in 4 years," he added. At present, all Whirlpool's built in product range is imported from Europe in India. The company is also looking at expanding its manufacturing capacity its plants in the country. Whirlpool of India's plants are located at Faridabad, Pune and Puducherry. "We had spent Rs 75 crore capex in 2015-16. In current financial year, we plan to take this number up by 25 per cent. For the next financial year, we intend to increase our capex further by 50 per cent over 16-17 base," he added. USD 1 billion is equal to about Rs 6,700 crore at present exchange rates. New Delhi: Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday denied that there was any move to increase taxes on profits from share trading by imposing long term capital gains tax on them in the forthcoming Union Budget. According to analysts, Mr Jaitleys clarification appears to be aimed at preempting equity markets from reacting negatively to media reports suggesting a hike in capital gains tax on shares. A section of media had reported that Prime Min-ister Narendra Modi dur-ing his speech in Mumbai on Saturday observed that contribution of tax from those who make money in the markets has been low and the government should consider methods for increasing it in a fair, efficient and transparent way. Markets are already jittery after demonetisation and any move to bring long term capital gains tax on shares may have led to panic. The speech has been misinterpreted in some sections of the media which have started speculating that this is an indirect reference to the fact that there could be long-term capital gains (tax) on securities transactions, Mr Jaitley said on the sidelines of Digi Dhan Mela. Now, this interpretation is absolutely erroneous, the Prime Minister has made no such statement directly or indirectly... And therefore I wish to absolutely clarify that there is no occasion or opportunity for anybody to reach such a conclusion because this is not what the Prime Minister said, nor is the intention of the government as has been reported, he added. Currently, there is no long-term capital gains tax on sale of shares traded on stock markets, if held for more than one year. Meanwhile, short-term capital gains (STCG), profits on sale of shares held for less than 12 months, are taxed at a flat rate of 15 per cent. All stock market transactions currently also attract securities transaction tax (STT) in a range between 0.017 per cent and 0.125 per cent. Earlier, the Modi government had increased the holding period for debt mutual funds from one year to three years to avail long-term capital gains benefit of zero tax. Mr Jaitley said that effort is being made to reduce the usage of cash in the economy by replacing it with digital currency. Common people are getting to understand (the benefits of digital currency), but there are certain sections who take time to understand and some of our political friends also take time to understand this, he said. It is in the interest of every country that it becomes less-cash economy and a lot has been written about this, Mr Jaitley said. He said that the higher tax buoyancy leads to lower deficit so that allocation towards rural infrastructure and defence can be increased. He said that one of the evils of the cash economy is the low revenue realisation of the government and higher deficit. The current budget size is Rs 20 lakh crore and the governments revenue from both direct and indirect taxes is Rs 16 lakh crore, leaving a gap of about Rs 4 lakh crore. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said that for any company to avail of the settlement, it has to withdraw writ petitions pending before any court against imposition of retrospective taxation and furnish proof of the same. New Delhi: Vodafone, Cairn Energy and other firms facing retrospective tax demand will have to withdraw legal cases and give up the right to contest constitutional validity of back-dated amendment to I-T laws if they want to avail of the dispute resolution scheme ending on December 31. The government, in the Budget 2016-17, had announced a scheme to settle the retrospective tax disputes by waiving interest and penalty if the companies paid up the principal tax amount. The scheme opened on June 1 and is due to close on December 31. In the second FAQ on the Direct Tax Dispute Resolution Scheme, 2016, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said that for any company to avail of the settlement, it has to withdraw writ petitions pending before any court against imposition of retrospective taxation and furnish proof of the same. "It is, hence, clear that if the assesses avails (of) the scheme, he cannot contest the constitutional validity of retrospective amendment in the high court or the Supreme Court," the tax department's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) said. So far, none of the companies facing the retrospective tax cases have come forward. After the scheme closes, the Income Tax Department will go ahead with tax demand and pursue legal course, including arbitration, sources said. The sources also said the government had asked the I-T Department not to take any coercive action during the time the scheme is open. Weeks before the scheme was announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his budget speech on February 29, the department had issued Vodafone a reminder over its Rs 14,200-crore tax demand and threatened to seize assets in case of non-payment. UK oil explorer Cairn Energy is facing a tax demand of Rs 10,247 crore on alleged capital gains made in a 2006 business reorganisation it carried out in its India unit before getting it listed. The total tax due after including interest comes to over Rs 29,000 crore. British telecom giant Vodafone is facing a total demand of Rs 14,200 crore in tax, interest and penalty with regard to its USD 11-billion acquisition of 67 per cent stake in the mobile phone business owned by Hutchison Whampoa in 2007. Both firms raised their concerns over the tax demands and challenged the matter by initiating international arbitration. According to rules of the scheme, the companies deciding to go for the tax settlement needs to provide proof of withdrawal of "any proceeding for arbitration, conciliation or mediation or any notice thereof under any law for the time being in force or under any agreement entered into by India with any other country or territory outside India whether for protection of investment or otherwise". The company will also have to furnish an undertaking waiving its right to seek or pursue any remedy or any claim in relation to the specified tax which may otherwise be available to it under any law or under an agreement with any country. A firm using the offer would have to pay the principal tax amount within 30 days to the designated authority determining the amount payable by the declarant. Also, any amount paid in pursuance of a declaration shall not be refundable under any circumstances. On the question of paying tax in instalments, CBDT said since the date of making payment under the scheme is provided in the Section 204 of the Finance Act, 2016, itself, the tax payments under the scheme cannot be allowed in instalments. Announcing the one-time scheme of dispute resolution for companies that are facing tax demand for retrospective amendment to the I-T Act, Jaitley had said in his budget speech: "They can settle the case by paying only the tax arrears, in which case, liability of the interest and penalty shall be waived." The sources said the government is of the view that the arbitrations are not just time-consuming but cost the government a lot, besides giving India a bad name. The settlement scheme was proposed to put an end to all that. 16:56 (GMT+4) The bodies of ten people who died in the crash of the Tu-154 plane of the Defense Ministry in the Black Sea near Sochi have been found, a source in the law enforcement agencies said, TASS reported. "The search operation is continuing. At the moment 10 dead people have been found," the source said. 13:10 (GMT+4) The bodies of five victims have been found at the crash site of the Tu-154 plane of the Defense Ministry in the Black Sea near Sochi, the emergencies services said, RIA Novosti reported. "Now the bodies of five victims have been found and retrieved," the source said. 11:16 (GMT+4) The first body has been found 6 km from Sochi coastline following the crash of a Russian Tu-154 airplane in the Black Sea, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Sunday, Sputnik reported. "A body of a person who died in Russia's Defense Ministry's Tu-154 airplane crash has been found 6 km away from Sochi coastline. The body has been lifted on board of the rescue vehicle," Konashenkov said. Konashenkov said earlier on Sunday that a total of 92 people were on board of Tu-154 that crashed in the Black Sea. 10:24 (GMT+4) The plane with some 91 people onboard, including 83 passengers and eight crew members lost contact with land while flying over the Black Sea, the source said, Sputnik reported. 09:46 (GMT+4) The Russian aircraft TU-154 most, which had disappeared from from radar shortly after take-off in Sochi Sunday, likely has crashed in the mountains in Krasnodar Territory in the south of the country, a source in local security services told RIA Novosti Sunday, Sputnik reported. The plane with some 91 people onboard, including 83 passengers and eight crew members lost contact with land while flying over the Black Sea, the source said. Journalists, military personnel, musicians from Alexandrov Ensemble, an official army choir of the Russian armed forces, were onboard. "According to preliminary findings, the missing TU-154 arrived in Sochi from Chkalovsky airport in Moscow region for refueling. Most likely, it crashed in mountainous area of Krasnodar Territory," the source told RIA Novosti. The priliminary data shows that the disappeared plane was heading to Syria's Hmeimim airbase. According to the source, the possible reasons for the alleged crash could be technical malfunction or pilot error. The source added that the plane disappeared from radars 20 minutes after departing from Sochi, Krasnodar Krai. 08:37 (GMT+4) Russian Defense Ministry's Tu-154 carrying some 70 people has disappeared from radars after departing from Russia's southern city of Sochi, a source in the country's Emergency Ministry told RIA Novosti. The source reported that the jet belongs to the Russian Ministry of Defense. "According to preliminary data, Russian Defense Ministry's Tu-154 disappeared from the radar screens after departing from Sochi. About 70 people were on board," a source said to the agency. The preliminary data shows that the plane was heading to Syria's Latakia. The latest FPI outflows took place following a withdrawal of over Rs 49,700 crore on net basis from the capital market (equity and debt) in last two months . New Delhi: Foreign investors have pulled out a massive USD 3.5 billion from the capital market this month so far following rate hike by the US Federal Reserve. Most of the outflows by the Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have been witnessed in the debt markets during the period under review. The latest FPI outflows took place following a withdrawal of over Rs 49,700 crore on net basis from the capital market (equity and debt) in last two months (October-November). Prior to that, FPIs had poured in Rs 46,000 crore in the capital market in preceding three months (July-September). "The US Federal Reserve's rate hike was certainly one of the reason for the outflow as the week leading to the announcement saw the maximum outflows as investors exited, expecting lower spread with a US rate hike. "But independent of that, it appears that the sharp rally in November in Indian gilts could have also led to profit booking by FPIs in the debt segment," Fundsindia.com Head of Mutual Fund Research Vidya Bala said. Net withdrawal by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) from equities stood at Rs 3,744 crore during December 1-23, while the same from the debt market was Rs 19,027 crore, translating into a total outflow of Rs 22,771 crore (USD 3.35 billion), depositories' data showed. The pullout by FPIs started in October 2016 following uncertainty over the US election results and similar trend was observed in other emerging markets. This year, so far, FPIs have invested a net sum of Rs 24,998 crore in stocks, while they pulled out Rs 43,737 crore from the debt market, resulting in a combined net outflow of Rs 18,739 crore. "As of December 23, equities still remain positive on inflows for the 2016 calendar. It was the debt market that was witness to massive FPI outflows in December. "The net outflows in the month of November and December alone accounted for 92 per cent of the net outflows in debt market, thus far this calendar," she added. The telecom regulator's latest recommendation to allow third party platforms to provide free data without bias towards a particular telecom operator or internet content is likely to rekindle the debate on net neutrality in 2017. New Delhi: Crashing data tariffs, free voice calls, disruptive entry of Reliance Jio and a no-holds-barred turf war to safeguard Rs 9 lakh crore worth of cumulative investments have set the tone for an action-packed 2017 for the telecom sector, which also had to grapple with the thorny issue of call drops this year. If anything, the high-voltage narrative of 2016 has left mobile subscribers craving for more in the coming year both in terms of tariffs which have touched new lows, and technology. 4G has boosted mobile speeds to levels never experienced before by the data-hungry Indians. "About Rs 9,27,000 crores have been invested so far by telecom service providers (TSPs) in building world class telecom infrastructure," industry body COAI's Director General Rajan S Mathews said. Incumbent telecom operators in representations throughout the year have shared how their revenues have taken a hit on various accounts ranging from Trai's decision to bar differential tariff platforms like Facebook's Free Basics, Airtel Zero, to Reliance Jio unveiling free services. Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP Partner Hemant Joshi said however that the prohibition on discriminatory tariffs has played a significant role to make data services affordable and accessible by everyone and is one of the important factors behind the rising adoption of data services in India. The telecom regulator's latest recommendation to allow third party platforms to provide free data without bias towards a particular telecom operator or internet content is likely to rekindle the debate on net neutrality in 2017. Looking back, the going year started-off with a setback- of-sorts for consumers when the Supreme Court quashed penalty provision for call drops, prompting the regulator to seek more powers to penalise errant telecom operators. The Telecom Department and regulator launched a combined offensive -- in form of review meetings and drive tests to ensure that service quality issues remain at the forefront all through the year. To address the problem of call drops, operators have added about 3.51 lakh BTSes in last 12 months, according to Mathews. Besides this, Trai continues to work on review of service quality norms, ombudsman model, and interconnection all of which are expected to take shape in 2017. There was never a dull moment for the telecom sector this year, and the market pulsated with action thanks to improved affordability, falling handset prices and operator investments in improving network coverage (helped by policies like Right of Way and spectrum sale). The year saw India overtaking US to become the world's second-largest smartphone market with an installed base of 275 million devices. It has also predicted that 4G connections will grow to 280 million by 2020. According to global mobile industry body GSMA, India will add 330 million unique subscribers by 2020 (from 616 million unique users as of June 2016). In addition, the industry is set to invest heavily, with operator capex growing to USD 34 billion between 2016 and 2020, says GSMA. If anything, demonetisation and digital push resulting in increased adoption of mobile wallets -- will put the market on a turbo charge, say industry watchers. Already, the average Indian is consuming data -- movies, gaming, connecting on social media -- like never before, in the aftermath of the industry price war triggered by the entry of India's richest businessman Mukesh Ambani in the telecom industry. Jio, which launched full-fledged 4G services in September, has promised free voice calls for life along with rock-bottom data prices, once its ongoing free services come to an end on March 31, 2017. The market's appetite for data can be gauged from the fact that Ambani had set a target of 100 million customers in the "shortest time possible" for Reliance Jio, but the new venture notched 52 million customers in just 83 days, growing faster than Facebook and WhatsApp. The data and voice charges are likely to see further fall in 2017 as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular and the new entrant Reliance Jio slug it out to capture a larger chunk of what is now the world's second largest mobile market. "2016 ushered in bundled voice and data integrated plans. Increasingly, this is going to be the norm in 2017, with more innovative and segmented packages in the offering. Headline mobile data tariffs have largely remained stable, but operators have increased data allowance significantly," EY Global Telecommunications Leader Prashant Singhal said. He has cautioned that in the long term, lower tariffs are not sustainable, with high spectrum fees and ongoing capex requirements. "To put it into perspective, the cumulative bid in spectrum auctions since 2010 amounted to Rs 3.5 lakh crore, which is quite significant considering sector revenue of about Rs 2.6 lakh crore. As a result, the sector debt level has increased to approximately Rs 4.2 lakh crore after the 2016 spectrum auctions," Singhal said. Deloitte's Joshi says that the downward trend of mobile tariffs in India has always been a challenge for the service providers as they operate in a market with rock-bottom Average Revenue per User (ARPUs). "Though the voice ARPU is going down, the high adoption of data services is transforming telcos' offerings in the data sector," Joshi said. Tariffs apart, Jio's entry opened up new battlefronts in telecom sector and a large part of the year was mired in bitter exchanges between the newcomer and incumbent operators over network connectivity issues. Jio has been accusing incumbent operators of not providing it sufficient points of interconnect leading to massive call failures while the operators have blamed the free calls offered by the newcomer for unleashing a "tsunami" of network traffic. Trai called the warring sides for meetings, and when the call failures continued to surpass prescribed limits despite warnings, it recommended a cumulative penalty of Rs 3,050 crore on Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea Cellular for denying interconnectivity to Jio. The penalty recommendation has now been challenged in court by Vodafone, which has called Trai's move 'arbitrary' and sought quashing of the regulator's recommendations. The year also saw incumbent telecom firms under the aegis of industry body COAI clashing with the regulator and Reliance Jio to the extent that the industry body alleged that Trai was favouring new entrant. Elsewhere, another corporate tussle brewed as an international arbitration court ordered the now-embattled Tata group to pay nearly Rs 7,956 crore to the NTT DoCoMo for alleged breach of agreement over telecom JV Tata Teleservices. While estranged partners traded charges, fresh mergers and acquisitions were solemnised in the sector. Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications announced the merger of its wireless telecom business with smaller rival Aircel to create the country's 4th-biggest mobile phone operator. On the flip side, spiralling debt and steep pricing of 700 MHz band, turned India's biggest-ever spectrum sale into a damp squib. Seven telecom companies including Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, Idea cellular and Reliance Jio made commitments of Rs 65,789 crore for buying 964.80 MHz of spectrum in various frequency bands, as against 2,354.55 MHz of radiowaves on the block. Government had hoped to raise as much as Rs 5.63 lakh crore from the auction, but even at the end of the five-day auction, nearly 60 per cent of the spectrum remained unsold, including in the premium 700 MHz band. The Telecom Department maintained however that the auction was successful as government was able to end the spectrum scarcity nudging the sector towards better services and fewer call drops. The superstar was last seen in Gauri Shinde's 'Dear Zindagi'. Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan is a busy man. The superstar, who legendarily seldom sleeps, has been working round the clock, to finish patchwork on his humongously anticipated 'Raees,' and hence has been working round the clock. Precisely why he has been missing spending quality time with his children. Especially affected is eldest son, Aryan, who's away in the US, pursuing his higher education. SRK being the doting father that he is, shared a picture of the two, who incidentally hold an uncanny semblance, on his Twitter feed. Adorable, right? Well SRK also took to Instagram to share a picture of his adorable munchkin AbRam standing beside their Christmas tree. How can we get enough of this father and his endearing kids, ever?! No sane person would want to mess with Bhai now, will they? (Photo source: Twitter) Mumbai: Ever since the teaser of Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma's upcoming session on Koffee With Karan emerged, there's been a lot of speculation surrounding Kat's revelation on Varun and Arjun's 'I hate Katrina' club. However, seems like Kat, who was in a particularly candid mood, revealed the real reason behind the club's inception, and believe it or not, it could have something to with Salman Khan! The reason, if true, could be the most hilarious coup in recent times. As kids we all have been part of secret clubs at some point or another brought together by a shared interest. But the origins of Varun Dhawan and Arjun Kapoors I Hate Katrina club has a funnier beginning than any of us could ever imagine. It all began when Katrina was taking a walk on Bandstand with a bunch of friends including Varun, Arjun and Salman. Salman caught Varun checking Katrina out and boy, did Varun get a firing from Salman on that. And that is what prompted the birth of this special club with its only two members, Varun and Arjun," a leading daily quoted a source as saying. Well, well, no sane person would want to mess with Bhai now, will they? NTR, who recently visited Rajahmundry for a family function has apparently made a detour by stopping over at Kakinada. The actor who was impressed by the police in the two cities, on his return to Hyderabad, took to social media to thank them. A special thanks to the police department for making sure that everything ran smooth and safe. (sic), he posted. Would like to thank all the fans of RJY and KKD for their loving, warm and unforgettable welcome. Thanks brothers. (sic), he also wrote. Interestingly, a photo of the actor with some police personnel is being shared by many on social media. US Bound: Interestingly, the actor will also shoot his other film in the US Actor Nithiins upcoming movie with Rowdy Fellow director Chaitanya Krishna will reportedly be shot majorly in the US. The movie, jointly produced by Trivikram Srinivas, Pawan Kalyan and Nithins home production Sresth Movies, is said to have an interesting story based in the foreign locale. The story has a US connect to it; thats why it will be shot there. In fact, a major part of Nithiins character has been written in such a way, shares a source. The film, whose cast is yet to be finalised, will go on floors soon after Nithiin wraps up the movie with Hanu Raghavapudi. Interestingly, this film is based in the US too. New York: In what may be the first known transmission of bird flu from cats to humans, a veterinarian in the US has been infected with a strain of avian flu that spread among more than 100 cats at animal shelters. However, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) in the US said that its ongoing investigation of the outbreak of H7N2, a strain of influenza A virus, among cats housed at Animal Care Centres (ACC) shelters confirms that the risk to humans is low. The infected veterinarian was involved in obtaining respiratory specimens from sick cats. The illness was mild, short-lived, and has resolved. More than 160 employees and volunteers, including several people who had similar exposure to sick cats, were screened by the Health Department and not found to have infection. The Health Department also contacted more than 80 per cent of the people who adopted cats from the shelter and none is suspected of having H7N2. There have been two previous documented human cases of H7N2 infection in the US - one in a person managing an outbreak of the virus in turkeys and chickens in 2002 and the other with an unknown source in 2003. Both of these patients also had mild illness and recovered. This is the first reported case due to exposure to an infected cat. There has been no documented human-to-human transmission. "Our investigation confirms that the risk to human health from H7N2 is low, but we are urging New Yorkers who have adopted cats from a shelter or rescue group within the past three weeks to be alert for symptoms in their pets," said Health Commissioner Mary T Bassett. Since last week, more than 100 cats have tested positive for H7N2 across all NYC shelters. This was expected because the virus is highly contagious among cats. All of the newly infected cats are experiencing mild illness and have been separated from other animals in the shelters. One cat admitted to the shelter with H7N2 infection died. ACC suspended adoptions of cats once the virus was discovered. The Health Department, working with ACC, has identified a location where the cats will be quarantined soon, which will allow ACC to resume full intake and adoption of cats. Saharsa: A dalit man was beaten to death while six others were injured, one of them seriously, by a group of musclemen during fishing at Purikh village in Bihar's Saharsa district on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Chano Ram (55) who succumbed to his injuries during the course of treatment at Sadar hospital, Deputy Superintendent of Police Subodh Viswash said adding that six injured persons are being treated at the hospital. An old land dispute could be the reason behind the incident, DySP said adding that one Purushottam Singh, one of the attackers, has been arrested in this regard. Image for representational purpose only Chennai: A police constable allegedly shot himself here this morning after he was denied permission for leave. The constable named R Gobinath was found dead inside the premises of Armed Reserve Battalion here. The 25-year old native of Vadipatti village of Madurai was found dead with a bullet injury. Police sources said Gobinath was feeling unwell and had been requesting for leave. The abductors had asked the girl's father to come with ransom sum at Kalwa in neighbouring Thane. (Photo: Representational Image) Mumbai: In a shocking incident, a three-and-half-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and murdered by two minor boys for a ransom of Rs 1 crore in South Mumbai, police said on Sunday. The incident came to the fore last mid-night after the girl's body, which was cut into pieces, was recovered from Kazipura, Haji Kasam Chawl in Nagpada area. The two accused were also placed under arrest in the wee hours, they said. According to police, the victim had gone missing since December 5 and a case was registered by her parents in this regard with the J J Marg police station. The victim's parents had received a call from unidentified persons, demanding Rs 1 crore as ransom. Unable to shell out such a huge amount, the father agreed to pay Rs 28 lakh to the alleged kidnappers, DCP (Zone 1), Manojkumar Sharma said. The abductors had later asked the girl's father to come with ransom sum at Kalwa in neighbouring Thane. During the course of investigation, a 16-year-old boy, who lived in the neighbourhood of the girl and had passed on the information of kidnapping to the parents, was detained and quizzed by the police. Further interrogation revealed that the boy and his accomplice, also aged 16, had abducted the girl on December 5 and later strangulated her with a cell phone charger wire on the very same day, the official said. Both the accused were arrested in the wee hours and further investigations were on, Sharma said, adding that the body has been sent for post-mortem. South Korea's special prosecutor investigating a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye said on Sunday it had no choice but to raid the presidential offices, Reuters reported. Special prosecutors are investigating allegations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, and aides to pressure big companies to contribute to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives. Prosecutors say they need access to the presidential offices as part of their investigation. The office has denied access. Park has immunity from prosecution as long as she is in office even though her powers are suspended. police have not arrested the women yet as their mental condition appears to be abnormal. (Representational image) Hyderabad: Two women, daughters of a retired inspector, stabbed a security guard for asking them not to make noise at midnight in the building at Kukatpally. One of the women poured water on a CCTV camera in order to conceal the crime, but the plan failed. Police have sent the two attackers G. Sunitha, 40, and her sister Sailaja, 39, daughters of retired sub-inspector Ramana Murthy to a government hospital for psychiatric check up after booking a case against them. Neighbours said the sisters had been behaving erratically for several weeks. The guard, Mr R. Bhusaiah, is in hospital with multiple injuries. The incident took place at Sai Bharadwaj Apartment in Vivekananda Nagar Colony in Kukatpally early on Sunday. At about 2 am, one of the residents called the watchman and asked him to check the sounds coming from Mr Ramana Murthys apartment. Mr Busaiah knocked on the door of the flat and asked the women not to make noise as other residents were complaining. Infuriated by this, they started arguing with him and stabbed him with a knife, said a Kukatpally police officer. The CCTV footage showed one woman throwing water at the CCTV camera, while another woman stabbed the guard in his hip. The sisters repeated the act. The other residents who had woken up by then pacified the women and rushed the watchman to a nearby hospital. On Sunday morning, the residents approached the Kukatpally police and lodged a complaint against the two women for stabbing the watchman and gave video footage. Kukatpally sub-inspector P. Suresh said, We have not arrested them yet. The mental condition of the two women seem to be abnormal. They have to undergo a psychiatric test before we start legal procedures. Both women are unmarried and live with their parents in the apartment. Vijayawada: Stressing that integration of technology was the best practice, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that leveraging technology will help India come out of the issues of demonetisation. He directed IT secretary Vijayanand to take real-time decisions to purchase ePos and biometric machines. He also said that Rs 1,000 subsidy should be given for procurement of biometric devices. Mr Naidu said IT, along with subject expertise will provide opportunities worldwide. 15 years ago, I designed a curriculum to make IT compulsory for students studying various subjects. We are technology managers. Integration of technology and innovation is the best way forward, the CM said. Pointing that Aadhaar-enabled payment was the best way to solve problems, Mr Naidu said that he expressed the same opinion to the RBI governor when he met him last in Mumbai. While health, human resource development, skill development, adult education and youth policies were the subjects to be discussed in Thursday's collectors conference, the discussion focused on damage-control exercise to be taken up over technical snags of e-POS machines across the state. The second session focussed on power, infra, transport, tourism, industries, trade, and agri business. The second day's top focus is about finalising and declaring the action plan for 2nd half of the fiscal year. In his opening remarks, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu spoke at length about leadership skills and qualities. Collectors were given time to speak on the problems in their respective districts. Each collector took eight to nine minutes only to explain demonetisation impact on their districts; the entire exercise took a lot of time, an IAS official said. He said, China in went for reforms 13 years before us, while we introduced reforms in 1991. Governments after Independence till 1990s were very strong under the leadership of Gandhi and Nehru. There was no Opposition. But the beauty of democracy is that economic reforms were carried out during minority and coalition governments, the CM said. Speaking on the fair price shops, he said Krishna district has performed well and that the same should be followed by other districts by encouraging bank correspondents. RTO swipe machines get good response Road transport authorities have installed Point of Sale machines at RTO offices for the benefit of people to avail a series of services by swiping their cards and pay charges instead of paying hard cash due to cash crunch. The response has been good with a sizeable revenue collection ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.2 lakh per day mainly at Rajahmundry and Kakinada in East Godavari. As a large number people visit the RTO offices to avail several services like registration of vehicles, getting driving licence, transfer of ownership of vehicles etc, shortage of cash due to demonetisation caused hardship to them to avail such services. However, the road transport authorities have installed SBI linked PoS machines recently at RTO offices located at Rajahmundry, Kakinada and at Amalapuram. The authorities say that they are getting revenue worth about Rs one lakh per day at RTO offices located at Rajahmundry and Kakinada and about `50,000 at Amalapuram. Based on good response from the people, the authorities have also installed PoS machines at unit offices located at Mandapeta, Kathipudi, Peddapuram and Ravulapalem nearly 10 days ago and the people are turning up to avail the services by paying cash online. On an average, each unit is getting revenue worth ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per day. The authorities have also set up a PoS machine at check post at Tetagunta as the commuters have to pay entry tax for commercial vehicles of other states and fine for violation of provisions of Motor Vehicles Act. East Godavari road transport deputy commissioner in-charge V. Siri Anand said, After installation of PoS machines, the number of people visiting our RTO offices has gone up to avail a series of services and we are getting good revenue collection also. Sasikala pays respect to MGR on the occasion of his death anniversary at Poes Garden on Saturday. (Photo: DC) Chennai: AIADMK founder M. G. Ramachandran was on Saturday remembered on his 29th death anniversary with Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam leading the state in paying homage. Led by Panneerselvam, ministers, AIADMK MLAs and a host of party functionaries paid floral tributes to the actor-turned politician at his memorial on the Marina beach here. A customary pledge was also taken at the memorial in memory of Ramachandran popularly called as MGR among his scores of fans and supporters. Panneerselvam read out the pledge repeated by his party colleagues. They took a vow to continue to perform their duties including establishing the rights of the state in the Cauvery water sharing dispute and also retrieval of Katchatheevu islet, issues taken up by Jayalalithaa, who steered the party since the death of MGR till her end. The MLAs also took a pledge that they would continue to abide by the high command of the party. Also garlanded portraits of MGR were kept at public places and songs from his films were played as part of paying homage to the leader. In New Delhi, AIADMK MPs A. Anwarraja and A. K. Selvaraja paid floral tribues to a statue of MGR, a party release said. MGR floated the AIADMK in 1972 after breaking away from the DMK following differences with its leader M. Karunanidhi and rode his party to power in the 1977 elections. He ruled the state for two more terms in a row. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his warm wishes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 92nd birthday. "Wishing our most beloved & widely respected Atal ji a happy birthday. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life," Prime Minister Modi said on Twitter. In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister also praised the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader for his service and leadership. "Atal ji's exemplary service & leadership has had a very positive impact on India's growth trajectory. His great personality is endearing." Prime Minister Modi also tweeted out an old video of him meeting Vajpayee when the former was a 'karyakarta' of the BJP. "See what Atal ji does when he meets a party Karyakarta. This simplicity and warmth of Atal ji we all cherish," Prime Minister Modi said along with the video. Vajpayee, the only non-Congress leader who served the nation as the prime minister and completed his full term, was born on December 25, 1924. He was among the founder members of the BJP. He was felicitated with country's highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, on March 27, 2015. His birthday is also celebrated as Good Governance Day. Bengaluru: In a city known for its hi-tech companies, shrinking green spaces and plethora of concrete structures, there lies an eyesore. Bellandur lake, which occupies a major part of the Bellandur area, is polluted and heavily laden with effluents, and unbearable stench. Filthy, frothing and stinking, Bellandur Lake is a nightmare for the local residents. The lathery foam mixed with rainwater during monsoon has led to locals complain about skin irritation. lung infection and skin allergy. Dengue cases have become rampant ever since the lake turned into a stinking cesspool. And what can one say about the stench? It is so strong that one can smell it from miles away. According to Mithun, a local grocery store employee, The smell is unbearable. Even though I stay a kilometre away from here, I have to work at this grocery store. It is not just the smell, sometimes when it rains the foam rises and covers the road. At such times it is dangerous for motorist because visibility is almost zero. One can barely see the road! The very sight of the lake frothing with foam in all its glory has Ashok Goenka, a journalist from Kolkata, worried. "I am a resident of West Bengal. I came down to spend some time with my brother. The stench is unbearable and I can't believe that in IT city one has a sore spot like this. I am sorry to say, but if this had happened in West Bengal, this lake would have been cleaned a long time ago." According to scientists, the frothing in the lake is due to phosphorus. According to IISC scientist, T.V. Ramchandra, The froth in Bellandur Lake is the result of phosphorus based detergents being let into the lake. I had made a request to the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to do something about phosphorus based detergents when he visited IISC last year in December 2015. Yet no action has been initiated. It is time government banned phosphorus based detergents." Civic evangelist V. Ravichander said there is little or no hope. "The effluent inflow must be arrested and diverted to a sewage treatment plant. Then treated water must be released into the lake. The Save Bellandur committee has been formed by the government, and the members are working on the issue. But my question is what is going to be the government's roadmap to get this done? Otherwise there is no hope at all." Activists, scientists and local residents have all constantly complained at the state of Bellandur Lake. It is about time the government takes some concrete action to ensure that this vital lake is restored and nearby residents breathe easy. Mumbai: A 21-year-old girl died in Virar after falling from the fourth floor of Ketan apartment. While walking on the terrace she allegedly lost her balance and fell down from the small boundary wall while looking down, informed a police officer. Sheeba Nandra, from Chennai, was staying with her sister and brother-in-law and after celebrating her 21st birthday on Friday, Nandra ate food and went to the terrace for an evening walk and once she fell down, the neighbours gave the information to the family. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital was declared dead on arrival by doctors. Police took the statement of the family who indicated that they are not suspecting any foul play. A police officer from Virar police station said, We have registered an accidental death report and our probe is on. Nandras family informed the police she used to go at the terrace for evening walk after having her dinner on daily basis. As of now its not looking like a case of suicide but our probe in all angles is on, commented an officer. Her body has been sent for post-mortem and reports are yet to come, said a police officer. He had planned the attack in retaliation to the bombing of IS forces in conflict ridden Syria and Libya, NIA sources said. (Representational photo) Kolkata: Islamic State sympathiser and Bangladeshi national Mohammed Musa, who was arrested from West Bengal's Burdwan railway station earlier this year, was planning an attack on Mother House in Kolkata, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed on Sunday. According to reports, Musa, who is also an activist of radical Islamic militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, was planning to attack foreign nationals working with the charity home run by Mother Teresas Missionaries of Charity. "Musa wanted to kill American, British, Russian and other European tourists as retaliation to the offensive against Islamic State in the Middle East," an NIA official said. Musa was arrested by the NIA on July 4 from the Visva-Bharati Fast Passenger train in West Bengal's Burdwan railway station carrying a knife. He had planned the attack in retaliation to the bombing of IS forces in conflict ridden Syria and Libya, NIA sources said. The American was arrested and a case registered under the Wireless and Telegraph Act, police said. (Photo: Representational Image) Thiruvananthapuram: A 31-year-old American tourist was arrested after being allegedly found in possession of a satellite phone, banned in India, while on his way to board a flight back home at the airport here, police said on Sunday. Marks Jordan Andrew, a US citizen, was detained on Saturday after Immigration officials found the satellite phone in his bag. He was questioned by CISF, in-charge of airport security, and later handed over to local police. The American was arrested and a case registered under the Wireless and Telegraph Act, police said. He was produced before a city court which remanded him to 14 days judicial custody. Andrew, hailing from California, had arrived in Thiruvananthapuram via Mumbai-Bengaluru and was on his way back to US via Dubai when he was intercepted. Police said Andrew told them that he was unaware that satellite phones are banned in the country. New Delhi: Taking pot shots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme, the Congress on Sunday accused the former of misusing Prasar Bharati while stating that this is absolute violation of the Prasar Bharati Act. "The Prime Minister is misusing Prasar Bharati and 'Mann Ki Baat' is an abuse of Prasar Bharati Act. If Prasar Bharati is giving space to the Prime Minister then they need to give equal space to leaders of opposition," Congress leader Manish Tewari told ANI. Read: Mann Ki Baat: Modi unveils award schemes to push cashless transactions The Congress leader said Prasar Bharati, which is regulated by an independent act of Parliament, is a public broadcaster and not an instrument of the government. "What the Prime Minister has been doing over all these years is complete and absolute violation of the Prasar Bharati Act," he added. Taking on Prime Minister Modi, Tewari said the former has never addressed full-fledged press conference as he only wants everyone to listen to him. "Democracy is not a monologue that one person talks and everybody listens. He should answer the people's questions and concern," Tiwari added. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi in his 27th 'Mann Ki Baat' address hit out at the opposition and accused them of attempting to mislead the people. "I congratulate the people for not only enduring pain but also for giving appropriate answers to those who were trying to mislead them," he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin is receiving information on the crashed Tu-154 plane constantly as soon as new details emerge in the case, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, TASS reported. "From the very beginning the president was informed that the plane disappeared from radars, now emergencies services are working as well as the services of the Defense Ministry, which owns the plane," Peskov said. "It is early to say about anything now, the president waits until the full picture is clear," he added. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu is in constant contact with President Vladimir Putin on the Tu-154 planes crash, Peskov told reporters. "He is constantly talking on the phone with the president," Peskov said. Kremlin has no information if Executive Director of the Spravedlivaya Pomoshch (Fair Aid) charity fund Elizaveta Glinka, known as Dr. Liza, could have been onboard the crashed Tu-154 plane, said Peskov. "Its unclear now, we are waiting for updated lists of passengers," Peskov said, adding that the causes of the crash will be investigated by the services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving memento during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Pune Metro Project (Phase 1), in Pune on Saturday. (Photo: PTI) Pune: In a veiled attack on Congress for opposing demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the "sins" of benami properties would not have happened and people would not be standing in queues now had necessary decisions been taken in the past. "In 1988, Parliament passed Benami Property Act but it never got notified and implemented. The papers had got lost somewhere in a stack of files. It was me who re-opened it. Sins of benami properties would not have happened had the law been implemented," he said after the inauguration of Pune metro. "Should I let the situation be as it is or should I change it? Should the wrongdoings be undone or not? If decisions were taken years ago, I would not have had to make people stand in queues. I have taken this step because I made a promise to save the country," the Prime Minister said. Modi warned those possessing black money to come clean now or they will stand no chance to save themselves. "Some people thought all governments are the same and this government of mine will be no different. They thought they can put their black money in banks and convert it into white. Money did not become white but their faces turned black," he said. "There is still time where laws can help you. Come on the right path and sleep peacefully. If not, I will not sleep. I have started this war against corruption, black money, terrorism, naxalism with a lot of 'jigar' (heart)," he said. The Prime Minister said that due to the demonetisation decision, income of urban bodies have increased by 200-300 per cent and people, who were used to breaking rules at one point of time are now made to stand in queues. Modi said that urbanisation is taking place at a fast pace today and stressed on generating employment and improving the quality of life in villages to stop migration to cities. "Only then will the run from villages to cities will slow down. If we think in pieces and for immediate political gains, we can never overcome problems," he said. The PM said the Centre has started with a 'Rurban' mission which focusses on ensuring that that villages close to cities have the soul of a village and facilities of a city. "Our Digital India campaign is not just meant for cities but for rural areas as well. We have decided to launch metro projects in more than 50 cities. Had we done so in bits and pieces, projects would have become costlier, more problems would have arisen and the projects would have had lagged even after we putting in money," he said. Modi said benchmarks of development need to become modernise and transform with changing times. "Infrastructure is not just roads, rail and air transport but also highways and I-ways (information ways), for which we need an optical fibre network. We need to work on water grid, digital network, gas grid and space technology," he said. Modi said Pune Metro should have been visualised and implemented much earlier. "Previous governments have left a lot of work for me to do," Modi said. Addressing a gathering in Pune after laying the foundation stone for metro, Modi said the value of "small people" in the country has increased the way the value of Rs 100 bill has gone up after demonetisation. "After the decision, the way the value of Rs 100 increased overnight. Similarly, the value and power of small people in the country has also increased," he said. Modi said that after the 50-day period, the hardships of honest people will decrease and the problems of the dishonest would go up. The Prime Minister while announcing the demonetisation decision on November 8 had said there would some inconvenience to people for the initial 50-day period, till December 30. "The decision has been taken after a lot of thought and I am sure that I will be successful," he said, adding people with bad intentions and dishonest bank officials are going to jail. The PM appealed to people to shift to cashless transactions and use multiple online options such as online banking, debit cards and e-wallets. He said the "war" against corruption and black money is the fight of 125 crore people "which would not stop and that a handful of people would not able to suppress their voice". Modi asked the audience to switch on the flashlights of their mobile phones and wave them if they "sided with the government and approved of its decisions". Meanwhile, Congress' city unit staged a protest on the route from where the PM's convoy was to pass through, but police detained at least 100 party workers. "We were protesting on the route. Much before the arrival of the convoy, police detained us and even resorted to mild lathi charge," claimed senior Congress leader Abhay Chhajed. He said the Congress workers were taken to Khadaki police station and later released. On the Pune Metro project, Modi said for 15 years, the development of Maharashtra has suffered. "During the election to the state Assembly, I had told you that a double engine can bring Maharashtra up. Now see, due to these two engines (state government and Central government), metro project of the city has been approved," he said. Hyderabad: The TD has decided to launch a series of agitations to oppose a government proposal to scrap the zonal system, which, it said, would affect job opportunities for the rural youth. TS TD working president A. Revanth Reddy told a programme at the party headquarters that the zonal system was introduced in 1975 through a Constitutional amendment after agitations in Telangana and Andhra regions against the neglect of rural youth in matters of government jobs and admission in educational institutions. The TRS government by doing away with the system would create an opportunity gap between youth in rural and urban areas. He said that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had decided to do away with the system without examining its effects. The creation of new districts had further affected the system. He said rural youth would not be able to compete with urban youth for jobs for state cadre posts if the zonal system was done away with. He said the TD would also move court on the matter. When contacted, a senior official in the law department said, the state government had so far not written to the President or the Centre seeking abolition of the zonal system. Only a draft note had been prepared, he said. He pointed out that the AP government had recently secured extension of local status for people who wished to shift to the residuary state. On similar grounds, the TS government would approach the Centre to get the zonal system abolished and retain only district and state cadres. Zonal level posts would be included either of the two cadres, he said adding no final decision had been taken. New Delhi: In a veiled attack on the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the nation for bearing the pain post demonetisation and said the people have given a befitting reply to those attempting to mislead them. "I congratulate the people for not only enduring the pain but also for giving appropriate answers to those who were trying to mislead them," Prime Minister Modi said in his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme. Prime Minister Modi said many people had written to him and some had praised the government's move to demonetise Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 currency notes. However, they have also spoken about the problems they faced due to demonetisation, he said. Read: Mann Ki Baat: Modi unveils award schemes to push cashless transactions "Many are writing to me- 'Modi ji thak mat jaana, ruk mat jaana aur jitna kathor kadam utha sakte ho uthao'. The people wrote to me about the problems they faced during recent times, some praised demonetisation and how it is an effective step in fighting corruption. Gurumani on MyGov app have appreciated government's effort to curb black money, his sentiments are shared by rest of the country. I thank the people as they not only went through hardships but also answered back those who tried to mislead them," he added. "Lot of questions are being raised on frequent change of rules, but I want to say that I have decided to take those indulging in corruption," he said. Prime Minister Modi said black money hoarders are being nabbed across the country. "Secret is that information by common people enables us to do it," he added. Assuring the nation that this is not the end but the beginning of his government's endeavor to fight against corruption, Prime Minister Modi said, "It is our priority to do whatever it takes for the betterment of our nation. People are spreading rumours that political parties are exempted, this isn't true." Regretting the washout of the Winter Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Modi said, "If Parliament would have functioned there would have been fruitful discussions." He also stated that even the President and Vice-President expressed their concerns over repeated disruptions during the Winter Session. Some radical followers of this sect preach a world view that the modern day democracy is against the tenets of lslam, and that even those Muslims who oppose the strict Salafi interpretation of Islam are apostates. (Photo: Representational Image/ AFP) Hyderabad: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is now considering Jhund Ul Khalifa al Hind Fl Bilad or Army of the Caliph in South India as the most dangerous of all ISIS-affiliated modules that the probe agency busted in 2016. According to a report in DNA, an NIA chargesheet filed last week has elaborated what the Hyderabad module did for it to be considered the most dangerous ISIS-affiliated outfit in India. The report states that the journey towards creation of this group began when Ibrahim Yazdani, considered to be one of the main conspirators behind the module, met a Jordanian national by the name of Suhayb Al Abudi. Yazdani had returned from Saudi Arabia convinced that ISIS was fighting a justifiable war against President Bashar Al Assad's forces in Syria. He immediately roped in his brother Illyas to form the Army of the Caliph group in India. Yazdanis decision came after his handler in Syria told him to stay back in his country and do "Allah's work in India" instead of going to fight alongside ISIS in the war-torn country. In its analysis of the group, the NIA states the accused are followers of the pure Salafi sect of lslam. Some of the groups members are original Ahle Hadeeth followers, while others got influenced and came into the fold, the NIA chargesheet states. Some radical followers of this sect preach a world view that the modern day democracy is against the tenets of lslam, and that even those Muslims who oppose the strict Salafi interpretation of Islam are apostates. NIA has listed the extent of how the module was well versed with social media applications to avoid getting exposed, said the report. The oath of allegiance given by ISIS Caliph Abu Bakr-al Baghdadi was found written on piece of paper, uploaded online and sent to an ISIS handler who told the recruits to delete the name lest it arouse suspicion. However, the loyalty towards the ISIS chief is showcased in the charge sheet at many instances during which the recruits were asked to owe their allegiance to him. The youth seem to have been active over internet tools such as Tor browser (which leads one to the Dark Web), Amn AL Mujahid, Chat secure, Orbot, Orfox and Trillian applications, apart from the more commonly used Telegram. The NIA charge sheet also says that the module was successful in acquiring a range of weapons with an intention of indulging in large-scale terror attacks. Among the material allegedly recovered from the accused are chemicals such as Urea, 2-Chloro 9- Methyl Acridine, Methylene Chloride, Acetone, Hydrogen peroxide, Nitric Acid used to prepare explosives, said the report. Three knives, 17 live rounds, face masks, air guns and pellet guns used in Kashmir have also been found on them, said the report. New Delhi: To clear the path for moving towards a cashless economy, the Modi government is examining a proposal that could lead to harsher punishments for defaulters in cheque bouncing cases. According to reports, if the proposal is accepted, the government could come out with a legislation to amend the law pertaining to cheque bounce cases. Among the measures the government is examining is that the defaulter will have a months time to rectify the error, failing which action would be taken. The defaulter could then be arrested even before the case is settled, said the report. At present, dishonour of a cheque, in view of inadequate funds in account, is a criminal offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Act, 1881, and can be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine of twice the amount of the cheque or both. However, there are several instances where the payee is forced to wait to get the money for years after a cheque bounced, said the report. 18 lakh cases of cheque dishonour are pending in Indian courts at the moment. With an objective to cut down litigation, the proposed amendments to deal with this issue, which are yet to be approved, could be brought in the budget session of Parliament in February, the report said. Traders bodies, which traditionally support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have expressed concern over cheque bouncing cases, said the report. This is particularly at a time when more and more people were adopting non-cash mode of payments due to demonetisation. Earlier this year, the government had notified the Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015, to allow filing of cheque bounce cases in a court at the place where it was presented for clearance and not the place of issue, to prevent litigants from facing the hardship of travelling long distances. New Delhi: With Sunday marking a year of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's much-hyped and sudden but brief visit to Lahore last Christmas to wish Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, the current chill in Indo-Pak ties meant the birthday wishes this time were restricted to only a single tweet from Mr. Modi on Sunday, saying, "Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life." The solitary tweet is perhaps a reflection of how much things can change in a year. Last December, Indo-Pak ties were marked by warmth and at a pinnacle. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had visited Islamabad for the Heart of Asia conference. Prime Minister Modi was visiting Afghanistan later that month and in a surprise announcement while in Afghanistan, it was revealed that he would be visiting Lahore for a brief visit during which he would personally greet Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on the occasion of his birthday on December 25. Mr. Modi had also attended the wedding of the grand-daughter of the Pakistan PM at Raiwind near Lahore during the visit. But things began to rapidly unravel as soon as the new year began since the Pakistan Army under its then chief Gen. Raheel Sharif began to feel uncomfortable over the bonhomie. The Pathankot terror attack was orchestrated from Pakistan in January. Later in the year, the unrest in the Kashmir valley worsened ties further after which the Uri attack happened. He is survived by four children including two sons, his daughter-in-law said (Photo: PTI) Bhopal: Dinanath Bhargava, a co-artist in the team that sketched the National Emblem Lion Capital of Ashoka and decorated the pages of the Constitutions manuscript, died at the age of 89 in Indore. Bhargava was suffering from cardiac ailments since the past decade. His daughter-in-law Sapekshi Bhargava said he breathed his last on Saturday. He is survived by four children including two sons, she added. Born on November 1, 1927 at Multai in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, Bhargava was chosen by noted painter Nandlal Bose, then the principal of Kala Bhavan Shanti Niketan, in the group for designing the pages of the Indian Constitutions manuscript. Bhargava was pursuing a three-year Diploma in Fine Arts at Shanti Niketan at that time. The National Emblem of India was adapted by the Government of India on 26th January 1950. Hyderabad: The Indian medical devices industry wants the government to promote indigenous devices and have closer scrutiny of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector. The FDI in the sector stood at $161 million last year. Between 2000 and 2015, the sector received about $800 million in FDI. Imports constitute 70 per cent of the medical devices sector which include largely imaging equipment, pacemakers, heart implants, robotics, breathing devices and bands for obese patients. With patients continuing to pay high prices for medical devices, the industry says there must be a clear definition of what constitutes a medical device, and separate legislation must be enacted to govern the same. The confusion over definition, the industry says, has not helped domestic medical device manufacturers. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act that governs both pharmaceutical companies and medical devices manufacturers, does not mandate private and government hospitals to use made-in-India devices. A senior member of the industry said the government must support and promote the industry by ensuring that all hospitals use only Indian-made devices. There has to be a strict law. Mr Rajiv Nath, member of the Indian Medical Devices, says, At present, medical devices are being imported and promoted via domestic labelling. This is not going to help as the Indian manufacturer does not stand to gain. Hospitals are still ordering these products as they find the label to be Indian but they know that it is not made here. There is a severe dip in domestic manufacture as they (Indian manufacturers) have not gained anything from the announcement made by the government that medical devices with universal labelling [i.e. non-India-specific labelling] will not be allowed to enter India from September 2014, said a senior member of IMD on condition of anonymity. We see products with new labels in the market but the products are cheap imports from other countries. Many a time, those products are rejected abroad but are used here. But as there is no mechanism in place to check these products, they are freely moving in the market. Hospital authorities refute FDI reports There is no real foreign investment in manufacturing of medical devices in the country, according to hospital authorities. A senior official who deals with procurement of medical devices said, The costs of devices remain the same. Traders have cut profits as they are showing Indian labels. This has no benefit for patients who continue to pay same price. Experts say many more patients go in for procedures that require implants like stents and knee replacements but the overhead costs of hospitals have increased, which are not always passed on to customers. A senior doctor on condition of anonymity said, There may be a package deal of two days, but some patients have to be kept for a week due to complications. In these cases, its not possible to recover costs. A majority of the migrant workforce in cities is engaged in construction activity and in wholesale and retail markets. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: There is a mad rush to secure job cards under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme in rural areas in the state, thanks to demonetisation. An unintended consequence of demonetisation is 'reverse migration' of labourers from urban areas after November 8 because there is little work for them in cities and towns where business is poor. Under NREGA, though, they are guaranteed 100 days of employment a year at Rs 194 per day. A majority of the migrant workforce in cities is engaged in construction activity and in wholesale and retail markets. Since the cash crunch has halted construction activities and business transactions have been hit in markets, the labourers are jobless and are returning to their native villages. But the cash-starved panchayats in villages are not in a position to offer NREGA jobs either to the lakhs of labourers returning from Hyderabad, Mumbai, Raichur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune and other cities. Under the NREGA Act brought in by the previous UPA government, if a job seeker does not get employment within 15 days of applying for it, the government must pay him/ her unemployment allowance, which is one-fourth the wage rate. This has stopped the government from enrolling workers. Besides, it already owes wage arrears to workers for six months. The gram panchayats have said they cannot afford new job seekers. In Mahbubnagar district, which has large numbers of migrating labour, there are 2 lakh fresh applicants for NREGA jobs. All have been kept pending. Nearly 10 lakh applications have been filed in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Warangal, Medak and Khammam. Panchayat raj officials said cards are supposed to be issued 15 days after submission of the applications but were kept on hold following 'oral instructions' from the government not to issue any fresh cards. "We have never witnessed this kind of situation. Every day, around 100 to 150 fresh applications are being received from every mandal, which shows how the demonetisation has impacted the livelihood of migrant labourers in urban areas," said a Panchayat Raj official. However, panchayat raj minister Jupalli Krishna Rao said the increase is due to the time of year. The period from January to June is considered to be the peak season for NREGA works. Agriculture activities will begin in July and everyone will have enough work in villages from July to December. He said that all fresh applicants would be provided employment from next month, but admitted it would a burden on the government. We will take up the issue with the Centre seeking more funds. he said. Staff from the bank rushed to the airport at around 9 pm and temporarily shut it down. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: The incomplete recalibration of an ATM in Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad led to users getting an unexpected windfall, as the ATM disbursed new Rs 500 denomination notes instead of Rs 100 notes, on Saturday evening. As air travellers came to know that the ATM was providing Rs 500 instead of Rs 100 notes, they lined up at the ATM belonging to Kotak Mahindra Bank and in an hour as much as Rs 8 lakh was withdrawn from the machine. Surprised at the rush, the authorities made inquiries and informed the banks officials of the glitch. Staff from the bank rushed to the airport at around 9 pm and temporarily shut it down. An airport security officer said that a passenger withdrew Rs 2,500 and got one Rs 2,000 denomination note and five Rs 500 denomination notes instead of five Rs 100s. He got Rs 4,500 instead of Rs 2,500 with the technical error in the machine. As the news spread over the airport, air travellers lined up at the ATM for withdrawals, he said. An official from the banks Shamshabad branch said it was a mistake by the outsourcing staff of the off-site ATM maintenance agency. They mistakenly kept Rs 500 denominations in the Rs 100 slot. We are verifying the matter and shall recover the excess amount withdrawn by customers as per the database after sharing it with the concerned customers bank, the official said. The ATM maintenance agency refused to shoulder the blame, saying that the mistake was made by engineers who recalibrated the machine. It is not possible to keep currency of higher denominations in the slot allocated to lower denominations. In such cases the machine identifies the mistake and rolls back the currency into the ATM, an officer said. Explaining how the money can be recovered, Federation of Bank Employees secretary M.S. Kumar said, The bank will raise debit with the account of the customer. The bank officials get the General Print of transactions from the ATM maintenance agency. Based on the details of the bank customer, they inform other banks in cases where the customer is not from the home bank. They debit the amount from the customers account through debit raise. If the customers account is not having any balance, his account will show as minus balance with the debit. An ethnic Nande militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least 13 Hutu civilians on Sunday with guns and machetes in an apparent revenge attack for the deaths of Nande civilians last week, a local activist said, Reuters reported. Tit-for-tat massacres by Hutu and Nande militia in eastern Congo's North Kivu province have killed dozens this year. Relations between the communities have worsened due to population movements and operations by the Congolese army against the largest Hutu militia in the area. Militia violence across the country has spiked in the last week, raising fears that political instability over President Joseph Kabila's tenure could stoke a surge in localized conflicts by creating a local security vacuum. Mai Mai Mazembe, a predominantly Nande militia, attacked the town of Nyanzale early on Sunday morning, Innocent Gasigwa, spokesman for the Civil Society of Rutshuru territory, said, adding that two militiamen were also killed. "This must be the response for last time," Gasigwa said, referring to an attack on Thursday by Nyatura, an ethnic Hutu militia, that killed at least 17 civilians in a nearby village. An army spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment. Hyderabad: The owner of Musaddilal Jewellers, Nitin Gupta, is still absconding after having refused to appear before the investigation officials at Central Crime Station (CCS). Officials say he has switched off his phone and has locked his house. A team of cops is being deployed to take him into custody. Sources say Gupta might remain in hiding till he manages to get an anticipatory bail or a stay on investigation in the case. With the disappearance of Gupta, both cops and IT officials have hit a major roadblock in their probe. As per the notice issued to him, he should have appeared before our officials last week. But he avoided it and refused to appear at the CCS. Now we are left with no option but to hunt him down, said a senior official from CCS. The IT department and the police have collected several documents and evidences against the fraudulent activities of the business tycoon. The IT officials, who raided the store at Banjara Hills, had found `97 crore fraudulently deposited into two bank accounts of the store. Gupta had created fake bills and showed that thousands of customers had purchased gold from his store in one night after demonetisation. Kothagudem: A man killed his wife and two children at Jaggaram village under Aswapuram mandal in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, on Sunday and committed suicide. Police said Jetti Suresh, 30, strangled his wife Sarita, 30, and children Naga Chaitanya, 9, and Nareder, 6, and ended his life. Suresh and his wife were working for a contractor in Aswapuram. Police said he used to quarrel with his wife for questioning his drinking habit. It was first suspected to be a suicide pact, but it was established as a murder-suicide after police noticed injuries on the bodies of Sarita and the two children. The man deposited Rs 7 crore on November 11 with the bank and got the money transferred to a bullion traders account. (Representational image) Hyderabad: The cab driver nabbed by Income -Tax officials on Thursday for depositing demonetised currency worth about Rs 7 crore with a branch of State Bank of Hyderabad in the city was indulging in selling gold by roaming around on a bicycle. The man deposited Rs 7 crore on November 11 with the bank and got the money transferred to a bullion traders account. He then bought 2 kg of gold and began selling it to merchants and persons known to him. The investigating I-T teams were surprised by his modus operandi. He did not use cabs or other vehicles to avoid post - demonetisation checking by the police and investigative agencies but used bicycle. He almost succeeded in disposing of all the purchased gold. Our teams caught him as he was moving on a bicycle with gold bars, an official said. An official from I-T said that during their preliminary investigation it was found that he did not have a financial background or any business history and was working as a cab driver. So far, we have not registered a case against him as he asked one weeks time for paying tax under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). The cab driver is very confident about the tax payments and he is not revealing the source of income. We suspect that he may be a benami for someone. But, as per the PMGKY, we should give an opportunity to him. The scheme will end by December 30, the official said. As per the scheme, the cab driver should pay Rs 3.5 crore towards 50 per cent tax, a part from depositing Rs 1.75 crore in the form of RBI Bond. However, the I-T wings are keenly observing his movements and other agencies have taken up parallel investigation. Hyderabad: The Maulana Azad National Urdu University Students Union has decided to boycott the universitys convocation to be held on Monday. The university has decided not to not allow any student studying in the university now, and parents of graduating students to participate in the convocation. President Pranab Mukherjee is the chief guest and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and industrialist Rajiv Saraf, who holds the Jashn-e-Rekhta festival that celebrates Urdu poetry will be presented honorary doctorates. University officials cited space crunch as a problem. One official said, The parents are not allowed only for the ceremony where the President will be present due to lack of space. It will last for about an hour. They will be allowed for the ceremony in which students will be given medals and certificates by the Chancellor, Mr Zafar Sareshwala. New Delhi: With Union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar virtually on tour, since he took over office, the crucial task of finalising the national education policy has been hit. Mr Javadekar has been attending events outside the national capital, for at least 40 days out of his first three months in office, the ministers travel details accessed by this newspaper reveal. While the minister was sworn into office on July 5, his first trip outside the city entailed a visit to Kochi on July 9 itself for an interactive session with students of Kendriya Vidyalaya. The most number of visits of the minister were to his home state of Maharashtra, which he visited six times during his first three months in office. Other states which also got the ministers major share of attention were Karnataka (five visits), Kerala (four), UP (four) and Telangana (three). Interestingly, the educationally, socially and economically backward of the North East were only able to get four such visits by the HRD minister during this period of approximately three months; Manipur (September 14 and October 3), Assam (September 19) and Meghalaya (September 20). The Extremist-affected states of Jammu and Kashmir got one such visit on August 6 for inauguration of IIT Jammu and one such visit to Chhattisgarh on August 7 for inauguration of IIT Bhilai and interaction with tribal students. New Delhi: Delhi police commissioner Alok Verma has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to become head of the nations premier investigative agency, the CBI. The collegium, that is headed by the Prime Minister and includes the leader of the main Opposition party in Parliament, that was to meet Monday to finalise the name of the full-time CBI director, will now hold this meeting on January 4. A source said: The government has already prepared a list of senior IPS officials (all from 1979-1982 batches) for the coveted post. Although the collegium may meet on Monday, a final decision to select a fulltime CBI director may be taken on January 4. Delhi police commissioner Alok Verma is the frontrunner for the post, the sources said. The CBI is now headed by Rakesh Asthana, a IPS officer of the 1984 batch, Gujarat cadre, who is holding additional charge of the post. Besides Mr Verma, some other names are also doing the rounds for the CBI directors post. Among the prominent names are the director-general of the Sashastra Seema Bal, Archana Ramasundram (IPS 1980 batch, Tamil Nadu cadre); the director-general of the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Dr M.C. Borwankar; ITBP director-general Krishna Chaudhary; Union home ministry special secretary R.K. Dutta (1981 batch, Karnataka cadre). New Delhi: Talks of an alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress for the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh have hit a roadblock on the number of seats each party will get, according to sources. The Samajwadi Partys meagre seats offer to Congress has irked the party, which has been campaigning on a massive scale in the state. That is perhaps the reason none of the parties has come forward and confirmed the reports. The Samajwadi Party apparently wants the Congress, RLD and the JD(U) to limit themselves to a little more than 100 seats. This means that the Congress will have to restrict itself to 88 seats, a suggestion the party is not pleased with, given that it has been organising a high-octane campaign in Uttar Pradesh since July this year. For the alliance to come about, the Congress will need a minimum of 100 seats and also the specific seats. The political logic behind this is that it will lead to consolidation of the Muslim Yadav vote. Ideally, the Congress would have been more at ease with BSP. The other issue with the proposed alliance is the allocation of Assembly seats in the parliamentary constituencies of Amethi and Rae Barielly. One of the MLAs from Amethi is a sitting cabinet minister in the Uttar Pradesh government. The other is the assembly segment Unchahar in Rae Barielly where another sitting MLA is the cabinet minister in the Uttar Pradesh government. These are some of the rough edges which need to be ironed out if a deal has to be struck. According to sources in the Congress, the party wants to delay the decision for it is waiting for the December 30 deadline (of demonetisation) to get over. Post that, there will be an assessment whether it will be beneficial for the party to go in for an alliance or contest alone. Incidentally, the Congress vice-president, Rahul Gandhi, has taken on the Samajwadi Party government in his rallies and yatras but has not hit out at the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav. The same holds true for Mr Akhilesh, who has never taken a direct dig at Mr Rahul. This is being done to avoid any embarrassment if the two parties do decide to come together to contest elections. Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government is mulling to offer 'salad' along with the daily meal served to inmates across all prisons in the state, an official said. "Providing 'salads' along with the meals is one of the measures being mooted by the Jail Department in its effort to make the food in state's prisons more nutritious," said Sanjay Choudhary, Director General (Jail). The issue was discussed at a meeting here on Friday convened to review the functioning of jails in state. It was chaired by Minister for Jail Kusum Mehdele and attended by Jail department's senior officials along with the superintendents of 39 district and 11 Central jails. After the Bhopal's Central prison jail break by eight operatives of the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in October this year, Jail department had banned outside food items, mostly brought by the family members of the inmates in all jails of the state. "The meeting was informed that essential items like tooth-paste and brush would also be provided in the jails. However, there would be total ban on bidis and cigarettes," a Public Relations department officer said. It was also decided that additional barracks would be constructed in those jails that are housing more inmates than their capacities. "Outer walls of the jails would also be constructed. The minister assured that the issues raised by the jail superintendents would also be soon sorted out," he added. Lucknow: Atleast six people were killed and 14 were injured in separate road mishaps due to dense fog that occurred at many places in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Atleast four persons were killed and five others injured when a truck hit their van near Lalaganj locality in Gopiganj area in Bhadohi, police said. In a separate incident in the same district, two persons were seriously injured when their SUV rammed into a stationary truck in Amva village in Gopiganj area. In Mau district, two elderly persons were killed and seven others injured when a roadways bus hit a jeep in Haldharpur area due to fog in the district, they said. Teju Yadav (60) and Jagdish Yadav (70) were killed on the spot in the mishap, they said. The injured were rushed to a hospital, where their condition is stated to be serious. According to the MeT department, night temperature rose markedly in Agra division and shot up appreciably in Moradabad and Meerut divisions. They also revealed that temperature saw a small surge in Allahabad divisions and changed little in the remaining divisions of the state. The lowest minimum temperature across the state was 7.1 degrees Celsius and the weather was dry over the state. The MeT department has forecast dry weather over the state with a possibility of shallow to moderate fog at many places. Guwahati: Assam assembly speaker Ranjit Kumar Das will on Sunday, take charge as the president of the Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Guwahati. Prior to that, he will submit his resignation as the speaker of the assembly. "BJP national president Amit Shah has appointed Assam BJP legislator Ranjit Das as the State party chief," BJP had earlier said in a statement issued in New Delhi. Das, a former Indian Information Service officer, will replace Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as chief of the BJP's Assam unit. Das was elected to the assembly for the first time in 2011. As'ad's Bio As'ad AbuKhalil, born March 16, 1960. From Tyre, Lebanon, grew up in Beirut. Received his BA and MA from American University of Beirut in pol sc. Came to US in 1983 and received his PhD in comparative government from Georgetown University. Taught at Tufts University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Colorado College, and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Served as a Scholar-in-Residence at Middle East Institute in Washington DC. He served as free-lance Middle East consultant for NBC News and ABC News, an experience that only served to increase his disdain for maintream US media. He is now professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. His favorite food is fried eggplants. Turkeys foreign minister Sunday said Russia has kept its recent promises to Turkey on upholding the cease-fire in Syria, Anadolu agency reported. "In recent days, Russia has kept its promises on all efforts regarding the cease-fire, for humanitarian aid, for saving the people from there, the war-battered city of Aleppo, Mevlut Chavushoglu said in southern resort province of Antalya, which he represents in parliament. "Furthermore, Russia has also given the necessary warnings to those violating the cease-fire." Last week, Syrian opposition forces and the regime reached a cease-fire deal, brokered by Turkey and Russia, to evacuate civilians from eastern Aleppo to safe areas in opposition-held Idlib. So far, 40,000 people have been evacuated from the area, according to Turkish authorities. "Turkey has also kept its promises [towards Russia]," Chavushoglu said about the evacuation of civilians from Aleppo. "In this period, Russia and Turkey have trusted each other on strategic issues. Turkey and Russia have mutual trust in each other." Jaipur: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will address a public gathering in Baran district of Rajasthan on Sunday. His visit is said to be a part of Congress' nationwide campaign against the BJP government's decisions including demonetisation. "Rahul has been raising people's voice against the problems they are facing due to failure of BJP government at both the Centre and states," Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot said in a statement. Elaborating about problems that farmers and common people were facing due to demonetisation, rampant corruption and increasing crime rate especially against women, Pilot said that Rahul will raise all these issues in the rally in Baran district. This will be his second visit to the state this year. The law in India is in a precarious state on a vital aspect of freedom of the press: the lack of statutory protection of a journalists sources. The fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression includes press freedom. This covers an entire process from news gathering, editorial judgement, publication and distribution of printed matter. Press freedom covers all four stages. Curb any of them and press freedom is curbed in its entirety. Of them all, the least understood is the scope of the first stage the collection of news. It is a reporters need and duty to protect the identity of the source of his information. Else, vital information of concern to the people in a democracy would be suppressed. Journalists regard the protection of sources as a matter of professional honour. In 1963, Lord Cyril Radcliffe inquired into a spy ring in the Admiralty. Two journalists refused to answer questions germane to the inquiry because they entailed disclosure of their sources. Their claim to protection of sources was rejected, and they went to prison. On July 6, 2005, Judith Miller, an investigating reporter for the New York Times, refused to divulge the name of a source. She told the judge: If journalists cannot be trusted to guarantee confidentiality then journalists cannot function and there cannot be a free press. She spent 85 days in prison and secured her release only after her informant (I. Lewis Scooter Libby) gave her permission to reveal his identity. Three bills were introduced in Congress to provide protection for sources. They were far narrower than the privileges provided by state laws, called shield laws. The US Supreme Court had failed dismally. In a leading case, Branzburg vs Hayes, the court was badly split (5-4). Justice Powells concurring opinion with the four became the law. It did not suffer from excess of clarity. He let the balance of vital interests to be decided in the future on a case by case basis. British case law has had its zigzags, but amidst some splendid dissents. In 1981, Lord Salmon said: The immunity of the press to reveal its sources of information save in exceptional circumstances is in the public interest, and has been so accepted by the courts for so long that I consider it is wrong now to sweep this immunity away The freedom of the press depends on this immunity. Were it to disappear so would the sources from which its information is obtained; and the public would be deprived of much of the information to which the public of a free nation is entitled. Section 10 of the Contempt of Courts Act 1981, enacted in the UK, reads: No court may require a person to disclose, nor is any person guilty of contempt of court from refusing to disclose, the source of information contained in a publication for which he is responsible unless it is established to the satisfaction of the court that it is necessary in the interests of justice or national security or for the prevention of disorder or crime. Some judges relaxed the word necessary. A journalist who had lost in the courts in the UK took his case to the European Court of Human Rights. It ruled in his favour: Having regard to the importance of the protection of journalistic sources for press freedom in a democratic society and the potentially chilling effect an order of source disclosure has on the exercise of that freedom, such a measure cannot be compatible with Article 10 of the (European) Convention (on Human Rights) unless it is justified by an overriding requirement in the public interest. Since Article 10 of the Convention is of the same tenor as Article 19 of the Indian constitution and presumably of similar provisions in other constitutions the ruling is a highly persuasive authority. It does not, however, dispense with the need for legislation that explicitly protects journalists sources while giving the courts power to order disclosure on specified grounds in compelling circumstances. By arrangement with Dawn In itself, the United Nations resolution condemning illegal Israeli settlements passed by the Security Council last Friday is innocuous enough. It was slated under the non-binding chapter six but it has taken on a larger-than-life symbolism for good reasons. It is the first time the United States has not vetoed a resolution specifically dealing with Israeli settlements in 35 years. It caps President Barack Obamas unhappy relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is a parting kick of a dying administration. The Palestinians are, of course, delighted though sad that President Obama did not act similarly at the beginning of his term, rather than towards its end. A spokesman for Palestine Liberation Organisation president Mahmoud Abbas said: The Security Council resolution is a big blow to Israeli policy, a unanimous international condemnation of settlements and a strong support for the two-state solution. The resolution was passed 14-0, with US abstention, and France and Britain voting for it. Israel by contrast was furious, Mr Netanyahu calling it shameful, but he took comfort from US President-elect Donald Trumps immediate tweet: As to the UN, things will be different after Jan. 20, the day he assumes office. In fact, trashing convention, Mr Trump had got Egypt, the main resolution sponsor, to delay putting it forward, but the other four sponsors, Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela, went ahead, with Mr Obama giving a nod to his UN ambassador not to veto it. Mr Trump had made amply clear his inclinations by nominating a hardline pro-settlement son of a rabbi, David Friedman, as his ambassador to Israel. The shock and delight the UN resolution has caused in the two opposing camps signifies how seriously the principal actors are taking it. To begin with, it puts the Palestinian cause centrestage just as a new pro-Israeli US administration is preparing to take charge. Second, the French and British support for the resolution implies that much of Europe is fed up with Israeli policies towards Palestinians and might act to deny the occupied territories the benefits it receives in trade concessions. Third, the International Criminal Court at The Hague is already looking at a complaint filed by Palestinians on Israeli policies on, among other things, the settlements, and might decide to conduct a full probe. Mr Netanyahu has domestic problems to contend with. Thus far he has been sailing along building new settlements even while paying lip service to a two-state solution. Now, presiding as he does over the most right-wing government ever, he will be asked by his more extremist colleagues to up the ante and accelerate settlement building to thumb his nose at the international community. The fiction of a two-state solution, the international mantra, is being sabotaged by deliberate Israeli policy. The fear in Israel and its neighbourhood is that if the new US ambassador, once confirmed, carries out his threat to move his countrys embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the Palestinian street erupts, the Arab street cannot be far behind. Such a storm would set back Mr Netanyahus efforts to build discreet relations with Sunni countries such as Saudi Arabia, who were beginning to see the regional scenario in terms of warding off Shia Irans growing influence. The more hardline policies Mr Netanyahu is forced to adopt, the greater will be the adverse reaction from the Sunni world and Europe. About 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built after the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The change in US policies Mr Trump is threatening to bring about on assuming charge will thus be his first test in the historical tussle between Jews and Palestinians over the holy land that is being gradually swallowed up by a strong Israel militarised and financed by the US in its own interest against the backdrop of the grip Jews have over the American political system. It is one of the factors that prevented Mr Obama from undertaking a successful bid for giving the Palestinians their due. The irony is that the more the future Trump administration tilts towards Israel, the greater will be the danger of a new conflagration in the Arab and Muslim worlds. The venom in Mr Netanyahus reaction to the US abstention says it all, accusing the Obama administration of a disgraceful anti-Israel manoeuvre. The US has traditionally employed the largest number of vetoes to save Israel from criticism in the Security Council, although previous Presidents have abstained on some resolutions concerning Israel in the past. On the Palestinian side, Saeb Erekat, the long-time Palestinian negotiator with Israel, has indicated that if the US moved its embassy to Jerusalem, it would prompt the Palestine Liberation Organisation to withdraw recognition of Israel granted as part of the illusory Oslo peace process. Apart from the peace treaties Egypt and Jordan have with Israel, the rest of the Arab world has only clandestine relations with Tel Aviv. The UN resolution says in part that the Israeli settlements have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation under international law. Thanks to the UN resolution and a historic US abstention, the Palestinian cause will now figure as a major barometer of the progress of the Trump era. European nations have already warned the Trump transition team not to tinker with the Iran nuclear deal because some of them are participants in the agreement they consider essential in keeping Tehrans nuclear ambitions under control. Indeed, the Israeli approach to Palestinians will become a second major cause of friction between the European Union and a Trump-dominated Washington. It remains to be seen if the burden of office will sober Mr Trumps expansive style of policymaking. He will not have many supporters in Europe or around the world if he goes headlong into the Israeli-Palestinian quagmire without giving a thought for the morrow. The world does not draw much comfort from his boast of finding the ultimate solution for the historical struggle between Jews and Palestinians. Prime Minister Narendra Modis many speeches and observations since he kicked off the demonetisation drive on November 8 have been mystifying in that the hardships faced by all sections of society have been inconsistent with the level of optimism his remarks sought to whip up. But none have been as puzzling as the ones he made at a clutch of functions in Mumbai and Pune on Saturday as the end of the officially notified demonetisation plan on December 30 is coming in sight. As is typical of him, Mr Modi once again launched a no-holds-barred broadside against his political opponents for criticising the delegitimising of certain currency notes, and proceeded to say that the poor would see the end of their hardships and the corrupt would face hard times. None of this seems real. The poor have been soaked out as the informal economy, that provides the overwhelming bulk of jobs in India, has gone into a tailspin with the cash vanishing. And whats vanished from the lives of the ordinary people is their hard-earned white money, and they have suddenly become jobless because employers are unable to employ people any more. It has to be seen to what extent the anticipated agricultural recovery caused by this years good monsoon has been neutralised by the demonetisation, but its abundantly clear that private investment the real proper indicator of the Indian economy advancing has been below par in the past two years, and made worse with the drive for cashlessness. With the economy groaning and slowing by an expected two per cent, it is hard to visualise how the poor will benefit by Mr Modis much-touted recent drive to go without cash. And yet, without breaking his stride, the PM speaks of making India a developed country in one generation. Is the leadership taking leave of a sense of reality? It has also been promised that the corrupt will be in for hard times. How? And who are the corrupt when all the demonetised currency is back with the banks, suggesting there was literally very little black money less than five per cent in the form of cash. All things considered, the high-voltage, promising-the-moon speeches, seems like talking up a policy that has taken a beating on the eve of important state elections. The whole notion of who the corrupt are can be swung around if the Supreme Court were to order an investigation supervised by itself into documents of the Sahara and Birla groups that have surfaced lately and are with the income-tax authorities. These appear to arraign some leading politicians of Gujarat, from the BJP as well as the Congress. What an amazing, celebratory, shocking, joyous and painful year it has been. Both the UK and the United States went through their own turmoils created entirely through the ballot box. In the UK, 2016 will be remembered forever as the year in which Britain decided to leave the European Union. The term Brexit has already entered the Oxford English Dictionary. That night of June 23/24 was the sort of historic occasion when we will ask each other in the future: Where were you when we Brexited? For Londoners, the exit was very painful as this multicultural city had voted to Remain. It was around 4 am on June 24 when the results came and the pound plunged. None of us could believe it. I empathise with those who did not believe that Donald Trump would win, as I had the same sinking feeling on June 24. So many felt we were living in a parallel universe surely in the real world people had to be smarter, cleverer less parochial and inward looking? (Such is our vanity!) But all adjectives and remonstrations failed as we viewed the enormity of the result. It was as though a silent, invisible tsunami had swept the landscape, and we could only deal with the aftereffects. But fair or not, correct or wrong who could judge? Once we had been given a free and fair democratic vote one had to bow to the mandate. But it has been a difficult decision to deal with, and the divisions continue to trouble as the liberals and intellectuals grapple with a new UK. The Remainers feel cheated and want another referendum and the Leavers continue to insist that one referendum is enough. Brexit has taken over our life and our politics. But then, it was sad to see David Cameron depart from politics. We will always cherish his help with the Gandhi Statue in Parliament Square. He was a gracious host for Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, who unveiled the statue, and then again for Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he addressed local Indians at Wembley. Theresa May has swiftly taken his place as if she was always ready to be Prime Minister. Priti Patel is a Cabinet minister, a first for a PIO. London voted to Remain, with our own borough of Lambeth with the highest margin 72/28. But then London has its own unique character. After all, in Sadiq Khan we have a Muslim mayor, the first in the West of a major metropolis. He is so firmly pro-Europe that he wants special status for London to negotiate separately. The fourth sculpture chosen for the empty plinth in Trafalgar Square the strong upright thumb says it all. London has its own will and will try to have its way. London also got its first black bishop. Just as the year was coming to an end, Woyin Karowei Dorgu, Nigerian by origin, was consecrated as the Bishop of Woolwich in the Southwark Cathedral. He is only the second black bishop beside Archbishop John Sentamu of York. London continues to don a coat of many colours! It has also been the year of the Queens 90th birthday. She became the longest reigning British monarch ever. London celebrated her birthday in style with a picnic style lunch on the Mall for hundreds and many more cheering the monarch as she passed by in her horse carriage. Even with great grandchildren by her side she shows little signs of slowing down! But she is trying She just gave up being the patron of 20 charities, including the Battersea Dogs Home and Barnardos, passing them on to her children. She has still 600 other organisations in her care. We are all waiting for Prince Harry to settle down. But not yet, not in 2016. It looks like in Meghan he may have found the woman who will win him. Ever since they became an item, the press has not left them alone for a second. Of course, Harry would like his privacy but then what good it is to be a Londoner if you cant show your girlfriend the delights of the West End. So there they were in SoHo, catching a play, not a care in the world, walking around nonchalantly. Let us hope 2017 will bring a royal wedding. For me personally, the year saw the realisation of a dream project, though it has a rather difficult India-UK history to recount: we set up the worlds first Partition Museum at Town Hall, Amritsar. The response has been phenomenal and even our curtainraiser exhibition is receiving thousands of visitors. As we begin to collect oral histories and memorabilia to place in the museum from the UK, I urge all Londoners whose families were connected with that period, to please get in touch! And when the London School of Economics annual conference is held in New Delhi the Partition Museum will have a special exhibition in 2017. Look out for it. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! IAS officers have finally proved that like everyone else, they too have feet of clay. The elite cadre officers, who normally sneer when any group or community makes a demand to the government and crib at being called a babu, recently asked the Akhilesh Yadav government to give them plots in Lucknow and Noida and also distribute laptops to them. During the recently-concluded IAS week, the officers just had these demands to make to the government. There was no demand for a policy against frequent transfers, which rankles most officers. The demands, ironically, came at a time when the provincial civil service officers often referred to as their poor cousins were staging demonstrations against manhandling of their members by a group of lawyers. The IAS officers, expectedly, did not support the PCS officers and it was only when the latter threatened to proceed on strike that the government intervened. They (IAS) have finally proved that they are as good or bad as you and me. They are also seeking favours from the government and awards for their wives. If we do this, they will blast us, said a retired PCS officer. The issue has taken away some sheen from the cadre and even some senior officers disapprove of the demand. A calf attack to please bull boss Tathagata Satpathy, Biju Janata Dal Lok Sabha member, has an inimitable sense of satire, which he often uses to attack leaders of rival parties the Congress and BJP. Though not an official party spokesperson, Mr Satpathy often uses every available opportunity to launch offensives against the Opposition, ostensibly to please his master Odisha chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik. While addressing BJD workers in his constituency Dhenkanal on Friday, the MP said: Some leaders in the BJP who are still bachhuri (calf), are trying to lock horns with our president and CM Naveen Patnaik who is in fact a saandh (bull). Let the calves first grow as balad (oxen) and then graduate to bulls, after which it will at least be eligible to take on our saandh (Mr Patnaik). When their (BJP and Congress) senior central leaders are all praise of our saandh, why are these calves making noise here and dreaming to become chief minister of Odisha? said Mr Satpathy. Although the BJD MP did not mention anybodys name, sources said he was very much targeting BJP leader and Union PNG minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who these days has been attacking the Odisha CM on different issues vehemently. Badals tall claims The Aam Aadmi Party has launched a unique programme over the counter-claims made by deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal that he is bewildered by the huge response of the public to the policies of the AAP. The Punjab government, particularly Mr Badal, is trying to divert the attention of people through its false propaganda of development. In order to counter the deputy CM, the AAP has started a programme named Sukhbir di gup, AAP da sachch (claims of Sukhbir, truth by AAP). AAP leader Charanjit Singh Channi said that Mr Badal is popularly known as gappi (a person who makes tall claims), and he does not even bother to check the actual position before making tall claims in public. Citing an example, Mr Channi said Mr Badals dream project of a water bus, which is lying under lock since its inception has cost dear to farmers as several acres of crops have been destroyed because excess water was let out to run this water bus. He said that people of Punjab were well versed with the hyperbole of Mr Badal, and they will show Akalis the door in the 2017 elections. A new report from Bloomberg indicates why exactly MacBook Pros battery has been a disappointment. The year 2016 has been a year full of unexpected launches especially for Apple. After unveiling their iPhone 7 flagship, the company went on to launch the new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar feature later in the year. However, several reports have indicated towards how the new laptops battery life hasnt exactly been up to the mark. Now a new report published by news agency Bloomberg explains why exactly this might have been an issue for the company. According to the report, Apple was hoping to use a higher-capacity battery that was form-fit to the inside of the computer. But the design is said to have failed a key test, leading Apple to scrap those plans and ship the laptop with an older battery design. When the company was developing the first 12-inch MacBook, Apple tested two primary prototypes, the Bloomberg report read indicating towards the laptops Stealth Fighter and Stealth Bomber design. The lighter model (Stealth Fighter) prevailed, but with engineers developing and testing two competing concepts, they had less time to figure out how to cram all the electronics into a thin slab of aluminium that would hold together. In the end, Apple shipped the laptop in 2015, months after its 2014 goal, the report continued. As for 2016, Some Apple engineers wanted to add Touch ID fingerprint scanner and a second USB-C port (which would have made some power users happy). The update instead included a new rose gold colour option alongside a standard speed increase, the report further added. Apple has declined to comment on this particular speculation. However, the company CEO Tim Cook recently reassured its employees that great desktops were on the way. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Nokia last week sued Apple for patent infringement, claiming that the company had refused to license its patents. As a result, the Cupertino-giant sued several patent owners saying that they were conspiring with Nokia. Now a new report suggests that Apple has pulled all Withings products from its online store. (Withings makes Wi-Fi scales and other digital health/fitness gears). Users can notice this themselves as while the Google search will showcase a listing on Apples web store for Withings products but clicking on the link leads to an error message on the website. This isnt the first time Apple and Nokia have been involved in a dispute over patents. The two companies sued each other in 2009 but later struck a deal in 2011 wherein Apple agreed to license Nokias patents. However, according to Nokia, Apple has refused to take a new license this time. Apple responded by saying that Nokia was acting like a patent troll and said it was defending inventors everywhere by standing up to the company. We respect intellectual property and weve always been willing to pay a fair price to secure the rights of patents covering technology in our products. Apple said in a statement to Recode. Unfortunately, Nokia has refused to license their patents on a fair basis and is now using the tactics of a patent troll to attempt to extort money from Apple by applying a royalty rate to Apples own inventions they had nothing to do with. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Googles new Toilet Locator app lets you reach the exact location using transports, by foot or vehicle. Ministry of Urban Development in the effort to keep India clean, recently launched a toilet locator app that is aimed towards assisting people find clean public washrooms. The app called Google Toilet Locator app was unveiled by the Minister of Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday, 23 December. This app is developed by Google and will also act as Google Maps assistant. For now, the app supports two locations, Delhi NCR and Madhya Pradesh and will be made available in other cities in the coming year. The app is designed in a manner that allows users to avail information about as many as thousands of public toilet around the area. Mr. Naidu also revealed that 504 cities and towns have till now achieved free of open defecation status and around 739 more cities have made a commitment to achieve the status by March 2017. Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Sikkim are the three states which have announced that all of its cities and towns are Open Defection Free (ODF), while Kerala is expected to become Open Defection Free by March 2018, Naidu informed. The app is available in two languages Hindi and English and is also accessible through Desktop apart from the mobile app. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Samsung is reportedly planning to release the new Black Pearl variant of its 2016 flagship Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge in India in January. Earlier this month, Samsung added Black Pearl, a seventh colour variant, to its Galaxy S7 Edge smartphone, exclusively available in the 128GB variant. According to a report by Korean Herald, Samsung has introduced the new colour variant to the nine-month-old Galaxy S7 to compete with the Apple latest iPhone releasesJet Black and Matte Black iPhone 7 models. The reports had claimed that the new Galaxy S7 variant would serve as an asset to Samsung to overcome the sale loss it experienced following the discontinuation of Note 7. The Samsung Galaxy S7 model will now be available in White, Gold, Silver, Pink Gold, Onyx Black with a matte finish, and the newly launched glossy Black Pearl. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak said Sunday 233 injured people from east Aleppo have been brought to Turkey for treatment so far, Anadolu reported. "233 injured people have been in our country so far. 33 were discharged however unfortunately 32 people died", Kaynak remarked. Kaynak visited injured civilians from east Aleppo in a state hospital in southern province of Hatay in Turkey. Kaynak told press while leaving the hospital that the evacuations from Aleppo completed. "We can say that almost 40,000 people have been evacuated. These people have been generally settled alongside their relatives near Idlib", he said. The Turkish Deputy PM added that this time Turkey didn't face an intense migration from Syria as it happened in 2011 and 2012 and nevertheless Turkey is taking required precautions for a possible intense migration. Upon a question about the operation in Syria's Al-Bab city, Kaynak said that the city was completely surrounded by Free Syrian Army (FSA) with the supports of Turkish Armed Forces. The Turkish army supports the Free Syrian Army fighters to liberate Al-Bab from Daesh, a strategic city for the terrorist group. The operation is part of the Turkey-led Operation Euphrates Shield which began in late Aug. to improve security, support coalition forces, and eliminate the terror threat along Turkeys border using FSA fighters backed by Turkish artillery and jets. Under the terms of an earlier agreement between the Syrian regime and opposition groups, civilians trapped in eastern Aleppo were allowed to go to the opposition-held city of Idlib. New York: The Defence Minister of Pakistan Khawaja M Asif, took to Twitter making an indirect nuclear threat to Israel after he was misled by a fake news that Israel had warned Islamabad of retaliation in case they interfered in the ongoing situation in Syria. Pakistan's Defence Minister Asif, on December 23, tweeted: "Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh. Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too AH." In a fake news published by AWDnews, it was said, that the former Defence Minister of Israel Moshe Ya'alon had said that Pakistan would be destroyed if it sent troops to Syria and interfered in the ongoing war. The headline read: "Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops into Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack." Following that news, Khawaja Asif tweeted the retort without verifying the information. The Times of Israel in a report stated: "Israel has never publicly confirmed or denied possessing nuclear weapons, nor issued threats to use nuclear weapons. It would be beyond unlikely for it to brazenly threaten Pakistan that "we will destroy them with a nuclear attack," as the report claimed that Ya'alon did on Tuesday. Such ostensible comments by Ya'alon would have caused major headlines worldwide." Reacting to Pakistan Defence Minister's tweet @Israel_MOD said "The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said...reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false." Beijing: China's first aircraft carrier has set off for the Western Pacific for an open-sea training exercise, the Defense Ministry said. State media said on Sunday that it is the first time that the Liaoning, which was commissioned by the Chinese navy in 2012, has headed to "distant sea waters." The Western Pacific region stretches from China to New Zealand and encompasses countries in the Pacific, Oceania and parts of Asia. The statement said a navy formation including the Liaoning set off Saturday for training in the Western Pacific, without elaborating on the location, as part of an annual training plan. The exercise takes place at a time of tension between China and the United States, the Pacific Ocean's dominant power, over the sensitive issue of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory. President-elect Donald Trump took a congratulatory December 2 phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, marking the first time an American President or President-elect has publicly spoken to Taiwan's leader since Washington broke off its formal diplomatic relationship with Taiwan in 1979. To outrage in Beijing, Trump later suggested he could re-evaluate US policy on Taiwan. China seized a US Navy underwater glider in the South China Sea on December 16 in what was seen by Chinese analysts as a warning to Trump. China said in November that its aircraft carrier, purchased as an incomplete hull from Ukraine more than a decade ago, was ready to engage in combat. The Liaoning recently completed its first live-fire exercise along with fighters in the Bohai Sea in eastern China and, on Friday, the military announced it had carried out a series of fighter launch, recovery and air combat exercises slightly farther afield in the Yellow Sea. On Saturday morning, the Liaoning carried out training in the East China Sea, according to footage shown on state broadcaster China Central Television. A separate statement from the Defense Ministry said that several carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters took off one after another and returned after completing an air tactical confrontation and air refuelling exercise. The Japanese Defense Ministry said it spotted the Liaoning as part of a fleet of eight Chinese warships that included destroyers and frigates, in the central part of the East China Sea for the first time. It said there was no incursion into Japanese waters. China hasn't described specifically how it intends to use the Liaoning, but it is seen as helping reinforce China's increasingly assertive claims over almost all of the South China Sea, which is home to key shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds and a potential wealth of mineral resources. Five other governments claim the maritime space either in part or in whole, and the Philippines and Vietnam, in particular, have sought assistance from the US and others in beefing up their ability to resist China, including its construction of seven islands by piling sand atop coral reefs. The plane disappeared from radar 20 minutes after take-off at 05:20 local time (7:40 am IST). (Photo: Representational Image) Sochi (Russia): Russia's defence ministry said a body had been recovered from the Black Sea after a Syria-bound military plane carrying 91 people crashed Sunday, local news agencies reported. "The body of a person killed as a result the crash of the Russian defence ministry's Tu-154 was found six kilometres off the coast of Sochi," defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told agencies. "The body was taken on board of a rescue ship." The Russian military plane with 91 passengers on board went missing on Sunday just minutes after take-off from the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Local news agencies, citing the defence ministry, said the Tu-154 plane had crashed shortly after taking off from the southern city of Adler, south of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, at 5:40 am local time (0240 GMT). Its debris was soon found in the Black Sea, along with luggage belonging to passengers. "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres," the ministry said, adding that search and rescue groups had been dispatched earlier Sunday to locate the missing. It was conducting a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase outside the coastal Syrian city of Latakia, the ministry said. A military music band and reporters were aboard the aircraft. There were nine members of the media on board. The plane disappeared from radar 20 minutes after take-off at 05:20 local time (7:40 am IST). The aircraft went missing as it was manoeuvring over Russia's territorial waters. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies that President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the situation. Among its 83 passengers were Russian servicemen as well as members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group internationally known as the Red Army Choir, who were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the airbase. There were also eight crew members onboard, the ministry said. Nine members of the media were among the passengers, with state-run channel Pervy Kanal saying three of its staff were onboard the flight. Moscow has been flying a bombing campaign in Syria since September 2015 in support of long-time ally Bashar al-Assad. Russia's Investigative Committee said that a criminal probe had been launched to determine whether violations of air transportation safety had led to the crash. Investigators are currently questioning the technical personnel responsible for preparing the plane for take-off, the committee said. Tu-154 aircraft have been involved in a number of accidents in the past. In April 2010 many high-ranking Polish officials, including then president Lech Kaczynski, were killed when a Tu-154 airliner went down in thick fog while approaching the Smolensk airport in western Russia. Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of long-time ally President Bashar al-Assad since September 2015 and has taken steps to boost its presence in the country. Putin in October approved a law ratifying Moscow's deal with Damascus to deploy its forces in the country indefinitely, firming Russia's long-term presence in the country. Russian warplanes have flown out of the Hmeimim base to conduct air strikes in Syria, and the base is also home to an S-400 air defence system. Jerusalem: Israel was defiant on Sunday over a UN vote demanding it halt settlements in Palestinian territory, after lashing out at US President Barack Obama over the "shameful" resolution. The Security Council passed the measure Friday after the United States abstained, enabling the adoption of the first UN resolution since 1979 to condemn Israel over its settlement policy. By deciding not to veto the move, the US took a rare step that deeply angered Israel, which accused Obama of abandoning its closest Middle East ally in the waning days of his administration. The text was passed with support from all remaining members of the 15-member council, with applause breaking out in the chamber. The landmark vote came despite intense lobbying efforts by Israel and calls from US President-elect Donald Trump to block the text. While the resolution contains no sanctions, Israeli officials are concerned it could widen the possibility of prosecution at the International Criminal Court. They are also worried it could encourage some countries to impose sanctions against Israeli settlers and goods produced in the settlements. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the resolution as a "shameful blow against Israel at the United Nations". Biased and shameful "The decision that was taken was biased and shameful, but we will withstand it," the Israeli leader said. "It will take time, but this decision will be annulled." Netanyahu said Obama had broken a long-standing US commitment not to "dictate the terms of peace to Israel" at the UN body. He said he had instructed the foreign ministry to review engagements at the United Nations, including funding for UN agencies and the presence of UN representatives in Israel. The resolution, Netanyahu said, was "part of the swan song of the old world that is biased against Israel, but, my friends, we are entering a new era," he said of Trump's imminent presidency. Trump reacted after the vote by promising change at the UN. "As to the UN, things will be different after Jan. 20th," he tweeted referring to the date of his inauguration. He added: "The big loss yesterday for Israel in the United Nations will make it much harder to negotiate peace. Too bad, but we will get it done anyway!" Trump said in a message on Twitter. The US has traditionally served as Israel's diplomatic shield, protecting it from resolutions it opposes. It is Israel's most important ally, providing it with more than $3 billion each year in defence aid. That number will soon rise to $3.8 billion per year under a new decade-long pact, the biggest pledge of US military aid in history. But the Obama administration has grown increasingly frustrated with settlement building in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied for nearly 50 years. There have been growing warnings that settlement expansion is fast eroding the possibility of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the basis of years of negotiations. Settlements are built on land the Palestinians view as part of their future state and seen as illegal under international law. "We cannot stand in the way of this resolution as we seek to preserve a chance of attaining our longstanding objective of two states living side by side in peace and security," said Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN. "The settlement problem has gotten so much worse that it is now putting at risk the very viability of that two-state solution." Following the vote, Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked of the far-right Jewish Home said that "we need to talk about annexation" of the West Bank. 'Big blow' Trump has signalled he is likely to be far more favourable to Israel. Some 430,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the West Bank and a further 200,000 Israelis live in annexed east Jerusalem, which Palestinians see as the capital of their future state. The resolution demands "Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem." It says settlements have "no legal validity" and are "dangerously imperilling the viability of the two-state solution." Friday's vote was scheduled at the request of New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela, which stepped in after Egypt put the draft resolution on hold. After the resolution passed, Israel recalled its ambassadors to Senegal and New Zealand for consultations. It has no diplomatic relations with Venezuela or Malaysia. A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas called the resolution a "big blow for Israeli policies". Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, also welcomed the vote. Syrians evacuated from the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo during the ceasefire arrive at a refugee camp in Rashidin, near Idlib, Syria. (Photo: AP) Aleppo: Russian jets stepped up strikes on several towns in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province and rural Aleppo two days after the evacuation of rebels from their last pocket in the northern city of Aleppo, rebels and residents said on Saturday. They said at least eight strikes targeted Binish, Saraqeb and Jisr al Shaqour - main towns in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib. There were reports of several casualties, mainly among civilians. Idlib province for months has been a target of Russia's heavy bombing campaign against rebel-held areas. It came even while the former eastern part of Aleppo under insurgent control faced an escalation in aerial raids and shelling until its defences collapsed and the rebels were forced to agree to an evacuation deal. The Syrian army has hinted the next major campaign after its victory in Aleppo was to rout insurgents in their stronghold of Idlib province, where mainly Islamist brigades operating under a coalition known as Jaish al-Fateh are in control. Residents and rebels said Russian and Syrian jets also staged heavy strikes on rebel-held parts of western and southern parts of rural Aleppo for the second day since the last rebels left their remaining pocket of territory in Aleppo city. They raided the town of Khan al Asal, about 14 km (9 miles) west of Aleppo, with cluster bombs while several strikes hit Hreitan and Andan, according to a rebel fighter from Jaish al Mujahideen. The nearby town of Atareb was also hit. Although the Syrian army, with the help of Iranian-backed militias, was able to take full control of Aleppo city after Russia conducted hundreds of raids that pulverized rebel-held parts, large swathes of western and southern Aleppo countryside remain in rebel hands. Rebels said they repelled an Iranian-backed militia assault on Saturday to gain ground in the Rashideen area, west of Aleppo city. The Syrian army continued to comb areas in eastern Aleppo that fell under its control on Thursday. The Lebanese Hezbollah-run military news service said weapons caches left by insurgents exploded, causing two deaths and wounding scores. Capt. Rahmani, who graduated from flight school in 2012 and qualified to fly C-208 military cargo aircraft, had been in the United States on a training course. (Photo: Twitter) Kabul: There was an angry reaction in Afghanistan to news that the first female fixed-wing pilot in the countrys air force was requesting asylum in the United States after completing an 18-month training course. The Afghan defence ministry confirmed on Sunday that Captain Niloofar Rahmani, 25, had sought asylum after the Wall Street Journal quoted her as saying that she feared her life would be in danger if she returned home. A recipient of the US State Departments Women of Courage award in 2015, Capt. Rahmani had been a symbol of efforts to improve the situation of women in her country, more than a decade after the fall of the Taliban regime. Mohammad Radmanish, a defence ministry spokesperson, said the government hoped that her request would be denied by US authorities who have spent billions trying to build up Afghan security forces. When an officer complains of insecurity and is afraid of security threats, then what should ordinary people do? he said. She has made an excuse for herself, but we have hundreds of educated women and female civil right activists who work and it is safe for them. Capt. Rahmani, who graduated from flight school in 2012 and qualified to fly C-208 military cargo aircraft, had been in the United States on a training course and had been due to return home on Saturday. In a conservative country notorious for the restrictions placed on women, Rahmanis story stood out as a rare example of a woman breaking through in areas normally reserved for men. Her success came at a price, however. The citation for the Women of Courage award said she and her family had received direct threats not just from the Taliban but also from some relatives, forcing her family to move house several times. However, there was little sympathy on Afghanistans active social media networks, which were replete with comments criticizing Rahmani, accusing her of wasting government money spent on expensive training and avoiding her responsibilities. Niloofar Rahmani took a million dollars from the pockets of the people of Afghanistan to pay human traffickers to get to America to seek asylum, one Facebook user wrote in comments typical of others. Dozens of Afghan troops receiving training in the United States have gone missing over the past two years, and at least one has been detained while trying to cross the border to Canada. Karachi: Paramilitary rangers have carried out raids and booked a close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari under anti-terrorism law, as Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-Chairperson returned to the country ending his 18-month-long self imposed exile. Political analysts see the raids carried out on the offices and residence of businessman Anwar Majeed (who is still at large), just hours after Zardari's return on Friday, as a message by the establishment to the firebrand leader to stay out of politics. Other close aides of Zardari including an influential former petroleum minister and businessman Dr Asim Hussain are already languishing in jails facing several cases of corruption and aiding terrorism. "The rangers decision to carry out the raids on the same day as Zardari arrived. It shows that the powerful lobbies are not keen to have him in the country," political analyst Nigar Jafri said. "There are several cases and issues pending in which his close aides have been accused of massive corruption and some are in custody, so basically it is a message to him to go back to Dubai," another analyst said. However, Zardari appeared calm when he visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah today to pay homage to the founder of the country on his birthday. "Yes Anwar Majeed is a friend but why the rangers have raided his offices you should ask the interior minister," Zardari told the media. He said he was also keeping abreast of the cases against Asim. "I have said before, these charges are political victimisation," he added. Interestingly, Zardari's return to Karachi was not celebrated as a big occasion by the PPP as everyone expected and instead of going from the airport to his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's house in a motorcade the former president and his close aides preferred to fly from the airport by a helicopter prompting speculations that there were security threats to his life. Political analysts and citizens had expected the PPP to make a big show of Zardari's return on the main Karsaz road, where in October 2007, a deadly attack on the motorcade and procession of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who had returned home from a self-imposed exile after nine years, had killed around 160 PPP activists. Karachi: Pakistan on Sunday released 220 Indian fishermen held for trespassing into its territorial waters as a "goodwill gesture" to its nuclear-armed rival India, officials said. "We released 220 Indian fishermen today as a goodwill gesture," Deputy Superintendent of Karachi's Malir prison Hassan Sehto said, adding that 219 others still remain in Pakistani custody. The freed fishermen are expected to cross over into India on Monday. Indian and Pakistani fishermen are frequently detained for illegal fishing since the Arabian Sea border is not clearly defined and many boats lack the technology to fix their precise location. The fishermen often languish in jail, even after serving their terms, as poor diplomatic ties between the two neighbours mean fulfilling bureaucratic requirements can take a long time. Relations between the two nations have plummeted since a deadly attack on an Indian army base in the disputed region of Kashmir in September, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. There have since been repeated outbreaks of cross-border firing, with both sides reporting deaths and injuries. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region. Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that the UN vote demanding Israel halt settlements in Palestinian territory would make a peace deal "much harder," but said it could happen anyway. "The big loss yesterday for Israel in the United Nations will make it much harder to negotiate peace. Too bad, but we will get it done anyway!" Trump said in a message on Twitter. The UN vote Friday marked a stark turnabout in longstanding US custom at the world body. The Security Council passed the measure after the United States abstained, enabling the adoption of the first UN resolution since 1979 to condemn Israel over its settlement policy. By deciding not to veto the move, the US took a rare step that deeply angered Israel, which accused President Barack Obama of abandoning its closest Middle East ally in the waning days of his administration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the resolution as a "shameful blow against Israel at the United Nations." Trump, who campaigned on a promise to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, had bluntly said Thursday that Washington should use its veto to block the resolution. "As the United States has long maintained, peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians will only come through direct negotiations between the parties, and not through the imposition of terms by the United Nations," he said in a statement. Trump has chosen as ambassador to Israel the hardliner David Friedman, who has said Washington will not pressure Israel to curtail settlement building in the occupied West Bank. Islamabad: The US Department of Defence has awarded a USD 284.6 million contract to Lockheed Martin to produce infrared target sight systems or TSS for the US Navy and Pakistan, a media report said on Saturday. The system will be used for the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters, which have proved very effective in combats against militants, particularly in difficult terrains. In the US, the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter is used by US Marine Corps expeditionary forces, the Dawn reported. The TSS incorporates a third-generation forward-looking infrared sensor that provides target sighting in day, night, or adverse weather conditions. A Pentagon press release describes the TSS system as a large-aperture mid-wave forward-looking infrared sensor with a laser designator/rangefinder turret. It provides the capability to identify and laser-designate targets at maximum weapon range, significantly enhancing platform survivability and lethality. The company's Orlando-based missile and fire control unit will produce the sight system in Orlando and Ocala, Florida, through January 2022 for the US Navy and Pakistan under the foreign military sales portion of the award, the paper said, citing the Pentagon release. The contract has a base value of USD 150.96 million but its accumulative cost would go up to USD 284.6 million. The government of Pakistan will pay about 12 per cent of the total cost through an arrangement with the US under the Foreign Military Sales programme. In January, Lockheed Martin received a smaller contract of USD 14 million to provide the same target system for Pakistan. The contracts include software development and testing, system modification, and installation requirements to integrate the TSS into the Cobra helicopters. The TSS provides target information and tracking data for the helicopter, in addition to passive targeting for integrated weapons. Work on the first contract, performed in Florida, would be completed by December 2017. Although the United States and Pakistan were once close allies, relations between the two countries strained in 2011, when the US eliminated al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden during a covert raid at his compound in Abbottabad. The bilateral ties slipped further after the US Congress blocked financing of eight F-16 fighter jets earlier this year despite strong lobbying by Islamabad. The US lawmakers accused Islamabad of continuing to support the Afghan Taliban. Actors Meghan Markle and Rick Hoffman attend a Q&A following the premiere of USA Network's 'Suits' Season 5 at Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel on January 21, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Alberto E. Rodriguez) Things may again go south for Pearson Specter Litt as one of their most valuable assets is in danger of leaving the company. In episode 11 slated for showing in January 2017, Megan Markle's character Rachel Zane will be ot the verge of leaving the law firm once his father Robert Zane (Wendell Pierce) offers her another job. Advertisement In an interview with TV Line, series creator Aaron Korsh revealed that Robert will be convincing her to shift work since Pearson Specter Litt is no longer worth working for. Robert is one of the partners owning the Rand, Kaldor and Zane law firm. Earlier this season, Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres), the anchor of the whole PSL, left the company. This will be Rachel's father's turning point in convincing her daughter that the firm she is working for is in the danger of losing the brilliance it once had when Jessica was still there. "Her father is going to say, 'Listen, it was one thing when Jessica was there," Korsh said, giving details on how this confrontation is going to happen. "She's not there [anymore], and I'm not sure that firm is going to survive without her. Come work for me.'" According to the series creator, Rachel is going to decide where she will be staying at Pearson Spector or she will pack up her bags, leave and work for her father. He also revealed that Robert's selling point is his thought that Rachel would not want to be associated with a company who hired a fraud especially now that she is aiming to enter the bar. In other news, "Suits" has been renewed for another season, according to the same publication. At the start of Season 6, Korsh was unsure whether the TV series is up for another season. It has been good news for both the production team and fans that the TV drama is still extended for another installment. "Suits" Season 6 Episode 11 will air on Jan. 25, 2017, Wednesday, at the USA Network. For other details about the upcoming episode, check out the video below: A 23-year-old woman software engineer working with an IT firm here was hacked to death by an unidentified assailant barely some metres away from her office on the outskirts of the city. Antara Das, who hailed from West Bengal, was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon at around 8 PM on Friday night when she was returning home from work near Tathwade area, a senior police official of Dehuroad Police Station said. "Das was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she was declared dead on arrival," he said. According to the officer, robbery angle has been ruled out as the valuables the woman was carrying were intact. A case was registered in this regard, police said, adding a probe was underway. According to a statement given by her company Capgemini to the police, Das left the office at 8 PM on Friday night and decided not to travel by the office cab. The woman mentioned in the office register that she would be taking an auto to get back home, police said. The attack took place barely some metres from her office and she was rushed to hospital by passers-by. Shell out a little more even if you want a middle seat in flights with airlines charging extra for preferred seats as they look to increase their ancillary revenues amid stiff competition. With regulations permitting unbundling of various services offered by domestic carriers, choosing a particular seat, especially the window ones and those with more leg space, comes at extra cost. Charging extra for choice of seats in flights, including the middle ones, is a commonly accepted international practice and is not something new. It also helps in adding to the ancillary revenues, aviation industry officials said. Passengers give more preference for window and aisle seats as well as those having extra leg room, they added. A Jet Airways spokesperson said allowing guests to pre-reserve seats for a fee is a prevalent and commonly accepted industry practice by almost all major airlines, full service as well as low cost, in the world. "It is also followed by domestic carriers in India and forms a part of a carrier's ancillary revenues, compliant with the DGCA guidelines," he said in a detailed response to queries about charging for preferred seats, including the middle ones. According to him, in terms of the middle seats, only the front seven rows in the domestic economy cabin can be pre-reserved for a charge while such seats in the remaining 19 rows can be pre-reserved free of charge. With increasing competition in the Indian aviation sector, which has been seeing over 20 per cent domestic passenger growth for nearly two years, airfares are relatively at lower levels. Against this backdrop, airlines look at ways to increase their ancillary revenues, including by way of charging extra for preferred seats. Industry officials said that extra charge is levied for choosing middle and other seats mostly when a passenger makes a choice at the time of online booking or during web check in. "The seats are assigned on a first come first served basis at the check in counter. A passenger who needs to select a seat can opt for web check in and block the seat and can also do it while booking flight tickets," a SpiceJet spokesperson said while responding to queries about charging for choice of middle seats. Apart from SpiceMax seats, all seats are assigned free of charge at the check-in counter, he added. SpiceMax offers fliers with more facilities such as extra leg room at an extra cost. When asked about the practice, a GoAir spokesperson said currently it is the "only airline to initiate the affordable seat selection offer with seat selection at the least available price from Rs 99 onwards". Guests can pre-book the seats of their choice for a hassle free journey across all sectors offered by GoAir at the lowest available rates compared to other airlines, he added. "Seat select is a completely optional service, as within check-in window (24 hours before departure) any guest can select any seat in the cabin that is not already reserved, completely free of charge," Jet Airways spokesperson said. JetPrivilege Platinum and Gold members can pre-reserve their preferred seat free of charge. An IndiGo spokesperson declined to comment for the story. National carrier Air India charges for preferred seats such as window ones but passengers do not have to pay for choosing middle seats, according to an Air India official. In May this year, the airline extended the facility of preferred seat selection to cover flights operated to SAARC countries, Saudi Arabia and all domestic routes. It was already available for most of its international flights. These seats which can be availed by a passenger in exchange of payment provide comfort of extra leg space and that of deplaning much faster upon arrival, as per a circular issued by Air India in this regard in May. Israel pressed forward with promises of retaliation and damage control today following a UN vote last week on an anti-settlement resolution that passed thanks to an abstention by the US, Israel's close ally. Israel's Foreign Ministry said it began summoning the ambassadors of countries who voted in favour of the resolution, including those from the permanent members of the Security Council Russia, China, the UK and France. The US ambassador was not being summoned because it had abstained and not voted in favour, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon. Speaking to a weekly meeting of his Cabinet today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was also considering a "plan of action" against the UN, without elaborating. "We will do all it takes so Israel emerges unscathed from this shameful decision," Netanyahu said. The resolution, which condemned Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, sparked outrage in Israel and led to a new low in relations between Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama. Israel has accused Obama of colluding with the Palestinians against the Jewish state. "We feel betrayed, extremely frustrated. We are angry. This is not how you treat friends," said Cabinet minister Yuval Steinitz. The resolution's immediate impact appears to be largely symbolic, but Israel fears it could open the door to an increase in international steps, including economic measures. Much of the international community considers the settlements illegal or illegitimate and an obstacle to peace. In addition to the measures declared today, Israel has recalled its ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal for consultations and cancelled a planned January visit to Israel by Senegal's foreign minister. A visit by Ukraine's prime minister has also been cancelled in light of its support for the UN vote and Israel has pledged to cut millions of shekels in funding to certain UN agencies. A dalit man was beaten to death while six others were injured, one of them seriously, by a group of musclemen during fishing at Purikh village in Bihar's Saharsa district today. The deceased has been identified as Chano Ram (55) who succumbed to his injuries during the course of treatment at Sadar hospital, Deputy Superintendent of Police Subodh Viswash said adding that six injured persons are being treated at the hospital. An old land dispute could be the reason behind the incident, DySP said adding that one Purushottam Singh, one of the attackers, has been arrested in this regard. You are on your preferred travel portal, booking your flight to that long-awaited holiday in Greece. A pop-up on your screen prompts you to apply for travel insurance and you close it almost immediately. Perhaps, you should have given this some thought because if you thought your domestic mediclaim policy covers you outside India you are wrong. However difficult it may be to digest the possibility of health issues ruining your vacation, it is a precautionary measure that will save you from unnecessary hassle during your short or long break. Applying for a travel insurance policy has become more of a necessity than a need. Protecting yourself Purchasing a travel insurance policy that meets your requirement is the first step towards protecting yourself while youre traveling abroad. Most general insurance companies are trying to educate travellers about the importance of travel insurance. In fact, some countries have made it mandatory for travellers to be adequately covered under travel insurance. For example, Schengen countries insist on travel insurance as part of a travellers visa documentation. Even Australia has made it mandatory for people above a certain age to apply for this cover. Additionally, students travelling abroad for further studies are usually advised to apply for a travel insurance cover. In India, the concept of travel insurance has still not been explored due to unawareness among majority of the population. However, of late, travel insurance is gaining ground, with more cash being available at ones disposal combined with relatively cheap fares. Also, with the increase in the number of online ticketing platforms and cheaper airfares; online insurance offered by general insurance companies, have added to the growth in the sale of travel policies. In order to compare the varied plans, factors such as the cover options, premium amount, medical cover, upper age limit should be given prior consideration. The premium for an insurance plan depends on the location, the travel period, age of the traveller and the level of coverage chosen. One has to shell out more for protecting themselves to travel to North and South America vis-a-vis other countries. Many insurance companies also provide exclusive covers which offer specialised protection to customers. Baggage loss and baggage delay are the most common problems encountered while flying, which travel insurance covers. However, one should note that coverage is offered only when it is in the custody of the common carrier, which in most cases is the airline. One must keep in mind that it will cover only checked-in baggage and delay in receiving baggage outside Indian boundaries. This means that if there is a delay in receiving baggage in India; the policy wouldnt respond. Travel insurance policies also have features which cover inconvenience caused due to trip delay, trip cancellation, missed connections and loss of passport. The possibility of personal liability is also covered which may lead to litigation in the foreign country. Insurance companies also provide cover if his unattended house in India is burgled, while the policyholder is abroad. This is covered under the home burglary benefit. Did you know that if you are in the age bracket of six months to 70 years, you are eligible to purchase travel insurance. People who are of 71 years and above can still purchase travel insurance but would have limited cover. The duration of travel insurance policies are up to a maximum of 180 days per trip. Premium is determined by the amount of Medical Expenses Sum Insured and it varies from $50,000 to $500,000. Pre-existing ailments Pre-existing ailments are normally excluded in travel insurance and the premium is calculated basis country of travel, age group and trip band. Further, both outpatient and inpatient treatments are covered under travel insurance whilst the insured is abroad. Insured may apply for reimbursement of expenses when they return to India in case of outpatient claims. Students can avail of a specialised cover which is in compliance with institutes abroad and it can be opted for a period of one year. A student cover also includes mental and nervous disorders, rehabilitation for drug and alcoholic addiction, sponsor protection, study interruption and compassionate visit. But students would do well to check whether the travel policy they intend to buy is recognised by their institute. In conclusion, always remember to purchase a travel policy from a respected insurance brand, which has an international presence and a strong track record. One should also take into account the claim settlement record of the insurer. It is advisable that all travellers opt for a travel policy to avoid any unforeseen contingencies which may take place and turn their trip into a nightmare abroad. (The writer is President Insurance at TATA AIG General Insurance) Small and medium enterprises may be gunning for the global markets. However, the reality in getting their systems in place before making this quantum leap, is posing its own set of challenges. Wonder Polymers is a medium-sized company that manufactures and markets a wide range of self-adhesive tapes in India. This Delhi- and Haryana-based company boasts of a design unit, quality and test laboratories, and employs over 80 skilled workers. For Wonder Polymers, managing its sales process and leads was proving to be a painstaking task. Wonder Polymers internal reporting was done manually by a sales person, who would record the leads, opportunities and client contact information on an MS Excel sheet. Information was being processed and available to one person at a time. Invariably, to the one recording it. In the modern manufacturing era, with real-time tracking and inventory processing, this system was proving to be inadequate. It was also holding them back on streamlining sales processes to improve employee productivity. Wonder Polymers is not alone. Millions of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India face the same conundrum. Traditionally small businesses are defined as an industrial undertaking with investments in fixed assets of Rs 1 crore and with less than 50 employees, while a medium-sized enterprise is one with fewer than 250 employees. According to the reports by the SMB Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, India currently has more than 48 million SMEs. These SMEs contribute more than 45% of Indias industrial output, 40% of the countrys total exports and create 1.3 million jobs every year. However, for these businesses to make the leap to international markets, digitisation via information technology is the business need of the hour. Its driven by the growth potential, incubated by programmes such as the governments Make in India initiative. Make in India, launched by the Prime Minister in September 2014, is enabling growth, investment and the tools to promote integration with global manufacturing and supply chains. It encourages multi-national, as well as domestic companies to manufacture their products in India. Apart from ensuring that India emerges as the top destination globally for foreign direct investment, it is also about creating jobs, boosting manufacturing output and exports. All of this directly engages the SME sector be it in automotive, retail, manufacturing, defence and aerospace, or electronics. While the government has listed 25 sectors to boost the globally integrated local economy, the reality is the bulk of the Make in India focus (as the name suggests) will be on manufacturing and retail. Manufacturing and retail take lead Manufacturing and retail are leading the race to digitisation as they will see the maximum gains from this effort to integrate IT into their business processes. According to a survey conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the Boston Consulting Group, 72% of manufacturing executives said they would be heavily investing in advanced manufacturing technologies in the next five years. Manufacturing companies will increasingly use more technology to gain competitive sustainable advantages, better their innovative capability and shorten their product development cycle. The government, which is pushing India as a global manufacturing hub through its Make in India initiative, can play a more important role by providing a conducive environment, and support to the manufacturing companies. As Tallam R Dwaraknath, the President of FKCCI (Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry) puts it, In todays digital era, it is essential that our SMEs have an online presence. Less than 5% of our SMEs have online presence today. Beyond this online presence, managing an enterprise requires specific technological solutions. When it comes to real-time tracking, streamlining of business processes, quality control, collaboration and efficient delivery systems, technology will play the crucial differentiator. Currently, they see technology as a cherry topping they can do without, but to truly compete on the global stage as a world class manufacturer or retailer requires synergies, cost benefits, flexibility, scalability and responsiveness that only information technology can provide. How technology can power the dream In terms of government policy reforms, Make in India has kick-started many initiatives promoting the ease of doing business and to set up infrastructure. By de-licensing and deregulating the infrastructure, the government plans to make it easier to do business or manufacture in India. Application for industrial licenses will happen on a 24x7 basis online, and a single window IT platform will be integrated with this portal so that all clearances are obtained in one go. Apart from licenses and environmental clearances, a checklist of compliances will be clearly listed. Smart cities and industrial corridors are being planned to ensure government policy and reforms match the ease of doing business and infrastructure. But, more than the investment, it is the change in mindset and technology and innovation that the true competitive advantage for SMEs and startups will emerge. In an increasingly complex and competitive global economic landscape, the need to align people, processes and technology is stronger than ever. . (The author is General Manager, Small and Mid-Market Solutions and Partners, Microsoft) In November, as millions of Indians were grappling with a cashflow crisis, a lavish wedding in Bengaluru sparked outrage. The BBCs Geeta Pandey profiles the man behind the wedding, the father of the bride, businessman and ex-state minister Gali Janardhana Reddy. Five days after the government scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in a crackdown on illegal money, Rumah Rasaque spent most of her Sunday standing in the queue outside a cash machine in Bengaluru to withdraw Rs 2,000 the maximum allowed in a day under the new rules. All the chatter in the queue was around this wedding. We had all seen videos of the invitation card and wedding preparations on social media and since we were all having trouble getting cash, everyone was wondering where Reddy was getting money to pay for his daughters wedding? It seemed inherently unfair, said Rasaque, who works with an IT firm in the city. Even without demonetisation, it was obscene, but in the current scenario, it became truly absurd. It was undoubtedly among Indias most extravagant weddings, initially estimated to have cost about Rs 500 crore ($74m; 59m). In the following weeks, that estimate was revised downwards, but the five-day nuptials were no ordinary affair, considering the gold-plated invitation cards, the 50,000 guests and the samba dancers flown in from Brazil to wow the crowds. The man who paid for this extravagant wedding was Gali Janardhana Reddy mining czar and former Karnataka tourism minister who spent three years in jail on corruption charges, until he was freed on bail last year. Reddy denies the allegations against him, and has not been convicted of any offences. Income tax raid Following the criticism of the big fat wedding, income-tax officials raided his mining company in Bellary, 300 km from Bengaluru. Over the next few days, several of his other properties were also raided. He was also sent a questionnaire, asking him to give details of the wedding expenses. Reddy was quoted as saying that he had mortgaged properties in Bengaluru and Singapore to raise money for the wedding and that all payments were made six months ago when the planning started. However, some in Karnataka were not convinced by his explanation. The wedding has been paid for by ill-gotten wealth, political activist S R Hiremath, who filed a corruption case against Reddy in the Supreme Court, told the BBC. I can say this with the same certainty that you can say about the existence of the sun or the moon. Describing the celebration as a vulgar display of wealth, he said: While people were queuing up for Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000, this is unacceptable that he spends Rs 200 crore to Rs 500 crore on the wedding. The son of a police constable, Reddys rise to one of the richest men in Karnataka has been rather swift. And also, mired in controversy. Justice Santosh Hegde, a retired Supreme Court judge and former Karnataka Lokayukta, who had investigated Reddy for illegal mining since 2007, said that he had very obviously taken the state for a ride. Reddy has denied any wrongdoing. In a report he submitted in July 2011, Justice Hegde said that best quality iron ore was extracted from Bellary mines and exported to China for Rs 6,500 to Rs 7,000 a tonne while the state received a mere Rs 27 as royalty. This extraction, the report estimated, had cost the government Rs 161 crore ($3.6bn) in lost royalty alone. Justice Hegde says the former minister owns many buildings and apartments in Bengaluru, and holds money in offshore accounts. Born in Andhra Pradesh, Reddy never had a college education. He started a chit fund business in the 1990s and although the company failed, he managed to win plum iron ore mining contracts. He first shot into the limelight during the general elections in 1999 when he campaigned for senior BJP leader and now External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Justice Hegde says along with his two brothers, G Karunakara Reddy and G Somashekara Reddy, Janardhan Reddy ran Bellary like their personal fief. When the mining scandal broke, two of the three brothers were cabinet ministers in the state government. The Republic of Bellary In his report, Justice Hegde has titled the chapter on Reddy The Republic of Bellary a place where no Indian law applied. Through illegal mining, he destroyed the state boundary, he blasted an ancient temple. The list of his misdemeanours is long. On the basis of Justice Hegdes report, Reddy was arrested in September 2011. He tried hard to secure bail, so much so that he allegedly tried to bribe a judge. The money was seized and three judges were arrested in what came to be known as cash for bail scam. Reddy hasnt commented on the allegations. He was finally released on bail last year and was ordered by the Supreme Court to stay out of Bellary, except for a brief period during the wedding when he was allowed to visit the town. The extravagant wedding made waves; it also brought in more scandal in its wake. Earlier this month, Ramesh Gowda, the driver of a Bengaluru-based bureaucrat, killed himself, leaving a suicide note which blamed Reddy for his death. He alleged that he had received death threats because he had information on how Reddy had allegedly converted Rs 100 crore of black (illegal) money to pay for the wedding. Reddy hasnt reacted to this allegation. The official has since been arrested and Hiremath and his colleagues are petitioning the federal police to arrest Reddy too. If that happens, the celebrations could soon be over for him. As families gathered to celebrate the lighting of a tall Christmas tree in Azizeh Square in government-held western Aleppo, shivering civilians carrying meagre possessions and clinging children prepared for evacuation from the devastated eastern parts of the city occupied by jihadis and besieged by the Syrian army and allies. Christians were among the throng singing Christmas carols in the west. An estimated 40,000 Christians, including 7,000 Armenians, remain among the 1-1.2 million Syrians in western Aleppo. The city has been divided since insurgents seized the east in 2012. Of the pre-war total of 1.1 million Christians in Syria, more than 600,000 have fled their ho-mes and about 1,000 have died. Early this month, Palestinian Christians living in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus 2,000 years ago, lit a 15-metre-high tree in Manger Square with the aim of drawing pilgrims, the lifeblood of the towns economy. This year, hotels are fully booked for the holidays although the little town is surrounded by Israels West Bank wall, limiting access. Once a Christian town, Bethlehem now has a Muslim majority. Christians left for the West and Muslims moved in from neighbouring villages squeezed by Israeli colonies. Before the 2003 US occupation of Iraq, its Christian population was 1.5 million. Two-thirds have left the country along with members of other minority communities, including Sunnis who have fled persecution by the Shia fundamentalist-dominated government. The largest Christian exodus was from Mosul, seized in June 2014 by Islamic State (IS). Most Christians escaped into the northern Kurdish autonomous region. Those who stayed paid heavy taxes and faced persecution and death alongside Muslims who refused to accept the cults diktat. On December 11, an IS suicide bomber struck the Coptic church of St Peter and St Paul in central Cairo, killing 26 in the congregation. Egypts Copts, nine million strong, are West Asias largest Christian community and the largest Christian minority. The attack was the worst since 2011 when 23 died in the bombing of a church in the port city of Alexandria. The Coptic church, like the other churches indigenous to the region, dates back to the first century when the Romans ruled. Lebanon is regarded as West Asias sole Christian country because Christians amount to 40% of the population, the highest rate in the region. During Lebanons 1975-90 civil war, many Christians fled the country while those who lived in mixed villages or districts took refuge in the Christian heartland in Mount Lebanon. Since the war ended, many who went abroad have returned, resumed their jobs and businesses and assumed major roles in politics. The French bequeathed independent Lebanon a sectarian political system in which presidents and army chiefs are always Catholic Maronites, the prime ministers Sunnis, and the speakers of parliament Shias. The two main parliamentary blocs consist of Sunni-Christian and Shia-Christian alliances. Newly elected President Michel Aoun is allied with the Shia Hizbollah movement. Array of churches While the Coptic church is Egypts dominant faith, Palesti-ne, Syria and Iraq host an array of churches. Some are in communion with Rome and others have formed Arab, Armenian and Assyrian Orthodox churches loosely associated with the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches, while smaller churches have doctrinal differences that distinguish their identities. The main Western Christian churches have rallied to the defe-nce of Palestinian Christians and criticised Israel for discrimination and land expropriation, but have not extended support to Syrian and Iraqi Christians, possibly because Western Catholics and Protestants look down on the multiplicity of ancient Eastern Christians who have refused to convert to Western rites. Ever since Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war in Septem-ber 2015, Moscow has reasserted itself as the protector of West Asias Orthodox and other Christian denominations. This was welcomed by Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Ignatios Emhrem II who stated, Russia has given hope to the people of Syria. Although some Syrian Christians have joined the insurgency, their leaders and the majority in the community have backed secular President Bashar al-Assad. Most anti-government fighters have been absorbed by radical Muslim fundamentalists who, in some areas, have forcibly converted, beheaded and crucified Christians or compelled them to flee their homes, towns, and villages. Iraqi Christians have also been cold-shouldered by the West, perhaps because they supported secular President Saddam Hussein, demonised like Assad and toppled by the US. In both countries, Christians joined the rival wings of the ruling Baath party, which was co-founded by Michel Aflaq, a Syrian Christian. In the West, there could also be lingering hostility toward Arab Christians since pan-Arab independence movements emerging in the mid-20th century the Baath, Arab Nationalists, Syrian Social Nationalists, and Arab Communists were established and led by Christians. They espoused secularism and feared the Muslim Brotherhood and its spawn, the most recent and extreme being al-Qaeda and IS. In spite of being shunned by the West and despised by Western churches, Arab Christians are seen by Muslim militants as the vanguard of a new Christian Crusade to invade and colonise West Asian holy lands. The City police have cracked the murder of history-sheeter E Krishna who was brutally killed with lethal weapons at V V Mohalla on December 23. Police arrested seven people in connection with the murder who admitted that the killing was vendetta driven. The arrested are Bharat Kumar (29), Hemanth (29), Ashok (34), Sandesh (23), Murthy (26), all residents of Vinayakanagar in the city, Sanju (29), a resident of Chamundi Hill and Dharmendra of Siddaramanahundi in the taluk. Police said all the arrested are habitual offenders. City Police Commissioner Dr A Subramanyeshwar Rao told reporters that the accused confessed to their crime and admitted that they eliminated Krishna to take revenge against the murders of Devu of Paduvarahalli who was killed in May and also for killing Hemanth. Bharat Kumar, an aide of Devu, is believed to be the prime accused as he planned to kill Krishna, police said. According to the accused, Krishna, along with the aides of C Mahadesh alias Avva Madesha, a history-sheeter, who is serving imprisonment in a double murder case, had planned to eliminate Hemanth. Hence, they hatched a plot to kill Krishna, said the police commissioner. Following the murder of Krishna, two special teams led by Jayalakshmipuram Police Inspector Ravindra and Hebbal Police Inspector Thimmegowda were formed by the Commissioner to investigate the case. While City Crime Branch (CCB) police picked up Bharat Kumar from a house in J P Nagar in Bengaluru on Friday, the police team arrested another six from Gokulam area in the city when they were trying to contact a lawyer. Rao said, except Sanju and Sandesh, all others were involved in murder cases. While Hemanth and Ashok are accused in the murder of Kariyappa, also a history-sheeter who was murdered in T K Layout in 2010, Bharat is an accused in the murder case of Lallu under Jayalakshmipuram police limits. Murthy was involved in the murder of Mohan Singh in Belakavadi in Mandya district. Sanju is also facing charges of an attempt to murder while Sandesh is a history-sheeter in Jayalakshmipuram police station limits. Mysuru-Kodagu Member of Parliament Pratap Simha, on Sunday, said, the chief minister and Congressmen have no moral right to speak about the BJP and B R Ambedkar. Reacting to the statement made by Siddaramaiah that BJP has no right take Ambedkars name, Simha, at a press conference here said, Siddaramaiah and Congress leaders have no moral rights or dignity to speak about Babasaheb and BJP. It may be mentioned Siddaramaiah, at a DSS convention here on Saturday had said that BJP plays politics on Hindutva plank, and Ambedkar had converted from Hinduism to Buddism due to inequalities in the religion. Pratap Simha said, let the CM give out the names of books written by Ambedkar that he has read, so far, and suggested him to read Thoughts on Pakistan authored by Babasaheb. Speaking about Congress leaders, the MP said, Nehru was the only person who awarded himself Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award. The party did not bother to confer the award on Ambedkar. Bharat Ratna was conferred on Ambedkar by V P Singhs government supported by BJP, the MP said. Continuing his tirade against 131-year-old party, the MP alleged that it was the Congress party, which had fielded a candidate against Ambedkar to ensure his defeat in the first general elections in 1952. The party had fielded Ambedkars secretary against the architect of Indian Constitution in the election, Pratap Simha said. The MP said, the ideologies of Ambedkar and BJP are similar - welfare of the deprived class and the nation. BJP is the first party to celebrate Ambedkars birth anniversary and developed many memorials in the name of Babasaheb, he added. Yeddyurappa next CM Pratap Simha said that BJP will field Srinivas Prasad as its candidate in Nanjangud by-elections. The BJP candidate will win the by-polls, a prelude to 2018 Assembly polls. Prasad will join the party officially on January 2, at Bengaluru. Prasad is an able leader. The Congress party, which has a history of ruling the country for about 50 years, is struggling to find a suitable candidate to field against Prasad. The results of the bypoll will indicate political wave in the state. BJP will come to power in the state in 2018 and Yeddyurappa will be the next the CM, he said. The ruling Congress, which did not focus on development of Nanjangud constituency in last three-and-a-half years, has been launching various development works with ministers frequenting the constituency to garner support of the people, MP said. Carrie Fisher attends a Star Wars Celebration event in Messe Essen, Germany in 2013. (Photo : Getty Images/Sascha Steinbach) "Star Wars" star Carrie Fisher suffered a severe heart attack during a flight. The latest updates from her brother Todd Fisher clarified that the exact state of her condition is still unknown but she is no longer in the emergency room and is now in the Intensive Care Unit. The "Star Wars" actress was aboard United Airlines 935 travelling from London, United Kingdom, to Los Angeles, United States, when she suffered from cardiac arrest. This was later confirmed by police from the Los Angeles International Airport, Deadline reported. Advertisement Several of the crew and passengers aboard the plane managed to help Carrie before the plane could land. The LAFD then responded to a 911 call at 12:11 PM informing them that a passenger, confirmed then to be Fisher, had suffered a heart attack in an inbound flight. Carrie was then greeted at Gate 74 by paramedics and continued to treat her during the transport to the hospital. She was then kept at the emergency room at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. There have been conflicting reports regarding her condition. According to multiple sources, Carrie's condition was critical and an ABC affiliate posted on Twitter that Fisher was "on a ventilator." UPDATE ON #CarrieFisher She is now in critical condition, on a ventilator. Her brother, Todd, tells me she is getting "the best care." George Pennacchio (@abc7george) December 24, 2016 However, according to Todd, his sister was out of emergency but was now in the ICU, USA Today quoted him as saying. He also confirmed Carrie was receiving "excellent care" but did not reveal the full state of her condition. Carrie was touring the U.K. to promote her latest memoir "The Princess Diarist." The book follows the behind-the-scenes events revolving her time filming the 1977 "Star Wars" and its sequels, "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." In 2015, Carrie reprised her role as Leia Organa in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." She is set to appear again in "Star Wars Episode VIII" in 2017. A younger version of her character, Princess Leia, appeared in this year's "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." It was portrayed by Ingvild Deila but with her face altered with CGI effects to further resemble Carrie. Carrie's most recent portrayal of Leia Organa can be viewed in the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer below: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished his Pakistani counterpart M Nawaz Sharif on his 67th birthday on Sunday via Twitter. Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif, Modi tweeted. I pray for his long and healthy life. Modi greeted Sharif even as New Delhis relations with Islamabad worsened further over the past 12 months with no indications of an early thaw. However, Sharif did not respond to Modis tweet. His daughter Maryam tweeted to thank Modi. Thank u for your kind prayers. Shared yr tweet with my father who deeply appreciates the gesture & conveys his best, she tweeted. Modi had on December 25 last year made a surprise visit to Lahore to greet Sharif on the occasion of his birthday. The prime minister had also driven to the ancestral residence of his counterpart in Pakistan and joined the celebrations on the occasion of the wedding of his granddaughter. Modi had gifted Sharif a pink turban on the occasion. Modis surprise visit to greet Sharif had been perceived to be a diplomatic coup and it raised the hopes of an early thaw in Indo-Pak relations. Just about a fortnight before the prime ministers visit to Lahore, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had visited Islamabad and joined Pakistans Foreign Affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz to announce the decision to restart the stalled bilateral dialogue. The Rajasthan Police busted an extortion racket that used girls to trap the high-profile members of a Jaipur society and arrested two members of the gang. Two other main operators of the gang, whose activities came to light following a complaint by a doctor who was falsely implicated in a rape case, have escaped. Preliminary probe has revealed that the gang involving journalists and lawyers trapped 25 people, including doctors, engineers, property dealers and resort owners and extorted up to Rs 15 crore. The two arrested, Akshat Sharma and Sonu Sharma, claimed to be journalists and have been sent to judicial custody till December 28. The investigation began based on a complaint from Dr Sunit Soni, who runs a hair transplant clinic in Jaipur. Dr Soni spent 75 days in jail after the gang implicated him in a false rape case for refusing to pay Rs 1 crore. Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Badals and other Akali leaders, including Sukhbir Badals brother-in-law Bikramjit Singh Majithia. Capt Amarinder told reporters here that would put behind bars all those found guilty of drug smuggling and patronising drug mafia. He lambasted the Badals and Majithia for wreaking havoc on the people of Punjab. On Navjot Singh Sidhu joining the Congress, Capt Amarinder said he and Sidhu were yet to sit together and discuss the modalities. The Amritsar East Assembly seat has been kept aside for the Sidhu couple, and we have left it to them to decide on who would contest from this segment on a Congress ticket, he said. To a question regarding budgets for implementing the various promises made to farmers and other cross-sections of the society, Capt Amarinder said the party would think out of the box to come up with ingenuous ideas to build the treasury and generate money for the various welfare schemes for the people. When the year 2016 began, Nitish Kumar had hardly completed 50 days in office after his third consecutive landslide win in Assembly polls in November 2015. Majority of the political pundits in the country had then predicted an imminent premature downfall of the Grand Alliance government in which Lalu Prasads RJD was the biggest partner. The assumption was primarily based on a propaganda unleashed by the BJP-led Opposition that the return of Jungle Raj (akin to the lawless regime of the 1990s) would discredit Nitish and tarnish his assiduously-cultivated image of Sushan Babu (the man who established the rule of law). The common perception among such people was that Nitish would either dump Lalu midway or quit in a huff as he is known to brook no nonsense. Nothing of that sort happened. Neither Lalu interfered in the functioning of the government, nor Nitish allowed anyone else to call the shots in the government in which the Congress was also a junior partner.But the bonhomie among the Grand Alliance leaders did not mean Bihar never hit the headlines for the wrong reasons. In fact, the year started with a ruling party legislator, Sarfaraz, being charged with outraging the modesty of a fellow woman passenger in Rajdhani Express train. Nitish immediately suspended the accused JD (U) legislator, who is RJD MP Md Taslimuddins son. Nitish had to face further embarrassment when an RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav was charged with raping a minor. Reiterating umpteen times that rule of law prevailed in Bihar and was applicable to all, no matter how high and mighty he or she is, Nitish ensured the legislator was put behind bars. Later, when the accused lawmaker obtained bail from the Patna High Court, the Bihar government moved the Supreme Court, following which the apex court sent the RJD MLA back to jail. But the most controversial episode of bail and jail was that of former RJD MP Md Shahabuddin, languishing in prison on several kidnapping and murder charges. The controversial RJD strongman from Siwan let loose a reign of terror in his fiefdom after coming out of jail. Nitishs critics predicted Shahabuddin episode would help develop cracks between the two ruling alliance partners, but Nitish again proved sceptics wrong. A burning Kashmir or a Pathankot-like terror strike is the last thing the security establishment would want in 2017. Such incidents question the governments strategy and preparedness. The authorities will also have to keep a close watch on the communal situation, as several electorally important states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat go to polls in 2017. Another concern will be to prevent the Islamic State (IS) from gaining traction among the youth. The year 2016 began with a jolt when four Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists from Pakistan sneaked into an airbase in Pathankot, where they hid for more than 24 hours before launching a strike that killed seven and injured 37. The incident prompted the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs to tersely tell the government there was something seriously wrong with the country's counter-terror mechanism as it was so ill-prepared to anticipate threats and counter them swiftly and decisively. The Pathankot strike and the Uri army camp attack in September, which claimed 19 army personnel, exposed the need for better security, especially given the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. In Kashmir, disturbances continued for months following the encounter of suspected Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in July. Kashmiri youth erupted in anger and pelted stones, attracting international headlines. The use of pellet guns by security forces, blinding scores of people, also caught world attention. Activists and the Opposition pressured the government to use less lethal weapons to deal with protesters in the Valley. Though the government did not completely ban pellets, it instructed the forces to use them only in grave situations. The Supreme Court also said pellet guns should not be used indiscriminately without proper application of mind. One of the biggest challenges before the Narendra Modi government in the coming year would be to regain the confidence of Kashmiris and ensure that such protests do not disturb the calm. IS threat Though the government has managed the IS threat this year, it cant rest on its laurels. The NIA has so far arrested 68 youths with suspected terror links, 50 this year alone. Maharashtra and Telangana with 11 each and Karnataka with seven top the list. The dreaded terror organisation could continue to lure youth for jihad; the government will have to initiate community as well as security measures to defeat the IS agenda. Though there were no spectacular attacks by Maoists this year, the forces cannot lower their guard, given the capabilities of the rebels. The Ministry of Home Affairs will have to encourage states to take up modernisation of their police forces and prisons. The need for prison modernisation is apparent: in two jail breaks, suspected terrorists escaped in Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. A ban on purchase of books for Public Libraries has left several publishers of Kannada books in the lurch. With payment from the Department of Public Libraries overdue, publishers have suffered losses to the tune of crores of rupees. Publishers from across the state who took part in a sale of Kannada books on Saturday told DH that the department had not paid their dues worth crores. While each publisher supplies books worth about Rs 1 lakh, some estimated the dues to be close to tens of crores. It has been five months and his pleas have gone unheard, said Arun Kumar H, one of the publishers. Even as he despatched books against the departments order, his payment is overdue. They took orders for books published two years ago. We supplied to five libraries in the city and are awaiting payment of Rs 1 lakh. When we approach the department, we are told that they have been asked to withhold payments and place no further orders, said Kumar. It was for books released in 2013 that publishers got their last order. We have sought merger of the libraries and education departments to bring them under a larger umbrella. If the government does not respond by January and clear our dues, we will go to court, he added. He is just one of the several publishers facing a similar challenge. Usually, they place orders for books by June. When it was not done this year, we approached them. We were told that an order from principal secretary Ajay Seth stated that they should stop purchase of books for a brief period. Our business has been affected considerably because of this, said a representative from Vasantha Prakashana. Anticipating government orders, several publishers printed hundreds of copies, only to pile them up in a store room. We printed books released in 2014 and 2015. We have been asked to halt supplies, said a seller from IBH Prakashana. Several others are unsure about how they can clear payments to the others involved in supply of books. How will we pay authors and distributors. We are asking for our money. How can it be withheld without any reason questioned Rao from MJS Publication. Repeated calls to Principal Secretary, Ajay Seth went unanswered. A fake news article led to gunfire at a Washington pizzeria three weeks ago. Now it seems that another fake news story has prompted the defence minister of Pakistan to threaten to go nuclear. Defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif wrote a saber-rattling Twitter post directed at Israel on Friday after a false report which the minister apparently believed that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons. Both countries have nuclear arsenals. Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming Pak role in Syria against Daesh, the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too.Asif appeared to be reacting to a fake news article published on awdnews.com. That story, with the typo-laden headline Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack, appeared December 20 on the website, alongside articles with headlines such as Clinton is staging a military coup against Trump. The fake story about Israel even misidentified the countrys defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. Israels current minister of defence is Avigdor Lieberman. The Israeli Defence Ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious. The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said, the ministry wrote in a Twitter post directed at Asif. The Israeli ministry added in a second post: Reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false. Asif did not respond to the Israelis on Twitter, and as of Saturday his message had been reposted nearly 400 times. Many of the people reacting to Asif on Twitter mocked him for his mistake. The proliferation of fake news stories spread on social networks and produced by a variety of sources including pranksters, foreign governments and enterprising individuals who hope to receive advertising revenue by driving traffic to their websites has become an increasingly serious problem. Actor Walton Goggins attends The 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 11, 2016 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Frazer Harrison) The much-awaited "Tomb Raider" just enlisted its villain. "The Hateful Eight" star Walton Goggins has been cast as the main antagonist to Alicia Vikander's Lara Croft. The villain is still unnamed and Goggins did not go into the specifics of his character. However, he tells Yahoo that the characters will take viewers by surprise. "Is he a villain? Sure, that is an easy description. An antagonist, for sure," Goggins teases about his character. Advertisement Goggins adds that his character is unlike most villains. "There are real reasons behind his antagonism, and it's not what you'd expect. He is very complicated, and his motivations are pure," the actor shares. In the interview, Goggins also praises director "Tomb Raider" reboot director Roar Uthaug whom he describes as "extraordinarily talented." He also speaks highly of his co-star Vikander, saying she is "one of the greatest contributions to any generation of actors." To give fans a hint of what's to come in the "Tomb Raider" reboot, Goggins teases that the movie is like a mash-up between "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and a movie viewers of the Joseph Conrad novel "Victory: An Island Tale." The "Tomb Raider" reboot will go back to the roots of Lara Croft's story. "This is a young Lara Croft in search to see if her father is dead or alive, so it has a very emotional part to it and i think that's what Alicia found so interesting about it," producer Graham King tells Hey U Guys about the "Tomb Raider" reboot plot. Additionally, the movie will be based on the 2013 "Tomb Raider" video game. Vikander's take on the fierce female character will be different from Angelina Jolie's portrayal in the early 2000s. The Oscar-winning actress says she is hoping to do "something fresh and new" to the character give a "different take on it." Fans of the "Tomb Raider" franchise, both film and video game, have given their seal of approval to Vikander for the role. The 28-year-old fits the role like a glove. Lara Croft has a posh British accent, and the actress is confident she can nail it quickly. The "Tomb Raider" reboot is expected to hit theaters in March 16, 2018. International artistes Rokko Juhasz of Hungary and Nanxy Liu from China gave Bengalureans a glimpse of performance art in Cubbon Park on Sunday. Performance art is a form which is unscripted and spontaneous, usually performed in public spaces like parks, streets and subways. Juhasz, Liu and Bengaluru-based artist Monica Nanjunda were seen performing various pieces even as curious onlookers were trying to figure out the act. Monica sat in a busy spot, polishing grains of rice one by one as people gathered around to watch her strange actions. Monica explained, The art is open to interpretation. Sometimes people understand this, sometimes they dont. The idea is to take art out of galleries and get common people to discuss it. Lius performance involved sticking a banned note of the Rs 1,000 denomination to her mouth. Explaining her performance, Liu said, When I came to India, I had this Rs 1,000 note. I tried to get it exchanged through friends and local contacts but they told me the deadline was over. I realised that people were facing similar problems so I made this the theme. Liu was however, unprepared for the reaction from the audience. Some of them interpreted it as an insult to Prime Minister Modi and took offence, forcing her to stop halfway through. Several others thought it would be disturbing for the children to watch her wrap her head in tape. I have heard of such things happening to other performance artistes. I thought people would be more open to discussion in India than in my country where everything is censored, she said. For the first time I am witnessing such a spontaneous, unannounced performance in a public space. It was interesting to see how people reacted. Some could not understand it and found it funny, while others found meaning in it, said Dheeraj Kumar, an onlooker. A visit to a family function turned tragic for three members of a family as they were killed on the spot in a head-on collision between two cars at Talakere handpost in Magadi taluk on Sunday. Five were injured in the accident. The victims are Prema Bai, 36, Suhas, 8, and Sannidhi, 10, all residents of Uttarappa Colony in Bhadravathi, Shivamogga district. They were heading to Savanadurga in Magadi taluk for a family function in their Maruti Omni car when the accident occurred. The five injured have been admitted to hospitals in Kunigal and Nelamangala for treatment and their names are yet to be ascertained. There were eight people in the Innova car that was coming from Bengaluru around 5.30 pm. The speeding driver of the Innova car failed to notice the Omni car driver taking a turn at Talekere handpost and lost control of the vehicle which hit the Omni car. The collision was such that Prema Bai, Suhas and Sannidhi were killed on the spot, while seats inside the car were thrown out of the car. Local residents informed the police who sent an ambulance to shift the bodies. The Kudur police said reckless driving caused the accident. Residents said accidents were on the rise on National Highway 75 as there were no signal lights and service roads. A case is registered with the Kudur police. 2 motorcyclists killed Two people were killed in separate accidents since Saturday in the city. Shivaputrappa (25), a resident of Rajagopalanagar, was killed on the spot after a truck hit his bike on 100 Feet Road in Peenya. He was riding his bike towards Modi Hospital in Basaveshwaranagar when the accident occurred. His father Fakirappa (60), who was the pillion rider, escaped unhurt. The truck driver Hanumanthappa, who was speeding, lost control and rear-ended the bike. Shivaputrappa fell down and came under the front wheel of the truck. The police have arrested Hanumanthappa. Fakirappa's family members hail from Raichur and came to Bengaluru a few years ago. They work as labourers in the city. In another accident near Kanteerava stadium, Anjaneya Kumar (61), a resident of Basaveshwaranagar, was killed when a KSRTC bus hit his bike. The accident occurred around 4 pm when Anjaneya, an advocate, was riding his bike near Siddalingaiah Circle. A speeding KSRTC bus proceedings towards Srinivaspur hit his bike. He fell down and sustained injuries. He was taken to Mallya Hospital where he succumbed late night.Girish Babu, the bus driver, has been arrested. Year 2016 will go down as a politically action-packed one with a string of controversies, scandals and crises rocking Karnataka. The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had a bumpy ride throughout the year. In fact, the year began with a setback. The Congress put up a poor show in the byelections to three Assembly constituencies Hebbal, Devadurga and Bidar. It somehow managed to win the Bidar seat. The subsequent zilla panchayat polls too did not bring cheer to the Congress. With this, the clamour in the party for removal of non-performing ministers grew louder. Among the bold moves by Siddaramaiah was dropping 13 minsters in a Cabinet reshuffle. V Srinivas Prasad and M H Ambareesh were removed on the grounds of non-performance. A group of senior legislators led by Prasad rebelled against the chief minister. The politically shrewd Siddaramaiah managed to quell the rebellion. The byelections to the Nanjangud constituency would prove whether losing Prasad, a Dalit leader, is a real loss. Running the administration wasnt easy either, especially when the police turned agitators. The government was literally on edge when policemen threatened to stage a protest, demanding a pay hike. Besides, three police officers Anupama Shenoy, M K Ganapathi and Kallappa Handibag had brought the government to its knees. While Shenoy had charged the government with supporting the liquor lobby, Ganapathis statement on TV before his death, created a political storm, forcing Bengaluru Development Minister K J George to resign. Not surprisingly, he was later re-inducted. The chief minister had his share of embarrassing moments. One of them was accepting a diamond-studded Hublot watch as a gift from an NRI acquaintance. Siddaramaiah, who claims to be a staunch socialist, had to fumble for words while defending himself. He was forced to declare the costly gift a state asset. Even before the row over the Hublot watch could subside, another controversy involving his second son Dr Yatindra confronted Siddaramaiah. Matrix Imaging Solutions India, in which Dr Yatindra was a director, had bagged a government contract to set up a diagnostic laboratory. He was accused of using his fathers clout to get the contract. Dr Yatindra was later forced to quit the company. Siddaramaiah is preparing the ground to bring Yatindra into politics. The chief minister had a tough time defending himself when his close follower in his home district Mysuru, K Marigowda, publicly abused the then deputy commissioner C Shikha. Personal loss The year also was personally tragic for Siddaramaiah. His son Rakesh died in Belgium. Rakesh was seen as Siddaramaiahs political successor. The state saw Siddaramaiah in tears. However, the chief minister was soon back to his routine. Both the Cauvery and Mahadayi river water sharing issues continued to be a problem for the state. It found it difficult to obey the Supreme Courts order to release water to Tamil Nadu. Karnataka first boldly said it would defy the order and not release water, saying the Cauvery basin was dry. Following arson and violence in which one person fell to police firing, curfew and prohibitory orders were imposed in Bengaluru. Finally, Cauvery water began to flow into the neighbouring state. The Cauvery issue threw up a surprise. It brought two political adversaries together H D Deve Gowda and Siddaramaiah. Gowda stood by Siddaramaiahs decisions on the Cauvery issue. The chief minister could not have asked for more. The agitation over sharing the Mahadayi river water turned violent after the tribunal rejected Karnatakas plea seeking 7 tmcft of water for the Kalasa-Banduri project. CD and porn Towards the end of the year, Siddaramaiah had to face one more scam. This time, it was the sexual escapade of his senior ministerial colleague H Y Meti. The video, which was aired by TV channels, left Siddaramaiah red-faced. Finally, it led to the exit of Meti from the Cabinet. At the same time, the Congress lost the moral high ground that it used to claim after three ministers in the BJP government were caught watching porn clips. Opposition no better Opposition parties, the BJP and the JD(S), also saw upheavals during the year. Factionalism continues to pose a problem for the BJP. B S Yeddyurappa has been struggling to rein in his bete noire K S Eshwarappa, who is trying to project himself as an OBC leader. The JD(S), too, had been grappling with rebels in the party. Eight party MLAs raised a banner of revolt against the father-son duo of Deve Gowda and H D Kumaraswamy. President Pranab Mukherjee made a short visit to Bengaluru to inaugurate the 89th annual conference of the three-day Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan on Sunday. Addressing the sammelan in Bengali, Mukherjee said, Language is a unifying force without boundaries. Literature provides opportunities to people to discuss and exchange ideas. Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan enriches the Bengali language and literature, he said. The convention was first held in 1922 and was presided over by Rabindranath Tagore. Since then, it has been an annual event attended by eminent personalities from Bengali literature. Since Tagore, no writer from India has received the Nobel Prize for literature. This alone shows that he was a great writer, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking at the event. Several Kannada writers like Kuvempu and D R Bendre have been influenced by Tagores work, he said. Tagores Gitanjali has been translated into Kannada from Bengali, bringing the two cultures and people together. In fact, this is the fourth time that the convention is being hosted in Bengaluru, the chief minister said. The annual literary convention was organised at ITI Vidyamandir School auditorium in Krishnarajapuram. Governor Vajubhai Vala, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice S K Mukherjee, Jharkhand Minister Saryu Rai and president of the Sammelan Pradeep Bhattacharjee were also present at the event. Hindi, Kannada and Bengali writers will interact at a session on Monday. Jnanpith awardee Chandrashekhar Kambar, Vivek Shanbhag and Prathibha Nandakumar, are among the participating authors. Christmas was celebrated in the city with fervour and joy on Sunday. On the eve of the festival, Infant Jesus was welcomed to Earth with carols and hymns. During the day, special prayers were held in churches like Hudson Memorial Church, St Patricks Church and St Marks Cathedral. Gifts were exchanged, surprises were unwrapped and Secret Santas were revealed. Friends and families gathered to share their joy. The best thing about this festival is that we get to spend time with our loved ones, said Ashwin Lewis, a software engineer in the city. Christmas is also a festival which is celebrated universally. My friends from other religions also took part in the festivities by exchanging gifts in the office, he added.Aishwarya J attended the midnight mass at St Marys Basilica, Shivajinagar. Though I live about 10 km away, I prefer to go there because I find it peaceful. She cooked a grand meal at home for her family and spent the day visiting relatives. Store window decorations on Brigade Road attracted Sunday shoppers. Many were seen wearing bright red Santa caps. Malls in the city were lit up and had creative Christmas decorations. Christmas trees made of books, gift boxes, bottles and more were put up. Dressed in Santa Claus costumes, people were giving away gifts to children at malls and churches. Children of Men promotional poster (dir. Alfonso Cuaron, 2006). Graphic: Universal Studios 25 December 2016 (Desdemona Despair) Ten years ago today, Children of Men, the brilliant, dystopian science fiction film, debuted in the United States. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, Children of Men portrays Britain in the year 2027 as the last bastion of civilization standing against the imminent extinction of the human species. In 2006, Cuaron told the Seattle Times, the stuff that you see on the screen is nothing but a reference of stuff that has been happening on this planet in the last five years or so. So, what happened in the following decade? Was Children of Men a prescient vision of the future? Yes, in two important ways: the plight of refugees, and the concomitant rise of brutal, authoritarian governance. Nearly seven years ago, Desdemona blogged about the graphic design elements of the film (Graphics from the near future). The films production crew created a London that overflows with refugees, where ubiquitous propaganda videos intone, the world has collapsed; only Britain soldiers on. Desperate ultra-nationalism has seized the UK, prefiguring the 2016 Brexit vote and the associated white supremacist politics. In London 2027, refugees are caged in the streets. An elderly German woman complains to a guard about die Schwarzen shes caged with, not comprehending that her social status is exactly the same as theirs: refugee scum. Compare with scenes from the refugee crisis in Europe. In 2015, guards in Hungary tossed food to caged refugees like zoo keepers feeding animals. Elsewhere in Europe, refugees were met with barbed wire and tear gas. In 2016, Turkey threatened to use refugee flows as a weapon against Europe, and the Global Peace Index recorded a decade long decline in peace. More than 65 million people were displaced due to war and persecution in 2015, and the largest refugee flows since World War 2 poured into the Northern Hemisphere. They are the vanguard of the hundreds of millions who will be forced to migrate out of the tropics due to abrupt climate change. In 2016, reactionary parties across Europe enjoyed electoral gains on anti-refugee politics, and governments worldwide assaulted freedom of expression. Children of Men predicts that the official reaction to sudden, immense refugee flows will be bad, and the years since have borne out this pessimism. The Britain of the future has an authoritarian government that routinely tortures citizens. The journalist wife of pot farmer Jaspar (Michael Caine) was tortured into a catatonic state for reporting embarrassing facts about the government. The nation is a police state with ubiquitous surveillance. Refugees are shipped to lawless, open-air prisons. Inside President Rodrigo Dutertes brutal antidrug campaign in the Philippines, the basketball court at the Quezon City Jail has become a sleeping area. Photo: Daniel Berehulak / The New York Times For a contemporary picture of governance under global warming, we need look no further than another island nation, the Philippines, and the presidency of strongman Rodrigo Duterte. After the islands were pounded by multiple climate disasters, from Typhoon Haiyan to the crippling drought of 2016, which caused food riots, Duterte was elected in a populist wave. Naturally, Duterte denies climate science and has threatened to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Duterte boasted of killing people when he was mayor of Davao City. Now hes ordered a wave of death squad killings across Manila. Can a nation-wide fascist crackdown be far behind? A policeman in riot gear is overwhelmed by rock-throwing farmers in Cotabato province in the southern Philippines, where thousands of drought-hit farmers have clashed with police over demands for rice on 1 April 2016. Photo: BBC News In the United States, strongman Donald Trump came to power on a promise to stem refugee flows out of Mexico and Central America. Crowds chanted, Build the wall at his campaign rallies, and he promised to round up millions of people and deport them back to the grim conditions that they had fled. Also, Trump has stated that he will bring back waterboarding, and a hell of a lot worse, aligning the U.S. with other brutal autocracies in the use of administrative torture. As the planet warms inexorably, refugee flows out of the tropics will increase in volume. Ultra-nationalist parties in Europe, like the UK Independence Party and National Front in France, are poised to build fences and expel migrants, all the while denying the reality of global warming. A decade after Children of Men, life is imitating art, much too closely for comfort. Doctor who performed abortion on Ohio girl sues to stop Indiana AG from accessing records An Indianapolis doctor thrust into national news on abortion is suing to stop Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita from obtaining medical records. Two North is a story about one Christmas when my mom was spending time on the psychiatric ward of our towns hospital after trying to commit suicide to escape a physically-abusive husband. I was thirteen. It was a cataclysmic event in our lives but it brought us together into a two-person tribe like no other event ever has in my life. I offer this story each year to my friends here at Eclectablog on Christmas as a tribute to my mother, a woman who went from a pregnant sixteen-year old to an executive for the Chrysler Corporation in the short span of thirty-five years. Much of who I am today is because of her and the lessons she taught me. Two North It was Christmas night and I was warm and felt very comfortable. Maybe the most comfortable I had felt in a long time. I wasnt in my own bed but that was okay because my mom was there and I hadnt seen her in awhile and it was nice to be with her. I was only thirteen but when I look back on it, it seems like I was older and I guess I was in some ways. Older than I should have needed to be, I suppose. I was laying in the darkness, mesmerized by a spacey lamp, the kind you find in head shops or at Spencers Gifts, designed especially for moments like this. Christmas was over and, although my memory of the day itself is lost in the fog of time, I have a vivid and distinct memory of the little bits of colored light going up and down and around and around the lamp. We had spent the day with my aunts and uncles at my grandparents house. My mom, Jacki, was pretty fragile and, although she was glad to be there with her mother and father and brothers and sister, she was just as glad when they all left and she could escape to the safety of the upstairs bedroom. We had gone up together and tucked into our beds, just single mattresses on the floor. My grandparents kept their house a sweaty 75 degrees and upstairs it was more like 80. But that night, the warmth felt good and comforting and safe. We laid there in the dark, unable to see each other in the dim light coming from the spacey lamp in the corner, and talked for what seemed like hours. It had been a crazy few months leading up to this night, for sure. That summer she had gotten married to John, her fourth husband. Shortly after the wedding, he proved that his tendency to become physically abusive when he was drinking wasnt just a passing phase. Although he had demonstrated this tendency while they were dating, Mom ignored all the warning signs and married him anyway. While it seems crazy that a strong-willed feminist could end up as a battered wife married to an unemployed hick, it is as much a testament to the power of manic-depressive illness as it is anything else. Its strong mania that makes a guy like that look irresistible. John had hit her a couple of times that summer and fall but each time we all somehow managed to convince ourselves that he wouldnt do it anymore. One afternoon in the fall, I had come home to our house on the lake to hear them shouting at each other inside. They were in the front room, their bedroom. It faced the lake and had windows all around on three sides. I heard her scream and could hear her crying but I was unable to do anything. I was thirteen and scared and was sure my Mom could handle this because I sure couldnt. I was paralyzed into inaction and to this day I think back about that time with some amount of shame, wondering why I didnt do something. Anything. Anything but just sit there while he beat her up. But I couldnt and I didnt and I just sat in a lawn chair in the yard for over an hour as they battled it out inside. Later, my mom noticed me and came out. She knelt in front of the chair and looked up at me. Her face was puffy and purple and bruised from being hit by the drunk monster we were living with. Her lip was bleeding. She was crying. Chris, Im so, so sorry. This redneck piece of shit has just beat the hell out of her and she was apologizing to me. Then she went inside and smashed out all ten windows in the front room with her bare hands. Looking back on that time, the thing that amazes me most is how normal we all acted. As if it were perfectly normal that my my mom would have a black eye periodically. Like there was nothing out of the ordinary that the cars would be smashed up from an altercation that ended up with John driving his car into the back of Moms car and holding down the gas as she held down her brake. It must have torn her up inside. After her third marriage, she had gone back to school and managed to get an undergraduate degree in political science while raising two school-aged boys. She had become very active in the feminist movement and had proven to herself, her friends and her family that she was smart, independent and capable. Given the paucity of jobs for political science graduates, she ended up as a district manager for a newspaper in Ypsilanti, Michigan and then decided to move back the tiny town of Michigan Center where her parents lived. Shortly after the move, my half-brother moved out to live with his dad so it was just the two of us in our new house in the little backwater town. It was there she met John, a regular at the Page One bar. When he was sober, John was a very engaging and charming man. He had a winning smile and a twinkle in his eye that certainly caught the eye of many of the women who hadnt been able to escape the small town life of Michigan Center. When my mother happened along, she noticed him and he most certainly noticed her. She was brassy. She shot pool. And, unlike many of the other barflies at the Page One, she was intelligent. They worked their charms on each other and soon were living together. Some people get sappy when they get drunk. Some people get overly jolly. Not John. John got mean. He got into fights at the bar. He argued with people. And, once he moved in with us, he hit my Mom. For Mom, his punches knocked her out of the ring. Nothing in her life prepared her for how to deal with this. While many battered women stay in abusive marriages for the sake of their kids and because they have no other alternatives, my mom had been on her own before meeting John and was perfectly capable of being on her own again. Yet something kept her from leaving him, even after he had hit her more than once. In completely foreign territory and in her manic state, she allowed herself to deny all the bad things that were happening and enjoy all of the good things that the new relationship had to offer. It was only later, after getting married and committing herself to the relationship, that she woke up and realized the situation she was in. After spending many years becoming independent and proving to herself that she could do whatever she wanted, she was now married to a wife-beater, had what seemed to be very limited options and had compromised nearly everything she had come to believe in. To add insult to injury, she had given her teen-aged son front row seats to the entire thing. It must have been a very difficult moment of realization for her and it happened right before Christmas. I was very close to both my grandmother and my great-grandmother and spent quite a bit of time with them. In fact, even as a young teen in eighth grade, I would pedal my bicycle to their house every day after school and spend an hour or so visiting with the two of them. My visits were an excuse for them to start cocktail hour and when I got there, they would each make a large tumbler of Kesslers whiskey and Squirt and wed look at magazines and catalogs, hook rugs and watch Match Game and Family Feud. As Christmastime approached that year, I began to spend more and more time at my grandparents house. Things at my own house were not that great and the familiarity of their home was comforting and safe for me. One afternoon a few days before Christmas, my grandmother came home from the grocery store and found a note on the counter: Im going to be gone for awhile. Please take good care of Chris. Dear Mom,Im going to be gone for awhile. Please take good care of Chris. Love, Jacki My grandmothers face faltered for only a moment then she said, Okay, looks like youre having dinner with us tonight. Lets go out to eat! Where would you like to go? But her breezy words couldnt hide from me what I knew in the pit of my stomach was obvious. My Mom was not going to be back that night and, given her past, this note did not bode well for her mental state. For a while I pretended not to notice the hidden message I couldnt miss in my Moms note. My grandmas behavior made it clear to me that she hadnt missed it either. Finally, it was too much for me and I went back to my Grandma with the note in my hand. What does she mean take good care of Chris, Grandma? I asked her, not wanting to know the answer. Grandma was quiet. Shes going to commit suicide, isnt she? I asked. Grandma moved next to me and then hugged me tight against her chest, rocking gently back and forth. Tears trickled down her cheeks. I dont know, Chris. I just dont know Later that night, right before bed, the phone rang. My heart leaped as I eavesdropped on my Grandmas end of the conversation. Hello? Oh, dear. I see. Where is she now? How is she? Is she going to be okay? When can we visit? Okay. Thank you. She hung up the phone, her face pale and sad. Your mother took a bottleful of sleeping pills then drove to her therapists office. They took her to the hospital to have her stomach pumped. Now shes on Two North. We can visit her tomorrow. Two North. Even as a kid, I had heard of Two North. Two North was the Loony Bin at Foote Hospital in Jackson. It was the ward where people with mental problems were taken, the crazy people. And my mom was there. On Two North. She had tried to kill herself and now she was on Two North. Merry Fucking Christmas. The next day after breakfast, my Grandma took me up to the hospital. We took the elevator to the second floor then followed the signs to the Psychiatric Wing. We came to a set of swinging doors that were locked tight. Over the door was a small plaque that read 2 North. My grandmother pushed a button on the wall that rang a buzzer somewhere behind the door. Shortly thereafter, a nurse came out, spoke briefly to my grandmother then allowed us to enter. The doors swung closed behind us and I could hear the click as the doors locked automatically. The locks on these doors were meant to keep the patients in as much as it was to keep unwanted visitors out. The nurse led us to a room with a television blaring and people in bathrobes sitting in groups or alone, some smoking cigarettes, some staring vacantly into space, others talking to people that werent there. My mom was sitting on her own, quietly smoking a cigarette and looking out the window. Hi, Mom. How ya doin? I asked her. She gave a small sob and grabbed me, hugging me close. Chris, Im sorry. Im so, so sorry. I didnt mean to scare you. Oh, Im so sorry It was hard seeing her there, so scared and alone. This wasnt like my Mom at all. My Mom was strong and normal. She was happy, not sad and scared. I looked around at the room we were in. Many of the other patients on Two North were quite mentally ill and they frightened me. I wanted her to come home with us in the worst way. I told her that. Honey, I need some time to figure things out. I can get help here and its safe. Ill be home soon, I promise. I might even get to come home for Christmas. We didnt stay long. What do you talk about in a situation like that? My Grandma gave her a few things she had brought along, cigarettes, toothbrush and toothpaste, some stuff for her hair. Then I hugged her and we left. I didnt cry. It seems like I never cry. Over the next few days before Christmas, I stayed with my grandparents. I avoided my friends. What could I tell them? That my Mom was on Two North? Everyone knew what that meant. It meant my Mom was crazy. Nuts. Mentally ill. I really didnt want to talk to them about it. On Christmas morning, my Grandpa went up and picked my Mom up from the hospital. I dont know what gifts I got that year although Im sure my Grandma was the one who bought them. But the best gift I got that year was my Mom being home on Christmas day. Somehow we made it through the day. We all knew my Mom and I had to get away from John but that discussion was for another day. We were just glad to be there together as a family, making small talk and pretending everything was normal. Thats how my family deals with things. Were pretty good at it, too. Later that night, in our snuggly cocoon upstairs, my Mom and I talked. We talked and talked and talked. We talked about my dad who I had never met. We talked about what we were going to have to do next. We talked for hours. The next morning I woke up late. My Mom was gone. She had gotten up early and had my Grandpa drive her back to the hospital. Back to Two North. She wasnt ready yet for the real world. She needed some time, some space, to get her head together. Over the next year my Mom would leave John and we would find a small apartment in town where we hid out, afraid of violent retribution after the divorce papers were served to him. The apartment was small, cozy, and warm. I started a new school and my mom started a new job as a paralegal, helping people work their way through the legal system. Typical of her, she did her own divorce without a lawyer. The apartment was a haven and the two of us grew closer than ever there. It was strange place for both of us but it was safe and gave us time and space to get our heads together. And the only crazy people there were me and my Mom. One year after a powerhouse group of technology executives and venture capital icons met to form the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, the group, led by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, has launched a US$1 billion investment fund to support clean energy startups around the world. The Breakthrough Energy Fund, chaired by Gates, is designed to jumpstart an entire new generation of entrepreneurs developing radical new approaches to providing reliable and low-cost energy, with zero carbon emissions as the end goal. Institutional partners, including the University of California, will help generate research ideas. Strategic partners, including Southern Co. and others, will help the group with regulatory issues, and figure out which companies have the most promise. In addition to Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Breakthrough Energy Coalitions board members include John Arnold, co-chair of the Laura and John Arnold Foundation; John Doerr, chair of Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers; and Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures. Star Power Other leading members include Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba Group; Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries; Hasso Plattner, cofounder of SAP; Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon; and Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently joined the investor group, bringing the membership to 21, Gates said. Breakthrough technologies have the potential to be one of the best investment opportunities of the 21st century, Doerr said earlier this week, in a conference call with reporters. The fund will invest in a wide variety of companies storage, transportation, agricultural, electrical generation and industrial, among others. The fund will offer a range of financing, from seed capital to early stage investment and capitalization. The fund will take advantage of a lot of lessons learned about financing clean energy companies, and apply those lessons to the new venture, Doerr said. The fund will emphasize taking a long, patient view toward investment, in order to give companies enough time to properly develop, Khosla said during the conference call. The fund will be able to handle seven-, eight- and nine-figure investments, Arnold added, and it will focus on revolutionary versus evolutionary investments that is, those designed to push aggressively toward significant emission reductions. While there might be long-term business gains, I personally believe that this is part of [Gates] philanthropic work to improve overall human conditions, particularly for the next generation, observed Farah Saeed, principal consultant at Frost & Sullivan. Also, there is the attraction of using technology to resolve existing issues around improving affordability and vast availability of clean energy, she told TechNewsWorld. DoE Support U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz hailed the launch of the new fund as a breakthrough that will help push the U.S. into greater standing in the clean energy field, and he warned against the dangers of rolling back this progress. Because of the United States longstanding commitment to technology innovation, we have a head start on developing next generation clean-energy technologies, Moniz said. However, if the United States chooses to back away from a redoubled commitment to innovation, it will be American entrepreneurs, manufacturers and workers who will be put at competitive disadvantage in developing breakthrough technologies and creating jobs. (Photo: REUTERS / Tony Gentile)Pope Francis receives a new skull cap as a gift as he arrives to lead the Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican October 29, 2014. Pope Francis has pleaded for peace in a world broken by conflict, terrorism and injustice in which people suffer due to the economic ambitions of the few and because of the "greed and the idolatry of money." The pontiff was speaking to some 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square during his traditional Christmas Day "Urbi et Orbi" address on Dec. 25 The Pope wished Christmas peace for people scarred by wars and for those who have lost loved ones to terrorism. He said his message was aimed at "all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace." Francis cited those suffering through the Syrian war, especially during the "most awful battles" in Aleppo urging the international community to find a negotiated solution. He also urged Israelis and Palestinians to abandon hate and revenge, grieving that in Nigeria "fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children," seen as a reference to child suicide-bombers. He denounced conflicts and tensions in Africa, eastern Ukraine, Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, Colombia and Venezuela. The Pope referred to peace, not merely the word, "but a real and concrete peace to our abandoned and excluded brothers and sisters, to those who suffer hunger and to all the victims of violence. "Peace to exiles, migrants and refugees, to all those who in our day are subject to human trafficking. "Peace to the peoples who suffer because of the economic ambitions of the few, because of the sheer greed and the idolatry of money, which leads to slavery. "Peace to those affected by social and economic unrest, and to those who endure the consequences of earthquakes or other natural catastrophes." The night before Francis said Christmas has been "taken hostage" by dazzling materialism that puts God in the shadows and blinds many to the needs of the hungry, the migrants and the war-weary. Francis was leading the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas for the fourth time since his election in 2013. "If we want to celebrate Christmas authentically, we need to contemplate this sign: the fragile simplicity of a small newborn, the meekness of where he lies, the tender affection of the swaddling clothes. God is there," the Pope said at St Peter's Basilica. Latest News Seven states/UTs attain level 2 in the Performance Grading Index by MoE The number of states in the Level 2 category have gone up as compared to none in 2017-18 and four in 2019-20 GATE 2023 application form correction process to begin from tomorrow, find details here The correction window will remain open for making changes till November 11, 2022 Last day to pay the fee for DU Round 2 CSAS seat today The declaration of the Third CSAS Allocation List will be done soon The U.N. Security Council will vote on Friday on a resolution demanding a halt to construction of Israeli settlements after four council members again put forward the measure a day after Egypt withdrew it. New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal, who were co-sponsors of the draft resolution, have requested the vote, which diplomats said was likely to take place at 2 p.m. (1900 GMT). The 15-member council had been due to vote on Thursday afternoon and Western officials said the United States had intended to allow the draft resolution to be adopted, a major reversal of U.S. practice of protecting Israel from action. New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal told Egypt on Thursday night that if Cairo did not clarify its position, then they reserved the right to "proceed to put it to vote ASAP." Security Council member Egypt then officially withdrew the text, which it had worked on with the Palestinians, allowing those four countries to call for a vote, diplomats said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump had both called for the United States to veto the draft resolution. Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said the Republican president-elect had spoken with both Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi about the proposed Security Council action. "He put out a statement about the Egyptian motion that was going to happen at the U.N. It was revoked," Spicer said on NBC's "Today" program on Friday. "President al-Sisi called, Prime Minister Netanyahu called. He is getting results, whether it's domestically or abroad." The draft resolution would demand Israel "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem" and said the establishment of settlements by Israel has "no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law." A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Russia, Britain or China to be adopted. The Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem - areas Israel captured in a 1967 war. Most countries and the United Nations view Israeli West Bank settlements as illegal and an obstacle to peace. Israel disputes that settlements are illegal and says their final status should be determined in any future talks on Palestinian statehood. The last round of U.S.-led peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians collapsed in 2014. * The story has been edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: Two men behind the assassination of a high-ranking Egyptian army officer have been killed during a police raid on their hideout, Egypt's interior ministry said on Saturday evening. In an official statement, the ministry said the two men, aged 36 and 24, were killed during a shootout with police forces at a farm in Menoufiya's El-Sadat City, north of Cairo. The two men are believed to have been responsible for the assassination in October of army Brigadier General Adel Rajaei. The men are also believed to have been behind an armed attack on a checkpoint in the same governorate in August, killing two members of the security forces and injuring five others. According to the police statement, the two assailants were attempting to meet at dawn on Saturday with other members of their group, with a view to preparing another terrorist operation. The statement added that the car used in the assassination plot was found during the raid, adding that the hideout was a farm belonging to the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood member and fugitive Tarek Guweili. According to the police, automatic firearms used by the assailants in the two attacks were found, along with a car that was set to be used as a car bomb. In November, a little-known armed group calling itself Lewaa al-Thawra (Revolution Brigade) published a video of what it claims was the assassination of the army commander Rajaei outside his home. Rajaei, who commanded an armored division deployed in North Sinai, was assassinated due to what the group described as "the army's violations and crimes against North Sinai's civilians." The video also shows the forced dispersal in August 2013 of protest camps supporting pro-Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. The group, described by the interior ministry officially as following the Muslim Brotherhood's "terrorist organization", published another video in August claiming responsibility for their armed attack in Menoufiya governorate. Search Keywords: Short link: As San Antonio grows at one of the fastest rates in the nation, its water utility is trying both to promote an abundant water supply and persuade people to conserve every drop they can. The San Antonio Water System is bringing on billions of gallons of new, more expensive supplies and raising customers bills to pay for them. We do not just want an adequate water supply, we want an abundant water supply, SAWS President and CEO Robert Puente said earlier this month at the Hill Country Water Summit, a gathering of state and local water experts in New Braunfels. SAWS largest new source is expected to be the Vista Ridge pipeline that the utility hopes will start delivering water from an aquifer 142 miles away in 2020. If built according to plan, it would be the largest water transfer project in Texas history and represent for SAWS a victory after years of largely unsuccessful attempts at securing major new supplies away from its mainstay, the Edwards Aquifer. Another new source just coming online is a $192 million desalination plant to treat salty groundwater pumped from below South Bexar County. Vista Ridge water will cost about four times more than the groundwater SAWS pumps from the Edwards and Carrizo aquifers below Bexar County. In addition to the cost, the pipeline has been the far more controversial project, sparking debate at City Council and SAWS meetings over how much water the city needs and how much control to cede to the private company that will build it. SAWS in 2015 laid out a plan for the average customers bill to rise 50 percent in five years, arguing before the council that it would need the money to pay for $1.1 billion in required sewer upgrades, the desalination plant and Vista Ridge. Council members unanimously approved the Vista Ridge deal in 2014 and the rate increase last year. Leaders at the publicly owned utility, run by a board of trustees appointed by the City Council, believe the public is willing to pay higher rates in exchange for more water. City Council, (which) appoints our board, has been elected by the public, Puente said in an interview last week. Their philosophies, their thoughts are reflected in those votes. Twice weve gone in front of them with this kind of project and gotten unanimous votes. So we believe what the citizens want is a combination of abundant water supplies and still the water ethic of using it wisely and conserving as much as possible. SAWS already taps a more diverse array of sources compared to 20 years ago. Nowadays, SAWS has at least one straw in every aquifer, lake and river in the region. Still, 60 percent of SAWS water comes from the Edwards, though its pumping can be cut severely in times of drought to ensure enough is available for farmers, other cities and ecosystems that depend on springs fed by the aquifer. Those restrictions on the Edwards have forced SAWS to conserve. Over the past 40 years, SAWS efforts have dropped per-person water use 40 percent through incentives for customers to install low-flow toilets and other appliances, convert yards to drought-tolerant plants and stop overwatering lawns. Puente has said those conservation initiatives and others have helped SAWS avoid building major supply projects so far. Thats changing. Next year, Garney Construction can begin work on the $3 billion Vista Ridge pipeline, which SAWS hopes will provide 20 percent of its supply starting in 2020. The private company recently secured $850 million in bank loans to finance construction. This month, water also began flowing from the desalination plant. SAWS officials said the new sources are essential for economic development both existing businesses and new ones and to ensure that the five military bases have enough water and prepare for growth. SAWS expects to add 1.2 million customers to the existing 1.7 million by 2040. Where would we be if we didnt have enough water and Toyota was still looking for a place to go? said Gavino Ramos, vice president of communications. Ive lived here all my life and one of the things thats always been discussed was when are we going to lose USAA because we dont have enough water. Whats going to happen if we dont have enough water for X, Y and Z company? Amy Hardberger, a water law professor at St. Marys University, said she has asked SAWS for evidence that abundant water is a prerequisite for a business moving to San Antonio and has never received it. Shes also skeptical that the military would close Joint Base San Antonio bases if there wasnt a large project like Vista Ridge in the works. Its such a paper tiger because theres been nothing to back that up, she said. If you look at other places in U.S., there is evidence to the absolute contrary. See Arizona. See California. My god, a water company wanted to come here, she added, referring to a 2015 plan by Niagra Bottling to open a new plant a Brooks City Base. That, she said, speaks to industries lack of fear about any water shortage. Niagra ended up going to Seguin after controversy erupted in San Antonio. While it boosts supply, SAWS has promised not to abandon conservation. It will continue to reduce the number of gallons each customer uses, though it expects the rate of conservation to slow compared to past decades. Mixed messages In wet years, like this one, SAWS has more than enough water to go around, but some of its supplies disappear during droughts. Most of SAWS water still comes from the Edwards, but that source can be cut by nearly 60 percent by the Edwards Aquifer Authority in a severe drought. Drought can also cripple SAWS lake supplies, especially Medina Lake. During the most recent drought that ended in 2015, the lake almost went dry and SAWS had to stop withdrawing from it. Thats why SAWS is trying to add more supply from groundwater, as much as it can find. Its recent water plans call for expanding its withdrawals from the sandy Carrizo Aquifer at its well field in South Bexar County and another shared well field in Gonzales County. The desalination plant and Vista Ridge also rely on groundwater. To take the edge off during dry times, SAWS built a water bank. Referred to as the ASR, for aquifer storage and recovery, it holds water pumped from the Edwards and is located underground in the Carrizo Aquifer below SAWS Twin Oaks facility, next to the desalination plant. The water can be retrieved as needed from the sandy layers of the Carrizo. In the most recent drought, SAWS was able to pull water from the ASR to avoid imposing stricter outdoor watering limits. SAWS plans for droughts by comparing customer demand to the minimum supply it would have in a worst-case scenario. By 2040, without a significant new supply, it would not be able to keep enough water in the ASR to meet demand, SAWS officials say. Members of the Alamo Chapter of the Sierra Club have chastised the utility for dodging stricter cutbacks during drought, saying SAWS is sending the wrong message. Those same critics have also opposed the pipeline and the rising rates to pay for it. By going far away to find new water sources, Vista Ridge offers only the illusion of abundant water and encourages more growth on the citys northern fringes, they say. The latest target of ridicule has been SAWS newest marketing slogan Making San Antonio Waterful. Trinity University professor emerita and Sierra Club member Meredith McGuire scoffed at the motto. Calling San Antonio waterful is terrible false advertising, McGuire told the SAWS board this month. Instead, we want San Antonio to be known as water-savvy. The campaign is meant to remind residents of everything SAWS does to keep the city functioning, SAWS vice president of communications Gavino Ramos said. Waterful is a play on wonderful, not water-full, he said. SAWS takes pride in touting its low rates. As of 2015, SAWS customers paid the least expensive water and sewer bills of any major city in Texas and most cities in the U.S., according to a report by the independent water publication Circle of Blue. Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas and Phoenix residents paid less per month. Still, SAWS rates have been rising nearly every year since 2006. Next month, average monthly water and sewer bills will increase by 6.8 percent to $62.39, according to SAWS. It counts the average household use as 7,092 gallons a month. Thats $1.60 more than what average customers pay in Dallas but below average bills in Fort Worth and Houston and roughly half of the monthly bill in Austin, according to SAWS. Part of the reason for the rate hikes is that all the cheap, clean water nearby has been spoken for, leaving SAWS to bring water in from farther away or pay more to make it drinkable. Close to home, water from the Edwards and Carrizo aquifers cost between $344 and $680 per acre-foot. (An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons, enough to supply four average San Antonio households for a year.) Its most expensive sources are also the new ones, ranging from $1,440 per acre-foot for the desalination plant to nearly $2,000 an acre-foot for Vista Ridge. SAWS also raised rates to pay for $1.1 billion in required sewer upgrades. The cost of Vista Ridge in particular has raised questions about whether the utility even needs that much additional water. SAWS officials have said they want to sell up to a third of the Vista Ridge water to other communities in the Interstate 35 corridor. Youll see those talks probably increase and come to fruition, Puente said the Hill Country Water Summit. But even if not, San Antonio will still use it. Because SAWS is obligated to buy all the water Vista Ridge delivers, officials have said in times of plentiful rain, they would store Edwards water in the ASR and deliver Vista Ridge water to customers. That leaves SAWS customers paying to hold onto a huge supply even when its not needed, Hardberger said. Another choice would have been to continue to change our lifestyle, she said, meaning a more conservation mind-set, especially about using water for traditional lawns. (SAWS) supply projections shouldnt assume everybody gets to do what they want, we barely go into drought restrictions, and everybody gets a sprinkler system. And even then we have too much. How much is too much? SAWS expects the amount of water each customer uses on average per year will flatten out over the next 25 years. From 1978 to 2015, a SAWS customers use per day dropped from 225 to 118 gallons. But from 2015 to 2040, the city and SAWS are planning for that number to only drop to 110 gallons per person per day, according to the citys SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan. That rate, 110 gallons, is very low for a major city, said John Tracy, director of Texas A&M Universitys Institute for Water Resources. Still, other cities claim to have already achieved much more efficient rates Tucson, Arizona, residents used 88 gallons per person per day in 2014. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, it was 101 gallons per person per day in 2013. The question is how efficient can a city be. Its not an easy one to answer, Tracy said. People need at least 13 to 25 gallons per day for the most basic of functions of drinking, cooking and cleaning, according to a United Nations report on water as a human right. Beyond that, people value water for having nice landscaping, watering their yards and filling their swimming pools, Tracy said. The question there is how much are people willing to pay, he said. My guess is theyre willing to pay a fair amount. SAWS eight-tier water rate structure is intended to give an incentive to conserve: The more you use, the higher the price per gallon. It ranges from 6 cents per 100 gallons for low consumption to 40 cents per 100 gallons for higher consumption. Some think San Antonio should pass stricter rules on outdoor watering , even if a customer can afford to pay high bills. SAWS requires cutbacks only during droughts, but some cities have made once-a-week watering permanent. In Texas, they include Austin, Fort Worth, Frisco and Irving , according to a May Sierra Club report. In San Antonio, that kind of restriction would come through the City Council. District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg proposed it last year, and SAWS officials spoke against it, arguing it would not save much water in the long run. A council committee, however, wanted the opinion of an outside expert, which it will get in a few months. Donovan Burton, SAWS vice president of water resources, has said SAWS could do more about irrigation use. For example, SAWS is working on getting smart meters that detail customers use and ways to cut back for landscaping As SAWS continues pursuing desalination and the Vista Ridge pipeline, one task will be keeping a rapport with rural areas outside of Bexar County. Many see SAWS as an unrestrained predator with financial resources and enough power to get what it wants from the Legislature, said Jay Troell, a board member of the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District, which regulates water withdrawals in rural Atascosa, Frio, Karnes and Wilson counties south of San Antonio. Theres a lot of feeling here that SAWS is more than willing to decimate us for their own good, he said. SAWS has not obtained all the permits it needs from the Evergreen district for the final phase of its desalination plant. In Burleson and Milam counties, east of Austin, the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District can cut back Vista Ridge pumping if it discovers unsustainable drops in well levels and the water table. George Rice is an independent hydrologist who used a computer model developed by the state to predict what Vista Ridge and other groundwater pumping would do to the aquifers below Burleson, Milam and Bastrop counties. It shows that water levels in deep wells will drop hundreds of feet, forcing some landowners to lower their pumps or even drill new wells. It will also cause the water table to fall, potentially drying out shallow wells and springs that feed the Colorado River, he said. I really think we should go slow and see what happens, he said. If I was making the rules here I would require that pumping be phased in so that we can see what effects its going to have before we turn the switch. Other hydrologists have said the model is flawed and needs revision before any can predict how the aquifer will behave. If Rice is proved correct, it could lead to yet another water conflict. Politically, once people are relying on water, its very difficult to turn that water off on them, Rice said. If a showdown comes I think thats when San Antonio will go first to court and then the Legislature. bgibbons@express-news.net Twitter: @bgibbs In November, a misdemeanors court sentenced Kalash and two others to two-years in prison for harbouring fugitive journalists inside the syndicate A Cairo court has adjourned the first session of an appeal by Yehia Kalash, the head of Egypt's press syndicate, and two others against their two-year jail sentences for harbouring fugitives inside the syndicate's headquarters. The court announced on Sunday that the first appeal session would now be held on 14 January. In November, a misdemeanor court sentenced Kalash and syndicate board members Gamal Abdel-Reheem and Khaled El-Balshy to two-years in prison for harbouring two journalists wanted by police inside the syndicate in May. Journalists Mahmoud El-Sakka and Amr Badr were among many wanted on arrest warrants ahead of the 25 April protests against the Egyptian-Saudi Red Sea island maritime-border agreement. Badr and El-Sakka were arrested inside the Journalists Syndicate premises. They were later released on bail pending trial. The three men accused of harbouring them were also released on bail of 10,000 EGP each and mounted appeals after the court verdict in November. After the verdict, Syndicate Head Kalash told journalists, who had gathered in anger at Downtown Cairo's Syndicate headquarters, that he was not worried about being jailed. I urge you to face the real problems... such as the new press law, the social and economic rights of journalists and to focus on changing the syndicates bylaws, he had told journalists at the time. Kalash, Abdel-Reheem and El-Balshy are also facing charges of spreading false news about the police raid on the syndicate's headquarters on 1 May that resulted in the arrest of the two journalists. A court session is yet to be set for this second charge. Search Keywords: Short link: This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate At St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Saturday, voices rose to the heavens in an auditorium packed to the rafters. The faithful were at the house of worship on Thousand Oaks Drive on Saturday for the churchs annual childrens Christmas choir and Mass. The main auditorium and three overflow rooms were filled to capacity with hundreds of families who came to hear the music and a Christmas message. Its Jesus birthday, said Siena Lohmaier, 6, whose family came from Corpus Christi to visit relatives in San Antonio. Her father, Matt Lohmaier, said he and his daughter had talked about the importance of the holiday in the context of their Christian faith. Even if this was not actually his birthday, we celebrate it because its part of the story of salvation, Lohmaier said. And you cant have Easter if you dont have Christmas, he said, turning to Siena. At the ceremony, St. Marks childrens choir alternated singing Christmas songs and hymns with the full congregation. Msgr. Kevin Ryan, the churchs pastor, sat in a chair on-stage and read the story of Christs birth in Bethlehem from the Gospel of Luke. Children dressed as Mary and Joseph, shepherds and angels gathered at his feet. Afterwards, Ryan sprinkled holy water on the auditoriums nativity scene and then led the church in Communion. The church has held the choir and pageant for many years, music director Gary Marks said. His favorite part is just enjoying it and having a good Mass, he said. Standing-room-only church auditoriums are not a common sight these days in a country where the number of people that identify as Christian is on the decline. A 2015 study by the Pew Research Center found that the percentage of Americans who identify as Christians declined from 78.4 percent in 2007 to 70.6 percent in 2014, with those who identified as unaffiliated rising from 16.1 percent to 22.8 percent. Another common trope among the faithful is about those who only attend services on holy days of obligation. My dad calls them Chreasters for Christmas and Easter, said Sarah Wohlfeil. She attended with her daughter, Lucinda, who is celebrating her first Christmas, and her boyfriend, Michael Sanchez. Wohlfeil said her faith is important to her and she attends Mass every week. It was what I grew up with, Wohlfeil said. The Catholic Church is the one true religion. bgibbons@express-news.net Twitter: @bgibbs President Barack Obama has not banned Americans from sending Christmas cards to soldiers stationed overseas, despite claims in a viral post manipulated to resemble a Fox News report. The website tdtalliance.com, whose design crudely mimics Fox News website, posted an article Dec. 12 headlined, War on Christmas: Obama orders ban on Christmas cards to military. The article said the president issued the executive order out of concern that Christmas cards would offend Muslims in the nations where soldiers are deployed. But tdtalliance.com is not affiliated with Fox News. And the article is 100 percent fiction. First of all, a search of all of Obamas executive orders shows that he never issued one banning Christmas cards to the military. In fact, the 2016 White House holiday website prompts visitors to send a USO e-card to members of the military. One of the pre-written message options is, We are grateful for all you do. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! The tdtalliance.com article quotes a Hyman Stratcher, litigation director at the Liberty Institute. The Liberty Institute is a real right-wing advocacy group based in Texas, but Stratcher is a made-up person. (The institutes real head of litigation is named Hiram Sasser.) The article also quotes Imam Al-Suq Akweer of the Islamic Friendship Coalition, and neither the person nor the organization is real. Finally, the article includes an image that has been edited to look like an on-air Fox News report featuring anchor Martha MacCallum, captioned, Obama orders ban on all Christmas cards to overseas servicemen. Pentagon to censor all outgoing mail that appears to be Christmas themed. While Fox has published numerous stories about the so-called War on Christmas, it did not run this fabricated story about banning Christmas cards. Side note: In researching this fact-check, we came across a 2013 Fox article that says a Veterans Affairs hospital in Dallas refused to accept cards that say Merry Christmas. However, that article is misleading because it does not explain that a VA chaplain reviews and distributes Christmas cards to veterans who want to receive cards with a religious message. This article claiming that Obama issued an executive order that bans sending Christmas cards to overseas soldiers is fake news, designed to deceive. Pants on Fire! This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Eugene Gonzales had planned on spending part of Christmas Eve with his mother, Gloria, at a candle-lighting church service the kind of thing his mother loved to do for the holidays. But a distraught friend of his mother woke him early Saturday with terrible news. Gloria Gonzales was among three people who died in a head-on collision on Interstate 10 near FM 465 outside Seguin. According to the Cibolo Police Department, the wreck happened at 4:25 a.m. when a Dodge pickup traveling east on Interstate 10 crossed the median into the westbound lanes and struck a bus. All three occupants of the truck were ejected and killed. The victims were Gloria Gonzales, 43; her boyfriend, Matthew Williams, 34, of Seguin; and John Gonzales, 26, of San Antonio, who was not related to the Gonzaleses. The bus driver was taken to a hospital in stable condition. There were no passengers on the bus. The wreck caused an hours-long shutdown of the interstate, according to Cibolo police. Eugene Gonzales, who was Gloria Gonzales oldest son, described her as a hardworking single mother who was a longtime employee at Caterpillar and a member of Tree of Life Church in New Braunfels. She was just a good woman, Eugene Gonzales said as he and family members and friends gathered outside the familys home, trying to make sense of the unthinkable. He said his mother and Williams had attended a party Friday night and that he last heard from her around midnight. He didnt know any details about the wreck, including why it happened. Police said it was unclear what caused the pickup driver to veer into oncoming traffic, and they did not identify who was driving. A GoFundMe page was set up Saturday to raise donations for Gloria Gonzales family. She was a strong believer of God, a loving and responsible woman, the page says. She will be deeply missed. jtedesco@express-news.net The quaint little house sits much like the others on Mulberry Street tidy, well-built, cozy and inviting. Its lawn and holiday decor announces its hopes for Christmas and the new year. It could serve as a home for two but has had a much larger residency over time. In the past year, for example, almost 60 low-income, stay-at-home San Antonio mothers, some of them immigrants, have begun their educational journeys there. Some have gone remarkably far. Its called La Casita del Saber, Spanish for little house of learning, and is run by Visitation House Ministries, a nonprofit transitional housing program for women and children. The key to everything Visitation House does is education. Its goals are to reverse cycles of poverty, illiteracy, poor outcomes. La Casita is an offshoot of that mission, a way to reach out to more women than its long-term housing project can serve. La Casita serves a marginalized population. Too often, they dont believe in themselves, have not yet found their voices, have not been full participants in San Antonio life. Theyre smart, and they dont know it, said Sister Yolanda Tarango, Visitation House executive director and an Incarnate Word nun. The use of the diminutive La Casita is intentional. Its not a big enterprise by any stretch of the imagination. It has three small rooms, now serving as classrooms, a small bank of computers and an office. Bookcases contain English-as-a-second-language and GED instructional materials in English and Spanish, one of the few places in San Antonio for GED coursework in both languages. Women here start with about a sixth-grade equivalency. Visitation House says it has a high rate of high school equivalency completion. Some clients go on to prepare for college here. And some have earned associate and bachelors degrees; a few are in masters programs, said Pauline ODonoghue, the agencys development coordinator. Tarango says each woman is working toward stability and economic independence so she can overcome the poverty, previous domestic violence or other kinds of family dysfunction that has plagued her. Women clearly improve their lives, but its the children who ultimately are the beneficiaries of every math or ESL class, of every tutoring session, of every GED test taken and retaken. La Casitas work is slow, deliberate, one-on-one. The womans space is familial. They encourage and motivate each other, Tarango says. Classes are intergenerational. Mothers bring daughters, grandmothers drag their granddaughters and end up on their own educational paths. ODonoghue says the relational aspect of the teaching format has been a key to La Casitas success. Its a social space, where the mothers become friends. Its nonintimidating and nonjudgmental. Its a journey the teacher and student go on together, ODonoghue says. Its collaborative. Theyre walking together toward a common goal. La Casita served 100 women in 2015 and another 100 the year before. 2016 was an anomaly, with about 60. ODonoghue says some women might have been affected by changes in the GED test. It was felt nationally, she said, not just in San Antonio. It affected the pass rate nationally, too. The test has been adjusted, so numbers at La Casita could rebound in the new year, she said. Three part-time teachers and a group of about 10 volunteer tutors help. Many of them are professionals, retired educators and retired nuns from the Incarnate Word, Teresian and other religious orders. While some graduates of La Casita have become paraprofessionals and professionals, far more have reached their educational milestones to get better jobs and better serve their families. In the simplest and most beautiful outcomes, the women now can help their children with homework and better interact with doctors and bureaucratic offices. La Casita, as sweet as it sits on Mulberry Street, has goals of its own in 2017 and beyond. It wants to outgrow its space and serve more women. It depends on grants and fundraising events. Mothers pay a nominal registration fee. The agency pays for practice GED tests but cant afford the actual GED fees. Thats another goal: to raise money to cover those costs, Tarango says. In 1987, artist and clergywoman Enedina Vasquez wrote a poem that Visitation House adopted as its philosophy. The women of La Casita have joined the ranks of women the poem references: the women of Selma, Alabama, the Rio Grande Valley, East Texas. If you tire in the struggle, the poem says, of constant echoes of, its not your place take the hand of the women you love. And, let us take our flight. eayala@express-news.net Nearly five months away from election day, the mayoral race already feels like it could be headed for a runoff. The big question is which challenger would meet Ivy Taylor in that runoff. Before I get ahead of myself, its worth considering how rare mayoral runoffs are in San Antonio. Over the past 20 years (and 10 municipal election cycles), weve seen it happen only three times. In 1997, we had an unpopular incumbent, Bill Thornton, getting challenged by six candidates including two members of the City Council. Thornton didnt even make the runoff. In 2005, we had an open seat being sought by a retired judge (Phil Hardberger), a promising young West Side councilman (Julian Castro) and a conservative North Side councilman (Carroll Schubert). Hardberger beat Castro in the runoff, with help from Schubert. In 2015, we had an unelected incumbent (Taylor) facing two former state legislators (Leticia Van de Putte and Mike Villarreal) and a former county commissioner (Tommy Adkisson). Van de Putte and Villarreal split the anti-Taylor vote in the general election, and Taylor edged Van de Putte in the runoff. This year, with District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg taking on Taylor, we will see our first municipal election since 1997 in which a sitting mayor faces a challenge from within the council. This is telling, because most council members are unwilling to give up their seat for anything resembling a lost cause. And Nirenberg, a man of nuanced words and carefully calibrated action, didnt enter this race without giving it considerable thought. As demonstrated by her 2015 runoff win, Taylors appeal is fairly broad, but not too deep. Republicans mindful of her vote against the 2013 nondiscrimination ordinance and her subsequent decision to derail a controversial streetcar project view her as their best option, but could be swayed in the unlikely event that a popular conservative (such as outgoing Sheriff Susan Pamerleau) made a late entry in the race. Democrats tend to be divided about Taylor, but she has enough support in her old East Side district to make for a potential winning coalition. She proved that two years ago, and, if anything, her situation looks more solid now than it did then. Voters have had two more years to get used to the idea of her as mayor, and two of the biggest issues thrown in her face back in 2015 the loss of ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft, and the failure to reach a collective-bargaining deal with the police union have since been resolved. This is where the wild card comes in. Manuel Medina, the boisterous Democratic Party chairman, is a near-certainty to enter the race, and logic tells us that his presence will be damaging to Nirenberg. Medina will divide the anti-Taylor vote and take South Side and West Side Democratic votes that would have otherwise gone to Nirenberg. Medina has generated much of his wealth (and, after all, he owns a home in the Dominion) from running political campaigns in Latin America, and he isnt all that well-versed on municipal issues. Also, hell have a tough time explaining where hell find the funding for ambitious ideas such as a train running from S.A. to Monterrey, Mexico. Some Democrats particularly on the North Side dont trust him. But his supporters would knock down a wall for him, and they know how to get people to the polls. My guess is that Medinas base of support would be too narrow to win a runoff against Taylor, but it could be strong enough to get him to that runoff. So the contest within the contest will be between Nirenberg and Medina, to establish which one can take the message of change to a runoff against the incumbent. Both of them want to focus on Taylors shortcomings, but both of them will have to fight each other for superiority. Given this climate, its not surprising that District 4 Councilman Rey Saldana decided to stay out. Saldanas decision surely was driven by personal factors. Unlike many people whove come through the council over the years, he doesnt see the job as a stepping stone, but as a destination that allows him to serve the community. But if Saldanas decision was right for him on a personal level, it was also smart politics. The timing was bad for him this year, and Medinas recent emergence left very little oxygen in the room for an idealistic Southwest Side progressive such as Saldana. Now, the question is how much oxygen Medina will leave for Nirenberg. ggarcia@express-news.net Twitter: @gilgamesh470 NFU Cymru Conference: Farmers need more help to 'weather current storms' Will Gov. Coopers veto become useless? Cumberland voters to decide Republicans need five seats three in the NC House, two in the NC Senate to get carte blanche control of the state. Cumberland County voters can help that happen or prevent that from happening. The Egyptian embassy in Damascus said on Sunday that it had completed the procedures for repatriating nine members of an Egyptian family that had been living in the war-torn city of Aleppo, which was recently captured by Syrian government forces. The embassy evacuated the family from Aleppo, with a view to returning them to Egypt, state news agency MENA said. Mohamed Tharwat Selim, acting on behalf of the Egyptian embassy in Damascus, said in a statement that embassy staff are still processing the paperwork for another three members of the same family. Among the complications in the case is the fact that one family member married a Syrian girl, but the marriage could not be properly documented due to the fighting, said Selim. Meanwhile, he said, a child born within the family could not be registered due to the war. The embassy has also managed to transfer one Egyptian female citizen out of the Barzat El-Balad area in the Damascus countryside, where fighting ongoing. A group of Egyptians evacuated from Aleppo and Damascus should arrive to Egypt this morning, according to the embassy, having evacuated a total of 95 Egyptians so far during 2016. Selim said that the embassy is facing multiple procedural and logistical problems, including the absence of documents relating to marriages between Egyptians and Syrians. He said that many Egyptians in Syria had declined the embassy's offers of repatriation, saying that they have lived in Syria for generations and do not want to lose their possessions by leaving. Search Keywords: Short link: The New Year is just under a week away and there are some incredible television series either returning to the small screen or making their debut. Here are just five of those shows that we cant wait to see let us know what youre excited for in the comments section below! Tom Hardy's Taboo / Credit: BBC 1) Taboo BBC One Premieres January 7 Tom Hardy makes his small screen return with the show hes been producing for some time now. Nobody quite knows exactly what Taboo is all about, but that doesnt stop everybody from wanting to tune in when the show finally makes its debut. Oona Chaplin, David Hayman, Michael Kelly and Jonathan Pryce complete the main cast across the eight episodes making up the shows first season. Steven Knight has written the entire show following his work on Peaky Blinders, so theres every chance this could be one of the best shows of 2017 and it starts just a week into the New Year. 2) Broadchurch Season 3 ITV No exact start date Credit: ITV Broadchurch comes to an end later this year, but not before an all-new murder takes place in the little seaside town thats been rocked by sadness for far too long. Though Chris Chibnall has confirmed this third season will round out the entire series story, hes not given anything away about the story so theres not too much we can say about the show, other than we cant wait for it to premiere! 3) Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events Netflix January 13 Based on the incredible series of novels by Daniel Handler AKA Lemony Snicket, A Series of Unfortunate Events is coming to the small screen after a not-so-successful movie adaptation of the first three books. Neil Patrick Harris stars as Count Olaf, an evil guardian to three orphans who are left an incredible fortune by their late parents. It looks like this could be the show the novel series always deserved! 4) Star Trek: Discovery No exact UK start date or broadcaster Set to start on CBS in May, 2017 in the US, this small screen Star Trek series has been created by Hannibals Bryan Fuller alongside Alex Kurtzman for CBS All Access the networks online streaming service. The show is set a decade before the events that take place in the original Star Trek series, and promises to be one heck of a ride. We cant wait for a UK broadcaster to pick it up so we can start planning our binging schedule! 5) Powerless No exact UK start date or broadcaster Upcoming American comedy series Powerless is developed by Ben Queen and set for release in the US on NBC. Green-lighted all the way back in late 2015, the show will see another batch of superheroes and villains lock horns, but in a more light-hearted way than ever before. Though there is no UK broadcaster or premiere date set yet, this is sure to be one picked up in the not-too-distant future. by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on Site Blocked In order to access website you need to accept our cookie policy. View cookie policy. Accept BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Belgium's sovereign credit rating was downgraded by Fitch Ratings on Friday over concerns over the public finances of the country. The country's Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings was lowered to 'AA-' from 'AA', with stable outlooks. The gross general government debt/GDP, forecast to be 107% of GDP in this year, is the highest among 'AA' category sovereigns, Fitch said. Further, persistent fiscal slippage moves back the first year with substantial debt reduction to 2019, two years later than previously projected by Fitch in November 2014, when the agency placed Belgium's rating on Negative Outlook. Fitch revised its general government budget deficit forecast for 2016 to 3.0 percent of GDP from 2.7 percent. In a November 2014 review, the figure was seen at 2.2 percent. The rating agency also raised the 2017 deficit forecast to 2.2 percent of GDP, from 1.8 percent in the last review, and 1.3 percent in November 2014. 'Repeated slippage against government targets is negatively affecting fiscal policy credibility, and reduces confidence in the ability to meet future fiscal targets,' Fitch said. 'This partly reflects lower projected returns in a number of revenue measures relative to the government's forecast.' Beyond 2017, Fitch believes that the decentralized nature of the Belgian political system increases the challenge of achieving the consolidation targets for governments below the federal level. On the other hand, differences between the parties in the coalition government going into the 2018 local election and 2019 federal election further raise risks around the ability to achieve fiscal targets. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de ROME (dpa-AFX) - Pope Francis send out a hope for peace in a world scarred by war and terrorism in his Christmas message on Sunday. Addressing thousands of people gathered at the St. Peter's Square, Vatican, Pope said, 'Today this message goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace.' Francis delivered his fourth Christmas message, traditionally known as the Urbi et Orbi, since becoming Pope in 2013. 'Peace to all who, in different areas, are enduring sufferings due to constant dangers and persistent injustice,' he said. 'Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, and to those who have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities.' He wished for 'a real and concrete peace' to the abandoned and excluded people who suffer hunger and to all the victims of violence. He made reference to exiles, migrants and refugees and victims of human trafficking. He also urged for peace to the peoples who suffer because of the economic ambitions of the few, because of 'the sheer greed and the idolatry of money' that leads to slavery. He also appealed for peace for those affected by social and economic unrest, and those who endure the consequences of earthquakes or other natural catastrophes. Francis also urged the world to free themselves of 'materialism', which he said had taken Christmas hostage. He wished for peace to men and women in the war-torn land of Syria, urging the international community to end the civil war and to actively seek a negotiated solution. The Pope also appealed to Israelis and Palestinians to have the courage and the determination to put hate and revenge behind, and build together a future of mutual understanding and harmony. He expressed a similar wish for peace in terrorism-hit Iraq, Libya and Yemen. He also urged for peace in conflict-torn countries of Africa such as Nigeria, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and also in Eastern Ukraine, Myanmar and the Korean Peninsula. Francis, the first Latin American pope, also urged the world to spare a thought for the children deprived of the joys of childhood because of hunger, wars or the selfishness of adults. 'Peace on earth to men and women of goodwill, who work quietly and patiently each day, in their families and in society, to build a more humane and just world, sustained by the conviction that only with peace is there the possibility of a more prosperous future for all,' he said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Photographer's Note: Even on its own, concert photography brings a lot of expectations, especially with its direct relation to journalism since that's where most concert images are viewed. I love music, and enjoy being present at shows; it has slowly evolved into me shooting concerts for news outlets and artists. I've always wanted to create images that transmit the feeling of the music first, then the aspect of their performance. Youll have to excuse me for using a festivals tagline for an article, but as you read along, youll know this isnt intended to be a marketing plug. What were trying to uncover, through photos and words, are the moments from this festival some presented as is, some experimented upon (to match the moment) that you dont see very often. Sure, its all presented as the happy highs, the dance music bass drops, metal breakdowns and folksy sing-alongs, but when you pause a frame, you see much more. The Weekender state of mind is agreeing with prog rock veteran Steven Wilson when he says The Raven That Refused to Sing is the best song he's written. You manage to get teary-eyed but others were actually weeping buckets. Its attuning your ears to the poignant music of bands like Aswekeepsearching and Skyharbor, the calm of Jose Gonzalez and the incendiary energy of The Joy Formidable, all within a couple of hours. Its about watching a thousand people, all grinning, as a band like the F16s become more destructive than ever before, and while theres euphoria in the crowd, you know someone on the internet isnt going to be happy about it. The Weekender state of mind is accepting that you'll never probably get to meet whom you want to meet, but bump into many others you never thought you'd meet. How about a few WiFi towers to keep us all connected? Its about feeling a tingle in your nerves every day for three days, often from music you're hearing the first time from the likes of Australian artist Gordi to Manipuri folk act The Imphal Talkies. The feeling that, whether you like it or not, Nucleya is the life of the party. As was his fellow electronica party-starter, Dualist Inquiry. Whether you had a band like Dualist or were a one-man show like Nucleya, as long as you had that synthetic beat running, people wouldnt care. Its watching one drummer Delhi-based Suyash Gabriel kill it with three different bands across two days with Komorebi on day one, followed by back-to-back sets with RIVER and Mosko. Drummers have always been a busy lot. The Weekender state of mind is also watching hip-hop take over a stage, with rappers like Borkung Hrangkhawl making a lot of new fans in the span of 40 minutes, knowing he deserves it. Its about seeing Kolkata bands like Underground Authority and The Ganesh Talkies be very blunt about whats wrong with this country, daring to pose political questions to a crowd thats just here for a good time, and sort of succeeding in their rage. Its seeing the front row in absolute ecstasy, a state you didnt think one could be in unless you were a superfan. Turns out, the front row didnt even know the words to any songs or had even heard the artist performing before. Lastly, its about knowing its not just a festival for you the ardent supporter for indie rock or desi hip-hop. Its a festival for everyone and their aunts. Text by Anurag Tagat. Photographs by Prashin Jagger By Philip Pullella | VATICAN CITY VATICAN CITY Pope Francis on Sunday offered a Christmas hope for peace in a world lacerated by war and terrorism, urging people to remember migrants, refugees and those hit by economic instability caused by "idolatry of money".Francis, marking the fourth Christmas season since his election in 2013, also urged Palestinians and Israelis, facing renewed tension after a U.N. resolution condemning Israeli settlements on occupied land, to have the courage to put aside hate and revenge and "write a new page of history".His traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message was linked by a common thread of war, violence and suffering at a time that should be defined by harmony and peace symbolised by the infant Jesus."Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, which have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities," he told some 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square.Security was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and at the Vatican after Italian police killed the man believed to be responsible for the Berlin market truck attack while other European cities kept forces on high alert. "Today this message (of peace) goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace," he said, speaking in Italian from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.He called for peace in Syria, urging immediate assistance to the exhausted population of the city of Aleppo, which Syrian government forces recaptured last week after four years of devastating fighting with rebels."It is time for weapons to be still forever (in Syria), and the international community to actively seek a negotiated solution, so that civil co-existence can be restored in the country," he said. Francis, the first Latin American pope, also said Christmas should inspire everyone to help the less fortunate, including migrants, refugees and those swept up by social and economic upheavals."Peace to the peoples who suffer because of the economic ambitions of the few, because of the sheer greed and the idolatry of money, which leads to slavery," he said. At his Christmas eve Mass on Saturday, Francis said the feast had been "taken hostage" by dazzling materialism that puts God in the shadows.On Sunday, he also called for an end to "fundamentalist terrorism" in Nigeria, a reference to Boko Haram, which has killed 15,000 people and displaced more than two million during a seven-year insurgency to create an Islamic state..Francis further appealed for an end to tensions between the government and opposition in Venezuela, for harmony in Colombia, which recently ended a civil war with FARC guerrillas, and an end to strife on the Korean peninsula and in Myanmar. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; editing by Mark Heinrich) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The tourists visited St. Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai, St. Catherine's protectorate, the tomb of Nabi Saleh, as well as Bedouin dwellings Egypts St. Catherine City hosted 826 tourists of different nationalities on Christmas Eve this year despite temperatures dropping to -1 Celsius, state news agency MENA reported on Sunday. The head of St. Catherine's local municipality unit El-Sayed Abdel-Sadek told MENA that the tourists visited Christian sites and attended midnight mass at the St. Catherine Monastery, a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the worlds oldest functioning monasteries. The tourists also visited the tomb of Nabi Saleh and local Bedouin dwellings, according to Abdel-Sadek. South Sinai's St. Catherine City lies at the foot of Mount Sinai, known locally as Jabal Musa and believed to be the site where the Prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments. Of the visiting tourists, 251 were foreigners and 575 were Egyptians. St. Catherine Monastery follows the Greek Orthodox faith, celebrating the nativity of Jesus on 25 December. The majority of Egyptian Christians follow the Coptic Orthodox faith, celebrating the holy nativity on 7 January. Temperatures in St. Catherine are expected to reach highs of 14 degrees Celsius on Monday and lows of zero degrees Celsius, according to a Sunday statement by Egypt's Meteorological Authority. Search Keywords: Short link: No leader in India and perhaps no other political figure in any modern democracy could have survived the demonetisation crisis for seven weeks as Narendra Modi has. If one is looking for evidence of his talents as a mass leader, it has been on display in this entire period. Let us look at it and appreciate it, because we are in the presence of a true master. We have a few clues that the currency exchange crisis may not have been fully anticipated y the government. The first clue is Modi's initial announcement where he made some predictions on a return to normalcy that were incorrect. The second is that he continued on a scheduled visit to Japan, at the time when the extent to which the note shortage would affect the economy was just being realised. By the time he returned from Japan it was clear that the queues were not going to disappear quickly. His initial announcement was so powerful and energetic that it carried popular opinion. The media was fully on his side and a nervous Congress lacking in confidence also announced support for the move. Only two grassroots leaders, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, recognised the danger and opposed it. Modi was in fact able to recruit large parts of the population on his side, probably including millions who did not vote for him, but who did not mind the inconvenience because they anticipated major change. It is difficult to imagine the Manmohan Singh government producing this kind of euphoria in either the media or the middle class urban population if it had chosen to demonetise. The reaction would likely have been the opposite: resentment at being made to go through the trouble. And if it had carried on for seven weeks there would have been extreme anger. Perhaps that anger is building now when it is clear that the disturbance is going to stay for months, but for Modi to have sustained it even for this length of time is remarkable. The second demonstration of his talent was how quickly he grasped that the negative consequence of the policy was bigger than anticipated. Immediately on his return from Japan he made a couple of speeches in which he did two things. First he said to Indians that he meant well and that he had sacrificed his family life for his mission. The uncharacteristically emotional moment of that speech, when he briefly broke down, may also have been the moment when he acknowledged to himself that the issue was out of hand. Second, he said that normalcy would not return before 50 days. With this second move, he bought himself time and space to recalibrate his strategy. Once again, he got the media on his side and the discourse over the immediate problems that people were facing was diverted. Now Modi could have waited for things to settle on their own, but he chose instead to voluntarily offer a time-frame before being pressed on it by the Opposition. It is this comment on 50 days of inconvenience that allowed him the freedom to think of how to re-position demonetisation. As some publications have noted, there was no reference to a digital economy in his initial announcement, which was limited to black money, counterfeit currency amd terrorism. It is after his return from Japan and those speeches that suddenly the discourse shifted and it shifted because of Modi's talent and credibility. One can picture him thinking about it alone. The opposition said this was a shifting of goalposts, but they should understand that this is not a university debate. So long as Modi can convince large parts of the population that the policy is good and the inconvenience will ultimately be beneficial, he will continue to do so. The specific benefits of the policy are unimportant to politics. Proof of this appeared when the Bharatiya Janata Party continued its electoral successes across India even a month after demonetisation, including in Punjab where it is in power and suffering anti-incumbency. There is actually no opposition to Modi at the moment and he is still in full control of the narrative, which is astonishing because it has affected every single Indian negatively. The Congress had the opportunity to exploit mass inconvenience but it has so far been unable to. Many people are hesistant to publicly voice their dislike of demonetisation because they are afraid that they will be abused. No other Indian leader, and few politicians in democratic politics anywhere could have achieved what Modi has since 8 November. Perhaps this will change in 2017 when the medium term effects of demonetisation are on display in the second salary cycle after 8 November. For now, it must be acknowledged that so far, the prime minister has shown that he is where he is not because of luck but pure talent at bringing public opinion to his side and keeping it there. There has been much noise about a Pakistan Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz asking India to become a part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Consider for a moment that India agrees, Pakistan itself will regret the invitation. As a much bigger economy, India will become a key player, and take some of the shine away from Pakistan. The strategic equation in Asia as we know it at present would go into a tailspin and could even finally hit the "all weather" China-Pakistan friendship as the entire region would be transformed. In an ideal world, this would be a game changer as countries become stake holders for peace. But even a leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, given to thinking out of the box, cannot risk this bold initiative so long as anti-India terror groups continue to target Indian forces in Kashmir. Without bringing the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terror strikes, the Uri and Pathankot kingpins to book, no Indian leader can risk making peace. Modi as the leader of a nationalist right-wing party, who had long decried the UPAs soft approach to terror, cannot dream of it now with tension escalating and daily killings across the Line of Control (LoC). India-China and India-Pakistan ties are unlikely to change dramatically in the next few months, with Pakistan especially, till such time as elections in UP, Punjab and other states are done and dusted. Modi's greetings to Nawaz Sharif on his birthday is an indication that Modi wants to leave a door open to his counterpart. India-Pakistan ties are more emotive than its relationship with China, but with Pakistan becoming a key element of President Xi Jinpings pet one-road-one-belt project, Beijing, much more than earlier is an integral element in the relationship. Though India is a member of Chinas Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), it has never warmed up to the New Silk Road project. Beijing had earlier been keen for India to join its one-belt-one-road scheme but with the $46 billion investment in Pakistan, it is impossible. India has often protested that some of the CPEC infrastructure will be passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which India claims as its own. China and Pakistans friendship has been further cemented by the $46 billion investment in the CPEC. India-China ties have also taken a hit in the last one year. China has halted Indias entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), it is cool to Delhis ambitions of being a member of an expanded UN Security Council. It has also blocked Pakistan-based terror group leader Masood Azhar from being declared on the UN list of terror, though his organisation, the Jaish-e-Mohammed is a designated terror outfit. All this on "technical grounds" according to China. More acrimony in India-China ties lie ahead. The visit of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh in February is likely to further hit India-China ties. Not that this will be his first visit. He was in the Tawang monastery in 2008 also. But now the Chinese are slightly more nervous. US President-elect Donald Trumps phone call to Taiwans president has made China uneasy and Beijing will be watching closely whether Washington's new incumbent will continue the long accepted one-China policy which the world seemed until now to have accepted. Taiwan and Tibet are key elements of the one China theory. The Dalai Lamas visit to any country, remember Mongolia, leads to loud and angry protests by Beijing. The fact that most of its neighbours, aware of Chinas economic and military power finally gave in, has emboldened Beijing. The Tibetan leaders meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapati Bhavan has elicited similar noise from China. US ambassador Richard Verma was given rare permission to travel to Arunachal Pradesh. Now, when it is already vulnerable about Taiwan, a visit to the state, which China claims as an extension of South Tibet, will lead to more raucous protests from Beijing. China usually is circumspect and has long-term policy visions, but over both Taiwan and Tibet it is ultra sensitive. With an unknown individual ready to shake up the Washington consensus China remains nervous. Moreover, it has been closely monitoring the growing warmth in India-China ties and believes the US is using New Delhi to balance Chinas clout in the Asia-Pacific region. All this does not bode well for relations between the two Asian giants. China is also aware that Modi is not the run of the mill Indian leader, and can take extraordinarily bold decisions and can even be adventurist if required. Chinas one-road-one-belt policy is hard to resist for most countries in the neighbourhood. Everyone needs funds for infrastructure, whether it is Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal or the Maldives. Chinas footprints are writ large around Indias neighbourhood. This is of concern to India. But Indias frustration should not lead to arm-twisting of smaller neighbours. What it needs instead is a viable development alternative, something much more than the Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec). So long as China is flushed with funds, its influence in the region will remain intact. But as many economists predict, China is living in a bubble and chances of the bubble bursting in the next couple of years are high. Without the abundance of cash, Beijings competitiveness will dim for awhile. India needs to think of a viable option to carry its neighbours with it. 2017 is likely to be an interesting year as the Trump presidency plays out its cards. India is hoping it will gain in the process. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was caught on camera getting his shoelaces tied by a man. A video tweeted by ANI shows the chief minister getting his laces tied and even offering his second leg to the man who was tying his shoelaces. #WATCH: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah caught on camera while getting his shoelaces tied by a person, in Mysuru. pic.twitter.com/HSgIysInkz ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2016 Meanwhile, the media adviser to the Siddaramaiah has clarified in a tweet that the man seen tying the shoelaces is not his staff or employee but his relative. It is hereby clarified that the person tying CM Siddaramaiah's shoelaces is not his staff but his relative: Media Adviser to Karnataka CM ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2016 The video generated considerable interest among Twitterati who were appalled by the chief minister's actions. And, General Secretary of BJP in Karnataka, CT Ravi tweeted that it showed the "arrogance of a pseudo socialist." Arrogance of Pseudo Socialist @CMofKarnataka has no limits. Absolutely disgusting that Siddaramaiah gets his shoes fitted by an assistant. https://t.co/c6LWgJEq3h C.T.Ravi (@CTRavi_BJP) December 25, 2016 This faux pas comes from Siddramaiah just days after his Twitter page erroneously wrote Siachen instead of Sichuan and his team took almost 30 hours to correct the error. Such VIP elitism isn't new. Earlier this year, the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan came under fire after he visited a flood hit district in Madhya Pradesh but he was carried by others. Panna: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visits flood affected areas in the state. pic.twitter.com/Q4HcBuEyOJ ANI (@ANI_news) August 21, 2016 Pankaja Munde, the minister for rural development, women and child development in Mahrashtra also got into a bit of trouble after a member of her staff was seen carrying her slippers during her recent tour of drought-affected regions in the state. During her visit to Sonpeth in Parbhani district, Munde took her slippers off seeing a muddy road ahead; while she walked bare-feet, a man picked up her slippers which the news channels showed. Mumbai: Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, who planned to lead a 'silent' march of party workers to the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting in Mumbai on Saturday, claimed he had been placed under "house arrest" by police which denied the charge. Mumbai Police said the personnel deployed outside Nirupam's residence were only part of the security arrangements made across the city in view of the PM's visit for launching some major projects. "The area outside my house is under heavy police bandobast and I am being prevented from stepping out," Nirupam told PTI, "In the present democratic set up Opposition leaders are being virtually kept under house-arrest," he alleged. Asked about Nirupam's allegation, Mumbai Police spokesperson, DCP Ashok Dudhe. said, "We have deployed policemen across the city especially on the route of PM's convoy to maintain law and order as well as to avoid any untoward incident during his visit." Nirupam said the morcha was planned as a peaceful march to highlight some live issues. "We have a lot of questions for the PM. He should answer graft allegations made by our Vice President Rahul Gandhi instead of mocking him. Modi should also answer when the people will get back their right to deposit and withdraw their own hard earned money from banks. It is more than a month. Since demonetisation citizens are still suffering due to cash crunch," he said. AICC General Secretary in-charge of Maharashtra, Mohan Prakash accused the police of curbing the democratic rights of political rivals, which he alleged was being done at the behest of the government. "Earlier, the government put restrictions on citizens' rights to access their money and now there are restrictions on freedom of expression as well," he said. Condemning the "house arrest" of Nirupam, MPCC spokersperson Sachin Sawant said, "It is indeed, a black day for Indian democracy. This act confirms the fact that the BJP government has a sadist and fascist mindset, which denies the citizen's basic fundamental constitutional right to protest peacefully." Sabarimala : At least 40 pilgrims were injured, three of them seriously, in a stampede at the Sabarimala temple on Sunday night after a barricade gave way in the huge rush, authorities said. Due to the heavy rush, a rope barricade between 'Sannidhanam' and 'Mallikapura' snapped and the pilgrims, who were leaning on it fell on each other, Pathnamthitta District Collector R Girija told PTI. According to ANI, Ayyappa Dharma Sena President Rahul Easwar has said that the situation has been brought under control. #Sabarimala stampede:Police has initiated crowd control measures,situation under control says Ayyappa Dharma Sena Pres Rahul Easwar #kerala ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2016 The injured were initially taken to the Sannidhanam hospital of which two seriously injured were shifted to Kottayam medical college hospital and three others to Pamba hospital, she said. The two grievously injured pilgrims have suffered head and rib injuries but they are conscious, she said. There was a heavy rush of pilgrims today, the penultimate day before the culmination of 41-day 'mandala pooja'. According to the temple authorities, with Monday being a key day in the two-month-long Sabarimala festival, there was an unprecedented rush of devotees on Sunday and the incident occurred when the sanctum santorum of the temple was opened late Sunday evening. The stampede occurred just as the holy 'Thanga Angi' procession carrying ornaments worn by Lord Ayyappa on Mandala pooja on Monday had reached the temple this evening. The procession starts from Aranmula Sree Parthasarthy temple four days before the Mandala pooja. To control the crowd, police had set up barricades but on account of the huge rush, the barricade broke and caused a stampede, in which the pilgrims got injured. Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said there was heavy rush of pilgrims at the shrine when the 'thanga angi' procession arrived. He was at the temple shortly before the stampede and had left the shrine after the 'deeparadhana' (evening prayers) with the Thanga Angi. The minister said he was on his way to the hospital. He later said the situation has been brought under control. Police are restricting the movement of pilgrims from downhill Pamba to Sannidhanam because of the heavy rush. With inputs from agencies Pakistan released 220 Indian fishermen on Sunday as a goodwill gesture aimed at easing tensions with its neighbour, officials said. The men were arrested more than a year ago, accused of entering Pakistani waters in an area of the Arabian Sea where the border is unclear. India is also holding Pakistani fishermen for the same reason and Pakistan hopes its gesture on the birthday of the nation's father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which coincides with Christmas Day will be reciprocated. We have total of 518 Indian fishermen out of which 220 are being released today as a goodwill gesture of the Pakistan government. In the next phase, 219 fishermen will be released on 5 January," Shunail Husain Shah, a police assistant superintendent, told Reuters. Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have been more fraught than usual since a crackdown by Indian forces on dissent in Indian-controlled Kashmir began in July. In September militants killed 18 soldiers at an Indian army base, an attack New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. We appreciate Pakistans goodwill gesture of releasing Indian fishermen, but we expect a similar reciprocal move by India, 156 Pakistani fishermen including 13 children are languishing in Indian jails, Muhammad Ali Shah, president of Pakistan Fisher Folk, a fishermen's rights body, told Reuters. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea states that fishermen who cross territorial waters can be warned and fined but not arrested, and Shah called on both countries to respect that. One of the fishermen being released, who goes by the single name Naresh, told Reuters: I am very happy, looking forward to meet my family back in Gujarat. We were treated nicely here, I will request the Indian government release the detained Pakistani fishermen as well. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his 66th birthday. "Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life," Modi tweets. The Prime Minister wished Sharid, right after greeting the nation on the ocassion of Christmas. "Merry Christmas! We remember and celebrate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. His message of peace, unity and compassion inspires us all," the Prime Minsiter said in his Christmas tweet. Modi then wished Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion of his 91st birthday in a series of tweets along with a video of the two leaders together. "Wishing our most beloved and widely respected Atal ji a happy birthday. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life," he tweeted. See what Atal ji does when he meets a party Karyakarta. This simplicity and warmth of Atal ji we all cherish, pic.twitter.com/qhw7W27MWS Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2016 "Atal ji's exemplary service and leadership has had a very positive impact on India's growth trajectory. His great personality is endearing," Modi added. Since the past many years, I have been associated with many charitable organisations. And yes, wherever I go, I carry my identity of being gay with me. Because it is not two different people, my gay identity is a part of me. I am an animal welfare crusader, a womens rights activist, a child rights activist, also a mens rights activist and sometimes an environmentalist. I christened the term equal rights activist for myself when I found it really hard to confine myself to one category especially when journalists asked me what do I call you. I am not writing this to bask in the glory of my achievements alone. Of course, I am not modest about my achievements for myself and people and animals I love. This post is not about me, it is about the secret santas with rainbow caps who little by little change the world for all. A photo posted by Harish Iyer (@iyerharish) on Dec 23, 2016 at 10:22pm PST Let me introduce you to some who dont wait for Christmas to play Santa but are Santa all the way. Santa Robin Chaurasiya: Robin Chaurasiya is a lesbian who was a part of the US military Air Force, until she refused to stay quiet about her sexuality. I believe we bring our whole selves to work. Gay is not detachable. It is not that you can leave your gay back home while you carry your mind and body to work. She was thrown out of the military, and USs loss is Indias gain. This indore girl, came back to India to set up Kranti, a non profit for empowerment of girls in the redlight area of Mumbai, Kamathipura. I dont think there is any reason for these girls to limit their dreams. They should never stop dreaming, and they should never stop believing in their dreams. And the onus is on us, as a society, to ensure that they achieve those dreams, says Chaurasiya. She is someone who walks the talk. Her girls have got more stamps on their passport than many others amongst us. Some are learning psychology, some are learning drums and all have learnt to become truer and truer to their real selves with every passing day. Santa Dhruv Ambegaonkar: A doctor by profession, Dhruv is your sassy young gay boy from Santacruz. He is not your average Doctor. He has piercings in possibly every visible part of his body. He is trendy in his clothes and is attractive enough that people will fall ill just to go to him for an injection. That said, there is another side to him that not many know of. He, along with his family, fosters children until they get adopted. My family has been fostering newborn children who have been abandoned or put up for adoption by their mothers until they are adopted by a new family. We have 2 children with us currently. A 2-month-old boy and a 6 week old girl. Both are the cutest and so funny. It is a tough job, because it's impossible not to get attached to the kids. I still miss the kids who have left us. It's a heartache which never goes away. Because you know they are living happily with a new family and with no idea of who you are and how much you loved them, says Ambegaonkar. A photo posted by Dhruv (@ambezing) on Feb 13, 2016 at 7:17am PST Santa Anand Pendharkar: Anand Pendharkar used to operate with an alias at one time. I still remember, we had also planned to date. Somehow, we ended up becoming good friends instead. Anand is an environmentalist and he runs an organisation called Sprouts. Gender and sexuality though a personal attribute are a part and parcel of a person. There are many misconceptions that people hold about LGBT people and there is a dire need of positive role models for youth, in every sector, irrespective of the adult's sexual orientation and identity. I have always been honest and disciplined about my nature conservation work and I mentor youth to be skilled conservation leaders. Nature is a great educator and also one with great sexual diversity. So once they learn about all the gender variations and sexual patterns of creatures, then human sexuality falls easily within that spectrum of diversity. Deep Education is the key to making the young, accepting and inclusive humans, says Pendharkar. Read about him here. Santa Yaariyan: Yaariyan is the youth group of the Humsafar Trust. This year, they decided to visit an old age home in Anand Niketan, Lower Parel. I chatted up with my bisexual friend Koninika Roy from Yaariyan. Yaariyan decided that while we do a lot of work for our community, as an influential youth group we wanted to give to a cause because we felt like giving. As responsible young adults and LGBTQ we felt the need to say that while we care about our issues, we also care about our communities. This time we felt we would spread our love by spending a day with the wonderful people at the old age home. The response was so great that we want to do this every year, says Roy. Santa Namma Pride Bangalore and Queer Azaadi Mumbai: This year, Queer Azaadi Mumbai, the LGBTIQ collective that organises the Queer Pride Parade of Mumbai, donated money to the Chief Ministers drought relief fund. In Bengaluru, the Namma Pride march was organised. which took extra efforts to ensure that the pride is accessible for disabled persons. Thank you Bengaluru for leading the way. We will try and follow the good practice in Mumbai. Santa Gaysi Family Gaysifamily organises the super-awesome spoken word event called Dirty Talk. Dirty talk has always highlighted other social issues. We started with child sexual abuse, then acid attack survivors, then recently a de drug addiction group. In between, we also saw an innovative campaign called #KissOfLove where they pledged to send a kilo of rice for every kiss shared to a woman rights and rehabilitation NGO called Urja. The founder, Sakshi recently donated money for the treatment of a dog. Agreed. Such is the vibrant LGBTIQ community. We are all about our cause but also all beyond it. For someone who detests the cold, it was strange for me to be traveling in winter. Constrained by semester dates, visas and funds, however, December exploring it would have to be. I convinced myself that a spectacular White Christmas would somehow compensate for the sub-zero temperature and the frozen-toes-despite-double-socks. I expected soft snowflakes and starry skies, and perhaps fountains brimming with hot-chocolate. I wanted to see laughing families overcome with an infectious Christmas cheer that would make me smile like Diwali had never managed to. I was curious about this festival, and cynical at the same time. But I was also enveloped in the magic that is Paris, and willing to give this idea of Christmas a fair shot. It didnt snow. The Christmas-market didnt have fountains overflowing with hot chocolate. It did, however, bring to life everything else that I wanted it to be. Families laughed and couples kissed, and children zoomed around a hundred fairy-light lit stalls. It was cold, but there was vin chaud, and more vin chaud. Hot wine, and more hot wine. Steaming red wine in a bright red cup with reindeer all over it. I stood around a small round table with two people I love very much, and made my peace with Taylor Swift in the background. We held our cups for warmth, and every sip made my throat sting. Alcohol, but hot alcohol. We laughed at the absurdity of us being together on a different continent 5,000-odd miles from home, and stared at the strobe lights making a star overhead to mark the location of the brilliant Arc de Triomphe under it. My toes felt less cold. And this is probably what Christmas is about a concrete reason for happiness and love, because god knows people need it (and forget about it otherwise). One could choose to drink hot wine and laugh a lot and eat almond crepes potentially any day of the year. But Christmas offered us that legitimacy that makes it less awkward to do these things otherwise. For me, Christmas had no background, no stories that went back to a childhood by a fireplace on a cold morning or a sparkly tree with presents underneath; but I knew that other people walking about that market the city, even were thinking about their own versions of this day. I latched onto this all-pervasive laughter, and made my own Christmas story. It involved two other people, and a certain sad warmth I like to call love. I say sad only because our time together was limited, and every day felt like a very magical time-bomb. Parisian cafes often place their chairs and tables facing the street where one can sit down and watch the city go by. They like that feeling of being still when everyone in front of them rushes about in their own stories. Christmas in that city gave me that stillness that euphoria of being part of a culture I wouldnt call mine, and the knowledge that I am but a guest in this communal joy and anticipation. With the past few months having been a mad rush from one country and syllabus and set of people to another, Christmas in Paris gave me a few days of certainty. More importantly, it gave me back for however brief a period some sense of family. Gali No. 10, Anand Parbat industrial area leads to the Transit Camp, a temporary settlement camp set up by Raheja Builders to accommodate approximately 2,800 families to be relocated from Delhis well known Kathputli Colony in Shadipur. Dotted with industrial workshops on both sides, dealing with metal wielding, scraps, electricals etc., the road seems dark, cold and creepy in a noir-ish sort of way. This journalist stood on that road for over 20 minutes waiting for a three-wheeler and observed a complete absence of women in the public space, making it potentially unsafe, particularly after dark. Built on a secluded piece of land adjacent to the Anand Parbat Police Station, the camp itself is akin to a concentration camp or a prison. A large iron gate displaying promises of a shining future for the slum dwellers takes you inside. CCTV cameras abound, in addition to heavy police deployment. The rooms are lined in rows, like prison cells with no kitchen or toilets. Women are cooking on clay ovens outside the cells. Raheja Builders claim the water tank provides more than enough water but reports of water crisis are not unheard of. Entry to the camp is heavily guarded, and media and other citizens are actively dissuaded from entering. The few who are allowed entry are slyly followed by one of their men, a code word for goons who intimidate camp dwellers and prevent them from revealing anything uncomfortable to the media. When I entered the camp, a woman volunteered an interview expressing how amazing life inside the camp is. A different story unfolded as I went deeper. For the few families who have already relocated from Shadipur, it has been difficult to cover the long stretch from the main road to the camp; childrens commute to school now comes with additional costs, women have quit working as they feel unsafe after dark, for every small errand like groceries and rations people have to commute to Shadipur, bearing the extra cost of a three-wheeler or E-rickshaw, in absence of proper public transport. Moreover, the displacement has caused loss of work and opportunities for artistic collaborations. Displacement causes disorientation. However, these are minor inconveniences for their own greater good in the long run. See, the Transit Camp is only meant to be a temporary residence, said Sanjay Sachdev, AGM, Raheja Builders to explain the minor glitches. According to DDAs In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Scheme, a public-private partnership (PPP) launched as part of a larger plan called the Delhi Master Plan 2021, the slum dwellers are to be relocated to a Transit Camp for two years, during which period, Raheja Builders would construct 1 BHK houses with modern facilities and on completion, they will be located back to their original residence. But the families who already moved at the launch of the scheme are still at the camp even after two to three years. Being unable to go back to Shadipur and living in the camp as refugees, their lives are stuck in limbo. The shiny new houses are still a distant dream. Unless we get the land at Shadipur vacated we cannot construct new houses, said Sachdev to explain the delay. The PPP was meant to benefit all stake holders: Government builds a slum free Delhi, Kathputli Colony residents get shiny new houses and the developer gains land. (As part of the PPP the land left over after building 2,800 flats maybe used by the developer for their own commercial purposes). Its a win-win situation for all except, that is not how the Colony dwellers view it because they were never involved in this planning in the first place. The lack of community participation is now turning out to be a colossal roadblock. On 19 December 2016, at one end of the Kathputli Colony, bulldozers arrived along with workmen carrying sledgehammers, the Colonys electricity supply was cut off, over 500 police and para military forces in riot gear were deployed and some people started distributing photocopied notice informing the residents about evacuation process. At the other end, DDA set up a camp for residents to follow instructions on the notice, get their documents verified, obtain a parchi and agreement and shift to Transit Camp. Parchi katao aur Transit Camp jao, they have been told by police. People read these as signs of an impending forced demolition. Soon massive protests broke out in the colony with fiercely brave and vocal women at the forefront. They gathered in the narrow lanes expressing their fear, anger and doubts in choicest words, often raising slogans, Hum nahi jayenge, hum nahi jayenge (We will not go, we will not go). They have absolutely no faith in DDAs claim that after two years they will get a new house. What if two years become 10? What happens then? they asked. We dont believe in their parchi, give our flats in our hands and we will go, said one of the women. Many expressed disappointment with living conditions in the Transit Camp. Those are made of thermocol and plywood, we have pucca houses here, which we have built brick by brick, why should we leave all that? The level of anger and panic was so high that several of the protesters repeatedly said, Tell them to drop a bomb on us, give us all poison, let us all die. A sad reminder of how citizens feel when the government, in the name of development, forces in grandstanding schemes with no credibility, transparency and accountability, the scheme cuts no ice with the residents for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are asked to vacate their homes without any proper documents. There is a tripartite agreement between the builder, residents and DDA, but it is ambiguous and tilted in favour of the benefactor rather than the beneficiaries. The parchi (eviction slip) and agreement both merely state the liabilities of the residents without clearly stating their rights. There is no penalty or compensation clause, it is not clear as to who will be held accountable in case new houses are not built in two years, or never built at all, what is the grievance redressal mechanism these questions are not clear at all, said advocate Sarim Naved who has previously represented the Kathputli Colony residents in Delhi High Court. Secondly, the list prepared by DDA, of families to be relocated, is based upon 4 June 2009 as the cut-off date of eligibility for rehabilitation and relocation, whereas Delhi Urban Slum Improvement Board (DUSIB) has given 14 February 2015 as the new cut-off date. As a result, the list does not include several families. The Delhi High Court has passed an interim order in the Shakur Basti case that any slum resettlement plan must be done with DUSIBs involvement and that DUSIB shall be primarily responsible for conducting slum survey, but DDA still sticking to its own survey, said Naved. Thirdly, the quality of the Transit Camp is not suitable for living, regarding which a petition was filed in High Court in 2014. The High Court has ordered that a team of residents should visit the camp and submit their demands to improve the quality to DDA. The same was done, but DDA has not acted upon the demands. Fourthly, the residents claim that the PPP is not in accordance with Delhi Masterplan 2021 in terms of technical details, like how many floors to be built, how much area available for creative activities like performances, workshops, rehearsals etc. Finally, the residents feel that the DDAs actions are extremely secretive and hurried and people are not given time to understand the situation. On Monday (19 December), the DDA brought in the police force which induced panic and distrust. One of the first fears is of the military. They just came and we thought, my God what will happen now? Will they ask us politely, or will they throw out? said Arjun, a resident. When the city had no infrastructure and lands were lying vacant these artists inhabited the areas, made it their own and lived for three generations. From here they traveled across the globe spreading Indian culture, making India proud. Now suddenly the city needs development, so they have to move. They do not understand the math. There was nothing here, it was all jungle, no facilities, no food, we ate insects and survived, no doctors also, that time nobody came. Now they have come to take our lands, said one of the women protesters. And nobody cares to explain to them either. A working paper by Center For Policy Research states that while the best of minds from fields of urban development, planning and architecture were involved, DDA made little effort to involve the community and civil society in the process. Kathputli Colony has the legacy of being worlds largest artists colony where three generations of artists and performers live. The early inhabitants were puppeteers who came from Rajasthan, followed by street jugglers, magicians, snake charmers, rope walkers and others from various parts of India. They are the preservers of some of the most ancient folk art and performances reminiscent of the village fairs. These are creative people whose hearts and minds are made differently. Their idea of development often does not match with that of the Establishments. They do not want to live in a swanky sky scrapper amidst a concrete jungle. The slum maybe chaotic and filthy but they have a sense of nostalgia attached to it and they just dont want to move. So who gets to decide what is good for them? Is this about their good at all? Or is it about making the upper class feel comfortable by removing the dirt and filth away to fit the consumerist capitalist idea of urban development? All photos by Sanjukta Basu Photography. All rights reserved. Egypt's interior ministry said on Sunday that it has arrested an Egyptian producer with the Qatari-based news network Al-Jazeera for "incitement against state institutions and broadcasting false news with the aim of spreading chaos". The ministry said in an official statement that Al-Jazeeras head of Egyptian correspondents Mohamed Hussein Gomaa was arrested at a residence in Giza, where police confiscated thousands of video tapes and production equipment. The High State Security Prosecution has ordered that Gomaa be detained for 15 days pending investigation. According to the ministry statement, Gomaa used several residences to avoid security monitoring in light of Al-Jazeera's unauthorised work in the country and its failure to obtain the needed licences. The ministry added that Gomaa was instructed by Al-Jazeera to hire several journalists to produce fabricated media content against the state and its institutions. The scheme by Al-Jazeera, which Gomaa was tasked with carrying out, aimed to instigate crowds to overthrow the government, amplify factional problems, and organise media campaigns against the state through online groups, the statement read. On Friday, Al-Jazeera announced the arrest of its journalist, who it said worked at the channels Egypt bureau office in 2013 before it was shut down by the state. The network said that Gomaa, who currently resides in Doha, arrived in Egypt on Tuesday for a vacation. Al-Jazeera holds Egyptian authorities responsible for the safety of Hussein and is calling for his immediate release, the network said in a statement. Egypt has long accused Al-Jazeera of carrying out a hostile media campaign against the country since relations between Cairo and Doha soured following the ousting in 2013 of Egypts Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, a key ally of the Gulf country. This is not the first time that Al-Jazeera journalists have faced arrest and prosecuted in Egypt for publishing false news. Al-Jazeera's broadcast journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were arrested in December 2013 and sentenced to prison two years later. The two journalists were pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in September 2015. Search Keywords: Short link: Swedish journalist and author Bertil Falk over the course of the last 40 years researched, reported and collected information on the least known member of the Gandhi family Feroze. While his first meeting was with Indira, it was her husband whose life and glaring absence from the narrative of Indias national party and its history that intrigued Falk the most. Here he talks to Firspost about Feroze, his relationship with Indira, and the reason Nehru remained detached, at times in denial of the man. You mention in the book that Nehru was believed to be scared of Feroze. Was this Nehru the father-in-law or Nehru the prime minister, or both? Was he merely intimidated by Ferozes politics alone? From your research and reporting, how do you think Nehru dealt with this uneasy relationship? It was Morarji Desai who said that he "twice or thrice" saw that Nehru was afraid of doing something that would displease Feroze. He has mentioned it in his autobiography The Story of My Life, Vol II and he did it in a context that seems to point at politics alone. However, it is obvious that Nehru never really understood Feroze and totally underestimated him. [Also] I think that Nehru never really dealt with their relationship. You say in the book that Ferozes relationship with his son was more uncompromising than Indiras. How did Indira react to him exerting his hardened influence on her son? Did the personal dynamic of this relationship ever manifest in public? Feroze and Indira fought, more or less, over everything. So we can be sure that they fought over how to raise their sons. Not only has BN Pande mentioned this but Lal Bahadur Shastri also talked about the differences between Feroze and Indira. Above all, after the death of Feroze, Indira Gandhi in a letter to Mohammed Yunus wrote that You know more than anyone else how much Feroze and I disagreed and quarrelled over the years.... Did the differences when it comes to upbringing manifest in public? Depends on what you mean by in public. It happened at least in front of BN Pande. One of the turning points of Ferozes journey was his open opposition to the Congress reaction to the election of a Communist government in Kerala. Where in the authoritarian-democrat divide within his family did Nehru stand? Was Feroz even more democratic than Nehru? And was he pushed out, once he proved he was? In my opinion, Feroze was more democratic than Nehru. Nehru was not able to resist Indira's handling of the situation in Kerala. As the letters Indira wrote to Dorothy Norman prove, she considered her father to be weak. Pushed out? Was he ever in! Apart from the father-daughter pair, how did the rest of the Congress see Feroze? You say he had a good rapport with most ministers (something Nehru publicly acknowledged he wasnt aware of). During your reporting what did some of these people have to say? Most of the people I talked to admired Feroze. However, they mostly did not criticise Indira with some exceptions like Jagdish Kodesia and notably Mary Shelvankar, who told me that Indira wanted all the power in her hand while Feroze was for a more federal structure, which she was not. Would you say Feroze was a rebel, and that is why he failed to get his due, at least in the history of the Party? Did Feroz value freedom more than power? Well, you may call him a kind of rebel, but yes, he valued freedom more than power. Why did he not get his due? Primarily, because Indira marginalised his work as a parliamentarian which was significant. It is above all, her fault, that he has been forgotten. But his fight against corruption in the parliament is a part of Indian history and cannot be obliterated. Congress has a problem here because they cannot appreciate this [Feroze] freedom fighter and faithful member of the party without questioning Indira's shaky legacy. Feroze achieved more as parliamentarian than he did as a husband or a father. What do you believe his lasting legacy will be? What was his highest point in life, and the thing that he would have regretted doing, or not doing the most? His legacy? Especially, over the years since he died? ... Im not a mind-reader so I won't speculate as to what he may have regretted. He is above all a model not only for honest politicians but for all of us. In the last weeks of his life, he was disillusioned by the corruption within the party he had faithfully worked for ever since he was young. But this remarkable son of India should inspire us, and not only Indians. I think that one of the high points was what he did in his constituency in Rae Bareli. But his incredible work in the Lok Sabha is his most important contribution to democracy. [Therefore] I would describe him as a political genius, and a hero of democracy. I keep seeing mentions in the press about Hari being titled 'Namma Hero', just like the Bengaluru metro system is 'Namma Metro' something that I never expected when I wrote the first book about him. So Hari Majestic is having a far funnier time than I am having. I just work hard to keep up with his escapades from book to book, jokes Zac O Yeah, creator of Hari Majestic, an everyman crime-solver who operates from the shady streets of Bengalurus Majestic area. Jokes apart, his statement points out an increasing appetite for crime writing in India, a development I have noticed ever since I have been involved in the Noir Literature Festival (previously known as the Crime Writers Festival). The festival is rolling out its third edition on 27 January 2017 and we have discovered that the reading public is devouring the genre. Hari is a symbol of the coming-of-age of Indian crime fiction in English which is finally beginning to break free of colonial trappings and finding inspiration in desi elements. We see traces of this maturation in the writing of writers like Anita Nair, Arjun Raj Gaind, Vish Dhamija, who are adding to the repertoire of this genre progressively. The high-point of the crime fiction scene right now is undoubtedly the reprisal of Ashwin Sanghis collaboration with James Patterson in Private Delhi, due to be released in the coming week. The first book by the duo, Private India, was a smashing hit and certainly put Indian writing on the global crime fiction map. Wishlist The effects of demonetisation have been far-reaching, leaving none untouched. As economists analyse the market repercussions, and diplomats the international relations aspects, we literary agents anticipate a flood of submissions in white-collar crime in the coming months! On a more serious note, crime writing has always reflected the patterns of violence in the society. A society that has witnessed the gruesome violence that Monica Ghurde was subjected to will have to examine its conscience to find answers for it. One of the avenues that have always aided such self-reflection is literature, and I am sure crime writing of the coming year will focus on these disturbing issues. True crime and gender based crime need a boost in terms of not just numbers of books but also well-researched and substantially written ones. Since the holidays are all about making lists, and we have been more naughty than nice this year, I have a wishlist for what Im looking forward to reading in the genre in 2017. I will put it in here in a hope to get writers and publishers inspired and get to read what I want! I feel that the market is ready to receive socio-political narratives, because I feel that if there ever was a need to look at the darker alleys of our civilisation, it is now. Penguin Random House India has come out with a translation of Vibhuti Narain Rais 1988 novella Shahar Mein Curfew, which translates his experiences as a police officer into a fictionalised account of the life of the urban poor in Allahabad. We need more of such real prose which will make us squirm and take action instead of clucking at casual talk around such topics as we sit in our comfortable drawing rooms and coffee shops. It is only this discomfort that can be channelled into rectifying a broken situation. Puja Changoiwalas Front Page Murders is the journalists attempt at getting inside the mind of the serial killer Vijay Palande, who along with accomplice Simrin Sood planned and executed two high-profile murders. Puja has successfully analysed the killers mind and instincts, mapping the story till the arrest and confession. I, for one, am hungry for more such journalistic accounts. Thank God weve not had desi versions of Gone Girl and Girl on a Train, but we need more psychological thrillers. The year that will be... Mukul Deva, author of bestsellers including The Dust Will Never Settle, and the pioneer of the military-thriller genre in India, gave me a peek into whats in store from his writing desk and its got me at the edge of my seat already. I am now starting my next thriller, which is tentatively titled The Girl From Gothenburg. Based mostly in Europe, this is the story of a family pulled into terrorism due to the father being a fanatic believer of ISIS ideology and the new caliphate. The book will not only showcase the horrors of this menace, but also how it impacts each and every person in the family. There is more good news for crime fiction lovers, with Zac confirming that more of Hari Majestic is in the pipeline too. I just finished writing the third book about Hari Majestic, my antihero detective who is becoming increasingly popular judging from how popular he is increasingly becoming. It will be called Tropical Detective and is out sometime in 2017. A Kolkata-based artist, Harsho Mohan Chattoraj, has also been working on an adaptation of Hari Majestic into a graphic novel format one story will be published early in 2017 in a cartoon anthology, and meanwhile one award-winning Kannada film director, Mansore, is developing a big screen version of the first book in the series, Mr Majestic, which will be shot during 2017 in Bengaluru on the same locations as described in the book. They've booked a really good star to play Hari. And the director has promised me that there will be at least four song and dance numbers in the film. Also, one Mr Majestic short story was selected for publication in a Bengaluru humor anthology, Zac says. Vish Dhamija, the master of the legal crime and courtroom drama, is writing up a storm too, with Harper Collins Publishers India bringing out two of his legal thrillers, The Mogul and Unlawful Justice, in the coming year. The festival seeks to inspire more writing in the genre of crime because as much as it is omnipresent in modern life, it is only grudgingly acknowledged in the literature of the land. Negative elements do not disappear if they are dusted under the carpet; only understanding their inner workings and discussing ways to combat them will halt their stride. We aim to provide a platform to those who have taken the first step towards ripping the band-aid off and allowing the wound to heal, and hope to stimulate more debate on this problematic subject. The writer is the founder and CEO of Siyahi, Indias leading literary consultancy. She also conceptualises and produces literary festivals and events. Mumbai: Congress MP Ashok Chavan has approached the Bombay High Court challenging a decision of Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao granting sanction to CBI to prosecute him in the Adarsh housing society scam. In February this year, Governor Rao had granted sanction to the CBI to prosecute Chavan for offences under IPC sections 120 (b)(criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating and under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, in the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society case. The CBI had accused the former state Chief Minister of approving additional floor space index for Adarsh society in return for two flats for his relatives. He was also charged with illegally approving, as the then Revenue Minister, allotment of 40 per cent of the flats to civilians. Chavan, in his petition filed recently, challenged the sanction order and said it was "arbitrary, illegal and unjust" and passed without "proper application of mind" and with "malafide intentions". The petition, which came up for hearing on 22 December, was then adjourned. It will now come up for hearing before a division bench of the high court on January 23, 2017. Earlier, Chavan was forced to step down from the post of the Chief Minister in November 2010 after the allegations emerged against him. While the CBI named him as an accused in its FIR, in December 2013 the then Governor K Sankaranarayanan had refused permission to it to prosecute Chavan in the scam, leaving the central probe agency with no choice but to close the case against him. However, in March last year, the high court dismissed a plea made by Chavan, who is the sitting Lok Sabha MP from Nanded, seeking deletion of his name from the case, as the Governor had refused to grant sanction. Following this, the CBI re-approached the Governor seeking sanction, which was granted in February this year. New Delhi: On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished veteran BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 91st birthday, praising his exemplary service and leadership. "Wishing our most beloved & widely respected Atal ji a happy birthday. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life," he said in a series of tweets. "Atalji's exemplary service & leadership has had a very positive impact on India's growth trajectory. His great personality is endearing. Modi also tweeted an old video of him meeting former Prime Minister Vajpayee when the former was a 'karyakarta' of BJP. "See what Atal ji does when he meets a party Karyakarta. This simplicity and warmth of Atal ji we all cherish," he captioned the video. The Prime Minister also wished freedom fighter and educationist Madan Mohan Malaviya on his birth anniversary. "I bow to Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya on his Jayanti. He has left an indelible contribution in the history of India," he said. Fazilka: Dalbir Kaur, the sister of Sarabjit Singh, who died in a Pakistan jail in 2013, on Sunday joined the BJP. "She joined the party in the presence of BJP MLA and Punjab Minister Surjit Jyani at a conference organised by the party's Kisan Morcha here," Punjab BJP Kisan Morcha general secretary Gurwinder Singh said. When asked by reporters, Kaur confirmed that she had joined the BJP. Kaur had grown close to the BJP even in 2005, during her struggle to get her brother out of jail, and there were reports of her joining the party. Sarabjit died following an attack on him by inmates of a Lahore prison in April 2013. He was convicted for terrorism and spying by a Pakistani court and sentenced to death in 1991. However, the government stayed his execution for an indefinite period in 2008. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh could not attend the Kisan Morcha's conference because of inclement weather. Lucknow: Infrastructure projects, construction of roads, riverfront projects, new healthcare facilities, hospitals, pension schemes, freebies to government employees, free treatment to indigent senior citizens, new cancer institutes it's raining sops in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. As India's politically most crucial state goes to the hustings early next year, it's a mad, mad race for taking credit as both the central and state governments roll out development projects and welfare schemes to woo voters. Thus, it is no wonder that while Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is on a binge to announce new projects and cut ribbons of the projects that are under way, many still incomplete, the government at the Centre has unleashed its ministers to "set the tide in its favour" by announcing big-ticket projects in a state which elected a whopping 71 BJP (BJP) lawmakers in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The state has 80 Lok Sabha seats. On behalf of the Samajwadi Party (SP) government, holding the fort is the 43-year-old chief minister who has, in a span of 15 days, inaugurated or laid foundation stones of projects worth more than Rs 75,000 crore ($11 billion). He flagged off the trial run of the still-to-be-completed Lucknow Metro Rail; laid the foundation stone of many agro-business projects and over 50 government hospitals; approved salaries and perks for 27 lakh plus state government employees at par with the central government; is distributing free laptops to students; promising smart phones to people on return to power (over 10 million have already registered for this) and has recommended inclusion of 17 Most Backward Castes (MBCs) Kewat, Kashyap, Kahaar, Godiya, Dheemar, Nishad, Kumhaar, Prajapati and others in the list of Scheduled Castes. The hurry in the ruling dispensation can be gauged by the fact that the state cabinet held rare back-to-back Cabinet meetings in two days; cleared a Rs 1,683 crore supplementary budget, green signalled sops like free treatment up to Rs 30,000 to senior citizens; sanctioned Rs 1,000 crore for the Poorvanchal Expressway and Rs 100 crore for publicity; created 30 new development blocks and several tehsils and hiked the pensions to Vrindavan's widows from Rs 550 a month to Rs 5,050. While these decisions are likely to weigh heavy on the state coffers, already strained beyond capacity, ruling party leaders justify them as "acts for public benefit". The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the centre, aware of the political effect of the battleground in UP, is also in a proactive mode. Senior ministers like Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Radha Mohan Singh, Kalraj Mishra, Uma Bharti, Manoj Sinha, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and VK Singh have been criss-crossing the state, announcing a bevy of centre funded schemes and projects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an MP from UP, is also getting battle-ready it seems. Apart from the public rallies he is addressing, he has rolled out projects worth Rs 2,100 crore in his Varanasi parliamentary constituency and projects worth several thousand crores in Kanpur. Sources in the BJP told IANS that other than lawlessness, the party would focus on development as its plank in the state polls. Rajnath Singh's Lucknow constituency has so far been gifted an outer ring road worth several thousand crores and sprucing up of railway stations. The central government has approved Rs 384 crore for constructing 11,000 homes for poor under the Pradhan Mantri Aawaas Yojna. Many road projects have also been set rolling by Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. In a politically volatile atmosphere, which way the vote sways will only be known next year, but for now the state and its people seem to be enjoying the envious attention it is getting from all sides. As defence minister Manohar Parrikar was deliberating with his officials on Thursday over the weapons platforms and systems that the country needed to acquire, the defence circles in Delhi and abroad were agog with speculations that in todays meeting, the Modi government will clear the ways for the Ambanis and Adani to capture the Indian defence industry by making their groups strategic partners. But nothing of the sort happened. As of today, it is only the Tatas, Mahindras and L&T in the Indian private sector that have some meaningful role in the Indian defence industry; the Ambanis (both the brothers) and Adani are behind in the race, despite the widely-held perceptions that under the Narendra Modi government, they are ruling the roost. Perceptions are quite distinct from facts. But then perceptions matter more in politics than facts. And that is why if you listen to our opposition leaders in general and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in particular, one gets an impression that ever since Modi assumed office, everything in the country has been done to promote the interests of a select group of industrialists (particularly the Ambanis and Adani) at the cost of the countrys poor. If Gandhi is to be believed, the entire demonetisation scheme of the Modi government is only for the benefit of the big businessmen in the country. In almost every public rally that he addresses, he makes it a point to emphasise how Modis is 'suit-boot ki sarkar' (a government that caters to capitalists). On his part, Modi too does not spare a single public platform in the country to show his concerns for the poor. Relentlessly he points out his various pro-poor schemes like opening the Jandhan accounts, Swachh Bharat, Make in India and Clean-Ganga projects. That these are really ambitious schemes and as columnist social scientist Pratap Bhanu Mehta has pointed out in The Indian Express are badly implemented and that most of these are projects whose results will come later, not sooner, are different matters altogether. But the point is that the Modi government is not a pro-rich government that the likes of Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal accuse it to be. It is against this background that it is interesting to see the data compiled and brought out by the BJP, as reported in The Times of India, to nail the claims that the NDA dispensation is 'Adani-Ambani ki Sarkar.' It is said that loans worth Rs 36.5 lakh crore, granted to various corporates between 2005 and 2013, were waived off during the two successive terms of the Congress-led UPA government under Manmohan Singh. Refuting the recent allegations of waiving "bad loans" to a few corporates, the BJP has provided data that says that ratio of "bad loans" had increased by 132 percent from 2005-06 to 2013-14. According to BJP spokesperson Shrikant Sharma, SBI had frozen Vijay Mallya group's accounts after he failed to repay loans of over Rs 1,450 crore in 2012. However, Mallya was given loans of Rs 1,500 crore...Adani, Ambani and Mallya were not born in the past two-and-half years...these are as old as the Congress party and have been flourishing when Rahul Gandhi was not even born. Therefore Congress owes more explanations about how these groups flourished if they had a tainted background." There are merits in the BJP-data. Take for instance the case of Reliances heavy and costly investments in the Krishna-Godavari basin to extract gas. Let us refresh our memory how the Manmohan Singhs oil minister Veerapa Moily had decided to increase the gas price $8-8.4 against the then current price of $4.2 per million British thermal unit just few days before the UPA government was voted out in 2014. In contrast, the Modi government has imposed fines on the Reliance worth thousands of crores (first Rs 14000 crore and then additional Rs 2500 crore for under-production; and Rs 10311.76 crore for extracting gas from state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltds deep-water block in the Krishna-Godavari basin for seven years. These penalties can be legally challenged by the company, but the point is that it is difficult to fathom how a company perceived to be so close to the Modi government is being imposed fines, one after another, by the latter? And worse, now there are reports that the India will probably cut the price of natural gas by about 18 percent from $5.05 per million British thermal units the government set when it first rolled out the formula in 2014, in what will be a huge setback for explorers like Reliance. Talking of the Adani group, its promoter Gautam Adani has presented enough evidence in the last three years to the press saying how his infrastructure empire grew after the liberalisation of the countrys economy under the Congress government headed by Narasimha Rao in 1993. He acquired barren and non-agricultural land in Gujarat and developed ports under the Congress governments in Gujarat led by Chimanbahi Patel and Shankarsinh Vaghela. According to him, in his business, he has got cooperation from all the governments irrespective of whether they are led by the BJP or any other party. It is not true at that the State Bank of India has loaned him Rs 62000 crore loans to start his mining business in Australia (where he has now got the environmental clearance). Incidentally, under the Modi regime, the market capitalisation of both Reliance and Adani group has been adversely affected; in fact, the Adani group has reportedly witnessed a steep fall of 51 percent of its market capitalisation after Modi became Prime Minister. But that has not made either the Reliance (led by Mukesh Ambani) or the Adani group defaulter on the interest payments against their bank loans. What all this suggests is that the systematic way perceptions are being built about the nefarious nexus between the Modi government and industry is unfortunate. These perceptions are far from the truth. In the process, such perceptions do great harm to the nations development. Creation of wealth by the industry is not a crime; instead it is vital for the growth, jobs and help to the poor as long as it is created transparently and under the taxation regime. But then what should we do to deal with the deliberate distortion of facts and outright lies by the politicians? There is no easy answer to this question in a competitive democracy such as ours. In my considered view, the media can make a small beginning to retrieve the situation. One is told that some European publications carry features such as PolitiFact or "Truth-O-Meter" that has a range from "True" through "Mostly True" to "Mostly False," "False" and finally, "Pants on Fire." The Washington Post has a regular feature called The Fact Checker. But then, there are criticisms, justifiable to certain extent, against these features. The argument here is that a journalist or analyst is subjective in choosing facts. For instance, one may only like to see how much truth Rahul Gandhi is saying by ignoring the similar treatment of Narendra Modi. The converse is equally true. But then, doing something is better than doing nothing. And it is quite possible that when some subjective person separates facts from fictions by Rahul and another subjective person does the likewise with Modi, there will be some balance between the two sets of facts and fictions. (Disclosure: Firstpost is part of Network18 Media & Investment Limited which is owned by Reliance Industries Limited. These are the author's personal opinions) Turkey has emerged as a new citadel of the lethal global jihadism today. An Ankara-based Turkish journalist, Burak Bekdil wrote an article explaining how Turkey is becoming the victim of its own enthusiasm for Jihadism. Buttressing his point, he quotes the media bureau chief of Hizb ut-Tahrir Turkey, Mahmut Kar, as saying: We are shouting out that we will re-establish the caliphate, here, right next to the parliament." On 5 June, 2015, homegrown jihadists in Turkey detonated bombs, killing four people and injuring over 100 at a pro-Kurdish political rally. On 20 July, 2015, IS terrorists attacked the pro-Kurdish peace activists in a small town on Turkey's Syrian border, killing 33 people and injuring over 100. On June 28, the terrorists visited Ataturk Airport, leaving at least 45 people dead and hundreds of people injured. Very recently, on 19 December, a lone-wolf jihadist and a member of Turkish police special unit, Mevlut Mert Altntas assassinated Andrei Karlov, the Russian ambassador in Turkey. These were some of the most tragic incidents of jihadist terror in Turkey. But in all these cases, Turkish regime has shifted the blame from the jihadist outfits to other terror groups. Now, it has done the same in the latest terror incident of the Russian Ambassadors assassination in Ankara. While the Turkish officials have declined to state the actual aim of the Ankara killer Altntas, his ulterior jihadist motive went beyond saying as he loudly chanted "Allahu akbar" claiming to avenge attacks on Aleppo. In a mixture of Arabic and Turkish, he shouted: God is great! We have made an oath to Muhammad to die in martyrdom a revenge for Syria and Aleppo! Dont forget Aleppo! Dont forget Syria! Meanwhile, the global network of the violent jihadsim, IS has claimed the Ankara assassination without confirming if Altntas was an agent of theirs. Whether the Ankara killer was a self-motivated homegrown jihadist or member of a bona fide terrorist organization, his culpability was unquestionably of the jihadist nature. That he killed the Ambassador by pointing index finger into the air and signifying the Islamist cliche clearly shows he was an IS sympathiser. This has become a common sign of the IS jihadists in the final minutes before they turn into the self-styled martyrs (shaheed). Despite this clear indication, Turkish officials continue to live in denial. They overlook the fact that IS sympathizers have deeply penetrated the country and now exist even in the Turkish police operating as the part of IS global jihadist network. But the blame of every jihadist attack in the country is cunningly shifted to an easygoing scapegoat branded as Feto (Fethullah Terrorist Organisation). A former ally of Erdogan, Fethullah Gulen is a moderate Islamic scholar living in exile in the US. Since the time Gulen showed an ideological confrontation with Erdogans policies of political Islamism, he has been booked as an anti-Islamic terrorist. Therefore, Erdogan accused him of plotting the botched Turkish coup without producing considerable evidence. Virtually, Erdogan sees a Gulenist hand behind every terror attack in todays Turkey. While Turkey is scrawling with the jihadist terror, Erdogan entirely blames it on a liberal Muslim thinker and, thus, the jihadist outfits successfully operating in the country are rescued. In the wake of the Russian ambassadors assassination in Ankara, Turkeys foreign minister told Secretary of State John Kerry in a phone call that the Turkish government believed the Ankara police officer who assassinated Andrey Karlov on Monday was a Gulenist. This phone call was reported by The Daily Sabah, a Turkish news outlet closely associated with Erdogans regime. Besides the Turkish authorities, several Turkish media outlets operating under Erdogans control have spread the same news that Ankara killer was a Gulenist. Given the current curtailment of press freedom in Turkey, it is no wonder if the Turkish media outlets are flogging this fiction. But it is very distressing to note that this is also flogged in the Indian Muslim media with a similar tone and tenor. Urdu media, in particular, has twisted the facts and on-goings in Turkey. This leads the Indian subcontinents Muslims to think of Erdogan as an Islamic democrat ruler fighting Fethullah Gulen, who is a deviant Muslim cleric and an agent of anti-Islamic forces. In fact, all rationalist and modernist Muslim thinkers opposing the politicization of Islam are stereotyped in the similar ways, not only in the Islamist societies but even in democratic countries like India. Several editorials in the leading Urdu newspapers in India shape an opinion antithetical to the moderate thoughts of Gulen in an attempt to endorse and justify the political Islamist policies of Erdogan. On 23 December, Ahmadullah Siddiqui, senior sub-editor in Inquilab, a popular Urdu daily in India, wrote in his article entitled Tyyep Erdogan, Gulen Movement and Turkeys state of affairs: Fethullah Gulens opinion on Political Islam is totally identical to the thoughts of the European and American Islamophobes. Their view, in a nutshell, is that those dreaming an Islamic democracy in the Middle East are extremists and that they should not be allowed to come to power. For they look up to the supreme power, the Almighty Allah, as their source of guidance, rather than a worldly super power. Unfortunately, Gulen who is considered an Islamic scholar is allied with all other forces which are trying to expel the Islamic Democrat, Tyyep Erdogan. (Daily Inquilab, Page 11, 23 December, 2016). This narrative is grossly spreading in the Urdu media without any substantial evidence. So far, neither the Turkish media nor the regime came up with any substantial evidence to prove that Ankara assassin was a Gulenist. They have publicized only a false report that Altintas, the Russian Ambassadors assassin, shared an address in Ankara with a US-based Turkish journalist accused as a Gulenist. But this is an untenable accusation against Fethullah Gulen, as the accused journalist has published documents candidly refuting the allegation that he shared an address with the gunman. More to the point, Gulen has lambasted the Ankara assassination in the harshest terms much in the same way as he strongly denounced the failed Turkey coup. Condemning this incident as unjustifiable act of terror, Gulen stated: I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic assassination of Russias Ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, who was speaking at an art gallery in Ankara. No terrorist act can be justified, regardless of its perpetrators and their stated purposes. It is the expectation of the Turkish people and the world that the government investigate the circumstances of this incident, identify those who aided the perpetrator and take the necessary precautions so that such an attack cannot be staged in the future, he said in a recently released video. The Gulenist network, popularly known as Hizmet (service), is a civil society movement inspired by Gulens modernist and progressive Islamic theories with a decades-long record in peace activism, education and interfaith dialogue in Turkey and around the world. But, ironically, Erdogan finds it more expedient to blame Hizmet, rather than Daesh (IS), for the jihadist atrocities being consistently perpetrated in Turkey today. Thus, the Turkish Islamist president has got a scapegoat following all terror incidents of jihadist nature or other internal crisis engulfing the country. Clearly, Erdogans lame accusation against the Gulanists in the Ankara assassination shows that Turkey is turning a blind eye to the IS threat looming large in the country. Ankara is only interested in running down the Gulenists instead of the jihadist networks operating on the Turkish soil, actively and freely indulged in wanton killings. It certainly does not augur well for the terror-ridden country. The author is a scholar of comparative religion, classical Arabic and Islamic sciences, cultural analyst and researcher in media and communication Studies. Views are personal. He tweets at @GRDehlvi. Last week Rahul Gandhi said that demonetisation has affected only the 99 percent poor in the country and that the 1 percent rich (50 families) in the country have been saved. Surely the numbers make a good argument for the Congress vice president to criticise demonetisation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who announced the move on 8 November. And, as it is, the entire media has reported it. But where did the data come from? Did Rahul Gandhi or Congress conduct a study or survey to reach up to the conclusion? No. Though there's still some truth in what Gandhi said, especially the fact that it caused a lot of inconvenience to poor people, the numbers do need to be fact-checked. American journalist and Knight professor Bill Adair and his Pultizer Prize winning website, PolitiFact, have been doing this in the US since 2007. Over the last nine years, Politifact has been calling out politicians on their lies by fact-checking every statement they make (as a matter-of-fact). Not just that, next to journalism, fact-checking is now becoming a field and a tool to hold people (in public as well as private offices) accountable. It has been so effective in the US that the Republican candidate Jeb Bush once accepted that he was afraid of being "Politifacted". Kamis Reed, mayor of the American city, Atlanta, told his staff to ensure that all the claims made in his speeches were fact-checked and rated mostly true. In fact, in the recently concluded US Presidential election, PolitiFact showed how Republican President-elect Donald Trump lied during his election rallies. According to the website, more than 51 percent of the time, Trump made statements that were false. Another 18 percent statements were mostly false, whereas 15 percent times he made half true claims. Trump said 11 percent mostly true statements and just 5 percent of the things he said were the complete truth. Adair, who serves as a contributing editor on PolitiFact apart from being the director of the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy and Knight Professor of the Practice of Journalism and Public Policy, was in India last week to promote fact-checking in India. He spoke with the Firstpost, on how he would love to "Poltitifact" the demonetisation scheme and more. Here are excerpts from an interview: Why did you start PolitiFact? I was in the White House in 2004. And I saw a speech in 2004 Republican Convention by Zen Miller. Miller was a Democratic senator, who had endorsed President Bush. He gave a speech about John Kerry, who was a Democratic candidate and attacked him for being weak on defence and not wanting to spend money on defence. And it was a speech that really needed to be fact-checked. But I was a news reporter at that time and I didn't do a fact-check. But as I thought about that, I felt guilty that we were just passing around what the politicians were saying without any scrutiny. So, I built PolitiFact out of my own guilt. Are you happy with the progress made in fact-checking? We started with just three people in 2007 right before the 2008 US Presidential Election. Today, we have 21 PolitiFact sites in 18 American states. We have an international collaboration with AfricaCheck, which is a fact-checking website. We have done 13,000 fact-checks. It's really cool. What brought you to India? I am here as a representative of Duke University. I came here to discuss what we have learned about fact-checking and talk about how important it has become and encourage journalists in India to do their own fact-check. How do you think India can benefit from fact-checking? Fact-checking is valuable not just during campaigns but also when politicians are in government. Just in the four days I have been here I have seen four different claims about demonetisation where I thought: somebody should fact-check that. Whether it's a claim by the Prime Minister or the Opposition. I think, India could really benefit from fact-checking. India has a lively political discourse that takes place on television, in newspapers and websites. But the politicians are getting away with falsehoods because no one is checking them. I am not saying that everything they are saying is false, but I am sure on any given day there are plenty of false claims that are made. We hope that Indian news organisations will try fact-checking. Are there any ground rules that every PolitiFact fact-check has to follow? We don't have any rules as such, but we do requrie that a fact-check needs to be true. Sometimes you can do a fact-check by just looking at something. For example, we had a number of claims where one of the candidates talked about how in the last election you never even mentioned education. So, that was something. All we had to do is look up the transcript of the previous debate and look up words involving the topic. We didn't need to call somebody. But I think, most fact-checks, I think, it's really helpful to call somebody. And so, we put an emphasis on that. What are the requirements to become a fact-checker? A good fact-checker can be a relatively new reporter, you do not have to be a veteran reporter with many years of experience. But to be a good fact-checker you must be skeptical and thorough. Sceptical because you are constantly questioning whether or not something is true, whether or not you have enough reporting to reach a conclusion. So, scepticism is critical. And thorough, because you want to make sure you don't rush your work and publish a fact-check before you have enough research done. Are there any specific sources that you rely upon for fact-checking? In the United States, we are fortunate because the government has several offices, that are non-partisan and not affected by politics. They collect and publish data. Those are congressional budget offices, bureau of labour statistics and census bureau. And they provide accurate economic and population data as well as data on what the govt does. And, we know that it's not subject to politics. In many countries, there are just not good independent sources of data. What we have also done is build a list of independent sources across subjects that we can rely upon on different subjects. So, whether it's social security or taxation, we know that we have good experts who know the subject and who would talk to us. The internet was supposed to bring accurate information, but it has also made it easier to spread falsehood and rumours. Do you think social media has acted as a catalyst? When the Web first started, the first publications to have websites were the traditional newspapers and I am talking about 1995 to 2000. But it didn't take long for ideological websites to spring up. And that's great. They led great discussions online. But as more and more partisan organisations took to the web, many of them relied less on facts and more on outrageous content to attract readers. And the reason for that is, of course, the economics of the web, which is the more people read your article, the more you can make from advertising. That then grew into more recently websites who realised hey, we can get lots of readers if we publish more outrageous articles that are completely fake. So, I think in the evolution of the Web, both the business model advertising based on page views and social media that can amplify that have been at the root of some of the problems. But then it has also been responsible for much of the good and built great websites like The Atlantic and The New York Times who get a lot of money. Do you think the democratic nature of the Web where anyone can publish anything has allowed fake news to become such a nuisance? Do we need to censor the Web? Before the Web, newspapers and television networks were filters. They would research. If they get a letter that had some extreme claim on it, they would withhold until they could verify it. So, the media acted as a useful filter. But at the same time, there were people who said the media filtered too much. And they didn't give enough platform to certain types of candidates. So, there was a down side to it as well. But it also kept extreme falsehood away from people. With the Web, that filter is gone. And we rely on readers to be smart consumers of infornation. Many are. They know to go to trusted sources of information. And they can spot a fake news. Buy many other people don't have a deep understanding of how the news industry works. So, they see a headline that says 'Pope to endorse Donald Trump', and they believe it. But I am not advocating license. You cannot license people and you can't outlaw them either. Even the Firstpost website has Faking News. It's satire. You don't want to stop satire. Satire has a really important role in political discourse. But the people need to understand the difference between news, satire and fake news. They also need to be more educated consumers of different types of journalism. And I don't think many people understand the differnce between a news site that writes objectice report or a partisan website that gives out information. The online media is still at a nascent stage compared to its print counterpart. There's still much to learn about user behaviour and impact of news on the Web. What are the mistakes do you think that the early adopters of news websites made that can be avoided? Here's a big one: identifying articles that are news and distinguishing them from articles that are opinion. I think of journalism as a continuum: on one end there's pure news that is objective and tells both sides. Just the facts. On the other end, there's pure opinion we know it as editorials and columns in newspaper. And then there's some journalism in the middle. It might be based on reporting, but it's reflecting just one point of view. And one mistake that news organisations have made is not telling people the difference between them. When we publish an opinion article, we just put the phrase 'op-ed' on top of an article saying it's an op-ed. But many many people don't know what that means. And it's based on the old newspaper concept that the columns that run opposite the editorial are op-ed columns. The lesson here is that we should better label the nature of journalism. Label whether it's news or opinion or something in between like an analysis. And that's something we can do better when we set up new websites. The newsrooms are changing, reporting is becoming more real time. How do you ensure that everything is fact-checked in that scenario? The most important thing is to be factually correct. And we should hold on publishing until we are sure that we have all the facts ourselves. That our conclusions are solid. It can be tempting when you are working on the Web to find one website that confirms your suspicion that the statement is false or true and quickly publish. But you need to be very thorough and confirm all the possibilities. Fact-checkers don't use any special tools. The most important tool is a Web browser and secondly, your phone. The old school reporting calling somebody up and asking them that is the vital part of reporting. You can't get everything you need from just searching and downloading the data. You need to speak with people, call up people and make sure that you understand things correctly. It's about combining the old school and new school approaches. Last week, Facebook became a signatory to Poynters International Fact Checking Code of Principles, to address the issue of fake news on the platform. How do you think this move will help combat fake news? Facebook is enlisting help from its users and fact-checkers in identifying fake news on the platform. So, when a Facebook user sees a link that they think is fake news, they can inform Facebook about it. Facebook then makes a list of articles available to fact checker that many users have tagged as likely being fake news. The fact-checkers read the articles if they really are fake. They then publish their own article on their website, and submit to Facebook. If enough fact-checkers say that the reported news is fake, then Facebook will put up a tag informing users that third party fact-checkers have found it to be false. So, it's done in a smart way. The users are the first line of defence, and then there are fact-checkers who are good in research. Do you think this would be sufficient to curb the menace of fake news? Fake news is like a bacteria that evolves to avoid the antibiotic. We come up with a solution they come up with a way to foil that. And it's going to be like this. I think fact-checkers are like the antibiotic. What Facebook has done is empower the users, and I am impressed. But if you ask me if they have the ultimate solution. I would say, probably not. We will have to make adjustments on the way. The tools that I am working on involve automating fact-checking. My goal is to get beyond the website as the only way to communicate a fact-check. So, one tool we built in the Fall would allow you to see fact-checks pop-up on the screen while you are watching the debate on your computer screen. It's called FactPopup. It has a Truthometer that would pop-up tell you whether what Donald Trump just said was true or false. And we were able to do that in real time. We used the tool during the US Presidential debates. My goal is to build more tools like that. We want to see if we can also build a real time pop-up fact-checking tool for television. We also want to do pop-up fact-checking tool for Web browsers. So, say you are reading a news article, and there's a statement about demonetisation. It would be great if that sentence about demonetisation would be highlighted slightly in colour. And when you hover your mouse over it, a fact-check would pop-up and say, this statement by prime minister is false and why. That's our focus to automate fact-checking. We also have a project called Claim Buster that is mostly done at University of Texas and Orleans. It helps you identify factual points in a text. It labels claims in a transcript or speech between zero to 1.0 and tells which claims needs to be fact-checked the most. So, a claimed labelled zero doesn't need to be fact-checked; the need for fact-check increases as a statement rating goes up with 1.0 rating showing highest need for a fact-check. It does the work of human journalists but it can do it a lot quicker and accurately. How does the automated fact-checking tool works? What are the main challenges you guys have been facing? In the current version, a PolitiFact editor listens to the debate, and if the speaker says something that PolitiFact had checked before. The editor would push out a link to the previous fact-check along with an image of the truthometer. So, at present the automated part is that you get it on your computer screen while you are watching the debate. In the next phase, it would be automated. The challenge there would be understanding what is called natural language processing and trying to account for the variations in how people make a political statement. The tool will need to be able to understand the nuances of language to do things correctly. We are hopeful that we will be able to do that in next few years. New York: Pakistan's defense minister threatened Israel that his country could use nuclear weapons after a fake news report that his Israeli counterpart had threatened "nuclear retaliation" for Islamabad's role in Syria against IS, highlighting the serious problem proliferation of fake news poses. A report in the New York Times said a fake news story prompted Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to threaten to go nuclear. In a post on Twitter, Asif lashed at Israel after a false report which the minister apparently believed that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons. "Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh," the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. "Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too." The NYT report said Asif appeared to be reacting to the fake news article published on awdnews.com, which was titled 'Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack'. The article had appeared on the website on 20 December, alongside articles with headlines like 'Clinton is staging a military coup against Trump'. The fake story about Israel even misidentified the country's defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. Israel's current minister of defence is Avigdor Lieberman. Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh.Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too AH Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 23, 2016 The Israeli Defence Ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious. "The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said," the ministry wrote in Twitter post directed at Asif. The Israeli ministry added in a second post: "Reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false." The NYT report added that the proliferation of fake news stories, spread on social networks and produced by a variety of sources including pranksters, foreign governments and enterprising individuals who hope to receive advertising revenue by driving traffic to their websites, has become an increasingly serious problem. A North Carolina man was arrested this month after firing a gun at a Washington pizza parlor, because investigators said he was investigating claims in fake news articles that the pizzeria was at the center of a child sex slave ring linked to Hillary Clinton. Israel summoned the ambassadors of 10 nations, including Egypt, to Jerusalem to reprimand them on Sunday and had more harsh words for the Obama administration over a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an end to settlement-building. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put his personal imprint on the show of anger by repeating at the weekly cabinet meeting what an unidentified Israeli government official contended on Friday - that Washington had conspired with the Palestinians to push for the resolution's adoption. The White House has denied the allegation. The vote passed in the 15-member Security Council on Friday because the United States broke with its long-standing approach of diplomatically shielding Israel and did not wield, as a permanent member of the forum, its veto power, instead abstaining. "According to our information, we have no doubt the Obama administration initiated it (the resolution), stood behind it, coordinated the wording and demanded it be passed," Netanyahu told the cabinet in public remarks. Ambassadors from 10 of the 14 countries that voted in favour of the resolution and have embassies in Israel - Britain, China, Russia, France, Egypt, Japan, Uruguay, Spain, Ukraine and New Zealand - were summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, the ministry said. Sunday is a regular work day in Israel, but most embassies are closed, and calling in envoys on Christmas Day is highly unusual. At the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu described a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday, when Israel and President-elect Donald Trump pressed Egypt to drop the anti-settlement resolution it had put forward. It was resubmitted a day later by New Zealand, Senegal, Venezuela and Malaysia. 'Not sure' Egypt's foreign ministry said on Saturday that the country had withdrawn the UN Security Council resolution because it was not sure that it had a chance at passing. "Egypt wanted more time to make sure that no country would use its veto power to block the resolution, especially after US president elect [Donald Trump] called on the current US administration to veto the resolution," the ministry said in a statement. Israel has pursued a policy of constructing settlements on territory it captured in a 1967 war with its Arab neighbours - the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, areas Palestinians seek for a state. "Over decades American administrations and Israeli governments disagreed about settlements, but we agreed that the security council was not the place to resolve this issue," Netanyahu said. "We knew that going there would make negotiations harder and drive peace farther away. As I told John Kerry on Thursday, 'Friends don't take friends to the Security Council'," he said, switching from Hebrew to English. Most countries view the settlement activity as illegal and an obstacle to peace. Israel disagrees, citing biblical and historical connections to the West Bank and Jerusalem as well as security interests. Search Keywords: Short link: BAGHDAD Christians in Baghdad celebrated Christmas on Sunday in a heightened state of fear after deadly attacks on Christian-owned shops that sell alcohol.Two shops next door to each other were riddled with bullet holes and spattered with blood after gunmen opened fire late on Friday in Baghdad's Ghadeer neighbourhood. Police and medical sources said three people were killed and four wounded.Local activists gave a higher death toll. Rayan al-Kildani, commander of Babiliyon Brigades, a group of Christian volunteers formed to fight Islamic State militants, said eight Christians and one member of the Yazidi sect had been killed in the attack."What a bloody gift they gave us for Christmas," Joseph Warda, a Christian human rights activist, told Reuters.Maria Polos, a retired schoolteacher in the district where the attack took place, said she and other Christians were afraid to celebrate the holiday in public."We fear getting killed like those in the alcohol shops," she said. "We feel we're aliens in this country." The sale of alcohol is generally shunned among Iraq's Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims, and Christian-run shops that sell it were frequently targeted by militants from both Muslim sects during Iraq's years of sectarian civil war.This year, government forces have been pushing fighters from the militant group Islamic State out of parts of northern Iraq where it had banned the practice of any religion apart from Sunni Islam. Areas once held by the group have seen their first Christmas services since 2013, and many Christians there have sounded more hopeful than they have for years about the fate of communities that date back to biblical times.In Baghdad, the capital which is firmly controlled by the Iraqi government and security forces dominated by Iraq's Shi'ite majority, Christians celebrate Christmas in churches decorated for the holiday. But many say they still live in fear, and do not feel the authorities protect them adequately.Although the identities of the attackers who struck the liquor store were not known, the area is predominantly Shi'ite and Shi'ite groups have firm control of security. Warda, the human rights activist, said militants from any sect that attacked civilians in the name of religion were "no better than Islamic State". Vian Dakhil, a lawmaker from the ancient Yazidi sect, whose members were targeted in northern Iraq by Islamic State for what Western countries described as genocide, also said one Yazidi and eight Christians were killed in the Baghdad attacks."The criminals should be brought to justice as soon as possible so that their punishment serves as an example to those who dare kill civilians in the name of religion," Dakhil said on her Twitter page. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; editing by Peter Graff) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Islamabad: Pakistan has asked the World Bank to "fulfil its obligations" regarding the Indus Waters Treaty as it objected to the body pausing two concurrent processes related to Indo-Pak dispute over Kishenganga and Ratle project. Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in a letter to World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said the Treaty does not provide for a situation wherein a party can "pause" performance of its obligations under the accord. Dar said the World Bank's decision to pause the process of empanelment of the Court of Arbitration will seriously prejudice Pakistan's interests and rights under the Indus Waters Treaty 1960. "It (the letter) strongly conveys that the matter of appointment of a Chairman of the Court of Arbitration has been inordinately delayed. It urged the World Bank to execute its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty," Radio Pakistan reported. Dar said the "pause" will merely prevent Pakistan from approaching a competent forum and having its grievances addressed. The letter is a response to Kim's letter of 12 December in which he announced this pause to "protect the Indus Waters Treaty and to help India and Pakistan consider alternative approaches to resolving conflicting interests under the Treaty and its application to two hydroelectric power plants". India had taken strong exception last month to the World Bank's decision to set up a Court of Arbitration and appoint a Neutral Expert to go into Pakistan's complaint against it over Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Vatican City: Pope Francis urged peace in the Middle East at his Christmas address Sunday, in which he offered comfort to terrorism victims after a year of brutal jihadist attacks. The 80-year-old Argentine pontiff called for guns to fall silent in Syria, saying "far too much blood has been spilled" in the nearly six-year conflict which has also contributed to mass migration and homelessness. And despite few signs of progress he urged Israelis and Palestinians to "have the courage and the determination to write a new page of history" in his message delivered from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica. A crowd of 40,000 gathered in the square below which, despite the sunny weather, was far from full. Europe has ramped up security for the holiday just days after the truck attack that left 12 dead at a Berlin Christmas market on Monday. Francis, leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, said he hoped for "peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism". In Milan, where the suspected Berlin attacker was killed in a police shootout on Friday, there was a heavy security presence around the cathedral. The entrance has been protected by concrete barriers since the Berlin atrocity. In France, where the killings in Germany evoked memories of the jihadist truck rampage in June that left 86 people dead in Nice, 91,000 members of the security forces have been deployed to guard public spaces including churches and markets over the weekend. Religious ceremonies in Germany were heavy with the weight of Monday's attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State group. "Christmas this year carries a deep wound -- we are celebrating this festival in a different way this year," said Gebhard Fuerst, bishop of Rothenburg in the southeast. But the country's interior minister Thomas de Maiziere praised the public's reaction as "brilliant". "I am impressed by the determination... the Germans remain unshakeable," he told the Bild newspaper. 'Closed doors, defended borders' In Israel, security was tight for Christmas celebrations coinciding with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Around 2,500 worshippers packed the Church of the Nativity complex, built over the grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born, for midnight mass in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa used his homily to plead for compassion for refugees and for a halt to Middle East violence. "We fear the stranger who knocks at the door of our home and at the borders of our countries," he said. "Closed doors, defended borders, before personal and political choices, are a metaphor for the fear that inevitably breed the violent dynamics of the present time." Pope Francis had struck a similar tone in his Christmas Eve mass, urging a 10,000-strong crowd to feel compassion for children, notably victims of war, migration and homelessness. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury who is the spiritual leader of the world's Anglicans, said 2016 had left the world less stable. "The end of 2016 finds us all in a different kind of world; one less predictable and certain, which feels more awash with fear and division," he was due to say in his sermon Sunday. In The Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander called for national unity, pointing to unsettled politics, warning that the "extreme seems to have become the new normal". "The contradictions in the world have become bigger," he said on national television. Icy swim, meat auction In Britain, a heavy cold meant Queen Elizabeth II missed the Christmas Day church service attended by the royal family. The 90-year-old, who is the supreme governor of the Church of England, will join in the family festivities later in the day, Buckingham Palace said. In London, meat-lovers converged on Smithfield Market for the traditional Christmas Eve auction at butcher Harts, waving banknotes in the air as they bid for turkeys, pork cuts and rump steaks. Elsewhere in the world, despite security fears, many were braving winter temperatures to take part in traditional celebrations. Among them some 30 hardy Slovaks participated in a winter swim at Bratislava's Zlate Piesky lake, some drinking beer in the nearly freezing water. But in the world's conflict-torn countries, there were reminders of the violence that has ravaged the world this year. Christians in Syria's Aleppo were preparing for Christmas services after President Bashar al-Assad's forces retook full control of the ruined former economic hub. The Old City's Saint Elias Cathedral, its roof collapsed under rocket fire, was set to host its first Christmas mass in five years. And in Bartalla, near the Iraqi city of Mosul, Christians filled the pews of the fire-scarred Mar Shimoni church for the first service since the town was retaken from IS jihadists who had seized it in 2014. A Russian military plane crashed Sunday in the Black Sea as it made its way to Syria with 91 people on-board, including musicians heading to celebrate the New Year with troops. Local news agencies, citing the defence ministry, said the Tu-154 plane had crashed shortly after taking off from the southern city of Adler, south of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, at 5:40 am local time (0240 GMT). It was conducting a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase outside the coastal Syrian city of Latakia, the ministry said. "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres," the ministry said, adding that search and rescue groups had been dispatched earlier Sunday to locate the missing. Among its 83 passengers were Russian servicemen as well as members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group internationally known as the Red Army Choir, who were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the airbase. There were also eight crew members onboard, the ministry said. Nine members of the media were among the passengers, with state-run channel Pervy Kanal saying three of its staff were onboard the flight. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies that President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the situation and was being kept updated on the search operations. Russia's Investigative Committee said that a criminal probe had been launched to determine whether violations of air transportation safety had led to the crash. Investigators are currently questioning the technical personnel responsible for preparing the plane for take-off, the committee said. Tu-154 aircraft have been involved in a number of accidents in the past. In April 2010 many high-ranking Polish officials, including then president Lech Kaczynski, were killed when a Tu-154 airliner went down in thick fog while approaching the Smolensk airport in western Russia. Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of long-time ally President Bashar al-Assad since September 2015 and has taken steps to boost its presence in the country. Putin in October approved a law ratifying Moscow's deal with Damascus to deploy its forces in the country indefinitely, firming Russia's long-term presence in the country. Russian warplanes have flown out of the Hmeimim base to conduct air strikes in Syria, and the base is also home to an S-400 air defence system The Emergencies Ministry confirmed the crash of the missing Tu-154 plane, saying that the debris of the aircraft along with personal belongings of the people onboard 83 passengers and eight crew members were discovered in the Black Sea. "According to preliminary findings, the missing TU-154 arrived in Sochi from Chkalovsky airport in Moscow region for refuelling. Most likely, it crashed in mountainous area of Krasnodar territory," an Emergencies Ministry official told Sputnik. The plane was heading to Latakia in Syria. The BBC report quotes sources at the emergency ministry saying that the missing aircraft is a Tu-154. The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Russian aerospace and defence company Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. The Tu-154 aircraft is not a civilian one and was en route to the Syrian port city of Latakia, an Emergency Ministry source told. With inputs from AFP A Russian military jet with at least 91 people on board disappeared from radar on Sunday. According to the BBC, the Russian plane disappeared from the radar just a minutes after taking off from Sochi, a Russian city on the Black Sea. AFP reported that debris from missing Russian military plane was found in Black Sea. Russia Today reports that there were 83 passengers on board the missing flight and eight crew members. The defence ministry told RT that the plane failed to check-in with control tower at 5.40 am (Moscow time). RT quoted a source in the ministry as saying: "According to preliminary data, the missing Tu-154 arrived in Sochi from Chkalovsky airfield near Moscow for refueling. It is likely that it crashed in the mountainous area of the Krasnodar region." PTI reported that the plane was carrying Russian servicemen as well as members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group, who were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the base. The people on-board included journalists, military personnel, musicians, the source said. There were nine members of the media on board, the ministry said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies that President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the situation and was being kept abreast of the search operations. Times Now reported that the plane was heading to Latakia in Syria. The BBC report quotes sources at the emergency ministry saying that the missing aircraft is a Tu-154. The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Russian aerospace and defence company Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. The Tu-154 aircraft is not a civilian one and was en route to the Syrian port city of Latakia, an Emergency Ministry source told Sputnik News Agency. It lost contact with land over the Black Sea. "The jet disappeared from radars about 20 minutes after takeoff, it departed (from Sochi) at 5.20 am, and the contact was lost at about 5.40 am.," he said. Moscow has been flying a bombing campaign in Syria since September 2015 in support of long-time ally Bashar al-Assad. Tehran: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin welcomed the "Syrian army's victory against the terrorists in Aleppo during a phone call, Iranian media reported on Sunday. "The Syrian army's victory sends a message that the terrorists cannot achieve their objectives. We must stop terrorists using the ceasefire to rebuild their forces and create new bases in other regions of Syria," Rouhani said following the call last night, according to a statement published by state media. Putin also welcomed the defeat of rebel forces in Syria's second city and said cooperation between Tehran and Moscow "will continue". They said peace talks would take place in Kazakhstan, without providing further details. Iran and Russia have been the key backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and label all rebel forces in the country as "terrorists". "The result of this cooperation is a major victory in the fight against international terrorism," added Putin. Syrian troops this week retook control of eastern Aleppo, which has been held by disparate rebel groups since mid-2012, after a devastating month-long offensive that has caused tens of thousands of refugees to flee their homes. Russia's entry into the conflict in September 2015 primarily through air strikes helped turn the tide for Assad, while Iran has provided military advisors and frontline "volunteer" fighters. President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to probe the crash of a Syria-bound military plane carrying 92 people including more than 60 Red Army Choir members, the Kremlin said Sunday. "Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to form and head a state commission to investigative the crash of the Tu-154 plane in Sochi," the Kremlin said in a statement, adding that Putin expressed his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the crash. A Russian military plane crashed Sunday in the Black Sea as it made its way to Syria with 92 people onboard, including more than 60 Red Army Choir members heading to celebrate the New Year with troops. Local news agencies, citing the defence ministry, said the Tu-154 plane had crashed shortly after take-off at 5:40 am local time (0240 GMT) from the southern city of Adler where it had been refuelling. Defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told Russian news agencies that one body had been recovered six kilometres off the coast of the resort city of Sochi, as a frantic search operation continued to hunt for the missing. "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres," the ministry said. The plane had been on a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase in western Syria, which has been used to launch air strikes in Moscow's military campaign supporting its ally President Bashar al-Assad in the country's devastating civil war. Among the plane's 84 passengers were Russian servicemen as well as 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group also known as the Red Army Choir, and its conductor Valery Khalilov. They were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the airbase. There were also eight crew members onboard, the ministry said. Nine journalists were among the passengers, with state-run channels Pervy Kanal, NTV and Zvezda saying they each had three staff onboard the flight. A list of passengers published by the defence ministry also included Elizaveta Glinka, a doctor and charity worker who serves on the Kremlin human rights council. Mikhail Fedotov, who heads the council, said Glinka was travelling to Syria to bring medication to a university hospital in the coastal city of Latakia near the airbase, agencies reported. A Cairo criminal court sentenced two people to life in prison on Sunday for attacking tourists at the Bella Vista Hotel in Hurghada in January. The defendants are facing several charges, including joining an illegal group, possession of firearms and ammunition and attempted murder. In January, three tourists were injured by two knifemen who stormed the Bella Vista Hotel. One of the assailants was killed by security forces during the attack, while the others were injured and arrested. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, during which police shot dead one of the assailants, Mohamad Hassan Mohamed Mahfouz, and wounded the other, Mohamed Magdy Abul Kheir. The prosecution said that the pair had plotted the attack along with fellow Egyptian Ahmad Abdel Salam Mansour, identified as an Islamic State group member based in Syria where the group is active. The court official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Abul Kheir was present in court for the verdict while Mansour was sentenced to life in absentia. According to the prosecution, Mansour incited the other two to carry out attacks against tourists in Hurghada and to join the IS militant group. The IS Egyptian affiliate is waging an insurgency in the north of the Sinai Peninsula that has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers. They have claimed attacks on other targets in Egypt, including a bomb attack on a Cairo church this month that killed 27 people. IS group said it is also behind the October 2015 bombing of a Russian airliner carrying holidaymakers from the Sharm El-Sheikh Red Sea resort, an attack that killed all 224 people on board and that crippled Egypt's tourism industry and economy. Search Keywords: Short link: Borrowing heavily to acquire drugs and then raising their prices was a fantastic business model for Valeant Pharmaceuticals (BHC -1.23%) -- until suddenly it wasn't. It appears the company's ability to generate increasing profits through price hikes is evaporating along with its ability to service the staggering $30.4 billion in debt on its balance sheet. It's no wonder has fallen stock about 86% so far this year. Investors are right to wonder if the nightmare is almost over, or just beginning. Now that Valeant's stock is down to around 1.2 times its book value, it might be near a bottom. On the other hand, a $1.9 billion loss reported during the first nine months of 2016 suggests the situation could get much worse. Let's explore some arguments for both. The case for optimism Although allegations of specialty pharmacy skullduggery began hammering Valeant's share price in mid-2015, its operations have been churning out free cash flow at a rate not much lower than pre-crisis levels. The big $1.9 billion loss recorded in the first nine months of the year was largely caused by about $3.68 billion in intangible asset and goodwill adjustments. In other words, the business is still generating profits, but the carrying value of things that you can touch, see, or feel is less than previously thought. These non-cash charges aren't entirely insignificant, but the overall reported net income loss this year isn't quite as awful as it appears. Valeant finished September with short-term assets of about $1.78 billion in excess of its short-term liabilities. This isn't the strongest liquidity position, but with operations still generating profits, its new management team has some breathing room to examine paths forward. The case for doubt Unfortunately, the path forward is rocky. It finished the third quarter owing $30.39 billion to lenders, and interest payments on this crushing debt pile make investing in tomorrow's growth drivers seem next to impossible. Valeant stock popped recently on news that Takeda was interested in purchasing its Salix business segment for a reported $10 billion, which would go a long way to reducing its debt load and interest expenses. Unfortunately, the brief rally fizzled after the Japanese pharma refused to make a satisfying offer for the line of high-margin gastrointestinal drugs. The dissolution of the deal stoked fear that Valeant can't negotiate asset sales from a position of strength, which is particularly unsettling. Valeant's debts contain covenants that could result in a default if the ratio of profits to interest payments falls too low. Over the summer, creditors lowered the minimum ratio of profit (measured as EBITDA) necessary to just 2.0 times interest expenses. The amended EBITDA-to-interest ratio is much lower than before, but not low enough. If Valeant's debt holders aren't willing to bend on interest coverage, and competitors won't buy assets until it's a fire sale, it could have a hard time avoiding a default. Valeant is indeed in a very tight spot. Adding to the threat of a swirling debt spiral are potential fines and brand tarnishing as federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigate allegations. Delaying financial statement filings at the beginning of 2016 didn't just hurt the stock; it technically constituted a credit default. The SEC's recent accusations are related to some fancy accounting to make the non-GAAP figures, often called adjusted earnings, appear less grim than GAAP figures. The latest warning isn't likely to result in a fine, but it serves as a reminder that authorities are watching the company like a hawk. While the SEC fires shots across Valeant's bow, federal prosecutors in New York are preparing to argue criminal charges concerning a relationship between former executives of Valeant and Philidor Rx Services. According to the official criminal complaint, prosecutors will argue a Valeant vice president offered millions to Philidor's CEO to favor Valeant's drugs over lower-priced alternatives in return for kickbacks. If prosecutors lodge similar charges at the company itself, it could result in heavy fines. The beaten-down stock looks incredibly cheap, but that doesn't mean it can't fall even further. Value-hungry investors might be better off waiting for a better stock. What happened Oil prices meandered along for most of the week, basically ending where they began. That said, there was still plenty of optimism in the oil market to go around, which drove several oil-related stocks up by double digits this week. Leading the ascent, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, were Kosmos Energy (KOS 1.23%), Gastar Exploration (NYSEMKT: GST), Pioneer Energy Services (PES), Carbo Ceramics (CRR), and Fairmount Santrol (NYSE: FMSA): So what Fueling Kosmos Energy's big move this week was the announcement that it struck a partnership with British oil giant BP (BP 0.85%) to help it develop discoveries offshore Mauritania and Senegal. Under the terms of the deal, Kosmos will receive an up-front cash payment of $162 million, a $221 million drilling carry, and BP will pay up to $533 million toward the front-end engineering and design study for the Tortue gas project. In exchange, BP will receive an interest in several offshore exploration blocks. This transaction represents a win for both companies because Kosmos receives a cash infusion along with a strong financial partner, while BP gains early access to a compelling basin. Meanwhile, Gastar Exploration jumped amid growing optimism surrounding the company's position in the STACK play of Oklahoma. It is a leading producer in the play, which the market is starting to recognize as one of America's premier resource basins. Also fueling Gastar Exploration's rise this week is the rumored sale of closely held STACK producer Staghorn Petroleum, which an analyst at Canaccord Genuity saw as a potential catalyst for the company due to the proximity of their acreage positions. Pioneer Energy Services did not have any company-specific catalysts' fueling its double-digit rise this week. If anything, the oil-field service company's stock seems to be recovering from a dilution induced sell-off earlier this month. That is after Pioneer Energy Services chose to take advantage of its surging stock price following the OPEC announcement to raise cash and pay off debt. The company sold more than 12 million shares, netting it $65.4 million in cash, which it will use to pay off more than half of the $111.5 million of outstanding borrowings under its $175 million revolving credit facility. Investors are starting to realize that this increasing financial flexibility could help Pioneer capture opportunities as the oil market starts to recover. Finally, an analyst upgrade was the primary cause of the rally in frack sand producers Carbo Ceramics and Fairmont Santrol. Piper Jaffray boosted Fairmount Santrol's rating to overweight and increased the price target from $10 to $14.25 while also lifting Carbo Ceramics to neutral. Driving those upgrades was the view that frack sand volumes will be up significantly in 2017 due to improving market fundamentals in the U.S. shale industry. Now what The oil market is cautiously optimistic that industry conditions are on the upswing. Major oil companies are starting to open their wallets for offshore drilling deals, while hot shale plays like the STACK are drawing more attention. These catalysts should lead to increased drilling activities, which is great news for oil-field service companies and frack sand producers. That said, investors need to be wary of chasing these rallies given that OPEC fueled much of this recent optimism, which is concerning given its spotty history of following through with agreements. Global marijuana markets are growing like a weed. The value of the worldwide legal cannabis market is projected to increase by a compound annual growth rate of 26.3% and to reach $91.5 billion by 2028, according to Grand View Market Research. With this impressive expected growth, it's no wonder that many investors are interested in owning cannabis stocks. What's the best approach to marijuana stock investing? Follow these seven key steps to become a successful cannabis investor: Image source: The Motley Fool Here's everything you need to know about each of these seven steps. 1. Understand the various types of marijuana products. There are two broad categories of cannabis products: Medical marijuana: Medical marijuana, which is cannabis used for medicinal purposes, is legal in 36 U.S. states, plus the District of Columbia, and in more than 40 countries. A prescription from an authorized healthcare provider is typically required for patients to obtain medical marijuana. Medical cannabis is frequently prescribed to adults for anxiety, depression, pain, and stress. Medical marijuana, which is cannabis used for medicinal purposes, is legal in 36 U.S. states, plus the District of Columbia, and in more than 40 countries. A prescription from an authorized healthcare provider is typically required for patients to obtain medical marijuana. Medical cannabis is frequently prescribed to adults for anxiety, depression, pain, and stress. Recreational marijuana: Eighteen U.S. states, plus Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational marijuana for adult use. Recreational marijuana is also legal in Canada, Georgia, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, and Uruguay. 2. Know the different types of marijuana companies. The three primary types of companies in the marijuana industry are: Cannabis growers and retailers: These companies cultivate cannabis (often in indoor facilities and greenhouses), harvest the crops, and distribute the end products to customers. Some also operate retail stores that sell medical and/or recreational cannabis. These companies cultivate cannabis (often in indoor facilities and greenhouses), harvest the crops, and distribute the end products to customers. Some also operate retail stores that sell medical and/or recreational cannabis. Cannabis-focused biotechnology companies: Some biotech companies participate in the cannabis industry by extracting cannabinoids from marijuana to develop new pharmaceutical drugs. Some biotech companies participate in the cannabis industry by extracting cannabinoids from marijuana to develop new pharmaceutical drugs. Ancillary product and service providers: These companies don't touch the plants but support the marijuana industry by providing products and services such as hydroponics products, lighting systems, packaging materials, and management services. 3. Understand the risks of investing in the marijuana industry. Investing in any type of asset comes with some degree of risk. Investing in marijuana stocks is associated with additional specific risks that you should clearly understand: Legal and political risks: Selling marijuana remains illegal at the federal level in the U.S. In addition, U.S. federal law places severe restrictions on banks that deal with marijuana-related businesses. As a result, it's difficult for U.S. cannabis businesses to access critical financial services. Political support has increased for federally legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana, but there's no guarantee that either action will occur. Selling marijuana remains illegal at the federal level in the U.S. In addition, U.S. federal law places severe restrictions on banks that deal with marijuana-related businesses. As a result, it's difficult for U.S. cannabis businesses to access critical financial services. Political support has increased for federally legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana, but there's no guarantee that either action will occur. Supply and demand imbalances: As a burgeoning industry in the agriculture sector, marijuana is particularly prone to irregularities in supply and demand. Canadian marijuana growers initially undertook major expansion initiatives to increase production capacity in order to meet recreational marijuana demand. Some companies later cut back on production because cannabis supply in Canada outstripped demand, causing prices to fall and revenue to suffer. As a burgeoning industry in the agriculture sector, marijuana is particularly prone to irregularities in supply and demand. Canadian marijuana growers initially undertook major expansion initiatives to increase production capacity in order to meet recreational marijuana demand. Some companies later cut back on production because cannabis supply in Canada outstripped demand, causing prices to fall and revenue to suffer. Over-the-counter (OTC) stock risks: Many cannabis companies trade on OTC markets. That means they are not required to regularly file financial statements, which are important for investors wishing to assess the risk of a stock. Companies that trade OTC also don't have to maintain minimum market capitalizations, which can result in low levels of liquidity and make the cannabis stock difficult to trade. Many cannabis companies trade on OTC markets. That means they are not required to regularly file financial statements, which are important for investors wishing to assess the risk of a stock. Companies that trade OTC also don't have to maintain minimum market capitalizations, which can result in low levels of liquidity and make the cannabis stock difficult to trade. Financial constraints: Many cannabis industry participants are unprofitable growing companies that face the prospect of running out of cash. They often raise capital by issuing new shares, which dilutes the value of the existing shares. Even with this dilution, financially constrained marijuana companies can struggle to obtain enough capital to successfully operate. 4. Know what to look for in a top marijuana stock. When considering any marijuana stock, you should: Research the management team. Understand the company's growth strategy and competitive position. Scrutinize the company's financial statements. Examine how many warrants and convertible securities the company has issued. A high number on a percentage basis could mean that the stock will be meaningfully diluted in the future, potentially causing the share price to drop substantially. For marijuana growing companies, specific metrics to research include: All-in cost of sales per gram: A company's total per-gram cost of producing cannabis. A company's total per-gram cost of producing cannabis. Cash cost per gram: A company's total per-gram cost of producing cannabis, excluding the costs associated with amortization, packaging, and inventory adjustments. You can look for and prioritize marijuana growers with lower cost structures since they tend to be the most competitive. 5. Evaluate the top cannabis stocks and ETFs. Now for the fun part: digging into the top marijuana companies. You might also want to check out marijuana-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Below is a list of top marijuana stocks to thoroughly consider. Note that this collection isn't comprehensive and includes only marijuana stocks with market caps of at least $200 million. Data sources: Yahoo! Finance, Bloomberg. Data current as of Jan. 12, 2022. Marijuana Company Type Marijuana Company Name Market Capitalization Cannabis growers and retailers Curaleaf Holdings (OTC:CURLF) $5.9 billion Trulieve Cannabis (OTC:TCNNF) $4.8 billion Green Thumb Industries (OTC:GTBIF) $4.7 billion Canopy Growth Corporation (NASDAQ:CGC) $3.6 billion Tilray (NASDAQ:TLRY) $3.5 billion Cresco Labs (OTC:CRLBF) $1.8 billion Cronos Group (NASDAQ:CRON) $1.5 billion Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ:ACB) $1.2 billion Sundial Growers (NASDAQ:SNDL) $1.2 billion Ayr Wellness (OTC:AYRW.F) $1.1 billion Jushi Holdings (OTC:JUSHF) $801 million Planet 13 Holdings (OTC:PLNH.F) $629 million Village Farms International (NASDAQ:VFF) $559 million OrganiGram (NASDAQ:OGI) $544 million HEXO (NASDAQ:HEXO) (TSX:HEXO) $239 million Biotechnology companies Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:JAZZ) $9.2 billion Cara Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CARA) $652 million Ancillary providers Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE:SMG) $9.2 billion Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR) $5.3 billion GrowGeneration (NASDAQ:GRWG) $685 million WM Technology (NASDAQ:MAPS) $366 million Here are a couple of marijuana ETFs to also consider adding to your portfolio: Data sources: ETF websites. Data current as of Jan. 12, 2022. Marijuana ETF Assets Under Management ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (NYSEMKT:MJ) $802 million Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences ETF (OTC:HMLSF) $277 million 6. Invest in your favorite cannabis companies. Investing in marijuana companies is not suitable for everyone. For some, particularly conservative investors, the best approach is to avoid these types of stocks entirely. Only investors who understand and can tolerate high levels of risk should add cannabis companies to their portfolios. Even for aggressive investors, putting too much of your investment portfolio into any one marijuana stock or ETF isn't wise. Consider starting with a small position in a marijuana stock and adding to your holdings as the cannabis market grows and the company increases its revenue and earnings. The investment becomes less risky as your investment thesis is confirmed, but if the company instead performs poorly, you should reevaluate your investment assumptions. When choosing which cannabis stocks to buy, remember that some stocks are arguably safer than others. For example, Scotts Miracle-Gro, which historically sells lawn and garden products, makes much of its revenue from outside the cannabis industry. Therefore the company doesn't face many of the risks normally associated with cannabis products and could be a better choice for more conservative investors. Related Investing Topics 7. Monitor changing marijuana industry dynamics. While investors are generally advised to take a long-term view when buying stocks, the dynamics of the marijuana industry are rapidly changing. The criteria you should use today to make a stock-buying decision could be dramatically different in just a few months. Marijuana industry investors should closely monitor any marijuana stocks or ETFs in their portfolios, along with the overall industry itself. Some changes -- such as if the U.S. federal government relaxed its marijuana laws -- would be beneficial, while other changes could be devastating. Tremendous growth is likely for the global marijuana industry, but it may not occur evenly or predictably. Following these seven steps for investing in marijuana stocks can help you to navigate investing in this exciting and challenging industry. A Saudi soldier was killed in a cross-border firefight with Yemeni rebels, the interior ministry said Sunday. A border post was attacked overnight by Houthi rebels, a spokesman said, adding that one soldier wounded in the exchange died before reaching hospital. He was the latest of at least 111 Saudi soldiers and civilians to die in the country's south since the kingdom launched a coalition to battle Yemeni insurgents in March 2015. Most Saudi casualties have been from retaliatory cross-border rocket attacks or combat. But there have also been previous deadly mine blasts in Jazan. In Yemen itself, more than 7,000 people have been killed, mostly civilians, since March last year according to the United Nations. A Yemeni military official said Sunday that five rebels were killed in a coalition air raid in the southern Shabwa province. Also in Shabwa, three armed tribesman were killed in an ambush by fighters belonging to the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda. President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi Sunday visited the port city of Mukhalla, on Yemen's southeast coast, for the first time since loyalist forces retook it from Islamist militants. Search Keywords: Short link: Image source: Disney. We'll know soon ifDisney's(NYSE: DIS)most popular theme park has to close for some of its potential guests today. Disney's Magic Kingdom had to turn some guests away on Christmas morning in 2014 and again in 2015. It's time to find out if it can stretch that streak to another year, but there are a couple of reasons to believe that things might be different this time. Disney limited admissions to Florida's Magic Kingdom and California's Disneyland shortly after they opened on Christmas Day last year. In Disney World, guests with single-day tickets were turned back shortly after 10 a.m., the first phase of its park closure policy. Guests staying at a Disney resort or in possession of annual or multi-day passes were let in, as well as those with restaurant reservations. If guest counts would've kept ticking higher, even more guests would've been transported to one of the resort's three other theme parks. If Disney's Magic Kingdom doesn't close its high-tech turnstiles later today, it would be disappointing, but it may not be a surprise. For starters, the same single-day ticket buyers who were shut out last year have to pay a lot more this time around. Disney shifted to demand-based pricing in February, and in a nutshell that means folks visiting during peak season -- now -- have to pay $124 for a one-day ticket to the Magic Kingdom, 18% more than the $105 they had to shell out last holiday season. The increases have also started to catch up to Disney, with year-over-year attendance at Disney World declining in two of the past three quarters. Guest counts started to recover during the summer quarter, but the real test will be how things play out during this peak week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Blame it on the calendar There's also something peculiar about the timing of the school holidays with Christmas falling on a Sunday. Some school districts got out late last week for the two-week holiday, making it challenging for families to get to Disney World in time for Christmas. I was at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Friday, and it certainly didn't feel as crowded as it's been two days before Christmas in recent years. It could be that folks are staying away from that particular park, with so many attractions closing over the past year and change. It probably didn't help that this is the park's first year without the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, gone to make room for the Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land expansions that will open in a few years. This doesn't mean things will end badly for the House of Mouse this season. Disney doesn't have to hit capacity at the Magic Kingdom to win. We saw how revenue grew at Disney's theme-parks division even when attendance went the wrong way in the March and September quarters. Operating income grew even faster. The media giant is making things work with fewer guest counts by squeezing more out of its premium experiences, so hitting capacity at its gated attractions isn't a requirement for Disney to come through with record financial results for the holiday quarter. It would be encouraging for shareholders if the parks fill up, but it's not the end of the world -- or World -- if that isn't the case this time. 10 stocks we like better than Walt Disney When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Walt Disney wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of Nov. 7, 2016 Rick Munarriz owns shares of Walt Disney. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Walt Disney. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Iran said on Sunday it had negotiated to pay only about half the announced price for 80 new Boeing airliners in an order that the American planemaker had said was worth $16.6 billion. Boeing and its European rival Airbus have both signed huge contracts this month to supply airliners to Iran, the first such deals since international sanctions were lifted under a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear program. Replacing Iran's antiquated civil aviation fleet is one of the biggest economic opportunities of the 2015 accord to lift sanctions, which was negotiated by the outgoing administration of U.S. President Barack Obama. President elect Donald Trump is a vocal critic of the pact. Despite Iran's great need for new planes to replace those from the sanctions era, it has entered the market at a time when Boeing, Airbus and smaller planemakers have all faced a downturn in orders, and are therefore expected to offer deep discounts. Boeing said this month it was cutting production of its 777 long-haul jet due to a drop in demand. "Boeing has announced that its IranAir contract is worth $16.6 billion. However, considering the nature of our order and its choice possibilities, the purchase contract for 80 Boeing aircraft is worth about 50 percent of that amount," said Deputy Transport Minister Asghar Fakhrieh-Kashan, quoted by Iran's IRNA state news agency. A Boeing spokesman in Dubai was not available to comment. Airbus's contract to sell 100 jets to IranAir, signed on Thursday, would be worth $18-$20 billion at list prices, but the head of IranAir has been quoted as saying the value of the contract would not exceed $10 billion. The government of President Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatist, has pushed to finalize aircraft deals to show results from the nuclear accord with world power to end sanctions. He faces criticism at home from hardliners over the cost of the purchases. Fakhrieh-Kashan also said on Sunday that IranAir may exercise an option to buy 20 more aircraft from ATR, a European maker of regional turboprops, in addition to a planned firm order of 20. A team from the planemaker would arrive in Tehran next week for final talks. "The final round of talks will be held with ATR representatives (next) week and we expect the IranAir contract to be signed ... in the following week," he told IRNA. "The purchase of 20 planes has been finalised and Iran may buy 20 more planes," said Fakhrieh-Kashan, adding that the contract for 20 planes was worth less than $500 million. In February, ATR, co-owned by Airbus and Italy's Finmeccanica , reported preliminary orders from Iran for 20 ATR 72-600 aircraft and options for another 20. IranAir said on Twitter that a new ATR turboprop would join its fleet "soon". (Reporting by Dubai newsroom, additional reporting by Tim Hepher in Paris; editing by Peter Graff) Image source: Pixabay. As 2016 comes to a close, it can arguably be described as the best year ever for marijuana. At the beginning of the year, 23 states had legalized medical cannabis, while residents in just four states had voted in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana. By year's end, five new states had legalized medical pot, and another four had voted in favor of legalizing recreational weed. The sales figures behind pot speak volumes of how far it has come and where it's expected to head next. According to investment firm Cowen & Co., the legal pot industry is worth about $6 billion at the moment. However, the opportunities for organic growth (pun intended), as well as expansion via new state approvals, could push the legal market size to an estimated $50 billion by 2026. This would imply a greater-than-23% compound annual growth rate for the next decade. Colorado, which was one of the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana (along with the state of Washington) in 2012, wound up generating $135 million in licensing and tax revenue in 2015 from $996.2 million in legal pot sales. With sales once again trending higher in 2016, Colorado's weed revenue could be even greener this year. Things are looking even better in California, where the passage of Prop 64 this past November could lead to $1 billion in additional tax revenue per year. Image source: Getty Images. Marijuana's opponents focus on adolescent exposure Yet for all of the financial positives marijuana has brought to select states, there remains staunch opposition to its legalization. One of the most commonly referenced reasons why opponents to marijuana want it to remain illegal is the effect it might have on adolescents. For instance, in 2015 a study published by Northwestern Medicine in the journal Hippocampus gave reason for caution. Northwestern's study examined daily marijuana users who began at age 16 or 17 and used marijuana for a period of three years; it then compared those users against same-age young adults who had never used marijuana. Researchers then conducted MRI scans on these individuals in their early twenties, noting that the heavy marijuana users were two years removed from their heavy use. The findings showed an oddly shaped hippocampus in heavy marijuana users, accompanied by an average long-term memory test score that was 18% lower than the non-users'. Furthermore, asCBS News reported earlier this year, a 2016 study that examined admissions at Children's Hospital Colorado found that the rate of children treated for accidental marijuana edible ingestion essentially doubled. While instances of adolescent ingestion requiring treatment were rare, they jumped from a rate of 1.2 cases per 100,000 prior to legalization to 2.3 cases per 100,000 children treated two years after legalization. Studies and findings like these are what merit the wait-and-see approach by opponents of marijuana's legalization. Image source: Getty Images. These new findings are surprising However, according to U.S. News & World Report, legalizing marijuana has actually resulted in reduced access to pot for most adolescents. Based on the 2016 "Monitoring the Future" survey, just 34.6% of eighth-graders believed it would be easy to get pot, down 2.4% from 2015. A similar story was seen with 10th-graders, where 64% said they could easily get weed if they wanted. The eighth- and 10th-grade responses are the lowest ever recorded for this annual survey, which began in 1992. High school seniors were the exception, with a slight uptick to 81% in the 2016 survey, though the increase wasn't considered statistically significant. Why is adolescent access to marijuana declining at a time when legal pot shops seem to be popping up in a number of states? Truthfully, researchers don't have any concrete explanations, though there's a handful of good hypotheses. For example, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Dr. Nora Volkow, had two possible explanations. First, she opined that teens could be spending more time on their computers and engulfed in their technology than with their friends. This leaves fewer opportunities to be offered marijuana products by friends. Second, she implied that declines in alcohol and tobacco use among teens may correlate with lower pot use. Ethan Nadelmann, the director of the Drug Policy Alliance, a national advocacy group in favor of marijuana's legalization, had a different hypothesis. Nadelmann suggests that the allure of cannabis is beginning to wear off as more states legalize the drug, essentially making pot "boring" for teens. Whatever the reason, the data indicates that the legalization of marijuana in select states hasn't had an adverse impact on adolescent access or usage -- and that's good news for the pro-legalization movement. Image source: Getty Images. This, however, is not good news What isn't good news for the pot industry is that no matter what path lies ahead, a major hurdle could constrain its growth prospects. If you recall, in August the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency denied two petitions calling for marijuana to be rescheduled from its current schedule 1 status. As a schedule 1 drug, cannabis is perceived to have no medical benefits and is illegal. The DEA leaned on a lack of safety and clinical data for cannabis in its analysis. If the status quo continues and individual states are allowed to decide the fate of marijuana within their borders, then federal tax and banking laws could constrain industry growth prospects. Banks, for example, are mostly unable to work with cannabis-based businesses because the substance is still illegalat the federal level. This means some pot businesses are stuck dealing solely in cash, which is both a security risk and an expansion inhibitor. With marijuana remaining a schedule 1 substance, pot businesses aren't able to take normal tax deductions. Having to pay tax on their gross profits instead of net profits means marijuana businesses are paying a far higher tax rate than they should be. However, if marijuana is rescheduled, it could be an even bigger nightmare for the industry. Though it would recognize the drug as having medical benefits and would open the door for the industry to take corporate tax deductions and gain access to basic banking services, it would also give the Food and Drug Administration strict oversight for the industry. The FDA would have the power to approve marketing and packaging of marijuana products and would likely oversee the manufacturing process for consistency from one crop to the next. More importantly, the FDA could require that clinical trials be run to confirm the benefits of marijuana in treating certain diseases. In other words, business expenses could shoot through the roof, essentially crushing small pot businesses. What the future holds for marijuana remains uncertain, but whatever happens, it's bound to be a bumpy ride. 10 stocks we like better thanWal-MartWhen investing geniuses David and TomGardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter theyhave run for over a decade, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tomjust revealed what they believe are theten best stocksfor investors to buy right now and Wal-Mart wasn't one of them! That's right -- theythink these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click hereto learn about these picks! *StockAdvisor returns as of December 12, 2016The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned. Sean Williamshas no material interest in any companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen nameTMFUltraLong, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle@TMFUltraLong. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy. File this story under: Crisis averted. Two years ago, America's defense establishment was all a-flutter over worries that the Pentagon might decide to buy only 11 San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks for the Navy (instead of 12). But now, the Pentagon has in fact awarded Huntington Ingalls (NYSE: HII) a contract to build a 12th San Antonio-class warship -- and the Marines couldn't be happier about it. San Antonio-class warships are pretty impressive already. Now imagine them with Tomahawks. Image source: U.S. Navy. Introducing USS Fort Lauderdale The San Antonio class, sometimes known as the LPD 17-class (because the first ship of the class, USS San Antonio, is designated LPD 17), belongs to a class of small aircraft carriers designed to support amphibious assaults by Marines. In addition to carrying hovercraft and amphibious tanks for beach assault, each San Antonio-class LPD (landing platform dock) carries a small complement of helicopters and/or MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft for aerial assault. Earlier this week, the Defense Department's daily digest of contract awards confirmed that the Navy has hired Huntington Ingalls to build the 12th ship of the San Antonio class, to be christened USS Fort Lauderdale. It's a windfall for Huntington Ingalls, which derives its best profit margins (according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data, in excess of 17%) from the division that builds San Antonio-class warships. But it's also good news for the U.S. Marine Corps, which has made beefing up the amphibious assault ships, which carry it into battle, a priority. Big plans for small aircraft carriers The Navy currently boasts a fleet of 31 such amphibious warfare vessels-- landing platform docks such as USS San Antonio and USS Fort Lauderdale, but also landing helicopter docks (LHDs), landing ship docks (LSDs), and the landing helicopter assault ships (LHAs) that most closely resemble "small aircraft carriers" in appearance, and will one day carryboth MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and F-35B jumpjets from Lockheed Martin. The Navy recently floated a planto increase this number to 38 vessels, however. What's more, the Marines have a plan to make them even more deadly in combat. As reported earlier this month on Military.com, Marine Corps General Robert Neller has a plan to equip the Navy's amphibious assault ships with Tomahawk cruise missiles. As Neller explains it, the Navy's LHA-class small aircraft carriers will soon be carrying F-35B jumpjets "that can hold any target at risk." That's a good start, but Gen. Neller believes even amphibious assault ships with smaller flight decks could be made more lethal to opposing navies. As Neller explains, "every LPD" in the fleet already comes equipped with a pairof eight-cell vertical launch systems (VLS) for launching missiles. "We just don't put any missiles on there," laments the general. But the capability to arm LPDs with Tomahawks exists, and the other amphibious warfare vessels might also be outfitted with more robust weapons systems. Such capabilities would enhance the ships' ability not just to land and support troops, but also fight naval battles alongside other surface warships and full-size aircraft carriers.Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson is also reportedly on board with the idea. What it means to investors Support for this idea among both the Marines and the Navy itself suggests this is an idea receiving serious consideration -- and it couldn't come at a more opportune time. Even as the Navy is floating plans to increase its fleet strength from 273 ships to as many as 355, President-elect Donald Trump has made clear he wants the Pentagon to operate more efficiently -- and use taxpayer money more efficiently. Already, Trump has taken Boeingand Lockheed Martin to task for the prices their airplanes are costing the Air Force -- and airplanes are priced only in the tens of millions of dollars. It seems unlikely that the Navy's own $14 billion Ford-class aircraft carriers will escape his notice. Sooner or later, the Navy will also be asked to make incremental improvements in capability, without attaching high sticker prices to the improvements. So what does this mean to investors? As the builder of the Ford-class carriers, Huntington Ingalls stands at risk of being next on Trump's chopping block. Luckily though, Huntington also builds the several amphibious warfare vessels now being mootedfor upgrades -- and Huntington's Ingalls shipbuilding division, which builds these vessels, actually earns better profit margins on them than does the company's Newport News division, which builds the Ford. Conclusion: The upgrades the Marines (and Navy) are proposing are something Huntington Ingalls should get behind. More, cheaper, and more powerful small aircraft carriers would be good news not just for the military and for taxpayers -- but potentially for Huntington Ingalls' bottom line, too. 10 stocks we like better than Huntington Ingalls Industries When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Huntington Ingalls Industries wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of Nov. 7, 2016 Rich Smithdoes not own shares of, nor is he short, any company named above. You can find him onMotley Fool CAPS, publicly pontificating under the handleTMFDitty, where he's currently ranked No. 346 out of more than 75,000 rated members. Follow him on Facebook for the latest in defense news. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Image source: The Motley Fool. $84.8 billion. That's the total amount of cash and cash equivalents on Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) (NYSE: BRK-B) had quietly amassed on its balance sheet by the end of September. No publicly traded U.S. company has a larger cash hoard. Not Apple, nor Google parent Alphabet -- no one. (Strictly speaking, that isn't true, but the only companies that are ahead of Berkshire on this measure are a few large banks, including Bank of America and Goldman Sachs Group. We should exclude banks from the comparison, because they have a very specific business model that demands a lot of leverage.) Free money: Understanding insurance float In fact, Berkshire's cash is not entirely unencumbered: Remember that one of the company's significant business lines is insurance. At the end of September, Berkshire's insurance operations had invested assets totaling nearly $190 billion, of which $50.2 billion were in cash and cash equivalents. Part of these invested assets represent shareholder capital, including retained earnings, but approximately $91 billion derive from insurance float, i.e. liabilities. If you're not familiar with the concept of float, here is how Warren Buffett defined it in his 2004 shareholder letter: As such, float is a "net liability" -- basically, the liability created by an open insurance contract net of the premiums received. However, it's an unusual form of liability that has some attractive properties for the company that bears them. As Buffett explained in his 2015 shareholder letter (emphasis is mine): The elephant gun is loaded The very fact that float dollars "will never leave the premises" is what has enabled Berkshire to invest some of the float. The bulk of its public equities portfolio is housed within its insurance operations, for example. Nevertheless, Buffet has said repeatedly that he would not allow Berkshire's cash position to fall below $20 billion -- an amount he considers sufficient to cover large, unexpected insurance losses. Even after you account for that buffer, however, Buffett's "elephant gun" is well-loaded, with ammunition to spare. (In his lingo, "elephants" are large acquisitions.) Subtract $20 billion from the $84.8 billion cash position leaves you with $64.8 billion -- an amount that is greater than the individual market capitalizationsof more than 85% of the companies in the S&P 500. Ready, aim, ... wait. What are some possible acquisition candidates? Earlier in the week, I profiled 3 "Warren Buffett" companies: Infant formula manufacturer Mead Johnson Nutrition (market capitalization: $13.3 billion), lubricants specialist Valvoline ($4.2 billion) and ceiling products manufacturer Armstrong World Industries ($2.3 billion). However, they aren't elephants and they might not all be cheap enough for Buffett's taste. (He has to pay a premium for control, after all.) For size and quality, industrials Parker-Hannifin ($19.1 billion) and FANUC ($35.2 billion) fit the bill, but they don't look quite cheap enough, either. With equity valuations looking a bit rich, it's no surprise that Berkshire Hathaway's war chest has continued to grow. For Buffett-watchers like this Fool, it's great fun to try and anticipate how he will next deplete it (and try to understand his choices, once they are known). 10 stocks we like better than Berkshire Hathaway (A shares) When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now and Berkshire Hathaway (A shares) wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of Nov. 7, 2016 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Alex Dumortier, CFA has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool has the following options: long January 2018 $90 calls on Apple and short January 2018 $95 calls on Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Andrea Esteban tried to smile with half her face, crossing her eyes in the process, and her third-grade classmates giggled. Matthew Velez struggled to speak, "Luh, luh, uh, gronk," and the kids erupted in laughter. But the funny faces, the gibberish and some arm flapping were all part of a serious lesson to help kids learn the telltale signs of a stroke by imitating them. The idea is to enlist children, particularly those who may live with older relatives, as an army of eyes to help recognize the warning signs, get help for victims more quickly and hopefully save lives. "If my mom has a stroke, I'll know what to do," said 10-year-old Madison Montes. "Run to the phone and call 911." The experimental health education program at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx is aimed at the most crucial factor when it comes to a stroke: time. Each year, about 795,000 Americans have a stroke and about 130,000 die. Some are caused by bleeding in the brain, but the vast majority is caused by a clot that blocks blood flow, starving brain cells. The drug TPA can dissolve those clots and reduce disability but only if it's given within three to four hours of the first symptoms, and the sooner the better. Yet only about 5 percent of patients receive it, in part because many stroke sufferers don't get to the hospital in time for testing to tell if they're a candidate. The early warning signs include a droopy side of the face, slurred or strange speech, and the inability to keep arms raised. "There's a pretty good chance some children might witness a parent or a grandparent having a stroke," said Jim Baranski, CEO of the National Stroke Association. "So if they're armed with the signs and symptoms, they could likely save a life." Montefiore's program, one of a handful tried across the country, has been used since 2012 with private schools in its neighborhood, where children are often in a grandparent's care because parents are absent or both working. The goal is to study the results and, if successful, replicate the program across the country. "The kids get a kick out of it because they get to do a little acting," said Dr. Robert Glover, a neurologist who helped develop the program. "But when they're done, they know about stroke and they can teach their families." Dr. Kathryn Kirchoff-Torres, who led the class from St. Ann's School in the Bronx, said the kids are already "little message machines" bringing home from school what they learn about the benefits of exercise, not smoking and eating well. At the start of the stroke class last month, in a first-floor room at the hospital, the doctor asked, "Who knows what a stroke is?" "A heart attack?" one child offered. "Well, we like to call it a brain attack," Kirchoff-Torres said. "It's a problem with the brain." She then taught the children to use the word "FAST" as a memory device. With cartoons and music bringing the point home, they learned "F'' is for face, "A'' is for arms, "S'' is for speech and "T'' is for time. After the play-acting and the multimedia show, the doctor invited questions from the children. "How do you catch a stroke?" one boy asked. The doctor assured him that strokes are not contagious but can be caused by "high blood pressure, smoking cigarettes, junk food." "What if we don't have a phone?" a girl asked. Kirchoff suggested asking a neighbor or running to a storefront. "What if you live in the desert?" was the follow-up question, to which Kirchoff smiled and said, "It's a good thing you live in the Bronx." After the class, the children were presented with pens labeled "FAST" and with pencil erasers in the shape of human brains, which were very popular. One parent in attendance, Jason Sawtelle, said he felt the lesson "plants the seed" "Maybe not every 8-year-old is capable of this," he said, "but some certainly are." Similar programs have been tried elsewhere. At Harlem Hospital in Manhattan, Dr. Olajide Williams uses hip-hop music to engage New York City fourth- through sixth-graders in three hours a year of stroke education. "Beyond sixth grade, the kids become a little too cool," Williams said. But with the younger kids, "we've shown that these children can learn basic stroke pathology." He said at least two children have been credited with helping to save lives. A similar stroke education study in the Corpus Christi, Texas, public schools used Tejano music. It was headed by Dr. Lewis Morgenstern, director of the stroke program at the University of Michigan Medical School. The 2007 study found that the youngsters responded well. "The data was highly positive in terms of knowledge about stroke and their intention to call 911," Morgenstern said. "The earlier we can make people aware of stroke and that it's arguably the most treatable of all catastrophic conditions, the better off we will be." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino As the happy hour crowd poured in on a recent weeknight, the kitchen and bar staff at Hock Farm restaurant scrambled to meet the incoming orders. One used her hands to toss locally grown Romaine hearts with anchovy dressing in a metal bowl, while another, facing diners from behind a marble countertop, used his fingers to sprinkle cojita cheese and red onion into chicken tacos. A gloveless bartender wedged an orange slice on the edge of a white wine spritzer. All of them were breaking a state law that took effect in January, but won't be enforced until July. California is a straggler in banning bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food. A state-by-state review of food codes shows 41 other states have a version of the legislation signed last year by Gov. Jerry Brown. In all these states, chefs and bartenders must keep bare hands off food going straight to the plate or the drink glass, from the rice in a sushi roll to the mint in a mojito. Instead, they must use utensils or gloves. Hock Farm owner Randy Paragary says bringing this rule to California disrupts well-established hand-washing routines, generates unnecessary waste and restricts his employees' in their craft. Hearing restaurant owners echo his concerns about the law's inflexibility, state legislators are considering a reversal before inspectors begin slapping fines on eateries this summer. Since 1993, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recommended a hands off approach in restaurants and bars as a staple of basic hygiene. Even with good hand-washing, it takes only a few norovirus particles the most common cause of foodborne illness to infect diners, the FDA says. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that workers touching food provided the most common transmission pathway for food-originated norovirus outbreaks between 2001 and 2008, the most recent comprehensive review of data available. "It's an additional barrier to help protect the food," said Liza Frias, environmental health manager for the city of Pasadena and chairwoman of California's Retail Food Safety Coalition, which represents regulators and business groups. "You have everyday consumers who are looking for glove use." The other barriers, experts say, are keeping sick workers out of the kitchen and ensuring strong hand-washing. Major chain restaurants are used to gloves and generally shrug at this kind of regulation. The California Restaurant Association had opposed the bill until last year, when it recognized the widespread practice wasn't going away. To higher-end restaurants such as Hock Farm, the mandate came as an irritating surprise. Sacramento's dining scene emphasizes using fresh, locally grown food as part of the farm-to-fork movement. And Paragary, the Hock Farm owner, says gloves would undermine the transparent kitchen-to-plate step his customers observe. "You'll feel like there's a doctor back there preparing your food," he said. Another Sacramento restaurateur, Randall Selland, calls the new law an unnecessary infringement on highly regarded establishments, saying it's better suited for fast food and production-line restaurants. "If people get sick at my restaurant, they are going to stop coming," Selland said. "You have got to give restaurants some trust." Many of the states with the bare-hand ban, and even the FDA model code, allow for exceptions. That discretion lies with local health agencies in California, and the potential for inconsistencies and added work for regulators and businesses alike has been controversial. Food codes in Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon and Wyoming encourage minimal contact but do not ban bare-hand contact outright. Lawmakers in South Carolina are considering a ban this year, while Tennessee plans to implement one by 2015. Ravin Patel, executive chef at Ella near the Capitol, said he didn't notice much difference in kitchen procedures after moving in 2009 to California from New York, which has prohibited bare-hand contact since 1992. But that doesn't mean the kitchen staffs in New York restaurants are always wearing gloves. "It just becomes common practice that you don't touch food as much," said Patel, adding that New York restaurateurs found ways around the requirement. "When the health inspector comes, you slap on a bunch of gloves." Similarly, many New York bartenders still work barehanded, dropping limes into gin-and-tonics but keeping a pair of tongs handy for visits by inspectors, said Aaron Smith, executive director of the U.S. Bartenders' Guild. Smith also is managing director of the bar 15 Romolo in San Francisco. He says law-abiding employees cannot find an easy work-around for some mixology steps, such as fusing mints and herbs into his bar's signature, pricey drinks. "They are trying to get expressive oil into the flavor and smell of the cocktail, and you are lacing that with the smell of latex and powder" using gloves, Smith said. A petition by bartenders calling for an exemption from the "disposable glove law" gathered 11,000 signatures and caught the attention of state Assemblyman Richard Pan, D-Sacramento. The new law arose last year from the Assembly Health Committee, which Pan chairs. He's now seeking a do-over. Pan, a pediatrician, said he and other lawmakers thought some eateries, such as sushi restaurants, could easily get an exception provided they showed good hygiene. But once the law took effect, it became apparent that some local inspection agencies were applying a blanket approach. "It's not about whether you wear gloves or not," Pan said. "It's about how clean the surfaces (touching food) are. We need to have the conversation go back to, 'This is about food safety.'" Even gloves can spread contamination if they are not changed regularly, said Don Schaffner, a food scientist at Rutgers University. In February, Pan introduced AB2130, which seeks to repeal the new regulation and revisit the entire issue, perhaps to forge a compromise. Whatever that bill's fate, public health experts say getting businesses on board with the spirit and purpose of food safety regulations is just as important as passing new laws. "The bigger picture is whether businesses know what the risk factors are and how to control them," said Ben Chapman, an assistant professor at North Carolina State University who has studied restaurant hygiene. "Having a policy doesn't mean it actually works ... Prove to a patron that your people wash their hands all the time and the right way." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The nation's largest minority group risks being left behind by President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Hispanics account for about one-third of the nation's uninsured, but they seem to be staying on the sidelines as the White House races to meet a goal of 6 million sign-ups by March 31. Latinos are "not at the table," says Jane Delgado, president of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, a nonpartisan advocacy network. "We are not going to be able to enroll at the levels we should be enrolling at." That's a loss both for Latinos who are trying to put down middle-class roots and for the Obama administration, experts said. Hispanics who remain uninsured could face fines, not to mention exposing their families to high medical bills from accidents or unforeseen illness. And the government won't get the full advantage of a group that's largely young and healthy, helping keep premiums low in the new insurance markets. "The enrollment rate for Hispanic-Americans seems to be very low, and I would be really concerned about that," said Brookings Institution health policy expert Mark McClellan. "It is a large population that has a lot to gain ... but they don't seem to be taking advantage." McClellan oversaw the rollout of Medicare's prescription drug benefit for President George W. Bush. The Obama administration said it has no statistics on the race and ethnicity of those signing up in the insurance exchanges, markets that offer subsidized private coverage in every state. Consumers provide those details voluntarily, so federal officials say any tally would be incomplete and possibly misleading. But concern is showing through, and it's coming from the highest levels. "You don't punish me by not signing up for health care," Obama told Hispanic audiences during a recent televised town hall. "You're punishing yourself or your family." Only last September, three of five Latinos supported the national overhaul, according to the Pew Research Center. Approval dropped sharply during October, as technical problems paralyzed the health care rollout and the Spanish-language version of the HealthCare.gov website (cuidadodesalud.gov). Hispanics are now evenly divided in their views. A Gallup survey recently showed tepid sign-up progress. While the share of African-Americans who are uninsured dropped by 2.6 percentage points this year, the decline among Hispanics was just 0.8 percentage point. In California, where Latinos account for 46 percent of those eligible for subsidized coverage through the exchange, they represented 22 percent of those who had enrolled by the end February and had also volunteered their race or ethnicity. The state is scrambling to improve its numbers in this week's home stretch. Experts cite overlapping factors behind disappointing Latino sign-ups: A shortage of in-person helpers to guide consumers. "In our community, trust and confidence is so important you want to make sure it's OK before you share all this personal information," Delgado said. There's been a lack of "culturally sensitive" outreach to Latinos, added Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas. Fear that applying for health care will bring unwelcome scrutiny from immigration authorities. The health insurance exchanges are only for citizens and legal U.S. residents, but many Hispanic families have mixed immigration status. Some members may be native born, while others might be here illegally. Obama has tried to dispel concerns, saying information on applications will not be shared with immigration authorities. The decision by many Republican-led states not to expand Medicaid, as they could under the law. With states like Texas and Florida refusing to expand Medicaid, many low-income Latinos will remain uninsured. However, Medicaid expansion is separate from coverage on the exchanges, which is available in every state. Latinosdon't seem motivated to sign up for that, either. Technical difficulties that delayed the federal government's Spanish-language enrollment site. CuidadoDeSalud.gov has also had to cope with clunky translations. Delgado's group is asking the administration to extend the March 31 deadline for Latinos who got tangled up in website problems. Officials said that's not likely. However, they haven't ruled out a little extra time for anyone who started an application but wasn't able to finish by the deadline. A recent enrollment outreach event in Houston drew Mary Nunez, who works with her self-employed husband in the florist business. They have been uninsured since she lost her job last year. In that time, she's only been to a doctor once to get a refill on blood-pressure medication. "Praise the Lord, we haven't gotten sick," said Nunez, adding that she knows luck eventually will run out. She made an appointment for in-person assistance to review her options on the Texas exchange. But since the couple's income fluctuates from month to month, she was uncertain how much they could afford. A deadline is looming, she noted, and "Hispanics always leave it for the last minute." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino People who've started applying for health insurance but aren't able to finish before the March 31 enrollment deadline will get extra time, the Obama administration has announced. "We are experiencing a surge in demand and are making sure that we will be ready to help consumers who may be in line by the deadline to complete enrollment, either online or over the phone," Health and Human Services spokesman Aaron Albright said Tuesday. The White House is scrambling to meet a goal of 6 million signed up through new online markets that offer subsidized private health insurance to people without access to coverage on the job. The HealthCare.gov website got more that 1 million visitors Monday, and the administration also wants to prevent a repeat of website problems that soured consumers last fall. Officials said the grace period will be available to people on the honor system, meaning applicants will have to attest that special circumstances or complex cases prevented them from finishing by March 31. It's unclear how long the extension will last. Some have urged the administration to allow until April 15, the tax filing deadline. People who are due refunds may be willing to put some of that money toward health care premiums. The latest tweak to the health care rollout is certain to infuriate Republican critics of President Barack Obama's signature law. It follows delays of the law's requirements that medium-sized to large employers provide coverage or face fines. The GOP is making repeal of the health care law its rallying cry in the fall congressional elections. The White House had signaled last week that a grace period of some sort was in the works. Spokesman Jay Carney said Friday that people in line by the deadline would be able to complete their applications. Administration officials argue that's not extending the deadline. They compare it to the Election Day practice of allowing people to vote if they are in line when the polls close. The decision to grant extra time was first reported late Tuesday by The Washington Post. The administration's decision affects the 36 states where the federal government is taking the lead on sign-ups. The 14 states running their own websites are likely to follow, since some had been pressing for an extension on account of their own technical problems. Brian Haile, senior vice president for health policy at the Jackson Hewitt tax preparation firm, welcomed the move. "The disbursement of tax refunds appears to be making a substantial difference in the willingness and ability of uninsured Americans to sign up for ... coverage," Haile said. Jackson Hewitt projects the administration can meet the goal of 6 million only if it allows people to keep signing up through April 15. Enrollment has already crossed the 5 million mark. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino A smartphone app for recovering alcoholics that includes a panic button and sounds an alert when they get too close to taverns helped keep some on the wagon, researchers who developed the tool found. The sober app studied joins a host of others that serve as electronic shoulder angels, featuring a variety of options for trying to prevent alcoholics and drug addicts from relapsing. Adults released from in-patient alcoholism treatment centers who got free sober smartphones reported fewer drinking days and more overall abstinence than those who got the usual follow-up support. The results were based on patients' self-reporting on whether they resumed drinking, a potential limitation. Still, addiction experts say the immediacy of smartphone-based help could make them a useful tool in fighting relapse. Mark Wiitala, 32, took part in the study and says the app helped save his life. He said the most helpful feature allowed him to connect to a network of peers who'd gone through the same recovery program. The app made them immediately accessible for an encouraging text or phone call when he needed an emotional boost. "It's an absolutely amazing tool," said Wiitala, of Middlesex County, Mass. He said he's continued to use it even though the study ended. The study was published online Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry. It involved 271 adults followed for a year after in-patient treatment for alcoholism at one of several U.S. centers in the Midwest and Northeast. They were randomly assigned to get a sober smartphone app for eight months plus usual follow-up treatment typically referral to a self-help group or usual follow-up alone. The app includes a feature asking periodic questions by text or voicemail about how patients are doing. If enough answers seem worrisome, the system automatically notifies a counselor who can then offer help. The panic button can be programmed to notify peers who are nearest to the patient when the button is pushed. It also offers links to relaxation techniques to calm the patient while waiting for help. "We've been told that makes a big difference," said David Gustafson, the lead author and director of the Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He's among developers of the app, nicknamed A-CHESS after the center. Gustafson said it is being commercially developed and is not yet available. Differences in abstinence from drinking between the two groups didn't show up until late in the study. At eight months, 78 percent of the smartphone users reported no drinking within the previous 30 days, versus 67 percent of the other patients. At 12 months, those numbers increased slightly in the smartphone group and decreased slightly in the others. Smartphone patients also had fewer "risky" drinking days per month than the others. The study average was almost 1 days for the smartphone group versus almost three days for the others. Risky drinking was defined as having more than four drinks over two hours for men and more than three drinks for women. One drink was a 12-ounce bottle of beer, 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5-ounce shot of liquor. The results for smartphone users were comparable to what has been seen with standard follow-up counseling or anti-addiction medication, said Daniel Falk a scientist-administrator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, which helped pay for the study. He noted that alcohol abuse affects about 18 million Americans and that only about 25 percent who get treatment are able to remain abstinent for at least a year afterward. Scientists are looking at new ways to try to improve those statistics. "There is increasing excitement regarding technology-based tools in substance use treatment, prevention and education," said Dr. Gail Basch, director of the addiction medicine program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Basch, who wasn't involved in the study, said proven methods for helping prevent relapse include patient monitoring and support from family and peers. "A stand-alone mobile app may not be the answer, but one can see how it could fit in nicely," she said. "A real-time tool, as well as reminders throughout the day, could be very helpful for a recovering brain." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The hijack. OP rang me one afternoon in 2004 when I was running the Post-Courier to tell me that some raskols had stuck a gun in his mouth and hijacked the company Kijang car outside the National Library in Waigani. The other is about how he saved my life in Gorokas Bird of Paradise Hotel when I nearly died from eating under-cooked mumu pork; a story which made me a popular speaker at a Muslim womens group on a Java university campus. One is of the hijack of his company vehicle after a gun was stuck in his mouth. I have two vivid memories of OP, as he was known. THE dreadful Christmas Day news of the death of Papua New Guineas most-loved newspaper editor, Oseah Philemon, has caused what we now call a viral outpouring of grief and tributes on Facebook - the booming social media that corrupt politicians seek to censor. I drove out immediately to pick him up and head to the nearest police station to collect several heavily-armed cops and race to Nine Mile, where Oseahs car has been sighted turning on to a bush track. We drove along the track and found the vehicle abandoned and undamaged. OP was happy that the raskols had fled. If they were still in the car, he told me, the cops would have shot the shit out of it to kill them. My pork story I once related while teaching mainly Muslim journalism students at Padjadjaran University in Bandung, West Java, in 2011-12. During my time there I read the English version of the Koran to understand more about the teachings of Muhammad so I could answer lots of tricky questions in lectures. Once I gained the students trust, a common private question to me was, What does pork taste like? As in the Jewish faith, pork is considered haram, or unclean, for Muslims. My usual answer was that it tasted like a cross between chicken and beef. But I was able to explain why, nearly 2,000 years ago, the Muslims were told not to eat pork. I once worked on the killing floor of an abattoir and learned that pigs not only ate pekpek but also carried diseases like TB that humans could contract through eating under-cooked pork. I told them the story of a trip I took to Goroka with OP when he was editor of the Post-Courier. Oseah, who had a good appetite, wangled an invitation to a traditional mumu where we sat on the ground and ate fatty chunks of barbecued pork. Unfortunately the piece I took was not thoroughly cooked, but I ate anyhow. OP had copious servings. Some hours later began a severe attack of vomiting and toilet-squatting that lasted two days. OP was healthy as a bull. On the third day of my poo-poo, spew-spew I was in danger of dehydrating as I couldnt even keep down water. OP wisely suggested I drink flat dry ginger ale (ginger was a traditional medicine) which I did and slowly recovered. My Muslim friends were so impressed by my why pork is dangerous advice that I was asked to recount the tale many times, including once when I was the first male to address the campus Muslim womens society. Sori tru, OP old wantok that you have gone. Papua New Guinean journalism is greatly in debt to your integrity and mentoring of so many up-and-coming journalists. We will miss you. Photo: Bob Howarth, Gorethy Kenneth, OP and Joseph Kabui reopening Buka bureau in 2003. The bureau had been closed after supporters of the Solomon rebel leader Harold Keke attacked the Post-Courier office and threatened bureau chief Gorethy Kenneth with a knife. Bob Howarth was managing director and publisher of the Post-Courier from 2001-05 and has more recently taught communications and journalism at Griffith and Bond Universities on Queenslands Gold Coast as well as at Padjadjaran University in Bandung and Udayana University, Bali. Tunisia's security forces called on the government Sunday to take "exceptional measures" to combat the return of militants fighting for extremist groups abroad. Tunisia has witnessed a wave of attacks since its 2011 revolution, including on foreign tourists, and the United Nations estimates that their are more than 5,000 Tunisians fighting for militant outfits, mainly in Iraq and Syria. "The return of terrorists from hotbeds of unrest in Tunisia is worrying and could lead to the Somalisation of the country," said a statement from the internal security forces' national union. Battle-hardened fighters "have received military training and have learnt to use all sorts of sophisticated weapons," it added. The warning came a day after Tunisian authorities said they had arrested three people including the nephew of Anis Amri, a national suspected of carrying out a deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market this week. Hundreds of people gathered outside parliament in Tunis on Saturday to protest against letting jihadists back in the country. President Beji Caid Essebsi said earlier this month that Tunisia would refuse to pardon Tunisians who fight for jihadist organisations. "Many of them want to return, and we can't prevent a Tunisian from returning to his country," he told AFP, "but we will be vigilant." Following a storm of criticism in the press and on social media, on December 15 he told Tunisian local television that "we will not be indulgent with the terrorists". On Friday evening, the country's Interior Minister Hedi Majdoub told parliament 800 Tunisian nationals who had fought for extremist groups abroad had since returned to the country. Search Keywords: Short link: The government's estimate of autism has moved up again to 1 in 68 U.S. children, a 30 percent increase in two years. But health officials say the new number may not mean autism is more common. Much of the increase is believed to be from a cultural and medical shift, with doctors diagnosing autism more frequently, especially in children with milder problems. "We can't dismiss the numbers. But we can't interpret it to mean more people are getting the disorder," said Marisela Huerta, a psychologist at the New York-Presbyterian Center for Autism and the Developing Brain in suburban White Plains, N.Y. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the latest estimate Thursday. The Atlanta-based agency said its calculation means autism affects roughly 1.2 million Americans under 21. Two years ago, the CDC put the estimate at 1 in 88 children, or about 1 million. The cause or causes of autism are still not known. Without any blood test or other medical tests for autism, diagnosis is not an exact science. It's identified by making judgments about a child's behavior. Thursday's report is considered the most comprehensive on the frequency of autism. Researchers gathered data in 2010 from areas in 11 states Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin. The report focused on 8-year-olds because most autism is diagnosed by that age. The researchers checked health and school records to see which children met the criteria for autism, even if they hadn't been formally diagnosed. Then, the researchers calculated how common autism was in each place and overall. The CDC started using this method in 2007 when it came up with an estimate of 1 in 150 children. Two years later, it went to 1 in 110. In 2012, it went to 1 in 88. Last year, the CDC released results of a less reliable calculation from a survey of parents which suggested as many as 1 in 50 children have autism. Experts aren't surprised by the growing numbers, and some say all it reflects is that doctors, teachers and parents are increasingly likely to say a child with learning and behavior problems is autistic. Some CDC experts say screening and diagnosis are clearly major drivers, but that they can't rule out some actual increase as well. "We cannot say what portion is from better diagnosis and improved understanding versus if there's a real change," said Coleen Boyle, the CDC official overseeing research into children's developmental disabilities. For decades, autism meant kids with severe language, intellectual and social impairments and unusual, repetitious behaviors. But the definition has gradually expanded and now includes milder, related conditions. One sign of that: In the latest study, almost half of autistic kids had average or above average IQs. That's up from a third a decade ago and can be taken as an indication that the autism label is more commonly given to higher-functioning children, CDC officials acknowledged. Aside from that, much in the latest CDC report echoes earlier findings. Autism and related disorders continue to be diagnosed far more often in boys than girls, and in whites than blacks or Hispanics. The racial and ethnic differences probably reflects white communities' greater focus on looking for autism and white parents' access to doctors, because there's no biological reason to believe whites get autism more than other people, CDC officials said at a press briefing Thursday. One change CDC officials had hoped to see, but didn't, was a drop in the age of diagnosis. Experts say a diagnosis can now be made at age 2 or even earlier. But the new report said the majority of children continue to be diagnosed after they turn 4. "We know the earlier a child is identified and connected with services, the better," Boyle said. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement Thursday, saying the nation needs to step up screening for the condition and research into autism's causes. "It's critical that we as a society do not become numb to these numbers," said Dr. Susan Hyman, head of the group's autism subcommittee. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Beverly Brignoni was a young New Yorker seeking a less expensive way to enhance her appearance and she did what many other people are now doing: travel to the Dominican Republic for cosmetic surgery. It went horribly wrong. The 28-year-old died Feb. 20 from what the doctor told her family was a massive pulmonary embolism while getting a tummy tuck and liposuction at a clinic in the Dominican capital recommended by friends. Family members have serious questions about her death and want local authorities to investigate. "We want to know exactly what happened," said Bernadette Lamboy, Brignoni's godmother. "We want to know if there was negligence." The district attorney's office for Santo Domingo says it has not yet begun an investigation because it has not received a formal complaint from Brignoni's relatives. Family members say they plan to make one. Shortly after Brignoni's death, the Health Ministry inspected the Vista del Jardin Medical Center where she was treated and ordered the operating room temporarily closed, citing the presence of bacteria and violations of bio-sanitary regulations. The doctor who performed the procedure and the clinic have not responded to requests for comment. Brignoni's death is unusual, but it is not isolated. Concerns about the booming cosmetic surgery business in the Dominican Republic are enough of an issue that the State Department has posted a warning on its page for travel to that country, noting that in several cases U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued an alert March 7 after health authorities in the United States reported that at least 19 women in five states had developed serious mycobacterial wound infections over the previous 12 months following cosmetic procedures in the Dominican Republic such as liposuction, tummy tucks and breast implants. There were no reported deaths in those cases, but treatment for these types of infections, which have been caused in the past by contaminated medical equipment, tend to involve long courses of antibiotics and can require new surgery to remove infected tissue and drain fluid, said Dr. Douglas Esposito, a CDC medical officer. "Some of these patients end up going through one or more surgeries and various travels through the medical system," Esposito said. "They take a long time typically to get better." The Dominican Republic, like countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica and Thailand, has promoted itself as a destination for medical tourism, so-called because people will often tack on a few days at a resort after undergoing surgery. The main allure is much lower costs along with the promise that conditions will be on par with what a patient would encounter at home. In 2013, there were more than 1,000 cosmetic procedures performed in the Dominican Republic, 60 percent of them on foreigners, according to the country's Plastic Surgery Society. The Internet is flooded with advertisements and testimonials from people who say they have had successful procedures in the Dominican Republic, and an industry of "recovery houses" has sprung up to serve clients, along with promoters who canvass for clients in the United States. The price is often about a third of the cost in the United States. Dr. Braun Graham, a plastic surgeon in Sarasota, Florida, says he done corrective surgery on people for what he says were inferior procedures abroad. He warns that even if a foreign doctor is talented, nurses and support staff may lack adequate training. "Clearly, the cost savings is certainly not worth the increased risk of a fatal complication," said Graham, past president for Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons. Brignoni was referred to the Vista del Jardin Medical Center by several acquaintances in the New York borough of The Bronx where she lived, said Lamboy and Lenny Ulloa, the father of the 4-year-old daughter she left behind. "Supposedly, it was a high-end clinic, one of the best in the city," Ulloa said. The doctor who performed Brignoni's procedure, Guillermo Lorenzo, is certified by the Plastic Surgery Society, but there are at least 300 surgeons performing cosmetic procedures who are not, said Dr. Severo Mercedes, the organization's director. He said the government knows about the problem but has not taken any action. "We complain but we can't go after anyone because we're not law enforcement," Mercedes said. The number of people pursuing treatment in the Dominican Republic doesn't seem to have been affected by negative reports, including a previous CDC warning about a cluster of 12 infections in 2003-04. In one recent case, the Dominican government in February closed a widely advertised clinic known as "Efecto Brush," for operating without a license. Prosecutors opened a criminal case after at least six women accused the clinic of fraud and negligence. The director, Franklin Polanco, is free while awaiting trial. He denies wrongdoing. There was also the case of Dr. Hector Cabral. New York prosecutors accused him of conducting examinations of women in health spas and beauty parlors in that state in 2006-09 without a license, then operating on them in the Dominican Republic, leaving some disfigured. Cabral pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorized practice of medicine in October 2011 and returned to the Dominican Republic, where he still practices. In 2009, Dominican authorities charged Dr. Johan Tapia Bueno with illegally practicing plastic surgery at his apartment after several women, including a local television personality, accused him of malpractice that left them with infections. Awaiting trial, he has pleaded innocent to charges that include fraud. Juan Linares, a lawyer hired by Brignoni's boyfriend, said he is still awaiting an autopsy report. Because she arrived in the country late at night on a delayed flight and was on the operating table early the next morning, a main concern is whether she received an adequate medical evaluation before the procedure. Graham, the Florida surgeon, said sitting on a plane for several hours can cause blood to stagnate in the legs and increase the risk of an embolism. Brignoni paid the Dominican clinic $6,300 for a combination of liposuction, tummy tuck and breast surgery. Lamboy said she had decided not to have the work done on her breasts and was expecting a partial refund. The woman, who worked as a property manager, had lost about 80 pounds about a year earlier after gastric bypass surgery. Brignoni was clearly excited about the procedure. Her final post on Facebook was a photo she took of her hands holding her passport and boarding pass for the flight from New York to Santo Domingo. "She wanted it so bad," her godmother said. "It felt like she was going to have a better outlook on life, getting this done." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Data in a widely heralded stem-cell research paper was falsified, a Japanese government-funded laboratory said Tuesday, as the lead researcher accused of the malpractice denied any wrongdoing. The research from the Riken Center for Development Biology in Kobe, western Japan, had been hailed as a possible breakthrough for growing tissue to treat illnesses such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease using a simple lab procedure. But significant discrepancies in research published in January in scientific journal Nature led a panel of scientists at Riken to conclude they stemmed from falsified data. They said researcher Haruko Obokata, the lead author of the paper in Nature, had manipulated or falsified images of DNA fragments used in the research. "The investigation committee has concluded that Ms. Obokata is responsible for manipulation and therefore for research malpractice," said Shunsuke Ishii, the Riken scientist who led the committee charged with investigating allegations the work was falsified. Obokata vehemently objected to the committee's findings. "I was outraged and shocked by the committee's report," she said in a statement. "I cannot accept the finding, and I intend to make an appeal to Riken in coming days." Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made greater gender equality and female advancement in the workforce a plank of his economic revival strategy for Japan. But the recognition of Obokata, a fashionable young woman, as a leading scientist still made waves in conservative, male-dominated Japan. The dispute over the research is also a setback for government efforts to market Japan's research and development expertise as a 21st century industry needed to revitalize the country's manufacturing. Juliette Savin, a spokeswoman for Riken, said that she could not comment on Obokata's employment status. In a news conference, Riken's director Ryoji Noyori said that after allowing for an appeal, disciplinary action would be taken, including calling for retraction of the suspect paper. "Research misconduct occurred due to a young researcher's lack of experience and awareness of the importance of research ethics," Noyori said. But he also blamed a "lack of leadership" among researchers in a position to help Obokata, and a lack of mutual verification among research groups. He warned against any "personal attacks or violations of the human rights of the authors." The institute said it would take months more to determine whether the stem cell findings are valid regardless of any questions about the data. Obokata asserts the findings are genuine. The scientists investigating the case said three other co-authors of the papers had not falsified the data but were still "gravely responsible" for negligence in failing to fully verify the research findings. The discrepancies in the data showed up as anomalous lines in an image of DNA fragments. Researchers in Boston and Japan conducted the experiments in using a simple procedure to turn ordinary cells from mice into stem cells by exposing cells from spleens of newborn mice to a more acidic environment than they are used to. Cells from other tissue of newborn mice appeared to go through the same change if exposed to any of a variety of stressful situations, the researchers said. Scientists hope to harness stem cells to replace defective tissue in a wide variety of diseases. Making stem cells from a patient would eliminate the risk of transplant rejection. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino When a 6-foot-5, 270-pound man with a history of violence broke out of a mental health ward near Philadelphia and tried to withdraw money from a bank, a confrontation with police seemed likely. But Lower Merion Township police officer Matthew Freind used his mental health training to calmly talk to the man and defuse the crisis. "No force was necessary," Freind said. "He thanked me. He said, 'You're the only person that's ever truly listened to me.' That was a situation where things could've gotten out of hand very quickly." Sometimes they do, especially if police aren't trained how to respond to the severely mentally ill. Dozens of mentally ill people die in run-ins with police every year. Last month, a homeless camper in Albuquerque, N.M., was killed in a shooting captured on an officer's helmet camera, sparking an FBI investigation and a protest that forced the city to call out riot police. Mental health advocates say violent confrontations occur regularly between people with untreated mental illness and officers who often aren't equipped to deal with them. They blame a mental health system whose funding has been severely slashed, thrusting police into the role of first responder. "We have systematically dismantled the treatment system for people with the most severe mental illness, and that has consequences," said Doris Fuller, executive director of the Treatment Advocacy Center in Arlington, Va. "We have basically discontinued the hospital option for people who are in psychiatric crisis. What happens instead? They don't get the treatment they need, they continue to deteriorate and at some point, someone calls the police because they're out of control and there's nowhere else to go." State psychiatric hospitals began closing en masse 50 years ago amid deinstitutionalization, a shift to community-based treatment. But a persistent lack of funding for mental health services has left many without needed support. As a result, people with serious mental illness often wind up homeless or cycle in and out of jail. The Great Recession worsened the problem. States cut more than $4 billion from mental health budgets from 2009 to 2012, eliminating thousands of in-patient psychiatric beds, according to a 2012 report by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. Now officers spend a disproportionate amount of time on mental health calls, said Michael Biasotti, who has studied the impact of deinstitutionalization. "If I could make one recommendation, it would be to prevent individuals from deteriorating to the point where law enforcement becomes involved. Return care and treatment of the most seriously ill back to the mental health system," Biasotti, the police chief in New Windsor, N.Y., told a U.S. House panel last month. That didn't happen in the case of Brenda Williams. In 2009, the 52-year-old Air Force veteran suffering from paranoid schizophrenia ran at police with a knife in her hand and was shot dead inside her apartment. Her family says Scranton police and other officials knew she was delusional from previous incidents but failed to have her committed. "They should've handled it in a way that suited her mental illness," Williams' 19-year-old daughter, Alana, told the Associated Press. "She didn't have to die the way she did, and she shouldn't have had to. There were so many warning signs." Williams' shooting was ruled justified and no charges were filed, but her death spurred change. Police from Scranton and about a dozen nearby departments now receive crisis intervention training. Scranton officers, using a program developed in Memphis, Tenn., more than 25 years ago, get 40 hours of training in how to recognize and respond to mental illness and psychiatric emergencies. Such crisis intervention teams have been installed in nearly 3,000 police departments out of 18,000 nationwide. Mental health advocates say training can help police spot when someone is in crisis and adjust their tactics accordingly, potentially reducing injuries to officers and people with mental illness as well as the frequency of arrests. "It absolutely has made a difference," said Marie Onukiavage, executive director of the Scranton-area chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. "Family members are seeing a great deal of understanding and patience and knowledge about what their loved one might be going through." At Montgomery County Emergency Service, a private psychiatric hospital outside Philadelphia, officers are taught that how they talk and even where they stand can make a big difference. Police learn they should try to make eye contact, speak calmly and listen. "You have to hear what the problem is before you can actually try to fix it," said Michelle Monzo, who has trained about 3,800 officers over the last five years. A recent simulation showed police how hard following commands can be for someone who is hearing voices. Officers Edward Sarama and Robert McGuire pretended they had to talk a man with schizophrenia out of a chair where he had sat for a day, covered in his own waste and get him committed. The tenant was played by Officer Matt Dougherty, who literally heard voices as Monzo and another officer jabbered nonstop into his ears. "We're here to check up on you. Have you been in the chair for very long?" McGuire asked. "Try to focus on me, Mr. Dougherty." Added Sarama: "Matt, Matt, we're here to help you, Matt." Dougherty was unable to respond, distracted by the voices. "I never experienced anything like that before," he said later. "To see it from the other side was eye-opening." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino New York City introduced its free condom program in 2007 and now unbeknownst to city officials the program has expanded to the Dominican Republicbut for a cost. The New York Daily News is reporting that large numbers of the New York City-branded condoms that are available free of charge in the citys five boroughs have turned up in large numbers for sale on the island after being smuggled into the country. In Las Galeras, on the eastern coast of the country, the condoms are sold at the local pharmacy for about 50 cents each, a better deal than the more expensive Durex-brand condoms that run over a dollar, the newspaper reported. The NYC condoms are made by Lifestyle. We buy them from a provider here in the Republic, pharmacist Francisco Pallano, whose store displays the distinctive NYC condoms in next to other brand condoms, pregnancy tests and lotions in a glass case in the front of the store, told the Daily News. They distribute them to any pharmacy that wants them. Pallano said he did not know the name of the distributor. The citys Health Department distributes about 38 million condoms free of charge yearly to 3,500 nonprofit groups and businesses, including bars, restaurants, nail salons, barbershops and hospitals. The program began as an effort to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV and to cut down the rate of unwanted pregnancies. Health Department officials acknowledged some participants in the program have been caught shipping out large numbers of condoms to other countries, including one caught sending them to the Dominican Republic. The city, however, says that this is not a widespread problem. We estimate that the lost condoms are a very small percentage of overall distribution, a department spokesperson told the Daily News. The NYC-branded condoms are widely sold through the island with stores and pharmacies hocking the illegal condoms in the capital of Santo Domingo and other smaller cities and towns. The NYC brand is intended for free distribution to high-risk populations in New York City and is increasingly smuggled into the Dominican Republic and resold illegally, the report found. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino A small study of casual marijuana smokers has turned up evidence of changes in the brain, a possible sign of trouble ahead, researchers say. The young adults who volunteered for the study were not dependent on pot, nor did they show any marijuana-related problems. "What we think we are seeing here is a very early indication of what becomes a problem later on with prolonged use," things like lack of focus and impaired judgment, said Dr. Hans Breiter, a study author. Longer-term studies will be needed to see if such brain changes cause any symptoms over time, said Breiter, of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Massachusetts General Hospital. Previous studies have shown mixed results in looking for brain changes from marijuana use, perhaps because of differences in the techniques used, he and others noted in Wednesday's issue of the Journal of Neurosciences. The study is among the first to focus on possible brain effects in recreational pot smokers, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The federal agency helped pay for the work. She called the work important but preliminary. The 20 pot users in the study, ages 18 to 25, said they smoked marijuana an average of about four days a week, for an average total of about 11 joints. Half of them smoked fewer than six joints a week. Researchers scanned their brains and compared the results to those of 20 non-users who were matched for age, sex and other traits. The results showed differences in two brain areas associated with emotion and motivation the amygdala and the nucleus accumbens. Users showed higher density than non-users, as well as differences in shape of those areas. Both differences were more pronounced in those who reported smoking more marijuana. Volkow said larger studies are needed to explore whether casual to moderate marijuana use really does cause anatomical brain changes, and if so, whether that leads to any impairment. The current work doesn't determine whether casual to moderate marijuana use is harmful to the brain, she said. Murat Yucel of Monash University in Australia, who has studied the brains of marijuana users but didn't participate in the new study, said in an email that the new results suggest "the effects of marijuana can occur much earlier than previously thought." Some of the effect may depend on a person's age when marijuana use starts, he said. Another brain researcher, Krista Lisdahl of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, said her own work has found similar results. "I think the clear message is we see brain alterations before you develop dependence," she said. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino There is a specter haunting Cuba: A shortage of rubbers. In the latest move to quell the island nations condom conundrum, officials from the Public Health Ministry have approved the sale of more than a million prophylactics with apparently expired dates. The move comes as several Cuban bloggers have criticized the Communist government for failing to keep the country adequately supplied with condoms, saying that the absence of the contraceptive devices might lead to the spread of more sexually transmitted diseases as well as more unwanted pregnancies and abortions. The public health ministry is saying that a batch of Chinese-made Moments brand condoms were apparently packaged with the wrong expiration date and has ordered the condoms to be repackaged with the correct dates. Despite the order to repackage the more than one million condoms, the state-run agency in charge of the job does not have enough workers to process the demand of about 5,000 condoms a day in Villa Clara province alone, local Cuban media reported. Pharmacy staff will explain to the buyers that the condoms are good and simply have the wrong expiration date on them, the Miami Herald reported. Although the lots are in optimal conditions, under the certificate of the Center for the State Control of Medicines and Medical Equipment the condoms could not be sold without the new expiration date, December of 2014, Vanguardia reported Saturday. Due to the irregularities in the repackaging, which has provoked prolonged absences of the prophylactics throughout the country, the Public Health Ministry authorized the sale of the Moments condoms in their current packages. The Cuban government also published a list of companies around the world that are authorized to send boxes of prophylactics to island nation, including a handful of U.S. companies like Wilson Intl., Service Inc., and Machi Community Services. Contraception and other family planning methods have been legal on the island since Fidel Castro took power in 1959, making it one of the few nations in the heavily-Catholic Latin America to legalize measures like abortion. Cubas family planning measures, among other factors, have helped lead to a declining population in the island something praised by demographers concerned with the ballooning global population but something worrisome for Cuban officials. Cubas 11 million are diminishing due tp both emigration and to low fertility rates resulting from a high percentage of female university graduates, plus decades of economic difficulty, universal health coverage, and legal abortion backing up family planning, Alan Weisman wrote in his book Countdown. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Despite nearly 17,000 U.S. medical students slated to graduate in the next few weeks, some analysts worry that by the end of the decade there will be a shortage of more than 90,000 physicians in the country and that the diversity level of those who are working will be underwhelming. Latinos make up 17 percent of the total U.S. population but only 5.5 percent of the physicians who graduated from U.S. medical schools between 1978 and 2008. It isn't for lack of candidates. The number of Latino applicants has tripled in the last 30 years, but the number of those who enroll in medical school and go on to graduate has stayed flat. The problem is multifaceted, wrote Paloma Toldeo, an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Northwestern University, in the online magazine Quartz. Talented Hispanic students may be choosing not to pursue a career in medicine, applicants to medical school are not competitive enough to be admitted, and once in medical school, a percentage of Hispanic students choose to leave, thus, creating a workforce gap. One of the main reasons, Toledo wrote, that many Latino and other minority students are shying away from choosing medicine as a profession is the high cost. The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that the average cost for a public medical school is $56,000 a year and $74,000 for a private school. While those Latinos who do enter medical have a very low dropout rate less than 4 percent the need for doctors who speak Spanish and who are members of the Hispanic community continues to grow along with the overall Latino population. Minority patients are more likely to choose a minority physician, and to report greater satisfaction with their care, Toledo wrote. This may be in part because physicians who are of the same race and ethnicity as their patient have better communication with minority patients than physicians who are not of the same racial/ethnic group. According to study by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, a more diverse medical workforce would also improve the disparity in health care. Toledo added that it is crucial to have more Latino medical professionals to help with the millions of newly-insured patients now covered by the Affordable Care Act. The health of the Hispanic community depends on not only policy change at the institutional level to ensure a diverse workforce, she wrote. But also at the individual level by both encouraging promising students to enter a career in medicine, but also in ensuring that Hispanic students succeed once in medical school. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Health officials in the Dominican Republic say a mosquito-borne virus has spread widely since making its first appearance in the country. The Health Ministry says it has documented about 3,500 suspected cases of chikungunya virus since it was first detected in March. Most cases have been near the capital, but Health Minister Freddy Hidalgo said Tuesday there have been some isolated cases in northern provinces. Hidalgo spoke at the start of a two-day conference attended by representatives from Central American countries. The virus is most commonly found in Asia and Africa. It was first detected in the Caribbean in December in French St. Martin and has spread to nearby islands. Chikungunya is rarely fatal but it can cause high fever and intense joint and muscle pain. There is no vaccine. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Bacteria resistant to antibiotics have now spread to every part of the world and might lead to a future where minor infections could kill, according to a report published Wednesday by the World Health Organization. In its first global survey of the resistance problem, WHO said it found very high rates of drug-resistant E. coli bacteria, which causes problems including meningitis and infections of the skin, blood and the kidneys. The agency noted there are many countries where treatment for the bug is useless in more than half of patients. WHO's report also found worrying rates of resistance in other bacteria, including common causes of pneumonia and gonorrhea. Unless there is urgent action, "the world is headed for a post-antibiotic era in which common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill," Dr. Keiji Fukuda, one of the agency's assistant director-generals, warned in a release. WHO acknowledged it couldn't assess the validity of the data provided by countries and that many had no information on antibiotic resistance available. More On This... Best Pix From Latin America Health experts have long warned about the dangers of drug resistance, particularly in diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and flu. In a report by Britain's Chief Medical Officer last year, Dr. Sally Davies described resistance as a "ticking time bomb" and said it was as big a threat as terrorism. In 1928, Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin revolutionized medicine by giving doctors the first effective treatment for a wide variety of infections. Despite the introduction of numerous other antibiotics since then, there have been no new classes of the drugs discovered for more than 30 years. "We see horrendous rates of antibiotic resistance wherever we look...including children admitted to nutritional centers in Niger and people in our surgical and trauma units in Syria," said Dr. Jennifer Cohn, a medical director at Doctors Without Borders, in a statement. She said countries needed to improve their monitoring of antibiotic resistance. "Otherwise, our actions are just a shot in the dark." WHO said people should use antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor, that they should complete the full prescription and never share antibiotics with others or use leftover prescriptions. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with US Ambassador Daniel Shapiro on Sunday, the US State Department said, two days after Washington vetoed a UN resolution against Israeli settlements. "We can confirm Ambassador Shapiro will meet with PM Netanyahu this evening," the State Department said in a brief statement to AFP. Search Keywords: Short link: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued it's final enrollment numbers for the Obamacare sign-up period that ended on March 31, and they present a good-news-bad-news situation. Younger and healthier than the U.S. population as a whole, Hispanics, the nation's largest minority group as well as its least insured, were viewed as crucial to the success of President Barack Obama's health insurance coverage expansion. The final count was disappointing. Latinos account for 14.5 percent of those eligible for coverage on the new health insurance markets, but they represented only 10.7 percent of the actual enrollees who also volunteered their race or ethnicity, the government reported. On the plus side, blue or red, a majority of states exceeded their health care sign-up targets under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) something that would have been hard to imagine after the botched roll-out of insurance markets last fall. According to 2012 Census figures, 29 percent of all Hispanics were without coverage compared to about 17 percent of African-Americans, 15 percent of Asian-Americans and 10 percent of whites. The administration made "important first steps" to signing up Latinos, said Mayra Alvarez, associate director of the Office of Minority Health at HHS. She acknowledged, however, that there had been problems. Many Hispanics tried to get coverage under the ACA but hit roadblocks, said Jane Delgado, president of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, a nonpartisan advocacy network. The reasons are numerous: A Spanish version of the federal health care website was delayed and there was a shortage of in-person guides reaching out to Latinos. For some mixed-status families, a fear of immigration authorities may have discouraged enrollment. Immigrants who are in the United States illegally cannot participate in the new health insurance system, but many have eligible relatives who are citizens or legal residents. "This is only the first step in a long race," Delgado said. "Many people who are uninsured don't understand the language of insurance. Big media campaigns aren't as effective for actual enrollment as the one-on-one approach." Still, the strong state-by-state performance indicates that the health care law has made inroads around the country, even as Republicans insist repealing "Obamacare" will be a winning issue in the fall congressional elections. An Associated Press analysis of the government numbers found that 31 states met or exceeded enrollment targets set by the administration before the insurance exchanges opened. Twenty of those are led by Republican governors, many of whom were hostile to the program. The Health and Human Services Department said 8 million Americans chose a health plan through the new insurance markets in the first year of the historic health care overhaul. Some 4.8 million more gained coverage through Medicaid and children's insurance programs. A surge in enrollments since March 1 doubled sign-ups in some states, including Texas, Georgia and Florida. "There is reason to be optimistic about what the law can deliver, both in terms of coverage and affordable insurance options" said Andy Hyman of the nonpartisan Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "In time, it will become part of the bloodstream of our health care system." Hyman is a senior program officer working to expand coverage. With Republicans vowing to make the failures of the law a main theme of their midterm election push, the Obama administration will need to convince the public that it has been a success. A recent administration announcement of the 8 million sign-ups failed to move public opinion much, with negative views of the law more common than positive ones. But polls also have found that Americans don't want the law repealed, preferring that Congress work to improve it instead. The new report didn't include information on how many of the newly enrolled have actually paid their insurance premiums. With grace periods for enrolling extending into mid-April, many who have signed up weren't obligated to pay until this week. A report released Wednesday by House Republicans said 67 percent of people who had signed up through federal marketplaces had paid their first month's premiums as of April 15, far lower than payment rates reported by some individual insurers, which were more in the range of 85 percent or above. The report did not include ethnicity data for about 31 percent of those who selected coverage on the federal marketplaces. Also missing was data from the 15 state-run exchanges. White House press secretary Jay Carney said Thursday it was no surprise that GOP lawmakers who have voted to repeal the law would put out a downbeat report about the law's progress. He said official figures on paid premiums would come out when the complete data that is currently being compiled is ready. "I'm confident it's not going to be 67 percent. I don't know what it's going to be," Carney said. Even though the administration is claiming huge successes, the Congressional Budget Office projects more than 40 million people will still be uninsured this year, and a more complete picture of who's still uninsured won't emerge until next year with the first results from large national surveys. "Beyond a doubt, the number of uninsured Americans has fallen by millions. Whether it's 5 million or 15 million still isn't clear," said Larry Levitt, an expert on health insurance markets at the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. "The low enrollment among Latinos is an indication of where challenges still lie: the hard-to-reach groups where more outreach is probably needed." Many of the underperforming states were those that had built their own online marketplaces. Massachusetts, which had served as a model for the Obama program, only signed up 31,695 people, far short of the goal of 250,000. Oregon, which met only 29 percent of its goal, recently decided to scrap its online marketplace and go with the federal portal. Other highlights of the report: Young adults aged 18 to 34, whose premiums are needed to balance the cost of older, sicker enrollees, made up about 28 percent of the total 8 million. Independent analysts have said the mix should be 40 percent young adults. But the administration called the mix sufficient to keep premiums stable. More women than men signed up through the exchanges: 54 percent vs. 46 percent. It's still not clear how many people who purchased coverage on the new markets already had insurance. The report said of the 5.18 million who applied for financial assistance and selected a plan on the exchanges run by the federal government, 13 percent said they already had coverage. Blacks and Asians signed up at higher-than-expected rates. Blacks make up 13.3 percent of those eligible for marketplace coverage, but represented 16.7 percent of those who chose a health plan and disclosed their race. Asians make up 3.3 percent of the eligible pool, but were 7.9 percent of enrollees who volunteered racial information. Nearly a third of people who chose a health plan on the federal exchanges didn't report their race or ethnicity, or chose "Other." The next enrollment period for private health insurance coverage for 2015 under the health law is scheduled to run Nov. 15 through Feb. 15. "They've had some success," Levitt said, "but they're going to have to do it all over again next year and get more people signed up to succeed." Based on reporting by the Associated Press. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino A recently arrived mosquito-borne virus that causes an abrupt onset of high fever and intense joint pain is rapidly gaining a foothold in many spots of the Caribbean, health experts said Thursday. There are currently more than 4,000 confirmed cases of the fast-spreading chikungunya virus in the Caribbean, most of them in the French Caribbean islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe and St. Martin. Another 31,000 suspected cases have been reported across the region of scattered islands. The often painful illness most commonly found in Asia and Africa was first detected in December in tiny St. Martin. It was the first time that local transmission of chikungunya had been reported in the Americas. Since then, it has spread to nearly a dozen other islands and French Guiana, an overseas department of France on the north shoulder of South America. It is rarely fatal and most chikungunya patients rebound within a week, but some people experience joint pain for months to years. There is no vaccine and it is spread by the pervasive Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits dengue fever, a similar but often more serious illness with a deadly hemorrhagic form. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring the uncontrolled spread of the new vector-borne virus in the Caribbean and has been advising travelers about how best to protect themselves, such as applying mosquito repellant and sleeping in screened rooms. It is also closely watching for any signs of chikungunya in the U.S. "To help prepare the United States for possible introduction of the virus, CDC has been working with state health departments to increase awareness about chikungunya and to facilitate diagnostic testing and early detection of any U.S. cases," said Dr. Erin Staples, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC. In the Caribbean, concern about chikungunya is growing as many countries enter their wettest months. The only way to stop the virus is to contain the population of mosquitoes a task that commonly relies on individual efforts such as installing screened windows and making sure mosquitoes are not breeding in stagnant water. Experts say eradicating vector-borne diseases like chikungunya once they become entrenched is an extremely difficult task. Dr. James Hospedales, executive director of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency, recently described the virus as the "new kid on the block." In late April, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Antigua & Barbuda became the latest Caribbean countries to report confirmed cases. In the Dominican Republic, there are now 17 confirmed cases and over 3,000 suspected ones. This week, the virus was discussed by health authorities at a two-day conference in the Dominican Republic attended by representatives of Central American countries. Marie Guirlaine Raymond Charite, general director of Haiti's health ministry, said there are several suspected cases of chikungunya but nothing has been confirmed yet. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Becky Domokos-Bays of Alexandria City Public Schools has served her students whole-grain pasta 20 times. Each time, she said, they rejected it. Starting next school year, pasta and other grain products in schools will have to be whole-grain rich, or more than half whole grain. That includes rolls, biscuits, pizza crust, tortillas and even grits. The requirement is part of a government effort to make school lunches and breakfasts healthier. Championed by first lady Michelle Obama, the new standards have been phased in over the last two school years, with more changes coming in 2014. Some schools say the changes have been expensive and difficult to put in place, and school officials are asking Congress and the Agriculture Department to roll back some of the requirements. Their main concerns: finding enough whole grain-rich foods that kids like, lowering sodium levels and keeping fruits and vegetables from ending up in the trash. In interviews, school nutrition directors across the country mostly agreed that healthy changes were needed in school lunches long famous for daily servings of greasy fries and pizza. Kids have adapted easily to many of the changes, are getting more variety in the lunch line and are eating healthier. But Domokos-Bays and other school nutrition directors say the standards were put in place too quickly as kids get used to new tastes and school lunch vendors rush to reformulate their foods. When kids don't buy lunch, or throw it away, it costs the schools precious dollars. "The regulations are so prescriptive, so it's difficult to manage not only the nutrition side of your businesses but the business side of your business," Domokos-Bays said. Some of the main challenges reported by school nutrition directors: Whole grains. While many kids have adapted to whole grain rolls, breads and even pizza crusts, some schools are having problems with whole grain-rich pastas, which can cook differently. USDA's Janey Thornton, a former school nutrition director, says the government is working with the food industry to develop better pastas. Whole grains have also proved a hard sell for some popular regional items, like biscuits and grits in the South. Lyman Graham of the Roswell, New Mexico, school district says tortillas are one of the most popular foods in his area, but the whole wheat flour versions are "going in the trash." Sodium. Schools will have to lower the total sodium levels in school meals next school year and then will have to lower them even further by 2017. School lunch directors say the 2017 target 640 milligrams total in an elementary school lunch and 740 milligrams in a high school lunch isn't feasible and say kids will reject the foods. USDA's Thornton acknowledges the food industry isn't there yet but encourages frustrated school lunch directors to "worry about today first before we imagine the worst down the road." Fruits and vegetables. The standards require every student to take a fruit or vegetable to create a balanced plate. The reaction among students has been mixed. "If the kids don't eat the food, then all I have is healthy trash cans," said Peggy Lawrence, director of nutrition at the Rockdale County Public Schools in Georgia. Healthier snacks. Schools will for the first time this year have to make sure that all foods, including vending machines and a la carte lines, meet healthier standards. While many schools have already moved to make snacks healthier, others depend on snack money to help operate their lunchrooms and are worried about a sales dip. The School Nutrition Association has asked Congress and USDA to only require that 50 percent of foods be whole grain-rich, to suspend the 2017 sodium requirements and to stop requiring students to take a fruit or vegetable. Margo Wootan, a nutrition lobbyist for the Center for Science in the Public Interest who has pushed for healthier meals, says relaxing those standards could gut the program. "You can't call a meal a meal without a fruit or vegetable," she said. USDA has shown some flexibility already: In 2012, the department scrapped maximums on proteins and grains after students complained they were hungry. USDA's Thornton says problems will lessen as the food industry creates healthier products. "I'll bet that five or seven years down the road, we'll see kids eating healthy food and we'll see acceptance," she said. Republicans say they may intervene before then. Alabama Rep. Robert Aderholt, the Republican in charge of the House spending committee overseeing USDA, has said school districts need a "pause" while problems are worked out. Aderholt's panel is expected to release a new spending bill this month that may propose changes. Republicans also are eying the next five-year renewal of the school foods policy, due in 2015. Sam Kass, senior policy adviser for nutrition at the White House, said last month that there have been "tremendous gains" in school foods and said he finds efforts to undermine that disappointing. "First and foremost, the key is not going back," he said. At Alexandria's Patrick Henry Elementary last Tuesday, students said they loved their lunches and gobbled up plump strawberries. Kindergartner Jade Kennedy said she recently tried kiwi at school for the first time. But Domokos-Bays said she will serve white pasta to the students until she has to make the change this summer. Tuesday was pasta day, and several children said it was their favorite lunch "better than my mom made," first-grader Ruth Gebregiorgis said. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino In this April 9, 2014 photo, Djalma Antonio Jardim talks with a receptionist at the Hospital Geral de Goias in Goiania, Goias state, Brazil. For years, nobody could tell Jardim or the others in their community of Araras what was afflicting them. "The doctors I went to said I had a blood disorder. Others said I had a skin problem. But none said I had a genetic disease," Jardim said. "It was only in 2010 that my disease was properly diagnosed." (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) Twenty-two years after the end of the civil war, a presidential contest separated by only 6,364 votes put Salvadorans on edge. The winner, Salvador Sanchez Ceren of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), faces a deeply divided country desperately trying to jump-start its economic growth. Amid calls of fraud, a cloud of uncertainty hung over the nation as the country's electoral institution was put to its biggest test since the signing of the peace accords. Electoral authorities rose to the occasion, ensuring compliance with post-election dispute procedures. On March 16, a nervous nation received the news that Sanchez Ceren had officially won the second round of the presidential election one week earlier. The United States also should reinforce its commitment to El Salvador. Beyond financial assistance, a high-level U.S. delegation at the swearing-in ceremony would confer additional legitimacy on the election. Jason Marczak His razor-thin victory over Norman Quijano-50.11 percent to 49.89 percent-was a surprise to many observers. Conventional wisdom was that the National Republican Party's (ARENA) Quijano would lose by anywhere from ten to eighteen percentage points. Quijano made up ground in the weeks leading up to the election. He united the private sector to support his candidacy over that of a former guerrilla leader deemed unfriendly to business. At the same time, ARENA injected fear with claims that an FMLN victory would convert El Salvador into the next Venezuela. Extensive media coverage of the mounting protests in Venezuela, which began shortly after the first round of El Salvador's election, heightened popular concern around a win by the left-leaning Sanchez Ceren. Quijano claimed fraud after the unexpectedly close vote tally. His election night threats that the military would be brought in to defend the will of the Salvadoran people ushered in concern of a return to a bygone era. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) should be commended for the way in which it applied Salvadoran law to address his grievances (the disputed votes still would not have changed the final result) and to only then declare victory for Sanchez Ceren. This bodes well for Salvadoran democracy. ARENA is now asking the Constitutional Tribunal to rule on the legitimacy of the election. But it is highly unlikely to contradict the electoral decision of the TSE. With the elections now over, and with the transition teams of President-elect Sanchez Ceren and President Mauricio Funes-both from the FMLN-already meeting, the question now is what steps can be taken to advance economic growth and improve security in this deeply divided country. The role of the United States is critical. The nearly 2 million Salvadorans living in the United States send home remittances that account for approximately 17 percent of GDP. This nearly $4 billion in annual remittances should be more effectively channeled to ensure that families are favoring long-term investments over short-term priorities. The United States also has a deep interest in helping to create formal labor market jobs so that youth are not forced to join a gang or embark on the treacherous journey north in search of opportunity. Appropriate investments in joint efforts that are already working should be a priority. It is time to move forward with the second, five-year Millennium Challenge Corporation compact that would provide $277 million to boost productivity in internationally traded goods and services. El Salvador is also one of four countries participating in the Obama administration's Partnership for Growth, which involves joint development and implementation of a national economic growth plan. Benchmark goals are being met and the positive, inclusive process of the Partnership is paying dividends across society. The United States should be doubling down on its investment; instead, the fiscal year 2015 budget request is for a paltry 1 percent increase in funding. On June 1, Salvador Sanchez Ceren will take the presidential sash and begin his five-year presidential term. He inherits a polarized country, with 40 percent of the people living in poverty and an economy that only grew 1.9 percent in 2013. Homicide rates have crept up two years after the gang truce; business extortion continues virtually unabated. Many Salvadorans are also worried that the president-elect is too far to the Left and that he will pursue a Chavez-like government. From day one, he must reach out to the business community and work to assuage these concerns. The United States also should reinforce its commitment to El Salvador. Beyond financial assistance, a high-level U.S. delegation at the swearing-in ceremony would confer additional legitimacy on the election. This would show the Salvadoran people, the business community, and the new president himself that the United States stand ready to be a partner. Amid a surfeit of debt and other downward-trending economic indicators, Puerto Rican legislators put it all on the line last week when it added an additional $3.5 billion worth of IOUs to its balance sheet. Island leadership can now only hope that the money raised will patch the economy long enough to allow newly enacted policies to turn it around ... if it turns around. Unfortunately, the combination of poor economic trends, along with last weeks effort to finance short-term debt with long-term bond obligations, only solidifies my opinion of the inevitable: Puerto Rico will have no choice but to default. Since Puerto Rico lacks the same judicial system recourse, it has to shed its fat by yanking off the fiscal Band-Aid and restructuring its debt. Justin Velez-Hagan Before Im accused of being a doom-and-gloomer, bear in mind that a debt default may be just what the doctor ordered. The more than $1 billion deficit expected to round out the current fiscal year in addition to a number of other short-term notes due that justified selling junk-rated bonds to American investors are only the tip of Puerto Ricos debt iceberg. Altogether, pensions, 401(k)s, bond funds, hedge funds, and individual investors held more than $72 billion in Puerto Rican bonds before last week, more than seven times Puerto Ricos annual revenues. Add in another $40 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and total debt easily surpasses the 100 percent debt-to-GDP ratio that puts most lenders on edge. Puerto Ricos well-known dependency on credit first made public waves when every credit-rating agency gave Puerto Rico a vote of no confidence last month, citing major liquidity concerns as the biggest culprit for the downgrades. Although non-disclosure agreements prevent us from knowing precisely what turned these agencies off, there have been a few clues. In fact, Puerto Rico was so desperate for short-term funds at one point that it kept the change from a loan Uncle Sam extended to cover IRS tax credits. Regrettably, the U.S. Treasury Department hasnt forgotten about that $350 million. Statements released ahead of this latest bond offering make it clear that the $3 billion Puerto Rico borrowed from investors is expected to only temporarily mend liquidity concerns, and only if the government is able to balance the budget next year, a hefty feat that hasnt been achieved in nearly a decade. Issues of liquidity, combined with few deep spending cuts, make it hard to take discussions of balance seriously. Given the increased risk, Puerto Ricos junk bonds required a rate-of-return comparable to many credit card companies. At nearly nine percent, the island is now on the hook for another $315,000,000 per year in interest alone. The last I checked, an additional $300,000,000 in debt puts Puerto Rico over the edge of its constitutionally-defined debt limit, which means it could have another major legal battle on its hands in the near future. To ease lender concerns, legislators in Puerto Rico boast that revenues and employment have grown considerably from mid-2013 through February. Although increased revenues seem like a much-needed glimmer of hope, the Debbie Downer in me has to point out that all of the growth comes from a resource with limited patience. Radical tax increases of 20 percent on high-income earners and 60 percent on corporations have given rise to a mass exodus and a recent economic downturn that will only get worse as employers are forced to cut back or pass costs on to consumers. Trying to convince us that job opportunities arent as bad as the media portrays, the Governor of Puerto Rico insists that as many as 30,000 jobs have been created since 2013. The President tried to use the same created or saved tactical messaging with some success, but official statistics tell a different story. In the aggregate, more than 11,000 have become unemployed since January 2013, increasing the unemployment rate by more than a full percentage point. With such poor employment prospects, can anyone blame the young professionals who are leaving Puerto Rico at a faster rate than anywhere else in the country? Much like with Obamacare, Puerto Ricos future depends on their contributions and will fail without them. While a major short-term loan might have helped stymie economic bleeding until growth policies have time to take effect, current policies are anything but. Policies that favor foreign investors, yet burden domestic ones discriminate against the ones who have the greatest long-term vested interest in Puerto Rico. Refusing to restructure public corporations that account for a third of total debt means average citizens and small businesses are overpaying for services they require just to keep their doors open. For example, restaurants are now paying more for electricity provided by the publicly-run electricity company than they pay for rent, on average. Only the most motivated and well-funded entrepreneurs have any chance in this climate. Since legislators are showing little interest in changing their tax-and-overspend policies, and Puerto Rico cant print itself more debt to cover their fiscal mismanagement, it now has no choice but to break the debt cycle, one way or another. But debt restructure and default shouldnt be the dirty words many would like us to think. In fact, the rest of the country has laws to allow for a formal, organized pathway for poorly-run organizations to reorganize, divest inefficient operations, and restructure debts through bankruptcy courts so that more efficient economic actors can have their turn. It makes us all better. Since Puerto Rico lacks the same judicial system recourse, it has to shed its fat by yanking off the fiscal Band-Aid and restructuring its debt. Speculators will suffer the most, and may have the loudest complaints, but after the initial shock Puerto Rico will finally have the chance to break its cycle of deficit-spending and will only then have another opportunity to make the right decisions that ensure long-term economic prosperity. Three U.S. diplomats, the Panamanian mission, and even CNN Espanol, have recently been expelled from Venezuela under the pretext of foreign intervention in the Bolivarian Republic. Straight from the playbook of the late Hugo Chavez, his heir apparent Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of intervening in domestic affairs and recently sent his Foreign Minister, Elias Jaua, on a public tour to denounce the U.S. and accuse the Secretary of State, John Kerry, of encourage[ing] the protests in Venezuela and went as far as to call him a murderer. Maduro is right in that Venezuelans should be wary of foreign intervention on their soil, but frankly the United States is the least likely candidate to take such action. Joseph Humire In reality, it is Maduro who has invited foreign intervention into Venezuela on behalf of the Bolivarian government circumventing its sovereignty to Cuba, and calling on Iran, Russia, and China to aid and assist its violent suppression and intimidation of the Venezuelan people. Shortly after the student mobilizations began on February 12th, a surge of armed pro-government civilian militias took to the streets of Venezuela, terrorizing the public by beating protestors, torturing political prisoners, and shooting some of the students. These militias, including civilian snipers and motorcycle gangs, all part of the so-called colectivos, are earning a reputation as one of the most violent, repressive civilian militias since the Iranian Basij organized a similar crack down on protestors during the Green Revolution of 2009. The similarity, however, is more than speculation. In April of 2009, the current Iranian commander of the Basij paramilitary force, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi accompanied then Iranian Defense Minister General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar on a high-level visit to Caracas upon invitation by the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his then foreign minister Maduro. According to sources within the Venezuelan military, General Naqdis role in these high level meetings was to serve as an advisor to Venezuelas Ministries of Defense and Interior to aid in training their civilian militias, i.e. the infamous colectivos. This advisory support is now playing out on the streets of several cities in Venezuela, as the colectivos have enhanced their capabilities to be able to serve as Maduros quick reaction force against protestors and opposition forces. Maduros Minister of Prisons, Iris Varela, shamefully bragged about the vigilante terror, when tweeting that the opposition is scared of the colectivos and called the armed thugs a fundamental pillar in the defense of the homeland. Using civilian militias to shoot students and beat protestors is only one tool in Maduros repressive apparatus. Other tools have come at the hands of one of Venezuelas top benefactors China. According to Janes Defense Weekly, at least two Chinese-made military systems have recently been battle tested on the streets of Venezuela. The first is the Norinco VN-4 armored personnel carrier that has been recently deployed by the Bolivarian National Guard to patrol Venezuelan neighborhoods and intimidate its residents. The VN-4 is a multi-role, light armored vehicle with a light machine gun mounted on top. Venezuela purchased 141 of these armored vehicles in 2012 for this type of contingency, and they are now rolling through the streets of Venezuela in the face of the protests. The other system is the Shaanxi Y-8C military transport aircraft, of which Venezuela purchased eight from China for $353 million back in 2011. These Y-8C aircraft were seen on the tarmac of several Venezuelan airports last month, made public through an array of photos posted on Twitter that claimed Cuban Special Forces were disembarking this Chinese-made aircraft. While Venezuelas Interior Minister denied the use of Cuban troops on Venezuelan soil, there is plenty of open source evidence to refute his claim. Some estimates approximate as many as 50,000 Cuban personnel in Venezuela, with a close hand on everything from immigration systems to training civilian militias, to providing personal protection to Nicolas Maduro. With protests spiraling out of Maduros control, Cuba placed several hundred of its paramilitary troops on two-hour flights from Havana to Caracas, embedding their infamous Avispas Negras (Black Wasps) in Venezuelas national security apparatus. Several eyewitness accounts have spotted Cuban agents on the streets of Venezuela disguised in military and police uniforms. Both Cuba and China have a large stake in maintaining the Venezuelan regime, and their incentives are simple oil. Cuba imports approximately 115,000 barrels of oil a day (much at no cost) from Venezuela to avoid a complete economic calamity on the island. While China has invested billions of dollars into the Venezuelan economy in exchange for an agreed-upon 600,000 barrels of oil a day (at well below market value) over ten years. While having the worlds largest oil deposits has attracted some, having one of the largest arms markets in the region brought Russia to the table. The Latin American arms market is estimated to reach about $50 billion in the next decade, with Russia hoping to capture a significant market share. Venezuela has provided the gateway for Russian ambitions in this market, buying 76 percent of the total Russian arms sales to the region. The recent unrest in Venezuela can only strengthen this relationship. While Nicolas Maduro was repressing student protestors, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced Moscows plans to install military bases in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba, among five other non-Latin American countries. A few days later, on February 26th, a Russian Vishnya-class intelligence ship, the Viktor Leonov CCB-175, was identified in the Havana harbor, just hours from Venezuela. This spy ship arrived unannounced, fully equipped with electronic eavesdropping equipment and weaponry. That same day, several Russian-made surface-to-air missiles were relocated from the Venezuelan military industrial hub of Maracay, to the capital of Caracas. These particular missiles, the S-125 Pechora 2M, were sold to Venezuela by Russia in 2009, and delivered to the Bolivarian Republic as recently as a couple weeks before the mass mobilizations began. These low altitude surface-to-air missiles are the same kind of anti-aircraft weapons that Vladimir Putin sold to the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which limited the option of placing a no-fly zone over Syria as Assad unleashed chemical weapons on his people. The repositioning of the Pechora missiles to Caracas is an ominous indication that the repression in Venezuela will get much worse if the protests continue. Nicolas Maduro is right in that Venezuelans should be wary of foreign intervention on their soil, but frankly the United States is the least likely candidate to take such action. Whether its the oil interests of Cuba and China, or the potential loss of a launch pad for Russia and Iran, Venezuelans need to worry much more about Maduros allies who, if things get worse, may send aircraft carriers to the Caribbean coast of Venezuelaor perhaps they already have? While Maduros claims of foreign intervention stand in sharp contrast to U.S. inattention to events in the Americas for well over a decade, the growing intervention of Cuba, China, Russia and Iran has long posed a clear and present danger to the countries of the region, and by all evidence is now being used to repress the Venezuelan people themselves. Pizza Patron, a Texas-based restaurant chain, will soon be serving up an extra spicy pizza with a free serving of profanity. Their new super-jalapeno-flavored pizza is being marketed as La Ching!#a cover for a slang term derived from the Spanish equivalent of the F-word. Not surprisingly, radio stations have refused to air the companys ads for the new product, which has Pizza Patron claiming that they are being unfairly censored. Nice try. Pizza Patrons latest gimmick is tacky and insulting to Latinos. This is an ad campaign that would never be done in English, for it crosses a boundary of bad taste. Its noteworthy only because it marks a new low for Hispanic marketing. Did Rodriguez allow the use of Ching!#a in his 2001 family-friendly movie, Spy Kids? Of course not. Nor did Lopez ever use it in during five seasons of his popular ABC sitcom. Raul Reyes According to their website, Pizza Patron is committed to celebrating the diversity of the Latin culture and lifestyle in our stores. The company has franchises in several states with significant Latino populations, including California, Arizona, Colorado, and Florida. The company is known for its provocative promotions, such as accepting Mexican pesos for payment in 2007, and offering free pizzas to Spanish-speakers in 2012. Now Pizza Patron defends their use of La Ching!#a by claiming the expression is in common usage. Its a colloquial Mexican term thats used very commonly among our core customers, which is a Mexican-born, Spanish-speaking customer, as part of their everyday lifestyle, Andrew Gamm, the companys brand director, told Reuters. His words might come as a shock to those customers with young children, who are seniors, or who have good manners. It is offensive to suggest that Latinos are using such vulgarity as part of their everyday lifestyle. Besides, the everybody says it argument doesnt hold water. Rap music is often loaded with profanity and derogatory terms, including the N-word. That doesnt make those terms acceptable. So far, Univision and CBS have refused to air Pizza Patrons radio commercials, and NPR canceled a segment discussing the controversial promotion. Yet this does not constitute censorship. These stations are rightfully concerned with the FCC rules regarding obscene, indecent, and profane broadcasts. And since the F-word is banned from the public airwaves in English, its Spanish equivalent should be treated the same way. On the company Twitter account, Pizza Patron notes that filmmaker Robert Rodriguez had a band with a similar name as their new pizza, and that George Lopez used the word for one of his comedy tours. True. But the issue here is what is appropriate for all audiences meaning anyone with a radio, or anyone who could walk into one of the Pizza Patron stores. Did Rodriguez allow the use of Ching!#a in his 2001 family-friendly movie, Spy Kids? Of course not. Nor did Lopez ever use it in during five seasons of his popular ABC sitcom. To make matters worse, Pizza Patrons La Ching!#a will be available starting March 31, a date that is celebrated as Cesar Chavez Day in California and other states. So much for cultural sensitivity. Sure, some young adults use La Ching!#a and similar terms to mean cool, or tough. The words still dont belong in an advertising campaign, or on a restaurant menu (some Pizza Patron franchises have refused to sell the new pizza). The company is playing to the lowest common denominator by using crude language for shock value and publicity. The Ching!#a campaign is not even particularly inspired or creative. A well-crafted business strategy should attract as many potential customers as possible not alienate them. Hispanic consumers deserve better than what Pizza Patron is offering. Their latest pizza promotion is lazy, lame, and lowbrow. It was exactly a year ago that the Republican National Committee (RNC) released an assessment of its resounding defeat in the 2012 election, known as the autopsy report. That soul-searching piece rightly laid the defeat of Mitt Romney at the feet of the partys profound disconnect with anyone outside its core constituencies, including young people, women, and Black and Latino voters. However, the political winds can shift quickly and it is no secret that Republicans are in much better shape politically than they were a year ago, especially when it comes to the 2014 midterm elections. But if the Republican Party continues to ignore the lessons of 2012, 2014 will be its last hurrah. Not only has [the House] not voted on the Senate bill, it apparently cant be bothered to read it because its too long. Janet Murguia Those of us who have long argued that it is in the Latino communitys best interest to be courted by both parties experienced a hopeful moment last year. The autopsy report was released in the midst of the first meaningful push for comprehensive immigration reform in nearly a decade, as a bipartisan group of senators, the Gang of Eight, successfully shepherded a bill through the Senate. With the president firmly committed to signing a bill, the only thing left in June of last year was for the House of Representatives to act. Well, it is now nearly a year later and the House has proven itself to be an unmitigated disaster on immigration. Not only has it not voted on the Senate bill, it apparently cant be bothered to read it because its too long. There has been a lot of chatter about the House advancing its own bill, but absolutely nothing has been introduced, let alone debated. And the only successful votes, which were engineered by Rep. Steve King (RIA) yes, the same congressman who claims to detect an undocumented immigrant by the size of his or her calves would roll back the only positive immigration program of the last several years: deferred action for the students known as DREAMers. In short, it is still 2010 among too many Republicans, with the familiar refrains of no amnesty and warnings about the browning of America. But it is not 2010 and it never will be again. There are now four million more Hispanic voters than there were just four years ago. There are eight million more who can register to vote right now. And every single day, 2,000 young Latino U.S. citizens turn 18, a trend that will continue for at least the next 15 years. There is no sugar-coating the fact that the situation for the Republican Party vis-a-vis Latinos is dire and arguably worse than it was a year ago, with the stalling of reform in the House and the needless evisceration of Republican leaders who have attempted to help the party on the issue, such as Marco Rubio (RFL). But it is not hopeless. It was only a decade ago that President Bush garnered a very healthy 44 percent of the Latino vote in his reelection. The fact that this percentage was reduced by nearly half by 2012 should be a cautionary tale for those who refuse to moderate their views on immigration reform or the Latino community. While the situation is not hopeless, the challenge is not easy to overcome. It is going to take more than the baby steps that the RNC talked about this week in their autopsy anniversary news conference. This is not solely an issue of more outreach or better marketing. As the autopsy so eloquently stated, there is something fundamentally flawed in the way too many in the Republican Party view our community and our issues. And it is no exaggeration to say that the survival of the party depends on admitting that the flaw exists and then finding a way to fix it. A good start would be for the House leadership to allow a vote on comprehensive immigration reform. There is trouble brewing 50 miles northwest of Houston Texas and Im not sure it isnt just a whole lot to do about nothing. It happened after a middle school principal was told her services were no longer needed because she had apparently insulted the sensibilities of the areas mostly Latino residents. Amy Lacey was first placed on administrative leave, and then she was given the official adios by the Hempstead school board when it chose to not renew her contract. Lacey is correct to mandate English among Hispanic students, because those of us who arrived in the U.S. as immigrants ... must not allow ourselves to use our native language as a crutch. Rick Sanchez Her offense: prohibiting Spanish. The incident occurred on December 12th when Lacey took to the schools intercom to announce that speaking Spanish anywhere on campus would be prohibited. Her comment set off an ethnic firestorm like none the small Texas town had ever seen, with neighbor fighting neighbor and accusations of bigotry, stupidity and cultural insensitivity. Augustin Pinedo, director of the League of United Latin American Citizens, compared the principals comment to racist slurs uttered against blacks during the civil rights struggle. When you start banning aspects of ethnicity or cultural identity, it sends the message that the child is not wanted; we dont want your color. We dont want your kind, said Pinedo. Yedhany Gallegos, a student at Hempstead, said she was threatened with expulsion after defending her right to speak her first language. She says when she challenged Principal Lacey she was told, you can get out. Several Hispanic rights groups are even requesting that the federal government intervene, accusing the school district of terrorist activity they say is being directed toward Hispanic Americans in response to the principals resignation. Really? All that? Funny how experiences can color how we see things, for just as many in the Latino community reminded by Laceys comments of past bad deeds, Im reminded of a teacher who once changed my life. My story begins in first grade with a woman named McAlvane. If she had a first name, I didnt know it, nor would I have been allowed to use it. She was strict, old and southern. And as she saw it, there was something seriously wrong with me. It was the 1960s and I had just arrived from Cuba with my refugee parents. Frightened, out of place and speaking not a lick of English, I was plopped into the back row of Miss McAlvanes class. There was no ESL (English as a Second Language) back then. There were no other students to talk with who, like me, spoke only Spanish. And that made me a bit of an oddity. Mentally retarded. Thats what Miss McAlvane put on my transcript. She was convinced my inability to communicate was caused by a mental deficiency and there it went. My parents were called in. Ashamed and disappointed, they cried. What else could they do? Yes, they wept and so did I. The dreaded F word, I had failed first grade before Id even gotten a chance to begin. I would have to repeat the grade. I was left with but one recourse, learn English. By the middle of my second year of first grade, I was getting all As, which I attribute to one thing immersion. It was sink or swim. With no one with whom to speak Spanish and a strict teacher who compelled me to speak only English, I improved and eventually excelled. I learned English well enough to become a national news anchor, proving to me that what had once seemed cruel had turned out to be a better path. At school, by force I spoke only English, while at home with my parents, I spoke only Spanish. The Take Away I share this personal anecdote not to give principal Lacey a pass. I cant tell you what was in her heart when she grabbed the intercom to pronounce her prohibition of Spanish. Her intent may have been hateful or perhaps benign. No doubt she would have been better served by encouraging English, rather than discouraging Spanish, but what about her students? I speak from experience when I say that Lacey is correct to mandate English among Hispanic students, because those of us who arrived in the U.S. as immigrants, or as a refugee in my case, know fully well that in order to learn a new language we must not allow ourselves to use our native language as a crutch. Irrespective of her manner, by forcing her students to speak English Lacey made them better. Was it the right approach in terms of style and political correctness? Probably not, but educationally I can vouch for her. Its A-plus. A Russian military plane crashed Sunday in the Black Sea as it made its way to Syria with 92 people onboard, including more than 60 Red Army Choir members heading to celebrate the New Year with troops. Local news agencies, citing the defence ministry, said the Tu-154 plane had crashed shortly after take-off at 5:40 am local time (0240 GMT) from the southern city of Adler where it had been refuelling. Defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told Russian news agencies that one body had been recovered six kilometres off the coast of the resort city of Sochi, as a frantic search operation continued to hunt for the missing. "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres," the ministry said. The plane had been on a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase in western Syria, which has been used to launch air strikes in Moscow's military campaign supporting its ally President Bashar al-Assad in the country's devastating civil war. Among the plane's 84 passengers were Russian servicemen as well as 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group also known as the Red Army Choir, and its conductor Valery Khalilov. They were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the airbase. There were also eight crew members onboard, the ministry said. Nine journalists were among the passengers, with state-run channels Pervy Kanal, NTV and Zvezda saying they each had three staff onboard the flight. A list of passengers published by the defence ministry also included Elizaveta Glinka, a doctor and charity worker who serves on the Kremlin human rights council. Mikhail Fedotov, who heads the council, said Glinka was travelling to Syria to bring medication to a university hospital in the coastal city of Latakia near the airbase, agencies reported. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told news agencies that President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the situation and was being kept updated on the search operation. "It's too early to say anything," agencies quoted Peskov as saying, adding that Putin was in constant contact with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. "The president is waiting for the picture to be clear." Konashenkov said that Deputy Defence Minister Pavel Popov had flown to Adler along with a team tasked with clarifying the circumstances surrounding the crash. Russia's Investigative Committee said a criminal probe had been launched to determine whether violations of air transportation safety had led to the crash. Investigators are currently questioning the technical personnel responsible for preparing the plane for take-off, the committee said. Tu-154 aircraft have been involved in a number of accidents in the past. In April 2010 many high-ranking Polish officials, including then president Lech Kaczynski, were killed when a Tu-154 airliner went down in thick fog while approaching the Smolensk airport in western Russia. Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of Assad since September 2015 and has taken steps to boost its presence in the country. In October, Putin approved a law ratifying Moscow's deal with Damascus to deploy its forces in the country indefinitely, firming up Russia's long-term presence in Syria. Russian warplanes have flown out of the Hmeimim base to conduct air strikes, and the base is also home to an S-400 air defence system. Search Keywords: Short link: I am still hopeful that Congress will pass immigration reform. With millions of people in our country living in the shadows, unidentified, and strongly believing that every country needs to be able to decide who comes through its borders, I dont see how Congress can continue to fail to act. In 2009, I helped form a bipartisan working group on this critical issue in Congress. Until I left in January 2011, we met mostly weekly, sometimes twice a week. Improving the efficiency of the agricultural worker visa program will allow the U.S. to maintain a reliable agricultural workforce. This, in turn, will allow the U.S. to continue producing its own food. Lincoln Diaz-Balart The existence of the working group never leaked; much less did the substance of our work product. The bipartisan House groups work product constitutes a serious contribution-in-waiting toward legislation to repair an immigration system in the U.S. which is clearly broken. The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI), which I am honored to chair, strengthens the U.S. Hispanic community by promoting the advancement of Hispanics in all sectors of American society, with a particular emphasis in mentoring and developing the leadership potential of Hispanic youth. Because of the importance of the immigration issue to the future of the United States, for the first time in our 10-year history, CHLI formally adopted a position on a matter that is before Congress. The following principles were unanimously agreed to by CHLIs Board of Directors: 1. An earned legalization process is the most reasonable way to address undocumented persons currently in the United States, and there should be special consideration for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Dreamers. 2. All efforts should be made to expedite the transition to permanent legal status of qualified foreign undergraduate and graduate students studying in the United States who seek such status. Additionally, to improve the quality of education for all students, primary and secondary school education funding levels should be increased, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs throughout the United States. 3. An expanded H-1B, L-1, and EB visa program for professionals and highly skilled workers, and H-2B temporary visas that support seasonal industries and small businesses, are critical to the U.S. economy. 4. Improving the efficiency of the agricultural worker visa program (H-2A) will allow the U.S. to maintain a reliable agricultural workforce. This, in turn, will allow the U.S. to continue producing its own food. 5. Delays, backlogs, and disruptions in the immigration and border management systems that impede the movement of people and legitimate cargo across U.S. borders must be addressed, and increased enforcement targeting human trafficking, drug smuggling, terrorism, and counterfeit goods across U.S. borders, is key to maintaining U.S. security and prosperity. As a prime author of the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act of 1997 (NACARA), which granted legal status to hundreds of thousands of worthy Central Americans in the U.S., I am convinced that it is possible to pass immigration legislation. Congress can and should pass immigration reform now. The protectors of the Cesar Chavez legacy describe the legendary leader as an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. Like much of the mythology that has grown around Chavez, this oversimplification does him a disservice and masks the reality. Its a nice slogan, but in fact, Cesar Chavez was anything but ordinary. He was fanatical and visionary, driven to achieve the seemingly impossible, and endowed with the remarkable intelligence and talent to make history. Our unions survival, its very existence, sent out a signal to all Hispanics that we were fighting for our dignity, that we were challenging and overcoming injustice, that we were empowering the least educated among us, the poorest among us. Cesar Chavez The man born 87 years ago today worked with a single-minded intensity few could ever match. For a time, that zeal produced unprecedented gains for California farmworkers. But the union he founded failed to thrive and has become irrelevant; farmworkers today know Cesar Chavez only as the name of a famous Mexican boxer. In the end, Chavezs legacy is far from the fields, in cities across the country where his name evokes pride and his life serves as an example of what community organizing can accomplish. Chavezs heroic achievements deserve to be celebrated, but his failures need to be acknowledged as well. Understanding the extraordinary nature of his commitment is key to both. Nice guys dont change the world, he told a group of organizers in 1969. The one who achieved great things was the caprichosos, he said, struggling to find a good English translation and coming up with hard-headed. Years before Chavez began organizing what would become the United Farm Workers union, he felt torn between the demands of his work and his family. He recounted many times a story about feeling conflicted over whether he should be of service to people or be a servant to people in need. He chose the latter path. Once I made the decision, I didnt have any more problems, he said. Because I wasnt torn ... People would come first. There wouldnt be any days off. Family and friends would always come second. He dropped his wife off at the hospital when she was going into labor and headed off to quell a community riven by racial tension. He missed his sons high school graduation. He ruthlessly purged close associates when he believed they had betrayed the cause or posed a threat to his iron-clad leadership. He avoided close friendships because they could become distractions and influence decision-making. I dont have any friends, he said. Im single-minded, one-track minded. I came here with the idea of building a union for workers. Thats what I intend to do. He demanded absolute loyalty and expected people who worked for him to try to match his level of commitment though he knew most could not. Im a son of a b*** to work with, he told a group of union volunteers. And most of you could not work with me side by side. You could not keep up my pace. I work every day of the year. I just sleep and eat and work. I do nothing else. In the end, his need to control the organization he built doomed the chance of building an effective, lasting union for farmworkers. No one man no matter how hard he worked and how brilliant could manage a successful union with hundreds of contracts and tens of thousands of members. To understand and learn from Chavezs legacy, we need to appreciate and study his genius in all its multifaceted complexity. Reducing his story to slogans like Si se puede fails to convey his enormous personal commitment and sacrifice, or their consequences. In November, 1984, Chavez delivered a speech in San Francisco at the Commonwealth Club of California. The UFW was already in decline, and Chavez offered what amounted to a prescient eulogy for his own movement: Our unions survival, its very existence, sent out a signal to all Hispanics that we were fighting for our dignity, that we were challenging and overcoming injustice, that we were empowering the least educated among us, the poorest among us. The message was clear. If it could happen in the fields, it could happen anywhere: in the cities, in the courts, in the city councils, in the state legislatures. I didnt really appreciate it at the time, but the coming of our union signaled the start of great changes among Hispanics that are only now beginning to be seen. Then he spoke with the foresight that helped make him a great leader, words that are as appropriate today as they were three decades ago: We have looked into the future, and the future belongs to us. This past week House Democrats introduced a discharge petition, which if successful would force a vote on previously stalled immigration reform legislation. Most acknowledge that the strategy has been employed for the singular purpose of shaming House Republicans for their inaction on immigration reform, and has virtually no chance of success. In sum, Democrats are engaging in thinly veiled political gamesmanship motivated by the desire to score points in advance of the midterm elections. Most see through the charade. Customs and Border Protections Fiscal Year 2013 budget was $11.9 billion. Immigration and Customs Enforcements budget was increased to $5.9 billion. Another $2.9 billion was spent by Enforcement and Removal Operations in FY 2012. Thats not pocket change. Matthew Kolken Cristina Jimenez, Managing Director of UnitedWeDream.org, the nations first and largest national immigrant youth-led organization, has outspokenly scolded House Democrats for chasing rainbows while refusing to press President Obama to stop his record deportations. Ms. Jimenez observed that this is nothing more than a distraction, stating political maneuvers like the House Democrats' discharge petition are just getting in the way. Immigrant activist Erica Andiola of the DRM Action Coalition agrees, commenting that it is unconscionable to use the lives of millions of undocumented immigrants for political gain. Both agree that President Obamas two million deportations have created a human rights crisis of epic proportions, demanding immediate action by the Executive Branch. They explain that the immigrant community can no longer wait for the Republicans in Congress to get their act together. The Immigration Policy Centers Walter A. Ewing brings credence to their argument, acknowledging the hypocrisy of the Obama Presidency in a report tracking the growth of the U.S. deportation machine. He points to the administrations conscious expansion of detention and deportation as a major point of contention, reflecting that "rather than putting the brakes on this non-stop drive to deport more and more people, the administration chose to add fuel to the fire." The Pew Research Centers Hispanic Trends Project has also chimed in releasing a report that found that the deportation machine has been fed by a vast increase in federal criminal prosecutions for immigration related crimes, which has changed the landscape for Federal prosecutors. It did not go unnoticed that at 48 percent, Hispanics make up the bulk of those prosecutions. Meanwhile, Syracuse Universitys Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) sifted through the numbers finding that in 2013 there were nearly 100,000 prosecutions for immigration related crimes, an all-time high. TRAC determined that new prosecutions were filed against 97,384 defendants, a 5.9 percent increase from 2012, and a 22.6 percent increase over the past 5 years, resulting in a 76 percent increase in federal criminal prosecutions for illegal reentry since President Obama took office. What this translates to is that the Obama administration has made a strategic decision to turn an unprecedented number of immigrants into convicted criminals when their only criminal infraction stems from an immigration law violation. In sum, they have been found guilty for doing everything in their power to try to get back to their family. This policy change has resulted in a padding of the criminal removal statistics that the administration touts in an effort to deflect scrutiny from their 2 million deportations. And at what cost? Customs and Border Protections Fiscal Year 2013 budget was $11.9 billion. Immigration and Customs Enforcements budget was increased to $5.9 billion. Another $2.9 billion was spent by Enforcement and Removal Operations in FY 2012. Thats not pocket change. It is time to acknowledge that tax paying American citizens can no longer afford to continue writing checks to fund an out of control deportation machine that is disproportionately targeting people of color. Especially since passing immigration reform will actually save the country money. The Congressional Budget Office determined that immigration reform will result in almost a trillion dollar reduction of the nations deficit during the next two decades in addition to yielding long term benefits to American workers and the economy. Now we are speaking a language that even the most partisan Republican can understand. Case in point, perennial budget hawk Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has recently acknowledged the inevitability of immigration reform stating reform is a question of when, not if. The problem he notes is that there arent enough Republican votes to reach a consensus on the issue. The clock is ticking, Congressman. In fact, the time has long passed for hyper-partisans on both sides of the aisle to put down their midterm elections swords. Americans are tired of excuses and gamesmanship. Doing nothing to address our immigration crisis to score political points is simply an untenable strategy that is emptying our nations coffers while destroying families. It is a strategy that must be abandoned in favor of the adoption of common sense solutions. The alarming news of another military service member going on a shooting rampage killing and wounding other service members on a military base is unnerving. For us Latinos it is especially upsetting to know that Ivan Lopez, a Latino, perpetrated the recent Ft. Hood shooting. I do not care for highlighting a persons ethnicity or culture in these tragic events, but I feel that I have a responsibility as a Latina, a veteran, and a mental health professional to state the obvious that others are already commenting on. I do not want to promote or support negative stigma that is already associated with PTSD, especially with combat military service members and veterans. That is the main reason why people do not seek help when they need to. Xiomara A. Sosa It has been reported by Army officials that Specialist (Spc.) Lopez suffered from a personality disorder (PD), sleep disturbances, and clinical anxiety prior to enlisting in the military. PDs are conditions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) that affect how individuals perceive situations and relate to circumstances and people. The Armys position is that these conditions were not related to this soldiers military service. It is also reported that he was taking Ambien to treat his insomnia. As a mental health professional these issues do strike a cord. There are several studies that strongly suggest people with PD do have a significant clinical risk for violence. However, in my opinion having a PD does not necessarily mean someone will resort to committing a massacre of this magnitude. I am aware of the many negative and concerning side effects that Ambien causes and that it must be taken under very close supervision for only a short period of time. After serving in the National Guard for nine years Spc. Lopez joined the Army and was reportedly under the care of a psychiatrist. My understanding is that he had not been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and had no brain injuries. Although he was not in combat he was deployed to Sinai for a year and to Iraq for four months. I will not offer a forthright opinion on this particular event until I am able to access all of the facts. As far as I know at this time Spc. Lopez has not been clinically diagnosed with PTSD. And even if he is, that does not necessary mean it caused him to perpetrate this rampage. I am concerned that people will continue to erroneously associate these killing rampages with PTSD due to the incredible amount of misinformation or lack of accurate information about PTSD. I do not want to promote or support negative stigma that is already associated with PTSD, especially with combat military service members and veterans. That is the main reason why people do not seek help when they need to. For war veterans and service members PTSD is a Combat Stress Injury (CSI). For accurate information about PTSD please go to youarestrong.org/category/ptsd/ Millions of people who are service members, veterans and civilians suffer from PTSD because it is associated with a traumatic event, not just combat. Overwhelmingly they do not commit mass killings as a direct result. As a society we need to stop associating tragic individual events solely with PTSD. Specifically for our military and veterans who experience the horrific trauma of war, we need to create an environment that allows them to appropriately process this experience and attend to their invisible wounds as well as their physical wounds. We need to eliminate the stigma of getting help and healing. We need to become a supportive entity for them and remove the stigma by equalizing physical health with mental health needs. They need time to heal from the trauma and be with their family, friends and communities and we need to be mindful of triggers. Its time we provide them with the tools and permission they need to heal with dignity and peace. It is important that we recognize that PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are misunderstood and that we refrain from opinions until all the facts come out in this recent case. It is also important to keep in mind that military leadership must follow regulations and do not have much flexibility needed to make different decisions. As a result some decisions they make can lead to unknown triggers under special circumstances, especially when people are grieving major personal losses as Spc. Lopez was. In my opinion regulations need to be reevaluated for these circumstances and military leadership must be educated about mental health in general and combat stigma rather than perpetuate it. Call it the Jeb Bush, establishment-Republican variation on they are just looking for a better life cliche. And lets just call him Jeb. In what should be the last words of a viable presidential campaign probe, Jeb defends the victims of borders who illegally enter the remnants of the Republic and take American jobs with the unforgettable words "yes, they broke the law, but it's not a felony. It's an act of love, it's an act of commitment to your family. Apparently American families of all descriptions are not a priority for Jeb when it comes to the politics of dutifully providing the business bosses with cheap labor. D.A. King Is Jeb saying that anyone in the world with a commitment to their family should be allowed to live and work in the U.S. as long as they don't plan on felonious activity? If so, it could get very crowded. We already take in more than a million legal job-seekers every year. Not many Americans should have much trouble closing their eyes and imagining Jebs mindless, pandering proclamations coming out of the mouth of any screaming SEIU street protestor carrying a not one more deportation placard. If not a careful explanation of why Marco Rubio took a painful and likely permanent nosedive in the presidential polls, somebody may want to forward the current unemployment numbers to the Bush compound. And maybe send along the United States Code regarding identity fraud and theft of Social Security numbers. Or the fact that coming back to the USA after deportation is a felony. Jeb floated his so be it ramblings while at least 20 million Americans who are committed to their families are out of work or underemployed. The day after Jebs remarks, the Democrat-controlled Senate passed a bill to again extend unemployment payments for Americans who have been out of work for at least six months. Apparently American families of all descriptions are not a priority for Jeb when it comes to the politics of dutifully providing the business bosses with cheap labor. Call it an exploratory expedition. In publicly supporting the 2013 Gang of Eight amnesty/immigration expansion scam that will never see the presidents desk and putting forth his Chuck Schumer-esqe its an act of love notion, Jeb set out to gauge the progress of the tireless propaganda work of the amnesty-again coalition. Somebody had to venture out to see if Big Business, Big Religion, Big Raza, many in Big Media, the Democrats and the Republican establishment bosses have convinced the GOPs conservative base that it is time for another amnesty. Do you believe us yet? they wonder, this time, we are really going to secure the borders. But later. Trust us. It was big of Jeb to allude to the rule of law in his remarks. And to the possibility that the 40 percent or so of the illegal aliens present in the U.S. who are visa overstayers may be politely asked to leave. What next, a Jeb suggestion that the secure the homeland laws put in place after 9/11 requiring biometric monitoring of temporary visa holders departures actually be funded and politely enforced? Many Americans who love their families suspect that if there were any real intent to secure American borders and enforce our immigration laws, it would have begun on September 12, 2001. Using information recently released by DHS, Jessica Vaughan at the Center for Immigration Studies notes ICE released 68,000 criminal aliens in 2013, or 35 percent of the criminal aliens encountered by officers. The vast majority of these releases occurred because of the Obama administrations prosecutorial discretion policies. The preponderance of the evidence demonstrates that immigration enforcement in America has collapsed. Even those with criminal convictions are being released. DHS is a department in crisis says Republican Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama. One can only imagine a Jeb-run immigration enforcement apparatus. Somebody tell Jeb: According to news reports, in an annual report released this month, "One Nation Underemployed: Jobs Rebuild America," the National Urban League noted that the underemployment rate for African-American workers was 20.5 percent, 18.4 percent for Hispanic workers and 11.8 percent for white workers. "Many Americans are being left behind, and that includes African-Americans and Latinos who are being disproportionately left behind by the job creation that we see," National Urban League President Marc Morial said. We wont hear it from the party-of-the-working man Democrats, but another amnesty and doubling immigration is not the solution to this shameful crisis. Neither is Jeb. Republicans with a commitment to inclusion and victory should keep looking for a presidential candidate. As an act of love. It was the immigrant and Latino vote that helped President Obama win the White House in 2008 and 2012 because of his promise to pass comprehensive immigration reform. After five years of relentless deportations under his administration, our President is destroying the immigrant communities who brought him to office. The House GOP would do well to learn from Jeb Bush's ability to speak with moral power about the real lives of people being destroyed by their choice to block immigration reform for families. Kica Matos Candidate and later President Obama captured the love of our communities because he spoke to us from a similar place as an aspiring former outsider in America. Yet that love has not been returned to our communities instead, his administration is close to having deported two million people. So I was surprised to hear words of love recently from Jeb Bush, a potential GOP presidential candidate who said that yes, people break the law entering the United States illegally, but he added its not a felony. Its an act of love. Its an act of commitment to your family. On this, Jeb Bush and I agree. But love and politics apparently do not mix. As weve seen, the Obama administration has made many promises that have, as of yet, gone unfulfilled. President Obama has lamented the pain inflicted on immigrant communities, saying that when nursing mothers are torn from their babies, when children come home from school to find their parents missing, when people are detained without access to legal counsel, when all thats happening, the system just isnt working. This is why President Obama told the American public he would use more discretion when it came to deportations; he vowed to only target criminals and those who wish to do harm to our communities. Lets look at the facts. Under his presidency, of the 2 million people that have been deported, The New York Times reported that just 20 percent of those cases involve people convicted of serious crimes, including drug convictions. That means that 1.6 million people fathers, mothers, caregivers, family bread-winners, sons and daughters have been ripped away from their families for minor infractions like running a red light or re-entering the U.S. in a desperate effort to be reunited with their families. People like Karina Magdaleno, a single mother who has been living and working in the U.S. for the past 15 years. Karina was hosting a party for her sons first birthday when immigration officials showed up at her door and took her from her home and three children. Her crime? A simple traffic violation. And then theres Marco Gonzalez, father of five American-born children who lived in the United States for 20 years after fleeing Guatemala, where he had been abducted by rebel forces and held captive for months. Marco was deported from the U.S. on December 30th of last year, leaving behind his wife and five kids, ranging in age from four to 14. Marcos crime? A bad check from 15 years ago. Currently, re-entry into the United States after deportation is considered a felony, which is why Rosa Manriquez, a 62-year-old grandmother who had lived her entire adult life in the U.S., was forced to serve four months in a federal prison. Never, never in her life had she been in one of these places, the Christian lady in federal prison, her daughter said. Every time I went to see her, all of us would cry. She would start crying so bad, shed start shaking. Its almost laughable that House Republicans claim President Obamas lack of immigration enforcement as the cause for their inaction on immigration reform. In the five years that Mr. Obama has been in office, the number of deportations involving undocumented immigrants whose most serious offense was a traffic violation have more than quadrupled compared to the last five years of President George W. Bushs administration. We need to close this sad chapter in our countrys history and stop deporting people who have come here not to do harm, but to reunite with loved ones, support their families and find better lives. And we need a President and a Congress with the courage to stand up for these families. In 2012, we all saw what the immigrant and Latino vote could do. Its time for our president to fulfill his promises, and for House Republicans to face the truth that they have two choices: stop destroying families, or prepare for the destruction of their party. The House GOP would do well to learn from Jeb Bush's ability to speak with moral power about the real lives of people being destroyed by their choice to block immigration reform for families. The organization MRC Latino part of the conservative-leaning Media Research Center held an event last week to present a new study that found that coverage in Spanish news programs on Univision and Telemundo skews liberal. In particular, they took issue with the fact that Univision and Telemundo partnered to do a town hall to inform Latinos about the Affordable Care Act and tell the community how to sign up. Pointing fingers while attempting to discredit Spanish language networks objectivity and whining about the coverage you receive is unproductive and just another attempt to manipulate and deceive the community. Pili Tobar It didnt take long for Senator Marco Rubio to jump on the bandwagon to criticize Telemundo and Univision, he said theyre all-out advocates for Obamacare, trying to get people signed up.and its unfortunate. You would think that Senator Rubio would want Latinos and Hispanics to understand the system, their options, and how to sign up for healthcare. Apparently thats not the case. Univision and Telemundos job is to keep the Latino / Hispanic community informed particularly when it comes to issues that greatly affect them. MRC Latino labeling the networks coverage as liberal is another Republican attack towards the Latino community, and an incredibly cynical and inaccurate attempt to discredit the networks objectivity. Spanish language networks overall coverage reflects the interests of the Hispanic and Latino community. Republicans little or negative coverage in Spanish nightly news is a self-inflicted wound that has nothing to do with network bias; it has to do with facts. On the Affordable Care Act, Univision and Telemundo did the responsible thing as media outlets with a particular constituency, and informed their audience - which is greatly affected by the new health law - about how to sign up for the ACA. They helped their Spanish speaking audience sign up for healthcare because they know that Latinos are one of the largest uninsured populations in the United States, and that Obamacare is the law of the land - no matter how many times Republicans vote to repeal or undermine it. Univision and Telemundo did nothing wrong by having a conversation. And dont even get me started on immigration reform. Republicans have quite the nerve criticizing Spanish media networks for their coverage on the issue. Immigration reform is a priority for the Hispanic / Latino community, and the networks coverage reflects the reality. How many times have Republicans killed the possibility of passing immigration reform or voted against measures that would advance HR 15 to the House floor? Its crystal clear that Republicans are the ones blocking immigration reform from moving forward in the House of Representatives and playing with peoples lives. Republicans have no place to complain about the coverage theyre receiving from Spanish language networks when theyre standing in the way of a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented people in this country, many of whom are of Latino / Hispanic descent, and rely on Univision and Telemundo as their trusted news networks. The networks are simply reporting what issues are impacting the communities of their audience. Just this past week, in the House Budget Committees markup of the Ryan budget, Republicans on the committee unanimously voted against an amendment to create the economic infrastructure to support comprehensive immigration reform. They also voted unanimously against raising the minimum wage 25 percent of those affected by a minimum wage hike are Hispanic and they have failed to extend long-term unemployment insurance. All of this on top of Congressmen Steve King and Mo Brooks latest offensive comments towards military DREAMers. Steve King thinks these DREAMers should be deported, while Mo Brooks said that they have questionable loyalties. Univision and Telemundo have done their job reporting the facts. If Republicans want more positive coverage, they should change their policies to ones that will benefit the Latino / Hispanic community. They should change their rhetoric, and stop blocking immigration reform. Pointing fingers while attempting to discredit Spanish language networks objectivity and whining about the coverage you receive is unproductive and just another attempt to manipulate and deceive the community. Republicans believe reaching out to Latinos means putting Hispanic organizers on the ground, while continuing to insult the community with their words and their actions and now apparently insulting Latino media as well. And they wonder why their coverage falls short? I dont understand the big deal about the ZunZuneo revelation. Nor quite frankly, am I troubled by it. ZunZuneo of course, is the Twitter-like service that the U.S. government funded, via the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to help Cuban citizens evade the restrictions on Internet access imposed by the Cuban communist regime. Funding for the program ceased in 2012. Many liberals are now questioning whether USAID should have ever been involved in what they characterize as a covert political campaign to undermine the Castro dictatorship. I see nothing wrong with a small part of our foreign aid budget, including that of USAID, being used to promote free speech and other freedoms that we hold dear. Raul Mas I say: what is wrong with promoting free speech and access to information? What is wrong with wanting to accelerate a return to democracy for 11 million people who have been enslaved by Fidel and Raul Castro for over half a century? America has a long history of promoting free speech abroad. As early as 1949, the U.S. government created Radio Free Europe (RFE) to broadcast news and information to those trapped behind the Iron Curtain. Originally a CIA-funded operation, Radio Free Europe eventually became a separate, transparent organization, led by an independent board and funded directly by Congress. Radio Free Europe played a crucial role in undermining the communist monopoly on news and information in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Radio Free Europe also played an important role in the fall of the Soviet Union and the establishment of democracies in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and elsewhere. The descendants and affiliates of Radio Free Europe, including the Voice of America and Radio Marti, continue to provide news and information to those living under authoritarian or radical regimes. They are an integral part of promoting American values, especially our love of free speech, to those who are deprived such freedom. ZunZuneo is simply the latest iteration of it. In the 21st century, the internet is the new mass means of communication, quickly replacing radio, television and print broadcasting. Given the changing technological landscape, U.S. efforts to promote activities like ZunZuneo, whether overtly, covertly or perhaps discreetly, should shock no one. In fact, they should be welcomed. In addition to free speech and access to information, the U.S. government has also openly funded and promoted religious freedom, labor unions, womens rights, gay rights, and other values consistent with our deeply held belief that America, and our global neighbors, are better served by having more freedom.not less. Like the ZunZuneo project, the funding for these initiatives are discussed and vetted as part of the congressional budgetary process. And what is wrong with that? Lets also not be so naive as to think that our foreign aid should be devoid of any partisanship or political bent. Americans are the most generous people in the world. Our generosity, expressed through untold billions of dollars in foreign aid, disaster relief, and refugee assistance has benefitted millions of people and changed their lives in a positive fashion. Rarely do we condition such assistance. I see nothing wrong with a small part of our foreign aid budget, including that of USAID, being used to promote free speech and other freedoms that we hold dear. So lets stop wringing our hands or feigning outrage over the political nature of ZunZuneo. Freedom is a good thing. We should not be ashamed about promoting it at every opportunity. Bring on a thousand ZunZuneos as far as I am concerned. Kentucky Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul voted against the Senates bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill last year. While there might not be hordes of illegally present people in his state, its fair to say that most of the labor infrastructure in Kentucky of the horse racing industry is peopled with many people who are here illegally. Senator Rand knows who works in his state and who doesnt and, more importantly, who hires them. People should pay attention to their representatives; Senator Rand thinks that the Republican Party should not be characterized as the Party of Deportation. Is the hard-right anti-immigration reform front cracking in front of our eyes? Those unwilling to compromise or are one-issue fanatics stand to lose in the long run of American history, the long run being 2016. Raoul Lowery Contreras First, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush made an idyllic statement about the men and women who brave death and destruction to walk hundreds of miles through deserts and mountains to cross into the US without formal inspection by U.S. officers as people who do so as an act of love. Love, of course of their families and themselves because they reject poverty, corruption and inattention by their own people. Secondly, in the aftermath, Bushs statement caused explosions of anger among the 25 percent or so who absolutely reject legalizing the illegally present people and allowing them to stay or come legally which is not possible under current law. The hard right went berserk over that statement. Even the lovely and smart Laura Ingraham blew a fuse when Foxs Bill OReilly asked her if she could support Jeb Bush for President in 2016 after that one statement. Thirdly, those who object to Bushs statement and emotionally decry it by declaring that Bush is cooked because THEY wont support him for President are now reacting in the same manner to Rands statement as they did to Bush and did last year to Marco Rubios sponsorship of the Senate immigration bill. Yes, the same one-issue obstructionists are turning on Senator Rand because he said that the Republican Party should not be the party of Deportation. These minority obstructionists need to study American history for they stand against it in the specifics of their obstructionism and their inability to live up to the best of American history. When Southerners blackmailed the North in the Constitutions development on the subject of slavery, the North at least made it illegal to import slaves after 1820. When the South stood in the way of state expansion, the Missouri Compromise was reached allowing limited slavery expansion as against unlimited. When California entered the nation as a free state it did so as a result of a compromise. When Abraham Lincoln needed thousands of German speaking immigrants to join the Union Army to fight for the Union he appointed German speaking generals that he personally didnt like or know because he needed the troops. Journalists spotted the Germans throughout the Union Army when the soldiers would reply to their questions with something like: I fite vit Schmidt. In 1876, Republicans made a deal with Democrats to withdraw the ten-year-long occupation of the South by the U.S. Army if the Democrats recognized the Presidential election returns that kept the Republicans in the White House despite their winning fewer votes than the Democrats. Deals, compromise, bipartisanship are the three legs of American governance in our two-party system. First, of course, the basic reason we in the USA have a superior form of government and governance than anywhere in the world is that we have a two party system with winner take all. We do not have multi-parties and/or proportional representation and we do not have a parliamentary system. Lastly, we have a real constitution that divides the government into three equal parts, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. The political parties are keys to how our governance works. For example, how would independent Ross Perot have put together an administration had he won in 1992? There are literally thousands of jobs and functions and representations on boards and commissions that the President and the White House must appoint. The parties provide a clearing house for these appointive jobs and functions. Todays city councilman or county commissioner is tomorrows congressman or senator or even president. Patronage, it is called and it is a universal system but if a political party is not involved in most of the US, it is hard to govern. A certain Minnesota independent ex-governor discovered this the hard way. Ross Perot would have found it impossible to be President without one or the other of our parties making a deal with him. Senators Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Kelly Ayotte, John McCain and others in the Senate are now joined by former Florida governor Jeb Bush in pushing the party toward compromise on immigration; compromise in the best American tradition wins elections. Those unwilling to compromise or are one-issue fanatics stand to lose in the long run of American history, the long run being 2016. The myth that statehood is not good for the nation, created and supported by the usual suspects in the island and in Washington, has been dealt a devastating blow. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published the findings on how statehood for Puerto Rico would affect selected federal programs and revenue sources. The report clearly reveals that the state of Puerto Rico will not have a negative economic fiscal implication on the Federal Treasury. The bottom line is that in only five federal programs the island will see an increase of $5,465 million and individuals and corporations will contribute $7,200 million ($2.2 billion by individuals and $5 billion by corporations) to the nations treasury annually. By sabotaging the free and democratic decision of the electorate, the enemies of statehood in the island and in Washington have unilaterally decided to condemn the people of Puerto Rico to dire economic disadvantages. Sen. Larry Seilhamer It is important to note that 7 out of 10 households in Puerto Rico will not pay taxes, and 70 percent of that amount will be paid by corporations. On the other hand, GAO also indicates that various federal programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act were not considered in their analysis. The fact is that the state of Puerto Rico will receive over $4,400 million in those programs annually. The report validates what has been proposed by the majority of the residents of the island; statehood is not only beneficial for Puerto Rico but also for the nation. Statehood, as stated in the report, will definitively raise Puerto Rico visibility as a place for United States producers to locate and would eliminate any risk associated with the islands uncertain political status and any related deterrent to business investment, thus creating new and multiple job opportunities for the people of Puerto Rico. It is a historic fact that the economic activity, in both Alaska and Hawaii, flourished and grew exponentially after they became states. On November 2012, the people of Puerto Rico decided to reject the actual territorial/colonial status in a very clear fashion (54 percent of cast ballots). On the other question posed in the ballot, they selected statehood as their preferred permanent status solution (64 percent of valid ballots). The GAO report dramatically supports the decision taken by the majority of Puerto Ricans on November 2012. The figures show it is the right decision. Statehood not only recognizes the fundamental civil rights of the American citizens that live in the island, as they will vote for the Commander in Chief, two Senators and six members of Congress, but also gives them the opportunity to enjoy the economic prosperity and quality of life that their fellow citizens enjoy in the states. Prosperity and quality of life that more than 4.6 million Puerto Ricans are enjoying after being forced to relocate to the states. GAO facts and figures confirm that the median household income in Puerto Rico, after more than 100 years of the actual territorial/colonial status, is $18,160, compared to $36,919 for the lowest of the states, as opposed to $50,502 which is the median of the 50 states. Statehood will definitively give the islands residents the opportunity to strive for economic growth. Notwithstanding the clear and unquestionable facts and figures revealed and confirmed by the GAO report, facts further prove the irreparable damages inflicted to the residents of the island by the actual territorial/colonial status. By sabotaging the free and democratic decision of the electorate, the enemies of statehood in the island and in Washington have unilaterally decided to condemn the people of Puerto Rico to dire economic disadvantages and lack of opportunities. Puerto Ricans spoke firmly in November 2012. GAO has spoken in March 2014. Now, it is Congress turn to speak by enabling the passage of H.R. 2000, the Puerto Rico Status Resolution Act. Statehood is the moral, democratic, and economic solution to redress the damages inflicted by the centenary territorial/colonial status to the people of Puerto Rico. South Korea's special prosecutor investigating a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye said on Sunday it was considering whether to raid the presidential offices and if it did so, it had no choice but to do so publicly. Special prosecutors are investigating allegations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, and aides to pressure big companies to contribute to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives. "In case of raiding the Blue House ... to carry out that, there is no choice but to be make it public," Lee Kyu-chul, a spokesman for the special prosecutor's team told reporters in a briefing, referring to the presidential offices. "We are still considering whether the raid is needed and if needed what the raid should be aimed at." Park, whose father ruled the country for 18 years after seizing power in a 1961 coup, was indicted in a Dec. 9 parliamentary vote. She has denied wrongdoing but apologised for carelessness in her ties with Choi, who is facing her own trial. Prosecutors have said previously they needed access to the presidential offices as part of their investigation. The office has denied access. Park has immunity from prosecution as long as she is in office even though her powers have been suspended since parliament voted to impeach her. A large crowd of protesters, including about 200 young people dressed as Santa Claus, took to the streets of central Seoul on Saturday for the ninth weekend in a row to demand the immediate resignation of the president. Search Keywords: Short link: After the 2012 presidential election the one where Mitt Romneys call for self-deportation drove Latino voters away from the GOP by an historic margin Republican leaders were falling all over themselves to embrace immigration reform. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), promised immigration reform would be a priority in 2013 and said he was confident Democrats and Republicans would find the common ground to take care of this issue once and for all." We all know how that worked out. Instead of following the lead of the U.S. Senate, which passed a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform package nearly a year ago, the House has offered the nation little more than feeble excuses for its refusal to act. First, it was the Tea Party-manufactured fiscal crisis which consumed most of September and closed the government for the first two weeks of October. Then, after the government reopened, the House GOP leadership claimed there were not enough days left in the 2013 legislative calendar to schedule a vote on immigration reform (never mind that they control the legislative calendar). Then, in January 2014, shortly after they revealed their Principles on Immigration Reform Speaker Boehner, unveiled what is perhaps the lamest excuse of all. The House GOP, so he claimed, could not move immigration reform because theres widespread doubt about whether this administration can be trusted to enforce our laws. While the Republicans may live in a world of immigration enforcement denial, whats happening on the ground has not been lost on immigration advocates, some of whom have labeled the President the Deporter-in-Chief. David Leopold In order to prop up their partisan political games, House GOP is blatantly ignoring whats happening in communities all across the country. Despite the hot air emanating from Capitol Hill, there is stone-cold immigration enforcement being meted out by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the tune of 1,100 deportations per day. That translates to nearly 400,000 people per year, often at the expense of core American principles such as fairness, equal treatment, and due process. Lets look at the numbers: In the first five years of the Obama administration, 2 million people were deported from the U.S. at a time when illegal immigration is at a 40-year-low. Federal prosecutions of immigration-related offenses are up an astounding 468 percent from 2003, which leads to the administrations claim it is focusing on criminal rather than ordinary immigrants. 430,000 non-citizens a year are locked up in immigration detention facilities at an annual cost to taxpayers of $2 billion. Since 2006 Congress has funded a near-doubling of Border Patrol agents. Deportations without due process without any opportunity to see an immigration judge have risen dramatically and now account for 70 percent of annual deportations. And while the Republicans may live in a world of immigration enforcement denial, whats happening on the ground has not been lost on immigration advocates, some of whom have labeled the President the Deporter-in-Chief and called on him to stop unnecessary deportations, especially of undocumented immigrants with U.S. citizen spouses or children. The truth is that the heavy-handed enforcement policy dates back nearly a decade to the Bush administration. There are two key statistics in the DHS deportation numbers that illustrate how enforcement has been changed 1) Voluntary returns, or those caught by U.S. Customs and Border Protection authorities when they cross the border but returned to their country without a formal deportation order; and 2) Removals, those who are sent back with a formal order of deportation issued by an immigration judge or immigration officer. The number of voluntary returns has dropped dramatically since the recession because fewer people are attempting to enter illegally. Additionally, since 2005, DHS has shifted away from voluntary returns, preferring instead to issue formal removal orders which carry more severe legal consequences. Its patently absurd to claim the administration is not enforcing the law. Whats clear is that deportations of undocumented immigrants many of whom have come to America to feed their families have steadily increased since 2002. Whats also clear is that while the House GOP blocks reform, the broken immigration system is wreaking havoc on the nation, threatening Americas global competitiveness and compromising our core American values of fairness, due process and the rule of law. The time is now for action on two fronts: the GOP leadership must stop making excuses and move concrete immigration reform legislation to the House floor for a vote, and President Obama must curb the zealous deportation of those who would qualify for reform. Rand Paul is hot, as in popular, but the liberals who write about him are hot for a different reason. Thats right, I said the liberals who write about him. They are hot for any story they believe splits the conservative ranks, which is why Pauls critical comments about the call for war with Iran and Dick Cheneys so-called profiteering have gotten so much ink. If the nations top cop and three of the past presidents have all smoked pot, how can we justify imprisoning a young, poor American for doing essentially the same thing? Rick Sanchez The fact that Paul, as an avowed non-hawkish Republican Senator from Kentucky, can remain extremely popular among many conservatives is much less newsworthy than the mainstream news media would portend. In fact, the more important recent harangue from Paul, which has gotten less attention, is about decriminalizing marijuana. Paul wants to push the GOP toward a more realistic approach because he doesnt want young peoples lives to go to pot because of pot. I dont want to put them in jail and ruin their lives, says Paul. Pauls push seems to have picked up steam this week. Maryland Governor Martin OMalley has just signed a bill that decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana starting October 1st. The legislation would take away the mandatory minimums of any possession arrests for less than a third of an ounce of cannabis. OMalley says hes doing so begrudgingly. Tired of putting up with questions and an inconsistent enforcement policy, he seems to be throwing in the towel if for no other reason than to give law enforcement officials more important things to do. Marijuana decriminalization is a hot button issue again. And when I say again, I mean isnt it ALWAYS? But two things happened this week that seemed to push decriminalization even further into the national spotlight: the new Maryland law and, soon after, a statement from Attorney General Eric Holder revealing that he too smoked pot while in college. Think about it! The nation's top law enforcement official has just announced that he broke the law by imbibing in marijuana. So heres the obvious query: if the nations top cop and three of the past presidents have all smoked pot, how can we justify imprisoning a young, poor American for doing essentially the same thing? Is there a reasonable answer to that question? Anybody? By the way, what defines marijuana users who end up in jail has less to do with race and ethnicity than does income level. Fact is the poorer you are, the less apt you are to clear yourself of the charge that could keep you from becoming an Attorney General or yes.... (smile)... even President. Then theres the question of going beyond decriminalization toward legalization. As a fiscal conservative, its hard to not appreciate the Colorado model that appears to have both tourism and tax revenues from pot booming. According to a Reuters, Colorado expects to bring in an estimated $98 million in revenue this year, exceeding the state's original expectations by 40 percent. In a month and a half Washington State will join Colorado and all eyes will be on their revenue stream as well. Uruguay passed laws in 2012 legalizing marijuana and also set up state-controlled sales of up to 40 grams from the government. (Or four times the decriminalized amount that Marylands bill allows.) Users of course have to be at least 18 years of age, and must register with a federal database. Uruguays impetus for the law: why let narcotraficantes walk away with the spoils of an industry that could benefit the Uruguayan citizens to the tune of billions of dollars? Its questions like that one that make it harder and harder to define the conservative position on the general issue of marijuana and that may parallel why with each passing day Rand Paul is becoming if not more appealing to conservatives, at least more interesting. Every American agrees that our children deserve a world-class education. But our countrys education system has a built-in inequality. Some children get the outstanding teachers and the education they need only because theyre lucky enough to live on the right street or in a good zip code. Others arent so lucky. Too many children are stuck in subpar schools or even failing ones because they came up short in the zip code lottery of life. This is a case study of unfairness and inequality and its not the American way. America has always been a place where people succeeded and failed not based on the circumstances of their birth, but on their talent, hard work, and discipline. A quality education cant be just a privilege for the wealthy; it should be accessible to all. This is something that concerns all Wisconsinites. Thats why we are joining together to host a roundtable discussion on April 23 to discuss school choice and opportunity. Sen. Paul will serve as moderator to a group of educational experts and a panel of parents and students who have personal stories and experiences with school choice in Wisconsin. Theres no better place to have this discussion. For over 23 years, Wisconsin has been at the forefront in the fight for equality and parental rights in education. Milwaukee boasts the largest and oldest parental choice program in the country, giving thousands of children access to better schools. The lucky beneficiaries of this system have been some of the most impoverished and disadvantaged children in the state. But even in Milwaukee, the cradle of school choice, there remain unfair income caps, funding obstacles, and needless political barriers for families looking to escape poorly performing and unsafe schools. There also remains plenty of misunderstanding and controversy. Its time to clear things up. Critics of school choice have long argued that the problem with poorly performing schools isnt with the schools so much as it is with the students. According to this narrative, kids who perform poorly in one school are likely to perform poorly elsewhere. The data show thats just not true. A recent study found that students who leave poorly performing schools outscore their former classmates by 14 percentage points in reading and 15 percentage points in math. Another study, released last year, found that students do demonstrably better when they move from a poor educational environment to a better one. And a study by Stanford University shows Latinos benefit more than any other demographic group from school choice programs. More Americans are recognizing that school choice is one of the key civil rights issues of our age. A full 73 percent of Americans now support school choice, according to a recent poll. This is remarkable in an era of profound political polarization. Choice in education is increasingly a point on which liberals and conservatives agree. But this shouldnt come as a surprise. School choice is a practical step that appeals to an American sense of fairness and equality of opportunity. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees. Every day, special interests group and Americas political elite work to block the doors of opportunity and justice for Americas poorest families. Every year, Washington employs thousands of bureaucrats and throws tens of billions of taxpayer dollars at the countrys schools. Despite or perhaps because of these efforts, our students are still trailing other western nations in educational excellence. We should instead be fighting for parental freedom and school choice, the real policies that give our children the education they deserve. Everyone especially minorities and the working poor should be empowered to make their own choices for their childrens education. After all, everyone should be free to pursue the American dream not just the families that won the zip code lottery. Senator Rand Paul is the junior senator from Kentucky, Daniel Garza is the Executive Director of the LIBRE Initiative. Zeus Rodriguez is the President of Hispanics for School Choice and St. Anthonys Catholic School in Milwaukee, WI. Together, they are hosting the Success for Our Children: A Roundtable on School Choice on April 23rd in Milwaukee. El Papa Viajero, or the traveling Pope, Juan Pablo II, will be canonized in Rome on April 27th. Shortly after his election in 1978, he embarked on the first of 104 foreign trips, in which he logged more than 725,000 miles. Some of the largest crowds ever assembled greeted him, in countries that no pope had ever thought to visit. More people saw him, in person, than any other man or woman has ever been seen. He did indeed consider every person alive to be part of his flock, and himself their caring shepherd. As he said: Arent I supposed to be the pope for all the world? Suddenly I was 10 years old again, standing along a massively crowded avenue in Guadalajara, and those same eyes were looking right at me, loving me completely. Grazie Pozo Christie Ive been reading about him, and reminiscing, the last couple of weeks. I saw a picture of him today, taken when he was first elected. Frank, affectionate smile, warm eyes that seem to look right at me, beaming with an almost palpable affection, even from an old photograph on the Internet. Suddenly I was 10 years old again, standing along a massively crowded avenue in Guadalajara, and those same eyes were looking right at me, loving me completely. My own eyes filled with tears today, as they did back then, as they filled the eyes of every person in that crowd. What was the tremendous power that he had, to move millions? I myself that experienced it then, as a girl in Mexico, and 30 years later as a grown woman in Rome, cannot explain it. But it was a universal feeling, affecting men and women, children and adults, all races, ethnicities and creeds. This man was welcomed with joyful weeping, wild affection, and mad rejoicing wherever he went. There have been men with a similar power of mesmerizing and moving crowds, men of terrible infamy. This of course was different. The people who thronged to see the Pope felt his gaze on them like a beam of pure hope and joy. He said to them: Do not be afraid! and in his presence, they were afraid of nothing, knowing themselves to be, each of them, indispensable children of God. His spectacular accomplishments are too many to list. He stood firmly for the aged, the unborn and those considered useless by society, condemning the culture of death. He was instrumental in defeating the Soviet Union, for so many years the source of misery for millions. He famously prayed at the Wailing Wall, calling the Jews our elder brothers, and was the first pope to set foot in a mosque. He celebrated in a new and beautiful way the sexual love between husbands and wives, teaching us how it mirrors the absolute way that God loves each of us. He visited his would-be assassin in prison, to tell him that there was nothing God could not forgive, and that he himself forgave him completely. I can never think of John Paul II without thinking of the lyrics of the song that greeted him when he arrived in the Mexico City airport in 1979, sung by a choir of children. The song was Amigo by Roberto Carlos. My friends and I, like thousands of children all over Mexico, learned that song, and sang it every day during our recreo or recess, for months leading up to his visit. Es tu corazon una casa de puertas abiertas Tu eres realmente el mas cierto en horas inciertas. No preciso ni decir, todo esto que te digo Pero es bueno asi sentir, que eres tu mi gran amigo. (Your heart is a house with its doors open wide/ You are the most certain man in these uncertain times/ Its hardly necessary to tell you these things,/ But its good to feel like this, that you are my great friend) The song, which my American children sing in their school masses to this day, perfectly expresses what John Paul II offered each of us: friendship. His friendship, yes, but also the divine friendship that clearly animated and filled him: friendship with God himself, and that he wished for all of us to share. The loving relationship that he knew, with his own personal experiences of the crushing misery of war and slavery as a Pole, can transform and conquer any human suffering, evil, or wretchedness. He told us Be not Afraid, and we were not afraid. As a college student, I devoted part of my academic career to studying the barriers that many minorities face in accessing the Internet. My interest in this topic stemmed from my own life experience; for, I grew up in a community where WiFi networks, wired computers and other high-tech devices where considered a luxury. Now, as a New York State Assemblymember who represents a working-class section of the Bronx, I am even more concerned about this online divide given the significant role it is playing in aggravating the existing socio-economic inequalities in our society. It is the availability of low cost phones for purchase (like those sold by Samsung) that have provided online access to millions of individuals who frequently do not own more expensive computers with Internet connections at home. Victor Pichardo Indeed, Internet access is a fundamental necessity these days. The information available to those with access has the ability to transform lives, sometimes acting as a gateway to educational and professional opportunities otherwise not available. The ability to access this trove of information can have a huge impact on an individuals quality of life. However, this online disparity, commonly known as the Digital Divide, threatens to worsen as a result of a patent dispute taking place in a California Federal Court between two high-tech Titans, Apple and Samsung. The fight between both companies involves Apples claim that Samsung, in producing a line of smartphones, infringed on several patent technologies used in iPhones. As part of its demands, Apple has sought for a ban on the sale of certain Samsung smartphones, as well as a $40 payment for every Samsung smartphone sold. Apples demand, if granted by the courts, could result in higher costs and limited choices in the ever-growing market for smartphones. This change could potentially have a huge impact on the ability of low-income individuals to access the Internet. It is the availability of low cost phones for purchase (like those sold by Samsung) that have provided online access to millions of individuals who frequently do not own more expensive computers with Internet connections at home. Not surprisingly, Apples position is beginning to draw intense criticism due to the upheaval it is likely to create in the market for mobile devices. It's a claim many patent experts have called ludicrous, a recent NPR story noted regarding Apples lawsuit. This legal battle comes at a time when research shows that growing numbers of minorities prefer Googles Android operating system, which is used on inexpensive devices made by Samsung and other companies. The demand for Android phones, particularly among people of limited means, is not surprising. Consider the fact that an Apple iPhone is, on average, $300 more than a phone operating on the Android system. While I believe that Apple is a phenomenal company, having served as an incubator for technologies that have transformed countless aspects of American life, I strongly disagree with their position. Given the enormous stakes involved, it is time for both companies to reach a reasonable resolution instead of continuing to litigate in court. This legal fight and Apples demands are misguided, and may undo the progress that has been made by providing affordable Internet access to an increasing number of Americans; including those who were once completely shut out. For the sake of the people in communities like the one I serve, it is time for reason to prevail, and for this legal battle to end. Call it the Supreme Court smackdown. Last week, in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, the high court ruled 6-2 that voters can use the ballot box to ban consideration of race and sex in college admissions. Yet it was the impassioned dissent by Justice Sonia Sotomator that made headlines. Sotomayor accuses colleagues of trying to wish away racial inequality, trumpeted The Washington Post. Sotomayor took 58 pages to call out the majority of the court for their dismissive views on race. Sotomayors dissent was a bold reality check on the Roberts court. She has shown herself to be an able steward of the Courts tradition, precedent, and guarantee of fairness and justice for all. Raul Reyes Sotomayor gets it right. In Schuette, the plurality of the court disregarded legal precedent, constitutional theory, and their own judicial responsibility. Their decision has opened the door for more bans on affirmative action thereby closing the door of opportunity for Latinos, African-Americans, women, and other minorities. The Schuette case arose from a ballot measure in Michigan known as Proposal 2. It prohibited public colleges from giving preferential treatment to anyone based on race, sex, ethnicity or national origin. Although Proposal 2 passed in 2006 with the support of 58 percent of the voters, it was found to be unconstitutional by a federal appeals court. In overturning the lower court and upholding the ban on affirmative action the Supreme Court reasoned that it was important to defer to the will of the voters. In the controlling opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy writes, There is no authority in the Constitution of the United States or in this Courts precedents for the Judiciary to set aside Michigan laws that commit this policy determination to the voters. Except that there is: In 1982, the Court ruled that a Washington state ballot measure banning the use of busing to desegregate public schools was unconstitutional. In fact, the Court for decades has held that it is wrong for a majority of the voters to alter the political process in a way that infringes upon the rights of minorities (this precedent even has a name, the political process doctrine). As Sotomayor points out, Our Constitution places limits on what a majority of the people may do. Her dissent lists numerous instances throughout history where the Court has upheld this principle. As recently as 2008, Californias voters passed a ban on same-sex marriage (Prop 8) that was later found to be unconstitutional. So it is troubling that in Schuette, the Court seems willing to cast aside its responsibility to protect the civil rights of all Americans in favor of majority rules. Sotomayor also sharply challenges her colleagues inability or refusal to understand that racial inequality persists today. In 2007, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that, The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race. Not true, according to Sotomayor: The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to speak openly and candidly on the subject of race, and to apply the Constitution with eyes open to the unfortunate effects of centuries of racial discrimination. There is great irony in the schism in the Court over Schuette. During Sotomayors confirmation hearings, much was made over her past remarks that a wise Latina might be able to draw a better judicial conclusion that someone without her life experience. Yet that is exactly what has occurred. Sotomayor understands the real-life consequences of the Schuette decision (Michigans Proposal 2 has already resulted in a 25 percent drop in minority representation in the states colleges and universities). Sotomayor understands that the Schuette decision will likely embolden other states to introduce anti-affirmative action measures, which will limit the ability of African-American and Latino students to access selective colleges. Sotomayor understands, as she puts it simply, that Race matters. Most of her colleagues, unfortunately, do not. Meanwhile, affirmative action remains popular with the public, because they recognize the importance of a diverse academic environment. Last month, the Pew Research Center found that 63 percent of Americans think that affirmative action is a good thing, compared to 30 percent who are against it. True, affirmative action has suffered a major setback with the Schuette decision. However, Sotomayor has written an eloquent dissent that will bear the test of time. Consider that other notable dissents, such as Justice Robert Jackson in Korematsu v. U.S. (arguing against the Japanese internment camps) and Justice John Harlan in Plessy v. Ferguson (arguing against the separate but equal doctrine in public education) are still studied today. Or that racial issues continue to roil our society, as evidenced by the recent furors over racially-charged remarks by Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Race matters, indeed. Sotomayors dissent was a bold reality check on the Roberts court. She has shown herself to be an able steward of the Courts tradition, precedent, and guarantee of fairness and justice for all. Common Core. It was supposed to save the American education system and even the playing field for minority students with its promises of consistent guidelines for what every student should know and be able to do in math and English language arts from kindergarten through 12th grade. Several Latino advocacy groups gave the government-led program high marks, and the National Council of La Raza stated Common Core is crucial to improving education for Hispanic students. The abstract thinking required by Common Core is difficult for many elementary school students, and it can be especially challenging for children in English-as-a-Second Language programs. Kim Keller Many states, now more than a year into Common Core implementation, have discovered the standards and its accompanying curriculum are not what they were promised. When parents began complaining earlier this school year, Education Secretary Arne Duncan dismissed them as white suburban moms who all of a sudden their child isnt as brilliant as they thought they were, and their school isnt quite as good as they thought they were. Its more than white suburban moms. The opponents include parents and educators from all ethnicities. Their complaints have reached state governments ears, and this year, more than 100 bills have been introduced in state legislatures to slow, stop or reverse Common Core requirements. Lets take a look at just three of the objections many parents and educators are raising: 1. Untested testing: Successful companies never release a new product without testing it out first in a few markets. Its a critical part of the research and development process that allows creators to correct any flaws. Common Core skipped that step and immediately unleashed its standards nationwide. New York launched its first round of Common Core-based testing during the 2012-2013 school year, and although education officials expected a drop in test scores, they did not expect results to plummet as they did. Only 26 percent of New York students in grades 3-8 passed the English assessment, and only 30 percent passed math. Those numbers were 47 percent (English) and 60 percent (math) in 2012. A study of New York City middle school conducted by the National Urban Research Group revealed the drops were significantly worse for the citys minority students. More Hispanic and black students scored at the well below proficient level in 2013 than in years past. Sixth grade Hispanic students recorded the steepest declines; their proficiency rate dropped from 50.4 percent in 2012 to 17.4 percent in 2013. Does this mean that our kids are dumber than we thought? Absolutely not, it means the tests and curriculum have major flaws. Teachers and parents have spoken out about the flaws that include poorly written questions and content as well as unrealistic expectations. This spring, a national opt out movement inspired parents to pull their children out of Common Core and other high stakes testing. In New York alone, an estimated 30,000 students opted out. 2. Higher standards and rigorous instruction: Common Core promoted itself on higher expectations for students and promises for college and career readiness; however, teachers and education experts say the standards are arbitrary and developmentally inappropriate. Parents across the country are angry that Common Core-aligned lessons are making their kids stressed out and upset, and theyve used the Internet to share countless examples the exasperating homework questions their children bring home. The standards are simply not appropriate for children. Most children in grades K-5 still use concrete thinking they can use a little logic, but their thinking is limited to what they can observe. Common Core and other education reform initiatives focus on abstract thinking which involves complex reasoning skills skills that do not develop in the brain until approximately 11 years of age. The abstract thinking required by Common Core is difficult for many elementary school students, and it can be especially challenging for children in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. 3. Taxpayers money: Common Core is taking money from school districts from cash-strapped school districts that could be used for teachers, supplies and facility improvements. According to a study sanctioned by the nonprofit Accountability Works, states will spend up to an estimated $10 billion up front, then as much as $800 million per year for the first seven years that the program is up and running. Much of the cost is on new, Common Core-aligned textbooks and curriculum, but the added expenses also include teacher training, technology upgrades, testing and assessment. Speaking of costs, the Los Angeles Unified School District has already spent more than $1 billion on Common Core-aligned iPads and school Wi-Fi access; despite the fact that many of its schools are overcrowded and facilities are in dire need of maintenance. Its upsetting to know technology and education companies are getting rich off the backs of children, but its more upsetting to know these companies are raking in taxpayers money. One education company, Pearson, has achieved near-monopoly vendor status with the billions its collecting for creating Common Core instructional materials and testing. Based on current evidence, Common Core is not providing students with the opportunities they deserve, and its taking valuable resources from things that have been proven to improve education such as smaller class sizes, well qualified teachers, better school facilities and diverse curriculum. Our kids deserve better than Common Core standards. They deserve a real education. Mention Arizona and many Mexicans grimace. It's still widely viewed here as the most anti-Mexico state in the U.S., even if the tough anti-migrant law behind that perception has been largely voided. But Arizona's leaders are logging lots of miles to put a new face on their home state. Official delegations have come across the border several times in the last year looking to drum up more trade and tourism in what is already a big business relationship but one they say could be much bigger. They're talking binational everything: companies with headquarters in Phoenix and factories in Mexico, wine tours that visit both sides of the border, even the first Super Bowl with Mexican sponsorship when Phoenix hosts the mega-sports event next year. "We're just like you are," said Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin, who voted for Arizona's controversial law. He was speaking to a binational cocktail party in Mexico City this week, saying Mexicans and Arizonans want the same future for their children: "We'll be here a lot more frequently, and we're here to continue to make friends." "Friends" was the furthest term from mind in 2010, when the Arizona legislature made it a state crime to fail to get or carry immigration registration papers a provision that was later thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court. Justices upheld the law's provision that police, while investigating other crimes, are required to question people's immigration status if they're believed to be in the country illegally. Drawing cries of racial profiling, the law sparked international protests and calls for boycotts of Arizona. It was loudly condemned by then-Mexican President Felipe Calderon, and U.S. President Barack Obama called it misguided. Though it was largely gutted, the impact on the state's image was lasting. "Arizona has a stigma, just like Ciudad Juarez has a stigma," said Rafael Fernandez de Castro, a Mexican academic and government adviser, referring to the Mexican border city known worldwide for drug-related violence, even though its homicide rate has dropped. Tobin, who was leading his second delegation in six months and plans to be back in June, said he supported the legislation because "we were in a crisis mode." What changed? The global economy. Arizona emerged from severe recession and recognized it sits next to a country that has lured manufacturing back from Asia, is aggressively seeking foreign investment and plans to open its rich oil sector to the rest of the world. Not only that, Texas and California were already far ahead in boosting economic ties with the "new Brazil." Other state delegations arrive regularly, with Utah coming in April and Massachusetts' governor stopping in Mexico City at the same time as the Arizona delegation. "We have changed our economic policies and now we can show on paper that any investor here in Mexico City ... will find Arizona is a better investment than Los Angeles or Austin," Tobin said. But the political climate has to go along with that, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said, noting the immigrant law known as Senate Bill 1070 "gets brought up regularly" on his missions to Mexico. "My message is that 1070 doesn't reflect the values of the people of Phoenix," said Stanton, who wants to double his city's exports to Mexico in the next five years. "Mexico in the next 20 to 30 years is going to be one of the top economies in the world, passing up Brazil. If we don't get this right now, we're going to miss out on a massive opportunity." Mexicans are already Arizona's biggest foreign trade partners, with the state exporting $7 billion worth of goods last year, the U.S. Commerce Department says. But that's way behind Texas at $100 billion and California at $24 billion. Mexican visitors to Arizona spend an average of $7 million a day, according to the Arizona-Mexico Commission, a nonprofit group that promotes economic ties. Members of the Arizona delegation were quick to note that state Sen. Russell Pearce, who sponsored the immigrant legislation, has since been voted out of office. David Farca of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, who came on the trade mission, said the anti-immigrant law was never implemented as written, but that wasn't widely noticed. "There's a complete misconception about that," he said. "On the other hand, there's a perception from Arizona that if you come to Mexico City, you're going to get kidnapped. Yet here we are. So perception is not everything." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Alan Thacker wants health coverage, but he can't get help in his home state of Georgia. Mary Moscarello Gutierrez no longer can afford insurance in New Jersey. Justin Thompson of Utah refuses to be forced into the president's health law. Millions of people in the United States will remain uninsured despite this week's final, frenzied push to sign them up under the health law. Their reasons are all over the map. Across the country, many of the uninsured just don't know much about the health overhaul and its March 31 deadline for enrolling in plans that can yield big discounts, researchers say. An Associated Press-GfK poll found that only one-fourth of the uninsured had tried to sign up through the state or federal insurance marketplaces, also known as exchanges, by late January. If they don't enroll in time, many will face a fine and be locked out of the subsidized plans until next year. President Barack Obama and a phalanx of advocacy groups, insurance companies and volunteers are scrambling to spread the word about HealthCare.gov as the deadline dangles. But the complexities of the Affordable Care Act can stymie even the well-informed. New York tap dancer Jessica Wilt just missed being one of them. She lost her health coverage last summer when she was laid off as education director of a small dance company. It wasn't easy being uninsured when Wilt slashed her fingertip slicing lemons one night, she avoided an emergency room bill by sealing the cut herself with a super glue. Wilt, 37, was eager to enroll in a marketplace plan but found the premiums too costly for a freelancer doing arts-related jobs. That would have been the end of it, if the accountant doing her income taxes last week hadn't prodded Wilt to try again. She went online, realized she had erred in projecting her 2014 earnings and qualified for a much bigger subsidy. "I'm feeling a little embarrassed that I interpreted things the wrong way the first time," said Wilt, who signed up Friday for a midlevel "silver" plan for $150 per month, a price that reflects a $224 tax credit. "It just goes to show how confusing all this is." There's a story for everyone who will remain on the sidelines of Obama's big enrollment push. These are some of them: ___ THEY CAN'T GET IN Richard Kelleher, long-term unemployed and uninsured, spent five months sorting through the confusion in Phoenix. He tried to sign up for a marketplace plan and then the state's newly expanded Medicaid program, getting shutdown online, at state offices and by phone. At the same time, he was piling up employment rejections. Kelleher, 64, felt invisible. On Friday he got a letter accepting him into Medicaid and an entry-level job offer the same day. That puts his insurance situation in limbo for now. He thinks his earnings will end his Medicaid eligibility. But Kelleher says he's grateful for "an opportunity to at least be somewhere every day." In Thomaston, Ga., it took Alan Thacker two weeks to get his answer online. It wasn't the one he wanted. "I don't know how many expletives I hurled at the computer 'Why are they doing it this way? Morons!' and other choice words," he recalled. Thacker, 43, works for $7.55 an hour at Burger King, not enough to qualify for a discount plan for himself and his wife through the federal marketplace. People who don't earn enough for the marketplaces plans were supposed to be eligible for expanded Medicaid. But because Georgia declined to enlarge its Medicaid program, the Thackers can't get help there, either. Thacker said he likes the law, only wishing it could reach everyone in need. "It's a great law and it's doing good stuff for people," Thacker said. "It's not doing anything for me." ___ IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE In theory, Rebecca Carlson has access to health insurance through her job. The marketplaces are mostly for people who don't. A single mother in Asheville, N.C., she earns $11.50 an hour, around $23,000 a year, doing office work at a nonprofit agency that helps people suffering from mental illness or substance abuse. She makes too much to qualify for the aid programs that support many of her agency's clients. Covering Carlson and her 14-year-old son under her workplace plan would cost close to $5,000 per year. That's out of reach on her squeeze-every-nickel budget. Depending on details of her workplace's offering, it's possible Carlson, 43, might qualify for an exception that would open the door to a marketplace subsidy. But she had so much trouble getting through online and by phone that she gave up trying; it seemed unlikely to help. "They could offer me health care for $20 a month and I wouldn't be able to do it," Carlson said. "I have other responsibilities. I can't tell the power company that I can't pay the bill." In New Jersey, Mary Moscarello Gutierrez, 44, could barely afford her catastrophic insurance plan before the Affordable Care Act. Now she has no coverage. She and her husband, Jorge, used to be insured through their small business: PatriaPet, a website that sells dog and cat collars decorated with world flags. They were falling behind on their $400 monthly payments and their insurance agent advised them not to bother catching up because their type of mom-and-pop business policy wouldn't be allowed under the new federal rules. With her salary from various freelance writing jobs, the couple earns too much to qualify for a marketplace subsidy. She's priced bare bones policies at $900 to $1,200 per month, more than they can pay. Luckily, they can keep their 12-year-old daughter in an affordable state-run plan. For now, the Gutierrezes are uninsured and facing a year-end penalty of about $800, or 1 percent of their earnings. "If I need some kind of major surgery, if I get hit by a crosstown bus, my family is sunk," she said. "It's scary." ___ THEY DON'T WANT IT "I love paying taxes," declares Justin Thompson of Provo, Utah. "I think it's the most patriotic thing I can do." And he's pleased to help others through substantial gifts to his church and charities. But buy insurance to prop up the law? No way. "It is an injustice that our president can tell us to do something like this," Thompson said. "It's everything our Founding Fathers fought against." Thompson thinks going uninsured is a reasonable risk for him. After all, he says, he's 28 years old, healthy and financially secure, making about $250,000 selling home automation and security systems last year. Living on the central Florida coast, Jim Culberson, 63, has weathered heart attacks and cancer and says he barely scrapes by selling military histories and collectibles. He would like health insurance if he could afford it, Culberson says. Just not through Obama's law. He has no plans to look into the subsidies in Obama's law or its promise of coverage for pre-existing conditions. "To me it looks like a load of hogwash," said Culberson, whose younger brother, John, is a Texas congressman pushing for repeal of the health care law. He adds: "I don't believe a whole lot the government says." Culberson says he'll pay the uninsured penalty until he can enroll in Medicare in two years. ___ MAYBE NEXT YEAR Need a 12-foot-long, flower-bedecked model plane for a wedding reception? Jose Espaillat will get it done. He likes the challenge of setting up concerts, fashion shows and other flashy events in Miami, but it's part-time, seasonal work that doesn't come with a health plan. Espaillat, 26, hasn't seen a doctor in five years. He found HealthCare.gov easy to use, but the $150 to $250 monthly premiums seemed too high. A cheaper option covering only major emergencies wasn't appealing. He decided to wait until next year. "This year I'm just trying to get rid of as much debt as possible, student loans and stuff," Espaillat said. Svetlana Pryjmak of Dade City, Fla., has been uninsured for about eight years, which she acknowledge "is really strange because I'm a licensed insurance agent." Companies that offer multiple insurance options hire Pryjmak to help workers understand their choices. She weighed her own options and decided to save the $70 or so a month she would pay for a heavily subsidized policy. The early troubles with the enrollment websites weren't encouraging, she said. But Pryjmak, 47, expects to sign up someday. "Next year I'll probably get in on one of the exchanges," she said, "if the problems are ironed out." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican who is running for re-election, seemed to be scoring points with the state House passage last week of a measure that would let qualified Florida students pay in-state college tuition rates even if they are in the country illegally. At least 15 other states have passed such laws, with other states considering them this year. Many Republicans have backed such bills in recognition of the growing influence of Latino voters. But barely a day after the Florida House passed the tuition bill, Scotts re-election campaign found itself in the line of fire. The Miami Herald reported that the governors ranking campaign finance co-chairman, Mike Fernandez, had expressed concern in an email about campaign staffers who were joking around in exaggerated Mexican accents while on the way to a Mexican restaurant in Coral Gables. Scotts campaign manager, Melissa Sellers, dismissed the significance of the report, according to The Miami Herald, saying that Mike was not in the van. I spoke to every staffer in the van, Sellers said, according to The Herald. If something was said in an accent, no one remembers what it was. We are a diverse organization and we do not tolerate inappropriate comments. The Herald also said that Fernandez had been frustrated over the re-election campaign, and drove him to resign. The Herald said that Fernandez, who the paper describes as a self-made billionaire healthcare CEO, would not comment on the campaign or the email he was said to have written. The paper said that Sellers would not confirm whether she had received Fernandezs email. The Herald said that Fernandez gave as his reason for resigning the desire to spend more time with his family, and that he said he was confident that Scott would be re-elected. Democrats, meanwhile, have seized on the buzz about the email, The Herald said, pointing to it as evidence of GOP disrespect for Latinos. Miami Dade Democrats posted on their website: Rick Scott's Finance Chair Resigns Citing Frustration with Racist Comments. Addressing the alleged ridiculing of Mexicans in Fernandezs email, the Democratic organization said that heads should roll. "Rick Scott should call for the immediate resignation of the campaign staffers involved. It would be shameful if Scott were to condone such behavior," said Miami-Dade Democratic Party Executive Director, Juan Cuba. "These insensitive remarks perpetuate a pattern of continued disrespect Rick Scott and the Republican Party have shown toward Hispanics in Florida." Scott, who is struggling in the polls, has a Hispanic running mate, former Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Carlos Lopez-Cantera. And the RNC set up a Florida Hispanic Advisory Council on Friday. The Republican Party is working to build genuine and permanent relationships with Hispanics across Florida, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said in a written statement, and our state advisory council will help make that a reality. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Twenty-two civilians were killed in a massacre in Democratic Republic of Congo's restive North Kivu province over the weekend, an official said Sunday. The bloodshed happened in Eringeti, a town 55 kilometres (35 miles) north of the regional hub Beni, a city plagued by a wave of attacks that have claimed more than 700 civilian lives according to regional official Amisi Kalonda, who blamed the latest violence on Ugandan rebels. For the past two years the region around Beni has been afflicted by a series of massacres that have killed hundreds of civilians, most of whom were hacked to death. Congolese officials have blamed the attacks on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group of rebels dominated by puritanical Ugandan Muslims, but several expert reports have suggested that other groups, including elements within the Congolese army, took part in some killings. Search Keywords: Short link: Their presidential plans may be uncertain but one thing is clear: Jeb Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton keep bumping into each other. Bush and Clinton were taking the podium Monday at a higher education conference in suburban Dallas organized by Bush, the former Florida governor who is the brother and son of Republican presidents. The former secretary of state, whose husband, Bill Clinton, served two terms in the White House, is the leading Democratic contender in 2016 if she runs for president again. As both Clinton and Bush weigh their options, the conference offers a bipartisan twist for the two dominant American political families of the late 20th century, both of whom could return to the presidential stage next year. It is at least the third time in the past year that Bush and Clinton were crossing paths. Both were on hand for the April 2013 Dallas presidential library dedication of former President George W. Bush, Jeb Bush's older brother. Mrs. Clinton sat on stage with her husband and four other living U.S. presidents attending the ceremony, including the Bush patriarch, former President George H.W. Bush. In Philadelphia last September, Jeb Bush in his role as chairman of the National Constitution Center awarded Hillary Clinton the Liberty Medal, an event which allowed both to offer plenty of presidential-themed banter. Bush said while he and the former first lady "come from different political parties, and we disagree about a lot of things," they agreed on the wisdom of the American people, "especially those in Iowa and New Hampshire and South Carolina," traditionally the first contests in the presidential primaries. Tongue-in-cheek, Bush asked Clinton not to wear her medal in Des Moines, Iowa, the home base for many aspiring presidents competing in the state's caucuses. Mrs. Clinton reminded the audience that both her husband and George H.W. Bush had received the medal in 2006; she and Jeb Bush were "keeping up a family tradition." Clinton told the Philadelphia audience that her husband had recently returned from one of his "annual play dates" in Kennebunkport, Maine, at the Bush family compound. The two families have produced three presidents since the 1988 election, a streak broken by President Barack Obama's election in 2008. Rivals in 1992, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush have developed a bond during their post-presidency; they've become so close that former first lady Barbara Bush said in a 2012 interview that her sons call Bill Clinton their "brother by another mother." At the Globalization of Higher Education conference, which Bush organized with former Democratic Gov. Jim Hunt of North Carolina, Clinton and Bush will join education experts in discussing ways to improve access and affordability for prospective college students and to help young people acquire job skills. During a speech Saturday at the Clinton Global Initiative University in Arizona, Mrs. Clinton noted that 6 million young people age 16 to 24 are neither employed nor in school. She cited the need for a higher education system that would promote those pursuing college degrees and vocational training alike. "There are a lot of important jobs to be done that may not require a college degree but require a respect for the dignity of the work that is being done," she said. Bush has been a leading advocate for education reform since serving as governor. He overhauled his state's educational system, tying teacher raises to student performance and boosting educational standards. Bush has been a vocal supporter of Common Core standards, which specify what math and reading skills students should achieve in each grade. Some conservatives have criticized the standards as a federal intrusion into local classrooms. Along with his education push, Buhs has also been stumping for New Mexico's Gov. Susana Martinez. Martinez political spokesman Danny Diaz said Bush will attend a fundraiser Tuesday in Farmington and another in Santa Fe on Wednesday. Central Consolidated School District announced that Bush, Martinez and Public Education Secretary Hanna Skandera will speak at an elementary school in Shiprock Wednesday morning. Bush served two terms as governor, first winning election in 1998. Martinez has advocated some of the educational policies that Bush implemented in Florida, including holding back third-graders who can't read proficiently and giving schools A-to-F grades and performance-based pay bonuses for teachers. Martinez's education secretary, Hanna Skandera, worked for the Bush administration in Florida as a deputy commissioner of education. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino House Democrats deployed a little-used legislative move Wednesday to force a vote on a comprehensive immigration bill, an effort doomed to fail but designed to increase the election-year pressure on Republicans to act. "It is time for us to have a vote," said Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., who joined with dozens of Democrats, advocates and actress America Ferrera to mark 273 days since the Senate passed a bipartisan bill. They insisted that House Republican leaders act. Standing on the east steps of the Capitol in a light snow and biting wind, proponents argued that they had the necessary votes in the House for a bill that would provide a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally and tighten border security. "We're tired of the House of Representatives leaders and their refusal to act," Ferrera said. Democrats introduced a discharge petition that requires the signature of 218 for legislative action, an effort that stands little chance of success as Republicans, even those supportive of immigration legislation, are unwilling to defy their leadership. Democrats hold 199 seats in the House and would need dozens of GOP supporters. The GOP is reluctant to vote on the divisive issue in an election year, especially with all signs pointing to major gains for Republicans in the November midterms. After months of conciliatory talk, President Barack Obama issued a statement praising the Democratic effort and chastising the Republicans. "Immigration reform is the right thing to do for our economy, our security and our future," Obama said. "A vast majority of the American people agree. The only thing standing in the way is the unwillingness of Republicans in Congress to catch up with the rest of the country." The Senate passed a comprehensive bill last June, but the measure has stalled in the GOP-controlled House where Republicans have argued for a piecemeal approach to reforming the system. That effort has gone nowhere as bills approved by the Judiciary Committee last summer have languished. Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and other GOP leaders unveiled a set of immigration principles in January, but rank-and-file members balked at moving ahead on any legislation. Boehner attributed the GOP roadblock to a collective distrust of Obama to enforce any new laws. Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner, dismissed the Democratic procedural move, pointing to Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi's admission earlier this month that they wouldn't get the necessary 218 votes. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who helped craft the Senate bill, said he understands that "people are under political constraints, but those who believe in immigration reform but refuse to sign the petition have an obligation to propose a viable alternative that gets an immigration bill signed into law." The reluctance among House Republicans comes despite business groups, unions, religious leaders and other activists banding together to push for immigration legislation. National Republicans also have argued that failure to act this year could cost the GOP politically in presidential elections. Opposition remains strong among some in the GOP who see the legislation as amnesty and detrimental to U.S. workers. "Incredibly, House Democrats have unified behind an immigration bill that would double the inflow of new guest workers competing against jobless Americans in every single U.S. occupation - from engineering to teaching to manufacturing," said Stephen Miller, a spokesman for Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the top Republican on the Budget Committee. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The meeting Thursday between President Barack Obama and Pope Francis will bring together two masters of charisma two men who have blazed trails. The man who became the first African-American to be president of the United States will sit down with the Argentinian man who became the first Catholic pope from the Americas, and the first Jesuit. Indeed, Obama and Francis, who will meet at the Vatican, have much in common. Their words and actions reverberate around the world. Francis was the 2013 Time Magazine Person of the Year. Obama was the 2012 and 2008 Person of the Year. Francis was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Obama was awarded it. They both have made the poor and less fortunate a priority, with Pope Francis eschewing many of the gilded trappings of the papacy and doing such things as personally calling those whose struggles he learns about, and sending out a Vatican envoy to meet with the destitute. Obama has denounced income inequality, and has pushed for a higher minimum wage. The president has made a point of praising the popes emphasis on the poor, and according to a White House spokesman who discussed the impending meeting with the press, the president looks forward to discussing with Pope Francis their shared commitment to fighting poverty and growing inequality. The pope is enjoying high popularity, while the president's has plunged. Francis has an 85 percent approval rating among American Catholics and a 63 percent approval rating among all Americans, according to the survey by the Saint Leo (Fla.) University Polling Institute. Obama, in his second term as president, has seen his overall approval rating dip to 47 percent as he battles criticism over his healthcare plan and immigration. Pope Francis is known for his concern for migrants, and Obama will be meeting with him as pressure is building on him to curb the record rate of deportations that have taken place during his tenure. In fact, on Wednesday, members of a California group of advocates who want comprehensive immigration reform were in Rome and personally asked the pope to raise the issue of immigration reform with Obama. But one issue that is generating a great deal of attention, and that would be extremely sensitive, observers say, is the controversial mandate in the Affordable Care Act that calls for contraception coverage by employers, which many Catholic parishioners and bishops, and conservatives of other faiths, have denounced. Hopefully tomorrow's meeting won't just be a photo-op used to promote President Obama's political agenda, said Maureen Ferguson, senior policy advisor with The Catholic Association, to Fox News Latino, but rather an opportunity to focus on the pope's challenge to our throwaway culture to help the all the vulnerable be they the poor, the unborn child in the womb, or the elderly. Ferguson said she is fairly certain the pope will raise the subject of the contraception mandate in Obamas healthcare plan. Opponents say it forces religious institutions to facilitate contraception, which is contrary to their faith, and therefore violates their right to religious freedom. The issue of religious freedom is likely to be discussed since just yesterday the president's administration was arguing at the Supreme Court that the government can force people to violate their faith under threat of massive fines, she said, a sharp narrowing of our country's conception of the free exercise of religion. The president is being sued in the largest religious liberty lawsuit of its kind because of his hostile actions towards Catholics and other people of faith. So, yes, I'd expect that to come up. The Rev. Gerald P. Fogarty, S.J., a professor of religious studies and history at the University of Virginia, said more than anything, the meeting between Obama and Francis will be significant. Its symbolic, but its an important symbol, said Fogarty, who specializes in American Catholic history and Vatican-American relations. The pope is a leader different than any other leader. Its reached a state [for the role of a pope] that no president can go near Italy without meeting the pope. As for what impact the meeting could have, particularly as far as Obama, whose popularity has taken a plunge in polls, Fogarty guessed the president would deftly handle any awkward moments or topics that might arise. Theres tension between Obama and the [Catholic] bishops, Fogarty said, and many Catholics believe he hates Catholics. One reason the president is having this meeting is to try to bridge those gaps, Fogarty said, to bring the dialogue to another level, between the government and church leaders in this country. Both men are gregarious and known for their personal charm, Fogarty noted, but theyll be addressing each other through translators, which will color the chemistry that may emerge between them. Should the pope express his disapproval of the contraceptive coverage mandate and abortion rights, Fogarty said, the president likely will respond in a smooth way. Hes got very shrewd advisers, Fogarty said, who no doubt have prepared the president for these potentially delicate topics and moments in the meeting. Basically, he added, the two share a strong fundamental view of societys responsibility to the less fortunate. They agree on immigration, the pope would agree on sanctions against Russia, and that may come up, and the Church supports social programs, basically big government, he said. While the pope, however, has taken what many would call a liberal view of many issues, he remains at the core conservative about such things as abortion and gay marriage. I think in his simplistic analysis of the Church, President Obama has probably bought the radical left's caricature of the pope as some sort of revolutionary leader who is going to change Church doctrine of matters of morality, said Alfonso Aguilar, executive director of Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, and may think the pope can give him cover to some of his leftist policies. "He will be very disappointed, however. Pope Francis is a man of the people no doubt. A great pastor. But, like his predecessors, when it comes to Church doctrine he is totally orthodox." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul told fellow Republicans on Tuesday that the future of their party depends on them connecting with Hispanics in a more empathetic way and on getting in front of immigration reform a message that further signals his flirtation with a 2016 presidential run. If we are to change peoples attitudes toward the Republican Party, we have to show up and we have to have something to say, Paul told a small group of conservatives gathered at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. I hope to be part of that dialogue. This certainly was not the first time that Paul, since being elected to the Senate in 2010, has attempted to connect with Hispanics and other minorities. However, Republicans interest in his policy vision and his vision for broadening the party base continues to grow as he ascends in the very, very early 2016 polls and travels the country. Recent stops have included those in Democrat-heavy Detroit and at the University of California, Berkeley. Paul said Tuesday that Republicans need to focus on such issues as reforming the countrys work visa system and improving educational and employment opportunities for minorities. However, the GOP must first make clear it is not just the party of deportation, he argued. The bottom line is that the Hispanic community is not going to hear us until we get beyond that issue, Paul told attendees at a symposium sponsored by the conservative Media Research Center and the American Principles Project. Theyre not going to care whether we go to the same church or have the same values or believe in the same kind of future of the country until we get beyond that. Weve got to get beyond deportation to get to the rest of the issues. He attempted to highlight his point, in part, by noting that 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney at one point touted the idea of self-deportation, and won just 27 percent of the Hispanic vote. Paul, 51, expressed some optimism about Congress accomplishing some type of immigration reform this year, particularly one expanding the countrys work visa program. He called the expansion of visas for high-tech workers a no-brainer. Paul spoke as his profile continues to rise as a potential 2016 contender, and amid efforts to court donors, assemble a nationwide support network and win the confidence of Washington Republicans wary of his less-mainstream, more-libertarian views. Pauls message also comes amid criticism that neither party has really gone beyond election-year efforts to win the support of Hispanics. Alfonso Aguilar, executive director of the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, told the Newseum audience that conservatives and Republicans havent been very consistent in their effort. And we dont need to pander to them like the left, he said. Paul said a lack of empathy among Republicans has hurt efforts to connect with minorities and the working class and that Democrats have always been better in this area. Ive been saying over and over that the Republican Party cannot win until its more diverse, until it looks like the rest of America, he said. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino They were an ironclad voting bloc for Republicans. But the dynamics may be changing for agriculture business owners, who are struggling to find American workers willing to do the physically demanding work, and struggling to find even undocumented workers amid stricter immigration enforcement along the border and inside the United States. And while consumption of fresh produce by Americans has risen, the farmers have not been able to benefit because domestic production has fallen short, leading to a $1.4 billion annual loss in farm income, according to The New York Times. The result: farmers are looking at the GOP as the culprit. Republicans, some say, have blocked many of the changes in immigration policies that could resolve many of their labor problems. And so they have become one of the most vocal industry groups putting pressure on Congress particularly Republicans to advance immigration legislation, which has stalled in the House of Representatives. Tom Nassif, president of the Western Growers Association, has made numerous trips to Washington D.C. to plead the case for more flexible immigration laws. Weve had secure borders with Mexico for the last decade, he said, according to the Times. We dont have that argument at this point. Now we want people to see the real damage of not doing anything, which is a declining work force, and it means losing production to foreign countries. Some Republicans are parting with their party on the issue and backing Democrat-led immigration measures. Reps. David Valadao and Jeff Denham, both of California, are among a few Republicans who are supporting a measure in the House that would provide a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants. But many Republicans are against supporting any measure that gives a break to undocumented immigrants. They say that such measures amount to amnesty, or rewarding law breakers. Saying they feel desperate, agricultural groups are opting to hold back campaign donations. Nassif said his group is withholding hundreds of thousands of dollars in congressional races, an about-face from its generous support in the past. I can tell you if the Republicans dont put something forward on immigration, there is going to be a very loud hue and cry from us in agriculture, the Times quoted Nassif as saying. We are a tremendously important part of the party, and they should not want to lose us. Mike Gempler, head of the Washington Growers League, is quoted in the Washington Post echoing the sentiment. Were seeing a lack of response to our needs and concerns from significant parts of the Republican caucus in the House, Gempler said. They either have ideological issues or they are catering to a more reactionary crowd. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Cubas leading dissident blogger, Yoani Sanchez, said that her compatriots on the island are watching the civil unrest in Venezuela with mixed feelings. Speaking at the Hispanicize conference in Miami on Tuesday, Sanchez, who has traveled outside of Cuba a few times in the last year, after President Raul Castro relaxed restrictions for the islands residents, said that Venezuela seems to be dealing with opposition groups the same way her native country has. Sanchez said that Venezuela is responding to critics by arresting them and blaming outsiders such as the U.S. government for the backlash against President Nicolas Maduro, according to the Miami Herald. Sanchez also said that some Cubans are hopeful that a democratic change in Venezuela could force Cuba, which is sustained by some $10 billion a year by the Maduro government, to become more flexible economically and politically, the Herald reported. At the same time, Sanchez noted, older Cubans who remember the devastation to Cubas economy after the fall of the Soviet Union, and its substantial subsidies, are afraid that a change of political leadership in Venezuela could lead to an end to aid from the South American nation. On Wednesday, Sanchez again addressed Venezuelas unrest during a Twitter question and answer session in which U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, asked what she would say to the anti-government protesters. The tweet from Rubio, whose family is from Cuba, read: "Cubans suffer under system #Venezuela is copying.What message do you have, @yoanisanchez, for Venezuelans in this crucial time? #AskYoani" She answered that she supports the peaceful struggle of the anti-government protesters in Venezuela, and urged them not to give in to the Maduro administration. Protests against the government that have taken place since mid-February have led to violent clashes between demonstrators and Maduro police authorities as well as his supporters. Many protesters were arrested and are in jail. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The U.S. governments creation of a Twitter account aimed at undermining Cubas communist government by spurring people to dissent could end up doing just the opposite empower the regime, said an expert on Cuba. Ted Henken, a professor at the City University of New York, said a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) project that funded and helped create a Cuban Twitter through secret shell companies and foreign banks may serve as fodder for the Castro government to characterize the islands cyber-dissidents as mercenaries of the United States. The most severe problem on the ground in Cuba that would result from the news about the U.S.-created Cuban Twitter first reported by The Associated Press is that it gives the Castro government cover to unleash a new wave of character assassination against authentic cyber-activists in Cuba, Henken said. Cubas dissidents in recent years have used social media to lift the veil of secrecy about the islands human rights violations, and other problems, in real time. While Cuba has long maintained a monopoly over media on the island, it has had decidedly more difficulty controlling the dissenting views by its residents on social media. Some cyber-activists, like Yoani Sanchez, has gained international notoriety. The Cuban Twitter project, which lasted more than two years and drew tens of thousands of subscribers, sought to evade Cuba's stranglehold on the Internet with a primitive social media platform. First, the network would build a Cuban audience, mostly young people; then, the plan was to push them toward dissent. Yet its users were neither aware it was created by a U.S. agency with ties to the State Department, nor that American contractors were gathering personal data about them, in the hope that the information might be used someday for political purposes. USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah said Thursday that it was not a covert program, though "parts of it were done discreetly" in order to protect the people involved. Shah said on MSNBC that a study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found the project to be consistent with the law. "This is simply not a covert effort in any regard," he said. U.S. efforts to fuel discontent in Cuba, and even to assassinate Fidel Castro, are legendary. They include such James Bond-type tactics as using a cigar that was intended to blow up, and recruiting former lovers to poison Fidel Castro. With the growing demand among younger Cubans on the island for access to technology, and in particular the Internet, Henken said, the U.S. government evidently saw an opportunity to tap into disillusionment over the communist regime by "using Twitter as a Trojan horse." At minimum, details uncovered by the AP appear to muddy USAID longstanding claims that it does not conduct covert actions, and the details could undermine the agency's mission to deliver aid to the world's poor and vulnerable an effort that requires the trust and cooperation of foreign governments. The White House said the "Cuban Twitter" communications network was a "development" program and not a covert operation. Spokesman Jay Carney said he is not aware of individuals in the White House who were aware of the program, but he also said President Barack Obama does support efforts to expand communications in Cuba. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The GOP chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says that his party would support expanding foreign worker programs as well as allowing younger undocumented immigrants to stay in the United States. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican, said that Republicans in the House, where they have a majority, do not trust President Obama with a comprehensive immigration reform measure. The Daily Caller reported that at a meeting Thursday hosted by the National Journal, Goodlatte said: Congress legislates, not the executive branch, and [Obama is] attempting to rewrite laws to suit what he perceives to be demand. Its a mistake. He said the GOP caucus felt a lot of mistrust of the president. Goodlatte said that Republicans would be willing to work with the White House on a plan that would tighten border enforcement, raise the number of foreign workers and help some younger immigrants legalize. In 2013, the Senate passed a bipartisan immigration reform measure that both tightened enforcement and called for a path to legal status for certain undocumented immigrants. But the effort stalled in the House, where Republicans have a majority and where there is resistance to any measure that would provide a path to legalize for undocumented immigrants. Among the Republicans who are adamant about not granting anyone who is here illegally a chance to legalize is Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), who recently said that he would not support allowing undocumented immigrants who were brought as children and who want to join the military an opportunity to become legal residents. "As soon as they raise their hand and say, 'I'm unlawfully present in the United States,' we're not going take your oath into the military, but we're going to take your deposition and we have a bus for you to Tijuana," he said, according to Breitbart News. "That's the law." Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) assailed the comment. "This rhetoric is insulting, unacceptable and harmful," she said, according to published reports. "These most recent comments by my Republican colleagues are a new low in Republicans' attempts to insult Hispanics and the immigrant community and derail immigration reform." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The head of the U.S. government agency that secretly created a "Cuban Twitter" communications network designed to undermine the communist government in Cuba is expected to testify next week before a senator who thinks the whole idea was "dumb, dumb, dumb." The congressional hearing could resolve key questions around the clandestine program, including whether the Obama administration adequately informed lawmakers about its plans. Administration officials on Thursday defended the program, saying it had been "debated" by Congress and wasn't a covert operation that required White House approval. But two senior Democrats on congressional intelligence and judiciary committees said they had known nothing about the effort. An Associated Press investigation found that the network was built using secret shell companies and financed through a foreign bank. The project, which lasted more than two years and drew tens of thousands of subscribers, sought to evade Cuba's stranglehold on the Internet with a social media platform. The program aimed first to build a Cuban audience, mostly young people. Then the plan was to push them toward dissent. But the Cuban users of the network, called ZunZuneo, were not aware it was created by the U.S. Agency for International Development, overseen by the State Department. They also did not know that American contractors running the program were gathering personal data about them, in the hope that the information might be used someday for political purposes. U.S. law requires written authorization of covert action by the president. White House spokesman Jay Carney said Thursday he was not aware of individuals in the White House who had known about the program. Josefina Vidal, director of U.S. affairs at Cuba's Foreign Ministry, said late Thursday that the ZunZuneo program "shows once again that the United States government has not renounced its plans of subversion against Cuba, which have as their aim the creation of situations of destabilization in our country to create changes in the public order and toward which it continues to devote multimillion-dollar budgets each year." "The government of the United States must respect international law and the goals and principles of the United Nations charter and, therefore, cease its illegal and clandestine actions against Cuba, which are rejected by the Cuban people and international public opinion," the statement said. USAID's top official, Rajiv Shah, was scheduled to testify on Tuesday before the Senate Appropriations State Department and foreign operations subcommittee on the agency's budget. The subcommittee's chairman, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., called the project "dumb, dumb, dumb" in an appearance Thursday on MSNBC. The administration on Thursday initially said it had disclosed the program to lawmakers Carney said it had been "debated in Congress" but hours later shifted its stance to say the administration had offered to discuss funding for it with the congressional committees that approve federal programs and budgets. "We also offered to brief our appropriators and our authorizers," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said. Harf described the program as "discreet" but said it was in no way classified or covert. Harf also said ZunZuneo did not rise to a level that required the secretary of state to be notified. Neither former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton nor John Kerry, the current occupant of the office, was aware of ZunZuneo, she said. In his prior position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Kerry had asked congressional investigators to examine whether U.S. democracy promotion programs in Cuba were operated according to U.S. laws, among other issues. The resulting report, released by the Government Accountability Office in January 2013, does not examine whether the programs were covert. It does not say that any U.S. laws were broken. The GAO report does not specifically refer to ZunZuneo but does note that USAID programs included "support for the development of independent social networking platforms." Leahy and Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said they were unaware of ZunZuneo. "I know they said we were notified," Leahy told the AP. "We were notified in the most oblique way, that nobody could understand it. I'm going to ask two basic questions: Why weren't we specifically told about this if you're asking us for money? And secondly, whose bright idea was this anyway?" The Republican chairman of a House oversight subcommittee said his panel would also be looking into the project. "That is not what USAID should be doing," Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform national security subcommittee, said. "USAID is flying the American flag and should be recognized around the globe as an honest broker of doing good. If they start participating in covert, subversive activities, the credibility of the United States is diminished." But several other lawmakers voiced support for ZunZuneo, which is slang for a Cuban hummingbird's tweet. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said USAID should be applauded for giving people in Cuba a less-controlled platform to talk to each other. "The whole purpose of our democracy programs, whether it be in Cuba or other parts of the world, is in part to create a free flow of information in closed societies," Menendez said. Some Cuban-Americans also applauded the effort. "I don't think it was a bad thing if it was opening up people's minds. ... At least this way they were helping people communicate," said Miami construction worker Ivan Marrero, 48, who fled Cuba in 2005 by boat. Others said they worried it would hurt the island's small movement of independent journalists and bloggers. "The Cuban government will do everything possible to discredit (blogger) Yoani (Sanchez) and other opposition leaders inside Cuba, using this kind of information," Andy Gomez, a Cuba expert and senior policy adviser with the law firm Poblete Tamargo, said. USAID and its contractors went to extensive lengths to conceal Washington's ties to the project, according to interviews and documents obtained by the AP. They set up front companies in Spain and the Cayman Islands to hide the money trail and recruited CEOs without telling them they would be working on a U.S. taxpayer-funded project. ZunZuneo was publicly launched shortly after the 2009 arrest in Cuba of American contractor Alan Gross. He was imprisoned after traveling repeatedly to the country on a separate, clandestine USAID mission to expand Internet access using sensitive technology that only governments use. ZunZuneo's organizers wanted the social network to grow slowly to avoid detection by the Cuban government. Eventually, documents and interviews reveal, they hoped the network would reach critical mass so dissidents could organize "smart mobs" mass gatherings called at a moment's notice that could trigger political demonstrations, or "renegotiate the balance of power between the state and society." For more than two years, ZunZuneo grew and reached at least 40,000 subscribers. But documents reveal the team found evidence Cuban officials tried to trace the text messages and break into the ZunZuneo system. USAID told the AP that ZunZuneo stopped in September 2012 when a government grant ended. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Four years after Fremont residents first voted to impose restrictions on illegal immigration, the small Nebraska city will finally start requiring renters to get a $5 permit on Thursday. Earlier this year, nearly 60 percent of voters in the conservative city of about 26,000 again backed the housing restrictions that require renters to swear they have legal permission to live in the United States and prohibit landlords from renting to anyone without a city permit. The housing restrictions originally adopted in 2010 had been on hold while lawsuits challenging them worked their way through the courts, and the City Council gave voters a chance to reconsider in February. Now a U.S. Supreme Court review is about the only thing that could stop the permits from being issued. "Unless the U.S. Supreme Court jumps in during the next few hours, we're going ahead," Fremont Police Chief Jeff Elliott said Wednesday afternoon. The civil rights groups that challenged Fremont's immigration ordinance in court have asked the nation's high court to evaluate the appeals court ruling that upheld it. And the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska has said it will be watching implementation of the rental rules closely for examples of discrimination that might be grounds for a new lawsuit. Attorney Alonzo Rivas, with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said he expects the Supreme Court to decide this spring whether to hear the case after both sides finish submitting briefs this month. Critics say the immigration restrictions are ineffective and might cost Fremont millions of dollars in legal fees and lost federal grants. They also believe the ordinance has hurt the image of Fremont, which is about 30 miles northwest of Omaha. Most other cities that have tried to restrict illegal immigration including Hazelton, Pa., and Farmers Branch, Texas have wound up mired in costly court battles. Beginning Thursday, Elliott said adult renters are required to get the licenses before moving into an apartment or home. Current renters don't have to get permits, but a new permit is required with each move within the city. Application forms in English and Spanish are available at the police station or on the city's website, www.fremontne.gov . Applicants will be asked to supply basic identifying information and swear whether or not they have legal permission to be in the country, either as citizens or legal residents. No identification is required. Initially, everyone who fills out the form and pays the fee will be issued a permit. But those who say they aren't U.S. citizens will have their information submitted to a federal database for review. If the federal government says an applicant is not in the country legally, police will begin revocation procedures. But Elliott said the ordinance prohibits Fremont police from investigating anyone's citizenship status. It's difficult to determine how many people live in Fremont illegally. According to census figures, the town is home to 1,150 noncitizens. That figure includes immigrants who do not have permission to be in the U.S., as well as lawful permanent residents, foreign students and refugees who are legally in the U.S. If a license is revoked, both the renter and the landlord will be informed. Elliott said that if the landlord continues to allow a renter without a license to stay, the landlord could be fined $100. The ordinance doesn't specify any penalties for renters. Another section of Fremont's immigration ordinance that requires employers to use a federal online system to check whether prospective employees are permitted to work in the U.S. has been in place since 2012. Many larger employers, including the major meatpacking plants just outside Fremont, were already using that federal E-Verify system before the ordinance was adopted. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities said it received on Sunday 340 artefacts that were smuggled out of the country and intercepted by Jordanian customs last year. Jordanian authorities had informed their Egyptian counterparts in late 2015 that the artefacts were discovered in a shipment that arrived from the Red Sea port of Nuweiba, according to Shaaban Abdel-Gawad, the head of the ministry's Antiquities Department. "The artefacts, which include stone statues and ancient coins, will be sent to the Egyptian Museum's depot for renovation," Abdel-Gawad added. The Jordanian and Egyptian governments signed in 2015 an agreement of joint cooperation to conserve and recover stolen cultural properties and combat illegal trade in artefacts. Sen. Marco Rubio and former Gov. Jeb Bush long have been friends but that is not likely to get in the way of the two Florida Republicans aiming for the Oval Office in 2016. In an interview this week with Politico, Rubio said that the strong possibility that Bush, who has been a mentor and supporter of the Cuban-American lawmaker, may run in the next presidential election would not be a deterrent for him from seeking the nations highest office. In terms of my decision-making for next year, it will be based on me not on anybody else, Rubio said. And I think thats true for anyone thinking about it including himself. Its not that unusual to see people who have been allies in the past end up running for an office like that. But for Rubio and Bush, it would be a marked deviation from their protocol with each other, Politico said. Over the years in Florida, Rubio would see if Bush intended to run for office such as the U.S. Senate after Mel Martinez, a fellow Republican, said he would not seek re-election before throwing his hat in the ring for a political post. In the case of the Senate seat, Politico said, Bush told Rubio in a phone call that he was not going to pursue it and encouraged him to do so. Rubio often turned to Bush for guidance throughout his political career. Rubio has not said whether he intends to run, but he has been taking high-profile hawkish positions on foreign policy matters regarding Ukraine, Russia, Cuba and Venezuela moves that many observers say is meant to give him a presidential halo, so to speak. Bush, too, also has not said whether hell run. A few days ago, he made headlines when he said in a speech that undocumented immigrants should not be treated as felons because they cross the border largely as an act of love. That led to a bit of a backlash by conservatives such as U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador, an Idaho Republican, who accused Bush of pandering. I think comments from Jeb Bush and other Republicans what theyre doing is theyre pandering to a certain group of people, said Labrador, according to The Washington Times. And Ive got news for you. If we pass immigration reform tomorrow like members of the Republican conference want us to do, theyre not going to vote for the Republican Party. Rubio came under fire from conservative members of the GOP last year when he played a pivotal role in a bipartisan Senate immigration measure that passed in June. That bill called for tightening border security, expanding foreign worker visas and providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who meet a strict set of criteria. Conservatives assailed Rubio for endorsing a plan that they said rewards lawbreakers. The effort stalled in the House, where Republicans have a majority, and where conservatives vowed not to allow any measure that included amnesty to move forward. But earlier this week, Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, said that while Republicans publicly say they will not pass comprehensive immigration reform with President Barack Obama in the White House because they don't trust him to implement enforcement parts of a measure like that of the Senate he believes they privately want it to happen. Schumer said Republicans realize that they must not block immigration reform if they want a real shot at winning back the White House in 2016. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino With a single phrase of compassion for immigrants in the U.S. illegally, Jeb Bush has prompted questions about his viability as a potential presidential contender and underscored how divisive the immigration issue remains for the Republican Party. The former Florida governor sparked a conservative furor this week when he described illegal immigration in an interview as an "act of love" by people trying to provide for their families. Backing Bush are some of the GOP's most powerful insiders and financiers, who are hoping the party can woo Hispanic voters and rebound from Mitt Romney's damaging "self-deportation" rhetoric in 2012. "The worst thing that can happen to a political party is not for voters to decide they don't like you," said Alex Castellanos, a GOP consultant and former Romney adviser. "It's for voters to decide you don't like them. And that's where the Republican Party is right now." Other GOP lawmakers and conservative activists, however, are cringing over Bush's remarks, which triggered vocal opposition and concerns about "amnesty." "We appreciate the compassion in the statement, but the best compassion you can show a people is to uphold justice," said Tamara Scott, a Republican National committeewoman and prominent Christian conservative from Iowa. Some in the Republican establishment are concerned immigration could define the coming nominating contest in the way it did the last one. Like Bush, Texas Gov. Rick Perry was jeered when he implied that his rivals were heartless if they opposed a law that lets some children of immigrants here illegally to pay in-state tuition at public colleges. Romney took a hard line on immigration. He ultimately won just 27 percent of the Hispanic vote, the lowest portion for a Republican in 16 years. The Republican National Committee has urged the GOP to embrace an immigration overhaul, but comprehensive legislation remains stalled in Congress. Action is unlikely in an election year with high stakes. Republicans expect to hold the House and need to gain only six Senate seats to win majority control from Democrats. While party leaders want to avoid an immigration fight that could alienate their core voters, some establishment Republicans say the delay threatens the long-term future of the GOP. "It's going to kill the Republican Party," said Al Hoffman, a Republican megadonor who chaired George W. Bush's presidential campaigns. He and others argue the GOP needs a nominee with a "Nixon-goes-to-China mentality" in which the party leader takes an audacious, if not popular, step on issues such as immigration. They suggest that's necessary in part to peel away some Hispanic voters from Democrats in 2016. For Bush, the debate is personal. His wife, Columba, was born in Mexico and grew up there. The two met while Bush was an exchange student there; she is now an American citizen. On Sunday, in an interview with Fox News before an audience at the George Bush Presidential Library in Texas, Jeb Bush said immigrants who enter the country illegally should, in fact, pay a penalty. But he added that he viewed such a violation as "a different kind of crime." "Yes, they broke the law, but it's not a felony," he said. "It's an act of love." On Thursday, speaking to the Connecticut Republican Party's annual Prescott Bush Awards dinner, named after Bush's late grandfather, he defended his remarks. "The simple fact is, there is no conflict between enforcing our laws, believing in the rule of law and having some sensitivity to the immigrant experience, which is part of who we are as a country," Bush said. "It's not an American value to allow people to stay in the shadows." Hispanics are a crucial voting bloc in an increasing number of swing-voting states, from Florida to Colorado to Nevada. Some see a new opportunity for the GOP to appeal to Latinos, many of whom have soured on President Barack Obama because of his administration's record-setting number of deportations. "Hispanics are eager to hear from a leader in the Republican Party talk about immigration in the way that Jeb Bush talked about it," said Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza, the country's largest Hispanic civil rights organization. In contrast to the 2012 nomination fight, most of the potential 2016 presidential contenders have signaled support for some kind of immigration overhaul. But they remain divided over whether legislation should offer a pathway to citizenship for those living here illegally. After the Senate passed a bipartisan measure last year that would do just that, the barrage of conservative criticism virtually silenced the GOP's most outspoken immigration advocates, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. The furor over Bush's remarks shows the potential perils of picking up the issue, especially in the early voting states that play an outsized role in choosing party nominees. Bush, the two-term, Spanish-speaking former governor of a state with a booming Hispanic population, has struggled to articulate his views in a party that has changed dramatically since the last time he ran for office in 2002. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino With a strong potential for Republicans, who are a majority in the House, to take control of the Senate as well in the November midterm elections, President Obama had stern words for Latino and black voters. They dont step up to the plate, he said, in midterm elections. And thats a big reason that Democrats dont do well in these elections, he said. "Our voters are younger, more unmarried women, more African-American and Latino voters," Obama said at a fundraising event in Houston on Wednesday for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, according to The Washington Post. "They get excited about general elections; they don't get as excited about midterm elections." Blacks and Latinos reliably cast their votes in presidential elections, Obama noted, but added: We have this congenital disease, which is in midterm elections we don't vote at the same rates." The Post said that Obamas comments echoed the findings of a recent poll that showed that Latinos and blacks were less excited than Republicans in general about voting this year. Latinos, blacks and Asians turned out in big numbers in the last two presidential elections. Latinos gave Obama 70 percent of their vote, Asian-Americans gave him 71 percent, and African-Americans gave him more than 90 percent. Obama has told Democrats not to get too comfortable during mid-terms elections. Republicans have been hoping that the problems with Obamacare will hurt Democrats in November. Contests in North Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Michigan and Louisiana will help determine control of the Senate, according to Roll Call. Obama also addressed immigration at the fundraiser, which drew about 60 people and was held at the home of a trial lawyer. The Senate passed a bipartisan immigration reform bill last year, but the effort has stalled in the House, where a conservative GOP faction has vowed not to support any measure that would give undocumented immigrants a chance to obtain legal status. We got a bipartisan vote out of the Senate, and yet we cannot even get a vote in the House of Representatives not because it doesnt make sense, he said. Its not because theres some serious dispute or technical difference in terms of policy. It has to do with politics. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Cynthia, they are taking your mom! These were the chilling words Cynthia Diazs father screamed on a Saturday morning in May 2011 as she awoke in her bed. Confused, she approached the front door and saw 10 officers. Her mother handcuffed. Taken into a van. An ICE raid had changed her life forever. My mom answered the door and she was still in her pajamas and they took her just like that, Diaz told Fox News Latino in a video interview. Diaz, 18, is a U.S. citizen and one of three immigration activists who on Tuesday began a hunger strike outside The White House in Washington D.C. demanding their loved ones be released from immigration detention and not deported. The strike is part of the 'Not 1 More' deportation movement. They are also hoping to pressure President Barack Obama to halt needless deportations of non-criminals and immigrants with low level convictions which, they say, are tearing families apart. A recent New York Times article reported two-thirds of deportations under Obama's presidency were of people with either no criminal backgrounds or minor violations. Im only 18. Im a small figure. But Im strong mentally and spiritually and I know I have a lot of support, so as long as I can I will be on a hunger strike in front of President Obamas house, she said. Diaz is studying at the University of Arizona on a full ride scholarship, but her mother, Maria Del Rosario Rodriguez, is an undocumented immigrant. She was deported in 2011 and re-entered the country illegally in March; now she is sitting in an immigration detention center. Rodriguez crossed the U.S.- Mexico border joining 150 others as part of the Bring Them Home protest. The point she was trying to make was that she deserves to be home with her family and Phoenix is her home and not Mexico, where she doesnt even know the country, said Diaz, who said her mother came to the United States when she was 14, is a good citizen who never even had a traffic ticket, graduated from high school, attended community college, and had her small business in Phoenix. We want our family members back. I miss my mom a lot. Our house in Phoenix is not home anymore without her warmth there. Its really difficult for me. I had to grow up really fast. I had to take care of myself and my little brother. She wasnt there to see my high school graduation and I hope to bring her back really soon so she can at least see my brothers graduation. My brother is a sophomore in high school. Diaz also told Fox News Latino she feels abandoned by Obama. I remember my grandpa, hes a citizen of the United States and I remember him voting for President Obama because Obama promised the first thing he was going to do was help immigration reform and until today he hasnt done anything but DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), and if he can do DACA, I know he can do DACA for all, she said. I know Obama says hes doing everything he can. But hes just saying and not really doing. Colorado's largest school district sees teaching potential among immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally when they were children. They are people like Kareli Lizarraga, a 22-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate who grew up in California and Arizona after her parents brought her to this country from Mexico when she was 4. Lizarraga, who is finishing her first year as a reading teacher for seventh-graders in Denver, told The Associated Press on Friday that she still remembers feeling shocked that she could not communicate when she first arrived in the United States. And, even more vividly, she recalls a Spanish-speaking teacher who reached out to help. Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg said his district began reaching out to what he saw as a talent pool soon after President Barack Obama took steps last year to allow young people living in the U.S. illegally to stay and work. Lizarraga is one of two teachers who qualified under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, and started work in Denver this school year. Boasberg said more will be hired this coming year. "Anything that touches on immigration generates a level of attention and controversy," Boasberg told the AP. "But for us, this is about finding the very best teachers for our kids." Fred Elbel, director of the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform, told the AP his organization questioned whether the project was fair to other job seekers, and whether sufficient emphasis was being placed on teaching students English. Antonio Mercado, an actor, director, theater professor and former Denver public high school teacher, said the district would likely face backlash from job seekers and veteran teachers, as well as from groups like Elbel's. "It is a risk," Mercado said. "But what it means is (district officials) care about a huge population of their students." Mercado recently brought a production exploring the issues faced by children who immigrated illegally to a Denver school. After performances, he said, several students who had seen the show spoke about seeing their parents deported in recent weeks. That experience, he said, underlined the importance of having people in the classrooms who can talk about such issues. A grant from Ben and Lucy Ana Walton has helped fund the hires through Teach for America, Boasberg said. Lizarraga said she first contacted Teach for America during her junior year at Penn, but could not pursue a position because she lacked a Social Security card. That changed just as she was graduating thanks to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. She laughs when she recalls surprised reactions in her class when she told her students she spoke Spanish. She said her language skills help her communicate with parents, allowing her to work with them to show their children that "together, we really care about you." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino A wealthy Florida doctor whose offices were raided by the FBI and who allowed a U.S. senator to use his private jet is again under scrutiny for receiving more money from the taxpayer-funded Medicare program than any other doctor. A massive data dump from federal health officials this week showed South Florida ophthalmologist Dr. Salomon Melgen received nearly $21 million in 2012 from the tax-payer funded Medicare program more than any other doctor in the country. Melgen has not been criminally charged or accused of wrongdoing. Melgen's attorney, Kirk Ogrosky, said the doctor's billing conformed with Medicare rules and is a reflection of high drug costs, noting he has four offices and treats hundreds of patients every week. "Dr. Melgen stands by his record of improving the vision and quality of life of patients from around the world," Ogrosky said in a statement. In photos with political luminaries, Melgen seemed to relish the attention cast on him as a revered and reliable donor. But he appears to be shying away from the spotlight since the scandal broke with Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who repaid the doctor more than $70,000 for the flights to the Dominican Republic. Below is a look at Melgen's public life in recent years: LOVING THE LIMELIGHT Melgen is a Dominican Republic native who came to the U.S. and built a reputation as a top ophthalmologist. After operating on former Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles, a Democrat, in 1997, he became a reliable donor to Democratic power brokers and a frequent host of fundraisers, both at his massive North Palm Beach home and his house in an exclusive resort community in the Dominican Republic. "He loved the limelight, he loved it," Patricia Goodman, his office manager and personal assistant throughout the 1990s, told The Associated Press last year. "He loved being with the politicians." He can be seen smiling in photos, sandwiched between Menendez and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and his name is a frequent entry in campaign finance logs. In 2012 alone, Melgen's company, Vitreo-Retinal Consultants, gave $700,000 to Majority PAC, a super political action committee set up by former staffers for Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada to aid the party's Senate candidates nationwide, according to a search of records with the Center for Responsive Politics. Separately, Melgen, his wife Flor and daughter Melissa gave more than $350,000 in individual contributions between 1998 and 2012 to a variety of candidates and committees. All of that came to a halt last year. LINKS TO MENENDEZ Melgen first made headlines in early 2013 after revelations that Menendez, D-N.J., had used the doctor's personal jet. Menendez was forced to repeatedly deny reports that he flew on Melgen's plane for trysts with prostitutes. None of the allegations was substantiated. But Menendez's relationship with Melgen prompted Senate Ethics Committee and Justice Department investigations. Menendez has acknowledged at least three areas where his official work appeared to serve the interests of Melgen, though he has steadfastly denied wrongdoing. A staffer in Menendez's office once sent emails to the Homeland Security Department questioning potential U.S. donations of cargo-screening equipment to the Dominican government. At the time, donated screening equipment could have jeopardized a lucrative port security contract for a company owned by Melgen. Menendez sponsored legislation with incentives for natural gas vehicle conversions that could have benefited a company that Melgen was invested in called Gaseous Fuel Systems Corp. of Weston, Florida. And Menendez acknowledged his office twice contacted Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, each time urging them to change what he called an unfair payment policy that had cost his friend Melgen $8.9 million. KEEPING A LOW PROFILE Melgen hasn't made a splash at any recent, large-scale political events in South Florida and has seemingly ended his public appearances in the Dominican Republic. Reporters who routinely cover social events in the Caribbean country say they have not seen him at any activities in the past year. Before that, Melgen was known for regularly granting interviews to Dominican media in Florida, especially to talk about some of his successful operations. Melgen has close ties to a prominent political family in the Dominican Republic. His cousin, Pelegrin Castillo Seman, has been a legislator since the 1990s, and Castillo's father, Vinicio Castillo, is the director of the government's Ethics Commission. Puerto Rico's Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a law to change a teachers' retirement system is unconstitutional, dealing a blow to the U.S. territory's governor as he tries to revive a sluggish economy. The decision responds to a lawsuit that teachers filed three months ago, coinciding with an island-wide, two-day strike in which thousands of teachers protested changes to their public pension system. "This represents a significant triumph," said Eva Ayala, spokeswoman for one of the island's main education unions. U.S. investors and credit rating agencies had been awaiting the decision, which comes as Puerto Rico struggles to boost its economy while battling $70 billion in public debt and the highest unemployment rate compared with any U.S. state. Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla said in a brief comment during an unrelated press conference that the decision is not firm or final. He did not elaborate, and a spokeswoman did not return calls for comment. "The justice secretary will evaluate it immediately," Garcia said, noting the decision was announced late Friday and that he had not had time to read it. Rulings issued by the island's Supreme Court cannot be appealed, but people can solicit revisions. Garcia had warned earlier this year that the changes were needed because the pension system has a $10 billion deficit and would run out of money by 2020 if nothing is done. The law calls for switching from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution system, among other things. Teachers in Puerto Rico do not receive Social Security benefits and depend solely on the pension system for their retirement. Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's representative to U.S. Congress and member of the island's main opposition party, urged Garcia's administration to take more time to properly reform the teachers' pension system once the government's finances are stabilized. "Taking away their rights in a disproportionate manner is not fair," he said. Anibal Jose Torres, Senate spokesman for the governor's party, said he respected the court's decision but worried about its implications. "The decision definitely poses a new challenge to all of us who are working hard to overcome the fiscal crisis that we face," he said. "Let's hope that this does not further damage the island's credit situation." U.S. credit rating agencies that recently downgraded the island's debt to junk status had praised the government for approving several measures to strengthen the economy, including making changes to various public pension systems. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Sen. Rand Paul, a potential 2016 presidential contender, took aim at another possible Oval Office candidate Jeb Bush over the former Florida governors recent comments defending undocumented immigrants. In an interview on ABCs This Week that aired Sunday, Paul said that Bush was inarticulate when he described immigrants who come to the United States illegally as committing an "act of love." Paul said that those immigrants "are not bad people" but added the United States "can't invite the whole world" inside its borders. Paul, the Kentucky Republican eyeing a 2016 campaign, says Bush should have kept his focus on controlling the U.S. borders. Bush says the GOP cannot demonize immigrants and should show compassion. He described illegal immigration as an "act of love" by people trying to provide for their families. Paul was interviewed on "This Week" during a visit to early nominating New Hampshire. In a speech in New Hampshire, Paul said conservatives need a bold message to "hit those who haven't been listening" and to keep their political movement growing. The senator told an audience of conservatives there that the GOP cannot be "the party of fat cats, rich guys and Wall Street." Paul said conservatives must carry messages of justice, concern for unemployed workers and against government surveillance if they want to attract new people to the movement, including young people, Hispanics and blacks. Paul said the conservative movement has never been about rich people or privilege, and that "we are the middle class." During the New Hampshire event on Saturday, Republicans eyeing the 2016 White House race battered President Barack Obama's health care law and nicked each other, auditioning before the high-profile gathering of conservatives, viewed by some political veterans as the campaign's unofficial start. "It's the unofficial kickoff of the 2016 process," said Republican operative Mike Biundo, who managed Rick Santorum's last presidential campaign. A speaking program packed with potential presidential candidates weighed in on the House Republicans' controversial budget, the party's struggle with Hispanics, the GOP's future and the upcoming midterm elections while taking turns on a conference room stage facing hundreds of conservative activists gathered in New Hampshire's largest city. But the Republican Party's near-universal opposition to the president's health care law dominated the conversation just days after Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius resigned after leading the rocky rollout of the program derided as "Obamacare." Texas Sen. Ted Cruz declared that one resignation is not enough. "We are going to repeal every single word of Obamacare," said the first-term senator and tea party favorite. Based on reporting by The Associated Press. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal, at the request of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, over a part of Arizonas immigration law that would call on police to arrest people who harbor undocumented immigrants. The justices had no comment Monday on their order declining to review a ruling that blocked enforcement of that part of Arizona's 2010 immigration law. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found last year that the harboring ban was vague and trumped by federal law, which already prohibits the harboring of people who aren't in the country legally. The harboring ban was in effect from late July 2010 until a federal judge in Phoenix blocked its enforcement in Sept. 2012 as part of a challenge by civil rights groups. Immigrant rights advocates challenging the 2010 law told the nation's highest court that none of the country's federal appeals courts have upheld a similar state law. Brewer's attorneys had argued that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' decision was flawed because a state can make a federal violation of law a state crime. The state's harboring ban was overshadowed by other parts of the law, including a requirement that police officers, while enforcing other laws, question the immigration status of those suspected of being in the country illegally. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the questioning requirement but struck down other sections of the law, such as a requirement that all immigrants carry immigration registration papers. Known as the "show me your papers" provision, it requires state and local police to perform roadside immigration checks if a "reasonable suspicion" exists that someone is in the country illegally. In pushing for the right to enforce its own immigration laws, Arizona state officials said that the federal government had failed in its responsibility to secure the borders and control illegal immigration, and that states particularly those on the border were forced to deal with the consequences of people living here unlawfully and usurping state resources. An estimated 11 million people live in the United States illegally most of them are Latinos and roughly half are visa overstays. Arizona's move toward implementing its own immigration law set in motion similar efforts by lawmakers in other states frustrated by illegal immigration. Last month, the Supreme Court declined to hear other cases brought forwarded by officials of towns in Texas and Pennsylvania who want laws that would, for instance, penalize landlords for renting to people who are in the country illegally. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Tens of thousands of people who fall into categories that traditionally rendered them deportable could be spared under changes to deportation procedures currently under consideration by the Department of Homeland Security. According to two people with knowledge of his deliberations, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is weighing limiting deportations of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally who don't have serious criminal records, The change, if adopted following an ongoing review ordered by President Barack Obama, could shield many thousands of immigrants now removed each year solely because they committed repeat immigration violations, such as re-entering the country illegally after having been deported, failing to comply with a deportation order or missing an immigration court date. However, it would fall short of the sweeping changes sought by activists, who have grown increasingly frustrated by what they say is Obama's refusal to use executive powers to change some key aspects of U.S. immigration policy. They want Obama to expand a two-year-old program that grants work permits to certain immigrants brought here illegally as children to include other groups, such as the parents of any children born in the U.S. John Sandweg, who served until February as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said he had promoted the policy change for immigrants without serious criminal records before his departure and that it was being weighed by Johnson. An immigration advocate who's discussed the review with the administration also confirmed the change was under consideration. The advocate spoke on condition of anonymity because the proceedings are confidential. "Any report of specific considerations at this time would be premature," Clark Stevens, a spokesman for the Homeland Security Department, said Monday. Stevens said Johnson "has undergone a very rigorous and inclusive process to best inform the review," including seeking input from people within DHS as well as lawmakers of both parties, and other stakeholders. The approach outlined by Sandweg and the immigration advocate would change the existing priority categories that now include immigrants who've re-entered the country after they have been deported previously, and those who are fugitives from immigration proceedings. Such people would be taken off the priority list. The remaining priority categories focus on recent border-crossers and immigrants who pose a danger to national security or public safety or who've been convicted of crimes. Some of those categories might also be refined or changed, and others could be added. "The time had come to focus ICE's efforts exclusively on public safety and national security," Sandweg said in explaining why he pushed for the change prior to his departure from the agency. He estimated that some 20,000 deported immigrants fell into the categories in question last year. The potential changes come as Johnson proceeds with a review ordered by Obama on how to make deportation policy more humane. With comprehensive immigration legislation stalled in the GOP-led House after passing the Senate last year, Obama has come under intense election-year pressure to stem deportations, which have neared 2 million on his watch, and allow more of the 11.5 million immigrants living illegally in the U.S. to stay. Many activists, who've staged hunger strikes on the National Mall and outside the White House, want sweeping action by Obama to give legal certainty and work permits to millions more immigrants, like he did for those who arrived illegally as children and attended school or served in the military. It's not clear whether the administration ultimately will take such steps. Obama has said repeatedly his options are limited without action by Congress and has sought to keep the onus on House Republicans. "The only way to truly fix it is through congressional action. We have already tried to take as many administrative steps as we could," Obama said last week at a news conference. "We're going to review it one more time to see if there's more that we can do." For now, administration officials appear more focused, instead, on more limited, near-term steps that could still make a difference for the immigrant population, according to lawmakers and activists who've met with administration officials. Adjusting the department's priorities for deportation is one such approach. Depending on how it's done, it could have a significant impact by providing new guidance to ICE agents on the front lines. Activists want more wholesale changes; some say ICE agents don't always follow the priorities set by the administration. "I think that is a step in the right direction, but not enough," said Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA de Maryland, an immigrant service organization. "We believe the president has the authority to stop deportations" of larger groups of people. At the same time, Obama would likely face GOP wrath for taking even the smallest steps toward providing relief to people in this country illegally. Republicans already accuse Obama's administration of subverting the law through previous moves to give "prosecutorial discretion" to immigration agents. "We're already at a point where deportations are in a state of collapse and to go further would be exactly the wrong thing to do," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. The Obama administration's deportation priorities have been controversial, with the administration contending they're meant to keep the focus on criminals. Immigration activists argue that in reality, many people with a minor criminal record or no record are swept up. Advocates say part of the problem is that, although criminals are prioritized, people with no criminal record or a minor record can be removed if they've gotten caught up in the immigration system. Based on reporting by The Associated Press. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Theyre friends, are fellow Miamians, and have a mentor-mentee relationship. But if U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and his mentor, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, were to run against each other in the Republican presidential primary in 2016, who would have an edge? Some believe Bush would, given his political pedigree, have the advantage when it comes to getting GOP support, Latino votes, and funds from major donors, among other things. There wouldnt be any question that Jeb Bush would be the stronger candidate, said Fernand Amandi, executive director of the Miami-based public opinion research firm Bendixen and Amandi. He is the most capable of the Republicans, Amandi said, referring to those in the GOP who have been mentioned as potential 2016 contenders. "He is a unique Republican who can appeal to the conservative wing of the party, the moderate wing, and he can make a claim to win over a larger percent of Hispanic votes. Amandi said that Bush is field-tested, and has a long track record. He is established, he said, from a policy perspective. By comparison, Amandi said, Rubio remains something of an enigma, particularly to the conservative base, who criticized the junior senator for his central role in the passage in June of a bipartisan Senate immigration reform measure that included a pathway to citizenship for people who are here illegally. Rubio was relatively unknown in conservative circles outside Florida before he became a U.S. senator, Amandi said. The immigration reform bill was the first betrayal of what they thought Rubio stood for, he said. But other political observers believe Rubio is more electable, and surely more likely to win a Republican primary than Bush. Alfonso Aguilar, executive director of the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group that promotes conservative values and ideals within the Latino community, believes Rubio is seriously leaning toward running in 2016. Neither Rubio nor Bush have said they are running, only that they have not yet decided. If you look at all the different [GOP] potential presidential candidates, hell be ready if he had to announce tomorrow in terms of his campaign infrastructure, said Aguilar, who served in the administration of President George W. Bush as chief of the U.S. Office of Citizenship. Jeb has the interest [in running], said Aguilar, who knows both Rubio and Bush, but in the past even though he had the interest he avoided it because of family reasons. The establishment is without a candidate Chris Christie hurt himself, Aguilar said, not because of the issue of the [George Washington] bridge itself, but because the issue uncovered who he is. Some observers believe that because of the close relationship that Rubio and Bush have, if one really wants to run in 2016, the other will not. Rubio recently said, however, that Bushs decision about whether to go for the GOP nomination in 2016 will not influence his own inclination to run or not. In terms of my decision-making for next year, it will be based on me not on anybody else, Rubio said in an interview with Politico when asked about the prospects of a Bush candidacy. And I think thats true for anyone thinking about it including himself, he said. Its not that unusual to see people who have been allies in the past end up running for an office like that, he added. Be that as it may, some experts believe that if Bush really wants to run, Rubio, who is 42, will defer, given that the former governor is 61 and this could be his last chance. If Bush were to run, though, hed have to gain credibility with the conservative base, Aguilar said. The one who really needs to tweak his message and improve his chances in the primary is, ironically, Jeb, Aguilar said. That is because the conservative segment sees Bush as an establishment Republican something that this group sees as another face of Big Government. They dont want someone they think will continue growing the federal government, and government spending, Aguilar said. Many conservatives see Bush as too close to big business and Wall Street. Marco has a better connection with the base, he has cross-over appeal, he has establishment GOP support, Aguilar said. Bush would get more of the Latino vote, both Amandi and Aguilar agree. He could get more than 40 percent of Latino voters, Amandi said, besting even his brothers impressive win of more than 40 percent of Latino support in 2004. Someone who could do well with both Latinos and establishment Republicans, and even conservatives, Aguilar said, is neither Bush nor Rubio its Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Perry, who unsuccessfully pursued the GOP nomination in 2012 presidential election, said he would not seek re-election as governor, but has been making presidential candidate-like moves, observers say. He delivered a strong speech at the key conservative annual gathering CPAC earlier this year. His speech was by far the best at CPAC, Aguilar said. Rick Perry entered the race too late last time, this time hes starting early, he said. Recently, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican who is a friend of both Rubio and Bush, said she would support Bush in 2016 if he ran. She dismissed the notion that Rubio would run against Bush. In an interview with The Hill, she touted Bushs electability, though added: "Maybe some folks don't think that [Bush is] as conservative as he should be, but he's a very pragmatic conservative and compassionate man as well. Later, Ros-Lehtinen, for whom Rubio had been an intern, tweeted: "I'm w/Marco also. Wasn't either/or. Both." The Democrats, for their part, said whether Rubio or Bush runs, it would be a distinction without a difference. It doesnt matter who the Republican Party nominates in 2016 if the GOP continues to support policies that are bad for the middle class, said Pili Tobar, a press secretary for the Democratic National Committee. The GOP is obsessed with repealing health care for millions of Americans, and still blocking immigration reform, a minimum wage increase and the Paycheck Fairness Act. No matter who the Republican nominee is, they represent the party of offensive rhetoric, and of hurtful policies for everyday Americans. The message is a common one for a political campaign the candidate had picked himself up from the bootstraps, and so he knew the value of being employed. But the message is in Spanish, and the messenger is a Republican Gov. Rick Scott, of Florida. Scott began the Latino outreach much earlier than usual in such elections, taking the unprecedented step of courting Latinos a whole seven months before the November election. Scott is just one of several Republican gubernatorial candidates focused on Spanish-language advertising, unusually early, in their re-election campaigns. The others are New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, and Illinois Bruce Rauner. None of the candidates running against them, the Wall Street Journal said, have started advertising on television. Underlying the assertive effort is the growth of the Latino population. You can expect to see many of our governors build their coalitions for re-election with multi-language ads and outreach, said Jon Thompson, a spokesman for the Republican Governors Association, according to the Journal. Abbot began advertising in Spanish in early March before he won the primary. Rauner took out Spanish-language ads last month and Martinez released her ads last week. Martinez's ad campaign, entitled Las Empresas Pequenas is a biographical spot about how her family started a security guard business and she said as governor shed fight for small businesses. We have to help them. That is something I will never forget, she says in the ad. Scott, who like some of the other candidates, is drawing from his rags-to-riches experience to personalize his courtship effort, has put $500,000 into his ad campaign. In 2010, Scott started advertising a month before the election. But he still managed to score the Latino vote, the newspaper noted. Although this is not addressed in the ad, Scott supports allowing undocumented immigrants to attend public colleges at the same tuition rates as other residents of the state. It marks a reversal from the 2010 primary, the Journal said, when Scott took a hard line on undocumented immigrants, backing a sweeping crackdown on them. For their part, Democratic candidates are likely to prop up their support for a comprehensive immigration reform law that would include a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Republican Congresss failure on this bipartisan priority will come back to haunt them this fall, said Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a written statement, according to the Journal. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld Michigan's ban on using race as a factor in college admissions. The justices said in a 6-2 ruling that Michigan voters had the right to change their state constitution in 2006 to prohibit public colleges and universities from taking account of race in admissions decisions. The justices said that a lower federal court was wrong to set aside the change as discriminatory. Justice Anthony Kennedy said voters chose to eliminate racial preferences, presumably because such a system could give rise to race-based resentment. Kennedy said nothing in the Constitution or the court's prior cases gives judges the authority to undermine the election results. "This case is not about how the debate about racial preferences should be resolved. It is about who may resolve it," Kennedy said. In dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the decision tramples on the rights of minorities, even though the amendment was adopted democratically. "But without checks, democratically approved legislation can oppress minority groups," said Sotomayor, who read her dissent aloud in the courtroom Tuesday. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg sided with Sotomayor in dissent. At 58 pages, Sotomayor's dissent was longer than the combined length of the four opinions in support of the outcome. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas agreed with Kennedy. Justice Elena Kagan did not take part in the case, presumably because she worked on it at an earlier stage while serving in the Justice Department. In 2003, the Supreme Court upheld the consideration of race among many factors in college admissions in a case from Michigan. Three years later, affirmative action opponents persuaded Michigan voters to change the state constitution to outlaw any consideration of race. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the issue was not affirmative action, but the way in which its opponents went about trying to bar it. In its 8-7 decision, the appeals court said the provision ran afoul of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment because it presents an extraordinary burden to affirmative action supporters who would have to mount their own long, expensive campaign to repeal the constitutional provision. Similar voter-approved initiatives banning affirmative action in education are in place in California and Washington state. A few other states have adopted laws or issued executive orders to bar race-conscious admissions policies. Black and Latino enrollment at the University of Michigan has dropped since the ban took effect. At California's top public universities, African-Americans are a smaller share of incoming freshmen, while Latino enrollment is up slightly, but far below the state's growth in the percentage of Latino high school graduates. The case was the court's second involving affirmative action in as many years. In June, the justices ordered lower courts to take another look at the University of Texas admissions plan in a ruling that could make it harder for public colleges to justify any use of race in admissions. The case is Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, 12-682. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The Obama administration notified Congress that it approved the possible sale of 18 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, equipment and logistical support to Mexico for $680 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, or DSCA, said. The State Department approved the foreign military sale, which was requested by Mexico, and notified Congress last Thursday of its plans, the DSCA said in a statement. Lawmakers have 30 days, as of April 17, to express objections or else the sale will be final. "This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner. Mexico has been a strong partner in combating organized crime and drug trafficking organizations," the DSCA said. The sale covers 18 UH-60M Black Hawks, 40 T700-GE-701D engines, navigation systems, 36 M134 7.62 mm machine guns and other gear. "Mexico intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces and expand its existing army architecture in its efforts to combat drug trafficking organizations," the DSCA said. According to Defense News, Mexico purchased three UH-60Ms in 2011, but the large number of helicopters involved in this purchase will bolster Mexico's "capability to provide in-country airlift support for its forces engaged in counter-drug operations," the DSCA said. The contractors involved in the deal are Sikorsky Aircraft Company in Stratford, Connecticut, and General Electric Aircraft Company, or GEAC, in Lynn, Massachusetts. The announcement appeared to be timed to coincide to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's trip to Mexico and Guatemala later this week. Based on reporting by EFE. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Santas Gutierrez weeps when she speaks about how she feels about President Obama now. In 2008, and again in 2010, her relatives voted for him, clinging to his vow to reform immigration laws. I feel betrayed, said Gutierrez, a legal permanent resident who came from Guatemala in 1989, and whose husband has been in immigration detention for five months. I thought, we all thought, that things would improve for immigrants. Gutierrez was one of dozens of people relatives of immigrants who are sitting in detention or who have been deported who staged a hunger strike outside the White House, demanding that Obama curb deportations, which have reached a record rate during his tenure. The hunger strike was one of many demonstrations and press conferences held around the country to vent frustration over Obama and his failure to deliver on his campaign promises regarding a sweeping immigration overhaul. The frustration, which has been mounting since another attempt to pass immigration reform failed in Congress last year, did not ebb on Tuesday a day after news that U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is considering limiting deportations of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. Among those who may be spared deportation in a change in the process are those who don't have serious criminal records, and others who now are removed each year solely because they committed repeat immigration violations, such as re-entering the country illegally after having been deported, failing to comply with a deportation order or missing an immigration court date. However, it would fall short of the sweeping changes sought by activists, who have grown increasingly frustrated by what they say is Obama's refusal to use executive powers to change some key aspects of U.S. immigration policy. My first thought, when I heard that, was right now there are cases of people in detention, and people who are being deported, said Tania Unzueta, an organizer for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, in a phone interview with Fox News Latino. If theyre considering change, if that change is going to happen, it needs to happen today, as soon as possible. Unzueta is a member of a commission that activists who want a comprehensive reform bill formed to come up with recommendations to give to the Obama administration for an overhaul of immigration policies. She was one of about 20 activists who met with Johnson recently to discuss the recommendations. Mondays news reports about the DHS heads plans to review changes to deportation, Unzueta said, left her underwhelmed. At this point, its hard to get excited about announcements, Unzueta said. Weve been waiting for so long for Congress to act, and the president can use his executive power to do something right now. Why are we waiting? Obama has blamed Republicans in the House of Representatives for inaction on immigration reform. A bipartisan group in the Senate four Republicans and four Democrats last year spearheaded a legislative effort that included provisions for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, tightened border security and expanded worker visas programs. But the measure, which passed in the Democrat-controlled Senate in June, came to a halt in the House, where Republicans hold a majority and where a conservative faction has vowed not to pass any measure that gives breaks to people who have broken immigration laws. But Obama, liberal critics say, has presided over the highest rate of deportations of any president something, they say, he cannot blame on Congress and its handling of immigration reform proposals. The family-separation crisis is a very real and terrifying burden to a generation of parents and children who either live in crippling fear or continue to be tragically torn from one another, said a statement by the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), the nations largest immigrant-rights coalition. On one hand, President Obamas policies lead to scores of needless deportations and family separations, said the FIRM statement. On the other hand, Republicans seem happy to abdicate their responsibility and take up the family separation mantle as a party platform. Together, theyve manufactured a painful moral crisis in our communities. These advocates, many who supported Obamas presidential candidacy, want the president to expand a two-year-old program that grants work permits to certain immigrants brought here illegally as children to include other groups, such as the parents of any children born in the United States. Gutierrez, the Guatemalan woman whose husband sits in deportation, said she holds out hope that Jeh Johnson will implement the changes that reportedly he is considering. Her husband, Gutierrez said, is a farm worker who was arrested in their home state of Massachusetts last year after a routine traffic stop. Police found he was driving without a license, and because of his illegal status, he was detained under the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Though Gutierrez has her green card, and they have three U.S.-born daughters, her husband has a difficult immigration case. He was deported twice and re-entered, technically a federal crime. He has no criminal history, said Unzueta, who is familiar with the details of the case. Some people get charged with a felony for re-entry, others dont. Santas Gutierrez said she hopes the rumored changes under consideration take hold while her husband is still in the United States and could benefit from them. Hes worked hard his whole time here, she said. He tends crops corn, tomatoes he supports his family. Ive never been on a government handout. Ive stayed home and raised our children, and hes provided. For most of his time here, her husband, whom she met in the United States, had a work permit, she said. But it expired, and he did not apply for a green card. Were devastated, she said. Hes sitting in a jail. My daughters grades have suffered. They are depressed and are despondent, they are not motivated to do anything. I cannot sleep, I am on medication for sleep now. I wish President Obama would do what he said he would, she said, weeping. We believed him. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Nearly 20 years after California became the first state to ban the use of race and ethnicity in college admissions, a proposal to reinstate affirmative action has sparked a backlash that is forging a new divide in the state's powerful Democratic Party and creating opportunity for conservatives. The debate is unfolding in the nation's most populous and most ethnically diverse state as an unrelated U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholds voters' rights to decide whether racial considerations should factor into university selections. The California proposal would allow voters to rescind their state's affirmative action ban, but unexpected pushback from families of Asian descent who mobilized through Chinese-language media, staged rallies and organized letter-writing campaigns has all but killed the measure. "I was surprised," said Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-Covina, the author of the bill. "I didn't expect it." Asian-American students are enrolled at many of California's top schools in numbers far greater than their proportion of the state's population. Critics of Hernandez's plan expressed concern that qualified students would be dismissed simply because of their ethnicity. The ensuing debate has reopened an old fissure over the role of race in college admissions, divided Democrats along racial lines and created an opportunity for the California GOP. California voters were the first in the nation to ban the use of affirmative action in university admissions in 1996. Hernandez has tried recently to undo that action, saying it harms black and Latino students. His proposal, SCA5, was his fourth attempt. A similar voter-approved ban in Michigan was upheld by the nation's highest court Tuesday, but that ruling is not expected to change the discussion in California, where the prohibition is likely to remain in place independent of the court decision. Hernandez's proposal sailed through the state Senate in January on a Democratic Party-line vote. Legislative leaders, however, pulled the bill before it could be debated in the Assembly after the harsh reaction. The controversy highlights the complexity of racial politics in California, where the public school system has struggled for decades to improve achievement. Critics of the affirmative action ban say it's part of a school system that fails black and Latino students. Blacks and Latinos are more likely to attend the state's lowest-performing schools than their white or Asian counterparts, affecting their ability to be accepted into four-year universities, where they are underrepresented. Rather than debate Hernandez's full proposal, lawmakers now plan to hold hearings about affirmative action and other aspects of campus equality. The state's governing party has split along racial lines. Three Asian-American senators, all Democrats who were seeking higher office at the time, withdrew their support of the bill after being bombarded by public criticism. Six black and Latino lawmakers have since withdrawn their endorsements of Sen. Ted Lieu, who is Chinese-American, in a Los Angeles-area congressional race where he faces another Democrat in the primary. And some black and Latino Assembly members this month withheld votes from unrelated legislation about the state's carpool program by Assemblyman Al Muratsutchi, D-Torrance, who is Japanese-American. The Senate's Democratic leader, President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, acknowledged the animosity. He said in a statement that he wanted "a serious and sober examination" of affirmative action, adding "I am deeply concerned anytime one ethnic group turns on another." In recent statistics, the University of California system said 36 percent of its in-state freshman admissions offers for fall 2014 are to Asian-American students, 29 percent are for Latino students, 27 percent are for white students and 4 percent of offers are to black students. At some campuses, including UC-San Diego and UC-Irvine, Asian-American students accounted for more than 45 percent of admitted freshmen last year. Hispanics have slightly overtaken whites as the largest ethnic group in California, although both groups represent about 39 percent of the population. Asian-Americans a population that includes Filipinos, Chinese, Indians, Japanese, Vietnamese, Laotians and others comprise about 13 percent. Blacks are less than 6 percent. Hernandez said nothing in his proposal would impose quotas based on ethnicity, which have been ruled unconstitutional. He said race, ethnicity and gender would be added to a list of factors college admissions officers already consider, such as extracurricular activities and family income. "Rather than create a wedge, my idea is to have a real public debate about this," he said. "What's wrong with talking about race?" The uproar has created a potential inroad for California's minority party. Republicans have struggled to attract younger and non-white voters since the mid-90s, when Republican Gov. Pete Wilson supported a proposal that banned immigrants in the country illegally from access to most social services, Proposition 187 in 1994, and the constitutional amendment that prohibited the use of racial considerations in education, state hiring and contracting, Proposition 209 in 1996. Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Washington subsequently adopted similar bans. Seeking to capitalize politically, Republicans are now targeting upwardly mobile Asian-Americans angered by the proposal. Peter Kuo, a Republican candidate for state Senate, has been outspoken on the issue during his campaign for an eastern San Francisco Bay Area district that is 40 percent Asian-American. "The Democratic Party is the party using the name of equality and diversity to lower the standard and preventing us from going into higher education, instead of using merit, which is the way we thought it was going to be," said Kuo, who came with his family from Taiwan when he was 14. "I can't go and tell my kids, 'Hey, because you're Asian you can't get into the school you want,'" he said. "The American dream is really built on hard work, education and equality." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Minority rights groups are upset at the U.S. Supreme Court decision Tuesday upholding Michigan's ban on using race as a factor in college admissions, calling it a step back for students even as the University of Michigan has been taking steps to reach out to minorities and make them feel welcome on campus. Blacks made up just 4.6 percent of undergraduate students last fall, a figure that has dropped since voters in 2006 said race couldn't be used as a factor in the selection process. Nearly eight years later, the Supreme Court said the Michigan constitutional amendment will stand. "To take away the rights of minorities is a shocking decision," said George Washington, a Detroit lawyer who challenged the law. "With this, and the voting rights decision last year, it's clear the Supreme Court is undoing the rights gained by blacks and Latino people in the 1960s and 1970s." The university declined to make officials available for an interview. It released a statement from President Mary Sue Coleman, who said the school would use "every legal tool at our disposal to bring together a diverse student body." Asians make up 13 percent of undergraduates, well above the state's Asian population, and Hispanics represent 4.4 percent. Leaders of the Black Student Union have proposed ways to increase black enrollment and enhance the campus for minorities. They include lower housing costs for low-income students, better promotion of emergency financial assistance and improvements at a multicultural center. The group wants black enrollment to be 10 percent, which is closer to the state's 14 percent black population. The university last week said it's had good conversations with the group and is upgrading the multicultural center while a site for an additional center is being explored. The university also is making money available for transportation between the campus and surrounding communities when buses aren't available. Jennifer Gratz of Fort Myers, Fla., was involved in the campaign for the constitutional amendment and said the Supreme Court decision is a "great victory" for Michigan voters. She sued over the university's racial preferences in 1997 after being rejected for admission. Gratz, who is white, recently challenged a black Detroit high school senior to a debate about affirmative action after Brooke Kimbrough appeared at a rally to complain about not getting accepted to the University of Michigan with a 3.6 grade-point average and a 23 on the ACT. Attorney General Bill Schuette, who defended the amendment at the nation's top court, praised the 6-2 decision. "We need to have diversity in our campuses ... across the state of Michigan and across America," he said. "And we need to achieve this diverse student population by constitutional means. That's the message of this opinion." While the focus has been on the University of Michigan, the ban on affirmative action in college admissions applies to all public schools. Michigan State University, the largest school in the state, said blacks were 6 percent of undergraduates last fall. Washington said the University of Michigan could boost minority enrollment by dropping ACT and SAT scores from the admissions process. He said blacks and Hispanics historically post lower scores than white students and are rejected. Washington also called for sit-ins. "The Supreme Court has taken the gloves off, so we'll be taking the gloves off," he said. Coleman has publicly acknowledged that minority students have concerns. "We hear loud and clear that students of color feel isolated and marginalized, and that our frequently declared commitment to diversity is perceived as disingenuous," she said in February. "Students here and elsewhere are raising real and painful concerns about campus climate and the diminishing number of students of color in classrooms." Based on reporting by The Associated Press. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo announced Monday that he is calling for the head of the Department of Children and Families to resign. DeLeo said two recent deaths involving children show to him "complete mismanagement." He said he is angered to see this continuing to happen. The speaker told reporters on Beacon Hill that "we can't wait for a new governor," and action must be taken now. In February, Gov. Deval Patrick said embattled DCF Commissioner Olga Roche offered her resignation and that he refused to accept it. The governor told FOX 25's Sharman Sacchetti on Monday that he isn't sure if firing Roche is "an adequate solution," adding that he still has questions for her. "My confidence in that whole organization has been rattled," Gov. Patrick told FOX 25. The renewed call for Roche's resignation comes after the deaths of two infants. A 16-day-old Fitchburg baby was pronounced dead at the hospital Saturday morning. She was brought in by her parents without a pulse, according to the district attorneys office. DCF says the baby's family has been receiving support and services since October 2012. The department's last visit with all family members was on March 26. Another home visit was reportedly attempted last Friday, but the family was not home. The visit was rescheduled to April 28. Another infant was found dead inside her mother's Grafton apartment on April 11. According to the Boston Globe, police officers had faxed a complaint saying there was potential danger for the 4-week-old baby, but the supervisor responsible for monitoring faxed reports was not in the office. "Do we really need a procedure for that? To check a fax machine?" DeLeo said Monday. He added that it would have been proper procedure for police to follow up with a phone call. A DCF spokesperson confirmed to FOX 25 that they were in the process of investigating when the tragic incident occurred. They also say police officers are required by law to verbally report allegations of suspected child abuse or neglect and a fax was not sufficient. Investigators are awaiting autopsy results. The investigation has not been ruled criminal and officials say it's classified as an unattended death. Calls for Roche's resignation initially began after the disappearance of Jeremiah Oliver, who was found dead two weeks ago off a highway in Sterling. The 5-year-old disappeared in September, but the state only learned about it in December. Three DCF workers were fired as a result. For more Boston news, check out My Fox Boston. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino A federal judge struck down Wisconsin's voter identification law Tuesday, declaring that a requirement that voters show a state-issued photo ID at the polls imposes an unfair burden on poor and minority voters. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman sided with opponents of the law, who argued that low-income and minority voters aren't as likely to have photo IDs or the documents needed to get them. Adelman said the law violated the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of equal protection. He also said the law appeared too flawed to fix with legislative amendments. Adelman's decision invalidates Wisconsin's law and means voter ID likely won't be in place for the fall elections, when Republican Gov. Scott Walker faces re-election. While Walker committed last month to calling a special legislative session if the law were struck down in court, his spokeswoman wouldn't commit to that Tuesday. "We believe the voter ID law is constitutional and will ultimately be upheld," Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said in an email. "We're reviewing the decision for any potential action." The ruling could set a precedent for similar legal challenges in Texas, North Carolina and elsewhere. There are 31 states with laws in effect requiring voters to show some form of identification, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Seven states have strict photo ID requirements similar to the one a state judge struck down in Arkansas last week; that decision has been appealed to the Arkansas Supreme Court. Pennsylvania's voter ID law has been put on hold because of court challenges. Earlier this month, President Barack Obama waded into the voter ID debate, accusing Republicans of using restrictions to keep voters from the polls and jeopardizing 50 years of expanded voting access for millions of black Americans and other minorities. A Dane County judge had already blocked Wisconsin's law in state court. The state Supreme Court heard arguments in two separate lawsuits in February, although it's not clear when the justices will issue a ruling. For voter ID to be reinstated, the state's high court would have to rule that it doesn't violate the state constitution, and Adelman's decision would have to be overturned on appeal. Wisconsin's Department of Justice, which defended the state law in court, pledged to continue the fight. "I am disappointed with the order and continue to believe Wisconsin's law is constitutional," Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said in a statement. "We will appeal." Republican backers had argued that requiring voters to show ID would cut down on voter fraud and boost public confidence in the integrity of the election process. But Adelman, who was appointed to the bench in 1997 by President Bill Clinton, said the state failed to prove that voter fraud is a legitimate problem. "(V)irtually no voter impersonation occurs in Wisconsin," he wrote in a 90-page opinion, "and it is exceedingly unlikely that voter impersonation will become a problem in Wisconsin in the foreseeable future." Wisconsin's Republican-led Legislature passed the photo ID requirement in 2011, scoring a long-sought GOP priority. Former Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, had vetoed a similar requirement three times between 2002 and 2005. Wisconsin's law was only in effect for a 2012 primary before a Dane County judge declared it unconstitutional. Adelman pledged to expedite any proceedings should Wisconsin's Legislature attempt to amend the law, but he also had strong cautionary words for lawmakers. "Given the evidence presented at trial showing that Blacks and Latinos are more likely than whites to lack an ID, it is difficult to see how an amendment to the photo ID requirement could remove its disproportionate racial impact and discriminatory result," Adelman wrote. Wisconsin residents can get a free state ID from a Department of Motor Vehicles by presenting documents such as a certified birth certificate, passport or Social Security card. Each document must be unexpired, and the person's name must be spelled identically on each document. A number of witnesses testified the regulation was a problem, either because their names were misspelled on a key document or because they were born in rural areas during an era when birth certificates weren't always issued. Adelman cited their testimony in his ruling, noting that they faced challenges that could deter them from voting. "Although not every voter will face all of these obstacles, many voters will face some of them, particularly those who are low-income," the judge wrote. The federal challenge combined two separate cases. One was brought by minority-rights groups, including the Wisconsin chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, and the other involved the American Civil Liberties Union and the Washington, D.C.-based Advancement Project. ACLU spokesman Dale Ho said his group was "ecstatic" over the victory, and felt Adelman rendered a fair assessment of the evidence. "We're pleased. We feel vindicated by the judge's decision," he said. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino BOSTON - The secretary of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that Olga Roche has resigned as commissioner of the Department of Children and Families. Secretary John Polanowicz announced he accepted Roche's resignation during a press conference Tuesday. "I agree the commissioner should step aside," said Gov. Deval Patrick, who was also in attendance. "I do so with some sadness, but agree it's time." Gov. Patrick went on to say he thought the time for change is now and that he doesn't think it is right, but he thinks it is necessary. "Every time there is a turn in the events at DCF, it has focused automatically without there being a direct connection, or whether or not there was a direct connection between a failure and a fault, on the resignation of the commissioner and that makes it impossible for the agency to do the job that they have to do," said Gov. Patrick. Erin Deveney, who the governor said has been with DCF for 30 days, will serve as interim commissioner. The governor said Deveney has management experience with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. The announcement comes one day after Polanowicz met with Roche and Gov. Patrick to discuss the recent deaths of two babies. The governor said he was reviewing information provided to him in that meeting before deciding on what is next. The meeting was held amid renewed calls for Roche's resignation from some of the state's top lawmakers. House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray both called for Roche to step down. "As Speaker of the House, I think it is incumbent upon me to call upon commissioner of DCF Olga Roche to resign," DeLeo said at a news conference outside his State House office Monday. Citing a complete failure of management, DeLeo said it was high time that Roche stepped down, especially now after the deaths of two babies in Fitchburg and Grafton. Authorities say the family of a 2-week old Fitchburg baby who died over the weekend was being monitored by state child welfare officials. In the second case, a DCF spokeswoman says a fax from Grafton police about possible harm to a 4-week-old who later died was misplaced for six days. The body of a third child, 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver of Fitchburg, was found off a highway in central Massachusetts this month. Jeremiah's family was also under DCF supervision at the time of his disappearance. Authorities say the family of a Fitchburg baby who died over the weekend was being monitored by state child welfare officials. They say 2-week old Bailey Irish was brought to the hospital on Saturday morning by her parents. She was pronounced dead a short time later. In an unrelated case, a DCF spokeswoman says a fax from Grafton police about possible harm to another infant who later died, 4-week-old Aliana Lavigne, was misplaced for six days. The agency said it's unacceptable that the fax went undiscovered. The department is trying to determine the best method of communicating reports electronically including linking faxes up to email for more timely delivery. But the agency also said mandated reporters are required to verbally report allegations of abuse or neglect to DCF something they said police failed to do. The Grafton police chief acknowledged police should have called DCF, but he also defended his officers, saying the agency is trying to deflect blame. In the third case, Jeremiah was last seen in September but wasn't reported missing until December. Police said his death appeared to be a homicide. The boy's mother and her boyfriend are facing charges in connection with his disappearance but not his death. Speaking to reporters Monday, Gov. Patrick said his confidence in the DCF has been "rattled." The Associated Press contributed to this report. For more stories go to myfoxboston.com Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Sen. Ted Cruz has called for the resignation of Secretary of State John Kerry over reportedly telling world leaders that Israel could become an apartheid state. The Texas GOP said on Monday he was greatly saddened to read the comments Kerry made during a closed-door meeting of the Trilateral Commission in Washington on Friday. The Daily Beast reported that during the meeting, Kerry said Israel risked becoming an apartheid state with two classes of citizens if negotiations for a peace deal failed and a two-state solution is not reached. I was convinced that as Secretary of State, John Kerry would place what he considered to be the wishes of the international community above the national security interests of the United States. I fear with these most-recent ill-chosen remarks, Secretary Kerry has proved those concerns founded, Cruz said during a floor speech Monday. Secretary Kerry has thus proven himself unsuitable for his position and that before any further harm is done to our alliance with Israel, he should offer President Obama his resignation and the President should accept it. Cruz continued: The term apartheid means apart different, isolated the state of the victims of apartheid with which the Jews are all too familiar. The notion that Israel would go down that path, and so face the same condemnation that met South Africa, is unconscionable, In a statement released by the State Department Monday, Kerry said he chose the wrong word in describing Israels potential future and lashed out against partisan political attacks against him. He acknowledged his comments during the closed meeting could be misinterpreted. While he pointedly did not apologize for his remarks, Kerry stressed he was, and is, a strong supporter of Israel, which he called a vibrant democracy. He said his remarks were only an expression of his firm belief that a two-state resolution is the only viable way to end the long-running conflict. And, he stressed, he does not believe Israel is, or is definitely on track to become, an "apartheid state." "I will not allow my commitment to Israel to be questioned by anyone, particularly for partisan, political purposes, so I want to be crystal clear about what I believe and what I don't believe," Kerry said after U.S. lawmakers and pro-Israel groups criticized him, with some demanding his resignation or at least an apology. In his statement, Kerry defended his general point, noting that numerous Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and predecessors Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, have offered similar assessments in the past. But he said while Barak, Olmert and Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni "have all invoked the specter of apartheid to underscore the dangers of a unitary state for the future, it is a word best left out of the debate here at home." Netanyahu's office declined comment on Kerry's remarks. But Israeli Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, a member of Netanyahu's Likud Party, wrote scathing criticism of the secretary of state on his Facebook page. Noting that Kerry's comments coincided with Israel's annual Holocaust Memorial Day, Katz wrote: "Shame on you, Kerry! There are words that mustn't be said." House GOP leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said Kerry should apologize, while the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee described his use of the term as "offensive." Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California was also critical of Kerry's comment, saying on Twitter, "Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and any linkage between Israel and apartheid is nonsensical and ridiculous." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino John Boehner doesnt mock. Well, maybe just a little. And lovingly. At a closed-door meeting with congressional Republicans Tuesday morning, the Speaker apologized for comments he made over the recess at an Ohio Rotary Club, apparently mocking politicians for stalling on working on an overhaul of the immigration system. "Here's the attitude, Boehner said last week before affecting a high-pitched tone, 'Oh, don't make me do this. Oh, this is too hard,'" he went on. He added that some of his colleagues in Congress would prefer to ignore that, "We get elected to solve problems." According to Roll Call, during the session with his fellow Republicans, the Speaker also assured colleagues that he has no interest in pushing immigration reform over their objections. After the meeting, Boehner spoke to reporters, and he appeared to back down from the pugnacious stance he took at the Rotary Club. "You tease the ones you love, right?" Boehner told reporters. "But some people misunderstood what I had to say. I can rib people just a little too much sometimes. This wouldn't be the first time." I wanted to make sure the members understood the biggest impediment we have to moving immigration reform is that the America people dont trust the president to enforce or implement the law that we may or may not pass, he said, according to the website Politico. Asked if there would be a vote on immigration reform, Boehner answered, We all know we have a broken immigration system. Were going to continue to work with our members and have discussions to see if theres a way forward. Some conservatives took offense at Boehner's comments, saying the Speaker should be keeping the focus on Barack Obama. Some Republicans say it's largely the president's fault that comprehensive immigration legislation, including border security and eventual citizenship for millions, remains stalled in the House 10 months after Senate passage. They say they can't trust Obama because of his record of taking steps by executive action. Democrats, meanwhile, saw signs of renewed hope for immigration legislation in Boehner's comments blaming the House GOP, though Boehner's aides downplayed any such suggestion. Asked Tuesday about Boehner's remarks, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said, "I'm glad he's complaining about his members for a change so I don't have to." Because of the dim prospects on Capitol Hill, Obama has come under extraordinary pressure to act on his own to stem deportations and address the 11.5 million people in the country illegally. The administration is weighing curbing deportations of people here illegally who have little or no criminal record, but timing on any such steps is uncertain. Administration officials appear to want to give Boehner time and space to exhaust the possibility of congressional action before moving forward on their own. After the closed-door meeting on Tuesday, Politico spoke to a couple of the other House Republicans present at the meeting and found little rancor toward Boehner over the comments. He was really just, I think, trying to get ahead of any criticism, Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) said. I do think some members were offended by that, and I think he was trying to put it in proportion in saying that it was not as serious as maybe it seemed to be. People say all kinds of things, said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) when asked for his reaction to Boehners remarks. No big deal. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The young woman whose social media boasts about herself as the Pothead Princess and her partying lifestyle became nationally known after she drunk-drove her car into another, killing two other young women, says she is remorseful. In her first televised interview, with Inside Edition, Kayla Mendoza, a 20-year-old from Hallandale Beach, Florida, said she had no recollection of the wreck that killed two best friends, Maria Caran Catronio and Kaitlyn Nicole Ferrante, both 21. Mendoza had been drinking with co-workers before she got into her car with a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 and drove on Floridas the Sawgrass Expressway on Nov. 17 in the wrong direction, smacking her Hyundai Sonata right into the Toyota Camry that was carrying the other women. Shortly after, news spread that Mendoza had tweeted 2 drunk 2 care before the crash, a statement that was believed to refer to her state of mind and whatever consequences arose from it. But in the interview, Mendoza, who was left in a wheelchair and unable to walk after the accident, said that the tweet was meant for her boyfriend, with whom she had been fighting that day. More On This... "I wish there was something I could say to make up for what happened," Mendoza told Inside Edition in an interview that is to air on Wednesday night. "But no matter how many 'sorrys,' apologies, tears I cry no matter how much I hate myself for what happened, nothing I say will change anything. Police arrested Mendoza earlier this month and charged her with the deaths of Catronio and Ferrante. She faces eight criminal charges, including DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide, according to the Broward/Palm Beach New Times. On her social media pages, Mendoza spoke about how her car smelled "permanently" of weed and how she smoke a "bedtime blunt to be able to sleep at night. Mendoza said that her boss, Marcelo Bruzzo, knew that she was too young to drink legally when he and a group of her coworkers from the T-Mobile Store where she worked went out to party. "My manager, Marcelo, invites me to go to a restaurant that my coworkers were going to," she said in the interview, according to published reports. "We were all going to hang out. So my car was left at T-Mobile and I rode with him in his car to the restaurant." Later, Mendoza dropped her off at her car, she said. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Attorney General Mark Herring on Tuesday instructed Virginia colleges to grant in-state tuition to potentially thousands of students who were previously considered ineligible because of their immigration status. The policy change, announced in front of hundreds of cheering immigration advocates at Northern Virginia Community College's Alexandria campus, is a change from the Democrat's Republican predecessors. In the past, the attorney general's office had advised that students who entered the country illegally were barred from receiving in-state tuition, even if they were children when they immigrated. Herring now says students can qualify for the reduced tuition under a special immigration status created by the Obama administration for certain young people brought to the U.S. as children. The change, he said, will allow students who have lived in Virginia to continue their education and become productive members of the workforce "instead of punishing them for the way their parents brought them to the United States as children." Herring said the change is immediate and applies to all public colleges in the state. The change brought immediate condemnation from Republicans who control Virginia's House of Delegates. They had rejected legislation that would have done the same thing. "These issues should be considered, discussed and eventually resolved through the legislative and democratic processes, not by the unilateral actions of one individual," House Republican leaders, including Speaker William Howell, said in a joint statement. Whether students lacking legal status should receive in-state tuition has been an issue in Virginia and across the nation for more than a decade. In 2002, then-Attorney General Jerry Kilgore advised Virginia colleges that they should not even admit illegal immigrants, and if they did, they were barred from granting those students in-state tuition. In 2004, a federal judge in Alexandria tossed out a lawsuit attacking that policy. Much has changed since then, however. In 2012, Obama created a special immigration status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), for immigrants between the ages of 15 and 32 who came to the U.S. before they turned 16. That status allows them to remain if they have graduated from high school or are enrolled as students and meet other conditions. Herring said the new category amounts to lawful immigration status for those who hold it, and he is therefore empowered to implement the change. Herring's office estimated that 8,100 Virginia residents have obtained lawful status under the 2012 program and are now eligible for in-state tuition. Herring said 19 states have taken similar action, either through state law or by administrative action. The change will be particularly meaningful in northern Virginia, home to most of the state's immigrant population. Robert Templin, president of Northern Virginia Community College, said that nearly half of all Virginia's Latino and Asian undergraduates are enrolled at either his school or at George Mason University. GMU's president, Angel Cabrera, attended Tuesday's announcement, and said the inability to obtain in-state tuition was a "definite barrier" to affected students who want to enroll at GMU. Dayana Torres, a sophomore at GMU who attends on a scholarship and now holds DACA status after coming to Virginia at the age of 9 from Colombia, said many of her friends take classes on a piecemeal basis, scraping up money to pay for community-college classes that cost three times as much for students who lack in-state status. Templin said the change is important for what it symbolizes as well. "It is a signal to all New Americans who live in Virginia that our state recognizes the importance of developing their talent for the benefit of all Virginia," he said. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The Florida House amended a bill Thursday to include language that would help immigrants who are unlawfully in the country to receive their law licenses under certain conditions. The decision comes a month after the state Supreme Court denied a license to a man because of his immigration status. Jose Godinez-Samperio watched from the gallery as the House approved language to give the Supreme Court the ability to grant law licenses to immigrants here illegally under certain conditions. House Speaker Will Weatherford congratulated him after the bill (HB 755) passed. "You've been given an opportunity by this Legislature ... an act of justice by this Legislature," said Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. "Return that act of justice to many others." Godinez-Samperio's parents brought him to the United States on a tourist visa when he was 9 and the family remained in the country after the visas expired. He was an Eagle Scout and the valedictorian of his high school before graduating from Florida State University's law school. He passed the bar exam in 2011, but the Supreme Court said in March that Florida law didn't allow him to get a law license. The court suggested the Legislature could pass a law to allow immigrants here illegally to obtain law licenses, and noted that Godinez-Samperio is an exemplary candidate. The Senate approved language last week that would allow the court to issue law licenses to people in the country unlawfully if they came to the country as a minor and if they have been in Florida for more than 10 years. The House language added other conditions. Candidates would also have to have a Social Security number and authorization to work in the United States. Men seeking a license also would have to register for the military draft. Godinez-Samperio meets all of those qualifications. The bill now goes back to the Senate with the new language. "I'm feeling great," Godinez-Samperio said. "Today is a great day for justice, for state's rights. Today is a great day for fairness." Godinez-Samperio received a work permit in 2012 as part of President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which halted the deportation of immigrants brought to the United States as children. He is working as a paralegal at Gulf Coast Legal Services, which provides free legal help to low-income people in the Tampa Bay area. He hopes to practice immigration law. "Just as I needed somebody navigate the complex immigration system in this country ... hopefully in the future I will be able to help somebody else," he said. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino While many May Day activities traditionally have focused on labor wage and hour issues, many rallies and marches on Thursday are all about immigration, and mounting frustration over the record deportation rate. Advocates for more lenient immigration policies, undocumented immigrants and their relatives staged marches and rallies in cities across the country, as well in the nations capital, including near the White House. Many said they were protesting the failure of Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would give undocumented immigrants a chance to legalize their status, and they were protesting what they say has been President Obamas overzealous enforcement approach. President Obama has said that he is just deporting criminals so I want to know, why is he deporting me and other mothers like me? said Catia Paz Alvarez, who attended a rally in Washington D.C. that was organized by CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy group. A CASA statement about the May Day rally said that Alvarez, who is undocumented, came at the age of 17 and had led an exemplary life working, paying taxes, and raising a family. But she is in deportation proceedings and recently got a denial of her application to have her removal from the United States suspended, the statement said. CASA and many protesters on Thursday said that the White House vow to shift its deportation aproach to zero in on immigrants who have criminal backgrounds or who are national security threats has not become reality. Many labor unions entwined their core mission with that of demanding immigration reform, a growing part of their lobbying in the recent decade. As thousands across the nation raise their voices today in commemoration of the International Day of Workers, our commitment to all workers remains steadfast, said Rocio Saenz, SEIU Executive Vice President. From those working behind the counter of a fast food restaurant to our immigrant brothers and sisters working in the shadows, we proudly stand with them. May Day marks our enduring promise to our immigrant communities and workers everywhere to get immigration reform done this year. We are undeterred by the empty rhetoric and inexcusable delay in the House to vote on the most important issue of our time, Saenz said. When our country and our families stand to gain, the Republican congressional leadership has stood in wait. A bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill passed in the Senate last June. That bill included, among other things, tightened border security, expanded foreign worker visas, and a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants who meet a strict set of criteria. But the effort fell apart in the House, where Republicans have a majority and solid conservative faction has promised not to pass any measure that includes a path to legal status for those who have broken U.S. immigration laws. In Los Angeles, where activists were marching in the downtown area, the focus was on Obama and what many say is his ability to stem the deportations that have reached a record 2 million during his tenure. "The president needs to be pressured to use the authority that he has to keep families together," said the Rev. David Farley, pastor at Echo Park United Methodist Church and organizer of the protest, according to the Los Angeles Times. Others, however, say the president has brought some relief to undocumented immigrants, while trying to be careful not to worsen the chances that Republicans in Congress will work with Democrats to overhaul immigration laws. These defenders of Obama mention the 2012 presidential order called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which gave undocumented immigrants brought as minors a two-year suspension from deportation, as well as a work permit. "At a time when the opposing party has been relentlessly attacking the administration in the hope of gaining control of Congress, the friendly fire from those who have every reason to be supportive is not just unfair and mystifying, it is damaging," said Stephen Legomsky, a professor of immigration law who served in the Obama administration as chief counsel for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to the Times. The National Council of La Raza, for its part, said its not letting the House of Representatives off the hook. A statement by NCLR noted that although the House is scheduled to be in session for three weeks in May, a memo of agenda items includes no mention of immigration. NCLRs president, Janet Murguia, said it was the fault of both political parties that immigration reform efforts have come to a halt. Continuing to ignore the problems within our immigration system is counterproductive to improving this countrys economic and social well-being, Murguia said. We have an opportunity to create thousands of new jobs in every congressional district and add billions of dollars in additional income for all Americans over the next decade. But that requires passing immigration reform. A new poll that looked at how Florida registered voters would cast their ballots in a 2016 Republican primary, former Gov. Jeb Bush led by about a 2-to-1 margin over other GOP contenders. Bush leads in the hypothetical GOP contest with 27 percent compared to 14 percent for U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, 11 percent for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, and 7 percent for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. As for other GOP hypothetical candidates, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, none received more than 6 percent. But when the poll included former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the mix, she beat any potential Republican challenger in a head-to-head match-up, according to the Quinnipiac University survey. In a potential faceoff between the former First Lady and Bush, Clinton snatched 49 percent support compared to 41 percent support for the former governor. For a potential Hillary Clinton candidacy in Florida, November 2016 can't get here soon enough. Not only does she out point the entire field of potential Democratic wannabes for the party nomination put together, but her favorability numbers among all voters is near 60 percent. Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll "For a potential Hillary Clinton candidacy in Florida, November 2016 can't get here soon enough, said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "The Republicans angling to oppose Secretary Clinton, should she run, are less known and less liked," he added. Speaking before an audience recently, Bush said he was thinking about running and jokingly asked someone in the audience to call his mother and try to sell her on the idea. Barbara Bush has made it clear that she wouldnt be unhappy if her youngest son decided not to follow in the steps of her husband and oldest son and run for president. We've had enough Bushes," she said in an NBC interview last year. She also indicated that U.S. voters would be wise to ignore familiar political dynasties Clinton, Bush, Kennedy when choosing a president. But the Quinnipiac University poll shows that voters are not ready to shut the door on the Bushes and Clintons. "With former Gov. Jeb Bush making noises about a possible 2016 candidacy, his support among Republicans in the Sunshine State appears to be solidifying, Brown said. He still trails Hillary Clinton in a general election match-up, but he is the only potential GOP nominee who gets within single digits of her. In a Democratic primary, Clinton would leave others in the dust with 64 percent support, followed by Vice President Joseph Biden with 11 percent and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts with 6 percent. The survey looked at more than 1,400 registered voters. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.6 points. The poll also shows that a majority of Floridians have negative feelings about the job President Barack Obama is doing. He has a 46 to 50 percent job approval rating. Nationwide, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll looking at the presidential race also showed Clinton beating other candidates, both in her party and the GOP. In a hypothetical face-off, Clinton leads Jeb Bush 53 percent to 41 percent. But that poll showed that on the Republican side, the top GOP contenders were within a mere four percentage points of each other. Sixty-six percent of all Americans say they view the Clinton family favorably, while 54 percent have a favorable opinion of the Bushes, the Post said. Among Republicans and GOP-leaning independents, Bush and Paul lead with 14 percent. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee came in third with 13 percent, followed by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin at 11 percent and Christie at 10 percent. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested on Wednesday that a dialogue be launched between Ukraine's government and its "opponents" under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Lavrov made the comment during a statement to reporters after meeting with Peru's president, Ollanta Humala, and foreign minister, Eda Rivas. The 57-nation OSCE was tasked earlier this month with helping to ease tensions in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists have seized government buildings in at least 10 towns and cities. The OSCE special mission to Ukraine has no muscle, however, to enforce its vague mandate and seven of its observers, including three German officers, were being held by separatists. "We hope that our partners, our Western colleagues will let the Ukrainians establish this dialogue without major impediments," Lavrov said through a translator. He did not take questions. "The authorities in Kiev must take into account the responsibility they have, of the necessity for them to establish dialogue with our regions of the country, in particular the southeast," Lavrov added. That region has a large Russian-speaking population. The Russian envoy made the statement at the end of a quick swing through Latin America that included visits to Cuba, Nicaragua and Chile. In Chile, he called U.S. and European Union sanctions against top officials allied with Russian President Vladimir Putin "totally without sense" but said his country would not rush into doing "stupid things" in response to them. "We want to give our partners the possibility to calm themselves." The sanctions followed Russia's annexing in March of the Crimea region after a referendum. The U.S. and European Union deemed the annexation illegal. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino After a sharply-charged debate that touched on the law, immigration and America, a divided Florida Senate voted Thursday in favor of letting students who live in the country illegally qualify for in-state college tuition rates. This is a historic day. Children who grow up in this state now get the same tuition as their peers Gov. Rick Scott The vote was not unexpected, but it was still a landmark day. The Republican-controlled Senate has killed the proposal several times in the past several years. The bill is expected to pass now and head to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott who has publicly endorsed the legislation for several weeks. "It's an exciting day for every student that dreams of a college education," Scott said shortly after the bill passed. "This is a historic day. Children who grow up in this state now get the same tuition as their peers." Florida would become the 20th state to offer some sort of in-state tuition to students brought to the United States illegally, The New York Times reported. Several times during this year's session the bill appeared in trouble as some Republicans sharply criticized the idea and even said it was "pandering." But it emerged as a top priority for Scott during an election year in which Hispanic voters may play a crucial role. The bill would allow students in the country illegally to pay the same tuition rate as other residents if they had attended a Florida school for at least three years prior to graduation. Currently the in-state tuition rate is one-quarter of what is paid by out-of-state students and those who are in the country illegally. The measure would also curtail the ability of state universities to raise tuition above the rates set annually by the Legislature. The 26-13 vote in favor of the bill followed a lengthy debate where senators quoted Langston Hughes, Aristotle and even Walt Disney to justify their support for the legislation. Those in favor of the bill contended that it's wrong to punish students who were brought to the country while they were children. But several GOP senators questioned the potential cost nearly $50 million when fully implemented and said the state should not reward people who had broken the law by coming, or living, in the United States illegally. "I know it feels good giving benefits away," said Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach. "We are giving so many benefits to non-citizens....Does it matter even being an American citizen anymore?" Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, and sponsor of the bill contended, however that the "eyes of America" were on Florida and that it was time for legislators to "do the right thing." Sen. John Legg, R-Trinity, said he probably would have opposed the bill six months ago and would have considered it too "politically toxic for us to tackle." Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Israels government publicly accused the Obama administration Sunday of helping create and push the recently passed United Nations resolution condemning settlement activity, with a top official telling Fox News they have ironclad information on the U.S. governments involvement. We have rather ironclad information from sources in both the Arab world and internationally that this was a deliberate push by the United States and in fact they helped create the resolution in the first place, David Keyes, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Fox News Americas News HQ. The accusation marks a new escalation in the Netanyahu governments response to the U.N. Security Council vote on Friday. The resolution passed thanks to a U.S. abstention, a decision Netanyahu has described as a shameful ambush. The White House already has acknowledged President Obama made the decision for U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power to abstain. Unclear was how involved the Obama administration was in crafting and pushing the resolution itself which initially was put forward by Egypt, and then pursued by New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela. White House spokesman Eric Schultz issued a statement Sunday defending Obama's support for Israel and stressed that the U.S. did not draft the resolution. "The Egyptians, in partnership with the Palestinians, are the ones who began circulating an earlier draft of the resolution," Schultz said. "The Egyptians are the ones who moved it forward on Friday. And we took the position that we did when it was put to a vote." Keyes' criticism followed similar rhetoric by Netanyahu himself, who said that while the U.S. and Israel for decades had disagreed on settlements, they had an understanding that such action before the U.N. Security Council would make peace negotiations harder. As I told [Secretary of State] John Kerry on Thursday, friends dont take friends to the Security Council, Netanyahu said. He pointedly said he looks forward to working with the new Donald Trump administration when it takes office next month. He said he was encouraged by Israels friends in the United States who criticized the resolution, saying they understand how reckless and destructive it is. Keyes also told Fox News on Sunday that Israel was deeply disappointed by the resolution and the Obama administrations abstention. I think what were seeing is an abandonment of Israel, and an abandonment of a long-standing American policy, he said. Israel's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said it began summoning the ambassadors of countries who voted in favor of the resolution, including those from the permanent members of the Security Council -- Russia, China, the U.K. and France. In a highly unusual move, the U.S. ambassador was later summoned as well, Israeli media reported. "We will do all it takes so Israel emerges unscathed from this shameful decision," Netanyahu said. The resolution, which condemned Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, sparked outrage in Israel and led to a new low in relations between Netanyahu and Obama. Israel has accused Obama of colluding with the Palestinians against the Jewish state. The resolution's immediate impact appears to be largely symbolic, but Israel fears it could open the door to an increase in international steps, including economic measures. Much of the international community considers the settlements illegal or illegitimate and an obstacle to peace. In addition to the measures declared Sunday, Israel has recalled its ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal for consultations and canceled a planned January visit to Israel by Senegal's foreign minister. A visit by Ukraine's prime minister has also been canceled in light of its support for the U.N. vote and Israel has pledged to cut millions of shekels in funding to certain U.N. agencies. President-elect Trump had intervened last week after the Israelis reportedly appealed to him for help. Trump came out against the resolution but, after a vote was delayed, the Security Council went ahead with consideration and approved it on Friday. Trump tweeted afterward: Things will be different after Jan. 20. He later tweeted that the vote "will make it much harder to negotiate peace." But, he added, "we will get it done anyway." Kerry said Israels continued and stepped-up attempts to build more settlements in the region, which includes East Jerusalem, risks the so-called two-state solution between Israelis and the Palestinians, who also lay claim to the region. The United States acted with one primary objective in mind: to preserve the possibility of the two state solution, which every U.S. administration for decades has agreed is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians," Kerry said Friday. Two states is the only way to ensure Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state, living in peace and security with its neighbors, and freedom and dignity for the Palestinian people. He also said the administration does not agree with every aspect of the resolution but that it rightly condemns violence and calls on both sides to take constructive steps to reverse current trends and advance the prospects for a two-state solution. Netanyahu did not mince words on Saturday in responding to what he described as a shameful ambush. Netanyahu said the U.S abstention was "in complete contrast" to U.S. commitments -- including one that he said Obama made in 2011 -- not to impose conditions for a final agreement on Israel at the Security Council. "The Obama administration conducted a shameful anti-Israel ambush at the U.N.," Netanyahu said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A flurry of big decisions out of the Obama administration just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office has rekindled Republican concerns about President Obamas plans for jamming through so-called midnight regulations and other leftover items from his wish-list on his way out the door. In the last week alone, the Obama administration blocked future oil and gas leases in swaths of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans; granted a record number of pardons and commutations for a single day; and scrapped a dormant registry for male immigrants from a list of largely Muslim countries. Defense officials told Fox News there is an effort underway to transfer up to 22 additional detainees out of Guantanamo Bay. And Obamas ambassador to the United Nations stunned Israel on Friday by abstaining on a Security Council measure condemning settlement activity, allowing it to pass. And Obama still has a month left in office. The most recent announcements were made while the first family was on vacation in Hawaii leaving unclear what Obama has in store for when he gets back to Washington. GINGRICH: OBAMA IN 'DESPERATE FRENZY' Hanging over any final actions is the likelihood that Trump, once in office, will roll back many of them. The things hes done this week will be turned around, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said of Obama on Fox News Sunday. Hes in this desperate frenzy. But Democrats are urging the outgoing president to pursue further actions, as the administration weighs its next steps. Among the possibilities: Sixty-four House Democrats recently asked Obama to use his pardon power to preserve his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which spared millions of illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children from deportation. Led by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., the lawmakers asked Obama in a letter to exercise your Constitutional authority to provide pardons to young people who are American in every way but on paper. The goal is to make it more difficult for Trump to potentially deport them. The White House already has teed up the strong possibility of more clemency for nonviolent drug offenders and others. After Obama pardoned 78 people and granted another 153 commutations on Monday, White House Counsel Neil Eggleston said he expects more grants of both commutations and pardons before [Obama] leaves office. Former President Jimmy Carter has called on Obama to go further in the Middle East and recognize a Palestinian state before leaving office. In a New York Times op-ed, he wrote: The simple but vital step this administration must take before its term expires on Jan. 20 is to grant American diplomatic recognition to the state of Palestine. The White House has expressed reluctance to take some of these steps. White House spokesman Eric Schultz said there is a process at the Department of Justice to review pardon applications and the president has said he is not going to do anything to circumvent that process. As for Carters appeal, Schultz said, I don't think [Carters] views are new today, so I don't have any new positions or views from us on that. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest also said recently that any executive actions the president takes at this stage likely were in the works before the November election. What I can rule out are any sort of hastily added executive actions that werent previously considered that would just be tacked on at the end, Earnest said. Regulation Finish Line While Obama weighs his last batch of policy decisions, many regulations already are coming through the pipeline. The final plans reportedly include as many as 98 regulations classified as economically significant, meaning each would cost the economy $100 million through compliance and consumer impact. According to an analysis by the conservative American Action Forum, based on the Federal Register agenda, the administration is eyeing $44.1 billion in midnight regulations or rules pushed in the final two months of an outgoing administration. This has been the most active December ever for regulations, Sam Batkins, AAFs director of regulatory affairs. Gina McCarthy, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, didnt conceal her eagerness in a staff memo sent after the election. As Ive mentioned to you before, were runningnot walkingthrough the finish line of President Obamas presidency, McCarthy wrote. By late November, the EPA announced stronger greenhouse gas emission standards, pushing 54.1 miles-per-gallon fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2025. In mid-November, the Interior Department finalized a rule to cut methane emissions during oil and natural gas production on federal lands. Among regulations expected to take effect: the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services plans to make it easier for employers to sponsor highly skilled immigrants in the country; the Education Department is working on student debt relief at for-profit colleges; and on the financial services side, the Federal Reserve and the Securities and Exchange Commission are working on matters such as executive pay and mutual fund management. According to an administration official, the number of active rules at the end of this administration still is 15 percent lower than at the end of the George W. Bush administration. The administration also notes that some economically significant regulations help the economy. Republican Roll-Back Congressional Republicans are bent on stopping or reversing the onslaught of new rules. In a Dec. 5 letter, 20 Republican senators asked Obama to honor the will of the American people and refrain from working on or issuing any new, non-emergency regulations while carrying out your remaining term in office. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in a Nov. 15 letter to federal agency heads signed by other House committee chairmen, asserted, we will work with our colleagues to ensure that Congress scrutinizes your actionsand, if appropriate, overturns them. The Congressional Review Act of 1996 allows Congress, with the presidents signature, to rescind regulations and prohibit agencies from imposing rules that are substantively the same. That, however, would have limits even when Trump takes office, Batkins said. Congress can rescind regulations when it gets back, using the CRA, but the House and Senate will be working on health care, the economy and infrastructure, Batkins told FoxNews.com. Congress has a lot on its plate. Of the 100 or more midnight regulations that could fly through, there probably wont be more than a dozen they would be interested in repealing. Asked at a November press conference about GOP calls to hold off on finalizing rules in his final weeks in office, Obama defended their rulemaking pace: The regulations that we have issued are ones that we've been working on for a very long time. These aren't things that we've been surprising people with. Fox News Lucas Tomlinson and Jennifer Bowman contributed to this report. An American senior citizen killed an alleged mugger with his bare hands, and his traveling companions aboard a tour bus fended off two other assailants in the Atlantic coast city of Limon, police said. A retired member of the U.S. military aged about 70 put suspect Warner Segura in a head lock and broke his clavicle after the 20-year-old and two other men armed with a knife and gun held up their tour bus, Luis Hernandez, the police chief of Limon, 80 miles east of San Jose, said Thursday. Segura was later declared dead, apparently from asphyxiation. The two other men fled when the 12 senior citizens started defending themselves during the Wednesday attack. Afterward, the tourists drove Segura to the Red Cross where he was declared dead. The Red Cross also treated one of the tourists for an anxiety attack, Hernandez said. The tourists left on their Carnival cruise ship after the incident and Hernandez said authorities do not plan to press any charges against them. "They were in their right to defend themselves after being held up," he said. Hernandez said Segura had previous charges against him for assaults. In a media statement, Miami, Fla.-based Carnival Cruise Lines said the Wednesday incident occurred during an outing at a Limon beach which a group of a dozen passengers had arranged on their own. "According to witnesses, while sightseeing at a local beach, the group of guests were approached by three assailants, one of whom was armed," the statement said. "The victims struggled with the armed perpetrator, and were able to disarm him. During this process, the gunman's two accomplices fled the scene. In the course of disarming and restraining the assailant, he died from apparent asphyxiation." Neither the Costa Rican police nor Carnival identified the man involved in the struggle with the mugger. The cruise line said the guests were questioned by local law enforcement and then returned to the ship. The ship's departure from Limon was slightly delayed to await their return. "All of the guests involved, who had booked the cruise together as a group, have opted to continue with their vacation plans. Carnival is providing full support and assistance to the guests," according to the statement. The ship, The Carnival Liberty, continued on its scheduled itinerary, with a port call scheduled in Colon, Panama. Amsterdam unveiled plans Saturday to shutter up to half of its famed brothels and marijuana cafes as part of a major cleanup of its ancient city center. The city says it wants to drive organized crime out of the neighborhood, and is targeting businesses that "generate criminality," including prostitution, gambling parlors, "smart shops" that sell herbal treatments, head shops and "coffee shops" where marijuana is sold openly. "By reduction and zoning of these kinds of functions, we will be able to manage better and tackle the criminal infrastructure," the city said in a statement. It said it would also reduce a number of business it sees as related to the "decay" of the center, including peep shows, sex shows, sex shops, mini supermarkets, massage parlors and souvenir shops. Click here for photos. The city said there were too many of these and it believes some are used for money-laundering by drug dealers and the human traffickers who supply many of the city's prostitutes. Under the plan announced Saturday, Amsterdam will spend $38-$51 million to bring hotels, restaurants, cultural organizations and boutiques to the center. It will also build new underground parking areas for cars and bikes and may use some of the vacated buildings to ease a housing shortage. Amsterdam already had plans to close many brothels and said last month it might close some coffee shops throughout the city, but the plans announced Saturday go much further. The city said it would offer retraining to prostitutes and coffee shop employees who will lose their jobs as a result of the plan. Prostitution, which has spread into several areas of the center, will be allowed only in two areas notably De Wallen ("The Walls"), a web of streets and alleys around the city's medieval retaining dam walls. The area has been a center of prostitution since before the city's golden shipping age in the 1600s. Prostitution was legalized in the Netherlands in 2000, formalizing a long-standing tolerance policy. Marijuana is technically illegal in the Netherlands, but prosecutors won't press charges for possession of small amounts and the coffee shops are able to sell it openly. From budget travel to luxury travel, Iceland cant seem to escape anyones list of the best of travel this year. Luxury Travel Guide chose Iceland its number-one destination for travel this year. The country topped Budget Travelers list of Where to Go 2016. Womens lifestyle website Refinery29 said Iceland was one of the places every woman should go this year. NatGeo staffers picked it, saying that it is one of the only places on earth where the highlight of your trip (the northern lights) depends on factors such as solar wind conditions and space storms. Praise has been heaped upon the tiny island nation with a population around 350,000 people. And for good reason. Iceland has something for everyone in this exotic, ice-capped paradise. Movie buffs will thrill at the sight of filming locations for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Adventure enthusiasts will love glacier climbing and those looking to get a glimpse of the elusive northern lights have a good chance in Iceland during the winter months. The country is enjoying a boom that is driven by increased tourism investment. There is more airlift, providing travelers around the world with more connectivity to Reykjavik. Hotels are springing up around the country not just in the capital and tour operators are creating new itineraries and more options that include Iceland. More Airlift Airlift received a major boost with the entry of low-cost airline Wow in the international market. The company took over operations of Iceland Express in 2012 and, in 2014, it had already flown 1 million passengers. The company began serving passengers in the U.S. last year and launched extremely low-cost fares to Iceland from a variety of destinations on the East Coast. Now, in 2016, the company will expand to offer direct connectivity between Reykjavik and the U.S. West Coast this summer. Influx of Hotels The number of overnight stays in the country has also risen. Iceland saw a 36 percent increase from December 2014 to December 2015 and 89 percent of those overnight stays booked by foreign tourists were in hotel rooms, rather than other forms of rental accommodation. Perhaps this is what is leading to Icelands recent hotel boom. New hotels are popping up around the country. Iceland will be the home of a new Marriott Edition hotel, scheduled to open in 2018 and the new Canopy brand from Hilton will open a property in the country later this year. In 2015, Iceland welcomed a crop of new properties around the country. Mengi Kjarnholt in South Iceland is akin to a B&B. It is a small property with just 10 rooms. Located in the countryside, it provides a unique experience for visitors to Iceland by blending the best of its nature, culture and art scenes in the heart of the country. Hotel Husafell is located in West Iceland. This design-focused hotel operates like an adventure lodge with a variety of activities such as hiking, day tours, ice caving and more. Puffin Hotel can be found among the East Fjords in a charming town with a history rich in folklore. The property dates back to 1918 and is in the center of Eskifjordur, offering views across the fjord and of the Holmatindur mountains. In the charming village of Grindavik, Reyjanes, the new Hotel Lava Grindavik recently opened in the heart of the small fishing village. The Blue Lagoon is a short drive away and the town is surrounded by lava fields, making it an ideal jumping-off point for exploration. Just a few kilometers from Akuyeri, a cultural center in Iceland, is the Hotel Kjarnaskogur. The 46-room hotel offers a focus on health and wellness as well as a tranquil setting. New Tours With increased interest comes increased opportunities and tour operators are jumping at the chance to offer their clients options in the country. Trafalgar, for example, is offering the Ultimate Iceland journey. The 10-day trip circumnavigates the country, checking out glaciers, lava formations, geysers, fjords, the world-famous Blue Lagoon and more. The journey is brand new for this year and prices start at around $3,600 per person and are available from May to September. More from TravelPulse 7 Things to Do in New Hampshire (Other Than Attend a Political Rally) Azamara Club Cruises Redesign Begins with Azamara Journey Montage Kapalua Bay A Perfect Spot for Family Travel Is Airbnb a Legitimate Threat to the Hotel Industry? Will 'The Netflix Model' Be The Next Big Thing in Flight Booking? It'll be a white Christmas for the northern Plains and some Western states, but it's likely to cause troublesome travel. Forecasters cautioned drivers to keep alternate routes in mind and prepare for possible delays. Southern California even got a dose of snow, with about 2 inches falling in a mountainous region about 75 miles north of Los Angeles. It shut down the state's main north-south interstate I-5 for nearly four hours Saturday. In Arizona, parts of Interstate 40 and other highways in the state's high country were closed after winter weather hit, leading to multiple crashes. A winter storm warning was issued for much of northern Arizona for elevations above 6,000 feet until late Saturday or early Sunday morning, depending on locations. In the coming days, a large swath of the Dakotas is under a blizzard warning, with the National Weather Service forecasting heavy snow and strong winds Sunday and Monday. The Dakota Access pipeline protest encampment in southern North Dakota will be affected. Though many left during a blizzard earlier this month, Morton County Sheriff's Department spokesman Rob Keller said, there could be at least 500 people still at the camp. To the east, parts of central Minnesota are under an ice storm warning. To the west, snow is also forecast for much of Idaho, Montana, Utah and northeast Colorado. Air travel wasn't yet impacted Saturday at the nation's major airports. But snowy conditions Friday in Appleton, Wisconsin, caused the Minnesota Vikings' team plane to slide off a runway. The Storm Prediction Center cautioned that warm, humid air could cause severe weather in the lower Plains, Arkansas and Oklahoma on Sunday. The Latest news from President-elect Donald Trump (all times local): 10:35 p.m. Donald Trump is kicking off Christmas by attending midnight services at an Episcopal church in Palm Beach, Florida. The president-elect and his wife, Melania, arrived Saturday night at the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea. The soon-to-be first couple were married at the church in 2005. Trump has bemoaned the increased use of the term "Happy Holidays" in place of "Merry Christmas" as a sign that Christianity is under attack. As president, he's said, he'll reverse the trend. The president-elect is spending the holidays at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, where he's been holding meetings with senior staff, advisers and business executives. Trump tweeted wishes for a "Happy Hanukkah" earlier Saturday. ___ 9:25 p.m. The Democratic National Committee is criticizing President-elect Donald Trump for not doing more to address potential conflicts of interest as he prepares to assume the presidency. Trump said Saturday that he will dissolve the Donald J. Trump Foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest. In a response, the Democratic National Committee is dismissing Trump's move as "a wilted fig leaf to cover up his remaining conflicts of interest and his pitiful record of charitable giving." The statement from Democratic Party spokesman Eric Walker also says that closing a charity "is no substitute for divesting from his for-profit business and putting the assets in a blind trust." The party says doing that is "the only way to guarantee separation between the Trump administration and the Trump business." ___ 7:55 p.m. One of Donald Trump's senior communications staffers says he will not take the job of White House communications director after all. Jason Miller said in a statement Saturday that he's decided not to accept the role offered to him by Trump so he can spend more time with his family. Miller was one of the main spokesmen for Trump's transition team. He says he and his wife are expecting their second daughter in January and "this is not the right time to start a new job." He says that after spending the past week with his family, "it is clear they need to be my top priority right now." Miller says he has handed all of his responsibilities to incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who will serve as communications director as well as press secretary. ___ 5:05 p.m. Donald Trump says the decision by the United Nations to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem "will make it much harder to negotiate peace." The president-elect took to Twitter on Saturday, a day after the U.N. Security Council vote on the settlements. Trump says that the decision is "too bad, but we will get it done anyway." Trump didn't elaborate, but a move by the Obama administration to abstain from Friday's U.N. vote brushes aside Trump's demands that the U.S. exercise its veto and provided a climax to years of icy relations with Israel's leadership. Trump told The Associated Press a year ago that he wanted to be "very neutral" on Israel-Palestinian issues. But his tone on the issue became decidedly more pro-Israel as the presidential campaign progressed. He has spoken disparagingly of Palestinians, saying they have been "taken over" by or are condoning militant groups. ___ 5 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump says he will dissolve the Donald J. Trump Foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month. Trump said in a statement Saturday that his charitable foundation "has done enormous good works over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups, including supporting veterans, law enforcement officers and children." He said that given the conflicts of interest, he will pursue philanthropic efforts in other ways, without elaborating on how he'd do so. Trump said he's directed his counsel to take the necessary steps to implement the dissolution. The revelation comes a day after Trump lamented the fact that his son Eric would be stepping away from his charitable foundation due to conflicts of interest. ___ 3 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump is vowing to expand America's nuclear capacity while simultaneously urging Russia to avoid an "alternate path" away from stability and cooperation. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a letter to Trump that "relations between Russia and the U.S. remain an important factor in ensuring stability and security in the modern world." Trump said in response that he hopes "both sides are able to live up to these thoughts, and we do not have to travel an alternate path." The exchange comes after both Trump and Putin spoke about the need to strengthen their countries' nuclear arsenals. Tensions have been mounting between the U.S. and Russia in recent months after the FBI and CIA said Moscow interfered in the presidential election with the goal of supporting Trump. The Latest on seven people shot at a North Carolina Moose Lodge (all times local): 1 p.m. Two suspects are on the run after North Carolina investigators say they shot seven people during a private Christmas Party attended by hundreds of people. Rockingham County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Kevin Suthard said the two men were still at large Sunday. Deputies say none of the victims appeared to suffer life-threatening injuries after being gunned down early Saturday at a Moose Lodge in Madison, about 25 miles north of Greensboro. Deputies say a fight broke out during the party attended by 250 to 300 people. Investigators say witnesses reported that both gunmen attended the party. They covered their faces with ski masks and opened fire before speeding away from the scene in a silver car driven by a woman. The car's make and model aren't known. ___ 12:30 p.m. An argument that escalated into gunfire at a North Carolina gathering for hundreds of people is being blamed for violence that required emergency care for seven people. The sheriff's office in Rockingham County didn't respond to messages from The Associated Press on Sunday about whether a manhunt is still under way for two suspected gunmen. Multiple media organizations reported the mass shooting broke out early Saturday at a Moose Lodge in Madison, about 25 miles north of Greensboro. Deputies say a fight broke out during a private party with 250 to 300 people. Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page says two men left the lodge, then returned wearing ski masks and started shooting into the crowd with two handguns. Reports say none of the victims appeared to suffer life-threatening injuries. Police say a New York City man out on bail on an attempted murder charge opened fire at a nightclub in suburban Westchester County early Sunday, killing two people including the club's co-owner and injuring four other people. The Journal News reported that the unidentified suspect initially escaped after being tackled by security at the Mansion nightclub in Mount Vernon, but was quickly apprehended by police. "It's a dark day in our city," Mayor Richard Thomas told the paper. "Today is a day we're supposed to spend with our family, not extend condolences. No person and no family should ever spend Christmas like this." One of the victims was identified as Mansion co-owner O'Neal Badoo. Thomas said the name of the second deceased victim was being withheld until next of kin were informed. Investigators say the suspect may have been ejected from the club shortly before the shooting, which took place at around 4:30 a.m. Christmas Day. The Journal News reported that bars and nightclubs in Westchester County are required to close no later than 4 a.m. The mayor said the "random yet retaliatory" shooting "rises to the level of domestic terror," according to the Journal News. Thomas' spokesman later clarified that the mayor was referring to the "sense of fear" in the city, which sits just north of the Bronx. Police Capt. Edward Adinaro said the victims were found in the lobby and on the street outside the club. Witness Cleveland Douse told the paper that Bandoo was with him on the second floor of the club when he heard gunshots and went to investigate. "He died on the spot," said Douse, who estimated there were around 200 people in the club at the time of the shooting. "I just heard shots fired, I heard lots of shots." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from LoHud.com. Leading scholars from around the globe are teaming up to shed more light on how America got its start. Nineteen prominent museums and historical societies from the U.S. and Europe that specialize in the 17th century have formed New England Beginnings . The group is using mobile phone apps, searchable online archives and conventional lectures to showcase the crucial role the 1600s played in shaping what would become the United States. Its members hope to capitalize on resurgent interest in the period as the country gears up to mark the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims' arrival in 2020. Coordinator Francis Bremer says New England Beginnings is also trying to dispel myths and challenge long-held assumptions about how the settlers interacted with Native Americans. Rwanda's military spokesman said two mortar bombs were fired into the country from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday. He said the bombs, which caused no injuries, were fired in mid-afternoon "deliberately" and blamed the DRC army - the FARDC - and the UN force MONUSCO on the grounds they were fired from territory they control. "Two bombs landed at Kageshi and Gasiza," Joseph Nzabamwita said in a statement, referring to two villages in Rubavu district in northwestern Rwanda which borders the troubled eastern DR Congo. Nzabamwita said the attack was a "provocative and deliberate act by FARDC and MONUSCO since there was no fighting nearby between the warring factions." His accusation came amid fierce clashes across the border between the DRC army and M23 rebels, which flared again Sunday around the flashpoint Congolese city of Goma, leaving at least 130 dead, according to a government spokesman. Rwanda, along with neighbouring Uganda, has been accused of backing the M23, a charge both countries have denied. Meanwhile Kigali has accused the DRC of co-operating with Rwandan Hutu rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) whose leaders are wanted for their alleged involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Nzabamwita said the army had "credible information" that FDLR rebels were "currently embedded" in the DRC army. The M23 briefly seized control of Goma, the capital of DRC's North Kivu province last November but then pulled out. The rebel group has since been weakened by an outright split into two factions and ensuing internal fighting that resulted in heavy casualties and a wave of desertions. Talks in the Ugandan capital Kampala destined to restore calm to North Kivu started in December but have made little headway. Since the talks started the only outbreak of fighting recorded between M23 and the army was in May. The M23 however is just one of a myriad of armed groups operating in eastern Congo and other groups are involved in skirmishes and abuses against the civilian population on a regular basis. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 A U.S.-chartered oil exploration ship seized by the Venezuelan navy in Caribbean waters disputed with neighboring Guyana has arrived at Venezuela's Margarita Island. Venezuelan authorities say the ship's 36 crew members, including five U.S. citizens, will be held on board while an investigation continues. Adm. Angel Belisario Martinez told local station Union Radio on Sunday that the research ship was conducting "unauthorized scientific work" in Venezuela's exclusive economic zone. He said the case had been turned over to prosecutors. The vessel was conducting a seismic study for Anadarko Petroleum Corp. under a concession from Guyana. Guyana's government says the crew was well within Guyana's territorial waters. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 About 2,000 motorcycles swarmed the streets of Venezuela's capital Friday to protest a proposed nighttime curfew on two-wheelers as part of a government crackdown on crime. The protest barely disrupted traffic as organizers opted against a cross-town caravan and stayed concentrated near the slum of Petare on the eastern outskirts of Caracas. "Boys, behave. Today we're not going to take anything from anyone," Ricardo Vargas, one of the protest's leaders, said as he walked through the throngs of bikers readying their engines. "Use a helmet. Stop at every light." In the wake of the shooting death this month of a popular actress and former Miss Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro's government has supported proposals by cities across Venezuela to ban motorcycles from circulating after 7 p.m., arguing that the vehicles are the favored means of escape for hit-men and robbers. But in cracking down on two-wheelers, Maduro risks offending part of his socialist revolution's base among the poor. The late Hugo Chavez as president actively courted the support of motorcycle drivers, and rolling gangs of armed political shock troops have long been used by the government to break up opposition rallies. "It's politically dangerous territory," said sociologist David Smilde, who has spent part of the past two decades teaching in Venezuela and is now a senior fellow at the Washington Office on Latin America. Still, with polls showing security as Venezuelans' top concern, the government has been under pressure to clamp down. Venezuela's murder has quadrupled in the 15 years since Chavez came to power, with more than 24,000 killings last year alone, according to the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence. While the government disputes those statistics, it says the vast majority of the slayings are carried out by motorized assassins. The bikers themselves, many of whom work as two-wheeled taxis, say that they're being unfairly targeted. They say poor communities where public transport is slim would be the most hurt by any curfew, which they also say is unconstitutional. The restrictions recall a ban against passengers on the back of motor bikes enforced in Colombia during the cocaine turf wars of the 1980s and more recently in Honduras, one of the few countries in the world with a higher murder rate than Venezuela. "A delinquent can move by foot, on motorcycle or in a Hummer," said Ivan Contreras, who for more than a decade has earned a living hurrying passengers through Caracas' traffic-clogged streets. "There's no need to punish everyone for the actions of a few black sheep." The young man responds all too easily when asked whether he knows anyone who has committed suicide in his village, a sleepy cluster of homes and rum shops surrounded by vast brown fields of rice awaiting harvest. Less than a year ago, Omadat Ramlackhan recalls, his younger brother swallowed pesticide after a drunken argument with their father and died five days later. "I don't know what got into him," the 23-year-old said. "It just happened like that." It wasn't the family's first brush with suicide. His stepmother, Sharmilla Pooran, volunteers that her brother hanged himself and the man's son tried to do the same but survived, with rope marks on his neck to remember it. She once contemplated killing herself. The fact that self-inflected harm is such a presence in the lives of this family is not surprising given that they live in an area that Guyana's Ministry of Health has designated the "suicide belt," in a country that the World Health Organization says in a new report has the highest rate of suicide in the world. Guyana, a largely rural country at the northeastern edge of South America, has a suicide rate four times the global average, ahead of North Korea, South Korea, and Sri Lanka. Neighboring Suriname was the only other country from the Americas in the top 10. There seem to be a number of reasons that Guyana tops the list, including deep rural poverty, alcohol abuse and easy access to deadly pesticides. It apparently has nothing to do with the mass cult suicide and murder of more than 900 people in 1978 at Jonestown, the event that made the country notorious. "It's not that we are a population that has this native propensity for suicide or something like that," said Supriya Singh-Bodden, founder of the non-governmental Guyana Foundation. "We have been trying to live off the stigma of Jonestown, which had nothing to do with Guyana as such. It was a cult that came into our country and left a very dark mark." Just before the WHO published its report last month, the foundation cited rampant alcoholism as a major factor in its own study of the suicide phenomenon, which has been a subject of concern in Guyana for years. In 2010, the government announced it was training priests, teachers and police officers to help identify people at risk of killing themselves in Berbice, the remote farming region along the southeast border with Suriname where 17-year-old Ramdat Ramlackhan committed suicide after quarreling with his father, Vijai. More recently, the government has sought to restrict access to deadly pesticides, though that is difficult in a country dependent on agriculture. In May, authorities announced a suicide-prevention hotline would be established and Health Minister Bheri Ramsarran said he would deploy additional nurses and social-service workers in response to the WHO report. Some countries have had success with national strategies in bringing down the number of people who take their own lives, according to the WHO. The number of suicides rose rapidly in Japan in the late 1990s, but started to decrease in 2009 amid government prevention efforts and as discussion of the subject became less taboo. It has declined in China and India as a result of urbanization and efforts to control the most common means of suicide, said Dr. Alan Berman, a senior adviser to the American Association of Suicidology and a contributor to the WHO report. "A certain proportion of suicides are rather impulsive and if you can restrict access to the means of suicide, whether it's by pesticides, or by firearms or by bridge, you can thwart the behavior and give people an opportunity to change their minds," Berman said. The WHO estimates there are more than 800,000 suicides around the world per year. Statistics on the subject are unreliable because in some places the practice is stigmatized, or illegal. The agency found Guyana, which has a population of about 800,000, had an age-adjusted rate of just over 44 per 100,000 people based on 2012 data. For males alone, it was nearly 71 per 100,000. In raw numbers, there are about 200 per year and 500 attempts, according to local health authorities. The U.S. overall rate was 12 per 100,000. Most occur in Berbice, a flat, sun-baked expanse of farmlands along the river that forms the border with Suriname, where similar social and economic conditions prevail and which was 6th on the WHO list, just ahead of Mozambique. "Suicides tend to be higher in rural areas than urban areas," Berman said. "If I'm living in rural Montana, or if I'm living in rural India or in rural Suriname the question then is if I need help for whatever is going on with me how am I going to get it?" It is a touchy subject in Guyana. The country is divided politically and ethnically between the descendants of people brought from Africa as slaves and the descendants of people brought from India, both Hindus and Muslims, as indentured workers to replace them. Berbice has many people of Hindus of Indian descent and, as a result, suicide is often portrayed in Guyana as a largely Hindu phenomenon. But Singh-Bodden of the Guyana Foundation said that may be because self-inflicted death among the Hindus of Berbice is more likely to be reported as such. Their study, for example, found little reporting of suicide among native Amerindians who live in the country's rugged interior. "I don't buy into the argument necessarily that it's an ethnic thing, that Indo Guyanese are more susceptible to suicide," she said. "There has been a lot of suicide among mixed people as well. I honestly believe it's the hopelessness." Pooran, describing her family's experiences, said her brother apparently killed himself after struggling with health problems for years and difficult home life. She said she thought about taking her own life while cleaning her house after a day's work at a local sawmill. "One day, I picked up the poison and thought about drinking it but I called God's name and then realized my husband would just get another woman and soon forget me," she said. "Don't think I would do that today." ___ Ben Fox reported from Miami. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Just a few days after more than 100,000 people turned out in Vienna to support refugees, an anti-refugee party is poised to land a huge coup a win at the polls that could see them take control of the Austrian capital. More than any other topic, Austria's stance toward refugees is determining Sunday's race for Vienna's city hall, pitting voters who welcome those fleeing into Europe against others who fear that a surge of refugees threatens their own well-being. Only a fraction of the nearly 200,000 people who crossed into this country last month stayed, with most traveling on to Germany. Still, the Interior Ministry counted over 46,000 requests for refugee status by the end of August, compared to around 28,000 for all of 2014. Organizers of Saturday's demonstration say the turnout shows pro-immigrant sentiment in Vienna. But the asylum numbers and the nightly newscasts showing masses of people entering Austria have increased support for the Freedom Party, which believes that immigration not only threatens traditional Austrian values but also cuts into an already shrinking job market. In a video produced by its youth organization, a voiceover accompanying rapidly changing images of shrouded women asks: "Did you know that you will become a stranger in your own country? Did you know that you soon could become jobless?" Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache has toned down his anti-immigrant rhetoric ahead of the Vienna vote in an attempt to win over critics. But other party members are not so subtle. After an airline refused to fly an Afghan asylum-seeker out of the country because she put up a spirited fight, Freedom Party legislator Dagmar Belakowitsch-Jenewein suggested using military transport planes "where they can scream as loud as they want." Polls say the Socialists, who dominate the city's two-party coalition, are still in front with more than a third of the vote, but the Freedom Party is gaining support and is close behind. The Freedom Party already has made huge gains in several provincial elections this year, at the cost of the Socialists and the centrist People's Party, but it has not won outright. Those establishment parties have governed on all levels in Austria with few exceptions since the end of World War II. Runoff mayoral elections also are being held Sunday in 44 communities in Upper Austria province. But "Red Vienna" is a special prize. The city has been governed for 60 years by the Socialists, alone or as the dominant coalition partner. Beyond the cachet of controlling the capital as mayor, that post is a major stepping stone toward Strache's ultimate goal of becoming Austria's chancellor. His party has always drawn support from right-of-center voters, Euroskeptics, anti-Semites and xenophobes. More recently, with joblessness growing, it has threatened to usurp the Socialists as the nation's blue-collar party. This time, the Freedom Party is reaching out to all voters in hopes its anti-immigrant message will resonate with those fear the future. "The majority of Austrians are faced with a real or imagined economic or social downturn," says political analyst Andreas Filtzmaier. "This is makes it easy for the Freedom Party to say, 'Things will only get worse because of mass immigration.'" next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 A U.S. investigation into alleged money laundering for drug traffickers by one of Honduras' most powerful families has resulted in some unusual victims: thousands of hungry crocodiles. At least 7,500 crocodiles on a private farm in northern Honduras have been poorly fed in recent weeks because of a lack of resources, authorities and employees at the property said. The bank accounts of the farm's owner, the Rosenthal family, were seized during a probe into accusations they were operating a money laundering network linked to drug trafficking. Farm employees told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the animals went without food for more than a month, but were finally fed over the weekend thanks to donations. Worker Antonio Mejia said that at least 200 small crocodiles had died, but Pablo Dubon, northern regional director of Honduras' Forest Conservation Institute, said he doubted that claim. Mejia said the crocodiles were being raised for their skins. "Since it started in 1989 ... (the farm) has been for commercial ends, the exportation of skin and meat," he said. The workers said that there were about 9,000 crocodiles at the farm, but authorities said the number probably was closer to 7,500. "There have been difficulties in feeding (the crocodiles)," Dubon told The Associated Press by telephone. He said he asked private companies to donate money to buy food for the crocodiles and on Sunday it obtained about 23,000 pounds of food, most of it chicken. Among the animals at the farm that went hungry were 12 mammals, including lions and monkeys. Calls seeking comment from the company that manages the farm rang unanswered. The U.S. Justice Department announced on Oct. 7 it had indicted former Honduran vice president Jaime Roland Rosenthal, his son Yani Benjamin Rosenthal and nephew Yankel Rosenthal under the Kingpin act. Yankel Rosenthal was arrested in the United States. It said that the Rosenthals "provide money laundering and other services that support the international narcotics trafficking activities of multiple Central American drug traffickers and their criminal organizations." The Rosenthals have denied the accusations. The Honduran government responded by seizing the property of the companies held by Grupo Continental, owned by the Rosenthal family. The Forest Conservation Institute says that although the farm where the crocodiles live was not seized, it was affected because the Rosenthal family's bank accounts were frozen. A Utah man who traveled to Venezuela to marry his sweetheart is now behind bars in the South American nation, accused of being a spy after local authorities allegedly discovered multiple assault rifles and a hand grenade in his apartment. The family of 24-year-old Josh Holt, says the charges brought against him are outrageous and that the guns and ammunition found in the home he shares with his now wife, Thasmara Belen Caleno Candelo, were planted in their apartment. I would have thought that if a U.S. citizen has been taken captive, [the U.S. Embassy] would have got the ball rolling and got him freed A.S.A.P. Laurie Holt, Josh Holt's mother My heart just dropped when I heard the news, Laurie Holt, Joshs mother, who lives in Riverton, told Fox News Latino. I wanted to cry, but I couldnt because I was just so shocked. She added, "He's just a good, kind person and for this to happen to him ... He's our little boy." Holt, who had recently completed a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) mission in Washington state, met his future wife through LDS.org. The two began communicating over the next several months, and, in the late spring, he flew to the Dominican Republic to propose to her despite having never met her in person. The two just began chatting, and pretty soon they fell in love, his mother said. Despite warnings from his family and even his fiance about the dangers, Holt decided to travel to Venezuela on June 11, and the two were wed five days later. After spending their honeymoon on a Venezuelan island, the newlyweds returned to Caleno Candelos home in the Caracas suburb of Ciudad Caribia, where she lives with her 5- and 7-year-old daughters from a previous relationship. The couple was purportedly waiting for Caleno Candelos visa to be processed so that the family could move to the U.S. According to Venezuelan news website NotiSur 24, authorities followed Holt back to the apartment on June 30, and, after he refused to speak with them, entered the apartment. uncovering the two assault rifles, a grenade and a large amount of cash and electronics. Holts family said they reached out to authorities in Venezuela but have been unable to gather information about what charges the couple may be facing. A local LDS bishop who was able to visit Holt, told the family that their son is being held in a 6' x 6' cell at a prison run by the countrys intelligence service and is wearing only the pair of shorts he was arrested in. Hes very, very scared, Holts mother told FNL. They havent given us any sort of message about him. The family also reached out the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, which suggested the family seek legal representation within the country and promised to look into Holts case. Laurie Holt, however, says that she has yet to hear back from embassy officials. I would have thought that if a U.S. citizen has been taken captive, they would have got the ball rolling and got him freed A.S.A.P., she said. At the moment, she added, the only information the family is getting about their son is coming through Caleno Candelos family in Venezuela. Laurie Hold told FNL that her family indicated that a judge in Venezuela recently chose not to drop the charges against Holt. They added there is currently no date scheduled for another court appearance. The family has reached out to their U.S. Senators, Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, as well as Idaho Republican, Sen. Jim Risch. They have set-up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Josn's legal defense, but Laurie said they are wary of sending money to Venezuela until they are certain it will go to working on his case. Holt was previously being represented by a public defender, but his wifes family hired a private attorney to represent the couple. Relations between Venezuela and the United States have been strained for years as leaders in Caracas have accused Washington of trying to destabilize the socialist government. President Nicolas Maduro has taken particular issue with any perceived U.S. intervention in the countrys politics, with Venezuela expelling a number of American diplomats in 2014. The U.S. Embassy in Venezuela has been operating on a reduced staff since Maduro requested in March 2015 that the number of American employees there be reduced by 80 percent. The embassy did not respond to calls for comment by Fox News Latino. Two Libyan men have been arraigned in a Maltese court on charges of hijacking a domestic Libyan flight to the Mediterranean island of Malta. Defendants Moussa Saha and Ahmed Ali each entered pleas of innocent and wore bulletproof vests in their appearance Sunday. They face up to life in prison. The hours-long hijacking standoff Friday at Valletta airport ended peacefully after negotiations. Those on board the hijacked Afriqiyah Airways plane returned to Libya on a different plane Saturday. Other charges include possession of imitation weapons, using violence against a person on a flight, holding people against their will, making threats of violence and attempting to cause financial or economic instability to a government. Afriqiyah Airways said the hijackers wanted to go to Rome but ended up in Malta due to fuel limitations. Kim Jong Un is the Grinch who stole Christmas. North Koreas tubby tyrant wants the few Christians in the hermit state to spread cheer only to celebrate his grandma, Kim Jong Suk not the birth of Jesus. Jong Suk who was born on Christmas Eve in 1919 was an anti-Japanese guerrilla and Communist activist, wife of North Koreas first dictator, Kim Il Sung, and former leader Kim Jong Ils mother. Many pay homage to the Sacred Mother of the Revolution, who died under mysterious circumstances in 1949, by visiting her tomb. The daffy dictator is so obsessed with banning Christmas that he even flipped out in 2014 when he found out that South Korea planned to erect a huge Christmas tree along the border. Amid threats of all-out war, the tree was never put up. Click for more from the New York Post. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 As the sun starts to fall, the call to prayer at the mosque echoes throughout Gao, a predominantly Muslim town in northern Mali. At that same moment, a small church bell nearby also rings. It's a reminder that even in a town where just four years ago strict Islamic law was in force, some Christians have returned to rebuild their congregation, which fled the jihadist occupation. This is the first Christmas they've been able to hold a service at the Catholic church, which was torched in 2012 by the al-Qaida-linked militants who took over the major towns in northern Mali that year. Yet even as they celebrate, the fear of persecution is still widespread. Police stood by to protect the church as worshippers met Saturday and they returned again Sunday for the morning service. In a sign of the dangers that lurk, a Swiss aid worker was abducted from her home by armed men on Christmas Eve. The turnout this year at the Saturday night service was only several dozen people. In total, there are now about 125 to 150 Christians who have come back though that is still only half of what the population once was, says Philippe Omore, president of the Christian community in Gao. "The congregants have been fearful they don't want to come to the church yet so we must raise awareness," he said. Inside the church on Christmas Eve, a small choir of 10 people sang hymns in front of a tree lit up with colorful lights that was set next to a small nativity scene. After the two-hour service, church members met in a dining area on site to share sandwiches and salad. Many of the extremists who ruled Gao in 2012 came from outside the country Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Mauritania and they enforced their strict interpretation of Islam upon the local community, where tolerance had long reigned between Muslims and Christians. While the West African country is overwhelmingly Muslim, some Malians converted to Christianity during colonialism when the country was ruled by predominantly Catholic France. French forces ultimately liberated the town in 2013 but Christians who had fled to central and southern Mali waited about a year to make sure the peace would hold before they returned. Next they had to rebuild the church that had been destroyed by jihadists. "Christmas brings us joy in spite of the security threats," said the Rev. Afeku Anthero, a priest from Uganda. "On this night, God sent us his son as the prince of peace. Peace should reign in our hearts, in the Christian community and in our country. This is especially important for Mali where we need peace and where it has been difficult to reconcile and unite us." Still, Omore says life remains tenuous for the Christians who have returned, and peace is a dream at this point. "Before the crisis, we could go walk on the sand dunes outside of Gao but today because of the security situation that is no longer possible. We miss it, and we want to live as we did in the past free and without fear for our safety." If he had lost he didnt know what he would do. He would be penniless and the shame would be unbearable. But that was all behind him. He had paid out all of his accumulated dinau and come to an amicable agreement with Mr Han to repay him in unspecified kind rather than money. WHEN the Ex-Member had won his seat in the previous term of parliament he thought all his Christmases had come at once. He had mortgaged everything he owned on the outcome and had pulled in favours and clan obligations where he could and taken out a big loan from his new friend, Mr Han. We offer a preview of Phil Fitzpatricks forthcoming Inspector Metau novel, The Case of the Good Politician, available soon as a free New Years present on PNG Attitude. Hopefully it will be a reminder to people to consider their vote more carefully in 2017, says Phil. Here's an extract from Chapter 8. While in parliament he had watched his fellow members closely so he could learn how they had turned their seats into money making machines. He learned the intricacies of inflating government tenders and passing work on to family and wantok owned businesses and he learned how to set up bogus landowner companies to exploit the resources in his electorate for his own benefit. But most of all he learned how to solicit bribes and how to launder the money through financial mazes that defied detection. Along the way he also developed a taste for good food and alcohol, preferably in excess, snappy clothes, expensive cars, fast women and many more indulgences that he could once only dream about. He was under no illusions about why he was in parliament. It was for his own benefit and to hell with the greedy voters he had paid to get him there and were expecting a cut of the proceeds. And to hell with the gullible voters who had believed his stories about wanting to help them and the electorate. They were just dreaming, the silly buggers. After a while he had come to take his good luck for granted. Then he convinced himself that it wasnt just luck that had got him where he wanted to be, it was his superior brain power and his skills as a politician that had done the trick. When he acknowledged that he also convinced himself that he could do it again at the next election. Most Papua New Guinean politicians only lasted one term before they were thrown out of parliament but he was smarter than that. The disdain that he felt for the people who had originally voted him into office made him think he could trick them into electing him again. A little money here and there, a few pallets of beer and lamb flaps here and there and the dumb buggers would elect him again. It was a simple formula and he knew it would work. And yet it didnt turn out that way. For a start his electorate was one of the poorest in Papua New Guinea. The district sat at the nether end of the province, not quite in the highlands and not quite on the coast. Apart from the never ending forests there were few resources to exploit. There were no oil and gas fields, no gold and copper mines, very little arable land and nothing whatsoever that would induce tourists to pay a visit. In short, the opportunities to exploit his electorate the way his fellow parliamentarians did were severely limited. His early venture to set up a supermarket and charge the local people exorbitant prices had faltered from the beginning and had only survived because Mr Han had bought him out and installed a ghost manager. While he played games on his laptop in his poky little office she made sure the store ran well and made a profit from her expansive suite at the back of the building. But there had been a light on the horizon. Mr Han had pointed it out to him. It was obvious, he told the Ex-Member. It was all around them just waiting to be turned into hard, exportable cash. It was the forest. Pull the right strings, pay the right bribes and, bingo, a special agriculture business lease was a carte blanche to cut down every tree in sight. All that was needed was to convince enough landowners to sign on the dotted line. Promise them enduring fortunes from the oil palm and rice fields that would never be planted and Bobs your uncle, money for nothing. The Ex-Member had beamed at the simplicity of it. And then along came Espe Lamplap. At that moment the subject of the Ex-Members anguish was standing on the main Port Moresby wharf watching a brand new Komatsu GD555-5 grader being driven up a nearby launching ramp onto the deck of the coastal landing craft MV Eliakos Spirit. Waiting its turn was a Kubota M series tractor, with a front end loader attached, towing a steel trailer. Watching alongside him were Simik, Hari, Constable Manua and the two reserve police ladies. Constable Eripa was walking across the wharf towards them. Hes gone, a puffing Eripa said. What do you mean hes gone? a distracted Hari replied. He went to the airport and got on a plane. A plane? Where to? Eripa looked nonplussed. I dont know, he said, I didnt check. The two reserve police ladies standing with Espe and Simik looked like they were about to murder Eripa and throw his body in the harbour. Hari held up his arm and they stopped advancing on the hapless constable. I think we can guess where hes going and who he wants to see, he said. We just need to get someone up there to follow him. Not him! one of the ladies said pointedly staring at Eripa. Look, it could have happened to any of us, Hari said. Its just that it would have been nice to know where hes going. Ill check with the airlines, Constable Manua said. It shouldnt be hard to confirm where hes gone. Dont worry about it, Hari replied. Where else would he go? The trick now is to keep track of him, we dont have anyone up there who can do that at the moment. Hari walked away from the others and beckoned Constable Manua to follow. Its partially my fault, I agreed with the ladies to institute a roster system, its unfortunate that Eripa was on duty when it happened. The suspect is in breach of his bail conditions sir, we could get the local police to arrest him. What purpose would that serve Constable? Constable Manua looked slightly embarrassed and then he smiled. I know someone who could keep an eye on him until we get there, he said. Whos that Constable? The Honourable Members daughter sir. Rhapsody? Yes sir, if I ask her shell do it. I see, Hari said looking at the constable carefully. I can go back up there sir, I can be on a plane tomorrow. You dont think it might be dangerous for her Constable? No sir. She drives around all day talking to people, shes got nothing else to do really. Her friends will help her. The ladies at the guesthouse will help her too. Hari thought for a moment and then nodded. Okay Constable, get on to her and then get yourself a ticket on the next flight. Right away sir, the constable said taking out his mobile phone. Hari watched him for a moment longer and then walked back to the others on the edge of the wharf. The two police reserve ladies looked at him in anticipation. Eripa fidgeted nervously. All fixed, Hari said and joined Espe and Simik. Its a fine looking piece of machinery, he said. The crew of the MV Eliakos Spirit were lashing down the grader between two large shipping containers. The district administrator has found a driver with the right ticket and will send him down to the river port to meet it, Simik said. Hell drive it up to the town. One of those containers has got a trailer filled with spare parts and fuel in it. Hell tow that behind him. Its a good thing you are doing, Hari said to Espe who smiled appreciatively. We can fix the road now, he replied. You should go up there and do a formal handover, it wouldnt hurt your reputation, thats what all the politicians do. Espe thought about the suggestion for a moment and then said, Perhaps not, everyone will know where it has come from anyway, if I make a big deal out of it they might think Im just boasting. Hari smiled and put his hand on Espes shoulder. Youre going to make a good member, he said. What do you think Simik? I think youre right, Simik replied with a grin. This article is archived and available in its entirety for free for registered members only. Please login or register to read more. Would Santa wear scent? What would it smell like? And if he did, would anybody smell it as he rode through the upper atmosphere? Well, every substance in gas form has a little gravity between molecules, so these molecules will distribute and fill all the space available. This probably means that in a vacuum or in outer space the diffusion of perfume will be much higher. Sadly, no one could notice it because it's actually not possible to inhale or breathe in space. But if Santa is an old man living somewhere in the North countryside surrounded by pine trees and furry little animals, then probably the fragrance that recreates this atmosphere should start with some crispy freezing aldehydes, then continue with coniferous and timber notes. Maybe some drops of cognac or whisky and some musks in the background with a tiny touch of animalic materials like costus and castoreum. But if we will keep in mind that actually Saint Nicholas was a very rich guy who lived in Turkey a long time ago, I suppose the situation with his ideal fragrance will be quite different. (Intro by Matvey Yudov of Russian Fragrantica) This week our editors imagined what a perfect scent for Santa might be considering his various whereabouts and grooming needs throughout the holiday season. We hope you'll jump into this fun conversation and share your choices in the comments below! By: Miguel Matos, editor of Fragrantica in Portuguese Santa is an old man that apparently can fit inside a chimney, but he must be always very dirty with smoke and ashes from all those descents. He also must be tempted to nibble on all those sweets and cakes full of spices. The tables he see are full of wine bottles and traditional liqueurs. I think he must carry a bar of soap with him to wash his hands after so many ashy chimneys. So I imagine him carrying the mix of all these aromas at the end of a shift distributing gifts to children all over the world and accumulating smoke, spices, sweets, soap... He must have had a couple of glasses of hot wine to keep him warm. What fragrance would he smell like? In my mind it's Bourjois Kobako, a drugstore scent of great vintage proportions crossing aldehydes and smoky oriental tones of spices and woods. By: Marlen Elliot Harrison, co-editor of Fragrantica in English I visited Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland at the Arctic Circle. Licorice is quite popular in that part of the world and I imagine Santa also being a fan. So my pick for Santa would be Lolita Lempicka Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin, a warm, woody aroma that blends vanilla, rum, cedar and sandalwood with sweet licorice. This would be the perfect thing to help keep Santa warm and cozy while staying busy throughout the Christmas season ;-) By: John Biebel, co-editor of Fragrantica in English Santa, being a creature of the North, is surrounded by all the common scents associated with that region of the world: Pine trees, ozone from the snow and ice, smoke from logs on the fire. He grows weary of apples and spices; the smell of wood chips from the toyshop bores him. He longs for something opposite to the smells of home and thinks about the tropics, beaches, sunsets So, when no one is looking, he sprays on a bit of Virgin Island Water by Creed to remind him of the other side of the world. Now, hes ready to take on a fully night of gift giving, doused in coconut, lime, rum, and musk. By: Jodi Battershell, co-editor of Fragrantica in English If you've ever touched Santa's beard, you know it's soft as silk. I'm guessing there's some good beard-grooming taking place on a regular basis that keeps those white whiskers looking and feeling their best. No doubt Santa would use a pleasant, crowd-pleasing scent for his grooming products, to ensure he doesn't offend any delicate sensibilities and can sneak in and out of homes without distracting anyone with his scent. The beard oil from Burberry in the Burberry Mr. Burberry line fits the bill perfectly, softening those wiry whiskers with natural oils and gently scenting the beard with this enjoyable fragrance. By: Elena Vosnaki, editor of Fragrantica in Greek Although for most of Europe it is Saint Nicholas who is associated with Santa Claus (indeed the affectionate nominative derives directly from it), when during the Reformation the old traditions became unpopular, in Greece it is actually Saint Basil the Great, bishop of Caesarea in Cappadokia (in Asia Minor) who is commemorated as Father Christmas. It is traditional on St Basil's Day, January 1st, to serve vasilopita, a rich bread baked with a coin inside setting an extra place at the table for Saint Basil who will grant good luck and profits in New Year's Day gambling. Basil, being born into a wealthy family, gave away all his possessions to the poor, the underprivileged, those in need, and children. For this reason I always imagine him as bearing the gifts of the plenty: dough rising in the oven, cinnamon and clove, bitter oranges and honey. Is there a fragrance that smells of all these yummy things? There is indeed: L de Lolita Lempicka. And it comes in an unlikely blue bottle with a fisherman's net on it, of all things! Taking into account it is Saint Nicholas who is official protector of seamen everywhere, the deck must have been marked! Which scent would you choose for Santa? Laurie Karr dreaded that first Christmas after her mother died. She was 12, the oldest of four children living in upstate New York with their widowed father in 1967. Vernon Gene Little was doing all he could to keep the family going while working full-time, and she just knew he didnt have the timeor wherewithalto do up Christmas the way her mother had. Laura Little was 37 when cancer claimed her, but during the holidays before her death, the young mother spent weeks making Christmas festive. She baked hundreds of sugar cookies and stored them in every available nook and cranny until Christmas Eve, when she and the kids got out the icing and decorations. The family sprayed stenciled greetings of fake snow on the windows, sang carols to the neighbors and gave out handfuls of cookies shaped like Santa and his reindeer or golden stars and brightly colored bells, with every clapper dotted with a silver ball. Those traditions went to the grave with Karrs mother, and 12-year-old Laurie Jean, as her father always called her, knew how much her dad disliked shopping. She didnt expect anything but a stocking on that Christmas morn. Spread out before me was the white leather Scandinavian skirt dotted with embroidered flowers, matching red turtleneck and red tights I had admired on a recent trip to the store with Dad, Karr wrote in an email. I looked down at them and began to cry. Even then, she knew the effort it took her grieving father, not just to provide for his children, but to also make sure they were happy. It wasnt the only time her father would do that, and she vowed to show her children the devotion her parents gave her. That one Christmas had an effect on me the rest of my life, Karr, 61, said recently from her North Stafford home. I was touched beyond words that he wanted so much to bring a little joy to each of us. I remember that morning like it was yesterday, not 49 years ago. As Karr looked back at photos of Christmases past, she wishes more than anything she had kept the skirt set. She certainly gave it a good run for its money while she had it. I wore it all the time to school, she said. I thought I was hot stuff. Nobody I knew had anything like it. MOST SPECIAL PRESENT Karrs memory of a bittersweet Christmas that changed her life is one of several submitted by readers this holiday season. But its certainly not the only one made special by an act of kindness. A decade before Karr got her skirt set, Kathy Marcus of Spotsylvania County wanted something similar: a red corduroy skirt with black and white applique so that I could look so spiffy at the skating rink. Her family didnt have much money, and Marcus wasnt sure the gift would find its way to her. Imagine my surprise when I opened that box, she said. I know my Mom looked far and wide for the outfit at the price she could afford. Dean Boyd remembers 1952 as a year of great upheaval. He was 8, and he and his mother and sister had gone to New Orleans to have Christmas with his aunt and uncle. His grandmother was recovering there after a heart attack, and his father recently had been deployed to the war in Korea. Boyd, who lives in King George County, had a secondhand bike he loved. He asked about bringing it to New Orleans, and his mother told him it was gone. He was devastated, certain someone had stolen it. On Christmas morning, next to the tree Boyd found what he thought was a brand new bike. His smile was almost as broad as that of his grandmother watching from her bedand that happy moment is the last memory he has of her. It wasnt until years later that I learned my Uncle Buddy had taken my old bike, painted it and put new tires on it for me for Christmas, said Boyd, 71. I still remember that as one of my most special presents. PASSING DOWN TRADITIONS Cousins, cousins, everywhere, along with once-a-year foods and favorite traditions are some of the reasons Christmas is the best time of year for Lily Davis. The Spotsylvania County resident, 77, enjoyed the closeness of cousins on both sides of her family, and the large group shared meals and visits and went to church together. She hunted for black walnuts to put in delicious fruit cakes and looked forward to the country ham her father cured and the wild turkey he brought home. We never had or even knew what a Butterball turkey was, she said. Even better was the Christmas program at her small country church. Oh, the excitement of those practices, getting costumes, the caroling and singing! she wrote in an email. I loved it as a child and I raised my four children and my grandchildren in the tradition passed down for generations. To this day, she still tries to get it on the Christmas program at the same little church. A BROWN PAPER BAG Beth Girdler, 72, of King George remembers her childhood and church in rural Kentucky with similar fondness. The Christmas pageant was always the same each year, with Mary and the angels dressed in white bed sheets and fading, gold-sequined, slightly warped wire halos. Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men wore plaid flannel bathrobes and tied bath-towel turbans on their heads. A beautiful lady named Blanche always closed the pageant by literally trilling O Holy Night, Girdler wrote in an email. But the best part of the serviceand the holidaywas the treat bag each child received. Several readers remembered the same goodies, and with the same reverence. A small brown paper bag was tied with ribbon or yarn. Inside was an apple or orange, candy cane or hard candy, and a few nuts still in the shell. Girdler recalls a whole pack of Black Jack, Juicy Fruit or Wrigleys Spearmint gum and tastiest of all were the two old-fashioned, cream-filled chocolate drops. For farm children like Beth Girdler, the treats were hoarded and savored long past Christmas Day. She even saved the bags, finding odd buttons, pebbles, pencil stubs and other valuables to stash in them. The treat bags symbolized our sweet innocence and a time before Christmas became so commercialized that many groan at the word, Girdler said. I wish for you a brown paper bag Christmas, she wrote. A Christmas that special. That pure. That rich. Thirteen people, most of them residents of Colonial Beach, were arrested this week as the result of a nearly yearlong investigation into drug Effective Goal Setting Free Ebook Marketing Goal Management Guide Launched Sabine Matharu, CEO of Reach For Greatness, released a new free e-book called "Goal Setter Guide", a practical free e-book on personal, business and marketing goal setting and management. The e-book focuses on step-by-step goal identifying and management strategies for both personal and professional life. -- Sabine Matharu, CEO of Reach For Greatness, has released a new free e-book called "Goal Setter Guide", a practical e-book on personal, business and marketing goal setting. More information is available at http://learnmoreabout.info/GoalSetter Goal setting is one of the most pressing problems for both personal and career life, as it is the foundation of all future achievements. Solid career and personal goals are many times essential for success, as it is only with constant work towards a set target that progress becomes possible. Especially with the current year coming to an end, many people are interested in effective goal setting strategies for both personal and business purposes. Marketing strategies many times depend on goal setting for measurable progress, and business executives need to be knowledgeable in both solid target planning and goal management techniques. The internet is a rich resource for goal setting tips and strategies. However, many online articles lack specificity and practicality, as they are usually limited to presenting generalities. "Goal Setter Guide", the new e-book from Sabine Matharu, attempts to offer a complete perspective on the most effective goal setting strategies for 2017, while also helping people avoid the common psychological pitfalls associated with negative goal setting habits. According to Sabine Matharu, perseverance in spite of failure is essential: ""I know many of us won't have achieved everything on the list, and that is OK. Don't beat yourself up about it. One needs to celebrate what they have achieved . It's important to plan the next year thoroughly. This way, one will build confidence, resulting in more productive outcome." The new e-book focuses both, on personal and business goal management, including strategies that are applicable to anyone wishing to set achievable personal and career goals for 2017. "Goal Setter Guide" helps its readers identify feasible goals, leverage previous learning, plan the top 3-5 goals for the year to come, and come up with a way to achieve these goals. Interested parties can find more information by visiting http://learnmoreabout.info/GoalSetter For more information, please visit http://www.reachforgreatness.co.uk Contact Info: Name: Sabine Matharu Email: contact@reachforgreatness.co.uk Organization: Reach For Greatness Ltd. 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Google To Unveil Two New 'Android Wear 2.0' Smartwatches In Early 2017 Google will release a pair of new smartwatches during the first quarter of 2017. The smartwatches will be the first ones to carry the new Android Wear 2.0 platform. Jeff Chang, Android Wear Product Manager at Google, said via an interview with The Verge that the new smartwatches won't carry any sort of Google-related branding such as Pixel. Instead, the smartwatches will carry the brand of the manufacturer, which he refused to disclose. The unnamed manufacturer, which Chang said has made Android Wear smartwatches before, will collaborate with Google in both hardware and software aspects. Said partnership is comparable to the Google Nexus program, which has since produced a successful line of manufacturer-branded smartphones that carried flagship Android OS versions. Once the flagship smartwatches become available to the market, Google will roll out Android Wear 2.0 updates for all compatible smartwatches. The new smartwatch OS includes a bevy of standalone (no smartphone needed) apps, Google Pay support, and Google Assistant compatibility with both the Pixel smartphones and Home voice-activated speaker. Interestingly, Chang noted that the Android Wear 2.0 will work on both Android and iOS devices. That, of course, will include specific differences, though he didn't elaborate further on that. Google will release further details on the new platform once it releases its final developer preview in January. Chang added that other partners will also release new smartwatches with Android Wear 2.0 once the flagship devices come out. Said move, according to him, will help Google ramp further support for the wearables market, which is currently waning in popularity according to Tech Crunch. By far, Android Wear has fared poorly against rivals Apples and Samsung - the latter uses a different platform made compatible with its Android smartphones. Google, however, remain optimistic that it will eventually gain success in the wearables market. Watch The Verge's "First look at Android Wear 2.0" below: Nokia Shares Drop Over Patent Tussle Vs. Apple Nokia saw its share value sink by 5% on Thursday over patent issues with Apple. Said legal tussle can take a hit on Nokia's profits due to resulting delays in royalty payments. With Nokia's contract with Apple on patent license expiring at the end of the year, both sides have taken issues against the way their agreement has run its course. Fortune reported that Nokia alleges Apple of breaching specific patents, while the latter accuses the former of overcharging payments. According to Reuters, the Finnish tech company has now filed over 40 patent lawsuits in 11 countries, many of which tackle issues on software, chip sets, and displays. Nokia patent business head Ilkka Rahnasto released a statement, saying that the company "has created or contributed to many of the fundamental technologies used in today's mobile devices, including Apple products." "After several years of negotiations trying to reach agreement to cover Apple's use of these patents, we are now taking action to defend our rights," Rahnasto added. Currently, only a very small portion of Nokia's revenue come from patent royalties. Yet, with the network business slumping across the industry, the company is relying heavily on licensing's profitability. Inderes analyst Mikael Rautanen said that a new license contract between Nokia and Apple, which will most likely involve upgraded terms, may not be realized soon because of the dispute. Moreover, the multiple lawsuits involving the two companies would only add to their litigation expenses as well as several uncertainties, hence a drop in Nokia's share value being natural. Apple, through spokesman Josh Rosenstock in another Reuters report, insists that Nokia has attempted to take undue advantage of the company's patents "they have nothing to do about." Rosenstock added that Nokia unfairly licensed their patents, branding its patent lawsuits as a wholesale attempt to wrest more profits from Apple. Maynard Um, Wells Fargo Securities analyst, noted that Nokia and Apple's demands may be "far apart" from each other, as suggested by the lack of arbitration. Apple, in particular, focuses more on the price of patents less than their validity, contrary to what Nokia is pushing regarding the California tech giant's patent infringements. Watch USA Today's report on the issue below: Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 4G Introduced; Specs, Price, Features, And More Revealed! Xiaomi has revealed the much anticipated Mi Notebook Air Laptop on Dec 23, 2016. The Notebook accompanies preloaded Windows 10 home version. Xiaomi has launched in a joint effort with China Mobiles. Two models have been launched: the 12.5-inch display and the 13.3-inch display. Both models accompany telecom administrator network bolster without sim cards in addition to 4 GB of free 4G data for every month. Xaiomi Notebook Air 4G is fundamentally the same as the former laptops. It has the same smooth plan and is lightweight.The goals were clear, it needed to present its clients a less expensive other option to the well-known Apple MacBook Air. The primary model is a 12.5-inch Mi Notebook Air 4G that holds its full-HD display determination, Intel Core M3 processor combined with 4GB of LPDDR3 RAM. It offers 128GB SSD (SATA) that is expandable through a moment SSD space. Different elements incorporate Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth v4.1, AKG double speakers and Dolby Digital encompass sound support. It is 12.9mm thick at its most slender and tips the scales at 1.07kg. It also has a HDMI port, two USB 3.0 ports and a USB Type-C port. Xiaomi Officially Announces The Mi Notebook Air 4G In China https://t.co/5Z357WzNM9 pic.twitter.com/Em3S9VMTsz MyNextGizmo (@mynextgizmo) December 24, 2016 The 13.3-inch Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 4G accompanies the 6th era Intel Core i7 processor. Different determinations incorporate a Nvidia GeForce 940MX GPU with 1GB of GDDR5 VRAM, 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256GB PCIe SSD. Much the same as the 12.5 inch display, a second SSD space on the 13.3-inch Mi Notebook Air 4G can be used for development. Other availability ports and sound choices are the same as the 12.5-inch display. It weighs 1.28kg and is 14.8mm thick. It accompanies a 170-degree wide survey point with a 5.71 mm ultra thin screen. Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air With 4G Now Officialhttps://t.co/zRidCveatL pic.twitter.com/SoPfJmnK1V Extreme Mobile (@Xtreme_Mob) December 23, 2016 The portable PC has been evaluated at $677 for the 12.5-inch variant while the greater 13.3-inch version has a cost of $1,007. Another intriguing component of the Mi Notebook Air 4G tablets is that they accompany an SSD card opening that can be used for extending the memory. The agreement comes about two months after Project Roomkey, which provided motel rooms for the homeless, ended. When Marine Corps reservist Daniel Ha was offered the chance to take part in a humanitarian mission to Honduras, he was excited for the opportunity. The 24-year-old Corvallis resident had been drilling with his unit the Springfield-based Engineer Services Company, Marine Combat Logistics Battalion 23 one weekend a month and two weeks a year, but this would be his first full-fledged deployment. Thats what I signed up for, he said. Along with nearly 200 other Marine reservists, including 36 from Oregon, Ha was put on active duty in March. After three months of training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the group shipped out to the Gracias a Dios province of Honduras, where they spent the next six months as part of a Marine task force. While there, they built a schoolhouse, renovated a hospital and completed a number of other aid projects in rural areas of the Central American country. But when he and his fellow reservists got back to the States just before Thanksgiving, they found an unpleasant surprise waiting for them: Unlike the regular Marines who took part in the Honduran deployment, the reservists would not be receiving any credit toward their G.I. Bill and other benefits for their months of active duty. If youre going to deploy, its assumed that youre going to receive those benefits, said Ha, who holds the rank of lance corporal and is pursuing a degree in education. Its atypical that you wouldnt. A growing number of military reservists, however, are learning that benefits they thought they could count on may not be there for them after all. Under a little-known legal authority called 12304b, the Pentagon can now call up reservists and National Guard members for active duty without any obligation to provide traditional benefits such as Post-9/11 G.I. Bill education assistance, early retirement and health insurance all key incentives in recruiting the citizen soldiers who provide a crucial backup for Americas regular armed forces. For Ha and his fellow reservists, that news came as a bitter blow after returning from a long deployment in a foreign land. Its really upsetting, Ha said. We put a lot of things on hold. Recruitment incentive Every branch of the U.S. armed forces has a reserve arm. Along with the National Guard, the Reserves are intended to provide a backup force of trained personnel who can be called up to support the full-time military in times of war or national emergency. In addition to putting in at least 39 days a year of mandatory training time, members of the Guard and Reserves must be prepared to go out on longer deployments if necessary. This can mean spending months at a time away from family, friends, jobs, school and other aspects of their lives. Guardsmen and reservists are paid while on active duty, but the money is often far less than they earn in their civilian jobs. To aid in recruiting, the government offers many of the same benefits to the reserve components that are available to members of the full-time military. One of the most attractive of those is the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, a generous package of education assistance that can cover the full cost of tuition at state schools while providing hundreds of dollars a month for housing expenses. It takes a certain amount of active duty time to qualify for the G.I. Bill, which is one of the reasons reservists look for deployment opportunities. The Marine reservists who signed up to go to Honduras this year say they expected to rack up a significant amount of benefits during the deployment. That was my understanding, said Cpl. William Iversen, a 22-year-old from Eugene whos studying economics at the University of Oregon, that by the end I should rate 50 percent of my G.I. Bill. In his case, Iversen said, that would have amounted to $5,678 a year in tuition and fees, plus $765 a month in housing allowance and $500 a year for books. As it turned out, he got nothing. When he and his fellow reservists returned to Camp Lejeune last month, word started going around that they would not be getting their active duty benefits. A few days after Thanksgiving, the rumors were confirmed by their sergeant major in a stand-up briefing outside the barracks. He told them they had been deployed under Section 12304b, a relatively new addition to the federal law that governs military reserve call-ups. Unlike other legal authorities used in most previous deployments, he explained, 12304b does not come with most of the usual benefits, including the G.I. Bill. It was kind of a kick in the gut, because none of us knew about that, Iversen said. Its pretty obscure, and I dont think its been used that much. A new authority There are a number of legal authorities, defined under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, that can be used to call reserve components into active duty. Section 12301a, known as full mobilization, is the most extreme example. It requires a declaration of war or national emergency by Congress and activates all reserve components for as long as needed. Near the other end of the spectrum is Section 12301d, which allows individual reservists to volunteer for active duty. Somewhere in between is Section 12304. Known as a presidential reserve call-up, it allows the president to activate up to 230,000 reservists without a congressional emergency declaration. Section 12304b was created in late 2011, when it was tucked into the Defense Departments $662 billion budget authorization bill for fiscal 2012. It would be another two years before the new section would make its debut in practice, but since 2014 its been used with increasing frequency. According to information gathered by journalist Alex Horton, who has reported on the new authority for the national military publication Stars and Stripes, 12304b has now been invoked more than 4,700 times by all branches of the military to call members of the Guard and Reserves into active duty. (Although some reservists may have been deployed more than once, Horton estimates the number of individuals deployed under 12304b is likely close to that 4,700 total.) As the law is written, up to 60,000 members of the nations military reserve components can be activated under 12304b at any one time. The Marine Corps position is that Section 12304b was the only appropriate authority for the Honduran call-up. Use of 12304b is authorized under U.S. Code, Title 10, when the secretary of a military department determines that it is necessary to augment the active forces for a preplanned mission in support of a combatant command, Maj. Clark Carpenter of the Office of U.S. Marine Corps Communication wrote in an email to the Gazette-Times. The deployment of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Southern Command-16 was such a mission. Because of this, the decision was made to leverage the reserve component to support Marine Corps Forces South. U.S. Code, Title 10, dictates the use of 12304b in these situations. Mistakes were made That doesnt make a lot of sense to the Marine reservists interviewed for this story, who note that more traditional sections of Title 10 have been used for similar deployments in that past. Whats more, they point out, 12304b is an involuntary activation authority, and they all volunteered for the assignment. To a man, they all say theyre glad they signed up for the deployment but they might have thought twice if theyd known they wouldnt qualify for the G.I. Bill. Everything we were told (before the deployment), every single briefing, was that wed get those benefits, said Cpl. Paul Elias, a 23-year-old Corvallis resident whos been taking community college classes in preparation for transferring to Oregon State University. I still probably would have deployed either way, but it would have been nice if theyd told us. In fact, the official guidance from the Marine Corps had always been that active duty under 12304b did count as creditable time served toward educational assistance. Now, the corps admits, it made a mistake. Marine reservists were informed about benefits prior to deployment based on a Marine Administrative Message published in 2014, Col. Douglas Mayer, head of the Military Policy Branch, Manpower Policy Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, told the Gazette-Times in an email. Unfortunately, this message incorrectly stated that reservists involuntarily activated under authorization 12304b were eligible to receive Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits. A correction has been issued and published in a subsequent message. The correction was issued on Dec. 2 of this year, after the Marines returned from Honduras. Cause for concern Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Defense Department relied heavily on the Guard and Reserves to supplement the full-time armed forces for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. As those conflicts cooled down, troop levels have been reduced and defense budgets have been trimmed. At the same time, however, the need to respond rapidly to hotspots in the global war on terrorism has remained strong. Thats left the Pentagon scrambling to find creative ways to deploy reserve components while saving money on benefits, says Susan Lukas, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who now works as director of legislation and military policy for the Reserve Officers Association, which advocates for military reservists and their families. Were in new territory now, Lukas said. Were looking at involuntary deployments to be able to fight terrorists. Lukas argues that reservists and guardsmen subject to involuntary deployment should receive the same benefits as regular troops based on the amount of time they spend on active duty: Post-9/11 G.I. Bill education assistance, reduced age for retirement, vocational rehabilitation services, pre- and post-mobilization health care and access to VA loans, plus federally subsidized differential pay to make up for their lower salaries while away from their civilian jobs. While section 12304b might keep deployment costs down in the short term, Lukas says, the strategy could backfire over time by making it tougher to recruit and retain people to serve in the Guard and Reserves. We know that this is an authority that is going to be used more and more, she said. We want to make sure that it is not used so much that it pushes people away from service. Reservists pay the price The lack of benefits under 12304b deployments is certainly having a demoralizing effect on the Oregon Marine reservists. Its a pretty big setback because I was planning to use the money to attend school, said Cpl. Oscar Lemus, 22, a Salem resident studying psychology and sociology at Portland State University. That would be really helpful. Lemus said he doesnt feel let down by the Marine Corps, but he does feel like the country has failed him and his fellow reservists. Its like theyve broken a promise, he said. Theyre not taking it lying down. After coming home from their deployment, a number of the reservists contacted their senators and representatives asking for help in securing their benefits. Theyve launched an online petition seeking support for their cause. And some of them have contacted the media. Were trying to spread the word about whats happening, Lemus said. The issue was already beginning to gain a modest amount of traction in Congress even before the Marine reservists got back from Honduras. Earlier this year, two bills were introduced in the Senate that would restore the lost benefits the National Guard 12304b Benefits Parity Act, co-sponsored by Sens. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, and John Cornyn, R-Texas, and the Veterans First Act, sponsored by Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia. So far, however, neither measure has made it to a floor vote. Lukas said her organization, the Reserve Officers Association, will push Congress to reform 12304b, but its not clear at this point whether funding will be available to cover benefit costs. The Pentagon put it through without any benefits because they needed it right away and didnt have money to pay for that, she said. They want to add benefits to it, Congress wants to add benefits to it, but they have to find the money to do it. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. The Top Indian Startups of 2016 Features oi -Rohit These startups made headlines in the passing year 2016 because of their innovative ideas. India is emerging as the fastest growing base of startups worldwide. As per Nasscom data, India has moved up to the third position and is one amongst the first five largest startup communities in the world. SEE ALSO: The Best IoT Products of 2016 No wonder why young techies are quitting their stable jobs and are betting big on creative new ideas that are now supported by the Government of India's 'Startup India' initiative. Bolt Based out of Hyderabad, Bolt Auto Technologies has developed a 2A mobile charger for people who commute on two wheelers. The portable charger attaches itself to the handlebars of your bike and also tracks your movements using a special app. Dubbed Red Streak, it is the world's first 'smart' mobile phone charger for motorbikes that comes with a detachable design to prevent theft and misuse of the device. The charger also tracks your entire ride on a route map, total distance, average speed, etc. using the Bolt Riders App. SEE ALSO: The Wackiest technology Products of 2016 That We Want to See in India Trak n Tell Recently funded by WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, Trak N Tell is a Gurgaon-based startup that aims at creating intelligent devices for automobiles. The startup has developed Intelli7, a GPS device that fits in a car and provides real-time information to the car owners about the vehicle's location. In worst case scenario of a theft, the device allows its owners to immobilize the vehicle remotely by simply tapping a button on the accompanying smartphone app. The GPS enabled device is priced at Rs. 5,999, which covers the cost of the hardware, SIM services,and cloud-based services for a period of three years. Inspirock Everyone loves to go on vacation but no one likes to get into the hassle of researching and drafting itineraries for the trip. That said, Inspirock does that for you by automatically creating customized itineraries. The startup help tourists generate itineraries for a single location or trips spanning different countries, thus saving them several hours of online research time. The startup recently raised $3 million in seed funding from returning investor MakeMyTrip. SEE ALSO: Why Chinese are Upset Over This Pricey Golden Smartphone Cardiac Design Labs This Bengaluru-based startup won the Google's Grand Jury prize at the Startup India Launchpad because of its life-saving healthcare product, designed to address one of the most crucial health problems. The startup has made a Mobile Intelligent Remote Cardiac Monitor or MIRCaM, which includes a body unit, patient's bedside unit, doctor's terminal and doctor's mobile app. The monitor provides real-time patient alerts in the form of mobile notifications to doctors and hospitals. The product can be a good tool for post-operative monitoring at home. (Image Source: Livemint.com) NestAway Founded in 2015, NestAway became quite popular in the year 2016 among the youth in the country. Backed by Ratan Tata, the startup offers a list of furnished homes available for rent for families, single boys and single girls! NestAway's website has all the details including pictures of the house, rent and other amenities available. The startup operates in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Delhi and its suburbs. Best Mobiles in India Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq DoD News, Defense Media Activity SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 24, 2016 U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 14 strikes in Syria: -- Near Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged 10 ISIL tactical units, destroyed seven fighting positions, three vehicles, a car bomb and damaged a supply route. -- Near Palmyra, a strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle and damaged an artillery system. Strikes in Iraq Attack, bomber, fighter, remotely piloted aircraft and rocket artillery conducted six strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government: -- Near Bayji, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and damaged a tunnel entrance. -- Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units, destroyed five ISIL-held buildings, four fighting positions, a vehicle, a mortar system, a weapons cache and a car bomb factory, damaged five supply routes, three bridges and a tunnel, and suppressed five tactical units and three mortar systems. -- Near Rawah, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a weapons cache. Task force officials define a strike as one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative, effect. Therefore, officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against buildings, vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making those targets harder or impossible for ISIL to use. Accordingly, officials said, they do not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike. Part of Operation Inherent Resolve The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nigerian army lands crushing blow on Boko Haram: President Iran Press TV Sat Dec 24, 2016 2:8PM Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari says government troops have inflicted a heavy defeat on the Boko Haram Takfiri terrorist group by capturing the group's last stronghold in the country's northeast. "I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the camp fell at about 1:35 p.m. [local time] on Friday, December 23, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide," Buhari said in a statement on Saturday, calling on the army to "maintain the tempo by pursuing them and bringing them to justice." Buhari added that the army troops managed to crush the remnants of Boko Haram at "Camp Zero", located deep inside the thick Sambisa Forest in the volatile Borno State, without mentioning the whereabouts of the group's ringleader Abubakar Shekau. According to the Nigerian president, Friday's victory marked the "final crushing" of the Takfiri group. The triumph was achieved after the army gradually tightened the noose around terrorists in the forest through a months-long counter-terrorism military campaign that was intensified in the last few weeks, covering some 13,00 square kilometers of the forest in an attempt to curb the group's atrocities against civilians and clear the area of its presence. Boko Haram terrorists started their reign of terror in 2009 with the aim of toppling the Nigerian government. In their heyday in early 2015, they managed to control an area in the country's northeast as vast as Belgium, but they lost most of that territory over the last year as the Nigerian government, along with troops from some affected neighboring countries such as Chad and Cameroon, launched a joint military campaign to eradicate the militant group. During the past several months, Boko Haram, which was mainly pushed deep inside the lush forest, a former colonial game reserve, had resorted to carrying out sporadic raids against villages and bomb attacks against civilians in urban areas, killing hundreds of people. The group, whose name means "Western education is forbidden," has pledged allegiance to Daesh, a Takfiri terrorist group wreaking havoc in Iraq and Syria. On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls from their secondary school in the northeastern town of Chibok in Borno. About 80 of the girls managed to escape afterward or were swapped for a number of Boko Harm prisoners, but the fate of the rest remains unknown. Boko Haram terrorists have so far killed more than 20,000 people and forced over 2.7 million others from their homes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu responsible for UN rebuke of Israel: Obama admin. Iran Press TV Sat Dec 24, 2016 2:5PM US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes has told the whining Israeli prime minister that only he is responsible for Washington's decision to allow the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution that condemned Israel for illegal settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories. The administration of President Barack Obama allowed the UN Security Council resolution to pass on Friday by refusing to veto it, defying extraordinary pressure from Benjamin Netanyahu and the incoming US president, Donald Trump. Following the vote, Netanyahu accused the Obama administration of "colluding" with the Palestinians and said he looked forward to working with Trump, as well as Israel-friendly members of Congress, "to negate the harmful effects of this absurd resolution." "The Obama administration not only failed to protect Israel against this gang-up at the UN, it colluded with it behind the scenes," Netanyahu's office said in a statement. Rhodes turned down Netanyahu's claim that Obama colluded with other members behind the scenes, saying that the president only informed his national security team on Friday morning of his decision to abstain from the vote. Rhodes added that the Israeli premier had only himself to blame for the rebuke at the UN Security Council, saying Netanyahu did not pay attention to repeated Obama administration warnings that increased illegal settlement activity on the occupied Palestinian land could lead to greater pressure from the international community. "Prime Minister Netanyahu had the opportunity to pursue policies that would have led to a different outcome today," Rhodes said. The vote came a day after Trump personally intervened to keep the measure from coming up for a vote. Israeli officials said they were aware of such plans by the White House and had turned to Trump for support. Minutes after the Security Council vote was announced, Trump condemned the Obama administration for its decision not to veto the UN resolution, vowing that it would be "different" under his rule. "As to the UN, things will be different after Jan. 20," Trump tweeted, referring to his inauguration day. Rhodes acknowledged that President Obama's decision would not have much bearing on Trump's policies, but told him that "there is one president at a time." And "President Obama is the president of the United States until Jan. 20 and we are taking this action, of course, as US policy," he stated. There was thunderous applause on Friday in the Security Council chamber following the vote, after the Obama administration delivered a parting kick to the Netanyahu regime. The decision of the Obama administration, which has grown increasingly frustrated with Tel Aviv's illegal settlement construction, to abstain from the Security Council's 14-0 vote is one of the biggest US rebukes of its long-standing ally in recent history. Given that most of the world is opposed to the Israeli settlements, the UN Security Council action will be almost impossible for anyone, including Trump, to reverse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Opposing Congo parties near deal on power transition Iran Press TV Sat Dec 24, 2016 11:17AM Political parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo have stopped negotiations before finalizing a power transition agreement, under which President Joseph Kabila will leave office next year. Participants in the negotiations said the talks between the opposition and the government in the DR Congo, which lasted for 12 hours, came to an end at about 5:30 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) on Saturday. The negotiations were set to resume at 11 a.m. local time. "At that time ... it will be possible to propose a final document that can be signed this afternoon," opposition delegate Francois Mwamba said. Mwamba noted that the negotiating parties had failed to agree on some points of the deal, which was recently brokered by the country's Catholic Church. The deal would allow President Joseph Kabila to remain in office for an additional year but the constitution could not be changed to let him run for a third term. Under the agreement, presidential elections would also be held in 2017. The unexpected accord came after dozens of people were killed in anti-government protests this week. The United Nations put the death toll at some 40. Opposition leaders Martin Fayulu and Jose Endundo said a prime minister would be chosen from the main opposition bloc and veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi would supervise the implementation of the agreement. Kabila has not immediately commented on the news. President Kabila's second term in office expired on Tuesday. According to the constitution, a new president must be elected now. However, Kabila has remained in office as a presidential election scheduled for last month was postponed because of what the government said were delays in registering voters. Kabila has been accused of trying to cling on to power. His supporters, however, say that he is committed to the constitution but stepping down from power would possibly spark a power struggle that could put his life in danger. His father, former president Laurent Kabila, was assassinated in 2001 in the country, which has never witnessed a peaceful transition of power. He took office just ten days after the assassination of his father. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi airstrikes kill nine Yemeni kids, women Iran Press TV Sat Dec 24, 2016 7:29AM Nine Yemeni civilians, all of them women and children, have been killed and several others injured in a Saudi airstrike on a residential area in Yemen's southwestern province of Ibb. The Saudi attack was carried out against the Far Al Udayn District of Ibb early on Saturday, claiming the lives of seven children and two women, al-Masirah satellite TV reported. Saudi jets also bombarded the Ninth District of the capital, Sana'a, several times, but no reports on possible casualties were available. Earlier on Friday, Yemeni army soldiers, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, had shot dead three Saudi troops in Saudi Arabia's southwestern province of Jizan. They had also killed over a dozen Saudi mercenaries inside Yemen. Yemeni forces also foiled infiltration attempts by Saudi mercenaries on three fronts near the city of Ta'izz, the capital of a southwestern province of the same name. Saudi Arabia has been waging war on Yemen since March 2015. The Saudi aggression, which has killed at least 11,400 people, was launched in an unsuccessful attempt to reinstate Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a Saudi ally who has resigned as Yemen's president but seeks to forcefully return to power. The Saudi strikes have also taken a heavy toll on the country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories. Yemeni forces have been fighting back the Saudi war, including by staging retaliatory attacks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Catalonia parties, unions hold summit on planned independence vote Iran Press TV Sat Dec 24, 2016 7:11AM Representatives of Catalonia's pro-independence civil, cultural and political organizations have come together in a Barcelona summit to discuss preparations for a referendum next year on separation from mainland Spain. Members of Catalonia's National Alliance for the Right to Self-Determination, which brings together pro-secession political groups in Spain's semi-autonomous region, met on Friday to set out the course of the independence vote planned to be held in September 2017. Among the participants were Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, the region's Vice President Oriol Junqueras, its Minister for Foreign Affairs Raul Romeva and other members of the local government. Representatives of Catalan political parties, workers' unions and social groups including Barcelona mayor Ada Colau also attended the meeting. The goal of the meeting was said to be drawing up a "national pact" for the vote in the wealthy northeastern region. The participants discussed measures such as organizing a campaign to promote the referendum within Spain and across the world despite opposition from Spain's central government and relevant legal barriers. "Today's summit represents a leap forward," Puigdemont said after the Friday event, insisting that the summit sought to "enhance" support for the independence referendum "beyond political parties." The development came after Catalan lawmakers in Barcelona began a process for pursuing secession from Spain in November 2015, intending to achieve political independence by 2017. Madrid, however, voiced strong opposition to the move. During a vote in the Catalan parliament at the time, 72 legislators voted in favor of a resolution for parting from Spain, while 63 lawmakers voted against. The Spanish Constitutional Court has suspended the plan, but the Catalan executive insists that the schedule remains unchanged. The resource-rich and wealthy region of Catalonia has been the scene of growing separatist sentiments in recent years. Pro-independence people complain that the region pays more taxes than it should to Madrid. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Obama signs 'disappointing' $619 billion Pentagon budget Iran Press TV Sat Dec 24, 2016 1:16AM US President Barack Obama has signed into law a massive $619 billion military spending bill for next year. In a statement on Friday, Obama said he had signed the bill despite being "disappointed" with Congress' refusal to apply his proposals for the 2017 budget. "Congress again failed to enact meaningful reforms to divest unneeded force structure, reduce wasteful overhead, and modernize military healthcare," the outgoing president said. "Instead, the Congress redirects funding needed to support the warfighter to fund additional end-strength that our military leaders have not requested," he added. The White House initially threatened to veto the budget because it was $3.2 billion more than what Obama had proposed. By signing the bill, Obama also agreed with a 2.1-percent pay raise for the troops. He was aiming for 1.6 percent at first. Lawmakers also voted to increase the end strength across various services, which means that under the new legislation the Army should keep its troops level above 476,000 in 2017, some 16,000 more than what Obama had requested. The figure was set at 321,000 troops for the Air Force and 185,000 for the Marines Corps, respectively 4,000 and 3,000 more than what the White House had in mind. Still, Obama said he would sign the bill since it "authorizes fiscal year 2017 appropriations principally for the Department of Defense and for Department of Energy national security programs, provides vital benefits for military personnel and their families, and includes authorities to facilitate ongoing operations around the globe." Both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the bill with veto-proof votes earlier this month. The legislation also included a ban on the government's efforts to close military bases. Sponsored by Republican Senator John McCain, the act also featured language restricting the closure of the military prison at the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba, provoking criticism from Obama. Obama, who has failed to deliver on his 2008 campaign pledge to close the infamous prison, said that unless Congress changes course on Guantanamo, "it will be judged harshly by history." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rise Of Antiestablishment Parties Reshapes Western Politics Charles Recknagel December 24, 2016 Across the West, a wave of antiestablishment feeling is challenging a political order built on the idea that open borders and open trade are the key to prosperity. The last 12 months show how much so. In Britain, voters opted for Brexit despite dire warnings about its political and economic consequences, leaving discomfited U.K. officials to negotiate their country out of the European Union. In the United States, voters chose billionaire political outsider Donald Trump as president on campaign pledges to build a "great, great wall" on the border with Mexico, ban Muslims from entering the country, and scrap major free-trade deals. On the European continent, a nationalist government rose to power in Poland, a pro-EU government fell in Italy, and Austria narrowly averted electing the first far-right head of state in the EU's history. They're all part of a phenomenon that political analysts are still struggling to name. The rise of the right-wing, the rise of populism, the rise of antiestablishment parties -- the labels attempt to characterize a change that not only has taken many mainstream political parties by surprise but could dramatically reshape the West's social and economic policies. "It is not clear to me yet that a majority of people support a rolling-back on open borders or open trade, but what we have here is a divided public, a part of the public that feels as though these policies of globalism or issues about immigration haven't worked in their favor and therefore they are protesting at the ballot box," says Michael Cullinane, a professor of U.S. history at Northumbria University in Britain. 2017 Elections A series of elections in Italy, France, Germany, and the Netherlands in 2017 will provide key battlegrounds where the antiestablishment mood will be tested further, raising the possibility the EU could break up beyond Brexit as many of the populist parties dub Brussels a threat to their countries' interests and identities. "What we want is to bring back the values, the identity, the culture and the money, and put forward again national interests," Geert Wilders, the leader of the populist Geert Wilders's Party for Freedom in the Netherlands, says. It is a description that fits many of the other populist parties as well, even as they espouse a wide variety of different ideologies. The antiestablishment parties range from the right-wing National Front of Marine Le Pen in France, to the nationalist Alternative for Deutschland in Germany, to the left-wing Podemos in Spain and Syriza in Greece. But if their appeals range from anti-immigration to anti-austerity, the concerns of their voters are frequently shared: jobs, incomes, worries that globalization is putting them out of work, and fears of immigration, cultural change, and terrorism. How these parties will try to reshape their societies is now the main question in many Western capitals. Many analysts see the European Union as particularly under threat as Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Germany -- all with strong anti-Brussels parties or currents -- hold elections next year in the shadow of the Brexit vote. In Italy, which has yet to schedule legislative elections following the resignation of pro-EU Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in December, the populist Five Star Movement has 30 percent voter support and is the country's second-largest party. Headed by comedian and blogger Beppe Grillo, it wants a referendum on whether Italy should leave the eurozone. The country's other populist party, the Northern League, with 12 percent voter support, is nationalist and anti-immigrant, and seeks to take Italy out of the EU altogether. And in the Netherlands, which holds a general election in March, Wilder's Freedom Party is widely expected to win the most votes even as he is viewed by most of the country's other political leaders as too extreme to be partner in any ruling coalition. The Freedom Party is anti-euro, anti-EU, anti-immigration, and anti-Islam. In France, which holds a presidential election in April, the National Front's Le Pen polls just a few percentage points behind leading contender Francois Fillon of the center-right Republicans. The anti-EU, anti-immigrant Le Pen has vowed to hold a referendum on whether to leave the EU if elected. In Germany, the anti-eurozone Alternative for Germany is poised to enter the national parliament for the first time during legislative elections due before October 22. The party, which opposes the common currency but not the EU and is anti-immigration and anti-Islam -- has made rapid gains since it was formed in 2013, with seats already in 10 of Germany's 16 state parliaments. EU Nerves Recent polls gauge its popular support at around 16 percent, putting it in third place after the mainstream opposition Social Democrats, with 22 percent, and Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, with 32 percent. "It is a risky couple of years ahead for the European Union as we currently know it," says Marco Incerti, an EU policy analyst with the Center for European Policy Studies in Brussels. "The main question will also have to be whether eventually some countries' shift in a certain direction will mean the end of the Union or [only] these countries withdrawing from the European Union, which could then survive in a different form or in a smaller grouping." In the United States, the direction that Trump's Republican administration will take under his mobilizing slogan of "Make America Great Again" after January 20 is still to be seen. "It's very difficult to predict how Trump is going to behave and whether he is actually going to push forward all the things he said in the campaign, and, even if he just pushes forward a few, which ones will they be," says Rosa Balfour of the Brussels-based German Marshall Fund of the United States. "It is very much related to him, his own personality, rather than to an ideology." Among Trump's frequently repeated promises are a curb on illegal immigration and the negotiation of tougher trade deals to protect U.S. industry as he promises to represent economically struggling Americans who say their interests have been ignored by the political elite. Many analysts view the rapid rise of the populist parties as partly the product of the slow economic recovery in Western countries since the financial crisis of 2008. "What we've seen since 2008 and the global financial crisis that came that year is an inability of governments all over the world to bring growth in the way many people expected after a major recession or depression," Cullinane says. "That has not happened, and populism is a reaction to those things." Cullinane notes that in 1992, when there was a major banking crisis in the United States, there was a rebound of 5 to 6 percent in growth following the crisis. But since the 2008 implosion of risky securities markets and collapse of the real-estate bubble in the United States and the resulting global liquidity crisis, the rebound has been much slower, with average growth of under 4 percent a year in the United States and barely over 1 percent in the EU, which is also still struggling to shore up its currency, the euro. For many observers, the economic difficulties are symptoms of still deeper problems in the West that may be at the root of the current political turmoil. "The social contract that America has had, and this is also true arguably for Europe, that we've had for seventy-odd years no longer adds up," says Xenia Wickett, who heads the United States and the Americas program at London-based Chatham House. She notes that the population is aging, there are more older people relying on younger ones for support, productivity is slowing, and there has not been enough investing in infrastructure and education. A return to the kind of mainstream stability that has traditionally characterized American politics -- and modern Western politics in general -- may only come when the voice of those who feel they are being left behind has been heard and a new social equilibrium is achieved. RFE/RL Brussels correspondent Rikard Jozwiak contributed to this story. Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/rise-of- antiestablishment-parties-reshapes-western -politics/28194776.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghan Security Forces 'Kill 30 Militants' In Raids RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan December 24, 2016 Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says that security forces have carried out nine military operations across the country over the past 24 hours, killing at least 30 militants. Spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said on December 24 that the operations -- including air strikes -- targeted Taliban militants as well as fighters linked to the Islamic State extremist group. The raids were conducted in eight provinces, including Nangarhar, Uruzgan, and Helmand, the spokesman said. Security forces seized weapons and ammunition from the militants, he added. Meanwhile, local officials say several police officers were killed and injured in attacks in Farah and Zabul provinces early on December 24. Taliban militants killed at least four police officers and injured nine others in an attack on a security checkpoint in Farah, western Afghanistan. Provincial police chief Toryalai Abdyani said the attackers escaped with weapons taken from the checkpoint. The raid took place at around 3 a.m. in the Shamalgan area of the volatile Bala Buluk district near the provincial capital, Farah. The Taliban claimed responsibility. Four policemen were killed and another officer injured when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in southeastern Zabul Province. Zabul police chief Mirwais Noorzai said the explosion occurred in the provincial capital, Qalat. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast. With reporting by AP Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-security- forces-kill-30-militants/28194751.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dodon Sworn In As Moldova's President Promising Unity And Neutrality December 24, 2016 Igor Dodon was sworn in as Moldova's new president on December 23, calling for unity in the divided country and pledging to maintain Moldova's neutrality. The inaugural ceremony at the Palace of the Republic in Chisinau was attended by dignitaries from Russia, Belarus, Hungary and other European Union and former Soviet states. Dodon addressed thousands of people who gathered outside the palace before he was sworn in, telling them he would be president of all Moldovans and pledging to unite a country divided after his narrow election. "A union of both banks of the Dniester River is a primary objective of my tenure," he said. "I would like to address those who had voted for other parties: let's descend from the barricades and rally together for the sake of a better future. All of us -- the Moldovans, the Russians, the Ukrainians, and the Gagauz, are all citizens of one country." Dodon assured that Moldova would remain a neutral state, saying he has plans to visit Moscow next month and will travel to Brussels shortly afterwards. "Neutrality is a something sacred, which no one can take away from us," he said. "We will build bridges to the East and to the West." Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Moldovan Service, TASS, and Interfax Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/dodon-sworn- in-president-moldova-promises-united- neutrality-chisinau/28194510.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Amid renewed violence in Somalia's Gaalkacyo, UN envoy urges respect for ceasefire agreement 24 December 2016 Expressing concern over renewed violence in the Somali city of Gaalkacyo, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for the country, Michael Keating, has called on all parties to honor the ceasefire agreement. At least three people have been killed and several others injured in the violence that broke out yesterday. According to the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), which Mr. Keating heads, the city (located on the border of Puntland and Galmudug states) had already been facing a difficult humanitarian situation and food insecurity. Trucks carrying relief supplies for people affected by drought have been blocked on the northern side of Gaalkacyo for the past three weeks due to continuing roadblocks. "It is unprecedented for humanitarian supplies to be denied access by either side as previously, even amid armed fighting, both sides have allowed humanitarian aid to pass through, in line with international humanitarian law," said the Mission. It also highlighted that despite commendable efforts of the Joint Committee of local authorities and elders from Puntland and Galmudug, a stalemate in the negotiations over removing the roadblocks installed by both Puntland and Galmudug is putting the ceasefire in serious jeopardy. "Puntland and Galmudug must resolve their differences in a non-violent manner and immediately agree on steps to dismantle the roadblocks, reopen the roads, and pull back the forces without further delay," UNSOM said. "Any spoiler against peace and stability should be scrutinized." Risk of another mass displacement and more human suffering The Mission also raised alarm that continued hostilities could prompt another mass displacement in the city. Of an estimated 90,000 people displaced as a result of the fighting in October 2016, about 30,000 displaced people have not yet returned due to fear of renewed fighting. "While humanitarian partners continue to respond to the needs of the displaced and host communities, every effort should be made by all concerned parties to avoid another displacement that would further deepen human suffering," it added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu Takes Diplomatic Action Against Sponsors of UN Resolution By Steve Herman December 24, 2016 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is taking diplomatic action against countries that co-sponsored the U.N. Security Council resolution against the buildup of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as a capitol for a future state. Netanyahu on Saturday ordered Israel's ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal to return home for consultations. Friday's vote was scheduled at the request of those two countries, as well as Venezuela and Malaysia. Egypt first proposed the measure, but withdrew its request Thursday after a telephone call between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Frustration in the outgoing Obama administration over the pace of expansion of Israeli settlements boiled over Friday, when the U.S. took the unusual step of allowing the resolution to pass in the Security Council. "We could not in good conscience veto a resolution," the usual U.S. practice on Security Council votes targeting Israel, the White House deputy national security adviser, Ben Rhodes, told reporters. Rhodes said that despite the United States repeatedly standing up for Israel, its government had ignored concerns about the growth of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967. He noted that there are now 90,000 settlers living east of the barrier that Israel had itself created. "We've tried everything ... and the one consistent outcome was that it didn't work," Rhodes said. Complaints from Israel The American abstention was immediately characterized by Israel and its supporters from both parties in the U.S. Congress as a stinging rebuke, if not a betrayal. The Israeli ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, called the resolution "disgraceful" and said Israel had expected its usual support from the United States. The action by the Security Council is a "victory for terror, hatred and violence," Danon declared. Netanyahu's office declared the resolution was "shameful," and said his government would not abide by its terms. U.N. would halt settlements on Arab land The resolution calls on Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem." It is the first Middle East motion to pass in the Security Council in eight years. Applause broke out when the vote result 14 "yes" votes out of the 15 council members was announced. The outcome demonstrated that under President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry, foreign policy has "gone from naive and foolish to flat-out reckless," said Senator Lindsey Graham. Another senior Republican in the Senate, John McCain, declared that Washington's abstention at the U.N. made the U.S. complicit "in this outrageous attack" and predicted this would be "yet another roadblock to peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and embolden the enemies of Israel." Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer said it was "extremely frustrating, disappointing and confounding" that the Obama administration had failed to veto the U.N. resolution. White House explains vote At the White House, Rhodes had a different view, saying: "We cannot simply have a two-state solution be a slogan while the trend lines on the ground are such that a two-state solution [a resolution of the dispute that would recognize both a Jewish state and a Palestinian state] is becoming less and less viable." Speaking by telephone to White House reporters, Rhodes defended the controversial abstention: "The notion that vetoing this resolution would have somehow slowed the settlement activity, I think, flies in the face of any piece of evidence that anybody who is looking at the facts can see." After the Security Council vote, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Samantha Power, said Israel's policy stance expanding settlements while also nominally pursuing a two-state solution is based on "irreconcilable" positions. "None of us can give up on a two-state solution," Power said. Trump: Things will be different soon President-elect Donald Trump, who will succeed Obama in less than a month, wanted the United States to veto the resolution. Following the vote, he tweeted: "As to the U.N., things will be different after Jan. 20" (inauguration day). Obama's administration has not had a warm relationship with Netanyahu's government despite its consistent veto of resolutions opposed to Israeli settlements. The incoming Trump administration is expected to forge a stronger relationship with the Israeli government. Trump has faced criticism in some quarters for making policy declarations before his inauguration, a break with the tradition of not overshadowing the incumbent. "There's one president at a time," Rhodes said in explaining why the Obama administration took the action at the U.N. despite just having weeks remaining in office. Split undermines U.S. credibility The White House had heard from the president-elect's team about the Security Council resolution, but Rhodes said he was not aware that Obama and his successor had spoken about it. The conflicting messages between the outgoing and incoming administrations "is going to undermine U.S. credibility," said Aaron David Miller, a Middle East negotiator under three different U.S. presidents, "because the president is going to walk away from this, disavow it, and the next administration is not going to be nearly as tough on Israeli settlement activity as the current administration. "Basically, you're going to create a situation where, in reaction to this Security Council resolution, you might even get a more muscular approach from the Israeli government and the [incoming] American administration," Miller told VOA. While many Palestinians celebrated the outcome of the vote in New York, others were more circumspect. Analyst: Two-state idea is dead "No piece of paper is going to change the realities on the ground," Yosuef Munayyer, executive director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, told VOA News. "Unless there's some sort of tangible action that results from this, I don't see this being very consequential for anything other than setting a narrative about why we're in the situation we're in." Munayyer predicted Friday's resolution won't do much to revive efforts to reach a two-state solution. He says that idea is dead, in large part because of the expansive Israeli settlements. VOA's Margaret Besheer, Marissa Melton and William Gallo contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Reaction to US Vote at UN Security Council is Swift, Mixed By VOA News December 24, 2016 The United States abstained from voting Friday at the U.N. Security Council on a resolution calling for Israel to stop its "settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory." The abstention opened the way for the other 14 members of the council to unanimously pass the resolution to a round of applause in the chamber. Reaction to the measure was swift and mixed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that "Israel rejects this shameful anti-Israel resolution at the U.N. and will not abide by its terms." He added, "The Obama administration not only failed to protect Israel against this gang-up at the U.N., it colluded with it behind the scenes." "Israel looks forward to working with President-elect Trump," the Israeli leader said, "and with all our friends in Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, to negate the harmful effects of this absurd resolution." Trump promised changes at the U.N. once he takes office and tweeted "things will be different after Jan. 20th," the date he is sworn in as president. Kerry, Feinstein defend US U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement the resolution "rightly condemns violence and incitement and settlement activity and calls on both sides to take constructive steps to reverse current trends and advance the prospects for a two-state solution," that would recognize both a Jewish state and a Palestinian state. U.S. Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, who is Jewish, said in a statement that stopping the growing settlements on the West Bank and in Jerusalem is an "absolute necessity" for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. She said, "I believe the expansion of settlements has but one goal: to undermine the viability of a two-state solution." The U.N. vote sent a "clear and unanimous message" to Netanyahu, said chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat that "your policies will not achieve peace and security for Israel or the region." Israeli allies disappointed Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the U.N., could barely believe the U.S. vote at the Security Council. "It was to be expected that Israel's greatest ally would act in accordance with the values that we share and that they would have vetoed this disgraceful resolution," he said. "Neither the Security Council nor UNESCO can sever the ties between the people of Israel and the land of Israel." Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of The Anti-Defamation League condemned the resolution: "This resolution will do little to renew peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians. It will only encourage further Palestinian intransigence vis-a-vis direct negotiations with Israel in favor of unilateral, one-sided initiatives." He said the ADL was "incredibly disappointed" the U.S. "chose not to exercise its veto power and stop this resolution at the Security Council." Greenblatt also said it is "deeply troubling that this biased resolution appears to be the final word" of the Obama administration on this issue. American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris said the Obama administration's "decision for the first time in eight years, not to block an anti-Israel measure at the U.N. Security Council is profoundly disturbing." "The chief obstacle to achieving peace is, and long has been, the steadfast refusal of the Palestinian leadership to recognize Israel's legitimacy and negotiate in earnest a comprehensive agreement," Harris added. Rights groups welcome resolution However, Sherine Tadros, head of Amnesty International's U.N. Office in New York said the Security Council "should go further and demand that the state of Israel not only fulfill its legal obligation to halt settlement-building, but also dismantle its settlements and relocate its settlers outside Occupied Palestinian Territories. This is the only way to a just and durable peace." Louis Charbonnearu, the U.N. director at Human Rights Watch said, "The U.S. abstention is a welcome shift away from past practice of using its Security Council veto to shield Israel from criticism despite longstanding U.S. policy opposing settlements. Indications that President-elect Trump may change U.S. policy on settlements re-inforces the need for a steadfast Security Council position." Four countries New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela requested Friday's vote at the U.N. After the vote, Israel recalled its ambassadors to Senegal and New Zealand. It does not have diplomatic relations with Venezuela or Malaysia. Israel's decision to recall its ambassadors should "not come as a surprise to anyone," said New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully. "We have been very open about our view that the "Security Council should be doing more to support the Middle East peace process, and the position we adopted today is totally in line with our long established policy on the Palestinian question." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tunisia Arrests Three People 'Connected' To Berlin Truck Attack Suspect RFE/RL December 24, 2016 Tunisian authorities say they have arrested the nephew of the slain Berlin truck attack suspect, Anis Amri, and two others suspected of belonging to the same extremist network. The three suspects, aged between 18 and 27, were members of a "terrorist cell...connected to the terrorist Anis Amri who carried out the terrorist attack in Berlin," Tunisia's Interior Ministry said in a statement on December 24. The ministry said that Amri, a Tunisian national, had sent his 18-year-old nephew Fedi money to join him in Europe and encouraged him to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) extremist group. The Tunisian Interior Ministry said that the "terrorist cell" was "active" between Fouchana, south of Tunis, and Oueslatia, the hometown of Amri's family in central Tunisia. Amri, 24, is suspected of having driven a truck into a Berlin Christmas market late on December 19, killing 12 people and injuring dozens. Police say his fingerprints and wallet were found in the truck. An IS-affiliated news agency said on December 20 that IS inspired the attack and called the assailant "a soldier of the Islamic State." Amri was shot dead after pulling out a pistol and firing at two Italian police officers who had stopped him for a routine identity check near Milan's Sesto San Giovanni railway station on December 23. Shortly after Amri's death was confirmed, IS released a video in which he is shown pledging allegiance to the militant group's chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Meanwhile in Spain, police say they are investigating whether Amri was in contact with another possible extremist in Spain. Spanish police are looking into a tip passed on by German authorities that Amri had developed a contact in Spain, Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said on December 24. "We are studying all possible connections [between Amri] and our country, above all with one specific person," the minister told Spanish radio station Cope. In Germany, a spokesman for the Berlin police said on December 24 that there would be an increased presence of uniformed and plainclothes officers on the streets of the capital over the Christmas holidays. Based on reporting by AFP, AP, dpa Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/tunisia-arrests -three-connected-to-berlin-truck- atttack-suspect/28194935.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fears Growing Islamic State Successfully Weaponizing Refugees By Jeff Seldin December 24, 2016 Western security officials are increasingly worried that the Islamic State terror group may be a step ahead of their renewed efforts to stop terrorist infiltration of their countries. Fears once centered on IS using migrant and refugee flows to sneak in highly trained operatives bent on carrying out attacks. Now they have expanded to include an equally dangerous possibility. A growing number of officials now warn that the terror group may be looking to essentially weaponize refugees and other vulnerable immigrant populations after they have successfully crossed Western borders and passed through what look to be ever-tougher vetting processes. "We have to be ready," said Fabrice Leggeri, executive director of Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency, speaking prior to the deadly attack in Berlin. "Some people might get radicalized or manipulated or used or utilized by terrorist groups after they enter the EU," he said. "This is something where I don't have clear indications." A Europol report published in November, "Changes in Modus Operandi of Islamic State (IS) revisited" is even more explicit. "A real and imminent danger is the possibility of elements of the [Sunni Muslim] Syrian refugee diaspora becoming vulnerable to radicalization once in Europe and being specifically targeted by Islamic extremist recruiters," the report stated. "It is believed that a number of jihadists are traveling through Europe for this purpose." Christmas market attack Just how many terrorist operatives have been sent to Europe to recruit among the growing number of migrants and refugees is unclear. Europol cited German reports that, as of April 2016, there were approximately 300 cases in which jihadists tried recruiting refugees trying to enter Europe. But there is also a sense that IS, also known as ISIS, is likely not as focused on the numbers as it is on exploiting what it sees as a potent opportunity. "ISIS just wants to give itself options," said Robin Simcox, a terrorism and national security analyst with the Heritage Foundation. "It chimes perfectly with what ISIS would want to do," he added. "It enables them to extend their foreign operations." Adding to the level of concern is the case this past week of Tunisian Anis Amri, who carried out a deadly attack on a Berlin Christmas market. By most accounts, there were few signs Amri had radical leanings when as a 19-year-old, he arrived in Europe, on the Italian island of Lampedusa. Even when he left Italy for Germany years later, to seek political asylum, authorities say his behavior was more akin to that of a criminal than of a terrorist. Yet on Monday, the now 24-year-old Amri used a truck to plow through the crowded market, killing 12 people and injuring 56 others. Before the attack he made a video in which he pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State terror group and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Ohio State University attack U.S. officials are also concerned, pointing to an attack on American soil barely a month earlier the November 28 car attack at Ohio State University carried out by Abdul Razak Ali Artan, a Somali-born refugee with legal, permanent resident status. "I do think he did radicalize in the United States," the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Representative Mike McCaul, said at the time, voicing concern it was a vulnerability that could be exploited again. "They can come in and be what they call 'clean' and radicalize after they're in the United States," he said. "That's where the [U.S.] counter-radicalization program needs to be more robust." Yet improving security measures to prevent refugees from being targeted for radicalization is likely to be challenging, especially since terrorist recruiters often work without the need for face-to-face interaction. "As long as the Islamic State, as long as [al-Qaida] have an external operations capability, have access to the internet, we have to be concerned," said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson during a forum in Washington late last month. "I think there is little doubt we need to build these bridges to communities in which [IS] is trying to recruit." Not just refugees Despite concerns and political rhetoric about the vulnerability of refugees in Europe and the U.S. to radicalization, there is also skepticism about the degree to which IS or other terror groups are specifically targeting those communities. "When it comes to refugees being radicalized after they come to a host country, this is quite low in number, actually," according to Mubin Shaikh, a terrorism expert who has previously worked with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. According to the George Washington University's Program on Extremism, 112 people have been charged with IS-related crimes in the U.S. since March 2014. The vast majority of them were U.S. citizens or permanent residents. "Much of ISIS's argument is, of course, that Muslims immigrants, converts, everyone will never be included and accepted in the West because of the very fact that they are Muslim," said Program on Extremism fellow Amarnath Amarasingam. "This message, it could perhaps be argued, but gently, may indeed resonate more in some countries and with some communities," he added. "But is ISIS specifically targeting immigrants? Not really." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tunisia Arrests Nephew, 2 Others Connected to Slain Suspected Berlin Attacker By VOA News December 24, 2016 Authorities in Tunisia have arrested the nephew of suspected Berlin Christmas market attacker Anis Amri, along with two other Islamist militant suspects said to be "connected" to Amri, the interior ministry said Saturday. The three suspects are said to be members of a "terrorist cell... connected to the terrorist Anis Amri who carried out the terrorist attack in Berlin," read the statement. They were arrested on Friday. Meanwhile, hundreds of people took to the streets Saturday holding an anti-extremism rally in the capital city of Tunis. About 200 people took part and exhorted the government to bring home all Tunisian nationals living abroad who have links to extremist organizations, so they could face trial in their home country. The rally gathered outside the Bardo Museum, where an extremist attack took place last year that was claimed by the Islamic State group. Gunmen killed 22 people in the March 2015 attack including 21 foreign tourists and a Tunisian policeman. Germany search continues The arrests in Tunisia come as Germany continues to search for possible accomplices of the suspected Berlin truck attacker, a day after he was killed in a shoot-out Friday with Italian police in Milan. As most of the country was preparing Saturday to celebrate Christmas Eve, German authorities said hundreds of investigators will be working on the probe throughout the holiday season. Speaking to reporters Friday in Berlin, Chief Federal Prosecutor Peter Frank said Investigators are trying to determine if 24-year-old Tunisian Anis Amri received help from a network of supporters. Frank said fingerprints confirmed Amri carried out the attack that killed 12 people and wounded 56 others last Monday. He said, though, the investigation is far from over. "It's very important for us now to find out whether there was a network of supporters and accomplices, whether there were confidants who helped the sought person to prepare and conduct the attack and to escape," said Frank. Seeking conspirators German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated the investigation would focus on possible conspirators. Amri is believed to have hijacked a truck and used it to mow down holiday revelers at a Berlin Christmas market in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. An IS-linked video released Friday purportedly showed Amri calling for more attacks in Europe. The video released by Amaq, the news agency linked to IS, has not been independently authenticated, but material previously released by Amaq has been credible. Earlier Friday, German police arrested two brothers from Kosovo suspected of planning an attack on a shopping mall in Oberhausen, in the West German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It was not clear if the men were connected with the Berlin attack. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi meets Hong Kong SAR chief executive People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:10, December 24, 2016 BEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping met with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying Friday. Xi told Leung that the central government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR government in its work to contain "Hong Kong independence" according to law. Leung is in Beijing to report to the central government on his work in 2016. Xi said, achievements in Hong Kong's practice of "one country, two systems" are for all to see. However, as the practice of "one country, two systems" is a new undertaking, it is natural that new situations and new problems have arisen. Currently, as Hong Kong is developing steadily in social, political and economic terms, the central government as well as Hong Kong citizens all hope for a better economy and people's livelihood, a harmonious society and happy life for the citizens, according to Xi. "One country, two systems" is in line with interests of the country, well-being of Hong Kong citizens, and the common aspiration of the entire Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, Xi said. He added the central government, the SAR government and Hong Kong society need to "strengthen their faith, adhere to the bottom line, staunchly safeguard and make sure the practice of 'one country, two systems' in Hong Kong keeps pressing ahead along the track of the Basic Law." Xi noted, the central government fully acknowledges the work of the chief executive and government of the Hong Kong SAR. With the support of the central government, chief executive Leung has led the government of the Hong Kong SAR in prudent administration, and achieved remarkable progresses in sectors such as land and housing, old-age care, poverty relief, as well as scientific and technological innovation, Xi said. Besides, in such significant matters as containing "Hong Kong independence" and handling street violence according to law, Xi commented, the Hong Kong SAR government, led by Leung, has strictly followed the Basic Law, the interpretation of the Basic Law by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, and laws of the SAR. The SAR government has "safeguarded national sovereignty, security, development interests, and Hong Kong's economic development, social stability." Moreover, Xi said, the central government respects the decision by Leung not to run in the next election in 2017 due to family related reasons. Over the past four years or so, Leung and the SAR government have "comprehensively and accurately" implemented the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law, as well as made concrete efforts in "building the groundwork and benefiting the long-term development." Leung and the SAR government have made vital contributions to the undertaking of the "one country, two systems" as well as Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, Xi added. Xi asked Leung to present the new-year wish of him and the central government to Hong Kong citizens. Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, also attended the meeting. In a separate meeting with Leung on Friday, Premier Li Keqiang said the central government is in full support of the SAR government and the chief executive performing administration in accordance with the law. Li pledged continued policies and measures that support Hong Kong's development and enhance cooperation between the SAR and the mainland. Over the past year, the Hong Kong SAR government has made progress in ensuring steady economic growth with relatively low unemployment, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, integrating Hong Kong's development with national strategies, and expanding cooperation with the mainland and international exchanges, said Li. The premier called for a bigger role of the SAR in the country's economic development and opening up. Leung said the SAR government will coordinate with the country's 13th Five-Year Plan and Belt and Road Initiative, vigorously promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and strive to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity, stability and economic development. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea Defiant as Rivals Undergo Uncertain Change By Brian Padden December 24, 2016 Undeterred by international rebukes and increased sanctions in 2016, North Korea set forth to advance and legitimize its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, but then paused suddenly, most likely to assess unexpected political changes underway in the United States and South Korea. North Korea began the year with a powerful nuclear bomb blast in January that caused a magnitude 5.1 earthquake. The state-controlled news organization KCNA claimed the military had successfully tested a miniaturized thermonuclear hydrogen bomb 100 times more powerful than past weapons tested. But some analysts were skeptical. An examination of air samples and seismic data indicated the explosion was not powerful enough to be an H-bomb, and was more likely a conventional nuclear bomb made with enhanced fuels. The nuclear test ended a brief period of inter-Korean cooperation during which the North and South arranged a rare reunion for families separated by decades of division and considered other types of nonpolitical exchanges. With the January test, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was setting a new, uncompromising and defiant tone, openly declaring his intention to force the world to accept his country as a nuclear state, and rejecting U.N. Security Council resolutions banning the North's nuclear and missile programs. Regional security analyst Daniel Pinkston said that beyond the existential threat to the world posed by permitting the unpredictable and repressive North Korean state to possess these weapons of mass destruction, acquiescing to Pyongyang's demand to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty it signed in the 1980s could also spark a new global arms race. "If other states were to look at this and say, 'Well, we can do that as well. There are no costs to nuclear breakout. We would like to acquire our nuclear deterrence as well, because it's basically costless,' I think that makes the world a much more dangerous place," said Pinkston, a lecturer in international relations at Troy University in Seoul. Sanctions In early February, North Korea launched a rocket into space that it called a peaceful "earth observation satellite." The United States and its allies denounced the launch as a disguised intercontinental ballistic missile test. In response, South Korea cut all remaining ties with the North, including closing the jointly operated Kaesong Industrial Complex that employed 54,000 North Koreans. A month later, the United States and China co-sponsored the passage of tough new U.N. sanctions that imposed a total arms embargo and increased financial and trade restrictions on North Korea. The new sanctions did have some impact. Traffic at the busy Sino-Korean border, where most trade with North Korea occurs, was significantly reduced. There were reports in China that currency transfers to North Korean banks had been suspended and North Korean vessels had been prohibited from entering Chinese ports. Some analysts say sanctions, and decades of political isolation and rigid state control, have worked to stifle economic growth in North Korea, especially when compared with the dynamic development achieved in such neighboring countries as South Korea, Japan and China. "I would say that North Korea is the sick man in East Asia when it comes to economic development. So they can pay a very, very high price for this program," said Pinkston. But Beijing has also seemed reluctant to strictly enforce restrictions that could spark instability. In particular, China continued to permit the billion-dollar coal export trade as well as trade in other lucrative minerals by exercising a humanitarian exemption in the sanctions. Despite the increased sanctions, Andrei Lankov, a professor of Korean studies at Kookmin University in Seoul, noted that North Korea's economy continues to grow because of a thriving illegal but tolerated private sector and agriculture reforms that give farmers a greater share of their crops. In a Korea Times editorial, Lankov wrote that Kim "might be ridiculed and dismissed overseas, but continues to enjoy support at home for good reason: Under his watch the vast majority of North Koreans live better, if still poor, lives." Increasing tensions Pyongyang responded to the sanctions by defiantly accelerating its weapons development programs through the summer, testing numerous land-based and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The U.S. responded to the ongoing provocations by moving more military assets onto the Korean Peninsula and conducting the largest joint military exercises ever with South Korea. The drills reportedly included preemptive military strike scenarios against North Korean nuclear sites. Seoul also agreed to deploy the controversial THAAD missile defense system in South Korea, a move that China denounced as a threatening escalation of American military power in the region. On September 9, North Korea conducted an unprecedented second nuclear test in one year. The U.N. followed with further sanctions that limit coal and mineral exports. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed frustration and regret that diplomacy had seemingly failed to find a peaceful resolution to the political and military standoff. "I'm deeply concerned [about] the mounting tension on the Korean Peninsula imposed by North Korea's ballistic missile tests as well as nuclear tests. The Security Council has met 10 times this year only; this is unprecedented that the Security Council is meeting 10 times for one single agenda," Ban said. Political changes But in late September, North Korea paused all provocations, seemingly unsure how to respond to a South Korea corruption scandal that led to the December impeachment of adversary President Park Geun-hye. Park's downfall is likely to lead to a reassessment of her hard-line North Korea polices. Some opposition leaders in Seoul have already called for the THAAD deployment to be delayed to appease China. One of the opposition leaders expected to run in the early presidential election next year, if the Constitution Court upholds the impeachment, supports renewing dialogue and some level of cooperation with Pyongyang. The Kim Jong Un leadership also seems uncertain about how to react to the U.S. presidential election of Donald Trump. Trump's views on North Korea are unclear, and some hawkish members of his Republican Party are urging him to take a tougher stand against Pyongyang. During the campaign, Trump had also been critical of South Korea, saying Seoul had not fairly reimbursed the United States for the cost of stationing 28,000 American troops in the country. However after the election, the president-elect did offer some reassurance he would continue to uphold U.S. regional security commitments. Analysts expect North Korea to soon test the new leadership in Seoul and Washington. And how they respond could either create new opportunities for dialogue or increase the risk of conflict. Youmi Kim in Seoul and Margaret Besheer at the United Nations contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC commander stresses role of security in progress of country IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Dec 24, IRNA -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari has described 'security' as the first and most essential element in achievement of progess and growth. Speaking at a local military gathering here on Saturday, he said that the major objective of enemies of the Islamic Revolution since its victory in 1979 has been to create insecurity in the country especially from air and ground. The enemies aimed to make the point that the Islamic system was incapable of providing security both for itself and the whole society while the IRGC managed to prove them wrong through its endeavors in different security and defense areas, the top commander noted. The present endurable security in the country is due to the nation's belief in the system and its persistence in resisting the global arrogance, the US in particular, he stressed. The commander further said the Islamic Revolution has also been exported to other countries as well resulting in Islamic Awakening movement in both world and the region. 1483**1424 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, P5+1 to meet in January over US bans renewal Iran Press TV Sat Dec 24, 2016 1:47PM A high-level commission monitoring the implementation of last year's nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers plans to meet in Vienna on January 10 to discuss the recent move by the United States to renew the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA). The meeting was called on Saturday by the European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who coordinates the follow-up to the nuclear agreement for its signatories. "The meeting will review the implementation of the agreement and discuss the issues raised in the letter [Iranian] Foreign Minister [Mohammad Javad] Zarif addressed on 16 December to (Mogherini)," a short statement from the EU said on Saturday. The meeting between representatives of Iran and the P5+1 countries will come 10 days before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to tear up the nuclear deal once in the White House. Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China - plus Germany started implementing the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in January. Under the nuclear deal, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran. After the implementation of the JCPOA in January, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed Iran's commitment to its undertakings under the deal in several reports. In his visit to Tehran on December 18, the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano expressed satisfaction with Iran's compliance with its obligations. In his official letter to the EU foreign policy chief, the Iranian foreign minister said Iran and the P5+1 group of countries needed to hold a joint commission meeting to address the renewal of ISA against Tehran. Zarif had stressed that all sides needed to fulfill their commitments stipulated in the deal as the JCPOA was a multilateral agreement. On December 1, the US Senate voted to extend ISA for another 10 years after the GOP-controlled House of Representatives passed its bill on November 15. The sanctions law, which would authorize the US president to re-impose sanctions on Iran, was first adopted in 1996 to punish investments in the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program and its support for anti-Israeli resistance groups. US President Barack Obama later declined to sign the bill renewing the existing sanctions against Iran, but allowed the legislation to become law. Obama argues the act is largely symbolic since its measures are suspended as long as the nuclear deal remains in place. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said in late November that the US renewal of sanctions against the Islamic Republic was tantamount to the violation of its commitments under the JCPOA. The Iranian foreign minister warned on December 3 that the Islamic Republic would halt the implementation of the JCPOA if US sanctions were re-imposed on the country. "If they (the US) return to sanctions, we will not remain committed to the agreement," the top Iranian diplomat said. Furthermore, although hundreds of European companies are desperate to resume trading with Iran according to the JCPOA, major lenders are still refusing to facilitate big transactions due to fear of penalties by Washington. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, World Powers Release Restricted Nuclear Documents December 24, 2016 Iran and the six world powers that negotiated the 2015 landmark nuclear deal have released previously restricted documents in a bid to dispel suspicions that Tehran is cheating on the deal. The documents were posted December 23 on the website of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Some of the documents were dated back to January 6 of this year, just before the deal was implemented. At the time the agreement was concluded, Iran had more than 100 kilograms of liquid or solid waste containing low-enriched uranium as part of its enrichment activities. Some of the material remains and the newly released documents declare the low-enriched uranium it contains as "unrecoverable." That means it can't be considered part of the 300-kilogram maximum stipulated in the deal. Critics of the deal have watched closely for any sign that Tehran might be circumventing its restrictions. Under the agreement, Western powers lifted crippling economic sanctions on Iran. Based on reporting by AP, AFP Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/iran-world -powers-release-restricted-nuclear- documents/28194507.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bombings, mortar attacks claim 10 lives across Iraq Iran Press TV Sat Dec 24, 2016 2:48PM Police and medical officials in Iraq say at least ten people have been killed in a series of bombings and mortar strikes across the country as government forces and allied fighters press ahead with a massive operation to flush Daesh Takfiri terrorists out of the northern city of Mosul. Sadiq al-Husseini, the chairman of the security committee in Diyala provincial council, told Arabic-language al-Sumaria television network that one policeman had lost his life and four others sustained injuries in a car bomb attack, which targeted security personnel in Mustafa Jawad Square near the entrance of Khalis town, located 80 kilometers northeast of the capital, Baghdad. Another bomb struck refugee families as they were fleeing al- Hawijah district to the Turkmen-majority village of Turkalan in the southern part of the oil-rich province of Kirkuk. Kirku's police chief, Brigadier General Sarhad Qadir, said the bombing had claimed the lives of five civilians and left 13 people injured. Additionally, five civilians were killed and 13 others injured when a barrage of mortar shells slammed into al-Zahour neighborhood in eastern Mosul. Daesh forces 250 Iraqi families to evacuate eastern Mosul district Meanwhile, Daesh terrorists have forced a total of 250 families in the al-Jazair district of eastern Mosul to leave the area, and seek refuge somewhere else. Security forces also managed to wrest control over Zaytoun region and Qaryat Tawilah village east of Mosul. Five police officers were killed during the operations. Furthermore, Iraq's Joint Operations Command (JOC) announced in a statement that Iraqi army forces had retaken the police academy, motor vehicle registration office, cement factory and al-Hayakel district from Daesh Takfiris in Mosul, and raised national flags over them. Pro-government fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, commonly known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, also thwarted a Daesh assault on al-Hathan village west of Mosul, and destroyed one of the extremists' battle tanks. Lieutenant General Abdul Ghani al-Assadi, the commander of Iraq's counter-terrorism forces, said on Saturday that government troops had identified and arrested 27 Daesh terrorists. The terrorists had disguised themselves as internally-displaced people. Moreover, Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters killed 30 Daesh militants and destroyed seven vehicles belonging to them during an operation southwest of Mosul. Separately, Iraqi army jets hit positions of the Daesh terrorists in Tal al-Zalat region west Mosul, killing 23 extremists. Iraqi troops, supported by fighters from Hashd al-Sha'abi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, are in a joint operation launched on October 17 to retake Mosul from Daesh terrorists. The International Organization for Migration said on December 18 that 103,872 people had been displaced ever since the operations began. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At Security Council, UN humanitarian official flags 'catastrophic' situation in Syria despite eastern Aleppo evacuations 23 December 2016 Briefing the Security Council on the situation in Syria, a senior United Nations humanitarian official underlined the enormity challenges of the continuing humanitarian operations in the region. "As we meet today, the evacuation of the eastern districts of Aleppo may have concluded but the situation in Syria remains catastrophic," the Director of Operations at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), John Ging, informed the 15-member Council, on behalf of the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O'Brien, who also heads OCHA. Overall, more than 35,000 people were evacuated from the remaining besieged, opposition-held areas of eastern districts of Aleppo, including some 20,000 since the Security Council adopted a resolution approving UN monitors for the evacuations. A total of 308 buses, 61 ambulances and 1,231 private vehicles were used in the process, crossing numerous checkpoints from the besieged areas through the western part of the city and into western rural Aleppo, and onwards to the north-western city of Idlib. In parallel, an estimated 1,300 people were evacuated from the besieged villages of Foah and Kefrayeh in the governorate of Idlib. Mr. Ging underlined that despite these developments, some 13.5 million Syrians continue to remain in dire need of humanitarian assistance, including nearly nine million who are food insecure. Many people, in particular children, are also left physically and psychologically traumatised by the deprivation and bombardment they have endured. He added that humanitarian actors continued to face significant challenges reaching populations that have little access to food, medical care and other essential items due to the insecurity in many areas, as well as because of administrative delays on the part of the authorities, such as the approval of facilitation letters and convoy plans. "Due to lack of approval by the Government of Syria, the UN team has not had access to eastern Aleppo in recent months but, since 15 December has undertaken a monitoring and observation function, stationed around the clock close to the Ramouseh checkpoint in the Government-controlled part of Aleppo," the OCHA official said. "What was reduced to a two-step approval process earlier this year," Mr. Ging added," has gone back again to being a ten-step process and we have only secured agreement from the Syrian Government for one convoy so far this month, reaching 6,000 people. This is despite receiving initial approvals to reach almost 800,000 people in December." He also drew attention to the situation in Idlib where currently, according to estimates, nearly two million people reside, of which 700,000 are internally displaced, including 35,000 who have been displaced from eastern Aleppo this month. "There are broader concerns that the civilian population in Idlib are at risk of suffering the same fate as those in Aleppo if it becomes the focus of a new and more intense offensive," Mr. Ging said, adding that UN and its partners have been supporting approximately 700,000 people with food, 340,000 with medical treatment, and some 230,000 with water and sanitation assistance each month. The OCHA official stressed that, despite all the challenges, the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and other key humanitarian partners, though their "heroic staff" on the ground, continue to try to reach every Syrian in need. However, he said, efforts are falling short at the global level to support the organizations at the grouped and appealed to Council members and all parties to the conflict and their allies to redouble their efforts to end this conflict and in the meantime provide more effective support to humanitarian action for the innocent victims of this conflict. "As has been stated so many times, there is no humanitarian solution to this crisis. We welcome the announcement by the UN Special Envoy de Staffan de Mistura on the resumption of political talks in February," the OCHA official said. "The number of those dying, displaced and suffering continues to rise as we end 2016, a new political commitment to peace will be needed if 2017 is to offer any different prospect than the death and destruction of the past five years." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria reinforces Homs push after Aleppo win Iran Press TV Sat Dec 24, 2016 6:30AM The Syrian military, in high spirits after liberating Syria's second city of Aleppo from militants, has stepped up its counterterrorism push in Homs Province farther to the south. Government forces drove Daesh terrorists out of several strategic positions across the sprawling central province on Saturday. Notable among the advances was the retaking of the Qubbah Hill and surrounding checkpoints in the provincial capital of Homs' countryside. The terrorists were pushed back to the nearby village of Khattab as a result. Military sources said up to 40 terrorists were killed in the operation. A unit of the Syrian military also thwarted an attack by Takfiri terrorists against the Jubb al-Jarrah District, which lies 75 kilometers to the east of the city. The official Syrian Arab News Agency said the counteroffensive had killed 20 Takfiris, including a terrorist ringleader named Abu Bakr Halqaya. The military also struck the positions of the Takfiri terrorist groups of Ahrar al-Sham and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly known as al-Nusra Front) in the city's northern suburbs, killing a number of the militants. Additionally, the troops made advances in the periphery of the T4 Military Airport in the Homs Province's southeast after foiling a Daesh attack on the facility. Daesh was recently flushed out of the ancient city of Palmyra in the province, but has staged a comeback. On Thursday, the military announced that it had attained full control of the northwestern city of Aleppo, having completely cleansed its eastern side of militants for the first time since 2012. The victory came about despite military support for the militants by the United States, Turkey, and some Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region. Also on Saturday, the Syrian army found a number of bodies belonging to civilians, including children, in the Sukkari neighborhood of Aleppo after the exodus of the militants, the Syria al-Watan television channel reported. It described the dead as victims of a massacre, and said the corpses had had some body parts cut out and taken away. Meanwhile, facing increasing losses, anti-Damascus militants earlier resorted to contaminating water supplies for the capital and its suburbs. Authorities in Damascus said on Friday that they had been forced to cut water supplies to the city for a couple of days because militants had contaminated drinking water supplies with diesel. The al-Fija spring, which supplies the capital with water, is located in the militant-held Souq Wadi Barada Village, northwest of Damascus, in a mountainous terrain near the Lebanese border. Much of the surrounding areas are controlled by Syrian government troops. But measures meant to retaliate against Syrian government victories have not been limited to the militants. In a separate development, the United States added several senior Syrian officials and the leadership of a Russian bank to its sanctions list for providing support to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The US Treasury Department announced on Friday that it had imposed sanctions on six Syrian officials, including the ministers of oil and finance and the governor of the Syrian central bank, as well as nine members of the board of the Russian Tempbank. Those targeted on Friday will have their US assets frozen and Americans will be barred from transacting with them. Russia has been carrying out an aerial campaign against militants in Syria, including formerly in Aleppo, on a request from Damascus. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin, Assad Say Aleppo Takeover Makes Conditions Ripe For Peace RFE/RL December 24, 2016 The presidents of Russia and Syria expressed satisfaction with the government takeover of Aleppo on December 23 and said it has made conditions ripe for a broader peace deal in the war-torn nation. Even as they spoke, rebel groups who were safely evacuated from Aleppo earlier in the week started shelling the city, while government forces resumed their bombing campaign pounding rebel positions outside Aleppo. Russian President Vladmir Putin hailed the recapture of Aleppo, calling it "very important part of the normalization in Syria"at his annual news conference on December 23. Putin credited both Iran, which like Russia backs the Syria regime, and Turkey, which backs the rebels, for the agreement making the Aleppo evacuations possible, and said it proved the competence of the "troika" of nations as they seek a broader cease-fire and political settlement. "In the next stage, an agreement on a cease-fire on the entire territory of Syria should be reached and practical talks on a political settlement should start immediately after," Putin said He said the troika had agreed to hold their next round of Syria peace talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has already signed off on the plan. "President [Nursultan] Nazarbaev has kindly agreed to provide that platform and to create working conditions. I very much hope so we will be able to put all this into practice." Putin later called Assad to congratulate him on the capture of Aleppo. The Kremlin said Putin told Assad that "the main goal now is to focus efforts on issues of advancing a peace settlement, including hammering out an agreement on a comprehensive settlement for the Syria crisis." Syria's SANA news agency said Assad responded that the Aleppo takeover "has opened the door for political work in Syria" by "encouraging many, who earlier hampered the political settlement in Syria, to join the process and work on national reconciliation." Hizballah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also said the army's defeat of rebels in Aleppo put an end to any hopes Assad's regime would collapse and opens the way to a political solution. "After Aleppo, one can comfortably say that the goal of regime downfall has failed," Nasrallah said in a televised speech. The Kremlin also announced on December 23 that Putin signed an order to expand Russia's naval facility in the Syrian city of Tartus, while Russian military police were dispatched to Aleppo to help demine recaptured areas and "maintain order" in the city. With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, TASS, and Interfax Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/putin-assad-say- aleppo-takeover-makes-conditions-ripe-for-peace- talks-syria-turkey-iran/28194508.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish Military: Rebels, Airstrikes Kill Nearly 70 Militants in Northern Syria By VOA News December 24, 2016 Turkey said Saturday that its warplanes had killed 68 Islamic State militants 20 kilometers northeast of Aleppo, Syria, as pitched battles raged in al-Bab between extremist fighters and rebels supported by Turkish forces. A Turkish military spokesman said the overnight airstrikes, part of the Turkey-led Operation Euphrates Shield, had destroyed 141 IS targets, including a military headquarters, since Friday night. The Turkish military supports the Free Syrian Army, a rebel group seeking to topple the Damascus government that also has laid siege to IS-held al-Bab for weeks. Turkey launched the operation nearly four months ago to push IS and Kurdish fighters away from its border with Syria. Fighting around al-Bab intensified this week, with the Turkish army claiming it had killed nearly 140 jihadists on Wednesday alone. Analysts said it was the single deadliest day of fighting since Turkey launched its Syrian incursion in late August, following an IS-linked suicide bombing that killed more than 50 people August 20 in Gaziantep, Turkey. Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik on Thursday told parliament that a nearly 2,000-square-kilometer area near al-Bab had been cleared of IS fighters and more than 1,000 extremists had been killed in northern Syria since the incursion began. Isik later said authorities also had information that IS fighters recently captured three Turkish soldiers near al-Bab, but he offered no further information. A short while later, Islamic State released a grisly video, accompanied by chanting, that purported to show two captured Turkish soldiers being burned to death. Separately on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia, Iran, Turkey and the embattled Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad had agreed to hold talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana, to resolve the nearly six-year Syrian conflict. No details were released. Putin's comments came a day after Assad's government announced it had seized full control of Aleppo, including the city's eastern sector, which had been under rebel control since 2012. VOA's Kurdish service and Dorian Jones contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Obama signs legislation backing military exchanges with Taiwan ROC Central News Agency 2016/12/24 08:43:43 Washington, Dec. 23 (CNA) U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2017, which included for the first time a section on senior military exchanges with Taiwan. The bill cleared the Senate in a 92-7 vote on Dec. 8 after its approval in the House of Representatives by a vote of 375-34 on Dec. 2. Section 1284 of the act states: "It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should conduct a program of senior military exchanges between the United States and Taiwan that have the objective of improving military-to-military relations and defense cooperation between the United States and Taiwan." Such a "sense of Congress" is not legally binding itself even though the language is included in an otherwise legally effective legislation. It reflects the view of many on Capitol Hill who think the current level of U.S. military exchanges with Taiwan has been insufficient. It remains to be seen whether or how the new administration under President Donald Trump will act on this section of the act. If implemented, the senior military exchange program should be conducted at least once each calendar year in both the United States and Taiwan, according to the act. It defines "senior military exchange" as meaning "an activity, exercise, professional education event, or observation opportunity in which senior military officers and senior defense officials participate." It also said the term "senior military officer' means a general or flag officer on active duty in the armed forces, while "senior defense official," with respect to the Department of Defense, means a civilian official at the level of Assistant Secretary of Defense or above. (By Rita Cheng and Y.F. Low) ENDITEM/jc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President visits Air Force Combatant Command ROC Central News Agency 2016/12/24 12:40:44 Taipei, Dec. 24 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () visited the Air Force Combatant Command Friday to review the Air Force's training and exercise operations, the Presidential Office said in a statement Saturday. This was Tsai's first publicized visit to an Air Force facility since Chinese military aircraft were detected near Taiwan's air space twice recently. Besides hearing a report by commander Hsiung Hou-chi (), Tsai also inspected the command's air traffic control center and had a call with F-16 pilots on a flight mission, according to the statement. The president praised the command, headquartered in Taipei's Dazhi District, for its excellent performance in ensuring the country's air superiority in the Taiwan Strait and reaffirmed that "monitoring and protecting the security of the country's air space" was the Air Force's top priority, the statement said. Taiwan's military confirmed that Chinese aircraft have twice circled the island over the past month, first on Nov. 25 and again on Dec. 10, without entering the country's air defense identification zone. According to Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (), the move was part of China's military intimidation tactics and was aimed at demonstrating its multi-dimensional capability of invading Taiwan. (By Lu Hsin-hui and Y.F. Low) ENDITEM/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pro-Russia forces say will respect 'indefinite' truce with Kiev Iran Press TV Sat Dec 24, 2016 6:39AM Pro-Russia forces have reportedly agreed to abide by a ceasefire brokered by Moscow and Kiev, which is aimed at stopping violence in eastern Ukraine ahead of the Christmas and New York holidays. The "indefinite truce" went into effect at midnight Saturday (Friday 2200 GMT), according to Denis Pushilin, who heads the Council of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine. The deal between Kiev and pro-Russia forces was reached with the help of Moscow and European monitors and is expected to last through at least the holiday season. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hailed the move as an important step towards a lasting peace. "I expect that thanks to these measures, which come on the eve of the New Year and Christmas holidays, this ceasefire in eastern Ukraine will be a lasting one," Poroshenko said in a statement. Ex-Soviet republics celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7. The news came a day after Alexander Hug of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which monitors the implementation of Minsk truce deal in Ukraine's east, warned of a "massive upsurge in violence" in the volatile region. On Thursday, Hug said the organization had recorded a 75-percent increase in the number of ceasefire violations in recent weeks, adding that Ukrainian forces have lost at least eight soldiers since Sunday. The broad ceasefire deal was struck in February 2015 between Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany, in Belarus' capital, Minsk. The accord, known as Minsk II, reduced the hostilities on the ground, but the OSCE says the two sides no longer respect clauses in the deal which prohibit them from using certain heavy weapons. Thousands have been killed since the conflict began in Ukraine's industrial east more than two years ago. The clashes followed some deep political developments in Kiev, where a Russian-backed government was ousted in 2014 to give the country's pro-Western forces the opportunity to seize power. Kiev and Western governments have accused Russia of having a major hand in the conflict. Moscow denies the allegation. Kiev and pro-Russians had agreed to a similar New Year's truce agreement last year, which lasted only several weeks. The last ceasefire between the two sides was reached on September 1 and largely held until this month. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On Sunday, in the morning, at St Johns Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended the Eucharist of Christmas Morning. Members of the Supreme Courts conservative majority are questioning the continued use of affirmative action in higher education. In lengthy arguments Monday, the justices wrestled with persistent, difficult questions of race. The justices heard from six different lawyers in challenges to policies at the University of North Carolina and Harvard. Those policies consider race among many factors in evaluating applications for admission. One conservative justice likened affirmative action to giving some college applicants a head start in a footrace. But a liberal justice said universities are the pipelines to leadership in our society and suggested that without affirmative action minority enrollment will drop. Rose Marie Allens house shook menacingly, swaying with each burst of the fitful December wind. Her abode, situated precariously under the highway overpass, was being inundated by the falling snow, bitter cold and seeping dampness. The heavy-duty cardboard carton, which had once housed a Frigidaire, was now her home, her happy place, cozy but offering little protection against the natural elements. Snow wafted under the overpass in powdery wisps, and the sleeping woman inside was enveloped in teeth-chattering cold. It was Friday, Dec. 18, 1998, and Christmas was a week away. A string of multicolored lights dangled from the lofty overpass railing. This was where one of the camps residents had made a half-hearted attempt at decorating for the approaching holiday. The warmth situated against her bosom stirred as 57-year-old Rose Marie shifted in the frigid box. This heat source was Fitzgerald Mr. Fitzgerald to his friends and to the other homeless inhabitants of Rose Maries camp. The brown, curly-haired terrier was her companion, her best friend. The little dogs close proximity provided her with a small degree of warmth. Mr. Fitzgerald was love in its purest form; trust with no boundaries, friendship without limit and protection with no hesitation. Her bond with this dog made Rose Marie more human, and Mr. Fitzgerald was a constant reminder of everything that was good in her life. They had been together since he was 6 weeks old. Her friend Benjy had given him to her. Mr. Fitzgeralds big soft brown eyes always melted her heart when he looked at her, and they had been inseparable ever since. Life on the streets was the only kind of life she had ever known. With her limited education, it was the only kind of life she was comfortable with. Having been homeless for over 40 years, Rose Marie couldnt understand why people with real houses and other comforts couldnt get along with each other as well as the transients did. Maybe all of those goods didnt amount to a hill of beans, she thought. Still, Rose Marie loved people and being around them. She always had a smile on her face as she walked the streets. During the holiday season, she would nod and say Merry Christmas to passers-by as she made her rounds. Too often love was just a forgotten commodity, and since happiness happens in the here and now, she knew to embrace it. Mr. Fitzgerald would always evoke a smile from animal lovers passing by. He kept her going through the many challenges of her homeless lifestyle, and the two of them were always available to help others in need. Christmastime held some sad memories for her. When she was 16, Rose Marie and the boy next door, Billy Joe McGuire, got together. She got pregnant, dropped out of school and her parents threw her out. From that day, she had lived on the streets. After giving birth the day after Christmas, she had wrapped the boy baby in an old green army blanket. On his hospital-provided diaper, she had pinned a brass-plated laundry pin that Margaret, one of her homeless friends had given her. The 4-inch shiny pin was engraved with the number 728 on its head. Margaret had told her that these pins were used on the bags of dirty clothes at the commercial laundry to keep the items separated. Rose Marie rushed her baby to a convent. She wanted her boy to have a chance to be adopted by a family who could care for him. Daily she prayed to God to find her son a home and to protect him from harm. She knew she wasnt capable of caring for him at the time, but she wanted the best for him. Every day, Rose Marie walked with Mr. Fitzgerald to Michaels Minute Mart, where she cleaned the floors and the restrooms in exchange for food, dog food and anything else owner Michael Martinez had available. Snow was no deterrent. Both of them enjoyed the walk. Mr. Fitzgerald trotted right beside her, and Rose Marie didnt need a leash. Because the mart was a food store, Mr. Fitzgerald had to wait outside for her state health laws. The job took just a couple of hours, and the dog would usually position himself right next to the front door. Those who frequented the area were familiar with him, and he brightened their day. Most people would stop to pat him on the head and talk to him as they went in and out. Today, however, a strange man walked up to where the dog was sitting and snatched the shivering Mr. Fitzgerald from his spot. His collar slipped off and fell to the sidewalk below. In an instant, Mr. Fitzgerald was gone. When Rose Marie had completed her tasks, she came out to meet him, but he was nowhere to be seen. There, on the ground, she found his collar. F-i-t-z-g-e-r-a-l-d! she yelled while scanning the crisp cold air. M-i-s-t-e-r F-i-t-z-g-e-r-a-l-d! she shouted even louder, this time hoping for a response from the stillness that seemed to engulf her. Oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God, hes gone! Hes gone! He cant be! He cant be. Rose Marie searched the streets in all directions. She knew he would never leave her. Someone had taken him. Mr. Allen from across the street confirmed her fears. He had seen a man picking up her dog. Rose Marie walked back to her home in tears. She didnt know what to do, but she knew she had to talk to someone. She decided to ask Benjy. Her 72-year-old friend always gave her good advice when she needed it. He was also a shoulder she could cry on. Rose Marie felt like such a loser. She regretted not raising her son but channeled her love to Mr. Fitzgerald. But now, he was gone, too. Back at camp, Benjy told her, You have to persevere to succeed in this life. You cant give up. They both knew she wouldnt. And you know, theres really more to it than that, Benjy added. Succeeding is just being better tomorrow than you were today. Thats what its all about. Go down to the police station and ask them for their help. Thats what they are there for. They have the knowledge and the tools to find things. Detective A.J. Carter heard the commotion in the lobby all the way back to his office a considerable distance and decided he had better check on it. Sergeant Mulrooney, whats going on here? he asked the female officer talking to the middle-aged woman at the front desk. Sir, Miss Allen has lost her dog. He was taken from the Minute Mart yesterday, and she wants our help. The 41-year-old detective had been with the police department since he was 22, and he had compassion for his fellow man unequaled by anyone else on the force. Miss Allen, tell me what your dog looks like, his name and where you last saw it. Rose Marie showed him the dogs collar and told him the details. Detective Carter told Rose Marie he would see what he could find out. Come back tomorrow afternoon, he urged her. Im hoping someone has seen Mr. Fitzgerald somewhere on the street. We can put the word out, and maybe someone can help us get him back. The next day, Rose Marie returned to the police station hoping for a miracle. Her heart was optimistic as Detective Carter approached the front desk. We had a phone call from a Mr. Mansfield. He had picked up a stray dog from the Minute Mart, Detective Carter began. He said the dog was cold and was shivering, so he brought it home, not knowing that it belonged to someone. So I believe I have something for you, Miss Allen an early Christmas gift. Detective Carter walked back to his office, returning with a quivering ball of curly brown fur that wriggled to get out of his arms and over to Rose Marie. Tears flowed as the detective carefully placed Mr. Fitgerald in her waiting arms. As he handed over the dog, Detective Carters keys jangled onto the floor between them. Rose Marie bent over to retrieve the ring with its multitude of keys. A shiny glint caught her eye. There on the key chain was a pin a brass-plated laundry pin. As she picked up the keys, she examined the pin. There on the head still legible after all these years was engraved the number 728. Rose Marie grabbed Detective Carter, squeezing Mr. Fitzgerald between them. She tried to talk, but her tears would not allow her to speak. Softly, perhaps only loud enough for Mr. Fitzgerald to hear, Rose Marie Allen whispered, Merry Christmas, son. Precisely four times in modern North Carolina history, voters have elected a new governor or lieutenant governor of one party and legislative majorities of the other party. In all four instances, the legislature stripped the newly elected executives of some power. In the first three instances Republican Gov. Jim Holshousers election in 1972, Republican Gov. Jim Martins election in 1984, and Republican Lt. Gov. Jim Gardners election in 1988 a Democratic legislature did the stripping. As Martins biographer, Im most familiar with his experience. Lawmakers limited his ability to staff agencies (including the State Board of Elections), subjected other appointments to constraints or confirmation, and withdrew gubernatorial control over state construction and administrative hearings, among other actions. In each case, Republicans cried foul. Democrats insisted they were simply carrying out North Carolinas longstanding preference for legislative supremacy. If you think I offer this history to justify the fourth instance in question a recently concluded special session of the GOP-led General Assembly then you are mistaken. While I think many provisions that lawmakers passed this month are either needed or at least have potential, they were major changes in the structure and operation of state government. They deserved more deliberation than a brief Christmastime session allowed. When you make policy through an orderly process of committee hearings, robust debate and sufficient time for lots of people to weigh in, you increase both the quality of legislation and the credibility of legislators. Routinely, such a process uncovers drafting errors or unforeseen complications that can be addressed before passage. Admittedly, some of the changes were relatively straightforward. For example, Ive argued for many years that we should either have partisan elections for appellate judges or adopt a federal-type system of gubernatorial appointment with legislative confirmation. The worst option is the nonpartisan system adopted by Democrats in 2002 after years of watching Republicans win judicial races. The subsequent elections continued to be partisan in all but name. Democrats simply figured they would win more of them if the labels were removed. It was a partisan scheme to deny voters information. Republican lawmakers reversed it for the 2016 elections for Court of Appeals but came up with a different scheme for the Supreme Court. That was a grave mistake, now corrected. But what about the creation of a new bipartisan elections and ethics board, or the changes to the administration of the Department of Public Instruction? There may be merit to these ideas. There may also be unanticipated consequences. Having been passed in haste, they should now be watched in more leisure and adjusted as needed during regular session. Heres something else North Carolina history can teach us: Dont believe apocalyptic claims about an end to representative government. Incoming Gov. Roy Cooper, among others, knows better. He knows that he will have roughly the same hiring authority that other recent governors have had (albeit much less than Pat McCrory received). He knows that senators are unlikely to reject most of his Cabinet secretaries, and that if they did his other hires would essentially run the departments, anyway. After all, Holshouser and Martin werent irrelevant governors. They got things done. Cooper who proposed or enacted checks on governors of both parties during his service in the state legislature still retains many formal and informal powers. Hell use them. One last thing. Democrats upset with the special session might have been more persuasive had they chosen a different rhetorical strategy. Every time they accused GOP lawmakers of unprecedented acts, of contempt for democracy, of being sore losers and the like, all Republicans heard was hypocrisy. What happened in 2016 was different in detail, but not much in degree, from what happened in the past. A better argument would have been, Yes, we Democrats went too far when we were in power. It often came back to bite us. Dont make the same mistake. I am all for breaking the cycle. That will inspire greater trust and long-term thinking, from both sides. Week 51 in review: awaiting the Galaxy S8 and new Nokia flagships in 2017 With just a week left of 2016, we can't really expect any more major events. It is instead the time to reminisce and look back on the past 12 months and also prepare and speculate on what the new year has to offer. As far as the first point goes, there were at least a couple of notable calamities in the market this year and as December comes to an end, we are happy to finally see some proper evaluation and closure for some of the unpleasant situations. Samsung is ready with its official investigation of the Note7 saga, which should hopefully mark its final chapter. LG is also hoping to leave its V20 bootloop troubles behind in 2016. On a far more positive note, the industry seems more hopeful then ever about the future of the legendary Nokia brand, especially after two new flagship offers leaked. The Samsung Galaxy S8 is already gathering a lot of attention. Samsung really has to knock it out of the ballpark this time around on both the Galaxy and Note fronts to make up for the unfortunate events surrounding the Note7. Hopefully, this will nudge the eagerly-anticipated foldable concept phones towards a release as well. In other news, the ZUK Edge is now finally official and so are a few LG handsets and new color options for the Oppo R9s and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. Samsung's investigation of the Note7 debacle complete, findings report sent out to labs The report is yet to be released to the public, but there's plenty of time until the end of the year. ZUK Edge is official with Snapdragon 821, slim bezels Lenovo offers the ZUK Edge with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 64GB of fast UFS 2.0 internal storage. Sony Xperia XZ emerges as top late 2016 flagship after Note7's demise In Apple-land, adoption of the iPhone 7 is slower than that of its predecessor from two years ago. Nougat update could bring fingerprint gestures on current Galaxy devices Samsung's reply to a beta tester leads to believe the S7's fingerprint scanner could be updated with more features with the Nougat update. Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge getting a $170 discount for the holidays The units in question are offered SIM-free in the US - a great option if you don't want to get tied up with carriers. Samsung Galaxy S8 may be 15-20% more expensive than the S7 The figures come from experts at Goldman Sachs, who think the S8 will cost more to make than the S7, and this will reflect in the final price. LG partners up with Apple, Google, and Microsoft to develop foldable display panels Partnership suggested by a report out of South Korea, no specific time frame for mass production has been cited. Xiaomi is unveiling a new Mi Notebook Air with 4G support on December 23 A teaser image has surfaced referencing the event and showing a new version of the company's laptop. Nokia files new patent infringement lawsuits against Apple in the US and Europe The infringement claims cover 32 patents and have been filed in three regional courts in Germany and one District Court in the US. Beast Mode could be a feature of the Galaxy S8 as Samsung files for trademark The Korean company seems intent on outfitting its next flagship with a switch that enables top performance. Xiaomi releases blue and black Redmi Note 4 For now, the two new color versions are only available in China, but we assume they're headed to other markets eventually. LG officially announces 2017 K series and Stylus 3 smartphones All the handsets will be showcased at the upcoming CES 2017 show. Apple AirPods disassembled by iFixit, given the lowest score possible X-ray images show the chips were poorly soldered, which hints that Apple was in a rush. Super Mario Run breaks record for most-launch-day downloads in App Store history 2.85 million downloads on day one is more than three times as many as Pokemon Go did a while back. LG blames cheap USB Type-C cables for V20 bootloops An LG Service center has reportedly concluded V20 bootloops were caused by cheap USB-C cables. Haiti - Social : Rain of greetings on Haiti... President de facto Jocelerme Privert : I wish all Haitians and Haitians a Merry Christmas in Peace and Love. May these festivities offer us the opportunity to come closer and unite for the emergence of a new Haiti, Jocelerme Privert. Prime Minister Enex Jean Charles : Christmas is the time of reconciliation... Christmas is the time of forgiveness and redemption... The spirit of Christmas is that of solidarity and of living together... On behalf of all members of the Government and on my own behalf, I wish you a Merry Christmas 2016 and tackle 2017 in Peace, calm and in this spirit of patriotic unity and hope for the welfare of the common homeland. The Minister of Justice : I wish you and your families a beautiful and merry Christmas! Camille Edouard Jr, Minister of Justice and Public Security. Ministry of Communication : The Ministry of Communication wishes you a Merry Christmas 2016 and a Happy New Year 2017! Cholzer Chancy : In these times of political turmoil, I would like to wish you a good Christmas in sharing, Peace and serenity. Happy New Year celebrations and good 2017, Cholzer Chancy, President of the Chamber of Deputies. Deputy Gary Bodeau : I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2017 to all. I take this opportunity to invite the political actors to respect the verdict of the balots, , deputy of Delmas, Gary Bodeau. City Council of les Cayes : In this holiday season, the Municipal Council of Les Cayes takes pleasure in conveying its wishes for a Christmas of peace and a year 2017 full of solidarity and filled with happiness and success. Jovenel Moise : Best wishes to all of you! That the same momentum unites us to build the future of Haiti Jovenel Moise and his wife Martine Moise. Jude Celestin : Nwel se fet ke kontan, lanmou ak pataj, mwen pataje moso lanmou mwen genyen pou Ayiti ak nou pandan nou tout ap kontinye travay pou li pi bel e pou tout ayisyen ka viv Nwel la pi byen. Ann nou chak lonje men bay lot pou fet nwel la ka pi bel ane sa. Consulate General of the Republic of Haiti in Miami : At the end of 2016, the Consul General and Mrs Gandy Thomas joined the Consulate team in wishing you a Merry Christmas 2016 and a Happy New Year 2017 in joy, serenity, peace and love . Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago : The Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago wishes you a Merry Christmas 2016. Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal : The year 2016 was particularly challenging for our people. Once again, Mother Nature showed us how ruthless it can be. Fortunately, this holiday season announces renewal and opens the way to hope, sharing and harmony [...] The Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal and its staff, under the direction of the Chief of Post a.i., Justin Viard, would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. May this new year bring health, peace and joy, serenity and happiness in every family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2017 Embassy of Haiti in Brussels : The Embassy of Haiti in Brussels wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Embassy of Mexico in Haiti : Ambassador Jose Luis Alvarado and the team of the Embassy of Mexico in Haiti wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2017. Embassy of the United States in Haiti : We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! The Embassy of France in Haiti : LThe Embassy of France in Haiti wishes you a Merry Christmas ! PNH : The Haitian National Police (PNH) wishes a Merry Christmas 2016 and a Happy New Year 2017 to the entire Haitian population. CONATEL : The General Directorate of the Executive Board of the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) thanks you for your cooperation during the year 2016 and wishes you all the best for the new year Jean-Marie Altema, Director General. The Tourism Association of Haiti : The Tourism Association of Haiti (ATH) wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2017. Let each of us cultivates this spirit of Christmas in our hearts and share the Love, Joy and Peace all over this new Year. CFI : The Center for Investment Facilitation (CFI) wishes a Merry Christmas 2016 and a Happy New Year 2017 to all the people of Haiti and abroad ! Le BHDA : The Haitian Copyright Office (BHDA) whishes that the Christmas 2016 to be the announcement of a growing happiness in joy and peace for all Haitians in general and the staff of the office in particular [...] BHDA hopes that this year will bring us many satisfactions and that everyone, as a multidimensional, global and integrated being, can offer the best of ourselves to our community. This new year is a great opportunity to show all our dedication to each other and to wish that all our dearest wishes will be realized for 2017. Together we will accomplish feats. May God bless Haiti! BONFED : The Office of the National Authorizing Officer of the European Development Fund (BONFED) wishes you and your family a Merry Christmas 2016 and a year 2017 filled with success, health, serenity and happiness. OCHA Haiti : The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) team in Haiti wishes all government partners, United Nations agencies, donors, NGOs and civil society a happy holiday season and a successful year 2017 in achieving the goals of humanitarian action. The OCHA team in Haiti remains committed to the most vulnerable populations and serving the wider humanitarian community. Sophia and Michel Martelly : NWe wish each of you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year 2017, in Peace and Serenity. Dr. Louis G. Lamothe Foundation : The Dr. Louis G. Lamothe Foundation invites everyone to celebrate Christmas in a spirit of Peace, Love, Sharing and Transcendence in order to facilitate the emergence of an inclusive and united Haiti in 2017 : Let's transform Haiti into an island of love for Christmas and New Year. Youth Government of Haiti : No opportunity is not conducive to tell you how the Young President of Haiti, Amos Cincir and the Young Prime Minister Nathanael Noel, as well as all the members of the Youth Government of Haiti, have appreciated your unconditional and titanic supporters as part of our mission as a structure that promotes Responsible Leadership and Citizen Engagement in Youth Haitian [...] May the serenity of the holiday season, Christmas, be a happy prelude to the new year 2017 that is coming. The Youth Government of Haiti wishes you a very Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year filled with Happiness, Health and Prosperity. Thank you. Sport Center for Hope Haiti : The Sport Center for Hope wishes its Best Wishes of Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Friendships and warm wishes for the holiday season ! Pan American Development Foundation - Haiti : The whole Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) family in Haiti wishes you a happy holiday and a 2017 year full of opportunity for all. Plan International Haiti : Our wishes for this year: Together we work for the well-being of our children, respect for their rights and especially for the development of our daughters. Merry Christmas 2016 & Happy New Year 2017 to all HL/ HaitiLibre Superstar Tim McGraw will be playing the role of "Willie," a friend of the main protagonist in the faith-based movie The Shack. Moreover, McGraw will be contributing to the soundtrack. "Keep Your Eyes on Me," written and performed by McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill, will be released as The Shack's title song. The Shack is an upcoming American fantasy drama film directed by Stuart Hazeldine and written by John Fusco based on the 2007 novel of same name by William P. Young.The film stars McGraw, Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer, and Graham Greene. The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on March 3, 2017. The film revolves around the story about a man named Mack Phillips. After his young daughter is murdered during a family camping trip, Mack Phillips spirals into a deep depression causing him to question his innermost beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to the shack where her body was found, deep in the Oregon wilderness. Despite his doubts, Mack goes there and encounters an enigmatic trio of strangers led by a woman named Papa. Through this meeting, Mack finds important truths that will transform his understanding of his tragedy and change his life forever. McGraw plays a friend of the main character, but it wasn't until after his acting duties were complete that producers asked him to write a song for the film. "I was watching the movie with Faith, because they'd asked us to write a song for it. It wasn't completely finished yet, but it was done where you could get the essence of it," McGraw tells Country Countdown USA. "There must have been six parts where there were complete fall-apart moments. We walked out with some song ideas. Lori McKenna, Faith, I and Shane McAnally wrote the title song for the movie. I think it's going to touch a lot of people." In addition to playing the character of Willie, McGraw also acts as The Shack's narrator. He admits that the role was a natural fit given his career. "I didn't find it challenging; I liked it, actually," he shares. "Because, at my core of what I do, I think I'm a storyteller. I think that came naturally to me when I was reading the narration." McGraw and Hill are also hitting the road for their Soul2Soul Tour beginning in early April. Tags : Tim McGraw Faith Hill the shack the shack movie the shack movie trailer the shack film tim mcgraw new song time mcgraw and faith hill keep your eyes on me tim mcgraw news Published on 2016/12/25 | Source Protestant Christians now constitute the largest religious group in Korea thanks to the massive spread of evangelical or born-again churches, according to the latest government statistics. Advertisement Statistics Korea compiles data on the religious composition of the nation every 10 years, and the latest figures shows that 43.9 percent of Koreans practice some type of religion while the rest say they are non-believers. This is the first time more than half of the country are non-believers. Protestant Christians, including non-evangelicals like Anglicans, accounted for 19.7 percent of the believers with 9.67 million people, Buddhists for 15.5 percent or 7.61 million, and Catholics for 7.9 percent or 3.89 million. Protestants have now overtaken Buddhists, who used to be the biggest group. The proportion of non-believers is high among younger Koreans at 64.9 percent of those in their 20s and 62 percent among teens. But among people in their 60s, 57.7 percent said they practice a religion, rising to 58.2 percent among the over-70s. The findings have upset some critics, who believe the methodology must be flawed if the decline in established religions is so steep. Unlike previous statistics, the latest data are based on a sample survey involving only 20 percent of the country's total households. The sample group consisted of 10 million people, with 51.4 percent of the data gathered from door-to-door visits and 48.6 percent through Internet surveys. A spokesperson for the Joggye Order of Buddhism said, "Many of our followers are senior citizens and that puts us at a disadvantage in terms of electronic survey methods". And a Catholic spokesman said, "We conduct a detailed annual study on the number of followers and the latest figure was 5.65 million as of the end of 2015" as against the government tally of 3.89 million. "Even if borderline Catholics are considered, the difference between the figures is too high". Cho Sung-don of the Graduate School of Practical Theology said, "It seems that the method had a huge impact on the results. Evangelical Christians are usually more politicized than followers of other religions and more active in taking part in the survey". Statistics Korea defended the findings. "Samples of 20,000 to 30,000 people are used to compile national data, but the latest study involved 10 million people and the data can be viewed as accurate, and there were no problems from a statistical standpoint", a spokesman said. Read this article in Korean I showed more interest in being behind the lens, but seeing as I was too young to handle a real camera, I insisted he buy me one of those wind up Kodak disposable cameras. Then I would hear the familiar click of the shutter, and I would hurry off to avoid getting roped into more awkward posing. Sanap pastaim he would say. Waitwait, as he peered through the camera viewfinder, adjusting the focus while I decided whether to run or oblige him. MY FATHER was a hobbyist photographer. When he wasnt taking photos of the varieties of hibiscus he grew in our backyard at Waigani, he turned his lens to a somewhat reluctant subject me. I photographed everything I saw within the first 20 minutes until I was out of film: the unsuspecting stranger, a bug, trees and my feet. To his credit, my father indulged my creative discovery and did not once dissuade me. A hobby might keep me out of trouble, hed said. I grew up and a few misguided life decisions later, I took my fathers advice to learn a practical set of skills that would make me valuable to society and allow me to give back to my community. Photography didnt appear to be a viable career path in that sense so I went and studied to be a nurse. I continued to take photographs. In a time before phone cameras, it wasnt unusual to attract curious glances when I pulled out my camera. I grew accustomed to the raised eyebrows, the looks of amusement and the occasional, You carry a camera around like a white woman or Are you a journalist? I wasnt fazed in the slightest. The creative process of photography appealed to me. I enjoyed the art of visual story telling, and how I could take elements of light and composition and use them to deliver a narrative in one glance. I was self-taught for the most part so I had no formal training save for the occasional visual arts classes at school where I learned the basics of composing an image. In retrospect there was no deep meaning behind why I held a camera. The meaning came later. At the time I was merely a girl, unsure of my young voice and my own values independent of my upbringing When I eventually found my voice as a woman, I realised I had a breadth of experiences to draw from that very much shaped the way I chose to photograph and who I chose to photograph. Having been raised in Port Moresby, societal norms taught me that there was generally an accepted culture of misogyny. I was conscious of it in the way I picked an outfit for the day that didnt show my femininity, so avoiding being the target of lewd remarks and sexual assault. I bristled when I was cautioned over being too opinionated and outspoken, especially in the presence of men. I was made aware of it in the way men openly harassed my sisters in the street with no fear of repercussion. I was dismayed by it in the way a rape victim was blamed and judged by society. What was she wearing? they would enquire. Na em mekim wanem lo hap lo kain taim? Painim rape. I saw it in the way neighbours turned a blind eye to the man next door who would come home drunk and beat his wife and children. At times I was even taken aback by how my fellow women bought into the misogyny, partaking in verbal slanging matches in an effort to cut down their sisters. Then there was the matter of colourism, entrenched in my peoples way of thinking. It didnt occur to us that to lament why we were not as light skinned or why our Afro hair was thick and woolly and not soft was, in fact, the beginning of self-loathing. I observed girls and young women aspiring to an aesthetic that was not our own and fawning over images that hardly reflected us. It was perplexing to me. I didnt want to raise daughters (and sons) conditioned to think this way. Contemporary American poet Nayyirah Waheed writes, If someone does not want me, it is not the end of the world. But if I do not want me, the world is nothing but endings. I could relate. Without self-value, I wasnt in any position to appreciate anyone else, much less add value to their lives. When I set out to make images, it began as a personal project to challenge what I had seen when growing up and to create what I wanted to see. I was making for myself, in affirmation of all the natural beauty and the innate strength and perseverance I saw in PNG women. I felt that self-validation was essential in our reach for equality, and I wanted my photographs to evoke a sense of empowerment and inclusion. I decided that, through my lens, the everyday PNG woman would be celebrated from the naturally woolly and curly textures on her head to her unique shade of melanin. Through my lens there would be body positivity, femininity, empowerment and a celebration of not only being a woman, but a Papua New Guinean woman. Through my lens, our sense of cultural identity and rich tradition would meld with modern influences. Through my lens, we would be worthy of respect, no matter what we chose to wear, or where we came from and what our walk of life was. Through my lens, our narratives would be told without shame or fear of being silenced. Through my lens there would be freedom of self-expression. I see myself holding a camera for a very long time. The Telangana chief minister has said the BDJS leader from Kerala was acting on the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Candidates with no legislative history not uncommon Maryland's candidates for governor do not have long legislative records. Wes Moore has none at all. Analysis shows that is not uncommon. MOSCOW: All 92 on board passenger feared dead after Russian military aircraft crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday. So far, debris and 11 bodies have been found, with no reports of survivors. The Tupolev-154 was carrying soldiers, reporters and 64 members of the famed Alexandrov military music ensemble who were to perform for Russian troops. President Vladimir Putin has said Monday will be a day of national mourning. The plane disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from Sochi at 05:25 (02:25 GMT), heading for Latakia in Syria, the defence ministry said. Investigators said they are looking into every possible cause for the crash, including a terror attack. Earlier, a Russian official had downplayed any suggestion of a terror attack. The flight had originated in Moscow and landed at Adler airport in Sochi for refuelling. Tupolev-154 three engines, narrow-bodied and medium range plane considered as Russian workhorse and the backbone of Soviet and Russian airlines for decades. Designed in the mid-60s, came into service in 1972 and was modernised in 1986 with new engines and equipment Before todays incident, 39 fatal accidents has seen, although few were due to technical problems. Many were as a result of difficult weather conditions and poor air traffic control. A few were lost in conflicts including in Lebanon, Georgia and Afghanistan. ALSO READ: Russian troop Aircraft is missing with 91 Passengers With one hand holding a bottle of champagne and the other an oversized certificate declaring him the winner of $1 million from Publishers Clearing House, Bruce Saunders stood on the front porch of his western Davie County Monday and rattled off a list of things he plans spend his spend money on medical bills, fixing his lawnmower and helping family members. Editors Note: This is the final part in a three-part series about school security and safety in Catawba County. The Hickory Daily Record recently sat down to talk to the three school districts in Catawba County about the adjustments theyve made in the last couple of decades to make their facilities as secure as possible. Newton-Conover City Schools superintendent David Stegall has been in education for 21 years and saw the discussion about school security begin in earnest after Columbine. "I think the biggest thing was everyone assumed churches, schools some of those places were safe havens," Stegall said. "(Columbine) really opened everybody's eyes that we have to put up precautions. It does create an issue of providing a safe environment but still creating a welcoming one as well. The most visual example of this are new entrances at schools, providing a check-in point with the front office every visitor has to go through first. "The main thing is we want to make sure we know who's in our building and for what reason," he said. Stegall sees it as a universal issue for all public spaces in any community. "It's a new world and unfortunately, there are some people out there with some evil thoughts." Newton-Conover High school has 58 cameras along with a School Resource Officer (SRO) and secured doors with just one entrance. These are deterrents but the superintendent acknowledges no plan is perfect. "Obviously, if someone wanted to do something dangerous...you do your best to provide as many safeguards as possible but rarely does somebody come in and tell you they're going to do something," Stegall said. This new sense of caution has affected how the system approaches building new schools and updating old ones. "Depending on when you built it, it might have been cheaper to build a new part of the campus, not connected and put a breezeway," Stegall said. "(Newton-Conover High School) is a good example, between the gym and the main building we put a safety gate up that kids can push out if they need to leave but you can't come in through it. "I'm sure when they built it they never thought we might need a safety gate there. It has had us rethink how we look at the construction of schools, layout of schools and accessibility." Another challenge is getting budgets to line up with need when it comes to school security. Major Tim Hayes with the City of Newton Police Department has a unique view of this issue since he also is a NCCS school board member. The City of Newton Chief of Police Donald Brown is in the same position as a member of the Catawba County Schools board. Columbine was the pinnacle for law enforcement with schools but it also had us looking at all facilities from a security stand point, industrial sites, public spaces and general businesses, Hayes said. He added the expansion of emergency response cross-training to other agencies to like EMS and fire services as well as school personnel creates a better flow of action in the event of a crisis. Finding Funding Like other districts, Newton-Conover City Schools does try to take advantage of grants when they are available to make security improvements. We actually wrote a (state) grant, three years ago, where we have panic alarmswe have in all our schools, if there is something, they can push the panic alarm and notify police and fire immediately, Stegall said. Were actually working with Newton PD write now working on a grant for safety, so there are grants available. The superintendent added any help from the state level came as grants versus an across the board funding for a specific security improvement. Our county has been really good. Our county commissioners and our county manager, thats something they put as a priority, Stegall said. They told us to assess our buildings, assess our campuses and give them recommendations on ways we could make them safer. It wasnt a blanket approach since every school has its own unique security issues. Hayes also made the point that security isnt just a law enforcement issue. Everyone needs to be involved. Information sharing is a big issue, flowing freely between schools and law enforcement, sharing specific threats like a disgruntled student or a custody issue, Hayes said. Its a great benefit to have centralized emergency plans law enforcement can access as well. The vast majority of threats come from within. If you see something, dont be afraid to report it. Emergency Planning The superintendent sees this issue of school security as something being discussed even more at the undergraduate level for new teachers. But even when I came out 21 years ago to teach, you had evacuation plans and a lot of it had to do with weather, tornados or floods, fire drills, Stegall said. He had his own early experiences with what it meant to have a lockdown situation. His first teaching job was near a prison. If an inmate escaped the school had to go on lockdown. I was in a building one time and they had two gentlemen being chased by police. They wrecked their car and they went off on foot and were maybe two mile of the school, and the police called and said lock the building down, Stegall said. You always had those kinds of protocols, what we do and whenbut you never really figured youd ever use it. The mindset now has changed from when he started teaching. You have to go into this, thinking we have to plan for anything and you hope you never have to use it obviously, but you cant be naive about it, he said. You have to plan as if we can respond to any of these scenarios. The North Carolina Center for Safer Schools was started in 2013 by Gov. Pat McCrory and provided school systems critical incident response plans for school faculty and staff. This training was developed to increase awareness of Active Shooter and Armed Intruder situations and the three main response actions employed when responding to such threats, with the main focus on the lockdown action, according to the plan. The worse thing in the world is to look at a parent and say we didnt think it would happen to us and we didnt do enough to prepare, Stegall said. It is a different day. It is a different approach. One thing Stegall doesnt want is for the public to think schools are any less safe than anywhere else, but acknowledges how unpredictable life can be. Ohio State is a prime example. He just drove a car up through the middle of campus. I doubt they had a plan for it. Sometimes you just have to react if something was to happen and do your best to mitigate any kind of lossmake sure were all prepared to act and react. Kathy Hutchings, director of the Caldwell County Veterans Service Office, will be retiring effective Dec. 31 after 42 years of working with veterans in Caldwell County and across the region. In recognition of her service, Hutchings was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award by Gov. Pat McCrory. The award honors people who have a proven record of service to the state. In addition, at a recent event honoring her retirement, Hutchings received the key to the city from Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons. Hutchings was first hired in June of 1975 as an office assistant in the Veterans Service Office which at that time was located in the basement of the Caldwell County Courthouse. She was promoted to Veterans Service officer after a few months and moved to the Caldwell County Administration Building when the Veterans Service Office was combined with the County Human Resources office. During those years, Hutchings continued her duties serving veterans and also worked with services for county employees. In 2010, the Veterans Service Office was separated from HR and made an independent department based on the volume of veterans and their dependents needing services. Hutchings was named director. There are more than 6,000 veterans in Caldwell County that receive around $24 million primarily due to the work of Hutchings and her staff. Working with veterans has been my life, it is in my blood, I have a passion for it, Hutchings said. Veterans gave us our peace and freedom. They made this country we live in possible and have done this at the risk of their safety, sanity and future without asking anything in return. The Caldwell County Veterans Service Office works with veterans daily to make sure they receive the benefits they are due and deserve. The office completes disability claims for those that have disabilities or military related illness and helps those veterans who have a low income apply for benefits. Hutchings is accredited with the North Carolina and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Both require testing and training annually. This accreditation allows Hutchings to act as spokesperson and representative of the veteran. After retiring, Hutchings intends to continue working with the Veterans Services Office part time. After 42 years, these veterans are more like my friends and family. I still serve veterans or their widows that I first met 42 years ago, Hutchings said. There is nothing more touching than seeing a veteran being honored by providing benefits during their lifetime and especially at their time of death by the presentation of the American flag and a military gun salute. Editors Note: Each day through the end of 2016, the Hickory Daily Record will present some of the most influential stories of the year. To share your thoughts on how these stories impacted you, email a letter to the editor at news@hickoryrecord.com Skull stolen from local cemetery Hickory Police are still investigating a March vandalism case where a human skull was stolen from a mausoleum at Oakwood Cemetery. The skull belonged to James William Floyd, an Army veteran who served in WWII. After his service, he moved to Hickory and raised a family. He died in 2008 at 84 years old. In September, Floyds son-in-law Don Lowe offered a $5,000 reward for information about the theft. Lowe said Floyd was a quiet man who ran his own business. He was really good to his family. He was a good man, Lowe said. We havent heard a peep. Weve been scratching our heads. Two killed in McDonald's parking lot shooting Two individuals were shot in the parking lot of a McDonalds on U.S. Highway 321 in March. A woman, Rachel Scott Lail, died at the scene and a man, Cody William Watts, died later at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. HPD Major Reed Baer said a child was at the scene when shots were fired but was not injured. We believe it was some kind of domestic dispute, Baer said on the night of the murders. Eric Terril Yount, 22, of Granite Falls, is charged with two felony counts of first-degree murder, one felony count of displaying a weapon at an occupied vehicle and one felony count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Yount awaits trial at the Catawba County Detention Center. He is held without bond. The District Attorneys Office said Caldwell County authorities arrested Yount. They seek the death penalty in the case. Domestic violence occurs between intimate partners or formerly intimate partners, said Director Ann Peele of the Family Guidance Center. When a woman tries to leave a relationship, her risk of death or injury increases. Five charged in Claremont double homicide The Catawba County Sheriffs Office charged five men in July in connection to a March 14 double homicide. The victims, Mark Wilson and Diedra Ramseur, were shot and killed at their home on Rest Home Road in Claremont. Devin Maurice Ussery, 26, Jordan "Lil Moses" Alexander Rivera, 24, Arsenio Dewayne Curtis, 27, William Crawford Powell Jr., 23, and Reand Pablo-Antonio Rivera, 23, were all charged with two felony counts of first-degree murder. All are held without bond. Powell and Reand Rivera had to be extradited from Fayetteville. Both recently received discharges from the U.S. Army. Our guys have been working with the State Bureau of Investigation since March, Catawba County Sheriff Coy Reid said. Its been a top priority for us. Catawba County Sheriff seizes 5.5 pounds of crack cocaine Catawba County Sheriffs Office narcotics investigators seized 5.5 pounds of crack cocaine in November after receiving an anonymous tip. CCSO Capt. Jason Reid called it the largest seizure of crack cocaine done by the sheriffs office. Deputies found the drugs near Sherlock Street, under a pile of trash in a wooded area. The drugs had a street value of nearly $250,000. Investigators also found a deer camera, a digital scale and $2,600 near the site. A quarter million in crack cocaine is not something you see every day, Reid said. I was a little surprised. We expected to see an amount of crack cocaine down there due to all of the drug arrests over the past several weeks, but not that much." Missing girl actually fugitive, arrested A Newton teen who authorities said was missing actually turned out to be a fugitive wanted on several charges. The girl, Sirena Alexis Everhart, had been reported as missing since July 5. Posts made from the 17-year-olds Facebook account state that she worried authorities would put her in jail. Everhart said authorities had her involuntarily committed at Catawba Valley Medical Center while she was pregnant at 16. It was yet another horrible experience. I was shackled to a bed for three days and given a shot, Everhart said. Nobody hears my side. Most of the time nobody will care. Everhart was located Aug. 18 and charged by the Catawba County Sheriffs Office with one misdemeanor count of assault on a government official, one misdemeanor count of larceny and one misdemeanor count of littering. Murdered Hickory woman suffered severe burns Hickory Police charged a Hickory man in the June 8 death of Stephanie Charlene Harvey, 50, outside of her home on Second Street SW. Police initially responded to a call regarding a civil disturbance at the home. Glen McQuay Jr., 54, was charged with one felony count of first-degree murder. A press release states Harvey suffered severe burns to her upper body before she died. The cause of death was not released. The release states the case was investigated as a domestic homicide. McQuay is held at the Catawba County Detention Center without bond. Attacker fractures Vietnam veteran's jaw In June, an assailant struck Army veteran James Stonemetz, 78, after driving an ATV through the mans front yard, fracturing the mans jaw. Doctors wired Stonemetzs jaw shut as a result. Do I look like enough of a threat that I have to get my jaw broken? Stonemetz said. Im a disabled veteran. I served in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange. Hickory Police charged Clarence Martin Hayes III, 33, of Hickory, in July with one felony count of assault inflicting serious injury. Hayes was issued a $15,000 unsecured bond. Stonemetz noted a second individual, a child, drove through on a separate ATV during the incident. Taylorsville woman charged in death of infant son A Taylorsville woman faces charges in the May 24 death of her infant son, Tyler. The child had only been born four days earlier. Aishia Marie Pacheco, 22, faces a charge of one felony count of second-degree murder. The mother admitted to us that she had held the baby up to her chest, because the child had been crying, and smothered the child, Alexander County Sheriff Chris Bowman said. Pacheco said the death was an accident and she did not know what to do. Catawba Sheriff Coy Reid confirms that the deceased in a May 12 suicide on Curlee Road was Pachecos fiance. Caldwell preacher slain in drunk driving crash A Dec. 6 wreck on U.S. Highway 70 in Newton ended in the death of Michael Howard Vanderburg, 43, a preacher at the Abundant Life Church of God in Hudson. Catawba County EMS transported Vanderburgs three children from the scene to an area hospital. Zachariah Arthur Carl, 31, of Newton, faces charges of one felony count of second-degree murder, one count of driving while impaired, one count of failure to stop for a red light, one count of possession of an open container, one count of driving with license revoked and one misdemeanor count of probation violation. This is a horrific tragedy, DA David Learner said. There is never a good time for something like this to happen, but right here, three weeks before Christmas is probably one of the worst times. Carl is held at Catawba County Detention Center under a $1,010,000 secured bond. He was previously convicted on DWI charges in 2011 and 2015. Brothers charged in death of 78-year-old The search in October for a missing 78-year-old man ended with the Catawba County Sheriffs Office uncovering the mans body in a shallow grave near his home. Thomas Gregory Ball, 38, of Hickory, and Rodney Adam Ball, 27, of Cedar Bluff, were each charged with one felony count of murder and one felony count of concealing or failing to report a death. Both are held at the Catawba County Detention Center without bond. The victim, Benny Ashley Daniels, of Long View, suffered unknown injuries in a physical altercation. Catawba Sheriff Coy Reid said investigators believe Daniels was drug from his home into the forest nearby. He didnt know them, but he opened up his home to them, Reid said on Oct 12. The District Attorneys Office stated it would not seek the death penalty against Thomas Ball. If convicted, the men may face life in prison. Alexander County Sheriff charges 2 in alleged body dump In March, the Alexander County Sheriff charged two suspects with attempting to conceal the death of Robert Adam Hearne Jr. in the forest near N.C. Highway 90, less than a half mile from Ellendale Elementary School. Toni Anthony Hearne, 51, of Charlotte, and Linsey Marie Lentz, 33, of Albemarle, were each charged with one felony count of murder and one felony count of concealing/failing to report a death. Toni Hearne said he attempted to defend himself from his uncle, Robert Hearne Jr. Toni said his uncle had attacked him with a knife. I am just sad and did not know what to do. I feel bad about it; I loved my uncle, Toni Hearne said. The Madhya Pradesh police are racing against time to trace the wife and two minor sons of a limestone mining baron who disappeared from shopping mall in Jabalpur on Thursday. Sangeeta Grover in her early 30s, along with two sons Rudraksh and Shivaksh aged 10 and 12, had come from Katni to her parental town Jabalpur and went to a mall from where they vanished. Their disappearance became even more sensational after an eight-page note purportedly written by the woman to the police informed them about her intention to commit suicide along with the kids. The note which was ostensibly couriered by the woman to the superintendent of police, Katni Guarav Tiwari states that she has been under severe mental harassment by her husband Ranjan Grover, whose business family reportedly has contacts in the top government levels in Bhopal. According to sources in Jabalpur and Katni police, the eight-page note of attempted suicide which has been addressed to the womans father-in-law in Katni mentions about repeated ignominy heaped on her by her husband in public. The note mentions about the womans husband having publicly insulted her before prominent people in Bhopal and even forced her to dance with strangers at an amusement park in the Madhya Pradesh capital, a police officer privy to the probe told Hindustan Times on Sunday. The note also mentions about the womans husband having extra-marital relations with other women, including call girls which were causing her unimaginable mental agony, the officer added. But investigators now suspect that the contents of the eight-page note could well be a ploy by someone to malign the Grover family and is possibly a smokescreen. The probe has revealed that from the shopping mall, Sangeeta first went to Jabalpur railway station on Thursday before taking a car to the citys airport. From the airport, the woman and her two sons along with a prominent local businessman boarded a flight to Delhi in the evening. Police have already garnered CCTV footage from the airport as part of the probe. The names of the woman and her two children mentioned in the flight manifest bear surnames which are different from their actual surnames. For now, the police are tightlipped about the location of the woman and her children. But the phone records of the businessman who was with the woman and her two sons after they went missing, have revealed that his location was first traced to Maharashtra, later Gujarat and then near Dewas in Madhya Pradesh. SP Jabalpur MS Sikarwar told Hindustan Times that the police have got vital clues in the case and is working on them. We hope to crack it soon, said Sikarwar. 2016 was an exceptional year for Akshay Kumar. He was the only A-lister with three blockbusters Airlift, Rustom and Housefull 3. Looking back on the year, the 49-year-old actor says he feels gratitude, excitement and hopes 2017 treats him as kindly. The actor also expresses respect for those who were hit hard by demonetisation, yet dealt with it brilliantly. 2016 was an exceptionally successful year for you. How do you look back on the year? I am sad that its over.Starting a new year can be daunting. After working so hard it doesnt seem to matter what you achieved that year, it will be forgotten by the next. But when you keep as busy as me, its nothing but excitement heading my way so Ill never crib.Ill only ever yearn for more. What can fans of Akshay Kumar expect from him in 2017? They can expect something they never would have expected from Me!! That I can assure you... 2017 is a very big year, lets hope it treats me as kindly as this year did, if not more. Your wife, Twinkle Khanna, is about to launch herself as a producer. Will her banner only produce films featuring you? I doubt it. As much as my wife loves me, she gets enough of me at home, shes not going to want to work only with me. Her ambitions spread much further than the comfort zone of her own home. Twinkle has proven herself to be much more than a star-daughter and a star-wife... She has a lot of passion when it comes to changing the societal mindset about issues such as suppression and regression.The world is her oyster and Im sure shes going to push herself to her absolute limits in the most humorous ways she can find. How far do you think our cinema has been hit by demonetisation? Unfortunately, Bollywood was hit and hit hard,and Im not surprised. Even my staff wasnt able to go to the cinema on their usual Sundays off because they couldnt spare 500 bucks.I can only imagine how hard its hit many areas of India. But everyone has had to sacrifice for the greater good. The movies will recover, eventually. But hats off to those that were hit the hardest, yet handled it so brilliantly. What are your closing thoughts on the year that was, and the year ahead? Sheer gratitude followed by sheer excitement - exactly what everyone should be feeling about themselves, their year and their future. Anything else wouldnt be acceptable. Humble Happiness is the way to be . According to the information, in IIT Kanpur three hardworking students have completed their B.Tech course in 3 year 6 month instead of 4 year. It is said that it is the first time in IIT that student have completed its course before the time. Although, these students will be given Degree next year in the Convocation ceremony. In another case, two students have also completed their dual degree of B.Tech and M.Tech in 9 semester instead of 10 semester. IIT Kanpur's Professor in charge Sudhir Mishra said that all the six students are completing all norms of Degree. Also Read: Career Institutes in India, closing doors for STEREOTYPES Best colleges to study;for the growing need of EVENT MANAGERS Build your profession in 'Fire Technology' Local distributors of the latest Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal in Pakistan are pinning their hopes on prime minister Nawaz Sharif to give his formal approval to its release in the country and are expecting the film to be screened soon. According to Pakistani media reports, the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage in association with the Ministry of Commerce, has sent an official summary to Sharif seeking his permission to release the film in Pakistan. The local distributors have rubbished reports in Indian media as false that the film would not be released in the country, saying its screening may get delayed by a week. That is false news. Yes there are hurdles that we are facing in releasing the film in Pakistan but we havent lost hope yet. The film might get delayed by a week or so but no final decision has been taken as yet, Mohammad Nasir of Geo films said. Pakistani cinema owners are pinning their hopes on the release of Dangal and other Indian films to be released in January to make up for the losses they suffered during a three-month voluntarily ban on screening of Indian films in Pakistan. The ban was lifted last week in a low-key fashion, but the release of Dangal still remains uncertain. According to officials, local distributor Geo films are in direct correspondence with Aamir, who also happens to be the producer of the film, to make its release possible. A ministry source said that now only the prime minister can move things forward. Zoraiz Lashari, chairman of the of the Film Exhibitors Association of Pakistan, has said that they too are awaiting the Prime Ministers response. We have been suffering grave financial issues due to the suspension. Indian artistes and distributors want their films to be screened in Pakistan but the local distributors are hesitant to purchase new films before the government gives it a green light, he said. I want to make it clear that there is no ban on Indian films in Pakistan as no official notification was issued by the government, he stated. According to industry sources, local distributors pay around rupees 80 to 100 million to Indian distributors and the buying group must earn around 200 million rupees as they also have to pay off some amount to the cinemas and make profit. Pakistan is considered as the third largest market for Indian films. Indian movies returned to Pakistani cinema houses in 2008 after a 43-year-long hiatus imposed during the 1965 war. On a recent visit to the Capital and his alma mater, actor Saqib Saleem opened up about moving to Mumbai for love, his college days and family. Excerpts from the interview: On love during college days: I even went to Bombay for a senior, whom I was dating in college. In college, I dated a couple of girls. Love is such a beautiful feeling, so why not? I even went to Bombay for a senior, whom I was dating in college. She wanted to be an actor and for that she moved to Bombay. One night over the phone, she wanted to break up stating that the long distance relationship wasnt working. The lover boy that I was, I went to Bombay to be with her. Three months later we broke up. The first thought I had after the break up was ghar chalte hain. Within a year, I got my first film. On Hindu College and his career: My career started from Hindu College. I was a part of Nakshatra, the fashion society, where wed walk around wearing fancy clothes. Eventually that led to acting and made me realise that I could be a model too. This is where it all started. In college, we used to hangout at the Nescafe so often that there was a standing joke that were doing Nescafe honours from the college. Apart from that, the Ibtida lawns were a favourite spot for us all. Theres a good vibe here. Ive been to many colleges during my three years study but theres something different and homely about my college. I feel proud to tell people that Im from Hindu College. On family: I dont know how to spend time with my family. Im shooting in Haryana. But, since Im playing the role of a gym trainer, Ive to workout for couple of hours everyday for which Im staying at a hotel so that I dont feel disconnected. My mother is of course upset. She has visited me on the sets a couple of times. Once the shooting is done, I will stay back a day extra and spend time with her. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Enforcement Directorate (ED) has questioned AirAsia Indias chief financial officer (CFO) in Mumbai in connection with an alleged forex violation case. ED is probing ousted Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistrys allegation that fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore, involving non-existent entities in India and Singapore, were carried out in an instance involving the airlines. Officials said the CFO, Ankur Khanna, was questioned by the investigating officer of the case earlier in the week and his statement was recorded under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). There was no immediate comment from AirAsia India spokesperson. ED had earlier issued summons to the airline and its officials to submit relevant documents and explain the matter to investigators as part of the probe. They added that the CFO could be called for questioning again apart from few other executives. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe is also looking at a specific transaction of Rs 12 crore, out of Rs 22 crore, made to a Singaporean firm. ED officials said the agency is also examining the documents and findings of an in-house forensic investigation, as claimed by Mistry. In October, flagging ethical concerns in Tata Groups joint venture with Air Asia, Mistry had claimed a forensic investigation had revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent entities in India and Singapore. As a bitter war plays out between Mistry and Tata Groups interim Chairman Ratan Tata, the former had alleged that due to the latters passion for aviation, the Tata Sons Board increased capital infusion into the aviation sector at multiple levels of the initial commitment. In a letter written to the Board members of Tata Sons a day after he was ousted on October 24, Mistry said, Board members and trustees are also aware that in the case of Air Asia, ethical concerns have been raised with respect to certain transactions as well as overall prevailing culture within the organisation. A recent forensic investigation revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent parties in India and Singapore. Mistry went on to allege that executive trustee Mr Venkataraman, who is on the board of Air Asia and also a shareholder in the company, considered these transactions as non-material and did not encourage further study. It was only at the insistence of the independent directors, one of whom immediately submitted his resignation, that the board decided to belatedly file a FIR, Mistry had said in the letter. He claimed it was Tata who had completed negotiations with Air Asia, but early in his tenure as the Chairman of Tata Sons he (Mistry) was asked to table a proposal for the JV with Air Asia at a Tata Sons board meeting. In 2013, Tata Sons had joined hands with Malaysian carrier AirAsia and Arun Bhatias Telestra Tradeplace to start low cost carrier AirAsia India. The carrier had to wait for nine months before taking off. In September 2013, Tata Group had joined hands with Singapore Airlines to start a new full-service airline in India, 18 years after a failed attempt. Tata Sons owned 51% stake in the carrier, which has been christened as Vistara, with Singapore Airlines holding the rest. The surprise decision of Delhis Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to resign from his job has triggered as much hope as anxiety among the people of Delhi. Some see it as the end of the two-year-long bitter turf war between the BJP-led government at the Centre and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal that made the governance of the city-state its biggest casualty. Others worry about what will happen if Jungs successor turns out to be more hawkish. What happens hereafter depends much on the reasons that guided Jung to quit. There are many theories doing the rounds. One explanation is that Jung got tired of doing the bidding for Prime Minister Narendra Modis government in its proxy war against the Aam Aadmi Party that stormed to power in Delhi with a popular mandate in February 2015. In the past two years, few weeks have passed without a showdown between the offices of the LG and the chief minister. From the appointment of bureaucrats in the Delhi government to tackling civic issues such as clearing garbage and fighting a deadly outbreak of dengue and chikungunya this past autumn, they have sparred over almost everything. Although the rule book often sided with Jung, the spats had perhaps become onerous for the 65-year-old bureaucrat, who said he was quitting to spend more time with his family. Read: Jung resigns as Delhi L-G, Kejriwal calls it a surprise People in the know of things say Jung had indicated his intent six months ago, but was asked to stay. Some believe the Supreme Courts recent observation that the state government should have autonomy to function could have finally prompted him to call it a day. The top court is hearing an appeal against a high court ruling that had empowered Jung to declare decisions taken by the AAP government without due consultations with the LG null and void. The Jung-Kejriwal bickering was rooted in the unique partial statehood status of Delhi under which authority to govern the national capital is split between the Centre and the elected state government, and hence subject to conflicting interpretations. In the past, these were resolved through dialogue and rarely affected the administration of Delhi. But in the last two years such conflicts have gone too far and created a situation where Delhi has begun to suffer. And in all of this, Jung has come out appearing to be the villain. Read: Najeeb Jungs sudden exit as lieutenant governor keeps Delhi guessing The other theory behind his resignation is that while Jung did everything that the Centre wanted him to do to undermine the AAP government, the BJP couldnt gain much politically. Many leaders in the BJPs Delhi unit agree that peoples perception continues to favour Kejriwal and his narrative of political victimisation. They also complain about lack of access to Jung and would like to see a person more amenable to their interests occupy the LGs office, especially at a time when Delhi is getting ready for crucial municipal elections. To begin with, Jung was never their man. He took up the job in 2013 when the UPA was in power; Modi continued with him because he was found malleable. Read: BJP gives a guarded reaction to Jungs resignation If the expectations of the local BJP unit were to weigh in on the choice of Jungs successor, Delhi may end up with an administrator and a political scenario that would further escalate the turf war. We hope that will not be case. That Jungs exit will be taken as an opportunity to build bridges, to dispel mistrust between the governments at the Centre and the state, to put development back on the agenda. It is time both sides began to reconcile. Making that a resolution for the New Year would serve both Modi and Kejriwal well. They owe it to the people of Delhi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON December 25, marked 92 years of Atal Bihari Vajpayees momentous life journey. His story is the life history of a personality who has lived Indian civilisation, culture and politics in every breath that he has taken. Id like to begin with a personal experience. Many residents of Jammu appeared perplexed on the afternoon of January 25, 1992. A large number of outsiders had begun to converge on the city for the past two to three days. In fact, former BJP national president Murli Manohar Joshi had announced that he was intent on hoisting the national flag at Srinagars Lal Chowk on January 26. His appeal was the reason the crowds were arriving in Jammu. Tensions around the Ayodhya issue were at their peak those days. In September 1990, by taking out his Rath Yatra, Lal Krishna Advani had become a hero for a certain section of society. Did Joshi want to score a point over Advani using Kashmir as an excuse? Read:Getting Parliament to work:If Vajpayee could do it, why cant Modi? Away from the packs of news-gatherers, I was keeping an eye on the proceedings from a guest house. Sources were telling me that the Jammu and Kashmir government had managed to persuade Mr Joshi to leave the crowds milling around him behind and hoist the flag with a smaller set of people. On the one hand the masses that had gathered in Jammu were raring to visit Srinagar and on the other separatists were gearing up for a confrontation. The pacifists did not know how to assuage the feelings of their supporters. Nobody had an idea that Atal Bihari Vajpayee had been given the responsibility of soothing the tempers of the agitators. The senior leadership of the BJP had decided that Atalji will address people during a public meeting at the stadium. He began his long speech by speaking about the sacrifice of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and then, after giving a long explanation of the tense situation, ended by saying that even he wanted to visit Srinagar but wouldnt get the permission. One doesnt know whether it was the magic of his personality or his words, but the people agreed to change their mind. When to exude fire and when to stay cool as ice, is an art one should learn from Atalji. Read: Kashmir issue would have been resolved if Vajpayee govt had more time: RSS The same Atal Bihari Vajpayee, when he went on to become the Prime Minister of India, tactfully managed to connect Kashmir to the mainstream to a big extent. He knew that this wasnt possible without friendship with Pakistan. He also knew that our neighbour doesnt just understand the language of love. Within two months of regaining power in 1998, by conducting nuclear tests at Pokharan, he sent out the message that India would not bow down or be put under pressure. India didnt desert the road to peace despite Kandahar, Kargil or the parliament attack. Had the Agra Summit dialogue succeeded, the destiny of this subcontinent would have transformed forever. Why didnt the talks succeed? Was he battling his opponents within his government and organisation? The answers to these questions are buried in the folds of mystery. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had to face these conflicts throughout his long political career. When he leant towards rational liberalisation on the economic front, his senior associate Balraj Madhok opened a front against Vajpayee himself. Often news emerged from the BJPs inner circle about his differences with the Sangh and his associates, but the long-time architect of a constructive Opposition knew that politics wasnt a fairy tale. Everything didnt have a happy ending here. Thats why we can notice a unique continuum in his long political career that elevates him much higher than just victory and defeat. He didnt look just at criticism that came his way but always at his goal. He utilised the Oppositions help whenever he needed. Even his opponents didnt hesitate to knock at his door. He practised the politics of agreement, not resistance. Thats why when Atal ji was in office, India achieved a stable GDP growth of 6-7%. His golden quadrilateral scheme brought together four corners of the country. The space allotted to this column isnt enough to discuss the achievements of his governance. No other contemporary Indian politician had such a capacity to look at India and the world holistically. Read:Vajpayee to Manmohan: How Indian leaders have turned the heat on Pak at UNGA The cocktail of politics and power often ends up stifling human sensitivity. Vajpayee is an exception to this. His poems give a glimpse of the sensitive person behind the politician. Besides talking about being lonely at the top, he is also seen praying that regardless of the heights he achieves, he should never forget his polite nature. If you want to know what Atalji himself thought about these subjects, apart from his poems, you should pay attention to these lines. These are part of a speech he made on August 17, 1994, after being selected as the best parliamentarian. It is easy to speak in ceremonies to honour others. It is tough to find words when you are yourself being honoured. I am aware of my limitations and I recognise my faults. The adjudicators must have ignored my limitations and mistakes to select me. This is a wonderful, unique nation. You can even worship a stone by putting vermillion on it. Disease has played havoc with Ataljis voice and memory. For years, he hasnt been face-to-face with the Indians whom he has appreciated ever since he grew up. Vajpayees absence from public life keeps rankling me. Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat said on Sunday that the Rs 12,000 crore All-Weather Road Network Project for the Chardham, foundation for which would be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 27, was nothing but superfluous. This centrally-sponsored project is unnecessary in a state where the condition of roads is excellent. I hope it (project) is not a mere election stunt, Rawat told a press conference. He said he had serious objection to the way the project was being hyped up. Its (project) name shows as if the condition of the existing road network in the fabled religious circuit and elsewhere in the state is bad. The chief minister claimed that such nomenclature would send a message across the country that Uttarakhand was an unsafe destination. Such a message would bring down the number of tourists visiting the mountain state affecting its tourism-based economy. Rawat, however, admitted that he had been invited to preside over the function where the Prime Minister would lay the foundation stone for the all-weather road project, and confirmed that he would attend it, but expressed fears that the centrally sponsored project might not take off as in the case of Bihar. When that state (Bihar) was going to the polls last year, the Prime Minister at a public meeting announced a Rs 1.25 lakh crore package for its development, he said, alleging that the people of Bihar were still waiting for that package. However, I welcome the foundation-laying ceremony of the all-weather road project, he said while calling it an insult to the people of the mountain state. Rawat said he would submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister objecting to the name of the project. He said he had long back submitted to the Centre a proposal for a safe and secure road network for the state. In fact, in that connection, I also had fruitful talks with Union minister for road transport, highways and shipping Nitin Gadkari, he said, hoping that the Centre would clear it soon. I also hope that they (Centre) would release the remaining amount of the Rs 8,000 package for reconstruction of the state, which was sanctioned after it was ravaged by floods in 2013, he said. Rawat clarified that the amount had been approved by the cabinet committee on Uttarkahand. State BJP spokesperson Virendra Singh Bisht, however, accused the chief minister of politicising the issue with an eye on the upcoming assembly election. This is the countrys first-of-its-kind scheme, Bisht said referring to the all-weather road project for the Chardham. Once it is complete, the project will herald a new chapter in the states development. Read: Centre leapfrogs Uttarakhand govt on roads construction SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Aam Aadmi Party will hold a business summit early next year in which Delhi government representatives will give an account of all pro-business measures taken by the party after it came to power in February last year. The participants will discuss problems related to trade and industry in the Capital. The development comes in the backdrop of the Narendra Modi governments decision to demonetise Rs500 and Rs1000 bank notes from November 8. The Aam Aadmi Party led by national convenor and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been targeting the move, terming it an Rs 8-lakh crore scam and a measure that has hit business and industry across the country. In February, the party will complete two years in power. A business meet will be organised on January 7 at Constitutional club. Representatives of trade, industry and hotel associations will attend the meet, an AAP leader said. Deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, who holds the finance portfolio, and industry minister Satyendar Jain are likely to attend the meeting. They will give an account of the achievements and show the way forward to the participants, a source said. Read: Delhi RWAs, traders say improve public transport Traders have traditionally been considered supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party. But the AAP has been making efforts to reach out to the community. With municipal elections a few months away, efforts have intensified and the partys trade wing is running a membership drive. It has set a target to convince 10,000 traders to join AAP. Elections for the three municipal corporations are scheduled in April-May next year. The BJP has been in power in the three MCDs for the past one decade. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Police are being assisted by a team of psychologists and psychiatrists in their investigation into the alleged gangrape of a US national in a five-star hotel earlier this year. We have taken the help of psychologists and psychiatrists in investigation so that they can help us tie up the loose ends, said a senior police officer. The team has also spoken to the woman to help her recall the details of the incident coherently, he added. Police are also working to determine whether all the accused were present in the hotel during the two days as it appeared that some of them had been present somewhere else, he said. The US national arrived here a few days ago to join the probe and she recorded her statement in front of a judicial magistrate where she reiterated the charges she had made in her complaint. Earlier, she had said that she was not satisfied with the probe and was ready to come to India to identify the accused. On December 8, the tourist guide accused of raping the woman along with his accomplices, was questioned by police after his arrival from Nepal. Police had identified the man and contacted him while he was in Nepal. The tour guide had denied his involvement in the matter and told police that the victim had given him a positive feedback in the forms and internal inquiry by the travel agency hadnt found him guilty. The woman had alleged that she was raped by the men for two days. They also threatened her with dire consequences if she reported the matter to anybody. She also said that the accused had made a video of the act and had threatened to make it public if she reported the matter to anyone. Days after Hindustan Times reported about the difficulties faced by Delhi resident Gopal Rams family in flying back his body from Japan, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj intervened to ensure that Rams corpse reached India late on Saturday. Forty-eight-year-old Ram had passed away in Tokyo on December 10 after a heart attack. HT had carried a story in its December 18th edition highlighting Rams kins inability to bear the cost of bringing his body back. The Union minister took notice of the story, after which the ministry of external affairs bore the expenses of flying back Rams body. Rams wife Radha Devi thanked the MEA, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) and the Indian Embassy in Japan for their assistance. It is because of them, that I could at least see him one last time. I can say goodbye (to him) properly now. I will forever be grateful to Sushma Swaraj and Swati Maliwal (DCW chief), she said. While the family is now relieved because they will be able to perform Rams last rites, they are uncertain about the future. I have two sons and a daughter. I dont know how I will afford their education. My husband was the sole bread winner. My oldest son is awaiting his CA results, but it will take some time before he finds a job. I myself never studied beyond the fifth grade, Radha said. According to Rams son Jatin, the family lacked resources and his fathers demise further deteriorated their condition. My father did not have any savings. We received `50,000 because of his life insurance. But in this day and age, how long will that last? he asked. Ram worked as a cook in India and took an agents offer to work in Tokyo with an aim to provide better support to his family. However, after the first three months, he allegedly stopped getting his salary. My husband had gone to Tokyo hoping to earn a better living for himself and the family. But now he has been cheated of his life, and I have been left begging for money to conduct his final rites, Radha said. She said the agent, who arranged Rams travel, promised him a cooks job in Tokyo but the deceased was forced to clean gutters. The family is now hopeful of getting financial assistance from the government. The government has helped us out a lot... I hope they can help us further. Bas chula jal jaye, aur kuch nahin chahiye, Radha said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Aimed to promote an environment friendly and affordable public transport system, the North Delhi Municipal Corporations project to set up cycle stands at 25 spots in the city has hit a road block. The project, which had received in-principle approval from North Corporation commissioner PK Gupta, has been referred back by the standing committee on Thursday. The deliberative wing demanded that the officials take prior approval of finance and law departments before starting the bidding process. The members also asked for the same facility in far flung areas where the public transport is poor. We are in favour of the project. In fact, it would encourage people to use cycles in place of cars/vehicles for covering shorter distance. But it is important that the project is legally correct and financially viable, said Vijay Prakash Pandey, leader of house, North Corporation. Moreover, the officials should prepare a proper map of each site to ensure that they get an aesthetic look, he said further. The proposal was mentioned in this years financial budget also. It stated that similar to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the North Corporation will outsource such facilities to concessionaires in return of advertising rights. A space of 25 feet by 8 feet will be allotted at 25 prime locations to accommodate 10 cycles per stand. The allottee would develop these places at no cost for corporation and use it for a time period of 10 years. He will be allowed to place advertisement in an area of 20/8 through e-auction. The users can use the facility free of cost or at a minimal cost, said a senior North Corporation official. According to him, in North Corporation there are lots of educational institutional covering Delhi University and heavily congested areas like Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar where cycle sharing would become popular mode of transport and will also reduce the traffic congestion. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON PUNE: Nearly 48 hours after 23-year-old techie from Kolkata and working here at Pune stabbed to death at KNB square at Talawade, Pune police formed three teams to nab the accused. Victim Antara Das was working with Capgemini and stabbed to death on Friday night when she was returning from office. Before this, parents of Das expressed their suspicion on one of the victims friend which turned their investigation team focus on him. An investigating officer said Antaras family has expressed suspicion about the possible role of a friend of hers in the murder. She had met the suspect Santosh Kumar -- during her training in Bangalore. Santosh had even come to Pune when she was scheduled to appear for an interview for Capgemini and allegedly threatened to kill her. Based on the familys complaint, the police are now trying to catch Santosh. Earlier, key witness in the case motorcyclist Satyendra Sinha and another motorist who took her to nearby hospital where she was declared dead on arrival said police that he could see the attacker fleeing the spot. In his complaint to the police, he said the attacker was wearing a T-shirt with black and blue stripes. ALSO READ: Woman from Kolkata who work in Pune Stabbed on Head Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia will inaugurate eight public libraries constructed under the Swaraj Fund in the Karawal Nagar assembly constituency in north east Delhi on Sunday. These libraries are unique in their own way as they have been put together from the citizen local area development fund, or Swaraj fund, and were taken up after people chose them as priority projects in mohalla sabhas conducted in various assembly constituencies last year. Though the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has started working on projects promised during the Mohalla Sabhas, the fate of Swaraj fund for the current fiscal (2016-17) itself hangs in balance. Officials say that the constitution of mohalla sabhas and creating a project management unit under it are yet to get approval from the Lieutenant Governor. The fate of Rs 350 crore, allocated under Swaraj fund in the annual budget, hence, by the AAP government remains unclear. With only three months left in the current fiscal, officials said they were not sure if funds will be utilised at all this year. The process of holding mohalla sabhas across the city and then implementing the projects chosen as priority is a long-drawn one. Eight public libraries, construction of which were decided in mohalla sabhas in Karawal Nagar assembly constituency on a pilot basis last fiscal (2015-16), will be inaugurated on Sunday. Any delay in approval could lead to lapse of funds this year, said a senior revenue department official. In June, the Arvind Kejriwal cabinet had cleared a proposal to constitute 2,972 mohalla sabhas, besides creating a project management unit (PMU) called Mission Swaraj to co-ordinate the entire project. Both proposals were then sent to the L-G for his approval. Mohalla sabhas were conducted in 11 assembly segments including Karawal Nagar in May last year. Development works worth R 50 lakh in each of the 11 assembly segment were decided in these meetings. Karwal Nagar MLA and water minister Kapil Mishra said the government had not lost hope on holding such sabhas before the end of this fiscal. The initiative is a unique step to ensure citizen participation in governance. It would be for the first time that eight libraries in an assembly segment are coming up, which was actually decided by area residents themselves. Even if the L-G clears the approval now, the government will at least hold these sabhas, said Mishra. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Eighteen months after a Delhi government ban, state food inspectors will finally be able to take action against companies or vendors selling pan masala along with chewing tobacco, which can be mixed to form gutkha by the consumers. The Delhi government order, which was first issued in March 2015, states that manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of tobacco flavoured or scented going by the name of guthka or pan masala, packaged or unpackaged, or sold as separate products that can be easily mixed by the consumer is banned. But pending cases by tobacco manufacturers in both the Delhi high court and the Supreme Court had left the food safety department toothless. An interim order by the Supreme Court on September 23 allows the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the national regulator, and other state food safety bodies to take action against companies and vendors selling pan masala and chewing tobacco separately to circumvent the guthka ban. In October, after the SC order clarified their position, the state food inspectors undertook a special drive, during which more than 60 legal samples of pan masala were picked up from the market. Of these, around five were found to be unsafe as they were being sold along with chewing tobacco. Several companies have adopted the modus operandi of selling pan masala and chewing tobacco in separate packets. These are sold together by the vendors; when a customer pays Rs 5 or 10, they are given one pack of each. After investigations, actions will be initiated against such manufacturers and vendors as per the food safety act, said an official from the Delhi department of food safety. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Police on Sunday took Shubham Gupta a Class 12 dropout, who allegedly shot dead his 17-year-old friend inside a Mercedes in southwest Delhis Najafgarh area to Haridwar to recreate the chain of events before the shooting. According to sources, Gupta, who had confessed to having shot Simran out of jealousy, changed his statement on Sunday and told the police that the girl turned the pistol and shot herself. He tried to convince the cops that the girl had committed suicide, but cops confronted him with ballistic evidence. He has reportedly been giving different versions of what happened that day to to the police for the past two days. On Sunday, he claimed that he had an argument with Simran and she took out the pistol threatened to shoot herself. He said Simran told him that she was not lying and that could shoot herself to prove it. He claimed that when he tried to take the pistol from her hand, she turned violent and pulled the trigger, a police source said. Police said that after killing Simran, Gupta boarded a train to Haridwar at 4:20am the next morning. He feared that the police would trace him, so he spent the night at a friends place and left for the railway station in the morning. He reportedly randomly boarded a train to get out of Delhi, sources said. We took him to Haridwar by the same train that he had boarded. We made him sit on the same seat and after we got down at the station, we took him to the same hotel he had checked into, a police officer said. We have accessed records of the hotel in which he was staying with a different name. He had also fudged his identity. After he checked into the hotel, he saw the news of Simrans murder on the television and panicked. He then went to a barber in the area and got his beard shaved and got a haircut to avoid arrest, he added. Read more: Delhi Mercedes murder accused changed looks, fled to Haridwar to avoid arrest Sources said that he was also taken to the salon from where he got the haircut. These links are important for the investigation. The hotel entry, the barber and train tickets will help during the trial, a police source said. He will be brought back to Delhi in a bus by Monday, police said. Police said that they are still not certain about the sequence of events of the day Simran was shot. They will now be questioning Nitin and Yogesh. Sanskrit may end up being the only choice for students in the national capital under the three-language formula, which aims at promoting regional languages. Currently, most private schools in Delhi offer Sanskrit along with foreign languages. Schools say most students choose a foreign language and Sanskrit remains only an option. But with the three-language formula coming into place, the students will only be left with Sanskrit. In its governing body meet on Tuesday, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recommended that all schools follow a three-language formula. Under the National Education Policy, the formula means that students in Hindi-speaking states should learn a modern Indian language (22 languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution) apart from Hindi and English and in non-Hindi-speaking states, they should learn Hindi along with the regional language and English. The formula is applicable till Class 8 but the CBSE has suggested its extension till Class 10. The students will be required to get passing marks in the third language, sources said. The move is, however, yet to get the Human Resource Development ministrys approval. We offer Sanskrit and French. But now most students will study only Sanskrit as the third language. The idea to promote regional language is good but there is no demand for Punjabi, Urdu or any other language in Delhi, said Jyoti Arora, principal Mount Abu School, explaining why the proposal may end up promoting only Sanskrit. Most principals agree. They say very few students opt for Urdu and Punjabi two of the official languages of the Delhi government and other regional languages. This is why very few schools offer the two languages, they said. Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar assured on Wednesday that the proposal will not lead to the imposition of one language. I have not gone through the boards recommendation in detail but we are not going to impose any language. The three-language formula is being implemented across the country, except in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. We are not changing that, Javadekar told a news conference. Schools say they can hire a teacher only when the number of students opting for the language justifies the salary of the teaching staff. There are 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. We cannot teach all. The reason why almost all schools will teach Sanskrit is because we have the infrastructure for it. Suppose, I offer a new language, I will have to ensure that there are teachers and supporting infrastructure. What would I do if, some students demand another language, said principal of a prominent private school in Delhi, requesting anonymity. Rooma Pathak, the principal of MM Public School, said, There has to be demand from students for other languages otherwise we cannot offer it. A majority of students opt for Sanskrit because it is closer to our culture. So we offer that. But education is not provided on a demand and supply formula, says Atishi Marlena, adviser to Delhi education minister, Manish Sisodia. Education cannot be given based on what students demand. Many things taught in maths may not be used by students in real life but it is still taught because it helps them develop an analytical mind. Similarly, the aim of teaching regional languages is to make students respect diversity, learn tolerance and how to live in harmony, Marlena said. While most private schools say there is no demand for Urdu and Punjabi, in Delhi government schools many opt for the two languages even though all schools dont offer the language. Sanskrit, Urdu and Punjabi are offered as the third language in the Capitals government schools. In 2015-16, 1,94,801 students opted for Sanskrit, 82,341 students opted for Urdu and 28,612 opted for Punjabi in Class 6. Though Sanskrit is taught in about 98% schools, Punjabi is taught in 24% and Urdu in 25% schools. The student-teacher ratio for these languages shows the number of teachers for Urdu is low. In the 1,024 government schools, there are 4,296 Sanskrit teachers but only 854 Urdu teachers and 673 Punjabi teachers. There is a vacancy for 221 teachers in Sanskrit, 179 in Urdu, and 351 in Punjabi. It means, there is about one Sanskrit teacher for 45 students, one Urdu teacher for 96 students and one Punjabi teacher for 42 students. Sources in the education department said the current situation exists due to the neglect of regional languages. Marlena said that to address the issue, the government has started the process to hire 769 Punjabi teachers and 610 Urdu teachers. Our aim is to have at least one Punjabi and one Urdu language teacher in each school. Schools first need to provide the option to students, she said. The Delhi Minorities Commission in a report in 2015 pointed out the problem of lack of teachers for Urdu and Punjabi. It was presented before the commission by many sectors that due to the non-availability of Urdu teachers, students intending to opt for Urdu as a subject are forced to study Sanskrit. We submitted the report and I have heard that the government is hiring Urdu and Punjabi teachers, the panel chairman Qamar Ahmed said. Experts in both Urdu and Punjabi languages said that very few schools in the city at present teach these as the third language. The first step after notifying the order should be to strengthen the system and appoint teachers. Teachers should be trained well and additional teachers should to be hired to promote these languages, otherwise students will only have the option of taking up Sanskrit, said Firoz Bakht Ahmed, English teacher at Modern School, Barakhamba Road. V Dayalu, general secretary of Sanskrit Shikshak Sangh Delhi, said it is a two-fold problem. There is lack of Punjabi and Urdu teachers due to which some students have to take up Sanskrit. But the prime reason for taking Sanskrit is that it is a scoring subject, he said. Kanchan Bhupal, governing council member of Punjabi Academy Delhi, said the academy had been receiving complaints that many schools do not offer Punjabi language. You first need to give students the option. Was there a demand for German and French? But when the schools started offering it, students showed interest, she said. Bhupal said the government is in the process of hiring Punjabi language teachers. Going by numbers, frequent shootouts between rival gangs and vehicles thefts have kept Gurgaon police busy in 2016. The killing of gangster Sandeep Gadoli in February brought back memories of gang wars that used to dominate public life in the city, a decade ago. Although he was killed in Mumbai, the ripples were felt in the city. Five Gurgaon police were booked by their Mumbai counterparts in the alleged encounter. On September 21, another gangster, Mahesh Attack, was shot dead by unidentified men outside his real estate firm office near Jharsa Chowk on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. On October 17, unidentified gunmen shot dead Manish Gujjar, the elder brother of jailed gangster Binder Gujjar. In both cases, the police ascertained the involvement of gangster Kaushal. Besides gang wars, carjacking, thefts and burglaries constituted more than 50% of crimes reported in the city. As many as 3,518 vehicle thefts, 3,678 other thefts and 465 burglaries have been reported in the year so far. Curbing vehicle thefts remains our priority. We have formed special teams for this and have solved many cases. But it still remains a challenge as we usher in 2017, Sandeep Khirwar, commissioner of police for Gurgaon, said. As many as 247 cases of abduction were reported, of which the abduction of inspector Surender Phogat, then station house officer of DLF Sector 29 police station, got a lot of attention. He was abducted by four men he had picked up on suspicion on June 30 and was later traced to Kosi village in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Crime against women remained another major area that raised safety concerns among residents. As many as 283 dowry cases, 270 molestations and 127 rapes were reported. A 34-year-old woman from Shillong in Meghalaya died after being stabbed nearly 30 times by a 26-year-old man, who had allegedly been stalking her, in public view near the MG Road Metro station on October 24. As many as 95 crimes against children were reported under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso). On August 7, a four-year-old girl of a private school was allegedly sexually assaulted by an attendant inside a moving school bus. On November 26, a four-and-a-half-year-old girl was allegedly strangulated after being raped and her body was found in a vacant plot near a shopping mall on Sohna road. Police said staff shortage is also a problem. Of the 4,822 sanctioned posts for the city, the police force has only 3,462 personnel, as of December 2016. We are working towards ensuring better safety of citizens, women in particular. We have been promised more staff by next year. Things will improve in the coming days, Khirwar said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a welcoming sign that can have a far-reaching impact on the Indian healthcare system, a recent report states about 45 per cent of people in the age group 20-45 years actively consult doctors for prevention of lifestyle diseases. However, the majority reach out to experts for either sexual or mental health problems. Lybrate, an online doctor consultation platform, released the report on Saturday post analysis of around 70 million interactions, including booking of lab tests, that happened on the platform over a period of 12 months, starting January 1, 2016. The top seven lifestyle issues, the report points out, that hovered greatly on the minds of young Indians which they want to stay away from include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and hypertension. Majority of the interactions happened around prevention, but there has also been a remarkable rise in interactions on treatment of these diseases from those who are already suffering from them. While preventive health has gained prominence among people in tier-1 cities, people from tier-2 and 3 cities too have become conscious about it, say researchers. Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, hypertension and COPD are non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that put extreme burden on Indian households and healthcare delivery systems. NCDs lead to about 40 per cent of all hospital stays and roughly 35 per cent of all recorded outpatient visits in India, the report states. The inclination of young people towards preventive health assumes greater significance given the pressure it builds on the countrys healthcare infrastructure. The awareness will bring about a huge change in the behavior towards health and greatly reduce the cost burden on households and healthcare delivery in the country, Saurabh Arora, Founder and CEO, Lybrates said. While preventive health has gained prominence among people in tier-1 cities, people from tier-2 and 3 cities too have become conscious about it. However, in tier-2 and 3 cities, the data show, people are more inclined to discuss issues related to their sexual or mental health. The interactions over stress and depression have remarkably increased from these cities in the last one year, showing the stigma attached to these subjects is fading even in small towns and cities. With rise in pollution levels in Delhi and Bangalore in the month of November, interactions around respiratory issues saw a significant rise, while during Dengue and Chikungunya outbreak between July and September, Delhi witnessed maximum number of interactions taking place with doctors. In Chennai and Kolkata, women have been more proactive about their health issues compared to any other metropolitan city. Prevention of lifestyle diseases is what made most of the people from Mumbai and Hyderabad reach out to doctors. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Are you constantly bogged down by stress at your workplace? Fret no more. Stressful jobs can make you find ways to work around problems and can actually be energising, claim researchers. A new study finds that stress in office helps you concentrate, keeps you alert, improves your efficiency and even hikes up your productivity. According to The Mirror, the new research says, however, to enjoy these benefits of stress you have to feel in control of the task in hand and be involved in decisions such as timetables and deadlines. Researchers from the University of Indianas Business School have followed more than 10,000 workers in their sixties since 2004. To enjoy the benefits of stress you have to feel in control of the task in hand and be involved in decisions such as timetables and deadlines. (Shutterstock) To measure the stress of their jobs, employees were asked how hard they worked; how much they needed to concentrate and if they were overworked. The findings indicated, seven years later, those who worked in high-stress, low-control jobs were most likely to have died. Cancer was found to be the leading cause of death among the study group, with stress known to be a risk factor. Those with the most demanding jobs and no control over them - are 15 percent more likely to die than those with less taxing careers. Also, people in high-stress, low-control jobs tend to be overweight. Workers in more demanding jobs, who felt in control, were a third less likely to die than those in less stressful careers. They also find stress stimulating. These findings suggest that stressful jobs have clear negative consequences for employee health when paired with low freedom in decision making, while stressful jobs can actually be beneficial to employee health if also paired with freedom in decision making, said lead study author Erik Gonzalez-Mule. You can avoid the negative health consequences if you allow people to set their own goals, set their own schedules, and prioritise their decision making and the like, Professor Gonzalez-Mule added. Stressful jobs cause you to find ways to problem solve and work through ways to get the work done. Having a higher amount of control gives you the resources you need to do that. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more A 25-year-old constable belonging to the Armed Reserve Battalion was found dead by his colleagues on Sunday morning after he shot himself in the head, for reasons that are still unknown. R Gobinath, who was stationed at the battalions quarters at St Thomas Mount in Chennai, was found by his colleagues at 4:30am on Sunday with a bullet wound to the head. His service rifle was found next to him. Police say that no one heard the gun being fired. We only came to know about it after one of his fellow constables went searching for him, and found his body, a police officer said. The officer said Gobinath had been unwell for the past few days, and had consistently asked for leave, a request that was denied by his superiors. But senior officers say that the reason for his alleged suicide is still unknown. Gobinath had joined service on December 19 after going to his hometown Madurai for a few days, an officer said, adding that, apart from complaining about a headache, the 25-year-old seemed fine. Gobinath had completed his training at Thoothukudi, and joined the service in 2013, first as a member of the Palani Armed Reserve Battalion. He was transferred to Chennai two months ago. Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav distributed financial assistance to 13 families whose members had died in queues at banks and ATMs across Uttar Pradesh. These people had gone to take out their own money and lost their lives after having failed to get it , said Yadav at a programme. Yadav also gave financial assistance to Sarvesh Devi, who gave birth to a child while standing in a bank queue in Kanpur Dehat early this month. On Saturday, she came to collect the cheque with her baby Khajanchi, who was named so for being born at a bank. Although the chief minister also distributed financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each to families of an Indian army soldier and three policemen of central para military forces (CPMF) killed on duty, the focus of his address remained demonetization. While an assistance of Rs 5 lakh was given to the family of Razia who had burnt herself in Aligarh ,all other were given a sum of Rs 2 lakh each. The chief minister spoke to the members of each family and asked them about experiences they had while standing in a bank queue. He targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for demonetization and said, Those who had promised achchhe din are now raising the peoples hopes by asking them to go cashless. Going cashless is a bigger dream than the dream people saw about the achchhe din. If a government becomes a cause of peoples miseries, it gets voted out in elections. Many states are going to poll in coming days and the people will give the BJP a befitting reply, said Yadav. Yadav said demonetization would lead to job cuts and have an adverse impact on the economy. We also want end of black money and corruption. But the labourers are coming backs from Ghaziabad and other places to their villages. Companies are discussing plans to cut salaries of workers, said Yadav. Initially there was a feeling that demonetization will lead to a great change. There were articles in newspapers about the change. Now economists are saying that demonetization has badly hit the economy, he said Raising questions about online security and risks involved in going cashless, Yadav quoted a youth caught for taking out money from others bank accounts and said the youth confessed he was caught for being a novice. We also distributed laptops. We will also distribute smart phones too. The Samajwadi Party government has given a message of making UP a digital state, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Dismissing criticism of frequent changes in rules post demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday those who cannot endorse corruption and black money openly are relentlessly finding fault with his government and vowed to take forward the fight by implementing a strong law against benami properties. I assure you this is just the beginning in our fight against corruption. We have to win this war. There is no question of stopping... there is no question of retreat, said Modi, who has been under sharp attack from the opposition over demonetisation, with Rahul Gandhi levelling allegations of personal corruption against him. Read: Remove the veil of secrecy around demonetisation decision-making In his last monthly address this year in his Mann ki Baat programme, Modi defended the changes in the rules related to deposits and withdrawals, saying these have been done to reduce the peoples problems and defeat the forces that are out to thwart his governments fight against black money and corruption. Modi said being a sensitive government, it amends rules as required, keeping the convenience of the people as its foremost consideration, so that citizens are not subjected to hardships. At the same time, it has to come out with antidotes against new tactics of the murky enterprise of perfidy and corruption. People, who cannot endorse corruption and black money openly, resort to searching for faults of the government relentlessly, he said, lashing out at critics. Read: This is beginning of the end of corrupt: PM Modi defends demonetisation move He said that some people who are spreading rumours that political parties enjoy all concessions and exemptions are wrong and asserted that all are equal before law and they have to abide by it. The PM criticised the opposition for not allowing Parliament to function, that evoked displeasure from the President and the Vice President besides all-round public indignation and ire, and said he wanted a good discussion on this campaign as well as on political funding, had both Houses run properly. Modi also talked about the Benami Property law that came into being in 1988, but neither its rules were framed, nor was it notified and laid dormant for years. Read: Demonetisation is immoral, theft of peoples property: Steve Forbes We have retrieved it and turned it into an incisive law against Benami Property. In the coming days, this law will also become operational. For the benefit of the nation, for the benefit of the people, whatever needs to be done will be accorded our top priority, he said. I assure you that this is not the end. This is just the beginning in our fight against corruption. We have to win this war against corruption and black money. There is no question of stopping or going back in this fight. With wishes of 125 crore people, there is no question of retreat, he said. Pune: On Friday, A Software Engineer who hails from Kolkata and work in Pune was killed by a person when she was returning back from the office. Antara Das, a 23-year-old was stabbed with the knife on her head and neck by the accused. The girl used to live in Sarsuna,Behala and the incident occurred around 8:35 PM. Whe she was taken to the Hospital, doctors declared her dead. Her father reached here with a flight on Saturday. Antara used to stay here as Paying Guest and usually travel from the bus. Also Read: 3 persons stabbed to death in a family brawl in Delhi 19-year-old youth was stabbed to death with an ice pick Three persons of family stabbed to death at their home... Internationally renowned artist Dinanath Bhargava (89), who designed the lion capitol in the national emblem along with five others, died in Indore on Saturday. Bhargava was native of Multai, in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. He used to work in the All India Handloom Board and was posted in Indore. He was one of the favourite students of Nandalal Bose of Shantineketan. With his wash paintings, he created a niche for itself in the art world. He is credited to have brought Madhubani paintings on cloth. Bhargava was also instrumental in double decker loom and designing new Chanderi saris. He started the carpet-making industry in Gwalior during the time of late Congress leader Madhav Rao Scindia. The Madhya Pradesh government honoured him for his contribution to the world of art. His paintings were displayed in the Europes world art tour in the 1950s, in which he won the gold medal. He is survived by his wife Prabha Devi, two sons and two daughters. He lived at 8, Anand Nagar, Chitawad Road, Indore. His last rites will be performed on December 26 at Pipliyahana crematorium. The plan to replicate one of the countrys most successful rhino rehabilitation programme at the Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh is stuck -- for want of a sedating drug that is banned in India. The states forest department has now sought to obtain no-objection certificate (NOC) from the central government to acquire -- Etorphine (M99) and its antidote -- a drug banned in India and produced in some African countries, the officials said. The drug is used to immobilise large animals like the rhino. It is required to shift some of them from their present enclosed area to the new one, and to do tests, Dudhwa National Park Director Sunil Choudhary told IANS. The plan is to rehabilitate three rhinos in an enclosed area of 14 sq.km in the Belraya Range of the forest, some 15 km from the present 24 sq.km Sonaripur Ranges enclosure where 34 rhinos thrive. Abode to a highly diverse ecosystem at the heart of Terai region bordering Nepal, Dudhwa has several endangered animals, including tigers, elephants, Indian rhino, leopard, barasingha (swamp deer), sloth bear and others. Considered as an example of one of the most successful rehabilitation programmes in India, rhinos were re-introduced in Dudhwa in 1985 after the region was stripped off its last free ranging rhino by a hunting party in 1878. The rehabilitation case of Dudhwa is one of the most successful in India. There is a need to replicate it. We have everything at place, the electric fencing is complete and the new area is ready, Dudhwa Deputy Director Mahaveer Koujalaji told IANS. Pointing towards a new only-months-old rhino-calf playing with its mother, Koujalaji says that Dudhwa has a great scope for them in near future. However, the second phase of the rhino rehabilitation in Dudhwa has been delayed for over 25 years. The Indian Wildlife Board in 1991 strongly underlined the urgency of creating another viable rhino breeding area here and identified a site for that. The department, however, needs to speed up the process and complete the logistics demanded of the programme to make up for the lost time. For this, it needs to sedate and immobilise targeted rhinos so they could be physically translocated to a new place. Unfortunately, the drug used for sedating and its antidote are banned in India and need to be procured and imported from African states, which have substantial numbers of rhinos and where translocation is often practised. Rhinos as a routine are not tranquilised since they cannot be left in that state for longer than 60 minutes. Sedating is practiced to immobilise them so during handling they do not become aggressive and attack the people around. The NOC is sought from at least four different ministries, including agriculture and environment ministries, and the Narcotics Department. It would take next two to three months to obtain the drug, Choudhary said. To avoid in-breeding -- which drops the immunity levels of the next generation -- a male free-ranging rhino that came wondering from Nepal and was captured, will be used. Two identified females will also be shifted. The other option is to use one of the Dudhwas male rhinos named Sehdev and Raghu. We also have option to bring females from Assam, West Bengal or Nepal in future if required, Chaudhary said. He added that the rhinos will be go through some tests and their behaviour around the new area will be observed. We had roped in experts from WWF and Kaziranga National Park. We hope to get results in a year or two, Choudhary said. Referring to another lost free-ranging rhino from Nepal, which is wondering around the periphery of Lakhimpur-Kheri district, Choudhary said, We will try tranquilise and run some tests on that rhino as a mock drill. If required rehabilitate it in the new enclosure. A natural habitat for the rhinos with a mixture of dense Sal forests, grasslands and ponds, Dudhwas first batch of six rhinos was bought here from Assam in 1984. However, three of the animals died, leaving behind two males and one female. The Indian government then got four female rhinos from Nepal in exchange of 16 elephants. The first seven rhinos here included two males from Assam, Raju and Banke, Dr VP Singh, a Terai region based wildlife expert, told IANS. According to Singh, Raju died in 1988 in a territorial fight with Banke. The grand father of Dudhwas rhinos, Banke recently died at the age of 48 in December 2016. There are around 2,768 rhinos in India, of which 2,505 are in Assam as of 2012, 229 in West Bengal as of 2013 and 34 currently in Dudhwa, Uttar Pradesh. The rhinos of Dudhwa have now entered the third generation. Misconceptions regarding Muslim Personal Laws need to be removed both among the Muslims as well as non-Muslims in the country, said secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Khaled Saifullah Rehmani. A few elements are trying to divide the communities by spreading misconceptions, said Rehmani during a press conference in Aurangabad on Sunday. He said, They (community members) are comfortable with the existing law and it should not be changed. Rehmani and by his UP counterpart Zafaryab Jilana were in the city to address the two-day workshop on Muslim Personal Law. Jilana said, Shariyat includes everything from nikah (marriage), divorce, wakf and other important subjects. Some people are spreading fake rumours related to personal laws and dividing the nation. He said, It is a misconception that a Muslim can have four wives without any reason. Till there is love and affection in the relation the marriage subsists, but once there is hatred and despite repeated efforts there are no chances of reconciliation, only then the option of talaq is exercised. Rehmani appealed to various sects of Muslim community to allay misconceptions of Personal Law among others. Indias inland waterways service is set to get a big boost with the Centre inking a deal with Infrastructure Architecture Lab of Massachusetts Institute of Technology for developing ferry services at 18 locations across six cities. All the cities Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Munghyr, Kolkata and Haldia are located on National Waterways-1, the longest waterway in India. The 1620 km long waterway runs from Haldia in Sagar to Allahabad across three rivers Ganga, Bhagirathi and Hooghly. Though India has a 7500 km long coastline with approximately 14,500 km of navigable waterways, it has not been able to harness the potential to the fullest. A minuscule 3.5 % of trade is done through waterways in India as against 47% in China, 40% in Europe and 35% in neighbouring Bangladesh. Also, compared to road and rail, water transport is the least expensive. While carrying cargo by road and rail costs Rs 1.5 per km and Rs 1 per km respectively, it costs only 25 paisa per km by waterways. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the shipping ministry has entered into a contract with a joint venture of Thompson Design Group, Boston (USA) and Infrastructure Architecture Lab of Massachusetts Institute of Technology for identifying suitable locations for construction of 18 ferry terminals in six cities, said an IWAI official. The consultants will also prepare detailed project report and tender documents for the 18 terminals. Thompson Design Group and MITs Infrastructure Architecture has earlier worked on similar transport solutions for Navy Pier in Chicago and Buffalo Bayou in Texas. The consultants will identify the best locations within the specific regulatory, planning and investment framework of the cities. During the course of identifying suitable locations for the terminal, the consultants will take into account commercial and passenger characteristic of each city with a goal of integrating transportation networks and facilities to each city. The government is developing NW-1 under the Jal Marg Vikas Project with technical and financial assistance of the World Bank at an estimated cost of Rs 5369 crore. The project would enable commercial navigation of vessels with capacity of 1500-2,000 tonne. Phase-I of the project covers the Haldia-Varanasi stretch. The project includes development of fairway, Multi-Modal Terminals at Varanasi, Haldia, and Sahibganj, strengthening of river navigation system, conservancy works, modern river information system, night navigation facilities, etc. The governments decision to scrap high-value currency has sent wholesale vegetable prices crashing to rock-bottom levels, bringing misery to millions of farmers hoping for good returns for their produce after two successive drought years. Onions sold for just Re 1 per kilogram in wholesale markets at Madhya Pradeshs Neemuch and Mandsaur this week while tomatoes cost less than Rs 2 per kg in Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh. A kilogram of cauliflower fetched farmers just Rs 3 in Bihar and potatoes cost Rs 3-5 per kilogram in wholesale markets in Uttar Pradesh. I am ruined, said Prem Patidar, a Neemuch farmer who sold his produce at one-fifth the production cost. The steep fall has forced farmers to discard their produce in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh as they could not recover even transportation costs. Read | My business will be finished: Cash crunch hits farmers in Punjab Yes, the prices in the wholesale markets have crashed, an agriculture ministry official admitted but said any reports of farmers discarding produce was sporadic and that the crisis would resolve soon. But, despite the price crash, consumers are unlikely to get any benefit as rates have not come down drastically in the retail market. Above-normal monsoon rains in most parts of central and northern India had fields sprawling with crops with farmers expecting to make up for the loss suffered in the last two years. But they suffered a setback when the government recalled Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes on November 8, triggering a nationwide cash crunch and a collapse in the demand for vegetables in wholesale markets. The market is down by 30-50 % as consumer demand is low, said Parneet Singh at Delhis Azadpur Mandi, Asias biggest fruit and vegetable wholesale market, adding that average horticulture output was also above normal. Compounding the problem is persistent refusal by truckers to ply on long routes such as Delhi-Mumbai as they dont have enough cash to give drivers, most of whom are semi-literate and cannot operate digitally. Also, traders are unable to pay fare in cash to truckers. Read | Farmers can buy seeds with old Rs 500 notes; relief for small businesses Farmers suffered a setback when the government recalled Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. (HT File Photo) Madhya Pradeshb Kisan Ayog president Bansilal Gujar blamed the demonetisation-induced cash crunch as the prime reason for the price fall. Earlier one trader used to lend cash to another trader but this practice has come to a halt as there is not enough money, he said. S Raju, a farmer from Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, who dumped two tonnes of tomatoes on Wednesday, said there were no buyers for the produce. Our entire hard work has gone waste, he said. Nilkhand Yadav, a potato grower in UPs Ferozabad, said the first good crop in five years was a waste. Yadav and Raju are among Indias 118.6 million farmers, as per the 2011 Census --- equivalent to the population of the Philippines. More than 80% of them are small and marginal whose lives run on the price they fetch for their produce. A farmer with less than 2.5 hectares of land is categorized as small and with up to 5 hectares as marginal, according to agriculture census of 2010-11. Read | Post demonetisation, a farmers wish list from the budget Devendra Sharma, an independent agriculture expert, termed the situation as worse than drought saying that farmers could seek compensation for a natural calamity but not for loss because of demonetisation. I think farmers will take a lot of time to recover from the impact he added. While Centre has a minimum support price for grains, there is no such cushion for horticulture products, leading to farmers facing market vagaries. (With inputs from Hyderabad, Patna, Lucknow and Bhopal) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON It was a white Christmas in Shimla this year, as the popular hill retreat received snowfall on December 25 after more than two decades. Around 9am on Sunday, snowfall started in the popular tourist destination as well as in Kufri and Narkanda, leaving tourists elated. A white layer of snow covers Shimla. (Deepak Sansta/HT Photo) The morning was wet, with light drizzles since 6am bringing the mercury down. In the last 24 hours, the night temperature in Shimla plunged by 4 degrees Celsius. There was no forecast of snowfall though, but it changed with the onset of a western disturbance. In the morning hours, as tourists found it difficult to drive through the frozen roads . Traffic was restored in the afternoon . I have come here twice before on Christmas, but never saw snowfall. Its my first experience, said Nidhi, a tourist from Ludhiana. Tourists dance in the snow. (Deepak Sansta/HT Photo) Alka Sharma, a Sonepat resident, said she had planned to return on Sunday but was extending her stay. I have come to Shimla many times, but had not seen snowfall. Shimla meteorological centre director Manmohan Singh said light snowfall and showers are expected at high-altitude areas. The weather will be dry from Monday, he said. People take out umbrellas as snow covers Shimla. (Deepak Sansta/HT Photo) Another official said: The records at the metrological office suggest that its the first time in 24 years that it has snowed on Christmas day . There was light snowfall on December 24 last year. What about a white New Year? In the last 30 years, snowfall on New Year was witnessed in Shimla in 1990, 1995, 2000, 2002 and 2010, he said. People amid snowfall in Shimla. (Deepak Sansta/HT Photo) Tourists take selfies. (Deepak Sansta/HT Photo) The tourist destination, also known as Hill Queen, turns white. (Deepak Sansta/HT Photo) People converge on a rain-drenched road. (Deepak Sansta/HT Photo) Snowflakes lash a wooden house. Pic: @Saurabhjr(Twitter) Snowflakes lash a wooden house. Pic: @Saurabhjr(Twitter) The snowfall has buoyed farmers and people in the tourism business after a spell of what many termed a warm winter. Today morning, I have received around a dozen of enquiries. I have two vehicles and both have been booked to Kufri, Amit Sharma, a taxi operator said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An Indian woman, whose son has been taken away by the Norwegian authorities, approached the Indian Embassy in Oslo seeking governments intervention and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it will chalk out the future course of action in the case. Gurvinderjit Kaur has approached the Indian government with the formal written request in this regard, BJP leader Vijay Jolly said. Kaur and her husband, who is a Norwegian national, have alleged that authorities in that country have taken away their 5-year-old son Aryan, also a Norwegian national, on a frivolous complaint of abuse. Confirming that Kaur has approached the government, MEA officials said they were now empowered to pursue the matter with the Norwegian authorities and they will chalk out the future course of action in the case. The Indian couple had first sought Jollys help in getting back the custody of their child, after which he wrote to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who had said that India will provide them help. In its response, the Norwegian embassy in Delhi had asked for restraint in the case, assuring that it is being handled with complete sensitivity and awareness. According to Jolly, the Indian ambassador is slated to meet highly placed Norwegian officials in Oslo on December 27. Jolly also maintained that according to the mother, the child is being daily served porridge and bread while he is fond of Indian food. This is the third case since 2011 when children have been taken away from their Indian-origin parents by the authorities in Norway on the grounds of abuse. In 2011, a three-year-old and a one-year-old were separated from their parents, prompting the then UPA government to take up the issue with Norway. The Norwegian court later allowed the children to be reunited with their parents. In December 2012, an Indian couple was jailed on charges of ill treatment of their children, 7 and 2 years. Later, they were sent to their grandparents in Hyderabad. Suspected Islamic State sympathiser and aspiring foot soldier Mohammad Mussa, who was arrested in West Bengal on July 4, planned to carry out attacks on the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity in central Kolkata, the National Investigation Agency has said in its chargesheet. His aim was to target British, American and Russian tourists, who regularly visit the Mother House, in retaliation to the bombing of IS forces in Syria and Libya by these world powers, the chargesheet filed on Friday said. A-1 (Md Mussa) discusses about some plan and selects Mother Teresa House as the target for terrorist attack in Kolkata and appraises that foreigners (British, Russians, Americans) are easily found there and tells that during the attack, A-1 would accompany, reads a page of the charge-sheet. A-1 discusses with the member on the other side about the locations of Mother Teresa House in Kolkata that is at Ripon Street, Sealdah Railway Station, Park Circus and tells that the foreigners viz. Russians, Britishers and Americans often visit that place and they can be attacked since they had bombarded the ISIS in Syria and Libya. He tells that the ISIS is accruing loss and advises the member to remain in disguise as a non-Muslim, reads the NIA document. Any attack on Missionaries of Charity headquarters would have attracted worldwide attention. The revelations also underline how Bengal is increasingly becoming a target of IS operatives who have active connections with recruiters of terror networks in Bangladesh. Mussa, 25, was recently interrogated by officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rapid Action Battalion Bangladesh for his alleged links with the massacre at Dhakas Holey Artisan Bakery, where terrorists slaughtered 20 people, mostly with knives, in July. The 12-hour suicide attack was claimed by the IS. The people with whom Mussa used to discuss his Kolkata plans through cellphone app Telegram were Abu Sulaiman, IS operative and alleged mastermind of the Dhaka attack, Safi Omar, who is an Indian Mujahideen suspect, and other followers of IS and Jamaat-e-Mujahideen, a banned terrorist organisation of Bangladesh. Based on intelligence inputs, Mussa was arrested by the Intelligence Bureau and the NIA from Visva-Bharati Fast Passenger at Burdwan railway station. He was carrying a knife - apparently to kill a businessman in order to prove his worth for bigger assignments. He was also carrying a camera to record the killing. A resident of Labhpur in the states Birbhum district, he is now lodged in Alipore Central Jail under heavy security. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A crack team of the Rajasthan police busted on Saturday an extortion racket in which dozens of men were blackmailed with false rape allegations and made to cough up lakhs. Polices Special Operations Group (SOG) said the gang, run by a group of individuals including two Jaipur-based lawyers who used trafficked women to honey-trap the targets, extorted around Rs 12-15 crore from at least 25 people. SOG inspector general MN Dinesh said two people were arrested and identified them as Akshat Sharma and Vijay aka Sonu Sharma. Highlights Police said Anand Shandilya and friends used to get girls from Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The girls would lure the men into making sexual relations with them. After this, the gang would threaten them of lodging rape case unless they pay a hefty sum. The extortion amount, in many cases, would go up to Rs 1 to Rs 2 crore. If anyone refused to pay up, fake case of rape was lodged against them. In case the money was paid during the trial, the girls would turn hostile. One of the high-profile targets of the gang was a doctor running a hair clinic in Jaipur. Naveen Devani, a lawyer, was the kingpin of the operation that he ran with Anand Shandilya (45) and Nitesh Bandhu Sharma. Devani and Shandilya primarily identified targets, mostly men of repute in local circles, while Akshat, Vijay and several other suspects allegedly trafficked girls from Jaipur, Ajmer and parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The SOG team chanced upon the racket while investigating Shandilya in a separate case. The modus operandi of the gang was first to trap their targets and collect evidence with which they could incriminate their targets. The male members of the gang would approach the victims posing as mediapersons with the purported evidence including video clippings and demand hefty hush money, which in some cases went up to even Rs 1-2 crore, the IG said. If any person refused to pay money, a fake case of rape was lodged. During the trial the girl turned hostile in court if the money was paid. Police initiated investigation against the gang based on a complaint lodged by one of the victims Dr Sunit Soni, who runs a hair transplant clinic in Jaipur. He spent 75 days in jail after the gang lodged the fake rape case against him when he refused to pay them Rs 1 crore. The doctors family eventually paid the money, and the girls turned hostile in the court. Police say the gang has so far committed more than 25 such cons in Jaipur, Udaipur, Alwar, Bikaner, Ajmer and have collected Rs 12-15 crore from these incidents through blackmailing. The gang mostly invested the money from the racket in real estate and splurged on a lavish lifestyle, the police officer said. All other accused are absconding and a massive manhunt is on to nab them, Dinesh added. To make a strong case against the gang, the IG appealed to all the victims of the gang to come forward and contact the SOG. Their identity will be kept confidential, the police officer assured. Suspected militants shot dead a person in north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Sunday night, police said. Nazir Ahmad Mir was shot at by suspected militants near his residence at Bahrampora in Dangiwacha area of the district, a police official said. Mir was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead, the official said. A case has been registered and a hunt is on to nab the assailants, police said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked people for enduring the pain caused by the governments November 8 decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes that has caused an unprecedented cash crunch across the country since. I congratulate people for not only enduring pain but also for giving appropriate answers to those who were trying to mislead them, Modi said in his monthly radio address to the nation Mann Ki Baat. The 27th edition of Modis monthly address is the last this year. It comes against the backdrop of the Oppositions criticism of the governments decision to recall high-value bankotes and an unproductive winter session that saw protests over the subsequent cash crunch. In his previous Mann ki Baat on November 27, Modi had thanked citizens and banks across the nation for accepting demonetisation and urged people to embrace digital banking to tide over the currency crunch. Modi had also spoken on the Kashmir unrest and hailed the valour of the Indian Army. Here are the highlights of his address: 11.40 am: India is a moving at a fast pace, says Modi, pointing out that Indias ranking has gone up in the World Banks ease of doing business report. It is the outcome of the hard work of our people that Indias global ranking is improving, says Modi. 11.35 am: From demonetisation, the Prime Minister moves on the sporting achievements. Performance of Indian cricket team has been phenomenal this year, congratulate the team for beating England 4-0. He also congratulates the young players of the junior hockey team for winning the world cup. 11.30 am: Lot of questions have been raised on the frequent change of rules but I want to say that I have decided to take those indulging in corruption, says Modi. Black money hoarders are being nabbed across the country. The secret is that information given by common people enables us to do it. Many are writing to me- , , : PM #MannKiBaat PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2016 He continues to criticise the unproductive winter session that concluded recently, saying even President Pranab Mukherjee and Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari had to raise their concerns. He said the one good thing that happened during the session was the passing of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill. Read | Lok Sabha passes disabilities bill on last day of winter session Modi also says the laws in Benami Property Act will be strengthened. 11.26 am: Modi says he has received thousands of comments on MyGov and NM app on the issue of demonetisation. Inputs from people have been in 3 broad categories: Messages of inconveniences; information on evaders; overwhelming support. #MannKiBaat MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) December 25, 2016 11.25 am: If Parliament would have functioned there would have been fruitful discussions, says Modi on the winter session which was dominated by protests on the implementation of demonetisation. 11.23 am: Lies are being spread that political parties are exempted. Law is equal for all, says Modi. He also congratulates people for, not only enduring pain but also for giving appropriate answers to those who were trying to misled them. 11.20 am: Several organisations like GNFC (Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers) have taken novel initiatives to popularize digital transactions among villagers, says Modi. Read | Demonetisation to benefit economy in long run: Niti Aayog vice-chairman 11.18 am: We should be at the forefront of using digital means to make payments and transactions, says Modi. He says he has received, many suggestions, inputs and comments based on the decision on our fight against corruption and black money. Modi says businessmen who make use of digital payments will receive income tax benefits. 11.16 am: On the thriving informal sector in the country and how it has been affected by demonetisation, PM Modi says that workers mostly receive their wages in cash and are often exploited. 11.15 am: PM Modi lauds the state government in Assam for their efforts to turn towards digital payments and transactions. 11.10 am: In the last few days, cashless transactions across the country have increased by 200-300%, says Modi. he stresses that theres increased awareness regarding online payments and using technology for digital transactions. Out of 30 crore Rupay Cards,20 crore belong to poor families.These 30 crore people can join this rewards scheme:PM @narendramodi #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/6IJiHdXgSQ Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) December 25, 2016 11.05 am: PM Modi talks about cashless transactions and the eagerness among the public to learn. As part of the governments strategy to promote digital banking, the Centre is launching two schemes, Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana for consumers and traders, from Sunday. Awareness towards online payments and using technology for economic transactions is increasing: PM @narendramodi #MannKiBaat PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2016 The scheme is to benefit the poor & lower income groups, only transactions between Rs 50 and Rs 3,000 will be rewarded, says Modi. Read | Niti Aayog announces two award schemes to push online payments: Highlights 11.04 am: Today is also the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The country will never forget his contribution to the nation, says Modi, adding that Vajpayee set new standards on all fronts. 11.00 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his address by wishing his listeners Merry Christmas. This is a day of service and compassion. Jesus not only served the poor but has also appreciated the service done by the poor, this is real empowerment. (With agency inputs) Describing the currency being deposited in banks following last months demonetisation of high-value notes as money that has lost its earlier anonymity, finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Sunday the funds now available with the banks have strengthened the Indian banking system. The money that is being deposited in cash form after demonetisation... now the anonymity of that money is gone, Jaitley said at an event to promote cashless transactions. Read: Remove the veil of secrecy around demonetisation decision-making When this money comes into the system, the banking system becomes stronger and there are funds available for rural development, social welfare programmes, he said. Money in the system becomes part of the taxation system too. The long-term benefit of this move is that the shadow, the parallel economy, which was not taxed, of which there was no accounting, which was not answerable, that is now becoming part of the economic system, the Finance Minister said. Read: Post demonetisation, banknotes still call the shots in cashless villages On November 8, the government announced that currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 were no longer legal tender, saying the move was aimed against black money, counterfeit currency and terror financing. Citizens have till December 30 to deposit their old currency in banks. There is a queue in cities across India that has managed to bring happiness in the lives of the needy. It is not outside a bank or an ATM, but in front of the Wall of Kindness, which has become the Santa Claus for the poor and homeless. The neki ki deewar, as the wall is called in India, provides a platform to residents, government and non-government organisations to come together and do their bit in providing solace to the needy. The wall is different from a charity box as it allows people to donate whatever they can and one is free to take the item they need without taking someones approval. The initiative first started almost a year ago in Irans Mashhad. The walls have now sprung up in cities across India in no time. Read | Wall of kindness bring warmth and happiness to needy people in Bhopal Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh The wall in Allahabad has the lines Chalo Kuch Achcha Karein, Jo Zyada Ho Chod Jayein, Jo Zarorat Ka Ho Le Jayein painted on it, which encapsulate the aim behind constructing the structure . Shyam Sunder Patel, a Kargil war veteran and co-convenor of the Shaheed Wall, said the wall was dedicated to freedom fighters as it has come up on the side of a freedom struggle memorial. I was shivering two nights back when I came to this wall and picked up a blanket... It was a heart-warming feeling, shared Guddu, a Chitrakoot resident, working as a rickshaw puller in the city. Wall of Kindness at Civil Lines in Allahabad (Anil Kumar Maurya/Hindustan Times) Bhilwara, Rajasthan Four colourful walls of kindness have come up in the small textile town of Bhilwara in Rajasthan within a few months. District collector Tina Kumar said they will collect clothes from the walls, get them washed and put them in the cloth bank for the poor. We are receiving a lot of clothes at the walls and evidently, the givers are many more than the takers, said Pradeep Singh Sangawat of Bhilwaras Urban Improvement Trust (UIT). The district was the first in the country to build the wall after couple Prakash and Vandana Nawal proposed the idea to the UIT. Prakash said he was prompted to approach the administration with the idea for the wall to ensure that people who need warm clothes dont have to beg for them. Jhalawar, Rajasthan There could not have been a better Christmas gift for daily wager Deepak Kumar, who was able to pick up warm clothes for his family from the wall of kindness. Bhawanimandi Municipalitys executive officer Shambhu Lal Meena said the initiative witnessed an overwhelming response with over a thousand clothes, and footwear being donated at the wall. Readymade garment store owner Ashish Pareta, donated his dead stock at the wall instead of holding a sale. Meena added that more than 600 poor people were able to take clothes and footwear from the wall. Dehradun, Uttarakhand Col (retd) Anand Thapliyal, dean of SGRR Institute of Technology and Science, said the wall at the college served a dual purpose. The needy get to take stuff they want without having to ask anyone and the students learn the joy of sharing, he said. Rashmi Rawat and Dristi Joshi are happy that they were able to leave their old garments at the Wall of Charity so that they could be used by someone else. This is the power of this wall, Rashmi said. Korba, Chhattisgarh The neki ki deewar has come to the rescue of those belonging to the lower strata of the society in Korba, one of the poorest districts of Chhattisgarh. After images of the wall went viral, people from other districts also came forward to donate their used stuff. Manoj Mishra, who started the drive in the city, said, The only thing one needs for this wall is the support of the residents of the city, which has been overwhelming here. (Inputs by Salik Ahmed in Jaipur, Anupam Trivedi in Dehradun, Aabsar Qazi in Kota, Sudhir Kumar in Allahabad and Ritesh Mishra in Korba) At least 143 people lost their lives in 919 accidents on Yamuna Expressway in 2015, but only one out of every 769 vehicles was found to be over-speeding and booked that year, according to a RTI enquiry. Information provided to KC Jain of the Agra Development Foundation (ADF) charitable trust shows that a total of 62,71,147 vehicles crossed Jewar Toll Plaza on the expressway in 2015 -- of these, only 8,156 vehicles were found to be overspeeding. In a petition filed in the Allahabad high court, Jain contended that 143 people died in 919 accidents on the six-lane expressway in 2015. A total of 53,79,963 vehicles used the expressway in 2014, but only 2,915 were booked for over-speeding. That year, at least 127 people died in 771 accidents on the expressway. In the nine months of 2013 for which data was available, only 2,303 vehicles were challaned for over-speeding out of 42,09,131 vehicles that used the expressway. At least 118 people lost their lives in 896 accidents in 2013. This works out to 13 challans per 10,000 vehicles. This tells the whole story of negligence and callous overlooking of road safety rules, Jain told IANS. The speed limit for vehicles is 100 km per hour but most vehicles cross that limit and cause accidents. Speed-monitoring cameras have been installed and vehicle numbers are displayed on the digital board but no one bothers to stop or take legal action, he said. The 165.5km expressway that connects Greater Noida to Agra opened in August 2012. At least 33 people lost their lives in 275 accidents in five months that year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi endorsed cashless transactions on Sunday and thanked the people for enduring the pain caused by the decision to recall Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, a move the government says is aimed at fighting corruption and black money. I congratulate people for not only enduring pain but also for giving appropriate answers to those who were trying to mislead them, Modi said in Mann Ki Baat, the 27th edition of his monthly radio address. The Prime Minister said people faced hardships and inconvenience, but answered back to those who publicly tried to mislead them. Read | Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi thanks people for enduring demonetisation pain Modis surprise announcement on November 8 to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes has sparked chaos and confusion across the country, with millions of consumers queued outside banks and ATMs to change a limited number of old notes for new ones or withdraw cash. It met with stiff opposition by rival parties that stalled proceedings in just-concluded winter session of Parliament. The Opposition also alleged that more than 100 people died in the wake of the shock move. But Modi said despite efforts to mislead the citizens, they did not budge. Many are writing that the fight against corruption has to continue. Lucky draw schemes He also announced lucky draw schemes for people who use digital payment methods, including e-banking, mobile banking and e-wallets. Modi said 15,000 people who use digital payment modes will be given a reward of Rs 1,000 each by a lucky draw. This amount will be transferred to their accounts. This scheme will last for 100 days (from Sunday). As such lakhs of people will get crores of rupees, Modi said. Read | Narendra Modi lauds Indian sportspersons for their brilliant display in 2016 The PM said there will be one big draw every week with winning price in lakhs. On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti -- April 14 2017 -- we will be conducting a bumper draw in which the winning price will be in crores. Funding for political parties Modi said he wanted a debate in Parliament on donations being given to political parties but it could not take place. He added rumours were being spread on funding for political parties. Law is the same for everyone, whether it is individual, organisation or a party. The Prime Minister, however, added that amid the disruptions, something good happened, thanking the members of Parliament for passage of the disability bill. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, was passed in Parliament in the winter session. Read | This is beginning of the end of corrupt: PM Modi defends demonetisation move Birthday, Christmas greetings Modi also wished the nation on Christmas, and said it was a day of service and compassion. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. It is the day when people should serve with compassion, Modi said. Modi also remembered educationist and freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malviya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on their birthdays. Malviya gave new directions to the modern education in India. He was a fine example of resolution and self-confidence, Modi said. Greeting Vajpayee on his 92nd birthday, Modi said the former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna recipient took the nation to new heights which will be never forgotten. Vajpayee strengthened the nation by modernising and promoting countrys nuclear power, he said. Read | Niti Aayog announces two award schemes to push online payments: Highlights Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted on Sunday his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, notwithstanding the severe chill in relations between the two countries. Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life, Modi tweeted. Modi extended birthday wishes to Sharif, turned 67, even though the two countries have been witnessing a severe chill in their relations because of repeated terror attacks in India emanating from Pakistan. Last year on this day, Modi had made a huge gesture by travelling to Lahore on an unscheduled visit to wish Sharif personally and attend the marriage ceremony of his kin. However, the warmth in the bilateral ties witnessed at that time evaporated after terror attack on the airbase in Pathankot on January 1 this year. Since then the relations have just been sliding as tensions escalated. Post-prohibition, Muzaffarpur seems to have emerged as a den of illegal liquor trade. The data provided by police suggest that since April, 27,000 litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) have been seized in the district and 188 cases have been lodged in the district for breaking the law. Seizures in the last three days are enough to suggest that liquor mafias are running business without any fear of police despite stringent prohibition laws. Excise officials and police department recovered nearly 425 cartons of IMFL being transported from Haryana late on Thursday from two locations. Officials seized 385 cartons from the hideouts of notorious gangsters Babua don alias Ajay Jha at Mohammadpur Kothi, while 35 cartons were recovered from a van on national highway 57 at Kanhara Chauk as the van overturned after an accident on Friday. Locals looted over 150 cartons of the consignment from the spot, which could not be recovered. However, officials are denying any laxity on their part in taking action against these traders. They said appropriate action was being taken against the guilty. This is why the liquor has been recovered in such a huge quantity, said excise superintendent Kumar Amit. We are now ready to confiscate 15 buildings of illegal traders and will ensure those arrested on charges of smuggling are jailed, he said. He, however, refused to comment on the unchecked transportation of consignments from Haryana. Senior superintendent of police Vivek Kumar said it was difficult to check every vehicle on NHs, passing through three states due to heavy traffic. Ironically, these consignments pass through over 20 police stations, six excise check posts and three other check posts set up to collect revenue by the National Highway Authority of India before safely reaching the core areas of the state without getting caught. Inspector general of Tirhut Sunil Kumar, under whose jurisdiction the territory lies, said he would direct the police to enhance security checks in Muzaffarpur, East Champaran and Gopalganj. The Pune police have formed three teams to nab the killer of a software engineer who was stabbed to death Friday night and turned their focus on a friend of the victim after her parents expressed suspicion about him. Police suspect the man could be a spurned lover. Pune Superintendent of Police Jay Jadhav said, The murder appears to be a fallout of a one-sided love affair. Antara Das, 23-year-old techie from Kolkata working with Capgemini in Talawade near Pune was stabbed to death at KNB square at Talawade when she was returning from the office on Friday evening. A motorcyclist Satyendra Sinha and another motorist took her to nearby hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. Sinha told the police that he could see the attacker fleeing the spot. In his complaint to the police, he said the attacker was wearing a T-shirt with black and blue stripes. I saw the attacker running in the other direction after Antara shouted for help. I could not see his face since the street lights were off but could see his attire, Sinha told Hindustan Times. An investigating officer said Antaras family has expressed suspicion about the possible role of a friend of hers in the murder. Antaras father Debananda Das said, This is shock as to me as a father. When I inquired with my younger daughter about Antara, I she told me that she was harassed by a boy and I suspect his involvement in this case. She had met the suspect during her training in Bangalore. The suspect had even come to Pune when she was scheduled to appear for an interview for Capgemini and allegedly threatened to kill her. As far as we know, the man had proposed to Antara in Bangalore which she turned down. He then came down to Pune with the same request. Although she had informed us about the man, we did not lodge a complaint because we did not think he can go to the extent of murder, said Panchanan Das, the victims uncle in Kolkata. Based on the familys complaint, the police are now trying to catch the suspect. Past incidents November 3, 2007: Jyotikumari Choudhary (22), an employee of a Wipro call center based in Punes IT hub Hinjewadi, was raped and murdered by the firms cab driver and his friend. The driver Purushottam Borate and Pradeep Yashwant Kokade admitted that they raped her, smashed her head with stones and fled. August 7, 2008: A call center executive at IBM Daksh was gangraped. The police have not yet been able to conclude the case. October 20, 2008: A 22-year-old software developer Khushboo Mishra was brutally murdered by her boyfriend and co-worker Manu Mohinder Abrol (25) at her rented flat in Balewadi area. 2009: Another Pune-based software professional Nayana Pujari was raped and murdered by her cab driver and his friend while she was returning home. Our team will soon interrogate Antaras friend, against whom her parents have raised suspicion for his possible involvement in the murder, police inspector Arun More told Hindustan Times. Antaras father came to Pune late on Saturday after being informed by police about his daughters murder. Prima facie, it seems that the killer was known to her. Antara got involved in a heated exchange with the killer that lasted for around 15 minutes before she was killed. We have received this information from an eyewitness, added More. The police suspect that the man may have left for Banglore. We have formed three teams with one team already sent to Banglore, said another police officer. Police have ruled out money as motive for the murder. All the valuables including money in her purse, mobile phone and ornament Antara was carrying have been found as they were. Based on our preliminary investigation, we dont think money was the motive behind the crime, said More. More said Antaras last few phone called are being scrutinized by the police. According to police officials, Antara had refused to avail the companys bus service saying she would take an auto rickshaw to Nigadi where she stayed as paying guest. However, she did not take an auto rickshaw either and instead started walking to a friends place nearby when she was attacked. The investigating officers further said that there are no CCTVs near the crime scene. They managed to get details of the car in which the miscreant came but eyewitnesses did not recall the registration number of the vehicle. We have asked CCTV footage from neighbouring police stations. We want to check whether the footage during the same time contain any car that matches with eyewitness statements. If we are successful we will get the registration number of the vehicle the accused was using, More said. Days after Supreme Court sought the Centres and CBIs response on a plea seeking probe into the alleged larger conspiracy behind former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis assassination, a prime witness in the case has written to the Prime Minister to intervene and ensure a free and fair investigation. In the letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ramesh Dalal has said he was a key witness of Jain Commission of Inquiry, which was constituted to look into the conspiracy aspect of the assassination, and had raised the issue of a larger probe into the conspiracy in an earlier letter to CBI. In view of the contents of my aforementioned letter (of April 19, 2016), a supplementary charge sheet on conspiracy angle is awaited from CBI. Since the Supreme Court has sought a reply from CBI in this matter, your personal intervention is requested to ensure free and fair probe for a logical end to the case, Dalal said in the letter to Modi. In his April 19 letter to Union home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and then CBI director Anil Sinha, he had highlighted certain shortcomings in the probe in the case and had sought further investigation on these aspects. On December 14, the apex court had sought response of the Centre and CBI on the plea which has alleged that CBI did not probe the conspiracy behind the killing of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 despite an order from a TADA court in Chennai. The plea was filed by AG Perarivalan, one of the convicts in the assassination case, who had contended that neither CBIs special investigation team, nor the Multidisciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA), had proceeded with the probe in a proper perspective to bring the accused to book as several top people were involved in the case. The MDMA, comprising officers of CBI, R&AW, Intelligence Bureau and other central intelligence agencies, was set up through a government order on December 2, 1998 as a unit of the CBI in New Delhi with a branch in Chennai. It was created following recommendations of the Jain Commission which had sought a further probe into several aspects of the conspiracy in India and several other countries. The apex court had on February 18, 2014 commuted the death sentence of Perarivalan to life imprisonment along with two other condemned prisoners, Santhan and Murugan, because of the 11 year delay in deciding their mercy pleas by the Centre. Perarivalan had earlier sought the case dairies pertaining to CBI and MDMA, which was probing the matter. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. The Reserve Bank of India has refused to share details of its recommendations to the government to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes. The central bank, which puts out the transcript of its monetary policy meeting, told RTI activist Venkatesh Nayak that documents pertaining to the demonetisation decision were exempt under section 8 (1) (a) of the information law. Read: RBI says ban on Rs 1000, Rs 500 notes proposed hours before PMs speech This clause allows government bodies to hold back information that can jeopardise the countrys sovereignty, security, and strategic or economic interests. There was no explanation why the recommendation attracted this exemption. HT wrote on Friday that the decision to scrap high-value notes was cleared by the banks board hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision on national television on November 8. The currency recall led to a severe cash crunch, forcing millions line up at banks and ATM kiosks for at least a month after the surprise move. Read: Remove the veil of secrecy around demonetisation decision-making The Oppositions protests over demonetisation washed out the winter session of Parliament. The RBIs refusal is in line with a government officials insistence that there was no need to go into the process of decision-making regarding the currency cull. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON There's been speculation for weeks that state legislators would return to Albany for a special session to address a host of issues, such as procurement reform and allowing Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing services to operate in upstate New York. And then on Saturday, that possibility went out the window. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan issued a statement pulling the plug on special session talks. He said "substantive discussions" occurred for weeks on a package that included the aforementioned subjects and others, namely funding for the homeless. "While we have made some progress, those talks have not borne fruit," Flanagan said. The talks may help as legislators prepare to return to Albany for the 2017 session, which begins Jan. 4. The issues discussed could be addressed in January, likely after Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers his State of the State and budget presentations. What lawmakers won't get, though, is a boost in pay. One of the main reasons for holding a special session before the end of the year would be to vote on pay raises for what is technically the next state Legislature, even though many of the same members will return. Members of the state Assembly and Senate haven't received a pay raise since 1999. Their base salary is $79,500, although most earn additional money for holding leadership positions or committee chair assignments. Cuomo blasts Paladino for 'racist, ugly' remarks Carl Paladino, one of President-elect Donald Trump's biggest supporters who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2010, was in the news Friday when comments he made about outgoing President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were published in Artvoice, an alternative weekly newspaper in Buffalo. Paladino said he hoped the president "catches mad cow disease after being caught having relations with a Herford (sic). He dies before his trial and is buried in a cow pasture next to Valerie Jarret (sic), who died weeks prior, after being convicted of sedition and treason, when a Jihady (sic) cell mate mistook her for being a nice person and decapitated her." His second point was about Michelle Obama. "I'd like her to return to being a male and let loose in the outback of Zimbabwe where she lives comfortably in a cave with Maxie, the gorilla." The comments were met with widespread criticism. Even Trump's transition team issued a statement calling Paladino's remarks "absolutely reprehensible." Gov. Andrew Cuomo slammed his 2010 rival for the comments. "While most New Yorkers know Mr. Paladino is not to be taken seriously, as his erratic behavior defies any rational analysis and he has no credibility, his words are still jarring," Cuomo said. "His remarks do not reflect the sentiments or opinions of any real New Yorker and he has embarrassed the good people of the state with his latest hate-filled rage." Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju sent out a stern message to Air India staff on Sunday, saying something is lagging when it comes to commitment shown by them compared with rival airlines. While acknowledging that Air India, which turned operationally profitable last fiscal, has done better, the minister emphasised on the need to ensure more cohesiveness at the national carrier. The national carrier, staying afloat on a bailout package extended by the central government, is making efforts to improve its financial position, including by way of cost optimisation measures, capacity addition and introduction of new flights. Raju, who has been generally supportive of Air India which has often drawn flak from various quarters, is of the view that the carrier has definitely done better but there is always scope for improvement. The cohesiveness still has to be built in (at Air India)... you have the advantage of different types of airlines, competition is there, Raju told PTI in an interview. Commitment shown by some of their staff and the commitment shown by Air India staff, there is still something lagging. Asked whether such a situation arises out of complacency in certain quarters that there is job security at Air India, the minister said jobs are assured only as long as the institution exists. It is a good airline and has served the country well, he noted, but see everywhere job is assured if that institution is there. If the institution goes, what happens to your job? Air India still has a debt burden of around Rs 44,000 crore even as it posted an operating profit of Rs 105 crore in the last financial year -- for the first time in a decade. The operational profit came mainly on the back of lower fuel cost and higher passenger numbers. Everyone will wish them well, it is a good airline, it served the country well, its financial books are bad and it needs to improve on. They have to develop strategies. They are on the right track and we wish them a happy, good, meaningful year ahead, the minister said. The national airline is surviving on a Rs 30,000-crore bailout extended by the government and it runs till 2020-21. After stitching together a unified Opposition in Parliaments winter session, the Congress is trying to rope in other parties for a show of strength on Tuesday. Congress president Sonia Gandhi plans a joint press conference to launch another round of attack against the government. She has sent invitations to almost all opposition parties barring the BJD, AIADMK and AIMIM. We have invited parties like JD(U), RJD, JD(S), NCP, Trinamool, DMK, BSP, SP and the Left. We are expecting a packed house, Congress strategist Jairam Ramesh told HT. While West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is coming to Delhi on Monday to be personally present in the presser, her arch rival, the CPI(M), is yet to make up its mind. Read: Rahuls meeting with PM Modi splits Oppn as winter session ends The meeting of the party leaders, followed by a press conference, assumes significance as this will be the first such event after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi hurled corruption charges at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a political rally in Modis home state Gujarat, Gandhi alleged that the PM was paid money by top corporate houses. But the Congress is unsure if the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party will turn up at the event. With UP elections due in less than two months, both these parties may calibrate their positions before cosying up with their rival in Delhi. The meeting is planned at New Delhis Constitution Club on December 27, for which the Congress presidents trusted lieutenants Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad have also called up leaders to extend an invitation. We are yet to take a call, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat told HT on Sunday, when asked whether her party was going to attend the meeting. Sources in the CPI(M) said while it was fine with any joint protest inside Parliament, the party leadership has to decide if they want to extend the cooperation outside as well. Almost all opposition parties, however, have backed Rahuls demand and asked Modi to clarify on these charges. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pune A 23-year-old woman software engineer working with an IT firm in Pune has been hacked to death by an unidentified assailant barely metres away from her office on the outskirts of the city. Antara Das, who hails from Behala in West Bengal, was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon on Friday night when she was returning home from work near Tathwade area, a senior police official of Dehuroad Police Station said. Das was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she was declared dead on arrival, he said. According to the officer, robbery angle had been ruled out, as the valuables the woman was carrying were not missing. A case was registered in this regard, police said, adding that a probe was underway. According to a statement given by her company Capgemini, Das left the office at 8pm on Friday night and decided not to travel by the office cab. The woman mentioned in the office register that she would be taking an auto, police said. The attack took place barely some metres from her office and she was rushed to hospital by passers-by. Actor Madhuri Dixit visited Taj Mahal with family members to celebrate Christmas on Sunday. However, it proved to be a hectic affair for the family as the monument of love was packed with visitors. The security personnel had a tough time securing the visiting family members because of the unusually big crowd. Accompanied by her husband Dr Nene, sons and another family, Madhuri visited Taj at around 2.30 pm and stayed for about an hour. Since the media persons had prior information about the actors visit, they had positioned themselves at the red platform of the Taj since morning. Madhuri Dixit along with her husband Dr Nene and two sons pose for the lens at the Taj Mahal in Agra on Sunday. (HT Photo) Sporting a white printed top, black trousers and dark goggles, Madhuri appeared at ease with to the crowd attention and moved within the security cover provided to her and family by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel. She later obliged the security persons by clicking pictures with them. Madhuri was seen caring and finding way for her children who appeared hassled because of excessive limelight amidst huge crowd. Dr Nene clicked some selfies with the Taj Mahal as the backdrop and enjoyed the bright sunshine amidst clear weather. Talking to media, she was all praise for the Taj. Madhuri also applauded reality shows on television. I had myself been a judge of these reality shows and find them a good platform for new talent looking for openings and opportunity, she said. The time Madhuri entered the monument and till she left, the attention was all on her and she proved to be a charmer for those around. Her fans shouted Madhuri Madhuri wherever she went. Madhuri had visited Taj last time wearing a veil. Read more: Santa Claus visits the Taj Mahal, goes skiing before Christmas SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 20-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stabbing a woman multiple times last week after she refused to marry him in Bhayander. While the woman has been admitted to a Goregaon hospitals ICU and is in critical condition, the accused has been remanded in police custody till Tuesday. The accused stabbed the woman in front of both his and her families when they were trying to convince him not to pursue his feelings for the woman and find another life partner. The accused, identified as, Manish Rajkumar Gupta, a Bhayander resident, was friends with the 20-year-old woman, who resides in Mulund but used to regularly visit her maternal relatives in Bhayander. Gupta fell in love with the girl and when he proposed marriage,she refused. On Friday, both the families met to persuade Gupta to stay away from the woman, but out of anger he took out a knife he was carrying in his bag and stabbed the woman several times. The woman was rushed to the hospital with severe bleeding and the Bhayander police were alerted about the incident. A police official said the accused has been booked under Section 326 (causing grievous hurt) of IPC. Read Tales of promises, betrayal abound in Delhis Aman Vihar Child marriages in Rajasthan halved in 10 years Last week, social media debated the decision by two Bollywood actors to give their child Taimur, a name associated with that of a medieval plunderer whose hordes left devastated and depopulated cities in their wake. While many commentators were critical of the name, reproving the parents of selecting a name that carries the burden of history, others put out supportive comments, reminding the detractors that a childs name was the parents decision alone. Is it so? Names follow trends and most children receive monikers that are contemporary and conventional. Life is simpler if you have a common name, even if you share it with a million others; nobody asks you to explain what the name means, and you do not have to spell it out to others. For instance, nobody has ever asked me to spell my name or to explain what it means. Only some parents go against the tide. For children, upon whom parents bestow unconventional names, the decision can have life-long implications; either you become a trend setter, or you are saddled with a name that you want to change. A recent survey by Mumsnet, a portal for parenting tips, showed that one out of every five parents wished they could have chosen another name for their child; one in 50 were so regretful of the name they selected that they later changed the babys name by writing a deed. A few years ago, a reader of the Catholic weekly Examiner wrote to the magazine about the plight of two sisters from Pune who were named after the Biblical towns of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The sisters, who were tired of explaining their names to amused acquaintances, too, signed a deed declaring that they had changed their names to Betty and Jerry. The sisters escaped the tyranny of their names but the debate over their unusual names did not end after the siblings discarded the names bestowed by their parents. A Jesuit priest, Father Joseph Dias, started a campaign asking people to stop giving silly names to their children. Dias, who ran an education project in Thane, said he was aghast when he saw people naming children after perfumes Chanel, for instance; ballerinas, expensive stones diamond, ruby and pop stars. He said he had been baptising children and came across parents who conjured up some strange names for their newborns. He decided to take the problem head on when he came across a boy who was named Asprin. Dias campaign was largely targeted at Catholic parents who were going against the tradition of naming children after saints. He said that names should be of persons who can be a role model for the child. He told this reporter that there was the trend of giving children the complete name of a famous person. This trend, especially prevalent in south India, according to Dias, was responsible for a Father John Kennedy and a Prince Albert. What happens when these young people grow up? They become the butt of jokes, Dias had said. Children are not places or commodities. If I had such a name, I would be embarrassed. Experts, too, have warned that parents who are too imaginative with names could be condemning their children to a lifetime of embarrassment. They have said that, while parents had the right to give names of their choice to children, embarrassing names, if they become subject of ridicule, can hurt self-image. One solution would be to consult books that profile baby names. One diaper manufacturer had advised new parents to put the proposed name for their baby through a multi-point test before finalising it. Apart from ensuring that the name rhymed with the surname, parents were also asked to imagine the baby as an adult with the name. Many Indian names that followed a non-conformist trend a few decades ago fail this test; the Lovely Singhs of Punjab, the Babykuttys of Kerala and the Babytais of Maharashtra may agree. Read Trolls vs Taimur: Rishi Kapoor, Omar Abdullah defend Saifeena over babys name Taimurs first pictures: Kareena, Saif and their baby son reach home SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Shiv Sena is likely to take up the issue of rehabilitation of farmers who will be affected by the Mumbai-Nagpur super-communication expressway in Shahpur area of Thane district. The expressway is chief minister Devendra Fadnavis dream project. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday assured the project affected people (PAP) that the party will see to it that they are not displaced. He also said that the Sena will ask the chief minister to change the alignment of the project. The announcement came from the Sena chief after meeting a delegation of the PAP, headed by the farmers coordination committee. We will not allow the farmers lands to be acquired. Instead, I will ask for change in alignment of the super-expressway project or try to come out with an alternative. For that, I will meet the chief minister and concerned officers, Thackeray told reporters after meeting the delegation at Matoshri. The Rs46,000 crore super-communication expressway is the most ambitious project of the BJP-led state government, spearheaded by the chief minister. It will pass through 10 districts, covering a distance of 710-km and connect 24 rural districts, that include Shahpur in Thane. Sena leaders said that the current alignment will badly affect Shahpur farmers as they will lose their farm land and this needed to be reconsidered. The issue may lead to another face-off between the warring partners ahead of the last leg of municipal council polls and the coming Zilla Parishad (ZP) elections that will be followed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, scheduled in early next year. This is not the first time that Sena has opposed a major infrastructure project over the rehabilitation of people who would be affected by it. Last year, the party had opposed the rehabilitation of PAPs from Girgaum and Kalbadevi who were affected with the Metro 3 project. This led the chief minister to declare in-situ rehabilitation of PAPs with bigger homes. Features The 710km, eight-lane expressway will require 20,820 hectares of land, of which 8,520 hectares will be for the road and nearly 12,000 hectares for the development of 24 townships. The objective of the expressway is to provide seamless connectivity across districts like Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Washim, Buldhana, Aurangabad, Jalna, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Thane. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is the nodal agency for the project. READ MORE BJP and ally Shiv Sena follow the script at Shivaji memorial event Shivaji memorial foundation ceremony not a BJP function: Shiv Sena SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Its not just actors who sign a film according to its script. Music director duo Sachin-Jigar think its necessary for any music composer and especially for them, to go through the script before they start composing the music. We are super serious about narration. We need to get in the skin of the characters and the story line. It is very important for us to understand the story and only then can we make its score, says Sachin. We need to get in the skin of the characters and the story line is very important for us to understand what kind of score we will be able to make Having composed music for films such as Any Body Can Dance (2013), Go Goa Gone (2013) and Badlapur (2014), they say: As a producer if you want music that speaks to the script, then you have to tell the story to the composers. We come from a theatre background, so thats the only way we know. They have previously said that they want to do the entire music for a film, and not just a song or two.We have tried that before and it just doesnt work for us. This year, we worked on just one film and dont regret that. 2016 saw filmmakers going for an ensemble rather than a solo music composer. We feel that in 2017, itll be back to a single music composer for one film, says Jigar, insisting that the duo dont want to follow a trend. We dont want to be a part of any rat race because even if you win the race, you are still a rat. Our point is, we dont want to be known for following a trend and producing hits for that We dont want to be a part of any rat race because even if you win the race, you are still a rat. Our point is, we dont want to be known for following a trend and producing hits for that. Every big music director or composer have their own style and when one listens to their music, they can identify the artist, by just listening to it. We want to be there and the only way we can do that is by doing something challenging and not by following a certain trend in the industry. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bharatiya Janata Party MP Yogi Adityanath on Sunday slammed the Samajwadi Party government, criticizing the development agenda of UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. The BJP MP from Gorakhpur and minister of state General (retd) VK Singh were in Ghaziabad to address a gathering of gram pradhans of villages in western UP. He also slammed the inaugurations of various projects by SP leaders, including the 302km Agra-Lucknow Expressway, costing around Rs13,200 crore. High cost was incurred by the SP government in the construction of the expressway while our agencies develop such roads in half the cost. There was a family feud but it ended soon after demonetisation. It was just a jhagda (altercation) for loot and ended when the money stopped flowing after demonetisation, he said. The Central government is sending funds for electrification under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna and Integrated Power Development Scheme for those suffering from major power cuts. Free LPG connections under Ujjwala Yojna and funds for ambulances have been given. However, the SP government is promoting these schemes under its own name, he said. Addressing the gram pradhans of villages, he said they have also suffered corruption at all levels and must follow PM Modis call for digital payments after demonetisation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Every citizen can join this mahayajna against the ills of corruption, black money and fake notes... Let us ignore the temporary hardship. It is now 48 days since Prime Minister Narendra Modi made that appeal, as he scrapped 86% of Indias bank note--by value--in circulation. Initially, millions of Indians queuing up to withdraw their own money from bank accounts did indeed ignore the hardship of lost wages and stress of the queue. The common refrain: Its worth it because the rich with black money will suffer. As it becomes increasingly evident that only those in the queue are suffering, as are livelihoods, the lines are as long as ever and people have died waiting for money, there is a distinct change in mood. Over the last week, there have been attacks on banks in Uttarakhand, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, and roads have been blocked by frustrated mobs in UP. Images of hundreds pressing against a bank entrances steel grill, narrowed to allow one person to enter, appear to have become the leitmotif of the era of notebandi, the colloquial term for Modis grand experiment. The patience displayed in the queue has given way to jokes, frustration and abuse and eroded the governments credibility. Government spokespersons insist there is no shortage of money. They may not be entirely wrong. Every day, India is witness to law-enforcement agencies seizing bundles of the distinctive, pink bundles of Rs 2,000-denomination bank notes. Those in queue ask the obvious question: We stand here for days to get a few thousands, how do they get lakhs and crores? The short answer is corruption, the very thing notebandi is supposed to strike at. A vast money laundering exercise in Indias unseen financial netherworld appears to have been largely successful, as the anticipated return of almost all the money that was taken out of the banking system indicates (The government thought Rs 2.5 lakh crore or so in unaccounted money would not return). Some of those with unaccounted or black money did get their comeuppance, but those numbers are likely to be far smaller than anticipated. How could this happen? It could happen because Indians are masters of subversion and because notebandi was a shot in the dark, with no precise target or preparation to overcome this culture of subversion. So, corrupt bank officers colluded easily with corrupt seekers of pink notes. Thus far, about 50 bank officials from private and public banks and the Reserve Bank of India have been found conspiring with money launderers--many more have got away. Bundles of pink notes continue to turn up in cars, homes, offices and bank lockers. Bear in mind that these instances only relate to cash. Thousands of crores of unaccounted rupees were converted to real estate, gold and luxury items, from watches to handbags. Modi has either not understood the reach of corruption into Indias administrative system and collective soul or he did understand but was convinced by his circle of trusted bureaucrats that a series of administrative fiats surgical strikes, to use popular government nomenclature without adequate planing could, somehow, bring about the new normal that he seeks. Read: Demonetisation just a pseudo war against corruption, says Yogendra Yadav Corruption in India is like water it finds a way. It is marked by ingenuity, determination and perseverance, qualities that could transform India if deployed for honest means. The most ingenious method recently evident: Thousands of poor Indians with basic bank accounts persuaded for a fee, obviously to rent their accounts to launder old bank notes into new. It isnt politically correct to say this, but the majority in India is dishonest, either by circumstance, culture, upbringing or habit. I would like to believe many can be turned if circumstances change, but that may be optimistic, given the casual and widespread disregard of laws in every sphere of life, most visible in the form of the roadside havaldar who waits for a Rs-50 bribe from the streams of vehicles that run red lights. Corruption in India can only be curbed through carrots, sticks, meticulous planning and sustained effort. Incentives are important; so is stronger punishment. As former chief economic adviser Kaushik Basu has argued, it may make sense to decriminalise the giving of bribes. Read: Note ban not a surgical strike on corruption, its firebombing on poor: Rahul However, most important is administrative and political reform. In 2007, the second Administrative Reforms Commission made 18 recommendations to enforce ethics in political and legislative functions. All 18 were rejected. Politicians have consistently closed ranks over political reform, and Modi has stayed within those ranks. Indeed, in the budget session of Parliament earlier this year, his government tweaked foreign contribution laws to allow political parties to receive foreign donations retrospectively, from 2010. As soon as this amendment passed, the Congress and BJP, held guilty by the Delhi High Court of accepting foreign donations illegally, withdrew their appeal from the Supreme Court. Yet, Modi said last week that his party had not altered even a comma or a full stop in the law that regulated political funding. Some honesty would be in order. Many commentators have also pointed out how political parties need not account for donations below Rs 20,000. It is no surprise that in 2014-15 six leading political parties received 60% of their funding from unknown sources, and the BJP received the most such funding with Rs 977 crore over two years. The systemic eradication of corruption also requires reconstructing an administrative system largely unchanged since colonial rule. Modi began well: Some old laws were scrapped and business requirements eased. But the bureaucracy and its rusting frame still remains Indias backbone and the tentacles of the inspector raj are as tightly wound around the economy as ever. We have also seen the right-to-information system eroded, no Lokpal--whatever its infirmities--is in evidence, and, now, the efforts to find notebandis laundered money portend a greater bureaucratic invasion of our lives, which Modi had once promised to reverse (remember minimum governance?). Without a carefully planned, wide-ranging and honest war of reform against politics and the bureaucracy, no isolated surgical strike can survive its overstated claims. Views expressed are personal. In a breakthrough, the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 7 kg heroin from the area of Border Out Post (BOP) Bharopal in the Amritsar sector of the Indo-Pak border. Detailing about the seizure, DIG spokesperson said that the troops deployed along the border spotted some suspicious movement of Pakistani smugglers around 10.50 am on Saturday. As the BSF jawans challenged the Pakistani smugglers, they did not stop and kept advancing towards the Indian fence with aggressive postures. To foil the misadventure of the smugglers, the BSF troops opened fire but the Pak smugglers managed to escape taking cover of dense fog. A special search operation was launched by the BSF in the area during which, 7 packets (7 kgs) of contraband was recovered. The BSF spokesperson said that keeping in view the vulnerability of the border due to the ongoing foggy weather, activities of smugglers/anti-national elements on border, Sanjeev Bhanot, inspector general BSF Punjab Frontier has issued operational guidelines to all the sectors and battalions under Punjab Frontier for strengthening the border domination and to remain extra alert so as to effectively check activities of anti-national elements on Punjab border with Pakistan. Accordingly, DIG sector BSF Amritsar directed field commanders to maintain extra vigil on border to thwart the attempts of anti-national elements. Tactical operations are being mounted to foil the attempts of the smugglers/anti-national elements, claimed the BSF official. Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit Singh who died in a Pakistani jail a few years ago, joined the BJP at the partys state-level farmers rally in Fazilka on Sunday even as inclement weather forced Union home minister Rajnath Singh to skip the event. Rajnath, however, addressed the kisan rally via a phone link. The Kisan cell of the party organised a rally to reach out to farmers the vital part of the electorate in Punjab with Rajnath Singh and other senior party leaders scheduled to address the gathering. The rally, also marking the birthday of BJPs stalwart leader and former Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee, was not merely marred by thin presence of people following dense fog but also the absence of its key speakers Rajnath Singh and national president of BJPs Kissan cell Varinder Kumar Mast, whose flight could not take off due to poor visibility in the national capital. The visibility was so poor in the region that the state BJP chief and Union minister of state Vijay Sampla could reach Fazilka only in the afternoon after the fog subsided, pointed out a party insider. Meanwhile, all praise for Narendra Modi and other senior BJP leaders, Kaur said,Had Sarabjeet not been a Dalit, Congress government would have got him back. As and when the Congress moves out of power, it gets disturbed and to re-gain power it does nothing but start making all fake promises. Earlier, Rajnath in his via-phone address said people with vested interests had maligned the name of Punjab and its youth in the name of drugs even though this menace was not limited to only one state. He said the Narendra Modi-led government wanted farmers to prosper and hence the PM had pledged that by 2022 the income of the farmer should get doubled. The home minister hailed Punjabs farming community for taking a lead in tackling the food grain crisis in the 60s and also for spearheading the Green Revolution. Addressing the gathering, Sampla said, The NDA policies are framed to double the income of farmers in the coming years while on the other hand successive Congress-led governments have failed to cater to the needs of farmers. To deal with loss of crop following natural disasters, the NDA government has implemented crop insurance scheme, he claimed. Blurb: Party national president Rajnath Singh fails to reach venue due to inclement weather. They call themselves the Chelsea girls. And as luck would have it, all four sisters and cousins who were studying together at the Convent of Jesus and Mary school at Chelsea, Shimla, are now married into political families MLA Preneet Kaur to Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh, Preneets sister Geetinder to SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, Muktsar MLA Karan Brar became daughter-in-law of former Punjab CM Harcharan Singh Brar and her sister Haripriya married Malwinder Singh, Amarinders younger brother. Preenet and Karan also share a common maternal great grandfather! In the 2012 state polls, Karan Brar staked her claim to the assembly seat of her husband, late Kanwarjit Brar (Sunny Brar), when he was battling cancer. Barely two days before the elections results announced Karan a winner, she lost her husband to cancer. This time, she again has been named as Congress candidate from Muktsar. VILLAGE SARPANCH TO CHIEF MINISTER For the Brars, the road to success goes through their native village, Sarai Naga, in Muktsar. Harcharan Singh Brar rose to become the chief minister of Punjab from the sarpanch of Sarai Naga, the village where Sikh guru Angad Dev was born. Later Sunny Brar and his eldest son, Tegbir, too became its sarpanch. Now, it is Karans youngest son, Karanbir who is leading it while her second son, Harsimran, is running a dairy project in the village after training in Italy as a dairy consultant. But the Brar political dynasty is not just about the men but stronger women. Harcharan started the familys political innings after winning the Muktsar assembly seat in 1957 and became the deputy minister of irrigation in the government of CM Partap Singh Kairon after he won it again in 1962. But the seat got reserved in 1967, forcing Harcharan to contest from Gidderbaha where he defeated now CM Parkash Singh Badal with a margin of 52 votes. In 1972, the dynasty got its first matriarch in Harcharans wife, Gurbinder Kaur, who debuted in Punjab politics from Malout. It was not just the Brar political legacy that Gurbinder had inherited but also that of Kairons she was daughter of Kairons brother Jaswant Singh. In a clash of two Brar clans, she defeated former Congress MP Jagmeet Brars father, Gurmeet Brar. Harcharan Singh Brar, former Punjab chief minister and (right) Kanwarjit Brar, who died of cancer. (HT Photos) In 1977, Muktsar seat got de-reserved but Congress was reeling under the aftershocks of the Emergency imposed by former PM Indira Gandhi in 1975. The Brars made their son Sunny Brar, the first Punjab Youth Congress president, to fight his first election as Harcharan had been appointed the governor of Orissa (now Odisha). Sunny made a winning start by defeating Gurmeet Brar. In 1980, Gurbinder moved to the Lok Sabha after winning Faridkot and Harcharan returned to Muktsar seat. Gurbinder fought the Muktsar seat in 1985 and became the leader of Opposition in Punjab assembly. It was her last election and Harcharan fought the 1992 polls from Muktsar and went on to become CM after Beant Singh was assassinated in 1995. DOWNTURN, MISFORTUNES, FAMILY FEUDS But Harcharans rise to stardom was short-lived. In 13 months of taking over, he faced a revolt from within Congress led by Rajinder Kaur Bhattal who succeeded him as CM in 1996. But the family kept its hold over the Muktsar assembly and Faridkot parliamentary seats swinging them between the husband (Harcharan), wife, son and daughter Harcharans daughter Kamaljit (Babli) Brar lost the Faridkot seat twice, the second time to Sukhbir Badal in 1994 and finally the daughter-in-law in 2004 when Karan Brar, who says she was made the sacrificial lamb, lost to Sukhbir. Then after, the Brars lost claim to Faridkot, Harcharan lost his last election from Muktsar in 2002 and Sunny won the Muktsar seat in 2007 but lost his battle to cancer in 2012. In run up to 2012 elections, Karan was already a celebrity of sorts as the richest candidate in the 2012 polls! She rubbishes the distinction. Do you mean I am richer than Sukhbir Badal? The only difference is I am honest and declared my assets, including the rubies and diamond set. As for the Louis Voitton bag, the media went gaga over during my poll campaign, it was picked up from New York during a sale, she laughs. The riches have also embroiled Karan in a family feud over property with sister-in-law Babli Brar. Between her three sons, however, there is no fight for who takes the legacy forward. My eldest son, Tejbir, is a stud farmer and is looking after the family business of horse breeding. My middle son, Harsimran, is a dairy consultant. My youngest son, Karanbir, who is sarpanch of Sarai Naga, will take to politics, Karan says. But the battle for keeping the legacy may not be an easy one. Karans seat has been finally declared after a delay over unfavourable survey reports. The Brars, say their political rivals in Congress, have lost the connect with the masses. As the grand-old party shuns dynastic politics for its own survival, the family name and claim may no longer be enough. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The amateur artistes of Wings Theatre Academy enacted short stories by eminent writer and poet Gulzar at St Kabir School Auditorium, Sector 26, Chandigarh on Saturday. Directed by Zubin Mehta, the characters re-lived the era of mid twentieth century including the period of partition that has left a scar on the heart and mind of writer Gulzar which he has always tried to express in his writings. The opening story Ravi Paar is about the migrants during the time of partition. A story of a Sikh family that loses the newborn babies while crossing river Ravi. The situations depicted brought alive the pain in the hearts of those who witnessed one of the biggest tragedy of modern history. Students of Wings Theatre Academy staging their annual presentation Stories By Gulzar at St Kabir Public School Auditorium Sector 26, Chandigarh on Saturday. (Ravi Kumar/HT Photo) Next story Kaagaz ki Topi delves into the innocence and playfulness of a child. The story of a boy Mohan who loves to make toys out of paper especially kagaz ki topi (paper cap), his fondness for his friend Munni and their reunion after a gap of twenty years. The teenage actors were successful in portraying the old fashioned romance that is in complete contrast with todays digital era. The next narration Haath peele kar do was a story of a girl Malti who falls in love with a lorry driver. The boy is mistaken for a thief while he tries to meet his lover and eventually gets killed. The sorrow-stricken Malti is then married to another boy as it was the destiny of a girl to get settled in a strange family. Maltis yearning for her lover can be rightly explained in the lines tumhare saath bas ek din kharch karne ki tamanna hai (I wish to spend a day with you). It was heartwarming to see young actors touching the sensitivities of human mind with a mature approach. I liked the story Ravi Paar in the first instance and had to bring todays children to that plain, said Mehta. It was good to unveil the world of wonderful stories to the children in their own language, he added. The last story Dhuan throws light on the age old Hindu-Muslim conflict. It depicts the struggle of a Muslim woman who wants to commit the last rites of her husband according to Hindu custom as it was his last wish. The woman faces defeat at the hands of religious fundamentalists and gets killed in the end. The musical score by city -based musicians Meher Mastana, Rishi Ranjan and Abhinandan, among others, aptly complimented the saga of mid twentieth century. Students of different schools played their roles to perfection, keeping the audience glued to their seats. Budding actors Abhimanyu, Raunaq, Anshuman, Pratul, Darshan, Shobhika and Medha gave moments that were romantic, sombre and ironic and lastly giving the audience a reason to smile with enriched hearts. Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya got married to actor Vivek Dahiya in July, but the couple couldnt make time for a honeymoon due to their busy shooting schedules. However, theyve finally taken some time off and are currently honeymooning in Paris, France. They left for Europe last week and will be ringing in the New Year in London, UK. Vivek says hes fascinated by the architecture in Paris. Wherever you go, you see these amazing buildings and mind-blowing sculptures. The museums are amazing, but we havent been able to visit all of them. I had heard about how the French are known for cheese and wine. Its amazing to see how they make so many different varieties. We love the food, especially the smooth, buttery breads, he says. The couple plans to visit Disneyland, Champagne and Strasbourg before leaving for London. The couple enjoyed the sightseeing, shopping, eating and visiting museums in Paris. Vivek says, We are in a different world, and its a great break for us, as weve been working non-stop. I am picking up a little bit of French. Fortunately, Divyanka learnt French in school, so she is teaching me. Vivek plans to show Divyanka around in London, and they will visit also Cardiff (Wales, UK). ...now answer this epic #bollywood question- "kya kiss karte waqt naak takraati hai?" A photo posted by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Dec 19, 2016 at 9:57am PST #Maison (home) a #Paris! A photo posted by Vivek Dahiya (@officialvivekdahiya) on Dec 23, 2016 at 1:45pm PST SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Researchers have found what may be the oldest nativity scene ever found - 5,000-year-old rock art depicting a newborn between parents, two animals and a star in the east - in the Egyptian Sahara desert. The scene, painted in reddish-brown ochre, was found on the ceiling of a small cavity, during an expedition to sites between the Nile valley and the Gilf Kebir Plateau. Its a very evocative scene which indeed resembles the Christmas nativity. But it predates it by some 3,000 years, said geologist Marco Morelli, director of the Museum of Planetary Sciences in Prato, Italy. Morelli discovered the cave drawing in 2005, however his team has decided to unveil the finding now. The discovery has several implications as it raises new questions on the iconography of one of the more powerful Christian symbols, Morelli said. The scene features a man, a woman missing the head because of a painting detachment and a baby, Seeker reported. It could have been interpreted as a normal depiction of a family, with the baby between the parents, but other details make this drawing unique, Morelli said. The newborn is drawn slightly above, as if raising to the sky. Such position, with the baby not yet between the parents, would have meant a birth or a pregnancy, he said. As death was associated to Earth in contemporary rock art from the same area, it is likely that birth was linked to the sky, Morelli said. Seven months after President Barack Obama visited Hiroshima, the city where World War II all but ended, his Japanese counterpart is paying his respects at the site where the brutal conflict began. Prime Minster Shinzo Abe is travelling to Pearl Harbor, where he and Obama hope to underscore the alliance between their two nations -- 75 years after the Japanese surprise attack that brought America into historys bloodiest war. The two leaders are meeting Tuesday in Hawaiian state capital Honolulu, on the archipelagos Oahu island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The visit has particular resonance for Obama, who was born in Hawaii and spent much of his childhood and adolescence here. Abe and Obama will visit the wreck of the USS Arizona, where 1,177 sailors and Marines died. The ships rusting remains, still visible, are now a memorial. On December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, as then president Franklin D. Roosevelt said, Japans General Isoroku Yamamoto unleashed a devastating attack on Pearl Harbors Battleship Row. The assault caught the Americans off guard, and the Japanese sunk or heavily damaged eight US battleships. The two-hour offensive killed 2,403 Americans in all and injured more than 1,100 others. An explosion in the Arizonas ammunition stocks sealed that ships fate. The agony of war Just as when Obama visited Hiroshima, the purpose of Abes tour is not to question decisions made three-quarters of a century ago, or to offer an apology, rather to pay homage to the victims and encourage historical reflection. It puts a bookend in some ways to this open US-Japan conversation about the past and the war, said Japan expert Sheila Smith from the Council on Foreign Relations. It puts us on a very different pedestal on the reconciliation side of things which I think is important for the region to see. In Hiroshima in May, during a speech given to a completely silent crowd, Obama launched an impassioned plea for a world without nuclear arms and he wrote a message in the visitor book at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. We have known the agony of war. Let us now find the courage, together, to spread peace, and pursue a world without nuclear weapons, he wrote. More than 16 million Americans served in uniform from 1941 to 1945 -- more than 400,000 were killed. Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima marked the beginning and end of the conflict between Japan and America, but it is impossible to compare the two. One was an attack on the heart of US naval power in the Pacific, the other an atomic bomb over a city. But each event has cemented itself in the hearts and collective memories of the people, and both places remain hallowed sites of pilgrimage to this date. The Arizona memorial attracts almost two million visitors annually, who file through a white building just above the enormous ships wreck. Message to Trump The meeting takes on special significance, coming just four weeks before the swearing in of President-elect Donald Trump, who has sent mixed and sometimes contradictory messages as to the future of US-Asia ties. For Mireya Solis, an expert at the Brookings Center for East Asia Policy Studies, Obama and Abe will be sending a strong message about the robustness of the US-Japan alliance. During his campaign, Trump suggested he wanted to renegotiate the terms of the US troop presence in Japan, where about 50,000 American personnel are stationed. He also has promised to scrap the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a massive global trade pact that Abe firmly supports and which was designed to stop China asserting too much economic influence in the region. Trump also blasted Obama for visiting Hiroshima. Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while hes in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost, the president-elect said on May 28. But since his election on November 8, the populist businessman has reserved his sharpest barbs for China, and Abe was the first foreign leader to meet Trump after his election. Trumps foreign policy in general is a bit of a wildcard. We dont really know really what he is going to do but I think the US-Japan relationship will likely stay very strong, said Jon Davidann, a historian at Hawaii Pacific University. Al Shabaab Islamist militants shot dead a military prosecutor in Somalias semi-autonomous Puntland region on Sunday, witnesses and officials said, the type of targetted killing that al Qaeda-allied gunmen frequently commit throughout Somalia. Al Shabaabs insurgency aims to drive out African Union peacekeepers, topple Somalias Western-backed government and impose its strict version of Islam on the Horn of Africa state. On Sunday, Abdikarim Hassan Firdiye was shot dead as he got out of his car outside a restaurant in Puntlands largest city, Bosasso. Just a few days ago, a regional officials aide was killed in a similar and targetted attack and, days before that, al Shabaab gunmen killed the regions deputy police commander outside a hotel. Two teenagers armed with pistols shot him in the head after he got off his car, Hassan Ahmed, a waiter at the restaurant, told Reuters. His bodyguards fired back but the killers had already disappeared by then, he said. Abdifatah Haji Aden, Chairman of Puntlands military court, said: We believe it was the same militants who killed the other two officials last week that also killed him. We shall pursue them. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the killing. Today, we killed a prosecutor who had sentenced many teenagers - many boys and girls - to their deaths for alleged links to al Shabaab, said Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, the groups military operations spokesman. The al Shabaab insurgency persists in Somalia as the country struggles to restore order and rebuild infrastructure after more than two decades of conflict and chaos that have left the nation in tatters. Somalis have been voting for weeks for a new parliament and will vote for a new president on Dec. 28. There was an angry reaction in Afghanistan to news that the first female fixed-wing pilot in the countrys air force was requesting asylum in the United States after completing an 18-month training course. The Afghan defence ministry confirmed on Sunday that Captain Niloofar Rahmani, 25, had sought asylum after the Wall Street Journal quoted her as saying that she feared her life would be in danger if she returned home. A recipient of the US State Departments Women of Courage award in 2015, Capt. Rahmani had been a symbol of efforts to improve the situation of women in her country, more than a decade after the fall of the Taliban regime. Mohammad Radmanish, a defence ministry spokesperson, said the government hoped that her request would be denied by US authorities who have spent billions trying to build up Afghan security forces. When an officer complains of insecurity and is afraid of security threats, then what should ordinary people do? he said. She has made an excuse for herself, but we have hundreds of educated women and female civil right activists who work and it is safe for them. Capt. Rahmani, who graduated from flight school in 2012 and qualified to fly C-208 military cargo aircraft, had been in the United States on a training course and had been due to return home on Saturday. In a conservative country notorious for the restrictions placed on women, Rahmanis story stood out as a rare example of a woman breaking through in areas normally reserved for men. Her success came at a price, however. The citation for the Women of Courage award said she and her family had received direct threats not just from the Taliban but also from some relatives, forcing her family to move house several times. However, there was little sympathy on Afghanistans active social media networks, which were replete with comments criticizing Rahmani, accusing her of wasting government money spent on expensive training and avoiding her responsibilities. Niloofar Rahmani took a million dollars from the pockets of the people of Afghanistan to pay human traffickers to get to America to seek asylum, one Facebook user wrote in comments typical of others. Dozens of Afghan troops receiving training in the United States have gone missing over the past two years, and at least one has been detained while trying to cross the border to Canada. Pundits and pollsters continue to agonise over the real message of the June 23 Brexit vote Brexit means Brexit doesnt quite mean much but 2016 will go down in history as the year that marked a milestone in how Britain sees itself and the world sees it. Some remain optimistic Brexit may not actually happen, but the vote to leave the European Union will influence much of politics in 2017 and until the next general election in 2020. Nobody quite yet knows how it will all pan out. It was the year when former prime minister David Cameron fell on his political sword by holding the referendum, and went into oblivion. His successor, Theresa May, evoked visions of another Margaret Thatcher, but soon faced a bad press on plans, or the lack of them, for Brexit. India was often mentioned in the run-up to the referendum, as a natural trade partner after Britain leaves the EU, but pro-Brexit leaders such as Priti Patel who promised easier visa regimes, and more, for India and the Commonwealth, have gone silent on those issues. Mays first visit outside the EU to New Delhi was marked by the official overly optimistic accounts of relationship between the two countries, but it didnt exactly set the Yamuna on fire, as visa issues continued to cast a dark shadow over ties. Reflecting an increasingly economically confident India, Commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman called visa curbs as a form of non-tariff barrier, while Sheffield University vice-chancellor Keith Burnett said he was truly ashamed when he was told of visa-related problems while accompanying May on the visit. Mays visit was called a near pointless jolly to India, and worse, after the expectation in British quarters that she would extend a two-year pilot for easier and cheaper visa currently underway in China to India was belied. Tim Hewish of the Royal Commonwealth Society, who authored a study that made the economic and social case for extending the pilot to India, told HT: The PMs visit to India provided the right time and place; however it was certainly a missed opportunity and caused great disappointment both in the UK and in India. With the UK-India Year of Culture due to start next year, not having easier and cheaper visitor visa access undermines the cross collaboration the year hopes to foster. The lack of goodwill may well come to hamper any future free trade deals post-Brexit, he added. Indian quarters say New Delhi will watch how Brexit plays out in the next two years without showing much enthusiasm for a free trade agreement, given that Indias experience of such agreements with other countries has not exactly delivered results. May was also at the centre of some criticism in Indian quarters for announcing another consultation on the issue of including caste-based discrimination in British law. Her party is seen to be closer to the lobby opposed to any such legislation as the issue continues to sharply divide the Indian community. The year also marked the first extradition to India since both countries signed an extradition treaty in 1992, when a team of Indian security officials arrived here to escort Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel back home to face justice in a case related to the 2002 Gujarat riots. Diplomatically, India House witnessed history of sorts when Navtej Sarna took over as the high commissioner in January, but left in October in one of the shortest tenures since independence (the shortest was of Prakash Mehrotra; July to December 1984). Maureen Travis, who witnessed history in India House as one of its first employees soon after independence, passed away in November, having worked with 25 high commissioners and after passionately looking after the library for decades. Enoch Powell, the enigmatic Tory leader, once characterized India-Britain ties as a shared hallucination. But 2016 may be the year when the relationship is set to be put on a more realistic footing, given the changed positions of the two countries on the international stage. Addressing a conference on religion in April, President Xi Jinping, not unlike a zealous preacher, thumped the lectern and called for the sinicisation of religions in China. He demanded all faiths should be subservient to the might of the Communist Party of China. We must resolutely guard against overseas infiltrations via religious means and prevent ideological infringement by extremists, Xi said. The statement came amid a crackdown on Christianity in Zhejiang and measures to curb the practise of Islam in violence-prone Xinjiang, home to Muslim Uyghurs, where restrictions have been put in place on growing a beard and wearing a veil. Read | Chinas largest Muslim website shuttered after Xi Jinping petition Terry F Kleeman, expert scholar on Chinas only indigenous religion, Taoism, summed it in The New York Times in August: The Chinese Constitution guarantees freedom of religious belief but not religious practice. Communist China does recognise five religions Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism, Taoism. The State Administration for Religious Affairs regulates activities of state-sanctioned religious organisations, appointing leaders and interpreting doctrine. They (the government) are generally very nervous about large, well-networked civil society groups, and even more so, religions that place their allegiance to a person, deity or set of beliefs above loyalty to the Communist Party, Sarah Cook, China Media Bulletin director for Freedom House, New York, told HT. Because of violence and the seeming threat of separatism, Xinjiangs Muslims have faced more restrictions. Muslims make up about 2% of the population in China, but because the country is so populous, its Muslim population is expected to be the 19th largest in the world in 2030. The Muslim population in China is projected to increase from 23.3 million in 2010 to nearly 30 million in 2030, said a Pew survey in 2011. Read | China asks Muslims to oppose extremism, stick to socialism The other major religion, Buddhism, is intrinsic to Chinese society along with Taoism. By a wide margin, China, with a Buddhist population of 244 million, had the most Buddhists living within its borders in 2010. In fact, about half of the worlds Buddhists in 2010 lived in China, though only about one-in-five Chinese people (18%) were Buddhist, the same Pew survey said. It is more complicated to extract numbers for believers of Taoism. A 2007 Chinese Spiritual Life Survey estimated there were 185 million Buddhists in China and 12 million adults who clearly identified with Taoism. Many more people (173 million) reported participating in some Taoist practices, although these may overlap with folk religions, Cook said, quoting data from Katharina Wenzel-Teubers 2015 Statistical Update on Religions and Churches in the Peoples Republic of China. Read | In atheist China, Christians outnumber Communist Party members A major 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolted southern Chile on Sunday, prompting thousands to evacuate coastal areas, but no fatalities or major damage were reported in the tourism and salmon farming region. Chiles National Emergency Office (ONEMI) lifted both the evacuation order and a tsunami watch three hours after the Christmas Day quake struck, telling nearly 5,000 people who had evacuated they could return to their homes. Onemi said one bridge in the area was impassible as crews worked to restore electricity to 21,000 homes without power. Officials had issued a tsunami warning issued earlier for areas within 1,000 km (621 miles) of the epicenter of the quake 225 km (140 miles) southwest of Puerto Montt, but the warning was downgraded to a tsunami watch. Eight mostly small ports in the area were closed, Chiles Navy said. The quake was felt on the other side of the Andes mountains in Argentina, but structural damage in areas close to the epicenter was limited, witnesses said. There was a lot, a lot of movement here, but besides that nothing of note, there werent houses falling, said Alamiro Vera, owner of the Cabanas Hotel in the southern Chile fishing town of Quellon. It was just scary, and some things inside fell. A Reuters witness said some roads and at least one bridge were damaged in Quellon, located on Chiloe Island, a tourist destination in Chiles Los Lagos region. The quakes depth was about 34.6 km (21.5 miles), the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. According to media reports, the quake was felt in the southwest Argentine city of Bariloche. SALMON ZONE The area hit by Sundays quake was south of Valdivia, Chile, where 1,655 people died in a 1960 quake ranked by the USGS as the most powerful recorded in Chile. The region is home to several industrial salmon farms. An official with Chiles National Fish and Aquaculture Service said several companies had evacuated employees and were evaluating their facilities for possible damage. Fishing and agriculture company Empresas AquaChile SA said its employees in the watch zone had been evacuated and were safe, adding that there was no damage to its facilities. Several other companies have industrial salmon farming operations in the region, including Blumar SA, Cia Pesquera Camanchaca SA, Australis Seafoods SA, Multiexport Foods SA, Invermar SA, and the local unit of Norways Marine Harvest ASA. Chile is the worlds leading copper producer, but there are no major mines located near the zone affected by the earthquake. Chiles state-run oil company ENAP said its Bio Bio refinery in southern Chile was operating normally. The Puerto Montt airport was operating normally, a spokesman said. Chile has a long history of deadly quakes, including a 8.8 magnitude quake in 2010 off the south-central coast, which also triggered a tsunami that devastated coastal towns. Egypts state news agency says the state prosecutor has ordered the arrest of an Al-Jazeera TV news producer for fabricating reports on the countrys internal situation with the aim of harming national security and sedition against the state. MENA, quoting an interior ministry statement, said on Sunday State Security arrested Mahmoud Hussein Gomaa. No additional details were provided. The Qatar-based Al-Jazeera network carried the report on its own website Friday. The ministrys statement is Egypts first confirmation of Gomaas arrest. In September 2015, two Al-Jazeera English journalists received presidential pardons for their 3-year sentences for collaborating with the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood group in a highly-publicized case widely condemned by rights groups. Two separate Al-Jazeera employees were sentenced to death in absentia in July for passing secret state documents to Qatar. Paramilitary rangers have carried out raids and booked a close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari under anti-terrorism law, as Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairperson returned to the country ending his 18- month-long self imposed exile. Political analysts see the raids carried out on the offices and residence of businessman Anwar Majeed (who is still at large), just hours after Zardaris return on Friday, as a message by the establishment to the firebrand leader to stay out of politics. Other close aides of Zardari including an influential former petroleum minister and businessman Dr Asim Hussain are already languishing in jails facing several cases of corruption and aiding terrorism. Zardari today visited the national institute for cardio diseases and met with Dr Hussain for an hour. The rangers decision to carry out the raids on the same day as Zardari arrived. It shows that the powerful lobbies are not keen to have him in the country, political analyst Nigar Jafri said. There are several cases and issues pending in which his close aides have been accused of massive corruption and some are in custody, so basically it is a message to him to go back to Dubai, another analyst said. However, Zardari appeared calm when he visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah today to pay homage to the founder of the country on his birthday. Yes Anwar Majeed is a friend but why the rangers have raided his offices you should ask the interior minister, Zardari told the media. He said he was also keeping abreast of the cases against Asim. I have said before, these charges are political victimisation, he added. Interestingly, Zardaris return to Karachi was not celebrated as a big occasion by the PPP as everyone expected and instead of going from the airport to his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardaris house in a motorcade the former president and his close aides preferred to fly from the airport by a helicopter prompting speculations that there were security threats to his life. Political analysts and citizens had expected the PPP to make a big show of Zardaris return on the main Karsaz road, where in October 2007, a deadly attack on the motorcade and procession of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who had returned home from a self-imposed exile after nine years, had killed around 160 PPP activists. A 10-year-old girl died has died after falling ill aboard a trans-Atlantic Air Canada flight. The airline says Toronto-to-London flight AC868 diverted to Shannon, Ireland, on Saturday after the child suffered a medical problem. Air Canada says a doctor and a nurse were on board the plane and helped the flight crew to assist the child. Emergency crews met the aircraft when it landed in Ireland, but Air Canada says local medical authorities pronounced the girl dead. The Boeing 787 with 230 passengers on board continued on to London. The Irish Sun reported that the coroners office has been informed and a post-mortem examination will be carried out. Neither Air Canada nor the Canadian government could immediately confirm the girls nationality. Britains Queen Elizabeth, 90, missed a traditional Christmas church service on Sunday for the first time in decades due to a heavy cold, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said. Elizabeth, the worlds longest-reigning living monarch, and her husband Prince Philip, 95, suffering what the Palace described as heavy colds this week, delayed by a day the journey to their Sandringham country residence in eastern England. They travelled instead by helicopter on Thursday. The queen has attended the Christmas service at the parish church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham every year since the family started celebrating Christmas there in 1988. Before then, the family spent Christmas at Windsor where Elizabeth attended a service since the mid-1960s. It was unclear when Elizabeth last missed a Christmas Day service, if ever. Philip was driven to church in Sandringham on Sunday and walked in unaided from a Range Rover, a Reuters photographer said, while Prince Charles, heir to the throne, walked to the church with his wife Camilla and other members of the family. The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery, a Palace spokesman said. Her Majesty will participate in the Royal Family Christmas celebrations during the day. Elizabeths other children, Anne, Andrew and Edward attended along with Prince Harry, Charless second son. Prince William, second-in-line to the throne, is spending Christmas with the parents of his wife, Kate. After more than six decades on the throne, the Queen has cut back on international tours but still regularly performs official duties around Britain, although she said on Tuesday she would reduce such visits. While Elizabeths father, George VI, died at the relatively young age of 56, her mother, who was known as Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, lived until 101 and was still appearing in public almost up until her death in 2002. Both the queen and Prince Philips good health has allowed them to remain very much in the public eye, despite their age. Elizabeth has maintained the popularity of the monarchy despite years of political, social and cultural change since she became Queen Elizabeth II on Feb. 6, 1952, aged just 25. The Times reported on Wednesday that Philip carried out more public engagements last year than did his grandsons William and Harry, and Williams wife Kate combined. The Amity Printing Company in Nanjing city in eastern China is the worlds largest producer of Bibles. Between 1987 and July 18 this year, it produced 150 million copies in 90 languages and sold them in 70 countries. If thats surprising, heres the controversy: Officially atheist China, according to an estimate sharply criticised by Beijing, could have the largest number of Christians in the world by 2030. Actual numbers are hard to come by. The Chinese government, which differentiates between Catholics and Protestants, pegged it at between 23 million and 40 million in 2014. It counted those who take part in religious activities in government-sanctioned churches. Independent estimates vary. A 2011 Pew survey said around 5% of Chinas population in 2010 or around 67 million were Christians. It took into account those who are part of non-registered or home churches that function informally out of sitting rooms, attics and garages. Read | Lord Krishnas popularity rising in Communist China Then there are experts who suggest the number of Christians in China is easily more than the number of Communist Party of China (CPC) members, currently 88 million. Take the cases of young professional Ling and Lily, an undergraduate student at a top university in Beijing. Neither visit formal churches but are regulars at informal gatherings where they read the Bible and sing hymns. The gathering spot varies. We used to go to a fellow students home or a coffee shop or restaurant. Because its not very convenient to sing hymns in public, we would pick a comparatively private place, Lily said. My friends and I dont go to normal churches, most of the church-style buildings in China are Three-Self Churches (run by the CPC-approved Three-Self Patriotic Movement). We generally go to family churches. Those churches are not legally recognised, so theyre illegal in a way. Faithful from a Catholic church take part in a Christmas parade in Shanghai. (REUTERS) Then there is the phenomenon of large but unregistered churches in big cities, said Carsten Vala, an associate professor of political science at Loyola University, Maryland, who studies Christianity in China. The most interesting development to me is that of large, unregistered churches in cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, where hundreds of high-status, white collar Chinese participate in churches not officially registered but which nevertheless exist due to permissiveness of local officials, Vala said. An example, he said, is Early Rain Church in Chengdu, which neither fits into the typical, small-scale house churches nor the large-scale, official churches of Protestant associations. The informal churches fill two requirements first, they make up for formal churches, and, second, they keep things private for those who want to keep their faith away from the CPCs prying eyes. Beijing has kept a wary eye on, and strictly regulated, Christianity since the CPC adopted a conciliatory approach to religion four decades ago. The growth of Christianity in China began at the end of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), a period when all religions were suppressed, often brutally. Read | Chinas citizens free to believe, but not to practise This coincided with economic reforms. As the economy boomed, a gradually wealthier China needed a spiritual belief system to invest in; the purely political CPC wasnt able to provide succour for the soul. Sociology professor Yang Fenggang, founding director of the Centre on Religion and Chinese Society at Purdue University, Indiana, explained the phenomenon in terms of economics and globalization. Every convert has a uniquely personal story to tell about their change of faith. However, so many Chinese have been converting to Christianity in the last few decades, which amounts to a social phenomenon that I would call mass conversion in modern times, he told Hindustan Times. Sociological speaking, the social, political, and cultural changes in the process of modernisation are the contextual factors for this mass conversion. A man playing the role of Santa Claus is surrounded by children dressed as Santa's elves at a shopping mall in Beijing. Although Christmas is not traditionally celebrated in China, retailers take opportunity of the gift giving spirit of the festival to boost year end sales. (AP Photo) Yang, author of Religion in China: Survival and Revival under Communist Rule, explained it in his article Lost in the Market, Saved at McDonalds: The crucial contextual factors are the increasingly globalised market economy under political repression. Christianity provides peace and certainty in facing wild market forces. The Christian faith is liberating amid a stifling political atmosphere. It hasnt been liberating all the time, with the CPC launching intermittent heavy crackdowns on Christianity. A high-profile crackdown in the past two-three years was carried out in Zhejiang province, Chinas Christianity heartland. Authorities took down crosses from nearly 2,000 churches, including government-registered ones. Vala said: In one province (Zhejiang), there has been a much greater crackdown (with one church being razed and hundreds of crosses being removed) in the last three-four years. However it is not clear it has spread beyond this coastal province. Sometimes churches are demolished because they were built on valuable land by missionaries and that land is now in central urban districts that government officials want to use to build lucrative real estate projects. Ling added: Although they say we have religious freedom in China, I think the actual situation is not really so. Our belief is intervened and restricted. We dont actually have religious freedom like in western countries. That, clearly, hasnt stopped the number of Christians from increasing. Officials sharply criticised Yangs 2014 estimate that Christians could exceed 160 million by 2025 and 247 million by 2030, calling it inflated and not based in reality. The forecast may not prove to be true but theres little doubt the number of Christians is increasing. Of the 150 million Bibles that Amity Print has sold till now, more than 76 million were bought in China through official channels. That demand is unlikely to ebb soon; neither the gatherings at home churches in sitting rooms, attics and garages. Pope Francis urged the worlds 1.2 billion Catholics to feel compassion for children, notably victims of war, migration and homelessness in his Christmas Eve mass but also those not allowed to be born. Addressing a 10,000-strong crowd late Saturday, the pontiff urged worshippers to celebrate authentically, by acknowledging the fragile simplicity of a small newborn and the tender affection of the swaddling clothes. Let us allow the child in the manger to challenge us, but let us also allow ourselves to be challenged by the children of todays world, he said, speaking in St. Peters Square. Many children have died this year while attempting the perilous Mediterranean migrant crossing to Europe which has claimed more than 5,000 lives in 2016 alone. Thousands of traumatised Syrians including children meanwhile left the former rebel enclave of Aleppo this week after four months of suffocating siege. Children are hiding underground to escape bombardment or on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat overladen with immigrants, the pontiff said, before reiterating his opposition to abortion. Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons, he said. And in an echo of his well-established criticisms of materialism, Francis also urged the faithful to avoid indifference, when Christmas becomes a feast where the protagonists are ourselves, rather than Jesus. The pope, who celebrated his 80th birthday a week ago, has made simplicity and modest living the hallmarks of his papacy. On Sunday, Francis will deliver his fourth Christmas message to the faithful massed in St. Peters Square. An Indian-origin man has been charged in the US with fraud and aggravated identity theft for obtaining two H-1B visas by false immigration documents, but rejected the allegations. No Grand Jury has indicted me. I have categorically rejected all the charges and I have requested a Grand Jury. No evidence has been shared with me and there has been no trial yet (we did not even had a pre-trial yet). It is, therefore, very unfortunate that the US Attorneys office has chosen to release this information without the trial and due diligence, 49-year-old Abhijit Prasad said in a statement. According to a release issued by US Attorneys Office Eastern District of California, the federal grand jury returned a 33-count indictment on December 23 against Prasad of Tracy, California, charging him with 31 counts of visa fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. According to the indictment, Prasad filed 31 petitions for H-1B nonimmigrant visas containing false statements, made under penalty of perjury, as to purported work projects to be performed at various locations in California. The indictment further alleges that Prasad obtained two H-1B visas procured by fraud and false statements, and used the means of identification of a real person to effectuate his visa fraud scheme, the release by Attorney Phillip A Talberts office said. On December 23, the defendant was arraigned on the indictment and released with conditions, including the surrender of his passport and a bond until a further detention hearing. The defendants next appearance is on December 28, 2016, before a US Magistrate Judge, the release said. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten years on each visa fraud count, and a $250,000 fine. He faces a two-year mandatory, consecutive sentence on the aggravated identity theft counts, as well as a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, the release by US Attorneys office said. Indonesian police killed two suspected Islamist militants on Sunday in a gunfight during a raid on a house in West Java, a police spokesman said. Two men had been arrested in Cibinong and led police to a house at the Jatiluhur dam, national police spokesman Awi Setiyono said. There were two men there and there was a gunfight and we had to shoot them, said Setiyono. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday summoned the US ambassador to Israel to discuss the US abstention in a UN Security Council resolution demanding an end to settlement-building. Separately, the envoys of 10 other nations were called in to the Israeli Foreign Ministry to be reprimanded on Sunday, and Netanyahu had more harsh words for Washington over Fridays UN vote. An Israeli spokesman gave no details of when Netanyahu would meet US ambassador Daniel Shapiro. The resolution was passed in the 15-member Security Council because the US broke with its long-standing approach of diplomatically shielding Israel and did not wield its veto power, instead abstaining. Netanyahu put his personal imprint on Israels show of anger by repeating at the weekly cabinet meeting what an unidentified Israeli government official contended on Friday - that the administration of US President Barack Obama had conspired with the Palestinians to push for the resolutions adoption. The White House has denied the allegation. According to our information, we have no doubt the Obama administration initiated it (the resolution), stood behind it, coordinated the wording and demanded it be passed, Netanyahu told the cabinet in public remarks. Another official said Netanyahu had ordered that for the coming three weeks, until President-elect Donald Trump takes office, cabinet ministers refrain from travelling to or meeting officials of countries that voted in favour of the resolution. The envoys from 10 of the 14 countries that voted for the resolution and have embassies in Israel - Britain, China, Russia, France, Egypt, Japan, Uruguay, Spain, Ukraine and New Zealand - were summoned to the Foreign Ministry. Sunday is a regular work day in Israel, but most embassies are closed, and calling in envoys on Christmas Day is highly unusual. At the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu described a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday, when Israel and President-elect Donald Trump successfully pressed Egypt to drop the anti-settlement resolution it had put forward. It was resubmitted a day later by New Zealand, Senegal, Venezuela and Malaysia. Over decades American administrations and Israeli governments disagreed about settlements, but we agreed that the security council was not the place to resolve this issue, Netanyahu said. We knew that going there would make negotiations harder and drive peace farther away. As I told John Kerry on Thursday, Friends dont take friends to the Security Council, he said, switching from Hebrew to English. Israel has pursued a policy of constructing settlements on territory it captured in a 1967 war with its Arab neighbours - the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, areas Palestinians seek for a state. Most countries view the settlement activity as illegal and an obstacle to peace. Israel disagrees, citing biblical and historical connections to the West Bank and Jerusalem as well as security interests. A Russian plane headed to an air base in Syria with 92 people aboard, including members of a well-known military choir, crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday minutes after taking off from the resort city of Sochi, Russias defence ministry said. There was no indication anyone survived the crash of the Tu-154, which belonged to the ministry and was taking the Alexandrov Ensemble to a holiday concert at the Hemeimeem air base in Syrias coastal province of Latakia. Crews found at least one body and ships, helicopters and drones were searching the area for more. A total of 84 passengers and eight crew members were on the plane when it disappeared from radars two minutes after taking off in good weather. Emergency crews found fragments about 1.5 kilometers (less than one mile) from shore. There was no immediate word on the cause. Viktor Ozerov, head of the defense affairs committee at the upper house of Russian parliament, said the crash could have been caused by a technical malfunction or a crew error, but he believes it could not have been terrorism because the plane was operated by the military. I totally exclude the idea of an attack bringing down the plane, he said in remarks carried by state RIA Novosti news agency. This file photo taken on October 23, 2015 shows the official army choir of the Russian armed forces, also known as the Alexandrov Ensemble, performing at the Palais des Sports in Paris. (AFP) The passenger list released by the defence ministry included 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, among them its leader, Valery Khalilov. The ensemble is the official choir of the Russian military and also includes a band and a dance company. Nine Russian journalists, including a TV crew from Channel One, were also among the passengers. Defence minister Sergei Shoigu was personally coordinating the rescue efforts, and President Vladimir Putin has received official reports on the incident. The Tu-154 is a Soviet-built three-engine airliner designed in the late 1960s. More than 1,000 have been built, and they have been used extensively by carriers in Russia and worldwide. In recent years, Russian airlines have replaced their Tu-154s with more modern planes, but the military and some other government agencies in Russia have continued to use them. While noisy and fuel-guzzling by modern standards, the plane has been popular with crews that appreciate its maneuverability and ruggedness. Its an excellent plane, which has proven its reliability during decades of service, veteran pilot Oleg Smirnov said in televised remarks. The plane that crashed was built in 1983, and underwent repairs in 2014, according to the Defense Ministry. In April 2010, a Tu-154 carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others crashed while trying to land in bad weather at a sporadically used military airport in Smolensk in western Russia, killing everyone on board. Investigations by both Polish and Russian experts blamed pilot error in bad weather conditions, but Polish authorities have launched a new probe. Russian jets stepped up strikes on several towns in Syrias rebel-held Idlib province and rural Aleppo two days after the evacuation of rebels from their last pocket in the northern city of Aleppo, rebels and residents said on Saturday. They said at least eight strikes targeted Binish, Saraqeb and Jisr al Shaqour - main towns in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib. There were reports of several casualties, mainly among civilians. Idlib province for months has been a target of Russias heavy bombing campaign against rebel-held areas. It came even while the former eastern part of Aleppo under insurgent control faced an escalation in aerial raids and shelling until its defences collapsed and the rebels were forced to agree to an evacuation deal. The Syrian army has hinted the next major campaign after its victory in Aleppo was to rout insurgents in their stronghold of Idlib province, where mainly Islamist brigades operating under a coalition known as Jaish al Fateh are in control. Residents and rebels said Russian and Syrian jets also staged heavy strikes on rebel-held parts of western and southern parts of rural Aleppo for the second day since the last rebels left their remaining pocket of territory in Aleppo city. They raided the town of Khan al Asal, about 14 km (9 miles) west of Aleppo, with cluster bombs while several strikes hit Hreitan and Andan, according to a rebel fighter from Jaish al Mujahdeen. The nearby town of Atareb was also hit. Although the Syrian army, with the help of Iranian-backed militias, was able to take full control of Aleppo city after Russia conducted hundreds of raids that pulverised rebel-held parts, large swathes of western and southern Aleppo countryside remain in rebel hands. Rebels said they repelled an Iranian-backed militia assault on Saturday to gain ground in the Rashideen area, west of Aleppo city. The Syrian army continued to comb areas in eastern Aleppo that fell under its control on Thursday. The Lebanese Hizbollah- run military news service said weapons caches left by insurgents exploded, causing two deaths and wounding scores. South Koreas special prosecutor investigating a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye said on Sunday it was considering whether to raid the presidential offices and if it did so, it had no choice but to do so publicly. Special prosecutors are investigating allegations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, and aides to pressure big companies to contribute to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives. In case of raiding the Blue House ... to carry out that, there is no choice but to be make it public, Lee Kyu-chul, a spokesman for the special prosecutors team told reporters in a briefing, referring to the presidential offices. We are still considering whether the raid is needed and if needed what the raid should be aimed at. Park, whose father ruled the country for 18 years after seizing power in a 1961 coup, was indicted in a December 9 parliamentary vote. She has denied wrongdoing but apologised for carelessness in her ties with Choi, who is facing her own trial. Prosecutors have said previously they needed access to the presidential offices as part of their investigation. The office has denied access. Park has immunity from prosecution as long as she is in office even though her powers have been suspended since parliament voted to impeach her. A large crowd of protesters, including about 200 young people dressed as Santa Claus, took to the streets of central Seoul on Saturday for the ninth weekend in a row to demand the immediate resignation of the president. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama sent their final Christmas salutations from the White House on Saturday, highlighting common values uniting Americans of all faiths. The idea that we are our brothers keeper and our sisters keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated, Michelle Obama said. Those are values that help guide not just my familys Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; non-believers and Americans of all backgrounds, the president added. The Obamas seasonal greeting comes at a time when America is deeply divided after a brutal presidential campaign that pitched populist Donald Trump and his frequently incendiary rhetoric against Hillary Clinton. The Obamas appeared jovial in their greeting, showing a flashback to the filming of their first Christmas message in 2009, when the president couldnt stop giggling. Barack Obama also used the address to recap his time in office, saying the country was much stronger than it had been than when he succeeded George W Bush. Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low, he said. We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more. As is custom, the couple also thanked US troops and their families. President-elect Donald Trumps pick for a key spokesperson position has turned the job down, US media reported Sunday, just days after his appointment was announced. Jason Miller was named director of communications in the new Trump administration Thursday, but in a weekend statement he said he wanted to spend more time with his family. After spending this past week with my family, the most amount of time I have been able to spend with them since March 2015, it is clear they need to be my top priority right now, Miller said in a statement, noting that he and his wife were expecting their second daughter. This is not the right time to start a new job as demanding as White House communications director. Miller had served as a senior Trump spokesperson, and the communications directors role is to shape the administrations media strategy. He said in his statement that Trump spokesperson Sean Spicer will assume the communications director role. Miller had previously worked for Senator Ted Cruz, one of Trumps rivals in the Republican presidential campaign. A Sudanese refugee held at an Australian offshore detention camp has died after a fall and seizure, officials said, with the incident reportedly sparking a protest at the controversial facility. The 27-year-old, named by refugee advocates as Faysal Ishak Ahmed, died in a Brisbane hospital in eastern Australia after being flown to Queensland from Papua New Guineas Manus Island, the immigration department said Saturday. A 27-year-old Sudanese refugee has sadly died today from injuries suffered after a fall and seizure at the Manus Regional Processing Centre, the department said. The department is not aware of any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. An immigration spokeswoman added in a statement sent to AFP Sunday there was a disturbance involving a group of residents in the mess area of the detention centre following Ahmeds death. There was minor property damage but no reported injuries, she said. The disturbance had since ended. PNG police were not immediately available for comment. Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said Ahmed had been suffering seizures -- resulting in him collapsing -- for weeks without treatment. He told AFP asylum-seekers had protested after his death, with guards temporarily withdrawing from the compound. Ahmed was the third man held at Manus to die in almost four years. Iranian Reza Barati died during a riot in February 2014, while compatriot Hamid Khazaei passed away in a Brisbane hospital in August of the same year. Canberra sends asylum-seekers who try to reach Australia by boat to remote camps in PNG and Nauru. They are blocked from resettling in Australia even if found to be refugees. Conditions in the camps have been widely criticised by refugee advocates and medical professionals, who say some asylum-seekers suffer from mental health problems due to their prolonged detention. The government last month inked an agreement with Washington to resettle some of the refugees in the United States. But it is unclear how many would be eligible and if the incoming Donald Trump administration -- which has vowed to tighten immigration -- would honour the deal. Australia agreed in August to close the Manus camp following a PNG Supreme Court ruling in April declaring that holding people there was unconstitutional and illegal. US president-elect Donald Trump is shutting down his charitable foundation and mulling options to address potential conflicts of interest between his family-run businesses and presidency that include, according to a news report, ending some projects in India and other countries. No specifics were available of the Trump Organizations plans for its India operations, which are its largest outside the US. The New York Times, which reported the move in the context of a larger effort to address conflict of interest issues, merely said the Trump Organization was forgoing early-stage ventures in places such as India. Trump has five ongoing deals in India with a gross development value of about $1.5 billion, Kalpesh Mehta, founder and managing partner of Tribeca, a Mumbai-based developer and the exclusive India representative for the Trump Organization, has said before. Mehta told Hindustan Times days after Trumps victory on November 8, One project is finished and sales for two have begun. Three more projects are likely to be launched in 2017. Demand for the Trump brand in India remains strong. Trump announced on Saturday he was closing the Donald J Trump Foundation saying as he wanted to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as President I have decided to continue to pursue my strong interest in philanthropy in other ways. The charity, which has been under investigation for raising money in violation of New York state laws, was just one of the many potential areas of conflict facing Trump as he prepares to assume office in just a few weeks on January 20. His businesses in the US and around the world have come under close scrutiny in recent days as he has swung between defiance saying as president he faces no conflicts of interest to declaring he will hand over the reins to his children. But the enormity of the task is just beginning to dawn on the Trumps, as the children have had to cancel or withdraw themselves from charities and fund-raisers that promised donors access to the incoming first family, including the president-elect. Faced with these and other challenges, the Trumps are mulling many options including, according to NYT, bringing in an outside monitor to oversee the sprawling Tump Organization and terminate some international projects. The Trump Organization has already started ending pending or finished housing or hotel projects in Brazil, Argentina and Azerbaijan besides forgoing ventures in places like India, if the NYT report is true. Trumps India businesses, franchises mostly, are his largest foreign operations, according to information culled from his financial disclosures, with 16 entities in Pune and Mumbai in Maharashtra and Gurgaon in Haryana. Mehta had said India probably has the highest number of Trumps real estate projects outside North America. India was followed by UAE (13), Canada (12), China (9), Indonesia (8), Panama (8), Saudi Arabia (8), Scotland (7), Azerbaijan (5), Brazil (4), Ireland (4), Israel (4), Qatar (4), French West Indies (2) South Africa (2), Turkey (2), Uruguay (2), Bermuda (1). An air hostess who miraculously survived a fall of more than 10 kilometres 34 years ago after a plane exploded mid-air has died at the age of 66. Vesna Vulovic, who was a 22-year-old flight attendant with Yugoslav airways JAT, was found dead by friends in her Belgrade apartment, Tanjug news agency reported on Saturday. The cause of death was not known. Vulovic was the only survivor of the January 26, 1972 bomb blast over the Czech town of Srbska Kamenice which killed 23 passengers and five crew. The bomb had been placed in the baggage hold in the Stockholm to Zagreb flight by a Croatian separatist group. She was trapped in the cone of the tail and landed on a slope after plunging 10,160 metres (33,300 feet) from the DC-9 aircraft. Vulovic is in the Guinness Book of World Records for surviving the longest fall without a parachute. She was temporarily paralysed from the waist down and in a coma for nearly a month. She spent several more months in hospital. My thoughts are always with those who died here, Vulovic said at a ceremony in 2002 when she returned to the spot where she had landed. Split between Atlanta and the remote northern parts of Sweden - commonly known as Sapmi, the hip-hop meets electro-pop trio Blank are currently getting ready to release their third album Weary Soul. Touching on topics such as self-destruction, angst, hope, and finally acceptance, the new record is as much uplifting as it is lachrymose, focusing on emotional emancipation and taking control of your own life. With their last two albums Youve never been to Sapmi (2009) and Only Built For Northern Lights (2015) earning the trio acclaim from across the US and UK, Blank have gone from strength-to-strength with each release. It is obvious that their evolution across their work, influenced by friends from across the music scene (they collaborated with Noonie Bao on their last record), has transmuted their sound towards their most mature and consummate release yet. This record now sees the trio go it alone bearing brutal yet charming honesty and an empowering confidence. Weary Soul is powerful step forward for Blank, whilst still combining the trios signature combination of polar melancholy and the slick yet gritty flow of the nominally southern state of Atlanta. The album is still heavily rooted in hip-hop, however the new record also sees Blank move into a darker more downbeat atmospheric electro sound, which occasionally takes influence from intermittent soul-infused textures and at times owes itself to a subtle 80s electro-pop inflection. Its an incredibly diverse record, which is carried by the contrasting vocals from Simon Trabelsi and Lina Ohman and their lyrical themes - the album surrounds their motivation to turn thoughts of depression and suicide towards thoughts of growth, self-love and self-discovery. Its dark, but still hopeful, whilst also exhibiting hubris. Weary Soul is the culmination of years of personal challenges and self-work. Valleys, peaks, wins, losses, they're all a part of the journey but their collective weight adds up. Speaking about the album Blank said, The album is about baring the pain and perspectives of the weary soul that's lived through it all. At this point it's not about being depressed or celebrating wins, it's about recognizing all those things are a part of a larger journey that shapes the person one becomes. source: ALBIN HOLMQVIST A Syria-bound plane from Russia crashed into the Black Sea minutes after take off from an airport in Sochi province. The plane is carrying 84 passengers and eight crew members on board. There was no sign of survivors. Most of the passengers of the ill-fated Tu-154 plane were members of the famous Russian army choir. The aircraft disappeared from the radar merely two minutes after take off. As of this posting, rescuers have recovered 10 bodies floating with the fragments of the aircraft some 1.5 km from the shorelines. The plane was bound for Latakia, Syria to transport members of Alexandrov Ensemble for a New Year's concert at Hemeimeem air base. Also on board were Russian journalists and a Russian doctor. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a nationwide day of mourning on December 26 while vowing a thorough investigation of the incident. While there are speculations that the incident may be a terror attack, Russian authorities have rejected the claims. Over 3,000 people from 27 ships and several helicopters trooped to the crash site to help the search and rescue operations. The Russian government has deployed over 100 divers to participate in the search efforts. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Mick LaSalle saw a lot of movies in 2016. And you read his thoughts on many of them, his reviews often run in the Houston Chronicle. Here is his list of the year's 10 best films: 1. "Knight of Cups": Terrence Malick is developing a new kind of cinema, a cinema of ecstasy, using voice-over rumination, snatches of conversation and striking images to depict the action of memory and consciousness on screen. It's not for everybody, but get onto the film's wavelength, and it's like a religious experience. This film, starring Christian Bale, was Malick's most extreme, and it's among his best. 2. "Hacksaw Ridge": Mel Gibson loves gore, or maybe he's so horrified by it that he can't resist presenting it. In any case, this well-made and well-acted true story of World War II, starring Andrew Garfield as a battlefield medic, features some of the most harrowing battle scenes every committed to film - scenes that make the first half-hour of "Saving Private Ryan" look like a yoga class. 3. "La La Land": This lilting musical romance - an ideal combination of old Hollywood technique and modern sensibility - presents Los Angeles as a place to fall in love and find your dreams. But there's a sober and adult edge to the film, which recognizes that dreams don't always come true, and that even when they do, all gains in life come with a loss. 4. "Fences": Denzel Washington directs himself and a brilliant cast (including Viola Davis) in the best ensemble performance of 2016. The material is first-rate - based on the August Wilson play - but what's particularly extraordinary is the way in which Washington takes a role made indelible by James Earl Jones and makes it his own, offering an equally stellar interpretation of one of the American stage's great roles. 5. "Elle": French actress Isabelle Huppert finds one of her best showcases in this Paul Verhoeven film about a wealthy businesswoman who gets brutally raped but never reports it to the police. It's a complex performance, one of the year's best, in which Huppert is often quite funny, but in the most subtle and deadpan of ways. She turns what might have been an odd thriller into the darkest of black comedies. 6. "Manchester by the Sea": Casey Affleck plays a working man who has been scarred by life, in this interesting and successful experiment from writer-director Kenneth Lonergan that dares to suggest that sometimes emotional damage is permanent. Affleck's performance is extraordinary. 7. "Moonlight": A young man grows up in a terrible place, in this lyrical and vigorously filmed movie by Barry Jenkins. Presented in three acts, it tells a compelling story about the preciousness of the spirit and the distortions that a pernicious environment can inflict upon a young soul. 8. "The Girl on the Train": A drunken, lost woman (Emily Blunt) rides the train all day and fantasizes about the life of a young woman that she sees through the window, in this adaptation of the Paula Hawkins' best-seller. It's a brilliant mood piece, with an atmosphere of mournful eroticism. 9. "Arrival": Amy Adams is a linguist who is brought in by the government to try to talk to space aliens, who have invaded various points on the planet. Not the usual sci-fi adventure, this is a somber, thoughtful film about time and love and what matters in life. And Adams is superb. 10. "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates": This is the funniest film of the year, with comic gambits going back to the Restoration, and it's right to acknowledge this kind of comedy for a change - the kind that actually gets laughs. A different lens And since multiple perspectives can provide a greater depth of dialogue, here are a few films from 2016 that moved Houston Chronicle pop-culture writer Andrew Dansby: "One More Time With Feeling": Nick Cave should no longer sport hair the color of midnight. Yet at 59, the post-punk songwriter frames his intimidating scowl with the same flat, black frame he always has. "One More Time" is ostensibly about the making of Cave's stark and moving "The Skeleton Tree" album, though the film's real theme is largely unspoken until more than halfway through: It's a movie about the redefinition of self following tragedy. In this case, the death of Cave's teenage son. A scene in which Cave's wife decides to speak about a piece of art made by their son - a moment she could have grieved alone, but instead invited Cave into a shared ritual - is simply devastating. "Swiss Army Man": Any film that opens with farting will be judged harshly. But this bizarre, dark comedy about a castaway and his utility corpse is unflinching in its portrayal of societal disconnect. So feel free to focus on the gas, but really, it's about a guy who has always felt beyond the periphery, whose ideals regarding love and connection have been codified through popular culture instead of actual interaction with others. So it explains a stalker's behavior, to an extent, without justifying it. "Hunt for the Wilderpeople": Maybe I'm growing sentimental as I get older because an odd-couple story about an able outdoorsman and an obese hip-hop-loving juvenile-delinquent foster kid on the run in the wilds of New Zealand sounds truly terrible on paper. Director Taika Waititi somehow applies just the right amounts of charm and tragedy. The dynamic between grizzled vet Sam Neill and newcomer Julian Dennison is funny and heartbreaking. "Weiner": Among the best comedies of the year, this documentary tells the story of the New York congressman who repeatedly trips over his own weiner. Filmmakers Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg were given remarkable access to Anthony Weiner and emerge with a tragically funny portrait of a guy whose ambitions are only overmatched by his poor judgment (repeatedly). It's a cautionary tale about the volatility of our digital present and the need to get out in front of bad news. "Don't Think Twice": A few years back, Mike Birbiglia struck a new formula for the stand-up comedy experience, recasting the process as a master narrative with back-pocket poignancy interspersed amid the jokes. His feature film is more traditional, yet it similarly picks away at the complicated dynamics of urban tribes. In this case, the tribe is rife with conflict, as it's a small-scale improv comedy troupe. The group's members have similar aspirations, yet the realization of those aspirations puts each of them on incompatible trajectories. The results are funny and heartbreaking. "Pete's Dragon": David Lowery is one of the most exciting young filmmakers working today. He proved he can work a contemplative minimalist character study like "Ain't Them Bodies Saints" and then this year showed that he can create an animated family film with a depth of emotion and imagination. In addition to a great eye, he has a strong sense for sound in films, using it cautiously to haunting effect. A couple days ago, I was a ball of stress and exhaustion, weaving my way through crowds of last-minute shoppers, waving off kiosk cosmetic offers and holding my breath to see if that rectangle of magic plastic would keep working - all the while thinking: none of this is Christmas. No, Christmas is the glow of my daughters' faces singing hymns at the candlelight service. It's the celebration of the birth of Christ, a weary world rejoicing. It is family, friends, board games, and my mama's homemade Chex mix. And, angels. Let's not forget the angels. There are the ones in my own life I thank God for every day. The two little angels whose sleepy smiles fill me each morning with love, purpose and gratitude. The friends and family who ground me when I'm falling, pull me up when I'm stuck or simply sit beside me and listen, without judgment, when that's all I need. Then there are the ones I get to meet through the course of writing this column. There's a lot of bad news in this business, a lot of tragedy, greed and injustice - all of which needs attention. But it's the good stories, the good people who fight for what's right, that keep me going and remind me that change is a journey, but in the long game, love works. Sometimes it even wins. This column is a tribute to those angels, including: Foster mothers Angela Sugarek and Carol Jeffery, who are still trying to adopt two troubled little boys with a history of abuse and neglect, desperately in need of a forever home. As I began reporting in April, the women, both Houston public school educators praised as model foster parents, saw the boys removed from their home after reporting outcries of abuse, allegedly by an older sibling living elsewhere whom the younger boys were required to visit. The boys were returned to the foster mothers, but some at Texas' child protective agency seemed to hold a grudge, refusing to sign off on adoption, investigating the mothers for giving one boy a pedicure, and even revoking their right to consent to medical treatment. The foster mothers have never stopped fighting, investing their own savings in legal fees and the boys' intensive therapy sessions. The strength, resolve and sheer love of these women is inspiring to anyone, but especially those who understand how desperately Texas foster children need more parents like these. I pray state officials will let this family become official soon. Carlos Flores and all the other parents of special needs children across Texas who are fighting for their children's right to adequate services in public schools. Flores, a network technician whose 9-year-old autistic son attends a Cypress-Fairbanks school, was one of many parents who turned out on a school night for a Houston listening session sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Parents, many with tears and frustration brimming, complained not only about Texas' arbitrary 8.5 percent cap on special education services, reported by the Chronicle's Brian Rosenthal, but on obstacles in obtaining adequate therapy and other accommodations even after a child's special needs are acknowledged. Without parents who refuse to stop advocating, researching, demanding meetings and firing off emails, their children wouldn't stand a chance at the quality education and future they deserve. Hannah Overton, the mother of five who was falsely convicted in the 2006 Corpus Christi death of an adoptive child with a rare eating disorder who actually appeared to have poisoned himself with salt. Overton was finally freed in 2014, after a team of attorneys, including Houston's John Raley, worked pro-bono on her appeal. A recent documentary film on her case focused on the impact of her needless incarceration on her children, who were allowed phone calls and visits through prison glass but no hugs for years. Overton, and her husband, Larry, aren't just angels for surviving grave injustice with their family and their grace intact, but because after the exoneration, the Overtons started an organization, Syndeo Ministries, that serves female inmates in the very prison where Hannah was confined. As she explained at a recent screening of the film in Houston: "Our goal is to help them to feel the need to change, to feel that they have someone out in this world." Aaron Bishop at Northside High School and other college success advisers who work with thousands of students across Houston ISD, mostly from economically disadvantaged homes, to provide intensive support during the college application process and beyond. Bishop was hired as part of a program funded in part by the Houston Endowment. It's the brainchild of another local angel for children, Rick Cruz, a district administrator who helped start the nonprofit EMERGE, which helps low-income students get into elite colleges. The key to the program's success isn't just a proactive strategy. It's hiring people like Bishop, whose compassion and energy draw students in, earns their trust, and persuades them to attempt a goal that may seem scary and impossible. Bishop's job goes far beyond filling out forms. He does everything from counsel reluctant parents to explaining airport security procedures to students headed to a far-off university. In guiding students toward their potential, he's changing lives, and maybe even setting future generations on a new course. Judge Marc Carter, attorney Staci Biggar, staff Mary Covington and Patrice Jackson, Loretta Coonan with the Veterans Affairs medical center, and bailiffs Walker and Jackson. I didn't mention all their names in a recent column on Harris County's veterans court, but the retired U.S. Marine I featured, 1st Sgt. Arthur Davis, credits every single one with helping to save his life. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, the decorated combat veteran became a drug addict and found himself charged with aggravated assault after an altercation with a neighbor. But when the native Houstonian eventually found his way to veteran's court, which offered a second chance to rebuild his life, he found a judge and staff who treated him not as an offender, not as a number, but as a person worthy of respect and redemption. Theirs was a tough love - they didn't take his excuses or attitude, and stayed on him until he completed services and therapy. Davis got clean and became a mentor for younger veterans, a role he still serves informally whenever his cell phone rings with a call from a fellow veteran in crisis. Sometimes, the work of angels inspires others to pay it forward. I hope, in some small way, this column inspires you, reader. I hope it reminds you on this special day to take stock of the angels around you, to remember them when times are hard, and to reward their kindnesses by sharing some of your own. When Jose Luis Hernandez was booked into the Harris County Jail in the summer of 2015 on a murder charge, federal and county officials discovered he was here illegally. The 23-year-old stood accused of shooting a teenager to death in a Sharpstown park. Yet despite pleas from the prosecutor and lead investigator, immigration officials said they couldn't detain Hernandez once he posted the $125,000 bail set by a judge. Shortly before he was to be sentenced earlier this month, he cut off his ankle bracelet and disappeared. He is thought to be in Mexico. "He fooled the system," said Katherine Cerda, the aunt of 17-year-old Bryan Blanco, whom Hernandez and another man are accused of killing. "We just don't want this forgotten." The case highlights the legal complexities federal and local officials face in cooperating on immigration enforcement, which is solely a federal duty. President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants to expand a controversial federal-local partnership that likely would have allowed immigration agents to detain Hernandez even if he could post bail. Trump has accused the Obama administration of having "recklessly gutted" that initiative, known as Secure Communities, which debuted in Harris County eight years ago. Courts across the country, however, have found the program may be unconstitutional, saying local authorities can't hold immigrants who are otherwise free to go just so that federal agents can deport them. Still, the facts of the Hernandez case, an accused killer released despite being here illegally, highlights the pitfalls of the system, said Ryan Sullivan, a spokesman for the Harris County Sheriff's Office. By honing in throughout his campaign on immigrants here illegally who commit crimes, Trump tapped into a powerful, though exaggerated, national sentiment that such immigrants "do whatever they want to do, crime all over the place," he said in August. Several studies, including analyses of incarceration data, have found that immigrants are generally far less likely than Americans to commit crimes at all, but critics argue they shouldn't be here illegally in the first place. Program revamped The Hernandez case also fuels the idea that some areas have policies providing "sanctuary" for such immigrants, a drumbeat of Trump's campaign. "He shouldn't have been able to bond out being an illegal immigrant," said Cerda, who said her family now awaits a closure they may never see. "He was being investigated for murder." Once hailed as the "single best tool" to target dangerous criminals, the Secure Communities program turned local jails into immigration outposts, matching the fingerprints of every person booked in against a sweeping law enforcement database, including immigration information from the Department of Homeland Security. After they determined someone was here illegally, federal officials could request that local authorities detain those immigrants even if they were otherwise eligible for release, say by posting bond or having their criminal charges dropped. Critics said the program encouraged racial profiling and mostly deported immigrants accused of minor crimes such as traffic offenses rather than focusing the government's limited resources on violent immigrants. They said it damaged community relations because immigrants became afraid to interact with police whom they saw as a gateway to deportation. Roughly one-sixth of the record 2.5 million immigrants Obama deported between 2008 and 2015 were removed through the Secure Communities program, many of them after being booked into jail on misdemeanor crimes. A spate of federal court decisions over the past three years, including in Oregon and Illinois, found that local jurisdictions do not, however, have to detain immigrants for federal authorities. In fact, the courts found that doing so could be a violation of the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure. Hundreds of cities and municipalities, though none in Texas, began withdrawing or otherwise curtailing how or when they would hold immigrants for federal officials. In response, the Obama administration revamped the program in 2014, declaring it problematic and "embroiled in litigation." Its new iteration, the Priority Enforcement Program, instructed immigration officials to ask that local jails hold immigrants only if they had been convicted of a serious crime or posed a national security threat. The changes were implemented in July 2015, within days of Hernandez being booked into jail. He stood accused of helping create a fake Facebook page to lure Blanco to Sharpstown Park. Hernandez and his friend, Frank Marinero, 23, had at some point dated a woman who was also romantically involved with Blanco. The teenager showed up expecting to meet a girl, but the two men confronted him and one of them shot him, leaving his body in the park. Parameters of law Hernandez was interviewed in jail and said he came here illegally in 1998 when he was about 5. Database checks revealed he had never before had a run-in with immigration authorities and didn't have a criminal history. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials did not ask the jail to detain Hernandez because the agency said in a statement that he did not fall under its new priorities since he had not been convicted of a crime. The judge set his bail at $85,000 for the murder charge, far higher than normal for the first-degree felony, said Assistant District Attorney Britni Cooper, the prosecutor handling the case. He also faced a $40,000 bail for tampering with evidence. In August 2015, Hernandez was able to post the bond. Cooper and a homicide investigator called immigration authorities and asked them to place an immigration hold on him so that he could not be released. "They said he didn't have a prior conviction and this was not a conviction and they could not put an immigration hold on him," she said. "I was shocked." Cooper said state District Judge Brock Thomas put Hernandez under strict supervision with a curfew and GPS-operated ankle monitor and required him to frequently check in with a pretrial supervision officer. For more than a year, he was a model defendant. "He complied with all of his bond conditions the entire time," Cooper said. "There was no basis to have his bond revoked at that point. Had he ever been late before or had there been issues with his ankle monitor, we would have asked for that. But there was no legal basis." In August 2016, Hernandez's co-defendant was sentenced to life in prison for the crime. In September, Hernandez entered a guilty plea, though it was not yet a conviction. He was awaiting the results of a pre-sentencing investigation, a report the judge considers before deciding how much time he should serve. On Dec. 13, Hernandez met with his lawyer, David Paz, who did not return calls for comment. Two days later, he did not appear at his sentencing. Neither was he at home. The U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of Texas said it is working with Mexican authorities to find him since they expect him to have fled there. Cooper said all entities, including the district attorney's office, the jail and ICE, complied with the law as it stands but that maybe it needs to change. "He was an illegal immigrant charged with murder. He should have had an immigration hold on him from the beginning," she said. "We can only work within the parameters we have. Hopefully, maybe, this case can change the way our laws work." Blames 'the system' Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, a group in Washington, D.C., advocating for reduced immigration, said the case illustrates how the impact of Obama's revamped program has been to "create cracks like this that deportable criminal aliens inevitably will fall between." ICE said it since has issued new guidance for the policy. Since March, the agency said in a statement, it now analyzes every foreign-born suspect booked into jail on a case-by-case basis. Even when an immigrant doesn't fall under one of its enforcement priorities, it can again ask local jails to hold someone who has been arrested on suspicion of, but not convicted of, a violent crime, as in the case of Hernandez, if it would serve an "important federal interest." Increasingly, however, local authorities have backed out of cooperating with federal agents on the matter and now could lose federal funding under promises Trump made to crack down on what he said were sanctuary cities. Five states and more than 500 counties restrict how they hold immigrants for federal authorities, citing in part court rulings that doing so may violate the constitution. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office was sued this summer for holding a man for more than two months after officials dismissed the misdemeanor assault charge that had him flagged by immigration officials to begin with. Incoming Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez has said she would no longer honor such detainers, and Harris County Sheriff-elect Ed Gonzalez said he, too, is concerned about the issue and will study it. "It is unconstitutional for local jails to detain a person based on an ICE detainer past their release date," said Lena Graber, an attorney for the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, a national immigrant advocacy group in San Francisco. She said they are civil orders, not arrest warrants meeting Fourth Amendment requirements. Blanco's family finds Hernandez's escape particularly painful, coming almost exactly on the two-year anniversary of Blanco's death. The teenager wanted to become a mechanic and doted on his two younger brothers, who are autistic. "I don't want to blame anybody," his aunt said. "I blame our system, the rules that are in place that the judge and the lawyers have to follow, the laws that are in place for these illegal immigrants they are not fair." Fuller and LeMay returned to Ferguson Township Elementary School a week after they dropped off her paperwork in 2011 and met with a special education teacher and the principal. We know what Jade's problem is, the teacher said. We've seen it before. We're confident we can address this. Jade would be provided with direct reading intervention in the special education classroom. It was exactly what her parents had fought so hard for in Texas. Charlotte Zmyslo, the principal at Ferguson Township, remembers trying to reassure Fuller and LeMay. "We won't let her fall through the cracks," she told them. Jade was placed in a reading program called Corrective Reading Decoding Strategies for the start of her fifth-grade year. She received an hour of reading instruction a day. There were no more than two students in the instruction groups, which were taught by a teacher certified in elementary and special education, as well as reading instruction, or by a paraprofessional trained in the program. It included direct instruction in learning sounds, sound combinations, practice in reading fluency, spelling and comprehension skills. It used immediate correction techniques so that the students would practice correctly. Zmyslo, who herself holds special education certifications, said the school selected the new, direct reading program because Jade's problem came in decoding words. "Through that direct program, it helped her grow and to develop her vocabulary and work on skills of decoding words and putting words back together and develop meaning from what she was reading." The elementary school now has a special education enrollment of about 10.7 percent, the same as the district's although well below the state average. Zmyslo credited the lower numbers to early intervention programs, such as RTI. Principals, she said, have to create a culture that makes it clear helping struggling students is the priority, regardless of any kind of outside pressure. "We're in education," she said. "It has to be about the kids. It's not about what I want. It's not about what the state wants. You give kids what they need. And you don't back off from that. This is the rest of their lives. You are laying this foundation for who they're going to be for the rest of their lives." With the intensive focus on decoding words, Jade made a year's worth of growth in reading in her first semester, Fuller said. In the second semester, she progressed even more. "All it took was for someone to give her the right kind of assistance," Fuller said. In sixth grade, Jade attended a math class at Mount Nittany Middle School taught by both special education and general education teachers. It was taught at a slower pace and had supplemental work to help students boost their skills. In seventh grade, Jade started out in a math class taught by a teacher certified in both special education and middle school math. Although this class used the general education curriculum, it was smaller than a traditional class and was taught at a slower pace, with reteaching as necessary. Jade performed well from the start and didn't seem to need the materials taught at a slower pace, her teacher recalled, and she really wanted to go into the larger general education class. So, around the end of the first marking period, the team decided to move her into the other class and monitor how she was doing. She was able to stay for the remainder of the year. By eighth grade in 2014, she was reading above grade level and making all A's and B's. In her freshman year of high school, she took an advanced English class and scored as advanced in algebra on standardized tests. "That never would have happened in Texas," Fuller said. Jade is now 16, and has some minor accommodations, including extra time on tests. She has made slow but steady progress dealing with her Asperger's, which is mild but sometimes makes it harder to fit in. She still has an individualized education plan, a legally binding document that sets achievement goals and lays out a plan for services, supports and accommodations. The school is letting it follow her throughout high school, and her mother said she wouldn't let the school take her off it at this point. If anything does come up again, her mother said, she won't have to go through the whole entrance and evaluation process to get services. She has not needed specialized reading or math instruction since middle school, but she does have a required study-skills class every day in which teachers assist her with organization and homework, and any social or emotional guidance she may need, her mother said. This semester, her class is reading the book "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. It's written like a screenplay, and her teacher wanted the students to read it aloud in class. Her teacher offered extra credit to anyone willing to take the part of the main character. Jade's hand shot up into the air, and her teacher picked her. Earlier this year, a wave of water washed into Harris County from neighboring Waller County, spilling into the creeks and rivers and flooding hundreds of homes. The invisible line dividing the two counties means nothing to the Houston region's perennial rains. But it has meant the data public officials use to coordinate a response is a patchwork that depends on who is gathering it. That might change as the Harris County Flood Control District seeks to go beyond the county's borders and install rain gauges in several surrounding counties to get a better idea of when potentially deadly flooding is coming - and from where. The Harris County Flood Control District is looking to add at least eight "rain gauges" in Waller, Montgomery and possibly Grimes counties, where watersheds for Spring Creek and Barker Reservoir cross county lines, said Jeff Lindner, a meteorologist who is director of the district's hydrologic operation division. The gauges can accurately measure rainfall as well as the water level in a creek. That would allow county officials and emergency responders to better tailor warnings, provide estimates of how long people might be trapped in their homes and decide where to place high-water vehicles or boats. "We just want to make sure that we are getting a full picture of how much water is coming into our watersheds that are on our county borders," Lindner said. The gauge initiative, still tentative, is one of several steps the flood control district is undertaking after last spring's storms. The first, dubbed the "Tax Day floods," struck on the night of April 17 and continued into the following day, the deadline for filing federal income taxes. The second hit Memorial Day weekend. Torrential downpours swelled creeks and bayous across the county, flooding more than 7,000 homes and killing more than a dozen people. These storms followed two significant disasters the year before, on Halloween and Memorial Day 2015, raising concerns and demands for action from weary flood victims across the county. Studies underway The flood control district has contributed $200,000 to a federal study of past rainfall totals across Texas, which could help local officials better predict the size and frequency of rainstorms. And the district has commissioned a third party to evaluate its detention requirements, which force developers to offset the impact new subdivisions and strip malls can have on downstream flooding. Tom Ballestero, director of the University of New Hampshire's Stormwater Center, said that when it comes to flood response, weather forecasts are the most important tool because they can predict rainfall - and inform response - days in advance. But he said gauges can also make a difference by giving real-time updates of where the water is moving. "Even if you can have one to two hours of advanced warning, that's saving infrastructure, lives," Ballestero said. He said working across jurisdictions has become the "state of the art," with effective models in the Northeast and in California. He said Harris County's effort builds on that. The gauges would have benefits in predicting rainfall, too. Much of what many jurisdictions across the country know about rainfall comes from data gathered over a few decades in the 20th century, Ballestero said. Lindner said the flood control district's current network of 144 gauges across Harris County is one of the densest in the nation. It began in 1983, with around 15 gauges, and slowly expanded over time after major storms flooded different areas. The county has several gauges on Clear Creek in Galveston County. Lindner said the county also gets information from gauges maintained by other entities in other counties, but the expansion would provide better and more reliable data - for example, there is only one gauge in Waller County from which the flood control district gets information. All information useful The latest plan would cost roughly $6,300 per gauge for the installation - and roughly $500 to $700 per year, per gauge for maintenance. The expansion would ideally be completed in the spring, though Lindner said the district was negotiating placement with the neighboring counties. He said the gauges would also provide rain- and water-level information to those counties. Lindner did not think the county would have necessarily reacted any differently to the spring storms had the gauges been in place then, though he said the information would have helped. "We would have had a better idea of exactly how much water is coming down into Harris County and probably a better idea of the timing, how quickly it's going to reach us and how long it's going to last," he said. Lindner encouraged county residents to follow gauge data at near-real time at www.harriscountyfws.org. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PARIS - Europe's open borders symbolize liberty and forward thinking for many residents - but they increasingly look like the continent's Achilles' heel. Europe's No. 1 terrorism suspect crossed at least two borders this week despite an international manhunt, and was felled only by chance, in a random ID check in a Milan suburb. The bungled chase for Berlin market attack suspect Anis Amri is just one example of recent cross-border security failures that are emboldening nationalists fed up with European unity. Extremist violence, they argue, is too high a price to pay for the freedom to travel easily. Defenders of the EU's border-free zone say the security failures show the need for more cooperation among European governments, even shared militaries - not new barriers. But their arguments are easily drowned out by the likes of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who is hoping to win France's presidency in May. "The myth of total free movement in Europe, which my rivals are clinging to in this presidential election, should be definitively buried. Our security depends on it," she said in a statement Friday, calling Europe's free-travel zone a "total security catastrophe." That poses a dilemma for European Union devotees like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, facing a re-election battle next year. More Information Amri's nephew, 2 others arrested Tunisian authorities have arrested three men "linked to the perpetrator of the terrorist attack" at a Berlin Christmas market, including the suspect's nephew, the government said in a statement Saturday. The three men, whose ages ranged from 18-27, were arrested Friday. They were described as members of a "cell" that had been in contact with the suspect, Anis Amri, 24, a Tunisian citizen accused of killing 12 people Monday when he plowed a stolen truck into a crowd of holiday shoppers. Amri's nephew confessed to communicating with his uncle, swearing allegiance to the Islamic State and sending Amri money. New York Times See More Collapse Merkel's defense of the EU, and the welcoming hand she extended to Syrian war refugees, were once seen as assets, signs of her moral authority. Today, with anti-immigrant, anti-establishment sentiment rising across Europe, they are threatening to become liabilities. Millions of people cross borders in the 26-country Schengen travel zone every day, thanks to a 31-year-old system encompassing nearly 400 million people that has dramatically boosted trade and job prospects across the world's largest collective economy. Berlin truck attacker Amri is a painful example of how Islamic extremists have used Europe's open borders to attack the principles of tolerance they're meant to epitomize. After migrating illegally from Tunisia in 2011, he was imprisoned for burning down a migrant detention center in Italy. When freed, attempts to deport him to Tunisia failed for bureaucratic reasons. He subsequently traveled to Switzerland and then Germany, where he apparently fell under the influence of a radical network accused of recruiting for the Islamic State group. Although Germany rejected his asylum application last summer and flagged him as a potential terror threat, authorities patiently waited for Tunisia to produce the required paperwork before deporting him. And just as the deportation was being finalized Monday, Amri is believed to have hijacked a truck and rammed it into holiday crowds at a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 and wounding dozens. He evaded an international manhunt for more than three days, slipping apparently into France - possibly with a pistol in his pocket - and then Italy before stumbling into a standard ID check in suburban Milan, where he died in a police shootout. Germany, France and Italy have failed to explain how he escaped the dragnet. "Movement from one country to another in Europe is easy, especially for someone like Anis Amri, who had lived in Europe for several years" and knew which borders were easier to cross, said Tunisian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bouraoui Limam. France is especially embarrassed. France's far right and the conservative opposition have assailed the Socialist government as lax. Security and migration will be central issues in elections in the coming year in Germany, France and the Netherlands - all founding nations of the EU. And related fears could be key to fueling opposition calls for an early election in Italy after its recent political crisis. The leader of Italy's anti-migrant Northern League, Matteo Salvini, called Saturday for closing and reinforcing Europe's borders after the latest terror attack. "I don't want another two or three massacres before Europe wakes up," Salvini said. Le Pen's far-right National Front party wants to retrench rather than reach out, to "give France back full control over its sovereignty." As Europeans head home for the holidays, many crossing multiple borders on the way without showing a single passport or changing any currency, people are asking themselves: Is it all worth it? This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BETHLEHEM, West Bank - Thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world, together with local Christians, gathered in the biblical town of Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas Eve in the traditional birthplace of Jesus, with spirits lifted by a slowdown in recent violence and cool, clear weather. Security was tight in Bethlehem after recent deadly attacks on Christian targets in neighboring Egypt and Jordan by Islamic extremists. Yet the faithful braved the chilly weather outside the town's Manger Square as traditional Christmas songs like "Jingle Bells" played in Arabic over loudspeakers and scout groups paraded with bagpipes and sang carols. Elated tourists and local Christians alike wandered around the square, visiting souvenir shops and restaurants. The Rev. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, is the temporary chief clergyman to the local Catholic population. He traveled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Saturday in a traditional procession. Later, he was to celebrate Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity, built at the grotto revered as Jesus' birthplace. "I wish this joyous atmosphere of Christmas will continue in the year and not just for a few days and I hope the coming year will bring a little more serenity and peaceful relations in our country. We need it," he said. Christians return to Iraqi hometown BARTELLA, Iraq - For the 300 Christians who braved rain and wind to attend Christmas's Eve Mass in their hometown, the ceremony evoked both holiday cheer and grim reminders of the war raging around their northern Iraqi town, and the distant prospect of moving back home. Displaced when the Islamic State group seized their town, Bartella, in August 2014, the Christians were bused into town from Irbil, capital of the self-ruled Kurdish region where they have lived for more than two years, to attend the lunchtime service in the Assyrian Orthodox church of Mart Shmoni. Torched by ISIS militants, church-supervised volunteers recently cleaned it up after government forces retook Bartella as part of an ongoing campaign to liberate the nearby city of Mosul and surrounding areas. But the church still is missing its icons, electrical wiring hangs perilously from its ceiling, and most light fixtures are gone. The headless statue of a late patriarch stands in the front yard. On Saturday, women joyously ululated when they stepped into the marble-walled church. For many of them, the sight of their hometown in almost complete ruin was shocking. Only a few homes in the once vibrant town of some 25,000 people stand unscathed. Short on cash, Zimbabweans must make do HARARE, Zimbabwe - Most people in this once-prosperous southern African country are struggling to afford Christmas as the economy implodes. The U.S. dollar, the main currency used since Zimbabwe abandoned its own in 2009, is in such short supply that some people sleep outside banks in the hope of withdrawing what they can. In this predominantly Christian country, the holiday period is traditionally associated with wild merrymaking, travel, family gatherings and new clothes. This year is different. Naison Makwechede rummages through piles of used clothes at a busy flea market in Zimbabwe's capital in hopes of finding Christmas clothes for his family. This secondhand search is new terrain for the father of three, who always buys new clothes for his children this time of year in line with local holiday tradition. "The bond note is the only new thing in my possession," Makwechede said. President Robert Mugabe said recently the economy was on the mend. But the government, which has failed to pay civil servants on time since June, indicated it will only be able to pay the military, police, prison services and health workers before Christmas. JERUSALEM - On the wall of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office is a giant floor-to-ceiling map with Israel at its center. Netanyahu likes to regale visitors with stories about how Israel has made friends with so many of the countries shown. His point is that Israel has moved beyond the days when its conflict with the Palestinians defined its relations with the world. But even as he celebrates the ascension of President-elect Donald Trump as a steadfast ally, Netanyahu may find that it complicates management of his own conservative coalition and undercuts the very diplomatic outreach that has been his central priority. The 14-0 vote by the United Nations Security Council condemning Israeli settlements, permitted Friday by President Barack Obama, who ordered a U.S. abstention, served as a reminder that the Palestinian issue remains a powder keg. Instead of counting new friends, Netanyahu was left to tally up old enemies, and in a speech Saturday night he vowed to exact a "diplomatic and economic price" from countries that in his view try to hurt Israel. He announced that he was cutting off $8 million in contributions to the United Nations and reviewing whether to continue allowing its personnel to enter Israel, in addition to recalling ambassadors and canceling visits from some countries that supported the measure. He accused the departing Obama administration of carrying out a "disgraceful anti-Israel maneuver." In Trump, Netanyahu will have a far more supportive ally in the White House than Obama, who views Israeli settlement policy as counterproductive. Yet Trump's clarion call supporting Israel on settlements and his promise to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem could easily stir new antipathy among the Sunni Arab states Netanyahu has been courting most, analysts said. "It doesn't take a lot to imagine an American move that could provoke violence on the ground or just demonstrations on the ground with potential to become violent," said Tamara Cofman Wittes, a former State Department official who is now at the Brookings Institution's Center for Middle East Policy. "And that would not only create an Israeli-Palestinian crisis, but it would create a broader Israeli-Arab crisis." Netanyahu's most important goal has been improving Israel's relations with its Arab neighbors. While those states still maintain a public reserve about Israel, they have quietly collaborated out of a shared belief that the greater threat is the theocratic Shiite leadership in Iran. But that could quickly change if the Palestinian issue returns to prominence. Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian negotiator, said this past week that an embassy move would prompt the Palestine Liberation Organization to withdraw recognition of Israel. The chronicler of the ancient tale doesn't reveal whether the Bethlehem innkeeper proclaimed his gilded brand in block letters above the entrance to his establishment. We don't know whether he left the torch-light burning for weary travelers arriving at his front door deep into a cold, dark night. What we must surmise about the innkeeper is that neither his heart nor his hostelry had room for an impoverished young couple traveling that night, the woman within minutes of giving birth. Perhaps as a salve to his curdled conscience, he directs them to a dirty stable housing goats and donkeys, where the woman soon delivers a son. Wrapping the fragile infant in a cloth to ward off the cold, she lays him in a straw-filled feed trough. What's remarkable about the old story - for Christian and non-Christian alike - is its outlandish theological claim that God enters history, not as a king, a conquering general or a swaggering head of state, but in the form of a vulnerable infant born to a poor teenaged mother sheltering from the cold in a ramshackle animal hut or perhaps a shallow cave in the side of a rocky hill. According to the story, Mary was homeless at the time, traveling with her husband Joseph to be taxed by Rome, their people subject to the grinding and oppressive rule of an occupying power. Sound familiar? Today's Mary is in a Houston homeless shelter. Or she's trudging through the cactus and mesquite of the South Texas brush country, her weary feet pointed north toward what she hopes is a better life for her children in a land increasingly reluctant to take them in. Today's Mary, exhausted and fearful, with a cold and hungry child in her arms, is fleeing the horrors of Aleppo. Her drawn face is the face of Christmas. The essential Christmas story is not narrowly political. And yet in this country it has to give us pause that Mary's son, a child born into the most humble circumstance, will in years to come announce his mission at Nazareth as "bringing good news to the poor," not to the wealthy and well-born. He will remind his followers that our treatment of "the least of these," not our obeisance to the rich and famous, is our true measure of self-worth. Believers and non-believers alike can find purpose and meaning in the Christmas story. Transcending the literal, bypassing the foggy facts of history - the gospels don't mention an innkeeper, for example - it is a useful standard by which we assess and reassess our priorities, particularly at a time when this nation has just elected a president whose bombast and divisiveness would seem to be the story's antithesis. In the halls of Congress and around the dinner table, we can debate what form our attention to the least among us should take - private charity, government programs, some workable combination - but we cannot ignore our obligation. It's particularly urgent when our own innkeeper-in-chief, with support from millions of Christians, prepares to deliver the nation to a gaggle of billionaires for whom money and power, not justice and compassion, would seem to be the measure of all things. As always, the arrival of Christmas brings us into direct and often uneasy confrontation with our ideals, this election year more starkly than ever. "At Christmastide," historian Penne L. Restad has written, "we must, directly or even by omission, set our priorities, establish our tolerances and square our hopes with reality." Our Christmas hope on this special day is that we remain a nation whose arms and hearts are open to the homeless, to the downtrodden, to wayfarers wandering in the cold and dark. May that openness be our abiding reality. Still in the holiday spirit on this day after Christmas, we thought we might lighten the load a bit for Texas Republicans headed to Austin in a few days and hauling with them a veritable Santa's sleigh of hard-right bills and proposals. Our suggestion? Ditch your plans to make voting even more onerous, using as your rationale the totally discredited notion that voter fraud in Texas and elsewhere is rampant. It's not. Lawmakers are more likely to find smooth sailing through central Austin on Interstate 35 than they are to uncover even miniscule voter fraud. Despite President-elect Donald Trump's outlandish claims that millions of voters cast fraudulent ballots last month for his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, there's no evidence of fraud beyond the most minuscule, in Texas or anywhere else in this country. In an election in which more than 137.7 million Americans cast ballots, not one state reported a problem. Study after study in recent years report similar findings. What's fraudulent is the voting-fraud claim, a claim Republicans have trumped up in the last dozen years or so to restrict voting among those likely to support their opponents. "The old notion that somehow there are all these impostors out there, people not eligible to vote that are voting - it's a lie," said Thomas E. Mann, a resident scholar at the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, who was interviewed by the New York Times. "But it's what's being used in the states now to impose increased qualifications and restrictions on voting." Federal courts have begun to push back against states - including Wisconsin, Maine, North Carolina and Texas - that are using a range of restrictive registration and voting laws to suppress turnout among minorities. Court rulings, however, are unlikely to stop Texas lawmakers from continuing to trumpet their bogus fraud claims and to continue proposing restrictive measures. Even before Trump's victory, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was calling for a revival of Texas' strict voter-ID law, even though it's been repeatedly struck down by federal courts. Patrick, we suspect, knows the truth about voter fraud, but to the Houston ideologue, truth is secondary. Power is paramount. The powerful lieutenant governor also is well aware that with a new conservative U.S. Supreme Court on the near horizon, the role of the courts as a judicial backstop is likely to be diminished. Texans who believe in fairness have two methods of recourse against Patrick and other peddlers of voting-fraud falsehood: (1) They have to continue relying on the courts, hoping that fair-minded judges regardless of party will prevail; (2) they have to organize politically to head off fraudulent purveyors of voting fraud before they can even get started. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. mindscanner via Getty Images A shared approach to tech in the refugee crisis. "I don't believe in charity. I believe in solidarity. Charity is so vertical. It goes from top to the bottom. Solidarity is horizontal. It respects the other person. I have a lot to learn from other people." Advertisement Eduardo Galeano Well over a million people have walked, swam, and crawled to the EU over the past year. And the numbers keep growing. Despite a rise in anti-migration policies, despite the legitimisation of hate crimes, people keep on coming to Europe. Why? Because they see no other option. This you have heard about. What you may not have heard about is the tremendous groundswell of tech innovation in response to the refugee crisis. In a historically unprecedented humanitarian response, developers all over have come up with a solution for pretty much every refugee-related challenge you can think of: asylum information at your fingertips; search and rescue; jobs; translation; moveable shelters. I'm one of these thousands of individuals. Beyond the obvious challenge of trying to launch a new tech platform, I find myself getting bogged down in the complexity of it all from a moral standpoint. From data privacy to not wanting to profit off of the backs of anyone - I know that good intentions aren't always enough. The vast majority of us in this emerging field are operating out of humanitarian principles -- we mean well, but we are navigating uncharted waters. Out of our infancy and into "year two" it's time for us to agree to some core values in order effectively and ethically harness this innovation. It's time to learn from those who came before us, and initiatives like the Principles of Digital Development. So here's an attempt to start a conversation on common values in this work. Solidarity not Charity When my mother was a little girl, one of her best friends came up to her out of the blue and said, "My daddy said that I can't play with you any more because you are Jewish." I was lucky enough to escape that kind of overt anti-semitism growing up. But now, every day we hear about little girls and boys all over the world who are being told "I can't play with you, you are Muslim." Consider this image of primary school children in Pennsylvania skyping with Syrian children in a refugee camp in Greece. The U.S. kids sent over a suitcase of art supplies to the camp in Greece, and followed it up with a video chat. Advertisement This conversation took place a few weeks ago, just after the U.S. elected a president based on hatred, while bombs fell on Aleppo. The children are teaching each other basic Arabic and English, eating pizza, chatting sports. But most of all, they are making the human connections that are essential to growing into tolerant, global citizens. It's this kind of dialogue that eliminates the fear of "the other". This is not "giving" or "helping" but rather, a mutual exchange made possible by the simple application of existing technologies. When we stand up for justice, whether it be marching from Berlin to Aleppo, writing a letter to combat hate speech, or developing an app for the safe integration of refugees, we all benefit. We act out of a recognition of our interdependency as human beings confronting global challenges. We also act because we know that child could be ours. We must build our tech from this vantage point of solidarity. Design and development to tackle the refugee crisis is not an act of giving, but rather, an acknowledgement of our shared humanity. Advertisement Making it up as We Go "Refugee-related tech" is an emerging field. We're all just learning, and making mistakes as we go. It's time to collaborate across sectors. Our apps may wither away. Our websites may pass on beyond the cloud. Our relationships, however, have to the potential to transcend the specific nature of today's silver bullet solution. At NeedsList we have taken a stab at making our values of open source, mutual aid, and transparency explicit from the get-go. We are actively seeking other models that bring together to learn from, network with, and collectively develop standards. A longer version of this article appeared on the our blog with some suggested guidelines. We don't all have to agree on everything, but perhaps we can agree on a core set of values to serve as touch-points along the way. What are your thoughts? Let us know. Photo creditL Amanda Levinson A traveling fellowship had brought me after college to London. My roommate there, a young civil servant, son of a Cambridge don, and a reader of Persian literature in the original, suggested that I start paying attention to a British artist called David Jones, author of a long poem with the title of In Parenthesis. Despite having attended a good university in the U.S., I'd never even heard of Jones. Was this recommendation an act of aesthetic chauvinism? Okay, so T.S. Eliot had called In Parenthesis "a work of genius." But Eliot was the book's acquiring editor at Faber. W.H. Auden had written that David Jones had given us "probably the finest long poem written in English in this century." But like the author Auden had grown up English (and was still living there). Perhaps, I wondered, he was somehow prejudiced in the poet's favor? Ezra Pound was neither the publisher nor a Brit. Pound had concluded: "it is one of the most important poems of our time." He called it "a masterpiece." David Jones wrote about the Great War, in which he fought, and his style was influenced by, almost marinated in, Welsh culture and Arthurian legend or, as Jones called the culture he brought, "the matter of Britain." I read up a little about the poet and bought his work at Foyle's bookshop, an easy walk from my flat on Great Russell Street, across from where Karl Marx had written his famous manifesto and near the offices of the original publisher of In Parenthesis. Jones was both a poet and painter. In fact, Kenneth Clark described him in the mid-1930s as "the most gifted of all the young British painters." Of course this combination immediately reminded people of William Blake, whose work, like that of Jones, has hung at the Tate. When my English roommate invited me for a weekend at his family's holiday house in Herefordshire, near the Welsh border, I was happy for the opportunity to walk in the mountains. My roommate had already impressed me as a happy eccentric by bringing in the Times every morning and adding it to a stack of a year's worth of newspapers, then pulling out the bottom paper, with the same date but a year earlier, and taking it on the Underground to the office. He said it was restful to know how things had come out. From the holiday house we walked to the nearby border of Wales and along a long ridge, looking down on a small settlement that he told me was called Capel-y-ffin (though I didn't know about the doubled "f" until later). I vaguely recognized the name. Yes, David Jones had lived there in the late 1920s, joining a community of artists led by Eric Gill. I'd heard that Gill had designed more than one typeface, including one inspired by signs in the London Underground, and now I learned that he worked extensively as an engraver in stone. My friend and I decided to descend to Capel-y-ffin. As I recall, the run down was quite steep. For me it was like falling down the rabbit hole in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Of all the obscure settlements tucked into the Welsh hills, we had happened on one that had some meaning to me. Arriving on the valley floor, we met a family arriving to occupy holiday accommodations they'd rented. They invited us to join them for tea. Our hosts were as new to the place as my friend and I. As we looked around the rooms I was astonished to spot a mural by David Jones. I recognized his style, having looked up some of his work as an engraver and watercolorist in the drawers of a London gallery. However, I'd been procrastinating over studying In Parenthesis, Jones' 1937 subtle, allusive, powerful book about the war that had ended almost two decades earlier. I'd known the Great War was a disaster to many who fought. One whole wall of the cloister in an Oxford college was covered with the names of graduates who had died in that war. In those years they called the result of frequent nearby explosions "shell shock" or what we today term "post-traumatic stress disorder." Long incubated, In Parenthesis was one of David Jones' ways of living with PTSD, a way that, like his intricate, overlaid visual art, has become a gift to many others. It was not until graduate school that I had an opportunity, in a seminar on "war poets," to write about David Jones. Both my fellow students and also the professor had never heard of him. The reputation of artists has always been fickle. Herman Melville was not celebrated for Moby Dick until the 20th century. As for painters, consider this passage from The Art of Rivalry: "They were modern artists in search of a public. It was a search fraught with risk and uncertain reward, as they knew from the stories of their immediate predecessors: the Impressionists, who struggled for so long in poverty; Manet, who was so relentlessly abused; van Gogh, who took his own life; and Cezanne, who labored his entire life in obscurity." After the sojourn in Europe, my grad school years coincided with the Vietnam war and the anti-war movement that was especially strong on campuses. Of course the mechanics of war were different than those experienced by David Jones: helicopter gunships instead of rushes "over the top," napalm instead of mainly artillery shells and machine-guns, and so forth. But the experience of not knowing whether you'd be alive the next day, or minute, was similar. And it was not until half a century after Vietnam that the first effective treatments for PTSD were even the subject of research. Poetry does not by itself heal PTSD, but it can at least express something of the experience of war, even if you read the poem in a campus easy chair. Veterans typically don't talk much about the war after returning home. At a party in the 1990s I met a World War II vet who, at that distance, standing around a swimming pool, surrounded by old friends, was willing to answer my eager questions about his experience as a young solider. He said he had not talked about his feelings for half a century, because who wanted to listen? I felt honored by his trust, as I had been moved by David Jones' generous, heartfelt, book-length poem. In writing Gift of Darkness, a memoir about the adolescence of a Jewish friend who had grown up under Nazi rule in his native Amsterdam, I felt gratitude to him for being willing to revisit the trauma of those years and respond to my thousands of questions. In his poetry, what David Jones did was ask himself thousands of questions and hunt for words to express the truth of what he felt. That day in the Black Mountains of Wales, I could only imagine that peaceful Capel-y-ffin had helped him to get from the battlefield to In Parenthesis. (Which is now available from the reprints division of The New York Review of Books.) The poem opens with the hero John Ball late for parade. "Private Ball's pack, ill adjusted and without form, hangs more heavily on his shoulder blades, a sense of ill-usage pervades him. He withdraws within himself to soothe himself--the iniquity of those in high places is forgotten." So it begins, the work of remembering what was immediate and timeless. In all the focus on the December 23rd vote at the UN Security Council, when 14 nations supported a resolution critical of Israel and the U.S. broke with longstanding policy and abstained rather than opposed it, the question of underlying Palestinian motives and behavior was not addressed. It should have been. In fact, it's key to the whole exercise. The Palestinians not only have rejected one offer after another for a peaceful settlement in the past nearly 70 years, but also, tragically, their misguided actions now make any chance of an accord going forward still less likely. Friday's UN Security Council resolution is a case in point. If the goal was to increase the chance of Palestinian statehood alongside Israel (and not in its place!), it was an abysmal failure, despite the lopsided vote. Those diplomats who rushed to applaud the outcome - and I'll set aside thuggish countries like Venezuela that don't bring a shred of good will to the UN table - should think twice about what they actually achieved. Advertisement If they wanted to excoriate Israel, a longstanding vocation of too many UN member states, then they can thump their chests, even if, alas, they habitually reserve such scrutiny for the only democratic nation in the Middle East. But for those truly committed to advancing prospects for peace, they took a big step backwards, once again falling into the Palestinian trap. Three things should have been abundantly evident by now. First, while Israeli settlement-building is unquestionably a highly contentious matter, the core issue in the conflict has always been the refusal by the Palestinians and their supporters to recognize Israel's legitimacy and negotiate in good faith a lasting peace deal. That was true in 1947-8, when a two-state solution was proposed by the UN; in 1967; in 2000-1; in 2008; during the ten-month (2009-10) settlement freeze that Israel adopted under Prime Minister Netanyahu in response to an American request; and in 2013-14, the most recent attempt at direct, bilateral talks facilitated by the U.S. Evidence abounds for this consistent pattern of rejectionism. One particularly striking comment, as true now as then, came from an unlikely source. In 2003, the Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. was quoted in The New Yorker as saying: "It broke my heart that [PLO Chair] Arafat did not take the offer (of a two-state deal presented by Israel, with American support, in 2001). Since 1948, every time we've had something on the table, we say no. Then we say yes. When we say yes, it's not on the table anymore. Then we have to deal with something less. Isn't it about time to say yes?" Instead of obsessively and relentlessly focusing only on Israeli actions, why aren't UN Security Council members asking the Palestinians to explain seven decades of avoiding a settlement of the conflict on terms satisfactory to both parties? Advertisement Second, the Palestinians clearly would rather do diplomatic end-runs, thus avoiding the bargaining table and seeking instead to internationalize the conflict. That may produce some short-term victories, given the numbers game dominated by the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Non-Aligned Movement, not to mention the art of political expediency practiced by too many UN member states that ought to know better. But where has it gotten the Palestinians? Exactly nowhere - if, that is, the real aim is a Palestinian state alongside Israel. To the contrary, this approach has only convinced many Israelis that the Palestinian leadership has no real interest in finding a solution, only in waging a struggle. By now, it should be abundantly clear, though, that Israel is strong, and getting stronger, and that any notion Israel will fall to its knees and succumb to the pressure is just a fanciful illusion. And third, shouldn't the responsible members of the international community push the pause button and look more closely at how peace might best be attained? Israel has enduring treaties with Egypt and Jordan. In both cases, they were reached not through the UN, but rather via face-to-face talks. Israel made unprecedented territorial concessions of land it obtained in the 1967 war of self-defense, but did so confident that Egyptian President Sadat and Jordan King Hussein had made sincere decisions to abandon war with the Jewish state. Every poll in Israel has shown a majority of Israelis supportive of a two-state accord with the Palestinians, but, at the same time, deeply skeptical of Palestinian sincerity. And why shouldn't Israelis have doubts? Palestinian Authority President Abbas, in the 11th year of his four-year term, talks out of both sides of his mouth, claiming he wants a deal, but then resorting to incitement, refusing to sit down with Israeli leaders, trying to corner Israel diplomatically, and presiding, if that's the term, over a deeply divided (West Bank-Hamas) polity. Advertisement Instead of infantilizing and coddling the Palestinians, succumbing to their every misguided whim, and endorsing their counter-productive behavior, isn't it high time to see the situation as it is for both parties (and not only for the Palestinians), learn from the past, and help create conditions for tangible progress? When Palestinian leaders emerge who grasp the legacies of President Sadat and King Hussein, extend the front, not the back, of their hand to Israel, and recognize that the legitimate concerns of Israelis must also be addressed in the process, then, whether it's Prime Minister Netanyahu or, down the road, another elected Israeli leader, they will find a willing partner. To illustrate, given his hawkish political background, Menachem Begin may have seemed an improbable candidate to evacuate the vast buffer space, oil deposits, and air force bases of Sinai, but he did so to the last grain of sand for the sake of peace with Egypt. In other words, history lessons abound, even if, at the UN these days, history students don't appear to be in overabundance. (If they were, they would know, for instance, that no Israeli government will ever acknowledge the absurdity of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall, containing Judaism's holiest sites, being depicted as "occupied Palestinian territory.") * This is Part II of a series on Lily Dale, New York. You can find Part I here. The Lily Dale Library The Marion H. Skidmore Library is a brick building with four closely clustered columns and two smiling stone lions framing the doorway; it's perched on a small hill. On the slope down from the entrance is a gazebo, made of interlocking branches painted white, where librarian Mandi Shepp suggests we do the interview. Shepp's about thirty and has chestnut bangs that fall into the shape of a widow's peak. To one side of the bangs, her hair is cut short and dyed blond; on the other it's orange. She wears a skull necklace and a barrette with a plastic eyeball in the knot of a black bow. She sticks out in a place where most people wear casual attire, shattering my stereotypes about mediums and psychics since she's precisely the one person I meet who is deeply knowledgeable about Lily Dale and Spiritualism, but is not a Spiritualist. She describes herself as "more on the agnostic side of things." Mandi Sheep, Lily Dale Librarian Chester Higgins Jr. Shepp tells me she's "never felt excluded here because I'm not a Spiritualist. I've never felt like I can't do anything or they're going to limit me, or even like they don't listen to me." In fact, choosing Shepp shows openness on the part of Lily Dale's management since her previous position was with the Center for Inquiry, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster a secular society. Advertisement Referring to the Lily Dale community, she explains "I do understand their plight" and "their need for someone with an objective view to look at this." Since the 1970s, no one with library training has worked at the Marion H. Skidmore Library. There were problems with theft since there was no catalogue, and certain works contrary to Spiritualism's narrative, including those exposing fraudulent mediums, had been marked for deaccession or removal from the collection. For Shepp the way forward is clear. She points out that "there is a strong root in free thought in Spiritualism." She feels that "it is my duty as the librarian here to do what I can to preserve [Lily Dale's] history before it deteriorates." What's more "to have a serious academic scholarly institution you have to have the whole picture," and she emphasizes, it's a "beautiful picture." Shepp describes figures of the heyday of Spiritualism as "people with these wonderful abilities and these gifts and these talents." The movement was full of "powerful orators that can make people feel something." Some speculate too that the high death rates during the Civil War and World War I provided a catalyst for Spiritualism. In addition, advances in science were fast-pasted and people were rejecting Calvinistic religion. Ultimately, Spiritualism is about embracing the individual, "your journey and your development." Shepp has been painstakingly teasing out the history of the library and the life of its founder Marion Skidmore, for whom she displays empathy. She tells me that she doesn't know where Skidmore went to school, but affirms, "I just know that at some point she did, otherwise she wouldn't have been so interested in driving educational forces." Advertisement A few years before the Fox sisters claimed to hear the rappings of a dead peddler, Marion Skidmore's father, William Johnson, had moved to the Lily Dale area. Johnson was already involved in the mystic teachings of the day such as mesmerism whereby a patient would be settled into a trance; some call it the precursor to hypnotism. News of the Fox sisters gave momentum to the mystical teachings in the area, and only a few years later, in 1855, the Religious Society of Free Thinkers was established in Laona, New York. Spiritualists then bought what is now the Lily Dale property in 1879, and cleared it, setting up today's grounds. Skidmore dedicated her life to the community and particular energy to the library, which she started in 1886 in a tent outside her home. Visiting lecturers and speakers were encouraged to donate books. Therefore many are original signed copies from the authors who were friends of Skidmore. One prominent friend was Susan B. Anthony, whom the librarian invited to speak at Lily Dale. The suffragist enjoyed the experience and returned over a decade on several occasions. Lily Dale was one of few forums in the United States which embraced leaders of the women's suffrage movement. Lily Dale's history is intimately intertwined with its library and many of its books have a homegrown flavor, particularly since there was a local printing press until about the 1950s; some books are locally published. As of July 2015, Shepp had cataloged over 2,800 unique titles. "And that's about a third of it." At times she can only find "like one copy on WorldCat," a global catalogue of library collections, meanwhile she's got six sitting on her counter. One such book is Pen Pictures "received and edited" in 1900 by medium Mina Seymour which Shepp describes as "salacious and juicy and hilarious." It's a book of poetry purportedly dictated to Seymour by the spirit of then deceased poet Robert Burns whom Shepp playfully terms the "Victorian Elvis" in the sense that according to the librarian there were reports of Burns' sightings even after he died. Messages from local spirits are also included in the book. Shepp giggles as she tells me about the "quasi-threatening" message which the medium Seymour claimed was transmitted from Skidmore to the then-librarian along the lines of "it's always my library, it doesn't matter how much you do there." As we wind up the interview, Shepp invites me behind the library's front desk into the stacks. "Come on back." I pause at the sight of rows of intricately patterned book spines in muted green, red and gold. "I know you're not going to swipe things," she teases. I hold a book entitled Startling Facts in Modern Spiritualism. It has a weathered green cover decorated with clean swoops of gold, art nouveau shapes. The oddly sweet smell of musty paper is comforting. When I consider this whole body of work to qualify and quantify mediumship, I get the sense of the investment made in Spiritualism. I understand why people who have inherited this tradition would want to take these books home and treasure them. Library stacks Chester Higgins Jr. The collection reflects a golden age of Spiritualism which dovetails with key aspects of US history like the women's suffrage movement. It's clear that Lily Dale's history abounds with energy and scholarship including its own printing press. I wonder if the town's leadership has retained some of that dynamism. Advertisement Leading Lily Dale Lily Dale's small management team works out of one of the town's decorative houses, which are somehow impossible to gauge the size of from the outside. As I enter the modest clapboard house, Lily Dale's Executive Director, Susan Glasier, emerges from a back room and shakes my hand firmly. She leads me behind the welcome desk and I'm surprised to turn a corner into a room that's big enough for a conference table. Glasier, who is just over five feet tall, has boundless energy; she links sentences together one after another. Her face is animated when in conversation, but serious in repose. She wears glasses, dangling earrings, slacks and a striped sweater. Glasier has lived in Lily Dale since she was twenty-one years old. "I will be seventy-one this year, so that's kind of a long time." She started as a receptionist shortly after arriving. Since then, she's served in many capacities including as treasurer, Vice-President and briefly as President. Only a handful of staff work in her office; much is done by volunteers. Executive Director Susan Glasier Chester Higgins Jr. Glasier tells me that there has been a great deal of interest in Lily Dale, so much so that "we have had to turn a lot of people down because of what the concept of their vision was." She looks at me. "We are a religion. We take it seriously." Glasier continues in a tone that feels like she's confiding but she is clearly addressing her underlying concern that I will make fun of Spiritualism or be disrespectful. "We need to educate the public as to who we really are," because "you get a lot of people that want tarot cards," but "that's not part of our religion." She explains "we deal strictly with Spirit, some people see, some people hear, some people do psychometry where they can take a ring or a watch" and "give you a reading that way." There are "many ways that our mediums can contact Spirit." One of the key misperceptions, Glasier explains, has to do with Jesus. "We do believe in God and we do believe in Jesus," she emphasizes. "We just believe in self-responsibility" but "the Christian religion looks down on us because of course we don't accept Jesus as our Savior." The Director of Women's Studies at Harvard Divinity School, Ann Braude, in her book Radical Spirits, explains how the belief in a vibrant afterlife in Spiritualism fundamentally altered Jesus' role. She notes that Advertisement ...without a 'final change' at death, the underpinnings of Christian theology lost their explanatory function...With no threat of judgment or punishment, humanity needed no redemption and therefore no atonement. Christ himself became logically unnecessary, as did the Gospels that announced his resurrection. For Spiritualists, Glasier continues Jesus is " our elder brother," "master healer" and "master teacher." "Of course we believe," she adds. "We just believe we make our own happiness as we obey or disobey nature's spiritual laws. And we make our own decisions; it's free will." In that vein, "we embrace all religions," Glasier notes. "We have three Christian ministers who walk the grounds every day they can. Wonderful gentlemen. They come in, they talk to us. They love the vibration. They love the peace." But overall, "Lily Dale is looked on as woo woo." To counter that, several years ago Sue devised what sounded to me like a misguided strategy to appear less weird. Her idea: Christmas in July. Donations were collected and given to charities in the area in an effort to "let the outside world know we're just like you, we care." Besides misconceptions about Spiritualism, some of the biggest challenges Glasier faces stem from the evolution of the camp from the tents of the 1800s into a permanent community. "You know it started out in tents and so-forth," Glasier points out. "I don't know if they realized, if Spirit told them just where we were going to be." Technically Lily Dale is a Spiritualist camp chartered with the National Spiritualist Association of Churches or NSAC, but in practice it functions like a town with churches on the grounds and even a volunteer fire department. The population is about 200 people in the winter and doubles in the summer. Nevertheless, because it's religion-based, the town is not eligible for government funding of its infrastructure. As a result, everything from the sewage system to the roads is financed by Lily Dale. Glasier explains that Lily Dale is a 501(c) 3 organization and she opens up, "there are times when you get jaded because you see the business end of it, so I've had my moments when it's how do I work this business sense with the spiritual side?" She laments that "a lot of our members don't think of this as a business but Lily Dale is a business." She then rattles off the laws and regulations she has to stay current with: "not-for-profit law," "not-for-profit religious membership," "corporation law" and so on. There are times when Spiritualist beliefs are a difficult fit with the intricacies of modern-day living. Glasier points out that a museum is interested in borrowing paintings owned by Lily Dale purported to be done by spirits, but of the insurance evaluation required, she asks, "how can you value something that can't be reproduced and is done by Spirit?" Lily Dale generates income from various sources including its registered mediums and the leasing of land. Only mediums tested by Lily Dale are allowed to perform readings for monetary compensation on the grounds and these mediums are charged a fee to do so. "The bad thing with Spiritualism," says Glasier, qualifying "if there is a bad thing," is that "it's very easy to fake." And "that breaks your heart because we are real." She emphasizes to me that Lily Dale's administrators can revoke a medium's license and retest him or her because "this is serious, you are dealing with people's lives." Other revenue includes a village tax. In addition, in order to own a home, land is leased for ninety-nine years, and there is a fee attached to purchasing a house. Businesses like The Sunflower Cafe and Monika's Delites are charged a fee to operate in Lily Dale. Lily Dale Entrance Chester Higgins Jr. But the bulk of Lily Dale's income, according to Glasier, is made during the summer season, which runs for ten weeks from late June to early September. There is the gate entrance fee and income from the hotels run by the town itself. There are workshops and speaking events. "Any income that we lose really hurts us," says Glasier, "any gate income, if somebody cancels a big workshop, you know, that hurts." According to the Lily Dale Assembly, which overseas the town, some 25,000 visitors come through each season. With so much at stake, Glasier tells me she works hard to bring top names to Lily Dale. Some are paid a fee and others 50% of what the workshop brings in. Lily Dale provides accommodations and, depending on a speaker's clout, airfare. She chuckles about the first time Deepak Chopra came to Lily Dale. "He was so lovely," she gushes as she tells me that he asked "'Please tell me where I'm at, they just put me on a plane.'" When I ask if he still comes, she graciously notes "he's on a different path right now." This year medium James Van Praagh is returning. "He's been coming for years," says Glasier before describing Lily Dale's symbiotic relationship with its invited authors and speakers. "They are our guests and if they weren't here helping us sustain who we are, then we wouldn't be able to have them." Advertisement I have tickets to the upcoming Van Praagh event around which there seems to be a serious buzz. Lily Dale's hotels and guesthouses have been booked that weekend for months in advance and I'm staying in a neighboring town to be able to attend the event. * You've reached the end of Part II. Part III in which I interview mediums about their work will be published next week. You can check back then or sign up here to have Part III and IV delivered right to your inbox. It may be a bit of blarney, but the current revival of Finian's Rainbow at the Irish Rep is charming and magical. Director Charlotte Moore's scaled-down production offers an intimacy and meaning somewhat lost in the 2009 Broadway version. It also hits the right political note, especially in a post-election world. The Burton Lane-Yip Harburg musical, set in the segregated 1947 South, addresses racism, corrupt politicians and immigration -- within a fantastical setting. If it resonates today, with lines like "I've been bothered by immigrants ever since I got to this country," so much the better. Advertisement The show has lost none of its relevance, and its racial plot twist, while simple, remains a clever theatrical device. Finian, a spry Irishman (Ken Jennings) and his daughter Sharon (a mesmerizing Melissa Errico) come to America with a stolen pot of gold. Throw in friendly sharecroppers, a growing leprechaun (a delightful Mark Evans) and sweep-you-off-your-feet romance for good measure. If that sounds too saccharine, consider the memorable score. Songs like "Old Devil Moon," the bluesy "Necessity" and "How are Things in Glocca Morra?" are glorious. Errico has played Sharon in previous incarnations -- and she sounds better than ever, accompanied by a first-rate chamber quartet: piano, harp, cello and fiddle. The social satire is light, but it makes the point -- and no one can resist the songs, be they romantic or energetic, such as "The Great Come-And-Get-It Day." Every number clicks, and the first-rate cast doesn't miss a beat. Advertisement Barry McNabb's choreography and James Morgan's set design make the most of the small space, proving less is more. Part fairy tale, part commentary, Finian's Rainbow has something to say about tolerance, love and the importance of dreams. And that message never grows old. AI has taken the stage explosively. I am getting notifications of lectures, breakfast sessions, think tank charters and meetings on AI and the future at a rate well exceeding one a day. Investment banks, tech companies, consulting firms, universities, government offices, research labs--they are all asking questions on AI cut from the same cloth: how will Artificial Intelligence change our future? Employment, food security, geopolitics, surveillance, privacy, marketing, politics, economics--all these issues are on the table at the get-togethers now swirling about in search of prognostications that give each set of players what they hope will be an edge, thanks to AI, over their competitors and over an uncertain future. And yet it is worth reflecting on the recent experiences of Uber as they moved a whole fleet of self-driving cars into San Francisco, then moved them right out again after a few days of suboptimal performance. AI is a boundary science- the very definition of what AI means and can do changes on a daily basis, and Uber ran right into the discrepancy between their engineers' view of 'good enough' and that of the general public, and that in a town where the social contract between bicyclists, pedestrians and automobiles is freighted with significance. Of course, Uber will be back someday with more better cars. And of course there will be problems that will catch them unawares. But the in-and-out move of Uber may itself be more the harbinger of a new pattern worth our attention. AI is coming, in fits and starts, and its very experimentation may permeate our lived experiences more than we could have ever imagined. So in this post I want to clear up three common misconceptions so that we can be the most informed lab rats possible as the experiments on human society commence. So, here, for your reading pleasure, are Three Not-laws of Artificial Intelligence: Advertisement 1. AI is not singular At a recent talk an audience member was remarking on how impressive it was that an major corporation's AI system can not only diagnose medical conditions, but it can also tutor children in maths by providing individualized learning guidance. The flexibility of the AI system really impressed her. The head engineer of the AI system laughed, explaining that actually this demonstrated the flexibility of two completely separate engineering teams. The code was entirely different, and each problem had been solved in individualized ways. The company just happened to name all their solutions the same to market their overall expertise. This is the first not-lessons of AI that we all need to fathom. AI is not a program, a code base or a strategy. It is a giant, red tool box full of diverse tools, some new and some old. There are even thirty-year tools in there that were useless because computers were just too slow, but now that they're insanely fast, these long-forgotten tools have newfound value. Each time engineers make use of AI to solve a real-world problem, they are consulting the giant red toolbox. Human ingenuity and Sears Craftsman are collaboratively creating a bespoke solution to a specific challenge, and the resulting system is good at One Particular Thing. Think of AI as a technique rather than a solution; like the scientific method. When you see a single company solve five problems and boast about their AI, assume five utterly separate, balkanized solutions that do not necessarily jump ship to solve new problems particularly well. In the end, the problem-solving magic is in the hands of the computer scientists, not the machines. 2. AI does not fail humanely After several thousand years of lived experience, metaphysics and philosphy, we humans have excellent models of how humans fail. Greed, corruption, inattention, anger--we are well aware of mechanisms that compromise our decision-making capabilities and turn our human achievements sour. But every AI-based solution that solves a formerly human problem does so in ways that are utterly alien to the ways humans work. And, as a result, their failures have nothing to do with our human shortcoming either. This is both refreshing and disconcerting. Refreshing because a human-computer team will have complementary strengths and weaknesses, and that can be an outstanding way to create balanced and diverse teams. Disconcerting because we will see autonomous AI systems failing in completely alien ways. It's as if a new Lottery system is coming down from the heavens, picking random fights with new technical solutions in ways that non-engineers will find entirely baffling. Remember the Tim Burton comedy Mars Attacks! Happily, AI-driven drones are unlikely to pulverize peace doves; but when they make mistakes, we will have as little common ground with AI systems as we do with giant-brained Martians. Now, this is a good time to recall rule number one: AI is not singular. When AI systems do fail in unexpected ways, that doesn't mean you have any moreinsight into a future AI system's future failings, because the various technologies surrounding us are so very diverse that even their unpredictable shortcomings don't match. Advertisement During Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, the American people saw beyond doubt that Bill Clinton, once a symbol of youth and the future in political life )who campaigned with the theme song "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow"), is now an older more frail man. Many younger Americans remember him less now for his able stewardship of the country for eight years than for what today is largely understood to be his record of being a sexual predator. Bill Clinton proved a mixed asset on the campaign trail able to motivate some crowds, but clearly no longer the orator he once was. Since the election it has also become evident that President Clinton, who always had a keen interest in and understanding of campaigns and politics, is still a smart political strategist. It turns out he urged Hillary Clinton's campaign to focus on the key rust belt states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that ended up all going for Donald Trump by narrow margins, thus allowing the real estate heir and dilettante to win the election. Last week, following the meeting of the New York electors of the electoral college, in which Bill Clinton was one of 29 New Yorkers to cast our state's votes for Hillary Clinton, the former President again demonstrated his clear understanding of the political process. He did something that he did all too rarely as president. He told an important truth in plain language. "[A]t the end we had the Russians and the FBI deal and she couldn't prevail against them." Actually Clinton was slightly off in his comments. Hillary could have overcome all of those obstacles, but due to some poor campaign decisions she did not. Advertisement That quibble, however, is irrelevant. The reality that the Clinton campaign made strategic mistakes, and from the outside at least, seemed to be fatally overconfident in the last weeks should not detract from the grave truth that a hostile foreign power sought to help one of the candidates in this election. The notion that somehow it doesn't matter because a smarter Clinton campaign would have won anyway is nonsensical. That, however, is more or less what many around President Trump seem to be asserting right now. The scope and unprecedented nature of this development has raised challenges for both parties. It is clear now that President Obama should have risked accusations of playing politics and more aggressively drawn attention to Russia's hacking in October when the intelligence agencies became more certain that Russia was, indeed, doing the hacking. The Republicans, with a few exceptions, have made the mistake of simply denying the findings of the intelligence agencies and of supporting Donald Trump, the beneficiary of this hacking, as he tries to distract and bully his way out of this scandal. For both parties, and all Americans, the question of what to do now is not an easy one to answer. It is clear, however, that Russia's role in this election was significant and cannot be ignored. Some have tried to make this point by asking what the Republican position would be if, as unimaginable as it sounds, Putin has sought to influence the election in favor of Hillary Clinton, and she had won. That is the wrong question. Republican activists and leaders have been calling to "lock her up" or worse because of her use of a private email server for months. If Putin had helped Clinton, congressional Republicans would be calling for the immediate resignation of both Clinton and her erstwhile running mate Tim Kaine and probably for President Obama as well. They would also undoubtedly demand not just a congressional investigation, but criminal trials as well. The more sober question to ask is that what if despite Putin, Clinton had eked out narrow victories in a few more states and won the election. If that had happened, Democrats and Republicans would have joined together to call for investigations and the like around the hacks because they would have understood the national security implications of Russia's role. Republicans, in that scenario would also see that as a way to distance themselves from Trump and his campaign. Of course, this is not what happened. Trump won; and many in the GOP are too excited about the prospect of cutting taxes, repealing the Affordable Care Act and making America less tolerant to get upset by a little thing like a foreign power helping somebody get elected President. It remains possible that a handful of Senate Republicans, like John McCain and Lindsay Graham, who are respected in foreign policy circles and who do not owe Donald Trump anything will continue to aggressively call for investigations, but winning support for that within their own party will prove difficult. Advertisement As people around the world celebrate Christmas, it is worth remembering that Jesus was a socialist. Of course, he was born long before the rise of industrial capitalism in the 19th century, but his radical ideas have influenced many critics of capitalism, including many prominent socialists and even Pope Francis. Pope Francis has consistently criticized the human and spiritual damage caused by global capitalism, widening inequality, and corporate sweatshops. Last week, he blamed the "god of money" for the extremist violence that is taking place around the world. A ruthless global economy, he argued, leads marginalized people to violence. In 2013, he released a remarkable 84-page document in which he attacked unfettered capitalism as "a new tyranny," criticized the "idolatry of money," and urged politicians to guarantee all citizens "dignified work, education and healthcare." Advertisement "Today we also have to say 'thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills," Pope Francis wrote. "How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points?" During the last year, as Senator Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign gained momentum, the word "socialism" generated lots of media attention because Sanders described himself as a "democratic socialist." In November, Americans elected a staunch capitalist, Donald Trump, as president, but a majority of Americans - and even many of those who voted for Trump - disagree with his policy ideas. Few Americans call themselves socialists, but many of them share socialists' critiques of American-style capitalism, including the widening gap between the rich and the rest, the greed of the super-rich, the undue influence of Wall Street and big business in politics, and the persistence of widespread poverty and hunger in our affluent society. The idea of Christian socialism has a long and proud tradition. As capitalism emerged in the mid-1800s, many of its fiercest critics based their ideas on Jesus' teachings. Advertisement "No one can serve two masters," Jesus says in Matthew 6:24. "Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." I In Luke 12:15, Jesus says, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'" Jesus not only urged people to be kind to others in their everyday lives. He was also talking about those in government who ruled over others, including the priests who ruled Judea for Rome and the rulers of the Roman empire. Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) -- often called the "workers' pope" -- echoed similar ideas. His 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum ("On the Condition of Labor") focused attention on the dehumanizing conditions in which many workers labored. He affirmed workers' rights to just wages, rest, and fair treatment, to form unions, and to strike if necessary. He called on governments to promote a more equal distribution of resources and said, in particular, that the poor "have a claim to special consideration." He did not espouse socialism, but his attacks on capitalism for its endorsement of greed, its concentration of wealth, and its mistreatment of workers had a major influence on the emerging socialist movement in Europe and America. Francis Bellamy (1855-1931), an American Baptist minister, was a leading Christian socialist. Like Pope Leo, he championed the rights of working people and a more equal distribution of wealth and income, which he believed reflected Jesus' teachings. In 1891, Bellamy was fired from his Boston pulpit for preaching against the evils of capitalism and describing Jesus as a socialist. But he's best known as the author of the "Pledge of Allegiance," which he wrote in 1892 as an antidote to Gilded Age greed, misguided materialism, and hyper-individualism, reflected in those radical words "with liberty and justice for all." (Ironically, Bellamy did not include the words "under God" in the original Pledge. They were added by Congress in 1953 at the height of the Cold War). Advertisement Many of America's leading socialists -- including labor leader Eugene Debs, settlement house founder Jane Addams, Rev. Walter Rauschenbusch, and Helen Keller -- rooted their views in their Christian faith, which became known as "social gospel." Indeed, many of the leaders of America's socialist movement, including Norman Thomas (1884-1968) -- who ran for president five times on the Socialist Party ticket and was often called "America's conscience" -- were Protestant clergy. Throughout American history, some of the nation's most influential activists and thinkers, such as philosopher John Dewey, sociologist W.E.B. DuBois, scientist Albert Einstein, poet Katherine Lee Bates (who wrote "America the Beautiful"), muckraking writer Upton Sinclair, labor leaders A. Philip Randolph and Walter Reuther, civil rights crusader Martin Luther King, feminists Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Gloria Steinem, Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, and Dorothy Day (founder of the Catholic Worker movement) embraced democratic socialism. In the early 1900s, socialists led the movements for women's suffrage, child labor laws, consumer protection laws and the progressive income tax. In 1911, Victor Berger, a socialist congressman from Milwaukee, sponsored the first bill to create "old age pensions." The bill didn't get very far, but two decades later, in the midst of the Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt persuaded Congress to enact Social Security. Even then, some critics denounced it as un-American. But today, most Americans, even conservatives, believe that Social Security is a good idea. What had once seemed radical has become common sense. Much of FDR's other New Deal legislation -- the minimum wage, workers' right to form unions and public works programs to create jobs for the unemployed -- was first espoused by American socialists. Socialists have long pushed for a universal health insurance plan, which helped create the momentum for stepping-stone measures such as Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s. Socialists were in the forefront of the civil rights movement from the founding of the NAACP in 1909 through the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Advertisement King believed that America needed a "radical redistribution of economic and political power." In October 1964, he called for a "gigantic Marshall Plan" for the poor -- black and white. Later that year, after he he traveled to Oslo to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, he told friends that the U.S. could learn much from Scandinavian "democratic socialism." In fact, he told his staff, "There must be a better distribution of wealth, and maybe America must move toward a democratic socialism." During the Cold War, many Americans confused democratic socialism with communism. In fact, democratic socialists opposed the totalitarian governments of the Soviet Union, China and their satellites. That's because democratic socialism is about democracy -- giving ordinary people a greater voice in both politics and the workplace. Sanders' version of democratic socialism is akin to what most people around the world call "social democracy," which seeks to make capitalism more humane. This is why Sanders often said that the U.S. should learn from Sweden, Norway and Denmark -- countries with greater equality, a higher standard of living for working families, better schools, free universities, less poverty, a cleaner environment, higher voter turnout, stronger unions, universal health insurance, and a much wider safety net Sounds anti-business? Forbes magazine ranked Denmark as the #1 country for business. The United States ranked #18. Advertisement European social democracies put greater emphasis on government enterprise, but even most Americans favor government-run police departments, fire departments, national parks, municipally-owned utilities, local subway systems and public state universities. Today's democratic socialists believe in private enterprise but think it should be subject to rules that guarantee businesses act responsibly. Banks shouldn't engage in reckless predatory lending. Energy corporations shouldn't endanger and planet and public health by emitting too much pollution. Companies should be required to guarantee that consumer products (like cars and toys) are safe and that companies pay decent wages and provide safe workplaces. Democratic socialism also means reducing the political influence of the super rich and big corporations, increasing taxes of the wealthy to help pay for expanded public services like child care, public transit, and higher education, reducing barriers to voting, and strengthening regulations of business to require them to be more socially responsible in terms of their employees, consumers and the environment. That means a higher minimum wage, paid sick days and paid vacations, and safer workplaces. A poll earlier this year found that among Americans under 50, a majority are critical of capitalism. Although the word "socialism" has often been demonized, public opinion polls show that a vast majority of Americans agree with these ideas. For example, 74% think corporations have too much influence; 73% favor tougher regulation of Wall Street; 60% believe that "our economic system unfairly favors the wealthy;" 85% want an overhaul of our campaign finance system to reduce the influence of money in politics; 58% support breaking up big banks; 79% think the wealthy don't pay their fair share of taxes; 85% favor paid family leave; 80% of Democrats and half the public support single-payer Medicare for all; 75% of Americans (including 53% of Republicans) support an increase in the federal minimum wage to $12.50, while 63% favor a $15 minimum wage; well over 70% support workers' rights to unionize; and 92% want a society with far less income disparity. The trio 'guaranteeing' a political settlement in Syria has now destroyed the foundations of what was known as the Geneva Communique and the Vienna Process. This is the same trio dominating the Syrian battlefield, and that considers the military equation to be ready for starting a three-way division of the pie to the exclusion of the United States, Europe, and the Gulf Arab countries, not to mention the United Nations. The foreign and defense ministers of Russia, Iran, Turkey met this week after the fall of Aleppo, to draw a political roadmap that overrides previous accords that had called for transition in Syria by means of a governing body with full powers, culminating with new presidential elections. What the trio really guarantees, however, is the survival of Bashar a-Assad as president with full powers, to comply with Russian, Iranian, and Turkish demands. The Arab countries have been excluded from the Syrian issue, particularly the Gulf countries, which had special relations with Turkey. It was at some point thought that a Turkish-Saudi-Qatari trio was intent to arm the moderate rebels and prevent the fall of Aleppo. Clearly now, Turkey has withdrawn from this defunct trio, defecting instead to the Russian-Iranian axis in a cynical strategic shift. Ankara has disbanded the strategy established in the past with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, while helping cement the Russian-Iranian roles in Syria, guaranteeing itself a seat on the 'winners'' bus. Turkey has thrown out its commitments and promises to the two Gulf countries. Both Turkey and Egypt, as the Gulf countries now understand, have defected to the Russian camp, providing Sunni cover to Moscow to evade the accusation of a Russian-Shiite alliance in the battle in Aleppo, one of the largest Sunni Arab cities. So what is Moscow planning after Aleppo? What is Turkey's next move after the deal with Russia on Aleppo and the Kurds in Syria? What of Iran's plans after the capture of Aleppo and what will the Gulf countries, European powers, and the US do after Aleppo? The exclusion of the US from the Moscow meeting between Russia, Iran, and Turkey follows the US' own self-exclusion in Syria, and the desire of the Obama administration to be excluded. The tripartite meeting also comes in preparation for the Trump era, to pave the way for dealing with him from a launching pad on Syrian soil. Advertisement The broad title of the coming phase, according to the conviction of Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Egypt, is Putin-Trump. Russian President Vladimir Putin succeeded in presenting himself as the number one partner for US President-elect Donald Trump, on the basis of their mutual desire for coexistence and deal-making. Iran decided that getting on board the Russian motorcade is the shortest way to the White House, presenting itself as a strategic ally and a battlefield partner that is indispensable for Russia. Egypt has seen a strategic opportunity in the relationship between Putin and Trump, reinforced by good economic ties with China, and got on board the Russian bandwagon in Syria. Turkey, for its part, found that its interests are best served by joining the Russian convoy travelling from Aleppo to the White House, with a message of reassurance to Donald Trump. The US, which is voluntarily absent from Syria, appears marginalized and weak. The US is contenting itself with the smile of the weak secretary of state John Kerry and his handshake with his seasoned counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The Obama administration leaves Washington haunted by Aleppo. The outgoing US president helped in the making of the tragedy in Syria, by refraining to engage and by dissociating the US from Syria, paving the way for Russia to rebuild its influence in the Middle East. At the same time, Obama rewarded the Islamic Republic and blessed its intervention in Syria, even before repealing the UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting Iranian foreign military presence. These resolutions were later repealed as part of the package deal with Iran over its nuclear program, which led to an obsessive fixation by Obama with safeguarding it, often at the expense of fundamental US values. Barack Obama leaves the White House in a few weeks, dragging along two of his red lines that he had backtracked from: his warning regarding Damascus's use of chemical weapons; and his call on Bashar al-Assad to step down. Advertisement US President-elect Donald Trump has started exercising presidential powers before his official inauguration. It was for his sake that Putin rushed to benefit maximally from the extra time allowed by the transition between two US administrations, escalating militarily in Aleppo and coordinating politically and militarily with Turkey and Iran. Putin wanted to give Trump a precious gift made in Syria, packaged in the guise of eliminating ISIS, al-Nusra Front, and terrorist groups. Putin gifted Trump the achievement of the battle of Aleppo, so that the new president does not inherit this problem. Putin has decided that his friend Trump does not like complex problems, and prefers clever games and making deals, and for this reason, Putin wanted to finish 'purging' Aleppo before Trump entered the White House. However, Putin's strategy is not restricted to these courtesies towards Donald Trump. He is preparing for grand bargains, after cementing Russia's resumed great power role in the international arena through the Syrian gateway. The Russian victories in Syria come amid a growing hostility against the new resurgent Russia in the Middle East. Vladimir Putin, no matter how much he denies this and seeks over from Turkey and Egypt, remains the Russian president who concluded a deal of strategic importance with the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially in Syria. He did this while proclaiming that he was against radical Islamism and the rise of Islamism to power. But it turned out he meant Sunni and not Shiite Islamism. Indeed, the Islamic Republic was the first theocracy in the region. In other words, Putin brought Russia to the Middle East through the sectarian gate, radically fuelling the Sunni-Shiite strife as many a US administration had done. Russia's return to the Arab region and its role in Syria was not welcomed by the Arabs, rather the contrary. Many questions therefore surround Russia's investment in the region, and the specter of retaliation will haunt Russia. The Russian-Iranian relationship will be subject to much scrutiny, therefore, as it became for some time now clear their partnership in Syria amounts to a full alliance. This is a clear message to Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states, which Moscow see as divided and divergent when it comes to relations with Russia as well as with Iran. For this reason, for example, Russia and the UAE have established special relations, despite differences on Iran. Furthermore, Russian-Saudi relations did not collapse because of Russia's clear bias in favor of Iran, strategically and in Syria, as this was offset in the Yemeni theater where Russia has refrained from intervening or obstructing. What kind of relationship will Moscow and Tehran have after Aleppo? The foundations of their strategic alliance will survive. However, there will be some divergence on certain principles that Russia and Iran will have to address to protect their alliance. Indeed, Russia desires to end its direct (and vital) military role in the Syrian war, while Iran is bent on expanding its military roles in the war. Russia wants to strengthen the Syrian regular army as the cornerstone of the state and the regime, while Iran wants to implement the Revolutionary Guards model in Syria and Iraq, to weaken the regular army in favor of paramilitary groups. Advertisement These are radical not cosmetic differences. Yet they don't mean that the alliance is brittle. Qassem Soleimani went on a victory parade in Aleppo, to the embarrassment of Russia, and Russia's generals were not happy. But decision makers in Moscow will not protest publicly, because they know Iran has resolved to purge ISIS from Syria and Iraq, to restore the Shiite Crescent project - the implementation of which is a strategic priority for Iran, proceeding with Russian and American consent. Turkey has a different priority: safeguarding the regime of President Erdogan, even if he had to ally himself to the devil and renege on every single promise he had made. Turkey has blocked all roads for the delivery of weapons and influence from the Gulf states to Syria, after the same happened in Iraq with US-Iranian partnership. Ankara has staked its supreme interests on Russia, abandoning in practice its call for Assad to be toppled. By joining forces with Russia and Iran, it is even guaranteeing Assad's legitimacy. This forces the Gulf states to reconsider their positions, now effectively restrained by the collapse of what was once a joint Turkish-Saudi-Qatari strategy. Russia has gained a lot from Turkey after the deal between Putin and Erdogan, possibly including Erdogan's renunciation of his scheme to empower the Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East and Asia. Indeed, the statements issued by the trio clearly emphasized a secular Syria, which was traditionally opposed by Turkey. Interestingly, the trio spoke of the territorial integrity of the Syrian soil, at a time when Iran is active on the ground in altering the region's geography to establish contiguity with Hezbollah in Lebanon, while Turkey opposes the emergence of a Kurdish entity in Syria even as Kurdish statehood in Iraqi Kurdistan has become inevitable. Advertisement On December 18, 2015, NETFLIX released Making a Murderer ("MAM"), a 10-part docuseries written and directed by first-time filmmakers Moira Demos and Laura Ricciardi. The series, which chronicled the cases of two convicted murderers -- Steven Avery and his 16 year-old learning disabled nephew Brendan Dassey -- became an Emmy-award winning, international phenomenon. Within the first 35 days of its release, over 19 million people had watched the series in the United States alone. MAM jumpstarted a national conversation on police interrogation tactics and their relationship to false and coerced confessions and whether the tactics police used to pressure Brendan to confess should ever be permitted when police interrogate young and disabled suspects. Although, according to the National Registry of Exonerations, there were far more exonerations based on false confessions in 2015 (27), than 2016 (10), far more attention was paid to the subject of false confessions in 2016, largely due to what has been dubbed "The Making a Murderer Effect." Although MAM generated most of the interest in false confessions, there was plenty of other false confession news in 2016, the highlights of which are covered below. Advertisement January January's MAM news contained two of my favorite exchanges of the year. First, Dr. Phil schooled Nancy Grace, who saw nothing wrong with the way the police interrogated Dassey. Dr. Phil's "I could have gotten Brendan Dassey to confess to the Irish Potato famine" temporarily silenced Ms. Grace. Second, Harvey Levin of TMZ cut former Dassey lawyer Len Kachinsky to the quick when he asked Kachinsky why he allowed the police to "grill Brendan Dassey like a cheeseburger." For more than two decades, Tyra Patterson has insisted that she was coerced into falsely confessing to participating in a murder. Her story was featured in a stunning three-part series by The Guardian. Tyra's attorney, David Singleton, also launched the "I am Tyra Patterson" campaign to bring attention to her plight. MAM inspires a TN. legislator to propose a bill requiring that juveniles be interrogated in presence of lawyer, guardian or parent. Newsweek recountsthe bittersweet story of the Fairbanks Four ("FB4"), four Native young men who were released in December 2015 after having served more than 20 years for a murder they insist they did not commit. Freedom for the FB4 came at a price - they were required to give up their right to sue authorities. Like Brendan Dassey's case, an unreliable confession from a teenager -- 17-year old Eugene Vent -- was at the center of the FB4 case. Advertisement David Thompson, an interviewer at the training firm of Wicklander & Zulawski - one of the chief competitors of Chicago's John E. Reid & Associates - questions many of the techniques used by police during Brendan's interrogation. MAM was the reference point for another possible false confession from a teenager -- Bradley Albon of Brantford, Canada February Journalism prof Douglas Starr references MAM in calling for changes in interrogation techniques to prevent false confessions. Dateline NBC's "The Interrogation" tells the story of Robert Davis's false confession and the work which led to his release and conditional pardon. Here's footage of Robert coming home to his mother. Inspired by MAM, NY state senator proposes legislation requiring simplified Miranda warnings for juveniles. Advertisement Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson and his Conviction Review Unit agree to vacate Vanessa Gathers' manslaughter conviction. Gathers, who falsely confessed and spent a decade in prison, is exonerated. Scientists find that sleep deprivation significantly increases the risk of false confessions. March The power of confession evidence often blinds prosecutors to the truth, even when DNA points them to the true perpetrator. Just ask Philadelphia prosecutors who insisted on retrying Anthony Wright even though DNA evidence almost certainly identified a neighborhood crack addict as the man who murdered and raped Louis Talley in 1991. April Max Soffar who claimed that his confession to killing several people during a robbery in Houston in 1981 was false, dies of cancer after 35 years on death row before he could be exonerated or executed. The wrongfully convicted deserve closure too. Tom Sawyer lived for 30 years under a cloud of suspicion because he had falsely confessed to the 1986 murder of Janet Staschak. Sawyer raised his fist in the air in a Florida courtroom in quiet celebration when Stephen Lamont --linked to Staschak's murder by DNA, -- entered a plea of guilty. Advertisement Illinois proposes a new law requiring counsel for children under the age of 15 charged with homicides and sex crimes. In August, Gov. Bruce Rauner signs the bill into law. DNA evidence excluded Billy Wayne Cope and linked James Sanders to the rape and murder of Cope's 12-year old daughter in 2001. Sanders, a total stranger to Cope, was also a crack-addicted, serial sexual predator who during a six week period was broke-into occupied homes and robbed, beat, and sexually assaulted numerous women in Rock Hill, S.C. The jury never heard this evidence and convicted Cope as a co-conspirator of Sanders. In 2016, Cope is still fighting for his freedom, filing a motion for a new trial. Innocence Project releases PSA featuring three of the Central Park Five in effort to get NY legislators to require recording of interrogations. Spoil alert! It doesn't work. May Jim Trainum, former DC homicide cop, releases the book of the year when it comes to false confessions, explaining how tunnelvision, coercion, and fact-feeding cause police to "generate" false confessions. It receives a rave review in the Washington Post. Bob Kolker's article in Wired goes inside the LAPD and charts a new course for interrogations in America pioneered by the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group. The new program emphasizes rapport-building and rejects the Reid-Technique and other more confrontational approaches. Advertisement June A Texas prosecutor tells how a bogus murder confession changed his views on family violence cases. The Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth, the Michigan Innocence Clinic and others succeed in efforts to vacate Davontae Sanford's conviction. Sanford, who was only 14 when he falsely confessed to and later pled guilty to a quadruple murder that was actually committed by serial contract hit man named Vincent Smothers, is freed after serving more than 9 years in prison. Melissa Calusinski, represented by Steven Avery's new lawyer Kathleen Zellner, wins a new evidentiary hearing after new medical evidence suggests that the child who died at the day care center where she worked did not fracture her skull. On the 50th anniversary of Miranda v. Arizona, Colorado enacts a new law requiring that interrogations of suspects be electronically recorded. Teina Pora, New Zealand's most famous juvenile false confessor, is awarded more than 2.5 million dollars for the more than two decades he served in prison. But he gets something worth even more to him -- an Apology. Gabriel Solache and Arturo DeLeon Reyes are granted a new hearing to determine if their confessions were coerced by retired and now-disgraced Chicago detective Reynaldo Guevara. Advertisement Worcester, MA. agrees to pay former teenager Nga Truong $2.1 million after coercive tactics by police led Truong to confess to smothering her infant son. July Was fourteen-year old Lorenzo Montoya convicted of a murder he did not commit? Once again, brutal police interrogation tactics - captured on a recording -- raise questions about the reliability of Montoya's confession. Did threats of the death penalty lead James Edward Long, Michael Dewayne Shelton and James Wayne Pitts Jr. to confess falsely and testify that they and Richard Bryan Kissmaul raped 17 year-old Leslie Murphy before Kissmaul killed her and her 14 year-old friend? DNA evidence now proves that none of the men - dubbed the Waco Four -- raped Murphy. Exceptions sometimes swallow the rule in states which require police to record interrogations. Beatrice Six defendants win $28.1 million dollars in settlement in case involving five proven false confessions. After serving 20 years in prison for a double-murder, Chicagoans Charles Johnson and Larod Styles are given a new trial when fingerprint evidence links another man to the crime and undermines the reliability of their confessions. Advertisement Joel Alcox, whose conviction was reversed by a panel of federal appellate judges in May, reflects on his fight to reclaim his freedom. False confessors Carl Dukes and Lavell Jones are freed after 20 years after Jeffrey Conrad's true confession clears them of a 1997 murder. August Robert Perske, long-time advocate for Richard Lapointe and others with developmental disabilities who had falsely confessed, dies at the age of 88. California passes SB 1052 requiring counsel for kids before they are given Miranda warnings during police interrogations. Governor Jerry Brown later vetoes the law. A couple who falsely confessed to murdering daughters in arson are acquitted by Japanese court and freed after two decades. Advertisement A federal magistrate overturns Brendan Dassey's confession, finding that Dassey's confession was the product of coercive police tactics and extensive fact-feeding. It took a Philadelphia jury only 90 minutes to acquit Anthony Wright of a 1991 rape and murder. The jury forewoman issued a stern rebuke to the prosecutors for re-trying Wright even though DNA evidence linked another to the crime. Five years after DNA evidence had exonerated the "Dixmoor Five" of the 1991 murder and rape of Cateresa Matthews, a new investigation results in the arrest Willie Randolph who had been linked to the crime in 2011. September Terry Olson, of Minnesota, is released from prison after the man who implicated him admits that he gave a false confession to the police. Olson's freedom come at a price; the State agrees to let him out with time-served -- ten years -- if he drops his legal challenges but does not agree to vacate his conviction. "No sane human being could find then guilty." That's what federal judge John Gibney, Jr. wrote when vacating the convictions of two of the Norfolk Four false confessors, Danial Williams and Joseph Dick. Advertisement Mark Maxson is released after new DNA evidence proves that his confession was false and exonerates him of the 1992 brutal murder of a young boy. October A federal judge vacates the conviction of John Floyd, a New Orleans man who falsely confessed to stabbing and killing two gay men in New Orleans in 1980. Joseph Buffey, a West Virginia man who falsely confessed to raping an 83-year-old West Virginia woman in 2001, is freed after he enters an Alford guilty plea to robbery and burglary charges. John Horton, of Rockford, IL, who at age 17 in 1993, falsely confessed to a murder, is granted a new trial by an Illinois appellate court. Kenneth Thompson, the visionary King's County District Attorney whose Conviction Review Unit exonerated numerous false confessors, dies of cancer. Thompson's CRU exonerated Willie Stuckey and David McCallum, two teens who falsely confessed and McCallum delivered a eulogy at his funeral. Advertisement A new trial is granted to Jose Maysonet, another man who claims that he falsely confessed to a double murder after being interrogated by former Chicago detective Reynaldo Guevara. November Scandal rocks the the Springfield, MA police department after a video is released of a detective threatening a teenage suspect. December Holly Lai, the sister of murder victim Michelle Lai, publicly supports Tyra Patterson's clemency and provides powerful new evidence of Patterson's innocence. Forensic Developmental Psychologist Lindsay Malloy explains why juvenile suspects falsely confess in this TedXTalk. David McCallum and Jeff Deskovic, two teenagers who spent decades in prison for murders they did not commit, explain why they falsely confessed, in this podcast. Advertisement Who better than Amanda Knox to opine about why women may be more likely to falsely confess when pressured by police. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe grants an absolute pardon to Robert Davis based on actual innocence. Lamarr Monson, who claims to have falsely confessed to a 1996 murder and now has fingerprint evidence and other evidence to prove it, fights for a new trial. Even though new DNA testing excluded Christopher Tapp as the source of DNA found on Angie Dodge's body and clothing and even though his own expert raised serious questions about the reliability of Tapp's confession to Dodge's 1996 murder, Bonneville County, Idaho Prosecutor Danny Clark refuses to grant a new trial to Tapp. All is not lost, however, as Tapp is granted an evidentiary hearing in 2017 to explore the significance of withheld evidence. New arson science calls into question the reliability of William Amor's confession to setting a fire that killed his mother-in-law. Advertisement Grenache grapes for French Rose, the one single varietal Locations Wines produces, all others are blends "Wine is sunlight, held together by water." Galileo Galilei, astronomer and father of modern science, 1564-1642 Innovations in wine making and marketing come down the pike from time to time. When Dave Phinney the, "Bad Boy of Blending," known for taking risks in riding and creating the blended wine wave, came up with a new wrinkle, attention was paid for good reason. Embracing taboos has been his way of blending and branding wine that turns heads. As the consumer, understanding his labeling process with Locations Wines could help one choose a great bottle of wine at a decent price point. The generic labels on vintner Dave Phinney's Locations Wines might help a consumer confront the challenge and confusion over knowing which blend to choose. Advertisement Locations bottles' labels are an abbreviation of the respective places where the grapes originate. For me, the generic label is an attempt to capture what makes a region's wine iconic. Mr. Phinney has said something else. Phinney explained the unique labels were inspired by a trip to France. At the Charles De Gaulle airport he saw the letter 'F' on a taxi. This sighting led to thinking about wine labeling, using abbreviations only for other countries or states. For instance, the French Red Blend we enjoyed to the max is called simply F. It is crafted to represent the best of France with grapes sourced from Bordeaux, Rhone and Languedoc-Roussillon. Basically, Dave limits himself to one country or state in the U.S. at a time, but then his imagination takes hold, tempered by a track record of commercial and critical successes. Blends are all the rage. Sorting through the vast number of offerings daunting. A generic label can stand out and be of use to the novice oenophile or a more experienced wine imbiber who is pressed for time, to rely on Mr. Phinney's reputation to quickly pick a great blended wine for the value. The nomenclature is a helpful guide to what you will find inside the bottle consistent with its region. Advertisement As a point of information: a blend is defined as a wine which contains less than 75% of any one grape. It also is given a name, rather than bearing the name of a grape. Given Mr. Phinney's early acclaim with the label Orin Swift, before the tender age of 30, it is no surprise that Locations Wine is anything but boring. Mr. Phinney's philosophy is organized around novelty. 'Come with me to play and think outside the box,' could be Mr. Phinney's motto behind an attitude that has created some lovely, soft and easy to drink, tasty wines. The first few years his style was to make bold, hit you upside the head wines. Wines historically known for being robust, Phinney seems to be following a newer trend, a more feminized approach to vinification. I offered to play with the idea of 'places.' Like 'Dora the Explorer,' Locations would accompany me over the winter holidays 2016, until I am here to report, my supply (sadly) ran out. Interesting Musing on Wine from actor David Hyde Pierce, known for his role as a psychiatrist on the television show, 'Frasier': "Maybe it's because I'm getting older, I'm finding enjoyment in things that stop time. Just the simple act of tasting a glass of wine is its own event. You're not downing a glass of wine in the midst of doing something else." Guzzling alcohol, getting drunk and nursing a hang over the next day is not what drinking wine is all about. As a therapist who writes about wine occasionally, the focus is always about savoring the entire experience from choosing the wine -as every bottle tells a story - pairing wines with foods and sharing it all with friendly folks and family. Quality and Moderation Advertisement "Wisdom comes through suffering. Trouble, with its memories of pain, Drips in our hearts as we try to sleep, so men against their will Learn to practice moderation." Aeschylus, Agememnon, Greek Myth, 458 B.C.E. Writer and actor Dan Aykroyd said it well, "Wine represents to me sharing and good times and a celebration of life. It is always around happy occasions with family and friends and centered on joy. What better item to be involved in then something that represents all these wonderful things?" NUMBER ONE GO TO HOLIDAY HACK: WINE WITH CHEESE Mr. Phinney takes well known combinations of traditional grapes such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. He then chimes into the mix with more exotic varietals like Viognier and Rousanne. The label is CA. The combination of wines on the face of it could seem bizarre at first glance, but it does pair quite nicely with cheese and its accompaniments. Look no further than F for rose (not to be confused with F for the red blend) for a versatile wine with any number of cheeses. The grenache grapes for this rose were sourced from Fontaine de Vaucluse, the Provence region of France. Mr. Phinney's philosophy is organized around novelty. 'Come with me to play and think outside the box,' could be Mr. Phinney's motto behind an attitude that has created some lovely, soft and easy to drink, tasty wines. The first few years his style was to make bold, hit you upside the head wines. Wines historically known for being robust, Phinney seems to be following a newer trend, a more feminized approach to vinification. Locations Wines accompanied me to a few Friendsgiving celebrations, the start of a new tradition, a holiday keeper forevermore. Menus and Wine Suggestions Advertisement Blue Apron acorn squash curry on the Sunday before The Giving, in Los Angeles. E for Espana was perfect with Anne Thompson and Nora Chute the formidable mother daughter duo; F for France tasted sangiovese-like the Thursday before Thanksgiving Friendsgiving: one a veggie stir fry for two after a long day of work, finished up two days later with posole, a gift from a parent at dear Luisa Bottari Stern's school, before heading out of town. Tuesday Friendsgiving the pentultimate day before Thanksgiving: A dry rubbed fully cooked brisket delivered in butcher paper ready to slice from Marfa Meat Company with OR a, "silky pinot," according to Artist Sam Schonzeit noted. For him, it was the best wine in a Texas pre-Giving dinner party line up. Two bottles of I for Italy with Turkey in Marfa opened up very nicely for Thanksgiving and the next day leftovers with a glass for the bone broth to boot. (We also had the I for a Shared Plates event, the October prior. Locations was so kind to sponsor for those hosting dinner parties.) TX for Texas with dry aged Kansas City strip DeBragga steaks the Saturday night after Thanksgiving in Marfa when it was time to wind down from turkey. I found out about DeBragga, an old guard of New York butcher shops, around since the 1920s, from an informative survey by Gear Patrol. It laid out several fine sources for the best steaks online. Stefanie Faison, of DeBragga, told me a high concentration of customers hail from Oklahoma and Texas, "where they know good beef." Advertisement TX was found at The Get Go, the one fancy foods market in Marfa. The last and final bottle for Thanksgiving and beyond AR for Argentina went to a rare fruit growers party over the weekend in Malibu, where no one was drinking anything stronger than kombucha or beer. We may have committed a faux pas, but since our rare fruit grower hosts do not partake of wine they did not seem to mind that we held the bottle in reserve for the next holiday gathering. We brought AR, not to be confused with Arkansas, the next day to Anne Beatts' and her daughter, Jaylene's, holiday open house. Bon vivant that she is, Ms. Beatts was one of the original writers for Saturday Night Live. Breaking bread as a group is a deeply humanizing activity. As I have written before about the world of wine is how well it goes with food. The combination of average portions of food and middling amounts of wine is one aggregator of culture to be practiced regularly. Rule of thumb: One bottle contains 6 glasses for a minimum of 3 people. To stay safe and away from a danger zone: Remember, some rules are not meant to be broken. How does a person know where one stands on the spectrum of moderation? Here is a self test to determine if one is in trouble with controlling alcohol consumption. Responsible drinking is within reach for many, but not everyone. Anything more than a glass, not filled to the top, maybe two modest glasses though not much more, is how much one should drink at any sitting as a rule. Advertisement Disclaimer Alert: What I have written here should NOT be construed as or substituted for therapy. If you or someone you know is suicidal, do not hesitate to reach out to a professional, trusted family member or friend to get needed help. Reno Commission puts liquor by drink without food sales on 2023 ballot Hutchinson board acts quickly to respond to brewery's dilemma, but vote is more than a year away. Each year at Christmas, we focus on images of that first Christmas, a cave where the Savior of humanity was born. Certainly, we recognize that the Incarnation radically altered history. But in acknowledging the great transformation born at Bethlehem, we must realize the simplicity that surrounded our Saviors birth. Our society has become so complex that simplicity, which indeed can be a virtue, is now a lost virtue. We only recently have ended a very difficult political campaign season. When the huge amounts of money spent on these campaigns were publicized, I thought of how the poor served through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester and the outreach programs of our parishes would have been aided by a mere fraction of these campaign costs. I regretted the numbers of Gods poor whose lives would have received a spark of hope, but did not, from the cost of one campaign event. I thought of so many of you who work so hard just to make ends meet. What a stark difference between Bethlehem and the campaign trail! And a lack of simplicity can be found in so many areas of life. We can forget the greatest celebrations are with family and friends, visiting and sharing time together without texting or emailing, but speaking person to person; becoming one with our Lord in the reception of Holy Communion; finding forgiveness and peace in the sacrament of reconciliation, confession. Christmas presents an opportunity to leave the noise of the world to allow silence to envelop our minds and hearts so that we can speak to God. Union with the Lord, or the sad lack of unity with God, affects every aspect of our lives. It is necessary to enter into the silence born of simplicity to understand truly who we are as human beings created by God. In the simplicity of that cave at Bethlehem, Jesus and Mary understood their spousal relationship, their vocation as parents and the faith essential to every life. In the silence of that night, the Holy Family heard the voice of God in the presence of His Son. In his book, The Blessings of Christmas, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI writes, "Christmas invites us into this silence of God. ... Silence means developing the inner senses, the sense of the conscience, the sensitivity to the eternal in us, the ability to listen to God" (pages 91-92). Benedict XVIs words find their inspiration in the Book of Wisdom, where we read, "While gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed" (18:14-15). Christmas challenges us to recognize the greatest dignity we possess: that we are the daughters and sons of God, who dare to call God "our Father." Rising above all creation and earthly realities is the glory of the human person made in the image and likeness of God; the human person to be reverenced and respected from the moment of conception to natural death. So it is that "The silence that faith requires means that man is not so completely absorbed by the system of the economic-technological civilization that he is reduced to one function within the system. We must learn anew to grasp that there is something lying between science and superstition: that deeper ethical and religious insight which alone can banish superstition and make man human by seeing him in the light of God" (Benedict XVI, op.cit., p. 94). Silence, Pope Francis tells us, "helps us to discover our mystery: our mystery of encountering the Lord, our mystery of walking through life with the Lord" (daily homily of Dec. 20, 2013). During this Christmas season, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us not allow the "hustle and bustle" of a season become so commercial to rob us of the silence and simplicity needed not only to hear the voice of the Savior, but to unite our hearts to His. A blessed Christmas to all of you! Enhanced Energy: ONR Global Seeks More Powerful Electronic Devices Washington, DC - Groundbreaking energy research from the United Arab Emirates, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG), is the focus of an article published this week in the acclaimed Nature Magazine journal "Scientific Reports." Dr. Ammar Nayfeh's article http://www.nature.com/articles/srep38712 reveals unique use of zinc oxide (ZnO) to improve semiconductors and energy output in electronic devices. The research could have enormous benefits not only for Marines in forward operating bases and Sailors at sea, but also for a global population of consumers eager to see increased capability and faster performance from their electronic devices. "This is an excellent example of expanding the Naval Research Enterprise's network to ensure we are capitalizing on the high-quality, novel research that is being conducted across the globe," said Capt. Clark Troyer, ONRG's commanding officer. "Dr. Nayfeh's team at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology [Abu Dhabi, UAE] has demonstrated new ways to increase efficiency in solar cells and photodetectors-research which could be pivotal in reducing our dependency on both fuel and battery resupply for the warfighters." ONR Global is ONR's international arm for basic research sponsorships outside of the U.S., working with researchers and partners around the world to discover and advance research that will benefit U.S. naval forces. ONRG's science directors promote collaboration with international scientists through research grants. Dr. Nayfeh's partnership with ONRG began during a visit from the science director responsible for ONRG projects in the Middle East and North Africa, Dr. Monique Beaudoin. "There is a growing capacity in academic institutions in the Gulf region for hypothesis-driven, basic research in support of renewable energy initiatives in the countries of the region," said Beaudoin. "This project highlights some of that research. In parallel, Gulf countries like the UAE are aiming to move toward knowledge-based economies-in fact, Dr. Nayfeh's lab has a strong contingent of graduate students from the region who are now becoming recognized in their own right as scientists as well." Energy resupply has been a serious issue for Marines on the ground in international engagements. Reducing the need for, and vulnerabilities of, energy convoys has been front and center for naval research efforts in recent years. Nayfeh's research focuses on a new nanomaterial called zinc oxide. Changing the size and structure of the oxide allows scientists to "tune" its electrical properties, thereby optimizing the performance of the memory in electronics such as cell phones, digital cameras, laptops and even medical devices and military equipment. It could also improve the efficiency of fabricated solar cells, which play a role in a number of naval applications and settings. "We are very happy and honored to have ONR Global-sponsored research featured in this publication," said Nayfeh. "We believe that research is key to building strong human capacity and to continue to enhance technologies to better our world." The abstract for the article notes that low-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures are of particular interest in high-performance electronic and photonic devices. ZnO "nanoislands," it says, are promising for future low-power memory applications. Nayfeh says he realizes the important long-term potential of the research, particularly given the disaster relief role the U.S. Navy plays when crises occur around the world. "The U.S. Navy is the largest and most capable navy in the world," he noted. "Moreover, the U.S. Navy has a noble duty to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. "Therefore, it is our honor to be a part of this great mission through innovating and providing the latest technology advancements related to future energy devices." Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Fans' excitement for Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant has been in overdrive since the overwhelming reaction to the film's first footage was first reported. A crop of new images have been released for the Prometheus sequel and they seem to make good on the chatter. Sparse in detail, each abstract image - released via the film's Twitter account - conveys enough creepiness to hammer home that Alien: Covenant is very much an entry for the adults. One image shows Michael Fassbender's android David - or could it be Walter, the other robot he's playing? - dressed all in white playing a piano, while another shows the walls of colony ship Covenant spattered with blood. You can see all five of the stills below. Alien: Covenant first images Show all 5 1 /5 Alien: Covenant first images Alien: Covenant first images Alien: Covenant first images Alien: Covenant first images Alien: Covenant first images Alien: Covenant first images Fantastic Beasts actor Katharine Waterston heads up the cast alongside original star Noomi Rapace, Demian Bichir, Danny McBride and a small role for James Franco. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Last month, temperatures in the high Arctic spiked dramatically, some 36 degrees Fahrenheit above normal -- a move that corresponded with record low levels of Arctic sea ice during a time of year when this ice is supposed to be expanding during the freezing polar night. And now this week we're seeing another huge burst of Arctic warmth. A buoy close to the North Pole just reported temperatures close to the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius), which is 10s of degrees warmer than normal for this time of year. Although it isn't clear yet, we could now be in for another period when sea ice either pauses its spread across the Arctic ocean, or reverses course entirely. But these bursts of Arctic warmth don't stand alone -- last month, extremely warm North Pole temperatures corresponded with extremely cold temperatures over Siberia. This week, meanwhile, there are large bursts of un-seasonally cold air over Alaska and Siberia once again. Climate change: It's "game over" for planet earth It is all looking rather consistent with an outlook that has been dubbed "Warm Arctic, Cold Continents" -- a notion that remains scientifically contentious but, if accurate, is deeply consequential for how climate change could unfold in the Northern Hemisphere winter. The core idea here begins with the fact that the Arctic is warming up faster than the mid-latitudes and the equator, and losing its characteristic floating sea ice cover in the process. This also changes the Arctic atmosphere, the theory goes, and these changes interact with large scale atmospheric patterns that affect our weather (phenomena like the jet stream and the polar vortex). We won't get into the details yet, but in essence, the result can be a kind of swapping of the cold air masses of the Arctic with the warm air masses to the south of them. The Arctic then gets hot (relatively), and the mid-latitudes -- including sometimes, as during the infamous "polar vortex" event of 2013-2014, the United States -- get cold. Here's an animation, provided by Jason Box of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, of what this might look like. It shows that both during the November major Arctic warming event, and again this week, temperatures over the Arctic ocean spiked far above their average, while temperatures over some high or mid-latitude land surfaces in the Northern Hemisphere fell well below average (the Arctic is at the far right): The image, Box explained by email, "underscores the distinction between ocean and land and thus points to there being something to the pattern" of "Warm Arctic, Cold Continents." He continued: What are the impacts? Why should we care? For one, the patterns indicate a system changing state. For two: That change probably affects the frequency and persistence of weather, a hallmark of climate change; changing extremes... more hots and ironically sometimes sharper colds. In recent years, several scientists have come up with different versions or incarnations of the "Warm Arctic, Cold Continents" idea. One of the best known is Rutgers University climate scientist and Arctic specialist Jennifer Francis, who published a 2012 paper with Stephen Vavrus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison arguing that the "Arctic amplification" of global warming was leading to a more wavy and slower-moving jet stream, and this in turn was leading to extreme weather as different atmospheric patterns became stuck in place. Their paper highlighted not only changes in winter, but also throughout the year. "What I think we've been seeing this year has been totally consistent with the hypothesis that we've been working on," Francis said in an interview of the recent Arctic drama. The jet stream is a global west-to-east flow (Francis often calls it a "river") of air above our heads that carries with it weather we experience. But sometimes, the flow becomes quite elongated, looking much less like a tight loop around the planet and more like a series of slowly undulating waves. "What I think is happening is that it's been very warm in the Arctic all year long and this has helped favor a very wavy jet stream, which is what we've been seeing," she continued, "and that has helped to pump a lot of extra heat and moisture up into the Arctic." But then what about the cold continents? Judah Cohen, the head of seasonal forecasting at Atmospheric and Environmental Research, said that this year in particular, low sea ice in the Arctic has led to a situation in which more snow falls over Siberia in the late fall, as Arctic moisture unlocked from the uncovered ocean gets pulled south over land and falls as snow. This doesn't just make Siberia cold. Cohen believes it creates atmospheric reverberating effects that upset the polar vortex (the cold lower pressure region that normally hovers over the Arctic in winter), causing it to become elongated, migrate southward, and allowing for the swapping of Arctic cold and mid-latitude warmth. "This year, we had this unprecedented early polar votex weakening, polar vortex split, and that really kicked off this continental cooling we've seen this winter," said Cohen. "It started across Eurasia but obviously in December it's come over North America as well, and so far there's no signs of that going away." But as Cohen acknowledges, "the community is definitely polarized" over the validity of these ideas. "People are saying that [they] feel very strongly that any kind of cold that we're seeing in the winter is just a product of natural variability, and there's no forcing of it from the Arctic, let's say. But I mean, I think every time you get a cold winter, that argument gets harder and harder to make." Another early theorist of the "Warm Arctic, Cold Continents" concept is James Overland, a researcher with the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who co-authored a paper on the topic in 2011, just after a record-breaking snowy Washington, D.C. winter in 2010. It concluded: Increased atmospheric temperatures over loss of sea ice areas, creates a meander in the polar vortex flow which will have different downstream effects in different years. Given a continuing trend for increased temperatures and thinner sea ice in the Arctic, modelling results and the data from recent late autumns, December 2008, 2009 and 2010, suggest that the frequency of an autumn warm Arctic--cold continents climate pattern will increase.... "There are a lot of people in both camps," Overland now says of the debate over these ideas. "It's fairly evenly matched." But as he continues, referring to the present moment, "I think there's a strong case to be made that we're seeing the first real strong example of the loss of sea ice north of Alaska helping to lock in the longwave pattern and the cold temperatures on the East Coast." (Francis, Cohen, and Overland were all co-authors of a 2014 review paper that looked at the evidence for whether the warming Arctic was indeed causing extreme weather effects in the mid-latitudes.) If these ideas are correct, they're hugely important -- and not only because of the consequences for the weather we all experience in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. It's also important because paradoxically, it could give momentum to climate change doubters, who will constantly be pointing to major snowstorms and cold temperatures where they live in order to cast doubt on the overall climate trend, even though it would be precisely that trend that is driving those select bouts of cold (even as the globe overall still shows a warming trend). Recently I checked in with one of the major skeptics of all of this -- National Center for Atmospheric Research climate scientist Kevin Trenberth, who has debated Francis in the past, arguing that much of what she's citing could be chalked up to natural climate variability and noting that climate change models don't produce these effects. Trenberth didn't deny that the fast-warming Arctic could have some ramifications outside of the Arctic. But he pointed out that the tropics of the Earth have a greater pull on weather overall and argued that processes happening in the Arctic winter aren't that powerful, in the perspective of the globe as a whole. As he put it: What happens in the Arctic may not stay in the Arctic, but events there are always combined with other places: so in November the cold air formed but went over to Siberia. More recently we had the cold outbreak in the US. It is not as if there is not cold air! These events are complicit and there is some randomness to them: we call it "weather." In fact, in a sign of possible moderating of the debate, Francis said she agrees that "the tropics rule the world," and the Arctic is acting as more of a modulator. "We're saying that they do rule the world in a way but the Arctic can really change how their natural influence would typically happen. We're seeing them intensify a pattern or maybe even reduce it." For instance, if tropical weather causes a major excursion of the jet stream northward, Arctic warming can then exacerbate that, she said. So for now, these ideas aren't accepted by all of the relevant scientists -- but they definitely have a core group of supporters who are publishing, arguing, and citing recent events to advance their case. Scientists are gathering in Washington, D.C. in February to hash them out further -- by which time, we'll know more about just how much winter weather itself has given momentum to the conversation. "We continue to see this Arctic behaving so bizarrely, I think we're in for a very interesting winter," said Francis. Washington Post For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The internet is unknown to most North Koreans they have enough trouble getting the power and computers needed to get on it. But deep at the secret heart of the company lies one of the most powerful army of cyber-warriors in the world. Whats more, the technological problems of the country means that theres very little to hack back. All of the major countries have their own cyber-armies, but theres very little they can do to North Korea. The Sony hack which the FBI and South Korea have publically blamed on North Korea, though it still might be the work of others, too marks probably the costliest cyber-attack ever on American soil. The US has said that it is the first example of cyber-warfare arrival in the country but it is nothing new to South Korea. North Korea has form, at least according to the South. South Korea blames its northern neighbour for at least six high-profile cyberattacks since 2007. They then ratcheted up in 2011 when three major attacks hit private companies and governments in South Korea. As well as bringing sites down, they attacked banks and newspapers, in 2012 changing the front page of South Korean daily paper JoongAng Ilbo. In 2013, they brought down government computers and kept banks offline for as much as a week. And that year, on the anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean war between North and South, government and media firms were hit by denial of service attacks and other hacking. The attacks are carried out by the secretive Bureau 121 a group of around 1,000-3,000 hackers, according to a report leaked from North Korea in 2009, and could be even more. It is made up of some of the countrys brightest young students, who go on to be richly rewarded and praised in a country infamous for its low pay. Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Show all 13 1 /13 Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Leonardo DiCaprio The actor's 'horrible behaviour' over Steve Jobs biopic was branded 'actually despicable' in leaked Sony executive emails Getty Images Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Seth Rogen Seth Rogen and James Franco cancel Interview (North Korea-baiting film) press appearances after Sony hackers' threats Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood James Franco Seth Rogen and James Franco cancel Interview press appearances after Sony hackers' threats AP Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Aaron Sorkin The screenwriter has said that the people who hacked into Sony Entertainment Pictures and released private emails are 'threatening the lives of whole families' Theo Wargo | Getty Images for Nantucket Film Festival Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Amy Pascal Also leaked: Sony Pictures co-chair Amy Pascal's email joking about President Barack Obama's race Getty Images Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood George Clooney Leaked email chain between Pascal and George Clooney appeared to reveal just how much the actor struggled to cope with the criticism of his The Monuments Men Getty Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Barack Obama Sony executives Scott Rudin and Amy Pascal's leaked email exchange jokes about Barack Obama favouring films with black actors Getty Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Channing Tatum Channing Tatum's leaked Sony executive email responding to the success of 22 Jump Street with Jonah Hill, which became the highest grossing R-rated comedy ever when it opened in June this year Getty Images Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Jaden and Willow Smith Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's children Willow and Jaden Smith found themselves in the Sony inbox as well Getty Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Mark Gordon DiCaprio's exchange with Jobs TV producer Mark Gordon (pictured) was leaked too Getty Images Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Princess Beatrice Sony hackers linked to North Korea revealed Princess Beatrice earns $30,000 a year Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Michael Fassbender Aaron Sorkin's leaked emails claimed he had no idea who actor Michael Fassbender (pictured) was Getty Images Sony Cyber Attack: The Worst Affected In Hollywood Scott Rudin Information leaked has also included embarrassing emails involving high profile producer Scott Rudin attacking Angelina Jolie Getty Images After being selected mostly from the top students at the University of Automation each year, according to reports they are trained in the industrial North Korean city of Hamhung and are also sent to study in China and Russia. Some of them are still likely to be based in China, and carrying out attacks from there. Early connections with other countries including the code going through Thai and Italian servers are likely to be a result of whoever is really behind the attack, whether North Korean or from elsewhere, disguising their real location. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} People are thanking NHS staff working over Christmas, as medical professionals and patients share pictures from hospitals staying open throughout the day. Some people have used the #MerryXmasNHS and #NHSworkingXmas hashtags to call out Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who praised NHS workers in his Christmas message but has been repeatedly condemned by them this year. There will be 1,800 babies delivered across the UK on Christmas Day alone, with an NHS maternity ward team in Leeds sharing a picture of newborn baby Jimmy. That means 12,000 midwives will be clocking in for Christmas shifts, as will 97,000 nurses and 200,000 workers in care homes. A total of 40,000 cleaners and 12,000 porters will also be on duty. Grateful parents also shared footage of their children in care units. Naomi Patterson uploaded a video of her son in a Dorset hospital, writing: "Thanks to the excellent staff all year round, I get to spend another Christmas with my little man... thank you to all at the Kingfisher Ward... from George, Merry Christmas." Other teams of doctors and nurses working with children shared photos of themselves dressed in reindeer horns and Santa costumes as they made their rounds. Paediatric nurse Fern, 27, wrote: "I'm off to work, thinking of all those missing their families today to help others." Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has argued that junior doctors should regularly work all-day shifts across Saturday and Sunday without extra pay, claiming more people die on the weekends owing to staff shortages. It later emerged his department had allegedly 'airbrushed' information contradicting that claim, with the medical union BMA condemning the heath secretary for trying to force harsher regimes on overworked NHS staff without increasing funding. In his Christmas message he thanked NHS staff for "pulling out all the stops", but replies were not sympathetic. A junior doctor working in oncology wrote: "Dear Jeremy. Today is Sunday. Today is Christmas Day. The shops are all closed... But my colleagues and I in the NHS are still here at work. Because it IS a 24/7 NHS." Hundreds of people also shared a meme listing the NHS Emergency Department opening times as 00.00 to 23.59 on every day over the festive period, and asked if Mr Hunt would be working such long hours. Writing for The Independent, gynaecological doctor Reena Aggarwal said: "I have been qualified for nine years and in all that time I have only ever had one Christmas Day or night off. "Labour ward is a 24/7 service so Christmas Day is like any other day except we might wear a Santa hat." Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Government has been forced to apologise over a question about pupils ethnicity in the controversial national school census. Italian ambassador Pasquale Terracciano criticised the data forms sent out by UK schools asking parents whether their child was Italian, Italian-Sicilian or Italian-Neapolitan, pointing out that Italy has been a unified country since 1861. A number of families had filed complaints to the embassy in London over the issue one of several problems highlighted in the changes to school data collections brought into effect this year prompting fresh calls for a boycott of the census. Recommended Primary school inequality gap wider than it was 50 years ago Mr Terracciano told the Ansa news agency that he believed the categories were listed with the intention of helping to identify non-existent special linguistic needs. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions, he added, noting that such actions could be unintentionally discriminatory, as well as offensive to southerners. Posting a statement online, the Italian embassy in London said it had requested an immediate change and removal of the regional categorisations. In a letter sent to Mr Terracciano and published following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, officials from the Department for Education and Government Statistical Service apologised for the unnecessary categorisation. The government bodies said: We are writing to offer our apologies for any offence that may have been caused to the Italian people by the way in which the issue of the Italian language was dealt with in a recent data collection exercise by the Department for Education statisticians. Statisticians across government regularly collect information on language. We are mindful that this is a sensitive area, and endeavour that we collect that information in a respectful way. On this occasion, we have failed to do so. Government's controversial school census to record pupil nationality 'has all the hallmarks of racism' Lords warn The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said the categories had appeared as part of a historic administrative error in the language codes issued on the census forms. A spokesperson said the FCO was grateful for the Italian Embassys close cooperation and confirmed the forms have since been corrected. Jen Persson, campaign coordinator for Defend Digital Me, who issued the FOI request, said the incident was concerning, and one of many examples of government error witnessed this year regarding the data collection. She said: Language used as a proxy for ethnicity is a sensitive issue and emotive as it can come with many incorrect assumptions. Since September, schools and colleges have been required by the DfE to ask parents to provide personal information of their childrens nationality, place of birth and English language skills. Ethnicity data has been collected in previous years, but the government faced backlash after The Independent revealed that a number of schools had been advised to guess pupil ethnicity in cases where the information was not already provided. Data protection campaigners and cross-party MPs have expressed concerns that information stored on the National Pupil Database could be exploited by immigration enforcement and third parties. In accordance with government guidelines, schools must request census information from parents but make it clear this information is given voluntarily. If a parent chooses not to respond, this can be marked as refused. Concerns have been raised however, that this information is not always being made clear and calls have been made for a boycott of the census altogether. Commenting on the issue raised by the Italian embassy, Ms Persson said: This example shows that one complaint can make a difference and get it fixed for everyone. Parents need to stand up and challenge what they feel is wrong about their own child's data collection and they should be told they can ask for data already submitted in the expanded autumn census to be withdrawn. Schools do this by overwriting the current country of birth, nationality, and language data before 19 January. Responding to public concerns about the use of pupil data, the DfE has insisted the census is only used to collect data for the departments own statistical analysis and is not made available to the Home Office. Regarding the Italian embassy's complaint, a Department for Education spokesperson said: In October the government was made aware of an administrative error in the language codes used as part of the school census, which was subsequently corrected. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A North Korean defector who lived in the country until she was 15 has described how she was brought up to believe that leader Kim Jong-il was a god who could read her thoughts. Yeonmi Park, now 20, said she was brainwashed through propaganda 24/7 and was constantly aware of people around her being made to disappear. Five years ago she and her parents were able to escape the country into China, and were eventually accepted as refugees in South Korea. She said it took months in an education centre, where defectors were given books and encouraged to study on the internet, before she could be rid of the idea that the late North Korean dictator, father of Kim Jong-un, was able to read her mind from afar. Speaking to SBS One in Australia, Ms Park said: It was like living in hell. There were constant power outages, so everything was dark. There was no transportation everyone had to walk everywhere. It was very dirty and no one could eat anything. It was not the right conditions for human life, but you couldn't think about it, let alone complain about it. Even though you were suffering, you had to worship the regime every day. I had to be careful of my thoughts because I believed Kim Jong-il could read my mind. Every couple of days someone would disappear. A classmate's mother was punished in a public execution that I was made to attend. I had no choice there were spies in the neighbourhood. Ms Park explained that her father was a government official, but he was jailed and the family sent away from Pyongyang after he was accused of trading metals with China. Her father eventually died, and the family met some missionaries who said they could find a new life if they made it to South Korea. Ms Park and her mother could not afford to pay for transport, she said, so made their way into Mongolia where the government arranged for them to be moved to South Korea. This whole time, I was still so brainwashed that I thought Kim Jong-il could read my mind from afar, she said. Even though I had escaped, I wouldn't let myself think anything negative about the regime. I realised that everything I thought was a lie. I had not been a real person I was created for the regime to work for them. If they ordered us to die, I would've died for them. I wasn't a human I was something else. I certainly wasn't treated like one. I knew nothing of freedom. It took about three years to fully get over the brainwashing. My mother took longer than me. When Kim Jong-il died she couldn't believe it. We were in South Korea by then and she said, He can't die because he's not a human, he's a god! It was very hard for us to comprehend that he was just a human, but I helped my mother see the truth. I'm now studying at university, learning about international relations and I feel like a different person. When I was in North Korea, no one asked me what do you think?, what do you want to be in future?, what do you dream? I now have free will. Ms Park said she still has many relatives in North Korea who are too afraid to escape, and that now she wants to work to help others who have suffered human rights abuses. SBS Ones interview with Yeonmi Park for the programme Insight: Changing a Mindset was broadcast at 8.30pm on 8 August For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Carrie Fisher is reportedly spending Christmas in intensive care, after her heart stopped during an 11-hour transatlantic flight. The Star Wars actress, 60, is reportedly being kept alive by a ventilator in Los Angeles' UCLA Medical Centre, where her daughter, Billie Lourd, friends, and French bulldog, Gary, are keeping watch. Close friend Patricia King, 69, said her condition had not changed since the actress suffered a major cardiac incident on her way back to Los Angeles from London on Friday. "My husband is with her at the hospital now but there's been no change as far as I know," Ms King told the MailOnline. "We just love her so much we saw her last month and she was so much fun, laughing and lovely. The whole family is praying for her right now we are really hoping that she's going to be ok." The star's brother, Todd Fisher, told Variety in a phone interview that there was "no good or bad news" from doctors. A distress call made by the flight's pilot revealed Fisher was kept alive with CPR administered by a fellow passenger after she stopped breathing for about 10 minutes. In an audio recording, the pilot can be heard telling air traffic control that at least one nurse was among a group attempting to save the unresponsive passenger, who he did not identify. During the recording, air traffic control said: United 935 heavy, I need the nature of the medical emergency and also the sex of the patient. Is there a medical personnel at the gate? The pilot responded: Yeah, we've coordinated medical personnel for the gate. We have some passengers, nurses assisting the passenger, we have an unresponsive passenger. Theyre working on her right now, were going to have her seated in about two minutes here and we should hopefully be on the deck in about five. The incident occurred about 15 minutes before landing. Paramedics reportedly worked on Ms Fisher for another 15 minutes before they were able to get a pulse. The actress was travelling home for Christmas, having spent the last few weeks in the UK promoting her new memoir, The Princess Diarist. United airlines issued a statement on Friday saying Flight 935 from London was met by medical personnel on the runway after a female passenger was reported to be unresponsive. A spokesperson for police at LAX airport said: Los Angeles police responded at 12.15pm to Terminal 7 regarding a female victim who went into cardiac arrest. Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Show all 24 1 /24 Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere John Boyega, left, and Oscar Isaac poses for photographers upon arrival at the European premiere of the film "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AP Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere British actress Daisy Ridley attends the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere British musician Noel Gallagher and family attend the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere British actor John Boyega attends the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in central London AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Romeo and Brooklyn Beckham attend the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" at Leicester Square AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere US filmaker George Lucas and partner Mellody Hobson attend the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Mark Hamill gives a red carpet interview during the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Actress Carrie Fisher poses with stormtroopers - as her dog watches on AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere British actress Daisy Ridley attends the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere US actor Adam Driver attends the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Harrison Ford signs autographs for fans on the red carpet PA Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Writer-director J.J. Abrams attends the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen attends the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in central London AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere British actor Peter Mayhew - who has played Chewbacca in all the Star Wars films - attends the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Warwick Davies poses for a selfie with Star Wars droid BB-8 AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Star Wars droid BB-8 attends the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Actor Warwick Davies and family attend the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Star Wars drones C-3PO and R2-DT attend the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in central London AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Stormtroopers, Darth Vader and Chewbacca attend the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" at Leicester Square AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Star Wars characters attend the opening of the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in central London AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Fans dressed up as Star Wars character pose ahead of the European Premiere of "Star Wars The Force Awakens" in central London AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Fans dressed up as Star Wars character pose ahead of the European Premiere of "Star Wars The Force Awakens" in central London AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Stormtroopers march through London's Leicesrer Square AFP/Getty Images Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premiere Star Wars London premiere Stormtroopers make their way down the red carpet ahead of the premiere AFP/Getty Images Upon arrival, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was already performing CPR on the victim and the victim was transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment. Fisher was 19 years old when she first played the iconic role of Princess Leia. In addition to acting she has written several books, including the memoir she was promoting in London. She spoken and written in the past about her struggles with drug addiction and poor mental health. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has hit out at the Archbishop of Canterbury after he said the past year had left a world "awash with division and fear". In his Christmas Day sermon, the Justin Welby said 2016 had left people facing a future that appeared "less predictable and certain". While he did not mention the vote to leave the European Union the defining UK political event of the last 12 months his comments drew a sharp retort from Mr Farage. In a message to his Twitter followers, he wrote: "Merry Christmas. Ignore all negative messages from the Archbishop of Canterbury and have a great day!" In his sermon, delivered during a Eucharist service at Canterbury Cathedral, the Archbishop said such uncertainty at a time of widespread material prosperity was a sign people were putting their trust in the "wrong things". While technological progress had failed to deliver economic justice, he said, ultimately it was the glory of God which would chase away "the fear of terror ... and the economies of injustice". "The end of 2016 finds us all in a different kind of world, one less predictable and certain, which feels more awash with fear and division," he said. "That uncertainty of our world, our feelings, tells us that our values are in the wrong place. Economic progress, technological progress, communication progress hasn't resulted in economic justice. It hasn't delivered glory for us. Recommended Thank God Nigel Farage took a stand against whining Brendan Cox "It is among those on the edge, those ignored, and amongst persecuted believers that I have most clearly seen the glory of God this year, a glory that chases away the fear of terror, the power of death, and the economies of injustice, and presents a path to a more just, more Christ-like world." The Archbishop went on to describe some of the suffering he had witnessed, and the comfort which their Christian faith had brought to those who had been affected. "Let me tell you about a bomb-injured woman in Pakistan, bereft of her youngest child in the blast that had injured her, who said, 'One thing we know, Jesus really is the good Shepherd'," he said. "And a lonely elderly woman in London, and a trafficked teenager in Watford, both of whom spoke recently at a Carol service at Lambeth Palace: they have seen the glory of God in Jesus and he has brought powerful transformation to their lives. People on the edge. "How then do we find glory? The only place and person who can bring glory to us is the child of Bethlehem who became the victim on the cross." Press Association For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Pope Francis used his Christmas message to urge Catholics around the world to feel compassion for those "not allowed to be born". Speaking to tens of thousands of Catholics in Saint Peter's Square, the head of the Catholic Church asked worshippers to celebrate the fragile simplicity of a small newborn. Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons, he said, the AFP news agency reports. Pope Francis at 80 During his speech to 1.2 billion Catholics around the world, the Pontiff also wished wished Christmas peace for people scarred by wars and those who lost loved ones to terrorism. He said terrorism is sowing "fear and death" in many cities and countries. Francis cited those suffering through the Syrian war, especially during the "most awful battles" in Aleppo. He pressed the international community for a negotiated solution. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty He also urged Israelis and Palestinians to abandon hate and revenge and lamented that in Nigeria "fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children," a reference to child suicide-bombers. He went on to decry conflicts and tensions in Africa, eastern Ukraine, Myanmar, the Korean peninsula, Colombia and Venezuela. Additional reporting by agencies Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump announced that he is closing the Trump Foundation, an apparent attempt to avoid conflicts of interest upon entering the White House. The foundation's dissolution comes amid scrutiny of the President-elect's use of charitable funds. It also follows a pay-for-play controversy that led to Eric Trump stepping down from his charity organisation for auctioning off access to his father. "The Foundation has done enormous good works over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups," Mr Trump said in a statement. "However, to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as President I have decided to continue to pursue my strong interest in philanthropy in other ways." Recommended Bernie Sanders asks Congress to stop Trump launching nuclear arms race But the New York Attorney General's office said that it will continue to investigate Mr Trump for his involvement in the organisation, preventing its legal dissolution. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman ordered Mr Trump to "immediately cease soliciting contributions" because the organisation lacked proper authorisation. "The Trump Foundation is still under investigation by this office and cannot legally dissolve until that investigation is complete," New York Attorney General spokesperson Amy Spitalnick said on Saturday. Mr Trump allegedly made numerous ethics violations with foundation funds using approximately $258,000 to settle two separate lawsuits. President Donald Trump life in pictures Show all 16 1 /16 President Donald Trump life in pictures President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump poses in a rocking chair once used by President John F. Kennedy at his New York City residence Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump with his new bride Marla Maples after their wedding at the Plaza hotel in New York Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Celina Midelfart watch the match between Conchita Martinez and Amanda Coetzer during U.S. Open. She was the date whom Donald Trump was with when he met his current wife Melania at a party in 1996 Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas serving as the grand marshal for the Daytona 500, speaks to Donald Trump and Melania Knauss on the starting grid at the Daytona International Speedwa Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump talks with his former wife Ivana Trump during the men's final at the U.S. Open Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and his friend Melania Knauss pose for photographers as they arrive at the New York premiere of Star Wars Episode : 'The Phantom Menace,' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump talks with host Larry King. Trump told King that he was moving toward a possible bid for the United States presidency with the formation of a presidential exploratory committee Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump answers questions as Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura looks on in Brooklyn Park. Trump said on Friday he 'very well might' make a run for president under the Reform Party banner but had not made a final decision Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump makes a face at a friend as he sits next to Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso before the start of the 2003 Miss Universe pageant in Panama City Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Entrepreneur Donald Trump is greeted by a Marilyn Monroe character look-a-alike, as he arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood to attend the an open casting call for his NBC television network reality series 'The Apprentice.' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Simon Cowell present an Emmy during the 56th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Megan Mullally perform at the 57th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump, poses with his children, son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughters Tiffany and Ivanka Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump told Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner on Tuesday she would be given a second chance after reported misbehavior Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump holds a replica of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as his wife Melania holds their son Barron in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. property mogul Donald Trump stands next to a bagpiper during a media event on the sand dunes of the Menie estate, the site for Trump's proposed golf resort, near Aberdeen, north east Scotland Reuters "I am very proud of the money that has been raised for many organisations in need, and I am also very proud of the fact that the Foundation has operated at essentially no cost for decades, with 100 per cent of the money going to charity," he said, "but because I will be devoting so much time and energy to the Presidency and solving the many problems facing our country and the world, I don't want to allow good work to be associated with a possible conflict of interest." In addition to the money apparently used to settle the lawsuits, Mr Trump also came under fire from the IRS for donating $25,000 of the charity's money to an organisation connected to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. At the time of the donation, Ms Bondi declined to investigate Trump University for fraud. Representative Elijah Cummings, a Democrat and ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, said he was pleased to see Mr Trump is making efforts to settle potential conflicts of interest, but believes the President-elect is still short of doing so. "He is headed in the right direction, but he has to reach the right destination, which is to divest of everything like Democratic and Republican ethics experts have said he must do," Mr Cummings said. "The presidency is probably the most difficult job in the world. Why would you want almost every decision you make to be questioned? "You have more than 111 companies operating in 18 countries. That is a minefield, and sadly it will take away from his credibility." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin "united to trash" Hillary Clinton, the former US ambassador to Russia has said. Calling the Russian President an "autocrat in the Kremlin team", Michael McFaul accused Mr Trump and Mr Putin of teaming up to "trash an American". Earlier this month, the President-elect tweeted to say: "Vladimir Putin said today about Hillary and Dems: 'In my opinion, it is humiliating. One must be able to lose with dignity.' So true!" Citing Mr Trump's tweet, Mr McFaul said: "So now the President-elect and an autocrat in the Kremlin team up to trash an American. Unprecedented. Will Republicans speak up?" Responding to questions about his tweet, Mr McFaul said: "I expect the leader of the free world to defend fellow Americans against gratuitous attacks from autocrats. I know I'm old-fashioned." He added: "Why is Trump so militantly against an investigation into Putin's meddling in our elections? What does he have to hide? This love fest is odd. "And the gall of Putin to be lecturing losing candidates how to act after a real election when he has never won a free and fair election ever." World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Show all 29 1 /29 World reaction to President Trump: In pictures World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty Images World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mosul , Iraq Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures New Delhi, India Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Karachi, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kabul, Afghanistan AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem. Israel Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Moscow, Russia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Seoul, South Korea AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Peshawar, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Hyderabad, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kolkata, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Aleppo, Syria Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem, Israel EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Baghdad, Iraq Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Tokyo, Japan Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico Getty Last week, Mr Putin criticised members of the US Democratic party for trying to blame Russia for Mr Trumps election victory. Speaking during his annual news conference to local and international journalists, he denied accusations of state-sponsored hacking during the campaign. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A man who won free pizza for a year has chosen to donate every slice to a local food bank. Josh Katrick was one of 1200 people to enter the competition set up by a family pizza restaurant in the US state of Pennsylvania. Mr Katrick, who has colon cancer, found out he had been randomly selected as the winner by email as he was leaving the clinic after a session of chemotherapy. "I remember coming out of there thinking, 'I just won pizzas for a year! That's cool!' he told local news channel 69 News. He said he was inspired to pass his prize on to Northampton Food Bank by the support he had received from others during his treatment. "I've been getting so much from family, friends, people I don't even know well, the last few months," he told the broadcaster. "Getting so much love and support I just wanted to give back to people that could use it more than I could." 'I just wanted to give back to people that could use it more than I could' says Josh Katrick (69 News) When they heard of his plan, Marios Pizza said they would double the prize originally two free large pizzas and a bottle of soda each month in 2017 so both Mr Katrick and the food bank can enjoy it. It's better to give than receive, and especially during this time of year Christmas it's a great time to think about that and see examples of it around town, said Giuseppe Aiello, who works at the pizzeria. In September, a couple from Michegan decided to donate a similar prize of a voucher for $500 (400) worth of pizza to a homeless shelter for young people. Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures Show all 14 1 /14 Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures A member of the Iraqi security forces holds a lit candle at Christmas Mass in a church won back from Isis on the outskirts of Mosul REUTERS/Ammar Awad Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures German tourists Mimi Wiebeling (L) and Pauline Lapetite carry surfboards as they walk into the surf wearing Christmas hats at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Christmas Day in Australia, December 25, 2016. David Gray Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures A soldier dressed as Santa Claus waves from a military helicopter during a football match to commemorate the Christmas Truce of 1914 at the ISAF Headquarters, in Kabul, Afghanistan Omar Sobhani Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures A crane of the Hanjin Scarlet container ship pulls up donated food, supplies and gifts as volunteers deliver them to the stranded crew aboard the ship. Several maritime groups and members of Victoria's Filipino community gathered up more than a ton of Christmas provisions for the 16-member crew of the container ship Darryl Dyck Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures Chimpanzees examine their gifts at the Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, USA Allen Eyestone/Palm Beach Post via AP Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures A Palestinian protester dressed as Santa Claus runs to avoid tear gas during clashes with Israeli border police officers, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem Nasser Nasser Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures A Christian gives final touches to a mural of Santa Claus in preparation for Christmas celebrations in Karachi, Pakistan Shakil Adil Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures People gather by a Christmas tree near damaged buildings during Christmas eve in al-Hamidiyah neighbourhood in the old city of Homs, Syria December 24, 2016 Omar Sanadiki Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures Divers dressed as Santa's Elves swim with a Manta Ray in an aquarium on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, at the South East Asia Aquarium of Resorts World Sentosa, a popular tourist attraction in Singapore Wong Maye-E Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures An Indian street vendor sells Santa hats and masks ahead of Christmas in Ahmadabad, India Ajit Solanki Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures A boy skis along a street near Montreal, Canda Graham Hughes Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures A girl holds a costume received during a toy distribution program with Miguel Pizarro, deputy of the Venezuelan coalition of opposition parties (MUD), at the slum of Petare in Caracas, Venezuela December 20, 2016 A girl holds a costume received during a toy distribution program with Miguel Pizarro, deputy of the Venezuelan coalition of opposition parties (MUD), at the slum of Petare in Caracas, Venezuela December 20, 2016 Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures Sri Lanka has unveiled a towering Christmas tree, claiming to have surpassed the world record for the tallest artificial Christmas tree AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena Christmas 2016 around the world: in pictures The sunrise over Bingham, Nottinghamshire, as severe weather warnings remain in place for Christmas Neil Squires Ms Spooner said she knew immediately after they won the voucher that she wanted to donate it to a good cause. She told Fox 2: I knew right away we were going to donate. I just know there are people out there who have nothing. Why should I be eating a year's worth of free pizza when there are people out there who go hungry at night?" Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A family in Brooklyn was terrified and outraged after New York Police Department officers raided their home, placed everyone in handcuffs for several hours, and published footage of the arrests to Snapchat with the caption Merry Christmas Its NYPD. Members of the family immediately filed a complaint following Thursday mornings raid and called 911, claiming officers served a search warrant for the wrong address. "The worst part was the Snapchats," 28-year-old Kimberly Santiago told ABC 7. "That's what really got to me." Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Show all 19 1 /19 Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protestors demand justice for Philando Castile on July 7, 2016 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stephen Maturen/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protestors lie in an intersection during a demonstration for Philando Castile on July 7, 2016 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stephen Maturen/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protestors lie in an intersection during a demonstration for Philando Castile on July 7, 2016 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stephen Maturen/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protestors demand justice for Philando Castile on July 7, 2016 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stephen Maturen/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protesters march throughout New York City. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protesters march throughout New York City. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protesters are arrested by NYPD as they call for justice throughout New York City. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protesters are arrested by NYPD as they call for justice throughout New York City. AFP/Getty Images Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Images Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Images Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Getty Once the unidentified officer published the images to Snapchat, they appeared in the New York Story feed, typically showcasing a collection of images and videos uploaded from across the city. Oh my God. When I saw that, I just said, man, this whole time this guy was recording this, like we were a joke? Santiago told the New York Daily News. One notable civil rights activist in the familys corner is Greys Anatomy actor Jesse Williams who tweeted his outrage over the story on Sunday morning. Incredibly childish, culturally sick & dangerously powerful. #HorribleAsCulture The company we keep & finance, he wrote on Twitter. #HappyHolidays though The officer in question has since been suspended from the department while the Office of Internal Affairs investigates the incident. However, the department contradicted the familys story by saying the officers issued a warrant to the correct address. Its currently unclear if the officer is being paid during his suspension. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Democrats upset by the US election result are giving their Republican family members revenge gifts this Christmas, instead of presents they might actually like. Inside carefully wrapped boxes, some unlucky Trump voters will find notes thanking them for making donations to progressive charities like Planned Parenthood, which are expected to come under attack from the new administration. John Tereska, an avid Hillary Clinton supporter who works for a fashion retailer in New York, said he felt strategic contributions were the best way to make a point to relatives who hold polar opposite political views to him besides, he said, he was too angry to buy them normal gifts. With my oldest brother, who I know voted for Trump, Im going right for the jugular," Mr Tereska told Business Insider. "Im donating to the Democratic National Committee on his behalf." Its revenge giving, he added. Ken Urban, a playwright who teaches part time at Princeton University and voted Democrat, has made donations to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on behalf of his parents as their Christmas gifts. My father was the Republican mayor of my small home town in New Jersey and spent his career in the navy reserve," he said. "My mother told me she would never vote for Hillary Clinton because they have a friend who works for the CIA who said she was difficult. And there are aunts and uncles and cousins in my family who voted for Trump." He said he regrets agreeing before the election to attend a big family Christmas gathering with his boyfriend, for the first time in 20 years. Donating to the SPLC, he said, had made the ordeal seem slightly more bearable. I thought I could make a point and in the process be generous to a human rights cause that is only going to become more important now, said Mr Urban. Revenge givers said they had taken inspiration from the surge in donations made to abortion provider Planned Parenthood, following Mr Trump's shock victory, in the name of pro-life vice president-elect Mike Pence. The pro-choice organisation reported a surge in support in November, as a Facebook page called "Donate $5 to Planned Parenthood in Honor of Mike Pence sought to flood the evangelical Christians office with thank you cards from the organisation. Randi Greenwald, a retired lawyer from Portland, Maine, told Business Insider she heard about the Pence idea and decided to put a more personal spin on the tactic. Her sons brother-in-law is Canadian, but is a big fan of Mr Trump, the news site reported. He has persistently taunted his Democrat family about the real estate tycoons win, Ms Greenwald said. It meant more to me to make a revenge donation in this persons name to a small cause locally, she said. Ms Greenwald gave the money to her state branch of the Immigration Legal Advocacy Project, ILAP Maine, which assists people with their immigration cases, including asylum seekers and refugees. Thats his holiday gift this year, she said, adding that she bought regular presents for other members of the family. Other people said although their gifting might seem combative they hoped it would actually help bring them closer to their Republican relatives. Francie Schnipke, who works for a not-for-profit group in Chicago, also donated to the SPLC in the name of her Trump-voting older brother in rural Ohio. She said he went from being a non-voter to a vocal Trump fan, despite the fact that their mother is Mexican and they have a family member with special needs, two groups among many denigrated by Trump during the campaign. She thinks the brother was swept along by the rhetoric of co-workers at his transportation company. Hes always been a loving brother and father. Im reeling, she said. I think he was emboldened by the idea of the outsider coming to fix dysfunctional Washington. Ms Schnipke said she hopes the information leaflets the SPLC will send her brother will give him pause, she said. Women go on strike against Donald Trump Show all 7 1 /7 Women go on strike against Donald Trump Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump Protestors march during a demonstration against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump near Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 12, 2016. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Women go on strike against Donald Trump Protestors march during a demonstration against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump near Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 12, 2016. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Mr Tereska, however, was less understanding of his family's choice to vote for Mr Trump. My father wrote in John McCain on his ballot, so I take that as a vote for Trump. My mother will not talk about it, so I assume she voted for Trump. They are getting donations to Planned Parenthood, he said. Im still grappling with the result of the election and this is my small slice of revenge for the fact that their votes have just jeopardised me and the entire world for the next four years. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The US's largest police union has urged Amazon to remove a T-shirt from its third-party marketplace that says: Bulletproof: Black Lives Matter. The Fraternal Order of Police has already succeeded in having garment removed from Walmart supermarkets. But as of Sunday morning it was still available on Amazon. Union president Chuck Canterbury said he didn't expect that to change anytime soon. Characterising Amazon as a pretty liberal marketer", he told The Guardian that the T-shirt's rhetoric had inspired violence against members of law enforcement. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 64 police officers have been fatally shot in the line of duty in 2016. At least 940 people have been killed by a police office across the country over the same period, according to the Washington Post database that tracks police violence. Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Show all 19 1 /19 Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protestors demand justice for Philando Castile on July 7, 2016 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stephen Maturen/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protestors lie in an intersection during a demonstration for Philando Castile on July 7, 2016 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stephen Maturen/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protestors lie in an intersection during a demonstration for Philando Castile on July 7, 2016 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stephen Maturen/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protestors demand justice for Philando Castile on July 7, 2016 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stephen Maturen/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protesters march throughout New York City. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protesters march throughout New York City. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protesters are arrested by NYPD as they call for justice throughout New York City. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Protesters are arrested by NYPD as they call for justice throughout New York City. AFP/Getty Images Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Images Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police AFP/Getty Images Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Getty Protests and outrage across the US following killings by police Getty The owner of the Connecticut-based Old Glory Merchandise, which sells the shirt in question, doesnt seem to be a staunch supporter of Black Lives Matter - the umbrella organisation formed to protest against percieved unjust policing in communities of colour. Owner Glenn Morelli told CNN that he quickly pulled the controversial shirt from his website after they failed to drive sales. It wasnt a big seller at all, he said, adding that T-shirts in support of Blue Lives Matter - a pro-police movement - had sold more. He added: "We dont like to offend anybody... You have to sell all different kinds of shirts. Its hard to make everybody happy." For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Defence Minister of Pakistan has issued a reminder to Israel of his country's nuclear capability, in apparent response to a false news story. Khawaja Muhammad Asif said in a tweet: "Israeli [Defence Minister] threatens nuclear retaliation presuming [Pakistani] role in Syria against Daesh. Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too." Pakistan has remained relatively neutral in the Syrian civil war, though they have placed themselves on the side of the Assad regime, with their Foreign Secretary saying the world's sixth-largest country is "against foreign military intervention in Syria." But a fake story published on the website AWDnews falsely suggested that Pakistan planned to "send ground troops to Syria as part of an international coalition to fight against Islamic State". The anonymously-authored story then features an apparently invented quote from former Israeli defence minister Moshe Yaalon, who resigned in May this year, sayig: "If, by misfortune, they arrive in Syria... we will destroy them with a nuclear attack." Which countries have nuclear weapons? Show all 14 1 /14 Which countries have nuclear weapons? Which countries have nuclear weapons? USA Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Russia Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? UK Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? France Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? China Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? India Say they have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Pakistan Say they have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? North Korea Say they have nuclear weapons EPA/Rodong Sinmun Which countries have nuclear weapons? Israel Believed to have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Belgium Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Germany Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Italy Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Netherlands Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Turkey Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty It is this story, which also includes a fabricated quote from the Pakistani Foreign Minister, which seemingly prompted Mr Asif's tweet. The Israeli Ministry of Defence replied with a tweet of its own, pointing out the story was "completely fictitious". Pakistan is one of nine states officially considered to possess nuclear weapons, with its stockpile estimated at around 130 warheads. Israel, on the other hand, neither confirms nor denies having nuclear weapons. However, it is widely believed to have an unofficial stockpile, with one tally estimating the country has around 80 weapons. Donald Trump says 'let it be an arms race' after nuclear expansion tweet Mr Asif has previously warned he will use his country's nuclear capability to "annihilate" India "if our safety is threatened". He issued that threat in September of this year, during ongoing violence in the disputed Kashmir border region. Some of the news stories on the AWDnews site are legitimate. Others include "CIA created ISIS", "Foreign minister of Israel revealed that she practised sex with several Arab personalities in order to engage in sex scandals", and a warning from Vladimir Putin that he will "defeat the Illuminati with his bare hands". For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he will raise the issue of a no-fly zone over Syria with US President-elect Donald Trump. Mr Erdogan said he wanted a terror-free safe zone in the north of Syria to protect the region that borders Turkey. The President also added the formation of a new state in northern Syria would never be allowed. We have been saying this from the beginning. If this isn't dealt with, Gaziantep is always hanging by a thread, Kilis is always hanging by a thread, Sanliurfa is hanging by a thread, Mr Erdogan said, mentioning the three Turkish provinces that border Syria, Turkish news agency Anadolu reported. We decided that day that we would take an active role in Syria. The north of Syria is a region of threat for Turkey. We believe that there should be a safe zone, free from terrorism. If not, Gaziantep and Kilis will always be under threat, he added. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Western Allies have argued in the past for the implementation of a no-fly zone against the Syrian Army. It would be used in a similar fashion to the Nato-imposed no-fly zone that was placed on Libya in 2011. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Russian military plane carrying 92 people, including dozens of Red Army Choir singers, has crashed into the Black Sea on its way to an air base Syria, killing everyone on board. No survivors have been spotted after a military plane carrying 92 people, including a well-known military band, crashed near Sochi, Russia's defence ministry has said. A total of 84 passengers and eight crew members were on the Tu-154 plane when it disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off in good weather. Emergency crews found fragments of the plane about 1.5 kilometers (less than one mile) from shore. By Sunday afternoon, rescue teams had already recovered 10 bodies from the crash site. The plane was carrying Russian servicemen and 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, among them its leader Valery Khalilov, who were being flown into Russia's Hmeymim air base in Syria to entertain military personnel in the run-up to the new year. Also on board was Yelizaveta Glinka, a Russian doctor who has won wide acclaim for her charity work. Her foundation said that Glinka was accompanying a shipment of medicines for a hospital in Syria. Nine Russian journalists from three Russian television stations were also among the passengers. More than 3,000 people including dozens of divers worked from 27 ships and several helicopters to search the undersea crash site, according to the Defense Ministry. Drones were also flown over to help spot bodies and debris. Around 100 more divers were being flown in from naval facilities across Russia, and officials brought in powerful spotlights so the search could continue around the clock. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said 10 bodies had been recovered so far "No survivors are seen," he added. An unnamed ministry source told Russian news agencies no life rafts had been found, while another source told the Interfax agency that the plane had not sent an SOS signal. Viktor Ozerov, head of the defence affairs committee at the upper house of Russian parliament, said the crash could have been caused by a technical malfunction or a crew error, but he believes it could not have been terrorism because the plane was operated by the military. "I totally exclude" the idea of an attack bringing down the plane, he said in remarks carried by state RIA Novosti news agency. However, some experts contested Mr Ozerov's claim, saying the crew's failure to report a malfunction pointed to a possible terror attack. "Possible malfunctions ... certainly wouldn't have prevented the crew from reporting them," Vitaly Andreyev, a former senior Russian air traffic controller, told RIA Novosti, adding that it points at an "external impact." World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Speaking in St Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared 26 December a national day of mourning. He said the government will "conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons and do everything to support the victims' families." Russia's Defence Ministry regularly flies musicians into Syria to put on concerts for military personnel. The base they were heading for, Hmeymim, is in Latakia province, from where Russia conducts air strikes against Syrian rebels. Syrian President Bashar al Assad told Russia he was saddened by the crash. In a condolence message sent to Mr Putin, Mr Assad said the two countries were partners in the "fight to lay the foundations of stability, security and peace" in Syria. "Our prayers are with you ... our sorrows and joys are one," Mr Assad said. "The plane had dear friends who had come to join us and the people of Aleppo in their joy with victory and Christmas feasts." In April 2010, a Tu-154 carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others crashed while trying to land at a sporadically used military airport in Smolensk in western Russia, killing everyone on board. Investigations by both Polish and Russian experts blamed pilot error in bad weather conditions, but Polish authorities have launched a new probe. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A terminally ill six-year-old has raised more than 2.5 million Euros (2.1m) for charity by daring people in the Netherlands to paint their nails. Tijn Kolsteren, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in May, hoped to raise a few hundred Euros for other unwell children with the challenge. But the appeal, which ran for three days and ended on Saturday, caught the public imagination. Tijn, who has been told he is unlikely to live for more than a year, said as part of his bucket list he wants to help as many other children as possible. He appeared on a Dutch radio programme with his father, Gerrit Kolsteren, and asked people to get their nails painted and give money to his donation page. With his nail-painting dare he wanted to help children suffering from pneumonia, the Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported. It was an enormous success from DJ Armin van Buuren to prime minister Mark Rutte, and many other famous celebrities had their nails painted [sic]. The donation page urged people: Paint your nails, make a donation and then challenge three of your friends to do the same. It invited participants to share their pictures on social media using the hashtag #lakaan (meaning the polish is on). By Thursday, #lakaan and #heelhollandlakt (all of Holland paints) were trending on Twitter. 3FMs Serious Request is a radio programme which raises money for different causes every year. Its currently in its 12th year and is raising money for the Red Crosss fight against pneumonia. During the appeal, two DJs live in a glass house for six days with no food. Mr Rutte joined the DJs late on Friday and opted for a deep blue for his own nails. Other people lined up outside the studio to ask Tijn to paint their nails personally. Tijns family learned last week that a course of chemotherapy had failed to reduce the size of his cancer. Despite this bad news, we wanted to do something for children who wont maybe even make it to six, Mr Kolsteren told NOS. 'Children and animals' photo contest Show all 18 1 /18 'Children and animals' photo contest 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Lidia Madura, Poland 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Jen Maunder, Australia 'Children and animals' photo contest Winner, Justyna Garczyk-Kleszcz, Poland 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Berit Alits, Ireland 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Katarzyna Olesiejuk Staniewicz, Poland 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Uliana Kharinova, Russia 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Marta Obiegla, Poland 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Kasia Stepkowska-De Croock, Belgium 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Kerli Sosi, Estonia 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Peggy Laurich, Germany 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Lisa Holloway, USA 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Stephanie Piscitelli, USA 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Jennifer Kapala, Canada 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Marta Everest, Spain 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Agnieszka Gulczynska, Poland 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Jody DAngelo, Canada 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Helen Whittle, Australia 'Children and animals' photo contest Finalist, Doina Domenica Cojocaru, Romania Doina-Domenica Photography We came up with the idea together: Tijn had already painted his nails with a friend and liked it. I wanted to do something similar to the ice bucket challenge and men painting their nails is a bit taboo, he added, referring to the internet craze that raised money and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The Dutch media has hailed the boy as a hero, with the tabloid newspaper AD putting a picture of him dressed as a superhero under the headline SuperTijn on the front of its Friday edition. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The first female pilot to serve in Afghanistan's air force has applied for asylum in the United States because she is "scared" for her life. Captain Niloofar Rahmani, 25, made headlines when she completed her training in 2013, having defied her parents to join the programme in Texas. She persisted despite receiving death threats during and after she completed her training. But she said things were getting worse in her home country and she was left with no choice but to apply for asylum. I would love to fly for my country that is what I always wanted to do. But I'm scared for my life," she told the Wall Street Journal. If her asylum is granted, she said she will continue flying, either with the US Air Force or as a commercial pilot. Everything I went through, all my suffering, was because I really wanted to fly. That was my dream, she added. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Ms Rahmani received the US State Department's International Women of Courage Award in 2015. Rahmani is as committed to encouraging other young women to follow in her footsteps now as she was as an 18-year-old dreaming of flight school, US First Lady Michelle Obama said during the presentation ceremony. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A tall, glittering tree erected outside a shopping centre in Baghdad could be considered an incongruous display of Christmas festivity in mainly-Muslim Iraq. But the 7-metre-high tree at Sama Mall in the south east of the capital, adorned with tinsel, stars and bells, is one of a number of decorations put up by residents and business owners in solidarity with the countrys Christian minority. Muslim businessman Yassir Saad has spent around 19,000 on a huge artificial tree to help Iraqis forget their anguish over the war against Isis. The 85-foot decoration is on display in a Baghdad theme park. Visitor Saba Ismael said it represents love and peace. I wish all Iraqi Christians could return to Iraq and live normal and peaceful lives, she said. Iraqs small Christian community has been persistently persecuted since the US-led invasion of the country in 2003. Iraqi policemen cordon off the Virgin Mary church in the Karrada neighbourhood of the capital Baghdad and check people as they arrive to attend a Christmas mass (Getty) (Getty Images) Extremists marked Christian houses in Mosul Iraqs second-largest city and an Isis stronghold since 2014 with the Arabic equivalent of the letter N, for the derogatory term Nazarene, and issued threatening ultimatums to leave the city or face death or forced conversion to Islam. Ammar Hussein, a member of staff at Sama Mall in Baghdads busy shopping district Karrada, which has a significant Christian minority, said that Muslims from many walks of life had been buying Christmas trees and other seasonal products. Muslims love to share this holiday season with their compatriots, he said, adding that injustices towards the countrys Christians are not caused by Muslims but by those who hate Iraq. A married Muslim couple said they were buying a small Christmas tree and some gifts because they chose to celebrate Christmas like the rest of the Islamic holidays. Recommended Isis car bombs kill 23 people in recently liberated district of Mosul This is the most joyful time of the year, they said. We do not need proof of coexistence. We are one people. Christians in a recently liberated town near Mosul celebrated Christmas this year for the first time since 2013. Hundreds of Iraqi worshippers still living in exile travelled to the main church in Bartella, an Assyrian Christian town just 13 miles east of Mosul, on Christmas Eve. Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Show all 10 1 /10 Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian prepares for the first Sunday Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christian soldiers attend the first Sunday mass at the Grand Immaculate Church since it was recaptured from Islamic State in Qaraqosh Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian soldier holds his weapon during the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian soldier lights a candle Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass at the Grand Immaculate Church since it was recaptured from Islamic State Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters It is a mix of sadness and happiness, Bishop Mussa Shemani told Reuters. We are sad to see what has been done to our holiest places by our own countrymen, but at the same time we are happy to celebrate the first Mass after two years. Bartella is still in a war zone, and armed guards surrounded the church. Most of the surrounding houses have been destroyed, and the worshippers arrived in a convoy of buses under heavy guard. Many more were unable to make the trip. The church in Bartella was defaced by Isis militants, but worshippers have been able to return (REUTERS/Ammar Awad) Christians are not the only religious group to be persecuted by Isis. In August 2014, extremist fighters attacked the town of Sinjar in northern Iraq as part of their campaign to eradicate the Yazidi people and purify the region of non-Islamic influences. The group continue to suffer abominable human rights abuses, condemned by the United Nations as genocide. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stepped up retaliatory measures in wake of a UN Security Council vote that condemned Israeli settlements on Palestinian land as a flagrant violation of international law. The resolution managed to pass on Friday thanks to an abstention by the US, the countrys closest ally, which has been widely interpreted as a parting shot from outgoing US President Barack Obama. The US has previously used its veto as a permanent member of the council to scupper similar proposals since 1979, but relations between the Obama administration and the Israeli government have steadily declined over the last eight years. Mr Netanyahu has said that he will do all it takes to ensure Israel emerges unscathed by the diplomatic fallout from the vote, on Sunday summoning the ambassadors of 12 of the 14 countries who voted in favour of the resolution, including the UK, France, Russia and China. The American ambassador Dan Shapiro was also called in for a separate meeting, Israeli media reported. It is unclear when that meeting will take place. Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman also announced on Sunday that Israel is cutting civilian coordination with Palestinians, army radio said, while maintaining security coordination. Israeli officials have refused to comment on the radio report. Israel's forgotten hero: The assassination of Count Bernadotte - and the death of peace Show all 3 1 /3 Israel's forgotten hero: The assassination of Count Bernadotte - and the death of peace Israel's forgotten hero: The assassination of Count Bernadotte - and the death of peace 54569.bin AP/TOPFOTO Israel's forgotten hero: The assassination of Count Bernadotte - and the death of peace 54571.bin AFP/GETTY IMAGES Israel's forgotten hero: The assassination of Count Bernadotte - and the death of peace 54572.bin TIME LIFE/GETTY IMAGES The prime minister told his Cabinet in their weekly meeting that Israel is now looking into a plan of action against the UN, without elaborating on what that might look like, but the country has already cut millions of shekels of funding for UN agencies. On Saturday Israel suspended diplomatic ties with Senegal and New Zealand, who proposed the resolution, as well as cutting off all aid to Senegal and cancelling an upcoming visit from the Senegalese Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye. The vote, which reiterates that the international community views any Israeli construction over the agreed 1967 Green Line as illegal in the hopes of working towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, is largely symbolic, and is unlikely to have any effect on the ground. However, despite enjoying support from the incoming US administration of President-elect Donald Trump, the Israeli authorities are worried that it could pave the way to other coordinated international action against settlements, such as economic sanctions. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has targeted US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of State John Kerry for particular criticism over a controversial UN resolution calling Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem a flagrant violation of international law. The 15-member Security Council voted 14 - 0 on the measure on Friday, with US ambassador Samantha Power raising her hand as the lone abstention a symbolic break with US policy in the past, which has been to use its veto power to shield Israel from international reproval on the issue. Speaking on Saturday, Mr Netanyahu said Mr Obama had carried out a shameful ambush of its ally over the vote, adding that he is looking forward to working with friend, US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office in January. "I told John Kerry - friends do not take friends to the UN Security Council," Mr Netanyahu said, claiming that Mr Obama had made a commitment in 2011 not to impose any final conditions on Israel at the Security Council. The decision taken at the UN yesterday was part of the swan song of the old world biased against Israel, the prime minister added. We are entering a new era and as the President-elect Trump said yesterday, this is going to happen much quicker than people think. In this new era there is a high price for those trying to harm Israel. The White House declined to comment on Mr Netanyahu's criticism. A spokesperson said earlier that the decision to abstain was made in the absence of a meaningful peace process. Israel: From independence to intifada Show all 7 1 /7 Israel: From independence to intifada Israel: From independence to intifada 26973.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26974.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26975.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26976.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26977.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26985.bin Robert Capa/Magnum Israel: From independence to intifada 26986.bin Robert Capa/Magnum Mr Netanyahus remarks are indicative of how bitter the relationship between the Obama administration and the Israeli government has become. The refusal to use the USs veto as a permanent member of the Security Council has been widely interpreted as Mr Obamas parting shot after eight years of increasingly icy relations. Israeli expansion over the agreed 1967 Green Line - which has gone up 23 per cent under Mr Netanyahus right-wing administration is viewed as one of the major stumbling blocks to a lasting peace deal in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The UNs vote is largely symbolic, but reiterated the international communitys desire for a two-state solution, both Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said on Friday. The UNs resolution demands that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, but Israel has said it will not abide by the documents dictates, which Mr Netanyahu called distorted. Israel accept help from Palestine after forest fires The resolution, originally tabled by Egypt, was withdrawn after intense lobbying by both the Israeli state and incoming President-elect Trump but was proposed again the next day by Venezuela, Malaysia, Senegal and New Zealand. Israel has cut off diplomatic ties with Senegal and New Zealand and summoned the ambassadors of all the other Security Council member countries, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Sunday. Israel has no diplomatic relations with either Venezuela or Malaysia. After the vote took place Mr Trump tweeted that As to the UN, things will be different after Jan 20th, when he takes office. The incoming president is likely to be more sympathetic to Israeli policy, and has appointed the pro-settlement David Friedman as the US next ambassador to the country. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Yemeni army snipers claim they shot dead six Saudi soldiers in the kingdom's Najran Province in "retaliatory attacks". According to the Al Masirah television channel, which is owned by Yemen's rebel Houthi government, the troops were killed in cross border fire at military bases inside Saudi Arabia, in Sharjah and Tal'a. The official Saudi press agency released a report on Sunday that appeared to contradict the claims, saying just one soldier had been killed by Yemeni sniper fire. More than 6,800 people have been killed and 35,000 injured in Yemen since March 2015, when a Saudi-led multinational coalition began to attack Houthi insurgents who had seized control of the country. Alarmed by the rise of a group they believed to be backed militarily by regional Shia power Iran, Saudi Arabia and eight other mostly Sunni Arab states began an air campaign aimed at restoring the former government. The conflict and a blockade imposed by the coalition which has received logistical and intelligence support, as well as weapons, from the UK, US, and France has triggered a humanitarian disaster in the country, leaving 80 per cent of the population in need of aid. Yemeni armed forces said on Saturday they also launched rocket attacks at positions of Saudi-backed mercenaries near the Khadra border crossing in Najran, killing and wounding a number of them. Army troops and allied forces also claim to have attacked the Saudi bases of Samnah and Afra in the kingdoms southwestern province of Jizan on Saturday night, leaving an unspecified number of military personnel there dead and injured. According to the report, Yemeni explosives also hit the Saudi armys weapons warehouses to the west of Qais Mountain in Jizan. The military described the attacks as retaliation for Riyadhs nonstop military campaign against its impoverished neighbour. It recently emerged the Saudi army had used British-made cluster bombs, which are banned by 120 countries including the UK because of the risk they pose to civilians, in Yemen. Even prior to this, the Gulf state had come under repeated criticism for its excessive use of force and neglect for the well-being of civilians in the country. In a statement, Human Rights Watch censured Saudi-led forces for the use of cluster bombs during the unlawful campaign against Yemen. The New York-based rights body said cluster munitions are prohibited weapons that should never be used under any circumstances due to the harm inflicted on civilians. Yemen said it wanted the UN to intervene to end the conflict. Yemen's splendid isolation Show all 7 1 /7 Yemen's splendid isolation Yemen's splendid isolation AFP/Getty Yemen's splendid isolation EPA Yemen's splendid isolation Nick Redmayne Yemen's splendid isolation AFP/Getty Yemen's splendid isolation EPA Yemen's splendid isolation Nick Redmayne Yemen's splendid isolation AP In a statement on Sunday, the Yemeni Human Rights Ministry condemned the Saudi regime for "war crimes", particularly its use of internationally-banned weapons against civilians. The statement further called on the United Nations to adopt measures aimed at putting an end to Saudi brutalities, saying the world body should launch an unbiased investigation into the deadly Saudi-led offensive. The ministry also urged the removal of Riyadhs blockade against Yemen as well as swift aid delivery to the violence-stricken civilians. Mayo motor racing enthusiast and property developer Martin Birrane aims to grow revenues at his Kildare racetrack, Mondello Park, to 4m next year, thanks to a new partnership with BMW to base six of its fastest new cars there. "From January, we'll have two BMW M2s, two M4s and two Mini Cooper S available to our corporate and retail customers, in addition to our existing fleet of Porsches, Mazdas and single-seaters," the Ballina native and former Le Mans racing driver and Irish land speed record holder said. "Our turnover is steadily climbing from 3m, we're profitable and the track operated on 290 days this year." Meanwhile, Birrane's UK property investment firm, Peer Group, saw its net assets boosted by 23.7m to 243m for the year to July. This was thanks largely to rising property values in southern England, although the firm also owns a shopping centre near Newcastle. The firm also owns beachside development land near Touros in the Natal region of Brazil. It has planning permission to build 230 villas and apartments, a hotel and holiday resort there. The Mayo man is hoping to win approval in London to redevelop The Hop Exchange, a landmark building he owns in Southwark near fashionable Borough Market and The Shard building, by adding three floors for office or restaurant and hotel accommodation. "Brexit has had little effect on our mainly commercial property portfolio, in contrast with the fall in prime London residential property values due to stamp duty and non-dom rule changes. Irish property, meanwhile, looks set to continue outperforming the UK in general," he said. The 81-year-old avid car collector, who already owns a number of rare classics, may treat himself to a Ferrari California next year, he said. GOVERNMENT Chief Whip Regina Doherty has said the Government could crumble if she and the two other Fine Gael ministers from Meath quit office over plans by semi-state agency EirGrid to build overhead pylons in her constituency. Ms Doherty said she has no intention of "embarrassing" her Cabinet colleagues but insisted she was vehemently opposed to the proposed development of the North-South Interconnector, which would see 300 pylons erected across three counties. The Fine Gael Cabinet member's comments came as campaigners against the project planned to force the Government to vote on the issue, claiming that for the first time a majority of Dail TDs supported running cables underground. The group, North East Pylon Pressure (NEPP), believes if plans to run overhead lines through Co Meath, Co Cavan and Co Monaghan were put to the floor of Leinster House, most TDs would favour laying the cables underground. Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal Damien English and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Helen McEntee are both from Meath constituencies that would be affected by the project. Asked on her local radio station, LMFM, whether there would be an election if she and her Meath colleagues pulled their support for the Government over the pylon project, Ms Doherty said: "It probably would. "First of all, I don't want an election. I'll fight an election tomorrow and if the people of Meath want to keep me they'll keep me and if they don't I'll go off and sing on the West End or something." She said it was "not good enough" how the people of Meath were treated by EirGrid during the development of the project. Early last week, Ms Doherty said she "fully supports" constituents who engage in civil disobedience to block the project. Labour Party Senator Kevin Humphreys said Ms Doherty should resign or she should be sacked by Taoiseach Enda Kenny over her comments. "She has abdicated the collective responsibility of Cabinet by calling for civil disobedience and this is a serious issue," Mr Humphreys said. "What will happen next? Will Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan do the same for Portlaoise Hospital and will Transport Minister Shane Ross call for similar action around Stepaside garda station?" Padraig O'Reilly, of NEPP, said the group would approach both Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein with a view to table a private member's motion in the Dail in the New Year. Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein both support using underground electricity cables, while NEPP also claims to have the support of at least 12 Independents and a number of government ministers. NEPP will be looking to put pressure on the Government to issue a policy directive to EirGrid to bury the cables. In a statement, the group said it was time for "political leadership" on undergrounding the project: "The recent general election has seen a significant shift in the numbers supporting an underground policy for the North-South Interconnector project. Sinn Fein policy position has always been one of supporting undergrounding, Fianna Fail announced a similar policy position prior to the last election, and a large number of independent elected representatives, particularly those from rural backgrounds, have expressed support for such a policy." The issue returned to centre stage last week when EirGrid secured permission from An Bord Pleanala for 299 pylons of about 50 metres high running from Woodland, Co Meath, to Clontiobret, in Co Monaghan. The pylons will carry high-voltage overhead lines connecting Ireland's electricity infrastructure with that of Northern Ireland. However, the project is far from certain, with the decision likely to be judicially reviewed and Northern Ireland also awaiting planning permission for its section of the route. The prospect of Brexit has also raised more uncertainties about the project. Many local communities along the route have been fighting the plan for more than a decade, claiming the pylons pose a risk to health and will blight the landscape. The undergrounding option is considered prohibitively expensive and time-consuming by EirGrid, the State agency responsible for Ireland's electricity infrastructure. Business groups such as the employers' group Ibec, and EirGrid welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanala, as saying the North-South Interconnector is essential to securing Ireland's electricity supply. As well as the 43 TDs in Fianna Fail and 23 in Sinn Fein, the undergrounding option has been supported by six Anti-Austerity and People Before Profit Alliance TDs. Independent supporters include Michael Fitzmaurice, Mattie McGrath, and Seamus Healy. In a statement issued after the planning decision, Ms Doherty said she was "bitterly disappointed". She predicted there would be "a phase of civil disobedience to hamper" An Bord Pleanala's decision. She said: "I fully support the farmers and landowners in that action." However, she indicated she will use her Government position to overturn the decision. Fyffes executive chairman David McCann has been voted the best-performing boss of an Irish listed company in 2016. McCann was the narrow winner in this year's Sunday Independent analysts survey, pipping Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary at the post, with McCann's deal to sell Fyffes to Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo securing him the number one slot. The 751m deal would see Fyffes shareholders receive a 37pc premium on what had been the company's all-time high until the takeover was announced earlier this month. If approved by shareholders it will spell the end of an era with the McCann family having no part in Fyffes' ownership for the first time in over a century. Expand Close Ryanair's Michael O'Leary / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ryanair's Michael O'Leary Other chief executives to garner votes for the best performer of 2016 included CRH's Albert Manifold, Kingspan's Gene Murtagh and FBD's Fiona Muldoon. Aryzta's Owen Killian was voted the worst performer for the second year in a row. He received over 70pc of votes cast, a better performance than last year, when every single respondent voted him worst chief executive. The Swiss-Irish frozen baker's share price has lost around half of its value since this time two years ago. Recent results have been unspectacular and investors have expressed criticism of management's communication style and also remain unimpressed with its investment in French frozen food company Picard. The company held its first capital markets day in six years this year. Bank of Ireland received top honours when analysts were asked which Irish stock would perform best in 2017. The bank has flagged an ambition to resume dividend payments for the first time since the crash in 2017. The move would increase its attractiveness to investors, but the bank has said external factors, including the Brexit vote, may delay the resumption. It would also be well placed to benefit from a continued economic recovery in Ireland next year. Expand Close Gene Murtagh, the chief executive of global insulation maker Kingspan. Photo: David Conachy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gene Murtagh, the chief executive of global insulation maker Kingspan. Photo: David Conachy However, the bank led by Richie Boucher described Britain as a key market in its last annual report and its share price was pummelled after the Brexit vote. As of last week, those losses had not yet been regained. Ryanair and engineering firm Mincon were joint second place. Mincon has been focused on developing new products and with the recent Opec decision to cut output, it may benefit from a rise in the oil price. It has been engaged in a significant capital expenditure programme. Paddy Power Betfair and C&C jointly received the most votes as 2017's likely worst performers. Respondents to our survey - who were granted anonymity - flagged regulatory issues as a potential difficulty for the Paddy Power Betfair, which was formed through a multibillion euro merger of Paddy Power and Betfair completed in February. The British government is conducting a regulatory review of the highly competitive UK gambling sector which will examine controversial fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs), and gambling advertising rules. Cider maker C&C clocked up votes as the likely worst performer over concerns that the owner of the Bulmers brand in Ireland and Magners brand in the UK would struggle under increased competition. The past year has been a year filled with geopolitical turmoil. June's Brexit vote and Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election have sparked fears of a negative impact on the Irish economy. More than 90pc of analysts who participated said Brexit would have more of an effect than Trump's presidency on the Irish economy next year. Healthcare and gold were joint winners in the "sector to watch in 2017" category, followed by financials and oil and gas in that order. Views on the outlook for the Irish economy were split, with some predicting a material slowdown and others forecasting strong growth. A number of respondents said they expected a strong first half of the year, but a weaker second half. In global terms, the predictions for growth were also mixed, reflecting ongoing uncertainty. Permanent TSB is challenging a decision to grant developer Johnny Ronan's RGRE permission to alter a premises on Grafton Street in Dublin from financial services to retail use. According to the bank, the building on Grafton Street has been in use as a bank for over 40 years and changing it to a retail unit would reduce the mix of shops and facilities on the city's premier shopping street. Architects and interior designers Oppermann Associates, acting on behalf of PTSB, submitted an appeal to An Bord Pleanala in recent days. The premises, on the corner of Grafton Street and Harry Street, is a five-storey, red-brick building. Ronan has already been given planning permission to develop a boutique guesthouse on the upper levels of the building despite the objections of a nearby pub, Bruxelles. It was initially expected that the PTSB branch would be unaffected by the plan. However, in September, RGRE outlined proposals to alter the ground floor to make it suitable for retail use. The street has seen a resurgence in demand for space from international retailers. PTSB claims that plan would reduce the number of bank outlets on Grafton Street to two, which is contrary to Dublin City Council's aim of promoting diversity on the street. A decision is due next April. The last 12 months have been one of the most bizarre and tumultuous for business, economics and politics, when it comes to international events. Yet it fails to stand out as a particularly eventful business year at home. The real consequences of major political shifts abroad, from Brexit to Donald Trump, have not really been seen here yet. But they are coming. At home, it was a year when Irish businesses got on with the job. The Government might have been living dangerously with the fiscal space, but business played it a lot safer. Exports remained strong, company profitability improved and thousands of new jobs were created. New startups kept coming, which has also been very encouraging. Commercial property continued to boom, while residential property remained in crisis. The currency tailwinds for exporters faded in the summer with Brexit, but have shifted back a little in our favour. It was a record year for the tourism industry, which has proven to be one of the great success stories since the crash. Overall, it was a year when dark clouds appeared in the sky, but it just hasn't actually started raining yet. Here are some awards (notional I am afraid - no prizes) I would like to make for 2016. Most Extraordinary Quote "People in this country have had enough of experts." British justice secretary Michael Gove became irate when wave after wave of factual analysis contradicted many of the claims being made by his Leave camp. In frustration, the leading Brexiteer blurted out that line, which summed up the lack of intellectual depth behind much of the Brexit campaign. Greatest Leprechaun Economics Moment This one is a tie between two bonkers government decisions. One is the effective abolition of water charges. Described by Michael Noonan as a "dead cat on the pitch", ensuring that people don't have to pay a cent for water while committing to billions of euro in water infrastructure spending to deliver safe and secure water supply, is utterly daft. The decision also came after the State spent hundreds of millions fitting water meters that will probably end up redundant. Nobody will ever conserve water in this country if they don't have to pay for it. Right up there with it is the decision to capitulate to garda pay demands with a new pay deal costing 50m. It seems the 50m extra pay bill will be partially funded by cutting back on proposed new spending on garda cars, training and station upgrades. Around 10.5m is to be slashed off the budget for new cars and training. These are all necessary tools of the trade for cops to find the bad guys. So paying gardai more money, while ensuring they can't do their job as well in the future, is the height of financial folly. Best Deal This award goes to Green Property for its sale of the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. Many deals in property since the crash have been made by international funds opportunistically flipping assets. Green developed the centre decades ago, stuck with it through good and bad times, and its chairman, Stephen Vernon, chose the most opportune moment to sell it for around 930m. It had a rent roll of around 50m a year, footfall of 16 million a year, and would have demanded a lot of additional capital to build out its full future potential. It has been speculated that Green bagged around 250m from the sale. Vernon has consistently shown his commitment to investing in Ireland while at the same time showing impeccable judgment on his timing. Few have managed to do both. Worst Deal The Help-to-Buy scheme - or free money to first-time buyers - is expected to cost around 50m. Given the changes to the Central Bank mortgage rules, it is no longer needed and just gives tax back to people irrespective of their income or wealth. There have even been questions raised about whether, under EU law, it would have to apply to houses bought elsewhere in the EU. What an even bigger waste of money. Best Business Idea In Need Of A Business Model This award goes to Twitter. It has been a pretty rotten year for the quoted firm founded by Jack Dorsey. The tech company manages to leverage its excellent communications platform and 320 million users into revenues of several billion dollars per year. However, it keeps losing money. In the three months from July to September this year it made a net loss of $103m ($8.5m per week). This year it announced 350 job losses and put itself up for sale, only to be left on the shelf. Ouch! Best Chief Executive Many chief executives have had a good year, but few have really had an outstanding year. Weaker stock market performance and greater uncertainty has perhaps held some successful firms back. However, I would give the award to Pat McCann of Dalata Hotel Group. He began 2016 with the acquisition of four hotels. He then listed the company on the full Irish and London stock markets, as opposed to the 2014 IPO which was on the Irish ESM and AIM. He bagged a 25-year lease deal on the 503-bedroom former Burlington Hotel in November, which places another of the old Jurys Doyle Hotel Group properties in his portfolio. Buoyed up by hotel demand, particularly in Dublin, the group has a market capitalisation of 825m and a portfolio of 41 hotels with 8,000 rooms. The only fly in the ointment is that McCann recently said he believes hotels in Dublin are under-priced and should move closer to London rates. Great news for shareholders if he can make that happen, but not so good for the wider tourism sector concerned about competitiveness. Serial Non-Executive Director Award This award goes to former Smurfit Kappa Group chief executive Gary McGann. He landed the chairmanship of Aryzta during the year. It's a 260,000 per year part-time job, which is added to his role as chairman of Paddy Power Betfair, for which he will earn around 450,000 this year. Other part-time gigs include non-executive director of Smurfit Kappa (around 80,000 to 100,000 per year), Green Reit (50,000 per year), chairman of Aon Ireland and Sicon Ltd. His stake in Smurfit Kappa is worth close to 9m. Brass Neck Award This goes to the vulture funds which avoided tens of millions in tax by being owned by registered charities. The Government appears to have closed that stable door long after the horse had bolted. But perhaps the real brass neck is held by the advisers who put these whizzes together. Best Comeback Story Award This is a tie between Colm Menton, the man who founded Cambridge Group in the 1980s only to see it collapse a few years later, and computer chip designer Movidius. Menton got back into business through car rentals, acquiring his first rental company in 1997 for 50,000. He went on to build up several successful brands in what has been a very tough market. This year he sold his Europcar franchise for Ireland to Europcar's French parent company for 26m. Computer chip maker Movidius was sold this year to Intel for an estimated 322m. Movidius's co-founders knew all about the challenge of developing something radically new in the tech area and what it can cost. At one stage the company entered yet another funding round on its knees. Its management team were funding the business out of their own pockets. So after 11 tough years, they landed a well-deserved payday. Now comes the easy part - they just have to deliver for Intel! Best Business Success Award This one goes to the Collison brothers, John and Patrick, who founded mobile payments tech company Stripe. They made Forbes' '30 Under 30' list this year and have raised funds that place a value on the business of $9.2bn. Even aside from the hype of early valuations based on VC funding, what the brothers have achieved with a business they only founded in 2010 is quite extraordinary. Still in their 20s, they have already earned their stripes. Best Performing Sector Award Technology, food, airlines and aviation leasing were all riding high this year. But, for me, this award goes to the tourism industry. From those in Failte Ireland marketing the country, to B&B owners, to startups offering guided tours, 2016 has been a record year for foreign visitors. Between January and November 2014 there were seven million foreign visits to Ireland. In the same period last year it went up to eight million. And this year in those 11 months visitor numbers were a staggering 8.9 million, or an increase of nearly two million in just two years. Brexit uncertainty and a weak sterling may knock the industry back a bit this year. However, a strong dollar might help US visitor numbers, especially if they continue to see Ireland as a "safe" destination in Europe. External factors from currency, to reduced Vat rates, to cheaper prices, have all helped. But so too has the hard slog of those in the industry who have invested in their product, improved their marketing and kept their prices competitive. Ratings agency Standard & Poor may upgrade its outlook for Irish packaging giant Ardagh when it floats part of its business early next year. Although the total value of the initial public offer IPO will only be around 5pc of Ardagh's market capitalisation, which equates to around 250m, it is seen by the markets as an important step towards reducing debt. In a recent note on the company, which is headed by low-profile businessman Paul Coulson, the ratings agency said: "Upside to the ratings could occur on evidence of sustainably reduced leverage and a commitment from management to a less aggressive financial policy." An example of this would be "through its proposed minority IPO which Ardagh has indicated could happen in the coming months". To date, "no meaningful IPO proceeds" have been factored into S&P's numbers, it said. Coulson has used debt markets to grow Ardagh into a leader in the glass and packaging sector. In June, it paid $3.4bn (3.2bn) to buy the beverage-cans business from US company Ball Corporation and Britain's Rexam, paving the way for a major expansion into this sector. Coulson has been mulling plans for a flotation for several years. Plans to offer shares in Ardagh's Oressa metals division in the US were shelved in late 2015 due to volatile market conditions. Linda gets the nod for Best Photo-Opp Queen with this sensational snap of her hurtling down a water slide in a rubber ring with her legs akimbo. From celebrity spats and red-carpet clangers, to Linda Martin spread-eagled in a rubber ring - 2016 was a year I won't forget in a hurry. Here are some of the brilliant and bizarre highs and lows that made it the year it was. The Best 'I've seen it all now, Ted' moment Has to be when Mel Gibson (below) watched TD Mick Wallace flagellate a man in a cling-film loincloth who was pretending to be Jesus Christ. The unconventional staging of The Passion was part of ThisIsPopBaby's show Riot. Expand Close Mel Gibson (60) and his pregnant girlfriend Rosalind Ross (26) seen out for a stroll in Dublin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mel Gibson (60) and his pregnant girlfriend Rosalind Ross (26) seen out for a stroll in Dublin Wallace was in the audience with his pal Clare Daly when he was selected to whip Christ with a foam pool noodle. He did so with all the vim and vigour you'd imagine. All the while, Mel sat transfixed in the crowd. "People sitting beside Mel said they could hear him grinding his teeth," performer Seantastic said. Red-Carpet Fail Expand Close Adele King and daughter Naoimi Agnew at The Marker Hotel for the VIP Style Awards 2016 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Adele King and daughter Naoimi Agnew at The Marker Hotel for the VIP Style Awards 2016 When the VIP Style Awards party bus broke down en route to the after-party in Copper Face Jacks. Guests were left waiting for 45 minutes. Organiser Michael O'Doherty blamed one well-known guest who shall remain nameless. But then again, he always does. Photo-opp King and Queen Expand Close Linda gets the nod for Best Photo-Opp Queen with this sensational snap of her hurtling down a water slide in a rubber ring with her legs akimbo. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Linda gets the nod for Best Photo-Opp Queen with this sensational snap of her hurtling down a water slide in a rubber ring with her legs akimbo. Video of the Day So many worthy contenders but the lady and gent who went above and beyond have to be Panto/Eurovision trooper Linda Martin and Big Brother/Dancing with the Stars contender Hughie Maughan. Linda gets the nod for this sensational snap of her hurtling down a water slide in a rubber ring with her legs akimbo. Expand Close Hughie Maughan and Ryan Ruckledge at Apollo Nightclub / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hughie Maughan and Ryan Ruckledge at Apollo Nightclub Hughie provided an embarrassment of riches when it came to photos of him on the tear. Typical shots include him falling down stairs, licking his boyfriend's bare chest, above, and swinging out of lamp posts. Best Celebrity Spat Expand Close Taylor Swift wraps an arm around Kim Kardashian while watching Kims husband Kanye West on stage at the 2015 MTV VMAs / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taylor Swift wraps an arm around Kim Kardashian while watching Kims husband Kanye West on stage at the 2015 MTV VMAs Without a shadow of a doubt, the Taylor Swift/ Kim Kardashian (above)and Kanye fight takes it. This spat had it all; shady social-media slights, never-heard-before clips of Taylor chit-chatting with Kanye and Kim, informing us that it was the Year of the Snake. Sterling effort from everyone. Things to ditch in 2017 * Crotch-flashing dresses. * 1916 * Chokers * Plaits * Lip filler Things to hold on to in 2017 * Dog fashion shows * Bouncy perm curls * Shiny silver ankle boots * Loafers The best social media backfire Matt O'Connor of Fathers4Justice clearly intended to create a scene when he stormed the stage at the 58th Rose of Tralee dressed as a priest and shouted his head off. However, he must have been slightly disheartened when he saw that #Farmers4Justice not #Fathers4Justice was trending nationwide. D'oh. The Bandwagon Award The cult of the 'Influencers'. Yes, some are legit but there is soooo much hot air out there. Let's get a bit of perspective and remember that Niall Horan's four-year-old nephew Theo is an influencer and has his own agent. So now. Best Night Out US Election results night (before midnight). The US Embassy held their stars-and-stripes shindig in the Guinness storehouse. There was an open bar and an endless supply of burgers. We took photos beside a Statue of Liberty ice sculpture, discussed the best election gaffes and gifs, and talked about Hillary's jumpsuits. It was joyous. Worst Night Out Christ, deliver us. Later on that night, I headed to the Democrats Abroad - Ireland's 'Election of Hillary Clinton to the Presidency of the United States' party in the Arlington Hotel. It wasn't exactly a barrel of laughs. It's how I imagine purgatory looking - with dejected and helpless souls crying out in anguish - including those who had supported Donald Trump. Overused words of the year In no particular order... * Hygge * #Squad * #goals * Brexiteer * GirlBoss - just call yourself a boss for heaven's sake. You never hear men refer to themselves as #BoyBosses, now do you? * Adulting * Vibes * Generation Snowflake * Snapchat Star Ireland's 2016 undisputed style icon Expand Close Radiant: Jean Byrne at the VIP Style Awards 2016 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Radiant: Jean Byrne at the VIP Style Awards 2016 The RTE weather women got a lot of flak this year. Viewers wrote to the BAI complaining that the gals spent too much time fixating on their frocks rather than the forecast. But I would like to celebrate Jean Byrne's wonderful sense of style - just look at her at the VIP Style Awards - she's bloody radiant. Bravo, Jean, bravo. Worst celebrity spat Expand Close Kian Egan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kian Egan When Kian Egan, above, incurred the wrath of super-group Boyzlife (a bizarre boyband conglomerate of Westlife and Boyzone featuring Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden). Egan questioned the validity of Boyzlife's name, given his former bandmate Brian was only in Westlife for four years. Brian hit back, saying: "I was actually in Westlife for more than four years but maths was never Kian's thing in fairness." Now, now boyz - play nice. It was the year in which RTE pulled out all the stops to honour the men, women and children of 1916, and for a long number of weeks last spring it seemed as if there was nothing else on the box. Not all of the commemorative programmes did justice to the occasion - the lavish RTE1 drama series Rebellion began arrestingly but then degenerated into a soapy melodrama about the personal plights of a few women. But some of the documentaries were absorbing, especially Ruan Magan's three-parter, simply titled 1916 (RTE1), which put the Easter Rising into social, political and historical context and told its often complex story with commendable clarity. And RTE's year came to a close with another outstanding documentary, this time concerning the Mediterranean rescue by Irish naval vessel LE Samuel Beckett of desperate people fleeing Libya. It wasn't always easy to watch, but the dedication, humanity and sheer courage of the rescuers made for very moving television. Expand Close Can't Cope Won't Cope got better as it went on / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Can't Cope Won't Cope got better as it went on The same was true of Exodus: Our Journey To Europe (BBC2), screened over three successive nights in July and mainly using the cell phones of refugees to tell its desolating story of displacement and constant danger. Meanwhile, Brendan O'Connor's Cutting Edge (RTE1) showed that there was more to this presenter than Saturday-night natter with C-list celebs and that, given an alert host and the right guests, there's still a place in the schedules for intelligent conversation on the week's events. As in other years, RTE2's attempts at comedy proved to be mostly dire, though Can't Cope Won't Cope, created and scripted by Stefanie Preissner, got steadily better as it progressed. This was largely because it stopped trying to be funny and became instead a poignant depiction of a young woman unravelling, with Seana Kerslake very affecting as the lost soul in question. Another lost soul was created, written and played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag (BBC2). This was the year's best comedy, scabrously funny though with an underlying dark tone that was all its own and terrific supporting turns from Bill Paterson and Olivia Colman. But the show's overall achievement belonged entirely to Waller-Bridge. Drama dominated the year, though some of it flattered to deceive, as in the BBC1 adaptation of John Le Carre's The Night Manager, which looked terrific (all those eye-catching locations) but got steadily more far-fetched and James Bondish as it proceeded. And the ending of The Fall (RTE1/BBC1) was just too silly for words as the serial killer was allowed to rampage murderously through a psychiatric hospital before asphyxiating himself with a plastic bag - and this after five episodes in which nothing at all had happened. Honestly! But the outstanding dramas far outnumbered the duds, beginning last February with the second season of Happy Valley (BBC1), which was even better than the much acclaimed first season. Creator Sally Wainwright found even more depth in her principal characters, while the plotting was more assured than first time around and the resolution more satisfying. Sarah Lancashire and Siobhan Finneran were wonderfully good as the central sisters. I liked, too, The Durrells (UTV Ireland), with Keeley Hawes very winning as the English mum who emigrated with her fractious brood to a Greek island. Scenically gorgeous, this was comfort television and none the worse for that. Video of the Day However, the new season of Poldark (BBC1) showed signs that it might be outstaying its welcome. How much more glowering can we take from Aidan Turner's brooding hero? Devotees, though, will be thrilled to know that there are at least two more seasons in the works. And I wouldn't be surprised if My Mother and Other Strangers (RTE1/BBC1) gets a further series. Again, this was comfort television, somewhat in the manner of Heartbeat, but screenwriter Barry Devlin came up with lively characters in this tale of an American air force base in the Northern Ireland of 1943. Beck, though, came to an end on BBC4, its eponymous detective opting for retirement. I'll miss it, just as I miss the excellent Swedish TV version of Wallander - both notable for their quirky main characters and their engrossing storylines. On Netflix, Stranger Things came out of nowhere to achieve binge-watching status. Spooky without being gory, this 1980s-set small-town chiller was crammed with allusions to everything from Stand By Me to Stephen King, but had a tone and style all its own. A second season is in the works and it's easy to see why. Netflix also came up with Jessica Jones, an intriguing superhero series, with Krysten Ritter very persuasive as the grungy young woman traumatised by her past, and by her nemesis David Tennant, but still capable of kicking ass. It created a distinct mood, though couldn't avoid becoming far-fetched in its later episodes. But the second season of Better Call Saul (Netflix) held its nerve. This spin-off prequel to Breaking Bad had a personality all its own, more playful and a good deal less violent than Breaking Bad, with Bob Odenkirk making the early Saul Goodman a truly engaging figure. Jude Law gave the year's star turn in The Young Pope (Sky Atlantic). Generally miscast in movies, he clearly revelled in the chance to show his chops as the witheringly disdainful pontiff facing down his Vatican enemies. And as directed by Paolo Sorrentino (The Great Beauty, Youth), the series looked ravishing, too. As did The Crown (Netflix), which was the year's finest drama, confounding the expectations of viewers who feared a dutiful account of Elizabeth's rise to the throne. In fact, this was enthralling social history, brilliantly scripted by Peter Morgan and with terrific playing from Jared Harris, Claire Foy, Matt Smith, John Lithgow and a host of other actors. An artist's rendition of the future Irish Arts Centre in New York A LANDMARK New York arts centre, where Irish filmmakers Jim Sheridan and Terry George honed their directing skills, is to undergo a massive 59m revamp, making it the main Irish 'cultural hub' in the US. Irish movie icons Liam Neeson, born in Ballymena, and Dubliner Gabriel Byrne are also frontline supporters of the redevelopment of the Irish Arts Center, located in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood. They are honorary co-chairmen of the centre, first established in 1972. However, at present the arts hub has to survive in a former tenement building without a lift or a cafe - and is limited to one auditorium seating fewer than 100 people. But despite these limitations, it has hosted many high-profile Irish performers, including Grammy-winning Riverdance composer Bill Whelan and poet Paul Durcan. The Sunday Independent has now learned that "full scale" construction of the new facility will start in the autumn, and will take about two years to complete. The greatly expanded facility will include a state-of-the-art theatre that can seat 199 people, and allow for much larger productions. Cutting-edge technology will capture live shows and other performances for wider distribution outside of New York - increasing the exposure of Irish culture and artistic talent around the world. The centre expects to double its annual audience numbers to about 120,000 a year. It is planned to be not only a key cultural centre for Irish-related activity in the Big Apple, but to also provide international exposure for talent from this country. The City of New York has already pledged major funding, as has the Irish Government. Latest figures show the project has received $4.7m from the Emigrant Support Programme since 2009. Derry-born actress Roma Downey is understood to have donated $1m to the project; the Touched By An Angel star gave the equivalent of 907,000 through the American Ireland Fund. This is one of the largest gifts made to an Irish non-profit organisation. Observers say it is the sheer breadth and scope of this project that distinguishes the centre from other Irish theatres in the US, including the highly regarded Irish Repertory Theatre, in Manhattan. Executive director Aidan Connolly said it will provide a "proper home" to share the diversity and dynamism of Irish culture with New York and the world. "Honouring our immigrant roots while telling the story of an evolving Ireland and Irish America, the new Irish Arts Centre will look outward, and redefine what it means to be an ethnically rooted cultural centre." "Ireland and Irish America have rich cultural legacies that deserve to be shared with New Yorkers and all Americans," said vice chair Pauline Turley. Ciaran O'Connor, Ireland's State Architect at the Office of Public Works, is the chief designer. He says the new centre will be a "fulcrum of the push and pull of Irish and American cultural demands". Honorary chairman, the actor Gabriel Byrne, said our rich language, culture, and humour - all the things that make us uniquely Irish - can contribute not just to the relationship between Ireland and America, but also to the world. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that it was very supportive of the new development which would provide a "sustainable and modern" flagship venue. It would also promote a range of Irish cultural activities that "further deepen" the already strong bonds with the US. "This is a key strategic priority for this country,'' it added. The latest victim in the Kinahan-Hutch 'feud' may have been murdered simply because he turned up at the funeral of Gerry Hutch's brother earlier this year, gardai say. Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan (62) was a close associate of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch in the 1980s and 1990s - but had had little to do with the Hutch criminal organisation since then, sources in the north inner city said yesterday. Kirwan, originally from the Rutland Street-Sean O'Casey Avenue area of north inner Dublin, had long been suspected of being the Hutch gang's 'go-between' with the Provisional IRA. Kirwan was prominent in the Concerned Parents Against Drugs (CPAD) front set up by the IRA and Sinn Fein to carry out vigilante attacks on drug dealers. The CPAD did attract genuinely concerned and law-abiding protesters - but it was manipulated by the IRA so the protests were not aimed at those criminal groups (including Hutch's gang) who were prepared to pay protection to the Provos. It is believed Hutch's deal with the Provos did not involve payment but that he helped supply the IRA with manpower to carry out robberies and hijackings, particularly from lorries moving goods from Dublin Port. Kirwan came to garda attention several times in relation to hijackings but was never found to be directly involved in the robberies. He was pictured alongside Gerry Hutch at Hutch's brother Eddie's funeral in February after he became the first retaliation victim in the Kinahan gang's all-out assault on the Dublin northside Hutch gang. Gardai suspect a Clondalkin based gang responsible for a number of murders in the Clondalkin-Ronanstown-Neilstown area in recent years carried out the murder of Noel Kirwan. A lone gunman approached him as he sat outside his home in St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, at 5.10pm last Thursday. It is understood he was shot a number of times in the head and body and died at the scene. The gang believed responsible is part of the distribution network controlled by the Kinahan mob which has now carried out 11 murders, nine of them Hutch associates, along with two innocent by-standers, since the Regency Hotel attack in February in which Kinahan lieutenant David Byrne (34) was murdered. Since the murder of his brother Eddie and nephew Gareth Hutch (36) in May, Gerry Hutch has been living abroad, gardai believe spending most of his time under protection of drug industry associates in Holland. Garda sources yesterday said the one-sided 'feud' is set to continue and that Dublin gangs who are supplied by the Kinahan cartel are 'lining up' to murder any known associates of Gerry Hutch. While gardai have successfully prevented several attempted murders and seized significant hauls of weapons, they say the Kinahan network is too big and diverse to keep under proper surveillance. It's Christmas Day and the crew from the Dublin Fire Brigade are as busy as any other day. By 9am, one unit from Tara Street station has already dealt with a car fire on Seville Place. While no injuries have been reported as a result, there was one warning that the DFB gave. "Don't forget a helmet if you're on a scrambler or quad this morning," the DFB tweeted. In the strongest terms, the head of the Catholic Church in Dublin has hit out at the ongoing gang warfare in the capital condemning the sick individuals who murder openly on our streets and the evil individuals who instruct and pay them. In his Christmas homily, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin asked if the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace, meant anything to them? His comments were made as armed members of an elite Garda unit patrol the streets of the capital this Christmas in an effort to prevent further bloodshed in the Hutch-Kinahan feud which has already claimed 11 lives in 14 months. On Thursday night, the latest victim, Noel Kirwan was shot dead in Clondalkin. On Friday, Dr Martin told RTE Radio that the feud was linked to a multi-million euro business of death called the drugs trade. Speaking at St Marys Pro Cathedral in Dublin on Christmas day, the Archbishop listed a litany of social ills afflicting Irish society and asked if there was any way those who are victims of domestic violence or sexual violence, of road violence or the violence of economic exploitation, can experience the joy of Christmas. Our city is marked by homelessness but also indeed for many by hopelessness. We have very high suicide rates and so many are searching for real hope in the face of an economic crisis, in the face of loneliness and emptiness and the illusion of drugs or empty consumerism, he warned. Referring to the recent queues of up to 3,000 people for Christmas food parcels at the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, Dr Martin stated, All of us were stunned even here in our own city to find thousands of people queuing for basic food at the Capuchin and other food centres, while within a few kilometres others were queuing for luxury goods. In a reference to how the economy is failing so many, he stressed, Technical progress must be matched by progress in true humanism. True progress is progress for all. Acknowledging how Christmas brings joy which touches hearts like no other feast, bringing out real goodness even in the hardest of hearts, he said believers cannot be satisfied simply to celebrate Christmas like an anaesthetic which hides pain for a moment or like an eruption of spending which ends up leaving us only with a hangover of emptiness. He also questioned how God as the Prince of Peace could be explained to a war-torn world where the perennial desire of humankind for peace is being martyred daily and the ambition to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war was rendered a cynical empty dream. Posing the question, Where is our God? Dr Martin said the problem is that people look for God in the wrong places. The shepherds at the first Christmas were led to a small baby living without not just the external signs of power: he is born with only the simplest necessities in total contradiction of what we are led to consider power. The birth of Jesus in powerlessness and poverty teaches us that we seek hope somewhere else than in a constant seeking for power, Dr Martin said and added that believers should be seeking to bring light to all those who live in darkness and in a land of deep shadow. In his Christmas message, Archbishop Michael Jackson of Dublin and Glendalough expressed concern for those in cities and townlands across Ireland who struggle, often without hope, to make ends meet and who are homeless and loveless. He also highlighted the plight of people in cities and wastelands across Europe and the Middle East and Africa whose only hope of a future is to flee everything that once was theirs amidst trafficking, the dismantling of their dignity and the care and worry for those who remain dependent on them. It was a Christmas miracle for a recently widowed man looking for his long-lost wedding ring. David Penner lost his wife of 42 years in September and spoke of his delight at having been reunited with a priceless heirloom just weeks after she passed. During a visit to a Christmas tree farm in New Jersey 15 years ago, he lost his wedding band was lost and they never replaced it as he said the most important thing was "we had each other". But on December 2nd, he was reunited with the ring, which was inscribed with their wedding date on July 20, 1974 and the words, "To David. Love, Nancy. In early December, a farmer riding his tractor in April was caught by the sparkle of the ring and when he read the inscription, began campaigning to reunite the ring with its owner. "This was a piece come back to me, in her absence," Penner said. "I thought it was a miracle." The year stumbles to an end with grimly familiar news. The man accused of taking 12 innocent lives at Berlin's Christmas market dies in a hail of bullets in Milan. Like many of the year's terrorist killers, Anis Amri was a petty criminal who fell under the sway of hate preachers. Once more the security services of Europe struggle to explain how a known terrorist suspect remained at large and murderously dangerous. This was the year not only of the Brussels bombings by a well-organised network of armed extremists, but of the juggernaut massacre where a single killer behind the wheel of a huge truck, at first in Nice and now in Berlin, committed mass murder by the simple expedient of driving into relaxed and happy crowds. The bad news is that the terror will not go away in the coming year. It may get worse, with the category of "legitimate targets" expanding to meet the hateful desire of the killers. So there is a moment of choice this Christmas unlike any which most of us will have faced in our lifetimes. How we respond will determine, perhaps not immediately but certainly decisively, how our children and grandchildren will live, either in a world of fear and intolerance or in a place closer to hope. It comes down really to how we choose to see the world. At times in the past 12 months I have felt like this newspaper's resident pessimist. The sheer breadth of cruelty mixed with stupidity that has dogged us frequently brought to mind Stephen Spender's words: Because the world is the world, it writes no histories that end in love. But Spender was wrong, and this Christmas weekend I am feeling something like hope once more. Before I step tentatively in the direction of the light, allow me to list a few of the obstacles in our way. Terrorism will probably blight our lives for years to come. The past year saw no respite from the bloodshed that stained the one before in Paris and Istanbul, and many other points east. This was also the year that proved what many of us had long suspected to be true: the United Nations is hopelessly unfit for purpose. There is no longer an international order worthy of the name. We can put only limited blame on the bureaucracy and the hapless and often useless Ban Ki-moon. The UN cannot keep the peace as the Security Council will not allow it to do the job. All a thuggish 21st century dictator or power-hungry militia leader needs is the support of one of the five permanent members of the Security Council. All the better if it is the Russians or the Chinese, who have backed murderous regimes from Darfur to Aleppo. Read more: As for the Americans, they bleated much about Syria but did nothing that really made a difference to the safety of civilians. If the era of George W Bush was defined by reckless adventurism, that of Obama will be remembered for its relentless timidity. The Russians and Chinese have clearly defined goals, as do their dictator clients. There is no real ambiguity. Get power and keep it. The Western democracies stumble from crisis to crisis precisely because they are democracies, trying to function in an age of increasingly powerful autocracies, attempting to balance national interests with larger humanitarian principles. In Britain, we have the spectacle of one government department pledging millions in aid to the starving people of Yemen, while another promotes the sale of jet fighters and bombs which are busy destroying that country's infrastructure, including hospitals. As an American remarked once in Vietnam: "Bomb 'em and feed 'em." I haven't even got around to President elect Donald Trump, except to say that America has never seemed so lost. Come the end of January, it will be in the hands of a man who has often lied - a proven fact, not an opinion - and makes a virtue of placing 'instinct' above knowledge. This was the year that saw some big winners, none of whom would warm the heart of a liberally minded democrat. Vladimir Putin looked like the strongest man on the planet. He is not, economically or militarily, compared to the US, but he plays a weak hand masterfully. The Iranians have expanded their influence from Lebanon into Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Their proxy militias were busy in Mosul, Aleppo and on the front line facing the Saudis in Yemen. Far from being contained, they have stepped into the void created by the failed invasion of Iraq to become the new superpower of the Middle East. It was also the year that bigotry put on a suit and tie and marched into the mainstream. The parties of the populist right in Europe captured vast numbers of votes, and even more airtime and social media space. But hold on before you wander weeping into the rain. I believe a turning point is coming. If you believe in a democracy that loathes the scapegoating of minorities, if you believe in the rule of law and protecting the weak, if you support a foreign policy that seeks international co-operation but will intervene to stop crimes against humanity and genocide, if you believe in a public discourse that banishes hate speech, if you want to live in a civilised world, then I detect small but vital signs of life. In Austria, the far right failed to win the presidency. Friends in Paris tell me the fear of a National Front victory is overblown, that people have been scared by the rise of extreme voices and want stability. "Watch out for Macron," I hear. The young former minister with an open-minded message is drawing huge crowds to his rallies. The vaunted alliance between Trump and Putin will last only until the former either insults the Kremlin or clashes with the Russian leader on a matter of vital interest to both. Each has risen by projecting a machismo image which can easily unravel in the event of a standoff. Never in our times have there been two leaders who less liked to lose face. This could, of course, be very dangerous, but may prevent Putin from indulging in further adventurism. Will it stop Trump? Well, we just don't know. That said, the requiem for American democracy is premature. The government of the republic was constructed in such a way as to prevent what Thomas Jefferson called "elective tyranny". Even with a conservative-dominated Supreme Court, I expect the checks and balances to kick in and restrain some of the wilder impulses of Team Trump. Bear in mind too that the Republicans must face mid-term elections in two years. Trump has promised to deliver a great deal and fast. If he fails, the GOP will take a hammering. He has also blundered by alienating his intelligence chiefs and, predictably, the leaks have followed. Expect more as he inevitably adds to the lists of his enemies in government. In the Western democracies, a lot will depend on the press confronting political lies. And doing that again and again. I think some courage has been regained, maybe out of shock at all that has been allowed to happen in the past 12 months - all the unchallenged assertions, propaganda and trolling, all the polemic dressed up as serious analysis and the fake news factories. Pay notice as well to the expansion of an informed civil society that is relentlessly speaking truth to power through organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, to name but two. I've said terror will continue. It may inspire enough fear to drive more German voters into the arms of the far right. But I don't believe Angela Merkel will be ousted by the voices of right-wing extremism. The ghosts of the German past still have an immense deterrent power. It is not only about Germany or France or Britain. The coming year asks something of us all. You, dear readers, have choices to make about whether you want to have your prejudices confirmed or your eyes opened. The coming year can be the one in which we shed the mask of cynicism and see that the mess we are in took a long time to make, and will take a long time to sort out. This is not the 1930s. Neither is it July 1914. But if we don't grasp the need to confront hatred and aggression, it could be the prelude to something worse. Whatever the outrage or the provocation, the need for calm and the rule of law has never been greater. This Christmas, and in full (ish) possession of my senses, I choose to believe we will progress to better times. Hold on. The ride might be bumpy. Nollaig shona daoibh go leir. Fergal Keane is a special correspondent for the BBC Its Christmas and while were all together with friends and family some people werent able to spend the day with their close family and friends. Thats why Vodafone have arranged three unforgettable experiences for some of those who cant this year. Edwin surprises grandchildren Max and Ella with a once in a lifetime rugby experience We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Theres not been one year that Edwin hasnt spent Christmas Day in the company of his son, David, and his two grandchildren, Max and Ella. Although Edwin lives in Donegal and his family in Wicklow, they looked forward to spending that time together, sharing stories and jokes over dinner and talking about their love of rugby. This year, however, Edwin has to spend the day with another relative elsewhere in Ireland, meaning the family tradition will be broken. So, Edwin wanted to look for another way to share Christmas with his family and he was determined to make sure that this Christmas would be just as special as previous years. Colm gets a pre-Christmas foodie surprise We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Colm, who is a big foodie from Co Cork, loves this Christmas tradition. But, for the first time ever, Colm will be spending this Christmas with his wife, Sorcha, on the other side of the world in China, where Sorchas brother is doing an Erasmus programme, away from his wider family. So, determined for Colm not to miss out on one of his favourite parts of Christmas, his sister Niamh nominated him for a luxury dining experience with renowned celebrity chef, Derry Clarke, in the chefs kitchen in lEcrivain, a Michelin-star restaurant in Dublin. Lauras comedy surprise We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Tommy knew that this year he wouldnt see his sister Laura over Christmas because of the travelling distance between them Tommy is based in Cork and will be spending it with his young family, while Laura is based in Donegal and will be spending it with hers. So this year he wanted to do something extra special for her. He nominated Laura for a comedy experience with stand-up comedian Fred Cooke in the Penthouse suite of the Morgan Hotel. When Vodafone told Tommy he had won the surprise for Laura, he and Lauras partner Gerry went about secretly planning the day. Twitter: @VodafoneIreland Facebook: VodafoneIreland Instagram: VodafoneIreland Sponsored by: The Christmas special of Call The Midwife is set in the Eastern Cape of South Africa Call The Midwife is leaving behind Christmas trees, mince pies and snowy scenes this year in favour of a hot climate for its festive special. The hit BBC period drama about a convent and the midwives associated with it headed for South Africa to film a one-off episode where the characters try to save a beleaguered local hospital. Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) gets an urgent call to come and help out at the understaffed medical centre just as the convent are settling down for a traditional Christmas, and so off they troop to lend a hand with polio vaccinations as well as deliveries. The group encounters the terrible divisions of Apartheid in the 1960s-set drama, while Trixie (Helen George), who is now sober, gets the chance to prove her midwifery skills in the face of a potential tragedy. George said: "It was really special being out there as a group, it was a really lovely bonding experience and really nice to work in a country and not just visit on a holiday. "To get to know it from the ground up and to get know crew members of varying cultural backgrounds - so you really get to know the politics of the country and the state of the country in a way that you don't get when you just go and stay in a fancy hotel." :: Call The Midwife airs Sunday on BBC1 at 8pm. A suicide bomber in the northern Cameroon town of Mora killed a young student and a woman in an attack on a market full of Christmas shoppers, an aide to the governor of Far North region said on Sunday. Suicide bombers suspected of belonging to the Islamist militant group Boko Haram have launched attacks in Mora, about 30 km (20 miles) from the Nigerian border, several times before. The bomb also killed the attacker and wounded five other people, said the aide to Governor Midjiyawa Bakary. "The suicide bomber was pretending to be a beggar and was walking towards the market which was full because of Christmas. Members of a vigilance committee spotted him before he could penetrate the market," a Cameroonian soldier told Reuters. "He was stopped and in panic he detonated his explosives. If he hadn't been spotted the death toll would have been higher," he said. Fighters from Boko Haram have killed thousands in their campaign to carve out an Islamist state in their base in northeast Nigeria and have also launched attacks in neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon. The group has frequently used female bombers and children to hit targets. Similar attacks used to happen on an almost daily basis in Cameroon, but the International Crisis Group reported this month that the frequency had fallen since September, leading analysts to believe Boko Haram was weakening there. Donald Trump said he will dissolve his charitable foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month (AP/Evan Vucci) President-elect Donald Trump said he will dissolve his charitable foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month. The revelation comes as the New York attorney general's office investigates the foundation following media reports that foundation spending went to benefit Mr Trump's campaign. Mr Trump said he has directed his counsel to take the necessary steps to implement the dissolution of the Donald J Trump Foundation, saying that it operated "at essentially no cost for decades, with 100% of the money going to charity". He said: "The foundation has done enormous good works over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups, including supporting veterans, law enforcement officers and children." "I will be devoting so much time and energy to the presidency and solving the many problems facing our country and the world. I don't want to allow good work to be associated with a possible conflict of interest." Me Trump said he will pursue philanthropic efforts in other ways, but did not elaborated on how he would do so. The Democratic National Committee criticised Mr Trump for what it called "a wilted fig leaf to cover up his remaining conflicts of interest and his pitiful record of charitable giving". Party spokesman Eric Walker also took a jab at the president-elect over his controversial business holdings: "Shuttering a charity is no substitute for divesting from his for-profit business and putting the assets in a blind trust - the only way to guarantee separation between the Trump administration and the Trump business." A 2015 tax return posted on the non-profit monitoring website GuideStar shows the Donald J Trump Foundation acknowledged that it used money or assets in violation of Internal Revenue Service regulations - not only during 2015, but in previous years. Those regulations prohibit self-dealing by the charity. That is broadly defined as using its money or assets to benefit Mr Trump, his family, his companies or substantial contributors to the foundation. The tax filing does not provide details on the violations. Whether Mr Trump benefited from the foundation's spending has been the subject of an investigation by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Amy Spitalnick, press secretary for Mr Schneiderman's office, said on Saturday that the foundation "cannot legally dissolve" until the investigation is complete. The charitable foundation was ordered to immediately stop fundraising in New York just weeks before the presidential election, with Mr Schneiderman's office saying it was not registered to do so. Mr Trump was highly critical of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's family charity, the Clinton Foundation, saying without evidence that she ran "a vast criminal enterprise run out of the State Department" while she was secretary of state. At the final presidential debate, he challenged Clinton to "give back the money" that came from donors in countries that fail to respect various human rights. Mr Trump's announcement to dissolve his own foundation came a day after the president-elect used Twitter to declare it a "ridiculous shame" that his son Eric will have to stop soliciting funds for his charitable foundation, the Eric Trump Foundation, because of a conflict of interest. "My wonderful son, Eric, will no longer be allowed to raise money for children with cancer because of a possible conflict of interest with my presidency," Mr Trump tweeted. "He loves these kids, has raised millions of dollars for them, and now must stop. Wrong answer!" Trump was in his South Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, on Saturday, his retreat for most holidays. He spent the week meeting advisers and interviewing candidates for a handful of Cabinet positions that remain unfilled. AP President-elect Donald Trump will dissolve the Donald J. Trump Foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month. Mr Trump said in a statement on Saturday that his charitable foundation "has done enormous good works over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups, including supporting veterans, law enforcement officers and children". He said that given the conflicts of interest, he will pursue philanthropic efforts in other ways, without elaborating on how he would do so. Mr Trump said he has directed his counsel to take the necessary steps to implement the dissolution. The revelation comes a day after Mr Trump lamented the fact that his son Eric would be stepping away from his charitable foundation due to conflicts of interest. AP Candles and flowers have been placed at the scene of the Berlin Christmas market attack which left 12 people dead. Photo: Reuters/AP The killer's truck after it ploughed through a Christmas market on December 19, 2016 in Berlin EARLY on Friday morning, two Italian policemen on a routine patrol noticed a man acting "very suspiciously" as he walked through the darkened streets of Milan. They had no idea who he was or just how dangerous, when they approached him to ask for his identification papers. The man drew a gun from his backpack and shot police office Cristian Movio through the shoulder. His colleague, Luca Scata, swiftly opened fire on the gunman and killed him. The unexpected shoot-out took place shortly before 3am outside the city's Sesto San Giovanni train station. Only when the police went through the dead man's papers did they discover that he was "without a shadow of a doubt" Anis Amri, a 24-year-old Tunisian and the most wanted man in Europe, the latest purveyor of murderous terrorism waged in the name of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant at the Christmas Market massacre that claimed 12 lives and injured 56 in Berlin last Monday. The Italians had no idea that the prime suspect for that massacre was in their country, nor had they any advance intelligence. "They had no perception that it could be him otherwise they would have been much more cautious," the police chief Antonio De Iesu later told a news conference. Expand Close Italian police and forensics experts stand by the body of suspected Berlin truck attacker Anis Amri after he was shot dead in Milan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Italian police and forensics experts stand by the body of suspected Berlin truck attacker Anis Amri after he was shot dead in Milan The police officers have become heroes in their homeland. "I told him that I hope he gets better soon," said the Interior Minister Marco Minniti who had earlier spoken to Movio on the phone. "The boy is very motivated. He's an extraordinary person. I thank him for the professionalism that he demonstrated, for the professionalism that he, alongside his colleague, had demonstrated." It was a year of horrific atrocities - among them the Brussels attack in March and a truck driven into a crowd in Nice during the Bastille Day celebrations - and the year draws to a close with Isil casting its dark shadow over Christmas. The threat of further massacres is all too real. As Amri made his way through Italy in the early hours of Friday morning, police in Melbourne launched a series of raids on a group of young men they suspected of plotting a series of spectacular Christmas Day assaults in Australia's second largest city. According to reports, the group allegedly planned to target a railway station, a downtown district full of bars and restaurants and St Paul's Cathedral. Five men were arrested, all of them aged between 21 and 26, and three appeared in court on Friday afternoon. Four were reported to be born in Australia and a fifth was Egyptian born but lived in Australia. The death of Anis Amri has ended the international hunt for the armed and dangerous fugitive suspected of shooting dead a Polish lorry driver and steering his truck into the crowds at one of the world's biggest Christmas markets. In the immediate aftermath of the horrific massacre, questions centred on how a Tunisian refugee managed to commit such atrocities while apparently on a terrorist watch list. Read more: Since he was shot dead in Italy on Friday, those questions extend to how he managed to flee Germany and cross the border into Italy in the aftermath of the massacre, despite the massive manhunt launched by police. In Berlin, Germany's federal prosecutor, Peter Frank, told reporters that police were now trying to out whether Amri had accomplices. "We are in close contact with the Italian authorities. We are interested to learn whether the weapon Amri carried in Milan was the weapon used in the attack in Berlin. We are investigating with high intensity," according to a BBC report of his comments. "We want to investigate how he managed to get to Milan and whether he had any assistance or accomplices. We will look at what contacts he made in the preparation of the attack - people who may have supported him with money and aided him in the escape." As it happened, the German authorities knew enough about Anis Amri to know that he was a potentially serious risk to society. He was born in Tunisia in 1992. His parents still live in Oueslatia in central Tunisia, as do some of his siblings, all of whom were shocked to hear of his involvement in terrorism. His brother, Abdelkader Amri, told reporters: "When I saw the picture of my brother in the media, I couldn't believe my eyes. I'm in shock, and can't believe it's him who committed this crime... But if he's guilty, he deserves every condemnation. We reject terrorism and terrorists - we have no dealings with terrorists." His sister, Najoua Amri, said: "He never made us feel there was anything wrong. We were in touch through Facebook and he was always smiling and cheerful. I was the first to see his picture and it came as a total shock. I can't believe my brother could do such a thing." Amri is believed to have left Tunisia after the Arab Spring of 2011. He ended up living in Italy, where he was reportedly sentenced to a four-year prison term for starting a fire in a refugee centre. When he was released in 2015 he made his way to Germany. His asylum application was turned down, presumably because the security authorities there already knew of his links to radical Islamic elements. However, according to reports in Germany, the authorities couldn't deport him because his papers weren't valid, and the Tunisians initially denied he was their citizen. The correct papers that would have allowed his deportation reportedly arrived from Tunisia last week. During his time in Germany, he was an elusive character who moved around frequently, living between Westphalia and Berlin. He reportedly first crossed the authorities' radar because of his links to a radical Iraqi preacher called Abu Walaa, and other Islamic fundamentalists operating out of Germany. According to media reports in Germany, Amri slid under the radar in July, after police tried to question him about drugs. The reports quoted security sources who claimed that the German authorities had been made aware of his attempts to buy a pistol earlier this year but apparently there was not enough evidence to arrest him. Amri surfaced in Berlin last Monday evening, with devastating consequences. He hijacked a truck, and is believed to have shot its Polish driver, Lukasz Urban, who was on his way to make a delivery. Shortly after 8pm, Amri steered the truck off the road and into crowds at the market in Breitscheidplatz. At least 12 people died, including Urban, whose body was found in the passenger seat. Amri became the prime suspect after his documents were found in the lorry's cab. His identity card reportedly gave his home town as Tataouine, in Tunisia's southern desert, and his registered address as an asylum shelter in North Rhine-Westphalia. Germany's interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere, later disclosed that the Tunisian's fingerprints were also found in the cab. German police launched a massive manhunt and the authorities announced a reward of 100,000. Police burst into apartments where Amri had stayed, launched dawn raids in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia and shut down a Mosque he had allegedly attended just hours after the attack. However, Amri evaded capture. How he came to be wandering on foot near the Piazza I Maggio beside the Seto San Giovanni train station in Milan - and more importantly, the accomplices who are believed to have brought him there - are questions now at the forefront of police investigations on both sides of the border. The ticket stubs found in his belongings suggest that after the attack, some time on Tuesday, he made his way from Berlin to Chambery in eastern France. He took a train from Chambery to Turin, and from there took another train to Milan. Amri's death there in the early hours of Friday morning brought to an end fears that he could commit further atrocities. However, a video released by Isil hours after he was shot dead raised the chilling prospect of further bloodshed. The video purports to show Amri swearing allegiance to Isil and calling on Muslims in Europe to strike at "crusaders": "God willing, we will slaughter you like pigs." LAST Monday, Mevlut Mert Altintas checked in to a hotel in central Ankara and called in sick to the local riot police unit where he had worked for the past two-and-a-half years. Then he shaved, put on a smart black suit, and walked to the Ankara Centre for Contemporary Art, flashing his police ID to sidestep the metal detectors at the entrance. Minutes later he drew a pistol and shot Andrei Karlov, the Russian ambassador, at least eight times in the back. Shortly afterwards, Altintas, too, was dead, gunned down by his former colleagues. Now, Russian and Turkish investigators are trying to establish what turned this 22-year-old policeman into a murderer. Altintas's story begins in a small town called Soke on Turkey's Aegean coast, where his parents still live. Locals describe the district as neither rich nor poor, though it is overshadowed by the holiday towns of the coast and the splendour of Ephesus, the ancient city that lies 16km to the north. While Turkey's western provinces are renowned for their more liberal politics, in Soke, the graffiti of right-wing ultra-nationalists mars the walls. The town used to be a hub for cotton production, and the killer's parents, now in their 50s, both used to work in a fabric factory before they retired. Both have been arrested, though neither has been charged. "They are normal people," said one neighbour. "They didn't socialise much but we didn't ever have any problems with them. "His mother was in shock. She said, 'How could my son do a thing like this?'." After leaving home and joining the Ankara police, Altintas moved into a flat above a shop selling children's bicycles in Demetevler, a working-class suburb of the Turkish capital. He did not stay long and moved out shortly after the coup attempt that rocked Turkey in July, selling all his possessions before he departed. His next home was an apartment in a cul-de-sac in the poor, densely populated northern suburb of Kecioren. Like Soke, the neighbourhood has a reputation for nationalism. He shared the flat with a lawyer friend who has also been arrested. One neighbour said the lawyer, who owned the flat, was from the majority Kurdish south-east region. On December 14, Altintas made a hotel reservation near the gallery, and two days later visited the exhibition. Timur Ozkan, the exhibition co-ordinator, told a newspaper that gallery staff remembered seeing him wearing exactly the same suit with a police badge pinned on to it as the one he would wear when he attacked the Russian ambassador. "He joined the exhibition and a little while later he left," Mr Ozkan said of the sighting. "Of course no one had any suspicions. Our guess now is that either he got confused about the date of the exhibition that he planned to attack - or that he was performing a reconnaissance mission." Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Decrying the suffering in Syria, Pope Francis on Sunday wished Christmas peace and hope for all those scarred by war and terrorism, which he said is sowing "fear and death in the heart of many countries and cities". Some 40,000 tourists and Romans calmly endured long security queues to enter St Peter's Square to see the pope on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he delivered the traditional Urbi Et Orbi (to the city and to the world) Christmas message and blessing. Francis spoke sorrowfully of the suffering caused by the Syrian war, especially in Aleppo, pressing the international community to help negotiate a solution. He urged Israelis and Palestinians to "write a new page of history, where hate and revenge give way" toward building a future of understanding and harmony. He also cited the "brutality of terrorism" in Iraq, Libya and Yemen. In Nigeria, the pope lamented, "fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children", a reference to child suicide bombers. He expressed hope that dialogue would prevail over "the mindset of conflict" in both South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The heavy security at the Vatican reflected apprehension in much of Europe, which is reeling from extremist attacks. Last week, 12 people died in Berlin when a Tunisian man who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group ploughed a lorry through a crowd at a Christmas market. He was killed a few days later in a shoot-out near Milan. "Peace to all those who have been injured or have suffered the loss of a loved one due to the brutal acts of terrorism that have sown fear and death in the heart of many countries and cities," the pope said. Referring to the meaning of Jesus' birth, Francis said: "Today this message goes out to the ends of the Earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace." His Christmas message also recalled Colombia, which has seen his personal intervention try to end Latin America's longest running conflict, and Venezuela, where a papal envoy has tried to facilitate talks between the government and the opposition as Venezuelans endure widespread food and medicine shortages. Francis expressed concern over tensions on the Korean peninsula, and over Burma, which he said should "consolidate efforts to promote peaceful coexistence". During Christmas Eve Mass in the basilica, Francis said Jesus' birth, in a humble stable, calls to mind how some children today must hide in underground bomb shelters, live on the street, lie on the bottom of overcrowded smugglers' boats, are given weapons instead of toys or are not allowed to be born at all. Throughout his papacy, Francis has denounced the Islamic extremist violence that has driven Christians from communities that date to Christianity's foundations. He has also demanded that Europe in particular do more to welcome refugees. Reflecting the pope's concern for migrants, refugees and others on society's margins, Bologna's archbishop celebrated a Christmas Eve Mass for the homeless in a waiting room of that Italian city's main railway station. AP There is a buzz doing rounds in Kollywood that the Jazz Cinemas have acquired the theatrical release rights of Thala Ajith's 57th film directed by Siva, by paying a whopping price. The film temporarily titled as 'AK 57' is being produced on a grand scale by the prestigious Sathya Jyothi Films banner. The film touted to be an international espionage thriller has been shot extensively in Bulgaria and its neighboring locations in Europe. Reportedly the team has completed 85% of the shoot before returning to Chennai on a break for Christmas and New Year. The film being taken over by Jazz Cinemas for distribution will ensure a grand release on a never before seen scale. The makers are planning to release the film on April 14, 2017. It is worth noting that the same Jazz Cinemas had acquired the Tamil Nadu theatrical release rights of the super hit 'Vedalam' which was Ajith's previous film released for Diwali 2015. Single-digit reduction in NBS rates The revised NBS rates for ensuing Rabi season have been announced by the Government of India. New rates have not seen much steeper cuts as was widely anticipated; therefore, positive for complex (NPKs) fertilizer companies. This brings much comfort to the domestic complex fertilizer companies as a steeper cut would have entailed higher inventory losses. 03 Nov 2022 11:10 AM October 2022 auto sales: PV and CV segments continue to impress Underlying demand trend has stayed strong for PV and CV segments. Analysts at IIFL Securities estimate October 2022 wholesale dispatches in PV, MHCV and LCV segments to have grown 30%, 24% and 14% YoY, respectively. They expect the above segments to clock 25-35% volume growth in FY23. 02 Nov 2022 11:43 AM Initial signs of moderation in API cost pressures: IIFL Securities High raw-material inflation, elevated freight expenses, and normalization in marketing spends have impacted margins of Indian pharma players over the past 12 months. However, some of these API/RM cost pressures have started abating in Q3CY22. Cipla, Sun, JB Pharma and Torrent remain IIFL Securities top-picks in the pharma sector owing to lowest risk to IIFL Securities margin and earnings estimates for these companies. 01 Nov 2022 10:53 AM Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday issued a warning to the dishonest people, saying their problems are set to increasing in the coming days. "After 50 days - when the demonetisation will end - honest peoples' hardships will start decreasing while those who are corrupt, their problems will increase," the PM said after inaugurating two Metro rail projects in Mumbai. BCCL PM Modi termed the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes a historic decision of the government, saying "the people of India will not accept corruption and black money". "Our battle to fight corruption has been going on since the day we assumed office. A historic decision was taken on 8th November," the PM said. The PM said people faced many hardships after demonetisation, but they still continued to support him (government) without getting influenced by the critics. "There were efforts to mislead and even intimidate people but they supported us in the battle against corruption and black money," he said. The development projects whose foundation stones were laid today are going to have a transformative impact on Mumbai's infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/t74GUliuej Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2016 He also said that only development can solve major problems in the country and the strength of 125 crore Indians will bring about change . Development is the only way to live with honour and hence the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had always kept their focus on development, the PM Modi said after laying the foundation stone of Shivaji statue, at the MMRDA grounds. BCCL Praising Shivaji Maharaj, he said, "He (Shivaji Maharaj) was a multifaceted personality. So many aspects of his personality inspire us" "His courage was known but there are so many more aspects of Shivaji Maharaj we must know about. Look at his policies on water, finance," he added. "Even after 70 years of independence, 18,000 villages had been forced to live in the 18th century," PM Modi said while taking pot shots at the previous governments. PM @narendramodi addressing at Foundation Stone Laying ceremony of two metro corridors and other projects in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/n8zG2XtMhE PIB India (@PIB_India) December 24, 2016 Earlier, PM Modi also hinted at unleashing more radical reforms , saying his government will not shy away from taking difficult decisions that are in the national interest. And the hardship caused by demonetisation was only temporary, and that it would bring long-term benefits. The Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested an indigenous Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) from an Indian Air Force aircraft, an official release said on Saturday. Designed and developed in the country, the 120-kg class smart weapon is used to destroy runways, bunkers, aircraft hangers and other reinforced structures. Youtube Its long standoff range of 100 km will allow the IAF to hit adversary airfields with high precision from a safe distance. "The captive and release trials were tracked by radar and telemetry ground stations at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha during the entire duration of the flight. The performance of all systems was satisfactory with all mission objectives achieved," said the release. The lightweight high-precision guided bomb is one of the world class weapons systems, the release said. oddstuffmagazine.com The government sanctioned the Rs 56.58 crore SAAW project in September 2013. DRDO Chairman Dr S. Christopher congratulated the DRDO and the IAF teams for the successful mission. In May, the DRDO conducted the first test on the weapon system from the IAF Jaguar DARIN-II aircraft in Bengaluru in Karnataka. The test was carried out by IAF's Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). The trial mode mounting of the SAAW on Jaguar DARIN-II aircraft is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The Bible Society of India (BSI) has recently launched a project to develop Bible apps in 16 regional dialects. BSI central office director Sam Manoharan said several languages like Urdu and Maithili are also part of the project which would be coordinated by BSI auxiliaries across India. 1. MBA Student Arrested For Spreading 'Dog Meat Biryani' Rumour That Almost Destroyed A Famous Hyderabadi Hotel Days after a WhatsApp forward stating that a a popular Hyderabadi restaurant using dog meat in its biryani was investigated, cyber crime police arrested an MBA student from the old city of Hyderabad for starting the rumor. Shah Ghouse hotel, the famous Hyderabadi eatery known for its biryani, was dragged into the public limelight for the shocking accusation. 2. Vaccine Makers May Be Forcing Indians To Get More Injections Than Necessary, Say Doctors BCCL Are all vaccines recommended by your paediatrician actually required, or they are merely pushed to favour vaccine companies that reward the biggest association of paediatricians in India? A key official of the Indian Academy of Paediatricians (IPA) has raised serious issues of funding and conflict in an open letter to the president. The association, one of biggest for paediatricians in India, is heavily dependent on funding from vaccine manufacturers, he pointed out. 3. Poisonings, Torture, People Getting Blinded And Beaten To Death: This Is The Horrifying History Of The Kohinoor Many precious stones have a blood-soaked history, but a new book reveals the world's most famous diamond the Kohinoor surpasses them all, with a litany of horrors that rivals "Game of Thrones". 4. More Than 100 Dogs Saved From China Dog Meat Festival, Now Find Home In Canada! Canada's Humane Society International has made it possible for 110 dogs, destined for a Chinese dog meat festival to find a new life in Canada. Rebecca Aldworth, the executive director of the animal rights group said the dogs landed in Toronto this week, after their rescue from China's horrifying Yulin festival earlier this year 5. 814 Kg Ganja Worth Rs 80 Lakh Seized From A Farmhouse. It Was Ordered For New Year Parties BCCL In a major haul, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths have seized 814 kilos of marijuana brought to the city by inter-state peddlers from Andhra-Odisha border to supply it to New Year revellers in Mumbai and Hyderabad. The United Nations has red-flagged an alarming lack of life protecting equipment available with Indian peacekeepers, informing India that the ability of troops to undertake operations has been impacted in South Sudan. BCCL Officials familiar with the issue told ET that UN officially informed India in October that its troops stationed there had inadequate life-protecting equipment such as bulletproof helmets and jackets. India has about 2,200 troops in South Sudan. The situation in South Sudan has been deteriorating. The UN Secretary-General recently went on record that the country is headed for mass genocide. Still, two months later, the situation with our troops remains the same, an official, who did not wish to be identified, told ET. As a result, this has apparently affected the number of operations the deployed troops can undertake. Even before this, the UN had over the last nine months informed India repeatedly that the serviceability of Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan is barely 60% due to the shortages. This against other peacekeepers deployed in the same area that are much better equipped. BCCL China, which has recently increased its contributions to the UN, has an availability rate of 120%, according to the information shared. Neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also have a better record. This is undoubtedly making a serious dent to our reputation as a major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, said an official. However, two months after the matter was brought up it still remains unresolved despite several rounds of consultations between the Defence Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs, with officials saying the safety and reputation of Indian peacekeepers are at stake. While comments were unavailable from the Defence Ministry, sources said Indian deployment in South Sudan was performing strongly under extreme conditions as compared to other troops, pointing to a recent UN special investigation that blamed Chinese and Nepalese troops for abandoning posts and failing to help aid workers under attack. BCCL We must recognise that Indian forces are performing well operationally. There have been no complaints on that front, said a South Block official. India has been requested to provide adequate equipment to the blue berets at the earliest, in what would be one of the first challenges that General Bipin Rawat, who takes over as Army Chief on December 31, will have to face. The officer has an appreciation of the challenges faced in UN peacekeeping missions, having commanded troops as a Brigadier in Congo in 2008. The UN Mission in South Sudan is one of its largest peacekeeping missions with India as the main contributor. The Indian Army has also been facing shortages of life-saving bulletproof jackets and helmets at home as well, with orders placed for 50,000 jackets only in March this year a seven year gap when the requirement was first raised in 2009. Even now the jackets ordered are against the full requirement of 1,86,138 that were needed by the Army till 2017. A 35-year-old man from Bhiwandi who used his four-wheeler to ferry school children, has been arrested for allegedly raping two minor girls for the last six months, police said today. The accused, identified as Tulsiram Manere was held last night, Inspector S V Jadhav of Nizampura police station said. tribune.com The accused molested and raped the victims, aged around 8 to 9, on several occasions inside his SUV and also at some other secluded places in the past six months, the officer said. It is suspected that Manera might have sexually abused more girls travelling in his car and as of now only two have disclosed about the offence. It was only after the teachers enquired with the parents of the victims about their absence from the school, the offence came to the light. "The two girls confided in their parents and told them about their sexual abuse. The parents then informed the school authority about it and subsequently a case was lodged by a teacher," Jadhav said. doctorinsta.com The accused has been charged under sections 376 (rape), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act-2012, he said, adding, further probe was on. The national capital is turning out to be a den of money laundering with the income tax department carrying out a fresh round of searches on bullion traders on Friday and unearthing unaccounted sales of gold worth Rs 250 crore, according to preliminary reports. BCCL/representational image Earlier, in three separate cases since demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8 , the I-T department, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had found sales of at least Rs 400 crore worth of unaccounted bullion in the national capital. Also Read: While Millions Are Queuing Outside Banks For Money, These Agents Are Converting 1 Cr In 1 Hour! On Friday, the I-T department interrogated four bullion dealers in Karol Bagh and Chandni Chowk and it emerged that they had allegedly exchanged banned tender amounting to over Rs 250 crore with gold bars in the past few weeks. BCCL/representational image The search was continuing on 12 shops and eight residential premises of these bullion traders on Friday night. "Preliminary findings reveal these four bullion traders had facilitated conversion of banned currencies of around Rs 250 crore into bullion through multiple bank accounts," a senior I-T official said. All four bullion dealers had their shops in Kucha Mahajani area of old Delhi and a few in Karol Bagh. Also Read: On Nov 8, Three Outlets Sold Gold Worth Over 75 Crores Between 8 PM And Midnight I-T officials are also investigating bank accounts of the four and some shell companies through which such currencies were deposited and routed to beneficiaries. "These are new cases which have come to light and the modus operandi is similar to the previous cases that the I-T department had unearthed soon after demonetisation," the official said. BCCL/representational image In its first raids on Kucha Mahajani bullion dealers a few days after demonetisation, the I-T department had unearthed a major money laundering racket where one dealer alone had sold gold bars worth Rs 100 crore. In exchange, the bullion traders received money in banned currency notes and deposited them in three bank accounts, all in the names of shell companies with fictitious addresses. The ED has already registered a money laundering case in the matter and arrested two intermediaries and two bank managers. Also Read: Smugglers Tried To Hide 16 Kg Gold Biscuits In Baby Diapers, Caught At IGI Airport! The I-T department is cracking down on bullion traders in other parts of the country too. In Bengaluru, the department detected undisclosed income of Rs 47.74 crore after surveys were conducted at half-a-dozen bullion traders and jewellers on Friday following a surge in their sales post-demonetisation. BCCL/representational image In Agra, searches were conducted on a bullion group covering 11 premises at different locations and Rs 12 crore in undisclosed income was seized. Further investigation is in progress in the case. Besides, in a search on lockers of another group in Allahabad, bullion worth Rs 1.06 crore and Rs 20 lakh in cash were seized. Also Read: Chandigarh Tailor Caught With Black Money Worth 30 Lakhs In Cash And 2.5 Kilos Of Gold Meanwhile, on Thursday, the I-T investigation unit searched the accounts of Kotak Mahindra Bank at its K G Marg branch in central Delhi and seized Rs 39 crore. A source said the illegal tender was deposited in the bank branch in question and demand drafts (DDs) totalling Rs 39 crore were issued in the name of agents. Reuters/representational image An I-T search was conducted on the premises of an agent after DDs issued in his name were cancelled by the bank. However, the officials could not interrogate the agent since he was picked up by Delhi Police's crime branch and sent to judicial custody before I-T officials could reach him. Also Read: Sand Mining Baron J Shekhar Reddy Arrested, Now In Judicial Custody After 127 Kg Gold, Rs 131 Crore Seizure During a visit to his grandmom's home on Kanakapura Road, Shyam Sridhar, a class 10 student of Sri Kumaran Public School, realized that the green cover along the stretch wouldn't last long. For, work on Metro phase 2 could result in the loss of a whopping 190 trees. TOI Shyam knew that development of the city was inevitable. But he also felt that those working towards preserving the environment had to come together and needed a common platform to connect. The youngster therefore decided to use technology to bring together green activists and anchor extensive tree plantation drives in the city. What started off as a school project, led Shyam to create Treebook, a mobile app. The app, which is on Android and will soon be available on iOS, allows users to receive information about tree plantation drives through events created by fellow users on the platform. A WhatsApp-like interface is available for drive organizers to provide information about location, time and directions to the event. "This seemed like the perfect opportunity, when a lot of people are coming together to save the environment. I developed the app as part of my class project this year," says Shyam. "Problem is that there's no central repository of information on when and where these green drives happen and that's why often potential volunteers fail to contribute," he adds. What also worried Shyam was that often after a plantation drive was over, the saplings were left to wilt and die. "Most organizations don't have the time or bandwidth to check on the effectiveness of the drive they'd have undertaken," says Shyam. Punjab Tribune Treebook works on three principles - Engagement before, during and after a plantation drive. While volunteers coordinate through events created on the groups, the focus is also on personal experiences from these drives. Participants can post photos in the groups created on the app and can also share them on social media. Those using the platform can geotag the saplings through GPS coordinates on the app, with details about volunteers designated to take care of them. Volunteers can also name the saplings on the app and share their progress. "The group admin enters details like recommended watering cycle, pesticide treatments, fertilizers, etc., for a period of four years. The app sends notifications to the admin and pop up queries on whether the plants are being attended to," explains Shyam. Karthik Krishnan B, a wildlife enthusiast and a volunteer with Wildlife Conservation Society is enthused over the teen's initiative. "We all hear about how for every tree that's chopped saplings are planted elsewhere. But what happens to them later? Who ensures that they don't wilt even before they grow? This app will go a long way in addressing these questions and more," says Karthik. "It's amazing to come across someone like Shyam, who chose not to complain about human insensitivities, but be the change one wants to see," says Ramachandran A, founder, Vishwa Seva Educational Trust (VSET) which imparts value education to students. itunes.apple.com "Technology can really help bridge the gap between volunteers and the many drives conducted across the city. It can be leveraged to pass on information to a larger community and increase participation. Most importantly, it enhances a sense of ownership," says Shyam. Will Help Enhance Biodiversity Prashanth Prakash, chairperson, United Way Bengaluru, an NGO, says Shyam's initiative can encourage citizens and communities to enhance biodiversity in their neighbourhood. "Sustained efforts in this area, along with support from innovative apps like Treebook, can go a long way in planting, maintaining and securing saplings," says Prakash. Worked As A Team While working on the app, Shyam found steady support from two of his school seniors, Ronak Karia and Sabyasachi Bhattacharajee. The three called themselves MadGreenHatters. "We got interested in this endeavour because it presented a unique opportunity to explore the passions and commitment of a niche community. Even NGOs needed some kind of a tool which could help them market, manage, monitor and keep track of the work they've done. This app allows them to do so now," they say. Last summer, when south Delhi-based Ashima Jain was looking for a bargain on four return tickets to Los Angeles, she chanced on China Southern Airlines. "The fare was Rs 58,000 per person while the other carriers started at Rs 65,000," said the businesswoman. By offering lowest fares on busy travel routes between India, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, right up to the West Coast of North America, along with short transit stops at their hubs, mainland Chinese carriers are attracting Indian passengers. Avia pro "In the past few years we have seen a gradual increase in Chinese carriers operating in India," said Indiver Rastogi, president, Global Business Travel at Thomas Cook (India) Limited. "These airlines offer a combination of value-for-money fares and high quality experience that has attracted the price-conscious Indian traveller. These airlines are also popular with corporate travellers who have business interests in China or want to use the country as a hub to fly onward to the USA," he added. "The fare difference varies between Rs 20,000 and 25,000 for long-haul destinations like the US and Canada compared to other carriers like Singapore Airlines (SIA), Thai Airways and Malaysian Airlines. The competition price differential for China and Japan is from Rs 15,000-20,000," Rastogi said. The limited access to the Indian market granted to mainland Chinese carriers has saved airlines like SIA, Cathay Pacific, Thai, Malaysian and even Air India from a Chinese takeover on routes to the east. At the moment, all major Chinese carriers fly mainly to and from Delhi. "Under current Sino-Indian bilateral agreements, airlines of both sides can operate 10,000 weekly seats on 42 frequencies. While Chinese carriers are utilizing this fully, India uses only 1,280 seats on the five flights that AI operates every week to Shanghai. No other Indian carrier flies to China," said a senior government official. While China has been asking for enhanced bilaterals, the Modi government's stand has been that they will be hiked when India carriers utilise 80% of the rights given to them bilaterally. Among mainland Chinese carriers that operate to India, China Southern has the maximum number of flights with a twice-daily on the Delhi-Guangzhou (its hub) route, with both flights on the wide body Airbus A-330 aircraft. Chengming Yan, China Southern head in Delhi, said: "Almost 60-70% of our flyers from India take connections via Guangzhou to US, Australia and New Zealand. We have a great network from our hub to those places. Indian flyers do not need to wait for more than two hours for their connections." But low fares matter very much to price-conscious Indian travellers, who have been flocking to Chinese carriers. Flying from India China Southern: Delhi - Guangzhou Twice daily China Eastern: Delhi-Shanghai & Kolkata-Kunming daily Air China: Mumbai-Beijing 4 a week Shandong Airlines: Delhi-Kunming 4 a week China Airlines: Delhi-Taipei thrice a week Career Competition Comparative fares (for coming peak summer travel season. Departure: June 5, 2017. Return: June 19, 2017. Return economy fare for one passenger) Delhi-Sydney: China Southern (CS): Rs 44,500 via Guangzhou AI: Rs 69,000 direct flight Delhi-Auckland: CS: Rs 48,900 via Guangzhou AI: Rs 68,400 via Sydney on another airline MA: Rs 70,500 via KL Delhi-Tokyo: CS: Rs 34,000 via Guangzhou An Islamic council has issued a fatwa, and asked Muslims not to wear Santa hats. The fatwa issued by the Indonesian Ulema Council, says people should respect the Christian communitiy's right to celebrate Christmas, but Muslims should not join it - calling the festive wear 'haram' (not permitted in Islam) The Muslim majority country has asked the government to 'prevent, monitor, and punish' any business that forces Muslims to wear clothing which they feel goes against their religion. Soon after, the country's largest mall was raided for its Santa hats, and the 'Islam Defenders Front' inspected shops to see if they were asking staff to wear Christmas clothing. The fatwa isn't legally binding, but the council of clerics which issued the fatwa enjoy significant sway in the country. The Boko Haram extremist group has finally been crushed driven from its last forest enclave with fighters on the run and no place to hide, Nigeria's president declared Saturday. Reuters Satellite Images Show Boko Haram 'Destroyed' Two Nigerian Cities However, an ISIS-allied faction of Boko Haram claimed a successful attack on an army barracks in northeast Nigeria's Yobe state "killed and wounded many." The attack reportedly took place on the same day President Muhammadu Buhari said troops defeated Boko Haram in its Sambisa Forest stronghold in neighboring Borno state. Reuters Nigeria is thus unlikely to see an end soon to the deadly suicide bombings, village attacks and assaults on remote military outposts in northeastern Nigeria carried out by the country's homegrown Islamic extremist group. Already, there are reports that the insurgents have been regrouping in Taraba and Bauchi states, south of their northeastern stronghold in Borno state, and taking advantage of a decades-old conflict in central Nigeria between mainly Muslim nomadic cattle herders and sedentary Christian farmers. In a statement, Buhari commended Nigerian troops for "finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at Camp Zero," which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest. The Sambisa Forest was where Boko Haram was believed to be holding some of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in April 2014 from a school in the town of Chibok a mass abduction that brought the Islamic extremists world attention and sparked an international social media campaign #BringBackOurGirls. 21 Schoolgirls Girls Abducted By Boko Haram In 2014, Released After Negotiation With Nigerian Govt "Further efforts should be intensified to locate and free our remaining Chibok girls still in captivity. May God be with them," Buhari said. Nigerian troops have freed thousands of Boko Haram captives this year, but none of the Chibok girls among 276 seized from a government boarding school. Dozens of girls escaped within hours of their abduction. In October, 21 Chibok girls were freed through negotiations between the government and Boko Haram, brokered by the Swiss government and the International Red Cross. In May, one Chibok girl escaped on her own. Some 197 remain missing. The freed girls have indicated that several others have died in captivity from things like malaria and a snake bite. Boko Haram's seven-year Islamic uprising has killed more than 20,000 people, spread across Nigeria's borders, driven some 2.3 million people from their homes and created a massive humanitarian crisis. The U.N. has warned that 5.1 million people are in danger of starving in northeast Nigeria, including in areas too dangerous to reach because of Boko Haram ambushes. Read also Here's Why Boko Haram Is A Massive Threat To India Girl Sent On Suicide Mission By Boko Haram Rips Off Her Suicide Vest And Gives Peace A Chance Canada's Humane Society International has made it possible for 110 dogs, destined for a Chinese dog meat festival to find a new life in Canada. Rebecca Aldworth, the executive director of the animal rights group said the dogs landed in Toronto this week, after their rescue from China's horrifying Yulin festival earlier this year. While Yulin celebrates eating dog meat and drinking liquor as a health supplement, 10 to 20 million dogs are killed in China for food, often in barbaric and unhygienic conditions. 10 Reasons Why 'Yulin's Dog-Eating Festival' Is The Cruelest Food Festival On The Planet China's Yulin Festival Has Started, And 10,000 Dogs Are On The Menu The dogs were kept at an emergency shelter in China, and receiving medical care until their transport could be arranged. Many have surprisingly foun homes in China. URGENT: Right now, donations to our dog meat campaign will be matched up to $32,500! Donate to double your impact: https://t.co/quQu7OIqCu pic.twitter.com/yeAtYaXTAI Humane Society Int'l (@HSIGlobal) December 15, 2016 "We saw horrific things. Dogs were crammed together in rusty iron cages so tightly that they couldn't move. They were gasping for air. Their bodies were covered in open wounds," she told The Globe And Mail onegreenplanet The dogs looked like they had not been fed in days. Firstly, dog slaughter facilities & dog cages will be removed from next week, with ending the sale of all #dogmeat the ultimate goal. 2/3 pic.twitter.com/iqePaRBjYK Humane Society Int'l (@HSIGlobal) December 13, 2016 "These dogs have endured a level of cruelty that most people can't bear to watch on video and they need time to regain their trust of people, but I'm confident every one of them will make amazing companion animals," she said. Over 100 dogs rescued from slaughter in China just arrived in Ontario for Christmas. Saved by Humane Society International. @680NEWS pic.twitter.com/iL2cha7WcX Mark Douglas (@Douglas680NEWS) December 23, 2016 YulinDogMeatFestival China's Pole Dancers Go All Out Against Cruelty Meted Out To Dogs Pakistan's defense minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, lashed out Israel in a Twitter post on Friday after a false report that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons. Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh.Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too AH Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 23, 2016 The story on which he based on his fierce, and misplaced salvo was from awdnews.com, with the typo-ridden headline 'If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack'. The story was evidently fake, even getting the Israeli defense minister's name wrong @KhawajaMAsif The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) December 24, 2016 The Israeli defense ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious. Asif did not respond to the Israelis on Twitter, but the damage had been done, his message retweeted hundreds of times. A wealthy businessman who co-chaired president-elect Donald Trump's state campaign confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday that he told an alternative newspaper he hoped President would die from mad cow disease and that the first lady would "return to being a male." Twitter Carl Paladino, a millionaire real estate developer who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2010 as a Republican, made the comments in response to a survey by Artvoice, a Buffalo publication that asked local artists, performers and business owners for their New Year's wish list. Asked what he would most like to happen in 2017, Paladino responded that he hoped, "Obama catches mad cow disease after being caught having relations" with a cow, dies and is buried in a cow pasture. Asked who he would like to see "go away," he said Michelle Obama. "I'd like her to return to being a male and let loose in the outback of Zimbabwe where she lives comfortably in a cave with Maxie, the gorilla," he wrote. Reached at his western New York office by phone, Paladino, a member of the Buffalo school board, confirmed to the AP the answers published in Artvoice were his. trbimg.com In a subsequent emailed statement, Paladino, 70, claimed his comments had "nothing to do with race" but instead reflected his opinion of the president's performance in office. "Merry Christmas and tough luck if you don't like my answer," he wrote. As recently as August, Paladino falsely claimed Obama was not Christian, telling the New York Observer that to average Americans, "there is no doubt he is a Muslim." And in 2010, Paladino was criticized after it was revealed he had forwarded to friends racially charged emails that depicted Obama as a pimp. A spokeswoman for Trump, who earlier this month met with Paladino in Trump Tower, didn't immediately respond when asked for the president-elect's reaction to the comments. But Democrats and civil rights groups were quick to condemn them. BCCL In a statement, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the remarks by his former gubernatorial opponent, "racist, ugly and reprehensible." "While most New Yorkers know Mr. Paladino is not to be taken seriously, as his erratic behavior defies any rational analysis and he has no credibility, his words are still jarring," he said. Frank Mesiah, the outgoing president of the NAACP's Buffalo chapter, urged other politicians to publicly denounce Paladino. "He says this stuff without anybody countering him," he said. "By their silence, to me, they're condoning that. They're accepting him and his behavior." The White House had no immediate comment. Thirteen people were wounded on Christmas Eve, after a blast ripped through a police car outside a Catholic Church in Southern Philippines. The explosion happened as worshipers attended a series of Christmas Eve masses, at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Nino. The communion was ongoing when the explosion took place, Father Jay Virador, a priest present at the scene, told reporters. The incident has been confirmed by the regional police spokeman, Superintendent Romeo Galgo, which said the blast was from an unspecified device. No group has claimed responsibility. A police officer said it appears the suspects targeted the church, but because of heavy security, they attacked the patrol car. It seems they wanted to get closer but due to heavy s Source: Dailypost The University of Wisconsin Madison, USA is to teach a class called The Problem of Whiteness. According to the course description, it aims to understand how whiteness is socially constructed and experienced in order to help dismantle white supremacy. Whites rarely or never questioned what it is to be white, Assistant Professor Damon Sajnani, who will teach the course, told The College Fix in a telephone interview last week. So you go through life taking it for granted without ever questioning or critically interrogating it. For Sajnani, one way to solve this is to offer The Problem of Whiteness, an analysis of what it means to be white and how to deal with it as a problem. The idea of talking about the problem of whiteness is to turn the question back to where it belongs, he said. One of the main goals in the class will be to understand race and identity and how it impacts lives on a daily basis, he said. One of the talking points is contrasting white privilege and white power, and how the two can be intertwined and similar to each other, the scholar said. The problem of racism is the problem of whites being racist towards blacks, he said. The class will also theorise what white students can do with their whiteness and how to mobilise their identities as a mode for social justice as opposed to racial injustices, he added. When asked what he might say to those who oppose the course topic, Sanjani said they have no logical idea of what race actually is and how it is a political machine as well as a social construct. Since white supremacy was created by white people, is it not white folks who have the greatest responsibility to eradicate it? he asks in the course description. Sajnani told The Fix the premise of the course is to understand that race is neither biological nor cultural, but rather a social and political construct. He purports that blacks, throughout their life, constantly question what it is to be black, however blacks did not invent racism or racial oppression. Naming the problem of whiteness is a play on what used to be known as the Negro Problem in the 20th Century, he points out. Students will write two papers in the course. The first will be a reflection of themselves and their racial identities and how that plays into their roles in modern society. The second will be a critical engagement with the required readings. Sunday, December 18, 2016 began like any other for 34-year-old engineer, Omayone Dottie,but by evening of that day, he was dead; allegedly shot by a mobile policeman said to be attached to the Warri Refinery and Petrochemicals Company in Warri, Delta State. The policeman has not been identified. Saturday PUNCH learnt that Dottie, who had one-year-old set of twins, was walking along the road in Ifiekporo community of Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, when he was shot that evening by the policeman. The police have said the cop shot his rifle in order to repel a group of vandals. But it was learnt that Dotties case would not be the first time one of the mobile policemen stationed in the community would be killing a resident. In fact, according to President of Itsekiri Native Youth Council, Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, Dottie was the eighth resident of the community that would be killed extra-judicially by mobile policemen working in the area. The policeman reportedly fled the area after the shooting. A source explained that the victim was taken to the NNPC Clinic in Warri, which later transferred him to the Central Hospital. He was confirmed dead while his body was subsequently deposited at the hospitals mortuary. The source said that Dottie was just at the wrong place at the wrong time as he and his wife had just come back from a child dedication that evening. His wife told us that she had even warned him not to walk towards pipeline area where there was an issue between residents and the policemen attached to WRPC that day, he said. Saturday PUNCH learnt that residents have been on edge since the incident, as they are apprehensive that the killing may prompt angry youths to unleash mayhem in the area. The police spokesperson in the state, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, a deputy superintendent of police, who confirmed the incident said the police authorities in the area were working to resolve the issue. There was a shoo0ting of a man. On that Sunday, between 5pm and 6.30pm, the Federal Task Force, the anti-pipeline operatives, sighted some vandals attempting to tamper with some pipelines. The task force operatives on duty fired shots at them. It was one of the shots that hit the thigh and waist of one of the suspects. The others took flight. Immediately, they realised one of them fell, as expected of a policeman to save lives irrespective of the offence, he was rushed to the NNPC clinic where he was given first-aid treatment. When he was stabilised, he was taken to another hospital for further treatment, hoping that when he was better, he would be able to assist in investigations. Unfortunately, he died. The body was taken to the mortuary and eventually, we got his identity. An identity card found on him showed he worked with the waste managment board and not an engineer. The area commander of Warri is meeting with the stakeholders within the area and the company in which the policemen are serving to resolve the issue, he said. However, the INYC, which the deceased belonged to has given the police authorities a 48-hour ultimatum to bring the policeman responsible for the shooting to book. The association has vowed to take action if the police refused to prosecute the shooter. The group said in a statement, As a body we will follow this case to a logical conclusion that justice is served on the trigger-happy mobile police man.Contrary to speculations, late Dottie was a responsible man who loved peace and was not involved in any illegal activities. The residents of Ifiekporo have also called on the police to withdraw their team of mobile policemen stationed in the community, saying they have been responsible for a number of extra-judicial killings in recent years. Source: Punch The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, on Saturday restated his promise to re-organise the ongoing Operation Lafiya Dole, in Nigerias north-east in 2017. The army chief, who restated the promise when he visited troops of 112 Task Force Battalion, Mafa, Borno State, ahead of the Christmas, said he would celebrate the yuletide with troops in the front-line. He said the re-organisation was aimed at making the operation stronger and to relieve the fighting soldiers. Mr. Buratai, Principal Staff Officers at Army Headquarters, Abuja; General Officers Commanding the various Divisions across the country; and Corps Commanders are in Borno and other parts of the north-east to celebrate Christmas with the troops. Operation Rescue Final has been quite successful, Mr. Buratai said. We still keep our promise of what will happen in 2017. We will make sure that we get the necessary re-organisation to make the operation much stronger and to have very good relief system for everybody. The army chief commended the troops for their courage and professionalism and urged them to sustain the counter-insurgency momentum. I have received a very, very thorough brief from your commanding officer. He has told me the brave exploit you have undertaken across your area of operation. I want to urge you to keep it up. We are all proud of you, the entire country is proud of you and indeed Mr President and Commander-In-Chief is proud of you. Keep doing the very good job you have been doing and we will continue to do our best to ensure that your logistics are catered for and your general welfare is also taken care of, Mr. Buratai said. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Gontus Yilda, Section Commander, 3 Platoon Support Company, Mafa, said he was happy with the visit of the army chief. Mr. Yilda restated his commitment to fight and defend the nation. He urged violent agitators in some parts of the country to desist from violence and resist the temptation of going to war. War is not good, as you can see here in the north-east, many places have been damaged, it will take time to rebuild them, he said. Mr. Yilda, however, expressed happiness that the war against the insurgents was being won and that peace was returning to the North-East. The corporal said that the troops would celebrate the Christmas in peace. Also speaking with NAN, Ibrahim Felix expressed happiness that the terrorists had been defeated. I am proud to be a Nigerian soldier, the private said. Source: NAN Whilst the world was celebrating Christmas day, it was a black Sunday today at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos, after one of the buildings collapsed and killed two persons, leaving several others with injuries. Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said they responded to the distress call today. The collapsed building was located at High Way Police Barracks opposite Area F, Ikeja. According to investigation conducted by the agencys officials at the incident scene, it was gathered that the toilets and stairway of Wing D block collapsed at about 4am. It was gathered that the agencys officials in collaboration with men of Lagos State Fire Service, Nigeria Police (highway patrol) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA-) recovered the bodies of two dead adult male. While one was simply identified as Mr. Danjuma, the other male was yet to be identified but their bodies has since be deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary Yaba. At the scene was LASEMA General Manager, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, who said the agency with other stakeholders has commenced the immediate demolition of the affected building under the directive of the Commissioner of Police. Their decision to demolish was based on the directive of Commissioner of Police who was present at the scene. He also ordered the evacuation of residents living in the affected building as well as other dilapidated buildings and gave an order for the immediate demolition of the affected block. Source: ThisDay The Delta State Government paid former Governor James Ibori N250m while he was in jail in the United Kingdom between 2012 and 2016,an investigation has revealed. It will be recalled that Ibori was convicted on February 27 2012, after pleading guilty to 10 counts of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud at a Southwark Crown Court, London. It was learnt that Ibori, who was accused of stealing over 250m, was entitled to life pension being a former governor of the oil-rich state. The ex-governor, who served between 1999 and 2007, was able to sign into law the Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits Law 2005 which was later amended in 2009. The law makes provision for an ex-governor to be paid N50m per year among other perks. Defending the payment of the money to Ibori in 2012, the then Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ohgeah, said Ibori would continue to be paid N50m until a court nullified his tenure in office. Ogeah said this in reaction to an affidavit deposed to by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which accused the state government of enriching the ex-governor. He said, The truth is that like every other elected governor who had served the state, Ibori was paid his pension entitlement and other benefits alongside his deputy under existing law. The law is the Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits Law 2005 and the Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits (Amendment) Law 2009. Calculations by one of our correspondents showed that for the five years Ibori spent in the UK prison, he was paid N250m by the state government. Delta State is one of the states in the country currently struggling to pay salaries and which received bailout fund from the Federal Government. According to a report on the bailout funds monitoring of states conducted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, in February 2016, Delta State had N36, 417,217, 601.53 as total debt value accrued from staff salaries and emoluments. The state was granted N10, 936, 799, 299 as bailout fund from the Federal Government. Speaking with one of our correspondents on Saturday, human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said the matter was a structural problem and it would be unfair to single out Ibori. Falana explained that several states including those who could not pay salaries, were paying pensions to ex-governors who had also looted their state treasuries. He said, The matter goes beyond Ibori because he is not the only ex-governor collecting the pension. The law in Delta State does not say an ex-governor should stop receiving pay if he is convicted. The matter shows the failure of the Nigerian system. I am not defending Ibori but I dont think he should be singled out. Pension for ex-governors should be scrapped completely. Meanwhile, the Delta State Government on Saturday said it was legal for it to honour the laws of the state by paying severance packages and other entitlements ascribed to former governors and deputies including Ibori. The state government said it would be flouting the law if it decided not to pay the former governor. Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said on Saturday that if the state government was owing Ibori his severance package, the government would clear the backlogs as clearly stipulated by law. If Ibori is entitled to pension by law, we will not take it away from him because that will be breaching the law . Even if he is owed, it is sure that he deserves the entitlements. He also added that Ibori contributed meaningfully to the infrastructural development of the state and laid the foundation upon which successive governments were building on. Source: Punch Egypt has ordered the detention for 15 days of an Al-Jazeera journalist accused of incitement and fabricating news, a prosecution official said on Sunday. It was the latest move against the Qatar-based broadcaster which Egypt accuses of supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood of ousted president Mohamed Morsi. Egyptian Mahmoud Hussein, 51, flew to Cairo on Tuesday for a family holiday but was stopped and interrogated at the airport for several hours before being released. On Friday, police raided his Cairo home and arrested him. He was questioned again on Saturday and Sunday, when prosecutors decided to hold him for 15 days. The prosecution official said Hussein would be held pending an investigation into accusations that he incited against the state and broadcast fake news and documentaries. The interior ministry confirmed the accusations in a statement posted on its Facebook page. It said Hussein was implicated in an Al-Jazeera plot aimed at fomenting discord and inciting against state institutions and broadcasting false news as well as fabricated news reports and documentaries. In November, Al-Jazeera broadcast a documentary called The Soldiers in which former conscripts spoke about compulsory military service in Egypt, drawing criticism from the media. Al-Jazeera Managing Director Yasser Abu Hilalah denounced Husseins arrest in remarks broadcast by the news channel. Mahmoud Hussein was on a visit to his country and was not working for Al-Jazeera at the time, he said, adding that the arrest will not stop Al-Jazeera from its professional role. We will continue to cover Egypt and we dont succumb to pressure, he said. Egypt provoked international condemnation in 2013 when it arrested three Al-Jazeera journalists, including a Canadian and an Australian, and sentenced them to jail on similar accusations. They were later released. Their arrest, months after the military overthrew Morsi who had been backed by Qatar, coincided with a massive crackdown on his supporters and the Muslim Brotherhood being blacklisted. AFP Source: Punch While the dust set by forceful child marriage in Nigeria is yet to settle, a Quranic School teacher in Kurna Babban Layi area of Kano State has reportedly perfected plans to marry off his 13-year-old daughter, Bilkisu, to his 56-year-old friend. The relatives of the teenager have called on the state Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and the Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi II, to intervene and abort the marriage billed to hold Friday next week. The revelation was made public by a relative of the teenager, who pleaded anonymity to the Punch. The relation said he was concerned about the kind of life the girl would live if she married a man who has three wives and many grown up children. He said, The groom has three wives, many children and grandchildren. I am appealing to Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi and Governor of Kano to help intervene, he said, adding that the father planned to marry off Bilkisus sister off almost the same age on the same day. The said relation on Saturday, raised the alarm when he took Bilkisu to Freedom Radio office in Sharada area of the state for a media campaign against the marriage. Speaking, Bilkisu said she does not love the man. According to her, she always cried whenever the matter was mentioned. The state governor and Emir, are however, yet to comment on the incident. The issue of child marriage has recently caused serious stir across the nation. This is coming after the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman was accused of marrying off a 14-year-old girl, Habiba Isiyaku, to her kidnapper, although, he dismissed the allegation, saying the girl had indicated her interest in marrying her alleged abductor. Source: Dailypost Two days after 50-year-old Customs officer, Mrs. Comfort Baikie, was abducted in FESTAC area of Lagos, her kidnappers released her late on Thursday. Saturday PUNCH learnt that her vehicle in which she was driven away, black Nissan Murano, has not been found. Her daughter, Faith, announced on Twitter at about 10pm on Thursday that she was back home. My mum has been released! Spending Christmas with my mum. Tears of Joy. Thank you all for everything; your prayers and support. My God will bless you. You dont know what this means to me, she tweeted. Faith, who spoke with our correspondent earlier on Thursday, had raised concern about her mothers physical condition as apprehension rose when no word was heard from the kidnappers. Baikie, a Superintendent in the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos, was abducted at about 8pm on Tuesday, December 20 by two armed men wearing black. Faith told Saturday PUNCH, We were in her black Nissan Murano SUV, at the parking space of an eatery in FESTAC. We had not spent up to 20 minutes when the two men started coming close. My sister ran out of the vehicle. The other one was struggling with mum when the second one came up to me and pointed the gun at me. He told me not to shout. I ran out of the vehicle too and my mum was taken. The guy who was struggling with her was the one who drove the SUV. I was screaming for help but no one came to our aid. It happened so quickly. As hours went by without any lead about her whereabouts, an online campaign started, calling on security agencies to find her before she was harmed. The President, Public Interest Lawyers League, Abdul Mahmud, had released a statement at the time, saying that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, should deploy a quick intervention to ensure her rescue. He said, Mrs. Comfort Baikie is a dutiful mother of two teenage girls, who should ordinarily be spending this Yuletide with her family. We are worried by her safety and the tremendous impact of her present circumstances on her health and on her daughters,who witnessed the unfortunate incident. We hereby call on the Inspector-General of Police, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command to do all within their powers to secure her safe release. The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, simply confirmed the report with she has been released while ignoring other inquiries about police involvement in the womans release. Source: Punch The Police in Katsina have arrested one Kamal Bala Yunusa, 23, alongside his accomplice, Muhammed Abubakar Sadiq, for allegedly kidnapping his 3-year-old nephew in Tundun Wada area of Kaduna State. In an interview with reporters while parading the suspects, the State Police Spokesperson, Salisu Agaisa, said the child was rescued from a hotel in Katsina after an intelligent tip-off. He added that the baby had been drugged with a cough mixture, but was rushed to a hospital and revived at about 3 am on Friday. Agaisa said both the suspects and two others Abubakar Idris and Dabo Muhammed, who were believed to be hiding in Kaduna conspired to kidnap the child for a ransom of N4m. The suspects were also accused of stealing the Peugeot 407 with which they allegedly traveled to Katsina with. In his confession, the mastermind Kamal a blood brother to the childs mother said his intention was to sell the car for N700,000 but that he only brought the kid and other suspects to Katsina to serve as a smokescreen for his original plan. According to the command, efforts were being made by the police to return the boy to his parents in Kaduna State. The Nigerian Navy on Saturday said that crime had reduced in the maritime sector of the Niger Delta region due to the sustained efforts of its personnel in policing the maritime domain. James Oluwole, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command in Calabar, disclosed this during a chat with journalists in Calabar. There has been drastic reduction in oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, sea piracy and other forms of illegalities along the water ways. We have maintained a steady patrol at sea, with a view to securing the maritime domain from vandals. I must specially thank Mr President, the legislature and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, for supporting the Navy to carry out its constitutional duties, the rear admiral said. He said the command successfully held the 2016 Nigerian Navy Ceremonial Sunset and End of Year Ball for its serving and retired officers on December 23, 2016. According to him, the occasion is an opportunity for the Navy to recognize the efforts of its serving and retired personnel, as well as ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment. Since the establishment of the Nigerian Navy in 1956, the story has been that of success, in spite of the numerous challenges and the evolving security environment. The Nigerian Navy must improve on its fighting capability and operational effectiveness, the Navy recently took delivery of two offshore patrol vessels, NNS Centenary and NNS Unity, build in China. These vessels will enhance effective patrol of the maritime domain and will also help in securing the nations economic resources from vandals, he added. He assured of the continuous training of naval personnel, saying that such efforts in capacity building, was needed to move the Navy forward. Source: NAN Some parts of the Iganmu head office of Nigerian Breweries has been razed by fire as Federal firefighters battle to put out the fire. Eyewitnesses say the fire began at around 5:45 a.m on Sunday in the company warehouse which was completely destroyed before firefighters arrived. It remains unclear what started the fire but there are fears that the fire will spread to surrounding buildings if it is not put out on time. There has been no official response from Nigerian breweries. More details soon. Eight years of the Obama Presidency has brought us right to this moment! The Obamas who have always known how to not take themselves too seriously delivered their final White House Christmas address with some serious humor. Barack received some stick from Michele for his unfunny dad jokes as the couple enjoy their annual Christmas vacation in Hawaii. Watch the video here: For the last few months, the local scene has been abuzz with the kind work and generosity of the people in Cayuga County. From giving of our time and talents to our hard-earned dollars, we are a community that is truly blessed with a giving spirit and many helping hands. The holiday season seems to make people feel more grateful, compassionate and charitable than at any other time of the year. It is now that people donate their gently used clothing, employers host food drives and families talk to their children about picking out gifts for those less fortunate. Currently, two local organizations really need some volunteer help in serving others. Both the SCAT Van and the Cayuga County Office for the Aging need additional support. The Cayuga County Office for the Aging's Senior Nutrition Program serves more than 300 seniors in Cayuga County with low-cost, hot and nutritionally sound noon-time meals at congregate sites or through the home-delivered meal service. The program promotes better health through improved nutrition, socialization, health/nutrition education and supportive services. Our volunteers deliver all of the meals within the city and the rural towns. Without their dedication, we could not possibly provide this quality service for seniors in our community, said Director Brenda Weinman. Jenna Adams is the newly hired program specialist. She is seeking volunteers to deliver meals in Auburn as well as rural areas of the county. Volunteers are needed as drivers, delivery partners and substitutes. Amy Jakes-Johnson is one of the volunteer drivers. Amy said she is semi-retired and when she stopped working full-time, she wanted to volunteer. At the time, she and her husband were living in Syracuse, so in early 2014 she became a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program. In October of that year, the couple moved to Auburn. She said that she really enjoyed her volunteer time and wanted to continue in Auburn, as well. Currently, she volunteers two days a week delivering meals in the city. Amy said that one of the things that attracted her is that she likes chatting with people. She noted that you get to know the people that you deliver to and that you form attachments to them. For many, having that meal delivered may be the only contact with another person that they have that day. She called the service an essential part of the community, especially for seniors and the disabled. Volunteering has given her new friends, new opportunities and, in this case, Amy has learned her way around her new hometown. If youre interested in learning more about volunteering with the Senior Nutrition Program, please contact Jenna at (315) 253-1427 or jadams@cayugacounty.us for more information. Do you live in the southern end of the county and have a bit of free time? The Moravia SCAT van urgently needs drivers and escorts. The Moravia van goes to Cortland on Mondays and to Ithaca on Fridays. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the van travels to Auburn. Interested individuals can contact the SCAT Van office at (315) 253-0996 or the Moravia dispatcher, Pat Bowen, at (315) 497-2652. Our area not-for-profits and human service providers need your volunteer assistance year-round. One area executive director told me that the real need for volunteer support is after the holiday months. Another crucial time is during the summer months. College students go home, groups that might do food or clothing drives dont meet, and people are busy with family and friends. Donations are needed year-round. Charitable giving defines this country. So in keeping the giving spirit of the holiday season alive during the rest of the year, please know that there are many ways, both big and small, to help your neighbors. Check out the weekly call for volunteers published by this paper. Do you have a particular interest or passion? Then reach out to an organization that is doing work in that area and ask them how you can help. No matter how much time or money you choose to give, know that each contribution is priceless to the strength and welfare of our community. Thank you for all you do! #MBN Cable channel loses lawsuit against suspension order MBN, a cable TV channel, on Thursday lost a lawsuit against the government's order to suspend its operation for six months for accounting fraud. The Korea Communications Commis... The Delta State Police Command on Saturday, paraded 52 criminal suspects arrested across the state for various crimes, ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and homicide. The state Police Commissioner Mr Ibrahim Zanna, told journalists in Asaba, that among the 52 were 17 suspected teenage cultists nabbed in Ibusa for homicide. He added that 16 suspects were arrested in connection with kidnapping, while eight were nabbed for alleged involvement in armed robbery. Recently during the Iwu traditional festival in Ibusa, fight reportedly broke out between two cult groups, namely Black Axe and Vickings which led to the murder of one Frank Okolichi and Chijioke Eneaya. On Dec. 18th, reprisal attack was carried out on one Okonji Augustines house; it was partially set ablaze and properties damaged. Detectives swung into action and these 17 suspects were arrested. They are currently undergoing interrogation and those indicted in the murder will be charged to court, Zanna said. The CP said the suspects had confessed their membership of the two cult groups involved in the mayhem that claimed the lives of the two victims last Saturady in Ibusa town. He listed items recovered from the suspects to include, mobile phones, sim cards, Indian hemp, charms and a computer laptop. Zanna said that the police also arrested eight suspected armed robbers and recovered two Toyota Hylander Jeeps, assorted arms and ammunition and N63, 000 cash from them. He listed the arms and ammunition recovered from the hoodlums to include, a double-barrel gun, two locally-made short guns, 20 live ammunition, 323 live cartridges and eight expended cartridges. The CP also announced the arrest of Mr Ugochukwu Arinze, a one-man syndicate in Warri, who specialized in adulteration of assorted hot drinks. He said the suspect was arrested at his makeshift factory at No. 2, Idesoh Str. off Mac-Dermott road, Warri, following a tip-off. He added that detectives recovered cartons of the adulterated hot drinks. He said that the case was being investigated and adulterated hot drinks recovered from the suspect had been sent to NAFDAC for laboratory test to determine their safety for consumption or otherwise. President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to pray for the gallant members of the Nigerian military who have paid the supreme price to bring peace to Nigerias North East. He also asked Nigerians to always remember the Internally Displaced in the troubled regions who are the real victims of the insurgency. Read his full speech here; Dear Compatriots, I heartily rejoice with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on this years celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. As we celebrate this years Christmas, I believe that it is very appropriate for us to reflect on the love of God aptly espoused in the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ. During his earthly sojourn, Jesus Christ repeatedly reminded his disciples and followers of peace that comes in the midst of trials and tribulations on earth. There is no better time than now in our nations history to pray for divine guidance to get over our current challenges. We can have peace in Nigeria if we all learn to tolerate and appreciate one another, respect constituted authority; and be our brothers keepers in word and deed. During this period, we should remember to offer special prayers to God for all our heroic citizens who paid the supreme price to restore peace and security in the North East and other flash points in the country. Let us also remember in our prayers the security forces in the frontline in the continuing battle to rid our nation of terrorism and violence. We must not forget the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in our midst and those who have suffered untold hardship as a result of activities of insurgents and terrorists. Our immediate priority is to alleviate the poverty of Nigerians by quickly stimulating the economy. I assure Nigerians that our government is doing its best to make life easier for all. Let us therefore, renew our hope in the God-ordained unity, progress and prosperity of our great nation. I wish all travellers safe movements and a memorable holiday as we celebrate with our family and friends. MERRY CHRISTMAS! A Russian military plane which disappeared from the radar twenty minutes after takeoff has crashed into the Black sea at around 05:20 (02:20 GMT). Fragments of the aircraft have been found as Russian officials revealed that 92 people were on board the jet which was flying from Sochi to the Syrian province of Latakia. The Russian defence ministry said the Tu-154 was carrying service personnel, members of the Alexandrov military band who were scheduled to make a New Years performance for Russian troops deployed in Syria, and journalists. An excerpt of the ministrys statement reads, Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5km (one mile) from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres. Troops of the Nigerian Army on Thursday, arrested a white man whose nationality is yet to be discovered inside Sambisa Forest as Boko Harams last stronghold is cleared. A source who spoke to reporters said the man is under custody and is providing positive information. He added that hundreds of the insurgents were killed in the battle that began a month ago while many others were captured alive while attempting to flee. Hundreds of Boko Haram captives, including men, women and children have been freed and taken to safety. All I can tell you is that no big Boko Haram commander is alive in the Sambisa; we are in control of the forest. It took months of planning and mapping because of the size, difficult weather and other factors in the Sambisa Forest, the source stated. The source explained that one of the major factors that delayed the takeover of the insurgents hideout was the thousands of people, including those living in villages around the vast forest that were being held as human shield by the Boko Haram leaders. It was gathered that the 4,200 troops were deployed to the Sambisa Forest through various fronts, including Ngurosoye, Konduga/Aulari, Bama, Fulka and Damboa. The 151 Battalion of the Nigerian Army advanced into Sambisa through the Banki-Darul Jamal axis, the 27 Battalion advanced through Mafa, the 152 Battalion advanced through Pulka, while the 222 Battalion approached the dreaded forest through the Maiduguri axis, Another soldier who participated in the operation added. He said the operation was carried out day and night. When mine detectors cleared the way, troops moved in to confront the insurgents, who were equally well armed with sophisticated fighting equipment. The man is under custody and providing positive information, said a soldier, who just returned to Maiduguri from the liberated forest. Self-storage manager Mary stands up with a smile on her face, ready to greet the customer as he walks through the office door. Then the dam bursts. The man explodes into a mad tirade, claiming the company failed to deliver on a service he expected, costing him time and money. Mary does her best to reason with the customer, but nothing she says seems to help. The tenant only gets angrier, shouting accusations and spiraling further into a rage. Within a few minutes, he walks out, vowing never to do business with the storage company again and to post bad reviews online. Storage managers often have to deal with unhappy tenants as part of the job, and it's never easy. But if we know what to say and, more important, how to say it, we may be able to save the situation. In fact, we can even end up having a better relationship with the tenant by showing we care. Lets explore how to deal with angry or difficult customers. Here are seven steps you can take to smooth things over and leave them feeling satisfied. Step 1: Adjust Your Mindset Once you're aware your tenant is unhappy, your first priority is to put yourself into a customer-service mindset. This means you set aside any feelings you might have that the situation isn't your fault, the tenant made a mistake or hes giving you unfair criticism. All that matters is you realize hes upset and it's up to you to solve the problem. Give 100 percent of your focus to your customer and the current situation. As the ambassador of your company, you accept responsibility for his discontent. Again, this doesnt make you at fault, and it doesnt give the customer leeway to demand whatever he wants. Rather, it gives him someone to talk to instead of being angry at a faceless company. Step 2: Listen Actively The most important step in the process is actively listening to what your customer is saying. He wants to be heard and to air his grievances. Start the dialogue with a neutral statement such as, "Let's go over what happened" or "Please tell me why you're upset." This subtly creates a partnership between you and your tenant, and lets him know you're ready to listen. Resist the temptation to try and solve the situation right away or jump to conclusions about what happened. Instead, let your tenant tell his story. As he's talking, don't plan out what you're going to say when he's donethis isn't active listening. Also, don't allow anything to interrupt this conversation. Give your tenant all of your attention. Step 3: Repeat His Concerns Once he's had time to explain why he's upset, repeat the customers concerns so you're sure you're addressing the right issue. If you need to, ask questions to make sure you've identified the problem correctly. Use calm, objective wording. For example, "As I understand it, youre upset because we didn't deliver the service as promised." Repeating the problem shows the customer you were listening, which can help lower his anger and stress levels. More than this, it helps you agree on the problem that needs to be solved. Step 4: Be Empathic and Apologize Once you're sure you understand your tenant's concerns, be empathic. Show him you understand why he's upset, and make sure your body language also communicates this understanding and empathy. For example, you could say, "I understand why you're upset. I would be, too. I'm very sorry we didn't get this right and it's caused problems." Step 5: Present a Solution Now you need to present your customer with a solution. There are two ways to do this. If you feel you know what will make him happy, tell him how you'd like to correct the situation. If you're not sure what the tenant wants from you or he resists your proposed solution, then give him the power to resolve things. Ask him to identify what will make him satisfied. For instance, you could say, "If my solution doesn't work for you, I'd love to hear what will make you happy. If it's in my power, I'll get it done; and if it's not possible, we can work on another solution together." It can be hard to come up with a perfect answer for a customer in an agitated state. Even if you handle things perfectly, some people simply cant be appeased. Dont let that stop you from making your best effort. Step 6: Take Action and Follow Up Once you've agreed on a solution, you need to take action immediately. Explain every step you're going to take to fix the problem. If hes contacted you by phone, make sure he has your name and contact details. This gives him a feeling of control because he can get a hold of you again if necessary. And if you use a call center, the tenant wont get frustrated by not being able to reach you directly. Once the situation has been resolved, follow up with him in the next few days to make sure he's happy with the resolution. Whenever you can, go above and beyond expectations. For instance, you could send him a gift certificate, give him a rental discount or send a hand-written apology. One of my favorite tips in dealing with customers is to make sure you always close a conversation. This has nothing to do with closing a sale and everything to do with making sure the dialog with the customer is complete. Step 7: Use the Feedback Your last step is to reduce the risk of the situation happening again. If you haven't already done so, identify how the problem started in the first place. What can be done to ensure it doesnt repeat itself? Find the root of the trouble and make sure it's fixed immediately. Also ensure you're managing complaints and feedback effectively, so you can improve the way you do things. Additional Tips It's important to handle difficult customers professionally. Learning to stay calm and cool under pressure can help you get through challenging situations with grace and professionalism. If your tenant is especially angry, talk slowly and calmly, and use a low tone of voice. This will subtly help lower the tension and ensure you don't escalate the situation by visibly getting stressed or upset yourself. Never rise to his level. If your tenant has sent you a difficult e-mail or hes angry with you over the phone, then offer to meet with him in person to address the problem. This will not only diffuse irritation since it's harder for most people to get truly angry face-to-face, it will show you genuinely want to and fix the problem. If you feel your client is being unreasonable, you might start to get upset, especially if hes criticizing you or your company unfairly. Learn anger-management skills so you can stay calm in these situations. Also work on improving your conflict-resolution skills. These can help you if you need to negotiate with difficult people. Occasionally a customer may become verbally abusive toward you or your coworkers. Know in advance what you will and wont tolerate. If things escalate, you may need to be assertive and stand up for yourself, or even walk away from the situation to give the customer time to cool down. Your willingness to ensure a customer is leaving your business perfectly happy shows him three important things: You care about getting it right. Youre willing to keep going until you get it right. The customer is the one who determines what right is. Try ending the conversation on a positive note: "Excellent! Im glad we were able to get that sorted out for you. Before you go, is there anything else I can assist you with today? Im happy to help. Remember, youre the ambassador of your company, and the tenants interaction will ultimately start and end with you. Susan Haviland is the owner of Haviland Storage Services and a partner of industry consulting and training firm Self Storage 101. She has more than 26 years of industry experience, from serving as a site manager to acting as vice president of operations at Extra Space Storage Inc. and Price Self Storage. She's a frequent speaker at industry conferences and tradeshows. For more information, call 866.360.2621; visit www.selfstorage101.com. Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford Limited (CGSC), the global wholesale insurance and reinsurance broker, announced the acquisition of the remaining 49.99 percent shareholding in Cooper Gay Chile S.A. from Servicios Security SA, part of Security Financial Services Group. CGSC now owns all of the companys outstanding shares. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The bulletin said the share acquisition is in line with CGSCs continuing strategy of 100 percent ownership of its global operations. Cooper Gay Chile was formed in 2004 and is the 3rd ranked reinsurance broker in the Chilean market. The company is led by Guillermo Pastore, CEO for the Cono Sur region (comprising Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) and General Manager, Luc Van Eyghen, Cooper Gay Chile specializes in the placement of facultative and treaty reinsurance for industry sectors including energy, mining, public utilities, large industrial and commercial operations. The 23 strong team also places catastrophe excess of loss programs. CGSCs acquisition of the remaining share of its Chilean subsidiary follows the the closing of CGSCs investment agreement with Lightyear Capital LLC (Lightyear) in January 2013, under which the New York-based private equity firm along with institutional co-investors took a controlling interest in CGSC, the bulletin explained. The agreement provides the company with the ability to continue its growth by acquisition of high quality businesses and teams in the wholesale and reinsurance markets. Steve Jackson, Regional CEO for Latin America said: Acquiring the remaining shares in Cooper Gay Chile clearly shows CGSCs continued commitment to growing its business in Latin America. We have significant development plans for this operation and intend to stay at the forefront of reinsurance broking in the region. Toby Esser, CGSC Group CEO said: Latin America has played a significant part in the development of Cooper Gay since its formation. We are therefore delighted to be able to secure 100 percent ownership of our Chilean business as we invest in the people and infrastructure required to take advantage of the considerable opportunities created by the growing reinsurance needs of its clients. Source: Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Reinsurance Il 12,7% degli studenti non arriva al diploma, perche abbandona precocemente gli studi. Il 9,7% del totale, quasi un diplomato su 10 nel 2022, senza le competenze minime necessarie per entrare nel mondo del lavoro o dellUniversita. Inoltre, il 23,1% dei 15-29enni in Italia si trova in un limbo, fuori da ogni percorso di lavoro, istruzione o formazione: il numero dei Neet e il piu alto dellUe, oltre il doppio di Francia e Germania. Lo rileva Save the Children che, nel nuovo rapporto Alla ricerca del tempo perduto, la definisce dispersione implicita ed e connessa allimpoverimento educativo e alla poverta materiale. Il rapporto Save the Children In vista della riapertura delle scuole, lassociazione segnala alcuni deficit strutturali a livello nazionale e locale, in termini di spazi, servizi e tempi educativi, mettendo in luce un paradosso: laddove la poverta minorile e piu alta, e sarebbe dunque importante unofferta formativa di qualita, la scuola e piu povera, privata di tempo pieno, mense e palestre. Il rapporto segnala una forte disparita geografica nelle dispersione implicita, che risulta piu alta in Campania, al 19,8%. Save the Children cita i dati Invalsi del 2022: se si guarda alle competenze nelle singole materie, in Campania, Calabria e Sicilia piu del 60% degli studenti non raggiungono il livello base delle competenze in italiano, mentre quelle in matematica sono disattese dal 70% degli studenti in Campania, Calabria, Sicilia e Sardegna. Labbandono scolastico nella maggior parte delle regioni del sud va ben oltre la media nazionale (del 12,7%), con punte in Sicilia (21,1%) e Puglia (17,6%) e valori decisamente piu alti rispetto a Centro e Nord anche in Campania (16,4%) e Calabria (14%). E un dato di fatto, evidenzia poi Save the Children, che vi sia un correlazione tra livello di apprendimento e alcuni indicatori strutturali, apprezzabile guardando i dati in positivo: nelle province dove lindice di dispersione implicita e piu basso, le scuole primarie hanno assicurato ai bambini maggior offerta di tempo pieno (frequentato dal 31,5% degli studenti contro il 24,9% nelle province ad alta dispersione), maggior numero di mense (il 25,9% delle scuole contro il 18,8%), di palestre (42,4% contro 29%) e sono inoltre dotate di certificato di agibilita (47,9% contro 25,3%). Servirebbero stima lorganizzazione 1 miliardo e 445 milioni per garantire il tempo pieno in tutte le classi della scuola primaria statale. Unofferta adeguata di spazi e di tempi educativi sottolinea puo contribuire efficacemente a ridurre le disuguaglianze educative territoriali: Proprio dove i bambini, le bambine e gli adolescenti affrontano, con le loro famiglie, le maggiori difficolta economiche ce al contrario maggior bisogno di unofferta educativa piu ricca. Per questo osserva Raffaela Milano, direttrice dei Programmi Italia-Europa di Save the Children chiediamo al nuovo governo che si formera un investimento straordinario che parta dalla attivazione di aree ad alta densita educativa nei territori piu deprivati: investire il 5% del Pil, al pari della media europea, vorrebbe dire rendere disponibili circa 93 miliardi, contro i circa 71 stanziati nel 2020. A Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) can be an excellent way to stash away money for your retirement years. Like its traditional IRA cousin, this retirement savings account allows your investments to grow tax free. However, only a Roth offers tax-free withdrawals during retirement. Contributions to a Roth IRA are only allowed in cash. Youre generally not allowed to contribute securities, but theres one exception: an in-kind transfer from another IRA or a 401(k). Key Takeaways You can make Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) contributions by cash or check, but generally not with securities. Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are tax free, and you can withdraw your contributions tax free at any time. You can contribute to a Roth IRA at any age if you have enough earned income to cover the contribution. Popular Roth IRA investments include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and target-date funds. Roth IRA Advantages You can withdraw your Roth IRA contributions at any timefor any reasonwithout triggering taxes or penalties. Roth IRAs also allow tax- and penalty-free withdrawals of earnings if youre at least age 59 and it has been a minimum of five years since you first contributed to a Roth. Special exceptions apply for those who are younger than 59 or dont meet the five-year holding period. For example, you may be able to avoid the 10% penalty if you use the money for a first-time home purchase or qualified education expenses. Roth IRAs have no required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the owners lifetime, making them ideal wealth transfer vehicles. If you dont need the money, you can let it continue growing for your heirs. Of course, like other tax-advantaged retirement plans, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has specific rules regarding Roth IRAs. IRS Publication 590-A provides detailed information about contribution limits, income limits, and how you can withdraw your money. Roth IRA Contribution Rules The primary requirement for contributing to a Roth IRA is having earned income. There is no age threshold or limit for making Roth IRA contributions. For example, a teenager with a summer job can establish and fund a Roth (it will be a custodial account if theyre underage). Likewise, an employed person in their 70s or 80s can continue contributing to a Roth IRA. Unlike a traditional IRA, your participation in a qualified retirement plan at work has no bearing on your eligibility to make Roth IRA contributions. So, if you have the money, you can contribute to both a 401(k) plan at work and your own Roth IRA. Still, the IRS sets income limits that restrict higher earners from contributing to a Roth IRA. The limits are based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) and tax-filing status. MAGI is calculated by taking the adjusted gross income (AGI) from your tax return and adding back deductions for things like student loan interest, self-employment taxes, and higher education expenses. In-Kind Transfers from Another IRA or a 401(k) In-kind transfers let you move investments from one account to another without selling the asset and paying taxes on the gains. So, for example, if you own stock in one IRA and want to move it to another IRA, you could accomplish your goal with an in-kind transfer. Similarly, you could move assets between a 401(k) and your IRA in-kind. A potential problem with in-kind transfers could arise if you own proprietary assets at one financial institutionsay, an in-house mutual fund. Those assets would not be transferable to another firm. In this situation, you would have to sell the investment instead of doing an in-kind transfer. Of course, you want to make sure that the in-kind transfer is handled correctly to avoid any unintended tax consequences. So, reach out to both financial institutions involved to ensure that they support in-kind transfers and, if they do, learn how the process works. This will help ensure that the transfer goes as smoothly as possiblewithout triggering a hefty tax bill. What is earned income? Earned income happens in two ways: You can work for someone else who pays you. That includes wages, commissions, tips, bonuses, and taxable fringe benefits. Run your own business or farm. Other types of income that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) treats as earned income for Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) contributions include untaxed combat pay, military differential pay, taxed alimony, and disability benefits. What does not count as earned income? According to the IRS, any type of investment income from securities, rental property, or other assets counts as unearned income. Other common types of income that dont count as earned income include: Alimony (nontaxable) Child support Social Security retirement benefits Pensions or annuities Unemployment benefits Wages earned by penal institution inmates What are the Roth IRA contribution limits? You can contribute the full amount to your Roth IRA if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is below a certain amount. The contribution limit for 2021 and 2022 is $6,000, or $7,000 if youre age 50 or older. If your MAGI is in the Roth IRA phaseout range, you can make a partial contribution. You cant contribute at all if your MAGI exceeds the limits. Advisor Insight Ali Hashemian, MBA, CFP Kinetic Financial, Los Angeles You must use cash or checks to fund your Roth IRA contribution for the year. The rationalization for this is the simple fact that the unrealized gains in the stocks in which you invested must be realized at some point in a non-qualified account. This is the entire reason and main advantage for funding a Roth IRA: to avoid the capital gains tax that would otherwise have to be realized at some time in the future. For this reason, you may want to consider selling stocks that have declined in value and realize the losses, as this can serve as a tax advantage. At the same time, consider earmarking highly appreciated stocks for things such as charitable contributions or charitable remainder trusts. Doing so will help reduce your taxes. The Bottom Line As long as you have enough earned income to cover your Roth IRA contribution, the deposit can come from any pool of cash that you have available. However, the contribution generally must be made in cashtypically a check or transfer from your bank account to your IRA custodian. The only way to make a non-cash contribution is via an in-kind transfer from another IRA or a 401(k). However, be very careful to follow the rules so that the IRS doesnt consider the transfer a taxable distribution. Let your IRA or 401(k) plan administrators know what youre trying to accomplish, so they can help to ensure that everything goes smoothly. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden confirmed Piers Sellers death that happened on December 23, 2016, Dr. Sellers died at the age of 61. He was known for his devotion as a climate Scientist, studying ways to fight climate change. Sellers had high hopes, that he could find ways, to fight climate change, in his lifetime. From 1982 to 1996, Dr. Piers Sellers worked on global climate problems. He was stationed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and at the University of Maryland at College Park. Dr. Sellers was born in Crowborough, East Sussex. He studied in Cranbrook in Kent. He started working in NASA as a Scientist in 1982.Dr.Piers stage four pancreatic diagnosis last October 15, 2015, was known publicly. After a year and a few months, the news of Piers Sellers death broke. Dr. Piers wrote more than 70 research papers related to the study of the biosphere, humans and other organism; and the atmosphere. In 1998, he was the lead scientist for Terra, a satellite launched to monitor Earth's climate and the environment. Later on he decided to become an astronaut, in 1996.Dr. Piers, logged 35 days in space, including 41 hours in six space walks.According to the Washington Post, Dr. Sellers, used his experiences, as an astronaut. To further inform people, about climate problems. He also contributed to the Leonardo DiCaprio's documentary, "Before the Flood." According to The Telegraph, he was recently the deputy director of sciences and exploration at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland in the USA. Dr. Sellers was the third Briton to go into space, when he joined the crew of Atlantis and launched in 2002. The order of British Empire, he was appointed as an officer. "Gobsmacked", is what he named himself. He also stated that he had no regrets. For him, he has fulfilled his dreams. The headmaster, of his former school, Dr. John Weeds said, that after the news of Piers Sellers death they are greatly devastated. Dr. Weeds added that Dr. Sellers contributed a lot, on his field of Science. Innovations in modern medicine have helped improved life expectancy and quality of life, however, sometimes, drugs or treatments eventually fail. Researchers used mathematical models to explain the evolutionary process of treatment resistant depression. Treatment resistance occurs when a drug doesn't work on patients anymore. This is commonly caused by repeated medications, wrong dosages or misdiagnosis, however, it is also linked to genetic mutation. Previously, bet-hedging has been acknowledged as a drug resistance mechanism in bacterial infections and cancers. "Treatment resistance occurs partly because cell populations are heterogeneous -- consisting of a mixture of cells with differing characteristics, some of which are impervious to therapy," said Dr. Alexander Anderson of Oxford University according to Science Daily. It was unclear how the bet-hedging phenomenon first evolved. Bet-hedging occurs when an organism suffers in normal conditions, in turn, its adaptability is improved in extremely stressful conditions. In a study published in the December 2016 issue of Genetics closely explains the biological systems of bet-hedging using mathematical modeling, which is not possible using clinical experiments. The researchers found out that bet hedging is caused by biological redundancy which leads to genetic mutations. It initially does not have an impact on the characteristics of a species but the mechanism which controls bet-hedging can slow the rate of its loss. These results are especially important in treating treatment resistant depression. The study suggested a way to overcome in treating treatment resistant depression though so-called treatment holiday. This involves stopping the treatment for some time before resuming it. "One strategy with the potential to overcome resistance is called a treatment holiday, wherein a patient ceases treatment for a period of time," Dr. Dan Nichol from Oxford University and the study's lead author said. He added that this is to prevent strong selection for drug resistant cells that might cause a relapse. A speculated alien signal detected by a group of scientists has been revealed, describing it to root from thousands of light years from the planet Earth. While the intrigued astronomers are still investigating the real source of the radio bursts, a big portion of their suspicions points out to the works of an extraterrestrial intelligence. Scientists from the Green Bank Telescope of West Virginia along with the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico reportedly have detected six waves of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) that might have come from the deep space as noted by The Astrophysical Journal. The said mysterious radio signals are speculated to come from the Auriga constellation which is about three billion light-years away from the Earth. This is however not the first incident as another series of FRB were detected in 2007. Experts of the astronomical community are now discussing the probable source of the supposed alien signal detected by the said scientists. Speculations though about the FRB do not point out totally to alien life force as stellar collisions can also one count of FRB. A single FRB reportedly can last only for a few millisecond. It can, however, contain an enormous amount energy which is assumed to of the same amount of energy produced by the Sun in a month. The multiple radio waves then can be accounted to cosmic events such as solar flares rooting from neutron stars which can produce such repeating signals. While this seems to be a more factitious theory, the possibility for extraterrestrial activities cannot be eliminated according to scientists. It can be recalled that physicist John Learned along with the astronomer Michael Hippke have speculated back in 2015 that FRBs can result from either bursts of radio waves or come from a spy satellite which can disguise its transmission so that it can appear as radio signals from the outer space. It was also pointed out though that the signal can be a result of alien intelligence trying to make contact with other species throughout the cosmos. Some scientists are also worried to confirm the signal's source as it may be dangerous to make contact with an alien life as noted by Daily Mail. There is no solid evidence for these yet, but scientists are now making moves to figure out the real source of these signals. If the FRBs are found out to be a series of alien signal detected from the deep space, then experts claim that human technology and civilization could be thousands of years behind the extraterrestrial intelligence. Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus. ISLAND schools will receive 'next to nothing following government changes to education funding. Local Tories claims the Island could benefit have been denied by Isle of Wight Council leader Cllr Jonathan Bacon, who said officers had looked at the new funding formula and concluded it would not help the Island. MP Andrew Turner last week urged school leaders, parents and anyone with an interest in education to have their say on the proposals, after the government announced its intention to reform the current 'outdated system and fund all schools fairly. The formula includes a 'sparsity factor to protect rural schools and Mr Turner said: "Urban schools have been funded more advantageously than rural schools for too long. This will mean children across England with similar needs will attract similar levels of funding." However, Cllr Bacon said the Island did not receive rural grant funding because it was not deemed to be isolated enough, branding it yet another example of the governments failure to consider the needs of the Island. Cllr Chris Whitehouse, the Conservative groups education spokesman, said it could be good news for many Island schools that met the criteria for increased funding. Teaching unions reiterated concerns the government was simply reallocating an existing pot of funding around the country rather than increasing it which they say equates to a cut in real terms. Their projections, available at Their projections, available at www.schoolcuts.org.uk , show Island schools are facing a 4.5 million budget cut over the next four years. Association of Teachers and Lecturers Isle of Wight branch secretary Peter Shreeve said: "The government has not put the needs of children first. "This formula will not give schools sufficient funding for childrens education. School budgets are already cut to the bone. Palace Museum. [Photo/IC] A branch of Beijing's Palace Museum, generally known as the Forbidden City will open in Hong Kong in 2022, to give residents and tourists opportunity to view some of China's most treasured artifacts. The Palace Museum and Hong Kong authorities signed a memorandum of cooperation on the Hong Kong Palace Museum in Beijing on Friday. To be built on an area of 10,000 square meters in West Kowloon Cultural District, the museum will have permanent exhibitions on the culture and history of the Palace Museum and imperial life. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close About 200 bags of diapers, hygiene essentials and other related products will be available free-of-charge to expecting moms, who register for the "Shower for Life" event being held on Nov. 5, from 1-3 p.m., at St. Paul's Anglican Church, located at 316 W. Carolina Ave in Summerville. Read more'Shower for Life' calls all expecting mothers Reddit Email 526 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | Given the alarming rise of white nationalism in the United States and the ways in which it is often entangled with Christian nationalism, it is worthwhile remembering whose birth, exactly, is being commemorated today. The association of Christianity with whiteness is relatively new in history, as is the whole idea of a white race identified with Europe. Ive pointed out that Benjamin Franklin saw whiteness in his own day as being an attribute solely of the British, so that Germans, e.g., were not white in part because he thought them swarthy and in part because they lived under despotism. And, no, Santa Claus was not white, either. Likely the rise and consolidation of the Dutch and British Empires in the seventeenth through twentieth centuries contributed to the meme of whiteness and Christianity, both seen by some in the 19th century as markers of civilizational superiority. (The actual reasons for which the British were able to loot India, Malaya and Kenya, and the Dutch to loot what is now Indonesia, had nothing to do with either whiteness or Christianity. There are, as it turns out, no meaningful biological races, since homo sapiens sapiens is such a young species, roughly 150,000 years old). So here are some reasons for which Jesus was not white. 1. Whiteness does not actually depend on skin color but on status. Hence, Ben Franklins conviction that Germans were not white. But the racist conception of whiteness obviously does have something to do with fair skin color (it is produced by living in a region with low ultra violet rays, so that embryos have trouble getting enough to make needed vitamin D; nature selects very light mothers skin in, say, Scandinavia). Jesus was born and lived in what is now Palestine, Egypt and Israel, where ultra violet rays are fairly intense, and so olive skin is selected for to keep them from damaging the embryo). This is what artists of the sixth century in the province of Roman Arabia (todays Jordan) thought people who lived in Mediterranean lands looked like: I dont think they could have gotten served at a Woolworths deli counter in the American South in circa 1960. I also dont think North Carolinas GOP legislators would let them vote very easily nowadays. 2. Whiteness is in part about belonging to the imperial power, which dominates and dictates to other peoples. Neo-Nazi mass murderer Dylann Roof, for instance, particularly minded the end of white colonial domination of Zimbabwe, which they had called Rhodesia. The first-century equivalent of the black Shona, the largest ethnic group in Rhodesia, in Roman Palestine were the Jews. Jesus was from the colonized and oppressed people, not from the dominant imperial elite that would have been Pontius Pilate, who ordered him crucified as a trouble-maker. Pontius Pilate was the equivalent of white in the Roman empire. 3. Jesus as a toddler was a Syrian refugee with Mary and Joseph in Egypt. He lacked the privilege and stability that mark whiteness in todays world. It is the Somalis and Syrians and Afghans who are the refugees. 4. Whiteness is about property-owning, especially landed property, even just a domicile. Jesus, and before him Joseph, was a builder or carpenter, working with his hands as an artisan, and there is no reason to think that his family had much property. Some 40 years after Jesus death at the hands of the Romans, they put down a Jewish revolt and in the aftermath confiscated all Jewish property and forbade Jews to own land in Palestine. Jesus just wasnt from the privileged stratum. 5. Whiteness is about respectability. Jesus had no use for conventional status. Mark 2:15-17 says, 15 And as he sat at dinner in Levis house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciplesfor there were many who followed him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? 17 When Jesus heard this, he said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners. It is the sinners to whom Jesus ministered, not the self-righteous. If he did come back, he would not recognize many in the US Religious Right or the billionaire ideologues as his followers, since they are puffed up like the Pharisees. It would be the non-church going, the humble, with whom Jesus would prefer to hang. Luke 18:9-14 says 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income. 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner! 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted. Whiteness has a mean streak, putting down the poor, the racial Other, the immigrant, the refugee. It is insecure. Even when it isnt organizing attacks on them, it is hardhearted toward the injustices visited upon other groups. In contrast, Jesus (Matthew 25) is known above all for compassion and humility: Reddit Email 0 Shares Via IMEMC | (PNN) | (PNN) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the adoption of a new United Nations Security Council resolution (co-sponsored by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal, and Venezuela) regarding Israels illegal colonial settlements, which are seen as undermining peace in the region and the possibility of a two-state solution: This is an important juncture for all concerned. The vote tonight in the United Nations sends a clear and firm signal to Israel, the occupying power, that its illegal actions and grave violations of international law and inalienable Palestinian rights are neither accepted nor tolerated. The message of the vote tonight is unmistakable. The world is united in defense of international law and Palestinian rights; the world will not stand idly by while Israel takes willful and calculated steps to denigrate the law and undermine Palestinian rights and chances for peace. It is now the responsibility of international community, including the Security Council, to implement the letter and spirit of this resolution and assume their responsibilities, individually and collectively, to ensure Israels compliance and respect for international law. Palestine would like to thank all Security Council members, particularly the co-sponsors of the resolution Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela as well as other States that played an important role in the adoption of this resolution. Palestine also welcomes the position of the United States Administration, which supported the international consensus and ensured the adoption of the resolution. Finally, Palestine reiterates its unwavering commitment to pursue the fulfillment of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and respect of their human rights through all available peaceful and legal means and our readiness to engage with any genuine effort aiming at ending this injustice. Despite the unbearable pressures and the cruel reality our people endure, we will continue to have faith in the values and principles enshrined in international law. Our commitment to these values and principles is solid and unwavering and we appreciate the principled support of states who share these values. Via IMEMC Related video added by Juan Cole: The Star Online: Palestinians hail UN Security Council vote The Human Rights Watch (HRW) announced [Advocacy website] yesterday that cluster-munitions were used on the Yemini city of Saada on December 6, which killed two civilians and wounded six more. HRW stated that is is believed the cluster-munitions were launched by Saudi Arabian forces, who have previously launched attacks on the city, but additional investigations are needed to determine conclusively that they were the source of the December 6 attack. Cluster munitions are banned under the Convention of Cluster Munitions, [text, PDF] which was adopted in 2008 and has been signed by of 100 countries. The convention requires [Convention website] the ban of cluster munitions because they are not able to distinguish between civilians and combatants, and they also result in many unexploded munitions which pose a continued risk to civilians. An administrator at a school impacted by the bombing stated that students were not able to return to the school the next day because they needed to first search the school for unexploded submunitions. The cluster bombs are believed to have been made in Brazil. Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Brazil are not signatures of the Convention of Cluster Munitions. The United States, who is also not a signature on the convention, had suspended transfers of cluster munitions to Saudi Arabia in May. The UN had previously accused [JURIST report] Saudi Arabia of violating international laws in October due to their attack on a funeral in Yemen. In September, international human rights groups issued a joint letter [JURIST report] to the permanent representatives of member and observer states of the UN Human Rights Council urging them to support the High Commissioners call [JURIST report] for an international, independent investigation into civilian deaths and injuries in Yemen. In July Human Rights Watch urged [JURIST report] Saudi Arabia and other coalition members to create an independent international inquiry into their attacks on civilian economic structures in Yemen. In March two human rights groups called [JURIST report] for the US, the UK and France to stop selling arms to Saudi Arabia due to accusations and evidence that the weapons are being used in attacks against Yemen. On Friday the United Nations Security Council [official website] failed to pass a resolution, which would have imposed [press release] an arms embargo on South Sudan with a vote of 7-0 with 8 abstentions. The resolution would have instituted an arms ban on the country as well as impose a travel ban and asset freeze against three Government and opposition figures. The vote comes as a disappointment to many rights activists, with deputy United Rights director at Human Rights Watch Akshaya Kumar stating [Amnesty report] the Security Council had an opportunity to show that it stands with the civilian victims of this conflict. Instead, this failure gives the warring parties in South Sudan a green light to buy more weapons and material that will end up being used against civilians. The members voting on the resolution expressed concern that the resolution would run against the national dialogue, including the new implementation of regional protection forces. The Russian Federations representative expressed concern that these sanctions had not had the results that were intended in previous, similar situations. The South Sudanese representative described even the tabling of the vote as unfortunate, expressing that it goes against the steps the young nation has taken in the past weeks. South Sudan, which is the youngest nation on the planet, gained its independence in 2011. On December 14th a UN human rights chief expressed concern that the young nation teetered on the brink of disaster [JURIST report], citing that the country might be on the brink of an international disaster. Earlier in December the UN commission on Human rights expressed concern that areas of South Sudan are currently experiencing an ethnic cleansing. [JURIST report] In November several South Sudanese organizations co-authored a letter [JURIST report] to the African Union Commission [official website] trying to create a hybrid court in the country, which would allow the court to try members of the South Sudanese government. In September the South Sudanese government threatened to sue [JURIST report] a US based watch group after they released a report stating the the government had profited from a three year conflict in the country. On Thursday, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] filed [Press Release] a civil suit [complaint, PDF] against Barclays Bank [official website] and two former executives for the fraudulent sales of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) from 2005 to 2007. The suit states that Barclays sold billions of dollars worth of RMBS which contained mortgages that violated underwriting guidelines or had borrowers who did not have the ability to repay the loans. These types of mortgages were believed to be one of the causes of the financial crisis in 2008. The two executives named in the lawsuit are Paul Menefee, who was Barclays head banker on its subprime RMBS securizations, and John Carroll, who was Barclays head trader for subprime loan acquisitions. The lawsuit states that the attorney general is authorized through the Financial Institutions, Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to seek civil penalties up to the amount of the gain to the violator or the losses suffered by persons other than the violator. The Department of Justice and Barclays were previously under negotiations [Wall Street Journal] on a settlement amount regarding the practices. Barclays has already saved $3.1 billion for fines and litigation, while the Department of Justice previously stated $5 billion was a possible fine that may be assigned. Several banks have faced legal challenges [JURIST backgrounder] stemming from the financial crisis of 2007-08. This month, Deutsche reached a $7.2 billion deal with the Department of Justice. In September the US National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) [official website] said that the Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) [official website] will pay $1.1 billion [JURIST report] after it allegedly solid toxic mortgaged-backed securities. In February, Morgan Stanley agreed to pay $3.2 billion related to their mortgage-back securities. In July 2014 Citigroup, Inc. agreed to pay $7 billion to settle a federal inquiry [JURIST report] into mortgage-backed securities sold by the bank prior to the countrys financial crisis. In November 2013 the DOJ announced that a $13 billion civil settlement [JURIST report] with JPMorgan & Co. [official website] has been finalized, resolving federal and state claims arising from the banks risky mortgage practices which helped lead to the 2008 financial crisis. In August 2013 the DOJ filed suit [JURIST report] against Bank of America (BOA) [official website] in the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina [official website], claiming the corporation misled investors about securitized loans worth more than $850 million. KEARNEY A Michigan woman who drove the getaway car in the September robbery at Walgreens has been convicted. Kristie Workman, 40, of Detroit pleaded no contest last week in Buffalo County District Court to a reduced charge of being an accessory to a felony. She had earlier been charged with aiding and abetting Gary Filip in the robbery. In exchange for Workmans plea, the Buffalo County Attorneys Office agreed not to file additional criminal charges against Workman, and it wont oppose probation at sentencing time if she qualifies. Sentencing will be in March. She faces one to 20 years in prison. Filip is serving a total of 16 to 27 years in prison for using a firearm, a shotgun, to commit a felony; felony robbery; and felony possession of Oxycontin in the robbery. On Sept. 15, Filip walked into Walgreens at 2516 Second Ave., demanded cash and drugs from an employee in the pharmacy. The clerk gave Filip an undisclosed amount of cash and an unknown amount of Oxycontin. The drug is a prescription pain reliever. Workman and her then-13-year-old daughter waited in a car in the parking lot while Filip robbed Walgreens. After Filip left the store, Workman drove from Walgreens to the parking lot of 1st Interstate Inn at the Elm Creek Interstate 80 interchange, where they were found by police 45 minutes after the robbery and arrested without incident. Workmans daughter is in the care of the Nebraska Health and Human Services Department. Workman remains in custody at the Buffalo County Detention Center on $100,000 bond. e-mail to: FILE - In this Dec. 24, 2012, file photo, volunteers take phone calls from children asking where Santa is and when he will deliver presents to their house, during the annual NORAD Tracks Santa Operation, at the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, at Peterson Air Force Base, in Colorado Springs, Colo.The wildly popular NORAD Tracks Santa operation is launching its 61st run at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. Volunteers will answer phone calls and emails and post updates about Santa's storybook world tour on Facebook and Twitter. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form MARCELLUS Whitney Lash-Marshall has been appointed the new executive director of Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus and will begin her new role Tuesday, Jan. 3. "We are confident that Whitneys experience, knowledge and dedication to mission are an excellent match for all that we do at the Woods and she, together with the staff, board, volunteers and friends will be able to continue to advance our mission of providing hands-on, minds-on, place-based education," Baltimore Woods Board of Directors President Camille Tisdel said in a news release. According to the release, Lash-Marshall brings professional experience in collaborative leadership, strategic planning, networking and outreach, project and event management, and educational program development. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from SUNY Oswego, a master's degree in conservation biology and a doctorate in environmental and natural resource policy from SUNY College of Environmental Science, where she most recently served as a visiting instructor teaching courses in conservation, ecology and community planning. She also previously worked as a camp counselor, naturalist and executive director for a national non-profit organization. I am truly excited to join Baltimore Woods as the organization begins its second half-century, Lash-Marshall said in the release. Working with our highly-skilled staff, I hope to grow the organization and continue to make Baltimore Woods Nature Center a valued resource for the entire central New York community. Lash-Marshall is a Lockport native but has lived and worked in central New York for the past 10 years. A product of childhood outdoor education and summer camp herself, she is a firm believer in the hands-on, minds-on model of Baltimore Woods and looks forward to joining the organization to continue fulfilling the mission of transforming individuals and communities. By Lamine Chikhi RHOURD NOUSS, Algeria, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Algeria has launched a programme to rejuvenate its ageing oil and gas wells and boost production as part of efforts to address a crash in oil earnings, a senior Sonatrach manager told Reuters. Low prices have slashed the OPEC member's energy earnings roughly in half, with revenues expected at about $35 billion in 2016 compared with more than $60 billion in 2014. "We must recover every single scrap of oil or gas, this is why we have decided to rejuvenate our wells," Sonatrach's vice president for exploration and development Salah Mekmouche told Reuters during a visit to Rhourd Nouss, some 1,200 km (745 miles) southeast of the capital, Algiers. He said the programme included Sonatrach using for the first time inexpensive techniques such as Early Production Facilities (EPF) and Central Processing Facilities (CPF) in order to boost wells. Six EPFs have already been installed around the giant oil field of Hassi Messaoud, about 400 km from Rhourd Nouss, which produces more than 400,000 barrels per day (bpd). The Rhourd Nouss area, in the vast dunes of the Targui district, includes El Hamra gas field, Algeria's second biggest after Hassi Rmel. El Hamra produces some 24 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year. Mekmouche said the oil price crash had pushed Sonatrach's management to innovate and find the cheapest solutions to boost production. "We need to do more with less, this is our challenge at Sonatrach today," Mekmouche told journalists at Rhourd Nouss gas facility, which processes 10 million cubic meters per day, and 2,000 meter cubic condensate per day. He said $9 billion would be invested every year in development and exploration until 2019. Oil output is expected to reach 69 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2016, slightly up from 67 million tonnes last year. Gas production is forecast to rise to 132.2 billion cubic meters (bcm) from 128.3 bcm in 2015 and 130.9 bcm in 2014, according to Sonatrach projections from earlier this year. (Reporting By Lamine Chikhi; Editing by Aidan Lewis/Ruth Pitchford) (Adds statement by Shuaa, context) DUBAI, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Dubai's Shuaa Capital bought 14 percent of Bahrain's Khaleeji Commercial Bank on Sunday for 9.6 million dinars ($25 million) and said it would use the stake to support the bank's expansion. The Dubai-listed investment bank purchased the stake from Alimtiaz Investment Group for 0.065 dinar per share, acquiring 147.1 million shares in a special auction, the Bahraini bourse said. KHCB is an Islamic retail bank with assets of 709 million dinars. Its biggest shareholder is Bahraini Islamic investment firm GFH Financial Group , which has said it aims to list KHCB in Dubai. "It is with no doubt that the shareholders' value will see substantial growth if KHCB obtains final approvals to list on the Dubai Financial Market," Shuaa's chairman Jassim al-Seddiqi said in a statement. Abu Dhabi Financial Group (ADFG) bought a 48.36 percent stake in Shuaa last month, leading to speculation that the investment bank could form a central part of ADFG's financial industry strategy for the Gulf. (Reporting by Hadeel Al Sayegh; Writing by Andrew Torchia/Ruth Pitchford) The SMH reports: Internal tensions within the Greens have boiled over, with members of the hard-left of the party grouped around NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon forming their own faction dedicated to the fight to bring about the end of capitalism. Venezuela has managed this very successfully. That must be their role model. Senator Rhiannon is a former communist who authored scores of pro-Soviet articles. Her surname is adopted from Welsh mythology as it sounds better than Lee Brown! The formation of the group calling itself Left Renewal is an escalation of an ongoing battle between the so-called eastern bloc of the Greens and the group they dismiss as tree Tories. I quite like the name tree Tories! On Thursday Senator Di Natale described the Left Renewals manifesto as ridiculous and ill-thought through and suggested its members consider joining another party. The communist party perhaps? Following a meeting in Sydney on Wednesday night, Left Renewal issued a statement of principles that includes the rejection of the states legitimacy. We believe . . . that capitalism is a violent and antagonistic relation between workers, and those who exploit them. As workers, whether or not we are waged, we experience perpetual violence and that this violence must be brought to an end. We therefore fight to bring about the end of capitalism, it states. Capitalism depends upon violent and authoritarian divisions within the working class, such as elitism, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, religious sectarianism, and ableism (among others). It is only with the abolition of these authoritarian relations that we will be able to create a thriving movement capable of transforming society and so must challenge these wherever we encounter it. You know it is a doozy when they get both transphobia and ableism into the same sentence! Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 42F. SSW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 42F. SSW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. By Kim Jae-kyoung SINGAPORE South Korea should come up with its own path with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by strengthening cooperation in the political and social sectors in order to gain a stronger foothold there, according to market analysts. They stressed that Korea should not try to copy China and Japan because the country's influence and presence in the 10-member bloc is totally different from that of the two economic giants. "Korea's awareness of ASEAN and its willingness to do more business with the region will take time to grow. I understand that within Korea the comparison is often made with China's and Japan's ties with ASEAN," HSBC ASEAN economist Su Sian Lim told The Korea Times. "But these countries share a long-standing political, cultural and economic history with ASEAN that Korea will not be able to replicate," the Singapore-based economist added. "So Korea needs to forge its own path with ASEAN." Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, a senior economist at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) based in Jakarta, said that Korea should expand its cooperation strategy to more diverse sectors. "Efforts should be expanded to include implementing the blueprint for the ASEAN Socio Cultural Community where Korean expertise and experience in tackling climate change, achieving green growth and reducing inequality will be relevant and needed," he said. "Also, the country needs to promote more exchanges of students and young leaders through educational and professional development scholarships between ASEAN and Korea." The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will mark the first anniversary of its establishment, Dec. 31. Following the launch, a growing number of companies from around the world are making inroads into the region. ASEAN sees positive progress but no Big Bang' reform By Kim Jae-kyoung Suh Jeong-in, Korean ambassador to ASEAN Kim Young-sun, secretary general of ASEAN-Korea Centre Su Sian Lim, ASEAN economist at HSBC Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, economist at the ERIA Tim Condon, Asia-Pacific chief economist at ING Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Asia-Pacific chief economist at Natixis On the occasion of the first anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) that falls on Dec. 31, The Korea Times interviewed six ASEAN diplomats and economists to evaluate the AEC's first year and highlight its relations with South Korea. The following discussion has been reconstituted based on separate interviews conducted through phone calls and emails from Dec. 12 to Dec. 23. ED. Q: Do you see any noticeable progress on the development of the AEC for the first year? How do you perceive the regional integration efforts over the past year? Venkatachalam Anbumozhi: Yes and No. With the formal establishment of the AEC, its overall business confidence has improved. Many companies, both inside and outside of ASEAN, particularly the dialogue partner countries, have shown increasing interest in investing ASEAN. Political momentum has increased from hype to reality. The ASEAN Insurance Forum was established in April. However, not much progress has been made in harmonizing the standards and regulations in order to deliver the full potential of the united trade block. Furthermore, any attempt to unite 10 very diverse nations into one single trading block needs not only perseverance, but also persistence and diligence. Kim Young-sun: There has been significant progress for the past year. At the ASEAN Summit 2016 held in Vientiane, Laos, ASEAN leaders have adopted "ASEAN Connectivity 2025" and "Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan III," which are deemed as supplementary to the completion of "ASEAN Community Vision 2025." Through these efforts, the 10 member states are promoting their economic potentials and benefits as a region. These efforts have paid off. Many companies across the borders are already approaching ASEAN on a regional basis. Most notably, investment inflows from six prospective partners with ASEAN Korea, China, Japan, Australia, India, and New Zealand have increased by 11 percent and recorded $40 billion in 2015 according to the ASEAN Investment Report 2016. Suh Jeong-in: For the first year, top priority has been placed on laying the foundation for the successful establishment of the AEC. ASEAN member states came up with implementation plans for various areas, such as small- and medium-sized firms, customs clearance, faster trade flows and intellectual property rights. They will unveil a comprehensive implementation plan encompassing all sectors at the end of 2016 or early 2017. Also, they have established a system to monitor and evaluate the AEC for the effective implementation of AEC 2025. ASEAN has opened a tariff portal site (tariff-finder.asean.org) and a trade service portal (Assist.asean.org) to help business people realize the real benefits the AEC provides. Kim: Another positive aspect of progress of the AEC is tariff elimination made under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). According to AEC 2015: Progress and Key Achievements, ASEAN Plus Six countries have virtually eliminated all import duties among themselves. Tariff elimination of CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) are scheduled to be finalized by 2018. This will further facilitate intra-regional trade, bringing the region closer to achieving its goal of being a seamlessly connected Community with free flow of goods. Tim Condon: It is difficult to recognize progress in the first year of the AEC. However, this may be due to the nature of the steps taken. There have been advances in financial sector integration such as liberalization of the insurance sector, the impact of which is difficult to see unless you are working in the insurance industry. However, I think it is fair to say that the first year of the AEC has not produced a Big Bang of reform. Q: What are the biggest challenges for the AEC? How can ASEAN member states address such issues? Suh: The biggest obstacles to the economic integration of ASEAN are development gaps and lack of infrastructure in the region. The gap between advanced countries such as Singapore and developing countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos could hamper ASEAN integration. A lack of infrastructure in most member states is a major stumbling block to economic development in the region. The 2017 Tivoli SUV / Courtesy of Ssangyong Motor By Jhoo Dong-chan Ssangyong Motor's popular Tivoli sport utility vehicle (SUV) has sold more than 100,000 cars domestically since it was introduced in Korea last year, leading the nation's recreational vehicle (RV) market with the fastest-selling model in the carmaker's history. Despite the releases of a series of competing models, including the Chevrolet Trax, the Renault Samsung QM3 and the Kia Niro SUV this year, the Tivoli is still leading Korea's small-size SUV market with a 55.1 percent market share. According to a Ssangyong Motor official, Sunday, the carmaker delivered a Tivoli SUV model to its 100,000th customer on Dec. 19, 23 months after its release. This broke the carmaker's previous fastest-selling record of the popular Rexton SUV, which reached the goal in 28 months. Selling a total of 13,728 cars in November, 9,475 cars domestically and 4,253 in exports, the Tivoli SUV has maintained an uptrend for the fifth straight month since July to record the largest monthly sales in the second half of this year, up 4.6 percent compared to November 2015. Ssangyong Motor also introduced the 2017 Tivoli SUV and its long-body version, the Tivoli Air, in September. They feature the Advanced Driver Assistance System for the first time in the nation's small-size SUV market. Incorporating the Israel-based technology company Mobileye's motion detection algorithms, it provides a Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS) in situations where the Tivoli is approaching the car in front with a high closing rate before a collision can take place. The FCWS alerts the driver to the critical situation, and therefore can prevent an accident. If the Tivoli driver does not step on the brake even after the alert, the Autonomous Emergency Braking System comes in to prevent the accident. The 2017 Tivoli models also offer the Lane Departure Warning module that estimates if the vehicle is about to cross a lane boundary within the next few tenths of a second. In such cases if the driver has not signaled his intention to change lanes, a warning is issued. The Tivoli's brand power was recognized by the Korea Advertising Society, the nation's most renowned academic institute in advertising, marketing and PR. The Tivoli Air won the 2016 Brand Award last month for its excellence in brand reputation, sales and marketing communication. It also won various awards abroad. It was selected mini car of the year at the Golden Steering Awards 2015, held by the Turkish automobile content publisher Auto Show, and also won the Family Car of the Year 2016 at the 29th VAB Family Car Election, held by the Belgian Automobile Association VAB, the official said. By Yoon Ja-young With demand for the supplementary budget early next year gaining momentum, concern is also increasing that the habitual extra budget will hurt the country's fiscal health. Behind the demand for the supplementary budget are key economic indices which suggest that the economy will turn for the worse the next year. The country's industrial output decreased 1.7 percent in October from the previous month. Construction investment, which has been sustaining the economy, also dropped 0.8 percent on slowdown of the housing market. Jobs in the manufacturing sector have been decreasing, amid the pessimistic outlook of ongoing corporate restructuring in key spheres. Some economists, including the state-run Korea Development Institute (KDI), suggested that the supplementary budget should be used to actively prop up the economy, pointing to external and internal uncertainties gripping the nation. The call for the supplementary budget is also gaining momentum in the National Assembly, with both the ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea agreeing on its necessity. The finance ministry is still cautious about the supplementary budget. "Before making any decision, we will have to examine the indices after the first quarter next year," finance minister Yoo Il-ho told lawmakers last week. While analysts agree that the economy is facing hurdles, it is questionable whether it meets the conditions for the supplementary budget. The law on national finance states that a supplementary budget can be set up in cases of war, natural disasters or major changes in economic conditions such as economic recession, massive unemployment, and changes in relations with North Korea. The 11 trillion won extra budget set in July, for instance, was due to concern over massive unemployment following corporate restructuring in shipbuilding and other industries. Last year, an 11.6 trillion won supplementary budget was prepared to fight economic recession following the outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), while the sinking of Sewol Ferry that claimed over 300 lives led to such budget in 2014. Though the economy is slowing down, analysts doubt whether it can be defined as economic recession, pointing out that it has been marking over 2 percent growth rate. "Supplementary budget should be set up only when it meets certain condition. When considering that it's been only a little while since the next year's budget was approved at the National Assembly, isn't it too early to mention an extra budget?" said a ranking official at the budget office, adding that it would be better to watch where the economic indices head first. Fundamental problem is that supplementary budget, which President Park Geun-hye administration has been habitually resorting to, is likely to deteriorate the government's fiscal health. Except for 2012, the Park administration has been setting supplementary budget each year. Its total supplementary budget during the five year term is expected to surpass that of former President Kim Dae-jung administration which had to use supplementary budgets to rescue the economy from the Asian financial crisis. While the government could fund 11 trillion won supplementary budget this year with the surplus in tax income, the government usually has to resort to debt to prepare extra budget. The debt of the public sector, which includes debt of the central and local governments as well as the debt of state-run enterprises, stood at 1003.5 trillion won last year, up 9 percent from a year ago. A poster of "Uncontrollably Fond" / Courtesy of KBS By Park Jin-hai Whether it is the formulaic romantic comedies from local broadcasters or the viewers becoming increasingly bored with familiar material, TV stations have been suffering from falling viewership rates for years. Diversified broadcasting channels have aggravated the situation and now anything over 10 percent in viewership is considered a success. Throughout last year, among the weekday dramas, SBS medical thriller "Yong-pal" was the only one that narrowly topped the 20 percent rating mark. 2016 has been a year that has put an end to this. The year opened with the famous "Reply" series. Somehow success was expected for the third installment of the popular family drama the highly acclaimed "Reply 1988" was a milestone, the final episode of which recorded almost a 20 percent viewership, the highest rate in Korean cable television history. But what really made a phenomenal change was the KBS wartime romance "Descendants of the Sun." The drama, starring Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo, was aired almost simultaneously in Korea and China and it captivated both countries when it aired from February through April. The drama premiered with 14.3 percent viewership and ended with a nearly miraculous 40 percent rating, a record that other K-dramas have yet to break. The show revived hallyu, or the Korean pop culture craze, that was in decline over recent years. Overall, 2016 has been richer than ever with well-made quality dramas. Based on solid plots, beautiful cinematography and great performances of actors, various dramas, including KBS's fantasy period "Love in the Moonlight," SBS's "Doctors" and the tvN romantic comedy "Another Oh Hae-young," have succeeded in the viewership rankings. Star writers returned to the small screen this year, adding excitement for drama fans. Park Ji-eun, who wrote the 2014 megahit drama "My Love from the Star," returned with the on-going SBS fantasy romance "The Legend of the Blue Sea," featuring two big name hallyu stars Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho. "Descendants" writer Kim Eun-sook came back with "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God," while Song Jae-jung, who wrote the sci-fi romance "Nine: Nine Time Travels" came back with "W Two Worlds." Screen writer Kim Eun-hee of "Sign" wrote the crime drama "Signal" and won acclaim as a master of the genre. A scene from fantasy drama "Legend of the Blue Sea" / Courtesy of SBS Pre-filmed dramas This year has seen the sudden rise of dramas that finished shooting entirely before official broadcast. Following the success of "Descendants" many other drama producers have tried to adopt this film-style, in contract to the common practice here where scripts are handed over to directors and actors on the day of the shoot and editing is completed just hours before an episode goes on-air. The new production style, in part because of the Chinese government regulations that all dramas have to be screened prior to airing, has raised great expectations for other such dramas but none of them came near the success of "Descendants." "Uncontrollably Fond," a pre-recorded SBS drama that was largely expected to become the next hallyu drama hit, with heartthrob Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy, flopped, while the star-studded SBS drama "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" also suffered with poor ratings. "Uncontrollably Fond" was criticized that the production company hired Chinese market friendly handsome cast members whose acting performances didn't live up to their names. TvN's ambitious star-studded drama "Entourage," a remake of HBO's popular show, joined the ranks of losers. Despite the initial hype prior to the broadcast, the drama's viewership posted 0.6 percent. The new system has been implemented to increase drama exports to China, but the political dispute between Korea and China surrounding the Seoul's deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system have cast a shadow over the K-drama industry this year. Amid the reports that Beijing had issued a tacit ban on all Korean cultural content, "Saimdang, the Herstory," which was originally to air this fall, was postponed. "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" and "Legend of the Blue Sea," which could have earned at least 10 billion won each from Chinese buyers due to the popularity of their writers and cast, instead let pirated versions enjoy popularity in China's online social networking platforms. tvN's rise Cable channel tvN's success has been noteworthy this year fresh story material and different genres have led its popularity. Many A-rated actors and actresses including actress Jeon Do-yeon and actor Gong Yoo have chosen to return to the small screen with cable dramas, while star writers prefer cable for their creator-friendly environment and more leeway for story-telling. A time travel crime series "Signal" earned huge success, concluding with a solid 12.5 percent viewership on the cable channel, where anything above 3 percent is considered successful. Romantic comedy "Another Oh Hye-young" staved off the typical Cinderella story and tells the love story of an unlucky woman named Oh Hae-young who keeps suffering mishaps due to her charming colleague of the same name and a sound director who has the ability to see the future, making the less known lead actress Seo Hyun-jin shoot to instant fame. TvN's "Dear My Friends," dealt with rarely told stories of friendship in the last years of life, while "The Good Wife," the Korean adaption of the popular CBS series of the same name, and action thriller "The K2" have earned critical acclaim. The on-going fantasy romance "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" is dominating the scene with its movie-like cinematography and unprecedented love story between an immortal goblin and his search for a human bride. As soon as "Guardian" debuted, it topped the TV drama chart, even surpassing Descendants of the Sun. The poems which were included in the lines of Gong's character in the drama, have gained renewed attention, while the drama's original soundtrack including Crush's "Beautiful" is dominating the local music charts. By Rachel Lee Outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a leading presidential hopeful, allegedly received bribes worth $230,000 (280 million won) from Park Yeon-cha, an entrepreneur who was at the center of a bribery scandal involving former President Roh Moo-hyun and his aides, according to media reports. Citing sources close to the businessman, the weekly magazine Sisa Journal reported Saturday that Park, former CEO of Busan-based shoemaker Taekwang, gave a bag with $200,000 in cash to Ban in 2005 when Ban was serving as South Korea's foreign minister. The money was handed over to Ban when he hosted a welcoming dinner for visiting Vietnamese foreign minister Nguyen Dy Nien at his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, according to the magazine. The magazine also reported that Park asked a restaurant owner in New York to give $30,000 to Ban in early 2007 after Ban became the U.N. secretary-general. Citing a source close to Park, the report said the money was given to Ban directly. The report also claimed that prosecutors covered up Park's bribery case involving Ban in 2009 even though they were aware of it through testimony from Park in March 2009 that he gave money to Ban during their investigation into the Park's lobby scandal. Timothy Ong This is the ninth in a series of contributions about Seoul's charms as seen from foreigners' points of view. ED By Timothy Ong My happiest memory in Seoul was when I went to Cheonggye Stream to watch the Seoul Lantern Festival in November last year. I arrived at the venue and spotted a long line going to the stream, but I was not worried at all as I saw a lot of ushers, who were very polite and friendly as they guided me and the rest of the crowd. The line was long but it was moving at a steady pace. I was curious and excited. After a few minutes, I passed through a small tunnel and I was amazed at the huge floats I saw. I went into the venue, knowing that it was the Seoul Lantern Festival, and was just expecting to see a lot of lanterns with various designs, but I was wrong. I was! It was amazing to see all those giant floats in the stream. Since it was my first time at Cheonggye Stream, I didn't know how big or wide it was, so the size of the floats really surprised me. As I was taking my time walking and looking at the floats, I could also see that everyone else was delighted with them. It was dark because I went at 8 p.m., but that didn't stop me from taking pictures of the floats. What I also liked was that they made sure there was something there for everyone, from young to old, as the designs of the floats ranged from historical structures like castles and gates, to nature like trees and animals, and to modern characters like Pororo and his friends. While I enjoyed walking along the stream and taking pictures of the big floats, I found a station where I could make my own lantern and let it float down the stream! I had often heard about sending lanterns floating into the sky, but letting my own lantern float away in a stream sounded cool as well. I quickly lined up to get my own lantern. As soon as I got my lantern set, I stood beside one of the desks and started writing my wishes on it! But I had a little trouble with making it, and a lady approached me and happily offered to help. Soon, I finished making my lantern and was able to let it float in the stream. It was such a happy feeling seeing my lantern in the stream. I hope all my wishes will come true. Timothy Ong is a travel enthusiast living in the Philippines. By Rachel Lee Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country that boasts 7 percent annual economic growth, has highlighted its potential as an important destination for Korean investors. At the "Investment and Business Environment Seminar," at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul on Dec. 22, officials from Naypyidaw's Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) and other ministries presented the latest opportunities, including the recently approved investment law, to their Korean counterparts. The ASEAN-Korea Centre and DICA organized the event. "Myanmar has shown rapid economic growth, recording 7 percent of average gross domestic product (GDP) growth since 2012, with expected GDP growth of 8.6 percent in 2016," ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Young-sun said. "Infrastructure projects in energy, communication and construction are main contributors to this development and the new investment law is expected to provide more favorable conditions for foreign investors, which makes it the best time for investments in Myanmar's infrastructure sectors." The officials introduced detailed information on the investment climate in the construction, transportation and energy sectors. Korean business representatives shared their experience of a public-private partnership expressway project in Myanmar. Myanmar's Ambassador to Korea, Thura U Thet Oo Maung, and DICA Director-General Aung Naing Oo also attended the seminar. Two days before the event, the group visited the waste energy plant on Nanji Island, which transforms gas from the former landfill site into renewable energy. They also visited Dongtan New City to learn about the state-of-the-art transport network and the residential and cultural complex. "I hope this Seminar would further facilitate Korean investments in Myanmar, which would also contribute towards the infrastructure development of the nation," Kim said. According to the ASEAN-Korea Centre, the new Myanmar Investment Law was enacted in October, 2016, to attract more foreign direct investment by combining foreign investment law and citizen investment law. With government approval, the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) may give income tax exemption to foreign investors in underdeveloped regions for seven consecutive years. The ASEAN-Korea Centre is an intergovernmental organization established in 2009 with an aim to promote exchanges among Korea and the ten ASEAN Member States. By Yi Whan-woo The United States Forces Korea (USFK) has pushed back the complete relocation of its major bases to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, by two years to the end of 2018, according to military and provincial officials, Sunday. In cooperation with the government, the U.S. planned to move the USFK and Eighth Army headquarters from Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul as well as the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek by December. But the relocation project, which began on Jan. 24, 2005, has been delayed partly due to a change in the moving schedules of the related American troops, officials said. They said the pushback was also caused by a delay in the construction of the buildings, warehouses, roads, sewage facilities and other infrastructure that are needed to accommodate the increased number of troops at Camp Humphreys. The USFK was not available for comment, while the Ministry of Defense assured that the relocation will be finished by 2018. "We decided play safe and extended the relocation project although some 93 percent of building work has been completed," a ministry official said on condition of anonymity. "For instance, as part of the project, we need to pay the construction companies and complete paperwork with Pyeongtaek city officials. And these tasks should be carried out in a prudent manner." The official also said the USFK headquarters and the Eighth Army are scheduled to fully move into Camp Humphreys around June and August 2017. A different official said, "Most of the buildings that are still under construction at Camp Humphreys are accommodation for generals and other high-ranking officers." "The number of such officers is lower than that of soldiers so we'll be able to complete building their new homes sometime in 2017. Moreover, it's the soldiers who will immediately need places to stay once their troops begin to move out from their current bases." Under the $10.8 billion relocation project, South Korea pays for moving the USFK headquarters and the Eighth Army while the USFK pays for redeploying 2ID. Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun downplayed concerns that the extension will increase the financial burden for both sides, saying "It won't be too problematic." Moon also put aside speculation the postponement in the transfer of the U.S. wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces to Seoul is attributed to delay in the relocation project. The two allies initially agreed to complete the OPCON transfer by December 2015, but later postponed the move to an unspecified date in the mid-2020s. A military expert said it will be still "good for national security" to relocate the U.S. military bases as early as possible. "I believe the postponement of the transfer of OPCON led to the delayed relocation of the American troops. Minimizing such a delay is critical in maintaining a perfect readiness posture against North Korea amid Pyongyang's growing military threats," said Yang Uk, a senior researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum. Once completed, the size of Camp Humphreys will be increase from 1,041 acres to 3,453 acres. It will be able to accommodate approximately 42,000 soldiers and their family members. North Korea is seeking to conduct another nuclear test around South Korea's presidential election next year, a high-profile North Korean defector has said, in the latest sign that Pyongyang would not abandon its nuclear program despite growing international pressure. Thae Yong-ho, a former No. 2 official at the North Korean embassy in London, said North Korea's foreign ministry has sent documents to its overseas missions that Pyongyang is seeking to carry out its sixth and seventh nuclear test by next year. "In particular, it calls for preparations as North Korea would seek to conduct a nuclear test around the presidential election," Thae said Friday in a closed-door parliamentary intelligence committee session, according to lawmakers. It marked Thae's first public appearance since his defection to South Korea in July. North Korea conducted two nuclear tests this year alone following those in 2006, 2009 and 2013. Seoul's spy agency has said that Pyongyang is ready to carry out a sixth nuclear test at any time. Thae's comments illustrated Pyongyang's commitment to keep advancing its nuclear programs in defiance of growing U.N. sanctions and pressure. Thae added that the North's leader Kim Jong-un wants his country to be recognized as a nuclear state, such as Pakistan or India, a status rejected by South Korea and the U.S. "After being recognized as a nuclear state, North Korea hopes to resolve pending issues through international dialogue," Thae said. The nuclear talks on ending North Korea's nuclear program were last held in 2008. There is no sign yet that the talks -- which involve the host China, South and North Korea, the U.S., Japan and Russia -- could resume anytime soon. He said that the North sees the prime time for getting the recognition in the early stages of the new U.S. administration which means late 2017 or early 2018. South Korea is likely to hold a presidential election earlier than expected next year as parliament approved a motion on Dec. 9 to impeach Park over a corruption scandal. The Constitutional Court has up to six months to review whether to unseat or reinstate her. Park's single five-year term ends in February 2018 with the next presidential election originally slated for December 2017. Thae also said that North Korea hopes that Seoul may take a fresh approach toward Pyongyang under a new administration. "Pyongyang hopes that doubts about the effectiveness of sanctions against North Korea gain traction in a short period of time. It wants South Korea to seek a new inter-Korean policy," he was quoted as saying by a South Korean lawmaker. Thae, a former minister at the North Korean embassy in London, is one of the highest-ranking North Korean officials to come to the South. Thae began his resettlement process in South Korea earlier in the day, after a monthslong investigation by Seoul's spy agency into reasons for his defection was completed. He told lawmakers Monday that he fled to South Korea due to his disillusionment with the regimented regime, under which many are living like slaves. (Yonhap) The independent counsel team investigating the alleged corruption scandal centered on President Park Geun-hye said Friday that it has created a special team that will delve into the suspicious accumulation of wealth by her long-time friend Choi Soon-sil. The 60-year-old confidante Choi, who is has been in custody since late October, allegedly exerted influence on state affairs for personal benefit, using her ties to the president. The counsel said the team has hired a lawyer and well as a former executive of the state tax agency to track Choi's assets at home and abroad amid allegations she stashed large sums of money in foreign countries. There have been rumors that Choi held considerable assets inherited from her late father, but the details were never revealed. Choi is the fifth daughter of Park's late mentor Choi Tae-min. The late Choi, who used to lead a religious cult, had reportedly advised Park since her mother, Yook Young-soo, was assassinated by a North Korea sympathizer in 1974. Sources said that the team will track down assets belonging to Choi's family over the past 40 years. If it is revealed that Park helped the Choi family accumulate assets, the president could face additional questioning and may have to explain why she "conspired" with her friend, as state prosecutors claimed, after assuming office in early 2013, legal experts said. None of the charges leveled against the two have yet to be proven in the court of law with both Park and Choi rejecting charges of any unlawful actions or deals. The team, however, said it has not yet decided to investigate the whereabouts of Park during the sinking of the Sewol ferry in 2014 that claimed more than 300 lives. While the presidential office has been claiming Park faithfully did what she could in the aftermath of the tragedy, critics have argued she was engaged in personal matters. The team's spokesman said it is reviewing legal issues to determine whether her whereabouts can actually be subject to a probe. (Yonhap) By Michael Bergmann Let's not insult anyone. Let's not be self-righteous. Honestly, most of us just never had such a choice. Thinking of alternatives, however, is healthy for everyone. The Greek word "idiotes" means a person concerned about his or her "own," or "private" affairs. It can be contrasted with "polites," the citizen of the "polis," the Greek city-state, for whom being a "citizen" then appears to be both a right and a duty. To call someone an idiot is just saying in classical Greek that the person in question minds his or her business. The cheap resentment that "politicians are selfish idiots" should be overcome, in the current crisis more than ever, with the more dialectical distinction of political idiots versus idiotic politicians. Let me explain. The German philosopher Immanuel Kant answered the question "What is enlightenment?" (1784) with an optimistic belief in one driving force of human progress: the individual citizen's public use of reason. He encouraged people not to fear repression or irritations, as reason gives us the ability, the right and the duty to think publicly with a cosmopolitan conscience regardless of our particular social identity, private business or idiotic existence. That is why he radically distinguished the public use from the private use of reason. He wanted to empower the individual to be, despite all the conflicts of interests, both "politician" and "idiot". But Kant failed to foresee the armies of egos trying to build idiotic careers on the pretension of working for general causes. He couldn't guess how many politicians, not only in the narrower sense of the word, but also journalists and professional academics among others would turn the public use of reason into publicity and publications as mere strategies to keep themselves in the business. That Kant could not foresee the fate of his distinction, himself being a university professor, shows the limitations of the great thinker. The complexity of today's societies might need some "professional citizens," to use a more flattering term. Also, each person's right to private pursuit of happiness can't be denied to those engaged beyond their house, trade and family. But we have to think again how someone can be both "idiotes" and "polites." The distinction has to get just one step more complex. When we call the publicity careerist, as described above, an idiotic politician, our hope must go toward a new balance of private and public use of reason. Our new hero is the political idiot. He or she has proved the strength of their reason in private use, has grabbed their opportunity in a free society, has done their thing, has reached personal satisfaction and starts then to think beyond their idiotic existence. Our hero doesn't need any longer to establish their ego, doesn't have any selfish need for public attention. Our hero is an idiot free enough for a truly political use of reason. Michael Bergmann is a teacher in Seoul. Write to bergmann2473@yahoo.de. Park must comply with Constitutional Court's requests President Park Geun-hye, who was impeached by the National Assembly on Dec. 9, has already caused immeasurable harm to the nation with the massive corruption scandal involving herself and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil. Park's impeachment has resulted in a prolonged leadership void at a time of grave challenges for Korea's economy and security. State affairs have been on hold and Korea's reputation has been tarnished in the global community because of the presidential scandal. The only way for Park help the nation get back on track now is to wholeheartedly do her part to speed up the Constitutional Court's decision on the impeachment and cooperate with the ongoing special investigation by an independent counsel. All eyes are now on the Constitutional Court's proceedings to determine the President's fate and the independent counsel probe since earlier investigations by the state prosecutors and by a parliamentary special committee did little to uncover the truth about the wide-ranging allegations against the President. The questioning sessions of the National Assembly were particularly futile, as lawmakers failed to ask the essential questions and focused more on going after sensational accusations about Park's personal life, such as her medical history. Also, some key witnesses like Choi did not even show up to the hearings. The President's attitude since the scandal has fueled public rage. She did not honor her previous pledge to cooperate with the investigative authorities and refused to be questioned by state prosecutors in an earlier investigation. Park has denied all of the Assembly's accusations regarding her violations of the law and the Constitution in the impeachment motion. The President even called the impeachment process flawed, but her claim has lost grounds since the Ministry of Justice said that the impeachment process met all legal requirements when submitting its views to the Constitutional Court, Dec. 23. To expedite the deliberation process, which could last up to six months, the top court proposed that the 13 charges cited in the Assembly's impeachment motion be rearranged into given categories. A conclusion on whether to reinstate the President or officially terminate her presidency should be reached as soon as possible to minimize damage to state affairs. For this, Park's cooperation is crucial. The Constitutional Court, which held its first preparatory hearing last week, requested Park's legal team to provide more details about the President's whereabouts on the day of the sinking of the ferry Sewol. She has been accused of dereliction of duty because her administration failed to react appropriately to the maritime accident that took more than 300 lives. Park has never clearly explained what she was doing during the first seven hours of the disaster on April 16, 2014. So far, we only know that she was getting her hair done and being briefed through written documents before appearing at an emergency meeting after 5:00 p.m. and that key aides did not know where she was. Since it is one of the biggest flaws of her presidency, Park should be clear about exactly what she was doing that day and what directions she gave to the relevant ministries. If she has nothing to hide and wants to prove her innocence, Park should also appear at the court to testify before the public. In a response to the impeachment charges submitted to the Constitutional Court, Park's legal team complained that the President was not given a chance to explain herself. That is totally untrue since she could have done so by complying with the prosecution's request for questioning or providing more details in a press conference. She was the one who refused to explain herself publicly. The Court should definitely request Park to attend the trial. This is essential in responding to the people's call for the truth. BTS once again proved that they deserve all the fame they get as Billboard hailed their "Wings" full length album as the best Kpop album this year! Billboard has chosen "Wings" as the best album because of so many reasons. According to them, "'Wings' is an accomplishment all its own". Billboard also said that BTS can dfinitely compete with many other top Kpop acts as they have blew away all K-pop chart records on the Billboard 200 when their sophomore album debuted in the Top 30. Furthermore, since the BTS members co-wrote and produced on nearly every track, they finitely deserve it. Billboard also said "There's forward-thinking production (the guys flip Major Lazer's tropical sound for "Blood Sweat & Tears" and make Calvin Harris-esque EDM all their own on "Interlude: Wings") coupled with lyrics discussing topics important to their listeners like the dark side of adulthood and mental health issues." They also commended about the solo songs from each member and how it showcases the members' own vocal color and preferred genre style. The ended it with "Wings is a good model for any band trying to move itself forward while concurrently establishing its different members. If anyone was confused about BTS' global appeal, one listen to Wings will make that inherently clear." Meanwhile, Allkpop has reported that BTS became the first group ever to sell out the Gocheok Sky Dome twice in a row. BTS held their 'BTS 3rd Muster ARMY.ZIP+' at the Sky Dome in November. All the tickets were sold out. Now, they're holding their '2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III - The Wings TOUR in Seoul' on February 18th and 19th, and they've sold out all tickets to both shows. BTS has sold 40,000 tickets for both days. BTS will be touring USA, Brazil, and Chile for their world tour. Are you happy about BTS' achievements? Rice growers in Ouinhi, south-eastern Benin, have benefitted from new irrigation system (AFP Photo/Yanick FOLLY) Ouinhi (Benin) (AFP) - Daniel Aboko proudly shows off the 11 hectares (27 acres) of paddy fields he shares with other farmers -- a small spread that produces a bounty of food thanks to smart irrigation and a hardy strain of rice. In just four years, small farmers in Ouinhi, southeastern Benin, have seen their harvest double from three to six tonnes of rice per hectare (1.2 to 2.4 tonnes per acre). They produce so much, in fact, that they have created an unusual problem for West Africa: a local glut. "People come here to ask us questions and they invite me to their fields to train them," beamed Aboko, after parking his motorbike. "It's quite common in Ouinhi," he said. Some 500 rice growers work in 20 paddy fields in the town of 40,000 people in the hilly, rural department of Zou. They accepted an invitation from the Africa Rice Centre, or AfricaRice -- a not-for-profit research and training centre -- to change their irrigation system, and it's worked wonders. "In 2013, there was a drought but the producers on the pilot sites had rice, while the others didn't," said Sander Zwart, a researcher at AfricaRice. Specialists in rice breeding and irrigation, AfricaRice has devised a system called Smart-Valleys, in which humid inland valleys -- natural catchment areas for rainfall -- are scouted out for rice-growing potential. The project's team then work with local farmers, explaining the benefits of an irrigation system that is cheap and sustainable -- provided it is built in the right areas, and used at the right times. But for the change to happen, it needs the farmers' extensive knowledge of the terrain and characteristics of the soil. - 'The plant gives back' - The work has entailed moving some paddy fields into moist valleys, which are flooded at key times, and tossing out concrete aquaducts, replaced them with earthen embankments forming rows of ditches. "Rice needs water, but not all the time," explained Aboko, who is president of the Ouinhi cooperative. Story continues "With this system, when the time comes to give water, we do so -- if we shouldn't, we drain it away. "What you give to the plant, it will give that back to you!" The aim of the project -- also being trialled in neighbouring Togo -- is not only to fight against drought but also to better use rainwater, which is often the only source of local irrigation for paddy fields. "Before, people would choose somewhere and cultivate without thought," said Zwart. "And when there was no water, they couldn't do anything." Local farmers are involved at every step. "We clear the vegetation with them and they are the ones who design the layout according to the lanes of running water, the slope of the terrain and the size of plots," said Zwart. No matter how little it rains, the new system allows farmers to produce crops. But another part of the success story is due to the rice strain -- a hybrid of African and Asian cultivars called Nerica, which is shorthand for New Rice for Africa. It brings together genes from high-yield Asian strains and an ancient African strain that is low-yield but resistant to drought and less thirsty than its Asian cousin. The strain was created by AfricaRice, which gave producers their first seeds. Growers have since then bought more from their own profits. - Sales problems - Guaranteeing a consistent harvest does not mean the farmers' troubles are completely solved. "The growers don't always manage to sell their produce because they have multiplied their yield in a short space of time," said Felix Gbaguidi, a director at the ministry of agriculture. "They hadn't always anticipated that aspect. But some organisations are being set up to look after processing the rice, and marketing." Even so, Aboko wants to increase his yearly harvest from one to three. And there is room for Benin to increase its production. Back in 2009 the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) envisaged Benin becoming self-sufficient in rice by 2011. Yet last year, France's agriculture ministry said the west African country was still bringing in 50,000 tonnes of rice from abroad. With surplus yields it is perhaps marketing and sales development that Benin needs to take its rice industry to the next level. One hurdle is consumer resistance, for many people prefer the aromatic imported rice from Asia to the hardy, nutty local grain. Clover POS systems are a great solution if you want to streamline your internal services and want to replace an old kit like cash registers, payment terminals and other equipment. Clovers point of sale solution allows you to get rid of all that and replace it with a more integrated system with state of the As young artists on the hunt for love in La La Land, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone romance their way through the Hermosa Beach pier, the SmokeHouse restaurant in Burbank and the Griffith Observatory at twilight. But the movies nostalgic depiction of the areas vintage sites conceals a tougher industry reality: Retro Los Angeles locations are becoming more difficult for movie and TV crews to access as historic structures continue to vanish and the rapid gentrification of downtown and Hollywood itself imposes an increasing number of hurdles for local productions. These neighborhoods have long played a vital role in the history of the film industry, providing locations for classic scenes like Harold Lloyd dangling from a clock in downtown in the 1923 film Safety Last! and James Dean engaged in a knife fight at the observatory in Rebel Without a Cause. Advertisement Location managers say there is still enough old Tinseltown in existence to play itself, but they are concerned that the influx of retail and residents to formerly underdeveloped areas is rendering those historic cityscapes more inaccessible and making the filming-permit process more onerous. The changes come as L.A. is fighting runaway productions to other states and countries that offer attractive financial incentives. You have many more neighbors you have to talk to, said Robert Foulkes, the location manager for La La Land. The days of being able to just go down there [to downtown and Hollywood] are gone. There are so many people to get permission from. Getting permission can sometimes be as straightforward as asking the owner of the Retro Dairy Mart a drive-thru eatery in Burbank to extend its front patio to achieve a certain camera angle of Goslings jazz pianist, he said. (The answer was yes.) But it also can require more legwork, as with a sequence featuring Gosling and Stone at the Grand Central Market in downtown. 1 / 15 Robert Foulkes, location manager for, La La Land, stands in front of the You Are the Star mural on Wilcox Avenue near Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 15 Crowd in bleachers greet film stars with cheers and applause as they arrive at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for the annual Oscar event. (Los Angeles Times / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 15 Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles in 1978. (William S. Murphy / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 15 The changed look of Grand Central Market on Broadway in 2014. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 15 Grand Central Market in 1987 is crowded with shoppers on a Saturday afternoon. (Robert Gabriel / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 15 The lunchtime crowd at Grand Central Market in 2014, where new vendors offer more upscale offerings. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 15 Riders pay only a penny to ride Angels Flight on its 111th anniversery in 2012. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 15 The marquee for a theater on Broadway is updated for a showing of the Alfred Hitchcock movie Psycho, which was released in 1960. (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 15 People enjoy a sunny day on the Hermosa Beach Pier on Christmas Day in 2013. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 15 The Sixth Street Bridge, a 3,500-foot concrete span that connects the downtown L.A. Arts District to Boyle Heights, glows like a beacon on the last day it was open to traffic and pedestrians before its closure in January 2015. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 15 Sign above the entrance to Everson Royce Bar in the downtown Arts District in 2015. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 15 The Sake House by Hikari is one of the establishments that occupies the Chapman Market in Koreatown. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 15 The Hollywood Palladium in 2013. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 15 A view of Griffith Observatory with downtown Los Angeles in the background. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 15 L.A. Confidential director Curtis Hanson drives around to some of the films locations, including this cafe on Santa Monica Boulevard. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times) First opened in 1917 and long a destination for working-class shoppers, Grand Central Market has undergone dramatic development in recent years, drawing throngs of hipsters and tourists. At the same time, its retro look makes it a popular shooting location, attracting commercials and TV productions. Filming there requires permission from the owner and then from any vendor or tenant featured in a scene or is significantly affected by production, said Chris Farber, director of business development. The market has close to 40 vendors up more than 60% in the past four years and sees about 4,500 visitors on its busiest days, posing a logistical challenge for film crews. La La Land filmed there for less than a day and shot while the market was open with customers. Filming is becoming especially complicated in downtowns Arts District, where Hollywoods hunger for the neighborhoods historic vibe is clashing with the areas retail boom. You didnt have to worry about interrupting a business 10 years ago, but now you do. Its really good for the economy, but its tougher for the film industry, said Paul Audley, president of Film L.A., the nonprofit organization that oversees film permitting throughout the city. Recent productions to film in the Arts District include Netflixs upcoming Bright, starring Will Smith, and ABCs canceled Marvel series Agent Carter, set during the 1940s. The demolition this year of the historic 6th Street Bridge deprived the Arts District of one of its most popular filming locations. Agent Carter as well as the 2011 movie Drive were shot on and around the 1932 structure. Whats more, the neighborhood is now full of coffee shops, said Nancy Haecker, a film and TV location manager who worked on Agent Carter. It used to be that the warehouses were occupied by garment businesses, and we could work things out. Now, those properties are too valuable. The surge in residents in downtown means productions that shoot at night have to survey more people to comply with local filming rules, according to Film L.A. The mandatory survey is used by the L.A. Police Department, which is responsible for issuing permits to determine whether a production can operate beyond the normal window of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. for residential areas. Still, the Arts District is in high demand. Theres not one day where theres not shooting, said Miguel Vargas, head of the neighborhoods business improvement district. He said there is often friction between productions and local business owners over the scarcity of parking in the increasingly congested neighborhood. Many formerly empty lots and desolate streets are now under development, depriving crews of space needed to park trucks and trailers. Film crews also have chafed at the proliferation in downtown of Metro Bike Share stands and green bike lanes, which they say spoil the distinct look of the area. You didnt have to worry about interrupting a business 10 years ago, but now you do. Its really good for the economy, but its tougher for the film industry. Paul Audley, president of Film L.A. Similar frictions are playing out in Hollywood, where real estate development along the La Brea Avenue corridor has boomed in the past two years as several luxury condominium complexes have risen near Santa Monica Boulevard. But it also has resulted in the demolition of historic small buildings and homes structures not important enough to merit landmark status but whose collective disappearance has altered the historic feel of many blocks. For period shoots, this represents a setback because it breaks a pattern for a streetscape or look of an area, said Adrian Scott Fine, director of advocacy at the L.A. Conservancy. New buildings are constructed in and around historic ones, said Mandi Dillin, a location manager for HBOs Westworld. The way the surrounding landscape changes is what can complicate filming. The exterior shots of the Formosa Cafe in L.A. Confidential would be almost impossible to get today because of the adjacent Target shopping plaza and giant construction cranes behind it, according to location manager John Panzarella, who worked on the 1997 film as well as this years Hail, Caesar! Gentrification is not our friend, he said. The scarcity of untouched historic locations was felt during the making of Hail, Caesar!, which was set in postwar Hollywood. A nightclub scene required filming at three different vintage locations that later were pieced together in the editing room: the Fonda Theatre for the exterior; the Hollywood Palladium for interiors; and the Chapman Plaza in Koreatown for some reverse shots. Even neighborhoods on the cusp of gentrification no longer can double for themselves. The most-recent season of Amazons Transparent featured scenes set in Boyle Heights during the 50s. But the crew found that the neighborhoods skyline had changed too much. If you look at pictures from the era, theres not much in the background. Now, you see things that are more contemporary that you cant work around, said Cat Smith, production designer on the series. Instead, the crew shot in the West Adams neighborhood, which she said has retained more of its suburban postwar feel. L.A. would seem to have the monopoly on vintage L.A. locations, but some recent shoots have left the city altogether. The Nice Guys, this years detective comedy set in L.A. during the 70s, was filmed primarily in Georgia, while last years Trumbo, set in 1940s Hollywood, was shot in Louisiana. Both states offer lucrative tax incentives that have drawn numerous productions in recent years. Location managers say advances in post-production digital technology make it easier to get the perfect period shot because anachronistic eyesores like satellite dishes no longer have to be manually removed. Now they leave them in and paint them out later, said Caleb Duffy, a location manager who worked on this years Cafe Society, set in Depression-era Hollywood. Its the cheaper option. He said digital airbrushing was used in the 2012 movie Hitchcock to remove signage and other contemporary markings around the historic Palace Theatre in downtown L.A. for exterior scenes set during the 60s. The upcoming FX series Feud, about the rivalry between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, is being shot entirely in L.A. The crew recently used the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to play itself as the venue for the 1963 Academy Awards ceremony. The building still looks great, said Foulkes, the La La Land location manager who also is working on Feud. But he said other vintage locations he wanted to use have fallen victim to development, like the old Hollywood haunt Perinos Restaurant, which was demolished several years ago to make way for apartments. The crew replicated the eatery on a set. There are all kinds of buildings we wished were still around. david.ng@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidNgLAT ALSO Very tough Carrie Fisher in intensive care after a cardiac episode on flight to L.A. Pharrell Williams got in touch with the feminine to help chronicle NASAs forgotten heroines in Hidden Figures A&E pulls controversial reality show about the KKK after learning producers paid hate-group members Pharrell Williams owes his career to women. Theyve validated his unique sound, first cultivated as part of the producing duo the Neptunes and present on Kelis Kaleidoscope album and SWVs New Beginning. Theyve purchased his music, songs written and produced for the likes of Jay Z, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez, and for his solo career. Theyve also held him accountable, lambasting his 2013 hit with Robin Thicke, Blurred Lines, as sexist and rapey and assuring him that men too can be feminists. Williams knows this and is living in that truth. I just recognize that, musically, women have lifted me and kept me up, for years, he said. Good songs, bad songs, theyve always been there for me. So Ive been on this thing where I just want to lift women. Its the reason he titled his 2014 album Girl and dubbed it a 21st century take on feminism. Its why he endorsed Swedens Feminist Initiative party leader Gudrun Schyman in her 2014 bid for Parliament. Its also why he signed on to produce the film Hidden Figures, which is currently in limited release but will go wide on Jan. 6. Advertisement How could we not be involved? he asked during an interview at Hollywoods EastWest Studios. How could we not? Granted, the movie met any and every want that the budding producer after last years indie darling Dope might have. Adapted from Margot Lee Shetterlys book of the same name, it focuses on women, particularly black women. It also focuses on space and science the women were the brains behind some of NASAs early successes two subjects hes loved since his childhood. And it all happened in Hampton Roads, Va., Williams home and stamping grounds and where part of the movie would be filmed. At the center of the story are Katherine G. Johnson (played by Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), who, along with other colored computers, as they were called, overcame 1960s-era sexism and racism to become integral members of the manned space program. It also stars Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst and Jim Parsons. After signing on, he told his mother about the gig, happy that hed not only be doing the soundtrack but also helping bring the untold tale to the big screen. On the phone, she informed him that six years prior, he had actually met the real Johnson, now 98. (Vaughan died in 2008, Jackson in 2005.) She had been the guest of Leland Melvin, a black astronaut, at an event for Williams nonprofit, From One Hand to Another. I met her briefly, but I didnt know that was her story, he said. Thats when I realized [working on this film] was serendipitous. And that he couldnt squander the responsibility. He brought in famed composer Hans Zimmer to score the project; Zimmer in turn tapped Benjamin Wallfisch and Williams as partners. Their task: not just another score, but something that matched, paralleled what [these women] were possibly going through and feeling, Williams said. It was important to center the women, and their blackness. Most scores, to date, when you listen to them, they have a Euro, Anglo Saxon-esque chord progression, Williams said. But why dont we do something that may feel more kindred to these womens stories, and that theyre African American? Because so much of the film was focused on ascension, the goal was to mirror that same feeling. Theodore Melfi, the films director and cowriter along with Allison Schroeder (Mean Girls 2) said such an approach very effectively puts you in the female characters mind, asserting that all the music was written and designed from a female point of view. Though no women were on the credited sound team, now nominated for an original score Golden Globe, Melfi said they brought in as many female, and black, musicians as they could for the in-studio scoring session. It all leads up to the total feeling of what you hear in the movie, he said. [Williams] was able to give lyrics that tell the story, and its not necessarily [all] positive. [They] give the pain, but with an upbeat melody. Youre able to learn from it without being [potentially] turned off by [the emotion]. One of the lead singles, Runnin, for example, embodies the experience of mathematical savant Johnson, who had to run across the NASA campus to use the bathroom; the only colored restroom was 30 to 45 minutes away, round trip, from the building where she worked, and the knee-length dresses she wore didnt mix well with the campus bikes provided for commutes. All the while, she was still expected to complete mathematical calculations in a timely manner for astronaut John Glenns eventual orbit. How does that mind work? Whats going on in that brain? Williams said of his creative process for the song. I was trying to figure out what she must have been thinking she didnt want a free ride, she was just sick and tired of runnin. A second song, I See a Victory, is sort of the films mantra, Melfi said. Played during the credits, it captures what had to be the imagination of the colored computers to withstand the discrimination they faced: Theyll call it a mystery / but were gonna call it victory / Well be writing history / Its gon be victory. Williams, interested in replicating the classic Southern soul, zydeco sound, recruited gospel great Kim Burrell to give us those jazz inflections shes known for. When I sing in that register, I sound like Curtis Mayfield, and thats not what I wanted to give off, he said. The way she harnesses notes is unbelievable. When she does her runs, she pulls from the chords; so many of those colors come together. The novice ear hears it and is blown away. Her vocals, paired with track assistance by prolific songwriter and producer Kirk Franklin, made rainbows when Williams heard the final version. After it was taken to the powers that be, Burrell was brought into the live scoring session to sing through 14 scenes of the film without music. It was without sound because I was supplying the sounds, she said. To be able to apply my energy to history like that is mind-blowing. I feel so blessed. I See a Victory and Runnin were written specifically for Hidden Figures, while most of the other eight tracks were conceived well before the movie was in the works. In fact, Williams had been working on 60s-style music since the end of 2014. I didnt know why. It was just what I was hearing around the world and felt needed to be said, he said. His 2015 single Freedom was a byproduct of this creative period. But I didnt know this was coming. When this project popped up, it was like, Oh! Rather than sing the songs solo, Williams enlisted powerhouse vocalists Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Lalah Hathaway and Monae. I wanted to take me off of all the songs, he said, in all seriousness, but they were like, You have to stay on on some of the songs. And though he is shy about saying what my music is going to do, in terms of how it will affect the audience, Williams hopes that someone feels lifted, motivated, encouraged after listening to the soundtrack and watching the movie. Its the same hope he has for future stories music, film or otherwise to come from his I Am Other multimedia creative collective, production company and record label. We love things that feel different, things that feel vibrant, things that do something to you, he said. We want people to feel something. Get your life! Follow me on Twitter: @TrevellAnderson. Hello! Im Mark Olsen, and welcome to your weekly field guide to a world of Only Good Movies. Yes, it is a major holiday. But have you checked the movie listings? There are some just incredible titles hitting theaters right now Hollywood squeezed some four releases dates out of the week around Christmas including movies that have been playing the festival circuit for months and months and others that have only recently premiered. It truly is a world of non-stop movies. (Movies non-stop.) Our awards season roundtables are still being unveiled too. The latest to become available finds my colleague Amy Kaufman and myself talking to six of the years most notable supporting actresses: Naomie Harris for Moonlight, Felicity Jones for A Monster Calls, Nicole Kidman for Lion, Aja Naomi King for The Birth of a Nation, Octavia Spencer for Hidden Figures and Michelle Williams for Manchester by the Sea. It was quite a group. Advertisement And there are videos up from my recent post-screening Q&A with Nicolas Winding Refn and Cliff Martinez talking about music and The Neon Demon. We will have more events soon here: events.latimes.com. Silence Speaking personally, Martin Scorsese is one of my absolute favorite directors, and I will watch anything he makes. Where he leads, I will follow. His new film, Silence, is ready-made for this time of year, a tale of religious faith and deep spiritual questioning. An adaptation of the novel by Shusaku Endo, the story puts two Portuguese priests (Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver) in 17 century Japan with the goals of finding a colleague (Liam Neeson) who reputed to have renounced his faith and attempting to further spread their gospel. Justin Changs review for The Times is simply a stunning piece of work, digging deep into the movie and grappling with its issues of faith. As he wrote, This anguished, contemplative new movie, which he spent nearly three decades coaxing into celluloid reality, carries the weight of a career summation. Miraculously, that weight doesnt crush the movie; it exalts it. Jen Yamato who we here on the Indie Focus desk are excited to have joining us at The Times in the new year had a pointedly different take on the film as her last piece at the Daily Beast. Taking issue with the way Scorsese privileges the point-of-view of the Christian priests over anyone else, Yamato powerfully wrote for skeptics and non-believers, the 161-minute tale of the spiritual struggle quietly raging within one white savior out of water in feudal Japan is a frustrating journey to take and an ardent story about cultural imperialism and Western arrogance that doesnt recognize its own. Somewhat splitting the difference, at the New York Times, Manohla Dargis wrote The films solemnity is seductive as is Mr. Scorseses art especially in light of the triviality and primitiveness of many movies, even if its moments of greatness also make its failures seem more pronounced. For the Times, Steven Zeitchik wrote about the long process of bringing the story to the screen. And the New York Times Magazine had a long profile of Scorsese by Paul Elie on the filmmakers connection to the work. I dont know if theres redemption, but there is such a thing as trying to get it right, Scorsese said. But how do you do it? The right way to live has to do with selflessness. I believe that. But how does one act that out? I dont think you practice it consciously. It has to be something that develops in you maybe through a lot of mistakes. Hidden Figures If youre part of a family trying to find a movie the whole family can get out of the house to see, Hidden Figures is a pretty solid something-for-everybody pick. A feel-good movie in the absolute best sense, it tells the little known story of a group of African American women who were a vital part of the NASA team that first launched U.S. astronauts into space, working as mathematicians and engineers. Youd be hard-pressed to find a more likable trio than the films Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, with additional supporting turns by Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst and Mahershala Ali. (Among the astronauts is John Glenn, who died just earlier this month, played by Glen Powell from Everybody Wants Some!!) In his review for The Times, Kenneth Turan wrote like the calculating women whose lives it celebrates, Hidden Figures knows what its doing. A Grade-A Hollywood crowd-pleaser that happily celebrates its shameless moments, Hidden Figures can be teased but it cant be ignored. Hidden Figures actors, from left, Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monae. (Joshua Roberts / For The Times ) At the Washington Post, Ann Hornaday called the film a shot of distilled, exhilarating joy and went on to note its sneaky political power, when she noted, Just as family and marriage pointed up the pathology of racism in Loving, this movie adroitly portrays the sheer waste and inefficiency of racism and misogyny. Just think how much has been lost, the movie suggests, over centuries of depriving ourselves of the brains, talents and leadership of more than half our population? Toni Erdmann Germanys submission for the foreign-language Oscar and a movie that has been storming through critics year-end best lists and that recently won five top prizes at the European Film Awards, German writer-director Maren Ades Toni Erdmann is a very funny film that also manages some deep emotional notes and even a strikes points against the contemporary office culture and its treatment of women. A workaholic woman (Sandra Huller) is visited by her estranged father, who soon assumes an outsize comic persona and wont let it drop. Soon she is dropping her defenses, as one comedic misadventure after another has her rethinking her priorities. (And Huller has a show-stopping song that must be seen to be believed.) Reviewing the film for The Times, Justin Chang wrote were this simply the story of a no-nonsense career woman and her screw-loose dad overcoming their estrangement through a broad style of performative therapy, it might have furnished a snappy assembly-line crowd-pleaser, with every laugh, tear and epiphany planted to erupt on cue. But Toni Erdmann is weirder, messier and vastly more intricate than that. Ade has an unusual gift for planting more than one idea in each frame; I dont think theres a single one of the movies 162 minutes that can be reduced to a single emotional beat or narrative function. That hefty running time isnt a sign of indulgence, but integrity. Toni Erdmann actors Sandra Huller and Peter Simonischek. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times ) At the New York Times, A.O. Scott called the film by a wide margin the funniest almost-three-hour German comedy you will ever see. He added that the film is its own kind of rebellion, a thrilling act of defiance against the toxicity of doing what is expected, on film, at work and out in the world Ade sat for a long conversation with critic Amy Taubin while at the New York Film Festival last fall. Julieta Julieta, the latest from two-time Oscar-winning Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, was recently left off the shortlist to move forward in the race for this years foreign-language Academy Award. (Toni Erdmann made the cut.) But Julieta is nevertheless an exciting movie, something new from someone who could easily be just churning them out or giving up altogether. With a quiet, building power, the film looks at the emotional history of one woman, played by Emma Suarez and Adriana Ugarte at different stages in her life. For The Times, Justin Chang called the film radiant and absorbing, going on to add that the movie may not have the audacity and emotional grandeur of a new Almodovar masterpiece, but in every particular its seamless manipulation of time, its sly infusions of comedy, its expert direction of actors and, yes, its fabulous wallpaper it confirms his mastery nonetheless. In the Village Voice, Bilge Ebiri wrote: Both a film noir and a candy-colored confection, Pedro Almodovars Julieta is one of the most absorbing films hes made in years. Its also, perhaps, one of the saddest. I recently spoke to Almodovar for an article I will be publishing soon. And L.A.s Cinefamily just announced a complete retrospective of his work starting early next month. Email me if you have questions, comments or suggestions, and follow me on Twitter @IndieFocus. The A&E network has announced that it is pulling a reality show about the Ku Klux Klan, which was set to air next month, after executives discovered that outside producers for the series paid members of the group for their participation. The network said that Escaping the KKK, a series about people who want to leave the group and which has elicited a fierce backlash will be shelved. A&E learned last night from the third-party producers who made the documentary that cash payments which we currently understand to be nominal were made in the field to some participants in order to facilitate access, the network said in a statement Saturday. While we stand behind the intent of the series and the seriousness of the content, these payments are a direct violation of A&Es policies and practices for a documentary. Advertisement The statement continued: We had previously provided assurances to the public and to our core partners including the Anti-Defamation League and Color of Change that no payment was made to hate group members, and we believed that to be the case at the time. We have now decided not to move forward with airing this project. Paying reality subjects has become common practice in unscripted television. But the recipients of these payments distinguish this situation from nearly every other previous series. It takes on an added charge in the wake of white-supremacist groups hailing the election of President-elect Donald Trump. (Trump has disavowed the support of these groups.) The eight-part series created a stir when it was announced earlier this week as Generation KKK with a Jan. 10 air date a controversy A&E sought to quell by releasing a trailer Friday that attempted to more fully explain the shows premise. The series was being produced by the production company This is Just a Test and its co-founders Aengus James and Colin King Miller, who executive produced with Cynthia Childs and Paul Lima. James is a documentary filmmaker and reality-show producer who had previously made the nonfiction series Ice Lake Rebels and directed the doc American Harmony, about barbershop singing groups; he had also collaborated with Barry Levinson as a cinematographer. James did not respond to a text or voicemail message seeking comment Saturday. A&E executive vice president and general manager Robert Sharenow and A&E spokesman Dan Silberman declined to comment for this story. From the moment it was announced, civil rights groups and public figures slammed Generation KKK, saying it would normalize the hate group. A Change.org petition was launched, and stars such as Ellen Pompeo of Greys Anatomy spoke out volubly against the A&E move on Twitter, questioning why the network gave a platform to hate groups. A&E quickly sought to position the show as a documentary along the lines of its hit series on addiction, Intervention, hoping people would view it more as a look at the evils of hate groups than a reality-television exploitation of them. The network noted its participation with the ADL and, more recently, the civil rights group Color of Change. It also changed the title to Escaping the KKK: A Documentary Series Exposing Hate in America. The trailer, looking to underscore the series ambitions, opened with the on-screen lines: In the KKK hatred is passed down as legacy. It must stop. This series is about a group of activists working to expose hatred and end it. In a statement Friday, the network also said that the shows name was changed so no one can mistake its intent. Escaping the KKK quietly began production about 18 months ago, when the 2016 presidential election had a very different shape. In one early episode, a member of the KKK is shown to be leaving the group. In a later episode, that person then convinces a more senior member of the Klan to do the same. The series also centered on relatives of KKK members uncomfortable with the choices of their loved ones. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour On Twitter: @ZeitchikLAT ALSO Guillermo del Toro wanted Trollhunters to feel like it was from the 80s This annual Doctor Who special comes gift-wrapped for Christmas How three classic Christmas TV specials use a touch of sadness to stay timeless Wandering around Echo Park recently, Tyler Sharkey was pleasantly surprised to find that he could now grab a beer at his neighborhood bookstore, Stories Books and Cafe. Hed already discovered some other unexpected places nearby with booze: Golden Saddle Cyclery, a Silver Lake bike repair shop with an entrance sign that boasts official day drinking location, and an in-store bar at the downtown Whole Foods Market. Shopping is annoying, and even at a bookstore its nice to get a little buzz going, said Sharkey, 32. Every store should have an option to get a drink. Advertisement Soon they might. Movie theaters, grocery stores, nail salons, fast-food restaurants and other businesses that havent typically offered alcohol are trying their hand at it, hoping to draw customers with craft beer, wine and other offerings. Two new state laws have made it easier for some businesses to provide liquor. For public health researchers, that has raised some red flags. Excessive alcohol consumption is a serious yet often overlooked health problem, and they are wary of a future in which every store also has a bar. The funny thing about alcohol is that were all so familiar with it weve almost gone blind seeing the problems, said Dr. Paul Gruenewald, a senior research scientist at Oaklands nonprofit Prevention Research Center, which is sponsored by the government-run National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The funny thing about alcohol is that were all so familiar with it weve almost gone blind seeing the problems. Dr. Paul Gruenewald, a senior research scientist, Prevention Research Center Business owners say adding alcohol is a way to cater to customer demand. It was always part of the overall idea of the place, said Alex Maslansky, co-owner of Stories Books and Cafe, which began selling beer and wine this year after being open eight years on Sunset Boulevard. Supermarket chains Whole Foods Market, Gelsons, Pavilions and Ralphs have also recently added bars to some of their stores in Southern California. Starbucks already serves beer and wine at 70 locations in the state. Barnes & Noble held a grand opening this month for its first location that sells alcohol. Public health officials say they have no problem with people getting a drink at the movie theater or after work. But the more places there are to drink, the more people will drink, experts say. No, theyre not forcing people to drink, but ... if you provide them with more opportunities to do so they will do so, Gruenewald said. A couple times a week, Kyle Blair stops by the downtown Whole Foods, which is a few blocks from his apartment. The grocery store opened last year with a gastropub called the Eight Bar with more than 30 beers on tap. I can get a beer and then the groceries, said Blair, 41. On a recent Friday afternoon, he sat at the bar and sipped an India pale ale before shopping. A five-minute walk from Whole Foods, the Ralphs grocery store downtown also has an in-store bar an inconspicuous counter lined with bar stools between the bread aisle and the salad bar. The first time I saw it, I was like, No way, thats not a real bar, said Justin Davis, who lives nearby and shops there frequently. On his next visit, Davis, 28, set down his half-filled basket and ordered a glass of wine. It was kind of peaceful, he said. Its too soon to know what the impact of these new in-store bars will be, said Dr. Gary Tsai, medical director and science officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Healths Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control. But in general, communities with more places selling alcohol have been shown to also have more violent crime, car crashes and emergency room visits, he said. An L.A. County report released last month found that cities in the county with numerous bars and other places serving alcohol were twice as likely to have higher rates of alcohol-related hospitalizations. Experts say thats because if there are a lot of bars on a block, drink prices fall due to competition and people become more likely to barhop and get drunk. Business owners, however, say that alcohol is only an option and that people who do partake dont usually have more than one beverage at their establishments. Mat Lageman recently ordered an India pale Ale at a Starbucks in Beverly Hills. When you buy alcohol at Starbucks, baristas bring the drink to your table, sometimes accompanied by toasted nuts and pumpkin seeds. Its like drinking at a library. Youre not going to get your frat buddies to say, Lets go to Starbucks, said Lageman, an actor and a bartender who lives in Hollywood. Itd be like getting loaded at church. Some health researchers say theyre worried that the wide availability of alcohol at traditionally temptation-free places such as Starbucks will make it harder for addicts to abstain from drinking. But Lageman, 44, said he likes meeting his friend whos in recovery at the coffee shop, because Lageman can order a craft beer of choice while his friend can get a coffee drink. Still, experts say that the profusion of alcohol can normalize drinking in a way thats generally bad for public health. Because alcohol is seen as fairly benign, people often dont realize their drinking habits border on dangerous, experts say. (For women, unhealthy drinking is more than three drinks in a single occasion or more than seven per week. For men, those limits are four and 14, respectively.) Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill this year that allows nail salons and barber shops to serve their clients one complimentary drink, without a liquor license. Another bill allowed vendors to offer beer samples at farmers markets starting this year. In the last 10 years in California, the number of alcohol licenses has increased by 19% while the states population has increased by 9%, according to the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control. Jim Sweeney, managing director of the Stores Consulting Group, said he thinks even more businesses will start serving drinks in the coming years. The more time patrons spend in a store, the more theyll buy, he said. Ive never see anybody introduce it and say, This isnt working for us. Lets take it out, Sweeney said. Oren Katz, business committee chairman of the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council, said he feels besieged by the number of places now serving alcohol, from coffee shops to grocery stores. If you want to walk your dog, must you always have drunk people around you? said Katz, who is a professor at Cal State L.A.. Some cities in California, such as San Francisco, have put moratoriums on new liquor licenses in certain neighborhoods. Burbank and Montrose residents fought against Starbucks when it wanted to apply for alcohol licenses for its branches there. But for many, the bookstore or coffee shop has become a better alternative to a bar. Stephanie Chaney, 37, often heads to the Starbucks at Hollywood and Vine near her apartment. The first time she went there earlier this year for a glass of Cabernet, she met a guy who asked her on a date. She said people notice shes drinking wine instead of coffee and tend to ask about it. I havent met anyone else, but its still a fun experience, she said. soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com Twitter: @skarlamangla ALSO Very tough Carrie Fisher in intensive care after a cardiac episode on flight to L.A. Searching for redemption, a former gang member struggles to outrun his past La La Land looks beautiful, but gentrification makes it harder for old Hollywood to play itself We all know those Dos Equis beer commercials that riff off a fictionalized, supercool dude who leads a ridiculously over-the-top life. The tag line of course (read by Frontline narrator Will Lyman) being: He is the most interesting man in the world. Well that guy could pretty much be modeled on Chris Blackwell. Blackwells life has so many amazing facets its hard to know where to begin. Most famously hes the record producer who introduced the world to Bob Marley. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted Blackwell in 2001, described Blackwell as the single person most responsible for turning the world on to reggae music. As the founder of Island Records, he also fostered the careers of a huge number of superstar artists like Steve Winwood and U2. And Blackwell has also been in the film business, luxury resorts and lately the high-end rum biz too. Oh and did I mention the real life James Bond connection? How has he been able to have such an amazing life? Blackwell says he goes his own way. Ive always been self-employed, he tells me in a recent interview. Ive been pretty much unemployable. So Ive always followed my own kind of direction. Blackwell oozes a major amount of coolness. Still striking at age 79, Blackwell is friendly, soft-spoken, calmly astute, and, well, different. I think that growing up white in Jamaica has been at the core of Chris success, says long time pal Tom Freston, the former head of MTV, (who himself would rate pretty high on the most interesting man in the world list.) [Thats] given [Blackwell] the instincts and perspective of both the outsider and the insider, a valuable trait for seeing things that others dont. And an ability to go and succeed anywhere. Christopher Percy Gordon Blackwell was born into an elite family in Jamaica. Blackwells father was from the clan that founded Crosse & Blackwell, which makes chutneys and fancy relishes and such. Chris grew up on an estate in Jamaica, but was sent off to the posh English boarding school, Harrow (Winston Churchill went there), where Blackwell bridled over the discipline and the fancy uniforms replete with straw boaters. Story continues Back in Jamaica, Blackwells then-divorced mother Blanche (who today is 104 and living in London), had become friendly with Ian Fleming, the former British secret service agent turned writer who had begun to churn out a series of pulpy novels based on the exploits of a spy named Bond. James Bond. Fleming built a house he named Goldeneye near the Blackwells and in 1962, young Chris worked on the film Dr. No, which was partly shot in Jamaica near Goldeneye. Some say that Fleming based the character Octopussya 1983 Bond film, the title character you may remember played by Maud Adamson Blackwells mother. I asked Blackwell if that was indeed the case and he gave me a Blackwellian shrug of the first order. Blackwell considered going into film, but instead founded Island Records. He was partly inspired to delve in what would later be called reggae music after nearly dying in a sailing accident and being rescued by some Rastafarians, who back then were considered almost Untouchables. (See what I mean about the amazing life?) Blackwell built his music business for over four decades becoming one the most respected and loved figures in a business where that combination is rare. He ended up owning Goldeneye, which he turned into the core of a luxury resort, and around which he created and runs a company called Island Outpost, which owns a number of resorts in Jamaica. He was also an early pioneer into revitalizing Miamis South Beach and owned 10 hotels there at one point including the Marlin. In 2009, Blackwell introduced his own line of rum, Blackwell Black Gold, tapping into his familys legacy of rum production when they owned the both the J. Wray & NephewWray & Nephew White Overproof Rum (126 proof) is personal favorite of mineand Appleton Distilleries. So how do you describe or even categorize a guy like Blackwell? I asked Freston to try: Chris is basically an artist, a cool one, left of the mainstream, and usually ahead of his time by just the right amount, says Freston. His genius was to find Bob Marley and promote him as a rock star and not just some reggae artist. Or finding South Beach or U2 or Cat Stevens or Traffic early on. Nowadays he markets an enticingly authentic Jamaican experience, in sharp contrast to the all-inclusive mass tourism impulse that predominates these days. It works. Rarely is someone so successful just by being his own man. And, in his case, a Jamaican man. And a most interesting man at that. Andy Serwer is editor-in-chief of Yahoo Finance. See also: Kudlow says Trump should play nice with Democrats Chinese use bogus divorces to speculate in real estate What the Chinese think about Exxons Rex Tillerson NFL legend Jim Kellys story of triumph and tragedy Riverside authorities are looking for a would-be bank robber accused of spitting gasoline on a teller during a holdup. The Riverside Press-Enterprise says nobody was injured in Thursdays attempted holdup at the Altura Credit Union. Police say the man entered the bank, passed a note to the teller demanding money, placed gasoline from a bottle into his mouth and started spitting it. Advertisement He also poured gas on the counter. The teller was protected by a glass barrier and the man ran off. ALSO Man fatally shot by sheriffs deputies in Pico Rivera Archbishop Gomez to take part in DTLAs Midnight Mass El Monte police fatally shoot suspected drunk driver after he attempts to run over officers The line outside the Midnight Mission in downtown Los Angeles began two days ago, as hundreds of men, women and their children waited patiently for a warm meal and a toy from Santas Village on Christmas morning. Volunteers arrived early Sunday to greet them, handing out beanies, caps and jackets in the chilly hours before the missions Santas Village opened its doors at 8 a.m. Cecelia Rosales bounced Troy, her 1-year-old son, on her hip as he waved to everyone and said hi and thank you, among the first few words he has learned. Rosales giggled with him as he welcomed the days sunshine and saw no difference between those who lived on the streets and those volunteers who came to skid row to spend the day with them. Advertisement Troy is her sixth child, said Rosales, 33. She said she struggled with drug addiction for years and her other children were taken away. Now sober for two years, she sees a bright future and another shot at motherhood with her baby boy. Rosales has enrolled in a community program that will help her read and write, get a job and find secure housing. Im going to do the legwork and stop just wishing for what I want, she said, looking at Troy with pride and determination. For once in my life, Im going to have my own apartment. Im going to be a good mother. About 2,000 children were expected to spend Christmas at the mission, which was decorated with colorful wrapping paper and filled with donated toys and books. Dozens of volunteers greeted families, helped children select their toys and served them a festive brunch. Entertainer Dick Van Dyke, a longtime Christmas volunteer at the mission, donned a bright red sweater and sang carols with the Urban Voices Project, a choir of spirited singers who consider skid row home. Hes always been a part of what we do here. Its wonderful, Joey Weinert, the missions volunteer manager, said as he ushered in more families and directed enthusiastic volunteers to their positions in Santas Village. Its been super busy. Its going great. Luis and Zarela Lopez smiled at the carolers and huddled around their toddler, Liesel Shanell, who just turned 1 this week. The couple woke up early, took a bus from their home in Koreatown to downtown Los Angeles and waited quietly for almost two hours in hopes of providing their daughter with a birthday and Christmas celebration. The couple work in a restaurant kitchen, but they have been out of work for a month because the owner could not afford to keep all his employees full time. They said they expect to be back at work after the holidays, when business at the restaurant picks up again. Until then, theyre finding ways to take care of their daughter and just being happy together, Zarela Lopez said in Spanish. Walking slowly around the room full of toys, she picked a plastic training tricycle for toddlers and an interactive book that teaches children about shapes and colors. She likes educational toys, Lopez said, as she wrapped her arms around her daughter. Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter Across the L.A. area, Christmas morning brought numerous other communities together as well. At Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena, hundreds of volunteers gathered to share a meal with those with no place to go during the holidays. At Hollywood United Methodist Church, in an annual event co-hosted with Temple Israel of Hollywood, children gathered to take photos with Santa, and volunteers expect to provide food, blankets and toiletries to more than 1,000 people. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said a 9 a.m. Christmas Mass for inmates gathered in the chapel at the Mens Central Jail. The archbishop also said a 12:30 p.m. Christmas Mass in Spanish at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. For those flying on Christmas Day, Santa Claus appeared at Los Angeles International Airport, where he handed out stuffed animals, candy canes and ornaments. Airport police canines were also greeting children and weary passengers with tail wags and holiday cheer. rosanna.xia@latimes.com Twitter: @RosannaXia ALSO: Santa Monica synagogue vandalized as Hanukkah begins Powerful storm brings road closures and record rainfall to Southern California Carrie Fisher is spending Christmas in intensive care, but is in stable condition, mom Debbie Reynolds says UPDATES: 2:40 p.m.: This article was updated with interviews with people who attended Christmas brunch at the Midnight Mission. This article was originally posted at 10:40 a.m. When Rabbi Boruch Rabinowitz arrived at his Santa Monica synagogue on the first day of Hanukkah, he made an unpleasant discovery. The front window was smeared with feces and rice, in close proximity to a menorah display. The vandalism, which occurred Saturday night or Sunday morning, did not include any anti-Semitic messages. But officials at the Living Torah Center Chabad on Wilshire Boulevard suspect the building was targeted for religious reasons. Advertisement This seems kind of intentional, Assistant Rabbi Dovid Tenenbaum said on Sunday morning. With a religious artifact in the window, we have to assume so. The night before, the congregation had celebrated the start of Hanukkah with menorah lighting, latkes and doughnuts at Rabinowitzs house. Rabinowitz arrived at the synagogue a little before 8 a.m. on Sunday morning to prepare for a service and found the noxious substances on the window. Santa Monica police officers came to the location and took a report, but there were no witnesses to the crime. Tenenbaum said the synagogue will soon install video cameras. The congregation is accustomed to occasional anti-Semitism. During a service about a month ago, Tenenbaum said, a man stood up and shouted Heil, Hitler, positioning his arms as if shooting a rifle. He ran away before anyone could catch him. About a year ago, a letter left in the synagogues mailbox contained a swastika and a message: Get out of here, you Jews. Also last year, someone scrawled graffiti on a Sukkot hut at the synagogue. The outline of a cross is still visible on the synagogues front window, etched by a vandal years ago. Tenenbaum said he is not deterred by small acts of vandalism, considering the persecution suffered by Jews through the centuries. There are many times that others have wanted to annihilate the Jewish people, Tenenbaum said. The Jewish people have succeeded, and were still here to talk about it, thank God. ALSO Powerful storm brings road closures and record rainfall to Southern California Carrie Fisher is spending Christmas in intensive care, but is in stable condition, mom Debbie Reynolds says Communities gather across the L.A. area to share Christmas morning with thousands of homeless people Valerie Jarrett has played a unique role in the Obama administration. She was both a senior advisor to the president throughout his eight-year administration it is extremely rare for White House staffers to stay for the duration and a close friend of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The three have been allies and confidants for 25 years, leading Jarrett to sometimes be called their first friend. On Wednesday, with less than a month to go before the Obamas leave the White House, Jarrett reflected on the last eight years while giving few clues about what her future holds. Advertisement Jarrett spoke from Chicagos Kenwood neighborhood, where she is spending Christmas with her 88-year-old mother, Barbara, whose residence is a short walk from the Obamas Chicago home. She said that after the Obamas leave the White House she plans to relax and get reacquainted with relatives. She said she had no firm professional plans but expects to roam between Chicago, Washington and perhaps two or three other places. Well see, Jarrett said. I havent made any firm plans on what Im going to do next. The president and the first lady have said they will stay in the capital until their youngest daughter, Sasha, 15, graduates from high school in 2019. Jarretts only child, Laura Jarrett, became a Washington-based reporter for CNN last September, so the capital still will have a big tug, she said. Jarrett, who is known to be circumspect, said she had not made any decisions whatsoever about whether shell run for office herself someday, adding, I have not given it a moments thought. Nor would she say whether she plans to write a memoir. Youre asking me questions I havent even considered yet, so well see. Well see. Well see what I have an appetite for, she said. Jarrett, who celebrated her 60th birthday last month, figures to have no shortage of job offers after leaving the White House, and also could hit the lecture circuit. For now shes finishing official business, citing a recent national summit for the White Houses My Brothers Keeper initiative, which aims to empower boys and young men of color. Im not allowing myself the luxury of focusing on the future until Jan. 20, she said, and then I will. In Chicago, Jarrett worked under Mayors Harold Washington and Richard M. Daley. She said the rough and tumble politics of Chicago was nothing compared with what she saw in the capital, pointing to Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnells upfront desire to see Obama fail and the entrenched special interests with a political and financial interest in maintaining the status quo. We have tried to be forces for good. Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Obama The lowest point by far of her tenure was the 2012 massacre of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. I remember it like it was yesterday, said Jarrett, who recently attended a memorial to mark the events fourth anniversary. She said that she was pained as a mother, and that the attack also brought back memories of a personal tragedy from 46 years ago, when her grandfather James E. Bowman was murdered during a robbery attempt in his Washington dental office. The fatal shooting took place just before Christmas in 1970. She said she regretted that there was no congressional action on gun control after Sandy Hook. Jarrett said the high points of her White House years include the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal. She said shed lost count of the times Congress has voted unsuccessfully to repeal Obamacare but has yet to see a replacement measure that keeps intact its key provisions. She said she wouldnt prejudge what Trump might do about the healthcare act, but hoped he would retain the goal of seeing that all Americans have affordable insurance. As to other key achievements of the Obama White House, she cited the Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage and the repeal of the ban to let gays and lesbians serve openly in the military. When the high court ruled on gay marriage in 2015, she was in a meeting and an aide slipped her a note: We won. Jarrett said she ran down to the Oval Office, but found Obama was not there. Chief of Staff Denis McDonough asked Jarrett whether she had called him. Oh, good point, she replied. She reached the president as he was preparing the eulogy for Clementa Pinckney, the pastor slain in a mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. I had the honor of telling him we had won that case, she said. Not long after that, the president, Jarrett and others were off to Charleston, where she recalls Obamas eulogy in which he led the congregation in singing Amazing Grace. They were back in Washington before dusk and on the North Portico of the White House, watching the sun come down and seeing the Executive Mansion bathed in a rainbow of colored lights to mark the Supreme Court decision. Extraordinary, she said, crediting White House staffer Jeff Tiller with proposing the light display. During her long tenure, some took to calling Jarrett the Night Stalker because she could visit with the Obamas in the familys private quarters at the end of the day. There was occasional infighting with colleagues, including Rahm Emanuel, Obamas first chief of staff and now Chicagos mayor. Jarrett downplayed her disputes with Emanuel, saying they had a very comfortable relationship and were direct with one another. They continued to engage after he became mayor of Chicago and with her role as director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Jarrett said shed miss the high platform from which we have tried to be forces for good and bending that arc of the moral universe closer to justice. She said she wouldnt miss the coarseness of the dialogue on social media. I think we can do better than that. It is unnecessarily harsh and oftentimes personal, she said. Trumps victory was shocking, Jarrett said. She said she had met Trump once, in 2011 when he attended (and was lampooned by speakers at) the annual White House Correspondents Dinner. The two recognized each other. He couldnt have been more gracious and said nice things, and I told him it was a pleasure to meet him, she said. It was a very brief encounter. If she has any fears about what his administration will bring, shes characteristically tight-lipped. Instead she recalls how diligent President George W. Bush and his aides were in preparing Obama for his transition. Obamas White House, which stood firm for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, is following suit to assist Trump with his transition, she said. Mystery, for now, may shroud Jarretts next steps. But she is unequivocal about her loyalty to her boss. Asked whether she would work on behalf of the future Obama Presidential Center on the South Side, she said: I will help President Obama for the rest of my life in any way I can, including [at] his center. Skiba writes for the Chicago Tribune. ALSO President Obama signs defense bill that could spur new space-based arms race Trump announces he will close controversial charitable foundation After Clintons defeat, whats the path for future women presidential candidates? In 1992, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer pitched themselves to California voters as the dynamic duo, as Thelma and Louise, as Cagney and Lacey. They were trying to convince voters to do something no state had ever done: Elect two women to represent them in the U.S. Senate. When they got to Washington, reporters followed the pair, looking for signs of discord. Boxer and Feinstein derided the attention as bizarre and sexist, but they remained conscious of the intense interest in how the nations first female pair of senators would work together. Advertisement It was ridiculous, Boxer said. We knew there were people who were ready to say two women cant get along. We knew we had that responsibility. Their different personalities and governing styles could have posed a problem. Instead, their contrasts, in many cases, became a strength. Feinstein, a former mayor of San Francisco, was a consensus builder willing to buck her own party at times to reach a compromise. Boxer, who served 10 years in the House before coming to the Senate, was a bit of a flamethrower, more rigidly ideological and staunchly devoted to the environment and womens healthcare. They are fire and ice, USC political scientist Dan Schnur said. Theyve been almost perfect complements to each other. The 76-year-old Boxer is retiring in January, leaving behind a 24-year working relationship with Feinstein that was by all appearances in sync until its last days, when an argument over water policy played out in public. Starting Jan. 3, Feinstein will have a new partner in Kamala Harris, who has a blend of Boxers progressive ideology and Feinsteins pragmatism. Its hard to predict how she and Feinstein will work together, but its reasonable to assume they will end up being an even better combination, Schnur said. Barbara Boxer, left, and Dianne Feinstein raise their arms in victory and wave to supporters at a 1992 election rally in San Francisco. (Alan Greth / AP ) Its common for rivalries to develop between senators from the same state, especially if they are from the same party. But Feinstein, the moderate policy wonk, and Boxer, the progressive rabble-rouser, carved their own niches, built their own alliances and largely avoided conflict. Feinstein, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Judiciary Committee and Select Intelligence Committee, took the lead on spending and foreign policy issues. Boxer, the ranking Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee and a senior member of the Select Ethics Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee, focused on the environment, womens rights and consumer issues. Those different interests allowed them to go their own ways, Feinstein recalled, but they almost always backed each others legislation. They put up a united front for California, together trying to limit helicopter noise over Los Angeles neighborhoods, advance a long-stalled federal courthouse project in downtown L.A. and strengthen flood protection in the Sacramento area. Theyve worked in tandem on infrastructure, Lake Tahoe restoration, protecting wilderness areas and preventing offshore drilling. Their different interests and relationships allowed them to reach out to a broad swath of their Senate colleagues when petitioning for something California needed. They were so effective at cajoling their counterparts on the Golden States behalf that President Clinton once called them a one-two punch. They campaigned against automatic guns, for a desert protection bill and for disaster relief after earthquakes, fires and floods. When they differed, such as on their votes on the Iraq War and some of the George W. Bush tax cuts, it was quietly. (Boxer was against them; Feinstein was for them.) We are friends, and we supported each other, Feinstein said. It just naturally happened. Whether they were actually friends, or just two powerful women who saw the political benefit of getting along publicly, has been a source of speculation for years. Theres never been much sense of a strong personal relationship between the two, Schnur said. They teamed up when it was necessary, but for the most part, seem to have decided to stay out of the others way. The senators and their husbands have shared meals, but only rarely, over the years, Boxer said. But they always took time to chat about their children when theyd run into each other in the Capitol. I would call it a warm relationship, Boxer said. Asked for a memory that stuck out from working with Boxer, Feinstein instead praised Boxers well-known energy: You see that when she speaks, and you see that when she moves. Feinstein added that Boxer accomplished a lot with her time on the Environment and Public Works Committee. Boxer has long said she is indebted to Feinstein, who, at some political risk to herself, abandoned the final days of her 1992 campaign schedule to work on Boxers behalf when Boxers Republican foe had a late surge in the polls. That was when the Thelma and Louise comparisons began. As Feinstein herself put it at an October 1992 rally: Just as Cagney had Lacey and Thelma had Louise, Dianne has Barbara and Barbara has Dianne. She stood by my side, even though it could have cost her votes. And I will never, ever forget that, Boxer said in her farewell speech on the Senate floor. It was the only time Boxer mentioned Feinstein in the December speech. Feinstein wasnt there, though Boxer said she didnt notice. (Feinsteins staff said her busy schedule in the final week of the session kept her from attending the speech.) On the last day of the Senates session, when Feinstein rose from the floor in support of the water bill that had caused so much tension between them, she praised her colleague. No one has fought for California or for this country harder, Feinstein said. Earlier in the week, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) had with Feinsteins support inserted language into a water infrastructure bill that Boxer had championed. The language increased how much water would be pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to San Joaquin Valley farmers and Southern California. Boxer was apoplectic. She believed that an increase in water flows out of the Delta could ultimately threaten the Endangered Species Act. Though shed spent years negotiating the California water provision with delegation Republicans and a handful of Democrats, Feinstein had repeatedly refused to sign on unless Boxer was on board. A problem too big to ignore how years of congressional wrangling led to a water compromise So Feinsteins sudden willingness to support additions to Boxers bill a bill Boxer had spent years negotiating in her final days as a senator seemed like a disloyal twist of the knife. Boxer spent days desperately trying to kill her own bill. But in the hours she spent railing on the Senate floor, she blamed McCarthy and never directly criticized Feinstein. As the days, then the final hours, ticked by, Boxer seemed more resigned to the reality that her final vote as a U.S. senator would be against a bill she loved and that the senator who had been her longest and most-devoted ally had signed off on it. As the votes were counted, she approached Feinstein and touched her elbow, interrupting her conversation. They hugged and found an empty row of wooden chairs to sit and talk. Boxer said they agreed to set their disagreement aside, and spoke instead about their disappointment in the presidential election and about Feinsteins preparations for nomination fights as the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. Both said the water bill disagreement wont affect their friendship. I try to bifurcate work and personal, Boxer said. But it is sad for me; it is heartbreaking for me. Its the way life goes. We just happened to have one issue out of a multitude of issues to have a different view [on], Feinstein said. I dont think thats too bad in 24 years. sarah.wire@latimes.com Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter Read more about the 55 members of Californias delegation at latimes.com/politics ALSO: A problem too big to ignore how years of congressional wrangling led to a water compromise The artist and the senator: One built a desert masterpiece, the other a Nevada legacy Updates on California politics Sidecar Doughnuts, the Costa Mesa doughnut shop known for its signature flavors such as maple bacon and huckleberry, plans to open a location in Santa Monica on Tuesday. Chef and owner Brooke Desprez says the menu at the Santa Monica location, 631 Wilshire Blvd., will be the same as the rotating seasonal menu at the Costa Mesa outlet, 270 E. 17th St. But, she says, if she finds something special at the Santa Monica farmers market, dont be surprised if you find it in your doughnut the next day. Sidecar is known for frying doughnuts every hour, and the Santa Monica location will follow suit. The Wilshire Boulevard shop has a small patio in front with outdoor seating. Los Angeles Times * 550 positions available at job fair Wednesday More than 50 employers looking to fill more than 550 full-time, part-time and seasonal positions will be available to meet and interview potential job candidates at the Orange County Job, College and Veterans Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mariners Church in Irvine. The jobs hourly pay will average $10 to $25, and some higher-level openings will be available, organizers say. Representatives of Fortune 1,000 companies, government organizations, staffing agencies, nonprofit organizations and other businesses will be seeking candidates for accounting, administration, clerical, customer service, education, financial services, healthcare, nursing, law enforcement, management, manufacturing, nonprofit, sales, transportation and other positions. Business attire and resumes are advised for job seekers. Admission is free. Mariners Church is at 5001 Newport Coast Drive. * Irvine company sets forklift relay record BigRentz, an Irvine-based provider of online construction equipment rentals, set a Guinness world record Oct. 24 for the longest pallet forklift relay as part of a fundraiser for breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen Orange County, according to the World Record Academy. Four BigRentz employees passed pallets among forklifts without pausing or letting them touch the ground. They did it 62 times in about two hours to set the record, the academy said. * Massimo Dutti boutique coming to South Coast Plaza The first West Coast boutique of Massimo Dutti, a contemporary fashion brand based in Barcelona, Spain, is scheduled to open this month at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The 8,900-square-foot store on Level 2 of the Bloomingdales wing will carry womens and mens collections and accessories. * CSA Group opens lab in Irvine The CSA Group, a global provider of testing and certification services, has opened a new state-of-the-art laboratory in Irvine. The lab is 38,000 square feet and will specialize in sectors such as information technology equipment, medical devices, laboratory and industrial equipment, lighting products, and fuel-burning and electric appliances. The CSA Group is an independent organization with locations in Washington, D.C., Miami, New York City, Philadelphia and more. * John Hancock Real Estate buys Newport office complex John Hancock Real Estate has purchased a two-building office complex in Newport Beach for $104.5 million. The property, at 5000 Birch, includes a 10-floor west tower and a six-floor east tower totaling 306,000 square feet. The complex houses about 50 tenants. * Sparton Corp. consolidating Irvine design, manufacturing Sparton Corp., an Illinois-based provider of electromechanical devices for medical, biotechnology, military, aerospace and other industries, announced that it will consolidate its Irvine design center and manufacturing operations by February. We have been faced with excess capacity for some time now and we need to optimize our resources on a much more competitive level, Cary Wood, president and chief executive, said in a statement. This change will not affect our current array of design engineering and manufacturing capabilities and offerings in Southern California, but the combination of these two entities will result in reduced real estate overhead once consolidation efforts are complete. Products and services currently provided at the design center will be transferred to the manufacturing location. * Newport financial firm acquires Pennsylvania company United Capital Financial Advisers LLC, a Newport Beach-based financial management firm, has acquired Select Financial Group LLC, an independent money manager based in Carnegie, Pa. Financial terms were not disclosed. United Capital has about $15 billion in assets under management and 79 offices nationwide. Select Financial has $275 million in assets under management. After days of wet weather leading up to Christmas Eve, parishioners of St. James the Great Episcopal Church were relieved with a forecast of drier conditions Thursday. For the first time, the congregation celebrated Christmas Eve under the night sky at Lido Park, across from the closed church building in Newport Beach. At first, we were so sad that we would not be able to worship in our church, but then we looked at what we will have, an opportunity to demonstrate how much we love being in our Lido community on this very special night, said the Rev. Canon Cindy Evans Voorhees, pastor of St. James the Great. The celebration marked the end of a challenging year for St. James. In May, Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles announced that he was planning to sell the church property at 3209 Via Lido for about $15 million to Legacy Partners Residential, which plans to build 22 high-end townhomes there. Less than a month later, parishioners held their last service in the church, and days after that, Bruno had the locks changed and wouldnt allow the congregation back inside, churchgoers said. The sale of the church has not closed as the property remains tangled in a legal battle between Bruno and Griffith Co., which owned the property before it was transferred to the Episcopal Diocese in 1945. While the traditional costumes, decorations and ornaments normally used in the holiday festivities remain inside the building, the parishioners held a more informal celebration featuring a live Nativity scene with children dressed up as Mary and Joseph, and Voorhees 2-month-old granddaughter, Cali, assuming the role of baby Jesus. Instead of the customary golden candlesticks, the park was lighted with luminarias and tiki torches as a choir and string musicians performed Christmas carols. Palm trees replaced the traditional Christmas trees. Its fun, Voorhees said. Its a serious evening, but I dont get uptight about it. Its all about the message and having fun. Think you dont need another bucket-list app? Think again. Heres a better one. Name: WannaGo app What it does: Lets users build and organize their GoLists by city. Tag a restaurant, hotel, attraction, shop, museum or other location as Love it, if youve already been, or Try it, if its on your must-see list. Your lists are stashed on your profile page in the app, as are the lists you follow from the apps Tastemakers in 31 cities in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. Available: In the App Store, requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. In the Google Play store for Android, requires 4.4 and up. Advertisement Cost: Free Whats hot: Its simple to organize places you love. Your lists, favorite places (categorized by hearts) and places you want to try (categorized by a ribbon) are easily shared by email, Facebook, text and Twitter. The menu button is extra-handy. Not many travel websites show you the restaurant menu at the same time youre reading about it or looking at pictures of its entrees. This, besides having the map, website, hours and an instant call button all on the same page are more reasons to keep the app on the front page of your smartphone. The Discover section has strong leads such as Best Breakfast Sandwiches in L.A., but I enjoyed building my own lists for cities. Whats not: The Discover section had 31 cities when I tested it, but some cities were thin and had only one or two lists. Jen Leo As you describe it in the article Lights Fantastic (Dec. 18, by Valli Herman), the Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside is in a class by itself. A day trip to Riverside by train to see the Festival of Lights, especially for children, would be a wonderful experience. The Metrolink train station is within walking distance of the Mission Inn. Unfortunately, Metrolink train schedules are limited. It is frustrating to think the train line is right there yet we have to sit on the freeway to see the Festival of Lights. Advertisement Susan Ostrowsky Corona del Mar Port preferences Regarding Enhancing the Port Experience (Dec. 18, More for Your Money, by Rosemary McClure): The building Holland America Line uses is cold or hot, depending on the weather, and does not give the first-time sailor a very good introduction to the cruise experience. But I have always found the staff to be helpful and courteous. When the line used the Long Beach port in the old Spruce Goose location, the building was better designed for the purpose. San Diego or Long Beach both offer wonderful close-by attractions. Paul Brown Santa Ana Cellphone savvy Regarding How to Make the Right Call (Dec. 11, On the Spot, by Catharine Hamm): I was a Sprint customer for more than a decade until about four years ago. I started dating my now-fiancee, who lived in Mexico City. I traveled to Canada for work and Mexico to see her and always had to call Sprint and buy a day plan to reduce my data, text and per-minute call rates. I switched to T-Mobile and added the international plan. Since then we have traveled to Canada a couple of times, Mexico several times and Europe for three weeks. When I arrived in the country and disabled the airplane mode, I got a text message informing me that my phone, text messages and Internet were working, data is free, text messages are free and the phone is 10 cents a minute. (Wi-Fi calling is free.) I am not a spokesperson, salesperson or affiliate of T-Mobile but can say from experience its a great deal. Ferdinand Williams Spring, Texas hed here Cabin turbulence Elliott Hester detailed his experience as a flight attendant dealing with a passenger who was reading loudly from the Bible (Theres Hell to Pay if Making a Ruckus Midair, Fly Guy, Dec. 4). As a retired airline captain, I say to Hester, Very good job. Peter Kunasz Fallbrook The operator of Japans stricken nuclear plant said Wednesday that it had apparently contained at least one leak that was allowing radiation to seep into the sea. Tokyo Electric Power Co. had said Tuesday that it had found iodine-131 at 7.5 million times the legal limit in a seawater sample taken near the facility, and government officials instituted a health limit for radioactivity in fish. Other samples were found to contain radioactive cesium at 1.1 million times the legal limit. The exact cause of the radiation was not immediately clear, though Tepco has said that highly contaminated water has been leaking from a pit near the No. 2 reactor. The utility had suspected that the leak was coming from a crack, but several attempts to seal the crack failed to stop the flow. Advertisement On Tuesday the company said the leak might instead be coming from a faulty joint where the pit meets a duct, allowing radioactive water to seep into a layer of gravel underneath. The utility injected liquid glass into the gravel, and on Wednesday officials were reporting that the leak had been contained. Meanwhile, Tepco continued releasing what it described as water contaminated with low levels of radiation into the sea to make room in onsite storage tanks for more highly contaminated water. In all, the company said it planned to release 11,500 tons of the water, but by Tuesday morning it had released less than 25% of that amount. Although the government authorized the release of the 11,500 tons and has said that any radiation would be quickly diluted as it dispersed in the ocean, fish with high readings of radioactive iodine are being found. On Monday, officials detected more than 4,000 becquerels of iodine-131 per kilogram in a fish called a sand lance caught less than three miles offshore from the town of Kitaibaraki, about 50 miles south of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex. The fish also contained 447 becquerels of cesium-137, which is considered more problematic than iodine-131 because it has a much longer half-life, which means it takes longer to decay. On Tuesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said the government was imposing a standard of 2,000 becquerels of radioactive iodine per kilogram of fish, the same level it allows in vegetables. Previously, the government did not have a specific level for fish. Fishing of sand lances has been suspended. Local fishermen demanded that Tepco compensate them for their losses. Fishing has been banned near the nuclear plant, and the vast majority of fishing activity in the region has been halted because of damage to boats and ports by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Still, some fishermen are out making catches, only to find few buyers because of fears about radiation. It was unclear what Tepco might offer the fishermen, but the company said Tuesday that it would be giving condolence payments totaling about $2 million to residents who had to evacuate their homes because of radiation from the Fukushima plant. One town, however, refused the payment. The company has yet to decide how it will compensate residents near the plant for damages, though financial analysts say the claims could be in the tens of billions of dollars. Tepcos executive vice president, Takashi Fujimoto, said the companys decision on damages hinges on how much of the burden the government will share. Edano, the government spokesman, urged the company to accelerate its decisions on compensation. For now, Fujimoto said, the company has offered $240,000 to each of 10 villages, towns and cities within 12 miles of the plant, the area in which the government has ordered residents to evacuate. We hope they will find it of some use for now, he said. Namie, a town of 20,600 about six miles north of the plant, refused the money. Town official Kosei Negishi said he and other government officials were working out of a makeshift office in Nihonmatsu, elsewhere in Fukushima prefecture, and that they faced more pressing issues. The coastal areas of Namie were hit hard by the earthquake and the tsunami, but because of the radiation and the evacuation order, we havent had a chance to conduct a search for the 200 people who are missing, Negishi said. Why would we use our resources to hand out less than 1,000 yen [$12] to every resident? Tepcos Fujimoto acknowledged that there was a gap in the views of company and Namie officials. julie.makinen@latimes.com Hall is a special correspondent. A heavy cold kept Queen Elizabeth II from attending the traditional Christmas morning church service near her Sandringham estate in rural Norfolk, England. It is extremely rare for the monarch to miss the service, which is a cornerstone of the royal familys Christmas celebrations and brings her into contact with local residents who gather outside for a glimpse. The queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery, Buckingham Palace said. Her Majesty will participate in the royal family Christmas celebrations during the day. Advertisement Those festivities usually include a gala lunch. In past years, the royal family would often go for extended walks in the countryside. The queen has been in generally good health and has maintained an active schedule in the last year despite traveling less often than in the past. Her husband, 95-year-old Prince Philip, has also cut back his public schedule and his charitable works. He was also suffering from a heavy cold earlier in the week, the palace said. The prince did attend the Sunday morning Christmas service, waving to well-wishers on his way out of the church. As a concession to age and his cold, he drove to the church instead of walking. Prince Harry spent time talking to local residents after the church and stopped to pet a dog. There were no signs of other family members being ill. The flu season has hit many Britons hard in the last two weeks, and colds and flus are spreading. A cold can be dangerous for people in their 90s, doctors warn. Earlier this week, the royal couple delayed their departure from London to Sandringham because of their colds but traveled one day later than expected, using a helicopter instead of a train. The royal family received some sad news Saturday, when it was revealed that the queens granddaughter, Zara Tindall, had suffered a miscarriage while expecting her second child with husband Mike Tindall. The queen plans to use her pre-recorded Christmas Day message to praise British Olympic and Paralympic athletes and others who inspired her. The message will be televised throughout Britain and much of the Commonwealth on Sunday afternoon. Remarks released by Buckingham Palace indicate she will say she often draws strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The royal couple will be joined in Sandringham by other senior royals. Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Catherine, along with their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, are celebrating Christmas with the duchess parents. ALSO Vatican Christmas scene pays tribute to earthquake victims and drowned migrants With Christmas Eve Mass, Iraqi Assyrians reclaim church from Islamic State Predawn services and the pall of the drug war mark Christmas in the Philippines Ten white buses sped west from the northern Iraqi city of Irbil on Saturday morning, packed with displaced Assyrians intent on spending Christmas Eve in their mostly Christian hamlet, recaptured in October from Islamic State. I miss my church and my town, said one of the drivers, Ibrahim Behnam, 50. When they arrived for an 11 a.m. Mass at the Mar Shimoni church, they found a Christmas tree at the entrance, flanked by armed guards. Snipers perched on the roof. Advertisement Two days earlier, suicide bombers had attacked a busy market just a few miles west, killing 23 people. But that didnt stop several hundred of the faithful from making a pilgrimage home. I know all of them, said Father Yacoub Saad Shamas, noting that the church once served 2,000 families. The priest darted across the church courtyard in his black cassock, welcoming worshipers as gray skies threatened rain. I am happy, but with a broken heart. Samira Aziz, former resident of Bartella. An elderly woman kissed his hand. Iraqi military commanders greeted him warmly, as did U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ed Matthaidess III, who brought a dozen members of the 101st Airborne Division. The Americans sat at the back of the sanctuary with an interpreter. As the church filled, women slipped on lacy black mantillas and filed up into the balcony, past singed walls still spray-painted with warnings of bombs, since removed. Windows and crosses were broken, but the crystal chandelier was unharmed, reflecting the glow of the altar as they prayed in Assyrian and Arabic. God protect us and clean us from the inside, the priest intoned. You are the almighty God, our God forever. It was Samira Azizs first visit since Bartella was freed. The 50-year-old maid thought of her mother, who had always wanted to be buried here next to her son, a soldier killed years ago in the Iran-Iraq war. She died last year, after the family fled east to the semiautonomous Kurdish region of Iraq, and had to be buried in Irbil. I am happy, but with a broken heart, said Aziz. Displaced Assyrians returned to Bartella to celebrate Mass in the mostly Christian town that was recaptured from Islamic State. Sgt. Maj. Mokhles Salem Yousef, a local police officer, brought his two sons, ages 8 and 5, to see a hometown they barely remember. Before Mass, they stopped by their old house, now empty, their toys destroyed. The church bells rang and drowned out, for a time, the boom of fighting in nearby Mosul. Behnam, the bus driver, stepped outside for a break. During the drive in, he was upset to see Shiite Muslim flags hanging from empty homes, installed there by the Iraqi forces who ousted Islamic State from the town. We just want the Iraqi flag, he said. Behnam feared most of his neighbors would not rebuild. At least 400 homes were destroyed, hundreds more burned and looted, according to the priest. Theres no electricity or running water. Some former residents have already moved abroad. Im not sure I will return, Behnam said. He pointed to a statue of a church patriarch, its head knocked off by militants. Beyond that lay the church cemetery, where Islamic State fighters dug into graves and planted a rocket. Many here fear the fighters could return if Mosul isnt captured and secured soon. Nearby Gogjali, where the suicide bombers struck this week, was supposed to have been freed Nov. 1. Behnam said he felt safe with all the soldiers at the church. But to come back and sleep here as a family? No. His family of eight has settled into two trailers at a camp in Irbil that is full of Assyrians who fled Islamic States lightning advance across parts of northern and central Iraq two years ago. The camp has expanded to include restaurants, a barbershop and a room where elderly men play cards. Khaled Ishak Matti, 46, a mechanical engineer whose house was destroyed by the militants, was more defiant. Assyrians have endured here for 6,000 years, he said, surviving Arab, Mongol and Persian rule. He intends to rebuild and wants the U.S.-led coalition to help protect the town. This is our land, he said. But life cannot be like before. We need security, safety. Neama Aggula, a 42-year-old civil engineer, said militants stole everything from her house, even the doors. She has not had a Christmas tree since she fled to Irbil and is holding off getting one until she moves back home. As Mass ended, Saida Hama, 75, walked quickly out the door and down a nearby alley strewn with pots, pans, fans, heaters and other debris, toward what remained of her small orange house. Hama wore a large wooden cross and a green scarf that barely shielded her from the rain. At home, she found her disabled son, Mazin Danou, who uses leg braces, sorting through the dusty remains of their household. Daesh took what was in good condition, he said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. They stole the refrigerator, stove, water pump, gas drums. As the pair stood under an olive tree in the yard, a boom sounded in the distance. From Mosul, he said. Hama hurried off to another church, where she had arranged to meet neighbors to pray. She passed the ruins of a priests house, then the downtown shopping district, showrooms all smashed, including a mini-mart her son once ran. Finally, she reached St. Georges, doors gaping, rubble strewn across the floor, the altar charred black. It was past 3 p.m. Soon the buses would depart for Irbil. On Sunday, there would be more Masses for other families and Assyrian troops stationed in nearby towns. Bashir Shamon Sadea, a tribal council leader, said the community needs help fighting dark forces. Daesh came to kill the soul. But they couldnt. They killed the body, Sadea said outside Mar Shimoni. We are back now. molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com Twitter: @mollyhf ALSO Predawn services and the pall of the drug war mark Christmas in the Philippines Trumps comments on nuclear weapons rattle U.S. officials and foreign leaders Dozens of migrants braved jungles, seas and bandits to reach the U.S. Then they were sent home Still fuming over a United Nations Security Council resolution passed Friday that deems Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem illegal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the rare step of summoning the U.S. ambassador to express his displeasure with the Obama administration for allowing the measure to pass. The U.S. had abstained from voting on Security Council Resolution 2334, which passed 14 to 0. The decision not to exercise the U.S. veto power as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council was criticized in Israel as a break with American policy to shield Israel at the U.N. The decision recognizes all of the West Bank and Jerusalem captured by Israel and the 1967 Arab-Israeli war as occupied Palestinian territory and calls for an immediate and complete halt of Israeli building there. Though the Security Council decision is expected to have little immediate effect, analysts say it could give added legal momentum to a possible effort to sue Israel in the International Criminal Court or impose sanctions on Israel. Advertisement Speaking at the weekly meeting of his Cabinet on Sunday morning, Netanyahu said he was angry over the U.N. vote, and accused the outgoing Obama administration of acting as the hidden hand behind passage of the resolution. There is no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it, stood behind it, coordinated the drafts and demanded that it pass, he said. Netanyahu requested a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro to discuss the decision. An official at the U.S. Embassy confirmed the meeting request by the prime minister. The official declined to respond to Israeli criticism of U.S. handling of the resolution. Other Israeli politicians were more forceful in their criticism of the U.S. administration. Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi told reporters that the Obama administration had stabbed Israel in the back. Michael Oren, a deputy minister and former ambassador to the U.S., told Israel Television that the goal of the resolution is to destroy Israel economically by exposing it to sanctions and lawsuits. The meeting with Shapiro was the latest in a series of diplomatic moves Israel has made in recent days to push back on the resolution. Ambassadors of all 14 countries that supported the resolution in the Security Council were also called into the Foreign Ministry on Sunday in protest. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman ordered the suspension of civilian and political meetings with the Palestinian Authority. The international community considers the Jewish settlements in the West Bank a violation of international law and an obstacle to efforts to create a continuous Palestinian state in the territory. Israel says that resolutions at the U.N. on the peace process are unilateral moves that will make it more difficult to restart negotiations, which have been mothballed for two years. Palestinian officials, who have criticized settlement expansion for years, hailed the resolution as a victory. Speaking to Israel Army Radio on Sunday, chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said the resolution supports a two-state solution. What is disgraceful is the continuation of the building of settlements on what is supposed to be Palestinian land, he said. The passage of the resolution put Netanyahu on the defensive at home. Newspaper commentators said the prime minister clashed too many times with President Obama and went too far to curry favor with pro-settlement politicians in his coalition, for example by supporting legislation to retroactively legalize settlement activity on Palestinian property. Analysts say that pressure is fueling Netanyahus fiery response to the U.N. vote. The overreaction is symptomatic of the fact that I think he knows that this is a mistake, that he messed up, said Jonathan Rynhold, a political science professor at Bar-Ilan University and an expert on U.S.-Israeli relations. He understood that by placating the ideological right he created a position where it was easy for Obama to do what he did. He made a choice to consolidate and maintain his right-wing base, and theres a price for that, Rynhold said. Mitnick is a special correspondent. ALSO Israels high court delays demolition of West Bank outpost Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas consolidates control over his party Trump administration could upend decades of U.S. policy on Israel and Palestinians The recent find evidence from Mars suggests that life on Mars is almost touching. But a lot of rumor is growing about going to Mars. According to PHYS, sending a manned mission to Mars would probably make America great once again. But this could not fully carry out in the lifetime of Trump administration. Clinton administration would have preferred to go back to the Moon. So the international cooperation on a moon project seems strong. But other say the moon is a boomerang. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's current Mars venture is the Curiosity rover. The robot landed at Gale Crater on Mars more than four years ago. After analyzing the minerals Curiosity has confirmed," Mars was once a wet world with much of the chemistry required for life". However, concrete evidence of life is not being found on Mars. But the recent discovery of Boron material puts the idea Mars is an indication of past habitability. Curiosity scientists are speculating that about 3.8 billion years ago, at the time life originating on Earth, Mars were capable of holding water. Meanwhile, people are dreaming of going to Mars and transforming it. At the same time, Elon Mask's ambitious plan Space X have already triggered the idea of this dream, reported by ars TECHNICA. Indeed, future Mars mission is still in a problem. No geopolitical reason exists for NASA to send humans to Mars. President Obama invested scant political capital into the idea. He was more concerned with Earth science and the development of commercial space industry. As a practical destination, the Moon offers several advantages over Mars. As it is only about three days away and accessible via several different orbital approaches. NASA watch's Keith Cowing suggests that NASA is unable o know about the future budget on Mars mission and also said, "whether science is being carved out of NASA or the journey to Mars is being canceled". The Highest Court of the European Union has ruled that the general and indiscriminate retention of electronic communications by the governments is not legal. This is an alusion to the Investigatory Powers Act, also called Snooper's Charter, recently passed by United Kingdom. The purpose of this bill is retain information of website users The Investigatory Powers Act wants Internet Service Providers to retain information of all websites visited by the citizens for 12 months. It has been attacked by the European Court of Justice The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the collection of data invades the private lives of citizens, the data is retained and the users are not informed of this. Fighting serious crime is the only reason of justifying this type of interference. The ECJ considers this bill is illegal because this way citizens of UK will be under constant surveillance. Unclear if the ruling of the EU can overturn the surveillance laws The Home Office of United Kingdom has said it will appeal against the rule of the European Court of Justice. The ECJ will lose judicial authority over United Kingdom once that this country leaves the European Union. Martha Spurrier on the ruling Martha Spurrier, director of the human rights group Liberty, declared that the ruling upholds the rights of ordinary British people not to have their personal lives spied on without good reason or an independent warrant. UK must make changes to the Investigatory Powers Act to comply with this, United Kingdom may have voted to leave the European Union but not to abandon their rights and freedoms. Apple Company on the Law Apple has opposed the Investigatory Powers Bill of United Kingdom. At first, this bill required companies to build anti-encryption backdoors into their software, but then, an amendment to the wording meant that companies do not need to do so when this is requested by a government agency, unless taking an action like this "is technically feasible and not unduly expensive". The accurate definition of these terms will be in the hands of a British judge on a case-by-case basis. Sochi (Russia) (AFP) - A Syria-bound Russian military plane crashed into the Black Sea Sunday, with no sign of survivors among the 92 on board, including Red Army Choir members travelling to celebrate New Year with troops. The Tu-154 plane went down shortly after taking off from the southern city of Adler where it had been refuelling, defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said. It disappeared from radar just two minutes after it took off at 5:25 am (0225 GMT). The ministry told agencies there was no sign of any survivors at the crash site and that 10 bodies had been recovered off the coast of the resort city of Sochi, as authorities pledged to dispatch an additional 100 divers to aid in the search. "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres (165 to 230 feet)," the ministry said. President Vladimir Putin told state television that Russia will observe a day of national mourning on Monday. The plane had been on a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim air base in western Syria, which has been used to launch air strikes in Moscow's military campaign supporting its ally President Bashar al-Assad in the country's devastating civil war. Among the plane's 84 passengers were Russian servicemen as well as 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group also known as the Red Army Choir, and its conductor Valery Khalilov. They were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the air base. There were also nine journalists and eight crew onboard. Mourners laid flowers and candles throughout the day in front of the Moscow concert hall where the Red Army Choir usually performs in the Russian capital. Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov, in charge of a government probe into the crash, said on state television that investigators were looking into a "whole spectrum" of theories on the cause of the crash. Story continues When asked if a terror attack could have been behind the crash, Sokolov said: "It is premature to speak of this." He added that the aircraft's black boxes had yet to be located. The defence ministry said the searches would go on round-the-clock with the help of ships equipped with searchlights. There were also nine journalists and eight crew onboard. A list of passengers published by the defence ministry also included Elizaveta Glinka, a doctor and charity worker who serves on the Kremlin human rights council. - Probing cause of crash - The US joined German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in expressing condolences over the crash. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin was being kept updated on the search operation and was in constant contact with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Russian army spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that more than 3,000 people, 32 vessels, about 100 divers and five helicopters were taking part in the search operation. Pictures from the scene showed rescue workers carrying bodies on stretchers on a pier in Sochi. The transport ministry said the bodies recovered from the crash site would be sent to Moscow for identification. According to Konashenkov, the aircraft had been in service since 1983 and had flown some 7,000 hours since. The plane last underwent repairs in December 2014 and was serviced in September, he said. Russia's Investigative Committee said a criminal probe had been launched to determine whether violations of air transport safety regulations had led to the crash. - Indefinite deployment - Investigators are currently questioning the technical personnel responsible for preparing the plane for take-off, the committee said. Tu-154 aircraft have been involved in a number of accidents in the past. But Sergei Bainetov, the air force head of flight safety, said the plane was "in good condition technically". In April 2010 many high-ranking Polish officials, including then president Lech Kaczynski, were killed when a Tu-154 airliner went down in thick fog while approaching Smolensk airport in western Russia. Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of Assad since September 2015. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sits in the Regency Room in Buckingham Palace in London after recording her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth (AFP Photo/Yui Mok) (POOL/AFP/File) Queen Elizabeth II hailed inspirational unsung heroes in her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth on Sunday, as a heavy cold forced her to miss the royals' visit to church. The 90-year-old monarch put the focus on "ordinary people doing extraordinary things", in her annual message. The head of the Commonwealth urged people to achieve "small things with great love" in the speech, which is an integral part of Christmas Day traditions in Britain, and for millions around the world. The royal family spends Christmas together at Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham private estate in Norfolk, eastern England. But the sovereign could not join them on their traditional walk to church as she was still battling a heavy cold that forced her to delay her journey from London to Sandringham by 24 hours until Thursday. Queen Elizabeth stayed indoors but was well enough to join in the family festivities at home afterwards, a spokesman said. "I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special," she said, in her pre-recorded speech. "They are an inspiration to those who know them, and their lives frequently embody a truth expressed by Mother Teresa. "She once said: 'Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love'." - No mention of Brexit - Though she recalled the Rio 2016 Olympics and her 90th birthday celebrations, the head of state did not mention the referendum in which Britain voted to leave the European Union, the dominating feature of 2016 in the UK. "On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine," she said. Queen Elizabeth, who is the supreme governor of the Church of England, often refers directly to her guiding Christian faith in her Christmas address. Story continues "The message of Christmas reminds us that inspiration is a gift to be given as well as received, and that love begins small but always grows," she said in conclusion. It is one of the rare occasions when the head of state speaks from the heart, without having to consult government ministers. The tradition was started on radio by her grandfather king George V in 1932. - William stays with Middletons - Her 95-year-old husband Prince Philip, who had also been struggling with a cold, was well enough to attend the Christmas Day church service along with their eldest son Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, and his wife Camilla. Charles' younger son Prince Harry attended, though as per royal protocol his girlfriend, the US actress Meghan Markle, was not at the family gathering. Charles' elder son Prince William was spending Christmas 2016 with his wife Kate's family in Berkshire, southern England, for the first time since their two children were born. They were seen taking Prince George, aged three, and one-year-old Princess Charlotte, to their first Christmas Day church service. A desperate homeless person turns to a soup kitchen when he or she needs something to eat. But what about a homeless animal? A major pet food manufacturer based in the Lehigh Valley put together a temporary soup kitchen for 30 animals that got some much-needed food and some TLC. Freshpet of Hanover Township, Northampton County, has donated 2 million meals to animals since it was founded in 2006, according to spokeswoman Karina Delaine. But this December is the first time it coordinated the soup kitchen. "We decided to really shower these pets with care and give them an awesome day," Delaine said. Freshpet set up the kitchen with one of its partners, the Utah Humane Society. The animals cared for in Utah included one dog with only three legs and another born blind. Freshpet logged the day's shelter on video "to showcase how amazing these pets are," Delaine said. One listless dog perked up after getting his matted hair trimmed and shampooed. "Some of them have really incredible stories," Delaine said. "It's really awesome to see that despite their turn of bad luck they were able to have such a positive outlook on life." The kitchen project was undertaken largely through volunteers with some Freshpet employees. Freshpet agreed to donate 10,000 meals if the YouTube video of the shelter was shared 10,000 times. Freshpet met the goal and decided to up the donation to 30,000 meals. Freshpet makes refrigerated pet foods. The company opened its Lehigh Valley manufacturing facility in 2013. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. Authorities say a man has been arrested in the hit-and-run death of a man who was struck as he was running with his dog along a western Pennsylvania road on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. State police in Westmoreland County said 49-year-old Joseph Cummins, of Mount Pleasant, Pa. was struck before 2:30 p.m. Saturday in East Huntingdon Township. Police said he was taken to Frick Hospital and then flown to UPMC Presbyterian, where he died. The dog wasn't hurt. Police on Sunday announced the arrest of 29-year-old Matthew Ramsay, of New Stanton, Pa., who was charged with vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and other counts. Ramsey remained in custody Sunday. Court documents indicated that he requested representation by the county public defender's office, which didn't immediately return a call seeking comment. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook. Airport2.jpg Boarding a commercial aircraft will require something more than a driver's license for Pennsylvanians, starting in 2018. (Andrew Harrer | Getty Images) Well, push has come to shove. For several years Pennsylvania has managed to skirt the federal REAL ID Act, which requires states to issue driver's licenses that conform to post-9/11 security standards. The state Legislature adopted a bill in 2012, with then-Gov. Tom Corbett's blessing, that expressly forbids the state Department of Transportation from complying with the federal ID requirements. Now, after several deadline extensions, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has told PennDOT: No more delays. Get going on issuing updated driver's licenses, or else. "Or else" in this case means security and traveling headaches for a lot of Pennsylvania residents. As of Jan. 30, 2017, Pennsylvania driver's licenses won't be accepted for admittance to federal military bases and nuclear power plants. By January 2018, driver's licenses will no longer be adequate proof to board a commercial aircraft. If you want to fly, even on domestic flights, you'll have to have a passport or something else that complies with the REAL ID Act. Imagine this scenario: "Welcome to Pennsylvania. Oh, you live here? Passport, please." The Legislature needs to get over its Tea Party-like resistance and update this form of identification, on which millions of Pennsylvanians rely. It's time to repeal the official ban on compliance and get started on issuing new driver IDs. At the time of the vote four years ago, legislators said the move would cost millions, and they believed Pennsylvania driver's licenses were sophisticated enough. Homeland Security has reviewed the state's objections and rejected them. Pennsylvania is among a small group of states that hasn't complied. New Jersey is facing an October 2017 deadline for admission to federal facilities. If the Pennsylvania Legislature refuses to budge, residents lacking a suitable federal ID will have to apply for passports to be able to fly. Passports cost $110 for the book or $30 for cards for first-time recipients. Updating a passport or getting a new one can take weeks or months. PennDOT officials say they're willing to begin this process, which could take 18 to 24 months to complete, but they can't go against the legislative ban. When the Legislature begins a new session in January, members will find many unfinished priorities on the must-do list -- pension reform, redistricting reform, education financing and property tax reform, balancing a budget with a recurring billion-dollar structural deficit. All complex issues. Complying with the REAL ID Act could be accomplished fairly quickly -- and the feds undoubtedly would grant additional extensions once lawmakers show a good-faith effort to get up to speed. Flying these days can be a difficult, trying proposition. Placing Pennsylvanians on a "no-fly" list is an invitation for disaster -- the man-made, political kind. Raw milk is a big seller on many Lehigh Valley dairy farms. Now, the product touted as having significant health benefits is one step closer to being legally sold in New Jersey. The New Jersey Assembly's Agriculture Committee on Dec. 12 unanimously approved a bill, which would allow Garden State farms to sell raw milk in the state. The bill was sponsored by Warren County Assemblyman John DiMaio. Although the bill must still go before the full Assembly and state Senate, DiMaio believes it would be beneficial as many New Jersey residents wouldn't have to travel to Pennsylvania or other states to legally purchase their raw milk. "About a third of our raw milk business is from people from New Jersey," said Layne Klein of Klein Farms in Forks Township. "People love it. I probably sell 1,500 gallons of it between wholesale and retail a week." Klein Farms has been selling raw milk since 2004, and Klein said its raw milk has consistently sold well. If the bill becomes law, New Jersey farmers would have to prove no growth hormones are used to produce the milk and allow periodic inspections by the Agriculture Department. Klein explained these precautions aren't difficult. He says some customers buy the milk because they say it tastes better than regular milk. Additionally, he says, some with lactose intolerances are able to drink raw milk without any problems because of its health benefits. Klein isn't concerned about the possible law cutting into his business from the other side of the Delaware River. "From what I know, there aren't many Warren County farmers that would sell it if it's passed. But either way, there's enough business near the Valley for all of us," he says. For Bob Puskas of Middlebush Farms in Franklin Township in New Jersey's Somerset County, the possibility of selling raw milk is extremely appealing. "I have been pushing for this for over 10 years," Puskas says. "I have people coming in looking for it all the time but I just can't sell it." As the last remaining dairy farm in Somerset County, Puskas says his products are already in high demand. He jokes that if he were to sell raw milk, he probably wouldn't have sufficient supply. "I just hope they're able to get the bill up before (lawmakers)," he says. A spokesman for DiMaio says the bill has a long way to go before getting to Gov. Chris Christie's desk. Both the full Assembly and state Senate have yet to vote on it. "People throughout the country have been drinking raw milk for generations because they like it or believe it's beneficial," DiMaio says in a statement. "Many New Jersey farms are struggling to survive. Giving them the opportunity to market raw milk will save jobs and maintain their livelihood." Ashleigh Albert is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The Midoc out-of-hours emergency GP service for the Midland region announces its opening hours for the Christmas period. The Midoc out-of-hours emergency GP service for the Midland region announces its opening hours for the Christmas period. The HSE says Christmas is a busy time for everyone, with people preparing to spend this special time with their families and friends. There are three public holidays between Christmas and New Year which Midoc will cover in addition to their usual evening and weekend service. The HSE asks potential patients to be extra mindful that the service is only for patients who require urgent GP medical care during the festive season. The HSE midland area Midoc service is an urgent out-of-hours family doctor service operating in Westmeath, Laois, Offaly, and Longford. It is important for people to remember that Midoc is not a drop-in service, and should only be used for cases that cannot wait for the next routine surgery. You can contact MIDOC at 1850 302 702. Midoc will provide its normal range of services as deemed medically appropriate, including free nurse advice. If you are unsure who to call, you can phone your GPs telephone number and they will have a message on the phone telling you the number to contact to access the doctor who is covering for them. Midoc will offer full coverage in the region on the public holidays from 18:00 Monday 24th December until 08:00 am on Thursday 27th December 2012 and from 18:00 on Monday 31st December 2012 until 08:00 am on Wednesday 2nd January 2013 The MIDOC opening arrangements are as follows; Saturday 22nd December - 08:00 - 08:00 (24 hours - service as normal) Sunday 23rd December - 08:00 - 08:00 (24 hours - service as normal) Monday 24th December - 18:00 - 08:00 (service as normal) Tuesday 25th December - 08:00 - 08:00 (24 hours - public holiday) Wednesday 26th December - 08:00 - 08:00 (24 hours - public holiday) Thursday 27th December - 18:00 - 08:00 (service as normal) Friday 28th December - 18:00 - 08:00 (service as normal) Saturday 29th December - 08:00 - 08:00 (24 hours - service as normal) Sunday 30th December - 08:00 - 08:00 (24 hours - service as normal) Monday 31st December - 18:00 - 08:00 (service as normal) Tuesday 1st January 2013 08:00 - 08:00 (24 hours - public holiday) Wednesday 2nd January 2013 18:00 - 08:00 (service as normal) To assist Midoc in providing the best quality service, the public can help the Midoc staff by having the following information available: - patients name, if known to you - contact telephone number landline, if possible, plus mobile - current location of the patient - patients date of birth or age - name of patients own family doctor. - patients medical card number, if applicable - details of the patients current medication list. Also: - If you think the patient is in immediate danger, say so as soon as your call is answered and then follow the instructions. - Do not call for routine matters that can wait until your doctor is back in his/her surgery. - Make sure that you get prescriptions filled so that you have enough medication over the holiday season. - have your medicine cabinet/first aid box stocked. Sarah Curtin from Patrickswell - in London Ive been living in London for a year and a half. I attended Laurel Hill Secondary School and Mary I, completing an undergraduate and Masters degree as many people my age do in the current economic climate. My boyfriend had already moved to London to teach, because there are minimal secondary school teaching jobs in Ireland right now. I was really keen to work in publishing so I decided to follow him to London, and I am now working for Penguin Random House publishers. I havent been home to see my family in four months, and that is the longest break that we have had so far. Last Christmas I experienced my first flying home for Christmas moments and they were very special. You really dont understand how green Ireland is when you are landing until you live in another country... The grass really is greener sometimes! This time around it is more of a necessity, as life continues to change at home and Skype calls can only give so much love. My mother always cries at the airport as we are extremely close, and my father always greets me with a rib-crushing hug. Coming home is important for all of us, even for my brother who gets the obligatory giant Toblerone! Christmas is an especially important time because not only do I want to make time to spend with my family, including my two grandmothers who are eagerly looking forward to my homecoming, but also my wonderful friends, some of which I havent seen for nearly two years, who are traveling home to Limerick from Dublin, the UK and even Toronto. MF Laura and Shaun Murphy from Kilmallock in New York We'll spend Christmas at home in Yonkers, in New York. Shauns dad Ger and sister Christine are coming to spend the day with us. What we will miss about being away from Ireland at Christmas is being at home with our family for Christmas dinner and being there when Santa comes to our nieces Emmie and Erin Jacob. Johanna OConnor from NCR home from United Arab Emirates Last Christmas was the first Christmas we ever stayed in the United Arab Emirates and we did so because I was expecting our first baby and couldnt fly. It was a lovely Christmas with friends and we enjoyed the famous UAE brunch, but its never the same as Christmas in Ireland surrounded by family.This year, my husband Simon and I will spend Christmas Day at home in Dun Laoghaire, where he is from.We'll probably start the day with a swim Eamon Dunne from NCW in the Phillippines What will I miss about Christmas at home? Family of course, and turkey. They dont do turkey in the Philippines! But I was also here for Christmas last year so Im used to it. The 30 degree weather and spending my first Christmas with my two boys will more than make up for it. Ive been back and forth to the Philippines for the past two years with work, initially with Virgin Media (formerly UPC) and now with a company called Castletown Global Services (CGS). With Virgin I was splitting my time between Ireland and Philippines but am now based here full time with CGS. I met my fiance Jeziel, 28, early on my first trip in 2015. So we have had to handle long distance relationship challenges, especially when I was still splitting time in Philippines and Ireland. Even now my work is in the capital Manila, while Jeziel and our boys are in Cagayan de Oro, her home province and around an hour and half flight away, where all her family support is with her. I split my time between Manila and Cagayan de Oro (CDO) and will spend Christmas in CDO with my new family. For Filipinos, family really is everything so at any given time there are countless different brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews in the house supporting Jeziel and the boys, as well as her mother of course. Its a very different family dynamic to Ireland but amazing support for Jeziel, which is huge relief for me when Im in Manila. Our twin boys, Cian and Zach, were born on September 10, which also happens to be also Jeziels birthday, and I proposed recently by hiding a ring under Zachs pillow. Our wedding is planned for next May provisionally, when my dad and two brothers and close friends will hopefully make the trip to Cagayan de Oro from Ireland to meet my boys face to face for first time. Janet and Eugene Bennis from Granville Park in Brisbane Janet and Eugene Bennis made headlines when they announced that as grandparents they were emigrating to Australia nearly two years ago, as they couldn't bear to be apart from their children and grandchildren. They live in Brisbane, and have five grand daughters - Saoirse 6, Isabelle 4, Teegan 3, Alexia, 2, and baby Ciara, six months. We are not just having our second Christmas here in Brisbane with just our family, but with three other Limerick kids that have left Ireland. These kids, who grew up with our own kids, are spending Christmas day with us, and we will embrace them like our own probably telling them to stop drinking so much, stop swearing, stop smoking, etc - the usual parent stuff. We will have Christmas day dinner at our son and daughters, Eoin and Claire, and their partners Hari and Soks home, with Eoin and Haris three girls, Jen, our daughter, son-in-law Rob, their girls, Saoirse and Teegan, Cian and his two friends from Limerick, and Claires best friend from Limerick. Then well spend the rest of the day by the pool. Eoin and Claires partners are also brother and sister, and their Greek parents, who moved to Australia in the 60s, are also coming for Christmas dinner, so it'll be an Irish/Greek celebration. The one thing I love about Christmas in Oz is that we are together. Otherwise, it is hard to believe it is Christmas, because it is so hot. There is no hustle and bustle in the cold, wet, dark evenings, slipping into Nancy Blakes for a hot toddy, in front of a lovely warm fire. Oh, how I miss it, but we are here with our grand daughters and kids and for that, it is no contest. What I will miss about Limerick, and Liverpool, where I'm originally from, are my Irish sisters and brothers, nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts, and meeting friends for The one and the craic. I will miss so much more, but I have gained so much in the nearly two years that we have been here, that I wouldnt change a thing. I hugely miss my sisters and brother flying in from Liverpool on a whim at any given time. I will always miss that, and not just at Christmas. I will miss my aunty Carmels Christmas pudding and Christmas cake that I received every year for the past 30 odd years. Peter Cummins from Kilmallock in New York I'll be spending Christmas Day behind the bar as it is one of our busiest days of the year. Ive been serving drink here in Moriartys for five years now so my regulars have become friends. The best part of Christmas in New York are the lights and the shopping. The city at Christmas time is a wonderful place to visit. The only family I have here in New York is my wife Meghen, who also works in the bar business, so we really dont see a lot of each other around Christmas with us both being busier than usual. What I miss about Kilmallock during Christmas is my family. I call home on Christmas Day and the whole family is at my parents house in Kilmallock so that can make me feel a little lonely being the only one not there, but maybe next year I'll go home for Christmas. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. US and Russia Nuclear war doomsday missiles On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump tweeted that the "United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes." In the presidential debates, Trump said "Russia has been expanding" its nuclear weapons, adding that it has "a much newer capability than we do." But according to Jeffrey Lewis, the founding publisher of Arms Control Wonk, although Russia may have updated its missiles and warheads more recently, the idea that Moscow has better capabilities is "almost certainly not true." Kingston Reif, the Arms Control Association's director for disarmament and threat reduction policy, told Business Insider that the US's nuclear arsenal is "second to none," and that expanding US nuclear stockpiles risks "accelerating and worsening global nuclear competition and the chances of war." But fears that Russia has surpassed the US in nuclear ferocity are not completely unfounded. On paper, newer, more complicated, and more fearsome weapons constitute Russia's nuclear arsenal. Russia's RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile, introduced in the mid-2000s, can strike anywhere in the US with what some report to be 10 independently targetable nuclear warheads. RS-28 sarmat satan 2 These 10 warheads would reenter the Earth's atmosphere at hypersonic speeds around 5 miles a second. China has developed a similar platform, and the US simply has no way to defend against a salvo of such devastating nukes. In comparison, the US's Minuteman III ICBM also reenters the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds, but it carries just one warhead and was introduced in the 1970s. But the question of whose are better is more a philosophical one than a straight comparison of capabilities. Lewis says that US Strategic Command leaders, who command the country's nuclear arsenal, have said for decades that given the choice between the US's nukes and Russia's, they'd choose the US's missiles every time. Story continues In an interview with Business Insider, Lewis said that the US's arsenal, while it lacks the potential to devastate and lay waste to whole continents, much better fits the US's strategic needs. Russia's arsenal vs. the US's A Russian Yars RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile system drives during the Victory Day parade, marking the 71st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2016. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor "Russians made a really different design choice than we did" when it came to building ICBMs, said Lewis. "Russia built nuclear weapons that are incremental improvements," he said, or weapons that would need updating every decade or so. On the other hand, "US nukes are like Ferraris: beautiful, intricate, and designed for high performance," he said. "Experts have said the plutonium pits will last for hundreds of years." Indeed, the US's stocks of Minuteman III ICBMs, despite their age, are "exquisite machinery, incredible things." "Russia's nuclear weapons are newer, true," Lewis said, "but they reflect the design philosophy that says, 'No reason to make it super fancy because we'll just rebuild it in 10 years.'" The philosophical differences don't end there. "Russians love to put missiles on trucks," said Lewis, while the US prefers land-based silos, which present a reliable target and lack mobility. During the height of the Cold War, the US at one point tried a truck-launched ICBM, but US safety and durability requirements far exceeded that of the Russians, rendering the platform unreasonable. "If you look at the truck [the US] built for missiles, it's 10 times more expensive. It's radiation-hardened and way less vulnerable," Lewis said. "We gold-plated the thing." Minuteman III ICBM intercontinental ballistic missile The US "can't do things the Russians did because we're not going to put missiles on a crappy truck," said Lewis. Meanwhile, the Russian philosophy relies on sneakiness and achieving a threat without breaking the bank. "Good luck trying to find it it doesn't have to be gold-plated," Lewis said of the Russians' idea of missile trucks. The US "likes things that are reliable, things that can be maintained, things that you have to really train people to do," Lewis said. This difference stems from the people who make up the US military and how they differ from the Russians. "Non-commissioned officers are the core of [the US] military," said Lewis. "They've been around a long time. That's why we're way better than the Russians, who still have conscripts." It's that professionalism at the core of the US military that makes America a different kind of world power. The US prefers accuracy over destructive capability. "We love accuracy," Lewis said the US's ideal nuke is "a tiny little nuclear weapon we'll fly right through the window and blow up the building." Meanwhile, the Russians would rather put 10 warheads on the building and level the whole city, civilians and all. "You see it in Syria that's how they show it off," Lewis said of Russia's air campaign in Syria, where Moscow has been accused of using cluster bombs and incendiary munitions, and of indiscriminately bombing hospitals and refugee camps. This kind of careless and brutal attitude is a defining trait of Russia's military. For instance, Russia's leaked Status-6 nuclear "doomsday" weapon, a "robotic mini-submarine" that can make 100 knots with a range of 6,200 miles, is a nuclear-armed dirty bomb. The bomb would not only nuke, but also turn the waters around a harbor radioactive for years to come. The US never even considers this kind of devastation, and it doesn't want to. Russian status 6 nuclear torpedo dirty bomb Russia's nuclear ambitions, as shown in its nuclear arms, are "deeply, deeply, deeply immoral," Lewis said. "That's why [Americans are] the good guys." How the US deters Russia without 'doomsday' devices Lewis said the US really can't defend against Russia's most advanced, diabolical nuclear weapons, as "the problem is just that the math never works." A Russian nuclear ICBM would blast into orbit, turn around, and break into individual reentry vehicles, which would drive toward their individual targets at Mach 23. The US simply can't afford or design a system that would destroy 10 nuclear warheads traveling at that mind-bending speed toward the US. The US has "never scaled a missile defense to the size of a Russian attack. It sounds like a really great idea on paper, but when you're looking at 1,000 warheads" he said, trailing off. Another possible solution would be to destroy the missiles before they exit the atmosphere, but that means shooting them down over Russia, which presents its own problems. missile defense THAAD Another would be to destroy the missiles from satellites in space, but according to Lewis, the US would have to increase its satellite launches twelvefold before it had enough space assets to protect the country. Don't get even get MAD jfk john f kennedy cuban missile crisis Instead of spending years and trillions of dollars and escalating an arms race the US relies on a doctrine known as mutually assured destruction, or MAD. Lewis said that in the days of John F. Kennedy, the US puzzled over how to size its nuclear arsenal. The Kennedy administration decided to build enough nukes to destroy the Soviet Union if necessary. The administration named the doctrine "assured destruction," but critics pointed out that nuclear salvos would be traveling both ways, so the more apt name, intended as an insult to Kennedy's policy, was "mutually assured destruction." "There was no real theory of victory," said Lewis. Russian President Vladimir Putin once said Russia could destroy the US in "half an hour or less" using its overblown doomsday devices. But the fact is that US Minuteman III rockets that would vaporize the Kremlin seconds later. Nuclear Triad The US finds it most stabilizing to have a nuclear triad, or three varieties of nuclear weapons available at any time. Submarines, land-based silos, and bomber planes all hold nuclear missiles. No attack from Russia could simultaneously neutralize all three. Nothing could stop the US from retaliating, and nothing would. The US's nuclear weapons are not doomsday devices that would almost certainly initiate the apocalypse. Precise, professionally maintained, responsibly kept nuclear arms provide the US with a credible deterrent without needlessly endangering billions of lives. NOW WATCH: Watch the US Navy launch one of the deadliest warships in the world More From Business Insider Apr 28, 2021, 9 PM Iran issued two 250-rial Year of Dialogue among Civilizations stamps in 2001. One stamp featured the common design, and the other one (shown here) pictures Irans entry, which was the runner-up in the stamp design contest. Portugal was among the few countries that didnt use the common-design image in the 2001 Year of Dialogue among Civilizations issue, instead using its own design. The entry from Slovenia won the stamp design contest for the multination United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations issue organized by the Universal Postal Union. This design by Urska Golob was used as the common design by the vast majority of st By Peter Yaghmaie Common-design issues have had a long history in philately. Historically, a mother country would issue stamps for its colonies in a common-design format. Around the 1950s, stamp agents began designing and producing such issues for their client countries, resulting in large common-design or omnibus issues for events and anniversaries of the British royal family. Common designs also have been used in joint issues between two or more countries or even for issues on a common theme, such as the emblem used by various countries for the International Cooperation Year in 1965, albeit in different colors and sizes. However, the year 2001 saw a common-design issue with unprecedented characteristics. Called the Year of Dialogue among Civilizations, it was one of the largest common-design issues in philatelic history and unusual in that the vast majority of participating stamp-issuing entities were neither colonies nor represented by a central stamp agent who designed and produced the issue. The colors and size of most stamps in this common-design issue were similar as well. The idea for a dialog among civilizations was proposed by President Mohammad Khatami of Iran in 1998, and later that year the United Nations General Assembly declared 2001 as the Year of Dialogue among Civilizations. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Irans postal administration proposed the idea of an international stamp design competition to the Universal Postal Union in August 1999. A total of 28 countries participated in this design competition. Iran, India, Poland and Slovenia were selected as finalists at the UPU headquarters in Switzerland. The winning design by Urska Golob from Slovenia was chosen by the World Association for the Development of Philately at its meeting in October 2000 during the Espana 2000 world philatelic exhibition in Madrid, Spain. The winning design features a childrens drawing of children of four races encircling the Earth with instruments of communication, including a letter, telephone, parcel and computer keyboard between them. The backdrop of the design is a blue sky with white clouds. More than 60 countries participated in this stamp issue with the vast majority using the winning design. Also, most countries issued stamps on or around Oct. 9, 2001, World Post Day. A few countries, such as Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands Antilles, issued their stamps in 2002 or 2003. Ironically, the United Nations Postal Administration did not participate in this common issue. Some countries issued additional stamps showing their own designs, often that countrys entries in the design competition. For example, a stamp from Iran (Scott 2824) depicts the runner-up in the competition. A few countries, such as Portugal (Scott 2444), used other designs completely instead of the common design. The vast number of stamp-issuing entities and varying print runs of each stamp in the Year of Dialogue among Civilizations common-design issue make assembling a complete collection a challenge. The catalog and/or market value for the stamps from some of the countries is quite high, namely Sudan, Oman and Senegal. For the specialist, color varieties, perforation and printing errors provide further collecting opportunities for this most uncommon common-design issue. Hey everybody, Hope you are all keeping well within Lanesborough and the surrounding areas on this beautiful December day. Its definitely true that were having an easier winter this year and, so far at least, nowhere as much rain as 12 months ago. One thing we do know and can be sure of is that God our great provider can be there for us in our good times and bad times, appealing to all believers to cast all our anxiety on Him, because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Thats the most wonderful thing to consider this Christmas season folks, that 2,000 years ago our Almighty God was bringing to fruition the mystery revealed for hundreds of years. He sent his Son as a tiny baby in a manger, no room for him from the very start, and increasingly so as he challenged the authorities, presented his gospel of salvation, and died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin through faith. As a certain Christian writer has put it: If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Saviour. Let us all examine our own hearts in preparation for the Christmas season and all that means in terms of our relationship with the Lord and also with each other. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and blessed new year for 2017. ST JOHN'S, LANESBOROUGH It has been a fairly active year at the Church of Ireland in 2016 with much expectation and enthusiasm for what God will show us all in 2017. We have enjoyed interacting with our wider community at as many opportunities as possible, such as the harvest thanksgiving back in October. Thank you once again to the wider community for all your love and support on these occasions and then more generally also. Back in May, we were also delighted to arrange a service of Confirmation for three of our young people within the Roscommon group. It was lovely to see the families of the candidates, alongside the whole church acknowledge the step of faith being taken by the young people (Ina, Ivan and Eabha) in confirming their baptismal vows for themselves. We were also very excited to have our annual carol service and children's presentation on Sunday, December 11, where amongst other things, our children read a dramatised account of the birth of Jesus. On a more personal note, I and my wife Elise would like to share with you the fantastic news of our own firstborns arrival. Josiah Luke was born on Monday, November 14 at 9:52am weighing the sturdy weight of 8lbs 4 ounces. Hes doing really well and Elise his mother, my darling wife, is also recovering well. Thank you all for your wonderful and helpful prayers and kind thoughts, gifts etc. It is great to have a child in the house at Christmas I guess, although it's important to remember also that Christmas is a difficult time for so many. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Looking to stay up to date about all of the news stories and local headlines that are important to Long Islanders? We've rounded up the top coverage for all of the important topics from multiple sources around Long Island, so you can be sure you've got the most recent update on the top stories for Long Island. Have an idea for a news story? Email us at news@longisland.com Columnists Press Releases Lifestyle / Travel Latin America is set to be a key travel trend for 2017. With Colombia and Costa Rica also on the rise, the Central American country of Belize, nestled between Mexico and Guatemala, has plenty to offer travelers looking for a walk on the wild side. Here are some must-see attractions of the old British Honduras. Cultural [] Dec 25, 2016 | By AFP Relaxnews Latin America is set to be a key travel trend for 2017. With Colombia and Costa Rica also on the rise, the Central American country of Belize, nestled between Mexico and Guatemala, has plenty to offer travelers looking for a walk on the wild side. Here are some must-see attractions of the old British Honduras. Cultural highlight: The archaeological site of Xunantunich Visitors can head off in search of Belizes ancient history at the Xunantunich ancient Maya archeological site on the Guatemala border. Culture vultures who arent put off by the lack of infrastructure for tourism in the country which covers a total area of around 23,000 square km (or 8,900 square miles) can visit these Mayan ruins to capture emblematic photos of Belize. Plus, the archeological site is on the top of a hill, offering breathtaking views. Enjoy the wildlife: Belize Zoo Home to species native to this small Central American country, Belize Zoo is a must-visit for animal lovers. The zoo keeps animals that were orphaned, rescued, born at the zoo, rehabilitated or donated, and houses them in conditions as close as possible to their natural habitats in the wild. The zoo is a great place to take a closer look at jaguars, pumas and margays, and features an installation allowing visitors to get up close to jaguars in total safety. The zoo even holds night-time visits for observing the behaviour of wild animals after dark. Essential excursion: Diving the Great Blue Hole Home to the second largest coral reef system in the world, stretching over 130km (81 miles), Belize is a prime destination for divers and snorkelers. There are plenty of places to go, but the most famous diving hotspot is the Great Blue Hole, a submarine sinkhole made famous when French naval officer and explorer, Jacques Cousteau, named it one of the top ten scuba diving sites in the world. A trip to the site requires a little forward planning, since the Hole, which is more than 300 meters in diameter (984 feet), is situated 80km (50 miles) off the coast and is nestled among the Belize Cayes, a series of coral cayes in the Caribbean Sea. The trip also requires a certain budget. Adventurous activity: Explore the ancient Maya civilisation in underground caves Belize has many underground caves, used by the Maya civilisation to honor the gods. Today, tours are organised for adventurous visitors keen to discover this heritage in an action-packed excursion. Tours involve river trekking, canyoning and jungle hiking, for example. The Actun Tunichil Muknal is the most famous cave to visit. Upcoming hotspot: Corozal and the Caribbean coast Previously known as British Honduras, this former British colony is the only English-speaking country in Central America. The official language is English, but Belizes proximity with Spanish-speaking countries ensures the language plays an important role in day-to-day life, alongside Creole, Garifuna and more. In fact, Belize is a melting pot of cultures and languages. The Caribbean coast is a great place to soak up this cultural diversity. Head to Corozal Town to check out the Spanish colonial influence and tuck into delicious seafood and shellfish. Further south, the resort town of Placencia is popular with tourists. Authentic market: Visit the capital, Belmopan, and its municipal market Fans of local markets can head to Belmopan, the countrys very small capital city. Built after the previous capital, Belize City, was largely destroyed by Hurricane Hattie in 1961, visitors can get an authentic taste of Belmopan and its 15,000 residents with a stroll around its municipal market, where people from all walks of life rub shoulders. CHICOPEE - For Myriam Quinones it is important to make sure everyone is cared for and treated with respect, especially on Christmas Day. She, her wife Jossie Valentin and daughter Natalia Garcia spent part of their Christmas volunteering at Lorraine's Soup Kitchen and Pantry. Quinones bused tables and served meals to people who stopped by for some holiday cheer and a free meal. "It is wonderful work. It is a wonderful way to give back," she said. "I want to make sure everyone is treated with respect and love." Garcia was assigned to talk to any children and teens who came into the kitchen and find out how old they were. She then ran down to the basement where donated gifts were stored to find a present or two for each child. Since Garcia just turned 17, it seemed like a perfect job. "I find something that I think they will like," she said. Several Christmas Day dinners were served across Western Massachusetts including those at Commerce High School in Springfield and Kate's Kitchen in Holyoke. Lorraine's Soup Kitchen and Pantry volunteers have been running a dinner for more than 15 years and volunteers served about 100 people for Christmas. Luis Hernandez, of Chicopee, came with three other people. "It was beautiful. Everything was beautiful." "It was good, delicious," Manuel Soles, of Springfield, agreed. About 35 volunteers worked together to prepare and serve a traditional dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing and vegetables finishing with a warm brownie topped with ice cream, said Nelson Roman, an administrator and volunteer coordinator for Lorraine's Kitchen. No one was allowed to leave empty-handed. Adults and children alike were given gift bags filled with socks, gloves, hats, a teddy bear, toiletries and other gifts. Children were each given at least one additional toy, he said. Beth Stetzel decided against traveling north on icy roads to see family in Vermont and instead volunteered at the kitchen. She oversaw a table filled with donated china dolls and invited children to select one to take home. She also handed out the gift bags. "It is less stressful and it is nice to be able to give back to the community," she said. Brian Chamberlain donned a Santa suit to make the decorated hall even more festive. "I cheer up the kids for the holiday," he said. Art Goulette, of Southampton and his sons Michael and Tim Goulette, of Chicopee, and Jeff Goulette, of Minnesota, have been volunteering at the dinner for at least eight years. He said the tradition began when his wife Kimberly Goulette was director of the kitchen and continued even after she left the position for another job. Julianne Stasiowski, Tim Goulette's girlfriend, also joined them this year. "If we didn't what else were we going to do. We work our Christmas around this," said Michael Goulette. When the family started there was only one other family who used to pitch in and volunteer. Now there are more people and everything ran smoothly, he said. The volunteer help was very much appreciated. Some came in early to help prepare the meal while others came in later to serve and clean up, Roman said. A number of other people in the community were not there physically but answered the request for donations of money and presents for children to make the dinner possible, he said. "We raised well over $10,000 and received 350 kids' gifts we would not be able to cover," he said, thanking people for their generosity to help others have a good holiday. Linda Mariana, of Agawam, found a place on the serving line. As the dinner was closing out she and several others packed up leftovers so diners could bring them home for a second meal. The first Friday of every month members of her church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Springfield, get together to provide an evening meal at Lorraine's. She said she also likes to help out at Christmas. "We don't have small children any more so I get to see the kids and I really enjoy that," said Mariani, who is a retired teacher. She said she also liked to see that a number of young people joined the adults to volunteer. HOLYOKE -- Wearing her Sunday best and carrying her little sister in her arms, Geleydie Santiago, 12, waited patiently in line to meet Santa. "I was very excited," she said, while holding two stuffed animals handed to her by Santa, known by most as retired Holyoke detective Dennis Egan. This is the Holyoke Police Department Narcotics Unit's 30th-annual toy giveaway and Egan's 30th year serving as Santa as police officers and their families visit struggling neighborhoods in the city. "He has given up 30 of his Christmases to come out here and do this and we know it means a lot to him and the kids," said Capt. David Pratt, who along with Detective Anthony Brach, organizes the event ever year. This is Egan's final time serving as Santa. "This is the last one, I say that every year, but this time it really is," he said. The toy giveaway started in 1986 after a series of fires and serious crime had destroyed the city. "There were a lot of burned out buildings, a lot of poverty," Egan said. A group of police officers got together and decided to bring some toys to children living in a shelter on Hamilton Street. "After that visit and seeing the look on those kids faces who didn't know if Santa would come to the shelter, we knew we had to keep doing it," he said. Among those early organizers and participants was Officer John DiNapoli, who was shot and killed responding to a call in the city's Churchill neighborhood in 1999, three days before Christmas. DiNapoli's death so soon before Christmas had police pondering the idea of halting the toy tradition that year. Ultimately, however, they went on with it. Every year Eagan goes to the spot where DiNapoli was killed and says a prayer and leaves a little toy. This year he left a small teddy bear decorated with red and blue stars and the American flag. Brandon Murray, 11 and Kelvin Moise, 7, each carried a pile of gifts from Santa back to their apartment building. The boys compared gifts and beamed from ear to ear. "I really like my presents," Murray said. "Yeah, we got them from Santa," Moise added. With Egan's last time in the role police are on the look out for a new Santa to carry on the tradition. Brach is in the running for the job. "We'll see," he said. "This is important to us at the department because we know that for a lot of these kids, this is it, it's the only present they will get this year. You see their excitement and it's worth it for that." Children across the country tonight will struggle to stay awake to sneak a peek at Santa Claus coming down the chimney, through the window or maybe even the front door. While they anxiously await Christmas Day, the official NORAD Santa Tracker helps children and their parents see Santa make his flight delivering toys to boys and girls across the world. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado is celebrating the 61st anniversary of tracking Santa's yearly delivery. >> Follow Santa Claus on the Official NORAD Santa Tracker All day today, NORAD's "Santa Cams" will stream videos on www.noradsanta.org/ as Santa makes his way across the globe, officials said. Trackers worldwide can speak with a live phone operator to inquire as to Santa's whereabouts by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) or by sending an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook.com. At any time today, Windows Phone users can ask Cortana for Santa's location, and OnStar subscribers can press the OnStar button in their vehicles to locate Santa. Every year, NORAD men, women, family and friends have volunteered their time to respond to phone calls and emails from children all around the world, officials said. Santa apps are now also available in Windows, Apple and Google Play stores and people can also track him on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Google+. Santa followers just need to type "@noradsanta" into each search engine to check in on his whereabouts. A bike path in the Netherlands has been generating solar power since 2014, but the first example of a solar roadway built for cars opened this week in France. Colas said the panels have been covered with a resin containing fine sheets of silicon, making them tough enough to withstand all traffic, including HGVs. The company says it hopes to reduce the costs of producing the solar panels and has about 100 other projects for solar-panelled roads half in France and half abroad. Full Story: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/22/solar-panel-road-tourouvre-au-perche-normandy As multi-generational residents of the area, the farming community calls on our neighbors to join efforts to solve the challenges faced by Owasco Lake. Recently, 94 members of the agricultural sector gathered to discuss factors affecting water quality of Owasco, and future efforts to improve lake health. Its important to recognize that dairy manure is only one of many sources of phosphorus to Owasco. We read articles, hear local officials, researchers and organizations stating that Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are the problem, suggesting that large dairy operations are the only measurable source of phosphorus. This seems unlikely since CAFOs control only 3 percent of the Owasco watershed land base. The atmosphere of blame in the community serves as a diversion that squanders time that should be used to take corrective action. In the dry conditions of 2016, many streams dried up, likely preventing any significant new upland phosphorus contributions from farms to Owasco. This suggests there are other factors that must be considered for the 2016 algal bloom. According to DEC, harmful algal blooms occurred in record numbers throughout New York state in 2016, some in the Adirondacks where there are no farms. Still, we read and hear how CAFOs caused the problem. We need to work together to solve the issue. It is our understanding that all lands in the watershed are shedding phosphorus: forests, lawns, pasture, crop fields. We believe that every source of phosphorus needs to be reduced. CAFO farms continue to work at reducing phosphorus losses off farms, we call on farms of all sizes and types as well as the non-farm community, to do the same. As stewards of the land, CAFO farmers make significant investment to keep manure on fields, though unforeseen weather factors can frustrate these efforts. Take a drive down Route 34 south of Auburn where you will see green cover crops growing. This fall after harvest, farms voluntarily planted 17,000 acres of cover crops between Lansing and Auburn. This practice reduces erosion, captures nutrients and reduces runoff as even without manure, all land uses produce runoff containing some phosphorus. We have installed grass buffer strips along streams and fixed eroding stream banks. More conservation efforts can and should be done. Its time for all of us to work together to find solutions within the entire watershed, not just pointing at the regulated dairies. Jon Greenwood Canton Greenwood is chairman of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association and writes on behalf of its Cayuga County members We express our grief and pain at the tragic crash of the Russian Tu-154 aircraft in the Black Sea. We address sincere condolences to the families of the victims and express our undivided support for the Russian people. 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. SUPERVALU INC., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a grocery wholesaler and retailer in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Wholesale and Retail. The Wholesale segment engages in the wholesale distribution of various food and non-food products to independent retail customers, such as single and multiple grocery store operators, regional chains, and the military. It also provides professional services, such as pass-through programs; and various services comprising retail store support, advertising, couponing, e-commerce, network and data hosting, training and certifications classes, and administrative back-office solutions. The Retail segment operates retail stores that provide groceries and various additional products that include general merchandise, home, health and beauty care, and pharmacy products. It provides its products under the Cub Foods, Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, and Hornbacher's names, as well as 1 Rainbow stores. The company's stores offer a range of branded and private-label products comprising perishable and nonperishable grocery products. As of February 24, 2018, it operated a network of 3,437 stores, including 3,323 wholesale primary stores; and 114 retail grocery stores. The company was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Banc of California, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Banc of California, National Association that provides banking products and services in the United States. The company offers deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, retirement, and interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing demand accounts, as well as certificate of deposits. It also provides various commercial and consumer loan products, such as commercial and industrial loans; commercial real estate and multifamily loans; construction loans; single family residential mortgage loans; warehouse and indirect/direct leveraged lending; home equity lines of credit; small business administration loans; and other consumer loans. In addition, the company offers automated bill payment, cash and treasury management, foreign exchange, card payment, remote and mobile deposit capture, automated clearing house origination, wire transfer, direct deposit, and internet banking services; and master demand accounts, interest rate swaps, and safe deposit boxes. Further, it invests in collateralized loan obligations, agency securities, municipal bonds, agency residential mortgage-backed securities, and corporate debt securities. As of December 31, 2020, the company operated 29 full-service branches in Southern California. The company was formerly known as First PacTrust Bancorp, Inc. and changed its name to Banc of California, Inc. in July 2013. Banc of California, Inc. was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, California. The following companies are subsidiares of Becton, Dickinson and: Accuri Cytometers, Accuri Cytometers Inc., Alverix Inc, Alverix Inc., Atto Bioscience Inc, BD Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., BD Infection Prevention BV, BD Kiestra BV, BD Kiestra Total Lab Automation, BD Rapid Diagnostic (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., BD San Luis Potosi S.A. de C.V., BD Switzerland Sarl, BD Ventures LLC, BD West Africa Limited, BDX INO LLC, Bard (Thailand) Limited, Bard ASDI Inc., Bard Access Systems Inc., Bard Acquisition Sub Inc., Bard Australia Pty. Limited, Bard Benelux N.V., Bard Brachytherapy Inc., Bard Brasil Industria e Comercio de Produtos Para a Saude Ltda., Bard Canada Inc., Bard Chile S.p.A., Bard Czech Republic s.r.o., Bard Devices Inc., Bard Dublin ITC Limited, Bard EMEA Finance Center Sp.z o.o., Bard European Distribution Center N.V., Bard Finance B.V. & Co. KG., Bard Financial Services Ltd., Bard Finland OY, Bard France S.A.S., Bard Global Holdings I LLC, Bard Global Holdings II LLC, Bard Global Holdings III LLC, Bard Healthcare Inc., Bard Healthcare Science (Shanghai) Limited, Bard Hellas S.A., Bard Holding SAS, Bard Holdings Limited, Bard Holdings Netherlands B.V., Bard Hong Kong Limited, Bard IP Holdings Inc., Bard India Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Bard International Holdings B.V., Bard International Inc., Bard Istanbul Healthcare Limited Company, Bard Korea Ltd., Bard Limited, Bard MRL Acquisition Corp., Bard Malaysia Healthcare Sdn. Bhd., Bard Medica SA, Bard Medical Devices (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Bard Medical R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Bard Medical SA (Proprietary) Limited, Bard Mexico Realty S. de R.L. de C.V., Bard Norden AB, Bard Norway AS, Bard Pacific Health Care Company Ltd., Bard Peripheral Vascular Inc., Bard Poland Sp. z.o.o., Bard Productos Plasticos e Medicos Ltda., Bard Reynosa S.A. de C.V., Bard S.r.l., Bard Sdn. Bhd., Bard Shannon Limited, Bard Singapore Private Limited, Bard Sourcing Office Singapore Pte. Ltd., Bard Sweden AB, Bard UK Newco Limited, Bard de Espana S.A., Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Limited, Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Management Limited, Becton Dickinson (Mauritius) Limited, Becton Dickinson (Pty) Ltd., Becton Dickinson (Thailand) Limited, Becton Dickinson A.G., Becton Dickinson A/S, Becton Dickinson Argentina S.R.L., Becton Dickinson Asia Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson Asia Limited, Becton Dickinson Austria GmbH, Becton Dickinson Austria Holdings GmbH, Becton Dickinson B.V., Becton Dickinson B.V. Saudi Limited Company, Becton Dickinson Benelux N.V., Becton Dickinson Biosciences Systems and Reagents Inc., Becton Dickinson Canada Inc., Becton Dickinson Caribe Ltd., Becton Dickinson Croatia d.o.o., Becton Dickinson Czechia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Dispensing Belgium BVBA, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Denmark A/S, Becton Dickinson Dispensing France SAS, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Ireland Limited, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Norway, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Spain S.L.U., Becton Dickinson Dispensing UK Ltd., Becton Dickinson Distribution Center N.V., Becton Dickinson East Africa Ltd., Becton Dickinson Euro Finance Sarl, Becton Dickinson Europe Holdings S.A.S., Becton Dickinson France S.A.S., Becton Dickinson GSA Beteilgungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings I Inc., Becton Dickinson Global Holdings II LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings IV LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings V LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings VII LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings VIII LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Services Centre Sdn. Bhd, Becton Dickinson GmbH, Becton Dickinson Guatemala S.A., Becton Dickinson Hellas S.A., Becton Dickinson Holdings Limited, Becton Dickinson Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson Holdings Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Hungary Kft., Becton Dickinson India Private Limited, Becton Dickinson Industrias Cirurgicas Ltda., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy AB, Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Holdings UK Limited, Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Systems Inc., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Systems Inc. S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy UK, Becton Dickinson Insulin Syringe Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings II Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings III Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Israel Ltd., Becton Dickinson Italia S.p.A., Becton Dickinson Ithalat Ihracat Limited Sirketi, Becton Dickinson Korea Holding Inc., Becton Dickinson Korea Ltd., Becton Dickinson Ltd., Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.L., Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Global Holdings Sarl, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings II S.a.r.L, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings III S.a.r.L, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings V S.a.r.L., Becton Dickinson Malaysia Inc., Becton Dickinson Management GmbH & Co. KG, Becton Dickinson Matrex Holdings Inc., Becton Dickinson Medical (S) Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Devices (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Products Pte. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Technology (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Global Holdings II C.V., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Holdings B.V., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Holdings II B.V., Becton Dickinson Norway AS, Becton Dickinson O.Y., Becton Dickinson Overseas Services Ltd., Becton Dickinson Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., Becton Dickinson Penel Limited, Becton Dickinson Philippines Inc., Becton Dickinson Polska Sp.z.o.o., Becton Dickinson Portugal Unipessoal Lda., Becton Dickinson Pty. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Research Centre Ireland Limited, Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH, Becton Dickinson Rowa Italy Srl, Becton Dickinson S.A., Becton Dickinson Sample Collection GmbH, Becton Dickinson Scot Financing L.L.P., Becton Dickinson Scot Financing L.P., Becton Dickinson Sdn. Bhd., Becton Dickinson Slovakia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Sweden AB, Becton Dickinson Sweden Holdings AB, Becton Dickinson Switzerland Global Holdings SarL, Becton Dickinson Technology Campus India, Becton Dickinson U.K. Limited, Becton Dickinson UK Financing I Limited, Becton Dickinson UK Financing II Limited, Becton Dickinson Venezuela C.A., Becton Dickinson Venture LLC, Becton Dickinson Verwaltungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Vostok LLC, Becton Dickinson Worldwide Investments Sa.r.L., Becton Dickinson Zambia Limited, Becton Dickinson and Company Ltd., Becton Dickinson de Colombia Ltda., Becton Dickinson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson del Uruguay S.A., Bee IT Solutions, Benex Ltd., Biometric Imaging, Bridger Biomed Inc., C. R. Bard (Portugal) - Produtos e Artigos Medicos e Farmaceuticos, C. R. Bard Do Brasil Productos Medicos Ltda., C. R. Bard GmbH, C. R. Bard Inc., C. R. Bard Netherlands Sales B.V., C.R. Bard Inc, CME America LLC, CME Ltd., CME Medical (UK) Limited, CME UK (Holdings) Limited, CRISI Medical Systems, CRISI Medical Systems Inc., Caesarea Medical Electronics, Cardal II LLC, Care Fusion Development Private Limited, CareFusion (Barbados) SrL, CareFusion (Shanghai) Commercial and Trading Co. Limited, CareFusion 213 LLC, CareFusion 2200 Inc., CareFusion 2201 Inc., CareFusion 302 LLC, CareFusion 303 Inc., CareFusion Asia (HK) Limited, CareFusion Corporation, CareFusion Corporation., CareFusion D.R. 203 Ltd., CareFusion France 309 S.A.S., CareFusion Israel 330 Ltd., CareFusion Italy 312 S.p.A., CareFusion Manufacturing LLC, CareFusion Mexico 215 S.A. de C.V., CareFusion Netherlands 328 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 503 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 504 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands Financing 283 C.V., CareFusion Resources LLC, CareFusion S.A. 319 (Proprietary) Limited, CareFusion Solutions LLC, CareFusion U.K. 244 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 305 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 306 Limited, Carmel Pharma AB, Carmel Pharma Inc, Cato Software Solutions, Cell Analysis Systems Inc, Cellular Research, Cellular Research Inc., Clearstream Technologies Group Limited, Clearstream Technologies Limited, Clontech Laboratories Inc, Corporativo BD de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Critical Device Corporation, Cubex, Cytognos, Cytopeia Inc, DLD (Bermuda) Ltd., DVL Acquisition Sub Inc., Davol Inc., Davol International Limited, Davol Surgical Innovations S.A. de C.V., Difco Laboratories Incorporated, Distribuidora BD Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dutch American Manufacturers (D.A.M.) B.V., Dymax Corporation, Embo Medical Limited, Enturia de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Enturican Inc., FJ International Inc., FlowCardia Inc., FlowCardia LLC, FlowJo LLC, Franklin Lakes Enterprises L.L.C., GSL Solutions, Gamer Lasertechnik GmbH, GenCell Biosystems, GenCell Biosystems Ltd., GeneOhm Sciences Canada ULC, GeneOhm Sciences Inc, Gentest Corporation, Gesco International Inc., Gesco International LLC, Glentech Inc, HandyLab Inc, HandyLab Inc., IBD Holdings LLC, Iontophoretics Corporation, JoHome LLC, Kabushiki Kaisha Medicon (Medicon Inc.), Liberator Health and Education Services Inc., Liberator Health and Wellness Inc., Liberator Medical Holdings Inc., Liberator Medical Supply Inc., Limited Liability Company Bard Rus, Loma Vista Medical Inc., Loma Vista Medical LLC, Luther Medical Products Inc, Lutonix Inc., Med-Design Corporation, Med-Design Investment Holdings Inc., Med-Safe Systems Inc, Med-Safe Systems Inc., MedChem Products Inc., Medafor Inc., Medegen LLC, Medinservice.com Inc., Medivance Inc., NAT Diagnostics Inc., NAT Diagnostics Inc., NOW Medical Distribution Inc., NOW Medical Distribution LLC, Navarre Biomedical LLC, Navarre Biomedical Ltd., Neomend Inc., Nippon Becton Dickinson Company Ltd., Omega Biosystems Incorporated, P.R.C. (Isialys) Societe a responsabilitie limitee, PT Becton Dickinson Indonesia, PharMingen, PharMingen., Plasso Technology Ltd, PreAnalytiX GmbH, Pristine Access Technologies Inc., ProSeed Inc., Procesos para Esterilizacion S.A. de C.V., Productos Bard de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Productos Para el Cuidado de la Salud S.A. de C.V., Puls Medical Devices AS LC, PureWick Corporation, Roberts Laboratories Inc., Rochester Medical Corporation, Rochester Medical Ltd., Saf-T-Med Inc, Safety Syringes Inc., Scanwell Health Inc., Sendal S.L.U., SenoRx Inc., SenoRx LLC, Shield Healthcare Centers Inc., Sirigen Group Limited, Sirigen II Limited, Sirigen Inc., Sistemas Medicos ALARIS S.A. de C.V., Specialized Cooperative Corporation, Specialized Health Products Inc., Specialized Health Products International Inc., Specialized Health Products International LLC, Staged Diabetes Management LLC, Straub Medical AG, Straub Medical AG, Surgical Site Solutions Inc., TVA Medical Inc, TVA Medical Inc., Tepha Inc, Tepha Inc., Tissuemed Ltd., Tri-County Medical & Ostomy Supplies Inc., TriPath Imaging Inc., Tru-Fit Marketing Corporation, Vas-Cath Incorporated, Vascular Pathways Inc., Velano Vascular, Velano Vascular Inc., Venclose Inc., Venetec International Inc., Venetec International LLC, Visitec, Y-Med Inc., Y-Med LLC, and ZebraSci Inc.. Read More Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electric utility, banking, and renewable/sustainable infrastructure investment businesses in the state of Hawaii. It operates in three segments: Electric Utility, Bank, and Other. The Electric Utility segment engages in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Its renewable energy sources and potential sources include wind, solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, wave, hydroelectric, municipal waste, and other biofuels. This segment serves suburban communities, resorts, the United States armed forces installations, and agricultural operations. The Bank segment operates a community bank that offers banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses, including savings and checking accounts; and loans comprising residential and commercial real estate, residential mortgage, construction and development, multifamily residential and commercial real estate, consumer, and commercial loans. This segment operates 42 branches, including 29 branches in Oahu, 6 branches in Maui, 4 branches in Hawaii, 2 branches in Kauai, and 1 branch in Molokai. The Other segment invests in non-regulated renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in the State of Hawaii. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. was incorporated in 1891 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes. The company provides Alimta for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and malignant pleural mesothelioma; Cyramza for metastatic gastric cancer, gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma, metastatic NSCLC, metastatic colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma; Erbitux for colorectal cancers, and various head and neck cancers; Retevmo for metastatic NSCLC, medullary thyroid cancer, and thyroid cancer; Tyvyt for relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin's lymph and non-squamous NSCLC; and Verzenio for HR+, HER2- metastatic breast cancer, node positive, and early breast cancer. It offers Olumiant for rheumatoid arthritis; and Taltz for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondylarthritis. The company offers Cymbalta for depressive disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain; Emgality for migraine prevention and episodic cluster headache; and Zyprexa for schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and bipolar maintenance. Its Bamlanivimab and etesevimab, and Bebtelovimab for COVID-19; Cialis for erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia; and Forteo for osteoporosis. The company has collaborations with Incyte Corporation; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; AbCellera Biologics Inc.; Junshi Biosciences; Regor Therapeutics Group; Lycia Therapeutics, Inc.; Kumquat Biosciences Inc.; Entos Pharmaceuticals Inc.; and Foghorn Therapeutics Inc. Eli Lilly and Company was founded in 1876 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. United Parcel Service, Inc. provides letter and package delivery, transportation, logistics, and related services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. The International Package segment provides guaranteed day and time-definite international shipping services in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, and Africa. This segment offers guaranteed time-definite express options. The company also provides international air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, distribution and post-sales, and mail and consulting services in approximately 200 countries and territories. In addition, it offers truckload brokerage services; supply chain solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry; shipping, visibility, and billing technologies; and financial and insurance services. The company operates a fleet of approximately 121,000 package cars, vans, tractors, and motorcycles; and owns 59,000 containers that are used to transport cargo in its aircraft. United Parcel Service, Inc. was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The following companies are subsidiares of Pfizer: AH Robins LLC, AHP Holdings B.V., AHP Manufacturing B.V., Agouron Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alacer, Alpharma Holdings LLC, Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alpharma Specialty Pharma LLC, Alpharma USHP LLC, American Food Industries LLC, Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Angiosyn, Array BioPharma, Ayerst-Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, BIND Therapeutics Inc., BINESA 2002 S.L., Bamboo Therapeutics, Bamboo Therapeutics Inc., Baxter International - Marketed Vaccines, BioRexis, Bioren, Bioren LLC, Blue Whale Re Ltd., C.E. Commercial Holdings C.V., C.E. Commercial Investments C.V., C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V., CICL Corporation, COC I Corporation, Catapult Genetics, Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Coley Pharmaceutical Group Inc., Continental Pharma Inc., Covx, Covx Technologies Ireland Limited, Cyanamid Inter-American Corporation, Cyanamid de Argentina S.A., Cyanamid de Colombia S.A., Distribuidora Mercantil Centro Americana S.A., Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., Esperion LUV Development Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals Inc., Farminova Produtos Farmaceuticos de Inovacao Lda., Farmogene Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Ferrosan A/S, Ferrosan International A/S, Ferrosan S.R.L., FoldRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Foldrx Pharmaceuticals, Fort Dodge Manufatura Ltda., G. D. Searle & Co. Limited, G. D. Searle International Capital LLC, G. D. Searle LLC, GI Europe Inc., GI Japan Inc., GenTrac Inc., Genetics Institute LLC, Greenstone LLC, Haptogen Limited, Hospira, Hospira (China) Enterprise Management Co. Ltd., Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd, Hospira Aseptic Services Limited, Hospira Australia Pty Ltd, Hospira Benelux BVBA, Hospira Chile Limitada, Hospira Deutschland GmbH, Hospira Enterprises B.V., Hospira France SAS, Hospira Healthcare B.V., Hospira Healthcare Corporation, Hospira Healthcare India Private Limited, Hospira Holdings (S.A.) Pty Ltd, Hospira Inc., Hospira Invicta S.A., Hospira Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, Hospira Ireland Sales Limited, Hospira Japan G.K., Hospira Limited, Hospira Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Hospira NZ Limited, Hospira Nordic AB, Hospira Philippines Inc., Hospira Portugal LDA, Hospira Produtos Hospitalares Ltda., Hospira Pte. Ltd., Hospira Pty Limited, Hospira Puerto Rico LLC, Hospira Singapore Pte Ltd, Hospira UK Limited, Hospira Worldwide LLC, Hospira Zagreb d.o.o., ICAgen, Idun Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Santa Agape S.A., InnoPharma, InnoPharma Inc., International Affiliated Corporation LLC, JMI-Daniels Pharmaceuticals Inc., John Wyeth & Brother Limited, Kiinteisto oy Espoon Pellavaniementie 14, King Pharmaceuticals Holdings LLC, King Pharmaceuticals LLC, King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development LLC, Korea Pharma Holding Company Limited, Laboratoires Pfizer S.A., Laboratorios Parke Davis S.L., Laboratorios Pfizer Ltda., Laboratorios Wyeth LLC, Laboratorios Wyeth S.A., Laboratorios Pfizer Lda., MTG Divestitures LLC, Mayne Pharma IP Holdings (Euro) Pty Ltd, Medivation, Medivation Field Solutions LLC, Medivation LLC, Medivation Neurology LLC, Medivation Prostate Therapeutics LLC, Medivation Services LLC, Medivation Technologies LLC, Meridian Medical Technologies Inc., Meridian Medical Technologies Limited, Monarch Pharmaceuticals LLC, Neusentis Limited, NextWave Pharmaceuticals, NextWave Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, P-D Co. LLC, PAH USA IN8 LLC, PF Americas Holding C.V., PF Asia Manufacturing B.V., PF PR Holdings C.V., PF PRISM C.V., PF PRISM Holdings S.a.r.l., PF Prism S.a.r.l., PFE Holdings G.K., PFE PHAC Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Pfizer Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Wyeth Holdings LLC, PFE Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) LLC, PHILCO Holdings S.a r.l., PHIVCO Corp., PHIVCO Holdco S.a r.l., PHIVCO Luxembourg S.a r.l., PN Mexico LLC, PT. Pfizer Parke Davis, Parke Davis & Company LLC, Parke Davis Limited, Parke Davis Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Parke-Davis Manufacturing Corp., Parkedale Pharmaceuticals Inc., Peak Enterprises LLC, Pfizer, Pfizer (China) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited, Pfizer (Thailand) Limited, Pfizer (Wuhan) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer AB, Pfizer AG, Pfizer AS, Pfizer Africa & Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Veterinarian Products & Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer Anti-Infectives AB, Pfizer ApS, Pfizer Asia Manufacturing Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., Pfizer Atlantic Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Australia Holdings B.V., Pfizer Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Pfizer Australia Investments Pty. Ltd., Pfizer Australia Pty Limited, Pfizer B.V., Pfizer BH D.o.o., Pfizer Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer Biofarmaceutica Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Pfizer Biologics (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Pfizer Biologics Ireland Holdings Limited, Pfizer Biotech Corporation, Pfizer Bolivia S.A., Pfizer Canada Inc., Pfizer CentreSource Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Chile S.A., Pfizer Cia. Ltda., Pfizer Colombia Spinco I LLC, Pfizer Commercial Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Commercial Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Commercial TRAE Trading Kft., Pfizer Consumer Healthcare AB, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare GmbH, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Ltd., Pfizer Consumer Manufacturing Italy S.r.l., Pfizer Corporation, Pfizer Corporation Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H., Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Pfizer Croatia d.o.o., Pfizer Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Development LP, Pfizer Development Services (UK) Limited, Pfizer Domestic Ventures Limited, Pfizer Dominicana S.R.L, Pfizer ESP Pty Ltd, Pfizer East India B.V., Pfizer Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer Egypt S.A.E., Pfizer Enterprise Holdings B.V., Pfizer Enterprises LLC, Pfizer Enterprises SARL, Pfizer Europe Finance B.V., Pfizer Export B.V., Pfizer Export Company, Pfizer Export Holding Company B.V, Pfizer Finance Share Service (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Financial Services N.V./S.A., Pfizer France International Investments, Pfizer Free Zone Panama S. de R.L., Pfizer GEP S.L., Pfizer Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer Global Supply Japan Inc., Pfizer Global Trading, Pfizer Group Luxembourg Sarl, Pfizer Gulf FZ-LLC, Pfizer H.C.P. Corporation, Pfizer HK Service Company Limited, Pfizer Health AB, Pfizer Health Solutions Inc., Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Pfizer Hellas A.E., Pfizer Himalaya Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Holding France, Pfizer Holding Ventures, Pfizer Holdings Corporation, Pfizer Holdings Europe Unlimited Company, Pfizer Holdings G.K., Pfizer Holdings International Corporation, Pfizer Holdings International Luxembourg (PHIL) Sarl, Pfizer Holdings North America SARL, Pfizer Hungary Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Inc., Pfizer Innovations AB, Pfizer Innovations LLC, Pfizer Innovative Supply Point International BVBA, Pfizer International LLC, Pfizer International Markets Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer International Operations, Pfizer International S. de R.L., Pfizer International Trading (Shanghai) Limited, Pfizer Investment Capital Unlimited Company, Pfizer Investment Co. Ltd., Pfizer Investment Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Ireland Investments Limited, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 1 LLC, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 2 LLC, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Ireland Ventures Unlimited Company, Pfizer Italia S.r.l., Pfizer Italy Group Holding S.r.l., Pfizer Japan Inc., Pfizer LLC, Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Limited, Pfizer Laboratories Limited, Pfizer Laboratories PFE (Pty) Ltd, Pfizer Leasing Ireland Limited, Pfizer Leasing UK Limited, Pfizer Limitada, Pfizer Limited, Pfizer Luxco Holdings SARL, Pfizer Luxembourg Global Holdings S.a r.l., Pfizer Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer MAP Holding Inc., Pfizer Manufacturing Austria G.m.b.H., Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizer Manufacturing Holdings LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Manufacturing LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Services, Pfizer Medical Technology Group (Belgium) N.V., Pfizer Medicamentos Genericos e Participacoes Ltda., Pfizer Mexico Luxco SARL, Pfizer Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pfizer Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Animal Health and Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer New Zealand Limited, Pfizer Norge AS, Pfizer North American Holdings Inc., Pfizer OTC B.V., Pfizer Overseas LLC, Pfizer Oy, Pfizer PFE ApS, Pfizer PFE AsiaPac Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Pty Ltd, Pfizer PFE B.V., Pfizer PFE Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Belgium SPRL, Pfizer PFE Brazil Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE CIA. Ltda., Pfizer PFE Chile Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Colombia Holding Corp., Pfizer PFE Colombia S.A.S, Pfizer PFE Commercial Holdings LLC, Pfizer PFE Croatia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer PFE Finland Oy, Pfizer PFE France, Pfizer PFE Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Ireland Pharmaceuticals Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco 2 S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Pfizer PFE Limited, Pfizer PFE Luxembourg S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Mexico Holding 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE Netherlands Holding 1 C.V., Pfizer PFE New Zealand, Pfizer PFE New Zealand Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Norway Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE PILSA Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Peru Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Peru S.R.L., Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer PFE Private Limited, Pfizer PFE S.R.L, Pfizer PFE Service Company Holding Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer PFE Singapore Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Singapore Pte. Ltd., Pfizer PFE Spain B.V., Pfizer PFE Spain Holding S.L., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding 2 S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Switzerland GmbH, Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 2 B.V., Pfizer PFE UK Holding 4 LP, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 1 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 2 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 4 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 5 LLC, Pfizer PFE spol. s r.o., Pfizer PFE Ilaclar Anonim Sirketi, Pfizer Pakistan Limited, Pfizer Parke Davis (Thailand) Ltd., Pfizer Parke Davis Inc., Pfizer Parke Davis Sdn. Bhd., Pfizer Pharm Algerie, Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Pfizer Pharma PFE GmbH, Pfizer Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceutical Trading Limited Liability Company (a/k/a Pfizer Kft. or Pfizer LLC), Pfizer Pharmaceuticals B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Global B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea Limited, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Pfizer Pigments Inc., Pfizer Polska Sp. z.o.o., Pfizer Private Limited, Pfizer Production LLC, Pfizer Products Inc., Pfizer Products India Private Limited, Pfizer Research (NC) Inc., Pfizer Romania SRL, Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A. (Belgium), Pfizer S.A. de C.V., Pfizer S.A.S., Pfizer S.G.P.S. Lda., Pfizer S.L., Pfizer S.R.L., Pfizer SRB d.o.o., Pfizer Saidal Manufacturing, Pfizer Sante Familiale, Pfizer Saudi Limited, Pfizer Seiyaku K.K., Pfizer Service Company BVBA, Pfizer Service Company Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Services 1, Pfizer Services LLC, Pfizer Shared Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Shareholdings Intermediate SARL, Pfizer Singapore Holding Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Singapore Trading Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Spain Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Specialties Limited, Pfizer Strategic Investment Holdings LLC, Pfizer Sweden Partnership KB, Pfizer TRAE Holdings Kft., Pfizer Trading Polska sp.z.o.o., Pfizer Transactions Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Transactions LLC, Pfizer Transactions Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer Transport LLC, Pfizer Ukraine LLC, Pfizer Vaccines LLC, Pfizer Venezuela S.A., Pfizer Venture Investments LLC, Pfizer Ventures LLC, Pfizer Worldwide Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Zona Franca S.A., Pfizer spol. s r.o., Pharmacia, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn S.A. de C.V., Pharmacia Brasil Ltda., Pharmacia Hepar LLC, Pharmacia Holding AB, Pharmacia Inter-American LLC, Pharmacia International B.V., Pharmacia LLC, Pharmacia Limited, Pharmacia Nostrum S.A., Pharmacia South Africa (Pty) Ltd, PowderJect Research Limited, PowderMed, Purepac Pharmaceutical Holdings LLC, Redvax, Renrall LLC, Rinat Neuroscience, Rinat Neuroscience Corp., Roerig Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Roerig S.A., Sao Cristovao Participacoes Ltda., Searle Laboratorios Lda., Serenex, Servicios P&U S. de R.L. de C.V., Shiley LLC, Sinergis Farma-Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Site Realty Inc., Solinor LLC, Sugen LLC, Tabor LLC, The Pfizer Incubator LLC, Therachon, Thiakis Limited, Treerly Health Co. Ltd, US Oral Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Upjohn Laboratorios Lda., Vesteralens Naturprodukter A/S, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AB, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AS, Vesteralens Naturprodukter OY, Vicuron Holdings LLC, Vinci Farma S.A., W-L LLC, Warner Lambert, Warner Lambert Ilac Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Warner Lambert del Uruguay S.A., Warner-Lambert (Thailand) Limited, Warner-Lambert Company AG, Warner-Lambert Company LLC, Warner-Lambert Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Warner-Lambert S.A., Whitehall International Inc., Whitehall Laboratories Inc., Wyeth (Thailand) Ltd., Wyeth AB, Wyeth Australia Pty. Limited, Wyeth Ayerst Inc., Wyeth Ayerst S.a r.l., Wyeth Biopharma, Wyeth Canada ULC, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare LLC, Wyeth Europa Limited, Wyeth Farma S.A., Wyeth Holdings LLC, Wyeth Industria Farmaceutica Ltda., Wyeth KFT., Wyeth LLC, Wyeth Lederle S.r.l., Wyeth Lederle Vaccines S.A., Wyeth Pakistan Limited, Wyeth Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Company, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals FZ-LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Limited, Wyeth Puerto Rico Inc., Wyeth S.A.S, Wyeth Subsidiary Illinois Corporation, Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH, Wyeth Whitehall SARL, Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) Limited, Wyeth-Ayerst International LLC, and Wyeth-Ayerst Promotions Limited. Read More Navistar International Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells commercial trucks, diesel engines, school and commercial buses, and service parts for trucks and diesel engines worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Truck, Parts, Global Operations, and Financial Services. It manufactures and distributes Class 4 through 8 trucks and buses in the common carrier, private carrier, government, leasing, construction, energy/petroleum, and student and commercial transportation markets under the International and IC brands; and designs, engineers, and produces sheet metal components, including truck cabs and engines. The company also provides customers with proprietary products needed to support the International commercial truck, IC bus, and engine lines, as well as other product lines; and a selection of other standard truck, trailer, and engine aftermarket parts. In addition, it manufactures and distributes mid-range diesel engines, as well as provides customers with additional engine offerings in the agriculture, marine, genset, and light truck markets; sells engines to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) for various on-and-off-road applications; and offers contract manufacturing services under the MWM brand to OEMs for the assembly of their engines. Further, the company provides retail, wholesale, and lease financing of products of its trucks and parts, as well as financing for wholesale and retail accounts receivable. Additionally, it exports trucks, buses, and engines. The company markets its commercial products through an independent dealer network, as well as through retail outlets; and its reconditioned used trucks to owner-operators and fleet buyers through its network of used truck dealers. It operates approximately 1,052 outlets in the United States and Canada, and 89 outlets in Mexico. Navistar International Corporation was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Lisle, Illinois. Steelcase Inc. provides a portfolio of furniture and architectural products in the United States and internationally. It operates through Americas, EMEA, and Other segments. The company's furniture portfolio includes furniture systems, seating, storage, fixed and height-adjustable desks, benches, and tables, as well as complementary products, such as work accessories, lighting, and mobile power and screens. Its seating products comprise task chairs; seating for collaborative environments and casual settings; and specialty seating for specific vertical markets, including education and healthcare. The company's interior architectural products comprise full and partial height walls and architectural pods. It also provides textiles, wall coverings, and surface imaging solutions for architects and designers; and workplace strategy consulting, lease origination, and furniture and asset management services. The company markets and sells its products to corporate, government, healthcare, education, and retail customers under the Steelcase, Designtex, Coalesse, AMQ, Smith System, Orangebox, and Viccarbe brands. It distributes its products and services through a network of independent and company-owned dealers, as well as directly to end-use customers. The company was founded in 1912 and is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go. Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune... Marty Sheedy and Drew Drialo Marty Sheedy (left), who was born with multiple congenital deformities, discovered six months ago that he would need a kidney transplant. Drew Drialo, who became friends with Sheedy through an act of kindness almost five years ago, was found to be a near-perfect organ donation match. (Courtesy) Marty Sheedy is one of those guys -- the kind that can take a crummy hand and turn it into something inspirational and amazing. He was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita syndrome and Eagle-Barrett, or prune belly, syndrome. The former typically affects every joint in the body in some way. The latter involves the absence of abdominal muscles. For Sheedy, that meant overcoming what some would call disabilities, and instead using those congenital conditions as fuel and motivation to help other people in similar situations. Owing to that mindset, Sheedy formed the Project Scissor Gait Foundation in Detroit to raise awareness on arthrogryposis and prune belly syndromes, and to provide medical equipment and college scholarships to affected families. For all the good Sheedy's nonprofit organization has done since its inception around three years ago, its founder was bound for another turn of fate when he discovered that the one functional kidney he was born with was failing. "About a year ago really, we found out that my kidney was starting to fail because of the prune belly syndrome," Sheedy said, "and six months ago, (I found out) I was going to need a kidney transplant." As he's tended to do, Sheedy took the revelation in stride, remaining positive. And, as things would turn out, he didn't have to wait long to find an organ donor match, which materialized in the form of his best friend, Drew Drialo. The pair, who may never have met one another under any other set of circumstances, connected back at the start of 2012, when Drialo, who says he was in a dark place at the time, was looking to do something nice around the holidays for a family in need. "Four years ago, I was living out of my car and not in a very good situation in my life," Drialo said. "I was really depressed, just kind of down (due to) a lot of stuff that had happened around that time. "Around the holidays, a social worker friend of mine that lived in New York had sent me $200 and just asked that I pay it forward. So I wanted to do something for a family for the holidays, like that was not in a good situation either. And Marty had found out that I was trying to do that." Drialo said Sheedy messaged him over Facebook and told him about a three-year-old boy cooped up at Mott's Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. The boy, named Quinn, was living with prune belly syndrome, same as Sheedy, and Drialo took it upon himself to visit with him and his family at Mott's, also providing them some money to go toward Christmas gifts. A couple weeks later, Sheedy and Drialo met up for lunch and instantly connected, sowing the seeds of a friendship that is now going on five years strong. Little did they know that the bond between them would one day prove life-saving for Sheedy. "I was extremely lucky that my best friend of four years was the first person to be tested, and he was a near-perfect match," Sheedy said. Added Drialo: "It's unreal. We found out that our antigens" -- toxins or other foreign substances that induce an immune response in the body -- "were so close of a match that Marty is not even going to need to be on steroids after the surgery." On top of the unlikely friendship and the near-perfect organ transplant conditions, Drialo had been looking to donate his kidney to someone else earlier on, only it wasn't meant to be. "Two years ago -- before we had any idea that Marty's kidney would fail -- he drove me to the doctor's ... to get tested to be a kidney donor," Drialo said. "And it didn't work out, like there was one person ahead of me. "It was probably by fate. It was just meant to be this way. When we found out Marty's was failing, we were like: This is it. This is why. It's just meant to be." The transplant surgery is scheduled for Jan. 6, exactly five years after Sheedy and Drialo first sat down for lunch together in 2012, another sign of the stars somehow aligning to make this all possible. Sheedy and Drialo see it that way, at least, and both are mentally prepared. "I've had a lot of different surgeries in my life," Sheedy said, "so I feel like this is just another part of my journey that's going to allow me to help more people in a newer kind of way. "I have no fears." In a friendship that has spanned almost five years, during which Sheedy and Drialo have spent countless days with one another, supported others in need through the Project Scissor Gait Foundation, delivered motivational speeches to crowds of hundreds and literally climbed mountains together, Jan. 6 will be just another day in the office, albeit one in which the act of giving will help preserve Sheedy's life. But perhaps all that giving -- of time and talents, of financial support and boundless hope -- has already saved his life many times, while helping so many others who have dealt with similar hardships. That's just who Marty Sheedy is. He's one of those guys. A campaign to raise funds to help pay for Sheedy's kidney transplant surgery has been established online. Anyone looking to donate can do so here. More information on the Project Scissor Gait Foundation can be found here. Ashlee Weatherall-Frost.JPG Ashlee Weatherall-Frost with sons Lane, 5, and one-month-old Porter (Courtesy | Frost family) As the youngest of seven kids being raised by a single mom, Beverly Weatherall rarely had anything to call her own. Her mother worked hard, but when Christmas came, there was no way she could buy gifts for all seven of her children. "Her mom made sure they had a Christmas tree no matter what, and she also got candy and sweets for them," said Weatherall's daughter, Ashlee Weatherall-Frost. "But the only present they ever got was from the Santa Claus Girls for the better part of 10 years." The Santa Claus Girls packages came with toys for the kids, but for Weatherall, there was something else in the bag - something hers and hers alone - that stayed in her memory long after the toys were forgotten. "She has talked about the hats and mittens - a beautiful pair of mittens and a hat that was something personal just for her. It meant the world to her," saidWeatherall-Frost, who now lives in Kansas. The decade from 1963 to 1973 was a tough one for the family, but Weatherall and her siblings all went on to have successful lives, Frost said. Today, they are all involved in some type of philanthropy or volunteering. Weatherall-Frost wants to make sure the impact of those long-ago Santa Claus Girls packages isn't forgotten by the next generation. That's why this year, she and her children, Lane, 5, and Porter, a newborn, gave Weatherall a Christmas gift she was sure to treasure: A $100 donation in her honor to the Santa Claus Girls. "My mom said showing your kids a different side of life can change their life forever," Weatherall-Frost said. "My mom doesn't want any presents. She said 'Don't get me anything, make sure you give to someone who doesn't have anything.'" Last year Santa Claus Girls raised $208,109.16 and delivered gifts to 14,613 children from 6,133 families. You can donate today at santaclausgirls.org, by credit card at 616-222-1860 or mail checks to Santa Claus Girls, c/o The Grand Rapids Press, 3102 Walker Ridge Dr. NW, Walker, MI, 49544. Police respond to home invasion Police are continuing to search for man and the pickup truck he allegedly stole in what police called an armed home invasion that resulted in gunfire Friday, Dec. 23, on Winifred Street in Blackman Township. (Emily Mesner/MLive.com) (MLive Media Group) BLACKMAN TWP., MI - Police were continuing to search Saturday for a man and the pickup truck he allegedly stole during what was said to be an armed home invasion resulting in gunfire. Based on the homeowner's description, Blackman-Leoni Township public safety Deputy Director Christopher Boulter said he believes the intruder was shot in the stomach area before he fled in the truck. As of Saturday afternoon, police had not received any hospital reports of unaccounted shooting victims in Jackson or elsewhere. "My hope is that we can find him so he can also get appropriate medical treatment," Boulter wrote in an email. The homeowner, an elderly man who lives alone, fired at least four times on Friday night at the alleged intruder at his house on Winifred Street off Argyle Street in Blackman Township. Emergency personnel were called about 9:40 p.m. Dec. 23 to the home near the street's dead-end. The man too was hurt in a struggle. Boulter said he had facial injuries and went by ambulance to Henry Ford Allegiance Health. By Saturday, he had been released. Police are searching for a gray or silver 2006 Chevrolet Silverado with a crew cab and Michigan handicap license plate No. B4040, Sgt. Ralph Vanheyningen said. The man is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees the truck is advised to stay clear of the vehicle and call 911. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Amidst holiday decorations of snowflakes, reindeer and trees strung with lights in Bronson Park stands a menorah. Tonight, dozens of people gathered around this menorah to celebrate the first evening of Hanukkah. Rabbi Mordechai Haller of Chabad House of Kalamazoo and Western Michigan spoke about the miracles of Hanukkah, when the Jewish people won a battle against the Greeks, and soon after, were able to keep a menorah lit for eight full days with only one flask of oil. Haller and Jacob Weimtraub, president of the Jewish federation of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan, lit the menorah as Haller led those in attendance in songs and blessings. Before people parted ways, Haller reminded the crowd about the importance of light in Hanukkah. "How do we fight [darkness]? Not with sticks and stones, but the way we fight darkness is by kindling a little bit of light. By lighting a little candle to bring a bit of positivity -- a smile, a bit of Torah, a true value -- bring that and create a little bit of light." The last night of Hanukkah is Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. KALAMAZOO, MI -- For the Stamos family, Christmas dinner isn't just about enjoying a meal with their own family -- it's about sharing a meal with anyone in the community who wants to join them and have a place to be on Christmas day. Steve Stamos is the owner of The Blue Dolphin, and is continuing the family's tradition of serving Christmas dinner to all for the 38th year. The Blue Dolphin anticipates serving 1,500 meals in the restaurant and delivering 400 more between Ministry with Community and the Rickman House. The free dinners were started by Stamos' late father Peter, who owned the Rex Cafe in downtown Kalamazoo and other businesses before opening The Blue Dolphin with Steve in 1991. He began bringing people who needed a holiday meal to his home back in the 1970s. After serving people at home for a few years, the effort was shifted to the restaurant. An immigrant from Greece, Peter Stamos had said it was his way to help those who were less fortunate and as his way of giving back to the Kalamazoo community. The dinners continued as a way to help the poor or those who were down on their luck. But they have come to attract anyone who simply wants a good meal on Christmas, and some company. Julie Stamos, Steve's 28-year-old daughter, has participated in the event every year of her life, starting when she was just 11 months old. Stamos says she really started to understand the impact of what her family was doing when she was 11 or 12 and was able to serve tables on her own. "You get that impact of serving somebody something and having them be so appreciative and so excited to have a nice meal," she said. "They got to be waited on and it makes you feel so good in this unique situation." The kitchen staff started cooking turkey, ham, prime rib and all the fixings early in the morning. When they finished, the 60 volunteers who came to help plate and serve the dinners stepped in. Stamos welcomes everyone to come enjoy the full meal and spend time with their community. It's something that many in Kalamazoo look forward to each year, including herself. To Stamos, it makes Christmas all the more meaningful. "You're helping somebody, but they're also helping you too," she said. 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. you are here: Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, NORRISTOWN A court ruling on Tuesday ordering that undated Pennsylvania mail-in ballots be segregated wont change much in Montgomery County, according to election officials. With regard to dated and undated ballots, theres still some litigation surrounding them. So our plan is to handle that exactly how we did in the primary, Montgomery County Elections Director Dori Sawyer said on... Ex-choir director in Bucks County pleads no contest to molesting two students, secretly filming another Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity Radium's Mitsubishi EVO X High Performance Fuel Delivery System Supports Over 1,000HP Radium Engineering has released the most comprehensive high performance fuel delivery system available for the 4B11T-equipped Mitsubishi EVO X. It includes a Fuel Pump Hanger that accommodates one or two fuel pumps, a high-flow Fuel Feed Line Kit, an In-Line Fuel Filter, EVO X Fuel Rail, Direct Mount Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator (DMR), Fuel Pulse Damper (FPD-R) and Fuel Pressure Gauge. All hoses and fittings are included for an easy bolt-in installation. All Radium EVO X Fuel Delivery System components are alcohol fuel compatible and are capable of providing fuel flow for engines over 1,000 horsepower! This complete system requires no cutting, drilling or welding and includes detailed installation instructions and necessary hardware for easy installation. Because target horsepower levels will vary, injectors are not included. Fuel Delivery System Contents EVO X Fuel Pump Hanger The heart of the EVO X fuel system is Radium's EVO X Fuel Pump Hanger, which is a complete drop-in assembly that includes a collector box. It accommodates one or two aftermarket fuel pumps and mounts in the factory fuel tank using the OEM hold-down flange. It eases the installation of aftermarket AN fuel hose plumbing by including a single -8AN male pump feed port for ultimate flow and a -6AN male return port and high-flow venturi jet pump for low restriction. Wiring is simplified with the inclusion of fully sealed conductive stainless studs for fuel pump power, the OEM fuel level sender, and OEM temperature sensor. Radium's unique venturi jet pump ensures proper transfer from the passive side of the OEM fuel tank to the active side where the fuel pump(s) reside without increasing system back pressure, and includes interchangeable orifices to match a wide variety of fuel pump flow rates. The collector box sits at the bottom of the OEM tank and ensures the pumps have plenty of fuel thanks to two 1 ball check valves that serve as trap doors during aggressive driving. Fuel returning from the pressure regulator also feed the collector box and venturi jet pump. Feed Line Kit & Fuel In-Line Fuel Filter Pre-fabricated -8AN PTFE feed line hoses deliver fuel from the Fuel Pump Hanger through a Radium In-Line Fuel Filter to eliminate contaminants. The large filter element maximizes flow without sacrificing filtration. The filter mounts to the EVO X chassis using a specially designed bracket that fastens to pre-existing holes in the vehicle. Multiple fuel filter types are available including cellulose paper, microglass or stainless steel mesh (please visit our site for more information on the filtration media). EVO X Fuel Rail From the In-Line Fuel Filter, a -8AN feed line connects to Radium's EVOX Fuel Rail. The rail is CNC machined from billet aluminum, features a large 0.69 (17.5mm) bore and installs onto the factory intake manifold mounting bosses using the included hardware. All necessary adapter fittings and a fuel pressure gauge are included. Direct Mount Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator Mounted on the fuel rail is Radium's Direct Mount Regulator (DMR). The compact design of the Radium DMR requires only 2.5 of clearance space at the end of a fuel rail, simplifying the plumbing and eliminating the need for external mounting and additional fuel lines. The Radium DMR has a 1:1 vacuum reference for boosted vehicles and its high flow design is tested to regulate over 1,400 liters per hour of fuel flow. Interchangeable return orifices allow it to be used with practically any fuel pump flow rate. The included fuel pressure regulator return uses a short -6AN prefabricated PTFE hose and adapter fittings (return kit) to connect to the factory fuel feed line, converting it to the return line. Fuel Pulse Damper Also mounted to the fuel rail is a Radium FPD-R Fuel Pulse Damper. Hydraulic pulses from the fuel pump and the opening and closing of injectors can create undesirable noise and possible interference with injector flow. This is commonly experienced as mysterious lean spots and stumbling during acceleration or erratic idle that is difficult to correct through EMS tuning. High performance vehicles running high fuel pressures, high flow injectors and boosted applications can be especially susceptible to these pulses and the related consequences. Radium Engineering designed the first aftermarket vacuum-referenced fuel pulse dampers to ensure proper fuel pulse damping at elevated fuel pressures. This new FPD design maintains full damping function (pulse absorption) throughout the range of pressures seen in the fuel system by utilizing a vacuum reference to equalize pressure on both sides of the damper diaphragm. Radium EVO X Fuel Delivery System Key Features: Complete fuel delivery system from fuel tank to fuel rail Supports applications to over 1,000 horsepower No cutting or drilling required for installation Alcohol fuel compatible (ethanol and methanol fuels) Components feature billet aluminum construction, anodizing and laser engraving Includes: Fuel Pump Hanger (user-selected pump configuration) In-Line Fuel Filter (user selectable filter elements) Large-bore billet fuel rail Direct Mount Regulator (green or black, user selectable) Fuel Pulse Damper Fuel Pressure Gauge and adapter fitting for rail Feed Line, return line and all necessary adapter fittings About Radium Engineering Radium Engineering is located in Clackamas, Oregon. The company designs and manufactures innovative universal performance solutions including fuel surge tanks, catch cans and fuel pressure regulators, and application specific performance solutions ranging from fuel delivery to turbo systems. Radium-End Fuel Starvation. IMPERIAL Peculiar things can happen after folks drill deep into the earth looking for oil, water or whatever and leave a bunch of holes in the ground. Fluids can gurgle and leak, migrating where they dont belong. In rare instances, land could even sink or collapse. The oddest unintended consequences tend to bubble up in this pockmarked slice of West Texas, where wildcatters started poking holes in the ground nearly a century ago. If this stuff was even close to Austin, hell, itd be national news, said Ty Edwards, the fresh-faced assistant general manager of the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District, as he barreled down an empty stretch of highway during a June tour of the some of the standouts. Texas, the nations petroleum king, is home to nearly 300,000 wells currently pumping oil, gas and dollars into the economy. But those are hardly the only holes that petroleum companies have bored into the Texas landscape. As far back as 1990, Texas touted more than 1.5 million oil and gas-related holes, including hundreds of thousands of test wells, service wells and those that came up dry. And even prolific wells dont always pump forever. When most wells end their service, no big deal. Operators plug them, limiting pollution threats, and move on. But when companies leave their wells open, a practice predating Spindletop and other prodigious early strikes, thats another story. Amid a recent oil market crash that followed years of frenzied drilling, Texas is among several states including Louisiana and Oklahoma grappling with a surge of abandoned drilling sites and dwindling funds to clean them up. Occasionally, the wells yield pollution you can see: oil, brackish water or other smelly substances leaking onto the land. But the biggest threats lie thousands of feet underground: the possible, but tough-to-detect migration of oil and other toxic minerals into aquifers or water supplies. Not every abandoned well threatens groundwater. But in some oilfields, they can be ticking time bombs, said Ronald Green, a hydrologist at the Southwest Research Institute, a private research organization in San Antonio. And as boom-and-bust cycles continue across Texas drilling fields, walling off water sources from potential contamination will only get harder. Abandoned well, now a lake Off of Farm-to-Market Road 1053 a few miles south of the Permian Basin town of Imperial (population 278 at last count) and next to a crumbling church, sits what locals call Boehmer Lake. Its not really a lake, and you wouldnt want to wade in it. Its waters have tested more than three times saltier than averages in the Gulf of Mexico, with sulfur and salt crystals coating the surrounding vegetation. It attracts birds that dont seem to belong here. Isnt that wonderful? Edwards asks sarcastically as a reporter takes a whiff of the stench. The source of the putrid smell: a well that has gushed for more than a decade. And its only getting bigger. Its like new wetlands, said Gil Van Deventer, an Odessa-based hydrologist who has examined the area. Its not like West Texas at all. Oil wells are bored through multiple layers of rock and other geology, aiming for below where groundwater pools. The idea is to tap the oil or gas deposits and pump them to the surface without letting any seep into other layers. Oil and gas comes up through metal piping that helps keep it from mixing with water resources. Cementing around that piping adds more layers of protection. At Boehmer Lake, brackish San Andres aquifer water is shooting through a corroded wellhead, mixing with salt and other minerals on the way out. Even worse, Van Deventer says, the area is sinking as water eats away at underground salts. He fears a collapse like the "Wink Sinks," famously large sinkholes not far away in Winkler County. With its own sleuthing and help from the Railroad Commission, the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District has discovered that the well was among dozens that oilmen drilled around here during the 1930s, 40s and 50s unable to strike it rich. Ranchers then repurposed some of these wells for irrigation. But they walked away, leaving the wells subject to cracks, corrosion and other natural damage. The groundwater district has found about a dozen such unplugged wells, including several that are flowing. Landowners some of whom live elsewhere and own small parcels are unwilling or unable to pay for plugging, which would probably cost hundreds of thousands of dollars more than typical jobs. Cash-strapped itself, the district has asked the Texas Railroad Commission to clean them up. But that agency, which jointly regulates and champions oil and gas production, says it cant plug most of them even if oilmen originally drilled them. The Railroad Commission will take action on any well to plug or repair it, when we have evidence the well is an abandoned oil or gas well, said Ramona Nye, an agency spokeswoman. If the well has been transferred over for use by a private landowner for irrigation or for a water supply well, the Railroad Commission no longer has jurisdiction or authority to plug the well. Terry Clawson, a spokesman for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, said his agency has no plugging responsibilities either for water wells or any other types. It appears no state agency has such a role. Thats the biggest problem we have, said Van Deventer. No one wants to claim responsibility. Looking for trouble Groundwater officials like Edwards and his boss, Paul Weatherby, spend plenty of time searching for abandoned wells. Often by truck, once in a while by plane, and sometimes just using Google maps, they scour Pecos County for drilling leftovers that could pollute water. They try to gather as much information as they can about each well. Who drilled it? Who last operated it? Who is responsible for shelling out thousands of dollars to plug it? The groundwater officials send whatever they can glean to the Railroad Commission. The agency can order companies to plug abandoned wells and levy penalties if they dont. But often, the responsible party is long gone bankrupt, perhaps. In those cases, the commission, tapping fees it collects from industry, might hire a contractor to plug a well. I cant find any drilling reports or nothing. I just know its here, Edwards said at one stop on this days tour a narrow well surrounded by puddles of black sludge and hoof prints. Looks like the cattle have been stopping in here. I dont know if theyve been drinking that? The hit-and-miss process can be frustrating, even when it results in a state-funded cleanup. Edwards recalled one recent case a well that was spewing oil long before he spotted it on a map that Google had just updated. It shouldnt take me looking on Google at something thats been happening for two years. But he understands that overworked state regulators cant be everywhere on the biggest damn oil patch in the country. Contamination tough to detect How often do abandoned wells pollute groundwater? Thats hard to say. A 2011 study prepared for the Oklahoma-based Groundwater Protection Council cited 30 times that abandoned drilling sites polluted Texas groundwater from 1993 to 2008. The Railroad Commission told The Texas Tribune that it has not linked any groundwater contamination cases to abandoned wells since 2009. But experts say pollution can fester where no one has looked. In one extreme case decades ago, an abandoned well leaked brine for more than 22 years before someone discovered that it was polluting groundwater below 400 to 600 acres of Scurry County, according to a 1990 study by the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology. What happens underground, where you have a contaminated aquifer, no one knows, said Green, the Southwest Research Institute hydrologist. Old wells typically offer the biggest threats because freewheeling drillers long ago faced lax standards and used relatively weak materials for casing meaning the wells do little to guard water from pollutants. Mother Nature also exacts a toll. In Pecos County, youre going to have problems with water thats very salty and very corrosive, Edwards said of decades-old wells. Once it eats through the casing, its coming to meet you, then its going to mingle with whatever is above it. But some sloppy drilling techniques arent exclusively a thing of the past, one former state regulator suggests. Robert Traylor, a geoscientist who left the Railroad Commissions Groundwater Advisory Unit in 2015 after more than 20 years at the agency, said that some drillers cut corners during the most recent boom eager to start pumping after pouring millions of dollars into horizontal wells. Just drill the well as fast as possible, because they were under such pressure to get cash flow going, Traylor said in an interview with the Tribune. Fighting the backlog Texas officials paid little attention to the environmental dangers of abandoned oil wells throughout much of state history. But in 1992, the Railroad Commission launched an aggressive plan to plug wells across Texas tapping bonds, taxes and other fees it collected from drillers. It has since plugged nearly 31,600 wells at a cost of more than $243 million, according to a commission report published this month. The agency evaluates each well based on a litany of risk factors, and it tries to plug the riskiest wells first. At the end of August, the Railroad Commission was tracking five leaking abandoned wells and 589 that it labeled Priority 2H a high-risk category that includes wells that dont protect water sources. The agencys full stock of orphaned wells those that have been inactive and have lapsed paperwork for more than a year shrunk dramatically during the 1990s and 2000s. Totals plunged from nearly 18,000 to 7,000 from 2002 to 2010. But the trend has since reversed amid a drilling downturn that followed a years-long bonanza. Texas's total orphaned well count eclipsed 10,100 in the 2016 fiscal year the most since 2007. (In September, the Railroad Commission narrowed its definition of such wells, specifying that all must have also violated another rule for inactive wells. That purged more than 3,000 wells from the list.) In recent weeks, West Texas crude has inched above $50 per barrel, giving producers hope that their rough patch will soon be over. But some experts foresee even more abandoned wells on the horizon. There is about to be a tsunami of abandoned wells, said Kerry Knorpp, an Amarillo oil and gas attorney who sat on a now-inactive state committee that monitored oilfield cleanup efforts and offered input to the Railroad Commission. Wells were drilled at $110 oil that you would have never completed otherwise. For now, the states orphaned well list is growing largely because the Railroad Commission struggles to keep plugging at its previous pace. The commissions annual reports on oilfield cleanup efforts describe the conundrum: few contractors are bidding on state contracts because more lucrative private industry is luring them away. During the boom, these contractors helped companies drill more wells. And during the industrys two-year slowdown? The state cant compete with private plugging contracts. (Well operators plug the vast majority of inactive wells on their own. In 2016, they funded 94 percent of all Texas pluggings leaving the rest to the Railroad Commission, according to agency data.) Industry representatives play down the severity of the growing orphaned well count a fluid list that includes thousands of wells in less problematic conditions and a few that dont necessarily need plugging. A portion of the orphaned wells in Texas are considered assets with future production value, Ed Longanecker, president of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners, said in an email. These wells are routinely acquired by other operators. And some wells could eventually escape the list if their owners simply renew their lapsed permits. But ahead of what promises to be a tight-fisted Texas legislative session, the Railroad Commission is making it known that its bleeding cash and needs more money for cleanups and other core duties. During the drilling slowdown, the agency said its collecting less revenue from its chief source: industry taxes and fees. That has forced a 21 percent cut ($16 million) to the Oil and Gas Regulation Cleanup Fund," which foots the bill for plugging and other activities. To avoid more cuts, the agency is asking Texas lawmakers for a two-year cash infusion of about $45 million and the ability to keep some of the gas utility taxes it collects, according to a memo written by Commission Chairman Christi Craddicks office and backed by her two fellow commissioners. The current funding approach is not sustainable for the long-term welfare of the agency or the oil and gas industry and can lead to health and safety issues that the state must avoid, the memo says. State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, who chairs his chambers Energy Resources Committee and formerly sat on the powerful Appropriations Committee, said he would listen closely to such arguments in a session with many high-profile priorities competing for funding. I just think the Legislatures got to recognize weve had a downturn, he said. Weve got to have a functioning agency. But Traylor, the retired Railroad Commission geoscientist, suggested that the agency would need more than cash to fully address the environmental problem if you want to call it that. The abandoned well issue is just going to increase with the number of wells drilled, and its going to become far more complex," he said. If you dont know how to solve it, its beyond calling it a problem. Okay? Its called a major crisis. How much do pluggings cost? The table below shows how many wells the Railroad Commission plugged in recent years and how much the state paid. (Note: Costs in 2013 were particularly high because the commission that year plugged 30 offshore wells at a cost of $8.4 million.) Year Number of wells plugged Total spent plugging wells Average cost per well 2012 764 $12.3 million $16,100 2013 778 $20.9 million $26,900 2014 563 $15 million $26,600 2015 692 $10.7 million $15,500 2016 544 $8.5 million $15,700 Source: Texas Railroad Commission Last New Year, the business staff of The Dallas Morning News put together a list of the key topics likely to shape DFWs business landscape. And we did pretty well. We thought oil prices were likely to remain lower but relatively steady throughout the year, and we cast doubt on prevailing predictions that our economy would tank if lower oil prices did, in fact, persist. We were right on all counts. We foresaw downtown Dallas becoming even cooler, and expected the birth of The Star the Dallas Cowboys new headquarters and training center in Friscos $5 billion mile to blow everyones minds. But what will be the top economic catalyst for 2017? The power of the Permian Despite a prolonged slump in oil prices, there was one bright spot in the oil patch last year the Permian Basin. The vast field that encompasses a large swath of West Texas and parts of southeastern New Mexico has remained surprisingly resilient even as oil hovered around $50 a barrel. Once it was unthinkable that domestic crude production could be profitable at prices that low. But 2016 saw increases in efficiency and technology that drew more companies looking for opportunities to drill domestically. No oil field benefited more than the Permian. There are now more active rigs in the Permian than in the rest of the United States combined, onshore or offshore, according to the Energy Information Agency. The United States Geological Survey estimates that the Permians Wolfcamp Shale contains more than 20 billion barrels of oil and 16 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, making it the largest field ever discovered in the United States. In 2017, look for the Permian to become even more productive as oil prices stabilize. A deal reached by OPEC to limit supply should ease some of the wild swings we saw in 2016. And as getting a piece of the action in the Permian grows more expensive, expect the number of mergers and acquisitions to rise along with increased capital investment. Does that mean an employment rebound for areas whose economy depends on oil and gas? Thats uncertain. The industry recovery thats in the cards by midyear might not mean an increase in oil sector jobs. Due to increased efficiency, one rig today can do what it took dozens to produce a decade ago. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency This year Christmas gifts arrived early for Texas in the form rising oil prices, new job growth and experienced elected officials with our nations best interests in mind. We have much to be thankful for this holiday season, including our newly elected Republican president who will undoubtedly lead us to a better global position with his business-like approach. Since the election in November, President-elect Donald Trump has begun filling his cabinet with smart, accomplished professionals like Rex Tillerson, Wilbur Ross and Andrew Puzder for the roles of secretary of State, secretary of Commerce and secretary of Labor, respectively. While these may not be household names, they share a common denominator - wildly successful business backgrounds. I commend the president-elect for recognizing the value of hard working, successful businessmen and women. These selections represent a sentiment made clear by the American people during this election cycle -- career politicians will no longer suffice. Instead, we need people in office who have real work experience and understand what it means to sign the front of a paycheck. These are the folks who serve not because they need a job, but because they believe in giving back to the community through public service. Of our 44 presidents, 24 were lawyers, 16 made a career in military service, and only one was considered a businessman by profession. On Inauguration Day, Trump will become the second president who is also a businessman by career. Of course conspiracy theorists will always shout conflict of interest at any elected official who has been successful in business, but how else can we reverse course from the path career politicians like President Obama led us down? I spent my entire career in the energy industry, and as the founder of a small business, I can relate to Tillerson, Ross and Puzder. Weve all experienced business success that, unfortunately, some try to paint as a negative instead of a positive. In 2006 my wife and I founded our own company, PinnacleART, an engineering and technology company focused on reliability and integrity programs for the oil, gas, and petrochemical, mining, pharmaceutical and wastewater industries. It was in my position as CEO and founder of a private business that I truly saw the impact oil and gas has on our jobs, national security and economic freedom. That was also the place I developed leadership skills and business acumen that Im now using to improve state government. Over the last 10 years our business has succeeded, and we have been truly blessed. In 2013 I made the decision to run for a position on the Railroad Commission not because I needed a job, but because I want to put my time and energy into doing something that I hope will have a positive impact on our state and nation. I live by the belief that from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted much, much more will be asked (Luke 12:48). I believe that is this same principle that has recently driven many of our great leaders to public office, including the president-elect, Tillerson, Ross and Puzder. Business people arent perfect, but at a time when our country is desperately ready for change, we should be excited for a leader who brings a unique background to the office of the presidency, and that hes appointing successful businessmen and women to his cabinet. With Trump at the helm, this country can expect to see a re-energized economy and robust job growth. There is no doubt that the incoming administrations business-like approach, all-of-the-above energy strategy and commitment to serving the public will Make America Great Again. As we celebrate Christmas, lets give thanks for these gifts come early and look forward to the year to come. "After I left the last treatment center, I knew what made me happy," Selena explains, "and it was a connection." But on the advice of her doctor, Selena's planned philanthropic visit to Kenya to see the schools she was helping to raise New members inducted into Institute of ... Interesting, this contradicts what colpy has been spouting these past years. Mind you, at no time can I remember him ever backing up his accusations.by Yusuf EstesMany things are being said about the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) these days. Some of the accusations are downright amazing and chilling even to consider someone would say it, much less be involved in this type of slander and smear campaign.Let's consider some of the questions and what facts really exist about these concerns. Let's set the record straight once and for all.What is the true historical evidence about the person life of prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)? What was his life style? What about his marriage to Khadijah (his first wife)? How did the offer of marriage to Ayshah really take place? Who made the offer? Was there any coercion or compulsion? What was her attitude? How did she reflect on it in later years? What did she have to say about it all? How did she feel about their love and intimacy?He was the most honest and fair of all the people living in his community. None was respected more for honesty, integrity, sobriety and humbleness.He had no bad habits and did not engage in drinking or relations with women, although it was common place amongst his people.He never took a girlfriend nor a mistress in his life and never even attended parties or the like at anytime in his life.His first personal encounter with a woman was his own wife, Khadijah, and that was for marriage. He was 25 years old and she was 15 years older (40).He was only married to Khadijah until her death at the age of 65 years old.There was a long time of mourning and sadness during which he was offered marriage to several women of their families.He did not accept the first offer of marriage to Ayshah when her father had come to him with the proposal, instead he married an older, large woman named Sawdah.Ayshah had been offered in marriage and engaged prior to being offered to the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. That marriage never took place.When Ayshah was older, again her father offered her in marriage and the proposal was accepted.The whole family was happily involved and most elated in having the prophet of God as their close relative through marriage.Ayshah herself was very happy with this marriage as is evidenced by the hundreds of teachings she later related after his death (peace and blessings be upon him). The National Weather Service has narrowed the window for the most intense snowfall in Flagstaff to between 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday. The winter storm warning includes nearly a foot of snow for Flagstaff starting around 11 a.m. through 11 p.m., and winds blowing 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 36 mph. To the east of Flagstaff along Interstate 40 to the New Mexico border, winds will blow 45 to 55 mph. Travel will be extremely hazardous in the afternoon and evening throughout the region and should be avoided if possible. Snow could fall down to 4,500 feet as temperatures plummet by evening before tapering off Christmas morning. Doney Park can expect 5 to 9 inches of snow, Williams 7 to 11. The high temperature Sunday will be just 28 degrees in Flagstaff and the overnight low 8 degrees. Areas above 8,000 feet could see up to 20 inches of snow, prompting the Coconino National Forest to close most forest roads for the winter. Check its website for full details. Following are predicted snowfall totals in the region: DONEY PARK 3 TO 5 INCHES FLAGSTAFF 7 TO 11 INCHES FOREST LAKES 8 TO 12 INCHES FREDONIA 1 TO 2 INCHES GRAND CANYON 2 TO 4 INCHES HEBER-OVERGAARD 2 TO 4 INCHES JACOB LAKE 2 TO 4 INCHES NORTH RIM 5 TO 9 INCHES PRESCOTT VALLEY 1 TO 3 INCHES PRESCOTT 3 TO 5 INCHES SELIGMAN 1 TO 3 INCHES VALLE 1 TO 3 INCHES WILLIAMS 7 TO 11 INCHES ALPINE 5 TO 9 INCHES PINETOP-LKSIDE 4 TO 8 INCHES SHOW LOW 3 TO 5 INCHES WHITERIVER 1 TO 3 INCHES PAYSON 3 TO 5 INCHES PINE-STRAWBERRY 4 TO 8 INCHES 1 a.m. Saturday update: Heaviest snowfall due in Flagstaff from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday The National Weather Service says Flagstaff can expect the heaviest snowfall between 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. The winter storm warning includes nearly a foot of snow for Flagstaff starting around 11 a.m. and winds blowing 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 36 mph. To the east of Flagstaff along Interstate 40 to the New Mexico border, winds will blow 45 to 55 mph. Travel will be extremely hazardous in the afternoon and evening and should be avoided if possible. Snow could fall down to 3,000 feet as temperatures plummet by evening before tapering off Christmas morning. Doney Park can expect 5 to 9 inches of snow, Williams 7 to 11. The high temperature Sunday will be just 28 degrees in Flagstaff and the overnight low 8 degrees. Areas above 8,000 feet could see up to 20 inches of snow, prompting the Coconino National Forest to close most forest roads for the winter. Check its website for full details. Friday 5 p.m. update: Hazardous travel warning issued for Saturday in Flagstaff region The National Weather Service is warning of hazardous travel conditions amid blowing, heavy snow across much of northern Arizona Saturday afternoon and evening. The winter storm warning includes nearly a foot of snow for Flagstaff starting around 11 a.m. and winds blowing 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 36 mph. Snow could fall down to 3,000 feet as temperatures plummet by evening before tapering off Christmas morning. The high temperature Sunday will be just 28 degrees in Flagstaff and the overnight low 8 degrees. Areas above 8,000 feet could see up to 20 inches of snow, prompting the Coconino National Forest to close most forest roads for the winter. Check its website for full details. Friday 8:45 a.m. update: High winds, foot of snow due in Flagstaff Saturday High winds along with up to a foot of snow are now in the forecast for Flagstaff on Saturday as the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for much of northern Arizona. Winds blowing 20 to 25 mph and gusting to 38 mph are predicted for Flagstaff Saturday as rain turns to all snow after 8 a.m. and continues through the evening. The forecast calls for 8 to 12 inches of snow between 6,000 and 8,000 feet and 10 to 20 inches above 8,000 feet. Christmas Day will start off with snow showers before skies start to clear. The high will reach only 27 degrees. Thursdays rain produced high water levels in Oak Creek that approached but did not exceed a minor flood stage. Water levels continue to be high Friday morning. 9:30 a.m. Thursday update: Flagstaff snow totals upped to 12 inches by Christmas morning Flagstaff can now expect up to a foot of snow on the ground by Christmas morning. The National Weather Service has upped its forecast from 6-8 inches to 8-12 inches. Williams is now likely to see accumulation of up to 18 inches. Rain today is likely to exceed 1 inch or more, with a break in the precipitation Friday afternoon before a much colder and wetter Pacific storm rolls in Saturday. Snow is expected much of the day in Flagstaff, and levels could fall to 3,000 feet by late Saturday night. Skies are expected to clear late on Christmas Day, but with a high barely reaching the freezing mark. Wednesday, 5 p.m.: Flagstaff due up to 8 inches of snow by Christmas morning Flagstaff could see up to 8 inches of snow on the ground by Christmas morning. Thats the latest forecast from the National Weather Service for Saturday. Williams and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon could get 8 to 12 inches, and the North Rim 12 to 18 inches. The snow will be part of a strong Pacific storm that arrives in the Flagstaff region Saturday after two days of rain below 9,000 feet. Rainfall amounts could range between 1 and 2 inches on Thursday and Friday. The snow will start at 6,000 to 7,000 feet Saturday morning before falling to as low as 3,000 feet by Saturday night. The low in Flagstaff Saturday night will be 21 degrees, with a high Christmas Day of just 30 degrees under clearing skies. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser Christian leaders urge calm and faith in time of 'fear' Analysis By Martin Bashir, religious affairs correspondent The traditional sound of Once in Royal David's City heralded the start of a solemn Midnight Mass at Westminster Cathedral. Cardinal Vincent Nichol began his sermon by quoting the poet WB Yeats - referring to a turbulent year. "Uncertainty on many levels in this country and in those major partnerships and neighbours that we have so with Europe, America, the Middle East. It's an unsettling time," he said. He argued the answer was neither materialism nor the pursuit of selfish interest but rather a renewed focus on the life of Christ. "The birth of Jesus is a recorded fact, marked in time, as we heard in the Gospel," Cardinal Nichols said. "The life he holds out for us is not a theory or a philosophy or an ideal." The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, also addressed the uncertainty that has marked global politics, saying that anxiety about the future is a clear sign that we have placed our trust in the wrong things. The traditional sound of Once in Royal David's City heralded the start of a solemn Midnight Mass at Westminster Cathedral.Cardinal Vincent Nichol began his sermon by quoting the poet WB Yeats - referring to a turbulent year."Uncertainty on many levels in this country and in those major partnerships and neighbours that we have so with Europe, America, the Middle East. It's an unsettling time," he said.He argued the answer was neither materialism nor the pursuit of selfish interest but rather a renewed focus on the life of Christ."The birth of Jesus is a recorded fact, marked in time, as we heard in the Gospel," Cardinal Nichols said."The life he holds out for us is not a theory or a philosophy or an ideal."The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, also addressed the uncertainty that has marked global politics, saying that anxiety about the future is a clear sign that we have placed our trust in the wrong things. BBC News25 December 2016God can chase away "the fear of terror" and "the economies of injustice", the Archbishop of Canterbury has said in his Christmas sermon.The Most Reverend Justin Welby spoke about finding God in a world which "feels more awash with fear".His sentiment was echoed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Britain's most senior Catholic, at his midnight Mass.In his homily at Westminster Cathedral he said there was "much anxiety about the state of the world".Mr Welby delivered his sermon during a Eucharist service at Canterbury Cathedral on Christmas Day.In the sermon, he told the congregation that the end of 2016 "finds us all in a different kind of world, one less predictable and certain, which feels more awash with fear and division".He quoted Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said globalisation had for many brought "uncertainty" and "low wages, insecure employment, stateless corporation and striking inequalities".He said: "That uncertainty of our world, our feelings tell us that our values are in the wrong place."Economic progress, technological progress, communication progress hasn't resulted in economic justice. It hasn't delivered glory for us."The archbishop drew on his personal experiences of meeting "persecuted believers" who, he says, have "seen the glory of God, a glory that chases away the fear of terror".He added: "How then do we find glory? The only place and person who can bring glory to us is the child of Bethlehem who became the victim on the cross."In a similar vein, Cardinal Nichols spoke at midnight Mass of a "deep and widening sense of uncertainty" felt by many people."Yes, we are anxious of the current instability in economic prospects and in the effectiveness of political structures," he said."But here we come to a deeper centre, to Bethlehem, to Him who shows us the foundations on which we must build, the priorities we must seek."He urged Catholics to show compassion to "the homeless, the refugee, the victim of violence and human trafficking", and in particular, older people, who were too often left alone without human contact."Meeting this challenge requires a recognition that good care for the elderly and vulnerable is not only important but nothing less than a defining characteristic of our society," he added.The Church of England's second most senior figure, Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, also urged those worried about Brexit and the US presidential election to look to God.Writing for the Yorkshire Post, he said: "In the midst of uncertainty and personal danger, I can testify to the fact that God will never leave us or forsake us. God will always show us a way."Meanwhile, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland the Right Reverend Dr Russell Barr discussed the contrasts of Christmas, and how the promise of Christmas cheer was juxtaposed with "unspeakable human suffering in war-torn Aleppo or Yemen or South Sudan". This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Clarice Patterson answers her door in a bright red embroidered dress and red leggings. The interior of her small living room has been decorated top to bottom for the holidays, as festively as possible. Along the banister and above the window hang stockings for each of her 13 grandchildren, even though they are all adults now. Patterson has lived in the house in Pacifica for half a century, moving in just before Christmas of 1966. Inside the walls, she has had her share of joy raising five children and caring for grandchildren and great-grandchildren and also sorrow. Her husband died there, and her grandson died in the back room after being shot with a stun gun by Pacifica police in 2005. One of the most difficult chapters of her life began in 2014, when she began receiving phone calls from a law firm that seemed to know everything about her finances and her house payment. It was the start of a mortgage loan scam that almost cost her her home. I was devastated, really, said Patterson, 79, who cares for her disabled 60-year old son, Calvin, who lives with her. I thought we were going to be homeless. The person on the other end of the line was relentlessly kind and helpful. A nice Christian, Patterson said. He could help her modify her loan, he assured her. For a sum $2,500 his law firm would do the modification with the bank. She received paperwork on Wells Fargo letterhead attesting to the transaction. As instructed, she didnt pay her loan while waiting for the new deal to be completed. I dont know why I went for that, she said with a sigh. Patterson never heard from the man again, but one day she came home to find foreclosure papers attached to her front door. Her home was going to be sold by the bank, because of her failure to pay her loan. The law firm, the Wells Fargo paperwork and the nice Christian lawyer were all false. I didnt know what to do, she said. With the help of her pastor from New Home Baptist in San Franciscos Bayview, Patterson found a lawyer. She received assistance from Keep Your Home California, a program that helps homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage. The process took months, but she was able to stay in her home. During that time, Patterson had a knee replacement, which caused her to incur additional bills. She also fell behind on other bills as she tried to sort out her housing issue. She finally got a new loan, but the payment was almost twice as much as her old payment. And it is eating up all but $200 of her Social Security income and is taking big bites out of her late husbands retirement savings. I dont have much to live on, but I get by, Patterson said. But she worries that any additional debt will undo her tenuous financial hold. Last summer, she fell behind on her garbage bill. She reached out to the Pacifica Resource Center, which provides safety net services to the citys residents. Melissa Moss, a caseworker at the center, applied for help for Patterson from The Chronicles Season of Sharing Fund, which provides one-time funds to people facing unexpected crises. And Patterson was in crisis. Things were very tight for her, Moss said. Season of Sharing helped Patterson pay her garbage bill, which had grown to more than $500. It also paid one month on her mortgage, giving her some financial breathing room. Im so thankful to them for helping me get back on track, she said. Patterson moved from Texas to California in 1943 when she was in third grade. She came by train and has a memory of taking the ferry from Oakland to San Francisco at the end of that long journey. Patterson and her husband, Wade, moved into the Pacifica house when their youngest daughter was just 6 months old. Wade worked for Hills Bros., roasting coffee beans on Folsom Street. But when the plant shut down toward the end of the last century and the operation moved out of state, Wade retired. He and Clarice planned to do things together, but six months later he was dead from lung and liver cancer. The biggest tragedy of Pattersons life occurred in 2005. Her grandson Gregory Saulsbury Jr., then 30, was at the house. His grandmother remembers he was having chest pains. According to a published report in The Chronicle, his niece called 911 but police arrived first, found Gregory unarmed but uncooperative. They handcuffed him and repeatedly shocked him with a stun gun. As his horrified family looked on, he suffered cardiac arrest and died in the small downstairs room decorated with photos of Pattersons children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. That took a lot out of me, said Patterson. The family sued the city of Pacifica and settled the lawsuit a few years later. These days, Patterson cares for her son and watches her soap operas on television. She has decorated her home with pictures of Martin Luther King Jr., President Obama, Jesus and her family members. The threads of her life run through the walls that she is able to still call home. I get by, Patterson said. I get by. Ann Killion is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: akillion@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @annkillion About the fund For the past 30 years, the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund has helped more than 100,000 Bay Area individuals and families facing an unexpected life crisis. The idea of neighbors helping neighbors was introduced to The Chronicle by the late Walter A. Haas Jr. and Ira Hirschfield, president of the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, in 1986. Since then, the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund has distributed $113 million to help those living in the Bay Area. Each year, the fund provides temporary assistance to approximately 4,500 families, allocating most of its grants for housing needs, as well as paying for other critical necessities such as essential furniture for families recovering from a fire in their home or helping to purchase a wheelchair. Grants are paid directly to the supplier of services, such as a landlord. Individuals do not receive direct grants from the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund. The fund, which also distributes more than $1 million each year to local food banks, relies on donations from readers. The money is distributed year-round. Every penny of your donation goes to help those who need it most. All expenses are covered by the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund and The San Francisco Chronicle. We are proud to say that since its inception, 100 percent of the money raised for the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund has gone directly to help the families and communities we serve. For more information, visit www.seasonofsharing.org. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Christmas tradition in Tomball provided light for dozens of Montgomery and Harris County families Friday night, including a local family fighting the hardest time of their lives. For the last 10 years, Tomball residents Charlton and Shelby Reich, who own All Floors and More in Conroe, have held a holiday shopping spree at Walmart for families in need. This year they provided $100 in gifts to more than 150 individual children nominated by schools, the community and social media followers who are aware of their family's various challenging circumstances. Some of the children have lost their parents, others family's are on welfare, Charlton said. Conroe residents Chadoe and Shea Cullens had a difficult time finding the right words to describe what picking out Christmas gifts for their children Ethan, 6, and Bailey, 2, means to their family. "It's a blessing," Chadoe Cullens said. "I appreciate everything he is doing for us." Their son, 3-years-old James Dean Cullens died on Dec. 12 in the hospital due to an unexpected case of Meningitis. As a result of the infection, the family was required to replace the floors in their deteriorating manufactured home. Chadoe Cullens is currently seeking employment after losing his job in the oil industry two months prior to his son's death. Shea is also unemployed. The family was connected through relatives to Reich's business, who was more than willing to help the family that has also endured flooding and has a child with special needs. Before the trip to Walmart, the children's grandparents Allen and former Eyvonne Cullens, who both have a disability from a car accident last year, said they didn't know how they were going to be able to help their son and daughter-in-law with Christmas this year. While it is a hard time for the family to celebrate the holidays, they felt it was important for the children. "It's a blessing they (the Reich family) came along." she added. "They had no presents except for two presents (an Ipad and beanie babies) from the detectives who worked on the case (as part of the routine process due to the child's infection.)" The grandparents said the family is currently seeking assistance with additional home repairs, including on the doors and windows, which the family cannot afford. "We've never been in need," said Allen Cullens Sr. who served a food bank as an extension of Christ the King Church with his wife in the past. He lost his son, Chad's brother who was also named James Dean, in 1994 to cancer. "We felt blessed to help others. We were in need and they (the Reich family) came along. There's been an awful lot going on in the last two years, but God provides your daily needs." The Woodlands resident Nicole Koehler and her daughters Rylee, 10, and Emma, 5, pushed a buggy full of legos, My Little Pony toys and more..' "I had fun," Rylee said happily. "It was cool." Nicole Koehler said she also appreciated the experience. "It's been a tough year on us while going through the process of a divorce," she said. "It's amazing they do this. I feel blessed." Walmart Store Manager Dustin Creager said the company is excited to host any charitable organization. "We are here to help customers ...," Creager said. "Supporting others is what this time of year is all about." With tears in her eyes and a smile on her face, Shea Reich hugged families in the check out line. She described seeing "excitement," "pure happiness," "crying," and "laughing" throughout the evening. "Everybody is so happy and so kind and laughing," Shea Reich said. "I think that is so important two days before Christmas and the kids are still stuffing their faces with candy--which is awesome." She believes the experience means "there is still faith in the community." "It doesn't matter where you come from, your beliefs, or how you were raised--just be kind," Shea Reich said. "To be able to do this for other people is a blessing in its self to my husband and I. It's a great feeling. It's comforting to know there are kids that are going to wake up with Christmas." She became overwhelmed with emotion. "The (Cullens) family will feel like a family," she said fighting tears. "There's no failures, they just get to feel whole. If at least in so much hurt and pain there is a little light shining and they get to all enjoy that together." For more information about assisting the Cullens family call Eyvonne Cullens at 281-592-6807. " May Christmas message urges unity after Brexit vote BBC News24 December 2016Theresa May has urged Britain to "unite and move forward" after the Brexit vote in her first Christmas message as PM.In the year that saw the UK vote by 52% to 48% to leave the EU, Mrs May said there was an "historic opportunity" to forge "a bold new role".However, UKIP's Paul Nuttall used his Christmas message to call for faster progress on Brexit in 2017.Labour's Jeremy Corbyn highlighted the plight of the homeless while Lib Dem leader Tim Farron focused on child refugees.The Green Party urged people to fight for a future based on equality and hope in its Christmas message.The prime minister said there had been much to celebrate in 2016 - with the Queen's 90th birthday and British successes in the Olympics and Paralympics.She added: "As we leave the European Union we must seize an historic opportunity to forge a bold new role for ourselves in the world and to unite our country as we move forward into the future."She pledged to "stand up for the freedom of people of all religions to practise their beliefs in peace and safety" and paid tribute to those who work over Christmas, including health and care workers, emergency services and the armed forces."Wherever you are this Christmas, I wish you joy and peace in this season of celebration, along with health and happiness in the year ahead," she said.In a separate message to the armed forces, including the 5,000 deployed on operations over the holiday period, she said: "Just as your commitment to our country is unfaltering, so in return we owe you the same deep commitment and unflinching support."She pledged to "honour the commitments" to help service personnel buy their own home and support their children in school.UKIP's Paul Nuttall used his first Christmas message since becoming leader to say his top priority would be to ensure "much faster progress" on Brexit.He warned MPs who attempt to disrupt the process of leaving the EU "will find their prospects for re-election greatly diminished".Mr Nuttall added that Brexit alone would not be sufficient for the "revival" of the UK to help those forgotten by the "political elite", adding that it was time to reorder the priorities of our governing class.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn used his Christmas message, which he posted on Twitter, to point to Shelter figures suggesting 120,000 children would spend Christmas without a home to call their own while rough sleeping had increased by 30% in the last year.He praised charity workers, adding: "It's the goodwill and generosity of ordinary people, public service and charity workers who give tirelessly to help the most vulnerable and the lonely."They remind us of Christmas values: love for your neighbour, working together and hope, hope that things can be different."In a message filmed at a child refugee centre in Paris and posted on YouTube, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said the Christmas message should encourage the UK to open its doors.He said the children were fleeing "appalling circumstances" and wanted to come to the UK "because of Britain's reputation as a place of peace and of security and tranquillity" to start afresh, urging Britons to "be true to British values and be really proud of our country".The Green Party's newly elected co-leaders, Jonathan Bartley and Caroline Lucas, praised people who worked with refugees and those who campaigned on climate change, as well as NHS workers.Noting that 2016 had brought the Brexit vote and the election of Donald Trump in the US, Mr Bartley said: "Nobody owns the future."Not Donald Trump. Not Nigel Farage. Not Theresa May. We have to fight for the future we want to see - a future based on fairness, on equality, on hope." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Many stories have been reported about the glider pilots who trained six miles north of Plainview at Finney Field during the war, and most of them very good. Another heart-warming story about the kindness of Clent Breedloves student pilots comes from the Plainview Evening Herald in 1942. Although their days were busy training in Piper Cub L-4s or taking lessons in the classroom at the airfield, the glider pilots still found the time to help the homeless, four-legged pooches wandering the streets of Plainview. In the Sept. 20, 1942, edition of the Evening Herald, an article appeared entitled Theres a Haven for Homeless Dogs in Hearts of Glider Students Here. The article told the story of how glider pilots came to the rescue of homeless and hungry dogs wandering the streets of Plainview. Canine street waifs pull the heartstrings of Plainviews men in khaki. About all a dog needs to qualify for a place in their affections is a hurt, hungry, look in his eyes and ribs pitifully devoid of padding. Thats all. When one of these little lost dogs trots up beside one of the men in khaki and gazes with longing eyes well, thats just about all it takes. When he assumes a hopeful mien with a wag or two of a stubby tail, thats all it takes. The Evening Herald continued by saying that the glider pilot himself might be hungry, too. He might be looking forward to consuming something that will stick to his ribs; but when he sees the little dog, hungry and bereft of friends, his appetite leaves. He just cant eat a thing until he bundles the little dog up and takes him off for a square meal. Pretty soon, the adopted dog is happy again having lost his forlorn look now that a glider pilot is his new best friend. The pooch is hanging around other glider pilots and their adopted four-legged friends. After a few days, his once protruding ribs are now not so prominent anymore, said the Herald. The little dog regains some of its lost self respect. It frolics and plays. It really belongs. Sometimes when the men are marching the little dogs may be seen hard at their heels. Often they stop for a romp with their beloved khaki-clad men in front of the hotel where the men stay. And, sometimes, the little four-footed frisks get an extra special thrill when they are allowed to scramble aboard a jeep, a peep, or whatever the snub-nosed thing is called, and ride to the training field north of town. One of the pet dogs is named Mabel. Mabel is a little brunette dog with a white collar. Mabel and her fellow former melancholy canines are not living a dogs life anymore, ended the Herald article. However, such kindness and feeding of these homeless pooches may have inadvertently led to their over-population in Plainview; thus resulting in a real problem for the police department. By February 1943, just as the last of the glider pilots were completing their training and preparing to depart Finney Field for good, a notice appeared in the Feb. 21, 1943 edition of the Plainview Evening Herald. The notice was from the chief of police, Hoyt Curry Sr., and it warned dog owners to keep their canines at home, or else. Dogs must be kept on private property or be killed when reported as nuisance, the notice stated. Things had not improved much over a year later. In the Feb. 27, 1944 edition of the Herald, another notice appeared warning dog owners to keep their canines home and added that any loose female dogs would be killed. Then, on May 4, 1944, an article appeared in the Herald detailing the on-going problems that Chief Curry was having with all of the homeless dogs in the city. A dog that killed a calf and mauled a cow on the northeast edge of the city was shot this morning, along with several other stray canines, the article started. Police Chief Hoyt Curry shot the large calf-killing dog several times but when last seen the dog was still running, reported the Herald. Police have issued warnings that all dogs not tied or which are allowed to stray from their owners premises are subject to being shot. The article went on to explain that police officers were taking such drastic steps to reduce the population of stray dogs as a precaution against the spread of rabies. Curry said he saw 10 dogs bedded down along several hundred yards of fence row on the north edge of town this morning. When Curry fired on one, the others fled. During a recent interview, more light was shed on who Hoyt Curry Sr. was by his son, Bill, who also provided a photo of his dad wearing his police uniform. Bill Curry thinks that the photo was probably taken in the 1930s. Hoyt Curry Sr. was born in Aubrey, Texas near Denton in 1900, his son Bill explained. Curry joined the Plainview police force in 1932. He served as chief of police from 1938 until 1956. He was never a police officer before coming to Plainview, explained Bill Curry. He worked in a bank, the First National Bank; and then the Great Depression hit. He was a teller at the bank, before that, and then he joined the police. He was a victim of the Depression. I think he became a deputy sheriff about 1930, if Im not mistaken; and he became a police officer for the city of Plainview in 1932. Bill Curry thinks that his dad was about 20 years old when he moved to Plainview by himself, leaving his family behind in Denton. His guns from the police days are at the West Texas State University museum. He had a pearl-handled .45 automatic that he had all the time. I dont think he ever fired it, in the line of duty, Curry chuckled. Bill Curry thinks that his dad put his guns at the WTSU museum in Canyon because his wife, Ruby J. Curry, went to college there in 1922. Hoyt Curry later became director of Health and Public Safety in Plainview in 1956 and retired in 1971. He died in February 1989. Given the warmth shown by the glider pilots to the homeless dogs of Plainview, it is no surprise that during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in 1942 so many residents opened their homes to the glider pilots to help them enjoy a real, old-fashioned holiday time. More about the history of Finney Field during WWII will be discussed in the next article. Readers are asked to visit the Silent Wings Museum website at www.silentwingsmuseum.com for more details about the glider program of WWII. Anyone with information about the Plainview Pre-Glider School at Finney Field should contact John McCullough at 806-793-4448 or email johnmc@breedlove-cptp.org. Houston police are investigating the death of a man found shot Saturday in southwest Houston, police say. The man, who's identity has not been released, was found dead in a car in the 5200 block of Beaconridge, a neighborhood of single-family homes surrounding a playground and large field. The concept of goodwill toward men was lost on a pair of Northwest Side neighbors whose Christmas Eve argument ended with a gunshot wound for one of them. San Antonio police say a 32-year-old male was drunk and verbally abusing his neighbor about 1 a.m., Sunday in the 1900 block of Donaldson Avenue when that neighbor pulled a gun and shot the other man in the ankle. Texas well-deserved pro-business reputation is being threatened by rising health care costs. Texas along with Wisconsin spends more per capita on health care than any other state in the country, according to a recent report from the Health Care Cost Institute. Texans are also burdened with the highest out-of-pocket spending for their health care needs. The rapid proliferation of high-cost, stand-alone emergency rooms throughout the state is making the problem worse. These freestanding emergency centers are hard to miss. Theyre popping up on busy street corners and in strip malls next to grocery stores. Their slick marketing, bright lights, and easy-access parking promise convenience. What most people dont know is these freestanding facilities often charge up to 10 times as much for the same care provided at a doctors office or urgent care facility. Their business model is based on attracting patients who do not need true emergency care (ambulances do not go to freestanding ERs for a reason), but making them pay emergency room rates. The majority of them are considered out-of-network with major insurance companies, which means confused customers are often on the hook for a giant surprise bill weeks after treatment. The top three reasons people in Texas visit stand-alone emergency rooms are for fever, bronchitis and sore throat, all of which could easily be treated at an urgent care facility or doctor's office. In Texas, the average allowed cost to treat bronchitis at a freestanding emergency center was $2,944, compared to $136 at a doctor's office and $167 at an urgent care location, according to claims data from major health insurers. On average, the cost of treating a routine knee injury $58 at a doctors office and $88 at urgent care could be more than $2,000 at one of these stand-alone ERs, according to media reports. The same price differences apply for other common matters such as earaches, sprained ankles or runny noses. These new, high-priced facilities are popping up around Texas rapidly. In 2010, there were only about 20 freestanding emergency rooms in Texas; now the number exceeds 215 in Dallas and Houston alone. Soon there could be 1,200 of them across the state, according to experts. Higher medical costs are a drag on Texas businesses. The majority of Texas companies self-fund medical benefits, which means the company pays the full cost of employees medical bills. As a result, the higher costs charged by freestanding emergency rooms come directly out of their bottom lines, siphoning money that could otherwise create new jobs. Furthermore, local health care costs are an important factor for companies considering relocation. Price gouging at stand-alone ERs threaten to halt our momentum in recruiting businesses to our state. Freestanding ERs and their skyrocketing medical costs are pinching their patients, Texas businesses and the states economic growth. Texas businesses, health care consumers, insurers, policy-makers and regulators should unite now to address this urgent concern. Amanda Montagne Martin is the governmental affairs manager of the Texas Association of Business. Texas pioneering spirit is one of the reasons I am proud to call the Lone Star State home. But in one critically important area, the state continues to hold back innovation, choice and achievement: Education. The sad fact is that Texas is far from cutting edge when it comes to empowering families through increased educational choice. Dozens of other states have made strides in this area, but Texas has largely stayed stagnant. As a result, hundreds of thousands of students are trapped in struggling schools, their futures darker than they otherwise would be. Fortunately, educational reforms that expand choices and opportunities for families look to be a top issue during the upcoming Texas legislative session, and most promising of all is legislation creating education savings accounts. These accounts would give parents more control over how they spend their education tax dollars so that they can choose education options that best fit their childs needs. Five states have already adopted education savings account programs, with Arizona, Florida, and Nevada having the most robust programs. The Texas program, as suggested by former State Rep. Kent Grusendorf, would most closely follow the Nevada model. Enacted in 2015, the Nevada program enables nearly every parent to decide the best way to use the majority 90 percent of the money typically spent on his or her child in a public school. Parents can choose to put the funds toward tutors, SAT prep, homeschool curriculum, private school, among other education costs. Bringing education savings accounts to Texas would expand options for families across the state rather than constrain them to a one-size-fits-all model. As it is now, Texas education system is largely limited by a familys income bracket and zip code. This may explain why Texas childrens performance lags nationally. Texas fourth-grade students rank substantially behind the national average in their reading and writing skills, which often results in poor performance later on. Indeed, students are struggling to compete with their peers nationally when it comes to college entrance exams. We know how to turn these numbers around. According to University of Arkansas Distinguished Professor of Education Policy Patrick Wolf, education savings account programs are one of the most effective ways to lower drop-out rates. He estimates that if Texas adopted an education savings account program that went into effect in the fall of 2017, a total of 11,809 additional students would graduate by 2022 and that number would likely increase over time. But education savings accounts wouldnt simply help students who opt to use them; they would boost education quality in all schools, including traditional public schools. Empowering parents with options is the key to improving education in our state. Lawmakers can make education saving accounts a top priority this January. Gov. Greg Abbott has already pledged that he will sign the most pro-school choice law that comes to his desk. And its hard to get more pro-school choice than returning education decisions to parents so that they can seek the best option for their child. This upcoming legislative session provides lawmakers a chance to unleash educational innovation across the state, opening access to diverse learning opportunities that best serve student needs. If they do so, it will be a landmark achievement for the next generation of Texas pioneers regardless of their zip code or income bracket. Mack Morris is the Texas deputy director of Americans for Prosperity. Sometimes we forget just how much we have to be thankful for in our community. A recent series of news article focusing on mental health care by the Boston Globes investigative Spotlight team praised the Alamo City for its successes in addressing local mental health care needs and making it a priority. It held up the work that has taken place on various levels in our community since 2000 as a national model for saving lives and money. While we might all be aware of some of the good things happening in our backyard, it sometimes takes a third party to make us fully aware of just how far we have come. On the inside looking out, we tend to focus on the shortfalls. We notice the areas of deficiency and fail to appreciate how far we have come. This holiday season let us be grateful for those things that other communities strive to have in place someday. Among programs receiving accolades in the newspaper series were those providing thousands of emergency responders in San Antonio and Bexar County with specialized training in dealing with people with mental illness. The San Antonio Police Department requires all police academy recruits to undergo 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team training. The Bexar County Sheriffs Office has trained nearly 90 percent of its staff including deputies on patrol and detention officers working the jail. The local judiciary was singled out for the mental health courts that have been established to deal with adults and juveniles in need of mental health services. Leon Evans, who was hired as executive of the Center for Health Care Services in 2000, was credited with establishing the agency that oversees the mental health services offered in Bexar County. Before its turnaround began 16 years ago, Bexar Countys mental health authority was $6 million in debt, ridden with patronage hires and at risk of being shut down by the state, the newspaper quotes San Antonio psychiatrist Robert Jimenez as saying. The $101 million, 22-acre Haven for Hope campus, which opened to serve the needs of Bexar Countys homeless in 2010, and the community partnership between the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the local hospital system were also noted for their important roles tackling mental health care problems. It recognized that one of the biggest benefits has been the diversion of thousands of people out of the criminal justice system into programs that can better meet their needs. The work is far from over and there are some changes ahead. As the Globe reported, tens of thousands of mentally ill people are still not getting the treatment they need, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Many of the people who have worked tirelessly to improve the system and implement some of the changes have moved or will be moving on in the new year. Evans is retiring in the spring, and one appointed judge became a political casualty during the summer and another lost a bid for re-election in November. Fortunately, a great framework has been established, and we must build on that despite the inevitable changes to come. San Antonio and Bexar County have paved the way with many new programs and prompted Des Moines, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Kansas City, Kansas, to attempt to replicate the local success. It is amazing how much has been accomplished even though we are in a state with the dubious distinction of having among the lowest per capita spending on mental health care services in the country. Re: Deplorable display, Your Turn, Dec. 16: I didnt agree with this letter writers opinion about the Express-News being ultra-liberal, but I am glad he wrote it. Heres why. If this paper were as one-sided as it is often accused, that letter (and other critical ones) wouldnt have been printed, and youd find local and national columnists from only one side of the political aisle. But youll find the letters and columns represent diverse views, and thats a good thing. I would correct the writer on his accusation that in Your Turn the paper continues its assault on the next president. This section is a forum for readers thus the title. Peruse this section for just a few days, and you will see all sorts of opinions. I consider it the opposite of an echo chamber, and even when I disagree I find I often grow and learn from the ideas expressed here. Im assuming this writer is a subscriber and congratulate him and others in this forum for participating. I believe we need even more subscribers to ensure the paid professionals at this and other media outlets keep speaking truth to power in their reporting and commentary. I work hard at differentiating the news reporting from the opinion pages and encourage others to do the same. However, I welcome all voices because I think it makes our community stronger. To paraphrase someone smarter than me, I may disagree with your opinion, but Ill fight for your right to express it. Please keep speaking up and supporting our paid media. Betsy Pasley Leave SAC alone Another year, another set of stories about how Bruce Leslie is trying to transform the Alamo Colleges into a for-profit leadership seminar. Its time the Alamo Colleges stop trying to consolidate power at its central headquarters. Schools like San Antonio College were doing fine well before the Alamo Colleges became the all-encompassing bureaucratic nightmare it is today. San Antonio College has provided quality education at low prices for students for generations. Many local leaders started their academic careers at SAC. It is also the only centrally located public college in San Antonio. The people who best know how to run San Antonio College are the faculty and staff who work there. Note to Bruce Leslie: Let them do their job! Matthew Reyna Back in the USSR? For the first time in my 77 years on this planet, I am becoming concerned over our future. First, we elect a president who received less votes than his opponent, who has close ties with Vladimir Putin and no clear plan for our future under his presidency. Further, his history of running companies into bankruptcy does not bode well for a man who will be running our country. Yet no one seems to question his motives and what his ultimate objective is. Frankly, I am more than concerned and hope others will become concerned as well. Perhaps I am misguided, but Donald Trump has done nothing so far to change my thinking. I dont want to wake up one morning to discover we are part of the USSR. David A. Herndon Another line Re: President calls out Putin, vows to retaliate, front page, Dec. 17: If I recall correctly, several years ago, President Barack Obama drew a red line in the sand that Syrian President Bashar Assad dare not cross under threat of retaliation. President Barack Obama has now drawn a red line in the snow that Russian President Putin dare not cross, again with threats of retaliation. So now Assad and Putin have been warned and are both shaking with laughter, no doubt. Marcus D. Williams, Charlotte To tell the truth Re: Ideal of truth seems to be suffering, Politics, Nov. 6: This piece laments the lack of truth in the reporting of political news, stating that increasingly today, realities seem open to interpretation. That identifies the problem. Instead of reporting factual information (realities), most purported news items contain the writers subjective analyses, assessments and inferences. Thus, interpretive commentary is reported as truth. Commentary controls information. Information control is a form of thought control. Former President Lyndon Johnson said, No mans judgment on any given question is better than the information he has on the question. Because people make decisions about their governance based on information provided by the news media, when that information consists of the medias interpretations, the people do not govern themselves; they are governed by the news media. Bob Barton, Kerrville No decency? Listen, libs. Weve had it with your bad-mouthing blue-collar Americans because they voted for Donald Trump. You sometimes disdainfully refer to them as noncollege-educated whites. OK, they didnt go to college. But who do you think built this country with their blood, sweat and tears in factories, farms and coal mines? They did. Not your martini-sipping limo liberals. Yet to your discredit, you accuse them of voting for Trump because he is a racist, so you claim. Wrong. There were the Hillary Clinton scandals and her lack of leadership as a senator and secretary of state. But there was something that stood out and further alienated blue collars and others. It was her condescending, elitist attitude. She capped it when she said half of Trump supporters were a basket of deplorables. That did it! Now, in seeking to rationalize her defeat, liberals have sunk to her level by accusing blue collars of racism. Your demeaning of these good people reminds me of the famous question attorney Joseph Welch put to Sen. Joseph McCarthy during the Army-McCarthy hearings: Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency? Damon Ball 1 Hijacking: Its not yet known whether the two Libyan men who hijacked a Libyan plane with 117 people on board and diverted it to Malta had any links to terror groups, Maltas police commissioner said Saturday. The hijackers did not make any demands not when they were holding the crew and passengers of the Afriqiyah Airways plane or after they surrendered, police commissioner Lawrence Cutajar said. The men, who Malta state television said had threatened to blow up the plane with hand grenades, were being held for arraignment while the investigation continues. The hijackers had diverted the domestic flight Friday, and the standoff ended peacefully after hours of negotiations. 2 Turkey crackdown: Authorities have arrested 1,656 people in the past six months for allegedly supporting terrorist organizations or insulting officials on social media and are investigating at least 10,000 others, the Turkish Interior Ministry said Saturday. Turkey declared a state of emergency after a failed coup in July, detaining thousands of citizens and purging tens of thousands of public servants over alleged ties to outlawed groups. Western governments and human rights groups have repeatedly expressed concern over the crackdown, which some say has begun targeting political opponents. Ankara says its actions are necessary precautions in the face of terrorism. The 2016 issue of the Tipperary Historical Jour-nal is appropriately and interestingly, presented as a Special Commemorative Issue. The editorial introduction describes the contents as: what did or perhaps more accurately what did not happen in Tipperary in the Easter of that year. But the Journal does fill in the background in the County and the political climate which prevailed at the time. Many thousands of young Tipperary men were on the battle-fronts in France, and popular opinion supported the Redmondite pursuit of Home Rule. Pierse McCan from Dualla, the unlikely leader of Sinn Fein at the time, is the subject of Dr. Denis G. Marnanes opening chapters; unlikely because he could be classified as a gentleman farmer who rode to hounds and was a large landowner. He was arrested in the general round-up following the events in Dublin and his account of his Three Months in Englands Prisons makes interesting reading. Names such as William H. Langhorne and Ernest Mulliner are equally unlikely to appear in any school history of 1916. They were the County Police Inspectors at the time, and their reports on Tipperary present a county going about its ordinary business. Mulliner reporting on the North Riding says that the general condition of this Riding during the year 1916 was fairly satisfactory on the whole .... there was little crime .... the only portion of where trouble might be expected was on the Southern side, i.e., in and around Thurles where there is certainly a strong undercurrent of disloyalty and sedition. Reporting from the South Riding Inspector Langhorne wrote that if the period of turmoil caused by the Sinn Fein Rebellion be excluded, the county was in a peaceful state and on the average, orderly, save for the drilling and marching in small bodies of the Irish Volunteers. The county was well-policed - 408 policemen living in 79 stations, and the Inspectors reports indicate that they were well aware of the extent of Sinn Fein activity in each area - the marching and drilling, the arms and the circulation of guns. The various political societies are also listed, amongst them were the GAA, the Gaelic League and the Anti-Conscription League. And amongst the nuggets of information is the fact (under a section headed The Economy) that the woollen mills in Ardfinnan are turning out great coats for Russian soldiers. The attitude of the Catholic Church, at regional level at the time, has always been of interest, and here Denis Marnane has introduced a contemporary account of the events in Dublin, written by Fr. Michael Maher, who was then Secretary to Archbishop Harty in Thurles. Under the heading of A Political Casualty of the Easter Rising, Sean ODonnells very fine study of Thomas J. Condon, MP, is very welcome. With the emergence of the younger physical-force militants, the fine old Nationalist members of Parliament ultimately lost public support. And Condon, originally coming from a background of The Young Irelanders, the Fenians and the Land League, had served Tipperary well within the limits of Westminster. Sean ODonnell describes him as one of the longest serving MPs and the first from Tipperary who was not a landlord or merchant or highly-paid lawyer or doctor. This chapter should be of particular interest to citizens of Clonmel, where the Condons were much respected business people. Thomas MacDonagh, being the only Tipperary man involved in the Rebellion in Dublin, understandably occupies a significant amount of space in the Journal. He was born in Cloughjordan, was one of the seven signatories of the Proclamation of the Republic. Stationed in Jacobs Mills, he had issued the order which mobilised the Irish Volunteers in Dublin, and he was amongst the last to surrender. 16 year-old killed on visit to Dublin More civilians than combatants were killed in Dublin during the Easter Rising, but they had been largely forgotten, until RTEs Joe Duffys research on the number of innocent children amongst the casualties. Sean Hogans study under the title North Tipperary and the 1916 Rising contains a paragraph on the death of 16 year-old Neville Fryday, whose extended family had been farmers in Ballyduff near Thurles, Ballintemple near Upperchurch and Mourne-out, Dundrum. He was killed by cross-fire near Trinity College on Easter Monday, while on a visit to the city. He was amongst the children remembered at a special ceremony, arranged by the radio presenter, which took place earlier this year and which was attended by his cousin, the Rev. Canon Barbara Fryday of Old St. Mary's, Clonmel. Dr. Marnane, who has contributed so generously to this special issue of the Journal, has written a very wide-ranging paper under the title Terrorism was never a Remedy - South Tipperary in 1916. This article looks at some of the personnel involved on all sides in the conflict, and it also examines the social background, statistics on housing and over-crowding, subsequent arrests and imprisonments, clerical responses - a wealth of information on the County in the aftermath of the Rising. There have been several publications this year on Easter 1916. For those of us who live in Tipperary, this Commemorative issue of Tipperary Historical Journal is an invaluable source of information on the events and the history of the period. It deserves a place on every bookshelf in the county. Copies can be ordered from the office of the Journal at The Source, Cathedral Street, Thurles. (Natural News) What is happening right now with the so-called mainstream media, like the Washington Post faking news stories to push a political agenda, is not new, says Natural News founder/editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger. Adams is an independent media pioneer who began Natural News more than a decade ago, and has grown the site into a top-tier destination for news and information about alternative health, clean food, naturopathic medicine and holistic approaches to wellness. So, if you just now realized that the entire mainstream media publishes nothing but fake news, you might want to wake up and realize something even bigger: Theyve been faking the news for decades. What really happened in Oklahoma City? 9/11? JFK assassination? The media lied to you about elements of all these historic events. In this video, Adams explains that the establishment press has long been able to control the narrative political, cultural, social because it has never been challenged. The only place news could be obtained was from the legacy media outlets like the Post and The New York Times, or the broadcast news networks. Just recently, in fact, Adams pointed out that the Post, citing a previously unheard of organization whose members were completely anonymous, claimed that Natural News and a couple of hundred other news and information sites and blogs were merely propaganda puppets for the Russian government an effort the Post claimed was aimed at keeping Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton out of the Oval Office, and helping GOP nominee Donald J. Trump to win it. We know that theyre faking the news; I mean its obvious at this point, Adams said. He pointed out that most folks today who consume media went to school and got their news from the few broadcasters on television and either a few local or national newspapers in years gone by. The Internet did not yet exist in commercial form, and as such, these few outlets were unopposed and had no real competition, so they could dominate (and invent) the narratives. And right on cue, the fake mainstream media showed its true colors once more in recent days: The New York Times announced it has hired hack Politico reporter Glenn Thrush for the papers Washington, D.C., bureau. As reported by The Daily Caller, Thrush was known to be emailing pre-publication versions of stories to the Clinton campaign to get them approved prior to publication. The Times, along with Politico, picked up and ran with the fabricated Russia hacked the election for Trump narrative, the same one that stated falsely that Natural News was part of a network of Russian propaganda organs. Adams, in his video, lays out several media narrative coups, so to speak, based on actual events like the Oklahoma City bombing, the 9/11 attacks and others that were used to politically tar-and-feather ideological opponents (conservatives, mostly and gun owners), and shows that these techniques have long been used by the establishment media. The good news, he noted further, is that what used to be considered the alternative media is fast becoming the new mainstream media, because it is far more trustworthy. SC Libsyn World-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has just announced quite the ambitious mission to visit our nearest star system and find out if life truly exists outside the planet. Despite being visible in the night sky without a telescope, Alpha Centauri remains to be 25-trillion miles away. It would take around 30,000 years to reach it with current technology. However, Hawking has just joined forces with Russian billionaire Yuri Milner and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg to develop technology that could cut this timeframe. According to Tech Times, now they want to make a spacecraft that could reach the star system in just 20 years. Once there, a proble would sweep past its planets to see if there are signs of alien civilizations lurking around the corner. There have been Earth-like planets already detected around three stars of Alpha Centauri. For instance last 2012, according to Tech Times, a planet of a similar size to Earth was spotted orbiting Alpha Centauri B. It's too hot for life, but it's likely that there are planets nearby that may be cool enough for water and life. The scientists are hopeful that some of them may be in the Goldilocks Zone, an area where it's neither too hot nor too cold for life to thrive. According to Tech Times, the initial phase of the Starshot mission costs $100-million, and was announced at the One World Observatory in New York City. Hawking said this mission is revolutionary as it highlights man's achievements and uniqueness, in which to transcend our limits. Planes allow us to fly despite gravity, and technology allowed him to speak despite losing his voice. The mission relies on building the lightest spacecraft ever flown, which is a tiny nanocraft weighing less than a gram and would be lifted with a small sail. There are huge laser beams that will be fired into space, coming together to form a 100-gigawatt beam of light that will blast the tiny craft off the solar system. Although Voyager One is already outside the Solar System, it's currently still in interstellar space and hasn't reached any nearby systems. The laser beamed will be so bright it will be visible throughout the Universe. Hopefully it could be seen by other intelligent life. Starshot would hopefully answer the question of whether or not we are alone. Star Wars fans will understand that the epic weapon, the Death Star, has met its final doom in Return of the Jedi. This is the epic conclusion to the original Star Wars saga. The colossal superweapon was orbiting the forested Sanctuary moon of Endor and, after it's blown up, the Rebel Alliance and the Ewok celebrate their victory against the Galactic Empire. However, according to Business Insider, physicists from our end of the screens have a much darker reality that they want us to consider. Others are saying that the Ewoks are simply dead. People who answered Business Insider's e-mails all have the same conclusion, meaning the Endor Holocaust was inevitable and is a threat to the plausibility of any future movies. The Endor Holocaust is a fan theory way back in 1997, when it appeared on TheForce.net by astrophysicist Curtis Saxton. It was a part of an initiative to analyze the movies frame by frame with scientific rigor. His 10,000-word essay elaborated that the Endor holocaust will make sure the destruction of the Death Star ensured the doom of Endor and everyone who lived in it. The rebels' attack on the Death Star will destroy it but debris will then rain down on Endor. It will burn up into a toxic fallout and cause giant firestorms. Of course his measurements are open to interpretatio ngiven the Death Star and Endor's depictions are always inconsistent. Regardless, Business Insider asked 11 physicists and only one gave a positive response. Planetary scientist Sarah Stewart said that Endor may survive after some environmental cleanup of the fallout. The forest moon may return to its idyllic state. The rest had grim analyses. For instance Martija Cuk, who studies orbital dynamics, said the reactor will blew up the satellite in a second. Meaning this ejects huge chunks of debris at 220,000mph or six times faster than our speediest craft. The energy carried by the debris would not be enough to destroy the moon, but it would erode the side facing the Death Star. This means the Millennium Falcon and Luke's shuttle would be goners. After the radiation bath, high-speed debris would hit the ground. This will throw rocks to the far side of the moon. Planetary physicist Erik Asphaug, who studies giant impacts with moons and planets, refused to believe most of the Death Star would vaporize or turn into tiny bits upon exploding. Asphaug emphasized that nuclear explosions in rock will tend to vaporize stuff nearby, melt stuff a bit further away, and then break stufff farther mechanically. So there may be huge chunks of Death Star on the planet at an impact big enough to make craters. Although he emphasized another big problem was fire - a lot of it. If thousands of wildfires go off at once, pretty much all of the surface will be ruins. Dave Minton gave Business Insider a four-page treatise in 2015. He explained that using details he found in the movie, everyone will be dead. Of course this is under the assumption that everyone - Ewoks, troopers, rebels - move the way they do on Earth and Endor has the same gravity as Earth.Given that the Death Star is maintained in its position, there may be some sort of anti-gravity repulsor lifts in place. If the shield generator on Endor is destroyed - which protects the Death Star - then it might mean the repulsor lifts will get destroyed as well. This means the Death Star may not be "vaporized" but is instead shattered into a field of loose rubble. More or less the entire mass of the Death Star will fall onto the location of the shield generator, given there's no anti-grav to support it. The impact of the Death Star towards Endor would look like what happens if a colossal asteroid hit the Earth. The Death Star-mass ball of fragments may leave behind a crater at least four times larger than the one in Mexico associated with the dinosaur extinction. The atmosphere may be so heated up that every body of water would be flash heated to steam and every forest ignites into a firestorm. Although it's not that all bad. Another fan (although not a physicist) named Gary Sarli analyzed the explosion. He said the blast has imploded inward instead of flying outward. Meaning a wormhole formed as the reactor of the Death Star blew, rapidly transporting almost all of the debris of the Death Star to another part of the galaxy. The saying all is fair in love and war may not necessarily apply in the case of the Arctic char. A cold-water fish that populates alpine lakes, the Arctic char's sperm swims at different speeds in different fluids. Sperm speed is determined by whether the fish is submissive or dominant. Norwegian researchers published the study in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution showed that while numerous species of fish congregate at mating grounds to release eggs and sperm, conditions are hardly equal. Dominant males guard and court female fish, making sure subordinate males won't be able to come close. This behavior allows dominant male fish to release their sperm closer to the females and time their release at the exact moment females release a mix of eggs and ovarian fluid into the water. Since fertilization is an external process, the sperm from subordinate males still has a chance to fertilize the released eggs but only if they are able to actually get close enough. Torvald B. Egeland of Nord University led the research, working with colleagues from both Nord University and the University of Troms. Based on formerly published studies, reproductive competition is conducted at a cellular level. Egeland's recent study shows that the sperm of dominant and subordinate Arctic char swim at different speeds in different fluids. To be specific, dominant Arctic char produce sperm that swim faster in diluted ovarian fluid. Subordinate males, on the other hand, produce sperm that swim faster in water. Given the position of dominant fish that are usually closer to the burst of eggs and ovarian fluid released by the female, their sperm will be able to swim faster and gain significant reproductive advantage. The subordinate males release sperm that moves faster in water and this significantly makes up for how far they are from the female fish. Egeland and his team are still in the process of determining whether these adaptations result in reproductive success of either dominant or submissive male Arctic chars. "The challenge is to conduct an experiment that closely mimics the situation under spawning. In order to thoroughly study these adaptations, we need a setup where we can control the distance between where the sperm is released and the ovarian fluid surrounding the eggs, and at the same time we also need to be able to control the effects of water dilution," explained Egeland. A Los Angeles man who works at Los Angeles International Airport is facing federal drug trafficking charges for allegedly trying to smuggle around two pounds of heroin wrapped in Christmas paper onto a jetliner. James Mitchell, who lives in the Pico-Union neighborhood, was arrested Wednesday by special agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration after prosecutors filed a criminal complaint in Los Angeles federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Mitchell, 25, allegedly attempted to smuggle 2.1 pounds of heroin through a security checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport on Dec. 10 upon arriving for a flight to Cincinnati, Ohio. Mitchell, who had purchased a one-way ticket, checked one piece of luggage that triggered an alert for "an unknown dense material" during an image scan by the Transportation Security Administration, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. An inspection of the bag revealed "six packages of a suspicious gray brittle concrete-like substance," one of which later tested positive for heroin, prosecutors allege. The packages were wrapped in Christmas-themed paper, court documents state. TSA officials noted a "vinegar odor" emanating from one of the packages, which prompted Los Angeles World Airport police to seek assistance from a hazardous materials unit. A portion of Terminal 3 was closed while personnel worked to detect and alleviate any potential chemical threat. Airport police worked with Frontier Airlines in an attempt to locate Mitchell. When he answered a phone call from Frontier personnel, Mitchell told the gate agent he was in the restroom and was not feeling well, according to court papers. About the same time, airport surveillance cameras captured Mitchell exiting the terminal while speaking on a cell phone. Once outside, Mitchell removed a beanie cap from his head and changed his sweater, disappearing on foot in the lower terminal arrival area, prosecutors say. Investigators ultimately tracked Mitchell down at his home, obtained an arrest warrant, and took him into custody without incident. After his arrest, investigators confirmed Mitchell is an employee of Aero Port Services -- which provides wheelchair and baggage porter services and aircraft ground servicing at LAX -- and has direct access to secure areas of the airport, court papers state. "At a time when airlines are carrying loved ones across the country and the world, this defendant jeopardized passenger safety by attempting to use the system to traffic in dangerous drugs," U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker alleged. At this point, Mitchell is charged in relation to only one of the six packages recovered from his luggage. Authorities are in the process of testing the other five packages to confirm the possible presence of heroin. The total weight of all six packages was roughly 6.5 kilograms, which is more than 14 pounds, prosecutors said. The complaint charges Mitchell with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin, and possession with the intent to distribute heroin. If he were to be convicted of those two counts, he would face a mandatory minimum of between five and 40 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Police are seeking a burglar who allegedly broke into two Benicia convenience stores early Tuesday morning. At around 3:50 a.m., officers responded to a report of an alarm going off at the Super Stop at the Southampton Shopping Center at 816 Southampton Road, police said. There, officers found that the front glass door had been smashed in. Minutes later, officers learned a nearby market at the Chevron gas station at 2054 Columbus Parkway had also been burglarized. An employee there also found that the front glass door had been broken, police said. After reviewing security video from both businesses, officers determined the same suspect was responsible for both crimes. The suspect was able to take an undisclosed amount of cash from both locations. He was seen driving a dark colored BMW sedan, according to police. Investigators believe he may be involved in similar burglaries in Napa. Anyone with information about his identity is asked to contact Detective Harris at (707) 746-4254. A freeze warning has been issued for Christmas morning for the North Bay's inland valleys while cities from Cloverdale to Big Sur will also be cold, National Weather Service officials said today. The freeze warning goes into effect at midnight and temperatures are expected in the upper 20s to low 30s. The warning ends at 8 a.m. Elsewhere on in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas temperatures are expected in the mid 30s to near 40 Christmas morning, according to weather service officials. Monday and Tuesday mornings may be cold too. Firefighters helped spread Christmas cheer to one Santa Rosa family Saturday after their house caught fire Friday night, causing them to be displaced just before the holiday. During the fire, firefighters were able to save some of the family's Christmas presents, however a majority of their belongings were damaged or destroyed, fire officials said. After coordinating with the Santa Rosa Firefighters Toys for Kids program, firefighters delivered toys to the family's son on Christmas Eve. Additionally, firefighters gave the family a gift card, provided by a victim assistance program, to help them with emergency needs related to being displaced, according to fire officials. The fire occurred Friday night at 11:43 p.m. at 2604 Marlow Road and caused major damage to the living room, as well as the rest of the home, fire officials said. Investigators determined the cause of the fire was related to a wood-burning stove that was being used to heat the house. The fire caused an estimated $75,000 in damage, according to fire officials. No one was injured during the blaze. The American Red Cross is also assisting the displaced family, fire officials said. Three people were hospitalized early Sunday morning after two separate incidents, including a shooting, outside a nightclub in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, according to police. At 2:38 a.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 500 block of Fourth Street, near the Grand Nightclub, police said. On the sidewalk, officers found two men, one about 25 years old and the other about 32 years old, suffering from gunshot wounds. Both men were taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, according to police. No arrest was made and a description of the suspects was not immediately available. The police department's Gang Task Force is investing the shooting. Around the same time, officers responded to the same location after a fight was reported. The victim, a 24-year-old man, had tried to break up a fight when one suspect "sucker punched" him, causing him to fall to the ground. A second suspect then kicked him in the head repeatedly, according to police. The first suspect fled the scene. Arriving officers however were able to detain the second suspect, also a 24-year-old man. The victim was taken to a hospital with head trauma not considered life-threatening, police said. The Order of Malta, the ancient Roman Catholic aristocratic lay order, has told Pope Francis that his decision to launch an investigation into the ouster of a top official over an old condom scandal is "unacceptable." In an extraordinary rebuke of the pontiff, the group said late Friday that the replacement of its grand chancellor was an "act of internal governmental administration of the Sovereign Order of Malta and consequently falls solely within its competence." Francis on Thursday appointed a five-member commission to investigate the Dec. 8 ouster of Albrecht von Boeselager amid suggestions that Francis' own envoy to the group, conservative Cardinal Raymond Burke, helped engineer it without his blessing. Burke has emerged as one of Francis' top critics. One charge used against von Boeselager concerned a program that the order's Malteser International aid group had participated in several years ago with other aid groups to help sex slaves in Myanmar, including giving them condoms to protect them from HIV infection. Church teaching bars the use of artificial contraception. Von Boeselager has said as soon as the order's headquarters in Rome learned of the condom distribution, two of the projects were immediately halted. A third continued, he said, so as not to deprive a poor region of Myanmar of all basic medical services. The project eventually ended after the Vatican's doctrine office intervened. Burke is a hardliner on enforcing church teaching on sexual morals. As a result, the dispute roiling the order reflects the broader ideological divisions in the Catholic Church that have intensified during Francis' papacy, which has emphasized the merciful side of the church over its doctrinaire side. Von Boeselager has said he was asked, and then ordered to resign Dec. 6 during a meeting with Burke and the order's leader, who suggested that the resignation was "in accordance with the wishes of the Holy See." He said he subsequently learned that the Holy See had made no such request. In its statement, the Knights of Malta said the pope's decision to appoint a commission to investigate von Boeselager's replacement was a result of a misunderstanding with the Vatican's secretariat of state. The Order of Malta has many trappings of a sovereign state, issuing its own stamps, passports and license plates and holding diplomatic relations with 106 states, the Holy See included. The Holy See, however, has a unique relationship with the order since the pope appoints a cardinal to "promote the spiritual interests" of the order and its relationship with the Vatican. Francis appointed Burke to that position in 2014 after removing him as the Vatican's supreme court justice. Kurt Martens, professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, says the pope's investigation was complicated, given the sovereign nature of both the order and the Holy See under international law. "The way it has been perceived, it's as if they're looking into the order, and that's why there is the backlash from the order," he said in a phone interview. Martens also suggested that nominating Knights of Malta members as part of the pope's commission could be problematic. "It makes sense that you ask members" because they are familiar with the order, he said. "But then you have a huge conflict of interest because they are investigating their 'head of state.'" The knights trace their history to the 11th-century Crusades with the establishment of an infirmary in Jerusalem that cared for people of all faiths. It now counts 13,500 members and 100,000 staff and volunteers who provide health care in hospitals and clinics around the world. Chicago's Cardinal Blase Cupich is delivering a Christmas message of unity with a focus on the plight of immigrants. It is the Catholic leader's first Christmas holiday as cardinal. The 67-year-old received the prestigious title last month. In a video message posted online he says he hopes world leaders choose "solidarity and unity" instead of "conflict and discord." He says he hopes that immigrants, especially those "living in the shadows," are seen as a "blessing" and not a "problem." Cupich spent Christmas Eve at a Chicago children's hospital. His Christmas Day schedule includes visiting inmates at Cook County Jail. A Silver Alert issued last night has been cancelled for 78-year-old man Tadeusz Tomaszycki of 25 Nursery Circle, Bristol after he was found safe. The alert was issued after he was last seen on December 24th after leaving a family gathering in Burlington and not returning home, police said. The silver alert was cancelled around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 25. Manchester fire and police are investigating a fire at a duplex that left a man severely burned. Police say the fire at an apartment on Westerly Street started around 3:00pm. They are still trying to figure out what sparked the flames. Neighbors quickly realized someone might be in trouble. Thats when I saw smoke coming from the windows and what appeared to be a man yelling, Norman Rodriguez of Manchester, said. Rodriguez launched a potentially life-saving to rescue the only person inside the apartment. He was joined by Nicholas Risley who lives in the apartment directly next to the one on fire. We see the fire coming out of the front glass, glass is shattering all over the place and were trying to get the door open, Risley said. I tried to open the door. It wouldnt open. So I kicked it in, Rodriguez said. Inside they found a 22-year-old man lying on the floor, with burns all over. Flames and black smoke were closing in. We were like we have to get him out of here. Were not just going to let him burn here and die, Risley said. I tried to pull him out. He slipped out of my hands a couple times, Rodriguez said. Finally they were able to get him out of the apartment and onto the front lawn. He was completely burnt and he was screaming. They put him in an ambulance and took off, Maddie Garcia of Manchester, said. Police say the young man was rushed to Hartford Hospital then airlifted to the burn unit at Bridgeport Hospital in critical condition. The apartment where the fire started was heavily damaged. There was also damage to the next door unit, number 17, where Risley lives. Hes thankful he, his mother, and step-father are okay and their thoughts are with their neighbors on this Christmas Eve. It puts things in perspective for people you know what I mean to kind of appreciate this time of year, Risley said. Risley and his family wont be able to stay in their apartment for now. Theyre receiving help from family members and the Red Cross. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked the fire. On Sunday morning, Dallas police said they found an 81-year-old man who went missing on Christmas Eve. The department told NBCDFW that William "Bill" Boone Goode, Jr. was located and safe. They did not provide any other information. Goode went missing from his home along Wisterwood Drive early Saturday afternoon, Dallas police said. In the spirit of Christmas, Southern Californians will share kindness, gifts and free meals Sunday. Events to provide Christmas meals are planned for Skid Row, Pasadena and Hollywood. Children at Los Angeles International Airport will receive gifts from Los Angeles Airport Police officers. "Everywhere in our City of Angels -- whether exchanging presents and singing carols, making tamales and sipping eggnog, going to a posada, or worshiping at Midnight Mass -- we unite on Christmas by embracing all that is good in our world," Mayor Eric Garcetti said. Midnight Mission: The Midnight Mission will begin distributing toys to thousands of children experiencing homelessness and serve Christmas brunch at 8:30 a.m. Entertainer Dick Van Dyke, KLOS-FM (95.5) personality Gary Moore and musician Jason Heath will be among the volunteers serving meals and distributing toys. Click here to learn about volunteer opportunities with the Midnight Mission. Union Station Homeless Services: The organization has shifted its Christmas dinner from Pasadena's Central Park to the its adult center on Raymond Avenue. More than 500 plates of food are expected to be served to individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty, along with senior citizens, those who are alone for Christmas or unable to afford a holiday meal at the 44th annual event, which begins at 11 a.m., according to Union Station CEO John Brauer. Laugh Factory: The Laugh Factory in Hollywood will conduct its 37th annual free Christmas Day Feast for anyone away from home, those who might be lonely, homeless or in need of a warm meal, a hug or laugh. Top comics will join other celebrities in helping serve each guest a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Comedians will perform live shows following meals served at 1 p.m, 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Temple Israel of Hollywood: The 30th annual Christmas Dinner for the Hungry and Homeless will provide a Christmas meal for the community from 1-5 p.m. at Hollywood United Methodist Church, along with toys for children and personal care items for adults. LAX: Los Angeles Airport Police officers will hand out stuffed animals and candy canes to children traveling on Christmas morning and the department's K- 9s will interact with children and entertain passengers, according to Rob Pedregon, the department's public information officer. After an usher at a Jehovah's Witnesses congregation in Sun Valley was charged with sexually abusing four boys he met at the church, investigators are searching for more possible victims. Los Angeles police are asking families, especially in the San Fernando Valley, to take a good look at the booking photo of Marcelo Alonzo Lozano. The 34-year-old was charged July 31 with nine felony counts that he sexually abused four boys. He pleaded not guilty and his bail was set at $1.8 million. Before his arrest for alleged serial child sex assault, Lozano worked as an usher at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Sun Valley. Investigators now worry for the children he may have met there. "He had been there for about six years. This is where it leads detectives to believe there may be more possible victims. This is where we need the publics help," LAPD Officer Cleon Joseph said. Police allege Lozano preyed on children between 8 to 15 years old. Worshippers at Sun Valley Kingdom Hall, where the suspect worked, drove by without comment Friday night. Police are hopeful adults will talk to their children and let detectives know if the Lozano case hits home. "Parents should know, it's not the person, not the creepy guy in the street that you should always look out for. Sometimes it's someone close to you; someone that's shaking your hand every day," Joseph said. More Southern California Stories: We've compiled the most-shared NBC4 Facebook posts for 2016. It's a list that includes a celebration of life (times two), two life-saving acts by everyday heroes and a community's powerful display of respect for a slain hero. Below, the top-five most-shared NBC4 stories and listed with the original Facebook post: 5. The year began with a story that a Southern California family can share with a smile for the rest of their lives. 4. In just a few seconds, a Texas police officer made the kind of difference that lasts a lifetime by relying on his training and experience. 3. A bizarre drug bust at the border uncovered more than $800,000 worth of marijuana hidden in decorative stones. 2. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Owen was shot and killed Oct. 6 during a confrontation with a parolee. An outpouring of support and grief was on display during a funeral procession for the slain lawman. 1. Finally, a little compassion is always worth sharing. LA firefighters rescued Potato the bulldog from a burning Koreatown home Feb. 18, then provided him with oxygen, water and heroic doses of kindness. If a picture is worth a thousand words, these images spoke volumes about how much these everyday heroes care. A Southern California freeway would be named for President Barack Obama under a proposal introduced in the state Senate. The resolution introduced this week by Sen. Anthony Portantino would apply to a segment of State Route 134 in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles where Obama attended Occidental College from 1979 to 1981. The 25th District Democrat says California has a long history of designating freeways as reminders of the accomplishments of important leaders. The name would apply to the stretch of the 134 between Interstate 210 in Pasadena and State Route 2 in Glendale. Pasadena recently installed a plaque marking an apartment building Obama lived in while studying at Occidental. A Florida sheriff's deputy fatally shot a woman who authorities say threatened him with a knife. A Polk County Sheriff's Office statement said 53-year-old Miriam Ann Savino called 911 requesting help Saturday afternoon for a matter of life or death.'' Sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said Deputy David Lockard found no medical emergency when he arrived at Savino's Lake Wales home. The Ledger reports Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters that Savino approached Lockard with a butcher knife and ignored his commands to drop it. Grady said Lockard then shot Savino, who was pronounced dead at a hospital. The sheriff's office placed Lockard on administrative leave. Savino was white. Wood said Lockard also is white. Savino had been jailed in Polk County five times since 2004 for battery and other charges. The federal government has awarded $81.5 million in grants to homeless assistance programs in Florida. The grants awarded this week by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will go to 319 programs in Florida. The funding is part of $1.95 billion in grants that HUD is giving to nearly 7,600 homeless assistance programs nationwide. The largest grant in Florida was over $29.8 million awarded to the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. In a statement, trust officials said the funding will help maintain and expand housing and services for homeless individuals and families, including military veterans. HUD is gathering local data for a national survey of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. The findings are expected to be released next fall. State police say four people were killed and a child was critically injured after three separate accidents that took place Friday night into early Saturday morning in Delaware. The first fatal crash occurred in Frederica, Delaware around 10:40 p.m. on Friday. Frederica is located in Kent County about 60 miles south of Wilmington. Police say 42-year-old Tricia Martin of Camden, Del., was driving a 2009 Acura MDX westbound on Barratts Chapel Road. Investigators say her Acura crossed over the eastbound lanes and off the south side of the roadway where it drove along a ditch line and collided with a telephone box and fence. The vehicle then struck an embankment, causing it to overturn on its side. While Martin was still inside the vehicle, investigators say her 10-year-old daughter, Taryn Martin, exited the car and tried to ask for help from a passing vehicle that was stopped at the roadway near the Acura. While she was talking, investigators say a 2005 GMC Yukon, driven by 49-year-old Richard Triola of Magnolia, Del., was traveling eastbound on Barratts Chapel Road when it struck the Acura. During the crash, Tricia Martin was ejected from her vehicle and thrown onto the roadway while Taryn Martin was struck by one of the vehicles and thrown onto the grass. Tricia Martin was flown to the Christiana Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead. Taryn Martin was transported to Kent General Hospital and then transferred to A.I. DuPont Hospital where she is currently in critical condition. Triola was taken to Kent General Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The second accident occurred around 12:20 a.m. in Wilmington, Del. Police say 31-year-old Rhashem Revelle of Wilmington was driving a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee eastbound on Airport Road at a high speed. As he entered into a right curve, investigators say Revelle lost control of his vehicle and crossed into the center median before re-entering the eastbound lanes. The Jeep then exited the south side of the road and struck a raised curb before crashing into a metal traffic pole. The impact caused the vehicle to roll onto the drivers side and slide until the top portion of the vehicle struck a tree. Revelle and one of his passengers, 27-year-old Tynisha Scott of Bear, Del., were both pronounced dead at the scene. The third passenger, 26-year-old Andre Revelle of Wilmington, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The final accident occurred around 2:15 a.m. in Gumboro, Delaware, which is about 100 miles south of Wilmington in Sussex County. Police say 46-year-old Donald Davis of Millsboro was riding a scooter southbound on Cooper Road. While turning at a sharp left curve, investigators say he crossed into the northbound lanes, lost control and was ejected from the scooter, crashing into a ditch. Davis, who police say was not wearing a helmet, struck his head on the pavement and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police continue to investigate all three accidents. A police officers body camera captured the moment that Santa and his reindeer sped into South Jersey to deliver gifts Saturday night. The Christmas Eve "amazing Santa sighting" came courtesy of Evesham Township Police with the time stamp of 6:58 p.m. "An Evesham Police Officer quickly activated his body worn camera when he observed a sleigh soaring past his police car at 209 mph," wrote the department on Facebook. "ETPD continues to respond to town-wide reports of low flying aircraft's and suspicious noises on rooftops." [[408249055, C]] Santa and his reindeer quickly flew off to their next town. This wasnt the first time Evesham police captured jolly Saint Nick going about his gift-giving duties, they stepped up patrols this year after a reported sighting last year, said the department. Residents along one Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood woke up Christmas morning to discover they were victims of a Grinch. A tire slasher vandalized nine cars parked along Foulkrod Street in the Summerdale section of Philadelphia late Christmas Eve or early Christmas. "I just don't get it," said neighbor Bill Clark. "What pleasure does somebody get out of slashing peoples' tires?" Clark, who rushed home from visiting family in South Jersey after learning of the vandalism, said he recently put on new tires at a cost around $600. Officers responded to the block Sunday morning, said Philadelphia Police. They believe the vandalism occurred between midnight and 2:30 a.m. [[405044415, C]] It was March 11, 2010. A typical day where April Phillips worked from her home in Gettysburg as a transcriptionist for Hanover Hospital. Her husband, Rick Phillips, a police officer for Eastern Adams Regional Police Department, kissed his wife and two step-daughters goodbye, like he always did, and headed out to work his 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift. During his dinner break, Rick called April to let her know he would be working his normal traffic enforcement for the rest of the night. April told him to be careful and that she loved him, just like any other day. "You just don't know about the future," April said. Later that night, a knock on the door woke April up at 12:45 a.m. Two police officers told her Rick had been in a serious accident. Rick, who had been a police officer for about 15 years, had been involved in a high-speed pursuit. The chase ended when he crashed into a tractor-trailer. Rick broke facial bones and his leg and sustained a traumatic brain injury. After the crash, he wouldn't live full-time in his home again for five years, and his career as a police officer - one that he loved - would be over. "I miss my job there a lot," he said. "I loved that job." "Since he left, I don't think we ever really recovered," Eastern Adams Regional Police officer Shawn Cuffley said. That night on March 11, 2010, Rick attempted to make a traffic stop but was soon in pursuit of the car he tried to pull over. While traveling on Route 30, the car ran a red light at the Route 94 intersection in Cross Keys. Rick continued through the red light, and his police cruiser crashed into a tractor-trailer. The car he was pursuing kept going. April was in shock when she heard the news and immediately went to York Hospital with her twin 11-year-old daughters. "Just imagine being woken up from a sleep at that time of night home alone," April said. When April arrived at the hospital, Rick was getting a CAT scan. She was sent to the trauma waiting room. Doctors told her what they knew about his brain injury and said Rick would soon go to the operating room to have a pressure monitor placed in his head. When she finally saw him, he was on a stretcher being wheeled to the operating room. April stood at the doorway, and she remembers the doors flying open and seeing blood everywhere. She yelled out that she loved him even though she wasn't sure if he could hear her. After that, all she could do was cry and pray, she said. "I still think it's a sheer miracle he woke up and can function the way he can," April said. It took about a month for Rick to fully wake up. There were moments where he was semi-conscious and sometimes he would remember who April was, but other times he would call her Cindy, who is his sister, April said. "Awaking from a coma is strange, not like you see in the movies," she said. "It's a gradual process." When Rick began talking again, doctors called it "word salad," because nothing he said made sense. It took about six months for him to be able to remember what he had just done an hour before, April said. Even now, Rick says April knows his memory better than he does. It took five years from the day of the accident for Rick to return home for good. He spent a total of three years and 4 months away from home. After York Hospital, he went to rehabilitation facilities in North Carolina and Philadelphia. Rehab mainly worked on his memory issues, but he also had speech, physical and occupational therapy. Rick was also working with specialists when he was at ReMed in Paoli to help him come to terms with the changes in his life, April said. During those five years, he missed out on a lot of holidays and family events, April said. Whenever Rick was in the Paoli area for treatment or therapy she would go see him every day, and when he wasn't in the area she would call every day. April made a total of 20 trips to see Rick in North Carolina and drove a total of 28,782 miles when he was in Pennsylvania facilities. "She was a very busy person," Rick said. One Christmas, April and her twin daughters, Amber and Brianna Milliken, flew to North Carolina to spend the holiday with Rick. "I missed my family and friends, but we are all here now though, thank goodness," Rick said. The crash dramatically altered April's life, too. Her husband was no longer home, she had two pre-teens to raise and the dynamic of the home had changed. "It's been a complete role reversal in the household," April said. One of the rehab facilities suggested April seek legal guardianship so she could force Rick to stay at the facility. Otherwise, he could have left on his own, which was not safe at that point. "It was hard, but I had to think with my mind and not my heart," April said. Rick is still her full-time responsibility, she said. He requires 24/7 supervision. He can't drive, and probably will never drive, April said. She has to remind him to take his medication or take a shower. If something happened to her, Rick would have to go back and live in a rehab facility since he will never be independent. She worries about the future. "But it's all part of my wedding vows to Rick," April said. Even now that Rick is home, he is still recovering. A therapist comes to his home during the week to take him to volunteer for a few hours. He has become involved with his community again - after they rallied around the family in their time of need - just in a different way. He volunteers at Shining Stars and at the Brethren Home and April and Rick are looking for more ways to give back, April said. Shining Stars in Gettysburg provides therapy through horsemanship. Rick and April volunteer together Thursday nights as side-walkers, walking alongside the horse as someone rides, and Rick volunteers during the week to help care for the horses. "I feed them, water them, brush them, clean their buckets and their stalls," Rick said. Rick enjoys the side-walking because he said it's fun to be around all the kids. "It's a great program to be a part of," April said. Before Rick was an officer in the Eastern Adams Regional Police department, he was an officer in Bendersville. That community decided to name a street after him to show their appreciation for his years of service. Bendersville Borough Police Chief David Ogel knew Rick for years, even as far back as when Rick was a constable. Rick knew how to have fun, Ogel said. They would play pranks on each other often. "Rick was very thorough as a police officer, but he knew how to have fun," Ogel said. Rick has made strides in his recovery - he still enjoys fishing like he did before - but there is no guarantee of what to expect. Doctors are able to give the family an idea of the severity and can make predictions, but no two brain injuries are the same, April said. The experience has brought April closer to God and she became stronger in her spirituality. "God can get you through anything," April said, "because I don't know how else you could go through something like this without having faith." Amber learned to rely on friends and family through the hard times. Brianna said she learned to not take anything for granted. As for Rick's future, he constantly talks about wanting to drive again, April said. He has driving tests done every six months by the rehab facility, but he hasn't passed yet. He processes information slowly and has a slow reaction time, which he realizes, but he keeps trying. Being able to drive is Rick's biggest goal for his future. "Don't give up, and don't take anything for granted," Rick said. 'Justice pays' Six years after the crash, Lance Lester Hawkes was found guilty of aggravated assault, and his sentencing will take place Jan. 9. "Justice pays, but it just takes a long time to happen," said Rick Phillips, who was an acquaintance of Hawkes before joining the police academy. In 2013, Hawkes' brother told police that Hawkes told him that he was the one driving the car being pursued by Rick. After he made it through the intersection he looked in his rear view mirror and saw Rick's car blow up, according to an affidavit filed with District Judge Little. In 2015, Hawkes' brother-in-law told police Hawkes admitted to him, just days after the crash, that he was the one driving the car, the affidavit states. Now that they know who caused the accident, the family is able to move forward with their lives, April Phillips said. About two years ago, red light cameras in New Jersey went dark, and opponents and supporters began the wait to see if the state Department of Transportation would scuttle or keep the program. Two years later, they're still waiting. The DOT has yet to render a final report and make recommendations to lawmakers on the ultimate fate of camera enforcement in the state. The cameras, which capture images of vehicles at intersections, were turned off on Dec. 16, 2014. Last year, NJDOT officials said they were still crunching numbers, but gave no timetable when they planned to release the findings, based on 2014 data and five years of numbers from 73 red light camera monitoring intersections in 25 towns. A spokesman said it would be "several months" before the report was finalized. There has been no word this year. DOT officials declined to respond to several emails and a request to the Transportation Commissioner, about the status of the report and reasons for the delay. Camera opponents contend the state is quietly burying the program by not issuing a report. "It is safe to say the state isn't anxious to continue the red light camera program," Steve Carrellas, National Motorists Association state chapter director of government and public affairs, told NJ.com. "The final findings will never be able to show a valid safety impact." The DOT is examining the data to determine if the red-light cameras reduced crashes at intersections during the test program. While the 2008 law, which created the red light camera pilot program, requires a final report, it does not give a deadline for a delivery date. "The lack of a final report ensures keeping N.J. red light cameras shut down," Carrellas said. Officials at companies who operate red-light cameras said that more crashes, deaths and injuries will occur while the cameras are off and the report is being drafted. "There's no question the red-light safety camera program saved lives," said Charles Territo, a spokesman for American Traffic Solutions, which operated cameras in 17 New Jersey municipalities. "Hopefully, the legislature and the DOT will rely on this data and previous program results, (and) not manufactured outrage from a few vocal opponents, to justify the red-light safety program's continuation." Rick Short, founder of the group, Stop Robo-Cops, has questioned the DOT's findings in previous reports. [[238427591, C]] Short, who said he's never received a red light camera summons, has sifted through raw DOT and police department crash data and used that information to challenge earlier findings that the cameras reduced collisions. Short has cited discrepancies, such as a fewer number of collisions listed in earlier DOT reports, when compared with accident report data. Camera company officials said their conclusions about the camera effectiveness are based on violations and preliminary crash data. Drivers paid a total of $156 million in fines during the five years cameras were used. "Previous NJDOT reports have consistently validated the effectiveness of New Jersey's red-light safety camera program," Territo said. "Based on the data we've seen, we're confident this final report will again support an extension of the program." But Republican Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon said he doesn't need the DOT's findings to make a decision. "The DOT knows this program is a failure and they have bigger things on their plate. The program is dead," he said. "I don't think there are a majority of legislators foolish enough to ignore the facts and reinstate this program, which amounts to government sponsored theft." A Philadelphia man was shot and killed outside a TGI Fridays restaurant in New Castle, Delaware Monday night. Police say shots were fired outside the TGI Fridays on the 100 block of N. Dupont Highway around 6:50 p.m. When officers arrived they found 48-year-old Eric Pearson of Philadelphia in the parking lot with gunshot wounds in the torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say 30 people were inside the restaurant at the time of the shooting. They were eventually able to leave after police conducted interviews. No arrests have been made. If you have any information on the shooting, please call the New Castle City Police Department at 302-322-9800. Tipsters may also call the Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333. A bill that would require all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet is among legislation that's been pre-filed ahead of the start of the Delaware General Assembly session. The News Journal of Wilmington reported Saturday that Rep. Sean Lynn, D-Dover, and Sen. Gary Simpson, R-Milford, are proposing the requirement. Lynn compares the bill to seat belt laws and calls it a "common sense" proposal that's in the public's interest. According to the newspaper, current law requires motorcyclists to keep a helmet with their motorcycle but doesn't require riders to wear it unless they are 19 or younger. Another bill pre-filed would ban local governments from passing ordinances that label all dogs of a specific breed as "dangerous." The General Assembly will convene Jan. 10. A Christmas morning mudslide in Oceanside has displaced four families, the City of Oceanside Fire Department confirms. The mudslide started around 5 a.m. in the 500 block of Canyon Drive. Water was reported to be coming in through a rear wall of a downstairs unit in a four unit apartment complex. The two bottom units have mud and water damage and the two top units were evacuated because of structural issues caused by the damage. A water leak in a residential irrigation line reportedly caused the damage and the water to that residence has been turned off and the family has been evacuated temporarily. An official from the Citys Building Department responded to the scene and red tagged the apartment complex after deeming it unsafe. The residence above the complex on Maxon Street was also tagged for limited occupancy until a geologist can evaluate the slope. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced families with temporary accommodations. It is expected the families will be displaced for an extended period of time. Representatives from the Citys Water Utilities Department evaluated all of the Citys water lines in the immediate area for any leaks or damage and found none. Christmas Eve is the time for families to come together, but one family's plans to unite with family ended in tragedy. Airman Javier Garcia, a 22-year veteran, was driving his mother young daughter from Riverside to Mexicali Wednesday night to catch a flight. Then, in an instant, a car cut in front of them at Highway 86 in Brawley. "All I remember was a car cutting across," Garcia told NBC 7 exclusively, "then them [first responders] taking me out with the jaws of life." Javier's mother, Maria, was also in the car and did not survive. I heard him [first responder] say she doesn't have a heartbeat, Garcia said. I think I passed out from that moment. Maria Garcia Zuniga had just beaten cancer, the same illness that took the life of her husband in 1995. The family was going to celebrate her cancer feat in Mazatlan for Christmas. That was her wish to go back home to see her family, Garcia said. The 22-year Airman and his daughter Delilah were rushed to San Diego area hospitals. They both suffered bleeding of the brain. Its physical pain only topped by the emotional pain of a mother and grandmother gone too soon. If you would like to help the Garcia family, here is a link to their official Go Fund Me page. Javier and Delilah were rushed to San Diego area hospitals. They both suffered bleeding of the brain. A powerful earthquake shook southern Chile on Sunday, but there were no immediate reports of deaths and only minor known damage. The U.S. Geological Survey put the quake's magnitude at 7.6 and said it struck at 11:22 a.m. local time (9:22 a.m. EST; 1422 GMT) near the southern tip of Chiloe Island, about 25 miles (39 kilometers) south-southwest of Puerto Quello and at a depth of 22 miles (35 kilometers). The area, some 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) south of the capital of Santiago, is relatively sparsely populated. National emergency director Ricardo Toro told a news conference that some 4,000 people were evacuated for fear of a possible tsunami following the quake, but the alert was eased about 90 minutes after the temblor. "There is no information of loss of life," Toro said, but he said some highways were damaged. Taxi driver Luis Ramirez told The Associated Press by telephone from the town of Ancud that he was washing his car when the quake hit. "I'm 48 years old, and I've never felt anything so strong," he said. Ramirez said cars equipped with loudspeakers were roaming the streets, urging people to evacuate beach areas. A much stronger magnitude 8.8 earthquake in February 2010 generated a tsunami and killed 524 people in Chile. In 1960, an earthquake measuring 9.4-9.6 struck an area about 350 miles south of Santiago, killing more than 1,000 people and as many as 6,000, according to published reports. Threats aimed at churches didn't stop the faithful from attending Mass on Christmas Eve in Boston. "It's scary, yes, it's sad, but life goes on," said Claudia Moreno who attended the Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End. "You just have to keep your faith and keep going." ISIS has urged attacks on religious gatherings during the Christmas season. "It's probably expected because they're going to go to areas of faith where people bond and come together," said Akhy Khan, who also attended the service. "But it won't get in our way." The FBI has warned local law enforcement across the country after a list of churches popped up on a militants social media site. "The threats are real everywhere in the world," said Cardinal Sean O'Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston. "It's unfortunately part of our lifetime today." Cardinal O'Malley says local authorities are aware of the need for security in the wake of the threats and the deadly attack at the Berlin Christmas market. The FBI in Boston says it is not aware of any specific threat in the Boston area. Six people are displaced this Christmas morning after a five-alarm fire broke out in Boston's North End. The flames erupted at 4:15 a.m. this morning at an apartment building at Hull Street and Snow Hill Street. The apartment is directly opposite the Copp's Hill Burial Grounds, the North End's historic cemetery that dates back to 1659. When crews arrived on the scene, the fire was at two alarms and flames were concentrated on the roof. It escalated to five alarms and the fire consumed the building, four floors on the Hull Street side and five floors on the Snow Hill side. Neighbors like Mark Maher were shocked to see the building covered in flames. I looked out the window and the cemetery was lit in orange and when I came out the building was totally engulfed, Maher said. Firefighters arrived to find all four floors up in flames. All the residents were not in the building at the time of the blaze. "We couldn't get into the building because of the sheer volume of the fire," Boston Fire Dept. Public Information Officer Steve MacDonald said. Due to the intensity of the fire, two neighboring homes were forced to evacuate, holiday presents in tow. "They were slowly bringing out all their gifts that they had under the tree that hadn't been opened yet," MacDonald said. Commissioner and Chief of the Fire Department Joe Finn praised his crews and their hard work on Twitter this morning. "My thanks for the quick containment of the 5 alarm fire this morning in the North End," he wrote. "Once again it was having highly trained boots on the ground - firefighters in sufficient numbers that made the difference. This historic neighborhood with narrow streets always presents challenges but they were met. Thanks to all." Chief Finn estimates $4 million of damages. Two firefighters were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. There were no civilian injuries reported. One Massachusetts couple, along with their cat, is thanking firefighters for their help after a fire broke out in their home on Christmas. On Sunday morning, the Brockton Fire Department responded to reports of a fire at 64 Clifton Avenue. Officials confirmed there was a small fire concentrated in the kitchen of the home. Crews were able to help the woman, who uses a wheelchair, along with the family cat out of the home. The firefighters safely extinguished the flames and there were no injuries reported. Investigators are looking into whether gang activity may be to blame for fatal stabbing of a teenage boy in East Bostons Memorial Park on Christmas Eve. Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans told the Boston Herald his department and state police are looking into whether the death may be linked to the partially decomposed body of a teen found in Belle Isle Marsh earlier in the month. Evans told the paper investigators are also trying to determine whether the two teens deaths are tied to three other teens murders over the past 15 months that were linked to dozens of MS-13 gang members indicted earlier in the year. It scares me to tell you the truth, I mean my daughters right now playing here so Im very concerned about it, Victor Rodriguez of Winthrop said. Some residents say they didnt realize that gangs might still be a big problem in East Boston. I thought that it was a long time ago and that was over. Im surprised that now its coming back again, Juan Torres of East Boston said. necn has reached out to Boston Police for comment, but they have not gotten back to us. Obviously its a community concern but I dont really feel like theres anything as a community we can do to stop it either, we have to just work with the police and hope that they do what they can do, Ralph Manecke of East Boston said. On Monday night, mourners met at Bennington Street and marched to Memorial Park where a vigil was held for the teen. Police in Johnston, Rhode Island, are investigating a domestic dispute in which a daughter was killed and her father injured. WJAR-TV reports that officers called to a home around 3 p.m. Saturday found a woman who'd been fatally shot and a man with stab wounds. The woman has been identified as Jessica Sutherland. Authorities say she was shot by her father, Robert Sutherland. He has been taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening stab wounds. No charges were immediately filed. Police say they haven't ruled out self defense. Shruthi H M By Express News Service BENGALURU: Its only the beginning of tough times for Micro, medium and Small Enterprises (MSMEs), a segment which has been severely hit by the slowdown in business post demonetisation. With sales having gone down, many have been, and still are, unable to repay loans to banks and risk being categorised as non-performing assets (NPA). SUVAJIT DEY If an enterprise is unable to pay the loan dues for 90 days, it can be categorised as NPA, inviting penalty. The reason is simple. There has been an overall slump in business for MSMEs since November 8. While one aspect of the problem theyre facing is the lack of hard cash to pay wages, the other side is that there are fewer orders and hence prodution production has taken a hit. Speaking to Express, R Krishna Murthy, President of Peenya Industries Association said MSMEs were not getting help from anyone. Some of the units have shut down. But even though the number of those that have shut down is few, most of them are struggling to stay operational. I have been requesting bank representatives to increase the 90 day limit to 120. But we are not getting help from anyone. Further, even though the government had instructed banks to ensure supply of money in industrial areas, there is no money in any of the banks, he added. Bank officials, on their part, said they were in a tough spot when it came to loan disbursements. Being unable to repay a loan for 90 days was just a small part of the problem, but the bigger issue for banks is to keep the loan process afloat in this time of crisis, an official from Gramin Bank, Kerala, told Express. The bigger issue here beyond penalties is how banks will manage to keep loan disbursement viable. It becomes difficult for banks to disburse loans with delayed repayment. Banks need some assurance for loan repayment, the official stated. This being the case, it could take several months for MSMEs to stabilise their businesses again. Across the country, MSMEs have seen a slowdown in sales and in turn, production. It could take one more quarter, or even two, for businesses to stabilise, according to Madhusudhan Khambete, President, Thane Small Scale Industries Association (TSSIA). Entrepreneurs have also observed that purchasing had stopped as a lot of black money was used for these orders, resulting in lower production. Credit co-operative societies, catering to financial difficulties of labourers have also suffered a blow, as many of them were running on funds from politicians. Bengaluru-based Prathibha R, garment workers representative, said several garment factories were giving leaves to workers as there was no work. Whats worse, these will be calculated against their compensatory offs. BENGALURU: Its only the beginning of tough times for Micro, medium and Small Enterprises (MSMEs), a segment which has been severely hit by the slowdown in business post demonetisation. With sales having gone down, many have been, and still are, unable to repay loans to banks and risk being categorised as non-performing assets (NPA). SUVAJIT DEY If an enterprise is unable to pay the loan dues for 90 days, it can be categorised as NPA, inviting penalty. The reason is simple. There has been an overall slump in business for MSMEs since November 8. While one aspect of the problem theyre facing is the lack of hard cash to pay wages, the other side is that there are fewer orders and hence prodution production has taken a hit. Speaking to Express, R Krishna Murthy, President of Peenya Industries Association said MSMEs were not getting help from anyone. Some of the units have shut down. But even though the number of those that have shut down is few, most of them are struggling to stay operational. I have been requesting bank representatives to increase the 90 day limit to 120. But we are not getting help from anyone. Further, even though the government had instructed banks to ensure supply of money in industrial areas, there is no money in any of the banks, he added. Bank officials, on their part, said they were in a tough spot when it came to loan disbursements. Being unable to repay a loan for 90 days was just a small part of the problem, but the bigger issue for banks is to keep the loan process afloat in this time of crisis, an official from Gramin Bank, Kerala, told Express. The bigger issue here beyond penalties is how banks will manage to keep loan disbursement viable. It becomes difficult for banks to disburse loans with delayed repayment. Banks need some assurance for loan repayment, the official stated. This being the case, it could take several months for MSMEs to stabilise their businesses again. Across the country, MSMEs have seen a slowdown in sales and in turn, production. It could take one more quarter, or even two, for businesses to stabilise, according to Madhusudhan Khambete, President, Thane Small Scale Industries Association (TSSIA). Entrepreneurs have also observed that purchasing had stopped as a lot of black money was used for these orders, resulting in lower production. Credit co-operative societies, catering to financial difficulties of labourers have also suffered a blow, as many of them were running on funds from politicians. Bengaluru-based Prathibha R, garment workers representative, said several garment factories were giving leaves to workers as there was no work. Whats worse, these will be calculated against their compensatory offs. By Express News Service CHENNAI: A young police constable allegedly frustrated over being denied permission to take leaves shot himself to death in the wee hours of Sunday in Chennai, R Gobinath, 25, was spotted by one of his colleagues at the premises of the Armed Reserve Battalion at St Thomas Mount at around 4.30 AM with a bullet injury. The service rifle provided to him was found lying over his body. Police sources said none in the premises had heard the gun shot. "We came to know only when one of his colleagues came looking for him. Since the area was dark, they came to know of him lying dead when they started searching for him using flash lights," said a police officer. Police sources said Gobinath was feeling unwell and had been requesting for leave. He could have committed suicide frustrated over being denied leave, they added. But senior officers said the reason for the alleged suicide is not yet clear. Gobinath had gone on leave for four days from December 15 to 18 to Madurai, his hometown. "He had joined duty on December 19 and had been complaining of a headache since then. However, the exact reason for the death is still unknown." said a police officer. Gobinath had completed training in Thootukudi in 2013 and served at Palani Armed Reserve Battalion earlier. He got transferred to Chennai two months ago. CHENNAI: A young police constable allegedly frustrated over being denied permission to take leaves shot himself to death in the wee hours of Sunday in Chennai, R Gobinath, 25, was spotted by one of his colleagues at the premises of the Armed Reserve Battalion at St Thomas Mount at around 4.30 AM with a bullet injury. The service rifle provided to him was found lying over his body. Police sources said none in the premises had heard the gun shot. "We came to know only when one of his colleagues came looking for him. Since the area was dark, they came to know of him lying dead when they started searching for him using flash lights," said a police officer. Police sources said Gobinath was feeling unwell and had been requesting for leave. He could have committed suicide frustrated over being denied leave, they added. But senior officers said the reason for the alleged suicide is not yet clear. Gobinath had gone on leave for four days from December 15 to 18 to Madurai, his hometown. "He had joined duty on December 19 and had been complaining of a headache since then. However, the exact reason for the death is still unknown." said a police officer. Gobinath had completed training in Thootukudi in 2013 and served at Palani Armed Reserve Battalion earlier. He got transferred to Chennai two months ago. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Two women, daughters of a retired police officer, were apprehended by police for stabbing a watchman in Hyderabad. The women, reportedly got infuriated when the watchman asked them not to make noise during the night as other residents in the apartment were sleeping. The police, who apprehended the women, have sent them to a government hospital for medical tests after noticing that the mental condition of the accused women was not stable. According to police, at around 2 AM on Sunday, one of the residents called watchman Busaiah and asked him to inquire about weird sounds that were coming from an apartment in the building. When Busaiah went upstairs, he found that the sounds were coming from the house in which retired sub-inspector GY Raos family was living. Busaiah knocked the door and asked the women in the house not to make sounds, as other residents were complaining. Infuriated by this, the two daughters of the retired SI, Sunitha and Sailaja, indulged in a heated argument with the watchman and later one of them attacked the watchman with a butchers knife. Meanwhile another woman tried to damage the CCTV camera fixed in front of their house and threw water on it, said sources. Other residents, who woke up to the noise, rushed the watchman to a nearby private hospital for treatment. On Sunday morning, the residents approached the Kukatpally police and lodged a complaint against the two women for stabbing the watchman and also gave the video footage of CCTV cameras, in which the entire incident was captured. Kukatpally SI P Suresh said that they have booked a case based on the complaint lodged by the victim and other residents, and took the two women into custody. We have not arrested them yet. The mental condition of the two women seemed to be unusual and medical tests are being done to verify about their mental health condition. As soon as the reports are received, further action will be taken, said SI Suresh. HYDERABAD: Two women, daughters of a retired police officer, were apprehended by police for stabbing a watchman in Hyderabad. The women, reportedly got infuriated when the watchman asked them not to make noise during the night as other residents in the apartment were sleeping. The police, who apprehended the women, have sent them to a government hospital for medical tests after noticing that the mental condition of the accused women was not stable. According to police, at around 2 AM on Sunday, one of the residents called watchman Busaiah and asked him to inquire about weird sounds that were coming from an apartment in the building. When Busaiah went upstairs, he found that the sounds were coming from the house in which retired sub-inspector GY Raos family was living. Busaiah knocked the door and asked the women in the house not to make sounds, as other residents were complaining. Infuriated by this, the two daughters of the retired SI, Sunitha and Sailaja, indulged in a heated argument with the watchman and later one of them attacked the watchman with a butchers knife. Meanwhile another woman tried to damage the CCTV camera fixed in front of their house and threw water on it, said sources. Other residents, who woke up to the noise, rushed the watchman to a nearby private hospital for treatment. On Sunday morning, the residents approached the Kukatpally police and lodged a complaint against the two women for stabbing the watchman and also gave the video footage of CCTV cameras, in which the entire incident was captured. Kukatpally SI P Suresh said that they have booked a case based on the complaint lodged by the victim and other residents, and took the two women into custody. We have not arrested them yet. The mental condition of the two women seemed to be unusual and medical tests are being done to verify about their mental health condition. As soon as the reports are received, further action will be taken, said SI Suresh. Bibek Debroy By Express News Service From a purely physical point of view, there would not have been Sanjay or Rajiv Gandhi, had Feroze not been there. The destiny of Indira Gandhi may have been different. She would perhaps not have been the prime minister of India. She could have become Frau Indira Oberdorf and settled in Germany Candidly speaking, Feroze was as much a founding father of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty as were Motilal and Jawaharlal Nehru. Not that I am sure that he would have appreciated this dynastic family streak. Feroze Gandhi was born in 1912 and died in 1960 at a relatively young age. As the blurb says, Feroze Gandhi was several thingsIndira Gandhis husband, Jawaharlal Nehrus son-in-law, Congress worker, freedom fighter and MP. Given this importance, it is odd that barring passing mentions and Tarun Kumar Mukhopadhyayas book (1992) on Feroze Gandhi as an MP, there is not much that is credible in substance. What I quoted is from the Introduction. To quote from the concluding chapter, On the other hand, if Feroze had been alive when Nehru died and Ferozes friend Lal Bahadur Shastri became the prime minister, there would have been a totally different situation. It is possible, even probable, that Shastri would have brought his old companion and not Indira into the Cabinet That would for sure have been a stepping stone towards the post of Indias prime minister. This is speculative and a counter-factual. But there is no denying the need for a good Feroze Gandhi biography. As a columnist and TV journalist, and friend of India, Bertil Falks name is familiar. In 32 chapters and three appendices (one of these is the Lok Sabha speech in 1957 on the life insurance scandal, a second is Feroze Gandhis birth certificate), Bertil Falk attempts this biography. There is a staccato and TV-script style to this book, which doesnt always make for pleasant reading. However, in fairness, the author doesnt describe it as an autobiography, but as a personal narrative. The period in Parliament and with National Herald is relatively more familiar and there is isnt much value addition in this volume, except for putting all the information together. When Feroze Gandhi started to hunt corrupt businessmen and capitalists and in passing, got institutions nationalised, he stumbled upon the fact that people of the administration were involved in corrupt dealings. It soon dawned on him that even the Congress party was infected by corruption, which was at its worst there because his party was the party in power. He realised that it happened right under the very nose of his father-in-law, the prime minister. The real value addition and Bertil Falks love for investigative journalism and mysteries (he has edited anthologies of mystery fiction) figure elsewhere, such as in tracking down Feroze Gandhis parentage. The Muslim speculation is laid to rest, but there is still uncertainty about both the father and the mother. Thus, the problem is not solved. Only DNA would lay this controversy to rest once and for all. There is also such probing of what Feroze Gandhi studied in LSE. (He dropped out.) The speculation about Kamala Nehru is dismissed, but that about Feroze Gandhis several romantic interludes accepted. We are given a lot of information about the marriage between Feroze Gandhi and Indira Gandhi and about the animosity between the former and M O Mathai. Despite what I said about the staccato style, the sense of humour is evident. Thus, this is by no means the ultimate biography on Feroze It is therefore my hope that other researchers, especially young students of modern Indian history will continue the quest for Feroze and fill the missing pieces in the mosaic. Thats the reason this book is worth reading. From a purely physical point of view, there would not have been Sanjay or Rajiv Gandhi, had Feroze not been there. The destiny of Indira Gandhi may have been different. She would perhaps not have been the prime minister of India. She could have become Frau Indira Oberdorf and settled in Germany Candidly speaking, Feroze was as much a founding father of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty as were Motilal and Jawaharlal Nehru. Not that I am sure that he would have appreciated this dynastic family streak. Feroze Gandhi was born in 1912 and died in 1960 at a relatively young age. As the blurb says, Feroze Gandhi was several thingsIndira Gandhis husband, Jawaharlal Nehrus son-in-law, Congress worker, freedom fighter and MP. Given this importance, it is odd that barring passing mentions and Tarun Kumar Mukhopadhyayas book (1992) on Feroze Gandhi as an MP, there is not much that is credible in substance. What I quoted is from the Introduction. To quote from the concluding chapter, On the other hand, if Feroze had been alive when Nehru died and Ferozes friend Lal Bahadur Shastri became the prime minister, there would have been a totally different situation. It is possible, even probable, that Shastri would have brought his old companion and not Indira into the Cabinet That would for sure have been a stepping stone towards the post of Indias prime minister. This is speculative and a counter-factual. But there is no denying the need for a good Feroze Gandhi biography. As a columnist and TV journalist, and friend of India, Bertil Falks name is familiar. In 32 chapters and three appendices (one of these is the Lok Sabha speech in 1957 on the life insurance scandal, a second is Feroze Gandhis birth certificate), Bertil Falk attempts this biography. There is a staccato and TV-script style to this book, which doesnt always make for pleasant reading. However, in fairness, the author doesnt describe it as an autobiography, but as a personal narrative. The period in Parliament and with National Herald is relatively more familiar and there is isnt much value addition in this volume, except for putting all the information together. When Feroze Gandhi started to hunt corrupt businessmen and capitalists and in passing, got institutions nationalised, he stumbled upon the fact that people of the administration were involved in corrupt dealings. It soon dawned on him that even the Congress party was infected by corruption, which was at its worst there because his party was the party in power. He realised that it happened right under the very nose of his father-in-law, the prime minister. The real value addition and Bertil Falks love for investigative journalism and mysteries (he has edited anthologies of mystery fiction) figure elsewhere, such as in tracking down Feroze Gandhis parentage. The Muslim speculation is laid to rest, but there is still uncertainty about both the father and the mother. Thus, the problem is not solved. Only DNA would lay this controversy to rest once and for all. There is also such probing of what Feroze Gandhi studied in LSE. (He dropped out.) The speculation about Kamala Nehru is dismissed, but that about Feroze Gandhis several romantic interludes accepted. We are given a lot of information about the marriage between Feroze Gandhi and Indira Gandhi and about the animosity between the former and M O Mathai. Despite what I said about the staccato style, the sense of humour is evident. Thus, this is by no means the ultimate biography on Feroze It is therefore my hope that other researchers, especially young students of modern Indian history will continue the quest for Feroze and fill the missing pieces in the mosaic. Thats the reason this book is worth reading. By PTI PUNE: A 23-year-old woman from West Bengal, who was working with an IT firm here, was allegedly hacked to death by an unidentified person on the outskirts of the city, police said today. Antara Das was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon at around 8 PM yesterday when she was returning home from work near Tathwade area, a senior police official of Dehuroad Police Station said. "Das was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she was declared dead on arrival," he said. According to the officer, robbery angle has been ruled out as the valuables the woman was carrying were intact. A case was registered in this regard, police said, adding a probe was underway. PUNE: A 23-year-old woman from West Bengal, who was working with an IT firm here, was allegedly hacked to death by an unidentified person on the outskirts of the city, police said today. Antara Das was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon at around 8 PM yesterday when she was returning home from work near Tathwade area, a senior police official of Dehuroad Police Station said. "Das was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she was declared dead on arrival," he said. According to the officer, robbery angle has been ruled out as the valuables the woman was carrying were intact. A case was registered in this regard, police said, adding a probe was underway. By Express News Service CHENNAI: The dust raised over demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes is yet to settle. But the next big idea that the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to be actively considering is streamlining of election schedules in the country. The main objective is to confine the elections to once in five years, when the citizens would vote for government from local panchayat level, state assemblies up to Lok Sabha. This is not a new idea, but at least a few decades old. The common reason is the frequent election mode the country undergoes affecting functioning of governments either due to statutory restrictions during poll period or the ruling regimes hesitation to carry out unpopular moves with electoral considerations. Good reasons A few numbers are a must to understand exactly how frequent India faces elections. According to information from the Election Commissions website, the country has undergone 38 phases of elections for State Assemblies and Parliament since 1998. Even by excluding local body polls, this means at least once in six months, some part of the country goes to polls. The hazards popularly attributed are: (i) Making the governments incapable of implementing long-term measures that may be unpopular in the short term, (ii) The huge expenditure by both the Election Commission and political parties (iii) The frequent elections affect routine lives due to imposition of code of conduct (iv) Huge manpower wasted for conducting the elections could be saved. The Prime Minister had spoken about the idea of holding simultaneous elections to Parliament and all state assemblies at least four or five times. But unlike demonetisation, this is something that the Union Government cannot announce overnight. Building consensus among all political parties in the country would be key before it can be made a reality. Bad reasons The opposition to the idea mainly comes from the regional parties. The crux of their fear was holding polls for the state assemblies and Parliament simultaneously would tend to favour the national parties by affecting the voting pattern. The reason for the fear was when the first four elections after the Independence were held simultaneously for both Parliament and all state assemblies, the regional parties could not even think of getting a share in the Union government. Then the regional parties could focus only on winning the state polls. Now the situation has changed and a regional party could win a good number of Lok Sabha seats and manage to get a place in the Union Cabinet in coalition governments. But the BJP now wants single-party rule in the Centre and hence is pushing for simultaneous elections, said D Ravikumar, general secretary of Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi, a party that mainly represents Dalits. He said the simultaneous elections is a backdoor means to achieve Presidential type of government that BJP leader L K Advani proposed during the Vajpayee regime. The simultaneous elections may help the national parties bargain for Lok Sabha seats for them in alliances, thus pushing out the regional parties from getting a share in the Union government. Key factors The most important argument of those who support the simultaneous elections is that the first four elections the country faced were held for both Parliament and all state assemblies simultaneously. This includes the 1967 elections in which many regional parties, including the DMK, broke the domination of Congress by winning majority of both State Assemblies and Parliament seats in Tamil Nadu. The cycle got disrupted when a few state legislative assemblies were dissolved prematurely in 1968 and 1969. Further, in 1970, the Lok Sabha was itself dissolved prematurely and fresh elections were held in 1971. As a result of premature dissolution and extension of terms of both the Lok Sabha and various State Legislative Assemblies, there had been separate elections to Lok Sabha and states assemblies for the last 48 years, said Congress MP Sudarsana Natchiappan, who headed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the issue and tabled a favourable report on the idea in the Parliament December last. He said the separate elections to Parliament and state assemblies happened only because of circumstances, not a recognised policy. But over the decades, the separate polls have become the norm. The Lok Sabha polls are now fought on national issues, the state assemblies on state-level issues and the local body polls on micro issues. Would reverting back to simultaneous polls affect the ability of people to distinguish issues at various levels? Former Chief Election Commissioner R Gopalaswami said such a thought would be tantamount to belittling the distinguishing capacity of voters. On the contrary, there were occasions when people had voted differently for Lok Sabha and state assemblies even when elections for both were held together. And now, youth makes the crux of the voters and in the communication era, they can very well distinguish between candidates of different parties, he said. Analysts have dissected the polling data in different ways -- either supporting or disputing the theory that simultaneous would favour the voting pattern towards national parties. But there are still no clear answers to this question. Beyond the question of bias, another more practical question posed is how feasible is conducting the Lok Sabha and all assembly polls simultaneously given the huge electoral base the country has now, when compared to the 1950s and 60s. Even the assembly polls in states like West Bengal has be held in six to eight phases due to security reasons. Hence trying to hold both Parliament and State assembly polls would surely make it a mammoth task. Theoretically it is possible. But it needs many administrative arrangements and Constitutional amendments. First, we have to amend the Constitution to give fixed tenure for Lok Sabha and Assemblies. Second, for conducting simultaneous elections, basic requirements such as manifold increase in number of Electronic Voting Machines, deployment of paramilitary forces to maintain law and order have to be done. But these issues are not insurmountable, said T S Krishnamurthi, also a former Chief Election Commissioner. Major General Anil Verma, head and national coordinator, Association for Democratic Reforms, said if not once in five years, the elections may be confined to just twice in five years. This is also one of the suggestions made by the parliamentary standing committee headed by Congress MP Sudarsana Natchiappan. But above all, before stepping into this major electoral reform, a very detailed discussion is needed at the national level, said Verma. Another former Chief Election Commissioner Y S Qureshi supported the idea mainly because it would save huge money and time spend on the elections. It is very very desirable. It is feasible. But it is not easy to implement. A big political consensus must be arrived for realising this goal. A lot of logistical issues are involved in the process while legal issues such as extending and curtailing the tenure of Assemblies have to be dealt, said Qureshi. But there are many who believe these practical difficulties are insurmountable. Many times, Parliaments were dissolved prematurely. So in such cases can we dissolve all the State governments also just for conducting simultaneous polls again? This is not possible in a multi-party democracy like ours. In a nutshell, simultaneous elections for state assemblies and Lok Sabha is a wish. But realising the wish will be very difficult, said DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan. CHENNAI: The dust raised over demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes is yet to settle. But the next big idea that the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to be actively considering is streamlining of election schedules in the country. The main objective is to confine the elections to once in five years, when the citizens would vote for government from local panchayat level, state assemblies up to Lok Sabha. This is not a new idea, but at least a few decades old. The common reason is the frequent election mode the country undergoes affecting functioning of governments either due to statutory restrictions during poll period or the ruling regimes hesitation to carry out unpopular moves with electoral considerations. Good reasons A few numbers are a must to understand exactly how frequent India faces elections. According to information from the Election Commissions website, the country has undergone 38 phases of elections for State Assemblies and Parliament since 1998. Even by excluding local body polls, this means at least once in six months, some part of the country goes to polls. The hazards popularly attributed are: (i) Making the governments incapable of implementing long-term measures that may be unpopular in the short term, (ii) The huge expenditure by both the Election Commission and political parties (iii) The frequent elections affect routine lives due to imposition of code of conduct (iv) Huge manpower wasted for conducting the elections could be saved. The Prime Minister had spoken about the idea of holding simultaneous elections to Parliament and all state assemblies at least four or five times. But unlike demonetisation, this is something that the Union Government cannot announce overnight. Building consensus among all political parties in the country would be key before it can be made a reality. Bad reasons The opposition to the idea mainly comes from the regional parties. The crux of their fear was holding polls for the state assemblies and Parliament simultaneously would tend to favour the national parties by affecting the voting pattern. The reason for the fear was when the first four elections after the Independence were held simultaneously for both Parliament and all state assemblies, the regional parties could not even think of getting a share in the Union government. Then the regional parties could focus only on winning the state polls. Now the situation has changed and a regional party could win a good number of Lok Sabha seats and manage to get a place in the Union Cabinet in coalition governments. But the BJP now wants single-party rule in the Centre and hence is pushing for simultaneous elections, said D Ravikumar, general secretary of Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi, a party that mainly represents Dalits. He said the simultaneous elections is a backdoor means to achieve Presidential type of government that BJP leader L K Advani proposed during the Vajpayee regime. The simultaneous elections may help the national parties bargain for Lok Sabha seats for them in alliances, thus pushing out the regional parties from getting a share in the Union government.Key factors The most important argument of those who support the simultaneous elections is that the first four elections the country faced were held for both Parliament and all state assemblies simultaneously. This includes the 1967 elections in which many regional parties, including the DMK, broke the domination of Congress by winning majority of both State Assemblies and Parliament seats in Tamil Nadu. The cycle got disrupted when a few state legislative assemblies were dissolved prematurely in 1968 and 1969. Further, in 1970, the Lok Sabha was itself dissolved prematurely and fresh elections were held in 1971. As a result of premature dissolution and extension of terms of both the Lok Sabha and various State Legislative Assemblies, there had been separate elections to Lok Sabha and states assemblies for the last 48 years, said Congress MP Sudarsana Natchiappan, who headed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the issue and tabled a favourable report on the idea in the Parliament December last. He said the separate elections to Parliament and state assemblies happened only because of circumstances, not a recognised policy. But over the decades, the separate polls have become the norm. The Lok Sabha polls are now fought on national issues, the state assemblies on state-level issues and the local body polls on micro issues. Would reverting back to simultaneous polls affect the ability of people to distinguish issues at various levels? Former Chief Election Commissioner R Gopalaswami said such a thought would be tantamount to belittling the distinguishing capacity of voters. On the contrary, there were occasions when people had voted differently for Lok Sabha and state assemblies even when elections for both were held together. And now, youth makes the crux of the voters and in the communication era, they can very well distinguish between candidates of different parties, he said. Analysts have dissected the polling data in different ways -- either supporting or disputing the theory that simultaneous would favour the voting pattern towards national parties. But there are still no clear answers to this question. Beyond the question of bias, another more practical question posed is how feasible is conducting the Lok Sabha and all assembly polls simultaneously given the huge electoral base the country has now, when compared to the 1950s and 60s. Even the assembly polls in states like West Bengal has be held in six to eight phases due to security reasons. Hence trying to hold both Parliament and State assembly polls would surely make it a mammoth task. Theoretically it is possible. But it needs many administrative arrangements and Constitutional amendments. First, we have to amend the Constitution to give fixed tenure for Lok Sabha and Assemblies. Second, for conducting simultaneous elections, basic requirements such as manifold increase in number of Electronic Voting Machines, deployment of paramilitary forces to maintain law and order have to be done. But these issues are not insurmountable, said T S Krishnamurthi, also a former Chief Election Commissioner. Major General Anil Verma, head and national coordinator, Association for Democratic Reforms, said if not once in five years, the elections may be confined to just twice in five years. This is also one of the suggestions made by the parliamentary standing committee headed by Congress MP Sudarsana Natchiappan. But above all, before stepping into this major electoral reform, a very detailed discussion is needed at the national level, said Verma. Another former Chief Election Commissioner Y S Qureshi supported the idea mainly because it would save huge money and time spend on the elections. It is very very desirable. It is feasible. But it is not easy to implement. A big political consensus must be arrived for realising this goal. A lot of logistical issues are involved in the process while legal issues such as extending and curtailing the tenure of Assemblies have to be dealt, said Qureshi. But there are many who believe these practical difficulties are insurmountable. Many times, Parliaments were dissolved prematurely. So in such cases can we dissolve all the State governments also just for conducting simultaneous polls again? This is not possible in a multi-party democracy like ours. In a nutshell, simultaneous elections for state assemblies and Lok Sabha is a wish. But realising the wish will be very difficult, said DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service IMPHAL: It is advantage Congress in strife-torn and poll-bound Manipur. The party, which is eyeing fourth term on the trot, seemed to have killed two birds with one stone. If the Congress divided the growing tribal unity, particularly between Kukis and Nagas, by upgrading Sadar Hills to a full-fledged district, it managed to reach out to the dominant Meitei (Manipuri) community by cashing in on the ethnic fire, which was a consequence of the decision on Sadar Hills. According to Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, 154 companies of central paramilitary forces were already deployed in Manipur. But Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh kept looking at the Centre for help towards clearing the two National Highways lifelines of the State on which the United Naga Council (UNC) enforced an economic blockade since November 1 in protest against the elevation of Sadar Hills to a district. Till the governments decision on the creation of the seven districts, particularly Sadar Hills, the Congress was faced with a strong anti-incumbency wave. The BJP, which is focussed on doing an Assam in Manipur, is viewed by many as a party tilted more towards the Nagas. The BJP is a partner of Naga Peoples Front (NPF), which is seen as an outcast in Manipur, and a constituent of Nagalands ruling coalition. The UNC claims that Sadar Hills is the ancestral homeland of the Nagas and its elevation would now make the Kukis to claim it as their homeland. UNC general secretary Milan Shimray alleged that by upgrading Naga ancestral homeland Sadar Hills to a district, the Ibobi government was trying to divide the tribals. The decision on Sadar Hills is being viewed as Ibobis masterstroke. The Kukis had for long been demanding its elevation and by ceding to the demand, the Congress virtually managed to breach tribal unity. The Congress also gained from the ethnic frenzy arising out of the UNC-enforced blockade. As people continue to suffer due to an acute shortage of supplies, the Congress managed to build an anti-BJP mood by accusing the Narendra Modi government of not doing enough in clearing the roads. The BJP was quick to react with Rijiju asserting that law and order was a State subject. The BJP has sniffed a greater design in Ibobi governments decision on the seven districts and its not utilizing the paramilitary forces in clearing the highways. Without naming Ibobi or his Congress, Rijiju had told the media: Nobody should try to take any political advantage out of a humanitarian crisis. Election is coming up (in Manipur) and so, there may be some political game plan. IMPHAL: It is advantage Congress in strife-torn and poll-bound Manipur. The party, which is eyeing fourth term on the trot, seemed to have killed two birds with one stone. If the Congress divided the growing tribal unity, particularly between Kukis and Nagas, by upgrading Sadar Hills to a full-fledged district, it managed to reach out to the dominant Meitei (Manipuri) community by cashing in on the ethnic fire, which was a consequence of the decision on Sadar Hills. According to Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, 154 companies of central paramilitary forces were already deployed in Manipur. But Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh kept looking at the Centre for help towards clearing the two National Highways lifelines of the State on which the United Naga Council (UNC) enforced an economic blockade since November 1 in protest against the elevation of Sadar Hills to a district. Till the governments decision on the creation of the seven districts, particularly Sadar Hills, the Congress was faced with a strong anti-incumbency wave. The BJP, which is focussed on doing an Assam in Manipur, is viewed by many as a party tilted more towards the Nagas. The BJP is a partner of Naga Peoples Front (NPF), which is seen as an outcast in Manipur, and a constituent of Nagalands ruling coalition. The UNC claims that Sadar Hills is the ancestral homeland of the Nagas and its elevation would now make the Kukis to claim it as their homeland. UNC general secretary Milan Shimray alleged that by upgrading Naga ancestral homeland Sadar Hills to a district, the Ibobi government was trying to divide the tribals. The decision on Sadar Hills is being viewed as Ibobis masterstroke. The Kukis had for long been demanding its elevation and by ceding to the demand, the Congress virtually managed to breach tribal unity. The Congress also gained from the ethnic frenzy arising out of the UNC-enforced blockade. As people continue to suffer due to an acute shortage of supplies, the Congress managed to build an anti-BJP mood by accusing the Narendra Modi government of not doing enough in clearing the roads. The BJP was quick to react with Rijiju asserting that law and order was a State subject. The BJP has sniffed a greater design in Ibobi governments decision on the seven districts and its not utilizing the paramilitary forces in clearing the highways. Without naming Ibobi or his Congress, Rijiju had told the media: Nobody should try to take any political advantage out of a humanitarian crisis. Election is coming up (in Manipur) and so, there may be some political game plan. By PTI NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, notwithstanding the severe chill in relations between the two countries. "Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life," Modi tweeted. Sharif turned 67 today. Modi extended birthday wishes to Sharif even though the two countries have been witnessing a severe chill in their relations because of repeated terror attacks in India emanating from Pakistan. Last year on this day, Modi had made a huge gesture by travelling to Lahore on an unscheduled visit to wish Sharif personally and attend the marriage ceremony of his kin. However, the warmth in the bilateral ties witnessed at that time evaporated after terror attack on the airbase in Pathankot on January 1 this year. Since then the relations have just been sliding as tensions escalated. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, notwithstanding the severe chill in relations between the two countries. "Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life," Modi tweeted. Sharif turned 67 today. Modi extended birthday wishes to Sharif even though the two countries have been witnessing a severe chill in their relations because of repeated terror attacks in India emanating from Pakistan. Last year on this day, Modi had made a huge gesture by travelling to Lahore on an unscheduled visit to wish Sharif personally and attend the marriage ceremony of his kin. However, the warmth in the bilateral ties witnessed at that time evaporated after terror attack on the airbase in Pathankot on January 1 this year. Since then the relations have just been sliding as tensions escalated. By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Calling on the people of Uttar Pradesh and BJP cadres to convert the BJPs Parivartan Yatras into vijay yatras, Home Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh expressed delight over the response the four yatras got in the past one-and-a-half months. Addressing party workers at Moti Mahal Lawns where all the four yatras converged, Rajnath said the yatras had laid the foundation for the much-wanted change, which he said would be the saffron partys ghar wapsi, in the state. Thousands of people lined up along streets to watch the road show that followed, with the central part of the city coming to a standstill. The 192-day yatras criss-crosed the state, which has 403 Assembly constituencies, covering 17,000 km and contacting over two crore people before reaching the capital. Meanwhile, taking a dig at the demonetisation move, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav termed the cashless economy goal as a bigger dream than Prime Minister Narendra Modis achche din promise. It is, however, for the government to see how it will be realised, he said while distributing cheques to the families of 19 persons who allegedly lost their lives while queuing up outside ATMs or banks. He also gave `25 lakh each to the families of four freedom fighters. In a seprate development, SP general secretary Amar Singh said that he was just a small party worker when asked about speculations about a pre-poll grand alliance involving the SP, Congress and the RLD. I am a small party worker. Such big decisions are taken by senior party leaders like SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, he said while emerging from a meeting with the partys state chief, Shivpal Yadav. The SP Rajya Sabha member, who was recently appointed to the partys Parliamentary Board, remained non-committal over Akhileshs stand that an alliance with the Congress would help the ruling party touch the 300 mark in the Assembly. I think leaders should desist from making any such comment which they might have to withdraw in future,Amar said in Lucknow. Also, he denied having held any talks with Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ahmad Patel over the issue. It was Amars first visit to the capital after the escalation of Shivpal-Akhilesh rift in the party. LUCKNOW: Calling on the people of Uttar Pradesh and BJP cadres to convert the BJPs Parivartan Yatras into vijay yatras, Home Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh expressed delight over the response the four yatras got in the past one-and-a-half months. Addressing party workers at Moti Mahal Lawns where all the four yatras converged, Rajnath said the yatras had laid the foundation for the much-wanted change, which he said would be the saffron partys ghar wapsi, in the state. Thousands of people lined up along streets to watch the road show that followed, with the central part of the city coming to a standstill. The 192-day yatras criss-crosed the state, which has 403 Assembly constituencies, covering 17,000 km and contacting over two crore people before reaching the capital. Meanwhile, taking a dig at the demonetisation move, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav termed the cashless economy goal as a bigger dream than Prime Minister Narendra Modis achche din promise. It is, however, for the government to see how it will be realised, he said while distributing cheques to the families of 19 persons who allegedly lost their lives while queuing up outside ATMs or banks. He also gave `25 lakh each to the families of four freedom fighters. In a seprate development, SP general secretary Amar Singh said that he was just a small party worker when asked about speculations about a pre-poll grand alliance involving the SP, Congress and the RLD. I am a small party worker. Such big decisions are taken by senior party leaders like SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, he said while emerging from a meeting with the partys state chief, Shivpal Yadav. The SP Rajya Sabha member, who was recently appointed to the partys Parliamentary Board, remained non-committal over Akhileshs stand that an alliance with the Congress would help the ruling party touch the 300 mark in the Assembly. I think leaders should desist from making any such comment which they might have to withdraw in future,Amar said in Lucknow. Also, he denied having held any talks with Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ahmad Patel over the issue. It was Amars first visit to the capital after the escalation of Shivpal-Akhilesh rift in the party. Vikram Sharma By Express News Service As Ramkhilawan ploughs his field on a wintry morning, his wife shouts out to him that shes going to the bank. Her neighbours have said theres money in the bank today. Ramkhilawan smiles wryly. This would be her fifth trip to the bank in as many days. The farmer couple has gotten by so far on credit from shopkeepers and seed and fertilizer traders. Other farmers in Banda have done similarly. Woodcutter Devi Dayal relaxes with a pile of wood on a tractor at Pukharwar village in Bundelkhand | Vikram Sharma Its been hard, but Ramkhilawan is not worried. Local BJP workers have been telling him to hold on till the first week of January. They say the Prime Minister will make a major announcement for farmers, either a waiver of loans or a gift of cash, say about Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, deposited in each villagers bank account. Im hopeful Narendra Modi wont disappoint us, says Ramkhilawan. In the popular imagination, the big announcement will be made when Narendra Modi addresses a mega rally in Lucknow on January 2. It is this hope that is helping thousands of farmers in Bundelkhand carry on with their work despite all the difficulties brought upon them by demonetisation. Ramkhilawan, farmer The note ban has made the upcoming election in UP unique. As I drove through Bundelkhand, the usual-suspect issues were very evident: poverty, water shortage and labour migration, the normal fodder of all political animals at election time. But the joker in the pack is demonetisation. Which way will it swing the vote? As Ramkhilawan ploughs his field on a wintry morning, his wife shouts out to him that shes going to the bank. Her neighbours have said theres money in the bank today. Ramkhilawan smiles wryly. This would be her fifth trip to the bank in as many days. The farmer couple has gotten by so far on credit from shopkeepers and seed and fertilizer traders. Other farmers in Banda have done similarly. Woodcutter Devi Dayal relaxes with a pile of wood on a tractor at Pukharwar village in Bundelkhand | Vikram Sharma Its been hard, but Ramkhilawan is not worried. Local BJP workers have been telling him to hold on till the first week of January. They say the Prime Minister will make a major announcement for farmers, either a waiver of loans or a gift of cash, say about Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, deposited in each villagers bank account. Im hopeful Narendra Modi wont disappoint us, says Ramkhilawan. In the popular imagination, the big announcement will be made when Narendra Modi addresses a mega rally in Lucknow on January 2. It is this hope that is helping thousands of farmers in Bundelkhand carry on with their work despite all the difficulties brought upon them by demonetisation. Ramkhilawan, farmerThe note ban has made the upcoming election in UP unique. As I drove through Bundelkhand, the usual-suspect issues were very evident: poverty, water shortage and labour migration, the normal fodder of all political animals at election time. But the joker in the pack is demonetisation. Which way will it swing the vote? K Srinath Reddy By Despite outpacing its South Asian neighbours in economic development, India lags behind most of them in major health indicators. We have the second lowest life expectancy in the region. Our infant mortality rate is higher than in Bangladesh and Nepal, and thrice as high as in Sri Lanka. Child immunisation rates in India are far lower than those of many sub-Saharan countries. While we need to improve the national health indicators as a whole, we cannot do so without bridging the huge health gaps between rural and urban India. On every measure of health, rural populations in all states compare poorly with their urban counterparts. This reflects causes that undermine health, deny access to needed health care and disempower people from protecting their health. From rural poverty to inadequate supply of potable water and poor sanitation, the social determinants of health are adversely conditioned. Essential health care is not readily available, due to poorly accessible or poorly staffed government health facilities and a marked urban concentration of all categories of formally qualified health care providers. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), launched in 2005, somewhat improved rural health care infrastructure, introduced village-level social mobilisers in the form of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and placed a strong emphasis on maternal and child health services. While institutional deliveries increased markedly, thanks to schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), there was no demonstrable association with reductions in maternal or neonatal mortality rates. This raises questions on the quality of care available in the institutions which women reach. If the facility does not have trained health care providers who can provide both routine and emergency obstetric care or revive a newborn in distress, merely shifting delivery from home to an institution will not help. If the health care facility lacks 24-hour supply of running water and electricity, the problem gets compounded. Furthermore, the mandate of rural health care has expanded beyond maternal and child health and infectious diseases. Heart diseases and stroke, variety of cancers, diabetes, lung and kidney diseases and mental illness are rapidly rising even in rural areas and warrant attention. This places even greater pressure on the rural health care system which is already constrained for human and financial resources. We need innovative solutions for these issues. Some of these will involve new categories and skill sets among health care providers and others will involve greater use of appropriate technologies. As a solution to the shortage of doctors in rural areas, governments talk of compulsory rural posting for fresh medical graduates. Since majority of medical colleges in India are concentrated in the four southern states and Maharashtra, how will this scheme supply doctors to other states? To overcome this mismatch, the Central government has to employ fresh graduates in a special cadre under NRHM and post them where needs are high. Even then, fresh graduates who were trained in well-equipped urban hospitals will be like fish out of water when posted in a poorly resourced rural health care facility. Only when medical education is reconfigured to provide a substantial part of training in district and sub-district health systems, will the fresh graduate be attuned to the demands of rural service. Part of the solution will lie in the recognition that much of primary health care does not require doctors to deliver. Technology enabled frontline health workers (community health workers, nurse-practitioners, mid-level community health assistants and other allied health professionals) can competently provide many needed services, assisted by point of care diagnostics and decision support systems located on hand-held tablets, tele medicine and intermittent physician visits. Trained in basic public health and clinical services, technologically adept, these categories of health care providers will greatly strengthen rural health care systems. ksrinath.reddy@phfi.org Despite outpacing its South Asian neighbours in economic development, India lags behind most of them in major health indicators. We have the second lowest life expectancy in the region. Our infant mortality rate is higher than in Bangladesh and Nepal, and thrice as high as in Sri Lanka. Child immunisation rates in India are far lower than those of many sub-Saharan countries. While we need to improve the national health indicators as a whole, we cannot do so without bridging the huge health gaps between rural and urban India. On every measure of health, rural populations in all states compare poorly with their urban counterparts. This reflects causes that undermine health, deny access to needed health care and disempower people from protecting their health. From rural poverty to inadequate supply of potable water and poor sanitation, the social determinants of health are adversely conditioned. Essential health care is not readily available, due to poorly accessible or poorly staffed government health facilities and a marked urban concentration of all categories of formally qualified health care providers. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), launched in 2005, somewhat improved rural health care infrastructure, introduced village-level social mobilisers in the form of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and placed a strong emphasis on maternal and child health services. While institutional deliveries increased markedly, thanks to schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), there was no demonstrable association with reductions in maternal or neonatal mortality rates. This raises questions on the quality of care available in the institutions which women reach. If the facility does not have trained health care providers who can provide both routine and emergency obstetric care or revive a newborn in distress, merely shifting delivery from home to an institution will not help. If the health care facility lacks 24-hour supply of running water and electricity, the problem gets compounded. Furthermore, the mandate of rural health care has expanded beyond maternal and child health and infectious diseases. Heart diseases and stroke, variety of cancers, diabetes, lung and kidney diseases and mental illness are rapidly rising even in rural areas and warrant attention. This places even greater pressure on the rural health care system which is already constrained for human and financial resources. We need innovative solutions for these issues. Some of these will involve new categories and skill sets among health care providers and others will involve greater use of appropriate technologies. As a solution to the shortage of doctors in rural areas, governments talk of compulsory rural posting for fresh medical graduates. Since majority of medical colleges in India are concentrated in the four southern states and Maharashtra, how will this scheme supply doctors to other states? To overcome this mismatch, the Central government has to employ fresh graduates in a special cadre under NRHM and post them where needs are high. Even then, fresh graduates who were trained in well-equipped urban hospitals will be like fish out of water when posted in a poorly resourced rural health care facility. Only when medical education is reconfigured to provide a substantial part of training in district and sub-district health systems, will the fresh graduate be attuned to the demands of rural service. Part of the solution will lie in the recognition that much of primary health care does not require doctors to deliver. Technology enabled frontline health workers (community health workers, nurse-practitioners, mid-level community health assistants and other allied health professionals) can competently provide many needed services, assisted by point of care diagnostics and decision support systems located on hand-held tablets, tele medicine and intermittent physician visits. Trained in basic public health and clinical services, technologically adept, these categories of health care providers will greatly strengthen rural health care systems. ksrinath.reddy@phfi.org Ravi Shankar By Politicians use target practice to stay relevant the way actors use makeup to play different roles. Narendra Modis war on black money has caused pain in queues and kitchens, but the worst sufferers are hoarders and their colluding patrons. Corruption is an adjective usually applied to politicians, but the PMs crackdown on cash has exposed bureaucrats as well. Last week taxmen raided the home of IAS big wheel and serving Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, Rama Mohana Rao. They seized `30 lakh in new currency notes and five kilograms of gold; the salary of Indias Cabinet Secretary is around `2.5 lakh, including perks. After Raos arrest, some political leaders launched into mystifying invective. Strangely, their outrage was not over the fact that Rao was corrupt. DMKs M K Stalin and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were incensed that the house of a senior babu could be raided. Stalin said, The raids at the Chief Secretarys house is without precedence. This has never happened in the history of Tamil Nadu. So its fine for the states top bureaucrat to hoard crores, but its an insult to Tamil pride to arrest him! Mamata, who sees a coup behind every barrack in Kolkata, got into a Constitutional twist over the raids. Why this vindictive, unethical, technically improper action? Is it only to disturb the federal structure? she thundered. In the competition to become the national alternative to Narendra Modi, she is an active contender. Never mind the fact that she orders farmers who ask contrary questions at public meetings to be thrown into jail, she chose to portray tax raids on a corrupt bureaucrat as a threat to the states. Only Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has wisely chosen to stay away from the outrage of his compadres. Perhaps, having been a revenue officer himself, the AAP boss understands the situation better. Besides, Modi seems to have stolen the anti-corruption plank from Arvind; anti-graft crusades are AAPs bread and butter and any disturbance of the status quo will reveal how the PM hoisted Kejriwal on his own petard. The role of the Opposition is to oppose. But it is a principle, not a value. Policies the BJP opposed when it was in the Opposition like loan waiver schemes for farmers are acceptable now to assuage rural anger against demonetisation. Modi is a political force. The bureaucracy is an administrative entity. Babus endure longer in their posts while governments come and go. Modi realises bureaucrats are responsible for most of the banking chaos. They did not anticipate or warn the prime minister of the lack of preparedness. More income-tax actions against corrupt bureaucrats are likely. Not only does this send the signal that no one, however powerful, is above the law, but the raids expose the rust in the steel frame. However, its time the government targeted corrupt politicians, too. The big fish, not the minnows. It has been informed about many leaders who have converted hoarded crores into legit money. If the war on black money has to be truly won, Modi has to target them fast, before the moolah taints the electoral ground water level. Is this the reason why some political leaders are either keeping quiet or protesting too loudly? Information is the PM is getting his ducks in a row. It will be one crap shoot worth waiting for. Politicians use target practice to stay relevant the way actors use makeup to play different roles. Narendra Modis war on black money has caused pain in queues and kitchens, but the worst sufferers are hoarders and their colluding patrons. Corruption is an adjective usually applied to politicians, but the PMs crackdown on cash has exposed bureaucrats as well. Last week taxmen raided the home of IAS big wheel and serving Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, Rama Mohana Rao. They seized `30 lakh in new currency notes and five kilograms of gold; the salary of Indias Cabinet Secretary is around `2.5 lakh, including perks. After Raos arrest, some political leaders launched into mystifying invective. Strangely, their outrage was not over the fact that Rao was corrupt. DMKs M K Stalin and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were incensed that the house of a senior babu could be raided. Stalin said, The raids at the Chief Secretarys house is without precedence. This has never happened in the history of Tamil Nadu. So its fine for the states top bureaucrat to hoard crores, but its an insult to Tamil pride to arrest him! Mamata, who sees a coup behind every barrack in Kolkata, got into a Constitutional twist over the raids. Why this vindictive, unethical, technically improper action? Is it only to disturb the federal structure? she thundered. In the competition to become the national alternative to Narendra Modi, she is an active contender. Never mind the fact that she orders farmers who ask contrary questions at public meetings to be thrown into jail, she chose to portray tax raids on a corrupt bureaucrat as a threat to the states. Only Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has wisely chosen to stay away from the outrage of his compadres. Perhaps, having been a revenue officer himself, the AAP boss understands the situation better. Besides, Modi seems to have stolen the anti-corruption plank from Arvind; anti-graft crusades are AAPs bread and butter and any disturbance of the status quo will reveal how the PM hoisted Kejriwal on his own petard. The role of the Opposition is to oppose. But it is a principle, not a value. Policies the BJP opposed when it was in the Opposition like loan waiver schemes for farmers are acceptable now to assuage rural anger against demonetisation. Modi is a political force. The bureaucracy is an administrative entity. Babus endure longer in their posts while governments come and go. Modi realises bureaucrats are responsible for most of the banking chaos. They did not anticipate or warn the prime minister of the lack of preparedness. More income-tax actions against corrupt bureaucrats are likely. Not only does this send the signal that no one, however powerful, is above the law, but the raids expose the rust in the steel frame. However, its time the government targeted corrupt politicians, too. The big fish, not the minnows. It has been informed about many leaders who have converted hoarded crores into legit money. If the war on black money has to be truly won, Modi has to target them fast, before the moolah taints the electoral ground water level. Is this the reason why some political leaders are either keeping quiet or protesting too loudly? Information is the PM is getting his ducks in a row. It will be one crap shoot worth waiting for. T J S George By In the wake of the demonetisation tsunami, our Prime Minister asked for a 50-day grace period. That period ends this week, with no end to the sufferings of people at large. What has in fact become clear is that (a) the Government had not done its homework diligently enough before launching such a mammoth policy shift and (b) it is unsure now how to get out of the mess. The confusion about how to proceed is reflected in the way goalposts are being changed with unsettling frequency. It began with the 4,000-rupee cap on exchange of old notes turning, within five days, to 4,500 rupees, then to 2000 rupees. Withdrawal caps changed too. An indelible ink exercise lasted a few days. Special allowances for brides and bridegrooms brought heartburn because of the stringent operational rules announced alongside. (Political bigwigs of course had no problem conducting ostentatious weddings costing several hundreds of crores). A climax of sorts was reached last week when the Reserve Bank ruled that banned notes could be deposited only in one 5000-rupee instalment. It reversed the rule within a day, bringing itself and the Government to ridicule. There was confusion even about the purpose of the new policy. Initially we were told that it was meant to end the menace of black money. Then they said it was intended to fight terrorism. More recently, the refrain is that the intention is to make India a modern cashless society, with citizens using their mobile phones for their transactions with ease and speed. None of these appear credible. The big boys of black money do not keep their hoards in 1000- and 500-rupee notes under their beds in India. Our Government says it knows the names of Indians with bank accounts in foreign safe havens. But there has been no serious effort to inconvenience them. Defanging terrorists was a plausible reason. But modern terrorists are a resourceful lot, with sovereign states backing them. In any case, local terrorists can raise their own cash. Ask the gangs who emptied banks in Kashmir at gunpoint. That leaves the patriotic ambition of turning India into an ultramodern cashless country. Noble idea. And forward-looking. But is this the time for it? And at the cost of such a colossal economic-social shakeup? The fact that India is among the worlds poorest and most illiterate nations cannot be wished away. Are we to assume that daily wage earners, small-time farmers and sundry hawkers who dont even know what is a bank will be happy to see the country getting rid of cash, rather than vague things like illiteracy and poverty? However dressed up, the picture was seriously vitiated on December 16 when the Finance Secretary in Delhi announced that political parties could deposit demonetised notes in their bank accounts without income-tax interference. Social media was outraged by this obvious bid to provide legal protection to corruption. The Election Commission pitched in by asking the Government to amend laws to stop exemption to anonymous contributions to parties and to remove parties that contest no elections from the exemption list. Not many of us know that there are 1900 political parties registered with the Election Commission. Of these only 400 have bothered to contest any election between 2005 and 2015. The 1500 sleeping parties -- which obviously serve as convenient vehicles for some VIPs -- can accept demonetised notes as contributions from undeclared sources and keep them free of income tax. What a farce! The untenability of it was so patent that the Government quickly came up with a face-saving promise to consider the Election Commissions proposals. This freshly-revealed tendency to allow political corruption will now have to be linked with the saga of bad debts accumulated by our public sector banks. Of all people, Vijay Mallya showed how reckless the banks had been. Of the 7000 crore he borrowed from various banks, 1600 crore came from the State Bank of India. They knew Kingfishers financial position, he remarked in a letter, adding that many banks advanced loans to many businesses in this manner, their total adding up to Rs 11 trillion (11,000 billion). Who authorised this extraordinary generosity to doubtful borrowers? And why the sudden rise in the bounty in the last two years? According to published reports, the non-performing assets of public sector banks rose by 4 percent during 2004-12 and by 60 percent during 2013-15. When facts of this kind rise before us, it becomes difficult to believe that demonetisation was a wholly patriotic move. In the wake of the demonetisation tsunami, our Prime Minister asked for a 50-day grace period. That period ends this week, with no end to the sufferings of people at large. What has in fact become clear is that (a) the Government had not done its homework diligently enough before launching such a mammoth policy shift and (b) it is unsure now how to get out of the mess. The confusion about how to proceed is reflected in the way goalposts are being changed with unsettling frequency. It began with the 4,000-rupee cap on exchange of old notes turning, within five days, to 4,500 rupees, then to 2000 rupees. Withdrawal caps changed too. An indelible ink exercise lasted a few days. Special allowances for brides and bridegrooms brought heartburn because of the stringent operational rules announced alongside. (Political bigwigs of course had no problem conducting ostentatious weddings costing several hundreds of crores). A climax of sorts was reached last week when the Reserve Bank ruled that banned notes could be deposited only in one 5000-rupee instalment. It reversed the rule within a day, bringing itself and the Government to ridicule. There was confusion even about the purpose of the new policy. Initially we were told that it was meant to end the menace of black money. Then they said it was intended to fight terrorism. More recently, the refrain is that the intention is to make India a modern cashless society, with citizens using their mobile phones for their transactions with ease and speed. None of these appear credible. The big boys of black money do not keep their hoards in 1000- and 500-rupee notes under their beds in India. Our Government says it knows the names of Indians with bank accounts in foreign safe havens. But there has been no serious effort to inconvenience them. Defanging terrorists was a plausible reason. But modern terrorists are a resourceful lot, with sovereign states backing them. In any case, local terrorists can raise their own cash. Ask the gangs who emptied banks in Kashmir at gunpoint. That leaves the patriotic ambition of turning India into an ultramodern cashless country. Noble idea. And forward-looking. But is this the time for it? And at the cost of such a colossal economic-social shakeup? The fact that India is among the worlds poorest and most illiterate nations cannot be wished away. Are we to assume that daily wage earners, small-time farmers and sundry hawkers who dont even know what is a bank will be happy to see the country getting rid of cash, rather than vague things like illiteracy and poverty? However dressed up, the picture was seriously vitiated on December 16 when the Finance Secretary in Delhi announced that political parties could deposit demonetised notes in their bank accounts without income-tax interference. Social media was outraged by this obvious bid to provide legal protection to corruption. The Election Commission pitched in by asking the Government to amend laws to stop exemption to anonymous contributions to parties and to remove parties that contest no elections from the exemption list. Not many of us know that there are 1900 political parties registered with the Election Commission. Of these only 400 have bothered to contest any election between 2005 and 2015. The 1500 sleeping parties -- which obviously serve as convenient vehicles for some VIPs -- can accept demonetised notes as contributions from undeclared sources and keep them free of income tax. What a farce! The untenability of it was so patent that the Government quickly came up with a face-saving promise to consider the Election Commissions proposals. This freshly-revealed tendency to allow political corruption will now have to be linked with the saga of bad debts accumulated by our public sector banks. Of all people, Vijay Mallya showed how reckless the banks had been. Of the 7000 crore he borrowed from various banks, 1600 crore came from the State Bank of India. They knew Kingfishers financial position, he remarked in a letter, adding that many banks advanced loans to many businesses in this manner, their total adding up to Rs 11 trillion (11,000 billion). Who authorised this extraordinary generosity to doubtful borrowers? And why the sudden rise in the bounty in the last two years? According to published reports, the non-performing assets of public sector banks rose by 4 percent during 2004-12 and by 60 percent during 2013-15. When facts of this kind rise before us, it becomes difficult to believe that demonetisation was a wholly patriotic move. Prabhu Chawla By Staying in the news is one way to become the news. Rahul Gandhi has become a headline bandit with constant cannonade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress vice-president earned the social media sobriquet of buddu from a powerful maverick politician of the BJP. The Prime Minister mocked him as a package sans substance. Yet Rahul is the topic de jour in the national political conversation as a leader whose staying power is fuelled by Modi. Decoding Rahuls Morse code of malarkey reveals a side that shows street sense in targeting the powerful and popular Modi. Since the PM uses one-liners to make headlines, anyone who responds gets almost the same attention by default. Even the Opposition parties, which avoided confronting Modi, are now willing to fight him under Rahuls standard. For the first time, Rahul was taken seriously, thanks to Modi. Leading the campaign against demonetisaion, Rahul spoke on behalf of the entire Opposition. It was a transformation through temeritythe leader who was known for fumbles and verbal tumbles had suddenly acquired a quiverful of poetic and punitive adjectives to pierce his opponents armour. In the gathering storm of the Uttar Pradesh elections, Rahul seems to have become a wordsmith of a new political vocabulary with phrases such as suit boot ki sarkar and Modi-made Demonetisation Disaster. Until now, even after 12 years in politics, Rahul had nothing to flaunt except his Gandhi pedigree. A successful stratagem of warcraft is to be learned from the enemy. To face the formidable Modi, Rahul has discarded the non-confrontationist political legacy of his father Rajiv Gandhi. Though his Facebook introduction talks, he promised to carry forward Rajivs unfinished agenda. However, it seems he has more faith in grandmother Indira Gandhi and uncle Sanjay Gandhi. RaGa has literally rolled up his sleevesa signature oratory gesturefor a decisive political bout with Modi. Rahuls tactics and terminology of the past few weeks reflect Indiras aggression in his choice of words and the street fighting talent of his uncle Sanjay. Of late, the Congresss president-in-waiting has been at his most acerbic best by hitting out at the PM. He has chosen the streets as his battlefield. He joined snaking queues of ordinary citizens to collect his quota of cash following demonetisation. He has criss-crossed the country, chipping away with rhetoric at the PMs overpowering personality. So far no good. Honey I shrunk the party, could well have been his patent line. The Congress diminished from a political giant to a pathetic pygmy with a fragmented identity in three years. But Rahul has never been out of mind or sight of people who matter or vote. From boardrooms to classrooms, he is the subject of either ridicule or admiration. Rahul has Modi to thank for it. He is in the news for questioning the PMs personal integrity. Though the 46-year-old Gandhi promised an earthquake by exposing an alleged scam involving Modi, his subsequent revelations didnt move even a fallen leaf on the political field. By choosing Gujarat, Modis home state, as the battlefield to attack him over supposedly receiving corporate kickbacks, Rahul defined the battle lines for the future. He has decided that it is not the BJP but the PM himself who is his prime target. By striking a muffled martyrs pose, what he could have said on the floor of the Lok Sabha, Rahul disclosed at Mehsana. He alleged Sahara paid `40 crore to Modi when he was Gujarats chief minister. He also claimed that Modi received multiple payments spread across 2013-14 from the controversial company. In spite of the lack of evidence, he said income tax raids on Saharas premises in 2014 yielded documents showing payments made to Modi between October 2013 and February 2014. Rahuls verbal velocity is on a roll. He took advantage of Modis sartorial sensibilities and labelled the government a suit boot ki sarkar. In Amethi, he chose rhetoric over reason. The sentences, we want your sarkar. Shirt ki sarkar, chappal ki sarkar, kurta-pajama ki sarkar. And we will show it to you. Yeh to suit boot ki sarkar hai, were a speechwriters dream come true. Before DeMo, he attacked the NDA governments tax amnesty scheme by calling it a Fair and Lovely exercise to help the rich. The difference between then and now is that Rahul has upped the ante by raising doubts about the PMs integrity. Belatedly, responding to the accusations of Modi and the BJP against Manmohan Singh as one of Indias weakest mind-over-matter PMs, Rahul calls Modi a PM whose words dont matter. Taking on the frequent change in orders on currency exchange, Rahul jeered, RBI is changing rules like the PM changes his clothes. This is the 125th time rules were changed. Yesterday, the government gave a message that words of Prime Minister are hollow. Rahuls latest strategy to convert adversity into an opportunity is the Congress partys manual on how to score victories in UP and other states. For the humongous scams during the UPA regime, both prince and party were on the defensive on corruption. Modi never faced a single charge of graft in 12 years as Gujarat CM. But from May 2014 onwards, a new Rahul emerged, seeking an opportunity to engage his adversary in a personal slanging match. The NDA governments failure to nail any major Congress leader for scamming the exchequer had emboldened Rahul. When BJP leaders castigated him for protecting tainted colleagues and relatives, Rahul flung down the gauntlet. Addressing a rally last year to mark his grandmothers 98th birth anniversary, he thundered, I want to say this Modiji, its your government, and you have all the agencies. Set them after me. Show your 56-inch chest. Launch an investigation against me and if you find anything in six months put me in jail. By pushing the button of political auto replay, Rahul is trying to unleash the same weapon that had felled the UPA against Modicorruption. The Illusory Truth Effect was a psychological phenomenon discovered by an American researcher, who concluded that constant repetition of subject creates the illusion that it was the truth. Rahul thinks the time has come to become a master of political illusion by parroting the allegation that Modi is corrupt, thereby hoping that some mud will stick. There is a method in his Maul Modi mission. Modis demonetisation has given Rahul Gandhis career fresh currency, but the run up to the state elections are a vote bank test for Rahul to put his money where his mouth is. Staying in the news is one way to become the news. Rahul Gandhi has become a headline bandit with constant cannonade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress vice-president earned the social media sobriquet of buddu from a powerful maverick politician of the BJP. The Prime Minister mocked him as a package sans substance. Yet Rahul is the topic de jour in the national political conversation as a leader whose staying power is fuelled by Modi. Decoding Rahuls Morse code of malarkey reveals a side that shows street sense in targeting the powerful and popular Modi. Since the PM uses one-liners to make headlines, anyone who responds gets almost the same attention by default. Even the Opposition parties, which avoided confronting Modi, are now willing to fight him under Rahuls standard. For the first time, Rahul was taken seriously, thanks to Modi. Leading the campaign against demonetisaion, Rahul spoke on behalf of the entire Opposition. It was a transformation through temeritythe leader who was known for fumbles and verbal tumbles had suddenly acquired a quiverful of poetic and punitive adjectives to pierce his opponents armour. In the gathering storm of the Uttar Pradesh elections, Rahul seems to have become a wordsmith of a new political vocabulary with phrases such as suit boot ki sarkar and Modi-made Demonetisation Disaster. Until now, even after 12 years in politics, Rahul had nothing to flaunt except his Gandhi pedigree. A successful stratagem of warcraft is to be learned from the enemy. To face the formidable Modi, Rahul has discarded the non-confrontationist political legacy of his father Rajiv Gandhi. Though his Facebook introduction talks, he promised to carry forward Rajivs unfinished agenda. However, it seems he has more faith in grandmother Indira Gandhi and uncle Sanjay Gandhi. RaGa has literally rolled up his sleevesa signature oratory gesturefor a decisive political bout with Modi. Rahuls tactics and terminology of the past few weeks reflect Indiras aggression in his choice of words and the street fighting talent of his uncle Sanjay. Of late, the Congresss president-in-waiting has been at his most acerbic best by hitting out at the PM. He has chosen the streets as his battlefield. He joined snaking queues of ordinary citizens to collect his quota of cash following demonetisation. He has criss-crossed the country, chipping away with rhetoric at the PMs overpowering personality. So far no good. Honey I shrunk the party, could well have been his patent line. The Congress diminished from a political giant to a pathetic pygmy with a fragmented identity in three years. But Rahul has never been out of mind or sight of people who matter or vote. From boardrooms to classrooms, he is the subject of either ridicule or admiration. Rahul has Modi to thank for it. He is in the news for questioning the PMs personal integrity. Though the 46-year-old Gandhi promised an earthquake by exposing an alleged scam involving Modi, his subsequent revelations didnt move even a fallen leaf on the political field. By choosing Gujarat, Modis home state, as the battlefield to attack him over supposedly receiving corporate kickbacks, Rahul defined the battle lines for the future. He has decided that it is not the BJP but the PM himself who is his prime target. By striking a muffled martyrs pose, what he could have said on the floor of the Lok Sabha, Rahul disclosed at Mehsana. He alleged Sahara paid `40 crore to Modi when he was Gujarats chief minister. He also claimed that Modi received multiple payments spread across 2013-14 from the controversial company. In spite of the lack of evidence, he said income tax raids on Saharas premises in 2014 yielded documents showing payments made to Modi between October 2013 and February 2014. Rahuls verbal velocity is on a roll. He took advantage of Modis sartorial sensibilities and labelled the government a suit boot ki sarkar. In Amethi, he chose rhetoric over reason. The sentences, we want your sarkar. Shirt ki sarkar, chappal ki sarkar, kurta-pajama ki sarkar. And we will show it to you. Yeh to suit boot ki sarkar hai, were a speechwriters dream come true. Before DeMo, he attacked the NDA governments tax amnesty scheme by calling it a Fair and Lovely exercise to help the rich. The difference between then and now is that Rahul has upped the ante by raising doubts about the PMs integrity. Belatedly, responding to the accusations of Modi and the BJP against Manmohan Singh as one of Indias weakest mind-over-matter PMs, Rahul calls Modi a PM whose words dont matter. Taking on the frequent change in orders on currency exchange, Rahul jeered, RBI is changing rules like the PM changes his clothes. This is the 125th time rules were changed. Yesterday, the government gave a message that words of Prime Minister are hollow. Rahuls latest strategy to convert adversity into an opportunity is the Congress partys manual on how to score victories in UP and other states. For the humongous scams during the UPA regime, both prince and party were on the defensive on corruption. Modi never faced a single charge of graft in 12 years as Gujarat CM. But from May 2014 onwards, a new Rahul emerged, seeking an opportunity to engage his adversary in a personal slanging match. The NDA governments failure to nail any major Congress leader for scamming the exchequer had emboldened Rahul. When BJP leaders castigated him for protecting tainted colleagues and relatives, Rahul flung down the gauntlet. Addressing a rally last year to mark his grandmothers 98th birth anniversary, he thundered, I want to say this Modiji, its your government, and you have all the agencies. Set them after me. Show your 56-inch chest. Launch an investigation against me and if you find anything in six months put me in jail. By pushing the button of political auto replay, Rahul is trying to unleash the same weapon that had felled the UPA against Modicorruption. The Illusory Truth Effect was a psychological phenomenon discovered by an American researcher, who concluded that constant repetition of subject creates the illusion that it was the truth. Rahul thinks the time has come to become a master of political illusion by parroting the allegation that Modi is corrupt, thereby hoping that some mud will stick. There is a method in his Maul Modi mission. Modis demonetisation has given Rahul Gandhis career fresh currency, but the run up to the state elections are a vote bank test for Rahul to put his money where his mouth is. By Express News Service KAKINADA : Outpatient services at the Government General Hospital (GGH) were hit here on Saturday as doctors and medicos went on a flash strike condemning the highhanded behaviour of Pithapuram MLA SVSN Varma towards the GGH staff on Friday night. As a result, hundreds of patients who came to the district headquarters hospital, faced severe inconvenience. It was alleged that the ruling TDP MLA who came to the hospital along with his followers on Friday night, abused the duty doctors and medical staff by stating that they failed to provide proper treatment to a patient hailing from his Assembly constituency. On hearing the news of row between the MLA and the duty doctors, Joint Collector II J Radhakrishna Murthy and GGH Superintendent Nageswara Rao visited the hospital and tried to resolve the matter. The casualty medical officer and other doctors alleged that the MLA threatened them. After the legislator left the hospital, the duty doctors lodged a complaint against him. Demanding an apology from the TDP MLA for his highhanded behaviour, the hospital doctors and medicos boycotted their duties on Saturday and staged a dharna at the GGH main gate. Activists of SFI and other student unions also participated in the dharna, extending their support to the stir of doctors and medicos. The incident happened on the day of launch of Swasthya Vidya Vahini programme, complicating the matters further. Denying the charge of MLA that they showed negligence in discharging their duties, the GGH doctors and the Junior Doctors Association demanded action against the MLA for his rude behaviour. Except emergency services, all medical services came to a halt at the hospital. We are trying to resolve the issue at the earliest, said GGH Superintendent Nageswara Rao. As the medical services at the GGH are severely hit, the ministers hailing from the district are expected to intervene in the matter to resolve the row between the MLA and doctors. KAKINADA : Outpatient services at the Government General Hospital (GGH) were hit here on Saturday as doctors and medicos went on a flash strike condemning the highhanded behaviour of Pithapuram MLA SVSN Varma towards the GGH staff on Friday night. As a result, hundreds of patients who came to the district headquarters hospital, faced severe inconvenience. It was alleged that the ruling TDP MLA who came to the hospital along with his followers on Friday night, abused the duty doctors and medical staff by stating that they failed to provide proper treatment to a patient hailing from his Assembly constituency. On hearing the news of row between the MLA and the duty doctors, Joint Collector II J Radhakrishna Murthy and GGH Superintendent Nageswara Rao visited the hospital and tried to resolve the matter. The casualty medical officer and other doctors alleged that the MLA threatened them. After the legislator left the hospital, the duty doctors lodged a complaint against him. Demanding an apology from the TDP MLA for his highhanded behaviour, the hospital doctors and medicos boycotted their duties on Saturday and staged a dharna at the GGH main gate. Activists of SFI and other student unions also participated in the dharna, extending their support to the stir of doctors and medicos. The incident happened on the day of launch of Swasthya Vidya Vahini programme, complicating the matters further. Denying the charge of MLA that they showed negligence in discharging their duties, the GGH doctors and the Junior Doctors Association demanded action against the MLA for his rude behaviour. Except emergency services, all medical services came to a halt at the hospital. We are trying to resolve the issue at the earliest, said GGH Superintendent Nageswara Rao. As the medical services at the GGH are severely hit, the ministers hailing from the district are expected to intervene in the matter to resolve the row between the MLA and doctors. By Express News Service BENGALURU: The state government is trying its best to convince the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to include Kannada as an option for NEET 2017. The State Women and Child Welfare and Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to instruct the ministry concerned to take necessary action to include Kannada in NEET. The letter read: I am bringing this very important issue to your kind notice that has come as a shocker to all Kannadigas. NEET 2017 does not allow Kannadigas to write the exam in Kannada is an upsetting development that has taken place in the Health and Family Welfare Ministry. She further mentioned, Our state is home to the highest number of medical colleges and 70 per cent of the children write their SSLC exams in Kannada medium. She requested the PM to ask the officials concerned and the ministry to roll back the decision. She ended the letter with: The delay in an early decision might flare up the sentiments of Kannadigas. BENGALURU: The state government is trying its best to convince the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to include Kannada as an option for NEET 2017. The State Women and Child Welfare and Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to instruct the ministry concerned to take necessary action to include Kannada in NEET. The letter read: I am bringing this very important issue to your kind notice that has come as a shocker to all Kannadigas. NEET 2017 does not allow Kannadigas to write the exam in Kannada is an upsetting development that has taken place in the Health and Family Welfare Ministry. She further mentioned, Our state is home to the highest number of medical colleges and 70 per cent of the children write their SSLC exams in Kannada medium. She requested the PM to ask the officials concerned and the ministry to roll back the decision. She ended the letter with: The delay in an early decision might flare up the sentiments of Kannadigas. By Express News Service MYSURU: For veteran politician V Srinivas Prasad, who spent most of his political career in the grand old party, it is not the first time that he is quitting a party to join another. He has been in almost all major political parties of the state in his four-decade-long political career. By joining BJP, which he once used to oppose tooth and nail, mainly because of its right-wing political ideology, he has come a full circle. In fact, while quitting the NDA government as MoS for Consumer Affairs to join JD(S) in March, 2004, he had lambasted the government stating that instead of the NDA agenda, the government was pursuing BJP agenda. Prasad began his political career by contesting on AIADMK ticket from Krishnaraja constituency by-election in 1974. Back then, the Dravidian party had some presence in Bengaluru, but not beyond that. Though Prasad did not win, he managed to wean away the dalit votes from Congress (I) which ultimately saw the victory of Congress (O) candidate. Later, he joined Congress and got elected to Lok Sabha for four terms from 1980. He quit Congress before the 1996 Lok Sabha election after the party denied him a ticket. Later, he joined and won from Samata Party in 1999 which was later merged with JD(U). He quit the party in 2004 to join JD(S). When Siddaramaiah quit JD(S) and launched AHINDA and then joined Congress, Prasad, who has a large Dalit following in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, joined him and was elected from Nanjangud Assembly constituency twice. Veteran Congress leader A H Vishwanath is not surprised by his switching sides. But, he said he is not happy over Prasad throwing his ideologies to the wind in order to join BJP. He has joined a party that had an ideology that is beyond secularism. And Prasad who believes in secularism and equality should have joined any other party but BJP, he said. MYSURU: For veteran politician V Srinivas Prasad, who spent most of his political career in the grand old party, it is not the first time that he is quitting a party to join another. He has been in almost all major political parties of the state in his four-decade-long political career. By joining BJP, which he once used to oppose tooth and nail, mainly because of its right-wing political ideology, he has come a full circle. In fact, while quitting the NDA government as MoS for Consumer Affairs to join JD(S) in March, 2004, he had lambasted the government stating that instead of the NDA agenda, the government was pursuing BJP agenda. Prasad began his political career by contesting on AIADMK ticket from Krishnaraja constituency by-election in 1974. Back then, the Dravidian party had some presence in Bengaluru, but not beyond that. Though Prasad did not win, he managed to wean away the dalit votes from Congress (I) which ultimately saw the victory of Congress (O) candidate. Later, he joined Congress and got elected to Lok Sabha for four terms from 1980. He quit Congress before the 1996 Lok Sabha election after the party denied him a ticket. Later, he joined and won from Samata Party in 1999 which was later merged with JD(U). He quit the party in 2004 to join JD(S). When Siddaramaiah quit JD(S) and launched AHINDA and then joined Congress, Prasad, who has a large Dalit following in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, joined him and was elected from Nanjangud Assembly constituency twice. Veteran Congress leader A H Vishwanath is not surprised by his switching sides. But, he said he is not happy over Prasad throwing his ideologies to the wind in order to join BJP. He has joined a party that had an ideology that is beyond secularism. And Prasad who believes in secularism and equality should have joined any other party but BJP, he said. By Express News Service BENGALURU: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday emphasised the power of languages and religions in bringing people together by comparing them to rivers that merge together as they join the sea. He was speaking after inaugurating the 89th Nikhil Bharath Banga Sahitya Sammelan here. Unlike the greed for land that has triggered many wars, language provides the medium to exchange views and bring people closer, he said recalling his four-decade-long association with Nikhil Bharath Banga Sahitya Sammelan, which was started by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in his address, was full of praise for richness of Bengali literature and the brilliance of Tagore. Such has been the literary brilliance of Gurudev that India is yet to produce another Nobel prize winner in literature even after a century. No wonder the national anthems of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been penned by Gurudev. He recalled that Kannada poets and Jnanpith awardees Dr K V Puttappa (Kuvempu) and Dr Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre (Ambikatanaya Datta) were influenced by the cosmic consciousness of Gurudev. Another Jnanpith awardee, Dr U R Anantha Murthy, who headed the Tagore Chair, was impressed by the propagation of the ideal of national integration espoused in Gurudevs classic, Gora. Three-day Bengali lit convention kicks off in city An annual literary convention for Bengalis was inaugurated by the President here on Sunday. The 89th edition of the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan is being held at ITI Vidya Mandir School, Dooravani Nagar, KR Puram. It was attended by people from all over the country and over 2,000 people are estimated to have attended the event on Sunday. Many women were clad in the traditional red and white Bengali sarees and adorned big bindis. The event will go on til Tuesday. After the inauguration, the president, in his native Bengali, spoke about how he was attached to it that even as the president he would find the time to attend it every year wherever it happened. He also mentioned some giants of Bengali literature and wished that the present committee would make it a bigger organisation. True to his words, the president had inaugurated the previous edition of the event on January 10 this year at Ranchi, Jharkhand. The convention will feature, among other things, poetry recitations, folk music recitals such as baul sangeet, folk dance performances of Jhumur and Bengali theatre. Several stalls have been put up at the venue which reflect Bengali culture, cuisine and way of life. Monomita Roy, convention secretary and president of the associations Bengaluru branch, said Kannada language too had been assimilated. BENGALURU: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday emphasised the power of languages and religions in bringing people together by comparing them to rivers that merge together as they join the sea. He was speaking after inaugurating the 89th Nikhil Bharath Banga Sahitya Sammelan here. Unlike the greed for land that has triggered many wars, language provides the medium to exchange views and bring people closer, he said recalling his four-decade-long association with Nikhil Bharath Banga Sahitya Sammelan, which was started by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in his address, was full of praise for richness of Bengali literature and the brilliance of Tagore. Such has been the literary brilliance of Gurudev that India is yet to produce another Nobel prize winner in literature even after a century. No wonder the national anthems of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been penned by Gurudev. He recalled that Kannada poets and Jnanpith awardees Dr K V Puttappa (Kuvempu) and Dr Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre (Ambikatanaya Datta) were influenced by the cosmic consciousness of Gurudev. Another Jnanpith awardee, Dr U R Anantha Murthy, who headed the Tagore Chair, was impressed by the propagation of the ideal of national integration espoused in Gurudevs classic, Gora. Three-day Bengali lit convention kicks off in city An annual literary convention for Bengalis was inaugurated by the President here on Sunday. The 89th edition of the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan is being held at ITI Vidya Mandir School, Dooravani Nagar, KR Puram. It was attended by people from all over the country and over 2,000 people are estimated to have attended the event on Sunday. Many women were clad in the traditional red and white Bengali sarees and adorned big bindis. The event will go on til Tuesday. After the inauguration, the president, in his native Bengali, spoke about how he was attached to it that even as the president he would find the time to attend it every year wherever it happened. He also mentioned some giants of Bengali literature and wished that the present committee would make it a bigger organisation. True to his words, the president had inaugurated the previous edition of the event on January 10 this year at Ranchi, Jharkhand. The convention will feature, among other things, poetry recitations, folk music recitals such as baul sangeet, folk dance performances of Jhumur and Bengali theatre. Several stalls have been put up at the venue which reflect Bengali culture, cuisine and way of life. Monomita Roy, convention secretary and president of the associations Bengaluru branch, said Kannada language too had been assimilated. By Express News Service KOZHIKODE: The police on Saturday launched a detailed probe into the nexus between various bank staff and hawala dealers in the state. The decision was following the arrest of two persons a hawala dealer and his aide-from Tirur and seizure of `34 lakh in new `2,000 currency from them. It is quite evident that the money has been acquired illegally in connivance with bank officials. We are verifying certain details, said a senior police officer. According to the officers, the department will pass on the details to the Enforcement Directorate and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). The intelligence bureau has alerted about the thriving nexus between bank officials and hawala dealers in the state. There has been wide spread allegations against bank officials in northern parts of the country. In Kerala too, we suspect thar a cartel is operating in connivance with the bank officials, the ED sources said adding that they would be able to track down the insiders in the bank which have been helping the rackets. By tracking the serial number of the currencies seized, the enforcement agencies will be able to zero in on the branches of the banks which disbursed the amount. KOZHIKODE: The police on Saturday launched a detailed probe into the nexus between various bank staff and hawala dealers in the state. The decision was following the arrest of two persons a hawala dealer and his aide-from Tirur and seizure of `34 lakh in new `2,000 currency from them. It is quite evident that the money has been acquired illegally in connivance with bank officials. We are verifying certain details, said a senior police officer. According to the officers, the department will pass on the details to the Enforcement Directorate and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). The intelligence bureau has alerted about the thriving nexus between bank officials and hawala dealers in the state. There has been wide spread allegations against bank officials in northern parts of the country. In Kerala too, we suspect thar a cartel is operating in connivance with the bank officials, the ED sources said adding that they would be able to track down the insiders in the bank which have been helping the rackets. By tracking the serial number of the currencies seized, the enforcement agencies will be able to zero in on the branches of the banks which disbursed the amount. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Stevedores Limited (OSL) chief Mahimananda Mishra and his associate Basant Bal were detained at Bangkok by the Thai immigration authorities on intimation of Odisha Police. On Sunday, the State Police sent a team to seek custody of the two who are accused in the murder of General Manager of Seaways Shipping Pvt Ltd Mahendra Swain earlier in October. Director-General of Police (DGP) KB Singh told mediapersons here that deportation of Mishra and Bal would be sought after clearing the legal formalities with Thai authorities. Currently, the duo is detained at the Immigration Centre in Bangkok. After their arrival in India, the two would be formally arrested. Addressing mediapersons, the DGP said the two had stayed in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Bhimdutta (on the Indo-Nepal border) before moving to Kathmandu from where they went to Bangkok on December 20. The State Police had also requested the Interpol to issue a Red Corner notice against them. Singh said the State Police had been tracking them but have had narrow misses. From Indo-Nepal border, they moved to Kathmandu by road and from there, they flew to Thailand by Thai Airways. When the information was received, Thai Police was contacted, the DGP said and added that national agencies such as IB, CBI and ED chipped in with help. IG, Central Range Saumendra Priyadarshi, who has been supervising the case, said the deportation is likely to take place in the next two days. Since Indian Police has no authority in foreign shore, we will have them deported first before officially arresting the duo, he said. On Friday, a Kujang Court had issued non-bailable warrant against Mishra and Bal in the Seaways Shipping executive murder case while Susant Sethy, an associate of the OSL chief, was arrested from Indira Gandhi International Airport. The DGP said Sethy facilitated the logistics support for both Mishra and Bal. His credit cards were used for all the financial purposes. The day he was arrested, Sethy had just returned from Kathmandu. Swains murder was an outcome of rivalry between Paradeep Port Stevedores Association (PPSA) and Utkal Stevedores Association (USA) which is into the business for more than a year. PPSAs monopoly was challenged by USA of which Seaways was a member, he added. Earlier in this connection, Jagatsinghpur Police had arrested seven persons, including Rakesh Choubey, Riyashat Hussain, Mohammaed Shamim, Manoj Gochhayat, Shiba and Bapi Sarkhel. BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Stevedores Limited (OSL) chief Mahimananda Mishra and his associate Basant Bal were detained at Bangkok by the Thai immigration authorities on intimation of Odisha Police. On Sunday, the State Police sent a team to seek custody of the two who are accused in the murder of General Manager of Seaways Shipping Pvt Ltd Mahendra Swain earlier in October. Director-General of Police (DGP) KB Singh told mediapersons here that deportation of Mishra and Bal would be sought after clearing the legal formalities with Thai authorities. Currently, the duo is detained at the Immigration Centre in Bangkok. After their arrival in India, the two would be formally arrested. Addressing mediapersons, the DGP said the two had stayed in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Bhimdutta (on the Indo-Nepal border) before moving to Kathmandu from where they went to Bangkok on December 20. The State Police had also requested the Interpol to issue a Red Corner notice against them. Singh said the State Police had been tracking them but have had narrow misses. From Indo-Nepal border, they moved to Kathmandu by road and from there, they flew to Thailand by Thai Airways. When the information was received, Thai Police was contacted, the DGP said and added that national agencies such as IB, CBI and ED chipped in with help. IG, Central Range Saumendra Priyadarshi, who has been supervising the case, said the deportation is likely to take place in the next two days. Since Indian Police has no authority in foreign shore, we will have them deported first before officially arresting the duo, he said. On Friday, a Kujang Court had issued non-bailable warrant against Mishra and Bal in the Seaways Shipping executive murder case while Susant Sethy, an associate of the OSL chief, was arrested from Indira Gandhi International Airport. The DGP said Sethy facilitated the logistics support for both Mishra and Bal. His credit cards were used for all the financial purposes. The day he was arrested, Sethy had just returned from Kathmandu. Swains murder was an outcome of rivalry between Paradeep Port Stevedores Association (PPSA) and Utkal Stevedores Association (USA) which is into the business for more than a year. PPSAs monopoly was challenged by USA of which Seaways was a member, he added. Earlier in this connection, Jagatsinghpur Police had arrested seven persons, including Rakesh Choubey, Riyashat Hussain, Mohammaed Shamim, Manoj Gochhayat, Shiba and Bapi Sarkhel. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Adding to the number of political parties in Tamil Nadu, yet another emerged on Saturday - the Amma DMK. Launched by Iniyan Sampath, brother of the former TNCC president, EVKS Elangovan, the new party intends to stick to the ideals shown by the former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Iniyan Sampath, son of the late Dravidian leader, EVK Sampath, joined the AIADMK on June 28. Asked what propelled him to quit the AIADMK, Sampath told Express, There are many doubts being raised on the demise of Jayalalithaa. Many grassroots level workers are upset about this while some second rung leaders of the AIADMK have kept silence. They may shift their attention to some other opposition parties which are trying to cover them up. For them, Amma DMK has been born. Responding to a question, Sampath clarified that his party was not launched against VK Sasikala (aka Sasikala Natarajan). Asked whether any AIADMK functionary expressed support for the new party, he admitted that none had come forward. But some workers had expressed their solidarity with the new entity. After spending nearly four decades in Congress and then in smaller outfits espousing Tamil nationalism, Iniyan Sampath dissolved his Tamil Desiya Katchi (S) and joined the AIADMK. CHENNAI: Adding to the number of political parties in Tamil Nadu, yet another emerged on Saturday - the Amma DMK. Launched by Iniyan Sampath, brother of the former TNCC president, EVKS Elangovan, the new party intends to stick to the ideals shown by the former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Iniyan Sampath, son of the late Dravidian leader, EVK Sampath, joined the AIADMK on June 28. Asked what propelled him to quit the AIADMK, Sampath told Express, There are many doubts being raised on the demise of Jayalalithaa. Many grassroots level workers are upset about this while some second rung leaders of the AIADMK have kept silence. They may shift their attention to some other opposition parties which are trying to cover them up. For them, Amma DMK has been born. Responding to a question, Sampath clarified that his party was not launched against VK Sasikala (aka Sasikala Natarajan). Asked whether any AIADMK functionary expressed support for the new party, he admitted that none had come forward. But some workers had expressed their solidarity with the new entity. After spending nearly four decades in Congress and then in smaller outfits espousing Tamil nationalism, Iniyan Sampath dissolved his Tamil Desiya Katchi (S) and joined the AIADMK. By Express News Service MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has reduced the life imprisonment awarded to a man to seven years RI in a case of murder in Dindigul district in 2009. The crime followed the victims refusal to return Rs 1 to the accused, the balance sum, for three parottas sold by him. A Division bench headed by Justice S Nagamuthu passed the judgment on an appeal by Karuppasamy alias Rajendran. The Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that one Cheetukkara Balu alias Balakrishnan and his son were running a restaurant at K C Patti in Dindigul district. On March 09, 2009, the accused Karuppasamy and his friend came to the hotel for dinner. As Karuppasamy did not have money, his friend gave him Rs 10 to buy three parottas. Balakrishnan refused to give the balance Rs 1 to Karuppasamy. He said he would give the sum only to his friend. A wordy duel ensued. After a short while, Karuppasamy attacked Balakrishnan on his neck with a sickle. He also bit the victims son. Balakrishnan was declared brought dead in the hospital, the prosecutor said. The next day, Karuppasamy was arrested and the Dindigul Principal Sessions Judge later sentenced him to life imprisonment. Against this, Karuppasamy had filed the present appeal. The bench said the victim should have returned the balance to the accused, but he failed to do so. Examination of three eye witnesses, including the victims son and evidence showed that the appellant was the one who caused the death. However, there was no grudge between the accused and the victim. The death was a result of a sudden quarrel. Considering that the accused caused only a single cut on Balakrishnans neck, which was enough to cause death, and the behaviour and social condition of the 40-year-old appellant, the court was inclined to partly set aside the lower courts order of life imprisonment under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, the accused Karuppasamy should be punished under Section 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of the IPC. Reducing the life sentence, the bench awarded seven years RI to Karuppasamy. MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has reduced the life imprisonment awarded to a man to seven years RI in a case of murder in Dindigul district in 2009. The crime followed the victims refusal to return Rs 1 to the accused, the balance sum, for three parottas sold by him. A Division bench headed by Justice S Nagamuthu passed the judgment on an appeal by Karuppasamy alias Rajendran. The Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that one Cheetukkara Balu alias Balakrishnan and his son were running a restaurant at K C Patti in Dindigul district. On March 09, 2009, the accused Karuppasamy and his friend came to the hotel for dinner. As Karuppasamy did not have money, his friend gave him Rs 10 to buy three parottas. Balakrishnan refused to give the balance Rs 1 to Karuppasamy. He said he would give the sum only to his friend. A wordy duel ensued. After a short while, Karuppasamy attacked Balakrishnan on his neck with a sickle. He also bit the victims son. Balakrishnan was declared brought dead in the hospital, the prosecutor said. The next day, Karuppasamy was arrested and the Dindigul Principal Sessions Judge later sentenced him to life imprisonment. Against this, Karuppasamy had filed the present appeal. The bench said the victim should have returned the balance to the accused, but he failed to do so. Examination of three eye witnesses, including the victims son and evidence showed that the appellant was the one who caused the death. However, there was no grudge between the accused and the victim. The death was a result of a sudden quarrel. Considering that the accused caused only a single cut on Balakrishnans neck, which was enough to cause death, and the behaviour and social condition of the 40-year-old appellant, the court was inclined to partly set aside the lower courts order of life imprisonment under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, the accused Karuppasamy should be punished under Section 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of the IPC. Reducing the life sentence, the bench awarded seven years RI to Karuppasamy. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: When an engineering girl student from the city was nabbed for theft of 15 tolas gold ornaments, the reason she cited for the offence shocked the police. She told the police that her boyfriend, a gym instructor, was in need of money and hence she resorted to such crimes. As many as four theft cases were registered against G Sai Kiranmai (19) from Malakpet. Jubilee Hills police nabbed the girl and her boyfriend A Yashwanth Naidu and were remanded to judicial custody. According to police, the girl hatched a plan and for the purpose created a Facebook account and befriended several women. She managed to visit their houses and maintained good relationship with her friends family members and relatives. Finding an opportunity to visit and stay in their houses, she managed to steal gold ornaments and cash when the housemates were not attentive, Detective Inspector Muthu of Jubilee Hills, said. He said a case was registered at Jubilee Hills police station on Nov 12 by the family of Kirammayis friend stating that 15 tola gold ornaments were stolen from their house. The police took several days to trace the accused, as none of the family members suspected Kiranmayis hand in the theft. HYDERABAD: When an engineering girl student from the city was nabbed for theft of 15 tolas gold ornaments, the reason she cited for the offence shocked the police. She told the police that her boyfriend, a gym instructor, was in need of money and hence she resorted to such crimes. As many as four theft cases were registered against G Sai Kiranmai (19) from Malakpet. Jubilee Hills police nabbed the girl and her boyfriend A Yashwanth Naidu and were remanded to judicial custody. According to police, the girl hatched a plan and for the purpose created a Facebook account and befriended several women. She managed to visit their houses and maintained good relationship with her friends family members and relatives. Finding an opportunity to visit and stay in their houses, she managed to steal gold ornaments and cash when the housemates were not attentive, Detective Inspector Muthu of Jubilee Hills, said. He said a case was registered at Jubilee Hills police station on Nov 12 by the family of Kirammayis friend stating that 15 tola gold ornaments were stolen from their house. The police took several days to trace the accused, as none of the family members suspected Kiranmayis hand in the theft. B Satyanarayana Reddy By Express News Service KHAMMAM: Opposition parties, especially the Left, are up in arms against the investigation into the spurious chilli racket. They allege that the police are being lenient against people involved. Local CPI and CPM party members want the police to be harder against the real culprits. Sources said that senior leaders belonging to TRS and Congress are behind the chilli racket and despite the evidence, police are not taking action against them due to pressure from top officials. Vigilance and police officials conducted raids on some cold storages in Madhira, Mudigonda, Konijerla, Wyra and Khammam towns and seized about 1,40,000 packets of chilli wastage a few days ago and arrested over 15 persons. But left leaders alleged that the police have arrested only small fish and the real culprits who are running the entire show are roaming around freely. Political parties want police to book cases against the culprits under PD Act and take stringent action to prevent sale of fake chilli powder. CPM party district secretary Ponnam Venkateswarlu alleged that government has failed to control the manufacturing of spurious chilli powder in the district. The district administration has assured that they would instruct the police to register cases against the main accused but till no action has been initiated, he said. The persons involved in the sale of spurious red chillies bring waste from a China-based company and mix red oxide and wood power to prepare chilli powder, he alleged. CPI district secretary B Hemantha Rao also demanded the state government to arrest the culprits behind the racket. When contacted, vigilance officials said an investigation is going on and cannot reveal anything about the case. KHAMMAM: Opposition parties, especially the Left, are up in arms against the investigation into the spurious chilli racket. They allege that the police are being lenient against people involved. Local CPI and CPM party members want the police to be harder against the real culprits. Sources said that senior leaders belonging to TRS and Congress are behind the chilli racket and despite the evidence, police are not taking action against them due to pressure from top officials. Vigilance and police officials conducted raids on some cold storages in Madhira, Mudigonda, Konijerla, Wyra and Khammam towns and seized about 1,40,000 packets of chilli wastage a few days ago and arrested over 15 persons. But left leaders alleged that the police have arrested only small fish and the real culprits who are running the entire show are roaming around freely. Political parties want police to book cases against the culprits under PD Act and take stringent action to prevent sale of fake chilli powder. CPM party district secretary Ponnam Venkateswarlu alleged that government has failed to control the manufacturing of spurious chilli powder in the district. The district administration has assured that they would instruct the police to register cases against the main accused but till no action has been initiated, he said. The persons involved in the sale of spurious red chillies bring waste from a China-based company and mix red oxide and wood power to prepare chilli powder, he alleged. CPI district secretary B Hemantha Rao also demanded the state government to arrest the culprits behind the racket. When contacted, vigilance officials said an investigation is going on and cannot reveal anything about the case. Express News Service By NEW DELHI: Exodus of labourers in large numbers following demonetisation has led to the delay in completion of realty projects in the NCR areas. Property agents and builders claimed that nearly 30-40 per cent migrant labourers have moved to their native places owing to cash crunch. Labourers usually get paid in cash on daily-basis. After the high-value currency was banned, they could not sustain livelihood due to lack of cash and were left with no option but to leave the city," said Sunil Gupta, a Noida-based property dealer. "As a result, construction activity at nearly 300 projects in Noida and Greater Noida has come to a standstill, said. A visit to Greater Noida revealed the plight of the few labourers who are still working at some construction sites. We have never opened bank accounts. We have been getting payments in cash since long. But, for the past one-and-a-half month, we have got even less than half of our wages. Contractors have told us that they would give money only when the situation becomes normal, said Manoj, a migrant labourer. Many workers have already left the city. Mukesh of Nawada in Bihar did not return to his village because he had started working here recently. I was earning `300-350 on daily-basis. Demand of daily wagers was very high in the market before demonetisation. But now, I get work only once in two or three days. Contractors are saying things will get back to normalcy after January, he said. Meanwhile, banks that have been holding camps near construction sites in Greater Noida to open bank accounts of labourers have failed to attract them. Labourers have come here mostly from UP and Bihar. Even though they have been staying here for years, they dont have any documents. We have been trying to help them in opening bank accounts with minimum documents. But, most of them have hardly any proofs, said Saket Singh, a bank employee at the camp. Property dealers told builders pay the contractors through cheque, who subsequently pay the labourers in cash Labourers will have to open bank accounts. With this, they could be paid on weekly-basis. We have no option to pay them right now, as we dont see cash situation improving in next few months, said Gupta. NEW DELHI: Exodus of labourers in large numbers following demonetisation has led to the delay in completion of realty projects in the NCR areas. Property agents and builders claimed that nearly 30-40 per cent migrant labourers have moved to their native places owing to cash crunch. Labourers usually get paid in cash on daily-basis. After the high-value currency was banned, they could not sustain livelihood due to lack of cash and were left with no option but to leave the city," said Sunil Gupta, a Noida-based property dealer. "As a result, construction activity at nearly 300 projects in Noida and Greater Noida has come to a standstill, said. A visit to Greater Noida revealed the plight of the few labourers who are still working at some construction sites. We have never opened bank accounts. We have been getting payments in cash since long. But, for the past one-and-a-half month, we have got even less than half of our wages. Contractors have told us that they would give money only when the situation becomes normal, said Manoj, a migrant labourer. Many workers have already left the city. Mukesh of Nawada in Bihar did not return to his village because he had started working here recently. I was earning `300-350 on daily-basis. Demand of daily wagers was very high in the market before demonetisation. But now, I get work only once in two or three days. Contractors are saying things will get back to normalcy after January, he said. Meanwhile, banks that have been holding camps near construction sites in Greater Noida to open bank accounts of labourers have failed to attract them. Labourers have come here mostly from UP and Bihar. Even though they have been staying here for years, they dont have any documents. We have been trying to help them in opening bank accounts with minimum documents. But, most of them have hardly any proofs, said Saket Singh, a bank employee at the camp. Property dealers told builders pay the contractors through cheque, who subsequently pay the labourers in cash Labourers will have to open bank accounts. With this, they could be paid on weekly-basis. We have no option to pay them right now, as we dont see cash situation improving in next few months, said Gupta. At least two Afghan civilians were killed by a roadside bomb in the eastern province of Laghman early on December 25, a local official said. The incident took place near a shrine in Mihterlam, the provincial capital, said Sarhadi Zwak, a spokesman for the Laghman provincial governor. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, but Taliban militants routinely use roadside bombs to target Afghan security forces and government officials -- with civilians often caught in the crossfire. The UN mission in Afghanistan says it has documented 8,397 conflict-related civilian casualties in the country between January 1 and September 30 this year. The figures include 2,562 deaths, a slight decrease compared to the same period in 2015. The UN mission said militant attacks were responsible for more than 60 percent of the civilian casualties in the Afghan conflict. Based on reporting by AP and khaama.com Manish Anand By NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) office on the capitals quiet Ashoka Road will be the noisy destination for political parties protesting the advancement of the Union Budget date to 1 February. This may lead to conflict between the EC and the BJP government. Parties, suspecting Budget sops are demanding strict compliance of the Model Code of Conduct in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur where the state polls are due. We will meet the Chief Election Commissioner to demand that the sanctity of the Model Code of Conduct is not violated, senior JD (U) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Yadav told The Sunday Standard. However, the government is standing firm. The presentation of the Union Budget is a Constitutional obligation for the development and progress of the whole country. The nation cannot come to a pause just because there are elections in a few states, said a top minister. The EC has not been officially informed about the Budget date change. Once official confirmation reaches us, we will consult with the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Law. The Model Code of Conduct is a settled issue, and no government at the Centre or state can violate it, said a senior EC official. This newspaper has earlier reported that in order to beat demonetisation blues, Modi government may offer income tax breaks, loan waivers to farmers, and offer dole to unemployed youths aged between 25-35. The Budget is a powerful instrument in the governments hand that can counter the note ban backlash which has affected jobs in the unorganised as well as organised sectors, said sources, adding, The EC may bar the government from publicising Budget proposals in the election-bound states. But such information cannot be curtailed in the social media and when lakhs of party cadre are on the ground electioneering, said a senior BJP functionary. NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) office on the capitals quiet Ashoka Road will be the noisy destination for political parties protesting the advancement of the Union Budget date to 1 February. This may lead to conflict between the EC and the BJP government. Parties, suspecting Budget sops are demanding strict compliance of the Model Code of Conduct in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur where the state polls are due. We will meet the Chief Election Commissioner to demand that the sanctity of the Model Code of Conduct is not violated, senior JD (U) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Yadav told The Sunday Standard. However, the government is standing firm. The presentation of the Union Budget is a Constitutional obligation for the development and progress of the whole country. The nation cannot come to a pause just because there are elections in a few states, said a top minister. The EC has not been officially informed about the Budget date change. Once official confirmation reaches us, we will consult with the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Law. The Model Code of Conduct is a settled issue, and no government at the Centre or state can violate it, said a senior EC official. This newspaper has earlier reported that in order to beat demonetisation blues, Modi government may offer income tax breaks, loan waivers to farmers, and offer dole to unemployed youths aged between 25-35. The Budget is a powerful instrument in the governments hand that can counter the note ban backlash which has affected jobs in the unorganised as well as organised sectors, said sources, adding, The EC may bar the government from publicising Budget proposals in the election-bound states. But such information cannot be curtailed in the social media and when lakhs of party cadre are on the ground electioneering, said a senior BJP functionary. NEW DELHI: The surprise appointment of Lt Gen Bipin Rawat as the next Army chief by superseding two army officers has disturbed the defacto line of succession. With Lt Gen Rawat having the longest tenure of three years, top Army officers are wondering how to zero in the next contender for the top post. All top 15 generals of the Indian Army are out from the race to for the next chief as they do not have age on their side. Traditionally, the Army assigns the line of succession on the basis of age and tenure of an officer, who is then groomed for the top post. Under present circumstances, none of the commanders of the Armys six operational commands can become the next chief. Seven other key Lt Generals, who are Principal Staff Officers (PSO) assisting the chief in decision-making, are also not in the race. After ruling out top 15 generals, the focus now is on the newly-appointed Lt Generals, who are Corps Commanders. The Army has 13 Corps headed by a Lieutenant Generals. Only two-three from the 13 Corps Commanders are eligible to become the Chief of Army Staff. This is very unusual in the Indian Army, said an officer. Only Lt Generals below the age of 57 can position themselve s as General Rawats successor. Besides seniority by age, infantry supremacy over selection of top post in the Indian army also has a major role. Some in the Army believe Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, an Armoured officer, who was expected to be the next chief, was sidelined by the powerful Infantry lobby. The Gorkha Regiment has the maximum officers in Army Headquarters, including incumbent Army Chief General Dalbir Suhag and Lt Gen Rawat. Gurkha officers also occupy key posts of Director General of Military Operations (Lt Gen A K Bhatt), Director General of Military Intelligence (Lt Gen S K Patyal), Director General of Military Training (Lt Gen A L Chavan), Adjutant General (Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma), and Director General Staff Duties (Lt Gen Vijay Singh). NEW DELHI: The surprise appointment of Lt Gen Bipin Rawat as the next Army chief by superseding two army officers has disturbed the defacto line of succession. With Lt Gen Rawat having the longest tenure of three years, top Army officers are wondering how to zero in the next contender for the top post. All top 15 generals of the Indian Army are out from the race to for the next chief as they do not have age on their side. Traditionally, the Army assigns the line of succession on the basis of age and tenure of an officer, who is then groomed for the top post. Under present circumstances, none of the commanders of the Armys six operational commands can become the next chief. Seven other key Lt Generals, who are Principal Staff Officers (PSO) assisting the chief in decision-making, are also not in the race. After ruling out top 15 generals, the focus now is on the newly-appointed Lt Generals, who are Corps Commanders. The Army has 13 Corps headed by a Lieutenant Generals. Only two-three from the 13 Corps Commanders are eligible to become the Chief of Army Staff. This is very unusual in the Indian Army, said an officer. Only Lt Generals below the age of 57 can position themselve s as General Rawats successor. Besides seniority by age, infantry supremacy over selection of top post in the Indian army also has a major role. Some in the Army believe Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, an Armoured officer, who was expected to be the next chief, was sidelined by the powerful Infantry lobby. The Gorkha Regiment has the maximum officers in Army Headquarters, including incumbent Army Chief General Dalbir Suhag and Lt Gen Rawat. Gurkha officers also occupy key posts of Director General of Military Operations (Lt Gen A K Bhatt), Director General of Military Intelligence (Lt Gen S K Patyal), Director General of Military Training (Lt Gen A L Chavan), Adjutant General (Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma), and Director General Staff Duties (Lt Gen Vijay Singh). Ritu Sharma By NEW DELHI: The Nalanda University, set up to become an international institution of national repute, is likely to get a right tilt as academicians with RSS affiliations are tipped to become chancellor and vice-chancellor (VC) of the varsity. Chairman of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Yellapragada Sudershan Rao, is the frontrunner to take over the reins of the varsity as its chancellor. The appointment of Rao, a history professor at the Kakatiya University in Telangana, as chairman of ICHR in 2014 invited criticism from professional historians who saw it as the Narendra Modi-led governments attempt to rewrite history. The appointment of the chancellor is expected in January as his appointment is required for the VCs appointment, Ministry of External Affairs officials said. The process to appoint a VC started in November as the term of then VC Gopa Sabharwal was to end on November 24. The university has received 160 applications for the position, and the frontrunners for the post are English and Foreign Language Universitys VC Sunaina Singh, art historian and professor of Buddhist Studies at the International Academy of Indian Culture Nirmala Sharma, and Prof Makarand Paranjape of JNU. Singh, in the dock for misuse of funds, is the choice of the RSS. Paranjape grabbed headlines for coming out against the Left during the nationalism controversy in JNU. The university has been without chancellor and VC after George Yeo resigned on November 25 citing Indias domestic politics. NEW DELHI: The Nalanda University, set up to become an international institution of national repute, is likely to get a right tilt as academicians with RSS affiliations are tipped to become chancellor and vice-chancellor (VC) of the varsity. Chairman of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Yellapragada Sudershan Rao, is the frontrunner to take over the reins of the varsity as its chancellor. The appointment of Rao, a history professor at the Kakatiya University in Telangana, as chairman of ICHR in 2014 invited criticism from professional historians who saw it as the Narendra Modi-led governments attempt to rewrite history. The appointment of the chancellor is expected in January as his appointment is required for the VCs appointment, Ministry of External Affairs officials said. The process to appoint a VC started in November as the term of then VC Gopa Sabharwal was to end on November 24. The university has received 160 applications for the position, and the frontrunners for the post are English and Foreign Language Universitys VC Sunaina Singh, art historian and professor of Buddhist Studies at the International Academy of Indian Culture Nirmala Sharma, and Prof Makarand Paranjape of JNU. Singh, in the dock for misuse of funds, is the choice of the RSS. Paranjape grabbed headlines for coming out against the Left during the nationalism controversy in JNU. The university has been without chancellor and VC after George Yeo resigned on November 25 citing Indias domestic politics. Yatish Yadav By NEW DELHI: With less than a week left for the December 30 deadline to deposit old `500 and `1,000 notes to expire, 5,200 new suspect bank accounts are on the taxmens radar. A senior Income Tax (I-T) official told The Sunday Standard that details of such accounts in which amounts ranging Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore were deposited since November 8 are with them. Some of the accounts belong to shell companies floated to stash black money. Weve received thousands of cases where zero balance accounts were flooded with funds after November 8. We will examine the big deposits first, which requires a lengthy scrutiny of tax returns, bank statements and in certain cases, corporate documents related to individuals, the official said. I-T summons have gone out to around 4,600 account holders after banks reported suspicious transactions. The Income Tax and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) is regularly getting tip-offs and daily reports from banks. The official said it would take at least two-three months to prosecute the culprits. Investigators have carried out approximately 600 nationwide surveys of phony accounts. The real task of examining illegal transactions is yet to begin. Sources said past banking and tax profiles of account holders kept in servers containing details of all taxpayers will be checked. After scrutinising these, investigators will decide on penalty to be levied if wrongdoing is found. Weve also received details of suspicious deposits in district cooperative banks. A whistleblower filed a complaint saying some such bank accounts were used to convert black money into white. The Enforcement Directorate is examining some of these allegations, the official said. NEW DELHI: With less than a week left for the December 30 deadline to deposit old `500 and `1,000 notes to expire, 5,200 new suspect bank accounts are on the taxmens radar. A senior Income Tax (I-T) official told The Sunday Standard that details of such accounts in which amounts ranging Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore were deposited since November 8 are with them. Some of the accounts belong to shell companies floated to stash black money. Weve received thousands of cases where zero balance accounts were flooded with funds after November 8. We will examine the big deposits first, which requires a lengthy scrutiny of tax returns, bank statements and in certain cases, corporate documents related to individuals, the official said. I-T summons have gone out to around 4,600 account holders after banks reported suspicious transactions. The Income Tax and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) is regularly getting tip-offs and daily reports from banks. The official said it would take at least two-three months to prosecute the culprits. Investigators have carried out approximately 600 nationwide surveys of phony accounts. The real task of examining illegal transactions is yet to begin. Sources said past banking and tax profiles of account holders kept in servers containing details of all taxpayers will be checked. After scrutinising these, investigators will decide on penalty to be levied if wrongdoing is found. Weve also received details of suspicious deposits in district cooperative banks. A whistleblower filed a complaint saying some such bank accounts were used to convert black money into white. The Enforcement Directorate is examining some of these allegations, the official said. B Krishnamoorthy By Express News Service he fourth must-have factor suggested by consultants to make the Enayam Port a success is convincing a major shipping line to become an anchor liner investor and re-route its traffic. The top three liners by volume in the globe are MAERSK, MSC and CMA-CGM. Since MAERSK has a minority stake in the Colombo port, it can be safely ruled out. The other two can be explored as Enayams anchor client. To sweeten the deal, we could offer a long-term partnership involving berths dedicated to a specific alliance or carrier, or equity for volume structures in which a carriers stake in a terminal is tied. Let us look at some of the carrier-terminal ties: the COSCOCS has acquired 35 per cent stake in Hutchinsons Euromax terminal at Rotterdam and created a joint venture with the PSA in Singapore for development of new berths; the CMA CGM has 30-year concession for container terminal in Kingston, Jamaica, and has formed a joint venture with the PSA for operation and use of four berths in Singapore; Evergreen owns Colon Container Terminal in Panama; and the MSC is reported to have equity or equity option in Freeport Container Port in the Bahamas. The last factor is to levy competitive port charges than Colombo on transshipment containers for at least five years to incentivise the container lines to shift operations and reconfigure the route. Rough estimates suggest that Enayam requires to offer at least 15 per cent lower cost than Colombo for the initial five years to attract and sustain cargo. This may be possible either with the financial support of the government towards basic infrastructure such as construction of breakwater and capital dredging or else as estimated by the consultants, a VGF of 20-30 per cent or equity support under the Sagarmala scheme to achieve the target equity IRR of 12 per cent. Strategic location Strategically too, Enayam would be pivotal to the countrys ambitions vis-a-vis China. For, as much as 1.2 million TEUs of Indian containers are handled by the Colombo Port. The recently added Colombo International Container Terminal was built with the collaboration of China Merchant Holdings Company. Also, the Gwadar port in Pakistan, again developed by China, has the potential to become a full-fledged regional hub and a transshipment port in the future. Besides, China is building ports in Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Chittagong (Bangladesh), etc. as part of its string of pearls theory. In sum, the Indian Ocean is a nerve centre, as half of the worlds container traffic and one-third of its bulk cargo take that route. Further, 80 per cent of worlds sea-borne oil transit (over 1 lakh ships annually) takes place in the Indian Ocean with the Strait of Malacca in the East accounting for 40 per cent. So, there is strategic importance in controlling the sea lanes in the Indian Ocean. Maritime trade and security are perhaps among the major determinants that would allow a nation to establish its might. Its a matter of record that throughout pax Britannica, the maritime centric strategy of the British Empire gave it unique capabilities and proved an invaluable instrument to Britishs foreign policy. Coming back to Enayam, it can be developed as a strategic choke point like the Cape of Good Hope by virtue of its location in the critical trade route, especially when the lease treaty between the UK and the US in respect of Diego Garcia will expire in December 2016. Equipping fishermen Let us now shift our focus to the livelihood question of fishermen. Kanniyakumari district has a 71.5-km-long coastal line stretching to 11.5 km in the east and 60 km in the west. The district possesses 47 marine fishing villages with a total fishing population of about 1.57 lakh people and an average family size of about 3.89 persons (GoI, 2010). Of them, about 45,000 are actively involved in fishing. The district has about 935 catamarans, 86 vallams and 156 mechanised boats registered in the east coast and 5,462 catamarans, 2,509 vallams and 1,172 mechanised boats registered in the west coast. The marine fish production of the district stood at 52,378 tonnes for the year 2014-15 (Kanyakumari District Statistical Hand Book 2015). A majority of the catches are marketed locally and through merchants. People here venture out for fishing according to the variation in the fishing season. Different forms of fishing like finfish and shellfish fishing are done along this coast. For example, a group of fishermen undertakes skin diving for mussel fishing and lobster collection in the rocky coastal areas during October to April. Traditional catamarans, canoe and fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) boats are widely used for fishing. A numerically small segment of Kanniyakumari fishermen also seem to be migrants in nature. They have been known to fish in international territories and reach the nearest harbour in other states to sell their catch. In the process, they often face problems from local fishermen in those states. A majority of mechanised fishing boats here are navigated by untrained local fishermen, and the lack of skill to handle fish finding navigational and communication equipment often leads to work inefficiency. Besides, most fishing boats are still using established fishing techniques, like shore seining, trawling and gill netting. Only a limited number of vessels are operating purse seine and long line fishing gear. Advanced fishing operations like resource specific trawling, monofilament long lining and squid jigging needs to be popularised. One of the easy and sustainable approaches in handling the non-environment use of shore-seine, followed by many in the Enayam area, could be the deployment of artificial reefs, which can act as marine protected areas. In order to ensure efficiency of fishing operations and sustainable development of marine fishers resources as part of the Sagarmala programme, the Ministry of Shipping has tied up with the Ministry of Rural Development, National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT) and Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET) for coastal skill development projects of fishermen under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) for capacity building and skill upgrading in hygienic fish handling and high end products development. Further, the ministry along with the Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries (DADF) has undertaken the creation of several infrastructure facilities under the Blue Revolution Scheme announced in June 2016, with an annual assistance of up to `100 crore. This includes construction of a fishing harbour in Poompuhar in Nagapattinam district and expansion of existing facilities in Chinna-Muttam in Kanniyakumari. In addition, potential areas such as use of post-harvest technology, modern fish marketing yard etc. are also under consideration as part of the Sagarmala initiatives. The State government has put in place a number of schemes like compensation for restricted fishing and schemes for procurement of deep-sea tuna liners. Synergising the efforts of the Central sector scheme on Blue Revolution, the Neel Kranti Mission being implemented by the DADF and the State governments in this direction should ensure sustainable development. (The author is Director (Finance), Ministry of Shipping.Views expressed are personal) he fourth must-have factor suggested by consultants to make the Enayam Port a success is convincing a major shipping line to become an anchor liner investor and re-route its traffic. The top three liners by volume in the globe are MAERSK, MSC and CMA-CGM. Since MAERSK has a minority stake in the Colombo port, it can be safely ruled out. The other two can be explored as Enayams anchor client. To sweeten the deal, we could offer a long-term partnership involving berths dedicated to a specific alliance or carrier, or equity for volume structures in which a carriers stake in a terminal is tied. Let us look at some of the carrier-terminal ties: the COSCOCS has acquired 35 per cent stake in Hutchinsons Euromax terminal at Rotterdam and created a joint venture with the PSA in Singapore for development of new berths; the CMA CGM has 30-year concession for container terminal in Kingston, Jamaica, and has formed a joint venture with the PSA for operation and use of four berths in Singapore; Evergreen owns Colon Container Terminal in Panama; and the MSC is reported to have equity or equity option in Freeport Container Port in the Bahamas. The last factor is to levy competitive port charges than Colombo on transshipment containers for at least five years to incentivise the container lines to shift operations and reconfigure the route. Rough estimates suggest that Enayam requires to offer at least 15 per cent lower cost than Colombo for the initial five years to attract and sustain cargo. This may be possible either with the financial support of the government towards basic infrastructure such as construction of breakwater and capital dredging or else as estimated by the consultants, a VGF of 20-30 per cent or equity support under the Sagarmala scheme to achieve the target equity IRR of 12 per cent. Strategic location Strategically too, Enayam would be pivotal to the countrys ambitions vis-a-vis China. For, as much as 1.2 million TEUs of Indian containers are handled by the Colombo Port. The recently added Colombo International Container Terminal was built with the collaboration of China Merchant Holdings Company. Also, the Gwadar port in Pakistan, again developed by China, has the potential to become a full-fledged regional hub and a transshipment port in the future. Besides, China is building ports in Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Chittagong (Bangladesh), etc. as part of its string of pearls theory. In sum, the Indian Ocean is a nerve centre, as half of the worlds container traffic and one-third of its bulk cargo take that route. Further, 80 per cent of worlds sea-borne oil transit (over 1 lakh ships annually) takes place in the Indian Ocean with the Strait of Malacca in the East accounting for 40 per cent. So, there is strategic importance in controlling the sea lanes in the Indian Ocean. Maritime trade and security are perhaps among the major determinants that would allow a nation to establish its might. Its a matter of record that throughout pax Britannica, the maritime centric strategy of the British Empire gave it unique capabilities and proved an invaluable instrument to Britishs foreign policy. Coming back to Enayam, it can be developed as a strategic choke point like the Cape of Good Hope by virtue of its location in the critical trade route, especially when the lease treaty between the UK and the US in respect of Diego Garcia will expire in December 2016. Equipping fishermen Let us now shift our focus to the livelihood question of fishermen. Kanniyakumari district has a 71.5-km-long coastal line stretching to 11.5 km in the east and 60 km in the west. The district possesses 47 marine fishing villages with a total fishing population of about 1.57 lakh people and an average family size of about 3.89 persons (GoI, 2010). Of them, about 45,000 are actively involved in fishing. The district has about 935 catamarans, 86 vallams and 156 mechanised boats registered in the east coast and 5,462 catamarans, 2,509 vallams and 1,172 mechanised boats registered in the west coast. The marine fish production of the district stood at 52,378 tonnes for the year 2014-15 (Kanyakumari District Statistical Hand Book 2015). A majority of the catches are marketed locally and through merchants. People here venture out for fishing according to the variation in the fishing season. Different forms of fishing like finfish and shellfish fishing are done along this coast. For example, a group of fishermen undertakes skin diving for mussel fishing and lobster collection in the rocky coastal areas during October to April. Traditional catamarans, canoe and fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) boats are widely used for fishing. A numerically small segment of Kanniyakumari fishermen also seem to be migrants in nature. They have been known to fish in international territories and reach the nearest harbour in other states to sell their catch. In the process, they often face problems from local fishermen in those states. A majority of mechanised fishing boats here are navigated by untrained local fishermen, and the lack of skill to handle fish finding navigational and communication equipment often leads to work inefficiency. Besides, most fishing boats are still using established fishing techniques, like shore seining, trawling and gill netting. Only a limited number of vessels are operating purse seine and long line fishing gear. Advanced fishing operations like resource specific trawling, monofilament long lining and squid jigging needs to be popularised. One of the easy and sustainable approaches in handling the non-environment use of shore-seine, followed by many in the Enayam area, could be the deployment of artificial reefs, which can act as marine protected areas. In order to ensure efficiency of fishing operations and sustainable development of marine fishers resources as part of the Sagarmala programme, the Ministry of Shipping has tied up with the Ministry of Rural Development, National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT) and Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET) for coastal skill development projects of fishermen under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) for capacity building and skill upgrading in hygienic fish handling and high end products development. Further, the ministry along with the Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries (DADF) has undertaken the creation of several infrastructure facilities under the Blue Revolution Scheme announced in June 2016, with an annual assistance of up to `100 crore. This includes construction of a fishing harbour in Poompuhar in Nagapattinam district and expansion of existing facilities in Chinna-Muttam in Kanniyakumari. In addition, potential areas such as use of post-harvest technology, modern fish marketing yard etc. are also under consideration as part of the Sagarmala initiatives. The State government has put in place a number of schemes like compensation for restricted fishing and schemes for procurement of deep-sea tuna liners. Synergising the efforts of the Central sector scheme on Blue Revolution, the Neel Kranti Mission being implemented by the DADF and the State governments in this direction should ensure sustainable development. (The author is Director (Finance), Ministry of Shipping.Views expressed are personal) By PTI NEW YORK: Pakistan's defense minister threatened Israel that his country could use nuclear weapons after a fake news report that his Israeli counterpart had threatened "nuclear retaliation" for Islamabad's role in Syria against ISIS, highlighting the serious problem proliferation of fake news poses. A report in the New York Times said a fake news story prompted Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to threaten to go nuclear. In a post on Twitter, Asif lashed at Israel after a false report which the minister apparently believed that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons. "Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh," the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. "Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too." The NYT report said Asif appeared to be reacting to the fake news article published on awdnews.com, which was titled 'Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack'. The article had appeared on the website on December 20, alongside articles with headlines like 'Clinton is staging a military coup against Trump'. The fake story about Israel even misidentified the country's defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. Israel's current minister of defence is Avigdor Lieberman. The Israeli Defence Ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious. "The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said," the ministry wrote in Twitter post directed at Asif. The Israeli ministry added in a second post: "Reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false." The NYT report added that the proliferation of fake news stories, spread on social networks and produced by a variety of sources including pranksters, foreign governments and enterprising individuals who hope to receive advertising revenue by driving traffic to their websites, has become an increasingly serious problem. A North Carolina man was arrested this month after firing a gun at a Washington pizza parlor, because investigators said he was investigating claims in fake news articles that the pizzeria was at the center of a child sex slave ring linked to Hillary Clinton. NEW YORK: Pakistan's defense minister threatened Israel that his country could use nuclear weapons after a fake news report that his Israeli counterpart had threatened "nuclear retaliation" for Islamabad's role in Syria against ISIS, highlighting the serious problem proliferation of fake news poses. A report in the New York Times said a fake news story prompted Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to threaten to go nuclear. In a post on Twitter, Asif lashed at Israel after a false report which the minister apparently believed that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons. "Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh," the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. "Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too." The NYT report said Asif appeared to be reacting to the fake news article published on awdnews.com, which was titled 'Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack'. The article had appeared on the website on December 20, alongside articles with headlines like 'Clinton is staging a military coup against Trump'. The fake story about Israel even misidentified the country's defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. Israel's current minister of defence is Avigdor Lieberman. The Israeli Defence Ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious. "The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said," the ministry wrote in Twitter post directed at Asif. The Israeli ministry added in a second post: "Reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false." The NYT report added that the proliferation of fake news stories, spread on social networks and produced by a variety of sources including pranksters, foreign governments and enterprising individuals who hope to receive advertising revenue by driving traffic to their websites, has become an increasingly serious problem. A North Carolina man was arrested this month after firing a gun at a Washington pizza parlor, because investigators said he was investigating claims in fake news articles that the pizzeria was at the center of a child sex slave ring linked to Hillary Clinton. By Associated Press MOSCOW: The Latest on the crash of a Russian aircraft with 92 people on board en route to Russia's air base in Syria (all times local): 4:15 p.m. Syrian President Bashar Assad has sent a condolence letter to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, over the plane that plunged into the sea with 92 people aboard. Assad says he received news of the crash "with deep grief and sadness." There appeared to be no survivors after the Tu-154 passenger plane operated by the Russian Defense Ministry crashed into the Black Sea. The jet was carrying members of the world-famous Alexandrov Ensemble army choir to a New Year's concert at the Russian military base in Syria. Assad expressed his condolences to all the victims' families, adding that the countries are partners in the war against terrorism. ___ 3:20 p.m. The Russian Defense Ministry says rescuers are seeing no sign of any survivors of the crash of a Russian plane into the Black Sea. Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov says that "no survivors are seen" at the crash site about 1.5 kilometers (less than a mile) from the shore. The Tu-154 passenger plane with 92 people aboard plummeted into the sea two minutes after taking off from the city of Sochi. The plane belonging to the Russian Defense Ministry was heading to Syria, carrying members of the world-famous Russian army choir to a New Year concert at the Russian military base. The cause of the crash isn't immediately known. Rescuers already have recovered several bodies, and dozens of ships, drones and divers are looking for more. ___ 2:30 p.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a nationwide day of mourning for victims of the crash of a Russian plane that plunged into the sea with 92 people aboard. There appeared to be no survivors after the Tu-154 passenger plane operated by the Russian Defense Ministry crashed into the Black Sea Sunday minutes after taking off from Sochi. The jet was carrying members of the world-famous Russian army choir to a New Year concert at the Russian military base in Syria. The cause of the crash isn't immediately known. Putin, speaking in televised remarks, announced there will be a day of mourning on Monday. He says the government will "conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons and do everything to support the victims' families." ___ 1:10 p.m. Russia's Defense Ministry says a widely revered Russian charity doctor was on board a Russian plane headed to Syria that crashed into the Black Sea shortly after takeoff. Yelizaveta Glinka, known as Doctor Liza in Russia, has won broad acclaim for charity work that included missions to the war zone in eastern Ukraine. Her foundation, Spravedlivaya Pomoshch, or Just Help, says she was accompanying a shipment of medicines for a hospital in Syria. The Tu-154 that belonged to the Russian Defense Minister crashed into the sea Sunday two minutes after taking off from the resort of Sochi. It was also carrying members of the Alexandrov Ensemble to a holiday concert at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria. There is no indication anyone survived the crash. ___ 11:25 a.m. A Russian official says the crash of a Russian military passenger plane into the Black Sea could have been caused by a technical malfunction or a crew error, but he believes it could not have been terrorism because the plane was operated by the military. Viktor Ozerov, head of the defense affairs committee at the upper house of Russian parliament, says in remarks carried by the state news agency RIA Novosti that he "totally excludes" terrorism as a possible cause of the crash. The plane was en route to Russia's air base in Syria with 92 people on board when it crashed shortly after taking off from the resort town of Sochi. At least one body has been found and there is no word on whether anyone survived. The Defense Ministry has released a list of the passengers. They include 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, among them its leader, Valery Khalilov. The Alexandrov Ensemble is the official choir of the Russian military, and it also includes a band and a dancing company. ___ 9:45 a.m. The Russian Defense Ministry says rescuers have found fragments of the Tu-154 plane that was carrying 91 people en route to the Russian military base in Syria. The ministry said earlier that the plane disappeared from radars shortly after takeoff from the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Sunday. It carried eight crew and 83 passengers, including members of the world-famous Alexandrov military choir. The ministry says rescue teams found fragments of the plane at a distance of about 1.5 kilometers (less than a mile) from shore at a depth of 50-70 meters. MOSCOW: The Latest on the crash of a Russian aircraft with 92 people on board en route to Russia's air base in Syria (all times local): 4:15 p.m. Syrian President Bashar Assad has sent a condolence letter to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, over the plane that plunged into the sea with 92 people aboard. Assad says he received news of the crash "with deep grief and sadness." There appeared to be no survivors after the Tu-154 passenger plane operated by the Russian Defense Ministry crashed into the Black Sea. The jet was carrying members of the world-famous Alexandrov Ensemble army choir to a New Year's concert at the Russian military base in Syria. Assad expressed his condolences to all the victims' families, adding that the countries are partners in the war against terrorism. ___ 3:20 p.m. The Russian Defense Ministry says rescuers are seeing no sign of any survivors of the crash of a Russian plane into the Black Sea. Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov says that "no survivors are seen" at the crash site about 1.5 kilometers (less than a mile) from the shore. The Tu-154 passenger plane with 92 people aboard plummeted into the sea two minutes after taking off from the city of Sochi. The plane belonging to the Russian Defense Ministry was heading to Syria, carrying members of the world-famous Russian army choir to a New Year concert at the Russian military base. The cause of the crash isn't immediately known. Rescuers already have recovered several bodies, and dozens of ships, drones and divers are looking for more. ___ 2:30 p.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a nationwide day of mourning for victims of the crash of a Russian plane that plunged into the sea with 92 people aboard. There appeared to be no survivors after the Tu-154 passenger plane operated by the Russian Defense Ministry crashed into the Black Sea Sunday minutes after taking off from Sochi. The jet was carrying members of the world-famous Russian army choir to a New Year concert at the Russian military base in Syria. The cause of the crash isn't immediately known. Putin, speaking in televised remarks, announced there will be a day of mourning on Monday. He says the government will "conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons and do everything to support the victims' families." ___ 1:10 p.m. Russia's Defense Ministry says a widely revered Russian charity doctor was on board a Russian plane headed to Syria that crashed into the Black Sea shortly after takeoff. Yelizaveta Glinka, known as Doctor Liza in Russia, has won broad acclaim for charity work that included missions to the war zone in eastern Ukraine. Her foundation, Spravedlivaya Pomoshch, or Just Help, says she was accompanying a shipment of medicines for a hospital in Syria. The Tu-154 that belonged to the Russian Defense Minister crashed into the sea Sunday two minutes after taking off from the resort of Sochi. It was also carrying members of the Alexandrov Ensemble to a holiday concert at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria. There is no indication anyone survived the crash. ___ 11:25 a.m. A Russian official says the crash of a Russian military passenger plane into the Black Sea could have been caused by a technical malfunction or a crew error, but he believes it could not have been terrorism because the plane was operated by the military. Viktor Ozerov, head of the defense affairs committee at the upper house of Russian parliament, says in remarks carried by the state news agency RIA Novosti that he "totally excludes" terrorism as a possible cause of the crash. The plane was en route to Russia's air base in Syria with 92 people on board when it crashed shortly after taking off from the resort town of Sochi. At least one body has been found and there is no word on whether anyone survived. The Defense Ministry has released a list of the passengers. They include 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, among them its leader, Valery Khalilov. The Alexandrov Ensemble is the official choir of the Russian military, and it also includes a band and a dancing company. ___ 9:45 a.m. The Russian Defense Ministry says rescuers have found fragments of the Tu-154 plane that was carrying 91 people en route to the Russian military base in Syria. The ministry said earlier that the plane disappeared from radars shortly after takeoff from the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Sunday. It carried eight crew and 83 passengers, including members of the world-famous Alexandrov military choir. The ministry says rescue teams found fragments of the plane at a distance of about 1.5 kilometers (less than a mile) from shore at a depth of 50-70 meters. By IANS VELLETTA: The two hijackers who diverted an internal Libyan flight to an airport are set to appear before a court in Malta on December 25, police source said on Saturday. Maltese Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar said earlier on Saturday that police had 48 hours to charge the two hijackers following their arrest on Friday afternoon, Xinhua news agency reported. The Afriqiyah Airways was hijacked during an internal flight from Sebha to Tripoli by two men who threatened to blow it up. It was diverted to Malta after the hijackers refused to land in Tripoli. The hijacking came to a peaceful conclusion when the two men, identified as Ahmed Ali and Mousa Shada, gave themselves up after releasing 111 passengers and six crew members following a four-hour standoff. The two hijackers, named as Ahmed Ali and Mousa Shaha, were later found to be carrying replica pistols. The Police Commissioner said that at no point did the two men make any demands. The passengers of the hijacked flight return to Libya Saturday morning. VELLETTA: The two hijackers who diverted an internal Libyan flight to an airport are set to appear before a court in Malta on December 25, police source said on Saturday. Maltese Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar said earlier on Saturday that police had 48 hours to charge the two hijackers following their arrest on Friday afternoon, Xinhua news agency reported. The Afriqiyah Airways was hijacked during an internal flight from Sebha to Tripoli by two men who threatened to blow it up. It was diverted to Malta after the hijackers refused to land in Tripoli. The hijacking came to a peaceful conclusion when the two men, identified as Ahmed Ali and Mousa Shada, gave themselves up after releasing 111 passengers and six crew members following a four-hour standoff. The two hijackers, named as Ahmed Ali and Mousa Shaha, were later found to be carrying replica pistols. The Police Commissioner said that at no point did the two men make any demands. The passengers of the hijacked flight return to Libya Saturday morning. By AFP MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to probe the crash of a Syria-bound military plane carrying 92 people including more than 60 Red Army Choir members, the Kremlin said Sunday. "Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to form and head a state commission to investigative the crash of the Tu-154 plane in Sochi," the Kremlin said in a statement, adding that Putin expressed his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the crash. MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to probe the crash of a Syria-bound military plane carrying 92 people including more than 60 Red Army Choir members, the Kremlin said Sunday. "Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to form and head a state commission to investigative the crash of the Tu-154 plane in Sochi," the Kremlin said in a statement, adding that Putin expressed his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the crash. By AFP MOSCOW: A Russian military plane crashed on its way to Syria on Sunday, with no sign of survivors among the 92 onboard, who included dozens of Red Army Choir members heading to celebrate the New Year with troops. The Tu-154 plane went down in the Black Sea shortly after taking off from the southern city of Adler where it had been refuelling, defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a briefing broadcast on the ministry's website. It disappeared from radar just two minutes after it took off at 5:25 am (0225 GMT). The ministry told agencies there was no sign of any survivors at the crash site and that 10 bodies had been recovered off the coast of the resort city of Sochi, as authorities pledged to dispatch more than 100 divers to aid in the search. "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres (165 to 230 feet)," the ministry said. President Vladimir Putin told state television that Russia will observe a national day of mourning on Monday. The plane had been on a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim air base in western Syria, which has been used to launch air strikes in Moscow's military campaign supporting its ally President Bashar al-Assad in the country's devastating civil war. Among the plane's 84 passengers were Russian servicemen as well as 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group also known as the Red Army Choir, and its conductor Valery Khalilov. They were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the air base. The passengers also included nine journalists, with state-run channels Pervy Kanal, NTV and Zvezda saying they each had three staff onboard the flight. There were also eight crew members, the ministry said. A list of passengers published by the defence ministry also included Elizaveta Glinka, a doctor and charity worker who serves on the Kremlin human rights council. - Probing cause of crash - Mikhail Fedotov, who heads the council, said Glinka was travelling to Syria to bring medication to a university hospital in the coastal city of Latakia near the air base, agencies reported. Assad, as well as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and the US Embassy in Moscow, expressed condolences over the crash. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin was being kept updated on the search operation and was in constant contact with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Konashenkov said that deputy defence minister Pavel Popov had flown to Adler along with a team tasked with clarifying the circumstances surrounding the crash. Transportation Minister Maxim Sokolov, who is heading a state commission probing the crash, is also on his way to the region, the government said in a statement. The ministry has not put forward any possible causes of the crash. Konashenkov said that the aircraft had been in service since 1983 and had flown some 7,000 hours since. The plane last underwent repairs in December 2014 and was serviced in September, he said. Russia's Investigative Committee said a criminal probe had been launched to determine whether violations of air transportation safety had led to the crash. - Indefinite deployment - Investigators are currently questioning the technical personnel responsible for preparing the plane for take-off, the committee said. Tu-154 aircraft have been involved in a number of accidents in the past. In April 2010 many high-ranking Polish officials, including then president Lech Kaczynski, were killed when a Tu-154 airliner went down in thick fog while approaching Smolensk airport in western Russia. Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of Assad since September 2015 and has taken steps to boost its presence in the country. In October, Putin approved a law ratifying Moscow's deal with Damascus to deploy its forces in the country indefinitely, firming up Russia's long-term presence in Syria. Russian warplanes have flown out of the Hmeimim base to conduct air strikes, and the base is also home to an S-400 air defence system. MOSCOW: A Russian military plane crashed on its way to Syria on Sunday, with no sign of survivors among the 92 onboard, who included dozens of Red Army Choir members heading to celebrate the New Year with troops. The Tu-154 plane went down in the Black Sea shortly after taking off from the southern city of Adler where it had been refuelling, defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a briefing broadcast on the ministry's website. It disappeared from radar just two minutes after it took off at 5:25 am (0225 GMT). The ministry told agencies there was no sign of any survivors at the crash site and that 10 bodies had been recovered off the coast of the resort city of Sochi, as authorities pledged to dispatch more than 100 divers to aid in the search. "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres (165 to 230 feet)," the ministry said. President Vladimir Putin told state television that Russia will observe a national day of mourning on Monday. The plane had been on a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim air base in western Syria, which has been used to launch air strikes in Moscow's military campaign supporting its ally President Bashar al-Assad in the country's devastating civil war. Among the plane's 84 passengers were Russian servicemen as well as 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group also known as the Red Army Choir, and its conductor Valery Khalilov. They were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the air base. The passengers also included nine journalists, with state-run channels Pervy Kanal, NTV and Zvezda saying they each had three staff onboard the flight. There were also eight crew members, the ministry said. A list of passengers published by the defence ministry also included Elizaveta Glinka, a doctor and charity worker who serves on the Kremlin human rights council. - Probing cause of crash - Mikhail Fedotov, who heads the council, said Glinka was travelling to Syria to bring medication to a university hospital in the coastal city of Latakia near the air base, agencies reported. Assad, as well as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and the US Embassy in Moscow, expressed condolences over the crash. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin was being kept updated on the search operation and was in constant contact with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Konashenkov said that deputy defence minister Pavel Popov had flown to Adler along with a team tasked with clarifying the circumstances surrounding the crash. Transportation Minister Maxim Sokolov, who is heading a state commission probing the crash, is also on his way to the region, the government said in a statement. The ministry has not put forward any possible causes of the crash. Konashenkov said that the aircraft had been in service since 1983 and had flown some 7,000 hours since. The plane last underwent repairs in December 2014 and was serviced in September, he said. Russia's Investigative Committee said a criminal probe had been launched to determine whether violations of air transportation safety had led to the crash. - Indefinite deployment - Investigators are currently questioning the technical personnel responsible for preparing the plane for take-off, the committee said. Tu-154 aircraft have been involved in a number of accidents in the past. In April 2010 many high-ranking Polish officials, including then president Lech Kaczynski, were killed when a Tu-154 airliner went down in thick fog while approaching Smolensk airport in western Russia. Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of Assad since September 2015 and has taken steps to boost its presence in the country. In October, Putin approved a law ratifying Moscow's deal with Damascus to deploy its forces in the country indefinitely, firming up Russia's long-term presence in Syria. Russian warplanes have flown out of the Hmeimim base to conduct air strikes, and the base is also home to an S-400 air defence system. By Online Desk Christmas 2016 would be remembered tragically for the loss of members the choir group Alexandrov Ensemble or the 'Red Army Choir'. A Russian defence force Tu-154 aircraft carrying 92 people, including the Ensemble crashed into the Black Sea early on December 25 while it was en route Syria. Alexandrov Ensemble is an official army choir of the Russian armed forces. Founded during the Soviet era, the ensemble consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble. This choir group has entertained audiences both in Russia and throughout the world, performing a range of music including folk tunes, hymns, operatic arias, and popular music. According to reports, the group's repertoire has included the famous Volga Boatmen's Song, Katyusha, Kalinka, and Ave Maria. Alexandrov military choir were to perform at a New Year concert for troops in Syria, but went missing soon after taking off from Sochi on Sunday. The military plane dropped off the radar shortly after take-off at 5:40 am local time. There were no reports of any survivors. Here's a 2009 concert performance by the Alexandrov Ensemble. Christmas 2016 would be remembered tragically for the loss of members the choir group Alexandrov Ensemble or the 'Red Army Choir'. A Russian defence force Tu-154 aircraft carrying 92 people, including the Ensemble crashed into the Black Sea early on December 25 while it was en route Syria. Alexandrov Ensemble is an official army choir of the Russian armed forces. Founded during the Soviet era, the ensemble consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble. This choir group has entertained audiences both in Russia and throughout the world, performing a range of music including folk tunes, hymns, operatic arias, and popular music. According to reports, the group's repertoire has included the famous Volga Boatmen's Song, Katyusha, Kalinka, and Ave Maria. Alexandrov military choir were to perform at a New Year concert for troops in Syria, but went missing soon after taking off from Sochi on Sunday. The military plane dropped off the radar shortly after take-off at 5:40 am local time. There were no reports of any survivors. Here's a 2009 concert performance by the Alexandrov Ensemble. PK Balachandran By Express News Service COLOMBO: Trial by jury is not suitable for politically sensitive cases in which the defendants are Security Forces personnel and the victims seeking justice are from a minority community, says the leading Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer and Member of Parliament, M.A.Sumanthiran. Given the consistent pattern of the juries acquitting the accused in cases where these are Security Forces personnel and the victims are Tamils, it is better to go for a Trial-at-Bar in which the judge gives the verdict, Sumanthiran told Express on Sunday. In the case of trial by jury, the jury does not have to give reasons for its verdict but in the case of a Trial-at-Bar, the judge will have to give reasons. In a Trial-at-Bar, there are three judges. In trials under ordinary law, there is a provision for the accused to seek a Sinhalese-speaking, or a Tamil-speaking or an English-speaking jury, which can be used to get a particular kind of verdict in a communally charged or a politically sensitive context, Sumanthiran said. In the famous Kumarapuram massacre case, six army officers were accused of massacring 26 unarmed Tamil civilians of Kumarapuram in Kiliveddi in Trincomalee on February 11, 1996. The victims included six women, five men and 13 children. The initial hearings in this case were held in Muttur, a Tamil area in Trincomalee. Eye witnesses identified the army personnel who were then serving at the Dehiwatte camp in Trincomalee. But citing the war situation, the case was transferred to Anuradhapura High Court in a Sinhalese area, where proceedings commenced after 20 years. The accused were indicted by the Attorney General on 101 separate charges. But in July 2016, the Jury consisting of six Sinhalese declared the six accused not guilty. All six army Corporals were acquitted of all charges by the Anuradhapura High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne. Commenting on the issue, Northern Provincial Councilor M.K Sivajilingam had said that the acquittal had badly disappointed the Tamil people, who were fighting for justice in many such cases. The Anuradhapura High Court Judge has delivered this judgment despite the victims identifying the perpetrators. This clearly shows that justice cannot be expected in a local judicial mechanism. This has further intensified the call for an international investigation into war crimes, he said. The survivors of the massacre and the families of the victims urged President Maithripala Sirisena to reopen the case and retry the accused before a Trial-at-Bar. Following this the State went to the Court of Appeal where it is pending. One of the lawyers who appeared for the aggrieved party in the Raviraj assassination case, said that there are other structural issues in the Sri Lankan judicial system which need to be addressed to get a fair trial. One of them is the non-recognition of command responsibility for any action taken on the ground by junior personnel. He said that it is more important to know who commanded an action or under whose watch an action had taken place than to know who pulled trigger. If a commander had not taken steps to prevent a wrong action or had not punished a subordinate for wrong doing, he becomes responsible for the action and is liable to be punished. But in the Sri Lankan system, command responsibility is not recognized, the lawyer said. Asked if the acquittal in the Raviraj case would figure in the proceedings of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva in Mach 2017, Sumanthiran said that it would strengthen the Tamils demand for an international judicial mechanism to try war crimes cases. The Minister for National Languages and Dialogue Mano Ganeshan said that the conduct of the Attorney General in this case was disappointing and the issue of getting justice in trials in Sri Lanka will figure in the UNHRC session in March next. COLOMBO: Trial by jury is not suitable for politically sensitive cases in which the defendants are Security Forces personnel and the victims seeking justice are from a minority community, says the leading Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer and Member of Parliament, M.A.Sumanthiran. Given the consistent pattern of the juries acquitting the accused in cases where these are Security Forces personnel and the victims are Tamils, it is better to go for a Trial-at-Bar in which the judge gives the verdict, Sumanthiran told Express on Sunday. In the case of trial by jury, the jury does not have to give reasons for its verdict but in the case of a Trial-at-Bar, the judge will have to give reasons. In a Trial-at-Bar, there are three judges. In trials under ordinary law, there is a provision for the accused to seek a Sinhalese-speaking, or a Tamil-speaking or an English-speaking jury, which can be used to get a particular kind of verdict in a communally charged or a politically sensitive context, Sumanthiran said. In the famous Kumarapuram massacre case, six army officers were accused of massacring 26 unarmed Tamil civilians of Kumarapuram in Kiliveddi in Trincomalee on February 11, 1996. The victims included six women, five men and 13 children. The initial hearings in this case were held in Muttur, a Tamil area in Trincomalee. Eye witnesses identified the army personnel who were then serving at the Dehiwatte camp in Trincomalee. But citing the war situation, the case was transferred to Anuradhapura High Court in a Sinhalese area, where proceedings commenced after 20 years. The accused were indicted by the Attorney General on 101 separate charges. But in July 2016, the Jury consisting of six Sinhalese declared the six accused not guilty. All six army Corporals were acquitted of all charges by the Anuradhapura High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne. Commenting on the issue, Northern Provincial Councilor M.K Sivajilingam had said that the acquittal had badly disappointed the Tamil people, who were fighting for justice in many such cases. The Anuradhapura High Court Judge has delivered this judgment despite the victims identifying the perpetrators. This clearly shows that justice cannot be expected in a local judicial mechanism. This has further intensified the call for an international investigation into war crimes, he said. The survivors of the massacre and the families of the victims urged President Maithripala Sirisena to reopen the case and retry the accused before a Trial-at-Bar. Following this the State went to the Court of Appeal where it is pending. One of the lawyers who appeared for the aggrieved party in the Raviraj assassination case, said that there are other structural issues in the Sri Lankan judicial system which need to be addressed to get a fair trial. One of them is the non-recognition of command responsibility for any action taken on the ground by junior personnel. He said that it is more important to know who commanded an action or under whose watch an action had taken place than to know who pulled trigger. If a commander had not taken steps to prevent a wrong action or had not punished a subordinate for wrong doing, he becomes responsible for the action and is liable to be punished. But in the Sri Lankan system, command responsibility is not recognized, the lawyer said. Asked if the acquittal in the Raviraj case would figure in the proceedings of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva in Mach 2017, Sumanthiran said that it would strengthen the Tamils demand for an international judicial mechanism to try war crimes cases. The Minister for National Languages and Dialogue Mano Ganeshan said that the conduct of the Attorney General in this case was disappointing and the issue of getting justice in trials in Sri Lanka will figure in the UNHRC session in March next. Express News Service COLOMBO: The widow of the assassinated Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, Nadarajah Raviraj, will be moving the Court of Appeal against the Colombo High Courts order acquitting five persons including Sri Lankan intelligence personnel, who were accused of planning and executing the murder of the Jaffna district MP here on November 10, 2006. Counsel for Mrs.Raviraj, M.A.Sumanthiran, who himself is a TNA MP, told Express on Sunday, that the appeal will be filed by him within the stipulated two-week period. The Attorney General could himself go on appeal against the verdict, but the AG does not usually challenge an acquittal in such cases where the jury had unanimously acquitted the accused, Sumanthiran said. An all-Sinhalese Special Jury had acquitted all the five accused on grounds of lack of sufficient evidence. The judge, Manilal Waidyatilake, accepted the jurys verdict. One of the accused had requested an all-Sinhalese jury under the ordinary Penal Code and the judge had accepted it despite objections raised by Sumanthiran. Sumanthiran had argued that since one of the charges against the accused persons was made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a Special Act, there was no room for a jury trial. The Special Act should take precedence over ordinary law. But the judge did not accept this and ordered a Special Jury trial. The members of the jury were senior personnel of the public sector. He also accepted the request for an all-Sinhalese or Sinhalese knowing jury. At the Court of Appeal Sumanthiran plans to argue that since one of the charges was under the PTA, it should have had precedence over ordinary law in conducting the trial and that the trial should have been by a judge and not a jury. The jury had apparently gone by the evidence tendered by the Chief of Sri Lankan intelligence Senior DIG, Nilantha Jayawardena, who denied the prosecutions contention that the intelligence services had knowledge of the plan for Ravirajs assassination two days before it took pace. Those accused were Prasad Chandana Kumara, Gamini Kumara, Pradeep Chaminda, Sivakanthan Vivekanandan alias Karan and Xavier Royston Christopher Hussein. Another accused Palaniswamy Suresh had died. Three of the accused were naval intelligence personnel and these were present throughout the trial. Two others belonging to the Karuna faction of the now defunct LTTE, had absconded. COLOMBO: The widow of the assassinated Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, Nadarajah Raviraj, will be moving the Court of Appeal against the Colombo High Courts order acquitting five persons including Sri Lankan intelligence personnel, who were accused of planning and executing the murder of the Jaffna district MP here on November 10, 2006. Counsel for Mrs.Raviraj, M.A.Sumanthiran, who himself is a TNA MP, told Express on Sunday, that the appeal will be filed by him within the stipulated two-week period. The Attorney General could himself go on appeal against the verdict, but the AG does not usually challenge an acquittal in such cases where the jury had unanimously acquitted the accused, Sumanthiran said. An all-Sinhalese Special Jury had acquitted all the five accused on grounds of lack of sufficient evidence. The judge, Manilal Waidyatilake, accepted the jurys verdict. One of the accused had requested an all-Sinhalese jury under the ordinary Penal Code and the judge had accepted it despite objections raised by Sumanthiran. Sumanthiran had argued that since one of the charges against the accused persons was made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a Special Act, there was no room for a jury trial. The Special Act should take precedence over ordinary law. But the judge did not accept this and ordered a Special Jury trial. The members of the jury were senior personnel of the public sector. He also accepted the request for an all-Sinhalese or Sinhalese knowing jury. At the Court of Appeal Sumanthiran plans to argue that since one of the charges was under the PTA, it should have had precedence over ordinary law in conducting the trial and that the trial should have been by a judge and not a jury. The jury had apparently gone by the evidence tendered by the Chief of Sri Lankan intelligence Senior DIG, Nilantha Jayawardena, who denied the prosecutions contention that the intelligence services had knowledge of the plan for Ravirajs assassination two days before it took pace. Those accused were Prasad Chandana Kumara, Gamini Kumara, Pradeep Chaminda, Sivakanthan Vivekanandan alias Karan and Xavier Royston Christopher Hussein. Another accused Palaniswamy Suresh had died. Three of the accused were naval intelligence personnel and these were present throughout the trial. Two others belonging to the Karuna faction of the now defunct LTTE, had absconded. THE QUESTION: Quote: Peoples political behavior frequently does not match their rhetoric. Although many complain about government intervention in their lives, they tend not to reelect inactive politicians . But a politicians activity consists largely in the passage of laws whose enforcement affects voters lives. Thus, voters often reelect politicians whose behavior they resent. Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the boldfaced statement? SOLVING THE PROBLEM: give the speaker/narrator a name try to imagine that she/he is LITERALLY SAYING these things THE ANSWER CHOICES: crucial It is a premise offered in support of the conclusion that voters often reelect politicians whose behavior they resent It is a premise offered in support of one specific example of a general principle It is a premise offered in support of one specific example of a general principle that the narrator asserts some Please visit my corners of the web: http://www.RonPurewal.com http://www.facebook.com/RonPurewalGMAT __ Pueden hacerle preguntas a Ron en castellano Potete fare domande a Ron in italiano On peut poser des questions a Ron en francais Voit esittaa kysymyksia Ron:lle myos suomeksi __ Un bon vetement, c'est un passeport pour le bonheur. Yves Saint-Laurent Signature Read More I understand the temptation for GMAT students to study LSAT problems, mostly because of the huge amount of official LSAT material available (there are almost a hundred full-length official LSATs, comprising over 10,000 questions in total, available for purchase).If you're going to use LSAT material, though, you should always ask yourself "How would this problem work/look if it were on the GMAT?" Almost every LSAT problem would need some kind of 'adaptation' to be GMAT-relevantif indeed it can be made relevant at all (lots of LSAT problems cannot).This problem asks for the role played by one specific statement in an argument. In this case, there's a ready analogue on the GMAT: the 'boldface statement' CR problem type.But, even though the analogy is unusually close, the problem statement and answer choices don't look like their counterparts on the GMAT. When you study this kind of problem, it's imperative to consider how to map it onto a GMAT-like template.In this problem, nothing is boldfaced; instead, the content of one sentence is repeated in the question 'stem'.The GMAT would instead put that one sentence into boldface and remove the specs from the stem:In my experience, most students find it very helpful toand, in language that wouldn't be out of place in educated but casual conversation.Also, if your native language is other than Englishand especially if most of your spoken conversations happen in that non-English languageyou may find it helpful to translate the statements as you go (if you're able to do so fairly efficiently).If you do these things, then you ought to find it much more intuitive to grasp that: the FIRST statement ("Peoples political behavior frequently does not match their rhetoric"however you 'translate' this) is a GENERALITY; the LAST statement ("voters often reelect politicians whose behavior they resent") is ONE EXAMPLE of that general principle; the BOLDFACED statement ("Although many complain about government intervention in their lives, they tend not to reelect inactive politicians") combines with the following statement to 'PROVE' / SUPPORT' the example in the last sentence.These don't look at all like the options on GMAT boldfaced-statement problems. They're full of specs, whereas the GMAT options are invariably phrased in terms of more generalized abstractions.In cases such as thiswhere there are marked differences between the two testsit'sthat you try your best to 'adapt' at least the correct answer, and ideally the wrong ones too, to GMAT conventions.The correct answer saysThe GMAT doesn't put specs in the answers for these problems, so let's sub out that colored partwhose role is noted above (under "solving the problem").(Mentioning the general principle here is of the essence! The GMAT would almost certainly do so, because the general principlestated in the first sentenceis the main point of the entire monologue. The correct LSAT answer, by contrast, makes no mention of that first sentence at all.)Finally, GMAT boldfaced-statement answers tend to include the narrator's judgmenti.e., whether the narrator agrees or disagrees with some point (or neither, as in the case of factual background statements).Including that part, we haveThat's a GMAT-like correct answer.It's okay if you don't make every single transformation that I did here. What matters is that you can recognize and makeof the necessary changes, and that you come away from the exercise with a better and more precise understanding of the various conventions followed by GMAT problems._________________ Estimados amigos, Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia. Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro. Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras. There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen. You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out. No soy alguien que sabe, sino alguien que busca. Only Gold is money. Everything else is debt. Las grandes almas tienen voluntades; las debiles tan solo deseos. Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada. History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity. The Manchurian Cabinet MOSCOW Donald Trump 's transition from US President-elect to taking power recalls nothing so much as a forgotten Hollywood genre: the paranoid melodrama. Perhaps the greatest film of this type, The Manchurian Candidate, concerns a communist plot to use the brainwashed son of a leading right-wing family to upend the American political system. Given the fondness that Trump and so many of his appointees seem to have for Russian President Vladimir Putin, life may be about to imitate if not exceed art. To be sure, the attraction for Putin that Trump, Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson, and National Security Adviser General Michael Flynn share is not the result of brainwashing, unless you consider the love of money (and of the people who can funnel it to you) a form of brainwashing. Nonetheless, such Kremlinophilia is to resurrect a word redolent of Cold War paranoia decidedly un-American. Consider the derision shown by Trump and his posse for CIA reports that Kremlin-directed hackers intervened in last months election to benefit Trump. In typical fashion, Trump let loose a barrage of tweets blasting the CIA as somehow under the thumb of his defeated opponent, Hillary Clinton. His nominee for Deputy Secretary of State, John Bolton, went even further, suggesting that the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and Clintons campaign chairman, John Podesta, was a false flag operation designed to smear an innocent Kremlin. The idea that a US president-elect would take the word of the Kremlin over that of CIA officials and even the most senior members of his own party is already bizarre and dangerous. But the simultaneous nomination of Tillerson the long-time CEO of ExxonMobil, Americas most powerful energy company, which has tens of billions of dollars invested in Russia to be Americas top diplomat takes this love affair with a major adversary to a level unprecedented in US history. For Tillerson, taking Russias side against the US is nothing new. Consider the sanctions that the US and Europe imposed on Russia in response to the countrys annexation of Crimea a blatantly illegal act in 2014. Instead of supporting US policy, Tillerson belittled it. Instead of fully honoring President Barack Obamas call for ExxonMobil not to send a representative to the annual Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum after the annexation, Tillerson cynically sent the head of one of ExxonMobils international operations. And instead of returning the Order of Friendship that he received from Putin months before the invasion of Crimea, Tillerson continues to celebrate his status as a friend of Vladimir. Flynn, like Tillerson, has also been feasting at the Kremlin trough. After being fired by Obama for his incompetent management of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Flynn immediately began to cultivate Russian business contacts. And Putin seems to have been more than happy to see that commercial doors were opened to Flynn. There is a now-infamous photograph of Flynn seated next to Putin at a banquet for RT (Russia Today), the Kremlin-backed cable news network that was a prime source of the slanted, and even fake, news that inundated the US during the recent election campaign. As for Trump, statements made by his sons suggest that, if the American public ever got a look at his tax returns and business loans, they would find that he has also been feathering his nest with Kremlin gold for some time. He has undoubtedly taken money from countless Russian oligarchs. In 2008, he unloaded one of his Palm Beach mansions on Dmitry Rybolovlev, a fertilizer oligarch, for $95 million. Sergei Millian, who heads the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce, is said to have facilitated countless investments from Russians into Trump projects. For Trump, no money is too tainted to pocket. Trumps adoration of Russia or, more accurately, Russian riches was apparent well before Americans went to the polls, as was his habit of surrounding himself with likeminded advisers. For months, Trumps presidential campaign was run by Paul Manafort, a political operative who had worked to secure the disgraced President Viktor Yanukovychs victory in Ukraines 2010 presidential election. Trump severed public ties with Manafort only after Ukraines current democratic government revealed documents that hinted at the millions of dollars that Yanukovych had paid Manafort, in cash. As Trumps inauguration draws near, Americans must confront three big questions. One, in a sense, is a take on a question that Trump raised about Clinton during the campaign: what happens if the FBI finds evidence of criminal conduct by the president? Or, perhaps more likely in Trumps case, what happens if the president tries to shut down FBI investigations into his commercial activities involving Russia, or into the actions of cronies like Manafort? The second question, which the US Senate should ask before confirming Tillerson as Secretary of State, concerns the extent of his and ExxonMobils financial interests in Russia. The Senate should also probe how closely Tillerson has cooperated with Igor Sechin, the chairman of Rosneft and a notorious ex-KGB operative, particularly in renationalizing much of the Russian oil industry and placing it under Sechins personal control. (Similar questions should be asked about Flynn, though, because the National Security Adviser doesnt need to be confirmed by the Senate, little can be done about his appointment.) The biggest question of all concerns the American people. Are they really willing to accept a president who denounces men and women who risk their lives to defend the US, and who is equally quick to praise and defend Putin and his cronies when their reckless, even criminal, conduct is exposed? At the end of The Manchurian Candidate, another brainwashed character Frank Sinatras Marco escapes his programming to foil the communist plot. But that was Cold War Hollywood: of course the good guys won. Trump the Movie is unlikely to end so well. Mumbai: Market regulator Sebi is looking into regulations concerning clearance for scheme of arrangements such as merger and acquisitions by listed firms to check any possible 'bypassing' of norms due to the companies directly seeking approval of courts for such deals. As per the listing agreement norms, a listed company needs to file any scheme of arrangement with the stock exchanges for observations at least one month before filing it with any court or tribunal for approval. Further, the stock exchanges have to forward their objection/no-objection letter on the scheme with Sebi which can also review the scheme and issue necessary observations. At a recent industry event, Sebi Chairman U K Sinha said, "There has been an observation from one of the high courts that what is the locus with Sebi in asking companies to first come to Sebi and then move the high courts...It is not provided in any Sebi regulations that listed companies should come to Sebi first before moving the courts...So is there a violation?" "Sebi should provide that companies have to come to Sebi otherwise if they don't come to Sebi and go directly to the high court or the National Company Law Tribunal what is the violation for that. So, we are going to amend our regulations and make specific provision for that," Sinha added. According to Nishith Desai Associates' Co-Head (M&A) Simone Reis, prior to 2013, listed companies were required to file a draft with the stock exchanges on scheme of arrangements and could move courts after receiving an NOC. "In 2013, Sebi stepped in and said it would also review and issue observations on the schemes. However, the companies would approach the courts before receiving observations from Sebi...So, things were running on parallel lines," Reis said. She further said, "The regulator could bring in a provision wherein it stipulates a violation for approaching the courts/tribunals without awaiting Sebi approval." Finsec Law Advisor' Founder and Sebi's former Executive Director Sandeep Parekh said that the listed companies are "bypassing" certain regulatory requirements and approaching courts directly with respect to the schemes of arrangement. Noting that consequences of such action by a listed company is not clear, Parekh said, "Sebi could amend the listing norms to specifying violations to such acts." A scheme of arrangement is a court-approved agreement between a company and its shareholders or creditors. The role of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the stock exchanges in reviewing the scheme can help ensure that it is not in violation of the securities norms and also safeguard the interest of shareholders. Going by the norms issued by Sebi in 2013, upon receipt of objection/no-objection letter from the exchanges, Sebi has to provide its comments on the draft scheme to the bourses. While processing the draft scheme, Sebi may seek clarifications from any entity relevant in this regard including the listed company or the stock exchanges and may also seek an opinion from an independent chartered accountant. Sebi has been taking an average of 13 days to issue observations on scheme of arrangements as against prescribed time limit of 30 days, Sinha had said at the event. Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2016 i: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wished his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his 66th birthday, even though India and Pakistan have been witnessing a severe chill in their relations because of repeated terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir emanating from Pakistan.In a tweet Modi said: "Birthday wishes to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life: Prime Minister Narendra Modi."Following years of frozen relations due to the bitter Kashmir dispute, ties between the two neighbours turned a new leaf after Modi had made a huge gesture by travelling to Lahore on an unscheduled visit to wish Sharif personally and attend the marriage ceremony of his kin on December 25, 2015.However, the warmth in the bilateral ties witnessed at that time evaporated after terror attack on the airbase in Pathankot on January 1, 2016. Since then the relations have just been sliding as tensions escalated.PM Narendra Modi faced severe criticism in the country over the unscheduled and untimely visit to Pakistan. Opposition leaders, including RJD boss Lalu Prasad Yadav, asked the Modi to clarify his 'mysterious association' with Nawaz Sharif.The matter further escalated after Sharif delivered a rant on Kashmir in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. In his brief 20-minute speech, more than half of which was a sermon to the world about the 'sins' of the Indian state in Kashmir over the last 80 days, Sharif went into great detail about the deaths, pellet injuries, even demanding a UN backed independent inquiry commission. Much of this speech was verbatim a repetition of what he said at the UNGA last year. The only new addition was the reference to Burhan Wani.Sharif even called Wani "the young leader" whose killing led to a second Kashmiri intifada. While one should not discount or belittle the grave nature of recent problems in Kashmir and the utter inability of both the Central and State governments in handling the situation, by eulogising Burhan Wani, and that too from the podium of the UNGA, Sharif has taken things too far. What next? Praising Masood Azhar or Hafiz Saeed in his next UNGA speech? No wonder there were few takers in the General Assembly hall for Sharifs Kashmir spiel.As expected the Pakistan Prime Minister did not even utter a word on the recent Uri terrorist attack. On the issue of terror, Pakistan behaves as much like an ostrich with its head buried in the sand as India does on the political nature of the problem in Kashmir. But let us try to make sense of what Pakistan has been trying to achieve in the last two months.ALSO READ: What To Do With Nawaz Sharif's UNGA Speech: Just Ignore - With inputs from PTI The Mehbooba Mufti-led government in Jammu and Kashmir has decided to lift the ban on a well-known English daily, Kashmir Reader. A senior government officer privy to the development said formal orders will be issued in a day or two. "The government has considered their representation and other material record and taken a view that there is no need for a further ban," said the official. The newspaper was banned on 2nd October 2016, after the death of Hizbul Mujahiddin commander Burhan Wani in an encounter. Srinagar District Magistrate Farooq Ahmad Lone had invoked section 144 of CrPC, Section 3 of Newspapers Incitement of Offences Act 1971 and Section 10 of Press and Publication Act of 1989. Lone, in his order, had declared that the newspaper publishes material and content which tends to incite acts of violence and disturb public peace and tranquility. Hilal Mir, Editor of the Kashmir Reader told News18, Director Information spoke to our bureau chief and said we can resume our publication. "We hope press would be allowed to function independently," Mir added. The newspaper management had held a couple of meetings with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti urging her to explain why the paper cant resume publication. Mediapersons had regularly marched against the ban on Kashmir Reader and the issue was also raised by the local editors body. Five-year-old Aryan, son of an NRI couple living in Norway, who was taken into custody by the Norwegian Child Welfare Department on December 13 from his kindergarten school, is still at a foster home. Almost two weeks after the child was taken away by the child welfare authorities acting on a complaint that Aryan's father Anil Kumar and his wife had beaten up their son, the mother has also communicated the matter to the Indian embassy in Oslo. However, due to Christmas vacation, she is yet to hear from the authorities. Anil Kumar told CNN-News18 that he had met his son last Monday and hasn't had any communication ever since. "We have no idea where my son is," he said," My son told us that he misses us and he wants us to take him back." Kumar is a Norwegian citizen and his wife holds an Indian passport. They have appealed to the Indian government for help alleging that their son was taken away without any evidence and is suffering at a children's home under the custody of child welfare department. Earlier, the Indian embassy in Norway had confirmed to CNN-News18 that Indian Ambassador Debraj Pradhan has already spoken to the childs father. Norways child welfare department, however, was tight-lipped on the exact facts of the case. When CNN-News18 emailed them to ascertain the status of the case and the charges against the parents they had responded saying, The Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion is responsible for the general child welfare policy. However, the government does not have the authority to comment on or intervene in individual cases. Srinagar: Describing tourism as the best means to promote people-to-people engagement, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said her government was making efforts to create a world-class tourist infrastructure. "Tourism promotes people-to-people contact and tourists become goodwill ambassadors of a place. Like the maxim 'seeing is believing', a tourist can testify the veracity of the claim about a place only after visiting it," she said. She dismissed the notion that the state was unsafe for tourists in the aftermath of months-long unrest in the Valley. "Jammu and Kashmir is as safe for tourists, particularly women, as any other place in the country," she said at a meeting with a delegation of tour operators from across India. Mehbooba said her government plans to create a world-class tourism infrastructure in the state. "Road connectivity to tourist destinations, bed capacity at tourist spots, wayside facilities etc are being improved and upgraded to address the requirements of every segment of tourists. Theme-based parks and places are being added to provide variety of attraction to tourists. "Similarly, heritage lovers and trekkers would be having more spots and treks to visit by adding new heritage sites and routes to their check list," the chief minister said. Every region in the state has a unique attraction for tourists and they should be promoted, she said. The state's tourism department has organised a three-day familiarisation tour to the Valley for travel agents from Bangalore, Mumbai, Gujarat and Indore. The agents, who arrived here yesterday, pitched for point- to-point rail services from Mumbai, Gujarat and Kolkata to the Valley to facilitate the travel of tourists to Kashmir, and sought subsidy in aviation fuel charges to bring down air fares. as if 2016 couldn't get any worse... sending all our love to @carrieffisher Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) December 23, 2016 May the force be with you @carrieffisher Gaten Matarazzo (@GatenM123) December 23, 2016 Celebrities and public figures are rushing to Twitter to wish Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher a speedy recovery after she went into full cardiac arrest while aboard a plane on Friday.The Star Wars actress is now in stable condition after suffering a massive heart attack while in transit from London to Los Angeles.L.A. County Fire Department paramedics performed Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Fisher upon landing and rushed her to a local hospital, reports variety.com.Her Star Wars co-stars took to social media to send wishes."Sending all our love" to Fisher," Mark Hamill tweeted.Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars franchise, wrote on Twitter: "Thoughts and prayers for our friend and everyone's favourite princess right now."Many sent Fisher words of comfort and encouragement, including Stranger Things actor Gaten Matarazzo, who wrote "May the force be with you Carrie Fisher".Others expressed dismay at the turn of events, even blaming 2016 for the incident.Patton Oswalt tweeted: "Goddamit 2016 enough already."Comedian Billy Eichner wrote: "We are not losing Carrie Fisher. Do you hear me? We are not losing Carrie Fisher. Love you.""Send love prayers and the kitchen sink to my sister Carrie Fisher F**k no. F**k no", Courtney Love Cobain posted."No. No. No. Praying for Carrie Fisher," Josh Gad posted. Chennai: As cooperative banks in Tamil Nadu come under the I-T scrutiny amid reports about deposits of a large amount of demonetised notes, DMK and PMK on Sunday demanded that the state government orders an inquiry and protect the integrity of the institutions. DMK Treasurer M K Stalin demanded that Chief Minister O Pannerselvam order the inquiry while PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss sought the intervention of state Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao. Referring to the inspections carried out by Income Tax sleuths in Central Cooperative Banks, especially in Salem and Cuddalore last week, Stalin said there were reports that these banks had been allegedly used by some ruling AIADMK leaders to convert black money post scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. In a statement, Stalin, also the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, said the inspection at the Salem Central District Cooperative Bank, which had received the President's award four times for best performance, has shocked the people. Co-operative banks had been directed not to take up any financial transactions of demonetised currency, he said adding suitable investigation should be taken up on how these banks accepted "fixed deposits of old (Rs 500 and Rs 1,000) notes". He demanded that Chief Minister appoints a committee to conduct a probe into the alleged illegal deposits of scrapped notes, sack those heads of banks found guilty and protect the integrity of the cooperative institutions. Ramadoss in a statement urged Governor Rao to order an investigation into the issue as the cooperative banks come under the purview of state government. Noting that Income Tax department and Reserve Bank of India had taken up separate investigations, he said, "Since these banks come under the control of state government, the Governor and Chief Secretary should conduct an inquiry." Income Tax investigation officials have undertaken a state-wide exercise to check whether there was any illegal transfer of funds in co-operative banks following reports that a large amount of demonetised notes have been deposited in some branches of the Co-operative Banks. Rohtak: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said his predecessor Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who was now terming the probe in the land deals of Robert Vadra a 'political vendetta' had himself demanded an investigation into the same in the Assembly. "Now that the probe has been initiated, he has started terming it a political vendetta. His saying so proves the proverb 'a speck in the beard of a thief'. If he has not committed anything wrong, why should he be afraid of an inquiry. The truth will come out in the investigations," he said at a public meeting at Sampla in Rohtak. The Chief Minister said his government had taken notable initiatives to root out corruption at different levels in the last 26 months. Mumbai: In a jolt to the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in its stronghold of Dadar-Mahim area ahead of next year's municipal elections, former corporator Prakash Patankar on Sunday joined Shiv Sena. Patankar joined Shiv Sena alongwith over 1,700 workers in the presence of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at latter's residence, 'Matoshree', in Mumbai. Patankar worked as Dadar-Mahim area `Vibhag Pramukh' (area head) of MNS after he was denied a ticket by the Raj Thackeray-led party in the civic polls of 2012. Dadar is considered to be an MNS stronghold. Raj Thackeray lives in the same area. "MNS does not like people who work hard. It likes those who do publicity stunts," said Patankar. He clarified that he had no grievance against Raj but was upset with those who poisoned his ears. Patankar was with Shiv Sena from 1990. He joined MNS when Raj formed the party in 2005. He also served as a corporator for two years (2010-2012) after the sitting Sena corporator was disqualified for providing a fake caste certificate. "I will work to ensure that all Sena candidates from Mahim Assembly constituency win in BMC polls," he said. Chandigarh: Congress on Sunday got a boost ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, with some leaders from Shiromani Akali Dal, Aam Aadmi Party and BJP joining the party in the presence of PCC chief Amarinder Singh. Former SAD leader from Atam Nagar and councillor Kamaljit Singh Karwal, once considered close to MLA Simarjit Singh, and former AAP central executive committee member Yamini Gomar were among those pledged their allegiance to Congress. Other AAP leaders to join Congress were L R Nayyar, former chief commissioner (Income Tax), and party observer Gagan Sahni. Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Congress president Amarinder said all these leaders had joined the party "unconditionally". "They had become completely disillusioned with the policies of their respective parties and the agendas of their leaders," he said. Amarinder hailed their joinings as another milestone in the Congress's journey towards a "clear majority" in the upcoming Assembly polls, saying these developments highlighted the "complete wipeout" of all the other parties in the fray. Karwal, who had met Amarinder in Delhi, was associated with SAD since 2007, except for a brief period in 2014. "The anti-people policies of the party," he said, had encouraged him to take the decision to move to the Congress. Yamini, who had openly accused Kejriwal and AAP of being "anti-Dalit, anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab," said, "AAP was in a total mess, with its leadership befooling the people of Punjab with fake promises." "AAP leadership is not even ready to blink its eyes over the issues of corruption and promotion of criminals in the party," she said. Yamini said there was hardly any AAP leader who fulfilled the party's motto of not being involved in corruption and not having criminal record. "More than 70 per cent of the AAP volunteers, who had joined the party with an aim to see Punjab on roads of progress, are completely shattered with party leaders busy promoting their own vested interests", she said. Many more genuine people in AAP, who were feeling suffocated there, would join Congress fold in the coming days. Yamini, who contested 2014 Lok Sabha elections on AAP ticket, said no honest person who has the interests of Punjab in his heart can remain with AAP, given the complete moral bankruptcy of its leadership. She said the Congress could save the state and its people from doom. Both Nayyar and Sahni also backed Yamini, saying AAP was a party of "corrupt and greedy individuals who had no interest in the welfare of the people of Punjab." Meanwhile, a number of the BJP leaders from Doraha, also joined Congress. Prominent among them were Doraha BJP Mandal chief Rahul Bector, vice-president Anish Bector, secretary Varun Sharma and general secretary Anoop Bector, besides several Municipal Councillors and other BJP leaders. Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh.Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too AH Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 23, 2016 Pakistan's defence minister threatened Israel that his country could use nuclear weapons after a fake news report that his Israeli counterpart had threatened "nuclear retaliation" for Islamabad's role in Syria against ISIS, highlighting the serious problem proliferation of fake news poses.A report in the New York Times said a fake news story prompted Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to threaten to go nuclear.In a post on Twitter, Asif lashed at Israel after a false report - which the minister apparently believed - that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons."Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh," the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. "Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too."The NYT report said Asif appeared to be reacting to the fake news article published on awdnews.Com, which was titled 'Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack'.The article had appeared on the website on December 20, alongside articles with headlines like 'Clinton is staging a military coup against Trump'.The fake story about Israel even misidentified the country's defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. Israel's current minister of defence is Avigdor Lieberman.The Israeli Defence Ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious."The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said," the ministry wrote in Twitter post directed at Asif.The Israeli ministry added in a second post: "Reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false."The NYT report added that the proliferation of fake news stories, spread on social networks and produced by a variety of sources including pranksters, foreign governments and enterprising individuals who hope to receive advertising revenue by driving traffic to their websites, has become an increasingly serious problem.A North Carolina man was arrested this month after firing a gun at a Washington pizza parlour, because investigators said he was investigating claims in fake news articles that the pizzeria was at the center of a child sex slave ring linked to Hillary Clinton. Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday that he plans to dissolve the charitable foundation bearing his name in attempts to avoid a possible conflict of interest. "The Foundation has done enormous good works over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups, including supporting veterans, law enforcement officers and children," Xinhua news agency cited a statement by Trump. "However, to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as President I have decided to continue to pursue my strong interest in philanthropy in other ways," he said. Trump is under pressure to contain his various potential conflicts of interest related to his business and charitable dealings ahead of his inauguration on January 20. The New York-based foundation, which has given more than $13 million dollars to charity since it was founded, was originally set up to give away the proceeds from Trump's bestselling book "The Art of the Deal". A Washington Post investigation in June found that Trump had personally given his foundation $2.8 million of the book's proceeds over the past 15 years, and nothing since 2009. "I am very proud of the money that has been raised for many organisations in need, and I am also very proud of the fact that the Foundation has operated at essentially no cost for decades, with 100% of the money going to charity," Trump said. Kabul: Russia along with Pakistan and China will hold secretary-level trilateral talks in Moscow on December 27 about restoration of peace in Afghanistan, the media reported. "Russia is gravely concerned over expansion and growing influence of the Islamic State in Afghanistan and it wants to play an active role to bring different stakeholders to a negotiating table with reference to Afghanistan," said a statement by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Office. Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry will be representing the country at the Moscow talks, reported Tolo News on Sunday. Zamir Kabulov, Russia's Foreign Ministry's Director of the Second Asian Department, had earlier declared the Taliban a potent armed political power. He said that the Taliban and the Russian federation are bound by common ground in their campaign against the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Afghanistan. He also said that the US has no clear strategy in Afghanistan and it only has a military and political presence in the war-hit nation. Kabulov confirmed that Russia has been in contact with the Taliban, and said these contacts are aimed to ensure the security of Russian nationals political representatives in Afghanistan. Kabulov also expressed satisfaction over growing ties between Russia and Pakistan. India joins Russia in mourning the tragic loss of lives of Russian servicemen in the air crash today. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 25 December 2016 A Russian military plane carrying 92 people, including dozens of Red Army Choir singers, dancers and orchestra members, crashed into the Black Sea on its way to Syria on Sunday, killing everyone on board, Russian authorities said.The Russian Defence Ministry said one of its TU-154 Tupolev planes had disappeared from radar screens at 0525 MSK (7:55am IST), two minutes after taking off from Sochi in southern Russia, where it had stopped to refuel from Moscow, on its way to Syria.Major-General Igor Konashenkov, a ministry spokesman, told reporters that nobody had survived."The area of the crash site has been established. No survivors have been spotted," he said. An unnamed ministry source told Russian news agencies no life rafts had been found, while another source told the Interfax agency that the plane had not sent an SOS signal.In televised comments, President Vladimir Putin, speaking in St Petersburg, declared December 26 a national day of mourning.The jet, a Soviet-era Tupolev plane built in 1983, had been carrying 84 passengers and eight crew members.At least 60 were members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, better known internationally as the Red Army Choir, and were being flown out to Russia's Hmeymim air base in Syria to entertain troops in the run-up to the New Year.Nine Russian reporters were also on board as well as military servicemen.Konashenkov said fragments of the plane had been found at a depth of about 70 metres in the Black Sea about 1.5 km off the coast near the city of Sochi."The search operation is continuing," said Konashenkov. "Four ships, four helicopters, and a plane and a drone are working in the area," he said, saying a military commission had flown to Sochi to look into what happened.Six ships from Russia's Black Sea fleet were on their way to the crash site, and more than 100 divers were being drafted in to search the area along with a mini-submarine.Konashenkov said four bodies had been recovered from the sea. Russian news agencies cited a higher figure.Russia's RIA news agency, citing an unidentified security source, said preliminary information indicated that the plane had crashed because of a technical malfunction or a pilot error. Another source told Russian agencies that the possibility of a militant act had been ruled out. The weather had been good.Konashenkov said the plane had last been serviced in September and undergone more major repairs in December 2014. He said the pilot was experienced and that the plane had about 7,000 flying hours on its clock.According to the defence ministry's passenger manifest, Elizaveta Glinka, a member of Putin's advisory human rights council, was on the plane.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters it was too early to say what had caused the crash. Putin was being kept constantly informed of the latest developments, Peskov said.Russian military investigators said in a statement they had opened a criminal investigation into the crash.The Kremlin said Putin expressed his deepest condolences to those who had lost loved ones in the crash and ordered Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to head a government investigatory commission.Russia's Defence Ministry regularly flies musicians into Syria to put on concerts for military personnel. The base they were heading for, Hmeymim, is in Latakia province. It is from there that Russia launches air strikes against Syrian rebels.The last big TU-154 crash was in 2010 when a Polish jet carrying then-president Lech Kaczynski and much of Poland's political elite crashed in western Russia killing everyone on board.Russian news agencies cited Denis Manturov, the Russian Transport Minister, as saying on Sunday it was premature to talk about withdrawing the TU-154 from service.On December 19, a Russian military jet crashed in Siberia with 39 people on board as it tried to make an emergency landing near a Soviet-era military base. Nobody was killed in that incident, though 32 people were airlifted to hospital. To find out what you'll be eating if you order a "panzerotto," let's start with what it's not. "Beef Patty?...NO. Empananda?...NO. Calzone?...NO!" unequivocally states the website of Mr. Panzerotto, a new Greenwich Village shop serving the speciality. The fried dough has found itself the subject of the new MacDougal Street cafe, which serves nothing but the half-moon shaped treats stuffed with different fillings. The shop's run by Christian Francone, a native of Milan whose parents are from the Apulia region of Italy, where the panzerotto's said to have originated. Francone left a stint in law school to follow his passion and join in the family business: food. Named for the puffing of the dough after the fryerpanza translates to "belly" in Italian, like from eating too much fried doughthe panzerotto are similar to calzone in shape and fillings but are fried instead of baked. Francone said he spent six month perfecting his panzerotto recipe in his mother's kitchen, trying "every kind of flour" before settling on just the right combination. Tomato sauce and mozzarella are a classic combination for fillings, which are typically savory, but ingredients including ham and spinach are common, too. Francone's also offering vegan versions, stuffed with things like vegan cream cheese, and some sweet panzerotto, too, like one filled with Nutella and ricotta cheese and another with vegan yogurt and mixed berries. Mr. Panzerotto isn't the only place to find this Italian comfort food, but it's the only place making it their full-time job. "We hope to see people walking down the streets holding this favorite Italian classic," Francone tells us. And with all those students milling around looking for an inexpensive but filling meal, that's likely to be the case. 124 MacDougal Street; mrpanzerotto Washington: At least seven people were killed on Christmas eve due to sporadic violence across the US, officials said. In Wilson county, North Carolina, the local sheriff's office said four people were shot dead on Saturday evening, Xinhua news agency reported. The victims were identified as a mother and a son with their respective boyfriend and fiance. The motive behind the attack was not ascertained. In Memphis, Tennessee, a shooting near a supermarket resulted in one death and another is in critical condition. The shooting took place at a neighbourhood where frequent gang-related violence occurs. In Pearl, Mississippi, a shooting incident killed two and injured one. Local police said a 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, who were dating, were killed while the girl's father was injured. Police said the younger man was the suspected shooter and his fatal wound was self-inflicted. In Johnston, Rhode Island, what seemed to be a domestic dispute turn violent and led to the death of a girl. Police said the father of the girl, who sustained non-life-threatening stabbing wounds, was the suspected shooter. In a mall in Lynnwood, Washington, a man who was trying to break up a brawl was stabbed by one of the persons involved in the fight. Police have taken the 19-year-old perpetrator into custody. In St. Petersburg, Florida, police are looking into a double shooting that may have left one critically injured. Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that the UN vote demanding Israel halt settlements in Palestinian territory would make a peace deal "much harder," but said it could happen anyway. "The big loss yesterday for Israel in the United Nations will make it much harder to negotiate peace.Too bad, but we will get it done anyway!" Trump said in a message on Twitter. The UN vote Friday marked a stark turnabout in longstanding US custom at the world body. The Security Council passed the measure after the United States abstained, enabling the adoption of the first UN resolution since 1979 to condemn Israel over its settlement policy. By deciding not to veto the move, the US took a rare step that deeply angered Israel, which accused President Barack Obama of abandoning its closest Middle East ally in the waning days of his administration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the resolution as a "shameful blow against Israel at the United Nations." Trump, who campaigned on a promise to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, had bluntly said Thursday that Washington should use its veto to block the resolution. "As the United States has long maintained, peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians will only come through direct negotiations between the parties, and not through the imposition of terms by the United Nations," he said in a statement. Trump has chosen as ambassador to Israel the hardliner David Friedman, who has said Washington will not pressure Israel to curtail settlement building in the occupied West Bank. Mosul: A total of 97 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed on Sunday in heavy clashes with the security forces and an air strike by the US-led coalition aircraft in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. The soldiers of the Ninth Armoured Division repelled attacks by dozens of IS militants and suicide car bombs on the recently-freed neighbourhood of al-Intisar, al-Shaima and al-Salam in southeastern Mosul, leaving 51 militants killed and destroying four suicide car bombs, Xinhua news agency quoted a statement by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command as saying. Another IS attack occurred on the positions of the federal police, just south of Mosul, but they repelled the attack, killing 21 militants and destroying two suicide car bombs, the statement said. Also on Sunday, based on intelligence reports an international coalition warplane conducted an air strike on a building in al-Wahda neighbourhood, where many IS militants in hiding were preparing for an attack on the security forces, leaving some 25 militants killed, according to the statement. The Iraqi forces continued during the day their clearing operations in the freed neighbourhoods in the eastern side of Mosul, locally known as the left bank of the Tigris which bisects the city. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on October 17 announced a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city. Since then, the Iraqi security forces, backed by international coalition forces, have inched to the eastern fringes of Mosul and made progress on other routes around the city. Mosul has been under the IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled. APPOMATTOX Amy Covington will mark Christmas today in her new home. The three-bedroom ranch was built atop the site of her old house, wiped away in a matter of minutes by the tornado that swept through Appomattox County in February. Theres a Christmas tree in her living room, twinkling with blue and white lights, and stockings hung by the fireplace. Her son Daniel Poole put up the tree a week before they moved into the new home three weeks ago. She plans to attend services today at Liberty Baptist Church, and later, her extended family and all three of her children Jake, Daniel and Sarah will come by for Christmas dinner. Home. Church. Family. What matters most. For Covington that is, perhaps, the legacy of the February twister. I think that she has found strength in God, said Stacie Swan, a close friend. Shes done a good job [recovering], even though she might not think that. *** The Covington house on Cub Creek Road was one of nearly four dozen homes that suffered major damage Feb. 24 as the tornado, with winds up to 165 mph, left a path of destruction 13 miles long and 400 yards wide. Covington was at Appomattox Primary School, where she works in the office. Daniel, 17, was home with a fever, and Sarah, 12, was at Appomattox Middle School. Daniel rode out the storm in a basement closet with painter Chris Wright while the tornado raged above him. When they emerged, all that remained of the home was a pile of debris. Family and friends, including her son Jake, 24, who had moved out of the house a few years ago, converged on the destroyed house to dig out Covingtons belongings and keepsakes. All told, 202 homes were damaged in the tornado, according to Appomattox County. The total damage to the county is estimated at $11.2 million. In the following 10 months, 16 homes have been rebuilt, including the Covingtons, with another dozen or so on the way. The majority of the damage to Evergreen could be fixed with manageable home repairs like nailing shingles, rebuilding a shed or removing stumps of fallen trees. Weeks after the tornado, the county brought more than 1,830 tons of debris to the regional landfill in Campbell County more than 25 percent of Appomattoxs deposits in the landfill for the entire fiscal year. The Region 2000 Services Authority, which oversees the landfill, reimbursed the county $52,640 in disposal fees, one of the few allotments Appomattox County has received despite the millions of dollars in estimated damages. Along with the homes, two churches that suffered damage from the twister also have managed to make progress in recovery. Central Baptist Church has raised almost $150,000 to rebuild its sanctuary, heavily damaged by the tornado. Insurance money also will contribute to the rebuilding, which is expected to be done by May. The storm wrecked the roof at Evergreen United Methodist Church; the congregation held services in the basement until a few months ago, when the roof was repaired. The only fatality in Evergreen from the tornado, Edward Keith Harris, 78, attended Evergreen UMC and sat in the same pew most Sundays. *** When Covingtons new house was merely a skeleton and a dream, back in August, she walked around the site with builder Seth Good and son Daniel as they marked on the plywood floor with pencil where lights and cabinets would go. At the end of the tour, Good said best-case scenario was the house would be done in October. If the house was not done, Covington jokingly said, Im going to call and say, Seth, you said October! Its October! A few minutes later, she realized all the preparation that still needed to be done to furnish the house. That estimate was much sooner than the January deadline originally set when the house was just a set of plans, back in May. Shopping for all the appliances, furniture and lights was a different kind of experience for Covington, who is divorced. She didnt have to ask anyones opinion. She built the first house with then-husband Bob Poole in 2006. I dont have to ask anyone, Do you like this? Do you like this? Its all me, she said, smiling, while picking out lights at Farmville Wholesale Electric about two months before move-in day. While the new house will be completely to her preferences, she said losing the old home, now in pieces in the landfill, was a struggle. It was completely destroyed. [My sister said] I cannot believe you have such a positive attitude; youre standing here and laughing about it. I said, What else can you do? Covington said. God did me a favor. He got rid of memories I could not get rid of myself. *** Covington was fortunate she had insurance to reimburse her for the value of her house and its contents and to cover rent at her temporary home. About half of the Appomattox properties damaged by the tornado were uninsured or underinsured, officials have said. With the denial of Virginias application for Federal Emergency Management Agency dollars to help cover some of the costs incurred by the tornado-recovery effort, the county is hoping to hear in the coming weeks about an application for nearly $1 million in a Virginia Department of Housing Urgent Need Community Development Block Grant. The Appomattox County Long-Term Recovery Group, a coalition of volunteers from churches and area nonprofits as well as county government officials, has collaborated with the Region 2000 Local Government Council in seeking the grant. The application for $973,265 is earmarked for six houses that need to be built and to repair another 10 damaged houses. A portion of that money also will go to community cleanup like stump removal as well as needs. First priority for the funding would be uninsured and underinsured families, with eligibility determined on a case-by-case basis and evaluated by Region 2000. In the meantime, the long-term recovery group has contributed to four home rebuilds. They are under construction now. Several more are planned. The average cost per rebuild is $65,000 using volunteer labor, according to the groups chairman, Adam Tyler. Its a handful. Part of that is it just took forever for people to hear back from insurance, said Tyler, who also is a pastor at Grace Hills Baptist Church in Appomattox. The group has amassed about $128,178 in donations to help survivors with tasks or items not covered by anything else. It has spent $62,100 and still has 23 home rebuilds for which it plans assistance. As of December, it has served 123 households with stump removal, furniture, donations, housing assistance, referrals, repairs, rebuilding or providing volunteer labor. The people are supporting one another, the community as a whole is very supportive I think the community is starting to recover, Tyler said. Christmas is a tough time, it doesnt have to be the loss of a person, and people are going to need to support one another in this season. Along with the long-term recovery group, the disaster recovery arm of the United Methodist Church also has been instrumental in county recovery efforts. Forrest White, long-term recovery manager and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission coordinator, said his group has been working on a variety of projects from newly constructed houses to small repairs in Evergreen. They have trained case managers who evaluate those who apply for help. UMC only works with disaster survivors who are uninsured or underinsured and does not repair or rebuild second or vacation homes. UMC has 14 cases it still is working on and has helped two families rebuild their homes. It handed over the keys to one of them, Patty Bryant, two weeks ago. Her father, Edward Keith Harris, died in the tornado. As a church, we believe thats what we are called to do, to be alongside people who have experienced any kind of loss, White said. Anyone in that community has experienced loss; even if you didnt lose property, theres an anxiety factor a dark cloud. *** On Dec. 10, move-in day, Covington, her three children and several members of Liberty Baptist Church gathered at the new house. The lot has fewer trees now, a more open landscape that is a reminder of the tornado. Covington ordered new trees from the Virginia Department of Forestry that should be in place by early 2017. They all joined in prayer with Pastor Rusty Small to bless the new home. Sometimes its a mystery to us, why we deal with heartache, sorrow I grow closer to you [God] in tragedy, he said in a prayer. Knowing you took care of Amy and her family [after] they have put their faith in you and never wavered. Thank you. The land they stood on, he noted, had been through devastation, with numerous concerns for property and life. We thank you that homes can be rebuilt, properties remade, and these lives that are still with us, Smalls said. Earlier that week, as movers came in and out, Covington stood in her new bedroom, now on the opposite side of the house from where it was in the original home. She was worried all the furniture would not fit because all three bedrooms were built smaller than before. I have small bedrooms but hey, I have a house, she said. I like this one better because its me. In the olden days before he let loose on Twitter, Donald J. Trump called Howard Sterns radio show and let loose. In June 1999, Trump confided on air that his daughter Ivanka, then 17, had made him swear he wouldnt date anyone younger than she was. As she grows older, the field is getting very limited, the twice-married billionaire joked. A few months later, Trump, 53, was dating a beautiful Slovenian model named Melania Knauss, 26, less than half his age but old enough to meet his daughters rule, and he reportedly was exploring a White House bid. Bad boy Stern had Trump and Knauss by phone on his program and asked her what she was wearing. Not much, she replied. The conversation went downhill from there. Asked soon afterwards about her boyfriends comments on their relationship, Knauss told feature writer Joyce Wadler of The New York Times: Its the man thing, thats how the man talks. Sound familiar? The prescient Wadler wrote: Is Mr. Trump a lucky billionaire or what? Hes got a woman who does not simply stand by her man but over him. (Five feet 10 inches, but over six feet in her spiky Manolo Blahniks) ... she has done Vogue covers in Europe. She also speaks four languages. Who she is, beyond that, is difficult to say, for speaking with Ms. Knauss is like speaking with a huge, shimmering bubble. Shes light, shes fun, shes exceptionally wonderful to look at; two hours later you walk away and the conversation disappears into the air. Pop! If anything substantial was said, it is difficult to recall. She might, in other words, be the perfect political spouse. The frothy story ended with what newspapers called a kicker a surprise revelation. In this case, it was a preposterous question: What would Melanias role be as first lady if she and her boyfriend ever did end up in the White House? Knauss didnt laugh or blow it off. I would be very traditional. Like Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy, she said. I would support him. Trump married his third wife in 2005, and their son Barron was born in 2006, the same year she became a United States citizen. Most Americans trace Trumps political debut to his escalator ride in June 2015 and fail to consider his long game, that he was turning over the possibility of the presidency, even as a lark, in 1999. The Trump family will be White House-bound in less than a month. Well, he will be. Melania Trump and Barron are staying in New York until the end of the school year. Her full-time job is as mom, she says. Ivanka Trump, now 36, and her husband Jared Kushner, parents of three, are house-hunting in Washington. She may have an office in the East Wing and may stand in as first lady on social occasions. By any measure, the Trump presidency will be unlike others. But Melania Trump and all first ladies must cope with one immutable truth: The presidency is hard on families. The next family that comes in here every person in that family, every child, every grandchild their lives will be turned upside down in a way that no American really understands, first lady Michelle Obama told Oprah Winfrey last week on CBS. The Obamas were fierce warriors for Hillary Clinton, but they have shown extreme grace since the election, vowing to help the Trumps however they can. Donald Trump, rarely generous toward Obama, has praised the president and first lady for their kindness. So, it was jarring to see Michelle Obama tell Winfrey: Now we are feeling what not having hope feels like. That comment from an advance clip was newsworthy because she was speaking for millions of disappointed voters. When the full program aired later, however, it was clear that the current first lady has compassion for the next. You really dont know what you dont know until youre here, Obama said she told Melania Trump. My door is open. Michelle Obama said of first families: Its not for us to complain about it. So you dont hear complaints. But it is a a truth, an actuality, that there is a weight to it. Mercer writes from Washington. Email her at marsha.mercer@yahoo.com. 2016 Marsha Mercer. All rights reserved. In 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the famous poet, was in despair. America was ripping itself apart in the Civil War. Longfellows son, Charles, had enlisted in the Union army against the wishes of his father, who feared for his life. In November, the younger Longfellow was severely wounded in battle in Virginia and was sent home to Boston where his father was caring for him. Life was difficult enough for Longfellow, who was already caring for his beloved wife who had been horribly burned in a house fire in 1861. In the midst of all this national and personal pain, Longfellow began to question everything, even whether God was benevolent or existed at all. Wandering the streets of Boston on Christmas Day 1863, Longfellow was despondent, hurting to the depths of his soul, when he heard the bells of a church pealing. And in those peals, Longfellow heard a message that restored his faith. Back home, he put pen to paper and wrote the poem Christmas Bells, which several years later became the carol I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. Their message? Peace on Earth. Good will to men. The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail. Today, 153 years after Longfellow wrote his simple poem, we in America today need to hear the message of the bells once again. A long, contentious and divisive presidential campaign has laid bare racial, economic and class divisions in our society. Friendships have ended because of support for one candidate or the other. Families, even, have split along political fault lines. On the world stage, the threat of terrorism again raises its specter and strikes fear into the hearts of millions of people. A Berlin Christmas market attacked. An assassination in Istanbul. Suicide bombings in Cairo and Baghdad. Its as though civilization itself is crumbling before our eyes. And in despair, I bowed my head; There is no peace on earth, I said, For hate is strong And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Except that its not, not if we refuse to let the darkness overcome the light. Whether one is a believer or not, the fundamental message of Christmas is that darkness, evil and discord cannot and will not douse the light, the good and the harmony of our world. In the seeming darkness of these days, a light has shined, piercing the clouds of despair in which the world seems to be engulfed. And the darkness has not overcome it. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men. Rowley: Crime remains top priority While I acknowledge that we are witnessing unacceptable levels of misconduct on the part of some of our citizens in our country today, I also give you the assurance that Government continues to make the issue of crime prevention our highest priority, he said in his Christmas message. He continued: I and my Cabinet colleagues, along with the members of the National Security Council, the Police Service and the Defence Force, are taking all the necessary steps and exploring all the avenues that are available to us, to ensure the safety and comfort of the citizens of this country. He made the comments as the murder toll stood at 450 nearing years end. He pointed out that in his Christmas message last year he noted 2016 may prove to be a challenging year for us in Trinidad and Tobago. He continued: But I also acknowledged that, as a people, we have an incredible spirit of resourcefulness and resilience which would allow us to overcome any difficulties in our path. I am truly heartened to say that as a nation we have stayed the course, making the sacrifices that have become necessary to ensure that we emerge from this period of adjustment stronger and more prosperous. He explained the religious traditions of the Christmas period ask the Christian community to put unconditional trust in Gods plan of salvation __ that a child would be sent to grow and live among ordinary people and would teach love, sacrifice and forgiveness. As we celebrate this festive occasion, in that same spirit of love and care, I ask you to spare a thought for our regional and international neighbours still overcoming the impact of ongoing conflicts and environmental disasters, he advised. Rowley noted the members of local communities __ most recently Matelot, Madamas, Brasso Seco __ who are rebuilding their homes and lives following unanticipated and uncharacteristic climatic conditions. He advised, let us continue to demonstrate our compassion for our brothers and sisters in need by sharing what we have with those who have lost their homes and other belongings during the year. He also asked that we keep in our prayers the families who have lost loved ones through violent or other unfortunate circumstances. To you, I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences. May the hope that this season symbolizes give you the courage to move forward, in spite of your loss, trusting in the love and power of God, he added. He called on each citizen, each family and each community to remain optimistic about the future of our country. Moving into the new year, I want all of us in Trinidad and Tobago to focus on the positive developments that are taking place for our country __ our collaboration with the Government of Venezuela to access natural gas for our downstream industries; the imminent proclamation of the procurement legislation; Governments move to enact whistle-blower protection legislation; the streamlining of the primary school curriculum; improvement of our healthcare delivery systems, the re-modelling of Governments housing construction programme and our new thrust in re-shaping the tourism product we offer to the visitors to our shores, he said. All of these initiatives are designed to uplift our country and position us as a thriving, advanced and progressive nation, he added. He advised citizens to resolve to make 2017 a year of peace, productivity and prosperity. Shoppers out, few buying However, most retailers said that for this Christmas Eve, and in fact the Christmas season, while sales were brisk, it was slower than previous years. This was evident by the comparatively small number of shoppers out yesterday. In fact, one Diego Martin man commented that, while there was a lot of vehicular traffic, the pedestrian traffic was less than on a normal Saturday in the city. Diane Perry, a hairdresser from DAbadie, said she shops on Christmas Eve every year and she expressed shock at the scant number of shoppers in town yesterday. Christmas Eve usually has a whole lot of shoppers in town. I dont know if people dont have the money or dont have the Christmas spirit this year because truly, Im not feeling it in towns atmosphere at all, she stated. The manager of Miguel Moses on Queen Street said she did not know if it was the fear of being a victim of crime, or the fact that many people lost their jobs this year, but not only were there less customers than previous years, but those customers were buying less. Rhonda Williams, a street vendor selling Bath and Body Works products, said she believed this years Christmas Eve sales were slow because people were watching their budget due to the recession. She noted her more expensive products were not selling and most people were reaching for the cheapest. People are looking for deals. I noticed they would ask the prices, check other places and then come back to buy, but still mostly the single bottles or smaller packages, she said. Usually, two weeks before Christmas and up to Christmas Day, the minute people get their bonus, its so crowded that our sales reps dont get a break. But look at it today (yesterday), we have lots of people available, exclaimed a supervisor at the Wonderful Worlds Frederick Street branch. A vendor selling toys on Charlotte Street said he believed he would return to sell his toys today (Christmas Day), as he felt many would remain on his hands. He said while yesterdays rainy weather affected sales, he believed citizens were not in the mood to celebrate Christmas this year. However, it seemed to be business as usual for Excellent City Centre on Independence Square. A supervisor told Sunday Newsday there was a line of customers waiting outside the doors when employees arrived to prepare for the stores 8 am opening. She also described the customer traffic as normal for Christmas Eve as most people come in to buy last minute home accessories or gift wrapping items when they were finished shopping for gifts. We rely on your support to make local news available to all Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today Baby boy dies in freak accident Official reports suggest that about 8.10 pm, 13-month-old Zion Alleyne was crushed by a reversing Community Comfort Patrol van. Senior Superintendent Joanne Archie told Sunday Newsday the boy and his father were said to have been outside talking to the occupants of the vehicle and the toddler was last seen standing next to his father. She said when the driver of the vehicle began to reverse onto the roadway, there was a loud thump, following which they soon realised that the toddler had been hit. As a result, he was rushed to the Scarborough General Hospital and then airlifted to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Trinidad, where he died while undergoing emergency surgery yesterday morning. Investigations are ongoing. Bartlett: Sando vending chaotic Earlier this week, San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello relaxed the vending policy to allow vendors the chance to sell on the street. Bartlett yesterday described High Street as very chaotic and noted neither the municipal police nor national police could control what is going on on High Street. They cannot, its just too much for them to handle, because one of the ministers gave permission for people to break the law on High Street in San Fernando, so if a minister is giving that opportunity for people to break the law what do you expect for all those bandits around, they would say it is a free for all, Bartlett said. I think we have to careful that we dont degenerate into a banana republic where anything goes, she said, adding, and I always say if we maintain law and order, things would go very well in the country. Bartlett described sales for business owners as very slow saying the anticipated last minute rush had not materialized with persons purchasing the very minimum in gifts. We are not seeing the expected increase in sales, it is still very slow, Bartlett said, I mean I am in the second city of the country, San Fernando and one would have thought that people would rush to do their last minute purchases, but we are not seeing that at all, we are just seeing people buying barely the minimum, gifts, probably the very main one, and purchasing small and inexpensive gifts, she said, adding, remember we in San Fernando cater for the poor people, we are not in the mall, so it has not picked up as had anticipated. We are looking forward to a better 2017 with more law and order, not just anything goes. Silent Victims And there are also anecdotal stories of pet owners ill treating their pets as well as numerous reports about cruelty to animals made to the T&T Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA) and the local Veterinary Association. And while there is legislation against animal cruelty local NGOs and other stakeholders have described it as archaic and ineffective and called for it be amended. Sita Kuruvilla, former TTSPCA president of the and member of the management committee of the Animal Welfare Network (AWN), described the legislation as so minimal and added that there was very little history of any action being taken. Kuruvilla reported that a few years ago an Animal Welfare Working Group was formed to work on an animal welfare act for this country and included representatives from the Veterinary Association, TTSPCA and Animal Welfare Network. She said, however, that it fell by the wayside. Section 79 (1) of the Summary Offences Act states, Any person who cruelly beats, ill-treats, starves, overdrives, overrides, overloads, abuses, tortures, or otherwise maltreats any animal is liable to a fine of four hundred dollars or to imprisonment for two months. Attorney Bijili Lalla pointed out that the current act treats the animal as a working animal though dogs and cats included. The legislation has not come up to speed with todays society, she stressed. She said the difficulty was that while someone can ring up the police and say someone is treating an animal cruelly and the police can come and apprehend the offender and penalise him there is no provision for removal of the animal. She said that in law an animal is still considered property and you cannot take away someones property. She said other societies such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia have moved forward from viewing animals as property to having a right to basic necessities and the human is their guardian. President of the Trinidad and Tobago Veterinary Association, Dr Nicholas McKenzie, said the association is of the view that the legislation is terribly outdated and inadequate. One of many, many, many laws in this country in general that are very outdated and need to be revamped, he stressed. Returning to the legislation regarding animal cruelty McKenzie also described it as archaic and the penalties as ridiculous. Four hundred dollars is not going to stop anybody from hurting an animal, he added. He reported that the association receives a lot of calls about people being cruel to animals and not only domestic pets but horses and farm animals like chickens. He said there were viral videos of a man in a forest kicking a dog repeatedly and also of people strapping scratch bombs to animals and causing fatal injuries but more common than that is everyday neglect and cruelty. People not taking care of (pets). They are chained up in a yard, not fed for three or four days. That is tremendous cruelty, he lamented. McKenzie said this behaviour goes unchecked and unpunished. He referred to the quote by India independence activist Mahatma Gandhi, the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. McKenzie said that the law served its purpose 50 years ago but the legislation should be amended to have longer jail sentences and a very hefty time. But even with an archaic law and low penalties is Section 79 regularly enforced? Kuruvilla said she was aware of one or two cases over the years and she believes charges were laid. When the TTS PCA get reports it is usually for neglect of animals - half starved, tied up for long periods, lots of puppies - and they would try to use moral suasion with the owners. They do not, however, have the authority to remove the animals. Kuruvilla said when the owners are violent or aggressive they try to refer to the police and at times officers will accompany them. By and large police have other priorities. Either they dont know or not interested. It depends on whether the individual officer is interested, she said. McKenzie explained that vets can by law contact law enforcement and use police officers to go to premises and lay charges and they have done that. He said this is done sometimes as a scare tactic. Lalla said a difficulty was that it was not an important issue and there are other crimes which the public are more concerned about. She also said they have to get police to recognise that protecting a non-human being is worth spending time on. The question we ask is how to make animal rights important (to people)? she added. She said another problem is that animal welfare currently falls under multiple Government ministries when it shall fall under one, with the most logical choice being agriculture. Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat, speaking with Sunday Newsday in November at an honorary game warden induction at Caroni, said animal cruelty does not strictly fall under his ministry but of course the ministry has a responsibility across the board for animals. He pointed out the NGO Animals Alive is partly funded by the ministry. He said the beautiful facility is located in South Oropouche and care for stray animals. He reported that it supports a number of regional organisations and its good work and the type of work we want to encourage. So far I have not given consideration to how we can afford further protection to domestic animals. It is something of course I am prepared to consider and make the appropriate recommendations to the Cabinet, he said. On establishing animal cops locally, Rambharat pointed out that game wardens perform functions similar to animal cops abroad and they can go into the places where people keep pets. He said if there is expansion of regulations it will be game wardens who would be empowered to deal with those. On the legislation he said that it is not just about increased fines but also education, information and enforcement. On whether this country needs animal cops as obtains in the United States, Lalla said even before that we need to change peoples mindset and this she described as the greatest hurdle. She said both TTS PCA and AW N have been working to propose legislation and have pulled examples from different jurisdictions. She said it was just sitting there to be taken and adapted for Trinidad and Tobago. McKenzie reported his association is working on it and there are a number of laws under review. When the laws are changed people will think much longer and harder before acting out on an animal, he stressed Get the news faster. Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster. Click here to install our app on your desktop. X (Newser) Pope Francis has wished Christmas peace for people scarred by wars and those who lost loved ones to terrorism that he says is sowing "fear and death" in many cities and countries, reports the AP. Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica Sunday, Francis cited those suffering through the Syrian war, especially during the "most awful battles" in Aleppo. He pressed the international community for a negotiated solution. The pontiff emphasized the plight of children, notes the Journal, with a strong reference to abortion. "Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons," he said, urging Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ "authentically." The pontiff urged Israelis and Palestinians to abandon hate and revenge. He also lamented that in Nigeria "fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children," a reference to child suicide-bombers. He decried conflicts and tensions in Africa, eastern Ukraine, Myanmar, the Korean peninsula, Colombia, and Venezuela. Tens of thousands of faithful entering St. Peter's Square endured long lines for security checks. Sunday marked Francis' fourth Christmas message as pope. (Read more Pope Francis stories.) (Newser) A heavy cold is keeping Queen Elizabeth II from attending the traditional Christmas morning church service near her Sandringham estate in rural Norfolk, England. It is extremely rare for Elizabeth to miss the service, which is a cornerstone of the royal family's Christmas celebrations and brings the monarch into contact with local residents who gather outside for a glimpse of her. "The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery," Buckingham Palace said in a statement, per the AP. "Her Majesty will participate in the royal family Christmas celebrations during the day." Those festivities usually include a gala lunch. In past years, the royal family would often go for extended walks in the countryside. It's the first time the queen has missed Christmas services since 1988, reports the Guardian. Elizabeth has been in generally good health and has maintained an active schedule in the last year despite traveling less often than in the past. Her husband, 95-year-old Prince Philip, has also cut back his public schedule and charitable works. He was also suffering from a heavy cold earlier in the week, but was well enough to attend Christmas services in Sandringham. Earlier this week, the royal couple delayed their departure from London because of their colds but traveled one day later than expected, using a helicopter instead of a train. The royal family received some sad news Saturday, when it was revealed that the queen's granddaughter, Zara Tindall, had suffered a miscarriage while expecting her second child with husband Mike Tindall. Prince William and his wife Kate, along with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, are celebrating Christmas with Kate's parents. (Read more Queen Elizabeth II stories.) Names and faces Bank of the Rockies, NA has announced that Sharla Samuels, office manager of our Helena office, has graduated from the Montana Bankers Association Executive Development Program, which is based off the Pacific Coast Banking School. This is a 12-month program that met once a month to cover banking and leadership skills. The program focused on developing a solid understanding of the industry and the skills necessary to lead banks and communities into the future. Samuels has been with the bank for more than 10 years. *** D.A. Davidson & Co. has named four financial advisers to its Chairmans Council and Presidents Club, the companys most prestigious honors organizations. All four qualified for the distinctions based on their integrity, strong business practices and client-first focus and, by earning the honors, can become involved in the direction and philosophy of the company. The four are: Daniel Trost , senior vice president, financial adviser, named to the Chairmans Council; , senior vice president, financial adviser, named to the Chairmans Council; Molly Mosness , senior vice president, financial adviser, named to the Chairmans Council; , senior vice president, financial adviser, named to the Chairmans Council; Sarah Scott , senior vice president, financial adviser, named to the Presidents Club; and , senior vice president, financial adviser, named to the Presidents Club; and Brent Rehm, senior vice president, financial adviser, branch manager, named to the Presidents Club. All work within D.A. Davidsons Individual Investor Group to help clients create investment strategies for reaching their financial goals and preserving their wealth for future generations. They are among 10 financial advisers working alongside clients from D.A. Davidsons office in Helena. *** Robert J. Morrison, president and CEO of Morrison-Maierle, a Helena-based multi-disciplinary engineering firm, has announced that as of Jan. 1, 2017, he will step down from his position in the company. The firm has named Scott Murphy as its eighth president/CEO. Morrisons new role will fill several functions at Morrison-Maierle. With the acquisition of three firms in 2016, the company has grown significantly in the number of employees, office locations and projects. He will serve as the interim chief operating officer, assist with several quality assurance/quality control initiatives, and perform some internal project management training development to continue improving the companys project delivery processes. The companys operations managers will also report to him and he will remain as a member of the companys corporate leadership team. Murphy has been with Morrison-Maierle since 1998 and has held various leadership positions since 2000 when he became the Helena Office Municipal Group Supervisor. With B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering from Montana State University, he is currently a company vice president who oversees the management of the companys eight market groups and client services throughout its 12 offices in Montana, Wyoming, Washington, and Arizona. Awards and honors Montana Department of Revenue honored The team responsible for an extensive software upgrade at the Montana Department of Revenue received a State IT Recognition Award at the annual Government IT Conference this month in Helena. State Chief Information Officer Ron Baldwin presented the award to project team members Robert Finstad and Lindsey Henderson. Finstad is the departments chief applications officer and Henderson is a project manager for FAST Enterprises. The awards honor innovation and excellence in state government information technology. The Revenue Department won in the category of collaboration and partnership for its developer mentoring and training, and GenTax software upgrade. GenTax is the software that the department uses to administer the state tax system. To assure quality and effectiveness, the department must convert to a new version. News and notes Applications sough for Specialty Crop Block Grants The Montana Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for an estimated $1.3 million in federal funding available through the Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program. This competitive grant program is designed to expand markets for Montana specialty crops. Montanas SCBG program is available for projects solely enhancing the competitiveness of Montana specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, peas, and lentils, as well as horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Eligible projects include education, marketing, improving distribution systems, development of good agricultural practices, pest and disease control, variety development, and improving production practices. Technical assistance calls will be held on Feb. 1 and 15, 2017. For more information, visit agr.mt.gov/SpecialtyCropBlockGrants. Grant proposals are due to the Montana Department of Agriculture by 5 p.m. MST on Feb. 22, 2017. For more information, eligibility guidelines, technical assistance and resources, visit scbg.mt.gov or contact Jim Auer, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Manager, at 444-5424. For more information on the Montana Department of Agriculture, visit www.agr.mt.gov. *** Guidelines The IR welcomes reports of hiring, promotions, awards, recognition, learning opportunities and other news from local companies and nonprofits. We accept press releases and photos (digital images at 300 dpi or more are preferred, but we can also use regular photos; we dont guarantee return of these). There is no charge for items appearing in the Business Briefcase. Items are run on a space-available basis, and we reserve the right to edit and use information as we see fit. The deadline is Tuesday at noon to be considered for publication the following Sunday. (Newser) A 7.7 earthquake thundered through southern Chile on Sunday, shaking an earthquake-prone region and prompting the government to issue a preventative tsunami warning, reports the AP. The USGS says the temblor was centered about 25 miles southwest of Puerto Quellon at a depth of 10 miles. "As a measure of precaution, we order the evacuation of coastal areas of Biobio, Araucania, Los Rios, Aysen," said an alert put out by Chile's national emergency office. "I've lived for 10 years in the south and never felt something like that," a resident of Puerto Quellon tells the BBC; residents of that town were among those evacuating. (Read more Chile earthquake stories.) (Newser) If 2016 is the year of the fake news story, then it's ending in appropriate fashion: One bogus story has just led to a veiled threat of nuclear retaliation. As the Times of Israel explains, the craziness began when a fake news site, AWD News, ran a fake story in which an Israeli official accuses Pakistan of meddling in Syria and warns that Israel would attack Islamabad with nuclear weapons in response. One clue it's a fake story: The Israeli official quoted is named as defense minister Yoshe Ma'alon, but he left the post months ago. However, this did not deter Pakistani defense chief Khawaja Mohammad Asif, who responded to the fake nuclear threat with a tweet that sounds uncomfortably close to a real one: Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh. Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too." Israel's defense ministry tweeted back that the story is "entirely false," reports the New York Times. Pakistan hasn't yet responded. This, however, isn't Asif's first threat regarding his country's nuclear arsenal. In September, he warned that Pakistan would consider using tactical nuclear weapons against India if it were threatened by its neighbor, reported the Times of India. For the record, Israel maintains a policy of what the AP terms "nuclear ambiguity:" It has neither confirmed nor denied that it has such an arsenal. (A gunman opened fire in a DC pizzeria over a bogus news story.) (Newser) Carrie Fisher remains hospitalized after suffering a heart attack, but she is in stable condition, her mother tweeted Sunday. "If there is a change, we will share it," wrote actress Debbie Reynolds. "For all her fans & friends. I thank you for your prayers & good wishes." The 60-year-old Fisher was in the ICU of the UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest Friday on a flight from London to Los Angeles. The "cardiac incident" happened shortly before the plane was to land, reports CNN. Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill was among those offering support online Sunday, tweeting images of himself and Fisher from years ago. (Read more Carrie Fisher stories.) Many have been alarmed when Ebola struck West Africa a few years ago. To make matters worse, there was no cure and vaccine which resulted to 11,000 deaths. The infected population grew to nearly 30,000. Fortunately, a development in science has made the epidemic impossible to happen again. A newly developed vaccine against was discovered Ebola: a vaccine that can bring its end, scientists report Thursday in The Lancet. "We were able to estimate the efficacy of the vaccine as being 100 percent in a trial," says Ira Longini, a biostatistician at the University of Florida, who helped test the vaccine. "It's very unusual to have a vaccine that protects people perfectly." However, the efficacy of the vaccine is clearly high but not 100 percent. That value reflects the fact that the vaccine has not yet been tested on an enough number people. This means it is likely to decrease as the vaccine is used over time. In the end, the efficacy is likely to sit somewhere between about 70 percent and 100 percent, Longini says. That is a significant progress given the fact that the flu vaccine last year was about 50 percent effective, according to The Washington Post. On the other hand, Ebola vaccine works within four or five days, he says. With the speedy effect, it can be injected to a person who has been exposed to Ebola but has not yet developed the disease. The initial testing of the vaccine was conducted on about 4,000 people in Guinea back in 2015, when Ebola was still spreading. These people were at high risk of getting Ebola because they had contact with someone who was infected. Those who got the vaccine right away were completely protected and did not develop the sickness, according to NPR. The vaccine - called rVSV-ZEBOV - however, has not yet been approved yet by either the World Health Organization or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is expected to be approved in 2018. The vaccine offers short-term protection during outbreaks. For this reason, GAVI - the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization - expenses have reached $5 million to help finish the development of the vaccine and to stockpile it. "So we have made 300,000 doses available, as of earlier this year, if there was to be sort of any resurgence or any kind of emergency," says Swati Gupta at Merck, which is manufacturing the shot. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 7F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 7F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%. New Delhi : Taking further the clean India drive, Ministry of Urban Development has launched a toilet locator app to assist people to find clean public washrooms. Google Toilet Locator app unveiled by Minister of Urban Development, M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday is developed and designed by Google and will also be Google Maps assistive. The app currently supports two locations for now- Delhi NCR and Madhya Pradesh. It will make available information about as many as thousands of public toilets around the area. On the launch event, Naidu also revealed that 504 cities and town have till now achieved free of open defecation status and around 739 more cities have made a commitment to achieve the status by March 2017. With a listing covering almost every area of the Delhi NCR including Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad, while the cities of Bhopal and Indore are listed under Madhya Pradesh category. The Urban Development Ministry in partnership with Google will work closely together to keep adding the data location regarding opening hours and address of over 4,000 public and communal washrooms. Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Sikkim are the three states which have announced that all of its cities and towns are Open Defection Free (ODF), while Kerala is expected to become Open Defection Free by March 2018, Naidu informed. This service will be accessible to users in two languages- Hindi and English. Toilets on the app are also accessible through Desktop apart from the mobile application. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Beijing: Chinas first public-private partnership (PPP) funded high-speed railway project with an investment of USD 6.46 billion has started construction in eastern province of Zhejiang, official media reported on Saturday. The 269-km-long Hangzhou-Taizhou Intercity Passenger Line has a total investment of 44.9 billion yuan (USD 6.46 billion) with private capital contributing 51 per cent of the investment. Private investors including Fosun Group, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and Wanfeng Auto Holding Group will have a 30 year franchise period, with four years for construction and 26 years for operation. Local governments will offer subsidies to ensure the projects smooth operation, and take ownership of the project after the franchise expires, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Giving holding status to private investors helps improve the projects management and operation and encourages more private enterprises to invest in infrastructure development, said Xu Kunlin, head of the investment department of the National Development and Reform Commission. Over 1,000 PPPs, with a total investment of about 1.8 trillion yuan, have been inked so far this year, with private firms playing the leading role, the report said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump has said that the UN vote demanding Israel halt settlements in Palestinian territory would make a peace deal much harder, but said it could happen anyway. The big loss yesterday (Friday) for Israel in the United Nations will make it much harder to negotiate peace. Too bad, but we will get it done anyway! Trump said in a message on Twitter. The UN vote Friday marked a stark turnabout in longstanding US custom at the world body. Also read | UN passes resolution to end Israeli settlements in Palestine as US abstains The Security Council passed the measure after the United States abstained, enabling the adoption of the first UN resolution since 1979 to condemn Israel over its settlement policy. By deciding not to veto the move, the US took a rare step that deeply angered Israel, which accused President Barack Obama of abandoning its closest Middle East ally in the waning days of his administration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the resolution as a shameful blow against Israel at the United Nations. Also read | Israel rejects UN resolution to remove its settlements from Palestine, lashes out at Obama For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Veteran Jeff Young is home for Christmas. And this isnt just any home. It was built with a lot of special care by students in Walt Jones House Building Class at Helena High School. Capital High School students are also enrolled in the class. From very early on, the students decided they wanted to build the house for a disabled veteran. Young, who suffered hearing loss in the service, comes from a long line of veterans on both sides of his family. He joined the Navy in 1978 and served until 1984. He also was in the National Guard and served a year of active duty during the Gulf War in 1990-1991. Young is not only a disabled vet, but he also works with homeless vets helping them to find work. It was through his job at Volunteers of America Northern Rockies that he first saw the flyer advertising the house on Butte Avenue. He bought it and moved in with his cat Pawli in early December and marvels that he now owns this beautiful new house. Thanks to the students extra work, they also made it affordable for Young, who says, My house payments are cheaper than rent. Through fundraising, the students lowered the sale price of the 1,500- square-foot house by about $40,000. The kids did all the fundraising, said Jones, who credits them with raising $70,000 to $80,000. Much of that was done in Randy Husseys HHS English or technical writing class, where he emphasizes using writing in real world situations. We did a whole unit on it, Hussey said of the fundraising. We wrote letters to businesses. We wrote grants. We contacted local businesses. We wrote to the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Some of the students also started a GoFundMe site. And one of them, Bret Haux, whos been at US Army National Guard basic training, is home for the holidays and plans to give Young more than $1,000 they raised from the site. Husseys 15 students were all writing as part of the project, Hussey said. It was probably seven students working on house building, who really took a lead role on fundraising. They took the ball and ran with it. It was awesome to see -- it truly was, he said. It was an effort I was truly proud to be a part of. The students also added a lot of loving touches to their work. This house was so much different, said Jones, comparing it to other houses students have built over a dozen years in his class. They took pride in their work. It was like they were getting paid. A lot of them went into the military or are from military families, he said. What impressed me the most was how determined the kids were to make it happen. They wouldnt take no for an answer. They said, Were doing it!" Former student Colton Sivils, who was a lead fundraiser with Haux, said the vet house will always feel special to him. My favorite part was the handmade cherry ceiling in the living room, Sivils said. We bought the lumber, planed it down, shaved it and lacquered it and installed it. Another fun part was the kitchen cabinets, he said. Made of cherry and maple, they were built by students. Students engraved the end of the counter cabinet with the words, For those who served. The Class of 2016. The mantel above the natural gas fireplace is also made of cherry with a maple insert and bears the carved inscription: Lest we forget. Both were engraved with a computer-controlled carving machine, said Jones. The students also built the house to be wheelchair accessible. Im just glad we got it sold to a veteran, said Sivils. Ive had homes before, said veteran Young, but they were old fixer-uppers. This is the first new home hes ever owned. Im humbled, he said. I was reluctant at first to put in a buy-sell on it. Then I thought, Why not me?' He admits, hes finding it all somewhat surreal. The past 10 years Ive lived in an old mobile home, he said. It was somewhat depressing. Now I feel human. Liz Mogstad, director of affordable housing for Rocky Mountain Development Council, couldnt be happier that Young bought the house. To me, he is very deserving, she said. I appreciate that after serving in the military, he works with Volunteers of America. He is giving back to other veterans. Hes lived a life dedicated to the service. Hes a deserving choice. RMDC acted like a contractor on this house, Mogstad said of its role. Basically, we find the lot, make the loan and sell the house at the end. Give the kids as much credit as you can, she added. It was their vision. It was their dream. While many local businesses assisted with funding and materials, major donations came from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, $40,000 in the past year, and an earlier donation of $50,000 that was used to purchase two lots for the houses built by the homebuilding class. Power Townsend Foundation, donated $12,900. Moscow: Debris from a Russian military plane carrying 91 people that had disappeared from radars has been found in the Black Sea, local news agencies quoted the defence ministry as saying today. Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres, the ministry said. The plane had vanished from radar screens shortly after taking off at 5:40 AM (0810 IST) from the southern city of Adler, south of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. It was conducting a routine flight to Russias Hmeimim airbase outside the coastal Syrian city of Latakia, the ministry said. The ministry said the plane was carrying Russian servicemen as well as members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the armys official musical group, who were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the base. There were nine members of the media on board, the ministry said. Moscow has been flying a bombing campaign in Syria since September 2015 in support of long-time ally Bashar al-Assad. Here are the updates: #3:30pm: 'No sign of survivors' at Russian plane crash site, say reports (AFP) #1:00pm: Body found in Black Sea after Russian military plane crash: agencies For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Russia's famed military orchestra Alexandrov Ensemble was amongst the unfortunate 91 who were on-board the ill-fated Russian millitary plane Tu-154, which crashed in the Black Sea soon after take-off from Sochi on Sunday morning. The choir was en route to Russian military base in Syria to perform on Chritsmas for their counrty's troops stationed there as part of peacekeeping efforts in the region. Alexandrov Ensemble is an official army choir of the Russian armed forces which was established during the Soviet era. The ensemble consists of a male choir, an orchestra and a dance ensemble. The Alexandrov Ensemble has entertained audiences both in Russia and throughout the world, performing a range of music including folk tunes, hymns, operatic arias, and popular music. Also Read: Debris of missing Russian military plane Tu-154 with 91 on-board found in Black Sea: Reports The groups repertoire has included The Volga Boatmens Song, Katyusha, Kalinka, and Ave Maria. The ensemble has been titled on the name of its founder Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov. In 1949 the ensemble was officially titled the Twice Red-bannered and Red-starred Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Soviet Army named after AV Alexandrov, so it was no longer called the Red Army Choir in brief, but known as Alexandrov Ensemble". For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Cotabato : A blast ripped through a police car outside a Catholic church in the southern Philippines late on Saturday on Christmas eve, which wounded 12 people including a police officer, authorities said. The explosion hit churchgoers arriving for a Christmas Eve mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Nino in Midsayap town, about 900 kilometres south of Manila, police said. Authorities did not immediately say who was responsible for the blast, which a police report said was caused by an unspecified explosive. All victims suffered minor injuries except for one female civilian who was seriously injured (on) her foot, regional police spokesman Superintendent Romeo Galgo said in a written report. The town resides in the middle of the large Philippine island of Mindanao, home to a Muslim minority and decades of armed rebellion. However the main Muslim guerrilla group in the area has signed a ceasefire with the Philippine government. Government forces continue to fight smaller Muslim armed groups on the island, some of whom have pledged allegiance to Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria and have been blamed for bombing civilian targets in the past. A member of the Midsayap police force was among those injured, Galgo reported. Maureen Apilado, a civilian clerk at the Midsayap police station, told AFP by telephone that officers were busy investigating the incident and were unavailable for comment. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New York: Pakistans defence minister threatened Israel that his country could use nuclear weapons after a fake news report that his Israeli counterpart had threatened nuclear retaliation for Islamabads role in Syria against ISIS, highlighting the serious problem proliferation of fake news poses. A report in the New York Times said a fake news story prompted Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to threaten to go nuclear. In a post on Twitter, Asif lashed at Israel after a false report, which the minister apparently believed that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons. Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh, the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too. The NYT report said Asif appeared to be reacting to the fake news article published on awdnews.com, which was titled Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack. The article had appeared on the website on December 20, alongside articles with headlines like Clinton is staging a military coup against Trump. The fake story about Israel even misidentified the countrys defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. Israels current minister of defence is Avigdor Lieberman. The Israeli Defence Ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious. The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said, the ministry wrote in Twitter post directed at Asif. The Israeli ministry added in a second post: Reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false. The NYT report added that the proliferation of fake news stories, spread on social networks and produced by a variety of sources including pranksters, foreign governments and enterprising individuals who hope to receive advertising revenue by driving traffic to their websites, has become an increasingly serious problem. A North Carolina man was arrested this month after firing a gun at a Washington pizza parlor, because investigators said he was investigating claims in fake news articles that the pizzeria was at the center of a child sex slave ring linked to Hillary Clinton. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A 31-year-old American tourist was arrested by police after they found a satellite phone in his possession, banned in India, while on his way to board a flight back home at the airport here, police said on Sunday. Marks Jordan Andrew, a US citizen, was detained yesterday after Immigration officials found the satellite phone in his bag. He was questioned by CISF, in-charge of airport security, and later handed over to local police. The American was arrested and a case registered under the Wireless and Telegraph Act, police said. He was produced before a city court which remanded him to 14 days judicial custody. Andrew, hailing from California, had arrived here via Mumbai-Bengaluru and was on his way back to US via Dubai when he was intercepted. Police said Andrew told them that he was unaware that satellite phones are banned in the country. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit Singh, on Sunday joined BJP. Earlier, she has been associated with Akali Dal and Congress as well. Sarabjit Singh was an Indian national sentenced to death by Pakistan Court. Sarabjit was convicted of terrorism and spying by a Pakistani court. Dalbir Kaur was working towards his release since 1991 till his death in 2013. She was fighting for Sarabjits release with Pakistan authorities. Dalbir also escalated Sarabjits matter in India and met with influential people to request release of her brother. Sarabjit Singh was caught on an unmarked Indo-Pakistani border area in Pakistan and arrested by the Pakistan Rangers near Kasur. Singh and his supporters claimed that the arrest was a case of mistaken identity and that he was only a poor farmer who was drunk and had strayed over the border. His sister said that the family launched a search but could not find any clue to his whereabouts for nine months. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will attend a meeting of Opposition in New Delhi on December 27. She will reach Delhi on Monday. Our party supremo will go to Delhi tomorrow and will attend the meeting of Opposition parties on December 27. In that meeting the next line of action will be discussed, a senior TMC leader told PTI. The West Bengal CM is mustering unity of Opposition parties against the BJP government. Banerjee is likely to hold a separate meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Meetings with other opposition parties may also be on the card. Earlier, Banerjee had staged a dharna against Centres demonetisation move demanding its rollback. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Tehran: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded the Syrian armys victory against the terrorists in Aleppo during a phone call, Iranian media reported on Sunday. The Syrian armys victory sends a message that the terrorists cannot achieve their objectives. We must stop terrorists using the ceasefire to rebuild their forces and create new bases in other regions of Syria, Rouhani said following the call last night, according to a statement published by state media. Putin also welcomed the defeat of rebel forces in Syrias second city and said cooperation between Tehran and Moscow will continue.They said peace talks would take place in Kazakhstan, without providing further details. Iran and Russia have been the key backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and label all rebel forces in the country as terrorists. Also Read: Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Erdogan agree Aleppo ceasefire violations must stop The result of this cooperation is a major victory in the fight against international terrorism, added Putin.Syrian troops this week retook control of eastern Aleppo, which has been held by disparate rebel groups since mid-2012, after a devastating month-long offensive that has caused tens of thousands of refugees to flee their homes. Russias entry into the conflict in September 2015 - primarily through air strikes - helped turn the tide for Assad, while Iran has provided military advisors and frontline volunteer fighters. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kabul: An Afghan official has claimed that nearly two Afghan civilians died in a roadside bomb attack in eastern Laghman province. Sarhadi Zwak, spokesman for the Laghman provincial governor, said the attack took place early on Sunday morning near a shrine in Mihterlam, the provincial capital. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but Taliban insurgents routinely use roadside bombs to target Afghan security forces and government officials with civilians frequently caught in the crossfire. Also Read: 27 killed, 40 wounded in Kabul blasts targeting police For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan on Sunday released 220 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture amid ongoing tussle between the two neighbours over persistent cross-border terror incidents. Out of 518 Indian fishermen, 220 were released from Malir jail who were arrested for allegedly entering Pakistan's territorial waters illegally and fishing, jail superintendent Hassan Sehto told PTI. Soon after their release, the fishermen boarded a train to Lahore, from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border. The interior ministry ordered the release of the 220 fishermen while 219 are still in our custody, Sehto said. Last week, Pakistan fishermen forum claimed that Indian maritime authorities had picked up dozens of Pakistani fishermen from inside Pakistan's territorial waters near the Gujarat coastline and taken them away, though the government has not responded to the claim so far. With Inputs from PTI For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Hyderabad: Police on Sunday arrested two persons in connection with the firing on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a private bank in Hyderabad last week, ending a multi-state search for the suspects. Ten police teams were tracking the accused Shaik Abdul Raheem and E Naresh while they were on the run in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala since December 18. One of the teams arrested the duo from Secunderabad railway station, Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahendar Reddy told reporters. KBS Local Area Bank Ltd CEO Manmath Dalai was shot at allegedly by Raheem on December 18 at his house in Masab Tank area here during a robbery attempt. Armed with a country-made revolver, Raheem demanded money from the victim and during exchange of words, the accused fired two shots with one of the bullets hitting Dalais thigh, he said. On December 17, Raheem and Naresh went to KBS Banks Madhapur branch in Hyderabad to withdraw money. When the bank manager asked for PAN card and photograph from Naresh he gave reference of his cousin Srihari, who earlier worked as a car driver with the banks CEO. The bank manager subsequently allowed Naresh to withdraw Rs 2,000, he said. On the same day, while consuming liquor Raheem and Naresh discussed about the demonetisation move and involvement of bank officials in exchange of old currency notes. They thought bank officials keep huge amount of new currency at their homes and then planned to commit robbery at the house of Dalai, the Commissioner said. Naresh and Raheem initially went to the corporate office of the bank and found it to be locked. Later both went to the CEOs house where Naresh dropped Raheem, who entered his apartment, Reddy said. Police said Raheem had bought the country-made firearm and bullets used in the crime from Bihar in November third week. Further probe is on. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The central government gave a major boost to operational capabilities of border guarding force SSB by sanctioning more than 9,000 assault rifles, 34 armoured vehicles and more than 760 patrolling bikes to it. The SSB is given the task of securing the countrys borders with Nepal and Bhutan. Officials said the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) had some time back written to the Union Home Ministry for not only upgrading its arms, ammunition and vehicles, but also wanted an upgrade in this regard. Among the sanctions received include procurement of 12 bullet proof vehicles, 15 light armoured troop carriers, seven mine protected vehicles, 42 four-wheel patrolling vehicles, 763 bikes for troops patrol in Left Wing Extremism affected areas and 9,917 new assault rifles, they said, adding, procurements will be made soon. Officials said the new vehicles and weapons, once procured, will be sent across to various border guarding formations and those deployed in the LWE hit areas and Jammu and Kashmir. The SSB has also sought raising a full-fledged combat intelligence wing comprising around 1,000 personnel in order to better secure the sensitive and porous borders of Nepal and Bhutan.The force has 67 battalions on ground at present (about 67,000 personnel) and in the next two years it will raise more such contingents to rise its number upto 73 battalions. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Bollywood music composer duo Sajid and Wajid Ali joined BJP on Sunday in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. The two musician brothers joined the saffron party at a programme organised by BJP's youth wing on the occasion of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday. "There is only one promise we can make ourselves on Atal-ji's birthday, to make India corruption-free. Atal-ji worked hard all his life to enhance the nation's capabilities and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is only fulfilling Atal-ji's dreams," Fadnavis said at the event. "I ask every youth present here to teach ten people how to conduct trade in cashless way and help fulfil Atal-ji's dream of corruption-free nation," Fadnavis said. "During his tenure (as the PM) Atal-ji brought immense repute to the country in the international arena," he said and added that whatever BJP is today is because of Vajpayee. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. FRIENDS and family came from as far away as Canada to celebrate the golden wedding of happy couple Peter and Mary Glenister. Peter Glenister, 71, and his wife Mary, 69, of Stag Lane ,Great Kingshill, were joined by 57 guests at their anniversary lunch at the Compleat Angler Hotel, Marlow, last Thursday. Among the guests were family who had witnessed their wedding in 1951 as well as the couple's four children and 11 grandchildren. "It was a wonderful day especially being able to share it with relatives and friends who came from all over Yorkshire, Devon and our nephew, another Peter Glenister, who travelled from Canada," said Mr Glenister. "We are proud to say both the youngest and the oldest living Glenisters were in attendance our 18-month-old grandson Thomas and my 92-year-old aunt Olive." Mr Glenister was born and bred in High Wycombe but met wife Mary, who is originally from Hazlemere, when she moved to Wooburn Green. "A mutual friend introduced us when I was 19 and Mary was 17. Our first date was at the Old Parish Cinema in Frogmoor," said Mr Glenister. "Two years later we married at Wycombe Parish Church." Mr Glenister worked in the insurance business and although he officially retired in 1989, continues to work at the family newsagents in Great Kingshill. Mr Glenister's grandparents, Charles and Ann Glenister, of Flackwell Heath, were featured in the Free Press at their golden wedding in1939 and their diamond wedding in 1949. ANACONDA -- After more than 50 minutes of deliberation and a 5-0 vote, Anaconda-Deer Lodge Countys commission approved a proposal this week that could bring more than 100 jobs to the Smelter City. According to the proposal, the county will enter into a 99-year lease agreement with Missoula-based Premier Industries, whose owners want to rent and eventually buy 93 acres of land on a Superfund site near Mill Creek Road, several miles southeast of Anaconda. There the company plans to build a processing plant that will turn Anacondas black slag dunes into proppant: a material used in fracking oil and natural gas. The lease also says Premier Industries will rent the property for $100 per year with an option to purchase the land for $1 within two years time. However, the company cant buy the land until it has started construction or has subdivided the land. If neither of these milestones is reached in two years time, the county gets the land back. An earlier version of the proposal came before the commission Dec. 13 but was tabled so that Anaconda could negotiate the clawback clause meaning the county can clawback the land if the project fails to get off the ground. Despite the the clawback clause, residents asked the commission whether Anaconda is taking on too much risk. I think were setting a precedent here where were leasing it for ($100) and were selling it for $1, Mike Merino said. So ultimately the taxpayer is paying for a private organization, a for-profit organization. I think thats a dangerous precedent to set. Another issue discussed at length was who would be liable if environmental damage occurred at the construction site. The 93 acres is capped with earth and vegetation to prevent the soil beneath contaminated by decades of smelter operations from leaching into the surrounding area. Because the cap is curved, the company will need to level it by placing uncontaminated soil on top. Residents also asked who would be liable if the company damages the cap or has an accident with the slag, which contains heavy metals like arsenic and lead. Furthermore, resident Chuck Stokke asked how the liability would change if Premier Industries sold the operation to a foreign company. County Attorney Ben Krakowka said Premier Industries would be liable for any environmental damage, but didnt provide a clear answer about how the liability would change should the operation be purchased by a foreign entity. But despite this concern and others, the lure of jobs ultimately outweighed the risks involved, resulting in the unanimous vote. Mike King, of Anaconda, meanwhile, left commissioners with a vision for a better future. We hear about Superfund constantly being the noose around our neck and that we cant do anything because of Superfund, said King. And right now (being) the largest Superfund slag-pile city may be the only savor that puts us back on the map. Independent news pioneer says mainstream media has been faking the news for decades What is happening right now with the so-called mainstream media, like the Washington Post faking news stories to push a political agenda, is not new, says Natural News founder/editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger. Adams is an independent media pioneer who began Natural News more than a decade ago, and has grown the site into a top-tier destination for news and information about alternative health, clean food, naturopathic medicine and holistic approaches to wellness. So, if you just now realized that the entire mainstream media publishes nothing but fake news, you might want to wake up and realize something even bigger: Theyve been faking the news for decades. What really happened in Oklahoma City? 9/11? JFK assassination? The media lied to you about elements of all these historic events. In this video, Adams explains that the establishment press has long been able to control the narrative political, cultural, social because it has never been challenged. The only place news could be obtained was from the legacy media outlets like the Post and The New York Times, or the broadcast news networks. Just recently, in fact, Adams pointed out that the Post, citing a previously unheard of organization whose members were completely anonymous, claimed that Natural News and a couple of hundred other news and information sites and blogs were merely propaganda puppets for the Russian government an effort the Post claimed was aimed at keeping Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton out of the Oval Office, and helping GOP nominee Donald J. Trump to win it. We know that theyre faking the news; I mean its obvious at this point, Adams said. He pointed out that most folks today who consume media went to school and got their news from the few broadcasters on television and either a few local or national newspapers in years gone by. The Internet did not yet exist in commercial form, and as such, these few outlets were unopposed and had no real competition, so they could dominate (and invent) the narratives. And right on cue, the fake mainstream media showed its true colors once more in recent days: The New York Times announced it has hired hack Politico reporter Glenn Thrush for the papers Washington, D.C., bureau. As reported by The Daily Caller, Thrush was known to be emailing pre-publication versions of stories to the Clinton campaign to get them approved prior to publication. The Times, along with Politico, picked up and ran with the fabricated Russia hacked the election for Trump narrative, the same one that stated falsely that Natural News was part of a network of Russian propaganda organs. Adams, in his video, lays out several media narrative coups, so to speak, based on actual events like the Oklahoma City bombing, the 9/11 attacks and others that were used to politically tar-and-feather ideological opponents (conservatives, mostly and gun owners), and shows that these techniques have long been used by the establishment media. The good news, he noted further, is that what used to be considered the alternative media is fast becoming the new mainstream media, because it is far more trustworthy. SC Libsyn Submit a correction >> BROOKFIELD - Superintendent John Barile proposed a $41.5 million budget for the 2017-18 academic year at a Board of Education meeting Wednesday night. The initial proposal is a nearly $1.15 million increase from this years budget. The proposed budget estimate for 2017-2018 as presented represents our commitment to maintain an excellent educational program and continue to advance the Brookfield Public Schools to continually improve and retain among the finest in Connecticut, Barile said in a letter to the board. Barile said in his letter that the budget allows the schools to follow its Strategic Coherence Plan, which outlines the districts goals through 2021, by addressing curriculum development, professional learning, assessment literacy, reading instruction and organizational structures. The proposed budget is a 2.85 percent increase from the 2016-17 budget, which had been a 2.19 percent increase from the 2015-16 budget. Chairman of the Board of Education Bob Belden said the 2.85 increase is one of the lowest initial proposals the board has received in a while. When Barile initially proposed the 2016-17 budget, he recommended a 4.19 increase. The superintendent and the administration were very responsible in thinking of what the means were and where we could cut back in order to bring a reasonable budget to the taxpayers, Belden said. The proposed budget is also lower than the status quo budget of $41.7 million because Barile found ways to reduce costs, Belden said. Although Barile recommended hiring two reading teachers, one for the high school and one for the middle school, which would cost $160,000, he suggested eliminating para educator, K-2 Spanish and high school writing center positions. This would save $138,000. Its nice to see a school administration take a balanced view like that, Belden said. Barile said the budget continues to support funding for facilities, performing arts, world language and extracurricular activities. It will also strengthen student achievement by improving technology and professional development activities for staff, he said. The budget maintains a balance among core programs despite increased costs, Barile said. In a fiscally responsible manner, this spending plan requests limited new funding necessary to meet the cost of continuing and maintaining the quality of current programs and compliance with legal mandates. The presentation on the schools website shows some of the budget drivers are strategic enhancements, special education costs, the 8 percent increase in employee benefit costs, the 21 percent increase in English language learner enrollment, utilities, unfunded mandates and implementation of state standards. Barile recommended adding a world language lab at the high school and cutting Monday early dismissal for Kindgergarten. He also proposed eliminating Spanish classes for Kindergarten through second grade, providing up to an additional one hour per week for social studies and science lessons. At Whisconier Middle School, Barile suggested creating an enrichment program focusing on science, technology, engineering, math, creativity, innovation, and communication and collaborative skills. He said the middle school would also increase social studies time for fifth and sixth grade. Barile said in his letter that he strived to develop a budget that would not be a financial burden on taxpayers. At the same time, we are aware of our responsibility to insure the adequate resources necessary to move the Brookfield Public Schools forward as an organization that propels students to become exceptional young people who will shape our future, he said. Paul Checco, the vice chairman of the Board of Education, said the proposal was in its infancy and that it was too soon to comment on whether the budget was too high or low. Were going to take the benefits of the holidays to digest it, he said. The board will discuss the budget at its Jan. 4 meeting and will bring it to the first selectman at the end of January. The town will vote on the budget in May. Intel has a team of quantum hardware engineers in Portland, Oregon, who collaborate with researchers in the Netherlands, at TU DelftsQuTech quantum research institute, under a $50 million grant established last year. Earlier this month Intels group reported that they can now layer the ultra-pure silicon needed for a quantum computer onto the standard wafers used in chip factories. This strategy makes Intel an outlier among industry and academic groups working on qubits, as the basic components needed for quantum computers are known. Other companies can run code on prototype chips with several qubits made from superconducting circuits A quantum computer would need to have thousands or millions of qubits to be broadly useful, though. And Jim Clarke, who leads Intels project as director of quantum hardware, argues that silicon qubits are more likely to get to that point (although Intel is also doing some research on superconducting qubits). One thing in silicons favor, he says: the expertise and equipment used to make conventional chips with billions of identical transistors should allow work on perfecting and scaling up silicon qubits to progress quickly. Intels silicon qubits represent data in a quantum property called the spin of a single electron trapped inside a modified version of the transistors in its existing commercial chips. The hope is that if we make the best transistors, then with a few material and design changes we can make the best qubits, says Clarke. Another reason to work on silicon qubits is that they should be more reliable than the superconducting equivalents. Still, all qubits are error prone because they work on data using very weak quantum effects Researchers at TU Delft in the Netherlands use equipment like this to test quantum computing devices at supercool temperatures, in a collaboration with chip maker Intel. DECATUR To use Judy Locke's own words, she was flabbergasted. On Friday, representatives of the Decatur Park District, Decatur Memorial Hospital and the CrossFit Center conspired to pull off a surprise party for Locke to unveil the naming of a city park on North 31st Street in her honor. The woman is amazing, said Bob Brilley II, president of the park board. Locke and her late husband, Dr. Richard Dick Locke, were instrumental in making the park district what it is today, Brilley said. It is largely thanks to her efforts as a park board member for many years, 21 of them as president, that Decatur parks have the activities, lunch for kids, the partnership with the Children's Museum of Illinois, and the fact that Scovill Zoo has grown to the facility it is, when it began as a small petting zoo. The zebras on the carousel are named for the Locke family. Family was one of her primary goals, said Chris Riley, who served with her on the park board. Anything that's been accomplished at the zoo is partly because of Judy. The newly-named Locke Park is only the third to be named after a person in the last 30 years, he added. I can't even think, Locke said. I have spent so much time trying to get people involved in all of this type of activity, recognizing people (for their contributions) and never put myself in that category. It'll take a while for me to really process it all. Her children and grandchildren were all with her on Friday, and they had told her they were going to DMH CrossFit to take a family photo for Christmas. Locke laughingly admitted they completely fooled her and she was floored to discover it was mostly a ruse to get her there, and get her dressed up for the luncheon that followed the surprise, though the family did gather for a photo, too. She said she had protested that the weather wasn't suitable for an outdoor photo, so the family told her they could go inside and use the CrossFit center as the background. Organizers found and set up a display of the bright pink T-shirts Locke had used during her first campaign for a park board seat, and mimosas were available to drink because she likes them. Because Locke herself isn't a fan of public speaking, her youngest son Michael took the podium to speak on her behalf. There's nothing more fitting than naming a park after my mom, he said. She started (her career) as a teacher while Dad was in med school, and she saw parks as a platform and vehicle for the development of youth, where kids could come and get recreation and nurture. Decatur Memorial Hospital President and CEO Tim Stone told a couple of funny stories about Dr. Locke's habit of calling him after a test to ask if he wanted the bad news or the good news first. The good doctor would invariably jokingly insult him, such as the time Stone underwent a scan and Dr. Locke told him his health was fine, except the scan failed to find a brain. Dick and Judy were the ultimate partnership, Stone said. Their values are embodied by all the Lockes, the spirit of giving back to the community. You and Dick did one hell of a job. Thank you for everything. Despite the harsh economic climate in the country, the Federal Government is proposing to spend N2.38bn in 2017 on fueling and maintenan... Despite the harsh economic climate in the country, the Federal Government is proposing to spend N2.38bn in 2017 on fueling and maintenance of the presidential jets.The amount when compared to the N1.99bn approved in the 2016 fiscal period for similar expenses represents an increase of N390m.Details of the proposed spending are contained in the 2017 budget which was submitted to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 14.According to the Presidency, the PAF contains 10 aircraft. These are: Boeing Business Jet (Boeing 737-800 or AirForce One), one Gulfstream 550, one Gulfstream V (Gulfstream 500), two Falcons 7X, one Hawker Sidley 4000, two AgustaWestland AW 139 helicopters and two AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters.Each of the two Falcon 7X jets were purchased in 2010 by the Federal Government for $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m, a former Minister of Information, the late Pro. Dora Akunyili, had said.In the budget breakdown which was made available to our correspondent in Abuja, the presidency in the 2017 fiscal year is proposing to spend N900m out of the N2.38bn on fueling of the aircraft in the presidential fleet.The N900m when compared to the N478.6m allocated for the same purpose in 2016 represents an increase of N421.4m or 88 per cent.There is also a provision of N850m for maintenance of the aircraft. This amount is however N103.25m lower than the N953.15m allocated for aircraft maintenance in 2016.In the same vein, the sum of N90m would be spent in 2017 to purchase air navigational equipment. In the 2016 fiscal period, the sum of N262.4m was budgeted for similar purpose.The Federal Government is also proposing to spend N93.95m to purchase fire fighting equipment for the presidential air fleet as against N7.9m allocated for fire protection kits in 2016. Barely 24 hours to Christmas, residents of Benin city are keeping vigil in the banks to use Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). Barely 24 hours to Christmas, residents of Benin city are keeping vigil in the banks to use Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).Few of the ATMs in some banks visited in Benin on Saturday were dispensing cash.Many of the residents said that they had been in some of the banks as early as 5a.m.to avoid the crowd that would arrive in the bank premises later.They also raised concern about their suffering in getting access to the machines which they alleged were not even fed with enough cash for the day.For instance, Mr John Ebidah, said people had been exposed to risk all in attempts to withdraw money via ATMs.He called for the relevant authorities to urgently look into the matter, especially bank managers in Benin.Another resident, Mr Osato Owie, alleged that the banks deliberately refused to put enough money in the machines.I dont understand how one, with his money in the bank, can find it extremely difficult to make use of ATMs.Similarly, Mrs Nkechi Goddy-Asekomhe, said after several attempt at making use of the ATM, she met with one official of a particular bank.He told me that it was because of the cash challenges that made the bank to load few ATMs, she quoted the official.NAN The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm on Boko Haram insurgents who are fleeing from the Sambisa Forest, Borno State, to other parts of ... The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm on Boko Haram insurgents who are fleeing from the Sambisa Forest, Borno State, to other parts of the country.The army authorities, who issued a statement, urged the Nigerian public to be wary of people of suspicious movements and appearances during and after the Yuletide season.The acting Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, said the troops in the region, particularly the men of the Lafiya Dole operation, were working hard to contain the fleeing insurgents.He said, Due to the ongoing final clearance and occupation of Boko Haram hideouts in Sambisa forest, quite a number of them are escaping the theatre of operation in the North East to various parts of the country and elsewhere.We wish to therefore, inform members of the public especially residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, that they be vigilant and security conscious.According to Usman, Nigerians must watch out for strange movements or persons in their areas.He added that members of the public should report any suspicious person or group of persons to security agencies for prompt action. Former Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has suddenly become the main issue in Nig... Former Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has suddenly become the main issue in Nigerias politics. No issue seems complete until his name and stance, real or imagined, have been dropped into the mix.He has become the Obafemi Awolowo of our time, apologies to former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, who once described the late sage as the main issue in Nigerian politics. To be sure, the late Chief Awolowo and Asiwaju Tinubu share many things in common. Like Awolowo, Tinubu subscribes to those noble ideals of progressive politics, such as entrenchment of rule of law in the land, representative democracy, fiscal federalism, social welfare policies and perhaps proper restructuring of the country.Like Awolowo who believed in the cause of the Yoruba and fought for the emancipation of that race in national politics, Tinubu is also no less a believer in Yoruba nationalism. Along with some of his associates, the late sage formed political parties to advance the fortunes of the Yoruba in national politics. He did not stop there. Whether in the First or Second Republics, the late Awo also moved to replicate the widely-applauded cardinal programmes of his political parties in the West at the national level by seeking to be Nigerias president.Believe it or not, Asiwaju Tinubu is a progressive politician to the core. He ranks among the leading lights in the tribe of progressive-minded politicians in the country at present. Whether in the defunct Social Democratic Party from 1991 to around 1993, in the Alliance for Democracy from 1999 till around 2006, the two political parties he belonged to then; or in the Action Congress of Nigeria, which he formed along with his associates around 2007 or the All Progressives Congress of Nigeria, whose formation he spearheaded in 2015, truth is Tinubus political parties have always been progressive at heart. Awolowo was betrayed and denied by some of his associates, but he triumphed over them in life and in death. Tinubu is also being pilloried and betrayed by some of his associates. He will also triumph. Perhaps, thats where the similarities between Awolowo and Tinubu end. It is common knowledge that Awolowo struggled to be president, but that ambition was beyond his reach.Tinubu is yet to indicate any interest in Nigerias presidency. It would seem that he loved to operate in the background, to play the kingmaker of sort. And when you are ordained to play that kind of role, it is bound to elicit all kinds of attacks and envy from many quarters, friends and foes alike, some of whom would want to be like him. Some would deliberately stoke the political fire to draw out the kingmaker, unearth his next political move and gauge his stand on issue or development perhaps to get their bearing or direction or to plan further hatchet work.This leads me to recent reports, which tended to make wide assumptions and speculations on the relationship among President Muhammadu Buhari, Tinubu and APC. Two of these reports are particularly instructive here. The first one, published by a national newspaper on December 3, 2016, with a sprinkling of the report in some online platforms, gave the impression that some APC leaders were yet to agree on how to handle Asiwaju Tinubus alleged role in the just-ended Ondo State election. The other one published by one or two newspapers also gave the impression that the former Lagos governor, along with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a few PDP stalwarts, was planning to form a new party to confront the governing APC in 2019. They insinuated that Tinubu was planning to exit the party and join the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of PDP to form a new mega party.Taken together, the two reports are mutually contradictory. This is how. Tinubu, as alleged in one report, was going to be sanctioned by APC for his alleged role, whatever that is, in the Ondo election. In another report, the same Tinubu is considered a strong factor enough to be allegedly planning to exit APC and form a new party they described as a Third Force. One presented Tinubu as a political actor to be disciplined, sanctioned or dispensed with as it were, for an alleged infraction. The other presented him as formidable enough to want to form a party to confront the same APC he helped to found. But the good thing is the reports have been put down for what they are: mere speculations and rumours.Indeed, those who should know have already spoken out. President Buhari dismissed reports that he and the APC leadership were in dispute with Tinubu, describing them as unfounded and mischievous. He described the APC national leader as a priceless asset to APC.Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, President Buhari said he was highly embarrassed by such suggestions, explaining that he was in regular contact with Tinubu (who was abroad then) before, during and after the Ondo gubernatorial election.According to the statement, Any suggestions that the president and the party machinery were working to destroy Tinubu have no foundation in truth or any credibility the president was impressed by Tinubus assurance not to work against the party in Ondo and he honoured his words. President Buhari regards Tinubu as a priceless political asset to the party whose immeasurable contributions to the development and progress of the ruling party are known to all.Rumor mongers should stop spreading the seeds of discord and animosity between the president and Tinubu or the party. The president is proud of Jagaban and his pivotal role in the party and the movement. President Buhari commended Tinubus spirit of comradeship in promptly congratulating Rotimi Akeredolu who was elected governor. The president also noted that at a time his administration is preoccupied with governance issues, rumours of divisions and alleged scheming within the party are counter-productive to internal unity and cohesion in APC.Meanwhile, Asiwaju Tinubu himself had also laid to rest speculations that he was leaving the APC to form a so-called mega party. He said in a series of coordinated tweets that he would not engage in destructive pettiness. He said: In our journey to national betterment, plans and policies will be made, then amended. Mistakes will occur and corrected. Through it all, I, Asiwaju, will remain true to the progressive ideals that fuelled the creation of APC.I have devoted my political life to achieve what has been achieved. My heart is too much of the people, and my mind too fixed on establishing positive historic legacyrather than engage in destructive pettiness. This government, APC, is for the betterment of the people and the national purpose is bigger and more important than any individuals desires. Needless to add that the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin, had also denied reports that the Ahmed Makarfi camp was in talks with Tinubu and Atiku to form a mega party.He said in a statement in Abuja that the party had never contemplated partnership with Tinubu and other APC chieftains with the purpose of forming another political party. Jibrin said: I salute Tinubus courage for coming out to speak frankly about his position regarding this unfounded rumour and for setting the record straight.In Tinubus reaction denouncing the report, he criticised the PDP and I cant understand why anybody would think that we are going to form a new party with somebody who is condemning us. The PDP is a golden name, a party formed by respectable and dignified Nigerians like Alex Ekwueme, Jerry Gana, Solomon Lar, Adamu Ciroma, Aminu Wali, Sule Lamido and many others. Is there any need to add any more to demonstrate that there is no iota of doubt in the fact that Asiwaju Tinubu remains committed to APC and the ideals that birthed the party? Egypt has ordered the detention for 15 days of an Al-Jazeera journalist accused of incitement and fabricating news, a prosecution offici... Egypt has ordered the detention for 15 days of an Al-Jazeera journalist accused of incitement and fabricating news, a prosecution official said on Sunday.It was the latest move against the Qatar-based broadcaster which Egypt accuses of supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.Egyptian Mahmoud Hussein, 51, flew to Cairo on Tuesday for a family holiday but was stopped and interrogated at the airport for several hours before being released.On Friday, police raided his Cairo home and arrested him. He was questioned again on Saturday and Sunday, when prosecutors decided to hold him for 15 days.The prosecution official said Hussein would be held pending an investigation into accusations that he incited against the state and broadcast fake news and documentaries.The interior ministry confirmed the accusations in a statement posted on its Facebook page.It said Hussein was implicated in an Al-Jazeera plot aimed at fomenting discord and inciting against state institutions and broadcasting false news as well as fabricated news reports and documentaries.In November, Al-Jazeera broadcast a documentary called The Soldiers in which former conscripts spoke about compulsory military service in Egypt, drawing criticism from the media.Al-Jazeera Managing Director Yasser Abu Hilalah denounced Husseins arrest in remarks broadcast by the news channel.Mahmoud Hussein was on a visit to his country and was not working for Al-Jazeera at the time, he said, adding that the arrest will not stop Al-Jazeera from its professional role.We will continue to cover Egypt and we dont succumb to pressure, he said.Egypt provoked international condemnation in 2013 when it arrested three Al-Jazeera journalists, including a Canadian and an Australian, and sentenced them to jail on similar accusations.They were later released.Their arrest, months after the military overthrew Morsi who had been backed by Qatar, coincided with a massive crackdown on his supporters and the Muslim Brotherhood being blacklisted.AFP The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has confirmed the attacks on Saturday and Sunday in Goska, Kaninkon chiefdom of Jemaa Local ... The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has confirmed the attacks on Saturday and Sunday in Goska, Kaninkon chiefdom of Jemaa Local Government Area of the state, describing them as the handiwork of forces of darkness.The attacks in Goska occurred in spite of a 24-hour curfew the state government imposed on Jemaa and two other local governments in Kaduna. The other local governments are Zangon-Kataf and Kaura.President Muhammadu Buhari had also endorsed the curfew after a closed door meeting with Mr. El-Rufai.The curfew was put in place to prevent violent attacks like the one that occurred in Goska. It was announced a day after an attack by demonstrators in Kafanchan on the governor and his officials after a state security council meeting in the town.The demonstrators had pelted the convoy of Mr. El-Rufai with stones before razing down the official residence of the local government chairman. They accused the government of not doing enough to stop the attacks by suspected herdsmen on their communities.Mr. El-Rufai, in a statement on Sunday by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, expressed sympathy with the families that lost loved ones in the renewed attack. Although the details of the attacks and the casualty were not stated, the governor charged security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.While the government and security agencies were working assiduously to block all windows to ensure that citizens throughout the three local government areas and the state at large are protected, these forces of darkness that represent evil and inhumanity struck again, killed innocent citizens, burnt their houses, injured some and terrified many, the governor stated.Government and security agencies will not be deterred, we will continue to be resilient, up and doing and courageous in tackling this unfortunate situation.Their tactics are to create a chasm, divide people, breed hate and prejudice and plunge the state into chaos but we will triumph over these evil forces by the grace of almighty God.Mr. El-Rufai said the government would continue to be firm and decisive in its efforts to suppress the attackers and restore peace in the state.He urged the people of the state to come together irrespective of religion, ethnicity and political inclinations to confront the attackers.They become stronger only when our people are divided instead of coming together to weaken and neutralize them and the evil they represent and to free our humanity from their devilish act, he stressed.It is also clear that resorting to self-help compounds the precarious situation thereby, breeding the cycle of vicious killings. It must be clear to all by now that inciting of tit-for-tat does not help our security agencies and communities attain our quest for peace and those calling for that will also be brought to justice.He said he had directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take inventory of those affected and also bring relief materials to assist the victims of the attack.Our deep empathy and prayers go to the families that lost their loved ones and those that lost their homes and properties. May their souls rest in peace and may God see us through this challenging time, the statement concluded. Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama has told incoming President Donald Trump to accept the fact that there is only one U.S. President at... Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama has told incoming President Donald Trump to accept the fact that there is only one U.S. President at a time. Obama also told the president-elect that he remains the U.S. President till Jan. 20, 2017, when he would complete his two-term presidency of the U.S. and handover to Trump. Obamas remarks followed what the White House termed as Trumps undue interference in U.S. policies since his election.Also ther president-elect had on Thursday, directed the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Ms Samantha Power, to veto the Security Councils Resolution on Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. However, the Obamas administration disregarded Trumps directive and had gone ahead to abstain from voting on the resolution when it finally came up on Friday, drawing criticisms from the president-elect and his team. The White House, in a response by Obamas Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, Mr Ben Rhodes, obtained by NAN, said the UN Security Councils Resolution was a policy issue that Trump should not meddle in.On the President-elect, the first thing Id just say is that theres one President at a time. President Obama is the President of the United States until January 20th, and we are taking this action (abstention), of course, as U.S. policy, he said. Rhodes explained that there was no any communication between the White House and the President-elect or his staff between when Obama made his decision and when the vote took place.So Im not aware that President Obama and the President-elect spoke about this, but again, Im not President Obama definitely made no reference to that, so I cant confirm that this hasnt come up at all, but Im not aware of any particular conversation they had about this. We did hear from the President-elects team. Again, our position has been theres one President at a time.Were going to make our decision on this and, frankly, believe that its important that theres a principle here that the world understands who is speaking on behalf of the United States until January 20th and who is speaking on behalf of the United States after January 20th. And look, the new team will have every opportunity after January 20th to pursue their own policies, to take different approaches. Im certain that they will on any number of issues. Were just reflecting the simple principle that I think has guided the President-elect transitions historically.Which is that there is one President at a time and were going to execute our duties until the new team is in place and the new President is inaugurated, the Obamas aide said. Recalled that following the pressure that Trump reportedly put on Egypt, the sponsor of the resolution, Egypt withdrew it on Thursday and the vote was consequently delayed till Friday.However, the resolution was put forward on Friday by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela and the 15-member Council adopted the resolution by a vote of 14 in favour and with one abstention the U.S., which abstained from voting rather than veto the resolution. Nigerians in diaspora, under the group, The Nigerians In Diaspora Monitoring Group(NDMG), have expressed happiness with President Muhamm... In a statement signed by its UK Co-ordinator, Engr. Adekaa Onyilo, the group also lauded the military for its gallantry in outing the terrorists. The Nigerians In Diaspora Monitoring Group(NDMG) is happy to learn that the Nigerian Army has cleared out Camp Zero, which until that action, remained Boko Haram terror groups last hideout in the dreaded Sambisa Forest.This will successfully bring an end to the nefarious activities of the terrorists which were planned, incubated or hatched from that location. Months after Boko Haram was designated as technically defeated, this new development tactically implies that the group has now been duly crushed. We laud the Nigerian Army for achieving this feat in tandem with the assurances given earlier.And we acknowledge the fact that we were not surprised as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai had declared December as a month of decision. He had given the marching order for troops to finish off the terrorist group this month. This pronouncement by the COAS has spurred the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole to embark on Operation Rescue Finale and recording this landmark success that has seen the last of the terrorists holed up in that forest fleeing their camps in different directions.The liberation of Sambisa Forest have ushered unto the scene a situation where numerous terrorists are now willingly giving up their arms and choosing to embrace the path of peace. It is remarkable that troops successfully cleared out Sambisa Forest in spite of the concerted and coordinated onslaught by Boko Haram sponsors that consistently placed obstacles before the army as an institution and its leadership as individuals.NDMG totally aligns with President Muhammadu Buhari and echo his directive to the Army. We ask that the fleeing terrorists must be tracked, chased down their holes like the common criminals that they are, apprehended and made to answer for their atrocities. Beyond the fleeing fighters, attention must also be given to the intellectual, financial and propaganda wings of the terror group so that the possibility of resurgence is completely ruled out.Even as we are not unaware of the economic situation in the country, we extend our hand our fellowship to the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari, in the same manner as urge the federal government to speed up the rebuilding and reconstruction efforts in the areas affected by Boko Harams acts of terror so that members of re-established communities can contribute to preventing remnants of the fighters from regrouping using some sort of community policing and intelligence sharing.To Nigerians, we appeal that sectarian, religious, political, ethnic and regional differences should be shelved or eschewed and citizens once again demonstrate the much needed unity of purpose as their unrelenting contribution to scrape out the last of this dwarfed evil from our fatherland. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday shocked passengers at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos, by flying the economy class abo... Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday shocked passengers at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos, by flying the economy class aboard a commercial airline to a function in Enugu.Mr. Obasanjo was billed to attend the South-East Economic and Security Summit, but could not secure a business class ticket because all seats had been booked.His aides said with no alternative, the former president bought an economy ticket of Air Peace airline that travelled out of Lagos at 7a.m.The ticket was the last for the flight, as a result Mr. Obasanjo could not travel with his security detail.On board the aircraft, some shocked business class passengers offered the former president their seats, and he turned them down.Mr. Obasanjo took his seat number 18A, not before taking photographs with some passengers.On arrival at Enugu airport, he was received by Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The wife of the Niger State Governor, Dr. Amina Sani Bello has explained that she continues to perform surgical operations despite being... The wife of the Niger State Governor, Dr. Amina Sani Bello has explained that she continues to perform surgical operations despite being a governors wife.According to her, she does this because she does not want to forget the rudiments of her profession.Apparently replying to some queries on why she still goes to the hospital for surgical operations, Bello said as a trained gynaecologist, if she focuses only on the activities of being the Governors wife, she will no longer be able to practice her profession after four years.Speaking at the flag-off of the skills training and empowerment of 250 unemployed girls and women in Minna recently, she said that she derives joy from going to the theatre.The reason why I still go to the hospital is because I do not want to forget my profession. I can be a Governors wife and do nothing apart from my projects but after four years, I will forget my profession.So I cannot become the wife of the governor for four years without practising my profession, if I do so, after four years, I will no longer be able to perform surgical operation. Ill have to go back and learn how to do it all over again, she said.Bello said governments focus on the issue of women development was to improve the economic growth of the state.She then expressed optimism that the training will have a ripple effect on the socio-economic development of the state urging the participants to embrace the skills training and justify the confidence the government have in them.The Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Roseline Abara said that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is not sleeping in his bid to ensure that he improves the lives of people in the state.The Commissioner said that the governor is so concerned about the poverty rate of the people that he continuously works out plans to reduce their poverty rate.The Governor is not sleeping. He is improving the lives of the people to make them less dependent by empowering them. He is determined to create opportunities that women in the state are self employed and no longer go begging for food.She called on the participants who were drawn from the 25 local government areas of the state to pay attention to their training so that they can use it to improve their families and the society.The 250 young girls and women will be trained in the three senatorial zones of the state on cosmetic production, perfume production, fish and poultry farming, rice farming and processing, tailoring, catering amongst others. NEWARK -- Authorities are investigating an early morning shooting that left a 32-year-old man dead in Newark on Christmas Day, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Hassan Q. Cobb-Jones was pronounced dead at 1:06 a.m. after being shot on Parker Street, according to a statement from Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose. The shooting occurred on Parker near the intersection of Park Ave. in Newark. Authorities say the investigation is active and ongoing, and that additional information will be released as it becomes available. Authorities have asked anyone with information about the shooting to call the Prosecutor's Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC. Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- Just three weeks after being sentenced for theft by deception, former state Senate and Assembly candidate Bruce Alston has been arrested on another theft by deception charge. Alston, who pleaded guilty to theft by deception earlier this year, turned himself in to authorities on Thursday after being accused of the same type of offense, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office said. In an echo of the case that was thought to have reached a conclusion earlier this month, the new criminal complaint against Alston states that he "purposely obtained a property belonging to another by purposely creating or reinforcing a false impression." Probable cause, the complaint states, was established based on documents received from a financial institution and documents pertaining to "the resale of 560 Bramhall Avenue." Alston's previous case also involved a Bramhall Avenue property. The prosecutor's office couldn't immediately provide detailed information about the new charge and say why it hadn't been levied during Alston's most recent legal saga. In a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, Alston wrote: "Double Jeopardy!!! #Herewegoagain." Reached about the matter on Friday, Alston -- who said he is out on a $50,000 bail with a 10 percent option -- told The Jersey Journal it's the "same case, same charge, same property." The 45-year-old told The Jersey Journal he believes he will eventually be absolved of the most recent charge. "I'm very confident," he said. "I'm just going to respect the process." On Dec. 2, Alston was sentenced to five years probation in drug court after having been accepted into the court due to alcohol and codeine addictions, following his guilty plea to theft by deception on July 21. As part of his probation, Alston was required to not possess a firearm, make restitution to a mortgage company in the amount of $133,000, compete an intensive outpatient drug treatment program, refrain from the use of alcohol and drugs and stay away from places that sell alcohol. He had faced a 3-year prison sentence had he not been accepted into drug court. Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. NEW HOPE -- For sisters Maddie and Kiki Mauer, ages 14 and 12, raising funds to build a school in rural Guatemala represents the continuation of a family tradition. Their mother, Jennifer Mauer, and grandmother, Ann Fron, traveled to Guatemala back in 2007 after working with the nonprofit group Miracles in Action to open School #12 in the village of La Pedrera, located in a remote mountainous region. Now the girls, who live in New Hope and attend the private Hun School in Princeton, are raising money on behalf of Miracles in Action to build School #55 in Sacapulas, located in another rural, mountainous section of Guatemala. "I've seen how education is the surest way out of poverty," Maddie said in a telephone interview, explaining her motivation in pursuing the project. "I'm really blessed to have a great education and I want other kids to have it.' Kiki added, "I too believe in education," lauding Miracles founder Penny Rambacher for "doing a great job. "I can't wait to get to Guatemala," Kiki said. Although the girls have not yet been in Guatemala, they will be traveling there over the coming spring break to meet with people in the Sacapulas area and see how the project is going. For now, the family is accepting donations through the Miracles in Action website and also has a Facebook page, Mauer School Project: Guatemala. Rembacher, the founder and leader of Miracles in Action, first visited Guatemala when she was working as a flight attendant and wound up starting the organization after she saw "how poor the people were there," Kiki said. The fundraising goal for the school project is $20,000. The girls say they have raised about half of that and are hoping to reach their goal by June 30, 2017. The girls have actually been working on behalf of schools for Guatemala since they were 5 and 3, when they collected seashells and sold them so that students at School #12 could have stuffed animals and backpacks along with school supplies. "Now we're doing something bigger," Maddie said. The girls have been involved in a number of fundraising efforts. Last weekend, they set up a booth at the Stockton Market where they sold beads and other jewelry items created by people in Guatemala. "We were blown away by all the people being there to help our cause," Maddie said. Their mother, Jennifer, explained that in impoverished Guatemala, the government does not always operate schools in the remote mountains areas, often populated by indigenous people descended from the Mayans. However, if the local people can find a way to build a school, Jennifer Mauer said, the government will provide teachers. Jennifer Mauer said that from these impoverished areas, the young men often leave for urban areas and the U.S. and send money back to their relatives. However, the young women, if they can get an education, stick around to become teachers, she said. In the case of School #12, she said, there was no school in the area, while School #55 will be a four-classroom structure that will replace a one-room schoolhouse. The elementary school will run through the equivalent of sixth grade and after that, the students must leave for other areas if they want to continue their education. The Guatemalans "are beautiful people, kind and grateful," Jennifer Mauer said. "This isn't something they take lightly or take for granted." WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. -- George Washington and his troops have made their annual Christmas Day trip across the Delaware River. The 64th annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river took the group from Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, to Titusville, New Jersey, on Sunday afternoon. The annual Christmas tradition drew large crowds of families and fans of history to both sides of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river during the original crossing. Washington's troops marched 8 miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton. Thirty Hessians were killed, and two Continental soldiers froze to death on the march. cleveland and all 098.JPG Chris Christie sulks his way through Mike Pence's acceptance speech at the Republican Convention in Cleveland last summer; He would go on to lose a power struggle with Pence thanks once again to his oversized ego and ambition. (Paul Mulshine) Chris Christie went on the radio last week to condemn "the haters" who are keeping him from getting paid for writing a book while he's still governor. I can't see why this gets him so upset. I mean, does the world really need another cookbook? I suspect that's the only kind of book Christie could sell these days. If he were to write a book on his life in politics, the working title would be "I Sold My Soul to Donald Trump - and He Demanded a Refund." The past year was yet another one in which our governor's hopes of self-promotion were thwarted by his character flaws. We first saw that on full display six years ago tomorrow, when New Jersey was hit by the blizzard of the century. As the first flakes were falling, the governor was departing Newark Airport on one of the last flights out before the runways were shut down. His destination: Disney World. Once there, he promptly forgot about New Jersey, particularly the two counties that had given him his election victory the year before: Monmouth and Ocean. The state highways there still weren't fully cleared of snow when the governor returned five days later to hold a press conference in which he said local mayors should "buck up and take responsibility for the fact that they didn't do their job" - when plowing the state highways was his job, not theirs. We saw that attitude on display again in January of this year. This time Christie was campaigning for president in New Hampshire as a blizzard approached. He told our reporter that he had no intention of returning home to face the storm. That prompted New York City's Democratic mayor, Bill de Blasio, to take a poke at him for putting his presidential ambitions ahead of his state's interests. Christie then made a quick trip home, so quick that he failed to notice that the islands south of Atlantic City had suffered worse flooding than they had in Hurricane Sandy. When a local mayor mentioned that flooding, Christie termed him "crazy." And when a questioner at a town hall asked him why he wasn't in his home state helping with the recovery, Christie uttered the immortal line "You want me to go down there with a mop?" If January was bad for our governor, February was worse. Despite all that campaigning in New Hampshire, Christie finished sixth in the nation's first presidential primary. He dropped out of the presidential race but then made what looked like a brilliant tactical move: He became the first major Republican politician to back Donald Trump. How would he screw this up? We soon learned. Christie pushed for the No. 2 spot in the Trump ticket, even though the Bridgegate trial was looming in October. Trump chose Indiana Gov. Mike Pence instead, in a move that up his support in key Midwestern states. Christie sulked his way through Pence's acceptance speech at the convention in Cleveland and then got into a power struggle with Pence over their roles in the campaign. That struggle ended in a decisive defeat for Christie on election night, when Pence became vice president-elect. Christie soon became ex-head of the Trump transition team. Back in New Jersey, the governor with record disapproval ratings soon found a way to alienate voters even more. He pushed a bill package that would raise legislators' staff salaries while permitting the governor to earn outside income in the form of a big book advance. That move failed on Monday as rank-and-file legislators in both parties rose up against their leadership. That legislative defeat was looking like the low point of a very bad 2016 for Christie. Nope. There was one more insult to come. On Friday, former firefighter and law-school graduate Bill Brennan held a press conference in Bergen County to discuss the latest development in the complaint he brought against the governor on a charge of misconduct in office stemming from Bridgegate. A judge had again refused to grant Brennan's move for a special prosecutor in the case. But the case will continue into 2017 with the possibility of a trial looming. Whoever ends up prosecuting it will have a hard time deep-sixing it with Brennan talking it up as only he can. Christie brought all of these debacles upon himself. In the spirit of Christmas, let me offer an antidote. What the governor clearly needs is a night-time visit from either a ghost, as in "A Christmas Carol," or an angel as in "It's a Wonderful Life." Said spirit would point out to the governor what might have been if he had just focused on the people of New Jersey rather than advancing his personal fortunes. He would wake up a changed man. Maybe then he could write that book. PLUS: That vacation Christie took from doing his job during the Blizzard of the Century has to rank among the most appalling examples of bad political behavior I've ever witnessed. It was bad enough that he deserted the state just as the storm was beginning. But it was nothing less than astounding when he returned and openly lied about his failure to oversee the cleanup. At the time he held that press conference the major state highways in Monmouth County were still had just one lane in each direction. Worse, many of the jughandles were not cleared so left turns were impossible. His administration would go on to totally screw up transportation for the Super Bowl in 2014 - again with Christie deserting the scene just as the problems began. The only good part was that I got to write columns about his bizarre behavior. Here's one filled with bad jokes: Was it a Mickey Mouse move or was it just plain Goofy? Sorry, I won't do that again. But that's the type of joke our governor's going to be hearing for the foreseeable future. Last week, Chris Christie performed a feat that may rank as a first for any politician in an executive position in America: He boarded a plane and took off for Disney World just as a blizzard was arriving to shut down his state. I didn't realize it at the time I took this photo of my dog Beach Betty on the beach in 2010 but it was taken at about the same time Christie was leaving for Disney World in the face of the Blizzard of the Century. What was Dumbo thinking when he flew off to Fantasyland? Oops. Sorry. Even in ideal weather, the trip would have been ill-advised. His lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno, was also on vacation, in Mexico. Leaving the state meant handing over control to the most powerful Democrat in the state, Senate President Stephen Sweeney. Sweeney publicly pronounced himself to have been shocked to get a call from Christie asking him to take over as acting governor for five days. He wasn't the only one who was shocked. The voters who created the $141,000 position of lieutenant governor in 2005, and then filled it in 2009, also expected the occupant to serve in the event the governor left the state. The Democrats seized on the sentiment. "I think the governor has no respect for the office of lieutenant governor," said state Sen. Ray Lesniak, a Democrat from Elizabeth. "I voted for it, but I made a mistake. What's the purpose of having a lieutenant governor if the lieutenant governor's not around when the governor is unavailable?" The real mistake was made by whoever failed to coordinate the vacations of Christie and Guadagno. The last-minute nature of the call to Sweeney indicates that when it comes to scheduling, someone in the administration was being either Sleepy or Dopey. But once it became clear the state was about to turn Snow White (sorry again), Christie should have had the common sense to cancel his trip. Did the governor really need to see the fake snow at Disney World's Blizzard Beach when he could have seen the real thing at the Jersey Shore? That was where he piled up his biggest vote totals in 2009, and it was also the part of the state where some of the highest snow totals piled up. Yet the state highways in Monmouth and Ocean counties remained barely passable two days after the storm. Adding to the chaos were the cutbacks imposed by Christie on counties and towns. This was the perfect opportunity for a take-charge executive to roll up his sleeves and show that government can provide essential services, even in an era of cost reduction. One take-charge executive did exactly that. Newark Mayor Cory Booker Mayor Cory Booker turned every snowdrift into a photo op. He took advantage of his Twitter account to turn this blizzard into a national story starring the shovel-wielding public servant who's not afraid to work up a sweat. Even worse for Christie were the reports later in the week that Guadagno was accompanied on her visit to Mexico by her cancer-stricken father. That detail cast her in a slightly better light than her boss. But a Mexican vacation is still a Mexican vacation, so she's hardly off the hook. We all have families. Most of us have jobs as well, and we have to make sure those jobs get done one way or the other. As for Christie's national reputation, by Wednesday, newspapers from as far away as London were running articles like this: "New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has been tipped as a potential Republican presidential candidate, flew out to Florida on Sunday - just before officials declared a state of emergency. He refuses to return until tomorrow." Meanwhile, Guadagno has spent the past year hovering behind Christie, making herself look like she's ready to step in the moment he makes his move nationally. Had she cut her vacation short, she could have gotten the sort of publicity Booker got. He also made the headlines of that London Daily Mail article, which was "New Jersey governor under fire for going to Disney World during blizzard ... while the mayor of the state's biggest city digs citizens out himself." So it was not a good week for our governor. Only one thing could make it worse. Remember how former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis had his career ruined by a photo of himself wearing an Army helmet? Well, if anyone's got a photo of Christie in Mickey Mouse ears, he might as well just stay in Mendham from now on. What a year it has been in New Jersey -- and national -- politics! As 2016 becomes "auld lang syne," we look forward to a new year that will include the inauguration of a new president, the swearing in of a new member of New Jersey's congressional delegation and the election of a new governor. Let's look back and assess who came out on top this year, and who's really ready to put '16 to rest. Winners: Josh Gottheimer 1. Congressman-elect Josh Gottheimer. In a year in which Democrats got trounced nationally, Gottheimer managed to pull off an upset in the state's northern fifth congressional district, toppling Republican Scott Garrett. Gottheimer will face an uphill battle as a new congressmember in the minority party in a district that leans Republican, but his hands-on, grassroots style will work to his advantage. Bob Menendez 2. U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. While the senator is too much of a gentleman to admit it, the end of the Obama era will be a welcome relief, as Menendez faced an indictment spearheaded by Obama Attorney General Eric Holder. Many view the indictment as a punitive measure designed to demote the vocal Menendez in the Senate Foreign Relations committee (it worked). While Menendez would have preferred a Clinton White House, the fact that the president-elect shares many of his foreign policy positions, including on Cuba, will work to Menendez's advantage. Kim Guadagno 3. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. Trying to distance herself from Gov. Chris Christie's legacy, the talented Guadagno stumbled out of the gate, clumsily adopting policy positions that put her at odds with the business community she had been courting for years. But the likely Republican nominee has the support of many party chairs, and the momentum to secure the Republican gubernatorial nomination, if she wants it. Phil Murphy 4. Phil Murphy. The former Goldman Sachs executive must be included because he is the likely Democratic party nominee, and likely our next governor. His mettle is yet to be tested, but the millions he's willing to invest in his own candidacy succeeded in clearing the field of the most serious competitors. Lou Stellato,and John Currie 5. John Currie, Lou Stellato, LeRoy Jones .The chairs of the State Democratic Committee, the Bergen Democrats, and the Essex Democrats respectively, threw their support behind Phil Murphy, and succeeded in blocking Senate President Stephen Sweeney from becoming the Democratic nominee for governor. Harvey Kesselman 6. Harvey Kesselman. Kesselman is the newly-minted president of Stockton University, who came to that post in a storybook version of "local boy makes good." Kesselman was part of Stockton's first graduating class, and rose through the college's ranks earning goodwill and respect all the while. In a near singular bright spot in South Jersey, Kesselman is poised to transform both the face and the economy of Atlantic City with a new oceanfront campus that could serve as a sustainable economic engine to the area. New Jersey traffic jam. 7. Commuters. Despite last-ditch, ill-informed efforts to sideline the ballot question dedicating gas tax revenue to the Transportation Trust Fund, the measure passed, ensuring that the state's transportation infrastructure will have a dedicated revenue source. Losers: Chris Christie 1. Gov. Chris Christie. The once likely-Republican presidential nominee saw his prospects snuffed out in a humiliating fashion. Then there was Bridgegate, and his failed legacy as governor is reflected in his 18 percent approval rating. He threw his underlings under the bus during the Bridgegate trial only to find himself with tire tracks across his back when President-elect Donald Trump denied him a cabinet appointment. Karma. Scott Garrett 2. Scott Garrett. The staunch conservative was a perennial target for Democrats, but homophobic comments served to spook many of the financial services companies that had been bankrolling his political career. It was an error that opened the window just enough for the well-qualified Josh Gottheimer to jimmy it open. Renderings of the proposed Liberty Rising resort spa and casino 3. North Jersey casino supporters. Early on, most of us thought this would be a slam dunk, but the opposing coalition was no match for the two developers who sought new casino licenses at the Meadowlands and in Jersey City. While this battle isn't finished, the failure of the ballot measure marks an important loss for the building trades. David Wildstein 4. David Wildstein. The government's star witness in the Bridgegate trial was reportedly a person of talent and skill. But after hearing defense attorney Michael Baldassare describe how people who know Wildstein characterize him as "a horrible person," "a miserable prick," and "an asshole," we can't help but think, for most people, the status of "winners" and "losers," is a temporary one. Fortunes change. But with Wildstein, there seems to a permanence rooted in Wildstein's pettiness, insecurity and vindictiveness. Paul DiGaetano 5. Paul DiGaetano. The freshly elected Bergen County Republican chair suffered incredible losses when his entire ticket, including the incumbent Garrett, lost in a year in which Republicans triumphed. Atlantic City 6. Atlantic City. Despite major efforts by Mayor Don Guardian, Christie was rooting for Atlantic City's failure so that the state could take it over, which it did. George Norcross 7. George Norcross. The South Jersey party boss was squeezed out of the 2017 gubernatorial nomination process when Murphy succeeded in building a north Jersey coalition. Like Jon Corzine, Murphy needs nothing from Norcross. 8. New Jersey. We are stuck in a bad marriage with a governor who has been trying to leave us for four years. Our state legislature stands idly by, refusing to consider measures of impeachment, even though 71 percent of New Jerseyans agree that Christie should have been put on trial for his role in Bridgegate. Instead, the legislature made a backroom deal with governor to allow him to profit off a book he'll write during his last year in office. God bless us everyone. Brigid Callahan Harrison, a regular contributor to The Star-Ledger, is professor of political science and law at Montclair State University. A frequent commentator on state and national politics, she is the author of five books on American politics. Like her on Facebook. Follow her on Twitter @BriCalHar. Follow NJ.com Opinion on Twitter@NJ_Opinion. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Reagan Carter Russian intervention allegeldy was tried by Democrats in the 1980 election between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. (File photo) BY MICHAEL REAGAN In the last six weeks the liberal pundits and biased reporters of the Old Media have pulled a groin muscle trying to discredit President Trump in advance. First they played up the recount stories to make it look like the vote totals in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania were fudged somehow. Then they tried to play up the fact that Hillary won the popular vote and impugned the Electoral College like it had been devised by the founding fathers of the USSR. The way the liberal Old Media saw it, their golden girl Hillary was cheated out of her rightful place in history by an antiquated, undemocratic process that needed to be blown up so the wise people of California, New York and Illinois could elect every American president from now on. Next the Old Media tried to make it seem that Trump ---- the guy they mocked during the election for having no ground game, no staff and no hope of winning -- was taking longer than he should to name his cabinet. They said he was going to pick a bunch of unqualified bums based on their loyalty to him. Then they worried he was picking too many generals and was acting like he wanted to be a dictator. On and on, the Old Mainstream Media pursued angles and made criticisms of Trump as if presidential history started last month. Previous presidents-elect were slower to name their staffs. Others chose several generals. But the Old Media didn't go out of their way to point out those inconvenient historical facts. They were after Trump. The liberal media's latest example of historical amnesia involves the claim that Trump's buddy Vladimir Putin used his hackers to hurt Hillary and affect the election's outcome. For the first time in history, the way the Old Media tell it, a foreign power was asked to manipulate an American election. Of course, it was only Trump and the evil Republicans who would allegedly try such a dastardly and unprecedented crime against democracy. Except it wasn't -- and once again the Old Media were caught being wrong and biased. As I tried to remind everyone last week in a column for Newsmax, in 1980, and again in 1984, it was Democrats who reached out to the Soviets several times for help in affecting an American election. In 1980, Saint Ted Kennedy, who was trying to defeat incumbent President Jimmy Carter in the Democratic primary, sent former Senator John Tunney to meet with the KGB in an attempt to sabotage American foreign policy. According to documents later unearthed in the Soviet archives, Kennedy offered to condemn Carter's policy toward the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in exchange for KGB help. Later that fall Saint Jimmy Carter himself tried to play the Soviet card against my father in the general election. Trailing Ronald Reagan in the polls, he sent his pal, industrialist Armand Hammer, to meet with Soviet ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin. Hammer asked the Soviets to help Carter win Jewish votes in key states by allowing Jewish "refuseniks" in the USSR to emigrate to Israel. The Russkies rejected Hammer's request. But in 1984 Carter himself went to Ambassador Dobrynin to ask for help in getting my father un-elected, as did Speaker of the House, Saint Tip O'Neill. Both Carter and O'Neill ---- Democrats, I believe -- told Dobrynin that it was in the planet's best interests to get my father out of office before he blew up the world with his dangerous massive defense buildup. Nice. The Soviets didn't play ball with the Democrats in 1980 or 1984. And we only know about these slimy efforts to affect American elections because the Soviet Empire collapsed and we've got a look at the KGB's archives. President Obama has ordered a full investigation into any Russian skullduggery during the 2016 election and wants it finished before he leaves office. When his report comes out the liberal pundits and biased reporters of the Old Media will use it to make President-elect Trump look as bad as possible. Which is why I hope Santa Claus puts nothing in their Christmas stockings this year but a lump of West Virginia coal. Merry Christmas. EDITOR'S NOTE: Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and the author of "The New Reagan Revolution" (St. Martin's Press). Send comments to Reagan@caglecartoons.com. Vatican-nativity.jpg The nativity scene set up in St. Peter's Square. Pope Francis says a fishing boat was included this year as a reminder of the plight of migrants from Africa and the Middle East. (AP Photo | Andrew Medichini) The Vatican's Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square has an unusual addition this year: Next to Mary and Joseph, a fishing boat, to represent the thousands of refugees risking their lives at sea. Pope Francis said this is because the story of Jesus' birth echoes "the tragic reality of migrants on boats" from the Middle East and Africa today. He hopes all who visit will remember the message of "fraternity, sharing, welcoming and solidarity." "The sad experience of these brothers and sisters recalls that of baby Jesus, who at the time of his birth could not find a place to stay when he was born in Bethlehem," the pope said. "He was then taken to Egypt to escape threats from Herod." As Trump seeks to close the door, more refugees welcomed in N.J. You can imagine how President-elect Donald Trump would have received him. But even as he vows to slam the door on those seeking refuge here, many others are urging us to take the same spirit of generosity we show to family and friends during the holiday season, and extend it to refugees. This includes the Catholic church in New Jersey, which has continued to resettle families despite Trump's threats to suspend the Syrian refugee program and deport those already here, and our own governor's foot-stamping. Gov. Christie said he would take in no Syrian refugees - not even an orphaned toddler - and later withdrew us from a federal resettlement program, refusing to take those fleeing any country. But no matter. The $2 million our state lost in federal funds is simply being handed out to nonprofits instead, to continue settling refugees in New Jersey. This past year, they've resettled 582 refugees, including 355 from Syria. Those doing this noble work include the International Rescue Committee, Church World Service - which represents 37 Christian denominations - Catholic Charities in Camden, and starting next month, Catholic Charities in the Newark Archdiocese. Retiring Archbishop John J. Myers approved of the plan and his replacement, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Indianapolis, has walked the walk: Last year, he disregarded an order from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, now the vice president-elect, that barred the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the Hoosier state. Bless him. Now, the Newark Archdiocese will welcome at least 51 refugees in 2017, from Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq and Afghanistan - all of whom must go through rigorous background checks with federal agencies. As Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-Paterson) notes, this should serve as a message to us all: For those seeking refuge, "New Jersey has room in our inn." The Camden diocese has long been resettling refugees here. The welcome these kids get in their new schools is incredible, says Kevin Hickey of Catholic Charities in Camden. "Generally, it restores one's faith in humankind." Some of those leading the effort have close ties to refugees themselves, like Hickey's Catholic Charities colleague, Patrick Barry, whose own relatives fled the Khmer Rouge regime of Cambodia in late 1970s. It brings to mind the image, widely shared online, of what a Nativity scene would look like without Middle Easterners and refugees. What's left is an empty manger, and maybe a couple sheep. Just as Joseph and Mary were refugees fleeing for their lives, Maria Biancheri of Catholic Charities in the Newark archdiocese says it's important to heed the Biblical call to "welcome the stranger." A Jewish congregation in Montclair, Bnai Keshet, showed the same welcoming spirit last year, when it hosted 10 Syrian Muslim refugee families for a "traditional" Jewish Christmas dinner of Chinese food, leading to a continuing tradition of shared meals. Let's hope the rest of us can open our arms as wide this Christmas. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan today met with a Russian delegation headed by Leonid Kalashnikov, Chairman of the Dumas Committee of CIA Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Compatriot Affairs. The delegation is in Yerevan to take part in a joint session with the Armenian parliaments Standing Committee on Foreign Relations. Sargsyan said he was hopeful that the joint session of the Armenian and Russian parliamentary partners would be productive and lead to strengthened ties between the two states. On December 23, the Russian delegation is scheduled to visit the Tzitzernakaberd Genocide Memorial Complex. adoptionfiles.jpg There are 170,000 adoption records at the Department of Health that state employees will comb through to comply with a law that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2017 that provides adopted people a copy of their original birth certificate. (Photo courtesy of the N.J. Dept. of Health) TRENTON -- The clock is ticking for the thousands of birth parents of children given up for adoption who want to remain cloaked in anonymity. In six days, New Jersey will finally allow adults who were adopted to learn the names of their birth parents, something previously available only with a court order. And the birth parents of some 300,000 children given up for adoption in New Jersey have until next Saturday to request their names removed from their child's original birth certificate if they wish to remain anonymous. Birth parents of children adopted on or after Aug. 1, 2015, cannot seek to have their identifying information redacted. The now-past social stigma associated with unwed motherhood, unplanned or unwanted pregnancies caused authorities to cloak birth parents identities in secret for fear they might be blackmailed. As of Dec. 19, 244 parents have requested anonymity, while 734 adoptees have asked for their birth certificates bearing the names of their birth parents, Health Department spokeswoman Donna Leusner told the Associated Press. Birth parents who redact their names can always reverse their decision at a later date to have their identities revealed. Desire for privacy was one of the arguments opponents made during the 34-year struggle to keep birth records closed without a court order. However, the New Jersey Coalition for Adoption Reform & Education pressed to open the records, arguing adults had a right to know the truth of their origins, particularly as it relates to family medical histories. Those birth parents who decide they do want to be contacted may request they be approached directly, or can designate an intermediary, such as adoption agency. However, in order for the contact preference form to be accepted, birth parents must also submit a completed family history form, which includes medical, cultural and social history information. As of Dec. 19, 199 birth parents had supplied their medical histories. Birth records of adopted children to be revealed The New Jersey Catholic Conference says its worried birth parents may have moved out of the state may not be aware of the change in privacy law. It is spreading the word through member churches and has established a helpline number for affected birth parents to call: 609-989-4809. Any birth parents who wish to preserve their privacy, must submit a redaction request form to the New Jersey Department of Health no later than December 31, 2016. The form can be downloaded here. Come January, New Jersey will join Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Kansas and Maine in offering adoptees access to their birth certificates without restrictions. The Associated Press contributed reporting to this article. Claude Brodesser-Akner may be reached at cbrodesser@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClaudeBrodesser. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Donald Trump,Melania Trump President-elect Donald Trump, second from left, accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, center right, departs after attending a Christmas Eve service at the Church of Bethesda-by-the Sea, in West Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik) TRENTON -- Both the president and president-elect's Christmas celebrations were repeats of last year's, and both involved palm trees, but occurred at opposite ends of the country. President-elect Donald Trump, who is Presbyterian, and first lady-to-be Melania Trump attended midnight mass Saturday night at The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, the same venue where they were married in 2005 and where they celebrated Christmas last year as well. Trump wore his omnipresent dark suit and red tie, while his wife Melania was clad in a revealing maroon mini-dress and nude platform heels. Both were greeted with a standing ovation upon their arrival shortly after 10:30 pm. The Trumps took Communion, and sitting in the third row of pews, listened a sermon from church rector Rev. James Harlan that avoided politics but hinted at the divisive 2016 campaign's bitter aftertaste. "All of us have some hurts, some resentments, some fears, some ways that someone has hurt us or offended us in the past that we won't let go of," Harlan said. He added, "I can tell you over time those little hurts, those little slights, those little things consume us, and they will push out that space for God's love all too easily." The service ended after midnight, and the Trumps returned to his private club Mar-a-Lago to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. Meanwhile, President Obama spent Christmas Eve vacationing in his home state of Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Clad in flip-flops, sunglasses and a white, short-sleeved polo mesh shirt, the president -- as he did last year, made his annual unannounced after-lunch pilgrimage to Island Snow in Kailua with his daughters Sasha, 18 and Malia, 15, for shave ice treats. First lady Michelle Obama spent the afternoon volunteering at the NORAD Tracks Santa program, taking calls from kids across the country to share Santa's progress across the globe. President Obama ended his day making Christmas Eve calls to U.S. troops stationed overseas. Claude Brodesser-Akner may be reached at cbrodesser@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClaudeBrodesser. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. TRENTON -- Gov. Chris Christie will now decide on legislation that would prevent Donald Trump adviser Carl Icahn from reopening the Trump Taj Mahal with non-union workers for five years. The state Assembly last week cleared legislation to suspend the gambling license of any New Jersey casino that "substantially closed" this year or in the future. The vote was 60-17 to send the measure to Christie. The Senate passed the bill in October in a 29-6 vote. The suspension would last five years unless the casino reached an agreement with its employees. While not mentioned in the bill, the legislation was a response to Icahn's decision to close the Trump Taj Mahal after its workers struck over benefits. It would prevent him from reopening the Taj Mahal with a non-union staff for five years. "The last thing we want to see is a casino owner taking advantage of bankruptcy laws and pocketing a license or, even worse, stripping workers of benefits and denying them a fair wage because they couldn't come to the table and strike an agreement," said Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester), who sponsored the legislation with Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester). Four other Atlantic City casinos shut down in 2014. Icahn bought the Taj Mahal out of bankruptcy court last year, long after now-President-elect Donald Trump had relinquished ownership. "Casino owners shouldn't be manipulating the system and exploiting bankruptcy laws as a way to break unions and take away the rights and benefits of the workers," Sweeney said. "Atlantic City's gaming industry is obviously experiencing the difficult challenges of competition from other states, but the answer is not to engage in practices that punish the workers." The Division of Gaming Enforcement would decide whether a casino was substantially closed. Trump on Thursday named Icahn as a special adviser on overhauling federal regulations. Both Icahn and Trump have contended that federal regulations have hindered economic growth. More than 10 million new jobs were created during President Barack Obama's administration. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook FRANKLIN -- Officials have settled on a site for a natural gas compressor station strongly opposed by residents that would be built as part of a proposed $1 billion pipeline project. Williams Company, which owns the Transco pipeline, has decided on a 52-acre tract that is located approximately one mile south of the intersection State Highway 27 and County Route 518, said Chris Stockton, a spokesperson for Williams. The land is currently owned by Trap Rock Industries. The other site being considered was a 40-acre tract off Route 27 near Promenade Boulevard. "The site was selected because it minimizes potential impacts to residential areas as well as to environmental resources, such as wetlands and waterbodies," said Stockton. "As part of the application process, Williams will develop a detailed analysis of the project's effect on wildlife, vegetation, wetlands, waterbodies and groundwater, geology, soils, land use, air and noise quality." The project has been met with opposition in the township, with residents expressing concerns about pollution, noise, safety and quality of life issues. Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, has also been a critic of the proposed facility. "The site they chose is a terrible location," he said. "It impacts environmentally sensitive areas and homes and subjects people to safety and health issues. An explosion or leak could threaten communities, destroy important habitat and add pollution to waterways." Stockton said the company will submit a formal application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) this spring. The facility would be situated on about six acres, said Stockton. The current design would require clearing approximately 15 acres, while the remaining 37 acres will be left wooded. Design plans also include an extensive sound-buffering insulation, Dark Sky compliant LED lighting, and the utilization of state of the art air emission control technology, he said. The Northeast Supply Enhancement Project would add 35 miles to the existing Transco pipeline system, including a 22-mile pipeline under the Raritan Bay from Old Bridge to Brooklyn, 3.5 miles of pipeline through Middlesex County and 10 miles of pipeline in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania. The compressor station would include two, 16,000 horsepower compressors. Branchburg is the site of one of five compressor stations in the state serving the Transco pipeline, said Stockton. The final decision on whether the pipeline will be built rests with the FERC. Williams Company has said the pipeline is needed to meet the needs of some 1.8 million customers in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island. Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook. FILE PHOTO - Santa Claus Fred Parker has spread Christmas cheer for more than four decades. This photo of Parker was taken in 2002.(KATHY ANDERSON, The Times-Picayune archive) Today Clear to partly cloudy. Areas of patchy fog. Low 71F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Areas of patchy fog. Low 71F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Areas of patchy fog early. Mainly cloudy. High 82F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. WWII deaths remained secret; survivors were not allowed to discuss ships sinking OMAHA Herman Lemke woke up with a feeling of dread that cold Christmas morning in 1944. The farmer from Bruning had just sent his second-oldest son off to World War II. Otis, 22, was in England with the 66th Infantry Division, ready to join the fight against the Nazis in France and Belgium. Over Christmas breakfast, Herman told his wife and five younger children about his bad dream. He dreamt he saw Otis at the foot of his bed. He had said Goodbye, Dad, recalled Florence Hines, Otis sister, who was 17 at the time. He didnt laugh about it. He was very serious. Weeks later the family learned Otis had gone missing Christmas Eve night, lost at sea in the English Channel. Herman Lemkes nightmare had come true. Nearly 800 families would get the same news that winter, devastating but vague. A loved one had died but who knew what really happened? The War Department said little in its telegrams. It wanted no one to know that a German U-boat, U-486, had stalked and sunk the converted passenger liner SS Leopoldville, killing about one-third of the 2,200 soldiers on board. The 763 reported victims included Otis Lemke and at least three other Nebraskans, as well as seven soldiers from western Iowa. Only 270 bodies were recovered. It touched a lot of lives, theres no question about it, said Allan Andrade, a retired New York City police detective who investigated the disaster in the 1990s and wrote a book about it. It seems to be a never-ending story. They died in part because of miscommunication and incompetence by the ships crew, within sight of its destination, Cherbourg, France. But it took news of the attack more than an hour to reach shore, causing a critical delay in getting rescue boats to the scene. Many members of the crew abandoned ship, leaving the soldiers to fend for themselves. Few had any idea how to launch a lifeboat. Many of them were 18, 19 years old, said Andrade, author of Leopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret. Their deaths would remain a mystery to their families, and forgotten by almost everyone else, because of official secrecy. The survivors werent allowed to discuss what happened. They kept it very quiet, said Ardene Mammen, 92, of Geneva, Nebraska, who had been married to Otis Lemke just nine months when he died. Otis had grown up on his fathers farm but left town before World War II with his older brother, Alvin, to work on a dairy farm in Minnesota. He returned in 1943 and took a job at the air base in Bruning. Ardene met him at a welcome party for a family that had just moved to a nearby farm. He was very nice, she recalled. I think it was something like love at first sight. They were married in April 1944. Less than six months later, Otis was drafted into the Army. Otis made it home to Nebraska for a short furlough before he had to ship out overseas. Ardene said goodbye at a railroad station in Omaha for what turned out to be the last time. I prayed a lot, Ardene said. Lemkes division waited in a camp in England as the Battle of the Bulge raged in Belgium and Luxembourg that December. On Christmas Eve, the 66th got called up to join the fight. Thousands of soldiers milled about the docks at Southampton, where confusion reigned in the hours before dawn. Some units boarded the Leopoldville, a Belgian luxury liner that had been converted into a troopship before the war. Pvt. John Pordon, 19, of San Francisco boarded about 2:30 a.m. and was directed below decks on a rickety wooden staircase to an area where hammocks were hung four high. The Leopoldville got underway about 9 a.m. on Dec. 24. They ate what Pordon recalls was an awful Christmas dinner of greenish stew over rice as the ship tossed about on the choppy Channel waves. Many soldiers got seasick. We were all griping about what a lousy way it was to spend Christmas, said Pordon, now 91 and living in Sonoma, California. Little did we know. After dinner, Pordon had returned to his hammock. Suddenly, just before 6 p.m., a huge shock rocked the ship from the starboard (right) side back near the stern. Many soldiers in that part of the ship died instantly, or were trapped below decks. It felt like an earthquake, Pordon said in a telephone interview last week. We knew something happened. We thought we had hit a mine. Many soldiers had missed a lifeboat drill earlier, so they didnt know where to go or how to don a life vest. Pordons company had been there, so the men reported to their lifeboat station as planned. They waited for a long time, but no one gave instructions. By now we all assumed the ship was sinking, he said. Pordon said there was no panic or pushing, and he doesnt remember feeling fear just a certainty that he must figure a way out of this situation. He circled around to the other side of the ship, where a British destroyer escort, the HMS Brilliant, had pulled alongside and nudged its prow up against the troopship. Its crew members were urging soldiers on the Leopoldville to jump across. Trouble was, the destroyers deck was quite a bit lower than the Leopoldvilles. And the rough seas made the Brilliant a bobbing, hard-to-hit target. The penalty for missing was severe: being crushed between the two ships steel hulls as the waves crashed them together. I saw a few guys jump and not make it to the other boat, Pordon recalled. I said Im not Charles Atlas. I decided I would stay with the (Leopoldville), and whatever happens happens. Once the Brilliant was filled, it headed to Cherbourg. Only then did authorities at the port learn what had happened to the troopship. A flotilla of small boats steamed out to pick up survivors, more than two hours after the ship had been hit. Pordon stuck it out on deck until the Leopoldvilles last moments. About 8:30 p.m. the ship started to roll onto its side. He stepped over the rail, walked down the side of the ship, and stepped into the 48-degree water. He started to sink and realized his heavy ammo belt would drown him. I let the belt go and popped up like a cork, Pordon said. He was floating among dozens of men in life vests. Some were screaming and flailing about, praying to God or shouting for their mothers. It was tragic and contagious. It felt easy to do the same, Pordon said. I calmed down and realized I had to do something to get out of this mess. He swam away from this tragic group and spotted a raft with some men in and around it. He grabbed an attached rope but gave it up when a panicked soldier came up and tried to take it away. So Pordon decided to try something else. He paddled around, and after awhile he spotted a military tugboat. He swam toward it, and some of the crew members spotted him. Two guys grabbed me by the arms and pulled me up, Pordon said. I was so weak, I couldnt get up. He hadnt really felt the cold during the 45 minutes he spent in the water. As soon as he was out, though, he started shivering uncontrollably. He stripped off his wet clothes, wrapped up in a blanket and was hustled down to the engine room to warm himself from the heat of the motors. That heat felt great, Pordon said. Once ashore, the survivors were taken to a nearby hospital. Pordon recuperated there for a few days. His 66th Infantry Division, which had lost about one-third of its men in the Leopoldville disaster, was too depleted to join the Battle of the Bulge. Instead it was sent to patrol a rear area and defeat pockets of German resistance. Back home in Nebraska, Otis Lemkes family knew nothing of the sinking, aside from Herman Lemkes odd Christmas omen. After the holidays, Ardene went about her work, teaching at a country school near Bruning. But she noticed, with concern, that Otis letters stopped arriving. I hadnt heard from him for quite some time, she said. Then I got a telegram from the government. They brought it to our door. Ardenes parents were there to support her. More than 70 years later, its still too painful for her to remember that day. When that happened to Otis, she was pretty much destroyed, said her daughter, Karen Corliss, of Bruning. A minister and a postal official delivered a telegram to Otis parents. We couldnt hardly believe it, recalled Berneta Miller, his younger sister, who is 85 and lives in Davenport, Nebraska. The family displayed his photo and flew a Gold Star flag. Contemporary news accounts indicate it may have been as late as early February that some families learned of a missing loved one, and April near the end of the European war before soldiers were declared dead. A memorial service was held in June 1945, although Otis body was never recovered. The family placed a stone in the local cemetery. In keeping with the times, people accepted the news quietly and moved on. There were crops to plant, children to teach, families to feed. But, Florence said, we always thought about him on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. After the war was over, she said, two soldiers from the Bruning area who had been on the troopship with Otis told the family what they knew of his death. They said Otis had been trying to descend a rope to a lifeboat when he slipped and was crushed between the Leopoldville and the Brilliant. He never had a chance. After the wreck, military censors sharply restricted what the Leopoldvilles survivors could say about their ordeal. We were told not to say anything about it, Pordon said. It was a military secret. Few details about the disaster surfaced until long after the war. The sinking was still largely unknown when Andrade heard about it in 1993 while conducting research for an unrelated book. The Internet was still in its infancy, but Andrade used his detective skills to track down many Leopoldville survivors and get their stories. He published the first edition of his book in 1997, which prompted more survivors, and relatives of victims, to contact him. An updated edition was published a decade later. He also worked with survivors of the Leopoldville and veterans of the 66th Infantry to raise funds for a monument in honor of those who died on the troopship. It was dedicated at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1998. Andrade wants to make sure those who died arent forgotten. Ive been able to get 150 articles published, Andrade said. A heckuva lot of people know about it now that didnt know about it before. Ardene never forgot her first love, the soldier who was lost at sea. Soon after the war, she met a Bruning veteran named Leonard Mammen. He had joined the Army in 1940 and served in Europe for the duration of World War II, from the landings in North Africa to the fall of Berlin. She fell in love again. He reminded me of Otis. They were both just fine men, Ardene says now. They were married June 2, 1946, at the same church where she had married Otis barely two years before, and with some of Otis sisters standing beside her. The couple lived on the farm, and reared five children. The marriage lasted 42 years, until Leonards death in 1988. Otis wasnt discussed, at least not around the children. But Leonard quietly made space for the Army comrade who had come before him. He protected Ardene at Christmastime, when Ardene always felt blue. She didnt join in the decorating or merrymaking. We knew that she wasnt into the holidays, but we never knew why, Corliss said. The Mammen children, in fact, never learned about their mothers first marriage until the couples 40th wedding anniversary, when someone innocently asked about Ardenes bridesmaids. My dad said Blondie, tell them, Corliss recalled, using Leonards nickname for Ardene. We were just flabbergasted. Im probably not as open as people are now, Ardene admitted. You never forget it. Ardene said it is her Christian faith that got her through those hard times, just as it helps her now. Shes gained the wisdom that comes hard to Gold Star families like hers. Somehow, Ardene said, were given the strength to go ahead. Q: I have a living trust. My house is titled in the name of the trust as are my CDs and bank accounts. How do I get my personal property in the trust? Is there something I should do or is it assumed that its in the trust already? A: Its easy to know when your house or bank accounts are in the name of the trust. All you need to do is look at the deed or the title on the bank accounts. It isnt as easy to verify that the personal property is in the trust. Since there isnt a title to your couch or refrigerator that can be changed, you need to find another way to fund the personal property into the trust. The method that I use is a personal property assignment. Essentially a personal property assignment is a written document stating that the Settlor has assigned his or her personal property to the trust. Some attorneys use a bill of sale and actually sell the personal property to the trust for a nominal sum like one dollar. The key is to get something in writing demonstrating the Settlors intent to place the personal property in the trust. Now having said that, remember that if the personal property has a title, it should be transferred to the trust via the title. Specifically, Im thinking of things like cars and boats. For those sorts of items, its unlikely that ownership transfers to the trust until the title is transferred in the appropriate manner which could mean a visit to the BMV. Q: Does a will need to be notarized to be valid? A: In Indiana, a will does not need to be notarized. Ive seen some wills from other states that were notarized, but not in the Hoosier state. I dont think having a notary will invalidate an otherwise properly executed will but it also doesnt save a will that wasnt executed properly. In order for a will to be valid in Indiana, it should be in writing, signed by the maker and witnessed by two disinterested witnesses. Now I suppose that if you have a will that was signed by the maker, witnessed by one person and notarized by a different person, a family could argue that the will has two witnesses. I havent researched the issue but I suppose it would work. However, to avoid any confusion, just execute the will properly. Why take a chance with something as easy as asking someone to watch you sign your name? Merry Christmas. As America looks to the future of employment, the trend of automation poses a particularly urgent threat to many workers. While it's hard to predict exactly how automation technologies will continue to develop and be implemented, the capabilities of current technologies can give us a good sense of the tasks most likely to be automated in the future. While it's a virtual certainty that automation will replace some job tasks, researchers disagree on the trend's overall impact on future unemployment rates. One study from Oxford researchers Michael A. Osborne and Carl Benedikt Frey estimates that 47 percent of jobs in the U.S. are at risk of being automated in the next 20 years. Another from the research and advisory firm Forrester estimates that artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation will replace 7 percent of U.S. jobs by 2025. What can't be predicted is what new roles, if any, will replace these positions. Industries and professions fading, only to be replaced by others, have marked the history of employment. "I think the net impact (of automation on jobs) will be difficult to say," says Michael Chui, a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute who leads research on the business and societal impacts of information technologies and innovation. Chui notes that in 1900, roughly 40 percent of Americans were employed in agriculture, versus a number in the low single digits today. "But it isn't as if we have 30 plus percent unemployment now, because we pay people to do different things now," Chui says. Chui and his McKinsey colleagues James Manyika and Mehdi Miremadi recently studied more than 2,000 work activities for over 800 occupations. In the process, they identified the work activities that would be most technically feasible to automate. Among the most vulnerable activities they identified are those involving predictable physical work, data processing and data collection. Less susceptible are activities involving unpredictable physical work think construction, forestry or raising outdoor animals and stakeholder interactions. The least susceptible to automation are tasks related to managing others and tasks that apply expertise to decision making, planning and creative tasks. "One of our observations is that this doesn't only apply to low-wage, low-skill work. Some of these things such as collecting data and processing data apply to high-wage, high-skill work, as well," Chui says. "Our estimate is that 20 to 30 percent of what a CEO does could even be automated." These tasks for CEOs could include things like scheduling, looking at reports and extracting insights from them, and producing certain kinds of documents. These are also the kinds of tasks that many CEOs would be happy to remove from their plates. For workers, this research emphasizes the importance of building skills and experience in the managerial, decision-making and creative tasks that are least prone to automation. "What's likely to happen is that rather than an entire occupation going away, parts of it will be automated and parts of it won't. And someone's entire job or the work they do will shift over time," Chui says. Some jobs that focus on predictable physical work, such as many factory jobs, face great risk of disappearing altogether. And other jobs that donOt contain tasks that are likely to be automated could be at risk thanks to automation in ancillary industries. For instance, self-driving vehicles could threaten the jobs of more than 3.5 million truck drivers. But by eliminating the human error that results in most vehicle crashes, autonomous vehicles could also dramatically transform other fields such as the auto insurance industry, the collision repair industry and even policing. But Chui believes that many automation-related changes will take longer than many anticipate, and estimates that it could, for instance, take decades to automate the nation's trucks even after fully automated trucks become available. The one thing that is certain in an age of automation is ongoing change. This makes it important for workers to become more flexible, resilient, and willing to continue to learn as their jobs continue to change over time. Or, to be safe, they could learn how to make the robots. "For those who are so inclined, there will be an increasing need for workers who produce the automation technology people with computer science and robotics and engineering skills," Chui says. "But that will be a small percentage of the population." LYNWOOD Preferred Window & Door has moved into a new $2.5 million home in Lynwood, becoming the latest business to take advantage of a location that was saved from gridlock by a new rail overpass that opened to traffic two years ago. Owners Andy and Sheryl Birkett completely refurbished the former Gremp Steel building at 3280 E. Lincoln Highway, which sits just back from the corner where the highway jogs westward at its intersection with Glenwood-Dyer Road. It is just west of the state line, providing easy access to customers in both states. "From here I can get to my customers in Indiana; I can get to my customers in Chicago; I can get to my customers in Kankakee," Andy Birkett said. In August 2014, then-Gov. Pat Quinn, Canadian National Railway officials and others gathered to celebrate the a groundbreaking for a new $29.6 million rail overpass about 2,000 feet south of where Birkett's business now sits. It opened to traffic in November 2015 and other roadway work was completed the next year. Before the bridge opened, about 29,000 vehicles per day crossed the tracks at grade level, where more than 30 trains per day would pass. That led to long delays for drivers and a road block for emergency vehicles. The new overpass has not only sped up traffic there, but it has also helped beautify an area that contained many ramshackle shell buildings. The Gremp Steel building was one of those. But Birkett said its thick concrete floor and steel beam construction made the property an idea fit for his business. He and his wife set to work to have the building completely refurbished and put on a 6,000 square foot addition. The new building provides 18,000 square feet of space for offices, showroom, shop and storage. Preferred Window & Door moved there from 19716 Burnham Avenue, just across the street from Lansing Municipal Airport. Birkett said the business was essentially landlocked there, with no room to expand. The Birketts started Preferred Window & Door as a 24-year-old couple in 1994 and have since grown it to where it now has more than $5 million in annual sales and around 40 employees. Employees come from both Illinois and Indiana. He and his wife live in Cedar Lake. Preferred Window & Door primarily does repair and replacement of windows and glass, entry doors, and overhead garage doors, both for residential and commercial customers. Recently, the company has expanded offerings to include include a variety of loading dock services. Denzel Washington is feeling pretty good at the moment. It's mid-December in Los Angeles, Washington is a few weeks shy of his 62nd birthday, and the Screen Actors Guild has just recognized his adaptation of the August Wilson play "Fences" for its ensemble cast. He's also finally getting feedback from audiences as the film trickles out to theaters before opening wide on Christmas Day. The ease around it is relatively new. He knew he had the goods, of course. "Fences," Wilson's 1983 play about an African American family in 1950s Pittsburgh, had already won the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Awards for the original Broadway cast, and another batch of Tonys for Washington and Viola Davis in their 2010 revival. But, it would also be the first big screen adaptation of a Wilson play, and only Washington's third time behind the camera. "Going into the film, that's when there was pressure. It was like, 'That all worked, everything worked. Don't mess it up!'" says Washington. "My concern was, first, August Wilson and, second, my actors. And the Screen Actors Guild said, 'We recognize that.' So I was happy. I've kind of relaxed a little bit. And there's nothing you can do about it anyway! The movie belongs to the people now." The few critiques that have been lobbed at the film about Troy Maxson (Washington), his wife Rose (Davis) and their family have zeroed in on that old idea that when you bring a play to the big screen, the director should "open it up" and disguise its essential play-ness. Washington hates that as criticism of his adaptation, and he gets especially animated about it. "I did it this way on purpose because August Wilson is first, not, 'Hey! Denzel!'" Washington says, edging out of his seat. "I can do all that. I can do ALL that. That whole big speech he made? I could have been pushing in on me. I could have done that. That's easy!" Washington's choices to represent Wilson's material were more subtle and informed by the story and what he calls the music of the rapid-fire dialogue. In some instances, he does take it beyond the backyard where the play is set. But all those suggestions, he says, were right there in the screenplay which Wilson wrote the bulk of before he died in 2005. "Could we use the bar? Let's see him doing garbage. Let's have the passage of time from when he tells her that one piece of news to whenever," Washington says. "A movie is like a home with all the different rooms. But if you overdo each room too much, it's not pleasant." The most difficult decisions he made during filming and editing were which actors to shoot and when. It's something that you don't have to decide in a play, when everyone can see everything happening. In some cases he extended scenes, cutting to another person in the kitchen overhearing something, or lingering on Davis for a beat instead of closing out the scene immediately. In others, he could increase the physicality of the moment. To visualize things better, Washington, recalling Sidney Lumet's advice, staged a two-week rehearsal. He rented out a big church in Pittsburgh, blocked out all the sets using tape on the floor, and hired understudies to be off book. It would allow him and his director of photography, Charlotte Bruus Christensen, to walk around, see all the action happening and figure out the shots from there. There wouldn't be enough time during filming to do it then. And as far as performances were concerned, he knew he didn't have anything to worry about. "Nothing beats the confidence of having done it and having been rewarded for it. Viola Davis is not suddenly going to lose the performance somewhere between 2010 and now," he says. "So when the band got back together and we started reading we were like, 'Oh yeah, we can still play.'" For the really tough calls, Washington says he would consult the spirit of Wilson in his sleep. Wilson's intent was always top of mind. Washington did get the chance to meet the playwright once, about 13 years ago. It was a rainy day in Seattle and Washington went to his home to talk. His agent had said Wilson might be thinking about writing something for him. "He talked about his process and how he writes and basically he was saying, 'You know, I don't write for anyone. The characters tell me.' It was so brilliant. I said, 'Well, what do you do?' And he said, 'Well, I close down my house and I listen to the people and they tell me what to say and I write it down,'" Washington recalls. "He was a lovely man. We sat on the porch. I didn't know that was the last time I was going to see him. Who knew?" As for "Fences," while committing a play to film will certainly allow for a bigger audience not to mention the very probable outcome that it will be a go-to for school curriculums, Washington doesn't believe that his is the final word on the play at all. "Like Shakespeare, it's open to interpretation," Washington says. "Wait 25 years. Somebody might want to do a musical, for instance. I don't know." The latest U.S. Census data shows that Illinois' population dropped by an estimated 37,508 residents this year. That's largely because residents have been packing up and moving out of the Land of Lincoln. Illinois has been afflicted by high taxes, rising crime, the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest, and government dysfunction that's been evidenced by a budget stalemate that's dragged out since May 2015. The winter weather isn't always great either. Indiana has been pulling in more residents from Illinois than any other state, and more go just across the border to Lake County than anywhere else in the Hoosier state, according to a recent Indiana Business Research Center report. The report, which used Internal Revenue Service migration data, found that nearly 60,400 households moved out of Indiana in 2013 and 2014, while 55,600 households moved to Indiana from another state. That's a net loss of 4,800 households. Net migration from Illinois to Indiana totaled 2,666 households during 2013 and 2014. Indiana got the second biggest net gain 290 households from its northern neighbor Michigan during that two-year span. A total of 10,812 households moved from Illinois to Indiana, while 8,146 households relocated from Indiana to Illinois from 2013 to 2014, according to the IRS figures. More than half of Illinois-bound households 4,292 in all moved from the Hoosier state to Cook County. Indiana University Professor Matt Kinghorn, a demographer with the Indiana Business Research Center, said the data didn't break down demographics but it would not be unreasonable to suppose many Hoosiers headed to Chicago for college or to live in the city after graduating from college, either for a first job, career opportunities or the excitement of urban life. "Young adults tend to make that move," he said. "And young families in their 30s might move back from Illinois to Indiana when they're looking to buy a home and start a family." A total of 4,145 Illinois households moved to Lake County during 2013 and 2014, the most recent years for which data are available. Another 461 decamped for Porter County, and 231 blazed a path to LaPorte County. The bulk of Illinois expatriates relocated to Northwest Indiana or communities along the Illinois border, but more than 1,200 itinerant households from the Land of Lincoln also settled in Indianapolis and surrounding suburbs. Lake County has been pulling in more than four times as many Illinois households as any other Indiana county. Suburban outflow from Chicago to Lake County however has been slowing down, and has not been strong enough to offset population loss in Northwest Indiana brought about by a shrinking manufacturing base and loss of good-paying jobs, Kinghorn said. Even with an influx from neighboring Cook County, Lake County has lost residents every year this decade about 8,000 in all so far, he said. Indiana residents are most likely to move away to Florida, Texas, California, Colorado, Tennessee, Georgia, Arizona, South Carolina, Washington and Oregon. "With the broader economy, Indiana's economic magnet is not as strong right now," he said. A total of 2,354 Hoosier households, many doubtless retirees, skipped town for sunny Florida during 2013 and 2014. VALPARAISO Instructional aide Kathleen Sellers hit a tuning fork, 10 second- and third-graders seated Indian-style on the floor in front of her. "Breathe in through your nose," she said, the sound of the fork humming through the air. "You want your tummy filling up with air like a balloon, and you can blow out slow like you're blowing out a candle." The kids, their eyes closed, followed her instructions, breathing with purpose. "On your next breath in, try to breathe even bigger so you can feel your chest rising up," she said. "And blow out like you're blowing all the seeds off a dandelion." A few seconds later, the students opened their eyes, and Sellers asked them how they felt. "Good." "I feel comfortable." "Sleepy." The students, at Hayes Leonard Elementary, were taking a "brain break," part of a new initiative this year at Valparaiso Community Schools to teach kids how to better regulate their emotions and be more mindful in the hopes of preventing mental health and substance abuse issues later in life. As diagnoses of childhood depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder continue to rise, and drug overdoses reach alarming numbers, schools are increasingly looking for ways to show students how to calm themselves naturally. Across the country, schools are bringing ancient practices like yoga and meditation into the classroom, and teaching coping skills, to help kids relax and focus without the use of medication or substances. In Northwest Indiana, Morton Elementary in Hammond recently instituted such a program. "Schools are doing a lot these days with mindfulness and knowing your mind and how to be in control of it," Hayes Leonard Principal Bonnie Stephens said. A way to prevent bullying Valparaiso Community Schools started down this path after researching bullying prevention, which schools in Indiana are mandated by law to teach. The district surveyed students and found their top concerns to be stress and anxiety, relationships and promiscuity, and alcohol and drug use. The school system set out to find programming that could prevent those problems before they crop up. The district thought it could do that by teaching kids how the brain and emotions work, and came across three programs that fit that bill: MindUP, Brainology and Sources of Strength. "If you talk to university mental health staff, they have kids who are just disintegrating from serious mental health issues," said Denise Koebcke, student leadership and climate coordinator for Valparaiso Community Schools. "We have got to be proactive, teaching kids coping skills instead of just reacting when things go wrong. We're trying to get to the core issues instead of just Band-Aids." MindUP, which is being piloted at four elementary schools, teaches deep breathing and mindfulness, as well as art projects involving the structure of the brain. MindUP was developed by actress Goldie Hawn's foundation as a way to combat bullying, school violence and youth depression and suicide. Brainology, which is being done first at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, delves further into the anatomy of the brain and applying that knowledge to improve educational outcomes. Brainology was created by a Stanford psychology professor to teach kids that their ability to learn wasn't innate that they could get smarter through time, effort and brain health. And Sources of Strength, at the high school, helps kids find positive influences and relationships to act as barriers against future temptations, and encourages mentoring and leadership. That program originated in North Dakota to try to reduce youth fatalities and suicides among rural and Native American communities there. Brainology teaches brain anatomy, health During a recent Brainology session at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, the kids were tasked with developing plans for a fictional student who had to study for a big test. The Benjamin Franklin students came up with suggestions: go to bed earlier, eat breakfast, have a sibling quiz you, do your homework at home, skip the video games. In doing the exercise lesson, the students were learning not only how to study better, but keep their brains healthy. "The kids are really beginning to look at their learning differently," said sixth-grade teacher Sally Case. "It's changing that idea of 'I'm not smart, I'm not good at something' to 'I need to try a different way.' One of their favorite phrases is 'Study smarter, not harder.'" The kids even correct her now when she says she can't do something. On the recent morning, she had her class come up with a mnemonic to remember the lobes of the brain: frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal. The winner? Frasier Puts Out Trash. "I've learned that when the brain learns, you get more and more knowledge and the more knowledge you get the more strength you get," said Xavier Hicks, 11, who is in sixth grade. Lauren Fields, who is also 11 and in sixth grade, said she has picked up strategies for self-calming, focus and learning, and discovered what foods strengthen the brain. "We do meditation every day when we get too stressed," she said. "I do it before tests because I get nervous before tests." Over at Valparaiso High School, at the Sources of Strength program, students examine the positive support systems in their lives as well as the areas where they could use additional reinforcement. They identify places they can turn to in times of crises: supportive family members and friends, health care providers. The high school students also mentor their younger peers on how to solve conflicts and report and support classmates who are at risk for suicide or violence. "A lot of kids start to use drugs because of stress and coping with tough things in life," said Cicely Powell, director of school culture and student services for the district. "The 'say no to drugs,' the 'just don't do it' doesn't really work. What works is teaching them how to deal with stress, how to deal with grief, how to deal with challenges and problems in life in a healthy way instead of self-medicating with drugs and alcohol." Kids learn to be present On the recent day at Hayes Leonard Elementary, Sellers did a lesson about mindful smelling, which is designed to teach participants how to live in the moment as well as sharpen memory. She handed out a few scents and, to determine what each of them were, told the students to pay attention to what each smell made them think of. The children said the coffee reminded them of the family breakfast table, the vinegar of making Easter eggs, peppermint of Christmas. Suddenly, the kids harkened back to those happy times, a skill they can use in the future if they're ever in a particularly stressful moment. Afterward, the students talked about what they've gotten out of MindUP so far. "I've learned how to stay calm a little bit and feel relaxed," said Lily Davis, 9, a third-grader at Hayes Leonard Elementary. "I like that we can stay calm and have a relaxing time," said her classmate Evie Moerman, 9. If she ever has problems with friends at school, Davis said, she now does yoga to calm herself. She does does breathing exercises before tests. She practices mindfulness, which, to her, means "to not just think about yourself but think about other people too." "Teachers use brain breaks a lot of times after transitions coming back from lunch and recess to get the kids settle back down and focus," Sellers said. "Sometimes kids will even ask for brain breaks, like if the day is getting kind of crazy. They're learning to use these tools to their advantage." CEDAR LAKE Students at Hanover Central High School, Lincoln Elementary School and Hanover Central Middle School in Cedar Lake were all able to explain why the Angel Tree effort means so much to them. It means a lot that Hanover students are involved and understand that some of their classmates might be the ones theyre helping, said Hanover Township Trustees Office representative, Kelly Tate We couldnt fill the need without the help of Hanover schools." Victoria Rico, a senior and president of the National Honor Society at HCHS, is the youngest child of six and has attended Hanover Schools since third grade. My parents and my four eldest siblings lived in Mexico and this kind of event hits home, because my family struggled to get to where they are today. It makes accomplishing this task extra meaningful for me," she said. Seventh grade middle schooler and National Junior Honor Society member Ally Holtcamp was quick to point out that many of the wish list items submitted were for things that the "angels" really need. It wasnt just stuff they want, but stuff they could really use, she said. Kids deserve presents." Members of the Student Council at Lincoln Elementary were thrilled to be able to purchase all of the items on the wish list of a family of five in a one hour trip to Target in St. John. The students had a game plan, they had lists and they had a budget. Fifth grader Skylar Ferry confirmed how important the outing was. My group was shopping for an 11 year old girl, she said. Traditions abound to celebrate Christmas and, while most workers have today off, many people are on the job to provide everything from medical care to helping stranded motorists. Some volunteer to work on Christmas Day. For others, the fact that Christmas falls on a Sunday this year means its part of their regular schedule. Ken Decrescenzo, Dyer Wastewater Treatment Plant One of the main reasons Ken Decrescenzo works on Christmas Day is so others can be with their families. The 61-year-old has been a full-time employee of the Dyer Public Works Department for the past three years. Its just me and my wife, Maureen. We dont have any children, said the Schererville resident. During his five-hour shift at the Dyer wastewater treatment plant today, Decrescenzo will complete a variety of tasks including conducting laboratory tests and making certain all the equipment works properly. I work about 85 percent of each work day at the wastewater treatment plant, he said. I worked as a meter reader for the Dyer clerk-treasurers on a part-time basis for about five years before coming to the Department of Public Works. Ellen Long, RN, Neuro-IMCU, Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus in Merrillville Valparaiso resident Ellen Long, RN, also volunteered to work a 12-hour shift today in the Neuro Intermediate Care Unit at Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus in Merrillville. Many years ago we made a decision as a family that I would work on Christmas Day, said the 57-year-old mother of grown children and grandmother of five. Years ago, when the children were young, we had Christmas on a different day. Long said she wanted to set an example for her youngsters. I want my children and grandchildren to learn the art of giving, of caring, she said. She began working in the neuro unit as a nursing assistant in 1990 then pursued her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Indiana University Northwest, which she earned in 1994. People here need us, Long said of her work as an RN on this unit. This is my passion. Its a blessing because Im well and my children are well. Ill be here until Im 97. One way her children and now her grandchildren have learned the art of giving is by visiting the nursing unit over the years, she said. When I was a nursing assistant, my children would dress up in their costumes to trick or treat here, Long said. Now my children come up with my grandchildren to visit the patients. My director, Susan Coryell, is the reason Im able to bring my children and grandchildren here. The Neuro IMCU especially appeals to Long because everything is different every day. No two people are ever alike, she said. And her patients appreciate her dedication. In August Long received the Daisy Award, an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. A patient nominated Long for the award and wrote about his experience in the Neuro IMCU. When you're lying in a hospital bed there are few things to smile about, but when you wake up and see Ellen is going to be your nurse that day, you at least know you're going to get the most attentive care and a story to smile about, he wrote. You can tell she cares very much. If you need a hug, she'll give you one even though ... she doesn't know you. Gerald Williams, press operator, The Times Media Co. Ive worked a ton of Christmases, said Gerald Williams, of Hammond, a press operator with The Times Media Co. for the past 29 years. Williams, 47, begins his shift at 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Day to set up the press for Mondays print newspaper. A member of The Times production department, Williams works 10-hour shifts four days a week and is one of the night supervisors in that department. Its just our shift. Nine out of 10 times Ive worked Christmas its just the shift, said Williams, who began as a press operator in 1987 when The Times was located on Williams Street in Hammond. In 1989, The Times moved to its current location at 601 45th Ave. in Munster. Tonight Williams will make the plates sheets of aluminum that each contain the image of a single page of a print newspaper. There are 130 or more plates that go on the press, he said. Ill set up the folders, the machines that fold the newspaper pages. As part of the printing process for The Times newspaper, Williams also will set up massive reels of blank paper called newsprint used to produce each edition. When I work Christmas, I make dinner for the kids before coming to work. Turkey doesnt sit too well when you work the night shift, Williams said with a laugh. This Christmas will be a special occasion at the Williams home. The father of two daughters, ages 16 and 18, Williams recently became a dad for the third time to a now four-month old baby boy. This is his first Christmas, said the proud father. Leonard Petrone, John's Garage in Wanatah We work 24 hours a day, every day, said Leonard Petrone, 61, owner of Johns Garage in the LaPorte County town of Wanatah. His late father, John Petrone, started the business 75 years ago, and each Christmas can bring its own challenges, depending on the weather and road conditions, Leonard Petrone said. When people are going to Grandmas house and break down or have a wreck, we have to go get them, he said. With its location at 6302 U.S. 30, Johns Garage also provides heavy-duty towing services when large semitrucks have accidents. Petrone, who lives next door to his business, will spend part of today celebrating Christmas with his three daughters and two grandchildren. However, hell be out with a tow truck if needed. Whenever he decides to retire, Petrone said the business wont be taken over by his daughters. They all have good jobs, and arent really interested in this business, he said, adding, that hes proud of their achievements and the work ethic they learned. State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, was awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash for his work on the Indiana Bicentennial Commission. Vice President-Elect Gov. Mike Pence announced the award during his remarks at the Bicentennial Gala. Fourteen other members of the Bicentennial Commission and six staff members were awarded with the Sagamore of the Wabash for their work toward the success of Indianas bicentennial year. The Sagamore of the Wabash is one of the highest distinctions in Indiana designated by the states governor. The term Sagamore was used by Native American tribes of Indiana to describe lesser chiefs or a great man among the tribe whom the chief consulted for wisdom and advice. The Indiana Bicentennial Commission was appointed by Gov. Mitch Daniels in 2011. The four pillars of the bicentennial year are youth and education, historical celebration, community involvement and nature conservation. To ensure a truly statewide celebration the commission endorsed Legacy Projects local celebrations of the bicentennial. Throughout the bicentennial year the commission endorsed more than 1,600 Legacy Projects, greatly exceeding the original goal of 200. These Legacy Projects represent all 92 counties as well as the pride and dedication of Hoosiers across the state. Indiana residents have embraced the bicentennial year and demonstrated true Hoosier pride in the planning and execution of bicentennial Legacy Projects. The American Heart Association in Northwest Indiana is kicking off the second year of the Little Hats, Big Hearts campaign by collecting knitted or crocheted red baby hats. The campaign is being sponsored locally by Bosak Auto Group. Little Hats, Big Hearts launched in 2014 collecting hundreds of hats in the first year. The program has now expanded to 33 states with a collection of thousands. The program raises awareness of heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans, and congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect in the country. Hats will be collected from now through Jan. 31 and can be dropped off at your local Bosak Auto Group location beginning Jan. 1. Volunteers are encouraged to visit www.heart.org/LittleHatsBigHearts for hat patterns and more information about the initiative and drop off locations throughout Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. Those who prefer to mail hats can ship them to the Indiana office for Northwest Indiana distribution. Last year, we collected 1,000 hats from knitters and crocheters in the Region and were hoping that in our second year we can be just as successful and spread awareness that is going to help the smallest hearts in our community, said Erin Crawford, American Heart Association Corporate Events Director. MUNSTER Girl Scouts Addison Dzurovcik and Dorothy Lakshmanamurthy decided to help others while working towards their Bronze Award. They have sewn custom pillowcases and are donating them to Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids, the NICK Foundation. The girls, age 11, are friends and are fifth graders at Ernest R. Elementary School and decided to do something special for the kids with cancer.They mnade more than 80 pillowcases to donate and doated them to Donna Criner the NICK executive . Dzurovcik's mom, Kristen, said the girls decided to earn the award together and have been taking sewing lessons. "They sent out a school-wide letter asking for donations for money, gift cards and fabric," Kristen Dzurovcik said. "They got an overwhelmging response. Criner said they are grateful for the pillowcases and they will be given to hospitals. LAPORTE La Lumiere Schools 3D art class unveiled their installation art project Quantum Threads to the student body earlier this month with a presentation during the schools daily morning meeting and an all-day art room open house. Prior to its installation, art students and physics students traveled together to Fermilab in Batavia, Illinois, to study the relationship between art and science and to see the unseen images of subatomic particles colliding in a particle accelerator. Upon their return, art students began drawing images of collided particles, writing poems about them, and (with the inspiration of artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude) using fibers and the conceptual art practice of wrapping to weave a story about the underlying fabric of the quantum field, to make it visible to the human eye. La Lumiere School art teacher Katie Wall said, In studying fiber art, installation art, conceptual art, color theory, quantum mechanics and cosmology, we took a journey into the relationship between science and art. We took common threads, synthetic fibers and threads, and recycled or found fabrics to create a quantum web. Two people had to be rescued after they fell through the ice of Lake Kegonsa Saturday morning, the Dane County Sheriff's Office said. At around 7:15 a.m., a 76-year-old man and 15-year-old boy, both of Stoughton, fell through the ice after taking an ATV onto the lake to ice fish, Lt. Charles Immel said. When they were half a mile out from the shoreline, the ice gave way under the ATV, Immel said, and the two fell in. Dane County deputies as well as McFarland, Madison and Stoughton fire departments and McFarland and Monona emergency medical services responded, Immel said. The Madison Fire Department said McFarland firefighters, who were first on the scene, pulled the victims out of the water by using an ice rescue sled. After the two were out of the water, Madison Fire Department and Sheriff's Office airboats were used to bring the victims to awaiting ambulances, the Fire Department said. Both victims were taken to UW Hospital for exposure symptoms that were not life-threatening, the Fire Department said. Immel and the Fire Department both warn that ice on lakes in the region is affected by the "unusually warm winter weather" and has a greater chance to give way. The Northwest Indiana Asset Building Coalition is seeking volunteers to help moderate-to-low income residents file their federal and state income taxes during the upcoming tax season. The coalition, in partnership with the IRS, provides a free tax preparation program called the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program or VITA for short. The service is available to qualifying individuals with household incomes of less than $54,000. During the 2016 tax season, the Asset Building Coalition and its 101 volunteers prepared more than 2,700 federal tax returns. As one of 15 program partners in the Region, said Kim Olesker, president and CEO of United Way of Porter County. Were providing a crucial financial stability program to the elderly and young families that might not be able to make ends meet without it. The program heavily relies on community volunteers from mid-January through the April 18 tax filing deadline to schedule appointments, prepare tax forms and provide quality control at a tax preparation site. Services are available at a variety of locations throughout Lake, Porter, Pulaski and Starke counties. Volunteers will receive all training necessary to participate. No experience is necessary to volunteer. If interested in volunteering or learning more, visit UnitedWayPC.org/VITA. Hundreds gathered in Brooklyn on Saturday night to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah and witness the lighting of a giant menorah. But along with festive music and holiday treats, there was also a message of tolerance and peace. NY1's Lori Chung has the story. "I think it's beautiful. It's a time, you know, to celebrate our similarities," one man said at the celebration. The ties that bind were stronger than ever, and faith and hope were enough reasons for people to dance for joy. "I'm the Dreidel Man! This is my crew over here!" said a man dressed as a dreidel. "Happy Hanukkah, everybody! Share the light!" Hundreds turned out to Grand Army Plaza on Saturday night to mark the start of Hanukkah, with what organizers called the largest menorah. Mayor Bill de Blasio lit the first candle with a message of tolerance, helping celebrate the festival of lights as everyone reflects on the meaning of the Jewish holiday. "In this city, we do not accept hatred, we do not accept bias," the mayor said to the crowd. "You look around and you see the diverse crowd and people just enjoying the beautiful holiday, celebrating our freedom and religious tolerance," said a man in the crowd. And some of the little ones at the celebration looked forward to their favorite part of Hanukkah. Chung: What do you like about Hanukkah? Little boy: Getting presents. Hot latkes were on-hand to mark the eight-night festival, as the menorah stood tall to hopefully light a brighter future. "It's going to give me a lot of hope that children are going to grow up in a happier world, and a more peaceful world," one attendee said. The giant menorah in Grand Army Plaza will be lit every night throughout the Hanukkah holiday, and each night there will be live music, hot latkes, and plenty of gifts for children. A documentary series that was set to take viewers inside the Ku Klux Klan has been canceled by A&E after the network discovered that some of the shows producers had made cash payments to participants on the show. The eight-part series, Escaping the KKK, promised an up-close look at high-ranking Klan members and their families, but it had prompted wide outcry since news about the show came out last Sunday. For a network best known for shows like Hoarders and Intervention, the K.K.K. series represented a strikingly complicated and politically charged endeavor, and fell into a roiling national debate about the potential glamorization of racism and bigotry that has grown only louder since the presidential election. The shows producers had tried to calm the backlash in recent days, changing the title of the series from Generation KKK, with its vaguely romantic undertones, to Escaping the KKK: A Documentary Series Exposing Hate in America. They also announced a partnership with Color of Change, a civil rights group that had expressed concern about the show, to develop some of the programs segments and to provide more context. The network defended the show, which it said would expose and combat racism and hatred in all its forms. Coney Island Even more of a culture shock awaits on the When Harry Met Sally tour, because after lunch youre going to catch the F train at Second Avenue and take the long ride out to Coney Island in Brooklyn. Once there, a short walk down Stillwell Avenue toward the ocean brings you to the spot where the scene just before the Katz conversation was filmed, according to various movie websites. Harry and his pal Jess (Bruno Kirby) are hitting a few in the batting cages that once stood there, holding a ridiculous conversation about women as they do. Mr. Kirby is batting right-handed; Mr. Crystal is hitting leftie. In a commentary on one of the DVD releases of the film, Mr. Reiner commends Mr. Crystal for being able to do so convincingly, since he normally hits right-handed. Mr. Reiner needed him to bat from the other side to frame the shot the way he wanted it. In the movie, its a warm-weather scene, and Coney Island is a mandatory stop for anyone who visits New York in the summer. But is there any reason to go there at this time of year? Yes. You go there to find something that is mighty scarce in Manhattan and other parts of New York in the holiday season: solitude. On a chilly December afternoon, I had the streets and the boardwalk more or less to myself. Theres a certain beauty to watching the dimming of the day at a deserted oceanfront amusement area. The block where the batting cages stood is now home to Luna Park, an updated version of the amusement rides that have always been part of Coney Islands identity. When change came a few years ago there was much gnashing of teeth about whether the down-market character of the place would be lost. It hasnt been; this is still an old-school amusement area when its operating. (My favorite addition: the Coney Art Walls, colorful murals in an outdoor food court across the street from Luna Park.) In the cold-weather months, of course, most everything is in hibernation. Luna Parks rules of conduct, though, are still prominently posted, including this one: Guests using profanity or abusive language, symbols or gestures will be escorted from the park without refund. Harry and Jess may have been borderline candidates for eviction under those rules. In the scene, Harry brags about making a woman meow in bed. Although the premiers visit to Pearl Harbor was in the planning stages even before the American presidential election, Donald J. Trumps win scared Japanese leaders because he had spent time on the campaign trail castigating Japan for not paying enough for its own defense. And when Mr. Obama made a visit to Hiroshima in May, Mr. Trump posted on Twitter: Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while hes in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost. Mr. Abe is not the first sitting prime minister to visit the Pearl Harbor memorial (Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida apparently visited the memorial during a stop in Hawaii in 1951), but he will be the first to participate in a public ceremony there. He is not expected to apologize for the attacks, much as Mr. Obama did not apologize for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Instead, Mr. Abe will most likely repeat the repentance and condolences he offered in April 2015 when he addressed Congress. Although it was 75 years in the making, Mr. Abes trip to Pearl Harbor is in some ways the easiest gesture of reconciliation that Japan could make as it confronts its wartime past. Asia has long been plagued by an inability among the wars combatants to move beyond its events and enmities. South Korea and China remain angered by what they see as Japanese efforts to ignore or sugarcoat atrocities. By contrast, the relationship between Japan and the United States long ago overcame such difficulties. I think thats because the United States was a good winner and Japan was a good loser, said Tamaki Tsukada, a spokesman at the Japanese Embassy in Washington. The United States was magnanimous after defeating Japan. It did not impose harsh terms. If anything, the U.S. provided very generous support, humanitarian and economic. The Japanese accepted the American postwar occupation peacefully. Even in the United States, where Remember Pearl Harbor was once a rallying cry, the sense of outrage about what was viewed as a sneaky and disreputable attack has largely dissipated, said Daniel Martinez, the chief historian at the Pearl Harbor memorial. Part of that is time, and also sympathetic popular culture portrayals of Japanese attackers in movies like Tora! Tora! Tora! and Pearl Harbor, Mr. Martinez said. The sculptor Donald Judd, one of the most important artists of the mid20th century, declared that he took up writing in the early 1960s purely as a mercenary, to earn money as a critic in his spare time. The statement was about as sincere as the oft-cited one of the novelist John Cheever that literature is not a competitive sport. Both men might have wanted, or needed, to believe their pronouncements, but they knew they werent exactly true. For Judd, who died in 1994, the overwhelming confirmation has arrived in the form of a new collection of his writings, the first to cover the entire prolific sweep of his output, much of it never before collected or published, a dense volume that one critic has described as resembling a brick and a bible. At more than 800 pages of essays, reviews and uncompromising observations about art, history and subjects as particular as Dallas (very disagreeable) and psychology (the astrology of the mind), the book, Donald Judd Writings, is aimed at adding Judds singularly contrarian voice not just to the list of great artist-writers but also to the canon of American literature. Widely known, and sometimes reviled, for his critical writing about the art of the 1960s, Judd could be as damningly final in his judgments as he was rigorously clear in his descriptions of work. A piece by Anselm Kiefer, he once wrote, was one of the worst paintings Ive ever seen in all respects. The task of shepherding his many words into print was not simple. Judd who will be the subject of a major retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in the next few years that will explore his role as a pioneer of Minimalism, a term he derided as woefully simplistic did not type, for one thing. Throughout his life, he was known for the yellow legal pads always within his reach, a body of longhand writing that came, along with other manuscripts, to fill 30 boxes. Inside, theres more waiting to be done for the very good restaurant, for the ladies room, for entry to the museums deep lower levels. Building waiting into the experience feels right for a place that tells the story of a people whove had to wait for everything else. The anticipation for the subterranean history galleries already feels mythic. You might know, for instance, that the museums narrative history starts underground, and gradually brings you up into the present, into the ample light that pours through the great glass enclosure. But that doesnt account for the emotional toll of all the waiting and reading and thinking and connecting and feeling to come. It doesnt account for the experience of standing in the immense concourse and seeing the faces of the hundreds of people waiting with you, the endless hues of skin. This standing around is simultaneously boring and one of the happiest, most poignant things Ive ever done with monotony. Here we all are, imported as Africans, standing around as African-Americans, checking our phones, laughing, talking, taking group selfies, waiting with white people from this country and from Europe, with all kinds of Latinos, all kinds of Asians, all kinds of Arabs, to interact with a version of a story of what America truly is. During that wait for the underground galleries, natural impatience threatens to upstage the human majesty of it all. You dont know why its taking so long to get there. Once you reach the entrance, you see. Youre waiting for an elevator. The Blacksonian has one pivotal conceit, one metaphorical device that you need to embrace despite its hokiness, despite its comical proximity to a set of stairs, and its the elevator. One of the most passionately debated stage works of our time is a 131-year-old operetta. Is Gilbert and Sullivans enduringly popular The Mikado a droll satire of Victorian England? A racist caricature of Japan? Some amalgam of the two? Recent revivals have ended up in the cross hairs of these questions, sparking protests across the nation, along with earnest wondering about how and even if this 1885 piece should be staged in the 21st century. When an outcry arose last year over a planned revival of the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players old production which had featured a mostly white cast in yellowface makeup, and employed some ugly stereotypes to evoke the imaginary Japanese town of Titipu the company initially responded by saying that it would scrap the makeup. Then, realizing that the complications were more than skin deep, it decided to scrap the entire staging and take a year to rethink its approach, diversify its cast and create a new show. The result will open on Wednesday at Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College in Manhattan. Finding the right balance is not easy: Some of the most severe critics of The Mikado find it too inherently offensive to be performed, while some ardent fans view any changes as bows to excessive political correctness. Shortly after the New York company announced it was replacing last years Mikado with The Pirates of Penzance, David Wannen, its executive director, received a letter from a self-described pirate who complained that he was offended that the troupe did not plan to cast real pirates. THE RETURN OF DOCTOR MYSTERIO 9 p.m. on BBC America. This Doctor Who Christmas special pairs the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and Nardole (Matt Lucas) with a mysterious superhero to save Manhattan from brain-swapping aliens. But what lurks behind the mask? Whats Streaming BOJACK HORSEMAN on Netflix. Season 3 sends BoJack (Will Arnett) a depressive, substance-abusing, washed-up sitcom actor who happens to be a horse on an awards-season publicity tour for the biopic Secretariat, his dream role. But after BoJack bungled things, the director finished his scenes with a C.G.I. horse, which played the part better. Angela Bassett voices Ana Spanakopita, his Oscar whisperer publicist. Show business is this comedys setting, but its real subject is connection, and the hurdles that people put in the way of it, James Poniewozik wrote in The New York Times. For BoJack Horseman, the race to happiness is not a straightaway; its a steeplechase. CATASTROPHE on Amazon. Season 1 of this sweet and filthy British comedy found Sharon and Rob the Irish schoolteacher (played by Sharon Horgan) and the American ad man (Rob Delaney) consciously coupling in London after a weeklong hookup led to an unplanned pregnancy. In Season 2 theyre coping with a baby sister for the toddler, Frankie, and the attendant struggles: postpartum ick, a visiting monster-in-law (Carrie Fisher) and a languishing career. And sex, or the lack thereof. Catastrophe has the raw honesty of a mom on her second martini at a play date, James Poniewozik wrote in The Times. But Ms. Brecher and several workers at other nonprofit or independent clinics told similar stories. An administrator at an independent clinic in a Midwestern city said he had helped a handful of patients maintain their coverage through the fund after they transferred to his clinic from a large chain. He declined to be identified because, he said, he did not want to anger DaVita and Fresenius, who sometimes send him patients. Each time, he said, the charitys workers later demanded that the clinic make a donation that at a minimum covered the amount it had paid for the patients premium. If he did not pay, he said he had been told, the patient risked losing the financial help from the charity for his insurance. The administrator said he had refused to donate to the charity. The Kidney Fund continued to help pay for the patients insurance, he said, but the aggressive approach angered him. Ms. Burton said the charity never declined a patient because a clinic did not donate. But she said the Kidney Fund did not hesitate to ask clinics for donations. We are a charitable organization, she said. We fund-raise for everything that we do. She said nearly 40 percent of the 213 dialysis companies whose clinics had successfully helped patients apply to the fund had never donated. She would not say, though, what percentage of the 80,000 patients the fund helps annually comes from clinics that do not donate, or how many of those patients come from the biggest companies, which donate most of their revenue. Still, some social workers say the assumption at many clinics where they work is that the aid decisions are not always based on financial need. Jennifer Bruns, now a social worker at the St. John Transplant Specialty Center in Detroit, worked for years in dialysis clinics and said she had many clients who received assistance from the American Kidney Fund. She said sometimes patients would tell her that their insurance premiums which the Kidney Fund had agreed to pay had not been paid that month. Ms. Bruns called the fund to find out why, she said in an interview, and they would say, Well you havent made your contribution this month. The sale of village-owned land to the McFarland School District to expand its Elementary Campus has district and village officials divided over what is the appropriate price for the property. McFarland School Board members have been negotiating with the McFarland Village Board since summer to purchase the 4.3-acre, village-owned land that holds the districts primary and early education buildings off Johnson Street, but the elected bodies are at odds after the Village Board voted on Dec. 12 to accept an expired offer by the district to buy the property for $500,000. School Board members contend the price of the parcel should be based solely on two separate appraisals of the land. The districts appraisal put the price at $390,000, and a village appraisal valued the land at $280,000. I do think that some individuals on the Village Board and in the administration have mistaken our kindness for weakness, and I feel as though theyre trying to put us in a position where we cant say no, School Board member Ann Molitor said at a meeting Monday. But the Village Board contends other factors, such as improvements to the land and the value of the school buildings, should factor into the cost. Its baffling to me, sort of, that weve got to this place where they made an offer, and now were working down from that based on appraisals, which are tools to help you determine a value. Theyre not ultimate determinations of value, said Village Administrator Matt Schuenke. On Aug. 29, the district made a $500,000 offer, which was intentionally padded to account for possible variations in appraised value. The School Board was hoping to secure the land to shore up its plans for a $65.1 million referendum before constituents voted on Nov. 8. The referendum passed by a 2-to-1 margin and will improve and expand several facilities, including a two-story classroom addition and expanding the gymnasium at Indian Mound Middle School and major improvements to Waubesa Intermediate School. Previously, the district had leased the village land, which holds the Conrad Elvehjem Early Learning Center and McFarland Primary School, for $1 a year from 1961 until the lease expired in 2011. No lease agreement had been reached since then. Following the districts offer, the Village Board asked for a 90-day extension to conduct its own appraisal. But it wasnt granted, and the offer expired on Sept. 16. The village appraisal, which was completed in fall, valued the land at $280,000, but priced the entire parcel, which included the buildings and land improvements, at $1.37 million. Schuenke said the Village Boards unanimous vote to approve the expired offer is a reflection of the values of the land, the villages right as a landlord and allows for new momentum for a community center. Since the villages land appraisal came in at a lower value, some School Board members said its their fiduciary responsibility to the district taxpayers to settle on a price between $280,000 and $390,000. The board also argued the value of the school buildings, paid for by the district, should not factor into the price. At the meeting Monday, some board members also criticized the villages desire to use the proceeds from the sale for a community center. As much as we would want to support a community center, I just feel as, me personally as a board member, I cant commit other taxpayers dollars to a village tax issue, said School Board member Tom Allen. Schuenke defended the use of the funds for a community center as it would house a youth center, which he said is a direct benefit for their students. He also speculated on what the School Boards response would have been if the village appraisal of the land had been higher than the districts estimation. Would they have just willingly gravitated to that or is just that $280,00 number a matter of convenience in order for them to advance in negotiation? Schuenke said. In closed session Monday, the School Board voted to submit a $335,000 offer for the land that would expire on Jan. 10. Schuenke said he couldnt say what the Village Board might decide on the offer but added it will continue to have an open mind to try to resolve this for the benefit of our community. So the ammunition keeps flying, especially at the national news media, which emerges from the election invigorated in its mission to report on plate-shifting news while rooting out the truth. And yet it has never been more besieged or, if the Gallup Organization had it right, distrusted. Sitting at my desk as I write this sentence on a Thursday night, our offices littered with empty champagne cups and cake crumbs on paper plates the detritus of too many sayonara toasts to sage colleagues leaving with buyout packages Im trying to think my way to the big takeaway from the year American journalism just lived through that can help it in the downsized year ahead. This much is obvious, but it bears repeating before the year turns: If the news media is going to do its part in maintaining a fact-based national debate, its going to have to learn important lessons from 2016. But the lessons need to be drawn not only from what it did wrong but also from what it did right. What the mainstream media did wrong is by now well established. It generally failed to appreciate the power of the anger that ultimately decided the presidency. And that was in large part because it was overly hooked on polling that indicated a Hillary Clinton glide path, overly reliant on longtime sources who believed the rules of politics were immutable and too disconnected from too many workaday Americans. It repeatedly underestimated Donald Trump, not to mention Bernie Sanders. And there could have been a lot more reporting on both candidates policy plans, or lack thereof. What it did right has been less appreciated than it deserves. Faced with a precedent-shattering candidate who made false assertions at a rate none had seen before one considerably higher than that of his opponent reporters became more assertive in directly calling out falsehoods. The system that prevents the employees of the Sam Ash Music store in Midtown from buying stolen guitars begins before the case is even opened. First thing I say is, What do you got there? said Ian Goldrich, a store manager. If the sellers answer is something like, Its a 1953 Fender Telecaster with an Esquire neck, then it is probably legitimate. But if the answer is a guitar, thats something altogether different. A new seller who entered Sam Ash on Sept. 28 had a plausible explanation for not knowing much about the contents of the guitar case he carried that day and, later, other cases. His father moved to North Carolina and left him the guitars, said Jeremy Kolmin, another manager. The store bought his Gibson that day, and $4,300 worth of other instruments, mostly guitars, in the weeks that followed. Hes a nice guy, Mr. Kolmin recalled. The staff at Sam Ash knows a lot about guitars. So when that same seller entered in late November with an electric guitar, Mr. Kolmin did a double take. He was sure he had seen it before. Gabor Tankovics was checking off the boxes for his New York City tech start-up this past spring. Investors. Advisers. Users. But one box was still noticeably blank: Visa. I really felt like, O.K., I am at the stage where things are starting to work out, said Mr. Tankovics, 33, a native of Hungary. At the same time, I might have to leave. But then he heard about a new option, a program for international entrepreneurs created this year by New York Citys Economic Development Corporation with the City University of New York. By working at one of CUNYs campuses, founders of start-up companies can obtain an 18-month United States visa to establish their businesses with the aim of creating jobs and training aspiring innovators. In October, Mr. Tankovics became the first of two visa recipients out of 144 applicants for the program, the International Innovators Initiative, known as IN2NYC. Through the dim memories of a South Bronx childhood as blurry as the steamed-up living room windows protected by chicken wire from the local knuckleheads and their barrage of rocks thoughts of Christmastime in 1963 come slowly into focus. The smell of roast pork, the hard-as-nails spiced red and green candies, and the Christmas tree topped by an angel whose very presence spooked me all of these seasonal recollections fade before one that to this day makes my heart race. Visiting the Fedco supermarket at Intervale and Fox. There, above the meat case crammed with pork chops, steaks and chicken, were toys arrayed on shelves tantalizingly close to our small outstretched arms. Big toys. The kind that made a 6-year-old lose himself with desire. There was the olive green tank that fired tan plastic shells with a whiff of talcum-powder smoke. The fire engine set with what seemed like a million pieces most of which were lost within days. A secret agent kit, complete with a thin plastic trench coat that offered zero protection from the winter snow when I tried wearing it outside. These were real toys, not the flimsy cars and guns made in Japan from stamped tin cans that still had Japanese lettering on the inside. And to my mind, none of this could compete with Fort Apache, which was my biggest Christmas wish in 1963. Inside a box whose illustration never matched the makeshift mess I would set up were the parts of a brown plastic fort to be peopled by soldiers on the inside and Apaches on the outside. Maybe it was an omen, since that very neighborhood a few years later would become known as Fort Apache thanks to the overworked and under siege 41st Precinct station house on Simpson Street. The government also adopted sound monetary policy, including the decision to fully float the ruble in 2014. Because of the decline in oil prices and large net capital outflows caused by the need to repay external corporate debt and limited foreign investment in Russia the currency depreciated by 50 percent within a year. Although a weaker ruble hurt the living standards of ordinary Russians, it boosted the competitiveness of Russias companies. The Russian economy is now beginning to grow again, if very modestly at a projected 1 to 1.5 percent per year over the next few years. This performance comes nowhere near meeting Mr. Putins election-campaign promises of 2012, when he projected G.D.P. growth at 6 percent per year for 2011-18. But it isnt catastrophic either, and the government has managed to explain it away. Thanks partly to its near-complete control of the press, television and the internet, the government has developed a grand narrative about Russias role in the world essentially promoting the view that Russians may need to tighten their belts for the good of the nation. The story has several subplots. Russian speakers in Ukraine need to be defended against neo-Nazis. Russia supports President Bashar al-Assad of Syria because he is a rampart against the Islamic State, and it has helped liberate Aleppo from terrorists. Why would the Kremlin hack the Democratic Party in the United States? And who believes what the C.I.A. says anyway? The Russian people seem to accept much of this or not to care one way or the other. This should come as no surprise. In a recent paper based on data for 128 countries over 10 years, Professor Treisman and I developed an econometric model to assess which factors affect a governments approval ratings and by how much. We concluded that fully removing internet controls in a country like Russia today would cause the governments popularity ratings to drop by about 35 percentage points. But our model also confirmed that in all countries, democratic and nondemocratic, citizens are less likely to approve of their government if economic growth is low. So now that the recession is over and the price of oil has risen, is the social contract in Russia likely to change back to one based on economics any time soon? That seems unlikely. The current approach has served the government well enough, and it could still. Russia has become an indispensable nation in world affairs again, while managing to weather economic pressures which have now eased. At the same time, the government so far has shown little willingness to undertake the deep reforms needed to modernize and diversify the economy, and really spur growth. The government recently unveiled its budget for 2017-19, projecting more major austerity measures. Expenditures will be cut by more than 10 percent in real terms over the next three years. Russias G.D.P. growth is forecast to remain below the global average. That hardly is a glowing performance, and so the government may well prefer to keep selling itself to the people by invoking not prosperity but geopolitics and national pride. THE ARTS An article last Sunday about the director Pablo Larrain misstated the surname of the screenwriter for the film Jackie. He is Noah Oppenheim, not Oppenheimer. REAL ESTATE A cover article last week about new suburban developments outside New York City misstated the age of Rima Chodha, who is moving to Huntington Station, N.Y., from Manhattan. She is 31, not 33. TRAVEL An article on Dec. 11 about bookstore destinations referred incorrectly to the location of a Chinese bookstore. The bookseller Zhonghuges new outlet in Hangzhou, China, is about an hour southwest of Shanghai by train, not east. A subheading on Dec. 18 with an article about lodging and tours in Africa misidentified the country to which Thanda Island belongs. It is Tanzania, not South Africa. At least 27 people were shot, seven fatally, in a 48-hour period in Chicago over Christmas weekend, according to the Chicago Police Department. It was the latest bloody chapter in a city besieged by gun violence. Homicides and shootings, already an all-too-common hazard in the city, have skyrocketed since last year, when the numbers were already high. The rise in violence is fueled in part by gangs, whose disagreements range from neighborhood turf wars to disputes over girlfriends. The conflicts often escalate quickly to gunfire. This weekend, one of the victims was an 18-year-old man who was shot multiple times in the neck and back while he was driving at 1:30 a.m. on Christmas Day in the Gage Park neighborhood, on the citys Southwest Side. Still, while Comtes Religion of Humanity had more sway in Brazil than in many other countries, the faith never really caught on among Brazilians beyond a core group of adherents thought to number in the hundreds in Rio and the southern cities Porto Alegre and Curitiba. Some scholars say potential converts chafed at facets like a ban on remarrying after the death of ones spouse and the religions treatment of women, who were to draw a salary for raising children but were prohibited from finding jobs outside the home. Then there was the sense of bewilderment over certain positions by Comte, like his belief that the brain is an organ through which dead people influence the living hence the enigmatic sign that once adorned the churchs gate. Until around a decade ago, a dwindling group of about 10 congregants still convened in the church for services, before the roof collapse. Now the descendants of devotees donate their own time and meager funds to keep the building from collapsing altogether. We have thousands of rare books in here, not to mention statues, paintings, banners, ledgers, correspondence and who knows what else, said Ms. Souza, the heritage director, whose father, Danton Voltaire Pereira de Souza, led the church until his death in 2014. It saddens me to think we may be among the last of the positivists, she said, leaning on scaffolding that was part of an abandoned restoration effort. Sometimes it feels like we are standing against oblivion. KABUL, Afghanistan Contending that her life isnt at risk at all, military officials in Afghanistan have asked that the United States reject the asylum case of Capt. Niloofar Rahmani, the first female fixed-wing pilot in the Afghan Air Force. On Thursday, Captain Rahmani revealed that she had applied for asylum this summer, saying she felt unsafe in Afghanistan, where she and her family have received death threats. For the last 15 months, she has been training at air bases in Arkansas, Florida and Texas. Captain Rahmani said that her Afghan male colleagues in the air force treated her with contempt and that she felt at risk. Things are not changing for the better in Afghanistan, Captain Rahmani said in an interview on Friday. Things are getting worse and worse. From the car industry to finance, that task is proving messier and more complicated than expected, with effects more far-reaching than anyone imagined in this case with worrying implications for Britains vibrant and successful biotech and pharmaceuticals sector and Europes public health. With the agencys days in London almost certainly numbered, cities like Stockholm and Strasbourg, France,are scrambling to lure its team of experts, who license drugs and monitor their use for safety. But the uncertainty has left the agencys executive director, Guido Rasi, very worried as experts start to quit and others are recruited away. The consequence, and the direct impact on the public health, is my main concern, Mr. Rasi said, in a room overlooking Londons old docks. Among its tasks, the agency oversees a globalized supply chain for drugs in liaison with other international regulators. Imagine if we are late in reaction for some crisis, something going wrong, something unexpected, some quality issue, he added. If we are not in a position to intervene fast and efficiently, he added, that is a serious threat to public health. Though not critical yet, he said, the staff problems have grown since the referendum on Britains exit from the bloc, known as Brexit. Mr. Rasi has already lost half a dozen experts from the agencys 890 staff members, a noticeable number after years when resignations were rare. While well-qualified experts are being courted with job offers, uncertainty is making it difficult to attract replacements. Thousands of miles away, in the little town of Bethlehem, a UW-Madison professors work is helping to keep the walls of a centuries-old church standing. The Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem was first built in 339 A.D. on what is said to be the location of Jesus Christs birthplace. The historic significance of such a long-standing structure and the religious significance of the church make it a major tourist attraction. Archaeologists are also drawn to the site, studying artifacts they find and dig up there. But the digging could be a problem. The concern was that the excavation may have compromised the structure of the holy place, said Dante Fratta, the UW-Madison associate engineering professor who joined a team to help maintain the site. Fratta was enlisted as part of a team of five experts from around the world to study the structure in July. Frattas expertise comes in the form of non-destructive detection meaning he uses technology to evaluate the stability of a structure in a way that doesnt physically impact it. To look at the structural stability of the church, Fratta used monitors that send out and record electromagnetic and seismic waves. The recordings then produced a three-dimensional image that let Fratta see how deep the foundation was and if there were any holes or anomalies in walls and columns that could not be seen from the exterior. Although Fratta has used this imaging technique elsewhere for ecological purposes, he said this was his first opportunity to work on a structure with such renown. We are trying to evaluate the depth of the walls and the foundation, Fratta said. We left monitors so we can (continue to) evaluate how the structure is behaving. The team was led by Miguel Pando, a professor from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte specializing in foundation engineering. Fratta and three others joined Pando: Rafael Aguilar from Catholic University of Peru and Luis Ramos from University of Minho in Portugal, both with specialties in structural engineering with analysis and monitoring of heritage structures, and Matthew Whelan, also of UNCC, with a specialty in structural engineering and monitoring of structures. The purpose of the trip was not to keep archaeologists from studying in the church, but rather to help facilitate their research. By leaving the monitors in their locations at the church, Fratta and his team can see how excavations in the future are impacting the structural integrity of the church and guide archaeologists to locations that wont negatively impact the structure. Despite the complex nature of its work, We had to get this together in a very short amount of time, Fratta said. He and his colleagues were only in Bethlehem for a week. In addition to the challenge of the time element, Fratta said, his team also had to work with and be respectful of the different political and religious institutions of the region and church itself. All activities at the Church of the Nativity are overseen by authorities of four denominations: Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic and Syriac Orthodox. While different parts of the Church of the Nativity belong to the different denominations, all four must agree to any protocol or work done within its confines. Its a complex site overall, Fratta said referring to the history and political climate of the area, but its a very cool site. The Church of the Nativity does not look exactly as it did in 339 A.D. Additions and changes were made during the Roman and Crusade eras as well as restorations after earthquakes and sieges of the site. This holy structure has been built over many, many years, Fratta said, referring to the different parts of the church that were erected in the more than 1,500 years its stood. Because of the historic nature of the Church of the Nativity, the United Nations named it a World Heritage Site, but in 2008 the World Monuments Fund placed it on a watch list of endangered world sites due to significant deterioration of the supports and architectural elements. LONDON For the first time in nearly 30 years, Queen Elizabeth II failed to attend a Christmas Day church service near her English country estate because of what Buckingham Palace described as a persistent cold. In a statement, Buckingham Palace said on Sunday that the 90-year-old queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery. The queen, who had already been forced to change her travel plans for the holiday period because of the illness, planned to participate in the royal family Christmas celebrations during the day, according to the statement. The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, 95, were scheduled to travel on Wednesday by train to their Sandringham estate in Norfolk, near Englands eastern coast. President Vladimir V. Putin deployed Russian armed forces in Syria in September 2015, ostensibly to fight terrorism but primarily to prop up President Bashar al-Assad, the leader of the lone remaining Russian ally in the region, whose forces have been fighting an insurgency for nearly six years. Russian forces have been instrumental in helping the Damascus government regain the initiative, with the final rebels expelled from the besieged city of Aleppo on Thursday. Three journalists from Channel One, Russias main television station, were on the plane, as were journalists from the Zvezda and NTV television networks, news reports said. Yelizaveta P. Glinka, a prominent Russian philanthropist and a member of the presidential council on human rights and civil society, was also on the list of people on board. Mr. Putin recently honored Mrs. Glinka with a state award for her human rights and charity work. Valery V. Khalilov, the ensembles artistic director, was also on the plane, according to the list of passengers. Mr. Putin expressed his condolences to relatives of the victims, and he declared Monday a national day of mourning. (Christmas is not celebrated as an official holiday in Russia on Dec. 25, because the Russian Orthodox Church observes it on Jan. 7.) First of all, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of our citizens, who died today, as a result of an aviation catastrophe over the Black Sea this morning, Mr. Putin said in St. Petersburg, according to remarks published on the Kremlins website. ABOARD A JOINT STARS SURVEILLANCE PLANE, Over Northern Iraq Flying at 30,000 feet, the powerful radar aboard this Air Force jet peered deep into Syrian territory, hunting for targets on the ground to strike in the looming offensive to seize Raqqa, the Islamic States capital. It was on a mission like this several weeks ago that analysts discovered a hiding place in the central Syrian desert where the Islamic State was stashing scores of oil tanker trucks that provide the terrorist group with a crucial financial lifeline. Acting on that tip and other intelligence, two dozen American warplanes destroyed 188 of the trucks in the biggest airstrike of the year, eliminating an estimated $2 million in oil revenue for the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. Even as the American-led air campaign conducts bombing missions to support Iraqi troops fighting the Islamic State in Mosul, American commanders said the air war would probably play an even greater role in Syria over the coming weeks in the battle to retake Raqqa. Newly recruited Syrian Arab militia fighters, allied with experienced Kurdish fighters, are encircling Raqqa. But they need allied bombing to weaken and dislodge enemy forces dug in there, and to cut off the ability for the Islamic State to rearm, refuel and reinforce its fighters. JERUSALEM For years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, a conservative, has played a double act, competing domestically with his right-wing rivals in backing the settlement project all over the occupied West Bank while professing support for a two-state solution with the Palestinians. Now, with the stinging United Nations Security Council resolution on Friday condemning Israeli settlement construction as lacking any legal validity, Israeli politicians and analysts on the right, on the left and in the political center say Mr. Netanyahus game may soon be up. The Israeli right, feeling empowered by the advent of the Trump administration, which is expected to be more sympathetic to Israels current policies, is pushing Mr. Netanyahu to abandon the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, long considered the only viable solution to the conflict. Naftali Bennett, the leader of the pro-settlement Jewish Home party in Mr. Netanyahus governing coalition, with whom Mr. Netanyahu and his Likud Party compete for votes, is goading him to take on more extreme positions like annexing parts of the West Bank, adding to a sense in Israel that the real Mr. Netanyahu may have to stand up and decide which side he is on. In the past few weeks, the Islamic State has sustained a string of military defeats: ousted from its refuge on the Libyan coast, struggling to maintain its hold on the Iraqi city of Mosul, and losing ground in Syria. Yet as the deadly truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin made clear, those losses do not diminish the groups extraordinary power to inspire terrorist mayhem around the world, and may even help fuel it. In just the past year, even while under near continuous bombardment by the American-led coalition, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for more than three dozen attacks, stretching across 16 countries on four continents. That figure does not include the organizations home terrain in Syria and Iraq, where it has lost 50,000 fighters in the past two years, according to the Pentagon nearly as many dead as the United States lost in the Vietnam War. Many of the attacks beyond the Middle East were carried out by assailants who cited their inability to reach the groups Syria refuge, its self-proclaimed caliphate, as a motive for acting at home. BEIRUT An explosion rocked eastern Aleppo Saturday as some residents were returning to their homes after the government assumed full control of the city earlier this week, state TV reported while fresh airstrikes on a rebel-held town near Aleppo killed at least five people. The airstrikes on areas near the northern city of Aleppo show that the government has resumed military activities after days of clam that coincided with the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians and rebels from east Aleppo. On Thursday, President Bashar Assads forces took control of eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo for the first time since July 2012, marking the governments biggest victory since the crisis began more than five years ago. Government forces will likely now try to secure the outskirts of the city as rebels are based in the western and southwestern suburbs of Aleppo, Syrias largest city and once commercial center. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an airstrike on the town of Atareb, west of Aleppo, killed five people including a man, his daughter and daughter-in-law. The Aleppo Media Center, an activist collective, said the airstrikes killed seven people including a woman and two children. The Saturday noon airstrike on Atareb came after airstrikes on nearby villages the night before killed three rebels, according to the Observatory. Earlier Saturday, state TV said the explosion in east Aleppo was caused by a device left inside a school by Syrian rebels, who withdrew from their last remaining enclave under a cease-fire deal after more than four years of fighting. It said three people were wounded in the blast. MILAN Investigators on Saturday worked to determine if the Berlin Christmas market attacker got any logistical support to cross at least two European borders and evade capture for days before being killed in a police shootout in a Milan suburb. Tunisian fugitive Anis Amris fingerprints and wallet were found in a truck that plowed into a Christmas market in Berlin on Monday night, killing 12 people and injuring 56 others. Despite an intense, Europe-wide manhunt, Amri fled across Germany, into France and then into Italy, traveling at least part of the way by train, before being shot early Friday in a routine police stop outside a deserted train station. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Berlin attack, but so far little is known about any support network backing up the 24-year-old fugitive. Italian investigators were working to see if the Tunisian had any connections in the Milan area. Italy was his port of entry into Europe in 2011 and he spent more than three years in Italian jails on Sicily. But an anti-terrorism official said there was no evidence that he had ever been in or around Milan before Fridays shootout. In Tunisia, the Interior Ministry announced the arrest Friday of Amris nephew and two others suspected of belonging to the same extremist network. The ministry said in a statement that Amri, through an alias, had sent his 18-year-old nephew Fedi some money through the post office to join him in Europe and join the Abou Walaa network. Amir claimed to be the networks emir. The ministry said the nephew told them he was in contact with Amri via Telegrams encrypted communications to avoid detection. He said Amri had recruited him to jihad and asked him to pledge allegiance to Islamic State, which he did and sent it to Amri via Telegram. The Tunisian prosecutors office ordered all three held in pre-trial detention pending further investigation. In Spain, police were investigating whether Amri was in contact with a possible extremist there, on a tip from German authorities. We are studying all possible connections (between Amri) and our country, above all with one specific person, Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido told Spanish radio. Italy has found itself at the center of the Berlin attack investigation after the dramatic shootout early Friday that ended the manhunt. The deserted train station and the late hour prompted Italian officers to check the North African mans identity, officials said. Instead of pulling out an identity card, Amri produced a loaded .22 caliber gun, shooting a senior officer in the shoulder before a rookie officer killed him with a single shot. Amri had arrived in the southern island of Lampedusa illegally in 2011, claiming to be a minor, and quickly landed in jail after setting fire to a migrant center. After he was freed, efforts to deport him failed for bureaucratic reasons. He reached Germany, where authorities were concerned enough to put him under covert surveillance for six months earlier this year, ending the operation in September. His request for asylum was refused by Germany in the summer, but the paperwork from Tunisia needed to deport him was delayed for months. On Saturday, Italy welcomed home one of the 12 victims, 31-year-old Fabrizia Di Lorenzo. She had been working in Berlin and was out shopping for Christmas presents to bring to relatives in central Italy when the truck careened into the market. A casket containing her body arrived at Romes Ciampino airport, met by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Her parents and brother received hugs and condolences before the casket was placed in a vehicle for the ride home. It looked to be a benchmark year of Asian political ascendancy in Irvine. The city became the largest city in the continental United States with more Asian than white residents. And six of the 11 council candidates and two of the five mayoral candidates in last months election were of Asian descent. When the votes were counted, however, the results bucked the demographic change occurring in the master-planned community whose rapid growth has been driven in part by its Pan Asian appeal. The lone Asian lawmaker was gone, and an all-white council had been elected for the first time in 12 years. What happened? And what might it say about future political representation in the suburb of 257,000 approaching an Asian majority? With no detailed exit polling at the city level to gauge how different groups voted, political experts offer a variety of possible explanations for the election outcome. One is that when there are multiple Asian candidates on the ballot, Asian voters tend to split the vote for various reasons, allowing other candidates to win, analysts said. Also, Asian turnout overall often lags. About a third of Asian residents in the U.S. arent citizens, and those who are citizens dont register to vote at rates comparable to some other groups. In the 2012 presidential election, 47 percent of the adult Asian American population voted, compared with 64 percent of whites and 66 percent of blacks, according to one study. Some researchers, as well as Asian candidates and elected officials in Irvine and elsewhere in Orange County, say having various ethnic groups in changing communities represented at City Hall can increase cultural sensitivity, help improve communications with residents and energize voters. In some instances, it can create more opportunities for newcomers to gain entry-level political experience through appointments to city commissions, they added. At the same time, elected officials and political researchers say an all-white City Council isnt a cause for concern as long as the representatives serve the needs of different ethnic communities. I think most elected officials in Irvine are good at recognizing and celebrating diversity and how multicultural this city is, said Mary Anne Foo, an Irvine resident and executive director of the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance. But its nice to have diversity and the council reflect what the community looks like. Having so many Asian candidates running this year is a sign Irvine will have a more ethnically diverse council in the years ahead, some researchers said. Irvine appears to be following the path of smaller cities such as Westminster, Cupertino and Monterey Park, where demographics and councils have shifted from majority white to majority Asian, said James Lai, an associate professor of ethnic studies and political science at Santa Clara University. Irvine is an emergent suburb, he said, where Asian representation in local politics doesnt yet reflect its large Asian population. Irvine is where Cupertino was 15 years ago, Lai said, referring to the Northern California high-tech hub where three of five City Council members are Asian American. Growing Asian population Irvine has grown steadily since its 1971 incorporation as a result of its new homes, highly ranked public schools, a low crime rate and abundant neighborhood recreational opportunities. Its share of Asian residents has climbed more quickly, attracting immigrants and second-generation families from other traditional ethnic enclaves. Asian residents accounted for roughly 8 percent of Irvines population in 1980. That jumped to 18 percent in 1990 and 30 percent in 2000, according to census data. The Asian population hovered between 35 percent and 40 percent for much of the past decade before surging to more than 45 percent last year, according to estimates by the U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey. The city elected its first Asian American council members in 2004: South Korean immigrants Sukhee Kang and Steven Choi. Kang served as mayor from 2008 to 2012 and Choi for the past four years, until he won a seat in the Assembly. In many ways, it was great to see Sukhee Kang and Steven Choi create a pathway for future Asian candidates, said Linda Vo, an Irvine resident and Asian American studies professor at UC Irvine. In the future, Youll see more Asian Americans running for office and get elected, she said. But you cant expect a change overnight. Kang and Choi had a strong base outside the Asian community. Kang said his heritage helped him win the tight 2004 council race, but the number of South Korean voters was too small to carry him into office. Until a few decades ago, Asian candidates in Los Angeles and San Francisco typically appealed primarily to their own ethnic communities, Lai said, because they were considered outsiders. They often competed for Asian American votes, canceling one another out, he added. Now, in transformed suburbs like Cupertino, successful politicians reach beyond their own ethnic communities to build broader coalitions, Lai said. Thats a sign of political maturity, where its become a norm for Asian Americans to run, and not knocking each other out, he said. Electing Asian candidates not only can set a precedent but can also help more Asians land political appointments in local government, experts say. Planning Commission Chairman Anthony Kuo, whose parents emigrated from Taiwan, finished third in Irvines council race last month. It takes an understanding of complex issues such as land use and experience managing public meetings to run a growing city, he said of his City Hall experience. It also gives us things to talk about when walking around precincts, like our achievements as a commissioner, he said. What does it mean? Ian Daelucian, 33, who emigrated from Vietnam when he was 9, said he ran for the Irvine City Council to bring diversity to local government. For politicians to understand the nuances of different cultures, they must come from those backgrounds or have firsthand experience, he said. For example, he said, Muslims in America face the stereotype of being a threat to the country. To not be walking in those shoes every day, you cant possibly understand what its like to live under such perception every day and how to protect those people, Daelucian said. Westminster was among the first cities in the country to have an Asian majority City Council and the first to achieve a Vietnamese American majority. Vietnamese Americans in Little Saigon have established a robust political infrastructure to nurture future leaders. Theyve also created Vietnamese-language TV and radio stations and newspapers that have an audience that reaches across the nation and internationally, Lai said. A Vietnamese American majority council has made it easier for the city to approve cultural events such as the annual Tet festival, said Westminster Councilman Tyler Diep, who immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam when he was 8 years old. The increase in Vietnamese American elected officials led to more City Hall appointments and political involvement from his ethnic community, said Diep, who served on the Traffic Commission before being elected in 2008. Two of his three appointees on major city commissions are Asian Americans. Still, Diep stressed Asian American council members dont necessarily share common values or positions on public policies. A majority Asian American City Council is more symbolic than substantive when it comes to policy, in my opinion, Asian studies expert Lai said. It merely symbolizes that Asian Americans are an integral part of the larger citys identity, just like becoming an Asian American majority city. Irvines newly elected mayor, Don Wagner, said the racial makeup of the council there is more coincidence than anything else. People who are moving to Irvine and changing the demographic face of this city want the same things everybody else does, including a safe city, good schools, well-managed traffic and high-paying jobs, Wagner said. Thats something that crosses all races, all nationalities and all demographics. Planning Commissioner Kuo said he wants to see diversity on the council, but not just based on race and ethnicity, which he argued is the wrong measure. Diversity of thoughts and experience is critical, he said. In his case, he brings a lifetime of living in Irvine to discussions of planning and policy, he said. Though he speaks Chinese, Kuo never has been to mainland China and visited Taiwan just once. Hes racially Asian but culturally American, he said. I never had that much of that connection to that heritage, Kuo said. Growing up, I had tacos, pot roast and spaghetti for dinner. At a recent public meeting, newly elected Councilwoman Melissa Fox introduced her appointments to city commissions and committees. At least three of the seven are Asian Americans. One has a strong connection with new Chinese immigrants, another with the Korean senior community, and the third comes from an Asian Indian and African American background. Fox said she also considered factors such as age, experience and where people live. You have to look at diversity as a whole, she said. Contact the writer: tshimura@scng.com I am Kerry Burgess. This is what I think. Ages: Balta, 35; Stirling, 47 Roles: Co-founders of the Veterans Legal Institute, a public interest law firm in Santa Ana for low-income veterans. Bios: Balta, who lives in Villa Park, is a graduate of Chapman University law school and a reserve judge advocate general (JAG) officer with the California State Military Reserve. Stirling, who lives in Cypress, graduated from USC law school. He has served as a chief prosecutor for the California National Guard. Why they are influencers: With 130,000 veterans in Orange County, the need is dire. In three years, the institute has helped 2,000 veterans with disability benefits, discharge upgrades, evictions, job discrimination, bankruptcy, car accidents, and child custody. Balta and Stirling have set up free legal clinics and enlisted scores of volunteers, including private lawyers, paralegals and interns. Biggest challenge: With wars in Afghanistan and Iraq winding down, so many troops are returning, Balta said. We have only three paid staff. We need to hire three more attorneys, a fundraiser and a volunteer coordinator. Thoughts on veterans: We need the legal community to work pro-bono for our veterans, Stirling said. We need politicians to pay attention, and not just when theres a front-page news story. They should double government funding for legal services. Inspiration: Stirling paraphrases Ghandi: Be the change you want to see in the world. He adds: You cant say, Someone should fix this problem. Your own behavior must align with your values. Cant live without: Balta: My Catholic faith. Stirling: My first child, born nine weeks ago. Whats next: Balta: I want to tell civilians: whether or not you served in the military, you can be a patriot. We welcome every volunteer who comes through the door. Contact the writer: mroosevelt@ocregister.com; Twitter @MargotRoosevelt Cushman & Wakefield in Irvine has closed the sale of 117,760-square-foot Yorba Linda Business Park in Yorba Linda for $17 million. San Francisco-based Berkeley Partners acquired the multitenant industrial park from Los Angeles-based Rexford Industrial Realty. The 68-unit project is composed of four single-story buildings at 22343, 22345, 22347 and 22349 La Palma Ave. and is situated on a 9-plus-acre site. Jeff Chiate, Jeffrey Cole, Mike Adey, Ed Hernandez and Nico Napolitano with Cushman & Wakefields National Industrial Advisory Group represented both buyer and seller in the transaction. Spirit Bascom Ventures, a partnership between Irvine-based Bascom Group and Stamford, Conn.-based Spirit Investment Partners, has acquired a 1920s-era, nine-story building in Chicago for $18.8 million, its second acquisition in the city in the past year. The property is in the Rogers Park neighborhood, a few blocks north of Loyola Universitys flagship Lake Shore campus. Todd Stofflet of KIG CRE represented the seller in the off-market transaction. Andy Feinberg, Marc Schulder and David Harte from Ackman-Ziff arranged a first mortgage loan from local lender First Midwest Bank and mezzanine loan from New York-based Hillcrest Real Estate. The building contains 160 rental units with unobstructed views of Lake Michigan and roughly 10,150 square feet of fully leased retail space. In another joint venture, Bascom Group and Long Beach-based Harbor Associates acquired Conejo Spectrum, a 159,186-square-foot, two-building office complex in Thousand Oaks for $13 million. Harbor sourced the asset through a distressed auction process from seller CW Capital. The portfolio marks the sixth, value-add office acquisition for Harbor in the last 18 months. Pine River Capital Management was the external manager for the lender. Sean Fulp of NGKF represented the seller in the transaction. Crosspointe Church in Yorba Linda has signed a 10-year, $6 million lease for 44,913 square feet of space at the Anaheim Corporate Center at 1300 N. Kellogg Drive in Anaheim. Principal Allen C. Buchanan and associate Joshua K. Harper of the Orange office of Lee & Associates represented the landlord, 1300 Anaheim LLC. Crosspointe Church was represented by Gian Starita of Colliers. People in real estate Raymond Thagard has joined Cushman & Wakefield in Irvine as a senior associate. He will work as part of the brokerage team led by Chris Bosley, managing director. Along with his team, Thagard will specialize in office agency and tenant representation in the Orange County region. Before joining Cushman & Wakefield, Thagard worked at Transwestern Property Co., where since 2012 he served as an associate specializing in the leasing and sales of office buildings. Prior to brokerage, he worked as an accounting assistant at THINK Together, a nonprofit provider of extended learning time programs. Milestones The Newport Beach Board of Realtors recently honored Cari Young of Villa Real Estate with the realtor of the year award for 2016. As a licensed broker and attorney with more than 20 years experience in residential real estate, Young has earned recognition for her work in managing, building and leading some of the markets most prominent brokerages. Young is a graduate of UCLA and Pepperdine University School of Law. She is a past president of the Newport Beach Association of Realtors and currently serves as a director for the Newport Association and the California Association of Realtors. The Taj Mahal Medical Center in Laguna Hills received the 2016 outstanding building of the year award in the medical office buildings category by the Building Owners and Managers Association Orange County. The Taj Mahal Medical Center is owned and managed by the Muller Co. The medical center at 23521 Paseo de Valencia is a three-story, 89,000-square-foot landmark, midcentury modern building. Good works Fullerton real estate firm Century 21 Discovery raised $23,000 for local charities at its 22nd annual charity event. The November event was held on behalf of the Discovery Charity Foundation, a nonprofit that donates to charities in north Orange County. The annual dinner and auction has raised over $320,000 for charities since its inception. The recipient charities for 2016 are the Boys & Girls Club of Fullerton, JOYA Scholars, Meals on Wheels of Fullerton, North Orange County ROP Career Education Foundation, St. Jude Memorial Foundation, Teen Challenge, Womens Transitional Living Center and the YWCA of North Orange County. Coming up Nominations are open for the sixth annual commercial real estate SPIRE awards, the only commercial awards program of its kind in Orange County. Presented by the Orange County Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women, the award ceremony will recognize the top industry experts who have distinguished themselves through their contributions and outstanding dedication to commercial real estate. This years CREW-OC SPIRE awards will recognize individuals or teams in the following categories: women in commercial real estate, new construction, building renovations, tenant improvements, leasing, sales, lending and philanthropy. Nominations for the awards, which are due by Feb. 3, are available online at crewocspireawards.com/nominate -today. The awards event will be held March 29. CREW-OC, serving Orange County real estate professionals since 1988, is a nonprofit established to promote and sponsor educational and professional activities for its members. Submit real estate transactions, executive promotions and hires, good works and milestones to Samantha Gowen at sgowen@ocregister.com. Include high-resolution photos whenever possible. Allow at least one week to publish. AGE: 18 BIO: As a high school student, he was kicked out of his house by his mother. He lived on the streets and in foster care. To fight his despair, he taught himself to take photos on his cellphone and developed as an artist with an edgy style. His life stabilized during his senior year at Loara High when he lived with the family of his art teacher, David Sporn, in Anaheim. After graduating high school, he reconnected with his father and a younger brother, who live in his native home of Thailand. He remains estranged from his mother. In the fall, he started attending Parsons School of Design in Brooklyn, N.Y. WHY HES AN INFLUENCER: The Register named him one of the 2016 finalists for high school Artist of the Year in visual arts. Evander has developed an Instagram following of more than 65,000 under the professional name of Hennessy Vandheur. That includes being followed by Instagram, a rare instance. His clients have included models and merchandisers. A photo he took in November of two women, lovers, kissing in the middle of an anti-Donald Trump street protest following the presidential election went viral on Twitter, Buzzfeed and was published on other online outlets. BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Not having enough resources at the moment to make my vision as an artist fully come to life the way I see it. THOUGHTS ON PHOTOGRAPHY: Im aiming to photograph people in a way that makes the viewer feel the emotion/identity behind the person. INSPIRATION: Beauty. CANT LIVE WITHOUT: His camera. And Corgis he calls them little bundles of joy. WHATS NEXT: His goal for 2017 is to photograph a story or editorial for Vogue. QARAQOSH, Iraq Despite their hometowns having been recently freed from Islamic State, the Christians of Iraq are still in a state of mourning as Christmas approaches. Old towns on the edge of Mosul, where Christians lived for many centuries, have become wastelands. Most churches are still standing, but badly damaged and ransacked. When a liberating soldier hoists a cross atop a church, or a priest returns to take stock of the losses and light a candle, the scenes feel more sad than hopeful especially when weighed against the widely felt sentiments of displaced Christians that they will never go home. Some of the early gains in the campaign to retake Mosul from Islamic State, which is grinding into its third month, were the liberations of historically Christian villages and towns, including Qaraqosh, Iraqs largest Christian city, and Bartella. There were early feelings of jubilation. Some families returned to celebrate alongside some of the Christian militia fighters who participated in the battles. But just as quickly it became apparent that rebirth for the Christian community in Iraq is unlikely, given how few seem to want to return. There is no guarantee that we can go back and be safe, said Haseeb Saleem, 65, a Christian from the Mosul area who left more than two years ago and now lives in the Kurdish city of Irbil, the regional capital. Saleem echoed a deeply felt belief among Iraqs minorities that the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, by removing a dictatorship that at least promised them security, marked the beginning of the communitys demise in their own country. Before 2003, believe me, my neighbor didnt know what I was, he said. No one could ask, are you Sunni? Or Shia? Or Muslim? Or Christian? In 2003, an estimated 1.5 million Christians lived in Iraq. By the time Islamic State swept through northern Iraq in 2014, that figure had fallen to roughly 400,000. Since then, many thousands more have left the country, or fled Mosul to the relative safety of the Kurdish region. There, in Irbil, Christians are clustered in the neighborhood of Ainkawa, and many of the displaced were taken in by local churches. The neighborhood is perhaps the last center of a vibrant Christian culture in Iraq; shops these days are filled with Christmas decorations, and it is always easy to find wine or pork. When Islamic State seized Mosul and outlying areas in the summer of 2014, the militants stole the money, jewelry and property of Christians, and gave them a choice if they wished to stay: Either convert to Islam or pay a special tax. Nearly every Christian left home and joined Iraqs growing population of the displaced. But there were two Christians, women in their late 70s, who stayed. Cut off from their families during the chaos of two summers ago, Badrea Gigues and Zarifa Bakoos found themselves left behind in Qaraqosh. Then, each had an ailing husband. But soon after their hometown fell to Islamic State, their husbands died. The two widows, old friends, found themselves living together, and facing together the brutality of new rulers who stole their money and demanded they renounce their faith and convert to Islam. Sometimes we prayed, and sometimes we cried, said Gigues, who is blind and largely deaf, in a recent interview after Qaraqosh was liberated and the security forces found her. We talked about our husbands, our memories, our children, what it was like when we were young. The women said that Islamic State fighters had forced them to spit on a cross and to stomp on a picture of the Virgin Mary. Sorry, Mary, that I did that, Bakoos recalled thinking. Please forgive me. Even for former residents of Qaraqosh who might wish to return and stay, it is not yet safe. Rubble and destruction are everywhere. Weeks after the battle to retake the city, Christian militia fighters who secured the town are still on alert for possible counterattacks. The Christians of Iraq may have lost much to Islamic State houses, gold, money. But some say the experience has strengthened their faith. They can destroy our houses, our things, but not our souls, said Huda Khudhur, a nun from Qaraqosh. When I recently asked a friend what hed be doing over the holidays, he responded, Well, my kids will be home from college. So Ill spend Christmas watching them play video games. Chatting with another friend at a holiday party, she told me of her recent struggle to pull her sons attention away from his cellphone. She wanted to ask for help to bring the familys Christmas decorations down from the garage rafters. When she finally got through to him, he sullenly rolled his eyes and muttered, Whatever. Perhaps its experiences like this that lead older generations to believe that the holidays arent what they used to be. Kids today are different, or so the argument goes. They just arent into family values and traditions anymore. Maybe so. But being the numbers guy that I am, I decided to test this belief. So I asked my business statistics students to share with me in writing their favorite holiday memories. While I hadnt yet formulated a theory, I must admit that I expected most of my students to relate the ecstasy they felt on Christmas Day, receiving their first Men of War video game, or their first smartphone or their first other weapon of mass distraction. So imagine my surprise when not one student referred to a holiday present they received. The favorite memories they described were about other kinds of gifts. Kristina Matysik wrote: As a Bay area native, its hard not to look forward to going home for the holidays. Home means an endless supply of Babas Russian food, unnecessary amounts of tea, redwood trees and, of course, rain. It had been our family tradition to celebrate the Old Russian New Year that occurs on January 7. But as the first-generation American and only child of the family (me), I stubbornly refused to celebrate Russian New Year if American Christmas was not accepted. Gradually, Christmas was incorporated into our culture. Michael Garcias letter, like Kristinas, speaks to the great American melting pot: On Christmas morning, we would go to my grandmothers home and have her delicious tamales (I can still taste them) for brunch. Then later in the evening, wed go to my mothers side of the family for a ham and mashed potatoes dinner. From Allie Farmer: My favorite holiday memory is when my parents, my grandpa and I would sit in front of the Christmas tree eating breakfast together. Those times always brought me such solace and contentment. Hmmm Its funny how food seems to make a more indelible imprint on ones memory than presents. Bennet Close seemed at a loss until he recalled his moms specialty: I dont have any amazing or spectacular holiday stories, but just being at home with my family and having my moms cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning defines the Christmas season for me. From Sam Glasson: My favorite memory was when I was around 7 years old. My grandparents became too fragile to travel from Oregon, so my family packed our bags to drive up to them from Napa. Snow storms hit the I-5 and soon after we saw logging trucks jackknifed along the highway. We had to stop until snowplows cleared the roads, but I was content because my dad somehow got me a cup of hot cocoa. Finally, over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house we went. Just when I thought wed never get there, we reached the top of my grandparents driveway. To this day, there is no better sight than seeing my grandpas silhouette waving down the end of the long driveway, outlined by the Christmas lights on the house. Kat Saunders favorite memory is more recent: Last year I thought I had picked out the perfect gift for my dad. Just when he was about to open it, my cousin called and asked my dad to open his gift. It was a simple framed photo. Before giving the photo a real look, he thanked my cousin and then reached for my gift. But as he put the photo down, the picture in the frame caught his eye. It was an old photograph of his parents, whom he was especially close with and who died almost 20 years before. He paused, and then he brought the photo back to himself, and I saw tears begin to well up in his eyes. The whole family froze, since we had never seen a reaction like that before. For a split second, a flash of bitterness came over me my cousin had showed me up! But then I realized that this wasnt just a gift for my dad, it was a gift for me as well. In this crazy world, even just witnessing a real gift of love is the best present I could ever hope for. Kats memory reminds me of one of my favorite holiday memories. I was about 5 years old, and we were decorating our Christmas tree. I watched as my dad selected an ornament and very tenderly placed it on the tree. The ornament was an angel. Noticing that I was gazing at the angel, my dad told me that my grandmother brought the ornament from Italy when the two of them immigrated to America together. He said it was the only memento she brought with her. As my father recounted this memory of his mother and my Nonna, he looked again at the angel. I could see tears well up in his eyes. Just like Kats experience with her dad, it was the first time I ever saw that happen. In thinking about it now, I realize that Christmas memory is perhaps the only thing connecting me with my roots, a little village in Italy called Brienza. So the generations havent really changed. The things that touch the hearts and minds of young people today are pretty much the same as those that touched ours. Thats why its especially important that over the holidays we take time to come together as families over hot chocolate, cinnamon rolls and maybe even a few tamales. In doing so, we will be creating memories that bind our families together from one generation to another. Jim Doti is a professor of economics and the former president at Chapman University. Divisive rhetoric and actions in recent months have unearthed a reality that many in the diverse communities of this nation have long lived with: fear. Whether from discrimination, persecution, racism or misogyny, it is a fear that ebbs and flows on a tide of injustice that is deeply woven into the fabric of American history. Today, that fear is at an all-time high for thousands of undocumented students at California State University, Fullerton and other institutions across the country. To be clear, these students are not a public safety threat; they are bright young people whose dream to better themselves and the only country theyve ever known now hangs in the balance of an immigration policy the president-elect has threatened to reverse. And while I share their anxiety, I remain hopeful that when the new administration comes to understand who these students are and witness the obstacles theyve overcome in pursuit of a college degree since being brought to this country as young as a few weeks old, they will join the many great American leaders Republican and Democrat who have embraced and supported them for decades. Indeed, more than 30 years ago, the Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe stated that undocumented students cannot be deprived access to public education because doing so imposes a lifetime hardship on a discrete class of children not accountable for their disabling status. This aligns with a notion this country has long embraced and Cal State Fullerton seeks to emphasize: Not only do these sons and daughters of immigrants personify what it means to be American, depriving them of the right to better themselves through higher education is fundamentally un-American. In 2001, California became a national leader on this front with Assembly Bill 540, a state law that allows certain undocumented higher education students, commonly known as Dreamers, to receive reduced in-state tuition. Even greater social change came in 2012 with the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals, a federal program that defers deportation proceedings for individuals who, despite being brought to America illegally as minors, have remained in school, out of trouble, and on a path to achieving a college degree. While it has been incorrectly labeled as a blanket amnesty by its opponents, DACA actually carefully screens its applicants, and for undocumented students whove lived their entire lives in the shadows, providing personal information to the federal government for said screening can be ominous. But through their own courage and with the support of their mentors and government, hundreds of thousands of students have done so with the understanding that the information provided would not be used against them. And for years, it wasnt. Since 2012, DACA has approved 214,000 applications in California the most of any state and these students have been and continue to be empowered to pursue and achieve a college degree without the threat of deportation. I know these students and graduates both personally and as president and many of them were brought here when they were so young, they do not speak the language of their native land, have no memory of it and no family connections to it. And yet, after doing everything America asked of them, DACA could now be reversed by our president-elect, and the information they were encouraged by their government to provide may be used to deport them. From my perspective as an educator and an American, deporting some of the best young minds this country has to offer is not upholding law and order, it is displacing our future teachers, business owners, doctors, nurses and taxpayers; it is tearing innocent children away from the only country theyve ever called home; it is punishing people who have nothing to do with how they came to America and everything to do with what it means to be an American. That is why I am proud to join more than 300 higher education presidents from across the country, along with countless other leaders from both sides of the aisle, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and 16 other U.S. mayors who recently presented a letter to President-elect Trump encouraging him to uphold DACA. We, along with millions of the diverse peoples of this nation stand together, and it is where Cal State Fullerton has always stood: In solidarity with our students regardless of where they are from, how they got here, who they love, what gender they identify with, or what God they pray to. As Americans, that is not only who we are, it is our greatest strength, and when national events unearth the dark realities of our history and policies, we are reminded of what we must always be: a light in that darkness, illuminating a path to social justice for all students who aspire to better themselves, their families and this country regardless of how they came to be here. Mildred Garcia is president of California State University, Fullerton. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow famously penned such well-known poems as Paul Reveres Ride and The Song of Hiawatha. He also wrote, with less fanfare, a poem on Christmas Day 1863, the words of which have proven more popular than any other of his works. Simply titled Christmas Bells, the poem later provided the lyrics for the familiar carol I Hear the Bells on Christmas Day. And, though the carol has become, over the past century and a half, a holiday staple, few of us actually know its poignant back story. It was, in fact, written by Longfellow during a time of deep despair. He had learned that his first-born son, Charles, a lieutenant in the Union Army during the Civil War, was severely wounded in the Battle of New Hope Church in Paulding County, Ga. That heartbreaking news arrived while the poet was still grieving the loss of his beloved wife, Fanny, who died from burns sustained in a fire in their Cambridge, Mass., home. Longfellows enduring grief over the twin tragedies as well as his profound sorrow over the deaths of so many of Americas sons during the deadliest war in this nations history was reflected in the penultimate stanza of Christmas Bells: And in despair I bowed my head; There is no peace on earth, I said; For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! On this Christmas Day, there are, no doubt, many heads bowed in despair over what they have witnessed in 2016: Terror attacks in Orlando, Fla., Nice, Brussels, Istanbul and just last week, Berlin; more controversial shootings by police and the ambush killings of five law-enforcement officers in downtown Dallas and three in Baton Rouge, La.; the Zika outbreak declared a global emergency; civil war in Syria; a particularly divisive national election. And, yet, there is something about this holiday call it the spirit of Christmas that somehow compels us to look toward the future not with despair, but in hopefulness. Indeed, it was in that spirit that Longfellow wrote the final lines to his Christmas poem: Then peeled the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men. Jennifer Lattanzi and her husband, Ray, crossed the rain-swollen Santa Ana River on Christmas Eve morning in search of a sleeping bag. Even though we live in our car, the cold air seeps in from everywhere, the 43-year-old said. Lattanzi is a substitute teacher, but the calls for gigs havent been steady. Her husband has also struggled to find a job. Their home on wheels is parked near the growing vagrant camp of about 300 people along the riverbed. They pay for a storage space to keep their belongings safe, getting by on what little they make from part-time work and collecting recyclables. When they heard volunteers would be giving away food, clothing, tents and more Saturday in the space behind the Orange County Fire Training Center on Orangewood Avenue, they came looking to make their holiday a little lighter. It feels really wonderful that people are helping us out, Lattanzi said, smiling beneath her black beanie. The holiday giveaway was sparked by Tony DUrso, an entrepreneur from Anaheim who hosts the podcast Revenue Chat Radio. DUrso and his wife have been doing toy drives for needy children for several years. But as they watched the homeless encampment along the river continue to grow, they decided to shift their efforts to helping families living there this Christmas. Its gotten out of hand, DUrso said. We need to raise awareness. He shared his Christmas Eve plans on Facebook a month ago. Word quickly spread, with donations of nearly $1,000 in cash plus food and supplies rolling in. Families arrived before 9 a.m. with trash bags full of clothes to hand out. The Filling Station in Orange donated food. The company CPR 3G in Mission Hills brought out volunteers to help. So did the organizations Thrivent Action Team and Passion, which had teams across the Southland on Saturday reaching out to the homeless. Army veteran Hugo Mendez crossed the river to get a new tent. He had one, but mice that have infested the encampment ate through the bottom of it. Mendez, 41, suffers from PTSD courtesy of his time in Haiti, Panama and Iraq. Now, hes trying to help make sure a homeless woman who may be carrying his child gets into housing before the baby is born in a few weeks. Helping to make that happen was Danny Somerville, who started For Him Ministries out of Placentia Presbyterian Church. He said he counted 322 people along the riverbed on Friday night. Somerville is a convicted felon who was once homeless himself. Now he spends time almost every day by the river, getting families supplies and trying to place them in transitional housing. These people need to know that somebody cares, he said. Thats what saved me. There are lots of nonprofits that offer help, he said. But they all have their own rules, often making it tough to connect people with the right programs. Some will only take women and children. Some cant work with the mentally ill or will only accept them if they have needed medication. Some wont take people who have pets a deal breaker for some of the residents who say their dogs have saved their lives. Thats the case for 41-year-old Heather Smith. She bottle fed her silver Pitt bull Shera from the time the pooch was 16 days old. Now, as she battles stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, she said Shera and her husband, Michael Sage, keep her going. After two days of steady rain and harsh winds on what he calls misfit island, Sage, 48, showed up at DUrsos giveaway in two pairs of soggy socks but no shoes. He walked away wearing sturdy work boots, just one size too big. It shows you that human kindness is genuine still, he said. Contact the writer: 714-796-7963 or bstaggs@ocregister.comTwitter: @JournoBrooke Age: 37 Role: Chef-owner, Taco Maria Bio: Growing up, Salgado worked in his familys restaurant, La Siesta, in Orange. Following a brief detour into the video game industry, he was pulled back into cuisine. After culinary school, he worked as a pastry chef for two Michelin-ranked restaurants, Coi in San Francisco and Commis in Oakland. Salgado moved back to Orange County to launch a taco truck, Taco Maria, and in 2013 transitioned to a brick-and-mortar restaurant at South Coast Collection. Why he is an influencer: This year, Salgado was nominated for Best Chef: West by the James Beard Foundation, one of the restaurant industrys highest accolades. In 2015, Food & Wine magazine named Salgado one of the 10 best new chefs in the country. Register restaurant critic Brad Johnson named him Chef of the Year for 2015, and Taco Maria is No. 5 on the Los Angeles Times food critic Jonathan Golds 101 Best Restaurants list for 2016. Biggest challenge: I want to remain a student with an open, beginners mind. Thoughts on the state of Mexican Food in Southern California: Mexican cuisine in SoCal is the best outside of Mexico. While we may cook in a different dialect here, we are accelerating the exchange of ideas across the border, connecting to our heritage, and also benefiting from Mexicos own culinary revolution to define a cuisine that is uniquely Mexican-American. Inspiration: I am inspired by people and their stories by the exulted moments they share with friends, family, and lovers over good food and drink. Cant live without: If you told me today that I was allergic to tortillas, tomorrow I would be gone. Whats next: Salgado says he is making progress on a very cool project to launch in early 2017. Contact the writer: 714-796-7979 or phodgins@scng.com It has been an honor to serve as your senator As I finish up my final days serving in the U.S. Senate, I wanted to say thank you to the Orange County Register and its readers. To all the Registers reporters, editors, photographers and other staff thank you for your coverage over the years. While you sometimes criticizedmywork and I sometimes criticizedyourwork I always respected the critical role you play in our democracy by holding our elected leaders accountable. To the Registers readers thank you for staying engaged. Thank for being active citizens, for calling and writing me, for letting me know your views. It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of California in the Senate. Whether you voted for me or not, I want you to know that I am grateful for the privilege of being your senator all these years. Even as I leave the Senate, I plan to stay engaged and keep fighting to make life better for the people of our state and our country. I know the Register and its readers will, too. Barbara Boxer, United States senator A solution for jailhouse snitch investigation Re: Lawlessness by law enforcement intolerable [Opinion, Dec. 22]: Erwin Chemerinsky believes that the Orange County district attorney and sheriffs offices violated the Constitution by using jailhouse informants in the Scott Dekraii case, to get around judicial rules put in place by the courts to protect the rights of the accused as those courts have interpreted them. Hes probably correct for once. But is a simple answer: Using his earlier stated method with regard to the Electoral College, lets just declare those judicial rules unconstitutional as a violation of the jailhouse informants right to free speech use one part of the Constitution to invalidate another part of it. Problem solved, even if it means the destruction of the Constitution, the very basis for our constitutional republic. Lloyd Schwengel, Brea Serve justice, not criminals Professor Erwin Chemerinsky has stood up for the guilty and incarcerated with his direction focused against using jailhouse informants in ways he finds unconstitutional. We have a murderer that has confessed to killing eight people and Chemerinsky is of the opinion that we should be more concerned about his constitutional rights and how the information was garnered, even if accurate. Most people would agree that committing this heinous act would forfeit those rights. The murderer deserves no less than the death penalty. Our jurisprudence seems to be more inclined to protect the rights of the criminal element than in meting out justice. By allowing trial after trial by a defendants attorneys over countless years, with all sorts of appeals costing millions of dollars, the aggrieved families are continually tormented. How many times must those who have lost a loved one, friend, relative, sibling or associate have to hear a lawyer delineate a small technicality to adversely affect a trial? The decision of a jury and the outcome of a trial is not finalized when constant appeals are brought forward. Even when the jury hands down their decision of guilt, a liberal trial judge may evoke a minor penalty for a major offence. It is within their purview to render a decision not based solely on what the law calls for but instead based on their own personal agenda of how punishment should be made. It has been done time and again with an outraged public trying to remove a judge from the bench for handing down slap-on-the-wrist decisions without much success in cases that deserved more severe penalties. Have we been so offended by the death penalty, even though it is clearly on the books and is continually voted for by the citizens of California, that we cant find officials that have the fortitude to carry it out? It is interesting to note that the majority of Californians are of a liberal bent and yet display no aversion to capital punishment. Barry Wasserman, Huntington Beach Beware of Russia Re: Trump casting China as top geopolitical foe [Opinion, Dec. 21]: As your editorial states, both China and Russia are bent on competing with the U.S. But one is clearly more aggressive. When China was repeatedly invaded by Genghis Khan and his successors, they built a wall as a defensive measure. Our president-elect should appreciate that. They have, for the most part, stayed within their borders, islands with defensive capabilities not withstanding. The Russian bear, on the other hand, has wandered far from its borders, brutally subjugating its neighbors throughout its history. Those arent Chinese jets over Aleppo and Ukraine. China has, by contrast, spread its influence through cultural and prudent business practices. One would think that a billionaire businessman and aspirant wall builder would be more likely to tilt towards China than the Russian bear with its insatiable appetite. Contrary to your criticism of China, Russia, with Putins willingness to use military and cyber aggression, remains our primary geopolitical and military adversary. Jim Sill, Silverado Beware of China In the Registers recent editorial it noted that Donald Trump has pinpointed China, not Russia, as the foremost adversary of the U.S. in the years ahead. While both of these nations are authoritarian in nature and possess expansionary goals, Trump may be on to something. First, China has a much larger population and exerts a formidable economic clout in the region and beyond. Both countries have significant internal problems to overcome if they hope to reach the status of first world nations, but some progress is being made in Russia. In recent years, theres been some blowback from African and Latin American countries that resent the deals that primarily advance Chinas interests at their expense. Next, although Russia does prop up some unsavory regimes, it is helping in the fight against ISIS and other terrorist groups. What is China doing to rein in the rogue tyrant in North Korea? There is no doubt that China and Russia are competitors that can at times be adversarial, but there are areas of converging interests, such as trade, that can generate cooperation. The editors are correct in assessing that America and Russia can provide a counterweight to Chinas muscle flexing, but I would go further. Our allies in the region such as Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan can also partially blunt Chinas rising territorial ambitions. In addition, we must not gloss over the grave threats posed by Iran and militant Islam. Christian Milord, Fullerton State priorities I was wondering how many reservoirs we could have built to catch this precious rain water for what has been spent on the yet-to-be-seen bullet train? Mother Nature must be laughing to tears to see a state, constantly in a drought situation, spend money on a boondoggle and let precious water run down the curb. Chuck Metten, Brea Electoral College worked If you take away California and New York, Donald Trump won the popular vote by 3 million. Do we really want the two biggest states deciding our election. The electoral college worked by giving all states some say in the election. Both states were well represented with the most electoral votes. Whos to say that if Trump and Hillary had campaigned in California and New York that the popular vote would have not been different. Only five boroughs in New York City gave Hillary the popular vote in that state. James Haynes, Irvine Academic freedom not intimidation Academic institutions should always encourage political discourse and a fair debate regarding issues that deeply affect our country. That is freedom of speech. But a professor who labels the president-elect as a terrorist and calls out supporters of Donald Trump to stand up as an example of folks who you should be afraid of is not freedom to engage in discourse. It is academic intimidation by a professor who obviously was intent on squashing freedom of debate to impose her ideology on young impressionable college students. It is symbolic of what is occurring in academic institutions all over America. News flash, not all college students are liberal progressives. The students who chose to out the professor for her inappropriate comments should be congratulated, not persecuted or prosecuted. Ron Williams, Irvine Tom Winslow spent 19 years in a Nebraska prison for a rape and murder he did not commit. A jury says he should get $1,000 for each of the many, many days of his life he lost behind bars. Matthew Livers spent less than one year in a Nebraska county jail for a double homicide he did not do. His total payout could be more than 22 times as large $22,098 for each lost day of his life. Winslow and Livers both suffered. And putting a fair price tag on that suffering Winslow was sexually assaulted in prison; Livers family relationships were shattered is a challenge. But the courts tried in these two notorious Nebraska cases, and Winslow, Livers and others who were wrongfully accused wound up with drastically different awards. How come? The simple answer is this: The cases are just different. Apples and oranges, said Maren Chaloupka, an attorney who represented clients in the two cases. The more complicated answer lies in the ways the cases are different plus other things involved in trying to calculate the seemingly incalculable loss of time and civil rights. The results are a little bit random and depend on a variety of factors that are unrelated to the magnitude of the suffering, said Chicago-based attorney Locke Bowman, who has represented Livers. Lets start with what the two cases share: Both involve people who were unfairly locked up. The case dubbed Beatrice 6 includes six people Winslow and five others who were wrongfully convicted and incarcerated for periods ranging from five to 19 years for the rape and murder of a 68-year-old Beatrice, Nebraska, woman in 1985. The other case involves the wrongful murder charges and subsequent detention of Livers and a cousin, Nicholas Sampson, in the murders of a farmer and his wife. The two were Livers aunt and uncle, and they were gruesomely slain in the bedroom of their Murdock, Nebraska, home in 2006. Both cases involve law enforcement officers whose behavior could be described as reckless at best and at worst, criminal. Douglas Countys chief investigator, David Kofoed, went to prison for planting evidence in the Murdock case. And in both cases, the people who were wrongly locked up sought redress in federal court, through civil rights lawsuits against individual officers and various governmental bodies that employed them. But this is where similarities end. In Beatrice 6, the civil rights case went to trial, twice. The first ended with a hung jury in 2014. The second trial lasted a month and jurors in July returned a $28 million award that came to $1,000 per day or $365,000 per year for each person exonerated. Attorneys had asked for a $500,000 per year per exoneree, which is well under the national average of $1 million to $2 million. In figuring what amount to seek, attorneys had to consider a reasonable amount that would not turn off jurors and figuring what defendants in this case, Gage County might reasonably be able to pay. The county, which has no insurance, since has said it cant pay the award and could have to hike taxes. The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office said a state loan is not an option. The county is appealing the verdict. The Beatrice 6 award was compensatory, meaning it was for pain and suffering. Attorneys did not seek punitive damages. It was as we framed it to our jury to right the wrong of the worst miscarriage of justice in Nebraska history, said Lincoln attorney Jeff Patterson, who represents Winslow and three other members of the Beatrice 6. Our award was not a settlement. It was what the jury who heard the evidence believed our clients were due. Their loss of freedom. Their loss of lives. And I dont know anybody who would take any amount of money to go through what Tom Winslow went through in prison. The compensation in the Murdock case, in contrast, came mostly through settlements. The law enforcement agencies involved Cass County, Douglas County and the Nebraska State Patrol all settled with Livers and Sampson. Livers received $1.65 million. Sampson, who was behind bars for fewer days, got just under $1 million. That left Kofoed, the investigator, as the single remaining defendant. Out of prison and broke, Kofoed defaulted. He did not show up to court. So attorneys are going after the insurance company for Douglas County, Kofoeds former employer: St. Paul Travelers. U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon ruled recently that Travelers is liable and owes Livers and Sampson as much as $5 million, which includes attorney fees and costs. The company has said it will appeal. If Livers gets his full $3.3 million share which doesnt count attorney fees from the federal court judgment, plus the earlier settlements, he would wind up with a total of $4.95 million. That works out to $22,098 per day for his 224 days in jail. The seven attorneys I spoke with for this story three were not directly involved all said you could not compare the two cases, period. When it comes to figuring out damages, the Chicago law firm Loevy & Loevy has experience landing big verdicts for the exonerated: $25 million for one man who spent 16 years behind bars; $21 million for another mans 11 years; $16 million for someone else who was locked up for five years. Still another client settled his case for $20 million for 20 years of wrongful incarceration. In that case, said firm attorney Russell Ainsworth, the law enforcement agencies being sued were willing to pay that much to avoid a trial. But the big court awards do not come easily and are far from guaranteed. Litigating a federal civil rights case for a wrongful conviction means proving not only that clients suffered as Winslow and Livers did but also that there was wrongdoing by law enforcement and the judicial system. Its a combination of the effect ... of incarceration plus the level of culpability by the police officer, Ainsworth said. How strong is your case of malfeasance? So heres another area of chief distinction between Beatrice and the other case. The Gage County sheriff and deputies were characterized as reckless and unduly coercive convincing three of the six innocent people accused they had done the deed and thereby eliciting confessions that later proved to be false. The law enforcement officials were not charged with criminal wrongdoing, but their actions did make them liable in civil court. In the Murdock case, however, Douglas Countys Kofoed was charged, convicted and sent to prison for planting blood evidence in Sampsons car, although the former investigator has maintained his innocence. Kofoeds conduct was malicious and intentional, Bataillon wrote. Kofoed abused a position of responsibility and trust. In addition, Bataillon cited coercive and conscience-shocking interrogation tactics by a Cass County deputy sheriff and two Nebraska State Patrol officers. And the judge blamed them for reckless failure to follow leads, false arrest and civil conspiracy. The Murdock case also involved a more vulnerable victim who was less able to cope with his wrongful confinement, Bataillon said in his order. Livers was 21 at the time and intellectually disabled with a below-normal IQ of 63. Hed been in special education. The judge pointed out Livers now has post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep problems, irritability, anxiety and depression. He said Livers suffered physical pain and suffering of private nature that continues, though the filing on that was sealed and Livers attorney declined to elaborate. There were profound and very hurtful personal consequences as a result of what happened to him, said Bowman, the Chicago attorney who is among others representing Livers. Bowman described a ripple effect of being wrongfully accused particularly in a case where the crime victim and the suspect were related. The poor family were led to believe that the authorities had figured out who did it, Bowman said. To walk that back with these people and tell them No, actually somebody else they couldnt accept it. Being formally exonerated does not necessarily change the impression of guilt. Reputations can be permanently ruined. There is recourse outside the federal courts for people wrongfully convicted in Nebraska. The state has a law, passed a year after Winslow and two other Beatrice 6 victims were released from prison, that allows exonerees to seek up to $500,000 in wrongful conviction compensation. The cap is higher than some states, lower than others. But it puts Nebraska with most other states in at least offering something. That said, the money doesnt come easily. Even after winning their case in federal court, the Beatrice 6 exonerees still faced suing the state to get compensation. One reason was because the law does not allow for people who perjured themselves to collect the money. Five of the six did sue and two of them got $500,000. Two others got $300,000. Winslow, who couldnt bear another trial, settled with the State of Nebraska for the lowest sum: $180,000. And the wrongful conviction law didnt apply in the Murdock case because Livers and Sampson were only charged, not convicted. Everyone agrees that no amount of money compensates for the loss of freedom. But its a start. I dont know how you put a price on that kind of loss, Patterson said. But thats the only thing we can do in our civil justice system put a price on it. LINCOLN One of the first public events celebrating Nebraskas 150th anniversary of statehood next year will be the premiere reception for a photo exhibit that will tour the state. The opening exhibit of 93 photographs, one from each county, selected as winners in a competition sponsored by the Hildegard Center for the Arts in Lincoln will be Jan. 6 at the Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q St. The event is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. After its Lincoln run, the exhibition moves to stops in Seward, North Platte, Norfolk, Alliance and Omaha during the remainder of 2017. Nebraska achieved statehood March 1, 1867. The Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission is proud to lend its support to the photo exhibit, known as Bridges: Sharing Our Past to Enrich the Future, said Regan Anson, executive director. The Bridges project presents a unique opportunity for photographers of every skill to capture and showcase the beauty of every corner of our remarkable state, she said. The exhibition is one of the Nebraska 150 Commissions signature events and is a collaborative project of the Hildegard Center, Nebraska Tourism Commission and Nebraska State Historical Society. Last year, the three organizations issued a statewide call to amateur and professional photographers, inviting them to capture images of historic sites or hidden treasures across Nebraska. More than 800 photo submissions were received. The work of 61 photographers is represented in the exhibit. Jurors for the photos were professional photographer Joel Sartore, a contributor to National Geographic Magazine; George Tuck, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor emeritus of photography; and professional photographers Bobbi and Steve Olson of Palmyra, Nebraska. Poet Ted Kooser of Garland, Nebraska, said that looking at the winning photographs felt to me as if I were walking through an exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair, displaying the blue-ribbon winner from each of our counties. What I think is most charming is that it not only offers us masterful images from one end of the beautiful state to the other, but that each image reveals the eye and enthusiasm of a neighbor of ours, Kooser said. I was especially delighted by the Butler County entry because I drive past that old house at least once a week. Its great fun that someone else has noticed it and has stopped to capture it for us, and its that generous sharing of experience that this is all about. The World-Herald includes all winning photographs in its newly published book, Nebraska: 150 Years Told Through 93 Counties. The State Tourism Commission features 14 of the photos in its 2017 state calendar. Kimberly Sharples of Kimball, whose photographs won top honors for Banner, Cheyenne, Deuel and Kimball Counties, said she appreciated the project for giving photographers an opportunity to reveal the wonders of Nebraska to others. I chose photographs ... that I felt would allow others to see western Nebraska through my eyes, a place with great history and beauty, she said. I am honored to have photographs chosen for this exhibit. Donna Williams, chairwoman of a project subcommittee, said the photos represent a collage of Nebraskas economics, culture, history and geography. Cathy Harrington, chairwoman of the photo project, said she was emotionally moved by the stunning beauty, historical richness and personal stories told through these images. She said the exhibit provides a visual bridge to connect history, generations and cultures. The traveling exhibit is part of a three-year initiative at the Hildegard Center, located in Old City Hall at 920 O St., to use the arts and humanities to connect people of all ages and walks of life. Where to find the exhibit Beginning next month, the Bridges: Sharing Our Past to Enrich the Future photo exhibit starts a yearlong journey across Nebraska as part of the states sesquicentennial celebration. The tour schedule: Great Plains Art Museum in Lincoln: Jan. 6 to March 25 Seward Civic Center: June 1 to July 28 North Platte Prairie Arts Center: Aug. 1 to Sept. 22 Norfolk Arts Center: Sept. 7 to Oct. 26 Carnegie Arts Center in Alliance: Sept. 26 to Nov. 10 Durham Museum in Omaha: Nov. 24 to Jan. 7 Mounted prints of all 93 photographs will appear only at the Lincoln and Omaha sites. Venues in Seward, North Platte, Norfolk and Alliance will accommodate about 30 prints each. The smaller venues, however, will include a scrolling video presentation of all 93 photos. Also in January, the winning photos will be included in a digital catalog, including a virtual tour of all submitted photographs, at the Hildegard Center for the Arts website: hildegardcenter.org. The exhibit is supported in part by Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, with these statewide sponsors: Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission, Nebraska Tourism Commission, Johnson Hardware Co., Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The outlook may sound bleak for Nebraskas agriculture-dependent economy as farmers wrap up the third year in a row with falling profits: The decline has economists talking about state budget cuts, rising farm loan defaults and falling land values. Main Street businesses that depend on farm spending say the picture might be dimmer, but theyre not yet turning out the lights. Interviews with business owners in the heart of northeast Nebraska corn and cattle country reveal a mixed picture: Some retail shops report strong sales. Some are hustling just to keep the decline to single digits. Others say theyre managing through the downturn, shifting strategies to move where the money is, knowing that what comes down will eventually come back up. The showroom floor was quieter than usual this month at Big Country Auto in Madison, a town of 2,400 just south of Norfolk, where the shop bulldog, Enzo, carried around a toy, looking for someone to play with. She lumbered past the tires of a $66,875 F250 truck that dealership manager Chad Boettcher would love to sell. But without big profit windfalls, farmers arent looking for the tax advantages that a new vehicle provides, Boettcher said. Weve sold a few (trucks), but just not as many as normal, he said. Boettcher said his salesmen are paying house calls to farmers, but business is down more than 20 percent compared with last December. Theyre holding off, waiting to see if prices go up on corn and beans and cattle, Boettcher said. But 30 miles south in Columbus, a city nearly 10 times the size of Madison, another auto dealer painted a different picture. Sales are up at Ernst Auto Center, thanks in part to Columbus diverse economy, which runs on manufacturing, service and health care in addition to farming. Through November, sales were up about 10 percent at the dealers Toyota store, and up about 5 percent on the General Motors side, which is hit harder by a slowdown in farm purchases. Ernst said more than half his business is selling to farms and other agribusinesses. Lets be honest, agriculture still rules, dealer principal John Ernst said, but he said he counts his blessings that the city has a diverse economy. In farmings recent boom years 2011 through 2013 Ernst said, we sold pickups in great numbers. While pickup sales may be slower now, he said, the economy overall is doing better, because we continue to grow. Its not surprising that retailers in the same line of business, but in different communities, could fare so differently, said Jerry Deichert, director of the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. That makes perfect sense, Deichert said. Deichert has studied state sales tax data as a measure of economic activity, and said as farm income falls, the spending picture varies greatly from county to county depending on how rural and agriculture-dependent a place is. For example, net taxable sales in Greeley County, 75 miles northwest of Columbus and home to only about 2,500 people, fell 30 percent between 2014 and 2015 as farm income fell off. Meanwhile, in Madison County home to more than 35,000 people and anchored by retail center Norfolk net taxable sales fell only 1.7 percent. Neighboring Platte County, home to industry-heavy Columbus, saw taxable sales grow, by 1.3 percent. The state average, which rose 1.1 percent in that time, doesnt tell the story, Deichert said. All of the regions of the state are going to be different, he said. Why the decline in farm country spending? U.S. farm profit by the close of 2016 will have dropped for the third year in a row, to its lowest level since 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said this month. It is expected to fall by 17.2 percent this year to $66.9 billion, a long way down from record profit of $123.7 billion recorded in 2013. Commodity prices have plunged amid record yields and a strong dollar thats weighing on exports. The impact is felt everywhere from Main Street to publicly traded corporations. For example, commodity prices were to blame for a plunge in quarterly profits at Lindsay Corp., the Omaha maker of center-pivot irrigation equipment, the company said last week. The agriculture downturn is weighing on farmers, making them reluctant to make big capital purchases, Lindsay Chief Executive Rick Parod told stock analysts in a conference call Wednesday. Lower commodities prices are also contributing to lower food costs. As a result, restaurants are struggling as consumers turn to less-expensive grocery stores, while grocery stores are struggling to see any revenue growth because of low prices. Nebraskas farm profits will see a plunge like the nation as a whole, to just over $4 billion from about $4.9 billion in 2015, University of Nebraska-Lincoln ag economics professor Brad Lubben said at a farm economy presentation in Lincoln this month. The state saw highs of about $7.5 billion in farm profits in 2011 and 2013. Its not considered a crisis, but the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City described a slow but steady rise in financial stress in the farm sector in a November report. In a downturn, the first thing theyll do is quit buying machinery, said Allan Vyhnalek, a university extension educator in Platte County. The stress weighs on spending on the household side too. The Feds index for farm household spending is at its lowest level since at least 2004. Tina Barrett, director of Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., is advising farm families this winter to carefully account for family living expenses separately from farm business expenses, and to have honest conversations about whether they need to cut back on household spending. Families dont like to talk about finances, she said at the Lincoln presentation. This is personal. It touches your kids hearts, it touches your marriage, she said. Nebraska Farm Business clients farm families increased household expenses rapidly in recent years when grain and cattle prices were higher. From 2009 through 2014 family living expenses rose from $19,685 annual per person to $28,416 per person, for things like food, health care, clothing, personal vehicles and recreation. Now they may be coming down. A reluctance to spend is showing up at shopping centers in Nebraskas smaller cities, said Brian Reilly, president of DP Management. The Omaha property management company operates malls and strip centers in Norfolk, Kearney, North Platte and Columbus, among others. People are still visiting those malls, (but) they might be a little bit more cautious about what they buy, Reilly said. The company is investing in enhancements like exterior holiday lighting, he said. We want to provide people with a really great experience. If that happens, then theyre going to come back. It was the same story at Deets Home Store in Norfolk, where second-generation owner Ron Deets said sales are down compared with last year. We really had to work hard to keep (the decline) in the single digits, Deets said. The farm homemaker knows when to pick her battles. When times are tough and commodities are low, shes not going to ask for $20,000 to buy furniture. Store visits are down about 15 percent, so salespeople are working harder to try to convert each visitor into a customer, Deets said. The store spruced up its landscaping and improved the way it greets customers, assesses their needs, even how it helps load items into a customers car. Weve really focused, the last two years, on the consumer experience, he said. Farmers are a critical part of the economy in northeast Nebraska, with their dollar turning over several times within the community, Deets and others said. His brother, Tim Deets, who runs a competing furniture store in Columbus, said, The farmers buy the pickups, the people that sell the pickups buy the groceries, and the people that sell the groceries buy the furniture. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss noted the impact in this months Rural Mainstreet Index report, covering a 10-state region including Nebraska and Iowa. Weak farm commodity prices continue to slam Rural Mainstreet economies, he said, reporting a 19 percent decline in livestock prices and a nearly 12 percent decline in grain prices in the last year. Some of the businesses that take a direct hit when farm prices fall said they manage by diversifying. In our world, if you rely on combine sales and tractor sales to keep the lights on, youre going to have the life expectancy of a dog that hunts alligators, said Art Gilfus, general manager at Platte Valley Equipment, a John Deere dealer employing about 145 people at four locations including Fremont and Wahoo. Gilfus declined to share his sales figures, but John Deere corporate said total sales of agricultural and turf equipment for the company as a whole were down 7 percent in the year ending Oct. 31. The company forecast sales for agricultural equipment in the U.S. and Canada to drop 5 to 10 percent for the 2017 fiscal year. Platte Valley survives by also selling services, including equipment inspections and on-farm repair, helping farmers increase their productivity, Gilfus said. And the dealer is cutting back on its own capital purchases. Another seller of big-ticket ag equipment, steel fabricator Behlen Manufacturing in Columbus, said sales of its grain bins and ag-related building structures have declined this year. We have seen a downturn on big-ticket capital investments by a lot of end-use people in agriculture, whether thats ag manufacturers or farmers or ag processors, Chief Executive Phil Raimondo said. Behlens sales of grain bins are down more than 30 percent. Behlens buildings business is roughly flat, thanks to sales in non-ag industries. And sales of smaller items like stock tanks and cattle gates are up 10 percent as farmers invest in upkeep. Altogether the company expects to log $200 million in sales this year, about even with last year, what Raimondo calls solid performance. Were very happy to be diversified, Raimondo said. Behlen looks to avoid cuts to its workforce, including 650 people in Columbus, during the downturn in grain bin sales, as good workers can be hard to find and the company expects business to pick up in the second half of next year. Instead it is shuffling workers around, reducing overtime, not filling positions, and giving workers extra days off around the holidays. Perhaps unexpectedly, some businesses that trade in luxury items say theyre having a strong year. At Treasures boutique in Columbus bustling downtown business district, owner Mary Nyffeler said she expects profits to be up this year thanks to a strategy of specializing in more high-end items with higher profit margins, including high-quality antiques and home decor items. Our customer, yes, theyre farmers, but theyve also been farmers for decades, and theyre not panicking and theyre not going crazy spending either, she said. They know if its bad, its temporary. In Wayne, jeweler Randy Pedersen who goes by The Diamond King in his off-key radio jingles said his 38th year in business was a strong one. Ive been through a lot worse farm economy than this, he said. He diversified in recent years by adding flowers and gifts to his store, the Diamond Center, and has cut costs by making annual trips to a diamond market in Israel, eliminating some middlemen, he said. This year he pre-sold 50 diamonds before making the trip. Old-fashioned marketing plays a role, too: Pedersen stays in touch with customers, calling on them when a big anniversary is coming up. Maybe a 25th anniversary, maybe hes just in trouble, he said. My job is to get men out of the doghouse. Pedersen echoed a common statement among northeast Nebraska business owners when he said hes optimistic about 2017 thanks in part to the election of Donald Trump, who is likely to try to eliminate many regulations on business. Hes also hopeful that a push to force online retailers to collect state sales tax will be successful, leveling the playing field and sending more sales his way. He tries not to dwell on bad economic news. I just keep working, he said. Christmas campers at the Camp Fontanelle Christmas Camp, held Dec. 16 to 18, spent the weekend inside, playing board games, singing Christmas carols and celebrating Christmas. The campers were adopted by families, organizations and individuals and gifts were purchased from a wish list provided by the camper. Gifts were opened both days. Campers held a fashion show using clothing gifts to make sure everything fit. As a service project, the campers made reindeer candy canes which were given to Crowell Home in Blair, Nebraska. This years Christmas campers came from Lyons, Fremont, Blair, Kennard, Arlington, Omaha and Bellevue. Other fundraisers, donations, other charitable efforts in the Midlands (click on the photo above to scroll through more pictures): Knit Wits: Twelve area knitters who call themselves Knit Wits were busy in 2016. The group meets weekly at Rejoice Lutheran Church, 2556 S. 138th St., where they knit, crochet, and sew hats, mittens, scarves, baby items and custom projects. The group completed more than 1,300 items in 2016 that were donated to local charities, elementary schools and refugee families. The women accept donations of yarn and other materials to supply their productions. Donations can be taken to the church. Bank donation: The Nebraska High School Rodeo Association received a $50,000 donation from Sandhills State Bank on Dec. 16. The donation will be invested in the NEHSRA Endowment, which helps fund year-end awards and scholarships for the student membership. Schaffer said the year-end awards mean a lot to the students involved in the program. Sandhills State Bank operates full-service branches in Alliance, Arthur, Bassett, Elsie, Harrison, Hay Springs, Hyannis, Keystone, North Platte and Valentine. Gifts for bread: Bring a new unwanted Christmas gift into any Great Harvest Bread store between Tuesday and Jan. 14 and receive a free load of bread. Omaha has three Great Harvest Bread locations at 4910 Underwood Ave.; 15623 W. Dodge Road; and in Rockbrook Village, 10916 Elm St. Great Harvest Bread will donate the items to the Assistance League of Omaha Thrift Shop. Blood drives: The American Red Cross needs donors with all blood types for blood donations. Those who come out to give blood through Jan. 8 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Appointments can be made at the Dewey Blood Donation Center, 3838 Dewey Ave.; and 729 N. 132nd St. Other locations include: Omaha Monday: noon to 6 p.m., Heartland Chapter Red Cross, 2912 S. 80th Ave. Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., OneWorld Community Health Center, 4920 S. 30th St. Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Chalco Valley Business Park, 13831 Chalco Valley Parkway Wednesday: 1 to 7 p.m., Prairie Life Center, 8525 Q St. Thursday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Omaha Correctional Center, 2323 Ave. J Thursday: 2 to 6 p.m., St Thomas More Catholic Church, 3515 S. 48th Ave. Thursday: 2 to 7 p.m., Westside High School, 8701 Pacific St. Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Millard Branch Library, 13214 Westwood Lane Bellevue Thursday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Walmart Bellevue, 10504 S. 15th St. For more information about how to donate, go online to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. Food drive: Nebraska Home Appliance, an appliance maintenance and repair company serving the Omaha area, has partnered with the Food Bank of the Heartland to help local residents in need. When Nebraska Home Appliance services residents appliances from now through Dec. 31, they will also pick up financial or canned food donations for Omahans in need. The Food Bank for the Heartland is an Omaha-based nonprofit whose mission is to eliminate hunger in all communities across Nebraska and Western Iowa. To make a donation, go online to nhaparts.com/blog/hometown-hero-holidays. I CARE: MidAmerican Energy Company in Iowa announced a program to help Iowans struggling with poverty pay their heating bills this winter. I CARE allows customers to donate money to help individuals in their community pay their heating bills. MidAmerican Energy matches 25 percent of the contributions. Customers can contribute to I CARE by simply adding a dollar amount to their monthly MidAmerican Energy bill and noting on the bill stub or online that the overpayment should be applied to I CARE. They can also contribute by filling out an online pledge form and making a one-time or recurring donation. In addition to I CARE, individuals looking to support a family member, friend or neighbor in need can make a phone payment to be applied directly to that customers account by calling MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632. Payments can be made anonymously, or MidAmerican Energy can send the recipient a gift receipt. There is no charge to either the giver or receiver for this service. For the past four years, evergreen trees decorated anonymously with tinsel, bulbs and a variety of other festive decorations have popped up around town. And until last year, nobody knew the identities of these mystery decorators. Kris Nelson saw the impact she had made with these trees and decided to go public. Nelson and her mother, Marilyn Nelson, had made it a tradition to drive around and find trees to decorate every holiday season. She got the idea from her sister and brother-in-law, Cheryl and Randy Stutzman, who started decorating trees around St. Louis, and Kris decided it was something she could bring to Bellevue. Its just always been something fun to do, Nelson said. People have just always enjoyed seeing them and looking for them. Theyve said its made their day and made them happy that someone was spreading Christmas cheer. Nelson and her mother drive around Bellevue after Thanksgiving until they find the perfect trees to decorate, looking for lone evergreens on public property that can be viewed by passers-by, many of whom will honk in support while the Nelsons decorate. They either use extra decorations or ornaments they have lying around the house or buy new decorations, using everything but Christmas lights. Over the years theyve inspired others to decorate trees around town. Nelsons friends, as well as complete strangers, have decorated pine trees across the metro area, spreading outside of Bellevue to Omaha and Papillion as well. Now its kind of spread outside of Bellevue, which is cool, Nelson said. This year, Christmas trees along the side of the road can be spotted on Fort Crook Road south of Highway 370, 66th Street and Highway 370, 96th and Giles Road, and as far north as State Street in Omaha. Our goal is to get one in every state, Nelson said. So far, family members of hers have decorated trees in Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. There are rules for Operation Random Christmas Tree, as its been called. The tree, usually a pine or conifer, needs to be located on public property and all of the decorations need to be removed by Jan. 1. The reaction to the decorating effort, Nelson said, has been very positive. It brings everybody a smile, Nelson said. LINCOLN Theres no question about Gov. Pete Ricketts and Nebraska lawmakers desire to provide relief for Nebraska taxpayers next year. But theres plenty of uncertainty about what might happen in a year with a roughly $900 million budget shortfall, 17 new state senators and three competing approaches to tax relief. Im just not sure anyone has that answer yet, said State Sen. Jim Scheer of Norfolk, one of two candidates for legislative speaker. Heading into the new legislative session, he and others say there is no consensus among lawmakers or lobbying groups about how to achieve tax relief or even which tax to target. The approach championed by Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, who is running unopposed for Revenue Committee chairman, would go after income taxes, offsetting the cuts by expanding sales taxes to more goods and services. The approach advocated by Sen.-elect Tom Briese of Albion targets property taxes. It also would offset costs by expanding sales taxes to more goods and services, as well as raising sales tax rates. The approach promoted by the governor would address both property and income taxes but without offsetting revenue, meaning that any tax cuts would have to be matched with cuts in state services. Smith argues that cutting income tax rates and changing the brackets would be the best way to spur Nebraskas economy and help the state compete with its neighbors. I am absolutely 100 percent committed to doing something, he said. Doing nothing is not an option if we are to see job growth in our state. Smith would make the plan possible during a tough budget year by balancing the income tax reductions with increased sales tax revenue, making it revenue-neutral for the state. He is looking at eliminating some sales tax exemptions, expanding sales taxes to more services and collecting sales taxes on online purchases. Among the options, he said, would be eliminating the sales tax exemption for food. I have various versions and various scenarios, Smith said. We should be able to find at least $100 million. In the longer term, he is looking to phase in additional cuts as the states economy grows. The cuts would be triggered automatically when tax revenues reach specific thresholds. The Platte Institute for Economic Research, an Omaha-based think tank, is pushing for a similar approach, arguing that income taxes should be the priority because they increase the cost of working and investing in a state. The institute said tax cuts need not mean cutting state services if lawmakers eliminate outdated loopholes in sales tax laws. But Briese said the vast majority of people he has encountered on the campaign trail and otherwise want property taxes to be the Legislatures priority. Its time we do something about it, he said. What we need is sustainable, systemic property tax relief. His approach would quadruple the states property tax credit fund, which he said distributes tax relief in a manner that is fair, effective, transparent and benefits all property owners across the state. The fund this year distributed $204 million worth of state tax revenues in credits to all property taxpayers. Next year, $20 million will be added to the total to boost credits for agricultural landowners. Briese wants to increase credits for all taxpayers by $500 million to $600 million annually, with the money coming from increased sales tax revenue. To that end, he would eliminate some sales tax exemptions, expand sales taxes to more services and raise the state sales tax rate by a penny. He would end the exemption for pop, candy and bottled water, but not food generally. The Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation is arguing for a similar approach, saying the state and local tax burden has shifted more heavily onto property taxes over the last decade. Farm Bureau officials, like Briese, want the burden to shift back so that sales, income and property taxes account for approximately equal shares of state and local government costs. Currently, property taxes account for more than a third of government costs. In my view, it is disingenuous to suggest a proposal like mine is a tax increase, Briese said. It is an effort to rebalance the tax structure. Ricketts, however, opposes any plan that looks to increase revenue from one type of tax to offset cuts in another type and has labeled them tax increases. Raising taxes would harm Nebraska families and job creators, he said. Nebraska is a high tax state, and growing our state will require tax relief for working families. Ricketts has been tight-lipped about the details or even the outline of his own approach, other than to say it will have to fit within the confines of the budget. Spokesman Taylor Gage said the governor will reveal the plan in his State of the State address next month. Along with having to battle the governor, any proposal that would expand the sales tax base or raise the rate would face stiff opposition from lawmakers and groups concerned about increasing the tax burden on low-income Nebraskans. Sales taxes are regressive, meaning that lower-income families spend a larger share of their incomes on sales taxes than do higher-income families. But achieving significant tax relief without replacement revenue could be challenging in the coming legislative session. The session will start Jan. 4 with a gap between projected tax revenue and estimated spending of about $900 million for the budget period ending June 30, 2019. Scheer said he thinks some of the appetite for tax cuts has subsided as the budget shortfall has grown. Closing that gap will require lawmakers to make difficult decisions about cutting state spending. The cuts would need to be even deeper meaning even more contentious to provide tax relief. Renee Fry, executive director of the OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based think tank, said history suggests a need to put greater priority on the shortfall than on taxes. During the last two economic downturns, state lawmakers did not make the books balance through spending cuts alone, she said. In the early 2000s, lawmakers wound up raising sales and income tax rates, along with making cuts. In the later part of the decade, federal stimulus money helped Nebraska stay afloat, along with budget cuts. I just think we need to be way more concerned about the budget than people are, Fry said. The first order of business needs to be looking at what kind of cuts were going to make (in state spending.) Footwear fiasco: Siddaramaiah's office denies allegations Bengaluru oi-Anusha By Anusha Ravi Bengaluru, Dec 24: After a picture of Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah's personal assistant helping him wear his shoes has gone viral, the Chief Minister's office has come out with a clarification that the person kneeling down was in fact his relative and Siddaramaiah owns no shoes with laces. On Saturday it was reported that Siddaramaiah's personal assistant Kumar had knelt down to tie CM's shoe laces. The image was taken in Mysuru on Saturday. Siddaramaiah, a leader who has been vocal about social equality was questioned by many after this incident. The Chief Minister was in Mysuru to attend the funeral of veteran actor Chetan Ram Rao. Several politicians have come under the scanner for similar incidents. An image of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister being carried by police personnel while inspecting the floods had gone viral in August. Similarly BJP leader Pankaja Munde faced flak after images of her assistant carrying her slippers had gone viral. OneIndia News Presence of central forces during Chennai IT raids justified: Home Ministry Chennai oi-Vicky By Vicky Chennai, Dec 25: Eyebrows were raised when the Income Tax officials sought the help of central forces when raids were conducted in Tamil Nadu. On Wednesday, IT officials carried out raids at the residence and office of Rama Mohan Rao who was then the chief secretary of Tamil Nadu. Personnel of the CRPF were seen outside the office and residence of Rao. On Friday West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamta Banerjee had objected to central forces being used and said that the law and order is a state subject. She said that the Centre's decision to make available 15 personnel of the CRPF apparently providing 'security' to Income-Tax officials and the staff deputed for operations in West Bengal" was blatantly unconstitutional, illegal and against all principles of conservative federalism. The Centre however says that there was nothing wrong in providing the central forces. When the state police is not available in sufficient numbers, then the central forces step in. Moreover in the Chennai raid the top official of the state was being raided. IT officials cannot rely on the local police at such a time especially when they are under the chief secretary, officials in the union ministry informed OneIndia. The Home Ministry official also added that not in all cases are the central forces deployed. It is just in ten per cent of the cases. When there is no adequate number of local police the central forces step in. This is not just in the case of IT raids, but similar occurrences take place when there is a law and order problem as well the officer also added. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 25, 2016, 11:07 [IST] Gods on the runway: Kerala airport halts flights every year to make way for temple procession I will break your legs: SFI issues threat to principal in presence of cops in Kerala 'If I have nominated even one person using authority, I'll resign': Kerala governor on VC row 30 injured in Sabarimala stampede India oi-Vicky 30 persons were injured following a stampede at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala on sunday. Reports state that one is in a serious condition. The accident took place at Malikapuram close to the shrine. All the injured persons have been admitted to the Pampa hospital. The cause of the stampede is not known as yet. Most of the injured persons are from outside Kerala. It may be recalled that in 2011 atleast 104 Sabarimala devotees were killed and over 40 injured in a stampede when a jeep crashed into homebound pilgrims at Pulmedu in Kerala's Idukki district. OneIndia News A dishonoured cheque can land you jail before case is settled India oi-Vicky By Vicky New Delhi, Dec 25: With cheque transactions on the rise post demonetisation, the government has now proposed to introduce stringent action against those whose cheques are dishonoured. If a cheque bounces then the defaulter would be given a month's time failing which he will land in jail even before the case is settled. Cases relating to cheque bounce comes under the purview of the Negotiable Instruments Act under Section 138. Under this section the accused can face a jail term of two years or with fine of twice the amount of the cheque or both. Despite a law being in place, the number of cheque bounce cases have been on the rise. In 2014 alone there were 18 lakh cases pending in the courts. The people are not scared of the law and would ensure that the matter dragged on in court. There was no arrest clause until the case was settled. Government sources said that the arrest clause if the matter is not settled in a month's time would act as a deterrent. The decision to amend the law came after several traders expressed concerns about dishonoured cheques. Post demonetisation the number of cheque transactions have gone up. Fearing that several cheques may be dishonoured, the traders sought for stringent laws. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 25, 2016, 10:33 [IST] Chennai cop kills self with service rifle India oi-Anusha By Anusha Ravi A 23-year-old reserve police constable was found dead beside his service rifle on Sunday. The constable, Gopinath, is suspected to have shot himself while on duty at Saint Thomas Mount in Chennai. Gopinath, a native of Vadipatti near Madurai, is said to have killed himself over stress and disagreement over leaves from the department. It is suspected that the incident happened sometime in the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. Gopinath was found by his colleague lying in a pool of blood in the morning and was rushed to the government general hospital. Upon arrival doctors declared him brought dead. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 25, 2016, 21:20 [IST] Hyderabad: Duo accused of firing at a bank CEO nabbed India oi-PTI Hyderabad, Dec 25: The police on Sunday arrested two persons in connection with the firing on the Chief Executive Officer of a private bank in Hyderabad last week, ending a multi -state search for the suspects. Ten police teams were tracking the accused Shaik Abdul Raheem and E Naresh while they were on the run in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala since December 18. One of the teams arrested the duo from Secunderabad railway station, Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahendar Reddy told reporters. KBS Local Area Bank Ltd CEO Manmath Dalai was shot at allegedly by Raheem on December 18 at his house in Masab Tank area here during a robbery attempt. Armed with a country-made revolver, Raheem demanded money from the victim and during exchange of words, the accused fired two shots with one of the bullets hitting Dalai's thigh, he said. "On December 17, Raheem and Naresh went to KBS Bank's Madhapur branch here to withdraw money. When the bank manager asked for PAN card and photograph from Naresh he gave reference of his cousin Srihari, who earlier worked as a car driver with the bank's CEO. The bank manager subsequently allowed Naresh to withdraw Rs 2,000," he said. On the same day, while consuming liquor Raheem and Naresh discussed about the demonetisation move and involvement of bank officials in exchange of old currency notes. They thought bank officials keep huge amount of new currency at their homes and then planned to commit robbery at the house of Dalai, the Commissioner said. "Naresh and Raheem initially went to the corporate office of the bank and found it to be locked. Later both went to the CEO's house where Naresh dropped Raheem, who entered his apartment," Reddy said. Police said Raheem had bought the country-made firearm and bullets used in the crime from Bihar in the third week of November . Further probe is on. PTI Who is Yasin Malik? The Kashmiri separatist sentenced to life in terror funding case Should Kashmir be given to Pakistan: Row erupts after this question appears in MP civil service exam From hijab to Kashmir, Zawahiri was Al-Qaeda's voice for everything anti-India Muslim body expresses concern over students made to sing Hindu religious songs in Kashmiri schools Winter makes an early entry in Kashmir with snowfall, heavy rain J-K: Man shot dead by suspected militants India oi-PTI Srinagar, Dec 25: Suspected militants shot dead a person in north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Sunday evening, police said. Nazir Ahmad Mir was shot at by suspected militants near his residence at Bahrampora in Dangiwacha area of the district, a police official said. Jammu and Kashmir: Terrorists opened fire in Bahrampora village of Sopore in north Kashmirs Baramulla district, one dead. ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2016 Mir was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead, the official said. A case has been registered and a hunt is on to nab the assailants, police said. PTI Kejriwal government did nothing for contractual workers in Delhi: Tiwari India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, Dec 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday said the AAP did not do anything for the contractual workers employed in various government departments in the national capital. "Kejriwal government has been in power for almost two years now but he has made no effort for regularisation of contractual employees," BJP's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari told reporters here. "In fact Kejriwal government which is beset with a authoritarian Tughlaqi approach has repeatedly threatened staff raising their bonafide demand," the BJP leader who also holds the northeast constituency of Delhi, said. "From DANICS officers to guest teachers, all have been threatened by the Kejriwal government time and again," he said. Tiwari's remarks came after Delhi' Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday said guest teachers working in Delhi government schools had "broken his heart" by raising slogans against him and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during the Delhi government's function to thank the teaching community. On Wednesday, hundreds of guest teachers created a ruckus outside Chhatrasal Stadium in Model Town and even blocked the Ring Road leading to the stadium where the event was organised. "In a circular issued early this year to the Municipal Corporations the Kejriwal government had directed the Municipal Commissioners to remove all contractual employees with them," Tiwari alleged. Tiwari said that "over 70 per cent of contractual employees with the civic bodies are sanitation workers who are the backbone of Delhi's sanitation system". Tiwari also said that if needed the BJP will launch an agitation for their regularisation. IANS Main accused in rape of 15-yr-old arrested from UP India oi-PTI New Delhi, Dec 24: The main accused in the rape of a 15-year-old girl, whose mother was shot at by unidentified assailants in southeast Delhi's Jamia Nagar, has been arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor, police said on Saturday. Sajid (36), the main accused in the case, was absconding and six raids were conducted to arrest him, DCP (southeast) Romil Baaniya said. "He was traced in Bijnor during a raid late last night and was brought to Delhi. He confessed to his crime and was arrested this evening," the officer said, adding he is being interrogated to trace the other accused. The rape victim's mother had lodged a complaint at Jamia Nagar Police Station on December 11 saying her 15-year-old daughter had been raped for over a period of six months. The accused had also filmed the act and threatened to upload it on the Internet if the girl told anyone about the crime. The victim was three months pregnant when she told her mother about it, who had then approached police through an NGO. Yesterday, the rape victim's mother was shot at by unidentified assailants, which she was taking her daughter to a hospital for routine check-up. She was admitted to AIIMS, operated upon and stated out of danger. The victim's family alleged that the woman was being pressurised by the accused and also getting death threats to make her withdraw the complaint, even as police said it is to be investigated whether the two cases are linked. PTI UK PM Liz Truss resigns after 45 days in office, successor to be elected next week PM Modi expresses grief over Russian military plane crash India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Russian military plane crash. The Russian military aircraft, with 91 persons on board, went off the radar and crashed over the black sea. India joins Russia in mourning the tragic loss of lives of Russian servicemen in the air crash today. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2016 News agency ANI quoted AFP as saying that there was 'no sign of survivors'. 'No sign of survivors' at Russian plane crash site, say reports (AFP) ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2016 "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres," the Russian defence ministry reportedly said. The plane had disappeared from the radar screens shortly after taking off at 5:40 AM (0810 IST) from the southern city of Adler, south of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. It was conducting a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase outside the coastal Syrian city of Latakia, the ministry said. The ministry said the plane was carrying Russian servicemen as well as members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group, who were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the base. There were nine members of the media on board, the ministry said. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 25, 2016, 18:42 [IST] Sebi may re-look at scheme of arrangement rules India oi-PTI Mumbai, Dec 25: Market regulator Sebi is looking into regulations concerning clearance for scheme of arrangements such as merger and acquisitions by listed firms to check any possible 'bypassing' of norms due to the companies directly seeking approval of courts for such deals. As per the listing agreement norms, a listed company needs to file any scheme of arrangement with the stock exchanges for observations at least one month before filing it with any court or tribunal for approval. Further, the stock exchanges have to forward their objection/no-objection letter on the scheme with Sebi which can also review the scheme and issue necessary observations. At a recent industry event, Sebi Chairman U K Sinha said, "There has been an observation from one of the high courts that what is the locus with Sebi in asking companies to first come to Sebi and then move the high courts...It is not provided in any Sebi regulations that listed companies should come to Sebi first before moving the courts...So is there a violation?" "Sebi should provide that companies have to come to Sebi otherwise if they don't come to Sebi and go directly to the high court or the National Company Law Tribunal what is the violation for that. So, we are going to amend our regulations and make specific provision for that," Sinha added. According to Nishith Desai Associates' Co-Head (M&A) Simone Reis, prior to 2013, listed companies were required to file a draft with the stock exchanges on scheme of arrangements and could move courts after receiving an NOC. "In 2013, Sebi stepped in and said it would also review and issue observations on the schemes. However, the companies would approach the courts before receiving observations from Sebi...So, things were running on parallel lines," Reis told PTI. She further said, "The regulator could bring in a provision wherein it stipulates a violation for approaching the courts/tribunals without awaiting Sebi approval." Finsec Law Advisor' Founder and Sebi's former Executive Director Sandeep Parekh said that the listed companies are "bypassing" certain regulatory requirements and approaching courts directly with respect to the schemes of arrangement. Noting that consequences of such action by a listed company is not clear, Parekh said, "Sebi could amend the listing norms to specifying violations to such acts." A scheme of arrangement is a court-approved agreement between a company and its shareholders or creditors. The role of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the stock exchanges in reviewing the scheme can help ensure that it is not in violation of the securities norms and also safeguard the interest of shareholders. Going by the norms issued by Sebi in 2013, upon receipt of objection/no-objection letter from the exchanges, Sebi has to provide its comments on the draft scheme to the bourses. While processing the draft scheme, Sebi may seek clarifications from any entity relevant in this regard including the listed company or the stock exchanges and may also seek an opinion from an independent chartered accountant. Sebi has been taking an average of 13 days to issue observations on scheme of arrangements as against prescribed time limit of 30 days, Sinha had said at the event. PTI When Modi was protected US style in Mumbai India oi-Vicky By Vicky New Delhi, Dec 25: For the first time outriders were used as part of the security convoy in Mumbai on Saturday during Prime Minister, Narendra Modi's visit. Ten trained outriders on custom made Royal Enfield bikes were part of the security convoy. The feature is similar to the one used in the United States of America for the President. The Mumbai police decided to use this additional feature for increased security. While seven bikes were ahead of the entourage, three bikes followed behind. A Mumbai police official informed that the job of the outrider is to block any untoward incident and thwart it. The outriders are also meant to block the crowd from coming close to the cavalcade, the officer further explained. These custom made bikes have features such as a public address system, sirens, windshield, white and blue LED flicker lights and boxes to store police wireless sets. The ten outriders are highly trained and were selected by the Motor Transport Department of the Mumbai police. Experts in last minute manoeuvres, the outriders were also armed with a walkie-talkie kit. For now the outriders are available only for the Prime Minister, but in future it would be used for other VVIPs as well, the Mumbai police say. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 25, 2016, 10:07 [IST] Woman techie hacked to death in Pune India oi-PTI Pune, Dec 25: A 23-year-old woman software engineer working with an IT firm here was hacked to death by an unidentified assailant barely some metres away from her office on the outskirts of the city. Antara Das, who hailed from West Bengal, was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon at around 8 PM on Friday night when she was returning home from work near Tathwade area, a senior police official of Dehuroad Police Station said. "Das was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she was declared dead on arrival," he said. According to the officer, robbery angle has been ruled out as the valuables the woman was carrying were intact. A case was registered in this regard, police said, adding a probe was underway. According to a statement given by her company Capgemini to the police, Das left the office at 8 PM on Friday night and decided not to travel by the office cab. The woman mentioned in the office register that she would be taking an auto to get back home, police said. The attack took place barely some metres from her office and she was rushed to hospital by passers-by. PTI China: 7 killed in two separate fireworks-related explosions International oi-PTI Beijing, Dec 25: Seven persons were killed and six listed missing in two fireworks-related explosions in China, in which 16 others also suffered injuries. Five persons were killed in east China's Shandong Province when an explosion took place at a house at Jiulongmiao village, Dezhou city at around 3 pm on Saturday. Police have held the house owner under custody and investigation is under way, state-run Xinhua news agency reported late last night. In another incident on Saturday, two persons were killed and six others went missing after an explosion destroyed a fireworks workshop in north China's Hebei Province. The explosion at 1 pm levelled down the workshop and damaged about a dozen homes nearby in Yanzihe village in Fengrun District of Tangshan City, the district's public security bureau said. Sixteen others were injured, with one suffering severe eye injuries and the rest suffering bruises. A police investigation found that the workshop owner was allegedly involved in illegal storage and production of fireworks. Police have retrieved some human tissues at the site and were conducting DNA testing, Xinhua reported. PTI Christmas celebrated in IS-liberated Iraqi town International oi-IANS By Ians English Baghdad, Dec 25: In an ancient Iraqi Christian town recently liberated from the Islamic State (IS) terror group, Christmas was celebrated for the first time in over two years on Saturday, a media report said on Sunday. It was an emotional return for members of Bartella town's displaced Christian community, who had been forced to flee when their hometown was overrun by the Islamist terror group, CNN reported. Hundreds of Christians had made the pilgrimage in buses on a gray, rainy Christmas Eve. They came mostly from camps for the displaced that have been set up in the city of Irbil. Bartella is just 20 km east of the IS stronghold of Mosul -- where coalition forces still are battling thousands of militants. As mass was celebrated on Saturday, dozens of Iraqi and US security forces were on standby to protect worshipers at the historic, battle-scarred Mart Shmony Church. During the mass, the church's priest delivered a defiant message, CNN noted. "We are here to challenge the sons of darkness and this is why we held this mass here. IS are sons of darkness. "This is a message to the entire world that we Christians ... are the inherent component of this country and we are staying," said Father Yaqub Saadi. In another corner of the church, several US soldiers were celebrating Christmas. They held candles and prayed. At the end of the service a new cross replaced the one destroyed by the IS. IANS Mali: French aid worker abducted International oi-PTI Paris, Dec 25: A Frenchwoman who runs an aid group has been abducted in Mali's restive north, the French foreign ministry confirmed on Sunday. Sophie Petronin was abducted in the city of Gao on Saturday, the ministry said, adding that French and Malian authorities were working together "to find and free our compatriot as quickly as possible". Petronin was the director of a non-governmental organisation that helps children suffering from malnutrition, the ministry said, adding that officials were in contact with her family. Malian officials had on Saturday reported the kidnapping of a woman with French and Swiss nationality in Gao, but there was as yet no confirmation that Petronin held dual citizenship. "We immediately launched a search," a Malian security source said yesterday on condition of anonymity, without revealing the victim's identity or how she was abducted. Northern Mali fell to jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda from March 2012. These forces were driven out of key towns by a French-led military intervention the following year. Barely a week goes by without attacks on security forces despite a peace pact signed last year following lengthy negotiations between the government, groups backing it and ethnic Tuareg rebels. Kidnappings, however, are rare. PTI Conversions, abuse, sexual crimes: Will Pope apologise for these when he visits India too? Pope Francis calls for peace in Christmas message International oi-PTI Vatican City, Dec 25: Pope Francis urged peace in the Middle East as tens of thousands gathered to hear his Christmas address on Sunday, while offering comfort to victims of terrorism after a year of bloody jihadist attacks. The 80-year-old Argentine called for guns to fall silent in Syria, saying "far too much blood has been spilled" in the nearly six-year conflict. And he urged Israelis and Palestinians to "have the courage and the determination to write a new page of history" in his message from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica to a crowd of 40,000 gathered in the square below which, despite the sunny weather, was far from full. As Europe ramped up security for the holiday just days after the truck attack that left 12 dead at a Berlin Christmas market, the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics said he hoped for "peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism". In Milan, where suspected Berlin attacker Anis Amri was killed in a police shootout on Friday, there was a heavy police presence around the cathedral. The entrance has been protected by concrete barriers since the Berlin attack. In France, where Berlin has raised grim memories of the jihadist truck rampage in June that left 86 people dead, 91,000 members of the security forces have been deployed to guard public spaces including churches and markets over the weekend. Religious ceremonies in Germany were heavy with the weight of Monday's attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State group. "Christmas this year carries a deep wound -- we are celebrating this festival in a different way this year," said Gebhard Fuerst, bishop of Rothenburg in the southeast. But Baden bishop Jochen Cornelius-Bundschuh offered a note of hope. "At Christmas, a light shines in the world -- it shines in powerful darknesses like those we have seen in recent years with the horror of war, civil war and terrorist attacks," he said. In Israel, security was tight for Christmas celebrations coinciding with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Some 2,500 worshippers packed the Church of the Nativity complex, built over the grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born, for midnight mass in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa used his homily there to plead for compassion for refugees and for a halt to the violence wracking the Middle East. "We fear the stranger who knocks at the door of our home and at the borders of our countries," he said. "Closed doors, defended borders, before personal and political choices, are a metaphor for the fear that inevitably breed the violent dynamics of the present time." Pope Francis struck a similar tone in his Christmas Eve mass, urging a 10,000-strong crowd in St Peter's Square to feel compassion for children, notably victims of war, migration and homelessness. PTI Powerful typhoon makes landfall in Philippines International oi-PTI Manila, Dec 25: A powerful typhoon with wind speed reaching upto 235 kilometres per hour made landfall in the eastern Philippines on Sunday, the state weather service said. The eye of Typhoon Nock-Ten hit the remote island of Catanduanes just after 6:00 pm (local time), the weather service announced on its official Twitter site. There were no immediate official reports of damage or casualties. The military and local governments have moved more than 100,000 people from the coasts and other hazardous areas of Catanduanes and nearby areas of the Bicol peninsula after experts warned of possible huge waves, floods and landslides. The typhoon, the strongest to hit the disaster-prone archipelago this year, was forecast to sweep west into the country's most densely populated areas including the capital Manila over the coming hours and tomorrow. PTI Queen Elizabeth II concludes final journey to be laid at rest at Windsor Fact Check: Did this British-Nigerian activist raise slogans at the Queens funeral Queen Elizabeth will not attend Christmas Day church service due to ill health International oi-IANS By Ians English London, Dec 25: Queen Elizabeth II will not attend Sunday's Christmas Day church service because she is still suffering from a heavy cold, the Buckingham Palace announced. A spokesman said the Queen would stay indoors to help her recover but she would still participate in the family's Christmas celebrations, the BBC reported. "Her Majesty the Queen will not attend church at Sandringham," a palace spokesman said. "The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery...Her Majesty will participate in the Royal Family Christmas celebrations during the day," the spokesman added. Other members of the Royal Family are expected to attend the service. Crowds have already gathered in Sandringham, the Queen's Norfolk estate, in expectation of the service. The Queen and Prince Philip began their Christmas break this week one day late, postponing their trip because they were both suffering from colds. They flew from Buckingham Palace to the Norfolk estate by helicopter on Thursday, having missed a train on Wednesday. IANS Debris from missing Russian military plane found in Black Sea International oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Damascus, Dec 25: A Russian military aircraft which off the radar has crashed over the black sea, the Russian media reported quoting the defence ministry. However, the debris from a Russian military plane carrying 91 people that had disappeared from radars has been found in the Black Sea, local news agencies quoted the defence ministry as saying. "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres," the ministry said. The plane had disappeared from radar screens shortly after taking off at 5:40 AM (0810 IST) from the southern city of Adler, south of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. It was conducting a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase outside the coastal Syrian city of Latakia, the ministry said. The ministry said the plane was carrying Russian servicemen as well as members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group, who were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the base. There were nine members of the media on board, the ministry said. Russian air traffic controllers lost contact with a Tu-154 airliner with 91 onboard reportedly belonging to the Russian Defense Ministry, rt.com reported. OneIndia News (with inputs from agencies) OK! Magazine 03 Nov 2022 Despite Johnny Depp coming out on top in their trial, the jury ruled in her favor on one count of defamation. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Bethlehem is a city in the central West Bank, Palestine, about 10 km south of Jerusalem. Its population is approximately 25,000, and it is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the State of Palestine. The economy is primarily tourist-driven, peaking during the Christmas season, when Christians make pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity. The important holy site of Rachel's Tomb is at the northern entrance of Bethlehem, though not freely accessible to the city's own inhabitants and in general Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank due to the Israeli West Bank barrier. Rumble 03 Nov 2022 The Kremlin said on Thursday (November 3) it had not committed to staying in the Black Sea grain deal, which has freed.. FOXNews.com 19 Jul 2022 The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels have had women serve in many different compacities but not as a demonstration pilot, until now. Lt... The summons is part of the ministrys examination of whether Professor Goldreich should be awarded the prize due to claims that.. Haaretz 06 May 2021 Rumble 27 Oct 2022 Why is doing what we do is such a burden - Clueless Democrats scoff when you mention real problems - PA SOS says election will not.. Sky News 25 Dec 2020 The Pope has used his Christmas message to urge countries to share COVID-19 vaccines, saying nationalism should not be a factor in.. Business Insider 02 Nov 2022 The US is concerned that Russia may use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine in response to a series of setbacks and huge casualties. bgo Player Cracks Mega Fortune Jackpot for 6.2 Million Published December 25, 2016 by Ivan P Another Cheshire local strikes gold, winning 6.2 million jackpot playing NetEnt's Mega Fortune at bgo. If you like playing online slots and chasing big jackpots, you might want to consider moving to Cheshire, UK. This UK county seems to attract major wins as two recent Mega Fortune jackpot winners are Cheshire locals. The latest one is Chris W., a father of two, who struck gold playing at bgo, bringing home a Christmas present worth 6,235,352. Largest Win in bgo's History In the statement after this historic win, Danny Mahon of bgo explained this was the biggest win in bgo's history. The player named Chris W. decided to try his luck at NetEnt's Mega Fortune slot, playing 1.25 bets. Some spins later, he triggered the jackpot feature and ended up hitting the main progressive which, at the moment, stood just above 6.2 million. Although there is never a bad time to win life-changing money, winning just as winter holidays are rolling in must feel particularly good. For the Cheshire local, who is a father of two, this jackpot must feel like a stroke of magic. NetEnt's Mega Fortune: Creating Millionaires Since '09 The NetEnt Mega Fortune slot is one of the biggest, best-known progressive slots in the world. It was released in 2009, and since then, 35 lucky players have hit the Mega Jackpot. The slot seeds at 250,000, but thanks to its popularity the jackpot quickly reaches six-figures. The biggest-ever win went to a player from Finland who triggered the jackpot wheel at the right time in January 2013, pocketing a truly astonishing 17.3 million. An average Mega Fortune jackpot is north of 4 million. Something in the Air? As mentioned, two of the recent Mega Fortune jackpot winners hail from Cheshire County. However, that's not all. Another Cheshire local took home a 13.2 million Mega Moolah jackpot in a much publicized win back in October 2015. Mega Moolah is the Microgaming's flagship slot, and it's been "guilty" of creating quite a few millionaires as well. Whether it's something in the air, water, or whatever else, Cheshire County seems like a good place to live in if you fancy spinning some reels. ISIL Flag (Image by theglobalpanorama) Details DMCA Of the countless threats to world peace and stability today, it would be difficult to establish a priority as to which is the most dangerous. In the not-so-long run, the first priority, of course, should be the rapidly deteriorating environment which endangers the health and survival of the human race and other species. Of second priority, and directly related to the first, may be the imperialism of nation-states in its many economic, political and social transformations over the centuries - now primarily capitalism as corporate globalization - resulting in widespread subjugation, oppression and impoverishment of peoples both within their societies and in non-industrialized societies. But of greatest immediate concern might be the turmoil in the Middle East and the Arab world, which is de-stabilizing almost every nation there and gravely impacts many nations beyond those territories, most urgently as the flood of refugees into Europe. We seem to be witnessing a struggle of Armageddon proportions between those who aspire to peace and the benefits of modern civilization, and those who reject the negative influences of western civilization upon their religion and their traditional way of life and values. That statement, of course, is a gross simplification of the causes of this turmoil, which may vary with the complexities of each country involved. There are ancient animosities between religious sects, and tribal-oriented societies contending for survival and control of its regional wealth. With Western nations' dependence upon the flow of oil from that region, the situation could escalate to a modern Crusade. The three threats mentioned above have in common a reactionary response: maintaining the world as is or reverting back to a previous state, neither of which is possible in a changing world. Presently, together with the catastrophe of Aleppo in Syria, the spotlight is upon the upstart Islamic State (ISIS) which suddenly appeared seemingly from nowhere to occupy half of Iraq and part of Syria, and presents itself as the re-incarnation of the Islamic caliphate of medieval glory, with much of the barbarity we associate with those times. You may read elsewhere how this movement came together perhaps out of Al Qaeda elements among the Syrian rebels and discontent Sunni factions in Iraq, capturing modern weapons from disorganized or demoralized Iraqi army units. It's roots may go back to the arbitrarily divided-up Ottoman Empire following WWI or to the time of the Crusades. It remains to be seen whether the Islamic State becomes a permanent cohesive force with substantial resources to impose its reactionary ideology upon large areas of the Arab world and intensify hostilities with western nations, or is just one more vandal-like association of die-hard fundamentalists. One could draw comparisons of the Islamic State with the Nazis. That movement started as a small fascist group that rose to power by capitalizing on the poverty and disillusionment in Germany after its defeat in WWI, and strengthened its appeal by perpetrating a religious fervor infused with myths of racial purity and a "hero-god" in the figure of Hitler. While the Islamic State alludes to the great Moslem empire of the past founded on pride of religious superiority and cultural distinction, its present strength may draw upon the anger of stagnation and futility in many islamic countries and their diaspora today. Both the Nazis and the Islamic State, convinced that their goals justified any means, set upon a course of action to eliminate all opposition. Both movements reverted to barbaric practices typical of much earlier times. While there may be some rationale for the reactionary response of the Islamic State to the historic intrusions and demeaning policies of western nations, attracting even some Arab "idealists" to its cause, civil society in the 21st Century cannot tolerate a so-called nation which, to the outside world, is nothing more than a unholy consortium of barbarians who, despite their pretense or delusion of religious motivation, - sanctified by god - engage in mass murder of prisoners and heretics, suicide bombings, raping, and kidnapping for ransom or sale to finance their depraved actions, and, most shocking to westerners, indiscriminate decapitation of hostages and indoctrination of child warriors for suicide missions - acts abhorrent to any benevolent religion or civilized society. The actions of ISIS are self-justified by their fundamentalist interpretation of Sharia (Islamic) Law. Punishment under strict Sharia law ranges from amputating fingers, hands, or feet for specified lesser crimes, to stoning to death for adultery - here not even a crime. How do they rationalize kidnapping and raping women (OK) with death for adulterers and non-believers? To the modern mind, that is mass derangement. As of this writing, the outside world seems be at a loss to devise a way to break up or eradicate the Islamic State, while expressing the necessity to do so. There is much mistrust among those nations that have a common interest to do just that. When we examine the motives and consequences of unrestrained military and economic imperialism as practiced by Western and other nations past and present, we may realize that, despite a facade of law and self-righteousness, the pain and damage it brings to the world, in terms of poverty, despair, physical and environmental destruction, and indiscriminate killing is on a far greater scale than that of ISIS. Nevertheless, the predominant peaceful world cultures of science, arts, the humanities and democratic principles - totally lacking in ISIS - gives promise of progress and redemption in this respect, whereas the actions of ISIS represent the descent of mankind into a primitive hell. In light of the devastating Korean, Vietnam, World Wars, etc. of the Twentieth Century, the Islamic State should command the most urgent attention of the liberal world. It is difficult to imagine anything less than an immediate concerted effort to eradicate this movement. Are there any alternatives to all-out war? The most promising would be to identify the covert supporters of the Islamic State and shut down all its sources of recruitment, supplies and finances. The problem here is that a thorough inquiry into the sources of support of ISIS, according to revelations in the informal media, would probably uncover a far-flung network of states, "friendly" political and religious groups, commercial enterprises, and opportunists who contribute to ISIS - knowingly or unknowingly. In this case, the conflict could not be resolved militarily without expanding the war zone well beyond its present confines. Alternatively, devout moderate Muslims throughout the world, shamed, threatened and angered by the ISIS version of Islam, could speak out strongly with a united voice, and organize a massive "anti-jihad". Volunteer militias of sympathizers of religious groups and other minority victims of ISIS could be established and trained to fight under a central command, as did the Lincoln Brigade and others in the Spanish Civil War. This is not likely to happen because the "good" muslims are peaceful, rather passive, and lack a single international voice equivalent to the Vatican. Other than that, it would be the responsibility of the United Nations, if it were truly a world government, to mobilize the civilized world to fight ISIS. And how might this be accomplished? Let us start with some fundamental concepts. All nations and societies are guided by their own laws and customs which define the restrictions and responsibilities of individuals towards each other and towards the governing authority. Over the course of history, through exposure to and exchanges between a diversity of cultures, and as a result of gradual humanistic enlightenment throughout much of the world, a general consensus has arisen with respect to fundamental ethics of human behavior, as stated in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Cannibalism and human sacrifice are no longer practiced. Slavery, torture, rape, murder, thievery, etc. exist but are generally condemned to varying degrees and punishable by law. Nations that do not conform to these universally stated - if not universally practiced - standards of behavior are renegade societies which threaten peace and stability throughout the planet. The ISIS caliphate totally defies these tenets. At the heart of the matter are the archaic concepts we described that could create such a monster, and those who preach them. Some say that these concepts are literal interpretations of what is written in the Quran. If so, then the Quran itself is the culprit and, for the sake of a peaceful world, must be questioned by its own believers and divested of its aura of literal truth and infallibility, as have the Old and New Testaments mostly. ("It ain't necessarily so.") Where is an Islamic Reform Movement - or a new universal "religion" recognizing the common interests of all mankind, based upon the sanctity of all creation and reverence for life? There is no room in the fragile state of the present world for a way of life based upon myths and historical fictions that promote hatred, violence, murder and genocide. (These remarks could apply equally to the transgressions of imperialistic states.) Outside of the Islamic faith, most religions in the modern world have evolved whereby an absolute belief in and strict observance according to the words or interpretations of ancient texts have largely dissipated. The time of the Spanish Inquisition and medieval witch hunts has long passed. There is a vast difference between the "religion" of a spiritual belief that inspires a person to cherish life on Earth, to act with kindness, fairness and respect towards others, and treasure the gifts of nature; and, on the other hand, a fundamentalist religion that suppresses individual expression by forbidding any questioning of doctrine as heresy, subject to harsh punishment, imposes strict rituals conceived for obedience by submissive or uneducated people (e.g. commanding men to prostrate themselves in prayer five times daily), confines women to a menial status, and sanctions self-sacrifice and murderous acts in return for the promise of a blissful afterlife in paradise based on nothing but blind faith, myths and ignorance. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). The Hill reports that capital punishment is fading away in America. Government employees have ceremonially killed fewer prisoners this year (20) than in any year since 1991, and fewer criminals (30) have been sentenced to death than in any year since the option became available again in 1976 (after a US Supreme Court ruling resulted in a four-year national moratorium). There seem to be several reasons for the precipitous decline, ranging from difficulty getting the drugs used in executions (manufacturers and pharmacies don't like the stigma) to increased court scrutiny of sentencing. Whatever the reasons, it's good news. Capital punishment should be brought to a speedy and permanent end in the United States. I'm not saying that there aren't crimes worthy of death. In fact, I heartily support the killing of violent criminals in defense of self or others at the scene of the crime. But once a criminal has been apprehended, disarmed and caged, killing him or her isn't self-defense any more. Execution is just the gratuitous, vengeful taking of a human life for public show. And no matter how much lipstick the practice's supporters put on the pig to try and turn it into something else, that's all it will ever be. Capital punishment is also completely incompatible with the notions of "limited government" that most libertarians and some conservatives claim to support, not to mention the basic civil liberties that both libertarians and liberals publicly sustain. If the state can decide with impunity that someone needs to die and then kill that person in cold blood, what CAN'T the state do? This would be true even absent the growing number of death row inmate exonerated by new evidence. Who knows how many innocents have been sacrificed to Moloch before the mistake could be discovered and corrected? Capital punishment seems to be going away, but it can't go away fast enough. Even as the Libertarian and Democratic Parties finally added opposition to the death penalty to their platforms this year, majorities in California, Nebraska and Oklahoma voted, to their shame, to retain the barbaric practice. The US is part of a shrinking club of evil, a club composed mostly of favorite holiday destinations like North Korea and Saudi Arabia. Guinea, Mongolia and Nauru became the latest three nations to abolish it in 2016. Surely we're better than this. In 2017, let's show it by finally and forever ceasing the evil practice of capital punishment. Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday (Dec. 23) ordered the expansion of the Russian naval base in the Syrian port city of Tartus, according to the Russian media . The expansion of the naval base comes days of the capture of the Syrian city of Aleppo by the Russian-backed Syrian forces. This comes also four days after the assassination of the Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov. Russian news agency Sputnik quoted the Kremlin's website as reading: "Vladimir Putin signed a decree on signing the agreement between the Russian Federation and the Syrian Arab Republic on expanding the territory of the Russian logistics centre in the port of Tartus and on the arriving of Russian ships at the territorial sea, national waters and ports of the Syrian Arab Republic." The Russian Defense Ministry announced plans in October to establish a permanent naval base in the western Syrian port city of Tartus where it has been keeping a small naval maintenance and support facility since 1977, Sputnik said. According to Wikipedia, the Russian naval facility in Tartus is a leased military installation of the Russian Navy located in the port of the city of Tartus, Syria. Russian official usage classifies the installation as a Material-Technical Support Point and not a "base". Tartus is the Russian Navy's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment spot, sparing Russia's warships the trip back to their Black Sea bases through the Turkish Straits. Tartus hosts a Soviet-era naval supply and maintenance facility, under a 1971 agreement with Syrian government, which was--until the second year of the Syrian Civil War -- staffed by Russian naval personnel. Most recently, the facility hosts the Amur class floating workshop PM-138, capable of providing technical maintenance to Russian warships deployed in the Mediterranean. The Tartus facility can accommodate four medium-sized vessels only if both of its 100 m floating piers, inside of the northern breakwater, are operational. It is not capable of hosting any of the Russian Navy's current major warships which range in length from the 129 m Neustrashimy y class frigate through the 163 m Udaloy class destroyer, much less cruisers such as the 186.4 m Slava class and the 252 m Kirov class, or the 305 m Kuznetsov class aircraft carrier. The facility was established during the Cold War to support the Soviet Navy fleet in the Mediterranean. During the 1970s, similar support points were located in Egypt, Ethiopia, Vietnam and elsewhere. In 1977, the Egyptian support bases at Alexandria and Mersa Matruh were evacuated and the ships and property were transferred to Tartus, where the naval support facility was transformed into the 229th Naval and Estuary Vessel Support Division. Seven years later, the Tartus support point was upgraded to the 720th Material-Technical Support Point. [Wikipedia] The expansion of Tartus base follows an agreement between Russia, Turkey and Iran to resolve the US-instigated Syrian war. The three countries agreed to take on the role of guarantors to facilitate the process preserving the territorial integrity of Syria and spreading the cessation of hostilities to all parts of the country. Other states are welcome to join. The declaration is just a start, the efforts by the three parties will continue. The document was signed by the three countries' foreign and defense chiefs at the December 20 meeting in Moscow. The Global Research says that the joint declaration reflects the progress achieved by Russia in developing cooperation with Ankara and Tehran. For instance, Turkey, a NATO member, is in talks with Russia regarding the purchase of advanced S-400 long-range air defense missile systems. The parties are studying the prospects for boosting military cooperation in all areas, including procurement deals in electronic systems, ammunitions and missile technology. The related issues were discussed during the visit of General Hulusi Akar, the head of the Turkish armed forces' General Staff, to Moscow on November 1. Turkey and Russia would look to establish a joint military, intelligence, and diplomatic mechanism. According to Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik, Turkey will do everything needed for cooperation with Russia on Syria. He said a new page has opened in the history of defense cooperation with Russia. The Turkish defense chief also underscored that his county will develop close relations with Russia in the defense area based on its interests and this will not be a step against NATO or any other country. Russia and Turkey are on the way to implement the ambitious Turkish Stream gas project. The progress is made against the background of worsening ties between Turkey and the US and its NATO allies. Ankara has been angered by what it sees as lukewarm condemnation by its Western allies of the abortive July 15-16 coup. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in November that he was disillusioned with the US policies in his interview with CBS 60 Minutes. Turkey's officials have complained about NATO's unwillingness to cooperate with Turkey. Ankara is mulling the possibility of joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), or Shanghai Pact. The SCO is defined as "a Eurasian political, economic and military organization." Joining it would mean a radical change of sides for Turkey, according to Turkish journalist Semih Idiz. He warned that if it were to happen, it would also have serious regional and global ramifications, since Ankara would most probably have to not only give up on its EU bid, but also its NATO membership. "We are going to have a white Christmas this year, with three inches expected by morning! The storm however won't be slowing down Santa Claus, kids. In fact the snow just makes it easier for his flying reindeer to land and take off, from what I understand. I just got off the phone with NORAD and we're tracking Santa right now. Their up to the minute tracking information concludes he's making good time despite the headwinds and should be in our region by two or three o'clock this morning. We'll keep you posted on his whereabouts on the evening news" and now back to you, Chuck." The first four or five years of our lives are the most formative years of our lives. Our minds are like dry sponges, absorbing everything around us. In our most impressionable state, we learn from our parents, friends, family, teachers, neighbors, and everyone we interact with, as well as media, conventions, traditions and institutions of all sorts. We learn what we're taught, but we also pick up on queues and absorb lessons from our experiences and observations, both subtle and obvious, direct and indirect, as we learn to navigate and interpret the world around us. Incidentally, these are the very same years most children in Christian-based societies are influenced by, even infatuated with, the Santa Clause myth -- a common sociological influence we share. As children the Santa story seems magical, replete with elves, flying reindeer, a benevolent (yet judgmental) patriarch and shiny new gifts. Then, as we grow older, comes the letdown. The truth is revealed as our common initiation -- our first taste of 'adult' society. When the truth is revealed it can all seem like a cruel celebration to a sensitive young mind. With the magic of our early childhood taken from our Christmas, we learn in that moment that everyone, from parents and teachers to news presenters and institutions of all kinds are capable of lying to our faces, straight up, with a smile, in perfect unspoken coordination. We learn that there is not enough magic in the real world, and that our sense of wonder can only be satisfied by artificially constructed mythology, and remains the domain of early childhood unknowing. Not only that, we learn that once such a societal lie is realized, our role as "grownups" is to maintain the lie as truth, in this case, because everyone else of a vaguely Christian heritage does it. (Never mind the children of other faiths.) For children who have just learned or realized the truth, the lie is everywhere we look at Christmas time. It's at home, in schools, on the news; even the local weather forecasters cooperate with powerful military institutions like NORAD (the North American Aerospace Defense Command) lie to us! And we play along without a moment to process our loss, lest we poop the party for younger, still-ignorant children. (Never mind that ours is the only culture on Earth to base its major holy-day on a foundation of pure fictional fabrication, forgoing reality to celebrate the bounty of a deliberately false patriarch.) The tradition of the North American Aerospace Defense Command actively partaking in the lie of the Santa Claus story and claiming to track Santa Claus on their radar -- helping to initiate children into a world of socially-sanctioned lies -- began at Christmas time in 1955. This newspaper clipping (pictured) initiated NORAD's involvement in the Santa Claus story with the most celebrated wrong number in history. Although, ironically enough, the small note to the right of it explicitly states, 'Kiddies be sure and dial the correct number.' The advertisement for a shopping mall appeared to include a Colorado telephone number for "Santa Claus" himself, but the advertisement ran with the wrong phone number; the number printed was for the Continental Air Defense Command located in Colorado Springs, which eventually became NORAD. Even the least conspiratorially minded among us has to wonder about such a coincidence. The publication's insistence that "kiddies" dial the correct number, which was itself wrong, combined with the fact that NORAD, a government agency that literally takes part in watching the world, now also pretends to watch over Santa Claus as Christmas tradition, is not only laughable, but questionable too. Inviting children to 'call me on my private phone and I will talk to you personally any time day or night', decades before 24 hour call centers? One has to wonder if the folks at NORAD knew the 24/7 surveillance crew would be there 'any time', or if they planned on employing some poor old HoHoHo to man a telephone somewhere in the mall. But I digress" Colorado children called the line and the officer in charge dutifully decided to go along with the misprinted advertisement, and tell the kiddies that Santa Claus was about two ticks off the Eastern Seaboard, or was being delayed by commies in Germany, or whatever lie would fulfill their innocent curiosity -- but he would be here soon, though probably too late for children to wait up for. Today, as a result of that fateful error, kiddies from all over the world can call and contact NORAD -- a government agency -- to find out exactly the whereabouts of Santa Claus -- a Christian construct -- and, with the help of a team of non-military volunteers, NORAD gladly lies. (Never mind the separation of Church and State.) Let's assume NORAD was not intended as the original target for these phone calls, and that this "error" was not intended to normalize the concept of government surveillance and tracking in the minds of young children -- a phenomenon that today, just a few decades later, is accepted as a 'normal part' of our Big Brother culture. At best, the officer in charge played along with the lie because those who don't go along with the lie, those who reveal the truth to young children, or who just refuse to lie, are considered by our society as an affront to a childhood innocence. Indeed, as we observe from childhood, everyone we know and love, acquaintances, strangers and the watchers of the mighty military industry, all participate in the lie for a variety of reasons, comfortable in the misconception that the truth of the lie has a more devastating effect on the innocence of young children than the act of the lie itself, substituting fiction in place of nature, mythology in place of reality -- mythology which, incidentally, also teaches children that the reward for "nice" behavior is magically-derived material possessions. (Never mind the poor kids.) As children we learn how the world is, and we learn to conform to it, modeling ourselves, our morality and our behavior on those around us. Biological impulses make us want to be a part of the group, and we don't want to be ostracized and excluded (like the kids of other faiths are) among tribal and societal units. So, at a tender single-digit age, we confront the possibility that those not-so-magically-derived material possessions we receive each year may now cease by our knowing, and are charged with preserving the "magic" for others. So we adhere to the lie. The magic may be gone, but we're sure not going to be excluded, or miss out on the kind of rewards we've received each year since birth! What's in a little lie, eh? Besides, it must be important, since even the media and mighty military yields to the Santa Claus storyline" At that moment, we make the choice for the first time in our young lives to knowingly partake in a collective deception, because it is both socially acceptable and materially beneficial to do so. On its own, this might not be so bad, and may even be considered a rite of passage. But that program stays with us through adulthood. Incrementally, decision by decision, we come to view accepting lies as a normal part of adult society. Government, advertising, news, corporate shenanigans -- It's all "just politics", right? (Never mind the weapons of mass destruction.) Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. OBAMA7.JPG President Barack Obama (AP Photo/File) As we enter a new year, I beseech our new administration and Congress to not repeat the huge mistakes committed by President Obama and his attorney general over the past six months. Obama could have told us all he knew about the Russians hacking into the very bowels of the Democratic National Committee, but he did not, fearing people would say he was playing politics. Just days before the vote, his attorney general, Loretta Lynch, refused to stop the head of the FBI from sending out a cloudy, confusing and ultimately pointless letter about Hillary Clinton's emails. Lynch's reason for not squelching it? She didn't want to be seen playing politics. I'm Greek. My people invented politics 2,000 years ago, in Athens. Which is why it is a Greek word meaning "of, for, or pertaining to citizens". So, it's all politics, my friends. All of it. Sid Leader, Portland SANTA.JPG Roray Kam dressed as Santa Claus enjoys the surf on his standup paddle board on Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) By Ramesh Ponnuru I always suspected that, for all the annual controversy, very few people really object when someone says "Merry Christmas!" to them. The firm Public Policy Polling has done the legwork to prove it: Only three percent of their respondents took offense at the greeting. Not many people are fighting in the war on Christmas. There is still a war on Santa, however, even among people who celebrate Christmas. The jolly old elf's detractors would have you believe that he sits on a throne of lies. When your kids learn the truth, they say, they'll be disappointed, and less likely to believe anything else you say. Less likely, too, to believe in Christianity, according to some of my fellow Christians: If your parents told you one comforting but improbable story when you were growing up, maybe they told you a lot of them. It's the kind of thought that from time to time leads preachers to lash out, seeking out kids to debunk the myth. And if these sorts of considerations lead you to deny your kids Santa, I won't call you a Grinch. He wasn't part of my Christmases growing up -- not after an older brother found where the presents were being hidden and showed the rest of us -- and it's not a loss I feel keenly. But as for the Ponnurus of Alexandria, Virginia: We are a pro-Santa family. The "sacred and benevolent burglary on Christmas Eve," as G.K. Chesterton called it, will take place in our house for as long as our children are open to it. The main reason we side with Santa is that the kids love this part of the Christmas tradition almost as much as they love the presents. They like writing him a letter. They like setting out a cookie and some milk by the tree for the big night. Sometimes, yes, it feels as though you have trapped yourself in a web of lies. A few years ago my wife and I were assembling some toy late on Christmas Eve when we heard two deer fighting in our backyard. I feared that the next morning I'd have to explain away a reindeer with a broken neck ("So Blitzen had a little accident ..."). Thankfully they unlocked horns and jumped over the fence. But we also tell ourselves that Santa teaches our children lessons that are important and true: that they are loved and watched over by someone who knows their heart and wants them to be good; that their stockings are full of things they can have done nothing to deserve; that the world is a gift. There will be time, later, to use other methods to teach them all of what we mean. Santa will have prepared the way. So, as the song says, "Let's give thanks to the Lord above, 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight!" (c) 2016, Bloomberg View Ramesh Ponnuru is a Bloomberg View columnist. He is a senior editor of National Review and the author of "The Party of Death: The Democrats, the Media, the Courts, and the Disregard for Human Life." State police are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting during a traffic stop in downtown Bend Friday night, police said. (The Oregonian) A Bend police officer shot and killed a 31-year-old motorist Friday night after officers spotted him driving erratically, stopped his car and then had difficulty taking him into custody, according to state police Capt. Bill Fugate. Once an officer stopped the 2002 Dodge Caravan in downtown Bend on Franklin Avenue, near Bond Street, about 10:30 p.m., a second officer arrived. The driver, Michael Tyler Jacques, "did not cooperate,'' and the two officers attempted to place him under arrest, police said. At least one of the officers fired a stun gun at Jacques, before an officer shot and killed Jacques, according to Fugate. It's unclear if one or both officers fired their handguns. The officers removed Jacques from the vehicle and rendered first aid. Emergency medical personnel who responded to the scene pronounced Jacques dead. Detectives and forensic experts are continuing to investigate the officer-involved fatal shooting in downtown Bend. The encounter occurred after Deschutes County 911 received calls about a white minivan driving erratically southbound on Third Street near Butler Market. At least two callers described the vehicle and its erratic driving, saying it had driven into snow banks and had almost struck a bicyclist. The 2002 Dodge Caravan drove through a 7-11 parking lot before it was stopped by police on Franklin Street. The state police criminal investigations division and state police forensic divisions are investigating, along with officers from a multi-agency task force that includes the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Redmond police, Sunriver police, Madras police, Warm Springs police and the Deschutes County District Attorney's office. Anyone who may have witnessed the vehicle or police shooting are urged to call state police Det. James Koehler at 541-633-2215. -- Maxine Bernstein mbernstein@oregonian.com 503-221-8212 @maxoregonian hwy_30_mp_81.jpg Emergency crews responded to a multi-car, fatal crash around 10 a.m. Dec. 24, 2016 on U.S. 30 about 15 miles east of Astoria. Troopers learned icy conditions caused the crashes, said Capt. Bill Fugate, spokesman, in a news release. (OSP) A 59-year-old man stood outside a car in Clatsop County, moments after a two-car crash, only to be fatally struck by a sliding car Saturday, the Oregon State Police said. Emergency crews responded around 10 a.m. on U.S. 30 about 15 miles east of Astoria. Troopers learned icy conditions caused the crashes that began when a Toyota 4Runner and a Honda Odyssey hit each other on a slippery roadway, said Capt. Bill Fugate, spokesman, in a news release. Both cars stopped on the highway, and occupants got out, including Edward Carlson, 59, of Long Beach, Wash. As Carlson exited the 4Runner and stood outside, a westbound Subaru Legacy lost control and crashed into the Toyota, Fugate said. The cars fatally hit Carlson, and medics pronounced him dead at the scene. Lorraine Sebastian, another occupant in the 4Runner, also sustained life-threatening injuries, Fugate said. Sebastian, 62, of Castle Rock, was rushed to a hospital in Portland, Fugate said. The people inside the Odyssey, identified as Earl Lowery, 66, and Nancy Lowery, 64, of Kelso, Wash., sustained minor injuries. Fugate said Daniel Carter, 70, of Rainier, drove the Legacy. This post will be updated as news develops. -- Tony Hernandez thernandez@oregonian.com 503-294-5928 @tonyhreports trimetbus.JPG A woman was killed after she drove her Honda into the back of a Tri-Met bus in Northeast Portland Saturday afternoon. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. (The Oregonian) (The Oregonian/file photo) Update Car in NE Portland fatal crash traveled at 30 mph, police say A woman was killed after driving her Honda into the back of a TriMet bus Saturday afternoon, police said. The Honda driver was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The driver was not identified, only described as possibly in her 90s. Her adult son was in the car and not injured. The crash occurred at 2:15 p.m. on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Alberta Street. No one on the bus was injured. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was closed to traffic for several hours but has reopened. --The Oregonian In Portland's Kenton neighborhood, the big, bearded man dressed in red and white carries not toys, but a double-bit axe. For nearly 58 years, a 31-foot statue of Paul Bunyan has stood watch over the North Portland community. Though paint has chipped from his shirt and mildew has formed around his boots, he still smiles widely. In 1959, he was built so that his smile welcomed visitors coming into town for the Oregon Centennial Exposition and International Trade Fair held just a few miles away. Today, after a move 59 feet south to accommodate the yellow Max line in 2002, he gazes north at Dancin' Bare strip club across the street. Some things in Kenton have changed, but Paul Bunyan has remained largely the same. "Paul Bunyan is a symbol of the resourcefulness of the neighborhood and how we are able to build community around local causes," said Angela Moos, treasurer of the Kenton Neighborhood Association. "We have a sense of ownership or stewardship of the statue, so it's hard for us to drive by and see the paint peeling off his shoes." Moos helped oversee a 2009 project to repaint Paul using $10,000 in grant funds from the Portland Development Commission. But the paint job hasn't weathered well, and members of the Kenton Neighborhood Association are now hoping to raise $80,000 for a true rehab project. The cost is high because it includes an inspection of the statue's structural integrity plus six weeks of dry-time and scaffolding for exterior repairs - things that weren't done with the last painting. Moos hopes a thorough cleaning and quality paint job will keep Paul looking good for another 15 years, or longer. Paul Bunyan stands at the intersection of North Interstate and Denver avenues in a small, public courtyard against the background of a sign welcoming people to "Historic Kenton." He was constructed in 1959 by the Kenton Businessmen's Association at a cost of about $2,500. The statue was built under the direction of Victor A. and Victor R. Nelson, the father and son team behind nearby Kenton Machine Works. Victor A. had the concept, his daughter-in-law, Bette, browsed children's books for inspiration images, and his son, Victor R., engineered him. Members of the cement masons and painters unions provided the labor. All three family members have since passed away, but grandson Victor Anders Nelson remembers growing up with Paul looking over the family business. Kenton Machine Works produced a number of equipment pieces, particularly for the lumber and printing industries. His grandfather felt Paul Bunyan would be a fitting tribute to Oregon's timber industry and Kenton's working-class ethos. "I think they were also proud that a lot of the guys in the shop, the workers, took so much interest in the project," he said. The businessmen planned to take Paul down after the 100-day-long centennial expo, but state officials approached them about leaving him up as a tourist information booth. He served as such until Interstate 5 was constructed in the early 1960s and the tourist traffic through Kenton dried up. The information booth closed, but Paul remained. "The statue was supposed to be there only about six months, but it's stayed 40 years," Vic R. Nelson told The Oregonian in a 2000 interview. "I think that if you come back in another 40 years, it'd still be here." It could happen. David Fredrickson, founder and creative director at Figure Plant, a design and fabrication studio, is overseeing the statue's inspection and restoration. Fredrickson says Paul's bones are solid. The steel framework of his skeleton is in great shape, and the cement plaster of his skin needs only minor repairs. "He certainly was built by very qualified hands," Fredrickson said. Figure Plant has a prime view of Paul Bunyan. The company is in the former Kenton Machine Works building where the statue was built. "Knowing that it's a beloved neighborhood and city icon, and because there's not a big pot of money for Paul Bunyan, it has to be done carefully and thoughtfully," Fredrickson said of the rehab effort. Figure Plant works mostly with marketing firms and corporations to construct publicity and event materials. You might have seen the 22-foot silver unicorn they created for Project Pabst music festival. "My whole professional career has been around the odd and unconventional, so I'm naturally attracted to that," Fredrickson said. "Paul certainly serves to keep Portland weird." So far, small fundraisers and collection paint cans in businesses around town have raised about $22,000 for the Paint Paul fund. About half of that went toward structural investigations. Organizers hoped the raise the rest in time for a summer paint job, but donations have been slow to come in. Fundraising is continuing through the Kenton Action Plan, a 501c3 nonprofit, so donations are tax deductible. Contributions can be made online through paintpaulpdx.org, or via mail care of Kenton Action Plan, 2209 N. Schofield St., Portland, OR 97217. -- Samantha Swindler @editorswindler / 503-294-4031 sswindler@oregonian.com Lightbar_ A night of Christmas carols ended in tragedy Sunday after a single-car crash killed a teen and injured three others, police said. Samuel Chiriac, 16, of Battle Ground, died in a single-car crash Sunday near Southeast 103rd Avenue and Mt. Scott Boulevard after he and friends spent the evening singing carols, police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said in a news release. (The Oregonian/OregonLive/file) A night of Christmas carols ended in tragedy early Sunday morning after a single-car crash killed a teen and injured three others, police said. Samuel Chiriac, 16, of Battle Ground, died in a single-car crash on Mt. Scott Boulevard near Southeast 103rd Avenue after he and friends spent Saturday evening singing carols, police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said in a news release. Officers had responded just before 2 a.m. Sunday and found a 1992 Volkswagen Cabriolet down an embankment, Simpson had said. Emergency crews rushed Seba Pop, 17, of West Linn, to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Caleb Pop, 15, and Timothy Posteucha, 17, of Northeast Portland, suffered serious injuries and are expected to survive, Simpson said. A fifth passenger, Johnny Cristurean, 14, of Wood Village was not injured. Investigators learned the teens were traveling in a caravan of three cars when the crash occurred. They were coming from Happy Valley to Wilsonville after singing at a variety of homes of members to a Southeast Portland Romanian church, Simpson said. Seba Pop, the Volkswagen's driver, attempted to pass one of his friend in an oncoming lane and missed a sharp turn, forcing the car to run off the roadway, Simpson said. "Dense fog may have played a factor in the crash," Simpson said. Officers don't suspect impairment in any of the occupants inside the three vehicles, he said. Chiriac's death is the 43rd traffic fatality in the city this year. The crash remains under investigation. This post will be updated as news develops. -- Tony Hernandez thernandez@oregonian.com 503-294-5928 @tonyhreports The award-winning January Series of Calvin College is coming to Midland. From Jan. 4 through Jan. 24, Midland Reformed Church will be one of 50 remote webcast locations worldwide to broadcast one of the nations leading lecture and cultural arts series. A few of the featured presenters in the series 30th anniversary year include Doris Kearns Goodwin, a world-renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist; Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission, and Matthew Desmond, co-founder of the Justice and Poverty Project and the recipient of a MacArthur Genius grant. It means a lot that we can share this with our community, said Kristi Potter, director of the January Series. Our desire is to keep bringing in these great speakers year after year so we can continue to have these important conversations. The experts will offer informed perspectives on a wide range of todays most relevant topics, including global governance, human rights, race relations, healthcare reform and the gender gap in technology. For a full list of speakers and topics, visit www.calvin.edu/january-series/speakers Potter says the speakers will not only give listeners a deeper understanding on various issues, but they will also provide their perspectives on how people can make a difference. With that in mind, Potter said having Eugene Cho, founder and pastor of Quest Churchan urban, multicultural, multigenerational church in Seattleon the series lineup will provide an additional challenge to attendees. The January Series lectures will be video streamed live at Midland Reformed Church (1100 N. Saginaw Road, Midland) from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The lectures are free and open to the public. In 2017, 50 remote locations will carry the January Seriesspanning 19 U.S. states, two Canadian provinces and one site in Europe. For more information about the January Series, contact Cheryl Heal at office@MidlandReformed.org or at (989) 835-4000. To download a high-resolution photo of any speaker, visit www.calvin.edu/january-series/speakers and click on the name of the speaker. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When you venture into town to run holiday errands, chances are you hear the jingle of a Salvation Army Red Kettle bell ringer. In Midland alone, nearly 170 individuals and organizations have signed up this year as sentries to help raise money for various programs and services The Salvation Army provides. Bell ringers are either employees of The Salvation Army or community members who volunteer for 2- or 4-hour shifts outside of businesses, standing beside the renowned Red Kettles, ringing bells and greeting passersby starting in early November and continuing up to Christmas Eve. Willie Agnew, stationed outside of Walmart in Midland, came prepared for his shift, bundled from head to toe, protecting every surface from the sub-freezing temperatures; even his eyes were shielded by sunglasses. A lot of people say How can you do it? I just tell them By the grace of God, I guess, he said. Some management will allow you to bring the bucket inside with the managers permission while some you got to leave it out. Agnew, who became an employee of The Salvation Army this past November, not only finds joy in meeting people along the way, but also takes pride in helping others that he may never meet. My favorite part about bell ringing is helping some kid out there maybe get a warm coat, socks, he reflected. It makes me feel important that Im doing something thats helpful. This job right here is meaningful because its helping other people. Another Salvation Army employee is David North, who is currently celebrating his 11th season as a bell ringer. From his location at Kroger, he is continually inspired by others generosity. People are happy to give, and it makes them feel good knowing that theyre helping. Isnt that what lifes all about: relationships and helping people? Neither the cold nor the occasional Scrooge were able to dampen Norths spirits, thanks to several layers of warm clothing and the knowledge that hes part of a good cause that is bringing people a sense of peace. It puts you in a good mood It renews you, knowing where that money is going to go. Its a wonderful organization. Many bell ringers sign up through local organizations and social clubs. Members of the Midland High Key Club volunteered outside of Walgreens at 931 S. Saginaw Road, often clutching steaming cups of cocoa or coffee and ringing a selection of colorful bells. We do this every year, Misa Helphin said. The Key Club volunteered over 1,000 combined hours of bell ringing last year, according to president Lauren Siegmund. While bell ringing is an annual tradition for the club, its members enjoy the activity for their own reasons. It feels good helping people around town, Jared Engwis said. I like to know that the money is going to a good cause, Andrew Taylor chimed in. Youre helping other people who need help, Zach Noel said. Theres people out there who cant have as grand a Christmas as others and I think its nice that youre able to help other people. For Key Club member Matt Gach, his enjoyment comes from talking with folks who stop by. Theyre interesting people who have quite a bit to say so we had good conversations with them. They were talking about the kids now a-days They were talking about how they donate to Salvation Army just because they didnt have the money at the time. Despite the bitter cold the Midwest has experienced these past few weeks, bell ringers have warmed many hearts along the way. They are eager to exchange kind words with everyone and lend a helping hand where they can, either by bringing carts in for customers coming out of stores, carrying groceries to cars, or even tilting the collection kettle down so little ones can contribute. Even just the sight of bell ringers can inspire people to enlist to help The Salvation Army. Nancy and Mark Quilan, who rang bells inside the Sanford Food Center, were motivated by past volunteers they encountered and have periodically rung bells over the years; this is their third consecutive year. When my kids were little, I did it. I saw others doing it and thought it was a good idea, Nancy explained. The people of Sanford are wonderful, very generous, Mark commented. Nicole Kowalski, who was also stationed at the Food Center, has volunteered as a bell ringer for three years. She first signed up as part of a social work class at Saginaw Valley State University and continued since then, eventually becoming a greeter for The Salvation Army of Midlands Thanksgiving dinner and helping with its Christmas registration. She makes a point to bring along her sons, ages 5 and 8, so that they may each learn the importance of giving back to the community. They each take a turn, she said. On one particular evening, Kowalski brought along her 8-year-old, Jacob. When asked if hed like to continue to ring bells in the future, he nodded. Its fun to ring the bell, he said. A lot of people, all the adults get a kick out of you when they see you, Nicole smiled. For more information about ringing bells and upcoming volunteer opportunities with The Salvation Army Midland Corps, visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org/midlandcorps MONDAY A mobile home in Lee Township was destroyed early Sunday morning; all inhabitants escaped unharmed while two cats and a dog perished. Greater Midland teamed up with Saginaw Valley State University students to create motivational fitness collateral. TUESDAY The City of Midland modified its plan to avoid initial meal cuts for seniors at Riverside Place. A GoFundMe page was set up to assist the victims of a Sunday morning house fire in Lee Township. WEDNESDAY The man accused in connection with a March 2012 arson fire at Northeast Middle School requested for the bindover of his case to be thrown out. Saginaw Valley State University set room and board rates at $8,874 for the 2018-19 academic year as part of the universitys nearly $31 million auxiliary operations budget. THURSDAY St. Johns Lutheran Church announced it will host a free Christmas dinner on Sunday after a 10 a.m. Christmas service. Midnight on Main is making plans to return to Dow Diamond for its sixth annual celebration. FRIDAY More than 70 participants, some dressed up in holiday attire, participated in the fourth annual Santa Sloshy Pub Run Thursday. Midland County Health Director Mike Krecek addressed the issue of lead poisoning in Midland; the threat locally lies within paint, not pipes. Today, billions across the earth celebrate the birth of a child. Some doubt the accuracy of factual details of the event. Others question on the nature of the child and the circumstances of his conception. Centuries of scholarship and spiritual contemplation failed to resolve different interpretations of the childs purpose and of his eventual actions as an adult. Nearly everyone can agree, however, on one thing. Whether you are a Christian, Muslim or Jew, whether you follow Buddhist, Hindu or no religious teachings at all, we can all agree on this specific aspect of the life of the man known as Jesus. Early in his ministry, this wandering rabbi preached a message to the people. He preached from the hilltops and from the valleys. His message resonated with every person largely because other prophets had preached the same wisdom throughout the centuries. And in 21st century America, this message rings especially true. Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Jesus lived in a world where the privileged held reign over the oppressed. He foresaw a time when all their wealth, power and military might could not prevent their eventual downfall. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Jesus called out the hypocrites, the policy makers who dined in fine style while the poor made do with the scraps. He preached fairness and equity for all the people. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. The arrogant leaders, distant from the faith and dedication of the people, thought they controlled the truth. Jesus did not mock or threaten others to serve as an inspirational leader. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you and defame you. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. Truth is not whatever reality most benefits you. Truth is truth. Jesus showed that true leadership consists of honesty, openness and candor regardless of the consequences. Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Jesus spoke truth to power, never backing away from the challenges of scribes and Pharisees. He never sold his principles for comfort, advantage or influence. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. The Golden Rule is the single most universal ethical belief of humanity. Jesus lived this ethic and taught others to do the same. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Hold people accountable, but always do so with love and understanding. Jesus held malice in his heart for no one and yet stood on the side of love opposed to all oppressive authority. Near the end of his ministry, Jesus demonstrated that we cannot achieve justice passively, and that we must sometimes meet oppression with active resistance. Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying he said, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers. After his active resistance to the corrupt bankers and priests, Jesus taught in the temple and healed those who came to him seeking cures. He told the crowds that the scribes and Pharisees tie up heavy, hard to bear burdens and lay them on the shoulders of others to carry. They exalt themselves, claiming great deeds and the best seats in the synagogue. Jesus called them blind guides and fools, for they valued the gold and not the sanctuary that made the gold sacred. Instead of tithing, Jesus called on the self-indulgent and greedy to practice justice, mercy and faith. Prophecy. Christmas celebrates a world-changing event in the past. But Christmas also commemorates the spirit of the man born under that star. Christmas proclaims the message of brotherhood and sisterhood among all people, and compassion for every person, whether poor or sick, hungry or hated. So, honor the wonder of birth this Christmas season. May you see in every child the promise of a great life of service, a great love of others. Honor the child wherever and however he was born as the symbol of hope for billions born into poverty and oppression. Then, honor the man that child came to be the man who taught the beatitudes of unconditional love, and who sacrificed everything to show us the meaning of justice, of mercy, and of faith. May we honor those teachings every day of the year and find the courage to stand up publicly for those principles. Rev. Jeff Liebmann serves as minister to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland. The views expressed are his own and are not intended to represent a formal position of the congregation or its members. It's just past dawn on another December morning. In Twin City homes, kids and their parents ready for school. Others are trudging into the kitchen for a first bite of a new day. Others might still be entrenched within the cozy enclave of their bed linens. Not Dorothy Baer. Outside of her east side Bloomington home on a cold winter morn, the garage door already is going up and out backs a black Honda Accord. Even if the sun has barely begun another shift, Dorothy is well into hers, en route to Bloomington's Eastland Mall where she'll first walk two miles and then begin her job there, eight hours, until another dusk. "I've been trying to cut back ... at least a little," she says. "But Christmas is such a busy time at Kohl's and I especially love my job when it's busy. I don't like to be just standing around." Ever. Dorothy Baer? She is 88, working apparently until she is 188. Unless that's too soon. A cornerstone at Kohl's since its opening in Bloomington 32 years ago ("I helped with the store's set-up"), Dorothy mans the cash register at the store's entryway to the mall. Standing there for so many shifts, for so many years, she is widely known as a smiling, upbeat, ever-live-long beacon to other shoppers every weekday ... well, except on Fridays. "That's when I get my hair done," she explains. Even her hair might be a bit emblematic. It's "Kohl" black. Oh ... her! you say. Oh, I know her! you add. So does just about everyone else. Not long ago, in the waiting area at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, on the way to visit a daughter, Dorothy was sitting when a troupe of travelers walked past. That's when a teen looked over and said to her mother, "Oh look there's the lady from Kohl's!" "I just had to laugh," beams Dorothy. The other morning, while in the midst of her morning romp around the mall's walking grid, a man stopped to ask her, "Did Kohl's close?" "Why no," said Dorothy. "Why do you ask?" "Because you're not working ... I didn't know you didn't work." A lifelong Central Illinoisan, a child of the Depression, growing up on a farm between Congerville and Carlock, it was there, milking the cows at daybreak after her older brother, Bob, joined the Army, that she gained her work ethic. For 52 years thereafter, she was married to Ray, a longtime Eureka Co. employee. Thirteen years ago, he passed. But that only convinced Dorothy to pick up her own pace. "My faith in God, and the love and support of my four wonderful kids (Steve, Sandy, and twins, Brad and Brenda) and my 11 grandkids is what keeps me going," she says. "They have made me what I am today." And that's, yes, busy. Her things-to-do list looks like an Exxon ink spill church activities, concerts, programs with friends, day trips, card games ("Dorothy l-o-v-e-s to play cards," confides a niece, Litta Dennis, of nearby Washington). At Panera Bread, where she coffees, Dorothy is known simply "Mrs. Kohl." A Cubs fan on a life sentence, she was another of those up way too late on recent nights of October. "I couldn't miss that," she says. "I worry about my mom," says son Steve Baer, 58, Dorothy's oldest. "I mean, some day she may even think of retiring ... then what?" "Over my own 18 years here," says Mark Moran, general manager of the Kohl's store, "Dorothy is one of the most friendly, courteous, loving ladies I have encountered. And she does a great job. So many loyal shoppers come in to see her. For the rest of us, shes sort of like a loving grandma." Of her children, one is in Texas, another in Chicago, another in Wisconsin, with another living on the original family farm near El Paso. A son-in-law is, by day, CEO of Harley-Davidson, the world famous motorcycle maker based in Milwaukee, so one Christmas perhaps Dorothy will get her own Harley to rumble around town. At her age of 88, we are only kidding, of course. Maybe. In the meantime it's Christmas and, with family in town, here's breaking news: Dorothy plans to take Monday and Tuesday off. "But I'll work Wednesday, Thursday and Friday," she says. "I'll need to get in my hours." It's a Baer necessity. Merry Christmas. Pantagraph-area McDONALD'S owner/operators participated in the annual Buy One, Give One. McCafe Coffee for Our Military program to donate more than 1.5 million cups of McCafe Coffee to active and veteran military members. In addition to the donation, the owner/operators partnered with local schools to incorporate more than 12,030 handwritten letters from schoolchildren to accompany the care packages. Two Pantagraph-area FARM BUREAUS have been awarded nutrient stewardship grants to help promote local nutrient stewardship, soil health and water quality projects. This years projects include planting cover crops, water testing, construction of a dry dam, and installation of a woodchip bioreactor. In Livingston County, the soil and water conservation district, American Farmland Trust, Illinois Corn Growers Association and Soil Health Partnership Demonstration Farm Network will recruit five farmers to test the effectiveness and economic feasibility of cover crops, different tillage methods, or different types of soil testing. The Christmas season isn't always the happiest time of the year for couples, according to a recent survey by the law firm Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, which found that divorce filings jump by nearly one-third following the holidays. First comes Thanksgiving, followed by Christmas and New Year's. And then there's Divorce Day: the Monday after Christmas break, when the flood of divorce emails clogs attorney inboxes, said James McLaren, partner with McLaren & Lee, in South Carolina, and former president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. "It always happens the first Monday that we're back in the office, back after the holiday," McLaren said. Over at the U.K. law firm Slater and Gordon, they're already preparing to deal with the influx of divorce requests. They normally experience double the number of inquiries the first few days of the new year, but some years, they've seen a threefold increase. It's most acute over the first few days of January, but the spike remains high throughout the entire month, said Amanda McAlister, head of family law at the firm. It's become such a significant time to divorce that the firm recently studied the reasons behind the trend. Forty percent of married couples had problems in 2014, with 10 percent having severe issues, according to the study, which polled married Brits right before Christmas. Twenty-five percent said the holiday break could possibly make or break their marriage, according to the survey, and 10 percent said they were definitely going to decide whether to go forward with their marriage depending on how well the holiday went. The ways they were planning on rekindling the flame: expensive gifts, cozy nights at home and date nights sans kids. Even if a struggling couple are putting the entire fate of their relationship on the holiday break, this time of year could be stressful for even happy couples -- landing them, too, on the list of people in line on Divorce Day, McAlister said. "There's also a lot of pressure on families over the festive season to ensure that the day is perfect, so when reality falls short of expectations, it can be very difficult," she said. If Christmas isn't as #blessed as desired, some couples re-examine their relationships on New Year's, when they decide whether they want to start the year fresh. And that clean slate may not include their plus-one. "People take stock of their life at the new year, and it's tempting to make one of their New Year's resolutions include getting rid of their spouse, if they have been miserable in their marriage," said Carole Lieberman, a Beverly Hills psychiatrist and relationship expert. Lieberman said that, rather than running to a lawyer, they should realize that most of these feelings are temporary. Holidays can strain any relationship, but good communication skills coupled with a marriage therapist can help, she said. It was too late for Cathy Meyer, a certified divorce expert and founder of Divorced Moms, whose ex-husband left her somewhat unexpectedly Jan. 10. He decided on that date because he wanted to give their children one more intact Thanksgiving and Christmas as a family, Meyer said. "He had never been one to concern himself with holiday festivities, but that year, he was all about Christmas," she said. "I remember thinking that the change was a positive indication that he had become more invested in the family." But shortly afterward, he left home, and two days later, he filed for divorce. While emotions typically play the biggest role in the filing time, some people decide to divorce right after Christmas because of financial incentives, McLaren said. Since many pre- and post-nuptial agreements have trigger dates of three, five or 10 years, some people will look at their calendar and make the conscious decision to get divorced just before the new year because they don't want alimony to go to the next level, McLaren said. Others think about their taxes. "You don't want to be married filing separate Dec. 31 because it's a monetary penalty to file separately if you're still married," McLaren said. But while you will save money and have a clean break from that person who drove you crazy over the stressful holidays, McLaren advised couples to really think hard before filing on Divorce Day. SEATTLE -- Ishea Brown grew up in a huge family that celebrated Christmas like nobody's business. Her mother, who is one of 15 siblings, and her father, who is one of 12, love having their home be their clan's social center during the holidays, spending untold hours from Thanksgiving on running around, decorating, cooking, shopping and getting ready for the festive climax. "Growing up, I had no choice but to be surrounded by all the people who were always at our house," Brown said. But when the 32-year-old Capitol Hill resident moved out of her parents' home about 10 years ago, she realized she could opt out and spend Thanksgiving and Christmas alone. "It's honestly so awesome," said the Meredith Corp. senior campaign manager. "I could cook what I wanted when I wanted. I could stay in my pajamas all day. I could nap on the couch with my dog. I didn't feel obligated to go anywhere or do anything. It was so freeing." Brown is among a growing number of people who are talking about, and owning, their decision to withdraw from the holiday frenzy. In addition to avoiding the anxiety, stress and financial strain of Christmas, some people find the pressure to "be merry and happy" difficult. Others find that spending holidays alone, with pets or select friends, is a healthy alternative to time with dysfunctional, abusive or alcoholic family members, said Nancy Goldov, public education coordinator for the Washington State Psychological Association. Goldov said another possible trigger for some people this year is the highly fraught political situation that's polarized some families. "Some people may choose to set aside the same days to stay home alone that others set aside to be with others as a way to circumvent experiences of conflict during the holidays," Goldov said. "It's important to recognize that taking care of yourself is your first priority and not taking care of yourself isn't an option." That annual reprieve is something that Jim Thomsen looks forward to all year long. As a freelance editor who also cares for disabled relatives, Thomsen is used to being on call the rest of the time. "I love being a part of a community and a society," he said. "But this is my day to pull the curtains on the rest of the world and be good to myself." Thomsen, who is self-employed, says Christmas is the lone day he gives himself permission to do nothing. "If I want to read three books, I'm going to do that. If I want to go for a five-hour walk, I'm going to do that. If I want to do nothing but heat up spaghetti, that's what I'm going to do. I give myself permission not to be part of society for one day, and it's a great luxury." For Dena Landon, an accountant and writer from Seattle who now lives in St. Paul, Minn., it was a few "pity invites" she endured while attending college in Massachusetts that led her to her tradition of solo holidays. In an essay published in The Washington Post, Landon described being at the house of a school friend during her first Thanksgiving away from home and finding herself in the middle of battling strangers after her friend declared she was changing her major. The second year, she was seated next to a young man who made an awkward play for her while explaining that a would-be pastor needed a wife to land a job. "I found myself thinking, "Man, I would rather be eating stale pizza." The third year, she said no to a well-intentioned friend's overture and her "introvert's tradition was born," she said in a recent telephone interview. "I spent three or four days by myself and it was really nice. I went for walks, sat on Newbury Street (in Boston) and watched people, drank cider and read books for fun, which I never got to do during school." After Landon's piece appeared last month, a number of people contacted her to thank her. "A lot of people retweeted it and said 'Oh my God, you get me,' " she said. "Others said, 'I wish I could do this but I told someone I would do this thing and now I have three different things to do and I have to bake cookies.' They're called social obligations for a reason." Landon now has a 5-year-old-son and an ex-husband with whom she shares custody during the holidays. She loves the years she gets with her child, but she also still revels in her solitary ones. "We have a tradition in our family to always buy a new book on Christmas, so I dropped my son off at Starbucks to meet his dad, got a latte, hauled out my new book and sat and read. It was wonderful," she said of the years she doesn't have her son. Brown, who recently started dating a person whose family is into Christmas in a big way, said that often the toughest element of excising herself from the clamor is managing other people's expectations and disappointment. "You have to ask yourself if you are showing up for yourself or to please other people," Brown said. "And if it's for other people, that's a problem. I had to explain to my boyfriend that I love him and adore him and don't want to offend him, but doing something on Christmas Eve and Christmas and the day after is too much for me." According to Goldov, people who want to enjoy holidays solo can expect "some family members and friends to feel disappointed or even rejected." First, she advises people to explain their wishes in a simple, relevant and uncomplicated way. Then recognize and acknowledge the disappointment they feel and respond by joining with them in that sentiment. "These moments of recognizing the disappointment of loved ones and sharing your regret that you can't be there during the holidays can help maintain family connections, reassure and calm loved ones and promote connection and kindness," she said. She also suggested that people explain clearly to loved ones what they will be doing and how they will be experiencing goodwill. "It can help them if they know that you will be walking around Green Lake or reading a favorite book," she said. If possible, people can arrange to make a phone call or send a holiday greeting through Facebook or another medium. Once the holiday is over, loved ones will want to know how your holiday was and will want to hear that they are important to you, she said. Sometimes a compromise is called for. This year, Brown said, she will spend part of Christmas Day with her boyfriend's family, but will not take part in the gift exchange. Next year, she is hoping to convince him that they should just take a vacation together and skip the whole thing. BLOOMINGTON A hot, home-cooked meal hasnt been placed in front of Angelica Dunkins and her four children in nearly two years. On Saturday, her kids happily dug their forks, and sometimes hands, into plates piled with ham, turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls and mac and cheese, served by Home Sweet Home Ministries in the Billy Shelper Center, 303 E. Oakland Ave. We were in a bad situation in Chicago, said Dunkins, who is expecting a fifth child. We came here for a new start. If we werent here, we wouldnt have a place to stay for Christmas. Near Christmas every year, Home Sweet Home serves and delivers hot meals to hundreds of people in need in and around the Twin Cities. The meal is successful due to community donations and volunteer service. Annie Williams, kitchen team coordinator, said the kitchen was hearing nothing but positive comments from recipients. So many people dont have a place to go or food to eat for Christmas, said Williams. This offers them a warm place with good food where they arent rushed to leave. It also gives them a family feel. Williams said well over 100 volunteers delivered 500 meals to those who have difficulty leaving their homes. Its a joy to see people happy, she said. Wilha and Wes Kingdon of Gridley spooned creamy sweet potatoes and steaming green beans onto plates from a kitchen window. Weve been wanting to do this for years and we were lucky enough that they had an opening for us, said Wilha Kingdon. Everyone is so thankful and its very rewarding. Barb Waddell of Bloomington gave a warm smile and cheerful Merry Christmas to every recipient who took a plate. I enjoy it, said Waddell, who has volunteered for two years. Its a blessing." Tanisha Greyer and her three children finished their meal with some cookies. Greyer said her family moved to Bloomington after living in Chicago and Champaign. For one, they (Home Sweet Home) gave us a roof over our heads, said Greyer, who is currently living at the shelter. They also feed us and supply us with diapers. They helped me receive birth certificates for my kids. There are devotions and art classes which are really soothing for us. She said her family has "never had a place like this" and she appreciates the safe, drug-free environment. To celebrate Christmas, the family decorated their bedroom door at the shelter with wrapping paper and a bow. "The staff here is lovely, she said. Nobody is judgmental and they are all so understanding. LEXINGTON Suzanne C. "Suzi" Davis, 77, of Lexington, passed away at 10:49 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 21, 2016) at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home, Bloomington. Additional services will be on Dec. 29 at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, Columbia, Mo., with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. and a service and burial following. Memorials may be made to Lexington United Methodist Church; Boone Hospital Foundation Dunscombe Cosmetology Room, Columbia, Mo.; or the donors choice. Suzi was born Feb. 25, 1939, in Flint, Mich., daughter of Alford L. and Freda D. Vernon Dunscombe. She married Clay Davis in 1963. He preceded her in death in 1982. Surviving are two sons, Daniel B. (Kelly) Davis, Columbia, Mo., and Timothy A. (Dawn) Davis, Bloomington; a daughter, Tracy E. (Gary) Pitts, Downs; a brother, Terry (Vicki) Dunscombe, Naples, Fla.; grandchildren, Dan, Chase, Kelsey and Dallas Davis, all of Columbia, Mo.; Brandi Davis, Orlando, Fla.; and Danielle, Lauren and Cole Davis, all of Bloomington; two great-grandsons, Aaron Powers and Cayden Davis; a niece, Terre Ann (Mark) Costley, Monett, Mo.; and a nephew, Rob (Linda) Dunscombe, Columbia, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents. Suzi grew up in Columbia, Mo., and graduated from Hickman High School in 1956. After high school, Suzi attended Stevens College. She married Clay Davis in 1963, and they moved to Lexington in 1967 to open Compass Travel, Bloomington-Normals first premier travel company. In 1972, Suzi opened Suzi Davis Travel and later Suzi Davis Travel Careers School. Suzi was a leader for women in business and was a past president of the American Business Womens Association. Suzi sold her business and retired on Jan. 1, 2001. One of Suzis great joys, after her kids, was traveling as a group leader with many Central Illinoisans. Suzi helped organize and lead some of the very first WJBC Great Escapes and later worked with McLean County Bank on its Vacation Inspired Savings Account (VISA) program, where again she was able to put unique travel programs together and take people to faraway places around the world. Suzi made many lifelong friends while leading these trips, and it was those relationships and memories that brought laughter and a sense of satisfaction into her life. Suzi was a great leader and mentor to so many, and as a boss was loved by all who had the opportunity to work with her. She would always be there, arm-in-arm with her team, to get the job done together. She never thought of herself as the boss but more as a partner, willing to do whatever it took to make her clients and her staff successful. The very special people who worked with Suzi to help create Suzi Davis Travel are the ones she respected most and were her best friends for life. Suzi and her family would like to sincerely thank all the great people at Advocate BroMenn for their sincere efforts and support throughout Suzis illness. Words could never express our appreciation. Thank you! Suzi was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Suzi wanted to wish all her great friends and family a very merry Christmas and happy and healthy New Year. God bless us all. Please leave condolences and share any special memories of Suzi at www.kiblerbradyruestman.com. Unfortunate souls who spend Christmas Day in the county jail will at least have a tasty dinner to help them mull over their predicament, noted the Dec. 25, 1945, Pantagraph. Indeed, McLean County Sheriff Earl Richard oversaw a holiday meal of baked chicken and sage dressing, mashed and sweet potatoes, creamed corn, scalloped oysters, celery, cranberry sauce and hot rolls. There were only seven prisoners lolling about their cells that morning 71 years ago. Jailers, though, knew from experience that more than a few of their fellow citizens were bound to overdo it with the Yule cheer and end up at the county clink before the first course of the big meal was served at noon Christmas Day. Some of the more festive holiday meals for local prisoners were held in the first half of the 20th century at the old county jail that immediately predated the McLean County Detention Facility (as the current jail is called). Many longtime residents will remember this jail (see accompanying image), located at the corner of Madison and Monroe streets on the west end of downtown Bloomington. Completed in 1882 as the fifth jail in the countys history, it remained open a remarkable 95 years, finally closing on March 1, 1977. For many years, until the county employed a jail cook, the sheriffs wife normally handled the Christmas meals. In 1900, for example, Sheriff George Johnsons spouse, Carrie, prepared a turkey dinner for 31 prisoners. The Johnsons also gave each inmate a Christmas card, handkerchief, candy, nuts and popcorn. Either turkey or chicken (the latter baked, roasted or sometimes fried) was usually the main entree, though it was roast pork in 1912, along with sage dressing, cranberries, celery, potatoes, bread, butter and apples in large quantities. During this Christmas meal, reported The Pantagraph, prisoners ate heartily, paced in and around the corridors and chatted among themselves of the significance of the day and the pleasures which were being enjoyed by the outer world. One inmate, though, kept to herself. Mae Gottschalk, held by the grand jury for the murder of her husband George, sat quietly in the womens ward and waited for the dusk, when she could again go to sleep. On Christmas Day 1915, there were 52 inmates in the county jail, including several federal prisoners from Springfield and five women. They were treated to fried chicken of the young and tender variety and many all-American sides. In addition, most male inmates received a few Havanas (cigars), while those that did not smoke were given plug cut (chewing tobacco). The afternoon that year included a moving picture show program featuring a four-part drama and a closing comedy. Roy Strain and his wife brought in a Victrola and some phonograph records to provide musical accompaniment to the silent shorts. In its Christmas Day reporting, The Pantagraph often grouped the county jail with other public and charitable institutions. Thus accounts of prisoner meals appeared alongside those from the Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Childrens School, the McLean County Poor Farm, the McLean County Home for Colored Children and other such places. As one would expect, this coverage could be a tad condescending, moralizing, saccharine and self-congratulatory (look how wonderfully humane our jail is!) That said, such attention was also an expression of genuine concern for the welfare of local prisoners albeit if only for one day out of the year. On Dec. 26, 1923, The Pantagraph published a letter from county inmate Robert Payne thanking Jennie Mother Morrison, wife of Sheriff J.E. Morrison, for a Christmas dinner of chicken, all the fixins, homemade mince pie and fruit cake. We all know that there is always much merrymaking and good wishes going the rounds at this, our yuletide season, Payne wrote, and there are, undoubtedly, unfortunate persons here and there who have been overlooked, but I want to say that there is not one [inmate] who has been forgotten by the mother of the county jail, Mrs. J.E. Morrison, who has labored untiringly that the inmates might have a merry Christmas with a feast and presents. Whether Payne wrote this letter of his own volition or at the suggestion of a jailer is unknown, though the effusive praise for Jennie Morrison leads one to suspect this was a heartfelt effort without hint of coercion. On Christmas Eve 1925, Sheriff Morrison treated the inmates to a Victrola concert and a performance by Chicago baritone Frederick Bethel. A nephew of Sheriff Morrison, Bethel was in town with a traveling theater company performing the operetta The Student Prince. And Charlotte Morrison, the young daughter of Deputy Sheriff Ike Morrison, played Santa by distributing candy, nuts and tobacco to the inmates. Christmas featured a roast chicken dinner in the afternoon and an oyster supper later in the evening Two years later at the county jail, the highlights of Christmas Day 1927 included a chicken dinner, caroling and a service led by local evangelist Billy Shelper, founder of Home Sweet Home Ministries. A few days earlier, a Pantagraph reporter paid a visit to the jail and talked to one of the prisoners. And Christmas, what does it mean to all of you? asked the reporter. It means a good feed, which the sheriff has promised us, replied the inmate. It means, too, a special celebration among ourselves, with songs by our choir and an impromptu program some time during the day. Christmas, you know, gets celebrated inside a jail, as well as out, and whether one has friends outside who remember or not, doesnt keep the men with whom you spend it, from sharing what they receive. Today, Christmas Day 2016, McLean County jail inmates will enjoy a turkey dinner. County officials expect to serve about 210 men and women. The day after Christmas 1926, a prisoner called a Pantagraph reporter to his cell, asking that he publish a thank-you letter on behalf of those currently jailed. The anonymous letter noted the culinary efforts of June Nierstheimer (wife of Sheriff Walter Nierstheimer) and Hattie Boyer, the county jail matron. Their Christmas Day achievements have put to shame some of the countrys finest chefs, the letter read. The baked chicken dinner and sides were all served in generous portions and prepared in a manner that carried us back in thought, to Mothers Christmas dinners. These recollections, added the prisoner, bring mist to the eyes of many. The Republican commentators belonging from the Care Act have explained that it is similar to an empire built on playing cards that are on the edge of falling to pieces. But they carry on being false. By the rule that was created in the year 2010 and by the federal meeting, a huge amount of citizens has volunteered for the health security for the coming year. The Newyork Times says that the coming year will bring an increase in the number of people who participate. For instance, this time more than forty thousand civilians who have taken part did not participate in 2016. The percentage of people without insurance is becoming less, as expected. In the coming year, when the entry will end, the Health Department has calculated that thirteen point eight million of the civilians would have signed up for the entrance across the nation. However, if Donald Trump who is the elected president decides to abrogate or annul the rules, the security of millions of people will be at risk. The amount of population, who even though had health issues did not go to see a doctor simply because they could not afford it, has fallen. This fall was especially observed in the years between 2013 and also 2015 and was in around thirty-eight states or regions. According to Daily Me, the constitution makers should be considering the governmental prices of canceling the Affordable Care Act gradually. It should be understood that the Affordable Care Act is something that is being banged in the political drives. And it is damaging a rule that is very vital. A rule that is aiding and assisting so many people in need. The advantages of this law are not being considered and can prove to be a problem in the upcoming time. Pregnant women may be at the risk of preeclampsia who have had any past acute kidney injury which is a sudden onset of kidney damage and failure. The complications can be harsher due to biological and hormonal changes. It can lead to the transformation of waste products in the blood, the disturbance of body fluids and it's said to have affected other body organs as well. It's most common among older adults but can make children and teens its the victim too. According to The News Medical, women who had suffered AKI were at a greater risk of catching the disease than the women who didn't. Women who had the disease, their babies were likely to be born earlier. It was a straight out 37.6 weeks VS 39.2, and the babies could be born with a smaller size than an average infant. It was found out that the women who had the disease were most likely to give birth through a caesarean than the controls, here it was between 40% vs. 27% percent. The researchers came to the conclusion that women with r-AKI were at a 2.4 times greater risk and 5.9 of preeclampsia. They were unable to determine the actual reason or theory behind it, but they did conjure up something which was the theory of small blood vessels that transform during kidney injury recovery to perform effectively in the pregnancy period. Dr. Tangen says to Global Nation that kidneys go through major difficulties and changes throughout the pregnancy period and that might just determine whether there's a disease or not if the woman has suffered it or not. While there's a lot to be studied, and there is so much that hasn't been discovered and solved. The doctors and researcher have advised keeping the pregnant woman under constant monitoring, it would be the best precaution. Doctors also advise taking aspirin. Research shows that kids from different countries have different temperaments. The study, which compared kids from the United States, Poland, South Korea and Chile, shows that those born in the US are not only more social but they enjoy activities that are highly stimulating. It is also easier to comfort them and they are less likely to get angry. While Chile kids have difficult in concentrating on a specific task for long periods, the South Korean kids have the opposite temperament as they can stay in attention longer. On the other hand, Polish kids are more prone to getting lonely and are harder to comfort once they become upset. Time said Washington University psychologist Maria Gartsein who is one of the authors, co-designed the study questions which asked mothers about the behavior of children. It featured around 200 behaviors exhibited by children at different stages which were categorized in 14 characteristics. The European Journal of Developmental Psychology published the study. Parents often fall into the trap of classifying children into stereotypes but News Times said that Gartstein wanted to test the existence of the different temperaments of children which were most likely influenced by the values of their parents. Since negativity is not highly tolerated by American society, their children are often discouraged from expressing emotions that are negative. Baby Centre said children usually sit alongside other kids while doing the same thing but they do not really make friends or play with children of the same age consciously. The skill of developing friendships develop when the child turns three. Some babies are genetically born shy but there is a way to help them cope with it. The basic temperament of a child is also influenced by how the parents or caregivers react to them. Sensitive parenting can help transform a shy child into an outgoing one while abusive parenting can make a happy child withdrawn. Parents play a big role in forming the temperament of their children. Three children went through dark fate after both parents starved them to death. The reports mentioned that the couple no longer wanted their kids, thus their parents left them to starve and even occasionally beat them. A couple was accused of being their 3 children. Reports then cited that they beat they starve their children to death.Joshua Ross Weyant,33 and Brandi Jene Weyant,38 were arrested after reports of child abuse alerted the police. The couple faced several charges including false imprisonment, 18 counts of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare. Pennsylvania State Police Department and Dauphin County Children and Youth Services were able to find that the couple's children aged four, five, and six were all in a grave health condition after their move to rescue the children on December 16. Penne Live highlighted that all three children were severely underweight wherein the six-year-old weighted 27.3 pounds while the five and four-year-old weighed 23 and 26 pounds respectively. Joshua Ross Weyant & Brandi Jene Weyant: How we beat and starved our three kids cause we no longer wanted them https://t.co/HNwPU5DAhe Scallywagandvagabond (@ScallywagNYC) December 25, 2016 The children were also found to have cuts and bruises all over their bodies and they are filled with lice. Daily Mail mentioned that the children could have died in seven died if they were not rescued. According to the police, the parents neglected the children as they no longer wanted them so they opted to let them starve to death. Aside from starving their children, the parents would also beat and violently assaulted them at times. "The victims were infested with lice so severe that the children screamed when the lice were physically removed from their bodies by medical personnel and investigators," police said. This recent child abuse is not the first this year as a couple in Pennsylvania also starved their 23-month-old toddler to death in March. PEOPLE reports that Andrea Dusha and Michael Wright brought their daughter, Lydia Wright, to the hospital, where it turned out that their daughter died of malnutrition and dehydration. Yesterday Patently Apple posted a report titled "Part 1: Nokia Files an 8 Count Patent Infringement Case against Apple Primarily Focused on the H.264 Standard." In Part two I uncover a second patent infringement case that was filed by Nokia Technologies Oy and Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. that contains a basket of ten patents referred to as Nokia's Patents-in-Suit. Unlike their first Infringement lawsuit that basically focused on the H.264 standard, their second lawsuit is a shotgun approach with every patent covering a different aspect of technology. In this lawsuit Nokia attacks Apple on several technical fronts including the iPhone's use of RF technology from Qualcomm, various Siri services including "Find my iPhone" and the actual industrial design of the iPhone that includes the cutout for its backside camera. Apple purchases specific parts for their iPhone 6s from Qualcomm and one such part that is highlighted in this case is presented to you further below in this report. Nokia basically claims in their filing that the technology that Qualcomm uses in their part infringes a Nokia patent. So why is Apple being sued for alleged patent infringement on a Qualcomm part? Shouldn't Nokia be suing Qualcomm first to make that determination a fact of law? To be sure this is an overreach by Nokia to be accusing Apple of this patent infringement rather than Qualcomm. With a lawsuit overreaching as it is, you can understand why Apple decided to pull all Withings products from their retail and online stores out of retaliation. The Withings brand is now integrated into Nokia's Digital Health unit, according to MacRumors who broke the story on Friday. Apple's Alleged Infringing Products Nokia lists the alleged infringing Apple products as being the following: the Apple iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone SE, iPad Pro (LTE), iPad Air 2 (LTE), iPad Air (LTE), iPad Mini 4 (LTE), iPad Mini 3 (LTE), and iPad Mini 2 (LTE) (collectively, the "247 Accused Products"). In a partial highlight found in Nokia's lawsuit relating to Qualcomm's RF part found in the iPhone 6s Nokia notes that "For example, as shown below, the iPhone 6s includes a Qualcomm MDM9635M baseband processor that, on information and belief, includes a digital signal processor. On information and belief, the Qualcomm MDM9635M produces a digital baseband quadrature signal that represents the information to be transmitted via the Qualcomm WTR3925 RF transceiver. According to Nokia all of Apple's "accused products" that use this Qualcomm part infringe their '247 patent. "Additionally, Apple provides instruction manuals that instruct users of the '247 Accused Products to use the '247 Accused Products in a manner that infringes the '247 patent, such as by making cellular telephone calls." It would appear that giving consumers the ability to make cellular phone calls on a cellular phone is owned by the Nokia gods. Their arrogance in making such an absurd claim is astounding. Don't they lock up people in rubber rooms for less? Some of the other Apple features challenged by Nokia relate to Siri and Find my iPhone. Nokia even challenges the iPhone's shape and camera cut-out on the rear side of the iPhone as infringing their patent 9,473,602 as noted below. As for Siri, Nokia's lawsuit claims that many aspects of Siri services infringe their '294 patent. The filing specifically points out that Siri uses a series of processes that infringe Lucent Technology patents over the use of databases and tables that interact with web-based applications like music and mail. Overall, Nokia further claims that Apple's iOS 10 specifically infringes claim #7 of the '294 patent. At the end of the day, to better understand this case from top to bottom requires that you review all of the materials available to you. Below are links to the patents that Nokia is using in this case and further below is a copy of the full patent lawsuit as was presented to the court in Texas. For the legal beagles and patent sleuths among us, enjoy. The Ten Counts of Patent Infringement against Apple Patent 7,415,247 entitled "Method and Arrangement for Transmitting and Receiving RF Signals through Various Radio Interfaces of Communication Systems." Patent 9,270,301 entitled "Method and Arrangement for Transmitting and Receiving RF Signals through Various Radio Interfaces of Communication Systems." Patent 8,036,619 entitled "Oscillator Having Controllable Bias Modes and Power Consumption." Patent 6,393,260 entitled "Method for Attenuating Spurious Signals and Receiver." Patent 6,480,700 entitled "Apparatus, and Associated Method, For Operating a Communication Device at Reduced Level of Current Consumption." Patent 7,653,366 entitled "Hybrid Switched Mode/Linear Power Amplifier Power Supply for Use Patent in Polar Transmitter." Patent 6,826,391 entitled "Transmission and Reception Antenna System for Space Diversity Reception." Patent 9,473,602 entitled "Portable Electronic Device." Patent 6,208,725 entitled "Arrangement for Controlling Remote Telephones." Patent 6,701,294 entitled 'User Interface for Translating Natural Language Inquiries into Database Queries and Data Presentations." 2. Nokia v. Apple Case 01441 - Patent Infringement Case - Patently Apple by Jack Purcher on Scribd In the end it's difficult to understand how one lawsuit can cover such a quantity of varying aspects of a smartphone to be argued at one time before a non-technical jury. Perhaps Nokia's strategy is to completely overwhelm and frustrate a jury of non-technical members in the hopes that they'll just throw their hands up in the end and decide on a verdict by saying "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" and give Nokia one or more wins out of sheer frustration to make it seem that they're fair jury members. It's a crazy legal system and Apple is going to have to spend a lot of money and time to try and make this simple for a jury to digest. But in the end, I'm not sure that will suffice. They should move all patent cases out of patent troll friendly Texas and send them to Vegas because it's really now become a game of playing the odds of an outcome of a trial rather than winning on the merits of the patents. It's a joke. The patent infringement case 2:2016cv01441 presented in today's report was filed in the Texas Eastern District Court. The Presiding Judge in this case is noted as being Judge Rodney Gilstrap. In case you missed it, see Part One: Nokia Files an 8 Count Patent Infringement Case against Apple Primarily Focused on the H.264 Standard Notice: Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of certain legal cases/ lawsuits which are part of the public record for journalistic news purposes. Readers are cautioned that Patently Apple does not offer an opinion on the merit of the case and strictly presents the allegations made in said legal cases / lawsuits. A lawyer should be consulted for any further details or analysis. About Making Comments on this Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus. Patna: People in Patna on Christmas eve, immersed themselves in the spirit of the festival as churches rang bells and missionary schools in the city organized cultural events to signify the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. Decorations were especially attractive at the Catholic Church, the Bishop House, and the Christ Church near Gandhi Maidan, were large crowd showed up to see the spectacular display of lighting. With stores and shopping centers appropriately decorated for the festival, the entire state capital lit in colorful blinking lights as people rushed to join Christmas programs organized at nearly all top hotels and members-only clubs where games and dance competitions kept them busy till late night. Confectioners in the state capital, as usual, were busy selling out Christmas cakes, pastries, and cookies faster than they could bake to meet the public demand. Mass midnight prayers were organized to mark the birth of Jesus Christ as people of Christian faith in Patna and neighboring areas like Danapur and Khagaul where people also gathered for candlelight vigils as a sign of peace across the world. A number of schools in Patna also celebrated Christmas by organizing parties along with the appearance of Santa Claus and cake-cutting ceremonies where children exchanged gifts with each other. Several schools in Patna, including the Notre Dame, Patna Women's College, Mount Carmel, St. Joseph's Convent, Holi Mission School, and Tender Hearts School held special events to celebrate the birth of Christ. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Iran, P5+1 to meet in January over US sanctions renewal 12/25/16 Source: Press TV A high-level commission monitoring the implementation of last year's nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers plans to meet in Vienna on January 10 to discuss the recent move by the United States to renew the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA). The meeting was called on Saturday by the European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who coordinates the follow-up to the nuclear agreement for its signatories. "The meeting will review the implementation of the agreement and discuss the issues raised in the letter [Iranian] Foreign Minister [Mohammad Javad] Zarif addressed on 16 December to (Mogherini)," a short statement from the EU said on Saturday. The meeting between representatives of Iran and the P5+1 countries will come 10 days before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to tear up the nuclear deal once in the White House. Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China - plus Germany started implementing the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in January. Under the nuclear deal, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran. After the implementation of the JCPOA in January, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed Iran's commitment to its undertakings under the deal in several reports. In his visit to Tehran on December 18, the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano expressed satisfaction with Iran's compliance with its obligations. In his official letter to the EU foreign policy chief, the Iranian foreign minister said Iran and the P5+1 group of countries needed to hold a joint commission meeting to address the renewal of ISA against Tehran. Zarif had stressed that all sides needed to fulfill their commitments stipulated in the deal as the JCPOA was a multilateral agreement. Iranian FM Javad Zarif, promoter of Peace & Friendship\ Zarif is under attack by hardliners for championing the nuclear agreement (cartoon by Mohammad Tahani, Noavaran daily) On December 1, the US Senate voted to extend ISA for another 10 years after the GOP-controlled House of Representatives passed its bill on November 15. The sanctions law, which would authorize the US president to re-impose sanctions on Iran, was first adopted in 1996 to punish investments in the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program and its support for anti-Israeli resistance groups. US President Barack Obama later declined to sign the bill renewing the existing sanctions against Iran, but allowed the legislation to become law. Obama argues the act is largely symbolic since its measures are suspended as long as the nuclear deal remains in place. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said in late November that the US renewal of sanctions against the Islamic Republic was tantamount to the violation of its commitments under the JCPOA. The Iranian foreign minister warned on December 3 that the Islamic Republic would halt the implementation of the JCPOA if US sanctions were re-imposed on the country. "If they (the US) return to sanctions, we will not remain committed to the agreement," the top Iranian diplomat said. Furthermore, although hundreds of European companies are desperate to resume trading with Iran according to the JCPOA, major lenders are still refusing to facilitate big transactions due to fear of penalties by Washington. PHOTOS: Two Persian leopards spotted at Parvar Protected Area 12/25/16 Photos by Gholamali Gord, Mehr News Agency A leopardess and her cub were spotted on December 21st at Parvar Protected Wildlife Area in Semnan province of Iran. Persian leopard is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List; the population is estimated at fewer than 871-1,290 mature individuals and considered declining. About: The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica syn. Panthera pardus saxicolor), also called the Caucasian leopard or Central Asian leopard, is the largest leopard subspecies native to the Caucasus region, southern Azerbaijan, southern Turkmenistan, Iran and parts of western Afghanistan. Persian leopard is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List; the population is estimated at fewer than 871-1,290 mature individuals and considered declining. Leopards possibly also occur in northern Iraq. cartoon by Saeed Sadeghi A phylogenetic analysis suggests that the Persian leopard matrilineally belongs to a monophyletic group that diverged from a group of Asian leopards in the second half of the Pleistocene. (read more on wikipedia) Related Articles: Photos: Death of an Iranian Leopard A leopard that had suffered spinal cord injury due to shooting by hunters was put to sleep using euthanasia procedure and anesthetic injection. This heart-breaking incident happened in the Tonekabon region in northern Iran. - 1/14/14 Leopards pushed closer to extinction in Iran Iran's Department of the Environment reports that 46 leopards were killed in the past six years in Iran. IRNA reports that the deputy head of Wildlife Protection said: "The leopard and its habitat are at risk of extinction." - 12/22/13 Photos: Rescue of an Iranian Leopard A leopard that had been trapped in the crevices of the rocks by the river of Sezar in Sepiddasht region of the city of Khorramabad in western Iran was rescued by the environmental protection officials in an operation that lasted several hours. The injured leopard was treated and cared for before being released back to the wild. - 12/30/13 A judge temporarily has barred a marijuana dispensary from operating across the street from Lincoln High School in Riverside. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Sunshine Sykes ruled Monday that the business, Presidential Collective, must stay closed until Jan.20, when a hearing is set to consider a permanent closure. However, the dispensary reopened Thursday and the city plans to ask the judge Tuesday to appoint a receiver to take possession of the property and remove the occupants, Deputy City Attorney Aaron Chandler said. City officials say the business at 2790 14th St. violates the states Health and Safety Code, which prohibits dispensaries within 600 feet of a school. California voters approved marijuana for medical purposes in 1996 and in November for recreational use. Riversides municipal code bars such establishments in all areas. Regardless of the recently passed ballot measure, Proposition 64, Theyre in violation of state law, Chandler said. The Riverside Unified School District backs the citys efforts to close the dispensary, which Chandler said was the scene of an armed robbery in late November during which thieves stole up to $175,000 in cash and other items. It does alarm us, said district board member Tom Hunt. Were saying, Please enforce the law. The dispensary started operating sometime before May across the street from Lincoln, an alternative school for students behind in credits. In addition to suing to shut down the facility, the city issued several citations and notices against the business, including for alleged unauthorized wiring and making alterations to a building without permits. The city imposed fines of $1,000 per day, plus administrative costs. So far, the city hasnt collected any of the money, totaling about $30,000, because the property owners attorney has been cooperative and tried to evict the tenants, Chandler said. However, because the business hasnt complied with the judges order, the city will ask that the operators be forced to pay at an administrative hearing set for Jan. 5, he said. Theodore Theodosiadis, the attorney for the property owner, Kekico Inc., declined to comment. Business owner Thomas Naemi could not be reached. A marijuana dispensary near a school doesnt send a good message to kids who are disciplined for having drugs on campus, said Tim Walker, Riverside Unifieds assistant superintendent for pupil services. It brings in all manner of individuals who will be frequenting that location, Walker said. Nicole Jacobson, a senior at Lincoln, was surprised to hear of the robbery at the dispensary. Thats unacceptable, said Jacobson, a Riverside Unified student board member. What if they were to come over to the school? Contact the writer: 951-368-9292 or stwall@scng.comTwitter: @pe_swall Free people can decide I understand our Founding Fathers reasoning regarding the Electoral College. However, with all their talk about individual freedoms, they didnt trust free people to elect the president. The argument continues to be made that if the president were elected by popular vote, California and New York, which have the most people, would always elect the president. Thats unfair, they say. Following that argument: There are more Caucasians in the United States than Asians, so a Caucasians vote should count less than an Asian vote, otherwise Caucasians will always elect the president. There are more Christians than Jews so a Jews vote should count for more otherwise Christians will always elect the president. There are more females than males, so a female vote should count less than a male vote, otherwise females will always elect the president. Floyd Petersen, Loma Linda Uphold the will of the voters Re: California Assembly wants to ignore voter-approved 72-hour rule [Opinion, Dec. 16]: So let me see if I understand this. The voting public of California passed a constitutional amendment to require 72-hour notice before a bill is passed. This would supposedly give time to interested parties to review and/or take exception to the bill before it is jammed down our throats by a self-absorbed Legislature and signed into law by an overzealous governor. Since the Legislature didnt like this particular restriction, they interpreted it as only applying to any future legislation when it goes to the final body, Senate or Assembly, for approval or change before being presented to the governor for signature, rather than when the first body is about to approve it. This shortens the publics chance to review and respond and is especially important at the end of any session when the majority of bills are passed in haste, thus overwhelming the public with no time to react before another bad bill or group of bills is passed into law. It is time to apply pressure to the Legislature to change the way the amendment is written and interpreted by them and give the public a maximum, rather than minimum, time for review. Hayden Lening, Claremont What to do about coyotes? Early this morning, there were dogs barking all around our neighborhood. My wife went to the kitchen window to see what was going on, and was greeted by a large coyote so tall that he could look over the countertops in the kitchen. We are well over a mile away from the nearest undeveloped area. We have grandchildren and they have a pet that they often bring with them to visit us. My wife called 911 to get help with the coyote; we didnt want it killed, just removed safely. She was told by the operator that we are actually invading the coyotes territory and they have every right to be there. Obviously, she did nothing to help us. Fortunately, the coyote did no damage as far as I know. But if we cant get the people we pay to keep us safe to help us stay safe, then I think its time I start seriously considering owning a gun. David Schmitz, Rancho Cucamonga Fake news comes from many sources Re: The age of disinformation: How to stave off fake news [Opinion, Dec. 18]: Yes, fake news does have a real impact, like Hillary Clinton landing under sniper fire, Brian Williams helicopter being hit by an RPG, President Barack Obama saying if you like your doctor and health plan, you can keep it if you sign up for Obamacare. Donald Trump is a racist. Trump is Adolf Hitler. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin worked together to rig the election, and my favorite fake news, the greatest most expensive fake news hoax ever perpetrated upon the world, man-made climate change. So leftists that are supposed to report facts choose to report what their bias is and ignore the rest. Greg Roberg, Highland Defund Planned Parenthood Re: What should be Trumps top priority? [Opinion, Nov. 21]: President Trump can save over half a billion dollars of taxpayer money per year by defunding Planned Parenthood. Ten states have taken the lead and have already done so. Planned Parenthood uses our tax dollars to keep its doors open and then sells the babys parts for a profit. Trump should defund Planned Parenthood. Earl De Vries, Ontario President Obamas damage President Obama is bent on doing as much damage to America as he can before leaving office. Indeed, his latest edicts, commutations and pardons are designed to inflict as much damage as possible to the oil industry and Americas domestic security. Coupled with eight years of relentless attacks against Americas coal, oil and gas energy resources, releasing criminal predators upon the public, and his war against Americas police, he has recklessly inflicted untold damage against our society, our economy and our safety. Worse, Mr. Obama has intentionally allowed open borders and sanctuary cities and marijuana to flourish, subjecting our people to increased gangs, crime, drugs, murder and the infection of our children without remorse. Even worse, President Obama has inflicted deadly damage on our national security by blatantly allowing the proliferation of ISIS against the Middle East, America and the world by unleashing relentless attacks against Christians and humanity. Alas, Obamas last act of defiance will likely be to empty Guantanamo and to pardon blatant traitors Bergdahl, Manning and Snowden. Daniel B. Jeffs, Apple Valley Its over If self-styled chest thumpers like Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti still think they have a power base, I hope come noon on Jan. 20 that Donald Trump stops federal funding from being sent to sanctuary city Los Angeles. I absolutely love it. I just know they will huff and puff against the rest of the entire country painted red. As an original Angeleno, I know what liberals like Garcetti and Gov. Jerry Brown have done to destroy our way of life and turn our former paradise into a dumping ground. Now the tables have been turned. Next time there is an election, Democrats can forget about the many millions of bogus, illegal votes they used to their advantage over the past 75 years. God Bless America. Jerry Oldenfield, Sun City Saving money with solar? Re: Batteries included: Home charging begins to spread [News, Dec. 19]: Your recent article concerning battery storage for solar systems was interesting. As you know, the normal systems shut down when there is a power outage. This is because the standard system uses a synchronizing signal from Edison, so that switching from grid to solar, and vice versa, doesnt cause unwanted effects in the power supply, and also the synchronizing signal keeps digital clocks and such giving the correct time. Id be interested to know how this would be arranged without the synchronizing signal. Our solar system is working well; our first years bills varied between 99 cents and $2 a month. In fact, we sent $470 worth of electricity back to Edison the first year, for which they paid us $91. They probably sold our produced electricity at the going rate and didnt even have the cost of generating it themselves. The shareholders must be really happy. Don Bennett, Grand Terrace Obama brings us hope and change at last Obama has at long last fulfilled a campaign promise. For 63 million people who voted in the 2016 presidential election, hope and change has finally arrived. Nearly single-handedly, he has transferred leadership of the country from Democrat to Republican, which represents change. As for hope, those same voters have been hoping for the day he will finally leave the White House. Good job, Barack, it only took you eight years to accomplish what someone of your ability should have been able to achieve in four. Who knows, you may have even earned yourself a participant trophy. Rodney J. Lines, Upland Redlands has reached a compromise with local building industry officials on its proposal to raise building and safety fees. The city will be adjusting its fees to allow for a 98 percent recovery of the costs associated with providing building-related services, which is 1 percent higher than the status quo but not quite enough to make up for a shortfall subsidized by the citys general fund. The compromise comes after meetings with members of the Baldy View Chapter of the Building Industry Association, East Valley Association of Realtors and Redlands Chamber of Commerce, which voiced concerns over proposed increases to some fees and the methodology used by the citys consultant to determine the cost of providing the services. I asked that staff recommend to my colleagues a 1 percent increase in the fee recovery and allow us time to work with the consortium members over the next year to look at ways in which we can find common ground, Mayor Paul Foster said Tuesday. In November, the council postponed its consideration of the fee adjustments to give city staff more time to meet with industry officials and the public. The three groups joined by Bishop Construction Services Inc., Regioncy Real Estate and East Valley Tax Payers Coalition sent a letter to the city Tuesday opposing a 100 percent cost recovery, given a myriad of concerns they continue to have, said Gordon Nichols, senior director of government affairs for the Baldy View Chapter of the BIA, to the council Tuesday. They did, however, support the councils compromise. The current staff recommendation for a 98 percent recovery rate for 2017, essentially raising the current fees up 1 percent, is something that the coalition members the BIA, East Valley Association of Realtors and the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, among others have and will be in support of. In March, the city hired Matrix Consulting to determine the full cost of providing building plan review and permitting services. The company found the city was recovering 97 percent of its costs to provide these services, resulting in a $41,000 shortfall made up from the general fund. The company determined time estimates based on how long it takes the staff to review plans and inspect projects, proposing an hourly rate increase from $105 to $121. That includes salary, benefits and other costs associated with an employee performing such duties, Matrixs Courtney Ramos said Tuesday. I think so much of the time was estimated based on staffs input, which a lot of them are fairly new, said Councilwoman Pat Gilbreath. I think by giving them an opportunity to keep track of their time, it will give a better feel of the actual time it takes on these. The study proposed increased fees for smaller projects under 1,000 square feet, and fee reductions for larger projects. The company determined the proposed fees to be lower than or in line with those of other cities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, Ramos said. Certain fees for police, quality of life and library services wont be adjusted. Contact the writer: semerson@scng.comTwitter: @TheFactsSandra 50th anniversary John and Caryl Fisher of Riverside celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary over the summer with a dinner party at their daughters home. The guest list included members of the Fishers original wedding party. The two were married July 10, 1966 at a Methodist church in Lancaster. They have lived in Riverside for more than 50 years. They have one child, Tanya Cruz of Riverside, and five grandchildren. John and Caryl met in 1964 when they were students at UC Riverside. John was a professor at Cal Poly Pomona for 31 years, during which time he chaired the School of Mathematics before joining the Department of Computer Science. Caryl was a teacher in the Alvord Unified School District for 37 years, mostly in first grade but also in Adult Education. She was a reading and bilingual specialist, as well. Both retired in 2002. Caryl volunteers weekly at the La Sierra Senior Center teaching scrapbooking and paper craft classes. Both enjoy camping in their motor home and are members of the Lazy Daze Caravan Club. They also like to mountain bike and hike with family members. Contact the writer: community@pressenterprise.com A 10-year-old Rialto boy must have generosity in his DNA. Tyler Nguyen partnered with Rialto police and firefighters for a Spark of Love Toy Drive last weekend. Wendy Nguyen, Tylers aunt, said community service is a family thing. It was Tylers second annual toy collection, and he is happy to say he collected 126 toys this year, besting his 2015 effort of 70 toys. Both Rialto police and firefighters from Station 202 showed up at the Nguyen home to donate. Wendy Nguyen and her sisters, Tiffany and Stephanie, Tylers mom, are the children of immigrants. Our parents fled Vietnam in 1979, when the country was controlled by communism, Wendy Nguyen said. Our parents are very humble. I remember going to church here and we would get donated clothes to wear. They would go to toy drives to get toys for us, wrap them and give them to us. So now weve gone full circle from humble beginnings so thats why service is important to us, to give back. That sense of paying it back is why the family volunteers monthly at Skid Row and the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles and other places it is needed. Making those peoples day is priceless to us, said Wendy Nguyen, who works for a vocational school in Colton. Tyler also has worked on Skid Row, serving people at Easter. Everyone has their own story to tell, Tyler said about the homeless people there. In February Tyler was among the honorees at The Unforgettables Heart Awards Luncheon in Redlands. He was presented an award in recognition of coordinating his own Tylers Spark of Love Toy Drive. The Simpson Elementary School fifth-grader started the toy drive at the familys Rialto home and then helped his mother cook the food to thank the donors, said his mother, Stephanie Nguyen. This years menu to thank the donors consisted of ham and turkey, potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans, macaroni and cheese, cookies, brownies and pie. Friends and family brought a toy to the family home, put it in the box and then had a meal. The toy drive is a great opportunity for opening up a conversation on how you can help other people, Wendy Nguyen said. These toys are going to kids who may not have any toys, and its tied into a Christmas toy drive. The Nguyens also participate in other community service projects, including playing board games with seniors at the senior center and making sack lunches for homeless people. In between service projects, Tyler is just a regular kid. He loves fifth grade and enjoys studying math and playing Prodigy. Math is easy and science is mainly easy, said Tyler, who has done projects within STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programs. He likes to play with his toys, play Pokemon and read Harry Potter books. These days, he is trying to decide between two career choices: cardiologist and neurologist. Its not a pressing decision yet. When Valley View High School junior Josiah Wallace isnt serving as his Moreno Valley bands first chair French horn player or brass leader, hes engaging in a number of other musical pursuits including an upcoming stint at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. On Jan. 1, the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps which Wallace is a member of will open and close the parade. Hell march with the corps in summer 2017, as well. Additionally, Wallace was recently chosen to play with the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Associations Symphonic Band a competitive group for which thousands of students apply and only a select few are accepted. The band will have two intensive rehearsals and perform Jan. 22. The association serves music teachers and schools in 11 Southern California counties. Wallace has also performed with the Riverside City College Honor Band. Wallace joined band when he was in sixth grade at Palm Middle School and said his passion for music has only grown since. It was then that I knew I wanted to play French horn for the rest of my life, Wallace said. He said performing with prestigious groups has been beneficial because all the musicians have a shared passion and mindset. Valley View band director Loren Gamarra said Wallace is naturally talented and consistently seeks ways to sharpen his skills. Kids are vying to get a spot in one of these groups and its very competitive and difficult, Gamarra said. (Wallace is) always trying to find new avenues to improve. He has that personal drive to want to be better. With increased funding for performing arts programs in the district, band directors have been able to give more individualized attention to musicians. Gamarra said he can better assist Wallace and other students pursue their passions, challenge them and help them hone their skills. Gamarra said Wallace is goal-oriented and efficient in his leadership abilities within the band. Hes the go-to person , Gamarra said. He knows what he wants to accomplish, so he works effectively to get everything done. Trombone and baritone player and Wallaces best friend since sixth grade Sidney Robinson said he admires Wallaces talent and dedication. The fellow brass musician said his friend is organized and efficient in and outside of the band room. Hes definitely someone I admire, Robinson said. Hes a wonderful musician and a wonderful person. Hes a great player and definitely a leader in this band and everyone really looks up to him and respects him. Wallaces mother Carol said she has loved to watch her son grow from just learning his instrument in middle school to thriving years later. I am so proud of him, she said. He excels in whatever he attempts to do and really puts all his effort into what is put before him. When I see him perform it just makes me proud because he uses the abilities he has. The Private Enterprise Federation (PEF), a non-profit, non-political and autonomous institution, has declared its support for the implementation of the One Village, One Dam Project, contained in the 2016 Manifesto of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The Federation said it would do its best within its capability to support the incoming Nana Addo-led administration to undertake the project, which its members have described as laudable and one that would help farmers in the country. Delivering his speech at the post-AGM Private Sector Forum of the PEF in Accra yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PEF, Nana Osei-Bonsu, noted that agriculture is the key to Ghanas industrialisation and that should appropriate measures be put in place, the economy could grow well with the Agric sector. According to him, the PEF and its members were committed to partnering the incoming government to ensure that, at least, farmers in the country get enough water to enjoy all year round farming, as pertained in other parts of the world. He continued that the PEF would lay a pipeline to supply water from Ada to the Northern Region to ensure that there was adequate water for farming, especially, in the dry season, saying the move would go a long way to help the One Village, One Dam Policy of the NPP. The CEO, however, urged Nana Addo to put measures in place to ensure that politicians did not compete with the private sector for contracts, adding that the enormous taxes that were negatively affecting the stability of the microeconomic enterprises to become competitive, be removed. Nana Osei-Bonsu further beseeched the Akufo-Addo administration to review the performance of the economy, and its impact on the private sector, within a month following the end of each quarter. Meanwhile, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President-elect, in his keynote address, reiterated the NPPs strategies for the private sector. He indicated all his policies would be implemented in collaboration with the private sector. Nana Addo added that the vision for the next four years of his government was to modernise agriculture, improve production efficiency, and achieve food security and profitability for farmers, with the aim of significantly increasing agricultural productivity. We have identified some key initiatives integral to our Industrial Development Strategy, which we intend to implement vigorously. I refer, in particular, to the One District One Factory initiative, and I want to emphasise that this policy will be implemented in collaboration with the private sector, Nana Addo posited. Source: The Chronicle Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Outgoing President John Dramani Mahama has revealed his plans after vacating office on January 7, 2017, when he will officially hand over to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. President Mahama is getting ready to leave office following results of the 2016 elections, which saw the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leader beat the sitting president, a first in Ghanas history. Speaking in a thanksgiving service at the Ringway Assemblies of God Church on Sunday, December 11, President Mahama said he wants to take a leave to rest after handing over. I have no immediate plans, he stressed. He said he has not gone on leave for the past three years and this will be an opportunity to embark on one. I have been working continuously for three years now, he told the congregation, and so I want to take a leave [and] take a rest. He added: I know God himself will show me what he wants me to do. I blame both sides President Mahama expressed frustration at pessimist in national building, blaming the situation on extreme partisanship. He advised Ghanaians to eschew such attitude as it slows down the wheels of development. As long as I dont belong to this group, I dont want it to work, he said about the extremists in this regard. So, while we are going forward, some others are looking backward. Because of that, the speed at which the country should grow is not going as fastand I dont blame one side. I blame both sides. He prayed against the likely repetition of such attitude now that the tables have turned. There will be a group of people who will wish this government doesnt succeed. Source: 3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President John Mahama has asked Ghanaians to reflect on the birth and life of Jesus Christ as they count their numerous blessings in 2016 during this Christmas. In a statement issued by the Minister of Communications, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, President Mahama said Gods favour shall continue to abide with us during the Christmas festivities and in the coming years. Read full statement below CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA On the occasion of Christmas, HE John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana extends warm wishes to all Ghanaians, and urges the nation to reflect on the birth and life of Jesus Christ as we count our numerous blessings over the year. The President also drew attention to the just ended successful elections and emphasised that Gods favour shall continue to abide with us during the Christmas festivities and in the coming years. Ahead of his departure to Bole in the Northern Region with his family to celebrate Christmas, President Mahama urged drivers to drive with care and responsibly. He prayed that God grants the nation both an incident free and accident free festive period. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Signed EDWARD K. OMANE BOAMAH (DR.) MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS ACCRA Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Last night (December 24), detainees inside Manus Island detention centre seized control over two compounds following the death earlier that day of a Sudanese refugee in a Brisbane hospital, who had sustained injuries on Manus Island. ABC News spoke to Senior Sergeant Thomas Lelepo, who was one of the staff stationed at Manus Island during the riot. There was a situation there over the death of a resident, he said. A spokesperson from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection has since confirmed the disturbance has now been resolved. There is minor property damage and no reported injuries. More information comes from a Facebook post by Iranian refugee Behrouz Boochani, who is currently being held at Manus Island: We just kicked out the Wilson security from Delta and Oscar detentions. This message is for the government, wrote Boochani. Currently, the official word from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection is that the death of 27-year-old Sudanese refugee Faysal Ishak Ahmed was due to injuries sustained after a seizure at Manus Island. However, Ahmeds fellow detainees, as well as the Refugee Action Coalition, claim that Ahmed had been suffering from medical problems for months, and had requested assistance numerous times before the seizure. In another Facebook post, Boochani wrote the following: Many times Faysal collapsed and all of us here knew that he was seriously sick for more than 6 months. More than 60 people wrote a letter to IHMS [International Health and Medical Services] and explained to them how Faysal is sick and has constant headache and heart problem but they did not care. Every day Faysal went to medical asking for help. They did not help him. Well update this story as it develops. Source: ABC News. Photo: Facebook / Behrouz Boochani YUCK: We Regret To Inform You That Rihanna Has Invited Johnny Depp To Walk In Her Fenty Show A Christmas Eve stabbing with a butter knife has led to charges in York County. The Northern York County Regional Police Department has charged Jairo Martinez, 31, of Brooklyn, New York, with two counts of aggravated assault and single counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct, the York Dispatch is reporting. The stabbing occurred at the Round the Clock Diner in the 200 block of Arsenal Road early Saturday morning, according to reports. Martinez was apprehended after fleeing behind a nearby hotel, reports indicate. Police in York County have charged a Mechanicsburg man whom they say threatened several people with a handgun. Robert C. Drabenstadt III, 30, is facing charges of terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment after the incident, according to the Carroll Township Police Department. Police said on Saturday that the incident started with a dispute with several people on Autumn Drive in Monaghan Township. Drabenstadt displayed a handgun that he had been carrying and made threats toward several people, police say, adding he also punched one of the victims. He was taken into custody without incident and was transported to York County Booking for arraignment. This slideshow features the most heartwarming, moving stories PennLive journalists had the honor of covering in 2016. PennLive file PennLive's most heartwarming stories of 2016 A soldier's recovery from an IED attack. An abused puppy finding strength and support. A family welcoming a new baby boy following tragedy. A high school student receiving a heart transplant. These are just some of the heartwarming stories PennLive reporters and photographers documented over the last year. The stores -- written by a variety of reporters -- demonstrate the unbound resilience and community support that has made America great. This slideshow features the most heartwarming, moving stories PennLive journalists had the honor of covering in 2016. Don't Edit undefined James Robinson, PennLive The heart transplant of Joe Mansaray Follow the story of Joe Mansaray, an East Pennsboro High School student-athlete required a heart transplant to overcome hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Mansarays family had suffered from the hereditary disease, which was passed down from his grandmother, to his mother, to him and his sister and brother, Peter, a former East Pennsboro player, now a student at Temple. The the full story by Brian Linder here. Don't Edit Julia Hatmaker, PennLive Mike Pence hugs boy whose father is terminally ill In a very contentious presidential election, heartwarming moments were few and far between. However, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Mike Pence provided a sweet moment when he left the campaign rally stage in Lancaster to hug 11-year-old whose father is terminally ill. Read the full story by Julia Hatmaker here. Don't Edit Janelle and Ted Clouse with five of their six children. From left is Malachi, born April 27, Jedidiah, 1, Gabriel, 4, Yvonne, 3, and Gordon, 2. Missing from photo is Leah, 8. Ted and Janelle Clouse lost seven of their eight children March 8, 2011, when a fire engulfed their Blain, Perry County, Pa. home. On April 27 they welcomed their sixth child, Malachi. May 20, 2016. Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com Dan Gleiter, PennLive Claus family welcomes 13th child following tragedy After losing seven children in a tragic 2011 fire, Ted and Janelle Clouse, of Perry County, welcomed their 13th child in April. The story by John Luciew can be read here. Don't Edit Steve Hoke made and placed 11 gnome homes along the Millerstown Community Park walking pat in the Millerstown, Pa., Mar. 28, 2016. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com Mark Pynes, PennLive Gnome homes find new home in Perry County Is there anything more adorable than someone building gnome homes for children? Steve Hoke built nearly 40 small houses and placed them around Little Buffalo State Park. But, officials wanted the popular gnome houses removed from the park. Luckily, the community stepped up, and the homes relocated in Perry County. Read Deb Kiner's story about where the homes ended up here. Don't Edit Don't Edit Pat and Vickey Kelly are trying to keep the Doyle Hotel open after a bad winter has left the hotel finically strapped. The Kellys have owned the hotel since 2001 and it serves 1200 hikers from the nearby Appalachian Trail a year, March 09, 2016. James Robinson, PennLive.com James Robinson, PennLive Donations flood to 'Save the Doyle' Thousands of weary travelers coming off the Appalachian Trial have relied on the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon for a good night's rest and a shower. But, it was the hotel that needs some relief. Owners Pat and Vickey Kelly owed about $9,000 in back taxes on the property. If they didnt raise the money, they would have defaulted on their bank loan and lost everything. Read about how community stepped up and helped 'Save the Doyle' here. Don't Edit Joe Hermitt, PennLive Follow a soldier's grueling journey to walk again U.S. Army Sgt. Rob Easley had both of his legs amputated after he stepped on an IED while on foot patrol in Afghanistan on Oct. 15, 2012, causing catastrophic injuries to his legs. After multiple surgeries, painful bone-lengthening sessions and physical therapy, Easley learned to walk with the use of prosthetics. PennLive reporter John Luciew has followed Easley over the course of four years to document his journey. Read "The Long Walk Home From War" here. Don't Edit Eight year old burn victim Reese Burdette receives a police and fire department escort through Mercersburg PA as she returns home after two years of recovery. =.+ Young burn victim returns home after 22 months in the hospital After 662 days in the hospital, 8-year-old burn victim Reese Burdette returned home to Mercersburg, Pa. from Johns Hopkins Children's Center. Friends, family members and the community came out to show their support for the young girl in a heartfelt welcome home party in March. Read John Luciew's story on Burdette's welcome home party here. Don't Edit Funeral and burial of Capt. Arthur Halfpapp. Captain Arthur E. Halfpapp, 23, of Steelton was killed in combat in April of 1945 during WWII . His remains were recovered in 2014 and later positively identified. He is survived by a nephew, Rev. Jack W. Sipe and his wife Lura of Middletown and four nieces, Mary Lou Kear and her husband Thomas of E. Stroudsburg, PA, Sandy Catalano of TX, Louise Blount and her husband Bernie of Elizabethtown and Joan Moore and her husband Benny of FL. Captain Halfpapp was a member of the Army Air Corps and was missing in action until his remains were identified in late 2014. Captain Halfpapp led a group of aircraft on a dive-bombing run along the road parallel with the Po river near Guarda, Italy. Sean Simmers, PennLive.com April 14, 2016 Sean Simmers, PennLive Missing WWII, Korean soldiers' remains returned home U.S. Army Cpl. Kenneth Stuck was killed during the Battle of Onjong in 1950. U.S. Army Air Force Capt. Arthur E. Halfpapp died when his P-47 Thunderbolt crashed over Italy in 1945. Both Pennsylvania mens body remained overseas, lost to their families. However, after years on foreign soil, Stuck and Halfpapps remains were brought home for burial. Read Rachel Bunn's story on Stuck's journey home here. Read Ivey DeJesus' story on Halfpapp's burial here. Don't Edit PennLive videographer Mark Pynes filmed and edited interviews that were performed by PennLive reporter Christian Alexandersen. The video is featured above. Mark Pynes, PennLive Retired Harrisburg fire chief reflects on 9/11 rescue efforts On Sept. 11, 2001, Herbert Berger left a simple note to let his wife know he was headed to New York City to help with the recovery efforts of those lost in the World Trade Center attacks. Berger, now a retired captain with the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, had no idea if or when he would return home. For nearly two weeks, Berger and other members of the Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1 climbed through the rubble of the Twin Towers to help recover those that were trapped. PennLive photographer Mark Pynes and reporter Christian Alexandersen documented Berger's experience 15 years later in a video here and here. Don't Edit Don't Edit The SS United States was put out of service in 1969. For decades the ship has sat in a harbor in Philadelphia slowly falling into disrepair. The SS United States Conservancy is trying to raise funds to preserve the ship. On Sept. 17, 2016 the conservancy had a reunion for those who traveled and worked on the SS United States. Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com Julia Hatmaker, PennLive Watch the reunion of an immigrant and the ship that brought him to America Heinz Bayer immigrated from Germany to the United States aboard the SS United States in 1965. The once beautiful ship that brought many to the United States, has now ended up decaying outside of an Ikea in South Philadelphia. Watch Julia Hatmaker's story about Bayer and the ship here. Don't Edit Craig Snell at home with his children Bowie, left, and Evelyn. Craig suffered a stroke on March 9 and lost the ability to speak and regularly move his limbs. But through rehab and therapy, he's been working to recover. =.+ Father trapped in his own body works to rebuild after stroke Craig Snell had set himself up with a great life. He was married, had two kids and lived in a great home in Boiling Springs. But then in March, his world was shattered when he had a stroke while on a snowboard trip with his family. As a result, hes been unable to speak and regularly move his limbs. His family has been by his side the whole time. PennLive reporter Julianne Mattera wrote about Snell and his family's struggles here. Don't Edit Tracey Stewart talks to the media. During a presentation at Equine Rehab Center in Kennett Square, Lily is handed over to Tracey Stewart, wife of former Daily Show host Jon Stewart, after being nursed to health through the care of veterinarians at Penn Vet's New Bolton Center, Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Lily, the white mare abandoned at New Holland Sales Stable in March with paint splattered on her coat, will be living at a farm animal sanctuary owned by the Stewarts. Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com Dan Gleiter, PennLive Lily, a horse shot by paintballs, finds a new home Lily, a horse shot by paintballs, finds a new home When Lily first arrived at Penn Vet's New Bolton Center, she was injured, covered in paint, underfed and on her way to going blind. But when she left the private rehab facility next door to the Kennett Square center, she left with part of her vision, a new family and a new friend. Read PennLive reporter Rachel Bunn's story on Lilly finding a new home with a celebrity here. Don't Edit Libre the dog is recovering with a York County vet after being found "hours from death" on a Lancaster County farm last week. Libre's recovery, which is being chronicled on Facebook, has gained a national following, with well-wishers cheering him on daily. Photo submitted. Submitted photo 'Libre the Puppy' abuse case spawns support, legislation Libre the Puppy abuse case spawns support, legislation A small Boston Terrier named "Libre" was found on a Lancaster County farm in critical condition, and suffering from numerous ailments including sepsis and mange. Nicknamed Libre the Puppy, the small dogs recovery gathered a large social media following, started an abuse investigation and created animal cruelty legislation. Read the story by PennLive reporter Colin Deppen here. Don't Edit Author, political strategist and CNN contributor Jeffrey Lord is a Donald Trump supporter and longtime resident of Camp Hill where he lives with and cares for his 97 year old mother Kathleen Lord. =.+ Jeffrey Lord: CNN commentator, Trump supporter and mother's caregiver Jeffrey Lord: CNN commentator, Donald Trump supporter and mothers caregiver Many have seen Jeffrey Lord on CNN battling to make his points heard regarding politics. But few have seen what the Camp Hill native is like off-camera. On TV he is a fiery and fervent supporter of President-elect Donald Trump. But at home, hes a loving son taking care of his elderly mother. PennLive reporter Candy Woodall met with Jeffrey Lord and his mother Kit to see what home life is like for them. The story can be read here. Don't Edit Don't Edit NFL player Devon Still, of the Cincinnati Bengals, looks at his daughter Leah on screen as he accepts the Jimmy V award for perseverance at the ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Los Angeles. Leah is free of cancer, her father says. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) )^ Penn State grad Devon Still announced daughter has beaten cancer Penn State grad Devon Still announced daughter has beaten cancer After 18 months of treatment, former Penn State football player Devon Still announced in January that his 5-year-old daughter Leah was cancer-free. Leah was was diagnosed with rare neuroblastoma cancer in June 2014. She was stage four, with a 50 percent chance of survival. But good news came early this year that she was cancer-free. Read about announcement here. shutterstock_540152755.jpg By Tony May It's an old story long forgotten and suitable for telling in front of a roaring fire on a long winter's night. Tony May The year was 1991 and Harris Wofford, appointed to the U.S. Senate by Gov. Bob Casey to fill the vacancy created by the untimely death of Sen. John Heinz, was running in a special election to keep the seat. His foe was formidable, former GOP Gov. Dick Thornburgh, who was just off a stint serving as the nation's Attorney General. olls that summer had Thornburgh up 40 points over the liberal warrior, who had been an ally of Martin Luther King and had helped found the Peace Corps under Jack Kennedy. Wofford's election gurus, James Carville and Paul Begala, needed a game-changer; they needed a miracle. They needed a big idea - something that Pennsylvanians of all political stripes could unite behind. They found their issue in national health care. As they would do with "It's the economy, stupid" in creating a mantra for the election of Bill Clinton in 1992, they put this dictum before the Pennsylvania voters in '91: "The Constitution says if you are charged with a crime, you have a right to a lawyer, you should also have a right to a doctor if you're sick." Twenty-five years later, we've made progress - of a sort. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nine out of 10 Americans have health care coverage today either through employer-hosted insurance, private coverage, Obamacare or Medicare and Medicaid and other government programs. It's a vast improvement from 2012 - pre-Affordable Care Act - when an estimated 40 million Americans lacked health coverage. Why aren't 10 out of 10 Americans protected? And why is Obamacare at risk? Mainly because we got bogged down in the "how" to provide coverage for the greatest number with the smallest inconvenience to the status quo of the health care system, especially the financial side. The question of health care as a right was forgotten. But Democrats, particularly, should remember now that they're down on their luck after losing the White House, that Wofford had hit on something: health care as a right. It's an even deeper right than that of access to legal counsel. School kids used to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution; it's covered there in the first, 52-word sentence: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union ... provide for the common defense [ and] promote the general welfare ..." Traditionally, we have seen the "common defense" as protection against the foes foreign and domestic that we can see. Two centuries ago, we didn't understand much about bacteria and viruses were unknown - but today we recognize health care as a constant state of war against them. For those uncomfortable as seeing government's role in health care as "common defense," there is the catchall of "promote the general welfare." When Obamacare was being crafted, pragmatists set aside the issue of health care rights because they were busy compromising and making concessions to hospitals, insurers, pharmaceutical companies and the whole range of professionals involved in healthcare delivery. Instead of blanket coverage for all citizens regardless of race, heritage, ability to pay or station in life we got a patchwork quilt with some pretty sloppy stitching here and there. Today, Obamacare is in danger. What its creators and its beneficiaries need to remember is what George Washington promulgated in defeating the British: the best defense is often a strong offense. Health care needs to be discussed as a right, not a simple commercial transaction. At ground zero in the operating theater or in the clinic or where ever medicine is practiced, that's the way it works. It's one of the reasons why people hold people in the health care delivery chain in such high esteem. Getting in front of "the doctor," though involves gatekeepers and today, everyone is familiar with the phrase, "May I see your health care insurance card, please?" Yes, universal health care - most likely a single payer scheme to end all such stuff - would disrupt the status quo. But no more so than "getting rid of Obamacare on Day One" or Day 100 or whatever. And there will always be room for "Cadillac care" for those of means who think they're being made to wait too long for procedures and appointments. Right now, the issue of health care access is turned upside down. People act as if they want and need 10 or 20 health care insurers to choose from; that they somehow are healthier because they, theoretically, can choose any doctor in the phone book to treat them; that they don't have to wait weeks for appointments with health care providers now; and, that they don't spend hours out of a day waiting in doctors' offices waiting to be seen for pre-scheduled visits because doctors - good doctors - almost always run late. Health care is expensive; it's gone up under Obamacare. But it's likely it would have gone up more without Obamacare because of uncompensated care - what it costs now to provide service to those who cannot pay. A case can be made that there is lots of waste and duplication built into the current system. After all, we're talking about people's lives. Better to waste a little money and not harm the patient. But no one can turn on a TV set and watch the bombardment of dozens of commercials every hour promoting one brand name prescription drug or another without the nagging feeling that, somehow, the viewers are paying for those messages promoting cures and nostrums that they can't buy without a doctor's prescription anyway. Change is coming. The president-elect says so; members of Congress say so. Let's make sure the changes benefit citizens and taxpayers and not the special interests. Gord Downie speaks during a ceremony honouring him at the AFN Special Chiefs assembly in Gatineau, Que., Tuesday, December 6, 2016. Downie has been voted The Canadian Press Newsmaker of the Year for 2016. Dou, from Henan, China, turns 20 in late January. But dont let his youthful appearance fool you. Ranked 198th in the world, Dou captured the Order of Merit title on PGA TOUR China this year on the heels of four victories. He was also named the Player of the Year and finished tied for 40th at the WGC-HSBC Champions. A three-year veteran of PGA TOUR China, Dou played as an amateur on that circuit in 2014. The next year, he was Rookie of the Year after finishing fourth on the 2015 Order of Merit. He fell short of the top 45 at Final Stage of last years Qualifying Tournament, failing to secure guaranteed starts, and subsequently returned to China to tighten his game. It was a decision worth making, as he became the first player to pass the seven-figure mark in season earnings (he earned more than 1 million Renminbi this season the Chinese currency). Dou, who goes by the English name Marty, follows in the footsteps of last years No. 1 Player to Watch (Haotong Li), who won PGA Tour Chinas Player of the Year honors as a 19-year-old as well. My story goes back to 1975. My girlfriend and I were driving back to Idaho where I was going to school. We were headed towards Yellowstone Park and the Montana east gate in a little yellow Volkswagen. It was around midnight and it was kinda snowing and, picture a two lane road with tall trees and no moon or nothing, just our headlights and the snow is falling. All of a sudden there was this figure I saw walking right in the center of the road, walking the same direction as me. In other words, her back was to me. It was a woman. At first I noticed her and I told my girlfriend, Do you see what I see? A girl walking out here at midnight. It's probably about 30 degrees out. The closer we got, the more detail I could make out. It was so... I was gonna roll down my window and ask if she needed help, but we noticed that she was wearing very very old, I guess nineteenth century garb, clothing. And she had hobnail boots. She had a long shawl and around her shoulders and in her hair, she had long brown hair, down probably a little bit below her shoulder blades. And the closer we got, we noticed something weird. Her hair was completely dry. Not wet, like you would expect for somebody out in snow. I was about to roll down my window and my girlfriend goes: Don't even stop! Don't even look! Go! You know, that freaked me out because I was just about ready to slow down. She said, Don't even look in the mirror, she has NO FACE! I drove away. You can imagine, here we are putting along in a little Volkswagen and I just slowly moved over to the right to avoid hitting her. As I moved off and later got to the gate, the ranger said Sorry, the pass is closed tonight due to the snow. I asked, You mean we gotta go back? He says, Well, there's a little motel about a half a mile back. We were scared out of our wits. Anyway, we got to this motel and fortunately the guy still had a room available. And as soon as we got in the room, we just locked the door and put the chair in front of it. The rest of the night we couldn't sleep. My experience is more vision than encounter or sighting. I'm wondering what, if anything, you know about the islands in the Conowingo Reservoir? I'm specifically interested in Sicily Island, the cupules nearby, Masonic activity on the island, and the Sicily Island Fishing Club. My vision is personal and subject to my own interpretation, but from what little history I've found on the island I'm convinced the area is some kind of portal, and perhaps a prehistoric burial ground. Have you heard of strange happenings on the islands? During my last visit, I asked for confirmation of my previous visions. Attached, is a photo taken on that date. Note the eye, the suns rays, and the triangle. HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY OFFER Hi folks...if you forward a donation of $10 or more, you will be entered in a giveaway of a 5-book 'Encounters Series' set. Donations received between now and January 5th, 2017 will be eligible. This offer will only be posted on the daily newsletter and social media. The winner will be contacted on January 6th, 2017...and the 5-book set will be shipped to you free of charge. Thanks for reading...Lon Can you be a supporter of 'Phantoms & Monsters?' ...or go to lonstrickler@phantomsandmonsters.com as the payee. Donations by mail can be sent to: Lon Strickler 514 Broadway Hanover, PA 17331 Hi folks...if you forward a donation of $10 or more, you will be entered in a giveaway of a 5-book 'Encounters Series' set. Donations received between now and January 5th, 2017 will be eligible. This offer will only be posted on the daily newsletter and social media. The winner will be contacted on January 6th, 2017...and the 5-book set will be shipped to you free of charge. Thanks for reading...Lon...or go to Paypal and use my emailas the payee.Donations by mail can be sent to: This newsletter is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Hotlinking of P&M Network images and copyrighted material is strictly forbidden unless permission is obtained. 'Phantoms and Monsters' and 'phantomsandmonsters.com' is protected under the Lanham (Trademark) Act (Title 15, Chapter 22 of the United States Code) 'Phantoms and Monsters' was establish in September 2005 as part of the Phantoms and Monsters Network Copyright 2005-2016 Phantoms and Monsters / PM Network - All Rights Reserved **********A new species combining wolves, coyotes and dogs is evolving before scientists eyes in the eastern United States.Wolves faced with a diminishing number of potential mates are lowering their standards and mating with other, similar species, reported The Economist.The interbreeding began up to 200 years ago, as European settlers pushed into southern Ontario and cleared the animals habitat for farming and killed a large number of the wolves that lived there.That also allowed coyotes to spread from the prairies, and the white farmers brought dogs into the region.Over time, wolves began mating with their new, genetically similar neighbors.The resulting offspring which has been called the eastern coyote or, to some, the coywolf now number in the millions, according to researchers at North Carolina State University.Interspecies-bred animals are typically less vigorous than their parents, The Economist reported if the offspring survive at all.Thats not the case at all with the wolf-coyote-dog hybrid, which has developed into a sum greater than the whole of its parts.At about 55 pounds, the hybrid animal is about twice as heavy as a standard coyote, and its large jaws, faster legs and muscular body allow it to take down small deer and even hunt moose in packs, and the animal is skilled at hunting in both open terrain and dense woodland.**********A sinister seven-foot alien wearing a cowboy hat has been spotted at a bus stop in Yeovil.The alleged extra-terrestrial was black, had no face, spikes down its side and silky hair.The spooked driver who claims to have witnessed it outside Yeovil College in Somerset says the encounter has left him so terrified he hasnt been able to sleep since.He said: I was driving up the road as I normally do and I saw this dark looking figure by Yeovil College. It looked quite tall and had this big Stetson hat.I slowed down to have a closer look and thought its not a man, it was about 7ft tall.It had this long thin tube coming from the top of it and spikes coming out of the side. The middle bit of it was like moleskin and hairy.The thing wasnt moving at all and was in this box that had sparks coming out of it. It was like something out of science fiction.****************************** Paul Bowers is an education reporter and father of three living in North Charleston. He previously worked at the Charleston City Paper, where he was twice named South Carolina Journalist of the Year in the weekly category. The massive amount is unusual for a local school board race and thousands more than any of the other 31 candidates have managed to raise. Read moreA CCSD board candidate has raised almost $100K in campaign funds As parts of South Carolina continue to struggle with the effects of one of the strongest, costliest American storms on record, some automakers appear poised to destabilize one of the most important and effective public safety tools being used in the states recovery efforts. Read moreCommentary: Hurricane Ian a reminder of the importance of AM car radios Some small business owners looking for customers are following the nation's changing demographics literally. They're moving long distances to places such as Florida, Arizona and California, expecting retiring baby boomers to migrate to warmer climates. Jeff Tremblay relocated to Florida to open a senior care business after living for 25 years in northern New Jersey. His SYNERGY Homecare franchise helps seniors with tasks such as housekeeping, cooking, shopping and daily personal care. "I thought, if I'm going to do this business, it really makes sense to go where everyone else is retiring," Tremblay says. He had owned self-storage and construction businesses before but had relatives in the senior care business and decided it was a good next step. Tremblay looked at demographic figures before deciding where to settle and found the Sarasota area is expected to have strong growth in the coming years. He opened his business April 1. Other small business owners see the possibilities. In a survey of Florida owners by TD Bank, nearly 30 percent in the central part of the state and a quarter of those in the southern part cited the growing retiree population as a business opportunity. ADVERTISEMENT Businesses such as home health care providers, restaurants, cleaning services and lawn maintenance companies are those most likely to be needed by retirees, says Jay Desmarteau, a business banking executive at TD Bank. Retirees want to relax rather than do chores, and as they get older, many need assistance when they begin having medical issues. In Florida, Tremblay discovered a community of company owners who serve seniors and help one another out. While his employees offer part-time and full-time care to seniors, clients may need other services. Tremblay relies on transportation companies to deliver food to his clients and chauffeur them to doctor appointments. And he's likely to get referrals from other owners. "I had no idea so much was going on in this business," he says. The senior population across the country is expected to soar in the coming decade and beyond as baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 retire. Warm-weather states are forecast to have tremendous growth: Florida officials estimate that by 2030, the number of people 65 and older will have increased about 80 percent from 2010 census figures, reaching about 6 million. Arizona estimates its population 65 and older will grow 60 percent to more than 1.7 million people by 2030 from current levels. California projects its senior population in 2030 will more than double from 2010, rising to more than 8.6 million. Even if an entrepreneur is familiar with an area, they do research before they uproot themselves. Scotty Bailey had spent 30 years in consumer lending in Mississippi but vacationed every year in the Florida Panhandle. ADVERTISEMENT "I've seen it develop and grow and could see where it was headed," Bailey says. When he grew tired of his work and thought about starting a business, he looked at population and housing trends and found retirees were moving into the Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., area. Bailey decided that buying a Tikiz Shaved Ice & Ice Cream truck would be a good business not only would the growing number of residents want ice cream, retirees also would want to treat their grandchildren. In the three months since he began operating the truck, he estimates 40 percent of the purchases have been made by retirees. Rob Dunn and his wife moved to Yuma, Ariz., from South Carolina in 2013 also to open a franchise of SYNERGY, which describes the industry as the fastest-growing in the nation. The Dunns chose Arizona after an exploratory trip in December 2012 because they saw plenty of older people but fewer home care businesses to compete with than in retirement meccas in Florida. They also noticed car after car with license plates from places such as Alberta and Saskatchewan Canadian provinces known for long, hard winters. Along with the rising number of U.S. citizens moving to the state, thousands of so-called snowbirds go to Arizona for part of the year to escape the harsh weather. "You never see many young persons in the area. We knew right away it was a good place for us," says Dunn, who spent 22 years selling cars. A lifestyle change was the main reason why Bob and Stacey Clarke wanted to move from the rural city of La Grande, Ore. But Bob Clarke, a financial adviser, also was looking for an area with a large and wealthy senior population, reasoning he would be able to build a successful practice. Stacey Clarke, a podiatrist as well as a wealth manager, also expected to do well. The couple settled on the Palm Springs, Calif., area. Bob Clarke estimates 95 percent of his clients are retirees and that his income has increased 40 percent since the couple moved two years ago. "It was overwhelmingly a good choice," Clarke says. Updated Dec. 25 to clarify Titan Development ownership and whether the Rochester City Council will need to reconsider the project. A scaled-down version of the long-delayed hotel and mixed-use project at South Broadway and East Center Street in Rochester is moving ahead with a new development team. The project planned for the southeast corner of Broadway and Center has changed from being a 23-story tower with 33 apartment units and other commercial space to being a 19-story, 264-room Hilton hotel, with restaurants and retail. Friday's announcement also dropped the development's well-known name of Broadway at Center, with the project now referred to simply as a Hilton hotel. Sheila Thoma, spokeswoman for Titan Development & Investments in Rochester, confirmed Friday that the name of the project has changed. ADVERTISEMENT "Hilton is the name of the building. Broadway at Center was used for purposes of naming the project during predevelopment," she wrote via email. Titan, owned by Andy Chafoulias, and Harbor Bay Real Estate Advisors, of Chicago, announced the changes Friday along with final approval of the financing for the project. Earlier this year, the project was delayed due to a high-profile Saudi prince failing to invest in the project. Harbor Bay also is new to the project, though not to downtown. The Chicago firm led by Mark Bell and Tom Lund paid $5.5 million for the empty buildings that once housed the landmark Michaels restaurant across South Broadway from the proposed hotel. Mark Bell said they intend to develop it, but declined to discuss their plans after the purchase in August. None of the principals of Titan or Harbor Bay were available to answer questions Friday. The news release quoted Chafoulias as stating, "This transformational and iconic development will vastly enhance the unique offerings to visitors and locals in downtown Rochester and we couldn't be more excited to partner with Harbor Bay." The release also stated that the developers "will begin construction before year-end." No cost estimates for the project were releaset. The most recent incarnation of the project was estimated to cost about $145 million. Friday's announcement said that First National Bank of Omaha is leading the financing, with help from Bremer Bank. The previous version of the project was planned to receive financing from a $105 million loan from Minneapolis-based Dougherty Funding LLC. Other project "stakeholders" previously involved included Kraus-Anderson Construction, West Bank, local union pension funds through their advisor, Whitestar Advisors LLC, Premier Bank, and Rochester developer Gus Chafoulias, who was described as the "visionary" of the project. The significant changes in the project may mean it needs to return to the Rochester City Council and the Destination Medical Center Corp. Board of Directors, though city officials couldn't be reached late Friday for comment. ADVERTISEMENT In November 2015, the council approved $6.5 million in assistance for the development by way of an incentive package using tax increment financing. An agreement with the city also included a public parking ramp on the east half of the block. The news release says that the announcement "will allow the City of Rochester to begin a new, city-owned parking deck positioned adjacent to the hotel." The Rochester office of Minneapolis-based HGA Architects and Engineers and Kraus-Anderson remain the architect and general contractor for the project. The news release says the Hilton will be "one of the premier hotels in the Midwest," with ballrooms and conference rooms "that are strategically designed to meet the growing business demands of Rochester." In advance of the announcement, Andy Chafoulias this week purchased the buildings and land where the hotel will be built for $2.9 million. He bought the property from Broadway Commons Rochester LLC, which has the same business address as Titan and Gus Chafoulias. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The movie year is just about over, and a review of the past twelve months makes it clear that Kannywood movie producers, directors and actors have really upped the ante. From action thrillers to romantic comedies and dance movies, it was indeed a great year for Kannywood movies. With just a few days left before we turn another page in the calendar, heres a look at PREMIUM TIMES top 10 movies of 2016. 10 Khalifa Kannywood fast-rising kid actor, Ahmad Ali Nuhu, played the lead role in this movie. A great romantic movie, it didnt fall short of a few criticisms especially the fact that it bore a striking similarity with a popular Bollywood movie. Muhammed Miya produced the movie and it starred the likes of Fati Washa, Alamin Buhari Adam Zango and Aisha Tsamiya. 9 Akwai Dalili Produced by Abdullahi Abas, this film would have been top notch if the plot were in sync with the generous dose of suspense inherent in the film. Aside this flaw, the main actors Fati Washa, Nafeesat Abdullahi, and Adam Zango, did a great job. 8 Ramlat Directed by Sadiq N Mafiya, this movie was a commercial success. Fati Washa was also outstanding playing the lead character, Ramlat, in the film. An exceptional actress, she did a great job of manipulating any man who crossed her path on the dance floor. She met her waterloo when she finally fell in love with Adam Zango, who punished her for all her wrongdoings. Other stars in the movie include, Nuhu Abdullahi and Zaharadden Sani. 7 Bani Ba Aure A suspense-filled movie directed by Ali Gumzak, this movie tells the story of a couple who could not live together because of their past experiences in marriage. Quite a revealing movie, the storyline was also relatable. It starred the big names like Ali Nuhu, Balarabe Jaji, Nafeesat Abdullahi, and was directed by Ali Gumzak. 6 Zinaru Starring Jamila Nagudu, Hadizan Saima, Rabiu Rikadawa and Hainau Ade, this intriguing movie, tells the story of a girl possessed with some kind of evil spirit. A comic horror flick, anytime she eats fried chicken, she tends to start revealing peoples secrets. Played by Jamila Nagudu, she exposes peoples top secrets as long as you give her chicken to eat. It was directed by Sanusi Oscar. 5 Rabin Raina Rabin Raina tells the story of a young girl who was coerced into falling in love with a gangster. Rahama Sadau and Adam Zango played the lead roles in this intriguing movie. 4 Yazeed Yazeed is an adopted son of a family that never had a son. Yazeed played by Adam Zango was very rude to his parents housekeepers oblivious of the fact they were his parents. The movie comes to a climax when his foster parents were willing to abandon him since they were expecting their biological child. Abubakar S. Shehu directed the movie. 3 YarFim When loosely translated, YarFim, means an actress. It is the story of an actress played by Hafsat Idris who was betrothed to be married to a man whose family never loved and accepted because of her career. The film is an expose on the misconception being held about actresses. Other stars in this Abubakar Maikwai-directed flick include Ali Nuhu, Hafsat Idris and Sadiq Sani. 2 Dankuka If you want to end your day on a beautiful note, then you should watch Dankuka before you go to bed. It is without a doubt, one of the most hilarious Kannywood movies of 2016. DanKuka tells the story of a stubborn child played by Ado Gwanja. He was so troublesome and obstinate that neither his parents nor elders of his community could control him. In no time, he became a nuisance to the community. Trouble began when he beat up the sister of the leader of some thugs who lived close to his village. With no one to turn to, this time around he had to leave the village for fear of losing his life. It featured the likes of Ado Gwanja, Horo Danmama, Adam Zango and Falalu Dorayi. Dorayi also directed the movie. 1 Basaja Gidan Yari Standing tall at the number one position on our countdown is Basaja Takun Gidan Yari. It tells the story of Jabir, played by Zango, who goes about tricking wealthy fraudsters. The movie boasts a stellar cast and catchy dialogue, which actually makes for a great watch. The plot is also complex and tense, and is sure to leave the audience startled from the beginning till the end. Starring Hadiza Gabon, Tahir I. Tahir, Adam Zango, Fati Washa and Isa Mohammed, it was directed by Adam Zango. Egyptian authorities have detained a news producer working with Al Jazeera for allegedly spreading false news, state television reported on Sunday. Prosecutors on Sunday ordered that Mahmoud Hussein be jailed for 15 days pending further investigations on charges of spreading false news. He was alleged to have fabricated reports on the internal situation in Egypt to be shown on Al Jazeera, the broadcaster added on its website. The Interior Ministry said Hussein, an Egyptian, was arrested for alleged involvement in implementing a plot by Al Jazeera aimed at stirring sedition and inciting against state institutions. Egyptian government officials had repeatedly accused Al Jazeera of bias toward deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood group, an accusation denied by the broadcaster. The Doha-based network said Hussein had been arrested this week, days after his arrival from Qatar in Egypt to spend his annual holiday. Al Jazeera added that his detention represents a new chapter in the Egyptian authorities crackdown on its journalists. Ties have been tense between Egypt and Qatar since the armys 2013 overthrow of Morsi following mass protests against his rule. Scores of journalists and rights campaigners have been detained by the Egyptian government since Morsis overthrow. In May 2016, an Egyptian court sentenced two Al Jazeera employees to death in absentia on charges of leaking secret state documents to Qatar in a case also involving Morsi. In September 2015, Egyptian President Abdullah Fattah al-Sisi pardoned two other Al Jazeera journalists sentenced to three years in prison each in separate cases. (dpa/NAN) Donald Trumps transition team said on Sunday that the president-elect planned to shut down his controversial charitable foundation. President-elect Donald J. Trump announced today that, as part of his ongoing transition efforts, he intends to dissolve the Donald J. Trump Foundation, a statement from the transition team said. The Foundation has done enormous good works over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups, including supporting veterans, law enforcement officers and children. However, to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as President I have decided to continue to pursue my strong interest in philanthropy in other ways, Mr. Trump was quoted as saying. President-elect Trump has directed his counsel to take the necessary steps to effectuate the dissolution, the statement added. I am very proud of the money that has been raised for many organizations in need, and I am also very proud of the fact that the Foundation has operated at essentially no cost for decades, with 100 per cent of the money going to charity, but because I will be devoting so much time and energy to the Presidency and solving the many problems facing our country and the world, I dont want to allow good work to be associated with a possible conflict of interest, the statement quoted Mr. Trump as saying. The statement offered no timeline for when his foundation would close down. The Washington Post newspaper had reported the story earlier. The state of New York opened an investigation into the Donald J Trump Foundation in September. The foundation is being investigated to make sure it is complying with New York laws governing charities, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said at the time. The investigation followed reports of transactions that came to light in recent months, including a Washington Post story citing tax records showing that Trump had not donated to his foundation since 2008. The newspaper also reported that the foundation spent $20,000 of money meant for charity to buy a 1.8-metre-tall painting of Mr. Trump. The foundation also donated $25,000 to the attorney general of Florida in 2013 as she was considering filing fraud charges against Trump University. Mr. Trump has denied any connection between the money and the attorney general, who later decided not to pursue an investigation. Mr. Schneiderman, a Democrat who supported Hillary Clinton, Mr. Trumps opponent in the race for the White House, has said his actions are not politically motivated. (dpa/NAN) HEALTH EXPENDIITURE For several years, Nigeria has consistently spent only about one per cent of its GDP on health, said the Provost of the College of Medicine of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Kehinde Oluwadiya. Mr. Oluwadiya, a professor of medicine, disclosed this while delivering a lecture titled Impact of Present Economic Challenges on Health Indices in Nigeria and Medical Practice in Nigeria as a whole organised by the Association of Resident Doctors of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH, Osogbo chapter. According to him, governments at the various levels have been spending just over one-third of what should have been spent on the health of citizens. Statistics showed that the government only spent one per cent of Nigerias GDP on health in 2013, a figure he noted has remained unchanged since 1995. There is a difference between GDP and total budget expenditure, the don explained. Government is spending an average of $31 but in order for the government to provide just the basic health need of an average Nigerian, they should be spending $86 per person, he said. CERVICAL CANCER: IMMUNISE GIRLS BEFORE FIRST SEX In a bid to stem the rising cases of cervical cancer in Nigeria, Health Education and Empowerment Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, has commenced awareness and screening sessions among women in rural communities in Ogun State. The Information Centre on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) says there are 14,089 cervical cancer cases in Nigeria. It also reports that about 8,240 deaths are recorded annually in the country. Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of HEDEN, Folasade Ofurume, emphasised the need for early screening once a sign is noticed. She said cervical cancer is preventable by receiving the Human papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine before sex from age 11 above. She explained that cervical cancer was the commonest genital cancer killing women especially in sub-Saharan Africa, adding that it is the second commonest cancer affecting women in Nigeria. Cervical cancer is fatal if left unrecognized and untreated. It is very important for every woman to undergo regular cervical screening to detect abnormalities. She urged parents to vaccinate both boys and girls because HPV causes other diseases aside cervical cancer REPORT ADVERSE DRUGS REACTIONS NAFDAC The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has called on Nigerians to take reports of adverse drugs reactions more seriously. This advice was given through its acting Director-General, Yetunde Oni, at a media chat on pharmacovigilance and malaria held in Abuja on Tuesday. The advice was against the backdrop of a revelation that Nigerians report only a fraction of cases of adverse drugs reactions they experience. Due to the inherent nature of medicines, no medicine, no matter how skilfully produced to meet specified quality standards, properly distributed and stored, rationally prescribed and used is 100 per cent safe. However, by continuously monitoring all medicines, it is possible to detect those causing unwanted ADRs, understand why they cause ADRs and prevent them from further causing harm to users. This can only be done effectively if healthcare providers detect and report all suspected ADRs and other medicine related problems, she said. RURAL DWELLERS ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE Some medical experts in Nigeria are asking the government to empower the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable people at the rural areas have access to affordable medical treatment. They believe this will help cushion the effect of recession in the health sector. The provost of the college of Medicine in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Oluwadiya Kehinde, made the request over the weekend while delivering a lecture organized by the Association of Resident doctors, LAUTECH, Osogbo chapter on the Impact of Present Economic Challenge on Health Indies in Nigeria and Medical Practice in Nigeria as a Whole According to him, the economic situation in Nigeria has led to an increase in price of commodities, including drug making it difficult for most people to go for cheaper and mostly counterfeits. The Vice President of ARD, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Akintunde Olugbenga, stated that from policy point of view, the government could bring forward events and policy changes that would increase access to health, especially with decreasing patronage of government hospital because of lack of funds by providing universal Health Insurance coverage for more Nigerian. LASSA FEVER DEATH The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, called on members of the public to be vigilant over Lassa fever. He also confirmed the death of a health worker from the disease in Ogun State. Mr. Adewole gave the advice through a press statement by his ministry. He urged Nigerians to be calm and seek care in healthcare facilities if they noticed any symptom of the disease. Anybody with symptoms which include fever, headaches, vomiting, should report immediately at the nearest medical facility. Healthcare professionals are reminded to test before treating for suspected malaria, and if the test is negative for malaria, to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever. Lassa fever is treatable when detected early. Medical personnel are hereby directed to report cases of suspected Lassa fever immediately to the state Epidemiologist, who has been provided with the commodities, by the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, to respond to cases, he said. RESIDENT DOCTORS THREATEN STRIKE Members of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) issued a 21-day ultimatum to the federal government to address the issues of the state of health in the country, as well as the doctors welfare or face a total indefinite withdrawal of services. This was said at press briefing after the meeting of the Nigeria National Executives of the Resident Doctors in Enugu by the National President, Ugochukwu Onyebueze. They observed that the health of Nigerian citizens is not being given the attention it deserves due to worsening health indices and dilapidated infrastructure in health institutions in the country. He also decried the undermining of staff welfare in tertiary health institutions, selective and vindictive non-payment of members who agitate for their dues, epileptic pension and remittance deductions and enormous burden of unpaid salaries among other issues. They also demand that Resident Doctors welfare be made a priority. RESTRUCTURING PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM To make Nigerias inefficient primary healthcare system effective, the government plans an overhaul that could lead to some sort of financial autonomy for individual health centres. The minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, represented by the Director of Public Health at the ministry, Evelyn Ngige, at the 2nd Annual Primary Health care Service Lecture held in Abuja, said the move could lead to primary healthcare centres, PHCs, having full control of how they utilise money they are allocated. This approach, according to him, informed the budget process in 2017 and underpins the approach for increasing healthcare services as espoused under the approved guidelines at the basic health care provision function. Public health expenditure needs to increase from its current 25 per cent to ensure an equitable delivery of services. The guest speaker, Obinna Onwujekwe, a professor at the department of pharmacology and therapeutics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said primary healthcare in the country has been a total failure. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would love to be remembered in making basic healthcare services qualitative, accessible and affordable to all Nigerians, he said. Hundreds of Shiite IMN members on Saturday held a protest march in Kaduna to demand the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. The protest by the Shiites occurred despite a ban on processions and rallies by the Kaduna State Government and the police. The government, which had earlier outlawed the IMN declaring it an insurgent group, said the ban was necessary to maintain peace and order in the state. On Saturday, the protesters marched through the popular Ahmadu Bello area, causing heavy traffic for road users. They sang in Hausa and English calling on the federal government to release Mr. El-Zakzaky who has been in detention without trial since December 2015. The cleric was detained after over 300 members of the IMN were killed by soldiers who accused them of blocking the road and plotting to kill the army chief, Tukur Buratai. The IMN denied the armys claims. A court in Abuja has since ordered the release of Mr. El-Zakzaky and his wife and ordered payment of compensation to them. As the protesters marched on Saturday, Kaduna residents asked the state government to ensure it does not turn violent especially during this Christmas period. I wanted to run away when I heard them coming but all that happened to me was I lost some of my money, a Kaduna resident, Habiba Sale, said. I beg (Governor) El-Rufai to please give people maximum security during this Christmas, she said. Mr. El-Rufai has assured Kaduna residents of adequate security saying all security agencies were working together to ensure peace during the yuletide. In this interview with PREMIUM TIMESEvelyn Okakwu, Samson Ayokunle, a pastor of the Baptist Church and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, describes the 2016 Christmas season as the worst ever in Nigerias history, adding that the economic situation of the country is comparable only to that of a woman in labour pains. PT: Five months after your appointment, how would you describe the journey so far? CAN President: I have been in office for five months and we give God the glory. We are trying to reposition CAN. We are taking off from where the last administration left off. We have put almost all the principal administrators in place; we have brought new directors on board to lead the team. And CAN has been able to pay all the staff, without any outstanding, by the grace of God, including Christmas bonus. However we are appealing to all Christians, CAN is a very poor organisation, the blocs have not been responding, in terms of remitting their statutory dues to the national body, for it to function. People like myself and the directors work on voluntary bases; we dont earn salaries. But for us to be doing things, like travelling for official duties and getting accommodation, with payments from our own pockets, that is not good enough. That is a way to make life difficult for people you have put at the helm of national affairs. That is very difficult. I must not leave the system like that. I will need to work towards making CAN responsible for the people they are using to sustain the life of the organisation. No organisation can stand without adequate finance. PT: Any Christmas message to Nigerians? CAN President: My message to Nigerians at Christmas is that they should be courageous. In the bible, in Mathew Chapter One, we see how, after Mary was found pregnant, Joseph decided to trust in God. He decided not be vindictive, but leave everything to God. Let us leave the future of Nigeria to God. Lets not try to be blaming one person after another. Let us know that God knows the end from the beginning and that he rules in the affairs of men. We agree that God created the heavens and the earth and everything in it and we are his creatures; and that his thoughts for us are for Good and not for evil; then out of our pain, something good will come. We should learn like Sampson that all things work together for the good of those that trust in God. May be what is happening now is for self-examination, so that we can come out as gold that has passed through fire and shines later. Let us take it courageously that a glorious done will soon emerge. That the God who intervened in the situation of the Samarian women through the words of a prophet, that same God can intervene in the situation of Nigeria. He is a living God and he rules in the affairs of men. Let those who have and are better off, take care of those who do not have. The poor will always be in our midst and it is God that gives power to get wealth. We have never had it this hard and tough, never in the history of Nigeria. Our naira has never been so devalued, since our independence. Those who never felt the pain of economy before, are feeling it; you cant get foreign exchange for those whose businesses are linked with foreign exchange. Even airlines are closing down. Television houses are not operating. We had a radio in my church but because of the problem with foreign exchange, we shut it down. So things are really hard. It is a very challenging time. It is a time of labour pain. You know that when a woman is passing through labour pain, it can be very difficult. But after surviving that pain, the joy of delivery overwhelms everything and does not allow the woman to experience pain again. God is not taking us to 2017 to punish us. Nigerians will believe that with prayers and with the right advice to our leaders, as well as humility and the fear of God, which breeds selflessness, then 2017 would be better. PT: How would you rate this administrations approach to the challenge of employment? CAN President: This administration like the past administration has neglected the teaming unemployed youth in our nation. We are turning them out of various tertiary institutions in millions yearly, but we have not planned on how to take them into employment. We look like a plan-less nation. A nation which has refused to borrow leave from the developed nation. What the advanced nations have is what they planned for. We are educated, but behave like illiterates because it appears that we are too short sighted. That is in leadership. This administration needs to work hard on how to get the youth employed, otherwise violence will continue in the nation, because the youth will demand for how they will feed every day. The militancy in the Niger-delta is empowered by unemployment. People dont get anything tangible to do; they have to be engaged by one thing or the other. An adage once said that an idle mind is the devils workshop. If people dont have anything to do, they have to get something. Kidnapping was brought about by many years of socio-economic denial. When we finished secondary school, almost certainly a job was waiting for you, you will get something to do. But when you finish university now, you are roaming the street. You see people finishing PHD roaming the street, looking for what to do. Then the little employment you do is partisan employment, as if only people from a particular political party or group are the once that know what to do; as if they are the only ones that voted you to power. Our leaders need to be more broad-minded. Immediately you come out of election and become a leader, you become a father to all. You need to divest yourself of your ethnic grouping; of your religious grouping and be a nationalist. Broad-minded to make sure that justice is done to all religion and all ethnic groups. I will not give this administration pass mark on balancing ethnicity in appointments and on the issue of religion. Everything has been skewed to one side. Only a fool who is just partisan will say No, dont emphasise that. How will you not emphasise that when we are in a pluralistic society, and a sense of belonging is not given; and everybody is supposed to have a stake? That was the reason we put federal character in our system of operation. This is not the first administration we have had. If the federal character is not respected people will complain. When it was not the issue; nobody was mentioning it. For example, the minister of education was changing the leadership of boards and parastatals in the ministry, about 17 of them; and 13 were Muslims. That is an insult for other religious groups; does it mean that all the competent hands must come from only one religious group? And you say religion does not matter; who tells you it does not matter? In all nations of the world, religion is a sensitive issue; because it has to do with the faith of the people and your faith has to reflect in the way you do things. So we need to know that the way to treat people fairly is to respect them and get them involved. Those who are advisers to our political leaders, I will blame them for not doing their work enough. PT: Have you made a formal presentation to the president, regarding this? CAN President: Our initial intention was to visit him; but the letter of notification to see him was written as far back as in July and the letter of invitation has not come till today. We wrote that letter and had it sent on the same day that a similar letter was sent to the Vice President. And the letter sent to the Vice has since been responded to, despite the fact that the same channel was used in sending the letters and on the same day. So what can we do; the only thing we can do is that when we notice something, we let it be known through the pages of the newspapers and you journalists have to give it priority. Because when we are talking, we are not talking out of sentiments, but out of objectivity. And we are talking because of all Nigerians. PT: What is you take on the ongoing war against corruption? CAN President: Well, in todays administration we can say that the war against corruption is a plus, we are all happy about it. But the methodology is the question. It must not be done in a military way, it must be done democratically. Virtually all politicians before now are corrupt. Not politicians from one political party. So what people who are not politicians and cannot be bought are saying is that for a rational human being, for critical minds, for objective minds, this war against corruption is too partisan. And this administration has to divest itself of that. EFCC will always have allegations against people who dont belong to the ruling party. They will not have allegations against politicians who have served or are serving, who belong to the ruling party. So the present administration needs to live above that. There is no Nigerian who is not happy about war against corruption; because we know that corruption must become a thing of the past in order for us to move forward. But it does not have to be partisan; and when we are talking of it being partisan, it is because of our deep knowledge of what partisanship is all about and the methodology, the way that the fight against corruption is going. PT: You had talked about a vision you had before your election as CAN president, as well as your wifes reaction to the vision; can you shed more light on this? CAN President: My wife was afraid because of the negative criticisms that Christians usually hip on national leaders without proper investigations. Christians dont weigh many of the things they say in the newspapers by their leaders before they say them. They wouldnt get to the bottom of the matter, they would not ask for details. There is a lot of sensationalism in the newspaper, which may be far from the truth. A lot of this things have to be investigated properly, before comments are made. When you have destroyed your own leader falsely, you may be sincere, but you may be sincerely wrong. When you have destroyed the image of your own leader, it will be very difficult, so this is why my wife said she did not want my name to be smeared, but since it was a revelation by God, I know he will handle it. PT: Talking about allegation, and the manner of reportage of Christian leaders; there were reports about an alleged bribe was given to CAN leaders by the past administration to canvass support for former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 elections. What is your take on that allegation? CAN President: Nobody in CAN can make response to that, because nobody has been directly alleged; anybody that wants response should go the person that was alleged. PT: What is your response to the manner of investigations and conduct of government agencies, regarding blasphemy killings in the country? CAN President: The husband of Bridget, the woman that was killed in Kano has spoken again and again that he was there, when his wife was slaughtered and that he knows the people; that those arrested were the ones that did it. How then can Kano government that was not there, now make a case of no submission. I have been struggling before making my statement, to get a copy of that judgement. But the legal officer has been frustrated; we have not been able to get that judgement up till now; I would have been able to make more informed decision on the matter, if they had made it easy under the legal justice system. That is not the only area where we see the issue of denial of justice; Christians have always been on the receiving end. And it appears that the situation increased astronomically in recent times. And that is the image that this present government needs to correct about itself. On the street of Abuja, Nigerias city of power, for somebody to be doing evangelism and for life to be snubbed out. I dont know where evangelism is a crime in our constitution. And up till now, the police are being paid, the DSS are being paid, with all the other law enforcement agencies not to be able to apprehend somebody. PT: What do you think Christian leaders in government have done about this? CAN President: I dont know, you can ask them. Did you hear that recently, Emefiele was made leader of Nigerias international Islamic financial institution? What are we doing there, are we an Islamic nation? What have we got to do there in the first place? Who gave whoever did it, whether the president or the national assembly, who gave them the power? What type of provocative impunity is going on in Nigeria? CAN will take that up, we will not allow that to lie low. PT: Before you were elected, so much controversy arose with CAN blocks with some leaders, even arrested. What efforts have been in place to address the controversies? CAN President: There is no organisation, without ups and downs. We are trying to reconcile and it is not wise to continue to flog the issue; you only need to be praying with me, that we will be able to get everybody to agree together. There must be unity in diversity; the attitude of mutual respect, for us to move forward. Reconciliatory efforts are ongoing and it is not good to be apportioning blames here and there. Just pray with us that the Lord god will perfect things for us, with all the aggrieved parties, including the Catholic Church. But what I would say boldly is that: I did not fight with anybody, nobody is fighting with me. If anybody is aggrieved, I would like to know why. PT: What is your reaction to recent incidences of Church building collapse in Nigeria? CAN President: My advice is to all Nigerians. Let them engage thoroughbred structural engineers, because the lives of many people are at stake. Buildings have been collapsing here and there. There are some people with good certificates who cannot defend it. When I am talking of being thoroughbred professionals, I am talking of people whose works can evidently be seen everywhere, before we can employ them. The Russian defence ministry has confirmed that a military plane with 92 people on board has crashed into the Black Sea. The plane is said to have disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from the resort of Sochi. It was flying to Latakia in Syria, where Russia has deployed troops and aircraft to help keep President Bashar Al-Assad in power. Fragments of the plane have been found and one body has been retrieved, the BBC reports The defence ministry said the plane was carrying soldiers, 64 members of the Alexandrov military music ensemble, and nine reporters. The flight originated in Moscow and had landed at Adler airport in Sochi for refuelling. Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5km (one mile) from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70m (165-230ft), the BBC quotes the Russian defence ministry as saying. So far no survivors have been found. The Russian Defence Ministry said that no survivors are seen from the Tu-154 military plane that crashed on Sunday in the Black Sea off the coast of Sochi. The plane, which was carrying 93 people, including a renowned choir to perform for the holidays at a Russian airbase in Syria, crashed shortly after takeoff, Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in televised comments. At least four bodies have been recovered from the crash site, with major debris found about 1.5 kilometres from the coast, Konashenkov said. He earlier said 92 people were aboard the plane. The Russian militarys most prominent choir, the Alexandrov Ensemble, was travelling to Syrias coastal region of Latakia to perform at the Khmeimim airbase, Russias main base of operations for its military campaign in the Syrian civil war. The plane was carrying more than 60 musicians, including the choirs revered conductor, Valery Khalilov, a lieutenant general, and nine journalists, according to a list published on the Defence Ministrys website. There are practically no chances that anyone survived the crash, the Interfax news agency cited an undisclosed source in Russias emergency services as saying earlier. Russia has been supporting its long time ally, Syria, with a bombing campaign against militant groups for more than a year. Last week, Russias ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, was shot dead in Ankara by a gunman who shouted Islamist slogans and denounced Moscows military involvement in Syria. The most likely cause of the crash was either a problem with the plane or pilot error, state news agency RIA Novosti cited an undisclosed source as saying. Russian federal investigators have opened a criminal case into the incident on charges of disobeying aviation rules, the Investigative Committee said in a statement on its website. Designed in the late 1960s and with more than a thousand produced, Tu-154s were one of the main airliners of the Soviet Union and its successor states for decades until they began to be phased out in recent years. The planes have been involved in almost a dozen major crashes since 2000, killing more than 800 people, including Polands then-president Lech Kaczynski near the Russian city of Smolensk in 2010. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has been in continual contact with President Vladimir Putin over Sundays incident, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in comments carried by state media. (dpa/NAN) The Ikeja Police barracks building that collapsed earlier on Sunday failed integrity tests on two occasions, PREMIUM TIMES can report. Yakubu Suleiman, the south-west zonal coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority, stated this at the scene of the incident during the demolition of the rest of the building by officers of the agency. We have understanding that the building has failed integrity tests, twice, the NEMA boss told PREMIUM TIMES. Junior police officers across Nigeria who live in the various barracks usually live in terrible conditions in decrepit, unmaintained buildings. Mr. Suleiman disclosed that victims of the building collapse include a police officer and the officers relative. A part of the building, known as W block, collapsed at about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday. Bodies of the victims have since been deposited at the mortuary. The demolition of the rest of the building was ongoing at the time of this report. Residents of two other residential blocks at the Lagos Police barracks, Ikeja, have been ordered to quit the buildings. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, gave the order while monitoring the demolition of a collapsed building in the barracks. The other two blocks to be vacated, located adjacent the collapsed W block building, are blocks V and U. Tragedy struck in the early hours of Sunday when the toilets and stairway of wing D of the block collapsed at about 4.00 a.m. The Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, said that bodies of two dead men were recovered after the incident. The victims were identified as one Mr. Danjuma, a police officer, and another male relative of Mr. Danjuma, whose identity is yet to be confirmed. Their bodies have since be deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary, Yaba. The General Manager of LASEMA, Adesina Tiamiyu, said the agency and other stakeholders commenced immediate demolition of the affected building under the directive of Mr. Owoseni. Mr. Tiamiyu had earlier told PREMIUM TIMES that the collapsed building failed integrity test twice. PREMIUM TIMES investigations revealed that residents of the collapsed building had been served eviction notice on two occasions, but they refused to leave. They have been told to leave the building more than twice. Even, there was a time their doors were removed, a resident of the barracks who declined to have his name in print, said. We thought they would leave but they didnt leave. I think that was when government should have come for this demolition exercise. Efforts to speak with other residents of the building proved abortive as they refused to talk to journalists. Meanwhile, checks by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that many of the buildings in the barracks are in decrepit conditions. Some of the buildings showed visible cracks and signs of weakness. A police officer who spoke with our correspondent but craved anonymity said that most of the buildings are in a mess. He pleaded with the media to help publicise the terrible state of the police buildings. As you can see by yourself, most of the buildings here are in terrible conditions. Our living condition here is poor, he said. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that residents of the two other buildings marked for demolition have been served two-weeks evacuation notice. The spokesperson of the Lagos Police, Dolapo Badmus, could not be reached to comment on the deadline given to the residents or whether an alternative had been provided for them. The Federal Government plans to make primary healthcare accessible to Nigerians by ensuring at least one fully functional centre to deliver the services in each of the 109 senatorial districts of Nigeria. The acting Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Emmanuel Odu, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES. Nigerians have lamented the poor state of primary healthcare centres, PHCs, across the country. The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, confirmed the development to make one in each senatorial district fully functional. Mr. Adewole said the revitalization of the PHCs was a key component of the Rapid Result Initiatives of the federal government. We want to bring healthcare services to the doorsteps of our people and the only way to do that is to deliver health through a network of functional PHCs, the minister said. Expatiating on the subject, Mr. Odu said the plan is under a project titled National Primary Healthcare Revitalization Initiative. The initiative is that in which the Federal Government, through the NPHCDA, sets out to ensure that at least one primary healthcare centre in each of the districts across the country is made fully functional to deliver a number of services to the people in that ward, he said. We consider that each of the senatorial districts in each of the states of the federation will have one PHC. The first phase of the exercise is to ensure that 109 plus one are made functional and the selection process for this phase is to select one primary health care centre in a senatorial district, which means every state of the federation has three in the first batch. And the Federal Capital Territory, which has only one senatorial district, has one primary healthcare facility, which is located at Kuchingoro at Gwarimpa ward of FCT, he said Mr. Odu said the project on the revitalization of Primary Health Care is part of the present administrations plans to make primary healthcare accessible to all. The plan is to ensure that comprehensive services are delivered by way of the world human health service package. The package includes control of communicable diseases, which include malaria, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and immunization in all the locations across the country. Maternal and new born care is also part of the package. To ensure that this package works well, adequate human resources are needed to run 24-hour services in those facilities, Mr. Odu said He said the state governments is prepared to partner with the agency and ministry to provide the human resources needed for healthcare services. Residents of Mararaba town, near Abuja, on Saturday night defied subsisting police ban to usher in Christmas with fireworks and knockouts. On Friday, the police reminded Nigerians that the ban remained in force nationwide, warning of dire consequences for violations. Parents and guardians are advised to prevail on their children and wards to desist from these acts that are capable of causing tension, fear and apprehension in their neighbourhood. Violators will be promptly arrested and prosecuted, Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, said in a statement. However, the warning fell on deaf ears as fireworks lit the skyline of the populated suburb, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports. A NAN correspondent, who monitored the traditional Christmas eve celebrations in the town, reports that knockouts also featured prominently. At many roadside bars visited, residents, including males and females, young and old, were seen dancing to latest Nigerian music amid free use of the banned items. The violations were encouraged by non-enforcement of the ban as police patrol teams went about their business. A firework user at a public bar on Abacha Road, who identified himself as T-Gold, told NAN that he was not even aware of any ban by the police. I am not aware that the use of firework is prohibited by the police, and I doubt because I have been throwing banger since yesterday without being questioned. A police patrol team has been going up and down this road, and as you can see, it is celebration galore with fireworks and knockouts, no challenge, he said. The situation was the same at other places visited by NAN, including several roadside bars on Old Karu Road. (NAN) The All Progressives Congress, APC, has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and President Muhammadu Buhari on the great success of Operation Lafiya Dole which resulted in the capture of Boko Harams last stronghold, Sambisa Forest on Friday, December 23. The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Sunday hailed the victory as well-deserved and a welcome development. The party also commended the Nigerian people for the prayers and support offered to the military in the fight against insurgency. The APC National Publicity Secretary said: Fridays capture Of Sambisa Forest, Boko Harams last stronghold is well-deserved and a welcome development following the vigorous and focused leadership the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration has provided in the fight against insurgency in the North East. The victory is in fulfilment of one of the key promises made by the Party to protect the citizenry and effectively secure all Nigerian territory. Going forward, the priority of government is to intensify ongoing efforts at reconstructing and rehabilitating the North East so that displaced persons can return to their peaceful and productive lives. State governors and political leaders across the country have been calling President Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him and the leadership of the armed forces following the takeover of the Sambisa Forest from Boko Haram terrorists. A statement in Abuja on Sunday by Garba Shehu, the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, noted that the calls received by the President were from the Governors of Jigawa, Kano, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Katsina, Kaduna and Sokoto. He stated that the President had also received similar congratulatory messages from governors in South-East, South-South, South-West and North Central states of the federation. The Presidential aide said the governors commended the President on the achievement of the feat which they said has pleased the Nigerian people and is also being celebrated all over the world. He added that the governors had assured President Buhari that the whole country was behind him to secure the country, saying there could not be any meaningful development without security. The governors also paid tributes to the brave servicemen and women who made supreme sacrifices in the liberation of the Sambisa Forest and hoped that their services would never be forgotten. They urged the President to mobilise resources, both human and material, to sustain the gains made so far in the fight against terrorism and economic sabotage. The attainment of the armed forces under his leadership was something that was never in doubt at the time of his election in 2015, the governors noted. They then urged the UN, the U.S., European Union, rich countries of Asia, the Mideast and international aid and donor agencies, to raise their support to Nigeria to quicken the pace of the resettlement and rehabilitation of the millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps across the country. In his message by his media office on Sunday in Lagos, a former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu, also congratulated Mr. Buhari and commended the troops for their bravery and resilience, asking them to now move to establish their hold on the area. I congratulate the nation, President Buhari and the army for crushing Boko Haram in their last stronghold of Sambisa Forest. I congratulate the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for their bravery and resilience. They have given the nation a most wonderful Christmas gift, Mr. Tinubu said. I know the insurgents were engaged in their last desperate acts and merely clutching to their last straw. Now they have been put down. Terror will have no place in our land. The end is here. I commend the troops. I thank them again for their courage and bravery. Its time to finish the job and locate and liberate the remaining Chibok schoolgirls abducted from their school in 2014. As we sink ourselves in the Christmas celebration, let us remember to pray for the troops. Let us remember that for them, there was no Christmas. Let us also spare a thought for the Internally Displaced Persons. We must support them and give them hope. Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama has told incoming President Donald Trump to accept the fact that there is only one U.S. President at a time. Mr. Obama also told the president-elect that he remains the U.S. President till Jan. 20, 2017, when he would complete his two-term presidency of the U.S. and handover to Mr. Trump. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr. Obamas remarks followed what the White House termed as Trumps undue interference in U.S. policies since his election. The president-elect had on Thursday directed the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, to veto the Security Councils Resolution on Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. However, the Obama administration disregarded Mr. Trumps directive and had gone ahead to abstain from voting on the resolution when it finally came up on Friday, drawing criticisms from the president-elect and his team. The White House, in a response by Mr. Obamas Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, Ben Rhodes, obtained by NAN, said the UN Security Councils Resolution was a policy issue that Trump should not meddle in. On the President-elect, the first thing Id just say is that theres one President at a time. President Obama is the President of the United States until January 20th, and we are taking this action (abstention), of course, as U.S. policy, he said. Mr. Rhodes explained that there was no communication between the White House and the President-elect or his staff between when Obama made his decision and when the vote took place. So Im not aware that President Obama and the President-elect spoke about this, but again, Im not President Obama definitely made no reference to that, so I cant confirm that this hasnt come up at all, but Im not aware of any particular conversation they had about this. We did hear from the President-elects team. Again, our position has been theres one President at a time. Were going to make our decision on this and, frankly, believe that its important that theres a principle here that the world understands who is speaking on behalf of the United States until January 20th and who is speaking on behalf of the United States after January 20th. And look, the new team will have every opportunity after January 20th to pursue their own policies, to take different approaches. Im certain that they will on any number of issues. Were just reflecting the simple principle that I think has guided the President-elect transitions historically. Which is that there is one President at a time and were going to execute our duties until the new team is in place and the new President is inaugurated, the Obama aide said. NAN recalls that following the pressure that Trump reportedly put on Egypt, the sponsor of the resolution, Egypt withdrew it on Thursday and the vote was consequently delayed till Friday. However, the resolution was put forward on Friday by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela and the 15-member Council adopted the resolution by a vote of 14 in favour and one abstention the U.S., which abstained from voting rather than veto the resolution. (NAN) There was a fire outbreak at the headquarters of the Nigerian Breweries in Iganmu, Lagos, on Sunday morning. No casualties were recorded after the fire was put out, according to Ibrahim Farinloye, south-west spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA. Largely owned by Dutch beer maker, Heineken, Nigerian Breweries is one of the largest producers of beer in the West African country with popular brands such as Star larger. The fire at the beer headquarters occurred same day two people died after a staircase in a two-storey building collapsed at the Highway Quarters of the Lagos Police Barracks. The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday. Dolapo Badmus, the Lagos Police Spokesperson, confirmed the deaths to PREMIUM TIMES. Mr. Farinloye said the partial building collapse affected the bathroom of the building. Efforts are on to bring down the remaining part of the structure, he said in a text message. The fire outbreak that engulfed a part of the headquarters of the Nigerian Breweries in Iganmu, Lagos, on Sunday morning, impacted only bottles and crates, the company has said. In a statement issued through its official twitter handle, the company confirmed the inferno, saying there were no injuries or casualties and its operations had not been disrupted. The fire outbreak at Lagos Plant of NB contained. No injuries or casualties. Only empty bottles/crates impacted. Operations not disrupted. Nigerian Breweries (@NBPLC) December 25, 2016 Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that the fire destroyed the companys warehouse before fire-fighters arrived. Rasak Fadipe, Director of the Lagos State Fire Services, said his agency discovered the fire around 5:25 a.m. We discovered it on our own, it was not as if they placed a call to us, we saw the thing billowing in the sky and that was how we responded, Mr. Fadipe told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone. On arrival, we discovered that the fire covered about three acres of open land, where finished products and empty cartons were stacked. It was very massive, the bottles and the crates were dissolving as we were attacking the fire. There were some sporadic explosions as well, that gave us another problem but we quickly got it under control. But as at now we are on top of it; we had to break the back of the breweries building and fight from there because the fire was initially spreading to the railway line. Seven fire trucks from the Lagos State Fire and Safety Services, three fire trucks from Julius Berger, and officials of both the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency were on ground to tackle the inferno. Earlier, Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA south-west spokesperson, had told PREMIUM TIMES that no casualties were recorded after the fire was put out. Largely owned by Dutch beer maker, Heineken, Nigerian Breweries is one of the largest producers of beer in the West African country with popular brands such as Star larger. The fire at the beer headquarters occurred same day two people died after a staircase in a two-storey building collapsed at the Highway Quarters of the Lagos Police Barracks. The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, William Kumuyi, on Sunday said that in 2017, God would grant President Muhammad Buhari the solution to the numerous challenges facing the country. Mr. Kumuyi gave the assurance while speaking with journalists when he played host to the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who led some members of the Assembly on courtesy visit to the churchs December Convention. The cleric said, We talk of the hours of recession, difficulty, distress and all that, but God is granting us His promises. We are not going to carry over our problems. We pray and believe that the Lord will answer. As you will see, as we get to the New Year, there is no carryover of our problems. God will give solutions to the problems of our lives, families, communities, the state and our nation. The pastor said that with prayer and faith in God, the country would get out of all its challenges, including the economic recession. The church founder said God created us and wants everything to be sufficient for everybody. Meanwhile, addressing the congregation of thousands of worshippers, Mr. Obasa urged all Christians to show love to their neighbours, adding that the state was committed to fight unemployment among the youth. He said that the newly created Employment Trust Fund would help reduce joblessness by providing soft loan with little interest for enterprising people of Lagos State. We must go beyond religious demarcation and show ourselves that we are brothers and sisters. Let us love one another. We should extend hands of fellowship to our neighbours, the speaker said. Mr. Obasa, who urged churches to pray for the state and nation, said that the state was passionate to give good governance and improve the economy of the state for the benefit of all. He expressed delight over the warmth reception accorded his team by the leadership of the church. NAN reports that the Speaker, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Muyiwa Jimoh, and the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Dayo Saka-Fafunmi were among the team. Funmilayo Tejuosho, the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Petitions and Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission also attended. NAN reports that the four-day, nation-wide convention, which started on December 23 and expected to end on December 26, is tagged, Power for the Present Hour. It is taking place at the Deeper Life Conference Centre (DLCC) KM 42, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. (NAN) Some Nigerians on Sunday expressed their support for the plan by President Muhammadu Buhari to use the recovered looted funds to finance the 2017 budget. The people gave their backing in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos. President Muhammadu Buhari last week presented the 2017 Appropriation Bill before the joint session of the National Assembly, saying part of the 2017 budget would be financed with recovered monies. About N250 billion recovered funds are part of the income expected to be used to fund the N7.3 trillion 2017 budget. The Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, had said N72 billion of the money has already been recovered. We are projecting N258.6 billion looted funds to be part of the revenue to finance 2017 budget, Mr. Akabueze said. In his reaction to the governments plan, Lai Olorode, a former National Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission, applauded Mr. Buhari for the proposal. The looted funds belong to the public and now that the funds have been recovered, they are being recycled for the primary purpose for which they had been originally meant for; which is improvement in the welfare of the people through the delivery of social services, Mr. Olorode said. He said, President Buhari and his team deserve commendation. Mr. Olorode, therefore, said that the budget should be implemented to the letter. Toyin Raheem, the Executive Secretary, Campaign Against Corruption and Bad Governance, CACOBAG, a Non-Governmental Organisation, also supported funding the budget with the recovered loots. It is not wrong to use the recovered loot to finance the 2017 budget. After all, the 2016 budget is financed through loan. The funds cannot just be lying idle or end up being looted by other corrupt elements. Though, nothing has shown that 2017 budget will also not be financed through loan, Mr. Raheem said. Martin Onovo, the 2015 Presidential Candidate of the National Conscience Party, NCP, also supported that public funds should be used for public purposes. Public funds should be used for public purposes. The Federal Government should use all funds recovered from looters to fund the 2017 budget and mitigate borrowing, Mr. Onovo said. The Federal Government will formally re-open two major roads in Borno on Sunday following the defeat of Boko Haram in most parts of the north-east by the Nigerian military. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said this in a statement issued in Abuja. The roads are the Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak and the Maiduguri-Mungono-Baga. Mr. Mohammed said he and the Minister of Defence, Mansir Dan-Ali, Service Chiefs, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State and other dignitaries will grace the occasion. He said the two major roads, which were earlier closed due to the activities of the insurgents in the area, are of strategic importance to the economy of the Lake Chad Region. The minister said that the dignitaries will later have lunch with the gallant troops. (NAN) Habiba Lawal, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, EFO, has warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages. She gave the warning at the inauguration of the Daura Township Erosion Control Project, Phase 1, in Katsina State. She urged the people of the community to guard the project and ensure that the canal and drainages were always kept clean. She stated that the project was initiated and funded solely by the Ecological Fund Office. She said this was based on the need of the Daura community arising from the devastation of the internal roads network by erosion and the painful effect on the community. She added that the handing over ceremony was intended to ensure community ownership, maintenance and sustainability of the project for the good of the community. The Permanent Secretary was represented by Mohammed Garba, the Director of Finance and Accounts in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The Chairman of Daura local Government Area, Lawal Kaita, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the project for execution by the Ecological Fund Office. The Emir of Daura, Umar Faruk-Umar, represented by the District Head of Daura Waje, Auwalu Umar, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the project. He also appealed for the extension of the intervention works to cover other erosion challenged parts of the area. The Director of Soil Erosion and Flood Control, Felix Okeke, disclosed that the project was started in December 2015, and completed in record time. He observed that the commissioning and handover of completed projects to benefiting communities was a new initiative of the Ecological Fund Office to avert neglect and dereliction as was noticeable in the past. NAN reports that the project was executed by Messrs CGC Nigeria ltd, while Team Work Global Associates Limited served as project consultants. (NAN) The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has confirmed the attacks on Saturday and Sunday in Goska, Kaninkon chiefdom of Jemaa Local Government Area of the state, describing them as the handiwork of forces of darkness. The attacks in Goska occurred in spite of a 24-hour curfew the state government imposed on Jemaa and two other local governments in Kaduna. The other local governments are Zangon-Kataf and Kaura. President Muhammadu Buhari had also endorsed the curfew after a closed door meeting with Mr. El-Rufai. The curfew was put in place to prevent violent attacks like the one that occurred in Goska. It was announced a day after an attack by demonstrators in Kafanchan on the governor and his officials after a state security council meeting in the town. The demonstrators had pelted the convoy of Mr. El-Rufai with stones before razing down the official residence of the local government chairman. They accused the government of not doing enough to stop the attacks by suspected herdsmen on their communities. Mr. El-Rufai, in a statement on Sunday by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, expressed sympathy with the families that lost loved ones in the renewed attack. Although the details of the attacks and the casualty were not stated, the governor charged security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice. While the government and security agencies were working assiduously to block all windows to ensure that citizens throughout the three local government areas and the state at large are protected, these forces of darkness that represent evil and inhumanity struck again, killed innocent citizens, burnt their houses, injured some and terrified many, the governor stated. Government and security agencies will not be deterred, we will continue to be resilient, up and doing and courageous in tackling this unfortunate situation. Their tactics are to create a chasm, divide people, breed hate and prejudice and plunge the state into chaos but we will triumph over these evil forces by the grace of almighty God. Mr. El-Rufai said the government would continue to be firm and decisive in its efforts to suppress the attackers and restore peace in the state. He urged the people of the state to come together irrespective of religion, ethnicity and political inclinations to confront the attackers. They become stronger only when our people are divided instead of coming together to weaken and neutralize them and the evil they represent and to free our humanity from their devilish act, he stressed. It is also clear that resorting to self-help compounds the precarious situation thereby, breeding the cycle of vicious killings. It must be clear to all by now that inciting of tit-for-tat does not help our security agencies and communities attain our quest for peace and those calling for that will also be brought to justice. He said he had directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take inventory of those affected and also bring relief materials to assist the victims of the attack. Our deep empathy and prayers go to the families that lost their loved ones and those that lost their homes and properties. May their souls rest in peace and may God see us through this challenging time, the statement concluded. A campaign against crude oil theft mounted this year by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) has highlighted the dangers of crude oil theft and sabotage of pipelines to more than 40 communities in the four local government areas in Ogoni land Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme. This public service campaign is a clarion call to people involved in crude theft in the Niger Delta, not only in Ogoni land, to stop destroying their land and heritage through pipeline vandalism, said Osagie Okunbor, SPDC Managing Director and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria. SPDC has reached nearly 150 community units in Ogoni land since it commenced the targeted campaign in 2014, in response to the UNEP Report on oil pollution in the area which recommended public sensitisation on the environmental devastation from pipeline vandalism and illegal crude oil refining. The grassroots campaign is implemented in partnership with officials of the Rivers State Government, the National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency, NOSDRA, and community leaders who engage chiefs and elders, youth and women groups as well as opinion and religious leaders among many others. The programme involves open-air meetings which are preceded by publicity campaigns on the electronic media. The central message of the campaign is that the criminal act of crude oil theft threatens present and future generations, said Vincent Nwabueze, Manager of SPDCs Ogoni Restoration Project. The 2016 campaign which held between June and October was very successful. Working with an Ogoni-based NGO, we recorded impressive turnout in all the campaign centres with many community people agreeing with the theme of danger for all and benefit for a few that crude oil theft represents. In a visible demonstration of government support, the Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs personally led one of the campaign sessions. We are grateful for the support of the Government and the communities, and hope that people will take the messages to heart and stop exposing lives and the environment to danger through crude oil theft activities. In addition to the campaign against crude oil theft, SPDC commenced a separate LiveWIRE programme for Ogoni land in 2014 with the objective of providing alternative means of livelihood for youth in the area. The pioneer set of 105 beneficiaries graduated in February 2015, and more than 70 per cent of them are now successful business owners and employers of labour. Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti has given approval for the immediate promotion of 15,772 public servants in the spirit of Christmas, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. A statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Sunday and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Idowu Adelusi, said the promotion cuts across workers in the local governments, teaching service and the core civil servants. The statement said that the beneficiaries consisted mainly of those whose promotions were due since 2012, 2013 and 2014. It said the governor had consequently ordered that letters of promotion be given the affected workers without further delay. The statement, however, clarified that the promotion status still remained nominal, as the cash backing for the exercise would be effective only from March 2017. It announced that all categories of workers in the state had been paid two months salaries in December, while Christmas bonus would be paid immediately after the Christmas holiday. The statement quoted the governor as saying that though the state was currently grappling with economic challenges, it did not mean that deserving workers should not be recognised for hard work. We wont deny our workers their dues and entitlements, economic recession or no economic recession. As leaders of the state, we must be fair to all and that is what we are doing. Our administration is resolute in giving the best to all Ekiti people, including those in the public service. This month alone, we have paid two salaries, we are also paying Christmas bonus after the holiday. We deliberately spaced the payment of the bonus so that after the Christmas holiday, workers will still have something to fall back on, it said. (NAN) The police have arrested some suspected fraudsters while attempting to sell a private property belonging to Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, in Abeokuta. The building is still under construction in the Government Reservation Area, Ibara in the state capital, Abeokuta. The palatial home into which Mr. Amosun is said to be planning to move after his tenure, is an object of attraction for residents and passersby in the area. According to PREMIUM TIMES findings, the fraudsters had been baiting mostly foreigners with fake documents, some of whom they had even taken on inspection of the property. However, nemesis caught up with the fraudsters when security operatives said to have been on their trail for a while finally arrested them. The State Police Commissioner, Ahmed Ilyasu, confirmed the arrests but told our correspondent to wait for official update. ( Read 7286 Times) Source : A addicted person become so much angry that he tries to hang his mother by her own sari . It is the neighborhood who saved her .This is the part of scene of a play which was staged in the play on addiction in Vidhya Bhawan Polytechnic college on Wednesday evening. This was staged under the direction of Dr P.C.jain who is spearheading campaign against addiction who himself took part in the paly.Under the N.S.S. banner of the college Dr Jain first showed the students the bad effects of various addictive substances like supari,gutkha ,tobacco, alcohol, ghanja,opium, brownsugar etc with the help of posters.He suggested that target of de-addiction should be1. Desire control & 2. Damage control & to achieve them we should follow four D 1.Dely ,2.Distract,3.Deep breathing,4.Drinking water .All students took the oath from him & Dr.Anil Mehta the Principal of the college as not to be addictive to any substances & get the person de - addicted at the earliest.Dr .Anil Mehta thanked Dr .P.C.Jain for this programs.Radha Kishan Menaraia the N.S.S.Incharge conducted the programs & Ramesh Chandra Kumar assisted him .Dr.P.C.Jain thanked all girls & Boys students who took part in the play. MARGATE Children decked out in dresses, bows and button-ups gathered Saturday for a Christmas service just for them. Margate Community Churchs childrens service lasts only a half-hour, perfect for antsy tykes, and entertains children with caroling and stories. After the service, the children eat a birthday cake for Jesus. The Rev. David Fleming, who has offered the service for 28 years, said the service gives kids something thats typically so oriented on adults. At nighttime, we do candles and candlelights, and thats just too late. On their way in, each child grabbed a battery-powered votive and held the little light as they took their seats. Fleming asked the children to flip over their plastic candles, to see if they had a number on the bottom. Ten-year-old Kal Heyman was one who did. He bounded to help the minister light the four candles at the altar. Kal, of Longport, attended with his sister, Sadie, 9, and their parents, Dan and Kim Heyman. Kal and his father said Kal wasnt nervous about helping the reverend. This is their church. They go every week, Dan Heyman said. This is probably, like (his) ninth or 10th (Christmas childrens service). Weve never missed it, Kal said, who added he enjoys seeing other children at the service. An adult who had a votive number tried to pass off her lighting duties to 4-year-old Michael Pascarella, but the boy shyly shook his head no. Michael, of Philadelphia, came with mother Lauren McCutcheon, father Mickey Pascarella and grandmother Nancy McCutcheon. Nancy McCutcheon, of Ocean City, is a member of the church. I dont think he remembers it from previous years, Lauren McCutcheon said about their annual attendance. Fleming told the story of the animals that visited the baby Jesus, asked what gifts the animals brought and what gifts the children would have brought themselves. The childrens suggestions ranged from pacifiers to whatever he wants. Kal, who hoped for a phone for Christmas, and Sadie, who hoped Santa would bring her an iPod, had ideas for the baby Jesus. Kal said hed bring the baby an actual crib. Sadie said shed bring him warm blankets and love. Sarah Beth Johnson and her family have both a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah tree. Not too far from their nutcracker display is a dreidel game her children play. The family tries keep the decorations to a blue, silver and gold color scheme, so as to not go completely crazy with hues. But the holidays are hectic times and it all blends together for this family in Margate. And for this December, when three major holidays align within the span of two days, multi-holiday families will have a lot to celebrate in a compressed amount of time. Christmas annually falls on Dec. 25, but Hanukkah and Kwanzaa both fall very close to that date this year. Hanukkah, the Jewish celebration for eight nights, began Saturday, while the African-American cultural celebration of Kwanzaa kicks of Monday and lasts until New Years Day. Thats a lot of celebration. But Johnson and her family are ready. Johnson grew up in a Christian home, while her husband, Colin Bell, had a Jewish upbringing. The couple and their two child-ren will start celebrating Hanukkah on Christmas Eve by having a Hanukkah lunch and beginning to light the candles on the menorah. Then they will go to Johnsons brothers home to celebrate Christmas Eve on Saturday night. The traditional Christmas morning will take place with a party with family and friends celebrating Hanukkah, which commemorates the Jewish peoples successful rebellion against the Greeks in the Maccabean War. It can be a lot to handle, but Johnson said her kids seem to love it. It will be an overload, she said. Richard Benner, professor of philosophy and religion at Atlantic Cape Community College, describes the history of these celebrations in line with winter solstice and how early mythological celebration adapted with modern religion. Given the age and depth of these traditions, new celebrations were attached to this time of year, Benner said. The close occurrences of all these holidays, usually times of hope forgiveness and looking toward the future, cause human beings to be more aware of each other, he said. We are aware, even if only subconsciously, that we are all interconnected with each other and with nature and we harbor a need to express thanks for our past and hope for our future, Benner said. Patricia Reid-Merritt is a distinguished professor of social work and African studies at Stockton University. She said her closest circle of friends and family celebrate both Christmas and Kwanzaa. Reid-Merritt said that while she and her friends are Christian by faith, she is a cultural nationalist by all social practices. We participate in all the Christmas holiday traditions: holiday decorations, card sending, Church and family gatherings. Kwanzaa offers a different kind of celebration, but is just as equally anticipated as Christmas, said Reid-Merritt, who often participates in local Kwanzaa celebrations, such as the annual one at the Atlantic City Free Public Library. Reid-Merritt said Kwanzaa brings together a larger community. Johnson and her family are happy to provide her kids with the options of multiple traditions while marrying different communities. Though her children will be raised Jewish, Johnson will still show them celebrations such as the Feast of the Seven Fishes from her Italian background. They need to be exposed to different religions, she said. To try and make it fit into one belief just doesnt work. ATLANTIC CITY Authorities charged a city man with murder Thursday in the shooting death of a woman with whom he shared an apartment, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office announced Saturday. Joseph McCoy, 43, is accused of killing Jacqueline Hoyle, 23, who was found dead at 4:22 a.m. in their apartment on North Tennessee Avenue. Authorities had not found or arrested McCoy, prosecutors spokesman Jay McKeen said. An autopsy performed Thursday found Hoyle died of a single gunshot wound. Detectives charged McCoy with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Bail has been set at $750,000 full cash with no bond. A conviction on the murder charge carries a sentence of 30 years to life. Anyone with information on McCoy is asked to call the prosecutors Major Crimes Unit at 609-909-7666 or the police Investigations Division at 609-347-5766. Drop prevailing-wage rule to pay for school repairs In the last election, the voters of Little Egg Harbor and others turned down referendums of over $50 million for repairs and upgrades to the Pinelands high and middle schools. Few details of what this money would be used for were passed along to the taxpayers of the Pinelands School District. After one of the largest tax increases for mainly school salaries and benefits costs recently, taxpayers are not ready to be taxed more for repairs that seem to be excessive in cost. The district is required to pay enormous costs far and above what other states pay for this type of work due to mandatory, state-dictated prevailing-wage costs. Some wages are well over $100 per hour including benefits to insure votes from union members in state elections. This work should be bid out to all state-licensed contractors qualified to perform this type of work without any requirements on pay and benefits. Then we would get more work at fair prices. Voters in the district should not vote for this referendum until the state changes the rules on what rates have to be paid to get the work done. Taxpayers should insure some of the current school-tax funding goes to repair these schools, in place of paying for high pension and medical-benefit costs for educators and administrators. Ernie Cooney Little Egg Harbor Township Blaming Benghazi attack on video was fake news Hillary Clinton speaking out against fake news is like Donald Trump speaking out against calling people mean names. I didnt hear Clinton mention in her speech the mother of all fake news, Susan Rices State Department address diagnosing the motive for the Benghazi attack as a spontaneous demonstration. Clintons State Department purposely pushed out the pathetic fake narrative blaming the successful and well-planned spontaneous demonstration on some random independent film producer, who perhaps distastefully produced a cheap anti-Islamic YouTube video. By the way, that demonstration also randomly took place on 9/11. Clinton is obviously trying to appear relevant, in other words valuable, to all those honest foreign donors from whom her foundation accepted millions with an expectation of absolutely nothing in return. Mark Naughton Egg Harbor Township U.S. electoral system and Trump voters fine I am quite fascinated by the anti-Trump left. Donald Trump is a racist ... because he intends to close the borders and require everyone to enter under the same rules? Or is it because he wants to deport criminals and require others to earn the right to stay? Are those who voted for him racist? Even the 20 percent who voted for President Obama in the last election? Maybe those who voted for Trump were honest, hard-working Americans who were just tired of the present political system. Maybe those Trump voters really did not trust Clinton. With regards to the Electoral College, this is a system that has worked from the beginning. It was and still is a balance of power. Without the Electoral College, it is possible that a very, very large portion of this country could be ignored in every national election. I find it amusing and a bit hypocritical that the left is doing the very things, when it comes to Trump, that for eight years it criticized the right for doing. The American electoral system should be left alone, and people should stop labeling others as racist, bigoted or stupid. Edward V. Sherretta Sr. Cape May NEW YORK, Dec. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As with Charles Dickens' story of Ebenezer Scrooge, President Obama has played his Bah Humbug card during the Christmas season by declining to stand with Israel during the latest resolution to halt settlement building in Jerusalem. As a result, Israel feels abandoned by her closest ally the United States. In a United Nations whose President admits extreme anti-Israel bias it is not the US that tried to prevent a vote declaring Jerusalem's Holy sites are not Jewish; it was Egypt that asked to defer the vote. Egypt was God's instrument to save the baby Jesus when Joseph fled there with Mary and their infant son after the visit by the Magi. The parents had learned that King Herod intended to kill the infants of that area. Once again Barack Obama refused to have the moral clarity to act in Israel's best interests. The resolution passed by a vote of 14-0. Mike Evans, Founder of The Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem (PRNewsFoto/Dr. Mike Evans) The United States abstained rather than vetoing the proposition. Do you understand the implication of a vote stating that Jerusalem is not for Jews? It means that now, just before Christmas, the Temple Mount has no relationship to Christianity! Bethlehem is all but lost to Christendom, and the Christians there suffer. The only Christian sites that are honored are under Israeli care. Think about it: America, the most Christian country in the West, allowing the most holy Christian sites to be overtaken? There is no dichotomy here; if it is not Jewish, it isn't Christian. What will be the relationship now between President-elect Donald Trump and Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, after Sisi agreed to postpone the vote on a UN resolution regarding Israeli settlements. Israel had reached out to President-elect Trump for assistance in stopping the vote on the measure. Sisi revealed that the call between him and Trump, "touched on the draft resolution...on Israeli settlements". The writers of the article stated: "The two leaders agreed on the importance of giving the new administration a chance to deal comprehensively with all the aspects of the Palestinian cause to achieve a comprehensive settlement." Trump's worldview is one of moral clarity, or simply put: Good versus evil. Liberals such as President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have a difficult time seeing moral issues clearly; they are moral relativists. They reject absolute standards of good and evil, right and wrong. Donald Trump believes that Israel is a Jewish nation and America is a Christian nation. Merry Christmas! In the Obama Liberal Left worldview man is capable of perfection, human nature is on a path toward enlightenment, and the concept of original sin is primitive. Secular humanists make excuses for evil, or worse, deny evil exists and coddle it by refusing to confront it. Humanists re-invented Yasser Arafat as a peacemaker and gave him the facade of a freedom fighter, not a terrorist. In Donald Trump's worldview, America was attacked only because it is a Christian nation, and Israel is constantly under attack because it is a Jewish nation. The Liberal Left mocks such beliefs as simplistic and ignorant because they believe that evil does not really exists; that people are basically good, and it's better to talk with people and show tolerance. Leaders of the State of Israel feel as though they have been deserted by the United States, heretofore her closest ally. In a UN whose President arrogantly confesses prejudice against Israel, it was not the U.S. that tried to forestall a vote that Jerusalem's Holy sites are not Jewish. Rather, it was Egypt, a Muslim country. The insinuation behind a vote declaring Jerusalem not to be Jewishright now, just before the celebration of Christmas, is enormous. The protected Christian sites in Israel are under the auspices of the Jewsnot the Arabs. The only Christian sites that are honored are in Israel or under Israeli care. Think about it: If Jerusalem is not Jewish, then Christians worldwide have no claim. I debated Hanan Ashwari, the spokesperson for the PLO, at the Madrid Peace conference. She said Bethlehem is the Muslim town where Jesus Christ, the first Palestine Christian was born. I replied, "No, Bethlehem is the Jewish town where Jesus Christ, the Jew was born. She responded, "Don't destroy my reality; don't attempt to confuse me with facts." A friend who visited Bethlehem several years ago wrote: The last time I visited the town, it was under complete Palestinian control. It was so filthy I had a hard time recognizing it. Unlike my other visits, it now seemed as if we had been thrust into a Third World country. Confusion ruled; dirt, dust, and stench prevailed. How sad that the city of Christ's birth has so declined under Palestinian operation. If the resolution that has been offered regarding Jerusalem is passed, the question remains: Is this a picture of what that beautiful city will be in a few years? Will a once-thriving city be reduced to an unappealing pile of debris? UNESCO's latest assault on history is unconscionable; it is an attempt to erase the Jewish historical, cultural, and biblical relationship with the Temple Mount. For over a decade, the Waqfthe Islamic group which governs the Muslim sites on the Temple Mounthave worked diligently to destroy all ancient Jewish artifacts and ties to a site that is holy to both Jews and Christians. Their efforts have now been given credibility by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Today, the battle of good versus evil is being fought from within. Liberals hate the America of which Christian presidents dream. They hate Israel, the Bible, and Christians, in general. They subject Christians to scorn, ridicule, and discrimination. There is no attack on American culture more deadly than the secular humanists' attack against God in American public life. The insults, verbal abuse, and attacks are so severe that anyone who contradicts them is labeled "ignorant, evil, racist and bigot." The dumbing down of America has begun, and all in the name of political correctness and a new Godless globalism. The hippies of the 60s have become the establishment against which they once railed. Even though they run the culture, the media, the educational system, the courts, the arts, etc., they are still self-destructing. From the public and private sector, from mainstream Hollywood to public schools, from Washington politics to local judges, from the arts to the sciences, they are self-destructing. America, the noble experiment, is under siege. A tidal wave of evil is sweeping over our nation: the self-injuring, spirit-destroying, conscious-searing practices of pornography, abortion, homosexuality, and drug and alcohol abuse are being supported as they never have been before. There is a vicious moral and spiritual war raging in the hearts and minds of Americans. The liberal crowd wants God and the Bible out of America. Our first president, George Washington, said, "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Reason and experience forbid us to expect that morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Can the liberal, secular humanists' hatred for all things Christian pass Natan Sharansky's "town square test"? He wrote in his book, The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny & Terror, "Can a person walk into the middle of the town square and express their views without fear of arrest, imprisonment, or physical harm? If he can, then that person is living in a free society. If not, it's a fear society." The rights of every Jew in Israel and Christian in America to express his or her views without fear of retaliation from liberal organizations are frequently challenged and are slowly being eroded. Dr. Michael Evans is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His book, Islamic Infidels, is available at www.Timeworthybooks.com. SOURCE MIKE EVANS SINGAPORE, Dec. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kenon Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: KEN; TASE: KEN) ("Kenon") announces that it has agreed to provide a RMB250 million (approximately $36 million) shareholder loan to Qoros Automotive Co., Ltd. ("Qoros"), and in connection with this loan, the maximum amount of Kenon's back-to-back guarantee obligations to Chery has been reduced by RMB275 million as follows. As part of the loan to Qoros, Kenon's back-to-back guarantee obligations to Chery with respect to Chery's guarantee of Qoros' RMB3 billion loan facility with the Export-Import Bank of China ("EXIM Bank") have been reduced by one third, and the maximum amount of Kenon's obligations under this back-to-back guarantee1 has been reduced from RMB750 million to RMB500 million (approximately $72 million). In addition, Kenon's major shareholder Ansonia Holdings Singapore B.V. ("Ansonia") has committed to fund RMB25 million (approximately $4 million) of Kenon's remaining back-to-back guarantee obligations to Chery in certain circumstances (the "Ansonia Commitment"). Chery Automobile Co. Ltd ("Chery") has agreed to make a corresponding RMB250 million loan to Qoros. The proceeds of these loans will be used to support Qoros' ordinary course working capital requirements and Qoros' investments in new initiatives, such as new-energy vehicles, while it continues its fund raising efforts. As part of this transaction, Kenon's subsidiary Quantum (2007) LLC ("Quantum"), which owns Kenon's 50% interest in Qoros, has pledged approximately 9% of the outstanding shares of Qoros to Chery to secure the amount of the back-to-back guarantee reduction (i.e., if Chery is required to make payments on its guarantee of Qoros' debt, then to the extent that Chery makes payments that would have been reimbursed by Kenon but for the back-to-back guarantee reduction, Chery will be entitled to enforce this pledge). Chery may also borrow from Quantum up to 5% of Qoros' outstanding shares to meet its pledge obligations under a Qoros RMB 1.2 billion loan facility with EXIM Bank. The number of Qoros shares pledged to Chery is subject to adjustment from time to time. In certain circumstances Quantum must pledge additional shares (to the extent it has unencumbered shares), and in other circumstances the pledged shares may be released and the borrowed shares must be returned, e.g., in the event that Quantum is required to pledge additional shares to secure the RMB1.2 billion EXIM Bank facility.2 The transactions described above are consistent with Kenon's strategy to support Qoros and its fundraising efforts, but also to refrain from material "cross-allocation" (i.e., investing returns from one business into another) as this loan by Kenon, which will be accompanied by a loan from Chery in the same amount, provides necessary liquidity to Qoros while reducing the back-to-back guarantees to Chery. Kenon has been informed that, in order to facilitate Kenon's above mentioned reduction in Kenon's back-to-back guarantee obligations to Chery, an affiliate of Kenon's major shareholder has given certain undertakings to Chery with respect to the released guarantee obligations. 1 Subject to certain obligations to negotiate fees and interest described in the table below. 2 Quantum has previously pledged a significant portion of its Qoros shares to secure Qoros' obligations under Qoros' RMB 1.2 billion loan facility with EXIM Bank. Set forth below is an overview of the back-to-back guarantees provided by Kenon in respect of Qoros' indebtedness, reflecting the reduction of the back-to-back guarantees described above. Date Granted Qoros Credit Facility Kenon Maximum Guarantee Obligation prior to Guarantee Release described above Kenon Maximum Guarantee Obligation after Guarantee Release Spin-Off / November 2015 RMB3 billion EXIM Bank credit facility RMB750 million RMB475 million ($69 million)1,2 May / November 2015 RMB700 million EXIM Bank loan facility RMB350 million (plus interest and fees of up to RMB60 million)3 RMB350 million ($51 million) (plus interest and fees of up to RMB60 million ($9 million)3 Total4 RMB1,100 million (plus certain interest and fees)1,2 RMB825 million ($120 million) (plus certain interest and fees)1,2 1. In the event that Chery's liability under its guarantee exceeds RMB1.5 billion, Kenon has committed to negotiate with Chery in good faith to find a solution so that Kenon's and Chery's liabilities for the indebtedness of Qoros under this credit facility are equal in proportion. This is subject to the reduction of Kenon's back-to-back guarantee obligations by one-third as described above. 2. Following the reduction in back-to-back guarantee obligations of Kenon as described above, Kenons' maximum guarantee obligations (subject to certain obligations to negotiate fees and interest as described in footnote 1.) in respect of Qoros' RMB3 billion facility have been reduced to RMB500 million. Pursuant to the Ansonia Commitment described above, Ansonia has agreed to pay up to RMB25 million (approximately $4 million) to Kenon in certain circumstances in the event that Kenon is required to make payments on its back-to-back guarantees under the RMB3 billion facility; any payment by Ansonia would be made only after all obligations under Kenon's back-to-back guarantees in excess of the amount of the Ansonia Commitment have been satisfied. Giving effect to the Ansonia Commitment, Kenon's effective maximum guarantee obligations are RMB475 million (subject to footnote 1.) 3. In the event that Chery is obligated under its guarantee of the EXIM Bank loan facility to make payments that exceed Kenon's obligations under the guarantee, Kenon and Chery have agreed to try to find an acceptable solution, but without any obligation on Kenon to be liable for more than the amounts set forth in the table above. 4. Table does not include pledges. Quantum has pledged a significant portion of its Qoros shares to EXIM Bank to secure Qoros' obligations under the RMB1.2 billion EXIM Bank facility. Quantum has also pledged Qoros shares to Chery as described above. About Kenon Kenon is a holding company that operates dynamic, primarily growth-oriented businesses. The companies it owns, in whole or in part, are at various stages of development, ranging from established, cash-generating businesses to early stage development companies. Kenon's businesses consist of: IC Power (100% interest) a leading owner, developer and operator of power generation and distribution facilities in the Latin American, Caribbean and Israeli power markets; and Israeli power markets; Qoros (50% interest) a China -based automotive company; -based automotive company; ZIM (32% interest) an international shipping company; and Primus Green Energy, Inc. (91% interest) an early stage developer of alternative fuel technology. Kenon's primary focus is to grow and develop its primary businesses, IC Power and Qoros. Following the growth and development of its primary businesses, Kenon intends to provide its shareholders with direct access to these businesses, when we believe it is in the best interests of its shareholders for it to do so based on factors specific to each business, market conditions and other relevant information. Kenon intends to support the development of its non-primary businesses, and to act to realize their value for its shareholders by distributing its interests in its non-primary businesses to its shareholders or selling its interests in its non-primary businesses, rationally and expeditiously. For further information on Kenon's businesses and strategy, see Kenon's publicly available filings, which can be found on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Please also see http://www.kenon-holdings.com for additional information. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements respect to the loans to be provided by Kenon and Chery to Qoros, Kenon's back-to back guarantee obligations and the release of such obligations described above, the Ansonia Commitment and Kenon's maximum obligations under the back-to-back guarantee giving effect to the guarantee release and the Ansonia Commitment, statements with respect to the pledge of Qoros shares to be provided by Quantum to Chery, including statements with respect to the release of the pledge and the return of the Qoros shares borrowed by Chery in certain circumstances, statements about Qoros' expected use of the proceeds of the loans described herein, statements with respect to Kenon's strategy to support Qoros and its fundraising efforts, and to refrain from material cross-allocation. These statements are based on Kenon's management's current expectations or beliefs, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Kenon's control, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include risks related to changes in events and circumstances with respect to Qoros and Kenon, the performance of Qoros and Qoros' financial condition and other events that could affect whether Qoros meets its obligations under its debt facilities or other events that could affect whether Kenon is required to make payments under the back-to-back guarantees described herein or result in enforcement of pledges by Quantum over Qoros shares and changes in events and circumstances which may affect Kenon's strategy, the performance of Chery under the relevant transaction documents, the performance by Ansonia under the Ansonia Commitment and other risks and factors, including those risks set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in Kenon's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC and other filings. Except as required by law, Kenon undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Contact Info Kenon Holdings Ltd. Barak Cohen VP Business Development and IR [email protected] Tel: +65 6351 1780 Jonathan Fisch Director, Investor Relations [email protected] Tel: +1 917 891 9855 External Investor Relations Ehud Helft / Kenny Green GK Investor Relations [email protected] Tel: +1 646 201 9246 SOURCE Kenon Holdings Ltd. Related Links http://www.kenon-holdings.com New Delhi, Dec 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Thursday morning where he will lay the foundation stones of various projects. In the wake of allegations levelled by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, all eyes will be on Modi as how he responds to the charges. During his visit, the Prime Minister will inaugurate several projects and will also address the party workers. "Will inaugurate a Trade Facilitation Centre and Crafts Museum and launch schemes and programmes of Ministry of Textiles during the Varanasi visit," Modi tweeted. "There will also be an interaction with booth level BJP Karyakartas (workers) working in the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat," PM said in another tweet. Modi will also lay the foundation stone for Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Hospital and a Centenary Super Specialty Hospital at the Banaras Hindu University campus. "Foundation stone for a ESI super speciality hospital will also be laid. All these development works will greatly benefit the people of Varanasi," Modi said in another tweet. Earleir on Wednesday, Gandhi while addressing a rally in Mehsana in Gujarat had alleged that Modi took huge bribes from two corporate houses when he was the Chief Minister of the state. He demanded an independent probe into the matter. After Gandhi's Gujarat speech, the BJP denied the allegation against Modi, saying the Prime Minister was "as pure as the Ganga" river. Chennai, Dec 22 : The principal shooting of Vijay's yet-untitled 61st Tamil film, directed by Atlee, will commence in February 2017, a source said. The project will be predominantly shot in the US. "With most of the cast and crew already finalized, the makers plan to start shooting. A few locations have been locked in the US, and a few more will be finalized during the next visit," a source from the film unit told IANS. The project reunites Vijay and Atlee after this year's smash Tamil hit "Theri". Kajal Aggarwal and Samantha are slugging it out for the leading lady's part. "Discussions have been initiated with both. In a week's time, an official announcement can be expected," the source clarified. The film will also feature ace comedians Vadivelu and Rajendran. Double Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman is most likely to compose the tunes. Cairo, Dec 25 : The Arab League (AL) welcomed in a statement on Saturday a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution that demands immediate and complete halt of all Israeli settlement activities on occupied Palestinian territories. AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit congratulated the Palestinian people and government on the "pivotal" resolution that was endorsed by a large majority and after more than 35 years of attempts to issue a similar resolution, Xinhua news agency reported. "The resolution reflects massive international support for the historical struggle of the Palestinian people to get their legitimate rights, atop of which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital," said the AL chief in the statement. The resolution was endorsed Friday by 14 out of the council's 15 member states, while the United States abstained but did not veto despite attempts of US President-elect Donald Trump. Egypt tried to delay the whole vote on the resolution, which was seen as a response to pressure from Trump, yet the Egyptian Foreign Ministry later explained that the requested delay was only meant to avoid the exercise of veto right against the resolution. Over 400,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the West Bank and at least 200,000 others live in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as the capital city of their future state. London, Dec 25 : A woman from London and a man from Derby appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court in London Saturday on terrorism charges. Munir Hassan Mohammed, 36, of Derby and Rowaida El Hassan, 32, of Willeston Lane, London were remanded in custody by the court, Xinhua news agency reported. Both were charged with engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism and possessing a record of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. Mohammed was also charged with belonging to a proscribed organisation and dissemination of terrorist material. Mohammed and El Hassan were among six people arrested on December 12 in Derby, Burton on Trent and London. The remaining four individuals have since been released without charge. London, Dec 25 : Model-actress Suki Waterhouse has reportedly started dating "Game of Thrones" star Richard Madden after being introduced to each other by friends. A source told The Sun newspaper that Waterhouse, who previously dated actor Bradley Cooper for two years until their split in 2015, began seeing Madden, who plays Robb Stark in "Game of Thrones", earlier this year, reports mirror.co.uk. "Suki and Richard recently started dating after meeting through mutual friends. It's early days but they've got a great connection and are looking forward to spending quality time with each other next year," said the source. But her friend Cara Delevingne isn't Madden's biggest fan as they had a public feud over an awkward TV interview she did while promoting her film "Paper Towns" in July. Madden branded her sarcastic responses to the questions on "Good Morning Sacramento" as "unprofessional" and "ungrateful". The source said: "Obviously, it's horrendously awkward for Suki given her friendship with Cara and her history with Richard. Cara was furious with his comments and doesn't exactly think highly of him. There are definitely going to be awkward times ahead for the three of them." Chennai, Dec 25 : The makers of Pawan Kalyan starrer upcoming Telugu drama "Katamarayudua, a remake of Tamil film "Veeram", has been confirmed to release next year in March around the festive occasion of Ugadi. In an official statement, the makers confirmed that the principal shooting will be wrapped up by February 2017, and that they are targeting release in March for Ugadi. Directed by Dolly, the film also stars Shruti Haasan, Siva Balaji, Ajay, Kamal Kamaraju and Chaitanya Krishna. The film's latest schedule was completed in Pollachi (Tamil Nadu). "An action block and a duet on Pawan and Shruti were filmed in this schedule," read the statement. Pawan and Shruti , the lead pair, have teamed up for the second time after "Gabbar Singh". Chennai, Dec 25 : Ace comedian Vadivelu is not a part of superstar Rajinikanth's upcoming Tamil science-fiction action-thriller "2.o", contrary to reports. If a source close to Vadivelu is to be believed, he wasn't even approached for a role in the project. "The rumour started when he was misquoted by the press. He had said he's waiting for filmmaker Shankar to complete '2.o' so that he can commence work on 'Imsai Arasan 2' in his production. It was assumed that he is a part of '2.o', which is not true," the source told IANS. Shankar had produced Vadivelu's 2006 Tamil comedy "Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi", and will also be bankrolling its sequel. Having made a comeback with latest Tamil release "Kaththi Sandai", Vadivelu will next be seen in Vijay's yet-untitled 61st Tamil outing. He also has a yet-untitled Tamil comedy film with actor-composer G.V. Prakash Kumar. New Delhi, Dec 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he wanted a debate in Parliament on donations being given to political parties but it could not take place. Speaking in his radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi said: "I wish there was a discussion in Parliament on funding for political parties." He added that rumours were being spread on funding for political parties. "Law is the same for everyone, whether it is individual, organisation or a party," he said. The Prime Minister, however, added that amid the disruptions, something good also happened, and thanked the members of Parliament for passage of the disability bill. "This time Parliament session was the reason of people's dismay. People expressed anger against the disruption, so did the President and Vice-President," said the Prime Minister. "The disability bill was passed and for that I thank all MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on behalf of the Divyangs (disabled)," he added. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, was passed in Parliament in the winter session. Moscow, Dec 25 : A Russian Defence Ministry plane carrying some 91 people crashed on Sunday, shortly after departing from the city of Sochi enroute to Syria's Latakia province, authorities said. The Emergencies Ministry confirmed the crash of the missing Tu-154 plane, saying that the debris of the aircraft along with personal belongings of the people onboard -- 83 passengers and eight crew members -- were discovered in the Black Sea, Sputnik News Agency reported. "According to preliminary findings, the missing TU-154 arrived in Sochi from Chkalovsky airport in Moscow region for refuelling. Most likely, it crashed in mountainous area of Krasnodar territory," an Emergencies Ministry official told Sputnik. The source said the disappeared plane was heading to Syria's Hmeimim airbase. The possible reasons for the crash could be technical malfunction or pilot error. The source added that the plane disappeared from radars 20 minutes after takeoff from Sochi Adler Airport. It departed at 5.20 a.m., and the contact was lost at about 5.40 a.m. Journalists, military personnel, musicians from Alexandrov Ensemble, an official army choir of the Russian armed forces, were onboard. The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviation) told Sputnik News Agency that the flight was "not civilian". The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Russian aerospace and defence company Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. New Delhi, Dec 25 : Are divine decrees more sacrosanct than the man-made laws? Do the "personal laws" of a community always have precedence over the Constitution? The questions came back to haunt India's collective conscience through a string of cases in 2016 -- three decades after it was "settled" in what can be called a high-handed way. The year-that-was saw the Muslim orthodoxy pitted against the courts of law on more occasions than one with the courts, as well as the liberal opinion, repeatedly questioning the Muslim clergy's contention that personal laws were above all scrutiny. The not-so-happy memories of the Shah Bano case of 1985-86 -- where the Rajiv Gandhi government, riding on a brute majority in Parliament, upturned the Supreme Court's ruling in the divorcee's favour through legislation -- came haunting back with Shayara Bano's case. Shayara Bano, a 38-year-old woman from Uttarakhand, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court to ban the practice of triple talaq. Her move came after she suffered for 14 years in a marriage with an Allahabad man. Shayara Bano, a mother of two, said that she was made to undergo at least half a dozen abortions which wrecked her emotionally and physically. She was not allowed to meet her close relatives (Notably, the husband did not deny this). But she still lived on, trying to somehow save her marriage. What she got instead was a talaqnama through a telegram. The Supreme Court is hearing the case. In yet another jolt to the champions of conservatism, the Allahabad High Court in December dubbed triple talaq as "cruelty against Muslim women" while hearing petitions filed by Hina and Umarbee, two residents of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. The court observed that the Islamic law was being wrongly interpreted. The women's rights brigade got a shot in the arm when after five years of legal battle, the Bombay High Court ruled in August that women had equal right as men to pray at the Haji Ali shrine. The Supreme Court upheld the decision and a group of 250 women finally entered the shrine on November 29. Meanwhile, the Union government told the Supreme Court that 'triple talaq', 'nikaah halala' and polygamy were not integral to the practice of Islam or essential religious practices. Clerics and several Muslim organisations, cutting across sects and schools of jurisprudence, decried the government's stand as well the courts' verdicts as "uncalled for interference" in the personal laws of the community. The courts are, however, not convinced. In October, the Law Commission posted on its website 16 questions to seek public opinion on the uniform civil code (UCC) issue. A number of prominent Muslim organisations, led by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), erupted in protest and dubbed the questionnaire as "misleading and divisive". Cutting across schools of jurisprudence, the Sunni, Shia, Barelvi and Ahle Hadith, all called this an "unacceptable attack" on their identity and accused the Narendra Modi government of politicising the issue ahead of the assembly elections in five states, including Uttar Pardesh and Punjab. However, unlike the Rajiv Gandhi government that buckled under pressure from the practitioners of patriarchy in the 1980s, the Narendra Modi government has been unwavering in its "commitment" to women's right to equality. And senior government functionaries are openly advocating a uniform civil (UCC) code for all. While no major political party is against the UCC in principle, they feel it should be done with "consensus" and not imposed unilaterally. Finally, with both the Muslim orthodoxy and the government unwilling to cede their space, the year 2017 may see some sparks flying on the Shayara Bano front. (This is part of a series of articles from IANS that look back at the year that was. Mohd Asim Khan can be contacted at mohd.a@ians.in) New Delhi, Dec 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India is doing well on the economic front, which is evident from different global reports. He said different indicators showed an increase in India's global rankings. "The Doing Business report of the World Bank has increased India's ranking...." In his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address to the nation, the Prime Minister said Indian farmers, despite the difficult situation, have broken last year's record in sowing different crops. "Whether it is the farmers or the labourer, the hardwork of the youth is bearing fruits," Modi said. According to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's World Investment Report, India is in third place in Top Prospective Host Economies. In the Global Competitiveness Report of World Economic Forum, India has jumped to the 32nd rank," Modi said. "We are trying to make business practices in India the best practices in the world, and succeeding as well." Modi said in the Global Innovation Index 2016, India has gone up by 16 points while in World Bank's Logistics Performance Index 2016, we have gone up 19 ranks. "There are many reports that indicate that India is moving ahead swiftly," the Prime Minister said. Washington, Dec 25 : US President-elect Donald Trump said that he will dissolve the Trump Foundation, as part of efforts to untangle himself of conflicts of interest before he is sworn into office on January 20, 2017. Trump said in a statement on Saturday that he was dismantling the foundation "to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as President," CNN reported. He also said recently that he will announce steps next month to separate himself from his business, the Trump Organisation, to avoid conflicts of interest as the 45th President of the US, even though he has repeatedly suggested such steps are unnecessary. According to sources, the real-estate mogul's decision suggests the President-elect is prepared to take some steps to avoid potential conflicts of interest, but offers little indication into whether he will employ a similar approach to the multi-billion-dollar company he has spent decades building. Trump on Saturday touted the money the foundation has donated over the years to veterans, law enforcement and children's groups and said that he intends to pursue his "strong interest in philanthropy in other ways", though he had not donated to the foundation since 2008, according to the foundation's tax records. The New York-based foundation, which has given more than $13 million dollars to charity since it was founded, was originally set up to give away the proceeds from Trump's bestselling book "The Art of the Deal". A Washington Post investigation in June found that Trump had personally given his foundation $2.8 million of the book's proceeds over the past 15 years, and nothing since 2009, Xinhua news agency reported. "I am very proud of the money that has been raised for many organisations in need, and I am also very proud of the fact that the Foundation has operated at essentially no cost for decades, with 100 per cent of the money going to charity," Trump said. However, shutting the Trump Foundation also could allow the President-elect to steer clear of further legal troubles tied to the foundation. The foundation has been the subject of much criticism, and has admitted to violating Internal Revenue Service rules by improperly giving money to someone close to the organisation, according to a recent federal income tax filing. The Trump Foundation reported assets of $1.12 million in its 2015 tax returns. Kabul, Dec 25 : Russia along with Pakistan and China will hold secretary-level trilateral talks in Moscow on December 27 about restoration of peace in Afghanistan, the media reported. "Russia is gravely concerned over expansion and growing influence of the Islamic State in Afghanistan and it wants to play an active role to bring different stakeholders to a negotiating table with reference to Afghanistan," said a statement by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Office. Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry will be representing the country at the Moscow talks, reported Tolo News on Sunday. Zamir Kabulov, Russia's Foreign Ministry's Director of the Second Asian Department, had earlier declared the Taliban a potent armed political power. He said that the Taliban and the Russian federation are bound by common ground in their campaign against the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Afghanistan. He also said that the US has no clear strategy in Afghanistan and it only has a military and political presence in the war-hit nation. Kabulov confirmed that Russia has been in contact with the Taliban, and said these contacts are aimed to ensure the security of Russian nationals political representatives in Afghanistan. Kabulov also expressed satisfaction over growing ties between Russia and Pakistan. New Delhi, Dec 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced lucky draw schemes for people who use digital payment methods including e-banking, mobile banking and e-wallets. In his monthly radio address to the nation 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi on the occasion of Christmas said 15,000 people who use digital payment modes will be given a reward of Rs 1,000 each by a lucky draw under 'Lucky Grahak Yojana'. This amount will be transferred to their accounts. "This scheme will last for 100 days (from Sunday). As such lakhs of people will get crores of rupees," Modi said. The Prime Minister said there will be one big draw every week with winning price in lakhs. "On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti -- April 14, 2017 -- we will be conducting a bumper draw in which the winning price will be in crores." To promote cashless business among the traders across the country, Modi also announced 'Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana' which will only be for traders. Modi also announced tax rebate for the traders doing cashless business. "To encourage cashless business in the country, the government has taken a major decision. All businessmen adopting digital transactions will get rebate in income tax," Modi announced in the 27th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat'. The Prime Minister appealed the traders to join the schemes and also encourage people to adopt cashless transactions. "This scheme is to benefit all sections especially poor and lower middle income groups. Hence, only transactions between Rs 50 and Rs 3,000 will be rewarded," Modi said. Modi said that even poorest of the poor through USSD (unstructured supplementary service data ) can use ordinary feature phone for digital transactions and become eligible for reward scheme. In rural areas people can use AEPS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment System) for digital payments. Modi added that people would be able to take benefit of these schemes only if they use mobile banking, e-banking, RuPay cards, USSD, Unified Payment Interface (UPI) or other digital payment modes. He said that there has been tremendous increase in awareness about digital transactions, cashless business. "In the last few days, cashless business has seen 200 to 300 per cent rise. I am sure people will enthusiastically participate in these schemes," Modi said. Modi also lauded the efforts of all the states and Union Territories for promoting the campaign of cashless trading and digital transactions. "I was told that Assam government has decided to give 10 per cent rebate on property tax and 'vyapar lisence fee' if paid through digital transactions. I congratulate Assam government for such initiatives," PM said. Modi said that out of 30 crore RuPay cards, 20 crores cards belong to poor families. "These 30 crore people can join this reward scheme right away. We should be at the forefront of using digital means to make payments and transactions," he added. Rio De Janeiro, Dec 25 : Liverpool and Napoli are among several European clubs interested in signing teenage Brazilian midfielder Thiago Maia, according to media reports. The 19-year-old, who is contracted to Brazilian outfit Santos until June 2019, is also being sought Monaco, Schalke and Zenit Saint-Petersburg, Xinhua news agency quoted Brazilian publication Sambafoot as reporting. Maia said he would decide his future upon returning from vacation on January 11. "Santos and my representatives will decide if it's time for a transfer," the defensive midfielder was quoted as saying. Maia has made 91 first-team appearances for Santos since his debut in 2014. He has represented his country at under 17, under 20 and under 23 level, and was a part of the Brazil team that won the gold medal at the Rio Olympics in August. Hyderabad, Dec 25 : Actor Shahrukh Khan will receive honorary doctorate at the sixth convocation of Maulana Azad National Urdu University here on Monday. President Pranab Mukherjee will confer him with the degree. University said Shahrukh Khan and founder of Rekhta Foundation Rajiv Saraf will be given honorary doctorates for their extraordinary contribution in the promotion of Urdu language and culture. About 2,885 graduates and post graduates and 276 M. Phil and Ph.D from various disciplines in regular courses will be awarded degrees. According to university officials 44,235 graduates and post graduates from the distance mode would also be given degrees in absentia. Telangana Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan, Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali, and Vice Chancellor Zafar Younus Sareshwala will be present on the occasion. Patna, Dec 25 : Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been regretting his decision to leave the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance. Singh said Nitish Kumar is regretting the move as he is now alone and under tremendous pressure to run the Bihar government with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of Lalu Prasad. "BJP did not dump Nitish Kumar in 2013. It was Nitish who walked away from the BJP-led NDA due to his high ambition," Singh, the Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, said. "But for Nitish Kumar's decision to leave NDA to realise his political aimbtion, there is no vacancy for the top as Narendra Modi is Prime Minister and will continue after 2019. Now, Nitish Kumar has been regretting," the minister said. Singh said the Bihar chief minister has already lost his face of governance and development. "When he was Chief Minister of Bihar in alliance with the BJP and when he was union minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, Nitish was known for his governance and development... not anymore now," he said. The Union Minister also downplayed the question if Nitish Kumar, the Janata Dal (United) President, was likely to return in the NDA fold in near future. Singh is the BJP's Lok Sabha member from Nawada constituency in Bihar. Kolkata, Dec 25 : Resplendent in tinsel and twinkling fairy lights, Kolkata on Sunday soaked in the Yuletide spirit as people of all ages celebrated Christmas amid the all pervading aroma of freshly baked cakes and wines. Special prayers, hymns and masses in churches saw large turnouts of the devout, but for the city, the day was much more than a religious occasion and rather a summation of faith, food and fun. Hundreds of devout Christians took part in the midnight mass held at the age old St. Paul's Cathedral. A large number of people from the city and the outskirts gathered at the fashionable Park Street to savour the festive spirit. The mansion-lined street that oozes a British era charm, was lit up and decorated. Colourful snow streamers, sparkling battery-operated stars, snow bells, dancing Santas, musical Christmas trees, foldable trees, wreaths and foldable decorative items and baubles, decor shops have lined up a host of ornaments adding the extra glitz to the festivities. The city's famous heritage address - Bow Barracks - inhabited by Christians and Anglo-Indians, bustled with songs and dances while the aroma of homemade delicacies, ginger wines and cakes filled the atmosphere. Mother House - the global headquarters of Missionaries of Charity (MoC) founded by St. Teresa - welcomed hundreds of visitors, who started pouring in since morning. Groups of enthusiastic urban travelers headed to rural Bengal to enjoy the holiday relishing sumptuous feasts and Aspending quality time with the near and dear ones. Tourist hotspots like the zoo, Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Nicco Park and the Eco Park saw heavy footfall. Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission also ushered in Christmas at midnight with prayers and carols as devotees gathered around a Christmas tree. Bhubaneswar, Dec 25 : Orissa Stevedores Ltd (OSL) Managing Director Mahimananda Mishra and Executive Director Basant Bal have been taken into custody in Bangkok for their alleged involvement in a murder case in Paradip, police said on Sunday. The Bangkok immigration police have detained them following a request by Odisha Police. "Mahimananda Mishra and Bal have been detained at the immigration centre in Bangkok on the request of Odisha Police. A team of police has already left for Thailand to bring them back to the state. They will be arrested formally on reaching Odisha," DGP K.B. Singh told reporters here. He said steps were being taken to deport them back to India. They were charged with murdering Mahendra Swain, General Manager of Hyderabad-based Seaways Shipping and Logistics Limited (SSLL), over an alleged business rivalry between SSLL and OSL. Earlier, six persons, including Congress leader Bapi Sarkhel, were arrested by police in connection with the high profile murder. Police in Jagatsinghpur district had issued a non-bailable warrant against Mishra, an influential businessman in Odisha, and Bal for their alleged involvement in the murder case. On October 26, assailants hurled crude hand bombs at the vehicle of Seaways General Manager Mahendra Swain in Paradip while he was on his way to his office. When Swain attempted to escape, they fired two shots at him killing him on the spot, said police. Hyderabad, Dec 25 : Police on Sunday said they have solved the mystery behind the firing on a bank CEO here with the arrest of three accused while the hunt is on for the fourth. Police Commissioner Mahender Reddy announced the breakthrough in the case relating the December 18 attack on Manmath Dalai, CEO of KBS Local Area Bank. The investigations revealed that the accused had hatched a conspiracy to commit robbery by collecting details of the bank CEO from his driver. Dalai was injured when one of the assailants opened fire on him in his apartment in Shantinagar area in the heart of the city. Police seized one country made pistol, 12 live rounds, one motor cycle and two mobile phones from the possession of the accused, identified as Shaik Abdul Raheem, Erva Naresh, M. Rajendar and M. Venkata Ratnam, hailing from different parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. According to police commissioner, Raheem had gone to Dalai's apartment and told him that he is from Crime Branch. The Bank CEO asked him to show his identity card. The accused dodged the issue and demanded money. He then whipped out a pistol and fired one round on the wall. As Dalai and his wife ran towards bedroom, the assailant opened another round which hit Dalai in his thigh. The couple locked the room from inside and the assailant escaped. Police had formed 10 teams to track down the accused and after searches in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, three of them were tracked down. Naresh had an account in the bank and during a visit to draw money and asked to show his identity card, gave reference of his cousin Srihari, who was working as Dalai's driver. The same day, the duo discussed about the recent demonetisation and involvement of bank managers in exchange of old currency and keeping huge new currency at their homes and consequently planned to commit a robbery at the CEO's house, said police. New Delhi, Dec 25 : The Congress has set its eyes on opposition unity to corner the Narendra Modi government on a host of issues, sending out an invitation to other opposition parties for a joint press conference in the national capital on December 27. The Congress move comes days after its Vice President Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking kickbacks from corporate houses. According to informed sources, Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel has approached leaders in the Janata Dal-United, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Left parties. The proposed press conference is scheduled at the Constitution Club here, and not at the Congress headquarters so that it doesn't get projected as a party event. According to Trinamool sources, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will arrive in the national capital on Monday for Tuesday's presser. Leaders of Left parties and JD(U) confirmed they have been approached by the Congress but are yet to decide on attending. Sources in the RJD and the NCP confirmed they will attend the press conference. The aim is to give out an impression of opposition unity on the November 8 demonetisation issue. A host of opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, had submitted a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee on December 16, the last day of the winter session of Parliament, accusing the government of stifling the opposition's voice and subjecting parliamentary democracy to "severe threat". While leaders of the TMC, RJD, JD-U and some other parties joined the Congress-led delegation, the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, NCP, DMK, Communist Party of India-Marxist, Communist Party of India and JD(Secular) stayed away. The stand-off between the opposition and the government over demonetisation led to a washout of the entire winter session of Parliament. Some 16 opposition parties had united to corner the Centre on demonetisation. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on December 21 accused Modi of taking kickbacks amounting to Rs 65 crore from corporate houses during his stint as Gujarat Chief Minister and demanded an independent inquiry into the charge. Kolkata, Dec 25 : Carrying forward her opposition to the Narendra Modi government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to go to Delhi on Monday to be present at a meeting of the opposition parties on December 27, sources said. "She will leave for Delhi in the afternoon. On December 27, a meeting of the opposition parties is scheduled to be held there. She will attend the meeting," said a Trinamool Congress source. Besides the meeting, Banerjee is likely to hold one-on-one interactions with a number of leaders, including her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal. Banerjee has been at the forefront of the protests against the Modi government's demonetisation of higher value currency notes, and even toured several states to drum up support for her stand. Guwahati, Dec 25 : Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday launched 'Atal-Amrit Abhiyan' at a function here. Marking the 92nd birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, the initiative is a a health assurance scheme which will give comprehensive coverage for six diseases and cover all individuals in eligible families with annual income below Rs 5 lakh. Under its six categories of diseases, are 437 ailments relating to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, kidney diseases, neo-natal diseases, neurological conditions and burns. "Health always remains a commitment to the present government and with launching of 'Atal-Amrit Abhiyan', access to quality treatment will be a reality for the all the citizens," said Sonowal on the occasion. He said the endeavour aims to make quality health care affordable to every individual member of a family thereby helping them to enjoy a sound body, mind and health and called upon all sections of the people to extend all possible help towards its success. Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the scheme was in fact a tribute to Vajpayee, who was keenly interested in inspiring positive development for the Northeast. Terming it as the biggest health care initiative by any state government, he noted that the financial outlet for the scheme will be Rs 200 crore. Coverage under the scheme will be up to Rs 2 lakh annually for critical health care costs. The assurance will be cashless at the point of delivery and all the members of an eligible family will be given a laminated health card with unique identification number to avail of facilities. Beijing, Dec 26 : China's first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, has left for the waters of the Western Pacific to carry out military drills in the region, the Chinese Defence Ministry said. The aircraft carrier left on Saturday and was spotted by Japan, according to its Defence Ministry statement on Sunday which clarified that it had not entered Japanese territorial waters. The ministry added that the drills are a part of the annual routine exercises, although it comes at a moment of tensions in the Pacific owing to the recent phone conversation between US President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, Efe reports. This month, Liaoning has been carrying out drills in the South and East China Sea, where China is involved in territorial disputes with its neighbours, including the Philippines and Japan. The aircraft carrier also carried out military exercises in the Yellow Sea, which separates China from the Korean Peninsula and Japan. According to the Chinese Defence Ministry, the Russian-made Liaoning has been acquired from Ukraine and reconstructed for use mainly in training and research missions. Damascus, Dec 26 : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad offered his condolences to Russian Preasident Vladimir Putin over the victims of the Tu-154 plane, which crashed in the Black Sea on its way to Syria with 92 people on board. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, Assad said "the news of the crashing of the plane, which was carrying dear friends who were on their way to Syria to share with Syrians their joy of the holidays and the victory in Aleppo, elicited great sadness", Efe reports. Assad also offered condolences to the victims' families and stressed that Syria and Russia are partners in the fight against terrorism and that they share joys and sorrows. The ill-fated plane took off from the Russian city of Sochi with nine journalists, military personnel, and musicians from the Alexandrov Ensemble on board. The musicians were on their way to celebrate the upcoming New Year with air force personnel at the Khmeimim air base near Latakia in western Syria. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: By PTI: PTI12_25_2016_000004B PTI12_25_2016_000005B By Dipankar Mukherjee New Delhi, Dec 25 (PTI) An over enthusiastic devotee biting the ear of another to jump the queue at a temple, a man putting his wife for sale on FB and believe it or not an Air India plane falling off a crane on to a busy road - 2016 had all the mix of the ridiculous, the outlandish or downright ludicrous incidents. advertisement The year was witness to incidents of all types being played out which made the readers sit up and take note of, some of them kooky and some tragic-comic. Even serious crimes like murder seemed to have spawned by weird reasons like that of an 85-year-old man allegedly killing his wife and ailing son in their house in Kerala for using the air conditioner disregarding his diktat against it to bring down the power bill. After the incident, Paul Painadathu allegedly tried to kill himself by hanging from the roof but could not climb the ladder due to his old age, police said. Weird status updates on FB continued with a 30-year-old man from Madhya Pradeshs Khargone district allegedly posting a status update on social networking site Facebook seeking to sell his wife for Rs 1 lakh, in order to clear his debts. The woman lodged a police complaint over the objectionable post, following which a case was registered against her husband Dilip Mali. In his Facebook post in Hindi, the man had also uploaded a photo of his wife and two-year-old daughter and mentioned his mobile number for "interested" people to "contact me". Some freak mishaps also ended in tragedy as a 21-year-old youth died of an electric shock after he spat on a high tension wire. Mohammed Yasin was chewing gutka and received shock from a high tension wire as he spat gutka on it from window of the room on the first floor. Hyderabad took the cake when it came to a freak incident in which an AI aircraft collapsed during road transport! The training aircraft, Airbus A-320, collapsed and suffered partial damage while being shifted by a crane from Begumpet airport to a training institute in Hyderabad. The aircraft was being transported by road from Begumpet airport to Central Training Establishment at Ferozguda in Balanagar when the crane bars got bent down and the aircraft suddenly fell on a nearby compound wall. Goofups galore put many people in unpleasant situations like Manmohan Singh, a 54-year-old farmer of UPs Pilibhit village. advertisement Singh does not even know who Vijay Mallya is, but his banking facilities have been terminated for standing as "guarantor" for the liquor baron, who has defaulted on loan repayment and is facing money laundering charges. Singh, a resident of Khajuria Naviram village under Bilsanda police station, was informed by Naand branch of Bank of Baroda that his two accounts were being frozen for standing as "guarantor" for Mallya. Acting on instructions of BOB regional office, Mumbai, Manager Mange Lal froze Singhs accounts, one having a deposit of Rs 12,000 and the other Rs 4,000. Singh says he does not even know Mallya or anything about his company. "Leave alone Mallya or Kingfisher, I have never travelled to Mumbai or even Lucknow," he said. The farmer said he had taken a loan of Rs four lakh some two years ago for which he had submitted documents relating to his land with the bank. Mallyas Kingfisher Airlines has been accused of defaulting on bank loans of over Rs 9,400 crore. In Thane, a 40-year-old man bit a devotees ear in his bid to enter into core area of a temple to offer prayer following which he was arrested. advertisement Shivaji Nana Salunke alias Yuvraj was one among scores of devotees who had queued up at the Swayambhu Amarnath here yesterday on festival Mahashivratri to offer prayer. Demonetisation move of the Centre also landed some persons in strange situations. It was an experience that a 35-year-old man waiting in a queue outside a bank in Nashik must have wished he never had. As he was standing outside a bank, he was spotted by his ex-lover, a 23-year-old woman. However, what followed was not reunion of old lovers, but settling of an old score as the woman claimed that he had walked out of the relationship four years back. The woman immediately informed her brother and father who came to the spot and allegedly thrashed him in full view of public and bank staffers and later, on her complaint, a case was registered against the man. On the medical front, there was some good news for people suffering from unique problems. A needle which got embedded into the body of a 12-year-old while he was playing, was removed by doctors in Thiruvananthapuram 22 years later. advertisement The man, now aged 34, had approached doctors complaining of severe pain and swelling on his back side. A scan revealed the presence of a needle on his left buttock. The needle had penetrated his body accidentally when he was playing as a child. Though he was rushed to a hospital, doctors could not trace it bank then and the family eventually forgot about it. However, when Kiran Kumar developed pain and swelling, he was referred to the Medical College Hospital where a thorough examination revealed a rusted needle, which was then removed after a two hour-long surgery, they said. In Nagpur, a 18-year-old boy had been living with a 18-cm long tail as his family did not see a doctor due to the social stigma and superstition attached to it. A team of neurosurgeons at a government Super Specialty Hospital (SSH) successfully removed the tail, apparently the longest recorded so far, from the back of the boy after its abnormal growth turned painful for him. But the parents as well as the child hid the fact all these years. The defect can be surgically corrected within few months of birth, the doctors said. "When the size of the tail grew and a bone developed inside it, the tail began to press on the boys back. It was cosmetically and psychologically disturbing for him. Hence the parents approached us," a doctor explained. The patient was unable to sleep or sit properly. Human tail generally manifests into problems related to bladder functioning ? like lack of control of bowel.It can also result in pain and loss of function in lower limbs or legs. PTI DIP DV GSN AAR --- ENDS --- Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East CHICAGO (AP) Property owners can take comfort, but shouldn't lapse into negligence, now that the Illinois Supreme Court has clarified a 1979 state law protecting them from some slip-and-fall lawsuits. The high court reaffirmed earlier this month that the Snow and Ice Removal Act shields property owners from liability if someone gets hurt because they didn't do a good enough job of shoveling, but only when the snow or ice was the result of natural conditions. The court ruled Dec. 1 that when lawmakers passed the law nearly four decades ago, they meant to protect property owners from injury claims resulting from inadequate shoveling. The law, the court said, was intended to encourage people to voluntarily clear their sidewalks. But property owners aren't free to ignore hazardous "unnatural accumulations" of ice and snow, the court said. The case stems from a suburban Chicago woman who fell on an icy sidewalk outside her Carol Stream condo building in 2011, breaking her leg, knee and hip. Pamela Murphy-Hylton claims that inadequate drainage and the placement of downspouts caused the icy patch. She's seeking damages from the condominium association and the property management company. Attorneys for Klein Creek Condominium Association and Lieberman Management Services had argued the law gave them immunity, winning a summary judgment in trial court that was reversed on appeal. The Illinois Supreme Court, in a unanimous opinion written by Justice Mary Jane Theis, affirmed the appellate court's judgment and sent the case back to the trial court. "The Snow and Ice Removal Act provides immunity to residential property owners from claims of liability for injuries allegedly caused by icy sidewalks that result from negligent snow and ice removal efforts, but it does not extend to immunize them from claims of liability for injuries allegedly caused by icy sidewalks that result from an otherwise negligent failure to maintain the premises," Theis wrote. Attorney Kristina K. Green said her client has steep medical bills possibly totaling $1 million and is ready to resolve the case, either through mediation or at trial. "The statute's intent was you can't get in trouble for attempts to clear the ice and snow," Green said. "The ice that our client slipped on wasn't the result of snow and ice removal efforts. The ice formed because there were defects in the property." The Illinois Supreme Court ruling aligns with "the way the law was intended," Green said. "We think it was the right decision obviously." A phone message left for the attorney for the property manager was not immediately returned. By PTI: Bhadohi (UP), Dec 25 (PTI) Six persons were today killed in separate fog-related mishaps in Uttar Pradesh, police said. Four persons were killed and five others injured when a truck hit a van near Lalaganj locality in Gopiganj area in Bhadohi, they said. The incident took place due to dense fog, killing the four persons on the spot. advertisement The injured have been rushed to a hospital, where their condition was stated to be stable. Police is trying to ascertain the identity of the victims. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, two elderly persons were killed and seven others injured when a roadways bus hit a jeep in Haldharpur area due to fog in Mau district, police said. Teju Yadav (60) and Jagdish Yadav (70) were killed on the spot in the mishap, they said. The injured have been rushed to a hospital, where their condition was stated to be serious. PTI CORR ABN IKA --- ENDS --- The Washington Post, December 23, 2016 By Pamela Constable RAWA.org: Dostum's militiamen committed horrendous crimes during the Kabul infighting (1992-1996). His men were involved in killing, raping, looting houses and other crimes. Dostum's militiamen committed horrendous crimes during the Kabul infighting (1992-1996). His men were involved in killing, raping, looting houses and other crimes. KABUL For 30 years, Gen. Abdurrashid Dostum has reigned as northern Afghanistans untouchable warrior-king: first as a ruthless pro-communist general, later as an armed U.S. ally against the Taliban and finally as a reliable, if unsavory, political boss who could deliver votes from his ethnic Uzbek followers. Dostum has long been infamous for his cruelty: He has reportedly ordered tanks driven over enemies legs and been accused of suffocating hundreds of Taliban prisoners in sealed truck containers. He is also known for violent and abusive rages. But none of the accusations ever landed him in serious trouble. He was either too intimidating, or too important, to challenge. But now, Dostum may have gone too far. His latest alleged victim, a 63-year-old former provincial governor named Ahmad Ishchi, has accused Dostum on television of imprisoning him, beating him and ordering him raped in November; Ishchi has also submitted to medical tests at a U.S. military hospital. This time, Dostum, 62, is not a warlord but the first vice president of a government backed by the United States and Europe a heartbeat away from replacing President Ashraf Ghani. And this time, Afghans nationwide including members of Dostums once-quiescent Uzbek minority are reacting with outrage. Social media has exploded with unprintable jokes and images of Ghani and his aides wearing steel trousers. The burly strongman, who long controlled a strategic border region with Central Asia and publicly forced supplicants to kiss his hand, has become a national embarrassment. Ghani, a former World Bank official, is under pressure from Western donors to prosecute Dostum and suspend him from office. Many Afghan analysts are calling this a make-or-break chance for Ghani to install the rule of law in a society where warlord culture has long prevailed. The attorney general announced last week that the allegations are being investigated professionally and neutrally. If Dostum is not arrested, it will be a huge dishonor, and the government will lose all credibility, said Akbar Bai, 70, an Uzbek businessman who claimed he was beaten by Dostum in a drunken outburst in 2006. The incident ended with police surrounding the former generals house in Kabul for months until he finally agreed to fly into exile in Turkey. Many Afghans are skeptical that Ghani will be able to bring the former warlord to justice. His government has been weakened by internal divisions and a perceived lack of legitimacy, with legislative elections delayed repeatedly. This has made it vulnerable to pressure from outside groups, several of which are led by other powerful ex-militia leaders, including rivals of Dostum. The president, who took power in 2014 promising to reform and modernize Afghan democracy, is also haunted by his own political compromises. He once denounced Dostum as a war criminal but then invited him to join his presidential ticket in a bid to secure the Uzbek vote. His predecessor, President Hamid Karzai, had also courted Dostums support despite the allegations of battlefield atrocities. Ghani asserted that Dostum had reformed, saying that he was not coming with a militia to take over Kabul. He added: Hes coming in a suit, to be vice president, based on a democratic election, and that is a profound change. Ahmad Ishchi, who says he was detained and assaulted on Dostums orders last month, displays an injury on his leg at his home in Kabul on Dec. 13. (Omar Sobhani/Reuters) Ahmad Ishchi, who says he was detained and assaulted on Dostums orders last month, displays an injury on his leg at his home in Kabul on Dec. 13. (Omar Sobhani/Reuters) The suit did not fit comfortably, though, and Dostum spent most of his time in his stronghold, the northern city of Shebergan. This fall, he insisted on leading his militiamen out to do battle with the Taliban, then accused Ghanis aides of conspiring against him when a Taliban ambush killed 50 of his troops. Now, even in disgrace, Dostum is playing hardball. Refusing to leave Shebergan, he has called the assault accusation another political plot, accused Ishchi of collaborating with the Taliban and declared through intermediaries that he will never allow himself to be investigated or removed from his post. Any such move, they warn, could trigger forceful resistance and political chaos. General Dostum is not answerable to anyone, his spokesman, Bashir Ahmad Tahianj, said in an interview, although he conceded that Dostums guards may have misbehaved with Ishchi. We welcome an investigation, but the government should be very careful not to enlarge or politicize it. Dostum, he said, has a long history, and he is the most popular leader in Afghanistan. He was elected by the people, and no one can take that away. Dostum still has influential friends, some dating to his collaboration with U.S. Special Operations forces who fought against the Taliban in late 2001. He also maintains ties in Russia and Central Asia from his time as a pro-communist military commander in the 1980s. Moreover, he is only one of several former militia bosses with whom the Ghani government has compromised. In September, with support from Washington, the president signed a peace deal with longtime fugitive leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, hoping to persuade Taliban insurgents to follow suit. He has now asked the United Nations to remove Hekmatyar, a former U.S. Cold War ally, from an anti-terrorist blacklist. Dostum may be the poster child for impunity in Afghanistan, but he is not an anomaly, Patricia Gossman, the U.S.-based senior Afghan analyst for Human Rights Watch, wrote in an email. If President Ghani wants to demonstrate that he is serious about accountability, it cannot start and stop with Dostum, and it cannot be seen as selective. Representatives of Dostum have proposed settling the Ishchi matter through a traditional gathering of elders, a process in which he might make amends or agree to live abroad. Aides to Ghani insist that if enough evidence is gathered to prosecute Dostum, he will be removed from the vice presidency. But they also acknowledge that putting him on trial or forcing him from office would be legally complicated and politically risky. Even if Dostum avoids prosecution, however, Ishchis charges have brought new attention to other incidents in the generals past. There is talk of reopening an international war crimes case for the alleged mass suffocation of Taliban prisoners in 2001, and several people have spoken up about previous alleged cases of abuse. According to Bai, a now-deceased Afghan senator was sexually assaulted on Dostums orders. Perhaps just as important, the old warlords sway over hundreds of thousands of ethnic Uzbeks in the north may be weakening. A crop of better educated, more moderate politicians has been waiting in the wings, serving in parliament and other posts. Dostums loss of stature, they suggest, may finally allow them to challenge his dominance. In history, our leaders were poets and scholars, but when Russia invaded, warlords and illiterates emerged in power, said Qudratullah Zaki, 45, an ethnic Uzbek legislator and an ally of Ghani. Many people, including those who supported Dostum, realize that he is not morally qualified to hold his position. This is no more the time for tyranny, he added. We need to deal with real issues, and we need to create hope again. Property details: ATTENTIONYOU ARE BIDDING ON THE DOWN PAYMENTPLEASE REVIEW THE ENTIRE LISTING THOROUGHLY Here's an awesome 10 Acres of vacant land on Santa Fe Trail off Ranchito Road in a nice area of Helendale right off National Trails Hwy. The land has very easy access from Wild Rd, to Ranchito Rd, then left on Santa Fe Trail to the lot. See several nice and clear maps and directions provided below, demonstrating exactly what I just described. Take a look at the actual pictures I took of the actual parcel - Th... Price: $ 7,779 Seller State of Residence: California Property Address: Santa Fe Trail Zip/Postal Code: 92342 Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential Area Acreage (acres): 10.00 Location: 923**, Helendale, California You will be redirected to eBay Nearby 10.00 Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate , We're sorry, this article is not currently available A 31-year-old lawyer from California was booked by the airport officials, and handed over to the local police, for possessing a satellite phone. By Revathi Rajeevan: An American citizen was held with a satellite phone at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Friday. The accused, Mark Andrew Jordan, is a 31-year-old lawyer from California. He was detained by the security officials for possessing a satellite phone at the emigration point before taking a flight back to the US. He has been handed over to the Valiyathura police in Thiruvananthapuram district by the airport officials. Police say that Jordan claims innocence saying satellite phones are commonly used in California. advertisement He has been booked under section 6(1)a under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act. --- ENDS --- Exemption limits, standard deduction on radar, reveal Dilasha Seth and Indivjal Dhasmana. The tax simplification committee, chaired by Justice R V Easwar, is likely to touch upon restoration of standard deduction, reviewing of exemption limits and medical reimbursements for personal income tax in their report. The 10-member panel is likely to submit its report to the finance minister this week or early next week. The report might also have suggestions on the incorporation of masala bonds in the Income Tax Act, to bring clarity on the capital gains tax on them. The recommendations are likely to be incorporated in the Union Budget, which Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is likely to present on February 1. The report might also focus on non-resident taxation, assessment procedure, property income and salaries, among others. "Professionals are probably the most tax-compliant as salaries credit after deduction of taxes. But there is a case to look into the exemption limits and medical reimbursements. There have been requests from various salaried individuals to restore standard deduction. It does simplify the tax structure a lot," said a source. "The focus will be to ensure simplicity, certainty and predictability in the income tax regime and cut litigation," he added. Then finance minister P Chidambaram did away with standard deduction for salaried personnel in 2004-2005 on grounds that there was an equivalent increase in basic exemption limit and other deductions. Standard deduction was given as a lump sum benefit towards cost to income. But after the tax exemption ceiling on investment was raised to Rs 100,000, it was abolished. The standard deduction slab was Rs 30,000 for total income under Rs 500,000 per annum and Rs 20,000 for income over Rs 500,000. With the lump sum deduction, there was no need for a taxpayer to keep proofs of expenses such as bills, making it simpler for both the asseesse and the tax department. The committee has held wide consultations with revenue officers and industry in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai. The committee also deliberated on the non-resident taxation issue with respect to classification of income, which has led to a slew of litigations. "The non-resident tax issue, of Section 9 with respect to section 195, has been examined by the committee, which forms a major chunk of litigation," said the source. The sections talk about the income deemed to accrue or arise in India from payments to a non-resident, be it salaries, technical fees, capital gains and royalties and the procedures. There appears to be issues with respect to classification. Neeru Ahuja of Deloitte pointed out the issues pertain to whether income will be classified as business profit, or fees for technical services, or some other head, all of which have different rates. "Some disputes relate to classification, as to under which head does the income belong to. It is not clear whether it will accrue to India or not. Besides in some cases income is taxed on a gross basis. Clarification is needed in these cases. The government should consider making the rates uniform," she added. The panel will likely recommend a clarification over tax treatment in case of masala bonds. The government issued a circular last year that interest income on rupee-denominated offshore bonds, or masala bonds, of Indian companies will attract a withholding tax of 5%, but did not include it in the Finance Act, 2016. "Besides, the circular only talked about 5% tax on interest and not about capital gains. There is only a circular and nothing in the law. Investors do not have a clarity on whether they will get capital gains exemption or not," said Rajesh H Gandhi of Deloitte. The Easwar committee was set up by Finance Minister Jaitley in October with a one-year term to study and identify the provisions and phrases in the Income Tax Act which have given rise to litigation on account of interpretative differences and that impact the ease of doing business. It has been tasked to suggest alternatives or modifications with a view to ensuring certainty and predictability in tax laws without substantially impacting the tax base or revenue collections. A few key suggestions made by the panel in the first report including revision of threshold and rates on tax deduction at source formed part of the pervious Budget. Pakistans defence minister threatened Israel that his country could use nuclear weapons after a fake news report that his Israeli counterpart had threatened nuclear retaliation for Islamabads role in Syria against the Islamic State, highlighting the serious problem proliferation of fake news poses. A report in the New York Times said a fake news story prompted Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to threaten to go nuclear. In a post on Twitter, Asif lashed at Israel after a false report -- which the minister apparently believed -- that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons. Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh (sic), the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. Israel forgets Pakistan is a nuclear state too. The NYT report said Asif appeared to be reacting to the fake news article published on awdnews.com, which was titled Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack. The article had appeared on the website on December 20, alongside articles with headlines like Clinton is staging a military coup against Trump. The fake story about Israel even misidentified the countrys defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. Israels current minister of defence is Avigdor Lieberman. The Israeli defence ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious. The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said, the ministry wrote in Twitter post directed at Asif. The Israeli ministry added in a second post: Reports referred to by the Pakistani def min are entirely false. The NYT report added that the proliferation of fake news stories, spread on social networks and produced by a variety of sources including pranksters, foreign governments and enterprising individuals who hope to receive advertising revenue by driving traffic to their websites, has become an increasingly serious problem. A North Carolina man was arrested this month after firing a gun at a Washington pizza parlour, because investigators said he was investigating claims in fake news articles that the pizzeria was at the centre of a child sex slave ring linked to Hillary Clinton. A Syrian-bound Russian military plane carrying 92 people including Red Army Choir members has crashed in the Black Sea moments after taking off from Sochi. The Tu-154 model plane, which belonged to the Russian defence ministry, crashed shortly after take-off from the southern city of Adler at 5.40 am (local time). There was no indication anyone survived. One body has been recovered six kilometres off the coast of the resort city of Sochi, as a frantic search operation continued to find the missing. Viktor Ozerov, head of the defense affairs committee at the upper house of Russian parliament, said he totally excluded terrorism as a possible cause of the crash because the plane was operated by the military. A security source indicated the plane had crashed because of a technical malfunction or a pilot error. The plane had been on a routine flight to Russias Hmeimim airbase in western Syria, which has been used to launch air strikes in Moscows military campaign supporting its ally President Bashar al-Assad in the countrys devastating civil war. A spokesman for the defence ministry said: Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres. Four ships, four helicopters, one aircraft and drones are involved in the search and rescue operation. Six ships and vessels of the Black Sea fleet, remotely operated submersibles and 63 divers have been additionally sent to the crash area. Fifty more divers from other fleets will be brought to the crash area in about an hour, the ministry added. Deputy Defence Minister Pavel Popov has flown to Adler to look into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said: This awful tragedy has claimed the lives of people who were energetic and had plans. Among those killed are journalists, servicemen and musicians of the renowned Alexandrov ensemble. They flew to Syria with a very benevolent and peaceful mission. The circumstances of the incident will be thoroughly investigated, and everyone affected by this tragedy will receive the necessary assistance. Image used is for representational purposes only. United States President-elect Donald Trump is in hot water after the co-chair of his New York state presidential campaign claimed that he hopes President Obama catches mad cow disease while First Lady Michelle Obama becomes a male ape. Carl Paladino, a 70-year-old entrepreneur who ran for New York governor in 2010, writing on the website Artvoice, an alternative newspaper in Buffalo, described the three things that he would like to see happen in 2017. He said: [I hope] Barack Obama catches mad cow disease after being caught having relations with a Hereford. He dies before his trial and is buried in a cow pasture next to Valerie Jarret, who died weeks prior after being convicted of sedition and treason when a jihadi cellmate mistook her for being a nice person and decapitated her. Id like Michelle Obama to return to being a male and let loose in the outback of Zimbabwe where she lives comfortably in a cave with Maxie, the gorilla. The 70-year-old entrepreneur confirmed that he made the comments while speaking to WKBWK TV. He added that the comments were made in humour because it was an appropriate time to say goodbye to a couple of people who created a very divided country. Commenting on accusations that the comments were racist, Paladino continued: Thats what people say not having any other defence for the issue at hand. I hear it constantly -- Im a racist for pleading for 33,000 kids that we have in our municipal school systems and trying to do something right for them. Dont go accusing me of being a racist because Im about as far from that as possible and thats why I feel like I can say these things that I say. I dont care if they dont want to listen -- the black leadership in this community is horrible. They do nothing for their people, they do it for their own power, self-preservation and so they can get reelected. Image: US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, DC. Photograph: Yuri Gripas/Reuters In a letter to Kejriwal, dated December 23, the veteran activist, popularly known as Anna and also a father-figure for the AAP, took a dig at the Delhi Chief Minister and said if change has to be brought into the system, then the leadership should "walk the talk". "For the betterment of country and the society, I kept aside several important works related to people in Maharashtra and gave you my time without any selfish interest and dreamt big for the country. But my dream has been shattered," Hazare, who launched an anti-graft crusade, said. He also referred to a letter written to him by Munish Raizada, a US-based medico and suspended AAP member, pointing out that donors records have gone off the party website since June 2016. Raizada also launched no chanda (no donation) satyagraha at Raj Ghat today. AAPs national treasurer Raghav Chadha claimed that Hazare was being misled by Congress leaders on the issue while the BJP is using state agencies to threaten its donors. On behalf of Kejriwal, he also challenged BJP President Amit Shah and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to come out clean on party donors and have a debate on the issue at Jantar Mantar. "You made several promises, which includes putting the donations received by the AAP on the party website. "The talks of social change, which we espoused, are fading and politics and money are becoming important. The sense of humility is also fading. "Or else, you would not have taken off the names of people from your website who gave donations to the party during trying times," Hazare said. He also expressed displeasure over functioning of the AAP. Hazare said that while other parties get donations from people for their "selfish interests", people give funds to AAP to bring in change. "You penned a book on Gram Swaraj. The way you are going is this the way to Gram Swaraj? This is the question before me. What is the difference between your party and other political outfits?" Hazare said. "You promised change to me and the people. It pains because the promise has not been fulfilled. You have made several such promises to me and people," Hazare said. Chadha said AAP is the only party that has transparency in its source of funding and 92 per cent of its donations come through banking channels like net banking, credit and debit card and cheques. Amid confusion over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on taxation post-demonetisation, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that long-term investors need not worry about their investment. By India Today Web Desk: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has clarified that the government does not have any intention to target long-term investors in the country. Jaitley said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on tax was misunderstood by some sections in media. "PM's speech yesterday with regard to all sections including market players contributing to the national exchequer has been misinterpreted in some parts of media," Arun Jaitley said. advertisement Jaitley said that due to misinterpretation of PM Modi's statement some people "started speculating that this is indirect reference to fact that there could be long-term capital gains on security transactions." READ| Modi at Raigad: Note ban for long term gain; aim is to benefit villages not Dalal Street or Lutyens' Delhi Speaking at the inauguration of the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) campus in Maharashtra, PM Modi said, "Those who profit from financial markets must make a fair contribution to nation-building through taxes." WATCH: "For various reasons, the contribution of tax from those, who make money on the markets has been low," Modi had further said. Modi also said, "To some extent, the low contribution of taxes may also be because of the structure of our tax laws." READ| Demonetisation is a war on black money; wrongdoers must note, govt has changed: PM Modi Many interpreted Modis statement as hint to introduce a long-term capital gain tax in the upcoming budget. "This interpretation is absolutely erroneous. Prime Minister had made no such statement directly or indirectly," Arun Jaitley clarified. There is no opportunity for anybody to reach such a conclusion because this is not what the Prime Minister said nor is it intention of the government as reported, Jaitley asserted. #WATCH: Interpretation of PM's speech regarding 'long term capital gains' on security transactions completely erroneous says FM Jaitley. pic.twitter.com/HFC12aDOYe ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2016 --- ENDS --- AIPAC operates lawlessly. Its an unregistered foreign agent, violating US law, supporting Israels occupation harshness, its apartheid viciousness, its wars of aggression against defenseless Palestinians and neighboring Lebanon. Its a dagger in the heart of rule of law principles and democratic values, a threat to world peace. Despite violating US law, it operates freely, nothing done to hold it accountable. Its statement following Obamas failure to veto Security Council 2234, saying settlements have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation under international law, said the following: AIPAC is deeply disturbed by the failure of the Obama Administration to exercise its veto to prevent a destructive, one-sided, anti-Israel resolution from being enacted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In the past, this administration and past administrations have rejected this type of biased resolution since it undermines prospects for peace. Fact: SC Resolution 2234 correctly said Israeli settlements are illegal, flagrantly breaching international law. Fact: With no enforcement authority, UN resolutions cant change lawless policies of any country - especially Western ones and Israel the world body supports. AIPAC: It is particularly regrettable, in his last month in office, that the president has taken an action at odds with the bipartisan consensus in Congress and Americas long history of standing with Israel at the United Nations. AIPAC expresses its appreciation to President-elect Trump and the many Democratic and Republican Members of Congress who urged a veto of this resolution. Fact: Americas long history of standing with Israel at the UN and everywhere else is deplorable - one rogue state supporting another, complicit in each others high crimes. Fact: Congressional members and Trump urging a veto disgracefully support Israeli lawlessness - a regime run by fascists, zionist zealots and religious extremists, treating Arabs the way Hitler treated Jews. AIPAC: By adopting this resolution, the United Nations has once again served as an open forum to isolate and delegitimize Israel - Americas lone stable, democratic ally in the Middle East. The Palestinian leadership has refused to return to talks with Israel and has continued to incite violence. Todays destructive UNSC resolution only rewards this negative strategy and undermines efforts to truly pursue a lasting peace. Fact: Israel delegitimized itself by defiling rule of law principles. It scorns democracy, bans it, serves Jewish interests alone, its privileged class exclusively, viciously persecuting Palestinians for praying to the wrong God - lasting peace impossible under its rogue leadership. AIPAC: The best way to further the peace process with the goal of a two-state solution - which we support - would have been for the international community to do everything in its power to persuade the Palestinians to return to direct, bilateral negotiations without preconditions with Israel. Unfortunately, the UNSC today irresponsibly adopted a ruinous resolution that can only make the goal of peace even more elusive. Fact: Israel rejected a two-state solution throughout its sordid history, wanting all valued parts of Judea and Samaria exclusively Jewish, Palestinian rights denied, peace ruled out entirely, conflict prioritized, compromise out of the question. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. Center for Performance is finished, more to do at Hall of Fame Village local She is trying to put on a brave face but at times she feels "it is difficult to watch them together". By India Today Web Desk: Television actor Rohan Mehra's girlfriend Kanchi Singh is a little disturbed these days because of the constant link-ups between her beau and co-contestant Lopa Mudra Raut. She is trying to put a brave face on but at times she feels "it is difficult to watch them together". In a conversation with Times Of India she said, "I won't say I am happy about it, but there's nothing I can do either." advertisement "My trust isn't wavering, but it is difficult to watch them together. My relationship is beginning to feel like a long-distance, one-sided affair. There are days when I get scared seeing Rohan's closeness to Lopa, but it's reassuring to hear him take my name repeatedly." Also read: This is what Rohan Mehra's girlfriend Kanchi Singh has to say about Om Swami This week we saw family members and close relatives came to meet the contestants in the BB house. Rohan too had an option to meet either his brother or Kanchi. He chose to meet the former. To which she says, "His brother had come all the way from Amritsar and so, his decision was right. Familial ties should be the strongest. I respect him all the more for this." --- ENDS --- At least two Afghan civilians were killed by a roadside bomb in the eastern province of Laghman early on December 25, a local official said. The incident took place near a shrine in Mihterlam, the provincial capital, said Sarhadi Zwak, a spokesman for the Laghman provincial governor. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, but Taliban militants routinely use roadside bombs to target Afghan security forces and government officials -- with civilians often caught in the crossfire. The UN mission in Afghanistan says it has documented 8,397 conflict-related civilian casualties in the country between January 1 and September 30 this year. The figures include 2,562 deaths, a slight decrease compared to the same period in 2015. The UN mission said militant attacks were responsible for more than 60 percent of the civilian casualties in the Afghan conflict. Based on reporting by AP and khaama.com The commander of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Hossein Salami, warned protesters that October 29 would be their last day of taking to the streets. "Do not come to the streets! Today is the last day of the riots," Salami was quoted as saying by state media. Iran has been gripped by protests triggered by the death of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, in the custody of Tehrans morality police. Since Aminis death on September 16, thousands have been demonstrating across the country against the clerical establishment. Protests were reported on October 29 at several universities across the country where students chanted, Death to the dictator, and, Woman, life, freedom. Iran has blamed its foreign enemies and their agents for the unrest. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) posted videos on Twitter showing protests at several universities. One of the protests showed people holding hands in a large circle and chanting: "If we don't unite, we will be killed one by one." HRANA said 272 protesters had been killed in the unrest as of October 28, including 39 minors. Some 34 members of the security force have also been killed and nearly 14,000 people have been arrested, it said. The Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights also posted a video of a protest at a university campus and said that in the city of Arak state security forces fired tear gas as mourners gathered for the funeral of Mehrshad Shahidinejad, a young aspiring chef who reportedly was killed after being arrested during a protest. The IRGC warning on October 29 came as the United Nations expressed "increasing concern" about reports of deaths in the antiestablishment protests in Iran. "We condemn all incidents that have resulted in death or serious injury to protesters and reiterate that security forces must avoid all unnecessary or disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York on October 28. Those responsible must be held to account, he said, adding that the UN was urging Tehran to address the legitimate grievances of the population, including with respect to womens rights. The United Nations urged the Iranian government in Tehran to respect human rights, noting that the crisis can and should be brought under control through dialogue. In a separate statement, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also expressed concern about "rising fatalities and injuries" to protesters in Iran. "Its essential that unfettered access to health care is provided to those in need, [including] the appropriate use of medical vehicles, facilities & the ability of health workers to help patients," WHO chief Tedros said on Twitter on October 28. Protesters clashed again with security forces on October 28 in Zahedan, a city in southeastern Iran were dozens of people were killed in clashes four weeks ago during anti-government protests. Activists posted videos on social media showing protesters in the city calling for the death of "dictator" Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and against the Basij militia, which has played a major role in a crackdown on the demonstrations. The United States and Albania will hold an informal UN Security Council gathering on November 3 that will focus on the protests in Iran, according to a note outlining the event seen by Reuters. Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi and Iranian-born actress and activist Nazanin Boniadi are set to address the gathering. "The meeting will highlight the ongoing repression of women and girls and members of religious and ethnic minority groups in Iran," the note said. "It will identify opportunities to promote credible, independent investigations into the Iranian government's human rights violations and abuses." Javaid Rehman, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, is also due to address the meeting, which can be attended by other UN member states and rights groups. "The meeting will underscore ongoing unlawful use of force against protesters and the Iranian regime's pursuit of human rights defenders and dissidents abroad to abduct or assassinate them in contravention of international law," read the note about the planned meeting. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa Macedonians in one voting district have been casting their ballots in a rerun of a parliamentary election that could threaten the slim majority of the long-ruling conservatives. The December 25 rerun of the vote in heavily ethnic-Albanian populated northwestern Macedonia was ordered by the state election commission on December 21 after complaints from the main opposition Social Democrats about voting irregularities. The results of the December 11 parliamentary elections showed former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevskis conservative VMRO-DPME party winning 51 seats in the 120-member parliament while the Social Democrats won 49. That leaves the VMRO-DPME needing a coalition partner with 10 seats to control the narrowest possible parliamentary majority. According to the December 11 results, Gruevskis longtime ethnic Albanian allies in the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) won 10 seats. But the DUI splintered in 2015 with key members leaving. Apart from the DUIs traditional rival, the opposition Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA), the DUI also must stave off several newly formed ethnic Albanian opposition parties -- such as BESA and the DPA-Movement For Reforms. If the DUI loses just one seat in the rerun, or if the Social Democrats gain one seat, it would stop the VMRO-DPME and DUI from being able to form a majority coalition together. With reporting by RFE/RL's Balkan Service, AP, Reuters, and Balkan Insight Pakistan has released 220 Indian fishermen in a gesture aimed at easing heightened tensions with its neighbor. Pakistani officials said the Indian fishermen were released from a jail in the port city of Karachi on December 25. The Indian nationals were arrested more than a year ago, accused of entering Pakistani waters in an area of the Arabian Sea where the border is unclear. Another 219 Indian fishermen will be released by Pakistan on January 5, officials said. The move on December 25 comes on the birthday of Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and coincides with Christmas Day. Pakistani officials hope the gesture will be reciprocated by India, which has detained scores of Pakistani fishermen. Ties between the nuclear-armed neighbors have recently deteriorated over violence in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, which is divided between the two countries. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters Pope Francis has urged peace in the Middle East and offered comfort to those who lost loved ones to terrorism. Delivering his traditional Christmas address on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on December 25, the pope called for guns to fall silent in Syria, saying "far too much blood has been spilled" in the nearly six-year conflict. Citing those suffering in the Syrian war -- especially during the "most awful battles" in Aleppo -- he pressed the international community for a peaceful solution. Pope Francis also urged Israelis and Palestinians to abandon hate and revenge. In the speech that comes less than a week after a deadly terrorist attack in Berlin, the pope said he hoped for "peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism." The December 19 truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market left twelve people dead and injured dozens of others. The pontiff also made reference to those who "continue to suffer from the consequences of the conflict in eastern Ukraine," where a cease-fire has been officially in place since December 24 although both sides have accused each other of violations. Francis said that "a common resolve is urgently needed to bring relief to the population and to implement the commitments that have been made." The pope also called for an end to "fundamentalist terrorism" in Nigeria that he said "exploits even children," a reference to child suicide-bombers. Speaking in more general terms, Francis urged everyone to help the less fortunate, including migrants, refugees, and those swept up by social and economic upheavals. There was a heavy police presence around St. Peter's Square, where some 40,000 gathered for the pope's annual message. The entrance to the square has been protected by concrete barriers since the Berlin attack. With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters Chinese state media are reporting that construction of the first China-Russia highway bridge across the Amur River began on December 24, more than 28 years after it was first proposed and more than a year after an agreement on the project was reached. The plans call for 20-kilometer bridge that stretches from Heihe, a border town in Chinas Heilongjiang Province, to the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk. China is meant to build about one-third of the structure while Russia has agreed to build the other two-thirds of the bridge from its side of the Amur River. Russian engineers are also tasked with connecting the two bridge sections together. According to Chinese traffic department officials in Hailongjiang Province, the toll bridge is expected to transport more than 3 million metric tons of cargo and 1.5 million passengers per year after its scheduled completion date in October 2019. But some analysts are questioning whether mutual distrust between the two countries will keep the project from going forward on schedule -- despite the dire need to develop infrastructure for cross-border trade. Russia, facing Western sanctions since 2014 for its forcible annexation of Crimea and its involvement in eastern Ukraine's conflict, has been eager to develop export routes to China. China, meanwhile, is thirsty for energy and raw materials from Russia to fuel its economic growth. But if other stalled joint-infrastructure projects serve as an indicator, the goal of completing the proposed $355.6 million Amur River highway bridge by October 2019 could be a stretch. China and Russia had agreed a decade ago to jointly build a railway bridge across the Amur River at the remote Russian frontier settlement of Nizhneleninskoye. That bridge would lower the cost of transporting iron ore from a Russian mine to a large Chinese steel mill by reducing the current transport distance of more than 1,000 kilometers to just 233 kilometers. But although China has completed its side of the project, major construction from the Russian side has yet to begin. Russian President Vladimir Putin also signed a 30-year-gas deal with Beijing during a visit to China in May 2014 that was estimated to be worth $400 billion -- a deal that would require the construction of a major new pipeline by Russia. But Russia has stalled on building the so-called Power of Siberia pipeline. Chinese diplomats have complained and expressed dismay about the slow pace of the construction work by Russia. After Western sanctions were imposed against Russia in 2014, Moscow and Beijing had vowed that they would increase their bilateral trade to $100 billion during 2016 and to $200 billion by 2020. Instead, two-way trade between the countries fell by 28 percent during 2015 to just $68 billion, and bilateral trade has been slow to recover during 2016. With reporting by China Daily, The New York Times, and the BBC As Russia on December 26 began observing a national day of mourning for 92 people killed in a military plane crash, authorities revealed that many key members of Russia's official armed forces musical ensemble were among the dead. Russian State Secretary and Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov confirmed that 68 members and staff of the Aleksandrov Ensemble including choir conductor Valery Khalilov -- were killed early on December 25 when the Tu-154 aircraft crashed into the Black Sea shortly after taking off from Sochi. There were no survivors. The 33-year-old plane was meant to travel to Russias Hmeimim military airbase near Latakia, Syria, where the Aleksandrov Ensemble was to perform a New Years concert for Russian airmen. Pankov said in Moscow early on December 26 that "the ensemble will live" and that it would "continue to remain a symbol of the army and our country." With the total staff and membership of the musical ensemble numbering 285 people, Pankov said "the losses are very large." He said Russia's military "will be working very seriously to make up these losses." In Moscow, mourners early on December 26 were continuing to lay flowers and light candles in front of a Moscow concert hall where the ensemble often performed. Search And Recovery Also aboard the ill-fated plane were eight crew members, six other military personnel, nine Russian television journalists, and Elizaveta Petrovna Glinka, a human rights activist and executive director of the Spravedlivaya Pomoshch (Fair Aid) charity fund. Glinka reportedly was traveling to Syria to deliver medical supplies to Tishrin University Hospital in Latakia. The state-run TV stations First Channel, NTV, and Zvezda said they each had three staff onboard the flight. Fragments of the plane were discovered less than two kilometers off the coast of Sochi at depths of 50 to 70 meters. By early December 26, only 11 bodies of crash victims had been found and a massive search and rescue operation was also looking for the black box containing the plane's cockpit flight data. The Russian Geographic Society (RGO) was delivering two manned submersible vehicles to help in the search. The RGO said both underwater vehicles are able to work uninterrupted for eight hours -- one at a depth of 100 meters and the other at a depth of 300 meters. 'Thorough Investigation' Within hours of the crash, President Vladimir Putin declared December 26 as a national day of mourning for the victims. Putin on December 25 expressed "the most sincere condolences to families of our citizens killed this morning." Putin said: "A thorough investigation of the causes of the crash will be carried out and everything will be done to support the families of those killed." The Kremlin says Putin ordered Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev "to form and head a state commission to investigate the crash." Russian Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov, who also is on the investigative commission, said authorities were looking into every possible reason for the crash. But he said officials had ruled out terrorism. Medvedev described the crash as a "terrible tragedy." 'No SOS' The flight originated in the capital, Moscow, and had a stopover in Sochi for refueling. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters it was too early to say what had caused the crash. The Tu-154 is a Soviet-era plane which has a checkered past in terms of accidents. The plane, which has not been in commercial use since 1994, is still used by the military. The Tu-154 has been involved in almost a dozen major crashes since 2000, killing more than 800 people, including Poland's then-president Lech Kaczynski near the Russian city of Smolensk in 2010. Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov flew into Sochi on December 25 along with a team tasked with clarifying the circumstances surrounding the crash. Viktor Ozerov, head of the defense affairs committee at the upper house of the Russian parliament, said he "totally excludes" terrorism as a possible cause of the crash. In remarks carried by the state news agency RIA Novosti, Ozerov -- without citing any source -- said the crash could have been caused by a technical malfunction or a crew error, but he believes it could not have been terrorism because the plane was operated by the military. The Interfax news agency cited an unnamed source as saying the plane had not sent an SOS signal. With reporting by TASS, Interfax, Reuters, AP, AFP, and the BBC 16 Ukrainian servicewoman Nadia Savchenko speaks to the media at Boryspil International Airport in Kyiv on May 25. Savchenko was captured in eastern Ukraine in June 2014 and transferred to Russia, where she was charged with aiding in the killing of two Russian journalists. She was released in a prisoner swap for two Russian detainees. (Reuters/Gleb Garanich) The police complaint said that the man accused of attacking children said "Christmas is only for Christians" before thrashing them. By Revathi Rajeevan: Kerala police registered a case of rioting against three individuals in Kollam for allegedly attacking children who visited homes to sing Christmas carols. The incident took place on Friday night in Chadayamangalam in the district when about fifteen children visited the house of a person named Jayakumar. The complaint said that Jayakumar made them sing the carol thrice and asked how many of them were Christians. It also said that Jayakumar told them Christmas is only for Christians to celebrate, leading to a minor altercation. Jayakumar and his sons have been accused of thrashing the kids. advertisement Police have registered a case against Jayakumar and his two sons for rioting and sections under the Juvenile Justice Act. --- ENDS --- Why you know her; Since June, Taylor Garrett has been a social worker with Ashland Open Door who has helped families displaced by Ashlands ordinance limiting the length of motel stays. By November, Garrett had aided 11 families in finding longer-term housing and was working with another 10 families searching for housing. Garrett described the situation as a housing crisis. Whats new: Garrett has continued her work in Ashland with families looking for stable housing situations. As of December, Garrett had helped 15 families find longer-term housing in Richmond and Hanover, Henrico and Caroline counties. She has about 30 families she actively is helping find longer-term housing or financial services. Garrett said the situation still is in crisis and that the end of the year has seen more people reach out for help in their search for financial and housing stability. It definitely has continued to increase in call levels, she said. People want to be in a home before Christmas. Why you know him: Keith Allen Harward was freed from prison in April after serving 33 years for a murder he did not commit. Whats new: Reached by telephone this month in his native Greensboro, N.C., Harward said he is learning his way around the free world and has come a long way not necessarily because he has to but, he said, because I can. I even have a gun permit. Ive gotten a gun permit because I can. I dont have a gun, but I have a gun permit because Im legal. I voted (and) I got a gun permit because for all those years they said, Well, if you ever get out on parole you can never have a firearm and blah, blah, blah, all this kind of stuff. Now I can, said Harward, who did not lose his sense of humor behind bars. Harward was convicted of the 1982 murder of a Newport News man who was savagely beaten, and the rape of his wife in the couples home near the Newport News shipyard. He was tried and convicted twice: once in 1983 for capital murder with the conviction overturned on technical legal grounds and for first-degree murder in 1986. Harward was sentenced to life both times. He was convicted largely on bite-mark testimony that was proved wrong by DNA testing. The testing excluded Harward and implicated a former U.S. Navy shipmate who died in an Ohio prison more than a decade ago. The Virginia Supreme Court granted Harward a writ of actual innocence in record time less than a day after the Virginia Attorney Generals Office said it was joining with Harwards lawyers in seeking his exoneration. Harward and his lawyers apparently have not yet decided whether to seek compensation for wrongful imprisonment from the General Assembly under a formula set by state law, or to sue officials allegedly responsible for his convictions. He has done some traveling on behalf of The Innocence Project, among other things. He has met with exonerees from other states. A lot of the exonerees I met, they decided to leave the state. I left because thats where my people were at. But they left because they said, I got to get out of this state. Why do I want to stay in a state where they dont want me? Harward said. Two hundred and twenty-five years ago this month, Virginia ratified the Bill of Rights, thereby enshrining its 10 Amendments in the Constitution. The official anniversary, 10 days ago, was noted here and there, but it did not get the sort of celebration it deserved: something like the Fourth of July and Mardi Gras and Christmas all rolled into one. Virginia ought to celebrate the loudest, and not just because the votes of Virginians put the Bill of Rights over the top. The document was drafted by one Virginian (James Madison), and it was based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which had been written by another (George Mason). The latter declaration with some judicious editing remains a part of Virginias Constitution to this day. Patriotic celebrations have fallen out of favor of late. There is a gawdawful lot that is wrong with our country, as everyone will tell you probably at greater length than you would prefer. Last months presidential election has soured the national mood even further. One side is bitter about the Electoral College and the other side is bitter about the first sides bitterness. Congress has the approval ratings of a gangrenous wart, the president-elect is about equally well-liked and the general consensus seems to be that everything stinks. Except the Bill of Rights. It is not merely the general consensus but the unanimous view of the entire country that the Bill of Rights is a keeper. Granted, some people like certain parts of it more than others. The Second Amendment has plenty of enemies. The Third Amendment doesnt have any friends. Some conservatives think the Fourth Amendment is an irksome technicality that gets in the way of locking up criminals and hunting down terrorists, and some liberals think the Fifth Amendments protections for private property get in the way of their grand economic designs. Both sides sometimes act as if the First Amendment applies to them but not the other guy (see: flag-burning, hate speech). *** You hear a lot of fiery argument over those particulars. What you dont ever hear is somebody suggesting that we ditch the Bill of Rights altogether. And that is a marvelous thing, because the Bill of Rights embodies two notions that, in world-historical terms, are almost unheard of. The first notion is that government simply cannot do certain things. At the time and, sadly, even today that is a profoundly radical notion. Yet to some Founders, the Bill of Rights was not radical enough. In Federalist No. 84, Alexander Hamilton argues that bills of rights ... are not only unnecessary in the proposed Constitution, but would even be dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers not granted; and, on this very account, would afford a colorable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do? Why, for instance, should it be said that the liberty of the press shall not be restrained, when no power is given by which restrictions may be imposed? As Hamilton saw it and as the Tenth Amendment makes plain Congress had no power to do anything not specifically enumerated in Article I. (The claim that the general-welfare clause grants the power to do whatever Congress considers good is a dodge; as Hamilton pointed out in Federalist No. 83, The plan of the convention declares that the power of Congress ... shall extend to certain enumerated cases. This specification of particulars evidently excludes all pretension to a general legislative authority, because an affirmative grant of special powers would be absurd, as well as useless, if a general authority was intended.) *** The other radical notion embodied in the Bill of Rights is the principle of live-and-let-live. As Thomas Jefferson put it, The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. Your inalienable rights trump every competing consideration law and order, national security, economic equality, aesthetic preference, religious belief except one: the inalienable rights of somebody else. And even when someone tries to subordinate individual rights to lesser values, they pretend thats not what theyre doing. Nobody (or at least almost nobody) ever says, We should deny freedom of speech to flag-burners (or Nazis or whomever). What they say is: That kind of speech isnt protected by the First Amendment. In other words, they are leaving peoples rights alone, and simply trying to limit something else something that isnt really a right. "If we want to celebrate Christmas authentically, we need to contemplate this sign: the fragile simplicity of a small newborn, the meekness of where he lies, the tender affection of the swaddling clothes. God is there," the Pope said at St. Peter's Basilica. By Reuters: Pope Francis said on Saturday that Christmas had been "taken hostage" by dazzling materialism that puts God in the shadows and blinds many to the needs of the hungry, the migrants and the war weary. Francis, leading the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas for the fourth time since his election in 2013, said in his Christmas Eve homily that a world often obsessed with gifts, feasting and self-centeredness needed more humility. advertisement URGING COMPASSION "If we want to celebrate Christmas authentically, we need to contemplate this sign: the fragile simplicity of a small newborn, the meekness of where he lies, the tender affection of the swaddling clothes. God is there," the Pope said at St. Peter's Basilica. At the solemn but joyous service, attended by some 10,000 people as well as dozens of cardinals and bishops, Pope Francis said the many in the wealthy world had to be reminded that the message of Christmas was humility, simplicity and mystery. "Jesus was born rejected by some and regarded by many others with indifference," he said. "Today also the same indifference can exist, when Christmas becomes a feast where the protagonists are ourselves, rather than Jesus; when the lights of commerce cast the light of God into the shadows; when we are concerned for gifts, but cold toward those who are marginalized." CHRISTMAS TAKEN HOSTAGE He then added in unscripted remarks: "This worldliness has taken Christmas hostage. It needs to be freed." Security was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and at the Vatican after Italian police killed the man believed to be responsible for the Berlin market truck attack while other European cities kept forces on high alert. St. Peter's Square was cleared out six hours before the mass started at the basilica so that security procedures could be put in place for those entering the church later. Francis, who has made defense of the poor a trademark of his papacy, said the infant Jesus should remind everyone of those suffering today, particularly children. "Let us also allow ourselves to be challenged by the children of today's world, who are not lying in a cot caressed with the affection of a mother and father, but rather suffer the squalid mangers that devour dignity: hiding underground to escape bombardment, on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat over-laden with immigrants," he said. Outside the basilica, thousands of people who could not get into the largest church in Christendom watched on large screens in the chilly night. "Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons," he said. advertisement On Christmas Day, Francis will deliver his twice-yearly "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and to the World") blessing and message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. ALSO READ: Sixteen hurt in Christmas eve blast at Catholic church in Philippines Delhi: Traffic police releases advisory for Christmas celebrations --- ENDS --- With Rex Tillersons nomination to be secretary of state by President-elect Donald Trump, another barrier will be broken. It has been standard practice for major American business leaders to hold cabinet appointments in Treasury and Commerce, but Tillerson, the chair of ExxonMobil, will be the first business leader to become secretary of state since Virginias own Edward R. Stettinius was appointed in 1944. Stettinius had a long career at General Motors, rising to be vice president in charge of public and industrial relations in the 1930s. In 1938, he became chair of U.S. Steel, then the nations largest corporation, before becoming administrator of the Lend-Lease Program in 1941, the undersecretary of state in 1943, and then in 1944, becoming the 48th secretary of state. President Harry Truman appointed James F. Byrnes to succeed him in July, 1945. So Stettinius did have a large amount of public service work in addition to his business experience. Tillerson does not and that will certainly be a disadvantage to him. But in announcing his choice of Tillerson, the president-elect noted that his tenacity, broad experience and deep understanding of geopolitics make him an excellent choice for secretary of state. Trump has said that Tillerson is a world-class player. Trump has also noted that ExxonMobil has more employees than the State Department, so managing the State Department will not be an issue. Tillerson, a native Texan and graduate of the University of Texas-Austin, has spent more than 40 years with ExxonMobil and has headed the firm since 2006. Notwithstanding his lack of public service experience, he was recommended to Trump by former Secretaries of State James Baker and Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, and former Vice President Dick Cheney. His lack of experience in government will make the other high-level appointments in the State Department, particularly deputy secretary of state, very important. *** But lack of experience in the public sector is not Tillersons only disadvantage. His long-term relationship with the Soviet Union and Russia, and in particular with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has become a major issue. Rex Tillerson: an appointment that would confirm Putins U.S. election win, The Guardian screamed on Sunday, Dec. 11. Tillerson, who was awarded Russias Order of Friendship in 2013, has spent much of his career working on Russian deals, including the 2011 agreement to award ExxonMobil access to the huge oil resources under the Russian Arctic. That particular agreement was frozen with the 2014 sanctions imposed on Russia following its annexation of the Crimea and its covert military intervention in eastern Ukraine. And Tillerson has strongly argued that the sanctions, a cornerstone of the Wests response to Russias aggression to the Ukraine, should be lifted. Republican senators such as Lindsey Graham, John McCain, and Marco Rubio are deeply troubled by the close relationship between Tillerson and Putin. They wonder if Tillerson and Trump would bring American policy closer to that of Russia, which has been locked with the United States in a renewal of the Cold War, and is clearly seeking a larger role on the world stage. And what are his personal views on international relations? What are his views on NATO, the most important American alliance, with the United States as the major barrier to the re-creation of portions of the Soviet Union? What are his views on China and its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea? On issues such as the Ukraine, North Koreas nuclear program, U.S. foreign aid to the developing world, and global warming, little is known about Tillersons views. All of this will result in a difficult confirmation process before the Senate for Tillerson. Even conservative supporters of Trump are holding their approval for the appointment. Conservative Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma is not ready to vote for Rex Tillerson, with lots of questions about his ties to Putin and Russia. And Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has tweeted, being a friend of Vladimir is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState. Sen. John McCain of Arizona has said about Putin: This guy is a thug and murderer and I dont see how anybody could be a friend of this old KGB agent. Democratic senators have joined the fray, with Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota saying that while Tillerson has excellent business credentials, he does not have foreign policy or diplomatic experience and has these ties to Russia. And New Jerseys Sen. Robert Menendez, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which must approve the appointment, called the nomination alarming and absurd. *** This whole issue of Tillersons relationship with Putin and Russia has become even more significant because of Donald Trumps efforts to rewrite U.S. foreign policy, especially in regard to Russia, changing a bipartisan consensus that has dominated the foreign policy establishment for a long time: that Russia is an imminent and perpetual threat to western security. Trump has been consistent that the Cold War, a struggle between the West and an atheist, socialist Soviet Union, is over and there are many points in which the United States and Russia have common views, especially the threat of radical Islamic terrorism. With that in mind, Trump wants to forge a new and constructive relationship with Russia and Putin, someone he admires. His position has been consistent throughout the 2016 campaign. But it has now become more difficult to get support for this idea because of the conclusion of the different American intelligence agencies that Russia did interfere in the 2016 presidential election, a conclusion that the president-elect disputes. With the bipartisan decision to investigate the Russian hacking in detail, the relationship of Tillerson and Putin will become a major topic of the confirmation hearings on his nomination. In fact, the Tillerson confirmation hearing will be a proxy for the battle between Trump and the foreign policy establishment on the future of American-Russian relations. Republicans have been much stronger on a hard-line policy toward Putin and Russia than Democrats, with the last two Democratic presidents, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, both proposing resets of American-Russian relations, with Republicans united in their criticism of such feckless policies. The Tillerson confirmation hearings will be a prelude to more extensive hearings on the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, which will turn into a major battle between Congress and President Trump. Trump has been emphatic in challenging the intelligence community and questioning their conclusion that Russia did interfere. Trump has said, I dont believe that at all. In the end, Tillerson will be confirmed, especially with the support of such luminaries as Rice, Baker, Gates and Cheney. But the battle over the future policy the United States should follow in regards to its relations with Russia will be much more difficult for President Trump, and it is much less clear that his call for a wholly new policy toward Russia will become fact, something that Trump seems to have acknowledged with his call, through a tweet on Thursday, that the United States must strengthen and expand its nuclear capability. The Times-Dispatch asked some prominent members of the RVA community to offer their ideas and suggestions to Levar Stoney, who becomes mayor of Richmond a week from today. Here, in alphabetical order, are their words of advice: *** Wallace Adams-Riley We were put here to look out for one another. So Bethlehem teaches us. And so the holy stories and holy people have always taught. The babe born in the manger cried out for help. Just as you and I did; just as every child does. Yes, we were put here to look out for one another. It is the highest form of worship, it is our highest calling. Everything else is secondary. Levar, my brother, you have been given a great gift and a profound responsibility, to lead us into a better future, as indeed we look out for one another. Its a new day in RVA. And God is with us. Having been invited to offer you counsel as to how to move our city forward, with all my heart I offer you the following two recommendations: 1) Currently 80 to 90 percent of jobs in metro Richmond are not accessible via public transportation. It is estimated that greater Richmond could see a 20 percent increase in economic vitality were that to change. This month, the Commonwealths Department of Rail & Public Transportation published a regional vision plan for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). What is needed now is a feasibility study for the regional BRT trunk (main artery) network and the public support to move the project forward. I urge you a) to begin the push for the feasibility study and b) to begin gathering key community members who can help you build the necessary momentum, including all the college and university presidents; the heads of our hospitals; our largest employers; the chamber of commerce; and 250 faith leaders. We will help you lead us to a better future for this city we love. 2) For our city to be as great as it can be, we need, yes, great schools. We have had strategic plans for Richmond Public Schools; however, we need something more. We need what we might call A Plan for Success, where the superintendent, the School Board, the City Council, and the commonwealth unite behind a five- or 10-year plan unlike any weve seen before, a plan where we actually plan for success. It will be expensive, yes; and it will be more than worth it. We need to ask what excellence and success in our public schools will look like, and then we need to plan to get there. Levar, if you do these two things, you will help change our city forever. If you do these two things, you will help all Richmonders take two momentous and brave steps forward in looking out for one another. Just as we were born to do, my brother, just as we were born to do. The Rev. Wallace Adams-Riley is rector of St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Richmond. *** Jack Berry I am confident that our new mayor will be highly successful. Here are 10 suggestions that I believe would help ensure that success. 1) Leadership is everything. Build a team based on experience and ability, not politics or relationships. It is all about service delivery, not partisanship or patronage. 2) Build a solid relationship with the superintendent of schools. Both of you need to be on the same page. Quickly make the tough decisions necessary to resolve the school consolidation issue. Get this longstanding problem behind you so you can focus on school renewal. If the two of you agree on school funding, other elected officials will follow your lead. End the bitter fighting that repels parents. 3) Get a handle on the money. Do whatever it takes to get the financial statements completed on time. If you dont straighten out the citys finances, and fix the beleaguered accounting system, you will have no credibility to do anything else. 4) The deadline to produce the next budget is only 60 days from your first day on the job. Demonstrate that you can make tough decisions, cut costs and eliminate wasteful spending, so you can redirect resources to schools and essential services. Guard the debt and fund balance policies with your life. 5) Schools are failing in large measure because many kids are coming to school not ready to learn. Family situations characterized by intense poverty and toxic stress create handicaps for kids who otherwise would be thriving. Fully engage city leaders in Richmonds Trauma Informed Care Network, which is helping parents prepare their children to be successful. This effort can lead to breakthroughs in our public schools. Put power behind it. 6) Your credibility will be tied to the citys ability to provide basic services well. Re-build the capabilities of the Public Works Department. Do whatever it takes to get the leaves picked up before Christmas and the snow removed expeditiously. Cut the grass, fix the streets, care for the trees, and invest in the parks, just like other great cities. Prioritize neglected neighborhoods; dont ignore South Richmond. 7) Violent crime is at a 45-year low, for which we owe a debt of gratitude to our police officers and their long-term commitment to community policing. The reduction in crime is one of the biggest factors that has enabled the re-birth of the city. The recent reversal in the homicide rate is alarming and should be attacked full force. Every good thing that is happening in Richmond can come to a halt if the city is not safe. 8) RVA has come a long way in the past 20 years due to a very intentional emphasis on enhancing the quality of life, supporting the arts, protecting the environment, developing the downtown, and attracting young people. The strategy has worked. Make the city great for young professionals and families. It is your best economic development strategy. 9) Value our city employees and teachers. Change the culture. Make it fun for employees to come to work. Create teams. Recognize performance. Give them the tools they need to be successful. Streamline the processes; build better systems; embrace new technology. 10) Mobilize the community and region to care for those who have been left behind. The best way to attract partners in this effort is to demonstrate that the city government is honest, focused and high-performing. (See Nos. 1-9 above). Jack Berry is the former executive director of Venture Richmond and finished second in the 2016 election for mayor of Richmond. *** Annie Campbell Dear Mr. Stoney, Today is Christmas. This is the day we can ponder how imagination and hope can intersect with public policy in your administration. The national discourse and mood have slumped since Trumps election. I read it in the news and I see it in my third grade classroom. Citizens who want to make a difference work to resist their own enervation in the face of national politics that seem suddenly harsh. Cynicism has always had a role in democracy. The political arena under the wry eye of Aesop resulted in fables that supported the common good and mocked power-hungry and vain leaders. With Aesop, social criticism became comedy. Aesops legacy is alive and well in late-night comedy. We embrace it, relieved when truth is named and spoken and can make us laugh. But we need more than that. Cynicism alone drifts and shifts into disdain a threat to the common kindness and respect that is the bedrock of democracy. The antidotes to cynicism are imagination and hope. Where can imagination and hope fit with policy in our city? We have the structures for it. Look for the public places that bring us together, rather than divide us. Look for the public functions and resources that provide access to knowledge, inspiration, and celebration. These include our public schools, public libraries, public museums and public parks. Please do all you can to protect, promote, and enrich them. Protect our natural resources, bike trails, and green spaces; this supports the environment and provides equal access to nature, promoting health and well-being for all of our citizens. On the night of the Grand Illumination, my husband and I made our way through the just-lit Christmas lights and walked across the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge. In a year that the national conversation has been about building walls, Richmond built a bridge a walking bridge across the James River. It is beautiful; it helps us appreciate both the river and the city. You, the council, and the School Board are not alone. Look for the bridge builders in a city of citizens who use time and resources for the common good. We are rich with artists, writers, volunteers, and creative philanthropists who use private resources to create our common opportunities. I have growing gratitude for local politics. And I am grateful for you today, as you prepare to lead us. Merry Christmas. Annie Campbell is a third-grade teacher at William Fox Elementary School in Richmond. *** Kim Gray Richmond long has been defined by its past and history, so it is exciting to watch as we pass the mantle of leadership to the younger generation. Congratulations to you, Levar Stoney. Your election represents for me renewed confidence in my belief that it is youth that has reinvented the worlds perception of our city. Our first two elected mayors swept into office on a wave of goodwill, but neither benefited from being so much tied to the future as you. As I reflect on this opportunity to offer advice to you, Ill resist the temptation to list my own project priorities or political laundry list of to-dos. Instead, I offer this more general advice: Sometimes what we think we know can limit our willingness to invent what is possible. But a word of caution. As you enter office, remember that government is itself an invention. While your opportunity is to help reinvent government, your greater opportunity is to serve as faithful assistant to our communitys real creators. These curious inventors have shown themselves willing to take risks on new ventures and new ideas, and our people must be the ones to continue to innovate. Past leaders have talked often of investing in our people of empowering them to build a better Richmond. Your true measure of success will be your ability to empower more Richmonders to find their own greater potential to build the Richmond that they want. Too often weve been limited in our creativity as much by what we know as by who we know. It is time to empower new voices to create what we have not yet dared imagine. As a young black man who invented his own future rather than accept what was known, your ability to imagine possibilities for our communities can serve you and us well as our mayor. For many years, our lowest-income communities the ones we now refer to as emerging communities have not been allowed to emerge to their fullest potential. Theyve not had opportunity to help invent our citys future. I look forward to your ability to imagine ways to bring new thinkers to the table. It is an exciting time for our city and an opportunity for all of us to show the world that Richmonds future will not be defined by its past. Kim Gray represents Richmonds Second District on the School Board. Next week, she begins a four-year term representing the Second District on Richmond City Council. *** Osita Iroegbu Richmond is rising. Its a city growing in incremental strides. But for growth to become greatness, our next mayor must lead a transformative change in all parts of our city, not just some. A socio-economic excavation of the ills plaguing Richmonds low-income neighborhoods will reveal an intentional effort of social isolation that has led to the disenfranchisement of these communities on multifaceted levels. This intention is seeped in a historical past of oppression that should not be overlooked. Ignoring such a nuanced history only leads to the framing of issues, such as poverty, as individual failures while disregarding external forces that have helped shred a communitys social and economic fabric. As the isolation of our low-income communities was deliberate, I implore Mayor-elect Stoney to be equally intentional and strategic about holistically addressing the plight of these communities. Resurrect summer jobs for youth who live in public housing, a once-burgeoning practice that created positive engagement and career-building opportunities. Address the crucial issue of public housing transformation and how it will affect the nearly 20,000 people in low-income and Section 8 housing more than half of them children. Visit Richmonds public housing communities to actively engage residents who can share their own experiences and wisdom. And include a representative number of those residents in decision-making processes. Far too often, marginalized populations are brought to the table and told whats good for them and whats going to happen to them. They should have a hand and voice in shaping their community and future. Families, children and social networks that have been developed and sustained over decades are at stake. Marginalized populations must be included in every action and policy that affects them, from affordable housing and public safety to redevelopment and public transportation. And our next mayor must ensure that all public school students in Richmond including those in the South Side and East End receive a quality education in safe, quality buildings. If Richmond is to truly transcend its past and rise toward excellence, we must no longer neglect our historically forgotten people including the citys homeless population, persons with nonviolent felony convictions who tirelessly struggle to obtain gainful employment for years, even decades, after serving their time, and a growing number of African and Latino immigrants who call Richmond home. Furthermore, a commitment to fully honoring and memorializing sacred sites such as the African burial ground in Shockoe Bottom would help honor this citys rich African and African-American history and move us toward collective healing and progress. I remain hopeful that Mayor Stoney will rise to the occasion and lead all, not just some, Richmonders on an elevated path to inclusion and excellence. It will take consistent and open communication and a fervent commitment to center the less fortunate in all things Richmond. Only then, will the city as a whole truly soar. Osita Iroegbu is an educator and activist in Richmond and a former reporter at The Times-Dispatch. *** Laura Lafayette Mayor-elect Stoneys rallying cry Building One Richmond reflects his understanding of the inequities that plague our city and his commitment to change transformative change that will advance equality of opportunity for all Richmonders. If the mayor-elect is to succeed in transforming Richmond into a community of opportunity with affordable housing, safe streets, excellent schools, quality jobs, extensive public transit he will need the help of many. On this score, he is off to an excellent start with the reappointment of Chief Administrative Officer Selena Cuffee-Glenn. Mayor Stoneys first task should be working with his CAO to ensure that the culture of City Hall is one of competency, transparency, efficiency, and accountability. Next comes alignment. Leaders in the private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors as well as the faith community are eager for the mayor to enumerate specific goals and enlist their help in accomplishing them. One of these goals is addressing the needs of Richmonds public schools. But schools do not operate in isolation; they reflect the neighborhoods that surround them. Any school strategy must be paired with community revitalization efforts to rehabilitate housing, deconcentrate poverty, and build wealth. These efforts would be aided tremendously by regional public transit; because transit equals mobility and mobility means greater choice about where one lives and the jobs one can pursue. The conversation Mayor Stoney should lead is not an either/or one that perversely pits these needs against each other, but rather an all of the above conversation that recognizes that these issues must be addressed in unison. Mayor Stoney will enter office with a new City Council that includes two former members of the School Board, and with eight new School Board members. If ever there was a time to establish a new dynamic among the administration and these governing bodies, now is that time. Now is the time to right-size the school system and to identify a sustainable funding model for the systems long-term needs. The same holds true for the redevelopment of public housing: without millions and millions of dollars, it wont happen. The mayor and his team will need to bring their most creative, entrepreneurial thinking to this challenge. Finally, completing the first leg of the Bus Rapid Transit system is essential. Because what hangs in the balance is the next leg along the Jefferson Davis corridor; that could be transformative. Mayor-elect Stoney has consistently viewed Richmonds challenges as opportunities. Thats the attitude of someone who believes in our citys potential and who is willing to work to ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to share in that collective potential and realize their own. I wish him much success. Laura Lafayette is CEO of the Richmond Association of Realtors. *** Kristen Nye Larson My advice to incoming Mayor-elect Stoney is less about policies and more about the environment of our city. Simply put lets build the trust of our community, communicate early and often, and be accessible and visible. Lets start with access. My advice would be to get rid of any barriers physical and perceived. I have already seen you in my district. You met with Fourth District residents at several meetings and gatherings. Dont stop! If people see you and know you, they can relate to you and ultimately respect your decisions even if you differ. The perceived barriers in Richmond run deep. We have the north of the river and south of the river factions. We have racial challenges. We also have generational and socio-economic struggles. If you can ignore it all and reach out to everyone where they are and where they live youll make progress. Communication whether its good or bad, people want to hear from you. Internal and external communication are both essential. You and I have already communicated several times since the election. Lets continue to keep those lines of communication wide open, so I can share that information with constituents. And, attend City Council meetings when the stakes are high if you have a big initiative to push through, lets chat about it face-to-face and in public. Externally, I see public officials who get angry with the media and overwhelmed with public life. I encourage you to work with the media to help spread your message. Lean into it. The easiest way for you to communicate quickly and reach the greatest number of people is via our local media outlets. Last and most important is building trust. When I was campaigning this year, it was clear that our residents have lost faith in our city government. We are here to work for them, serve them and support them as they grow and as their needs change. In so many cases we have let them down. You and I both know we cant fix this overnight. We cant fix all of the problems immediately, and the trust will take a long time to restore. However, together, we can own the problem. We can listen and understand. We can stop blaming the different arms of city leadership for these collective problems. I congratulate you on your new role and I look forward to working together to make Richmond a great place to live, work, and play. Kristen Nye Larson represents Richmonds Fourth District on the School Board. Next week, she begins a four-year term representing the Fourth District on Richmond City Council. *** Nadine Marsh-Carter These are exciting times in our great city! This new era of leadership brings a renewed energy and optimism for Richmonds future, which can propel our community to new levels of success. Our mayor-elects charge is to ensure that success is enjoyed equitably throughout our community. As he considers the myriad of opportunities and challenges that his administration must address to lead Richmond to a brighter future, I encourage him to make Richmonds children his top priority. It may seem a bit cliched, but thats because it so often bears repeating our children are our future. An investment in children is an investment in our entire community becoming stronger and better-positioned to thrive. Polices that improve our public schools support the well-being of children, realizing tangible returns in their lives and for our entire city. Mayor-elect Stoney is positioned to work in tandem with our schools, local industry, the corporate sector, philanthropic organizations, higher education institutions, and workforce development agencies to create opportunities that move children out of poverty, strengthen our citys workforce, and ultimately make our city an even more attractive place to work and live. Public education promotes regional economic expansion, investing in the creation of a highly qualified workforce that attracts new and retains current businesses. Access to quality education is a great equalizer when well-educated, children from every segment of our community get the skills, knowledge, and tools they need to become successful, independent adults. Our city leadership has a moral imperative and financial incentive to equip every child with the opportunities that quality public education affords. It is well documented that Richmonds high poverty rate puts a disproportionate number of our children at a tremendous disadvantage. Tragic realities stem from the pipeline to prison faced by too many of our youth. By advancing policies that ensure all children get a quality public education, our mayor-elect holds the opportunity to create a pipeline to success. Strong public schools help children go to college, acquire relevant workforce skills, begin careers, or start a trade. Mr. Stoneys willingness re-imagine the culture at City Hall and reluctance to accept business as usual uniquely position him to partner with the corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic communities to establish creative programs that promote better outcomes for Richmonds schoolchildren. Simply put, providing children a quality education creates a win-win outcome for our children, the city, the region, and the commonwealth. Nadine Marsh-Carter is president and CEO of Childrens Home Society of Richmond. In November, she was elected to the Richmond School Board, representing the Seventh District, and begins her term next week. *** Donald McEachin Richmonds next mayor will face many challenges and exciting opportunities, too. During the campaign, my friend Levar put forward impressive proposals to improve public schools, transform City Hall, and move Richmond forward. Clearly, voters liked what they heard and I believe they made a sound choice. I have every hope that the city (and the region) will flourish while Levar is at the helm. Still, there are always pitfalls. Ive been serving and campaigning for more than 20 years, and I want to share a few lessons that Ive learned not just for Levar, but for anyone whos beginning (or considering!) service as an elected official. First, dont ever lose sight of kitchen table issues. Communities cant succeed unless theyre physically safe, with good schools and reliable services. Big new initiatives are great, and some of them are incredibly important, but people need and expect you to get the basics right. Prioritize jobs and education and public safety. Find a way to fill the potholes. Richmonders need and expect that, at a minimum. Second, listen really listen to everyone. No party, no group, no person has a monopoly on wisdom. Democracy cant work without compromise, and people of good faith can almost always find common ground. That doesnt mean we have to abandon our principles perish the thought! But it does mean we have to always seek new ways of working together and serving the common good. Third, do the legwork. Take the time to get things right. Politics can be simple, but governing never is. In the General Assembly, Ive seen bad bills come back from the dead. When that happens, its because someone recognized the problem, gathered folks around a table, and then talked with them until they found a fix that worked for everyone. That approach that willingness to go right back to the drawing board is exhausting, but it works. It is how we make progress. Finally, remember where you came from and what you stand for, and how you got where you are! Voters saw who you were, and your beliefs and principles. Be true to the self you showed them. Stand by your values and dont forget why you ran in the first place. Dont lose sight of the mission. Above all, never ever forget what a privilege it is to serve and to have the opportunity to make a real difference in peoples lives. I wish Levar, and all our new elected leaders, the very best of luck in 2017 and beyond. If I can be of help, please dont hesitate to call on me. Happy holidays, and a happy new year! State Sen. Donald McEachin was elected to the United States House of Representatives in November, representing Virginias Fourth District, and begins his term in January. *** Kim Scheeler Mayor-elect Stoney, youve worked your way into the greatest job in the world, because everyone is happy to tell you just how to do it! So, please take these suggestions in the spirit of support they are given with. 1) Get the financial house in order. Ive heard you say that you want Richmond to be AAA bond-rated. Stick to that vision. Its important to instill confidence in the citys ability to balance the checkbook. It will pay off in many ways. 2) Focus on development opportunities. The city is in a unique position. New residents are flocking to downtown. The restaurant scene is booming. More office space is coming. The Richmond Port is growing. All of this creates opportunity. It grows your tax base and supports big projects like new schools and amenities that attract people. We heard the former mayor in Nashville describe their convention center and arena as community furniture. You need money to buy nice furniture. You need money to lift people out of poverty. Nice furniture includes a robust transportation system, top-notch schools and quality housing. Development is the cash machine that provides you with the resources to accomplish these things. 3) In order to sustain our growth and eliminate generational poverty, we need a high-performing school system. Business cant function without people, and it cant function well without well-trained people. People cant get good jobs without the right education and skills. A lot has been said about the financial needs of Richmond Public Schools and there certainly are money challenges. But it isnt just about the money. Its about transforming the way we educate students. Its about inspiring them to learn skills they need. Its about preparing young people in our city for success. Weve got to get the bureaucracy out of the way and focus on the kids. Weve got to stop explaining why its so hard to make it work. Focus on the kids. 4) Finally, build a spirit of regionalism. The city is the center of the region. Engage the neighboring jurisdictions, but meet them as an equal partner, not with your hand out. They are eager to work with you. In all of these things, start with the end goal in mind. It keeps the focus on what you want to accomplish, not the process. Congratulations and dont hesitate to call on ChamberRVA if we can help! Kim Scheeler is president and CEO of ChamberRVA. *** Michael Rao On behalf of everyone at Virginia Commonwealth University, I offer our sincere congratulations and best wishes to Richmonds Mayor-elect Levar Stoney. He inherits leadership of a city that is on an exciting upward trajectory and will be even more so by engaging us. By that I mean he should draw on VCU and other civic, business, government, and charitable organizations throughout the region to come together in meaningful collaboration to improve the quality of life for all of our residents within the city and surrounding area. For example, as a research university with a major academic medical center, use VCUs expertise and passion in collaboration with the city and other organizations to address regional concerns about K-12 education and health disparities. As the citys largest employer with a major footprint downtown, use VCU and other large and small employers and groups as partners to leverage economic and cultural development. The city of Richmonds potential is limitless if we all work together with the new mayor if we are available for him to engage us in genuine and open collaboration. That bodes well for all of us regardless of where we live and work in Central Virginia. Michael Rao is president of VCU and the VCU Health System. *** Cyndy Weldon-Lassiter Dear Mayor-elect Stoney, Your thorough plan to make a positive impact on education is commendable, and as you collaborate with a team to transform and strengthen our public schools, I propose a second look at two areas deepening the resources for which we currently have access and viewing our school structure with an even wider lens. First, the voices you propose in your education plan include collaboration with local school and community partners. While their inclusion is vital, it would also behoove us to expand our resources by looking at Virginias public education system as a whole, bringing mayors together from several metropolitan areas throughout the state. If we can create a venue for sharing best practices in education, imagine not only a local, but also a statewide coalition uniting for the betterment of students in our community and our state. Here is our opportunity to take advantage of lessons learned, to design and then promote innovative education models and share accomplishments. All of this would be achieved in a concerted effort with leaders across our state who are overcoming similar challenges we face in our city. Secondly, you outline key goals that compel us to see schools from a new perspective, as ones that recognize students myriad needs, including health and social matters. Although some may believe schools addressing such support services are moving beyond their purview, it is clear those needs must be met before students are fully able to engage in their learning environment. Yes, afterschool programming is essential as well, but as you mobilize forces and funds to provide much-needed afterschool care for students during the school year, please also consider missed opportunities in the summer months that lead to summer learning loss. Schools serving marginalized youth have the ability to address the opportunity gap through the thoughtful use of expanded learning time, and that would include extended school hours for enrichment, as well as learning opportunities in the summer months. An extended school day and school year work in tandem to diminish students losing ground academically, and therefore, serve to increase academic achievement. Transforming our schools is going to be arduous. Your leadership as mayor could be enhanced by statewide, collaborative mayoral leadership and pushing even harder against the way schools have operated for far too long. The collective voices and experiences could help you transform education in Richmond, as well as the Commonwealth of Virginia. By PTI: The official further said panel was of the view that "the The official further said panel was of the view that "the bank guarantee per se was one of the parts of the terms and conditions of the allocation letter dated July 20, 2007 of the said block issued in favour of Power Finance Corporation. As such, the examination of the case should be strictly on the terms and conditions of the said allocation letter." advertisement The government had earlier said that it has been decided to place the matter of deduction of bank guarantee submitted by Reliance Power for Kerandari B&C coal block before the Inter-Ministerial Group for making recommendations to the government. In 2007 the Coal Ministry had allocated Kerandari B&C coal block to JIPL, a subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation (PFC), subject to certain conditions. Further, Reliance Power acquired JIPL from PFC in 2009 after emerging as the lowest bidder in the International Competitive Bidding process for Tilaiya UMPP. Subsequently, RPL communicated that it had terminated the PPA and relinquished Tiliaya UMPP. Hence, Reliance Power requested the Coal Ministry for release of bank guarantee submitted by it for Kerandari B&C coal block. PTI SID MKJ BAL --- ENDS --- Pope Francis send out a hope for peace in a world scarred by war and terrorism in his Christmas message on Sunday. Addressing thousands of people gathered at the St. Peter's Square, Vatican, Pope said, "Today this message goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace." Francis delivered his fourth Christmas message, traditionally known as the Urbi et Orbi, since becoming Pope in 2013. "Peace to all who, in different areas, are enduring sufferings due to constant dangers and persistent injustice," he said. "Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, and to those who have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities." He wished for "a real and concrete peace" to the abandoned and excluded people who suffer hunger and to all the victims of violence. He made reference to exiles, migrants and refugees and victims of human trafficking. He also urged for peace to the peoples who suffer because of the economic ambitions of the few, because of "the sheer greed and the idolatry of money" that leads to slavery. He also appealed for peace for those affected by social and economic unrest, and those who endure the consequences of earthquakes or other natural catastrophes. Francis also urged the world to free themselves of "materialism", which he said had taken Christmas hostage. He wished for peace to men and women in the war-torn land of Syria, urging the international community to end the civil war and to actively seek a negotiated solution. The Pope also appealed to Israelis and Palestinians to have the courage and the determination to put hate and revenge behind, and build together a future of mutual understanding and harmony. He expressed a similar wish for peace in terrorism-hit Iraq, Libya and Yemen. He also urged for peace in conflict-torn countries of Africa such as Nigeria, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and also in Eastern Ukraine, Myanmar and the Korean Peninsula. Francis, the first Latin American pope, also urged the world to spare a thought for the children deprived of the joys of childhood because of hunger, wars or the selfishness of adults. "Peace on earth to men and women of goodwill, who work quietly and patiently each day, in their families and in society, to build a more humane and just world, sustained by the conviction that only with peace is there the possibility of a more prosperous future for all," he said. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News PM receives Yemen's youth government SANAA, Dec. 25 (Saba) Prime Minister Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Habtoor met on Sunday with Yemens youth government members, who briefed him on their vision in the service, economic and political areas. In the meeting, the youth government's members handed over to Dr. bin Habtoor a copy of its program and its political vision to end the aggression and bring peace in Yemen. Head and members of the youth government reviewed activities and tasks of their government since its declaration in 2013 according to its program. The prime minister welcomed the youth government and affirmed that the future is for youth. Your creative ideas in all areas today are your programs for the near future, Dr. bin Habtoor addressed the youth government members. He praised the national reconciliation idea formed by the youth government, which reflects their understanding to the reality being lived by their homeland in light of the aggression. The premier pointed to the malicious dimensions and goals of the US-backed Saudi aggression, confirming the aggressions failure in undermining the Yemeni state and will. A dirty and immoral war was practiced on Yemen and its sons, as well as an entire blockade, which aimed to split the homeland and deliver some of its areas to al-Qaeda and Daesh, Dr. bin Habtoor said. The aggression aimed to spread chaos through establishing and arming security institutions and militia in some provinces of Yemen with a view to drag the country into a continual internal fighting, he added. He stressed the importance of youths comprehension to the dimensions of this hostile and barbaric war on their homeland and its security, stability and future. The prime minister voiced his confidence in the deep patriotism in youths opinions, thoughts, initiatives and projects for present and future, asserting that the salvation government would do its best to support the youth government. BA Saba Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Telegram Email Email Print Print [26/December/2016] Delhi Police data reveals that one-fourth of rape cases from the national capital in 2016 falls under having sex before marriage falling for a false promise of marriage. By Amit Kumar: One-fourth of the total rape cases registered in the national Capital this year belong to sex under "false promise of marriage", Delhi Police data reveal. The annual figures also show a marginal dip, 1.93 per cent, in the total rape cases reported. In 2015, Delhi recorded 2,069 rape cases, the highest in previous 15 years. Legal experts say certain grey areas in Section 375 of Indian Penal Code, 1860, allow a complainant to take advantage of the situation when a relationship turns sour. A few recent observations of higher courts across the country in this regard substantiate this belief. advertisement "Having sex before marriage cannot be forced upon a girl. That is why in many cases, various courts have expressed concern over the rise in false rape cases," said Amit Khemka, a Delhi High Court lawyer. The loophole which Khemka pointed out is an eventuality in section 375 where the victim's "consent is given because she believes that he is another man to whom she is or believes herself to be lawfully married". "So far as the rape on pretext of marriage is concerned, no blame can be put on the male alone in those cases, where the girl is a major because no one can force sex on the pretext of marriage," Khemka said. He also pointed out the dismal rate of conviction in rape cases - less than 25%. "Rape accused are acquitted in court in the absence of proper investigation or evidence," he said. In March this year, Justice Mridula Bhatkar of Bombay High Court, granting bail to a rape accused on marriage pretext, observed: "An educated woman is mature enough to understand the consequences of having physical relations with her partner and such cases will not fall under the ambit of rape." However, social activists contest such generalisation in a city where one rape is reported every four hours. "It is important to understand the fraudulent. If one is living with a woman and promised to marry her, he should honour his commitment," woman rights activist Ranjana Kumari told Mail Today. Kumari feels there should be dialogue in home where girls are vulnerable and despite being exploitation, they complain only after rape takes place by someone known to her. Police data also shows that 96.26 per cent of cases in 2016 the accused were known to the victim. "Except for 74 cases reported till November 30 in 2016, the accused were known to the victims in all other cases. This makes prevention of such crimes comparatively more difficult as these were committed in private spaces," said a police officer. Police also claimed 85.95 per cent of rape cases reported in 2016 have already been solved, 57.74 per cent of them within one week of registration, and 1,974 persons were arrested. advertisement ape cases were reported under Aman Vihar police station (60), followed by Mehrauli (48), Shahbad Dairy (41), Khajoori Khas (39), Shakarpur (36), Begumpur (35), New Ashok Nagar (34), Mangolpuri (33), Nihal Vihar (33), and Govindpuri (30). Cases of molestation came down from 5,328 to 4,005 - a drop of 24.83 per cent. In 2016, Delhi Police registered 881 cases against insulting to the modesty of women (Sec 509). Of these, police claimed to have solved 66.89 per cent cases. --- ENDS --- 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 Schwan's announces further expansion at Salina facility The distribution center, in addition to the 400,000-square-foot pizza expansion, will bring the Salina Schwan's site to over 1 million square feet. The hawala trade took a massive hit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation drive. Mail Today finds out that only 3 to 5 per cent of the trade is functioning now. By Chayyanika Nigam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation decision has struck at the roots of hawala trade with business coming to a grinding halt, Mail Today has found. Dozens of agents in old Delhi - a hub of the money-laundering network - have shut shop in the absence of customers and cash after the Centre last month suddenly banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in a bid to curb corruption and promote digital payments. The worst-hit hawala operators in the Capital are the Gujarati businessmen. advertisement "They used to celebrate Diwali by shutting their offices and going back to their home state for 15-20 days," said Rakesh, whose father runs a courier services centre in old Delhi. "But they have not returned since then because at the time they were supposed to come back, the scrapping of notes was announced." Investigation agencies say the underground networks are trying to revive themselves by parking their black money in new currency in neighbouring countries. Officials say they have tightened vigil along border areas, especially near Bangladesh. For a fee, a hawala dealer will provide the foreign currency equivalent of any amount and transfer it anywhere in the world - bypassing normal banking channels and leaving no paper trail. Terrorists, drug dealers, arms salesmen and other criminals are big users of the network. Almost every city in India has hawala traders, but major transactions take place in Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat. Speaking to Mail Today, hawala operators in India, Pakistan and Dubai echoed the same words that the business has taken a massive hit with only about 3-5 per cent of the trade functioning. "For the time being we have shut down our business and are staying back in Gujarat," said one of the agents whose office is in old Delhi. Sources say large volumes of cash lying with these brokers have turned redundant and many traders are likely to go bankrupt. LIQUIDITY CRUNCH This reporter approached the operator as a client, asking for Rs 20 lakh in old currency to be sent to Mumbai. But the hawala dealer refused to change the scrapped notes. When asked if Rs 20 lakh in new currency can be transferred to Mumbai, the operator turned that down as well, saying only Rs 4 to 5 lakh can be transferred. "The liquidity of the new currency is very less so the operator sitting on the other side might not have the same amount as the client is willing to send," said another hawala dealer. "But to survive, we are relying on the conversion of black money using agents and giving them 10 per cent commission." advertisement A broker who was ready to send hawala money from Delhi to Dubai said that he is taking extra commission for old currency transactions. The trading is based on trust, has no records or paper trail and legal enforcement, is fast, flexible, non-bureaucratic, and charges low commission rate, but is illegal. There is never any physical transfer of money and the channel is always anonymous. The money enters the system in local currency and leaves as a foreign currency. "If 1 lakh Dirham has to be received in Dubai then Rs 21.5 lakh (in old currency) can be deposited in Delhi or Rs 19.25 lakh in new currency," he said. --- ENDS --- Four families were displaced early Christmas morning when a river of mud flowed down a slope behind their apartment complex, burst through a back wall and came into the downstairs units, Oceanside officials said. The Oceanside Fire Department responded shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday to a report of water coming into a downstairs apartment in the two-story, four-unit complex on Canyon Drive near Lomita Street. Firefighters found a 75-foot-long, 12-foot-wide stream of mud that had coursed down a slope behind the apartment complex. Authorities evacuated everyone in the complex because the damage downstairs also affected the structural integrity of the upstairs units. Advertisement No residents were hurt in the incident. The Red Cross arranged temporary shelter for the four displaced families; none of those residents could be reached for comment around midday. The (apartments) property management company will be assisting them in securing long-term accommodations. It is expected the residents in the apartments will be out of their units for an extended period of time, the fire department said in a news release. A home above the complex on Maxon Street was also partially evacuated until a geologist could evaluate the slope, authorities said. The cause of the mudslide may have been a water leak in an irrigation line at that home, and officials said they were continuing their investigation. City crews said they checked all city water lines in the area and didnt find any leaks. morgan.cook@sduniontribune.com Christians and Jews gathered together in Carlsbad Saturday evening to jointly celebrate the rare coincidence of Christmas Eve and the beginning of Hanukkah. The Rev. Laura Sheridan-Campbell of Holy Cross Episcopal Church and Rabbi Ben Leinow of Congregation Bnai Tikvah had hoped 70 or 80 people would take part. Instead, thanks partly to some publicity, nearly 200 worshipers packed the small church located in a nondescript building in a business park that both congregations share separately. Hanukkah typically falls in early to mid-December, though in this case, it will run into the new year. The last time the dates collided was in 1978. The next time will be in 2027. Advertisement We are not combining services, said Leinow of Bnai Tikvah (Children of Hope). That wouldnt be fair to the Christian community because Christmas is a much more important holiday. What were doing is coming together, side-by-side, so we can experience the joy of both communities. The two groups, for nearly two hours, sang Christmas carols and prayed together. They stood with arms locked and swayed while singing Hebrew songs led by Cantor Larry Kornit. It was called A Service of Light and Peace. Its certainly a rare thing we are doing tonight, Sheridan-Campbell told the gathering. It does not also go without saying that it is risky to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah side by side under one roof. It means making concessions. It means making room for each other in ways we dont usually do. We are so pleased we have done this, she said. I want to thank both communities for giving of their spirits and their labors to come together this night. Early in the ceremony the rabbi asked everyone to stand as an elderly woman was escorted into the crowded room. When Malka arrives we stand to recognize her as a Holocaust survivor, Leinow said. Each time she comes in the room, we rise out of love and respect for her and our hope and prayer that she will live even longer and longer than the average person lives. The room filled with applause. It was nearly four years ago when Holy Cross Episcopal and Bnai Tikvah began sharing space in a building on Gateway Road in Carlsbad not far from Palomar Airport. As space-sharing partners, both congregations operate independently and autonomously. But Saturday night they came together. Stories were shared about the birth of Jesus and about the time the menorah oil lasted eight nights even though it should have been just one. There were sermons, and more singing. This is not just your coming to observe something, the rabbi told the throng of worshipers. Youre coming to be part of it and were hoping that what we put together is something we can all relate to. Ive already gotten criticism for doing this, Leinow said. I want to remind you that were here as Jews and Christians celebrating what we believe is meaningful and joyful within our community and what we have to share. After the service, Sheridan-Campbell said they counted 193 people in attendance. Thats the most weve ever had in this building, she said. Ever. Some belonged to neither congregation, she said, but instead were people from the area who had read about the service and decided to check it out. There may have been people who werent thrilled about it but I didnt talk to any of them. They probably werent going to tell me., the reverend said. They were very grateful for us having offered something like this where people come together celebrating peace and positive things. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones A somewhat rare project a roundabout on a state highway will start to take shape this spring at the intersection of Valley Center Road and state Route 76 as authorities try to cut down on dangerous collisions in that area. The roundabout will be the first built on state-controlled land in San Diego County, according to California Department of Transportation officials. Advertisement Years in the planning, the project is expected to begin in March and be completed a year later at an estimated cost of $17.5 million. A roundabout is a circulatory roadway through which vehicles travel counterclockwise within the intersection. Traffic entering the roundabout must yield to circulating traffic. Studies show roundabouts reduce the types of crashes that result in injury or loss of life because they require drivers to significantly slow down before entering. The only traffic control at the intersection now is a lone stop sign along Valley Center Road. Highway 76 drivers have the right-of-way and zip through the intersection quickly, sometimes too quickly. (A) stop sign at Valley Center Road, but none on the 76, creates a speed differential as people are starting from that stopped position trying to merge into that fast traffic, Caltrans Project Engineer Wendy Dandeneau said. That was the situation we were looking to correct. She said the project was triggered by safety concerns. Between 2005 and 2009 there were 35 accidents at or near the site, four times higher than the statewide average. More recent crash data wasnt available, but a 2014 report predicted that things would only get worse at the three-way intersection, with more development in the back country and the popularity of Indian casinos and hotels in the area. A contractor for the roundabout project should be selected sometime in February, officials said. Its coming right up, Dandeneau said. The state could have installed a traffic light at the intersection, but opted to try something different. We felt like there was a bit of a risk with a signal, Dandeneau said. The chances that some people would simply run the red light were too great, she said. The geometry of a roundabout and introduction of curves force the vehicles to slow down as they go though it. There are a lot more visual cues that will be impossible to miss, she said. Those cues will include flashing beacons placed on all three legs, visible well before vehicles approach the intersection. The roundabout will also feature a raised central island around which traffic circulates and spotter islands separating entering traffic from exiting traffic. A report from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration found roundabouts on two-lane rural highways reduce crashes by up to 68 percent and injury crashes by up to 88 percent. The construction project will realign Route 76 and Valley Center Road to form a new intersection. Additional signing, sidewalks, curb ramps, high friction surface treatment, landscaping, and a new bus pull out will also be constructed. Two parcels of land, and parts of two others, have been acquired by the state for the project at a total cost of $3.5 million jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones Shoppers were buying gifts for the young and old at Geppettos Toys in the Fashion Valley mall this Christmas Eve. John and Elaine Baker traveled to Geppettos early Saturday morning to buy Elaines 96-year-old mother a kaleidoscope, a toy she used to have and still talks about now. Shes so hard to buy for because you know she has everything she wants, Elaine Baker said. But she had given (her kaleidoscope) to her grandson and kept saying that she wished she hadnt, so were going to get her another one. Advertisement Elaine said her mother has always been Mrs. Christmas of the family, buying everyone multiple gifts each year and driving around with a license plate that read, born to shop. I took over her license plate but Im not doing a very good job living up to that name, Elaine said. Im not very good at shopping. The Bakers live in Washington, but spend their winters in San Diego. They plan to spend Christmas day with Elaines family and hopefully enjoy the outdoors if the weather holds up. Meanwhile, Alyson Amerson and her husband Brad were scrambling after their 3-year-old son Judah, as he ran from one end of Geppettos to the other, pointing out toys he wants for Hanukkah. Well this was a smart ideabring the kid to the toy store, Alyson Amerson said as she watched her husband sprint after their son, who was attempting to pick up a large box of toy trucks. Anything trucks. Hes all about trucks this year. She said her family came to San Diego from Charleston, S.C., to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. The goal is to buy gifts in advance, she said, but it never ends up working out that way. Jason Nauman, general merchandise manager for Geppettos, said Christmas Eve is a big day for the store but sales usually peak in the weeks leading up to the holiday. This week alone we will do 10 percent of our sales for the entire year, Nauman said. A holiday survey from Deloitte Center for Industry Insights predicts that 50 percent of shoppers will make to the malls, down from 53 percent last year. That same survey said about 34 percent of gifts will be some kind of game, toy or doll. The majority, about 50 percent, will go toward electronics, followed by books at 36 percent. For Geppettos, one of the biggest sellers is a thin rubber piano, which Nauman said can be rolled out on any surface and played like the normal-sized instrument. You can play it wherever you want the floor, your desk and it sounds just like a regular piano, he said. Another hot item is a fidget cube, a one-square-inch box with different buttons, rollers, clickers and switches to play with on each side. The box says its an appropriate toy for ages 5 through 105. Its great for conference calls, he said. Weve been selling them like crazy. According to eMarketer, holiday shoppers in the U.S. are expected to spend, in total, about $885 billion in November and December, about 3 percent more than they did last year. Holiday retail e-commerce sales are expected to balloon to nearly $95 billion as well, growing 17 percent since 2015 and accounting for more than 10 percent of total holiday retail for the first time in history. The National Retail Association said the typical holiday shopper will spend $461 for family, $77 for friends and $25 for co-workers. While the boost in sales is great for business, Nauman said he is simply happy to spread joy to hundreds of children and adults during the holiday season. This is what we wait all year for, he said. You get to play a part in someones Christmas and thats a really good feeling. Data Watch Videos On Now Data Point: Media Mergers 2:58 On Now Jaywalking infractions in San Diego 1:24 On Now Video: Finding the recipe for the perfect burrito 2:09 On Now Video: Where marijuana is legal in the United States 0:53 On Now Report: Correctional system fails women 1:22 On Now San Diego students have larger classes On Now Hierarchy of cuisine prices On Now Pay phones: Is that still a thing? On Now 2016 border apprehensions On Now STD trends, San Diego County Contact Lauryn Schroeder via Twitter or Email. California should pay reparations to victims of its eugenics-based sterilization programs, which took away the reproductive abilities of about 20,000 people in the first half of the 20th century, researchers said in a new study. In particular, Mexican immigrants were disproportionately affected by those programs. And overall, an estimated 800 victims may still be alive today, according to the paper, which was released last week. Given the advanced age and declining numbers of sterilization survivors, time is of the essence for the state to seriously consider reparations, said Alexandra Stern at the University of Michigan, the studys lead author. Advertisement Nationwide, Virginia and North Carolina have set up funds to compensate survivors of sterilization programs that were based on the eugenics movement. Followers of the eugenics campaign believed that people they deemed genetically unfit shouldnt be allowed to reproduce. The American movement was a model and inspiration for the atrocities that took place in Nazi Germany, experts have documented. California led the United States in the number of sterilizations during that movement; about a third of such procedures in the nation happened in this state. Its unclear how active the programs were in San Diego County. Californias law permitting the sterilizations was passed in 1909 and remained on the books until 1979. In 2003, Gov. Gray Davis issued a brief official apology on behalf of the state. To the victims and their families of this past injustice, the people of California are deeply sorry for the suffering you endured over the years, he wrote. Our hearts are heavy for the pain caused by eugenics. It was a sad and regrettable chapter one that must never be repeated. Lawmakers fears of the growing numbers of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in California led to disproportionate use of sterilization on Mexican-origin youths, said Natalie Lira, a researcher on Sterns team and an assistant professor at the University of Illinois. Stereotyping of Mexicans during the eugenics movement made its way into immigration laws, political discourse and popular media and it persists today, Lira and Stern said. They noted that the National Origins Act, passed in 1924, was influenced by the California movement. The federal legislation created immigration quotas, including reductions in the number of people allowed into this country from areas outside of northern Europe. Eugenicists believed young Mexican women were promiscuous and that young Mexican men were criminals by nature. Lira said Mexican women also were thought of as hyper fertile, which added to eugenicists fears that they would have many children and harm the American gene pool. These women were frequently compared to animals, Lira said. Young women who had children outside of marriage or who were deemed sexually promiscuous were institutionalized at places like Pacific Colony in Pomona, as were young men who committed minor violations or crimes, including school truancy and petty theft, Lira said. Many of the institutionalized were then sterilized. In one case, Lira and Stern found a sterilization record from Pacific Colony for Fortuna Valencia, a half Spanish, half Indian California native who had 11 children from two marriages and at some point was referred to the welfare department. Valencia had scored relatively high on her IQ test, according to the researchers analysis. Officials justified her sterilization because she had fully demonstrated that she falls into the feeble-minded group when that group is defined by any sort of social orientation. Thus, Fortuna was sterilized for being a poor Mexican-origin woman with a large family, the researchers wrote in their paper. What happened to the individuals that were committed to the institutions and sterilized really taught us a lot about how race and disability have been used and continue to be used to justify confinement and reproductive constraints, Lira said. For example, the Center for Investigative Reporting has reported that at least 148 women were sterilized in state prisons between 2006 and 2010. RELATED kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate The county Medical Examiners Office has identified the El Cajon woman killed Friday evening in a Dulzura crash. Blanca Esthela Estrada Ramirez, 44, died at the scene of a crash that occurred shortly after 5 p.m. Friday along state Route 94 just east of Barrett Smith Road. Estrada Ramirez was driving west along the roadway, with her daughter in a passenger seat, when her vehicle was hit head on by a Ford Explorer, according to the Medical Examiners Office. Advertisement Rescuers rushed the daughter and the driver of the Ford to local hospitals. Their conditions are unknown. Neither driver was speeding and authorities continue to probe why the driver crossed into oncoming traffic, authorities said. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. cprine@sduniontribune.com A San Ysidro man barricaded himself from police and fire rescuers, piled his belongings onto his apartments stove and turned on the gas, igniting a Christmas Eve blaze, authorities say. Octavio Ortiz, 45, survived the 7:13 p.m. Saturday fire without injuries because neighbors quickly summoned emergency crews and San Diego police rescued him from the apartment, according to a late Saturday press release. Police jailed Ortiz while Metro Arson Strike Team investigators probe the cause of the blaze at the Casa De Miranda Apartment complex along Cottonwood Road in San Ysidro. Advertisement Breaking News cprine@sduniontribune.com The hunt continues for an unknown suspect in a late Friday night City Heights shooting. San Diego police detectives said Saturday that they were searching for a person who shot a 20-year-old woman in the face following an argument that erupted shortly before midnight inside an apartment building along Marlborough Avenue. The victim was driven to a hospital and was treated for non-life threatening injuries, police said. Her name has not yet been released. Advertisement Officers canvassing Marlborough Avenue south of University Avenue recovered no firearm and the group inside the apartment gave detectives no description of the suspect. cprine@sduniontribune.com By PTI: Lucknow, Dec 25 (PTI) Dense fog occurred at many places in Uttar Pradesh today resulting in killing of seven people and injuring 14 others in separate road mishaps. Five people were killed and seven others injured in separate incidents in Bhadohi today. While four persons were killed and five others injured when a truck hit their van near Lalaganj locality in Gopiganj area in Bhadohi, police said. advertisement In a separate incident in the same district, two persons were seriously injured when their SUV rammed into a stationary truck in Amva village in Gopiganj area. In Mau district, two elderly persons were killed and seven others injured when a roadways bus hit a jeep in Haldharpur area due to fog in the district, they said. Teju Yadav (60) and Jagdish Yadav (70) were killed on the spot in the mishap, they said. The injured were rushed to a hospital, where their condition is stated to be serious. According to the MeT department, night temperature rose markedly in Agra division, rose appreciably in Moradabad and Meerut divisions, rose in Allahabad divisions and changed a little in the remaining divisions of the state. The lowest minimum temperature over the state was 7.1 degrees Celsius and the weather was dry over the state. The MeT department has forecast dry weather over the state with a possibility of shallow to moderate fog at many places. PTI ABN KJ --- ENDS --- Police officers stood at the front of a crowded church on Tuesday night, offering what few answers they could to explain why a father would kill his wife and five children before turning the gun on himself. But residents of the suburban community of Wilmington have heard of such violence before. The Lupoe family, whose seven bodies were discovered shot to death Tuesday morning in their home, represents the fifth mass death of a Southern California family by murder or suicide in a year. This time, residents wanted more than updates to another murder investigation. They wanted solutions to the trend. Advertisement Some of the 200 residents who crammed into the community meeting blamed the Lupoes deaths on a dismal local economy. They cited a suicide note left by Ervin Lupoe in which he describes the horrendous ordeal that he and his wife endured after being fired from their jobs as medical technicians at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center West Los Angeles. Their employer led them to this, said Carmen Adame, who told city officials she believed Lupoe, like many in her community, was being forced to work under unreasonable conditions. Employers are abusing this economy because people dont want to lose their jobs, she said. Most of the people from this almost entirely Hispanic neighborhood some 18 miles south of downtown didnt know the family well but still sought answers and solace from police and city officials. The atmosphere remained courteous and people applauded officials, who stood in front of a wooden stage and a 20-foot-wide mural of Jesus. But the stresses weighing on this community like so many others quickly came to the fore. People are frustrated with their government, resident Xavier Hermosillo told city officials. This is a societal decline. Councilwoman Janice Hahn, whose district spans Wilmington, told residents there are several agencies and crisis centers available for people facing economic strife. She supplied a list of numbers, including a suicide prevention hot line, offering bilingual advice. One resident stood up and said, while she appreciated the information, what Wilmington needed was jobs. The community, located between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, has suffered from a weakened economy, collapsing home prices and a shrinking pool of work at the nearby docks. Rosa Maldonado, who moved from Long Beach to Wilmington about eight months ago, said because many residents in the community couldnt speak English they felt excluded from the attentions of the wider Los Angeles government. We are sad, because Wilmington is forgotten by Los Angeles, Maldonado said in Spanish. We need to be more involved in the community. Looking south from Wilmington, towering cranes that unload cargo vessels at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach dominate the horizon. These economic engines have resulted in little financial benefit for Wilmington while air pollution has impacted the health of locals with higher cancer and asthma rates, Hahn said. Longshoremen who work on a casual basis have not been employed since Nov. 30, Hahn said, and numbers provided by her office show more than 1,000 homes went into foreclosure from January 2007 to September last year. Its real, real slow, said retired truck driver Jaime Solache, who lives a few doors from the Lupoe home. The region has been shook by several recent mass murders. On Dec. 24, a man dressed up as Santa Claus invaded a Christmas Eve party and killed his ex-wife and eight of her relatives. The man, who had lost his job, later killed himself. In October, an unemployed financial manager despairing over extreme money problems shot and killed his wife, three children, mother-in-law and himself in their home in the Porter Ranch area of the San Fernando Valley. In June, five members of a Turkish-American family, clad in black, were found dead in an upscale home in San Clemente. Investigators say it was apparently a suicide pact but the reason is a mystery. In February, an apparent murder-suicide claimed the lives of five family members in Yorba Linda. Police say Orland Cho, 41, shot his 39-year-old wife and her children ages 9, 8 and 5. Chos 14-year-old son survived his wounds. Burning vomit crept into my mouth. I swallowed. My hollowstomach was twisting and gnawing as I lay frozen in my bed Icould smell the dank stench of them. I could hear their loathsomevoices and I felt them crawling under my skin. I was afraid toclose my eyes and I was afraid not to. I knew it didnt make anydifference. They would always be there long after they were gone,penetrating the veils of my sleep, growling, Shut up bitch, orwell pistol-whip you in front of your kid. So begins Michelle Renees book, Held Hostage (Berkley Books,$7.99) which recounts the harrowing true tale of her -- and herdaughters -- kidnapping, as well as of the subsequent criminalinvestigation and trial that led to the conviction of the threekidnappers. Advertisement In November 2000, three masked men broke into Renees Vista homeand held her and her 7-year-old daughter hostage. The next morning,after a long, terrifying night in which they were restrained byduct tape and had guns pointed at their heads, mother and daughterwere strapped with dynamite by the armed gang members, and Reneewas forced to rob the Vista bank where she was assistant vicepresident. During the robbery, her daughter was held hostage intheir home. Dropped off on the street by the kidnappers after therobbery, Renee returned home to find her daughter unhurt and theother kidnappers gone. By writing it all down, I was giving my trauma destination soit couldnt breed inside me, said Renee, who changed her last nameas a result of the crime and now lives in La Costa with herdaughter. I never planned to write a book. I just thought I wouldwrite it down for my daughter. For months after the crime, Renee said, she was not able to workand lost everything. She and her daughter, Breea, were forced tolive in a string of hotels and motels. There came a point when I didnt feel safe anywhere, she said.She ended up in the library during the day when her daughter was inschool, researching her rights on the computer. When the librarydonated a computer to her to take home, Renee found herself writingabout her experience. It started pouring out of me, she said. Deciding not to revisit her manuscript until after the trial wascomplete, Renee focused on speaking engagements to victims rightsgroups and community outreach. At one of these events, she wasapproached by Sally and Richard Crawford, who asked her if she hadconsidered writing her story down. She told them she had written380 pages of a manuscript, plus journal entries. The couple, who are television producers, asked whether theycould give Renees number to a friend, best-selling author AndreaCagan, who met with Renee and helped her put the story in properformat. She massaged it by taking what I had written and making itbetter, Renee said. Then it was up to Renee to contact literary agents and write uptwo nonfiction proposals -- one in the inspirational genre, theother as true crime. I was back in the library and the bookstores, educating myself about agents, publishers and proposals,"she said. After Renee sent out 50 query letters, top Del Mar agent SandraDijkstra picked up the project. In no time, the proposal was soldto Penguin Books, which preferred the true crime angle to theinspirational style. Now Renee had to rework the manuscript,cutting much of the inspirational text and adding details aboutforensics, the police investigation and trial. But I was willingto work with them, she said. You have got to be flexible, becausethey know what will sell. When the book came out in December, she said, her prosecutionteam took her to lunch. They called it the book club, she saidwith a smile. They told me they learned a lot from the victimspoint of view. The lawyers told her that they couldnt getemotionally involved in her case at the time because You were asource of information, they said. We were on the hunt, thatswhat they told me. Renee admits to often feeling frustrated and angry about how shewas treated by the justice system. In hindsight, they (the police)were just trying to piece it all together; but in that, they losesight of the victim. Youre so broken and fractured, you areemotional wreckage, she said, adding that the defendants were ableto delay the trial numerous times by dismissing their publicdefenders. They were given public defenders -- who we pay with our taxdollars -- while victims dont get an attorney for free or theirrights given to them, she said. I never heard about programs forvictims. I had to find those out for myself. And, at the trial, she was horrified that the defense waspermitted to tell what she said were lies about her in court. Theycall it dirtying the victim, she said. My lawyer said theironly defense was to go after me. Besides founding a nonprofit organization, called The ViolentTrauma Awareness Project, to help other victims of violent crime,Renee has two other nonfiction books in the works. Fear, Fear, GoAway is a practical guide about how to deal with trauma, includingmany of the techniques she and her daughter learned to replacefeelings of fear with healthier impulses. The other is called, I Can Be Your Hero, an inspirationalself-help book about relationships, not just parenting. She saidthe idea stemmed from an incident that took place just four monthsafter the kidnapping. An Afro-American man and his son sat near us at the movietheater, and Breea whispered to me, We have to move, rememberedRenee. Right there, I knew that whether we moved or not was adecision that would shape her world. Renee knew her daughter was frightened by the mens proximitybecause two of their kidnappers were black, and she didnt want thegirl to fear all black people. I told her, Theyre not them, andsaid we were not going to move. I refuse to be prejudiced. Thisbook is about the little decisions we make every day that shape ourworld. Today, Renee doesnt dwell on her accomplishments but focusesmore on how her experience may help others. The key message isabout how after something like this, you have decisions to make,"she said. You can be a person of integrity or not. Her kidnapping, she said, brought out many things in her lifeshe had previously refused to deal with, such as an abusive parentand poor choices she had made. More important, though, is the wayshe now looks at life: taking time to appreciate the importantthings, being a good role model for her daughter, and renewing herfaith in God. My false sense of security is gone. It was stripped from us,"she said. And though she refuses to own a gun, she has bars on herwindows and locks her doors -- and she will never live in anisolated, rural area again. Because after you have looked down the barrel of a gun, youwant people around so if you scream for help, someone will hearyou. Contact staff writer Ruth Marvin Webster at (760) 740-3527 orrwebster@nctimes.com. Info Box: Find Michelle Renees nonprofit organization, The Violent TraumaAwareness Project, on the Web at: www.vtap.org. The policeman allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself due to increasing work pressure. By Pramod Madhav: A policeman allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle at Parangimalai in Chennai. The deceased has been identified as Gopinath. He was working with the Police Arms Force and was posted at Parangimalai, Chennai. The policeman was said to have been depressed and had sought a leave from his superiors. Gopinath, native of Vadipatti in Madurai, was a 2013 pass-out. After completing his training at the Tuticorin Training Centre, Gopinath was inducted into the Palani battalion. He was recently transferred to Police Arms Force, Parangimalai in Chennai. A depressed Gopinath had left for work on Saturday night but shot himself with his service rifle. Hearing the gun shot fired, other policemen rushed to the spot only to see blood oozing out of Gopinath's head. Gopinath's body was covered with a cloth but was not removed from the spot immediately. According to Gopinath's colleagues, all of them had joined the police force with high hopes and big dreams. They said that there was immense work pressure and the higher officers were never ears to their problems. Some also narrated incidents of how they were being made to do household chores for officers. They added that they were sent for VIP protection and were made to do double shifts a number of times. According to Gopinath's friends, he was depressed due to work pressure. Gopinath had also told his friends on many occasions that he was unhappy and depressed due to the immense work load. However, they had not thought that Gopinath would take such an extreme step. advertisement It is to be noted that 19,517 police force jobs are lying vacant in the state as was highlighted by DMK leader MK Stalin while raising the issue of how 240 policemen are still guarding former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's house (where VK Sasikala currently resides). The Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu had recently warned the state government that he would take action if the 240 personnel deployed there are not withdrawn and redeployed. He also asked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to deploy them appropriately. Also read Karnataka police officer Raghavendra commits suicide with service revolver in Malur Jaipur: ATS cop who committed suicide killed the girlfriend to punish her Delhi cop shoots woman, later kills self Watch: Unable to bear work pressure, policeman shoots himself dead in Chennai --- ENDS --- FLORENCE, S.C. -- Jody Martin is getting excited about the fifth annual S.C. AgriBiz & Farm Expo. Scheduled for Jan. 11-12 at the Florence Civic Center, this years expo brings back some favorites and adds a few new items. Last years expo attracted about 2,000 people, said Jody Martin, the events executive director. This year hed like to double the number of attendees. Title sponsors are ArborOne Farm Credit, John Deere, The Scoular Company and the S.C. Farm Bureau. Also heavily involved in the expo are Clemson Universitys Extension Service and the S.C. Department of Agriculture. Daily admission is $5. We just want folks to know theres something for everyone, said Martin, who is also the executive director of the Pee Dee Food Hub. Were bringing back the Food Truck Rodeo so folks on their lunch break can come out and dont even have to go inside to enjoy some of the best food trucks available. And Wednesday night will be the ever popular Taste of South Carolina, which is the inaugural event for the recently selected Chef Ambassadors. Its the first time theyll be all together. Once the expo gets underway at 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11, a Future Farmers of America Farm Safety and Tractor contest will take place in the parking lot and last until 5 p.m. This event usually happens at the fair but well have an area of the parking lot set up and theyll get judged on safety and accuracy, Martin said. There are three main components to the expo education, connections and innovation. Wednesdays schedule is full of programs aimed at providing information to small farmers as well as those in the commercial realm. The small-farmer symposium goes from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. Topics of the day will include Organic Production and Soil Health, presented by Dr. Brian Ward of Clemson, as well as several small-farming success stories addressing farm operations, marketing and selling to hubs and restaurants, agritourism and more. There will also be sessions devoted to the basics of small farmings business aspects, attracting and maintaining long-term customers and more. Commercial agricultural sessions on Wednesday will look at several areas such as marketing crops and cattle in current economic conditions, spray technologies to save money and increase efficiency and soil health and cover crops. Wednesday nights Taste of South Carolina event is $25 and brings together William Cribbs of Cribbs Kitchen in Spartanburg, Amy Fortes of Flipside Cafe in Fort Mill, Adam Kirby of Bistro 217 in Pawleys Island and Sean Mendes of Roadside Seafood in Charleston. Thursday events will start at 8 a.m. with the Commissioners Breakfast, a fundraiser to benefit the S.C. Commissioners School for Agriculture. The small-farmer symposium will focus on vegetable production on Thursday, and the days big draw is an hour-long presentation on Understanding Food Safety Modernization Act on all farms. Presenters are Drs. Julie Northcutt and Scott Whiteside of Clemson University and Derek Underwood from the S.C. Department of Agriculture. Commercial ag sessions on the second day will look at rethinking in-season fertilizer recommendations for hay production and using cost effective development and utilization of management zones, among others. Martin said all told, about 130 vendors have signed up for the expo. What farmers get if they come to the expo is education, connections with the whos who of agribusiness and the latest and greatest updates as they relate to the innovation component, he said. Its all of the new technology thats on the cutting edge in agriculture. For more information, visit SCAgriBizExpo.com. First in a series FLORENCE, S.C. Francis Marion University took a huge step in 2016 when the faculty and the board of trustees approved the first doctoral degree. The biggest challenge comes in the next year, according to university president Fred Carter. The faculty has passed the program, the board has passed the program; now well take the program to the CHE (the Commission on Higher Education), along with the change in our mission statement, Carter said. Well restate our mission statement such that well be able to offer doctoral degrees. We also have to do one other thing: We have to change the legislation. Francis Marion is classified as a comprehensive university and, as such, does not have the ability to offer doctoral-level degrees. The existing legislation does not give comprehensive universities in South Carolina the authority to grant doctorates, Carter said. Were going to pursue that change collaboratively with Coastal Carolina University and the College of Charleston." Carter said that while all three schools will be looking to add practitioner-based doctoral programs, it will be in three different areas. The College of Charleston, I think, is looking to create a doctoral program in computer science and information technology," Carter said. "I think Coastal is looking to create a doctorate in education administration. Were looking to create our doctorate in nursing programs. Well be offering doctorates that are practitioner-based and have clear relevancies for meeting the workforce needs of our regions. Working together shows how much of a need there is to make a change to current legislation, Carter said. Jointly well pursue legislation, one piece of legislation, that will address the needs of the three institutions, Carter said. Well add the political clout of each of the three schools and combine that in seeking to get this legislation passed. Were optimistic that well get this legislation passed this session. Clearly, well be dependent on the legislative delegations of the Pee Dee, of the Low Country and of the Grand Strand to get this passed. Creating a home for its current and future medical programs, Francis Marion University opened its new Luther F. Carter Center for Health Sciences in August in downtown Florence. The new physician assistant program kicked off shortly after the ribbon cutting. It is a handsome building, but it is also a very utilitarian building, Carter said at the time. It is well-designed. I like the idea of the university buildings being spread out throughout central downtown rather than compressed in a smaller space. Having the buildings located across downtown gives more of an understanding that the university is integrated into the entire downtown, and that is very much, I think, what we all want to achieve. "The thing that is in Room 101 is the worst thing in the world. ... The worst thing in the world varies from individual to individual." George Orwell, "1984" PHILADELPHIA For Christos and Markela Sourovelis, for whom the worst thing was losing their home, "Room 101" was Courtroom 478 in City Hall. This "courtroom's" name is Orwellian: There was neither judge nor jury in it. There the city government enriched itself more than $64 million in a recent 11-year span by disregarding due process requirements in order to seize and sell the property of people who have not been accused, never mind convicted, of a crime. The Sourovelises' son, who lived at home, was arrested for selling a small amount of drugs away from home. Soon there was a knock on their door by police who said, "We're here to take your house" and "You're going to be living on the street" and "We do this every day." The Sourovelises' doors were locked with screws and their utilities were cut off. They had paid off the mortgage on their $350,000 home, making it a tempting target for policing for profit. Nationwide, proceeds from sales of seized property (homes, cars, etc.) go to the seizers. And under a federal program, state and local law enforcement can partner with federal authorities in forfeiture and reap up to 80 percent of the proceeds. This is called more Orwellian newspeak "equitable sharing." No crime had been committed in the Sourovelises' house, but the title of the case against them was the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. 12011 Ferndale St. Somehow, a crime had been committed by the house. In civil forfeiture, it suffices that property is suspected of having been involved in a crime. Once seized, the property's owners bear the burden of proving their property's innocence. "Sentence first verdict afterwards," says the queen in "Alice in Wonderland." In Courtroom 478, the prosecutors usually assured people seeking to reclaim their property that they would not need lawyers. The prosecutors practiced semi-extortion, suggesting how people could regain limited control of their property: They could sell it and give half the proceeds to the city. The "hearings" in Courtroom 478 were often protracted over months, and missing even one hearing could result in instant forfeiture. The Sourovelises were allowed to return to their house only after waiving their rights to statutory or constitutional defenses in a future forfeiture action. Such action was forestalled when their case came to the attention of the Institute for Justice, public interest litigators who never received the "You can't fight city hall" memo. It disentangled the Sourovelises from the forfeiture machine, shut down Courtroom 478 and now is seeking a court ruling to tether this machine to constitutional standards. There might somewhere be a second prominent American who endorses today's civil forfeiture practices, but one such person is "very unhappy" with criticisms of it. At a 2015 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on forfeiture abuses, one senator said "taking and seizing and forfeiting, through a government judicial process, illegal gains from criminal enterprises is not wrong," and neither is law enforcement enriching itself from this. In the manner of the man for whom he soon will work, this senator asserted an unverifiable number: "95 percent" of forfeitures involve people who have "done nothing in their lives but sell dope." This senator said it should not be more difficult for "government to take money from a drug dealer than it is for a businessperson to defend themselves in a lawsuit." In seizing property suspected of involvement in a crime, government "should not have a burden of proof higher than in a normal civil case." IJ's Robert Everett Johnson notes that this senator missed a few salient points: In civil forfeiture there usually is no proper "judicial process." There is no way of knowing how many forfeitures involve criminals, because the government takes property without even charging anyone with a crime. The government's vast prosecutorial resources are one reason it properly bears the burden of proving criminal culpability "beyond a reasonable doubt." A sued businessperson does not have assets taken until he or she has lost in a trial, whereas civil forfeiture takes property without a trial and the property owner must wage a protracted, complex and expensive fight to get it returned. The Senate Judiciary Committee might want to discuss all of this when considering the nominee to be the next attorney general, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions. George Will's email address is georgewill@washpost.com. The biggest Christmas gift that the state legislature can give the people of South Carolina is comprehensive tax reform. Its far past time to do something reasonable with South Carolinas convoluted tax structure. Under the current system, our sales tax is sky-high and a competitive barrier for business. Our income tax has become essentially flat, with approximately half of South Carolinians paying little or nothing. Our property taxes are a mess, penalizing commercial property owners and renters. As a state, we need billions of dollars to shore up our roads, bridges and dams. We need billions of dollars to fix a neglected, mismanaged pension system, and we need billions of dollars to bring forgotten, rural schools up to snuff to compete in the 21st century. Folks, we just have to deal with roads, pensions and schools. South Carolina cant keep kicking the can down the road. To do the job correctly, lawmakers need to stop nonsensical talk that tax reform has to be revenue neutral. Hogwash. Thats just a political buzz phrase that really means legislators want to shift things around a little without having an impact on the protected class. Most of the time, these shifts hurt the poor and working class by forcing them to pick up more of the burden. South Carolina needs money to deal with decades of neglect. Through real, comprehensive tax reform, we can ease the tax burden and make it fairer. If we cut one-third of the more than $3 billion in sales tax exemptions to special interests, well generate $1 billion more in revenues. We can use some of it to cut a penny from a sales tax, giving tax relief to all. We can use more to balance the inequities in dumb property tax reform from a few years ago that is hurting commercial property owners. And we can take the remainder and invest in better schools. For roads, we need to grow up and pass a long-overdue gas tax increase, which will put roughly one-third of the burden on visitors to our state. For the pension system, a great start would be for the state to be realistic in the investment returns that it expects instead of pie-in-the-sky dreams of 7 percent or more. Comprehensive tax reform is only one continuing need highlighted in each issue of Statehouse Report through its Palmetto Priorities. In 2009, Statehouse Report outlined 11 broad policy objectives to help guide state lawmakers on strategies to help people in the state. If you dont have a policy map, we opined, youll flounder year after year. Thats just whats happened. Since 2009, we knocked one priority off the list raising the tax on cigarettes even though lawmakers only did half of the job with a 50-cent-per-pack boost. Then we merged two tax proposals into one. This year, were knocking off another priority to increase voter registration to 75 percent by 2020. Hurrah! Two down. Now there are eight to go: Jobs: Approve a Cabinet-level post by 2020 to add and retain 10,000 small business jobs per year. Politicians talk about helping small businesses. This would force them to. Education: Cut the states dropout rate in half by 2020. Health care: Ensure affordable and accessible health care that optimizes preventive care for every South Carolinian by 2020. With a Trump White House ahead, its unclear how Obamacare will be impacted, but more people need to be on health insurance, not less. Environment: Adopt a real state energy policy that requires energy producers to generate 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. Taxes: Overhaul and stabilize the tax structure by 2018 through reforms that broaden the tax base and lower rates. This should include reimplementation of reasonable property taxes and removal of hundreds of millions of dollars of special-interest sales tax exemptions. Corrections: Cut the prison population by 25 percent by 2020 through creative alternative sentencing programs for nonviolent offenders. Roads: Develop and implement a plan in 2017 that creatively taps several sources to generate an extra $1 billion every year for investment in the states crumbling system of roads and bridges. Politics: Have a vigorous two- or multi-party political system of governance. With these issues in mind, is there anything big that were missing? Andy Brack is editor and publisher of Statehouse Report. Send your ideas to: feedback@statehousereport.com. By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 24 (PTI) Delhi University is likely to conduct B.Com admissions through entrance test in the new academic session. Presently, DU holds entrance test for its Post Graduation (PG) and professional courses but admissions to undergraduate courses are made on the basis of Class XII marks. "Hopefully it (entrance) will start for commerce admissions. But we are also exploring possibilities in other subjects," said Dr Manoj Khanna, convenor of Admission Committee of DU. advertisement He said the university is exploring the possibility by consulting with all the stakeholders. It is likely to be as a pilot project. "We are exploring all the possibilities. We are taking all the stakeholders including college principals in confidence and consulting them. If we are successful in organising this competition for Commerce stream, one-third of the student population will be catered, to" Dr Khanna said. The university is also exploring the possibility of tie-up with CBSE which conducts all-India level exams in this regard. "We are exploring the possibilities of a tie up with CBSE that conducts all India-level exams, in this regard. But we are not in hurry lest any wrong step could lead to problems for the students," he said. DU is also assessing its potential like how to strengthen infrastructure for aniline admissions and preparations of entrance tests, with emphasis on evolving a "student friendly" admission system, he added. PTI VIT DV --- ENDS --- By PTI: Mumbai, Dec 24 (PTI) Four Congress workers, were arrested for allegedly burning tyres while protesting against demonetisation in a suburban neighbourhood today, police said. A group led by former member of Parliament and Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam was protesting at Lokhandwala circle in the north west suburb of Andheri, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the financial capital, they added. advertisement While Nirupam was detained and later let off, the four workers were arrested for allegedly burning tyres during the protest, a senior police official said. A case under section 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) of the IPC was registered in this regard, he said, adding all the four were later released on bail. PTI DC NRB --- ENDS --- In the Christian tradition, December 25 celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. But it's almost certainly not the exact date that the historical Jesus of Nazareth was born. Religious scholars have been debating this issue for centuries, trying to suss out the timetable from biblical passages and other historical records. If you ever run into a religious scholar at a party, go ahead and ask about this. And set aside several hours. There's another way to come at the problem, though: According to the Bible, a bright star appeared in the sky on the night of Jesus' birth, leading the three wise men to Bethlehem. Using charts, math and some records from ancient Chinese and Korean astronomers, we can identify several celestial events that might match up. Comets, planets, even supernovae Julian Huguet runs down the details in today's special Christmas edition of DNews. Read More: TIME: What We Know About When Jesus Was Actually Born Earth Sky: Was the Christmas Star real? Space.com: Was the Star of Bethlehem a Star, Comet ... or Miracle? This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate San Francisco apartment dwellers are getting the gift of more Internet options this holiday season. Thanks to a groundbreaking ordinance passed this month by the Board of Supervisors, owners of multiple-occupancy buildings will no longer be able to block their tenants access to the Internet providers of their choosing under most circumstances. The ordinance, which passed unanimously, appears to be the first of its kind enacted by a U.S. city. It applies to both commercial and residential properties. From our understanding and all the research we did, this is a first-in-the-nation law that we just passed, said Supervisor Mark Farrell, who introduced it. Exclusive deals between multiunit property owners and telecommunications companies have long been banned by a constellation of federal and state regulations. But through a variety of workarounds, building owners in San Francisco and across the country have still been able to wedge themselves between tenants and their preferred providers, for reasons ranging from a reluctance to retrofit the buildings to profit-sharing agreements with telecom companies. Farrell said the ordinance was born in part out of the extreme frustration he heard from Internet service providers who were being blocked from marketing to or accessing customers in large multi-dwelling units. Farrell also saw it as a way to provide more options to what he estimated to be 100,000 San Francisco residents who dont have Internet access at home. I believe Internet access should be viewed as a fundamental right in todays world, Farrell said. Its impossible to interact on a daily basis without access to the Internet. The ordinance requires that Internet providers pay property owners reasonable compensation for access to their buildings, and specifies that landlords cant deny new providers access to existing wiring within buildings. The whole process is laid out step-by-step with specified deadlines. Michael M. Santiago/Special to The Chronicle Thats welcome news to Kevin Hsiung, a San Francisco resident who was confounded after his property manager told him that the only Internet providers offered to tenants were Comcast and AT&T. Hsiung had been trying to sign up for service with Webpass, a high-speed provider based in San Francisco acquired by Google in June. They basically just told me, We only allow (Comcast and AT&T) into the building, and thats as far as I got, Hsiung said. Webpass told me they were rejected from the building, but they didnt tell me why. Now that the citys ordinance has passed, Hsiung said he intends to look for other Internet options just as soon as his one-year contract with Comcast ends. Comcast shares San Franciscos goal of promoting competition, and we compete daily with numerous providers to offer our services to consumers across the city, including single-family homes and multi-dwelling buildings, a Comcast spokeswoman said in an email. Multiunit property owners may want to restrict tenants access to different Internet providers for a number of reasons. Some dont want to risk damaging architecturally or historically significant buildings. In other cases, property owners can enter into revenue-sharing agreements with telecom companies, which provide incentives to landlords that connect tenants with specific carriers. Previously, landlords could flatly deny new providers access to their buildings, since, technically, thats different from preventing their tenants from signing up with their carrier of choice. Comcast declined to address whether it enters into revenue-sharing agreements with property owners or landlords in San Francisco. Dane Jasper, the CEO of Sonic, a Santa Rosa company that installs and provides high-speed fiber optic Internet service, said that at any given time, the company has 30 to 50 San Francisco customers waiting to get hooked up as the company negotiates with building owners. And unfortunately in some cases, landlords have been blocking the installation of the service, said Jasper, whose company works in the Sunset, Richmond and Parkside districts. The new ordinance, Jasper said, would be particularly helpful when it comes to making the process of choosing a new provider more transparent for all parties involved, as well as making it clear that consumers should be given the choice of more than just one or two carriers, he said. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes The ordinance initially faced considerable opposition from building owners groups, some of which saw it as an erosion of landlords rights to do what they please with their own buildings. Michael M. Santiago/Special to The Chronicle The San Francisco Apartment Association, a group that advocates on behalf of rental housing management, balked when the ordinance was introduced in October, and even considered filing a lawsuit. But over time, many of the groups concerns were addressed and worked into the final version, said the associations government affairs manager, Charley Goss. We have to credit Supervisor Farrells office, Goss said. He made some amendments that moved it in a good direction. Goss said that he doesnt see his group getting involved as a plaintiff in a suit against the ordinance any longer. Were not super enthusiastic about it, but there were amendments made to address many of our concerns, he said. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa San Jose Police Department photos Separate homicide cases in Hayward and San Jose were solved last week when police in the two Bay Area cities arrested four suspects, officials said. In the Hayward slaying, 42-year-old Jason Villegas was stabbed to death Aug. 14. In San Jose, the victim was Gustavo Pinal, 33, shot Nov. 13. Police made two arrests in each city. Defence ministry officials argue that Lt General Rawat's selection was done purely on merit and had nothing to do with the arm of service to which he belonged. General Rawat, with a tenure of over three years and three months-the longest for an army chief since General K. Sundarji in 1988-could possibly make a difference here. The appointment of an Indian army chief causes a stir only when it deviates from a hoary tradition called the seniority principle. Otherwise, the elevation of the senior-most among eight lieutenant generals - seven army commanders and the vice chief of army staff - is a fairly routine one. The seniority line-up allows observers to accurately predict at least two successive incoming army chiefs. So on December 17, when the government announced that Lt General Bipin Rawat, the present vice chief of army staff - and not the senior-most army commander, Lt General Praveen Bakshi or the next senior-most, Southern Army Commander Lt General PM Hariz - would be the 26th chief of the army staff, it electrified military circles. Soon, a furious debate had erupted within the armed forces on whether this had sounded the death knell for the seniority principle, which has long guided the appointment of service chiefs. advertisement Appointing a service chief is the prerogative of the government's Cabinet Committee on Appointments. Government rules say seniority and merit are the twin pillars for appointment of chief of the 1.3 million strong army. Governments have usually opted for seniority, decided by the date of an officer's commission at the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun. (The IMA commissioning board's order of merit decides the seniority of two officers commissioned on the same date.) In the past, the government had bucked this unwritten seniority principle just once-in 1983, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government appointed General Arun Vaidya as army chief over the senior-most army commander, Lt General SK Sinha. It caused a flutter, especially when General Sinha chose to resign rather than serve under his junior. LT General Praveen Bakshi When General Rawat assumes office on January 1, 2017, the situation will even more awkward for one simple reason. As commander of the Dimapur-based 3 Corps, Lt General Rawat directly reported to Kolkata-based Eastern Army Commander Lt General Bakshi. The opposition was quick to spot an issue to embarrass the government. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh termed the move unprofessional. "In case of Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, you are superseding two very good army commanders, both of whom are fit for the job. I think this is completely unprofessional..." Interestingly, the seniority principle was followed for three other crucial appointments announced with that of General Rawat - IB chief Rajiv Jain, RAW chief Anil Dhasmana and the new IAF chief Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa - all of whom assume office on the same day, January 1. "What we need is to create a system where merit comes up in such a manner that no one can use it subjectively to impose his value system," says a former Lt General. There are no indications the government plans to create a merit-based system for selecting its military brass, just as there is no sign of the creation of a permanent Chairman Chiefs of Staff. While defence minister Manohar Parrikar is an enthusiastic proponent of the concept of a single-point military adviser to the government, there is no sign of the post being created by the government. On December 29, navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba is set to take over as the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, now mainly a ceremonial post held by the senior-most service chief. Senior army officers call the new army chief's appointment an ominous precedent and see it as another act in an internecine war between the infantry and other combat arms-artillery and armoured corps (General Rawat is an infantry officer while General Bakshi is from the armoured corps). Seniority, they argue, has been the arbiter thus far because it eliminates lobbying and subjectivity. "If the seniority principle is removed and left open to interpretation, then the system will be totally wrecked by vested interests who will then start lobbying for appointments," says a former Lt General on anonymity. advertisement Defence ministry officials argue that Lt General Rawat's selection was done purely on merit and had nothing to do with the arm of service to which he belonged. "Counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency are key issues in the current security situation," MoD officials say. "The background and operational experience of the officers on the panel were considered in depth while selecting the next COAS." Lt Gen Rawat, the MoD says, fulfills this criteria because he commanded a division in J&K and was familiar with the functioning of the Army HQ & MoD in his capacity as Vice Chief-and his general dynamism also tipped the scales in his favour. Senior army officials say Lt General Rawat's role in the cross-border raids into militant camps in Myanmar last year, when he was 3 Corps Commander, and the army's surgical strikes into PoK on September 29, when he was Vice Chief, played a significant role. advertisement "The seniority debate is a storm in a tea cup," says Major General Surjit Singh (retired). "The seniority principle is not the criteria in most world armies-merit and government prerogative are." Even with the army, the seniority debate is likely to be seen as a relatively inconsequential distraction given the magnitude of equipment shortages and training issues facing the world's third largest army. A modernisation plan mooted in the 1990s still hasn't taken off. Another bane is the relatively short tenures of army chiefs. The last seven chiefs have had an average tenure of a little over two years. General Rawat, with a tenure of three years -- the longest for an army chief since General VP Malik in 2000 -- could possibly make a difference here. Follow the writer on Twitter @SandeepUnnithan --- ENDS --- Merry Christmas to one and all, including poets, to whom this news is a gift. Author Daniel Handlers new poetry endeavor is Per Diem Press, its name referring to the source of its funding. While Handler was in Vancouver for the filming of Netflixs new series A Series of Unfortunate Events (based on his Lemony Snicket books), he received per diem payments that he didnt spend. I dont seem to have any expenses, he wrote in his Facebook announcement of the poetry press. Im on the set all day long and in Canada, this American cash seems particularly silly, so its remained unspent. Hes planning to use that money to pay $1,000 to a poet to be selected by him from submissions to Per Diem for an eight-page chapbook of poetry, the first of which is to be published early next year. Submissions for subsequent books should be sent by Feb. 28 to Per Diem Press, 912 Cole St. No. 331, San Francisco, CA 94117. Handler is such a fan of poetry, he says, that he and his wife, Lisa Brown, have a fairly regular date night where we caffeinate at Caffe Trieste, go to the Poetry Room at City Lights, and then jaywalk to Tosca to drink and read. He says those evening plans may be echoed in a similar strategy whilst judging entries. And if the authors easygoing use of the word whilst has not sufficiently proved his credentials as a poet/poetry aficionado, he says that he and his wife regularly keep poetry magneted to the refrigerator. The current poem, by Michael Robbins, is Know It All. After the per-diem funds are used up, wrote Handler, the press will go on an extended hiatus until such time as the proprietor receives a substantial amount of money for no good reason. Having received a press release headlined Zsa Zsa Gabor Widow Shows Room Where She Spent Her Final Days, D.W. said, Well, thats an eye-opener. Adda Dada, a Christmas elf who goes around town depositing many toys in many bins, spent some time last week at the Westfield Centres United Airlines VIP Lounge, which was a drop-in collection hub. Among the items that people attempted to donate while he was there: three Halloween ghost toys and an Easter basket. When the woman with the basket was told it was unacceptable, she said shed bring it back next year. Because he just happened to be reading a 26-year-old book, Greg Knights Honorable Insults: A Century of Political Invective, Vic Befera came across former New York Mayor Ed Kochs description of Donald Trump, who likes to make a big deal about the big deals he makes. I agree with the man who said, I wouldnt believe him even if his tongue were notarized. Independent Arts and Media, Cultural Action Network, Brava!, DoReMi Arts District, Pacific Felt Factory arts complex and the San Francisco Tenants Union are sponsoring a workshop at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 3 at Brava for artists on How to Make Your Studio Safer. Organizers say the event will discuss safety and protection from not only fire but also evictions. The San Francisco Fire Department will make a presentation about safety and give out free smoke alarms, but the flyer for this specifies that they will not be there to close down any spaces. This is a safe space for artists to learn how to protect themselves in difficult times. And word from a Berkeley online discussion group one day last week was that a light-brown chicken named Lavender got scared when a visiting dog chased it out of our yard, and was missing. The person who forwarded this notice to The Chronicle says he could hear people walking through the neighborhood calling, Lavender, here, Lavender, a poignant cry. But rest easy: Lavender was subsequently found and the tale had a happy ending. This left the Berkeley neighbor wondering why a chicken that is light brown is called Lavender; and furthermore, I wondered: If you wanted to put a wanderlust-struck chicken on a leash, to what part of the chickens anatomy could it be attached? These are difficult questions, which I leave you to ponder. Peace be with you, and Ill be back in early January. Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik Public Eavesdropping Your grandmother just spent over $200 for lunch, so you will not be getting a snack. Forget it! Mother to nagging children, overheard at a matinee performance of Nutcracker The ginormous Christmas tree at the City of Paris. Thousands crowding Market Street for a Santa event that could rival a World Series parade. A tree at Macy's covered in diamonds. The way San Francisco celebrates the holidays today unquestionably lacks some of the drama of yesteryear. Many of these traditions were also brought to the city by prominent department stores that no longer exist. "San Francisco never had a white Christmas, but it has plenty of memories of Christmas past," wrote the Chronicle's Carl Nolte in December 2009. Some of our favorite archive holiday season images are of the Emporium-sponsored Santa parade down Market Street. Photos document the parade taking place way before Thanksgiving, on dates as early as Oct. 29. Perhaps today's Scrooges have nothing to complain about when it comes to early holiday celebrations. Click through the above slideshow to relive some of the more memorable Christmastime department store attractions in San Francisco including the wimpy and creepy City of Paris Christmas tree successor or the decorations at "The Marble Lady." You'll also learn what department store originally started displaying puppies and kitties available for adoption in its windows. Note: This article and slideshow is especially Christmas-centric because there unfortunately doesn't seem to be much documentation of other religious holiday celebrations in the past. Harry Potter author JK Rowling wished her fans a merry Christmas and addressed the ones who are not having a cheerful festival. She reassured them that everything changes and nothing is forever. By India Today Web Desk: In a heartfelt series of tweets, Harry Potter author JK Rowling sent out an inspirational message on Christmas. While wishing her fans a merry Christmas, she addressed the ones who are not having a cheerful Christmas and "are going through very tough times". She reassured them that "extraordinary transformations are possible" and "everything changes" as "nothing is forever". Rowling pointed out the bitter truth of life that the images of perfect lives we are bombarded at this time of the year have "little relation to reality". advertisement The author recalled her 'worst Christmas' and said that even she found it hard to believe that her unhappiness would pass. If youre lucky enough to be with the people you love, warm and safe, with enough to eat, Im sure you feel as blessed as I do. 4/12 J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 24, 2016 But if your life is currently full of difficulties; if you arent where you want to be, either literally or figuratively, 5/12 J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 24, 2016 remember that extraordinary transformations are possible. Everything changes. Nothing is forever. 6/12 J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 24, 2016 Remember, Christmas Day is, in the end, just a day. It isnt a test or a scorecard of you or your life, so be kind to yourself ?? 11/12 J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 24, 2016 Sending love to millions of her fans she said in the end, Christmas is just a day and not a "test or a scorecard of you or your life". --- ENDS --- NEW YORK British director Ken Loach has for 50 years been making lauded dramas rich in social realism that give dignity to the dispossessed. But his I, Daniel Blake, which won the Cannes Film Festivals Palme dOr, has powerfully struck a nerve, tapping into the same working-class frustrations that are upending politics in Europe and the U.S. The film, which opens in San Francisco on Jan. 27, has emerged as a kind of rallying cry, part film and part movement. Its about a man a cheery, blue-collar bloke (played by Dave Johns) who, after a heart attack, is told by his doctor hes too sick to work. But his application for government assistance is rejected, leading him down a path both tender and tragic. The A&E network has announced that it is pulling a reality show about the Ku Klux Klan, which was set to air next month, after executives discovered that outside producers for the series paid members of the group for their participation. The network said Escaping the KKK, a series about people who want to leave the group and which has elicited a fierce backlash will be shelved. A&E learned last night from the third-party producers who made the documentary that cash payments which we currently understand to be nominal were made in the field to some participants in order to facilitate access, the network said in a statement Saturday. The statement continued: We had previously provided assurances to the public and to our core partners including the Anti-Defamation League and Color of Change that no payment was made to hate group members, and we believed that to be the case at the time. We have now decided not to move forward with airing this project. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Show More Show Less 3 of 3 The eight-part series created a stir when it was announced as Generation KKK with a Jan. 10 air date a controversy A&E sought to quell by releasing a trailer Friday that attempted to more fully explain the shows premise. Civil rights groups and public figures had slammed Generation KKK, saying it would normalize the hate group. A Change.org petition was launched, and stars such as Ellen Pompeo of Greys Anatomy spoke out against the A&E move on Twitter, questioning why the network gave a platform to hate groups. A&E quickly sought to position the show as a documentary along the lines of its hit series on addiction, Intervention, hoping people would view it more as a look at the evils of hate groups than a reality-television exploitation of them. WASHINGTON Top Senate Democrats are trying to put the brakes on President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet picks, insisting on extensive financial information on some of the wealthiest Americans before moving forward on nominations. Frustrated by the slow response of billionaires and multimillionaires to their request, 16 Democrats delivered an ultimatum last week, saying no committee should vote on a nominee until the individual has cleared an FBI background check, provided a financial report and an ethics agreement with the Office of Government Ethics, and responded to reasonable requests for additional information such as tax returns. The United States Senate has a rich, bipartisan tradition of vetting nominees to the presidents Cabinet, said New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the incoming Democratic leader. We hope to continue that tradition with our colleagues in the Republican majority because the American people are entitled to a fair and open consideration process for all executive nominations. Republicans controlling the Senate, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, want to make quick work of Cabinet confirmations once Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Democrats have limited options to block nominees outright because they changed filibuster rules when they controlled the Senate in 2013, and Cabinet nominees can win approval on a simple majority vote. Republicans will hold a 52-48 advantage next year. However, Democrats could drag out the process in committee or force longer Senate debates than usual. Trumps choice of Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state touched off an escalating fight Thursday between the top Republican and Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, the panel that will vote on the multimillionaires nomination. Sen. Bob Corker, the committee chairman, complained that Democrats are asking for disclosures not demanded of previous nominees, including wealthy people like Secretary of State John Kerry. This is being driven by the election, said Corker, R-Tenn. The fact that Donald Trump did not provide tax returns is driving all that is being done. In fact, Kerry, a former Massachusetts senator, had to file an annual financial disclosure report, and he released 20 years of tax returns when he ran for president in 2004. In a letter to colleagues, Sen. Ben Cardin, the panels top Democrat, said he asked the Trump transition team for three years worth of tax returns because Tillerson was actively engaged with many foreign governments at Exxon Mobil. Cardin said Tillerson promised to provide the tax information in response to a question on a standard questionnaire that all nominees submit prior to appearing before the committee. Corker responded with a statement saying the GOP-controlled committee never officially asked for the tax returns and insisted that Tillerson was ahead of schedule in providing information to the committee. Search crews have rescued a Pennsylvania family that got stranded on a snowy forest road in northern Arizona while trying to reach the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is closed for winter. Searchers early Saturday located the mother who had walked 26 miles in search of help before taking refuge in a seasonally closed Grand Canyon National Park guard shack, the Coconino County Sheriffs Office said. Tributes and well-wishes poured in for Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, who was spending Christmas Eve in a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a medical emergency on a flight the day before. Princess Leia can survive anything! wrote one fan on Twitter. Hold on, Carrie Fisher. Were taking you into 2017 with us, wrote another. Her Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill said he was sending all our love. Todd Fisher, the actress brother, said Friday night that his sister is receiving excellent care but that he could not classify her condition. He had earlier told the Associated Press that she had been stabilized and was out of the emergency room. In a subsequent interview he said many details about her condition or what caused the medical emergency are unknown. Fans on Twitter hoped she would pull through. One wrote: Carrie Fisher survived alcoholism, addiction, depression, bipolar disorder & 60 years in Hollywood. If anyone can survive 2016, its her. The actress former co-star Peter Mayhew, who played Star Wars character Chewbacca, called her everyones favorite princess right now. Fisher, 60, experienced medical trouble during a Friday flight from London and was treated by paramedics immediately after the plane landed in Los Angeles, according to reports citing unnamed sources. Celebrity website TMZ, which first reported the incident, said anonymous sources told them the actress suffered a heart attack. Todd Fisher said much of what had been reported about the incident was speculation. We have to wait and be patient, he said. We have so little information ourselves. Fishers publicists and representatives for her mother, Debbie Reynolds, and her daughter, Billie Lourd, did not return calls. The television couple is reportedly expecting their first baby after 4 years of happy marriage. By India Today Web Desk: Good news for Karan Mehra-Nisha Rawal fans. The television star couple is said to be expecting their first baby after four years of wedlock! Didn't we all see the love and respect both the actors have for each other when Karan was in the Bigg Boss house? And to hear a news as delightful as this, makes us feel only better. advertisement Also read: 10 things BB 10's evicted contestant Karan Mehra revealed in a live chat "Karan had come to enquire about the facilities in the hospital. Nisha was also with him and her baby bump was visible," a source was quoted as telling Times of India. Karan aka Naitik from Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai had certainly set a good example for Indian husbands after keeping a fast for his wife on Karwa Chauth. The popular offscreen couple is yet to confirm the goo news. This is how they are celebrating Christmas. Photo courtesy: @missnisharawal/ Instagram This is how they are celebrating Christmas. Photo courtesy: @missnisharawal/ Instagram --- ENDS --- A case has been registered and a hunt is on to nab the assailants, police said. By Ashraf Wani: Unknown gunman shot dead a person in north Kashmir's Baramulla district tonight, police said. The deceased was identified as Nazir Ahmad Mir who was shot near his residence at Bahrampora in Dangiwacha area of the district, according to the police. Nazir Ahmad was brought to a hospital in Srinagar where he was declared brought dead. A case has been registered and a hunt is on to nab the assailants, police said. advertisement Although police suspect that Militants are behind the killing ,no militant group has so for claimed responsibility. (With inputs from PTI) ALSO READ: Female suicide bomber blows herself up in Dhaka, 2 killed --- ENDS --- Lalu Yadav questioned PM's silence on the deaths of 105 people post demonetisation as a result of poor implementation of the move even though he had time to wish Nawaz Sharif on his birthday. By Rohit Kumar Singh: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday hit out at Prime Minister Modi for greeting his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday while continuing to keep mum on the deaths of commoners following the demonetisation decision. PM Modi on Sunday morning took to Twitter to wish Nawaz Sharif and prayed for his long life. advertisement Lalu questioned PM's silence on the deaths of 105 people post demonetisation as a result of poor implementation of the move even though he had time to wish the Pakistan PM well. While some people have passed away standing in queues outside banks and ATMs, others have died because of not being able to get medical aid on time. OFFER CONDOLENCES TO DEMONETISATION VICTIMS: LALU "Please afford to say a few words to express your condolences to the families of the 105 people who died due to the ill-preparation of demonetisation", tweeted Lalu. Soon afterwards, Lalu's daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti too attacked the Prime Minister for wishing his Pakistan counterpart. Misa in her tweet said, " 'Bhakts' (read Modi supporters) have permitted only PM Modi to maintain cordial relations and courtesy with Pakistan, while the rest have been directed to be sent to the neighbouring country." Also read | Why does Lalu believe demonetisation is a bad idea for India Misa's remarks were directed at leaders like Union Minister Giriraj Singh and controversial BJP leaders like Sakshi Maharaj, who have on many occasions asked people opposing PM Modi to go to Pakistan. "Only PM has permission from 'bhakts' to maintain cordial relations with Pakistan, while the others who oppose Modi are termed anti-nationals and issued a diktat to go there", tweeted Misa Bharti. WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- The trees tend to eventually find their way to the water's edge: Above. photo by Stan Deatherage This hike will cover the Mallard Creek Trail, Huckleberry Trail and the Live Oak Trail. Total distance will be approximately one-mile and will bring us through new trail extensions, pine woods, live oak ecosystems and along the Pamlico River. Meet in the last parking lot.Discover the amazing habits and adaptations that our native birds of prey share. We will discuss our large bald eagle, the tiny screech owl and so many more in between. Meet at the visitor center for a fun and eye opening experience.Learn how to make artwork out of the beautiful long leaf pine needles like the Native Americans long ago. Meet at the park visitor center and practice the basic techniques to start making a basket. All materials will be provided. This program is for ages 16 and older. Please call the park office to register as space is limited.Did you know that fire plays an important role in the ecosystem at Goose Creek? This presentation covers why we burn, how we burn and some of the equipment we use to incorporate fire into the landscape. Meet at the visitor center.Take a short walk down to Mallard Creek and check out our new proposed trail extension. Meet in the last parking lot.Have you ever ventured through the woods while turning over logs? Dont pass up this amazing opportunity to discover some of natures most beautiful and hidden critters. You never know whats waiting to be discovered. We will be searching for multiple species of salamanders, frogs, lizards and insects. Make sure to dress for the weather. Meet at the visitor center.Take a one-mile walking tour of the boardwalk and view a freshwater swamp that is transitioning to a brackish water marsh all without getting your feet wet. Meet at the visitor center.Come out to Goose Creek and discover the natural and cultural history of the park. Learn about the current restoration efforts at the park to reestablish the long leaf pine forest that once dominated the area and was of great economic importance to the Tar Heel State. Meet at the visitor center.Spend the afternoon with a ranger while learning about the amazing animals that call our wetlands home. This program will take place in the Discovery Room which is located in the visitor center.Vanessa FischerGoose Greek State Park2190 Camp Leach RoadWashington, NC 27889Phone: End of an Era I find it amazing that J. Jayalalithaa, six-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu, was not only Kannadiga, born in Melkote near Mysore, but also ruled Tamil Nadu as a Brahmin lady, where Dravidian parties had risen to power on the back of hatred of Brahmins (Leading Lady). Jayalalithaa had often described her journey to reach this stage as "swimming through a river of fire". However, as chief minister of Tamil Nadu, she earned the love and respect of the people with a plethora of welfare schemes, the likes of which are rare in Indian politics. advertisement B.K. CHATTERJEE, Faridabad Jayalalithaa was the tallest and strongest of the three icons of female power in Indian politics-the other two being Mayawati and Mamata Bannerjee. However, Mayawati and Mamata are easily read and their tactics are obvious. Jayalalithaa represented herself, and was, in a sense, inscrutable. Her isolation and authoritarianism were vital elements of her mystique. COL C.V. VENUGOPALAN, Palakkad Jayalalithaa shone like a star in Tamil Nadu politics. More people will cherish her memory than even that of C.N. Annadurai or MGR. Though smarting under a sense of insecurity in a man's world, Jaya proved to be a lady of extraordinary courage and conviction. MGR believed that she was a foe worthy of Karunanidhi's steel and carefully groomed her to be his political heir. Jaya's management skills were in evidence when Tamil Nadu attained the distinction of being the second largest economy among states with the third highest per capita income. While her innovative schemes like 'amma canteens' and all-female police stations were widely applauded, her freebie politics confounded economists and plunged the state into a debt crisis. The smart politician that she was, Jaya could have given better governance instead of succumbing to allegations of corruption and the extra-constitutional machinations of Sasikala Natarjan and her extended family! KANGAYAM R. NARASIMHAN, Chennai Per her official declaration for 2015, Jayalalithaa held assets worth Rs 117.13 crore. She had no dependants, and according to media reports, her nearest relation-a niece, Deepa-was not even allowed to enter Apollo Hospital during her last days. All her assets should now go to the state. Memorials can be built in her memory, or the money can be utilised for the welfare of the poor. S.C. AGRAWAL, Delhi India has a long way to go before it can become a cashless society (Your Money's Worth). It's nave to think that the country will start using plastic money as fast as the click of a mouse. One bottleneck is that a major chunk of the population does not even have bank accounts. To date, even the US has not been able to transform its economy into an entirely digital one; how can a nation like India, which is still developing, even contemplate such a step? Not that we can't do it, but the journey has to be a gradual one. Certain goals will have to be fixed and policies framed in that direction to realise the aim. The whole concept has to be organised and well planned. advertisement SHWETA CHAUDHARY, Delhi What Comes After Given the popular belief that the AIADMK will not last long after the demise of Amma, the emergence of Sasikala as Chinnamma is quite amusing (Two is a Crowd). This may be due to the party's ministers, MLAs and MPs not wanting to forego their power and pelf, and settling for Sasikala as their new Amma. But Chinnamma seems to have problems in her own family circle, where each and every one, including her estranged husband, are competing with one another to gain control over the government and party affairs. Further, Chinnamma still has to face the SC's verdict on a disproportionate wealth case filed by the Karnataka government. V.S. GANESHAN, Bengaluru Politics will never be the same again in Tamil Nadu. The very fact that a woman from the Brahmin community had carved a niche for herself in Dravidian politics, which was fostered on strong anti-Brahmin sentiment, speaks volumes about the way she endeared herself to the masses. As it invariably happens with icons, Jayalalithaa has left behind a deep void. The one thing her successor O. Panneerselvam is known for is his unflinching and unswerving loyalty to Amma. For him, the new stint will likely be an ordeal of fire-hailing from the Thevar community, he is likely to face the prospect of MLAs belonging to the Gounder community (dominant in western districts), rebelling against him. Long in the grip of a personality cult, Tamil Nadu needs good, clean governance. It has to come out of the freebie culture that aims to build a personality rather than the state. The new chief minister will have to step out of the shadow of Jayalalithaa, end the coterie raj and prove his or her mettle. advertisement K.S. PADMANABHAN, Chennai Since India is a developing economy like China, and both have similar concerns on banking secrecy laws in the West posing impediments to tracking black money, Beijing and New Delhi should work in tandem to curtail illicit flows of money (Black China). PM Narendra Modi has apparently taken a cue from his Chinese counterpart in embarking on an aggressive domestic anti-corruption drive. However, with India being a democracy, to prove that the crackdown is not politically motivated, Modi must ensure that the hunt for black money transcends political lines. NALINI VIJAYARAGHAVAN, Thiruvananthapuram O. Paneerselvam now needs to focus on key issues confronting the state, like GST, UIDAI, the closure of Tasmac shops and other promises made in the election manifesto. At the same time his government should gradually distance itself from the financially unsustainable culture of sops doled out to the public, and find ways to improve the economic health of the state. If he fails to deliver on these issues, the DMK-BJP may step in to fill the vacuum. advertisement RAJESH JUNEJA, via e-mail Food is a basic human need, and Amma ensured that no one in Tamil Nadu went hungry-and so the people revered her like a mother. It was her firm grip on the voters that made even ministers prostrate before her. Panneerselvam is merely a stopgap. Sasikala, already Chinnamma to the masses, is the only one whom the people will accept as their next supreme leader. HARSH KALRA, via e-mail Virtual Money In a country where cash is king, and paperwork is a byword for business, two by three inch pieces of plastic are slowly but surely making inroads. "A lot of people say India will be the largest card market outside the US by 2000 AD, but that is wishful thinking," says Jitendra (Sonny) Sannon, regional business consultant, South Asia, with MasterCard International which, along with Visa International, are the two largest and most influential credit card associations in the world. The US has 140 million cardholders. Australia has over 11 million, Taiwan 16 million and a whole string of Asian tigers each have more cards than India has now. "India won't get there in a hurry," continues Sannon, citing reasons such as the parallel economy which prevent many from declaring actual income, and a technologically primitive country, which hinders the wholesale, hi-tech use of card transactions. "But we are looking at what we can do, and that is impressive." From zero in the early '60s when the Diners Club franchise opened shop for offering credit cards in Indian rupees, card numbers have now exceeded the one-million figure with volumes of over Rs 2,000 crore. Hopefuls in the business say the number will increase to 10 times that by decade end. Industry growth is estimated at 35-40 per cent a year now. Further growth would be enough to blank out today's Asian winners and that is what card issuers and marketers in India have their eyes on. by Sudeep Chakravarti --- ENDS --- By PTI: Bhubaneswar, Dec 25 (PTI) The managing director of a stevedores firm and his aide, who were sought by police for the murder of a senior official of a shipping company at the port town of Paradip, have been detained in Thailand, a top police official said today. Mahimananda Mishra, managing director of Odisha Stevedores Ltd, and Basant Bal were detained yesterday in Thailand, with the assistance of Interpol, and the process was being expedited to bring them to Odisha, state DGP K B Singh said. advertisement Mishra and Bal would be formally arrested after they reach India, the DGP said. According to police, the duo had escaped to Kathmandu via road after hiding in Amritsar and Gurgaon following the murder of Seaways Shipping official Mahendra Swain on October 26. The assailants had hurled crude bombs at Swains vehicle while he was heading towards his office. When Swain attempted to escape, they opened fire killing him on the spot, police said. On Friday, a Kujang court had issued a non-bailable warrant against them. So far, seven persons have been arrested in connection with the murder, Singh said. The key accused in the case Susant Sethy, another close associate of Mishra, was arrested by police from an airport in New Delhi on Friday. Sethy had helped Mishra and Bal escape to Thailand. The two had reached Bangkok from Nepal on 15-day tourist visas, police said adding that a lookout circular had been issued for Mishra earlier. Police interrogated Mishras wife last week and raided his houses at Baramunda in Bhubaneswar, Paradip, his hotel in Bhubaneswar and office. PTI AAM SKN MD ABH SNP --- ENDS --- This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Biologists who explore the Earth and oceans are constantly aware that the life around us is both profligate in variety and vital for the planets sustenance. The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco has just released a summary of the new life forms its researchers have discovered worldwide and reported in scientific journals this past year. The discoveries are varied indeed: Forty-three new species of ants, 36 species of beetles, 24 fishes, six plants, five fossil sea urchins and four spiders. In addition, a new species of sand wasp, an eel, a shark, a coral, a skate, a lizard, a bee fly and a fossil sand dollar. These are among the results of the academys scientific forays into the remote and nearby parts of the natural world, where unknown life abounds. To most academy visitors the images of those creatures, and sometimes the living examples themselves, can evoke amazement, curiosity, delight, and even revulsion. But to scientists they offer new insights into the amazing variety of life on Earth, the remarkable ways that evolution has enabled life to adapt to challenging changes, and the urgent need to protect Earths biodiversity for the future. One new fish species the academys scientists have found, for example, is a colorful little perch-like swimmer called a groppo. It was discovered during a major seafaring expedition to a region called the Coral Triangle in the Philippines. Academy curator Luiz Rocha, working with Bishop Museum scientist Brian Greene, spotted the fish flashing pink and yellow in the light of their dive lamps as they swam at 487 feet beneath the surface. It was the deepest fish discovery humans had ever made. The scientists were exploring the oceans twilight zone, at the murky depths where ordinary scuba divers cannot go and where professionals like Rocha need specialized equipment like rebreathers to survive. Fish live there permanently with their eyes adapted through millions of years of evolution to semidarkness, Rocha said. Its an unexplored habitat where different species of cryptic fish can hide, and we need to understand their role in the ecology of those depths, he said. Brian Fisher, a leading ant biologist, has long explored the island nation of Madagascar off the coast of East Africa, where decades of resource exploitation is fast destroying natural habitats. In the past year alone, Fisher and Flavia Esteves, his postdoctoral student, reported discovering 43 new species of ants including a group named Stigmatomma, or Dracula ants, that stab the larvae in their own colonies and drink their blood even as the ants also prey on centipedes and beetle larvae. The ants are essential parts of Madagascars environment, and their lives are threatened, the scientists said. We fear that the unique environmental niche they occupy will go unfilled once these ants are gone, Esteves said. Fisher added: We still have so much to learn from those specialized soil dwellers. Only about 10 percent of the worlds inhabitants have been discovered so far, said Terry Gosliner, the academys veteran curator of invertebrate zoology, who reported finding seven new species of nudibranchs better known as sea slugs last year in the Philippine region called the Verde Island Passage. Species are the basic units of life, and we need to know the roles each one plays, whether its to understand how life evolves, or how to set goals for conservation, or to find out how they might yield new medicines or crops, Gosliner said. David Perlman is the San Francisco Chronicles science editor. Email: dperlman@sfchronicle.com Incense smoke drifts across an alley packed with vendors loudly hawking everything from shoes to electronics, stationery and handicrafts. These backstreets seem never-ending. They wind on and on, past Buddhist temples, Chinese herbal medicine shops and hole-in-the-wall dumpling restaurants. Here, in one of the oldest corners of Bangkok, the Thai capital is at its most lively in Chinatown, also known as Yaowarat. Frenetic energy unfurls across this district each day, steadily gathering pace until finally Yaowarat exhales, deep in the evening. In the daylight, it is cloaked in teeming markets. Once the sun slides from view, it becomes thronged by hungry people drawn to Yaowarats famous street food. Few other cities strike the balance between East and West as well as Bangkok. In parts of its downtown area along Sukhumvit Road, amid gleaming skyscrapers and chic condominiums, it seems as if you could be in Manhattan, Melbourne or Montreal. Yet just a kilometer or two in any direction, you can find an authentically Thai enclave, where life moves at a gentler rhythm. Tourists can tread the line between the Western and Eastern worlds, gleefully dancing back and over it throughout their holiday. For lunch they can slurp spicy noodle soup at a plastic table in a park by an ancient temple. Then back to the high life for dinner, slicing up a grass-fed Wagyu steak while enjoying silver service at a rooftop restaurant. Ronan O'Connell/Special to The Chronicle And yet, nowhere in central Bangkok seems more distant from the Western world than Yaowarat. Yaowarat actually feels more Chinese than do many cities in China itself these days. In Chinese metropolises such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, most old neighborhoods have been erased, often replaced by hulking steel-and-glass structures. The same modernization process (albeit slower) is unfolding across Bangkok, but so far Yaowarat has been largely untouched by the clammy paws of property developers. It remains unfiltered and gritty very little is obscured from view. Bangkoks lure is so strong that it has survived the citys unstable social environment. Even amid the 2014 military coup, marked by citywide curfews and violence between protesters and security forces, tourists kept flowing into Bangkok. It still received an astonishing 16 million tourists that year, making it the worlds fourth-most-visited city, ahead of the likes of New York, Paris and Rome. In the space of a brief stroll through Yaowarat, you can witness many of Bangkoks triumphs and failures, its joys and sorrows. The fierce work ethic of its street vendors is admirable, as they smile and barter politely in the intense tropical heat. Yaowarats temples beguile with their peaceful atmospheres and glorious architecture. Yet within their confines you often will see raggedly clothed locals on their knees, seemingly praying for heavenly assistance in their daily struggle. Although Yaowarat is not a depressing place. Perhaps the best word to describe it would be invigorating. Boredom is not something you will suffer here, nor is indifference. You will either love it or loathe it, be thrilled or overwhelmed, entertained or irritated. Ronan O'Connell/Special to The Chroncile Yaowarat takes its name from the road that carves it roughly in half. About a mile long, Yaowarat Road leads from near Bangkoks main railway station, Hua Lamphong, through Chinatown to the edge of Phahurat, also known as Little India. While there is not a particularly large Indian population in Bangkok, the Chinese have had a massive influence on the city. About 10 percent of Thailands 68 million people are believed to have Chinese ancestry. This figure was as high as 15 percent in the early 1900s, after waves of Chinese immigrated to Thailand starting in the middle of the 19th century. The current generations blend seamlessly into Bangkok society, with most speaking Thai as their first language and practicing Theravada Buddhism. It was in Yaowarat where many of the first Chinese migrants to Bangkok settled. It remains the one part of the city where Chinese languages are still widely used. Dozens of towering neon signs adorned by Chinese script line Yaowarat Road. On the crowded sidewalks below, commerce is king. In Yaowarat, if something is not for sale, thats because its already been sold. Used motorbike parts, housewares, life-size Buddhas no customers taste is ignored. Shopping in Yaowarat is a throwback to the way things used to be in Thailand. Independent vendors set up their stalls in the open, bartering their way to a living. These days many Bangkok residents tend to avoid the countrys volcanic heat when shopping, opting instead for the orderly, temperature-controlled environments of one of the citys seemingly endless mega-malls. Yet Yaowarat still does a roaring trade. It helps that it has the highest concentration of gold shops in Bangkok. Chinatown also attracts many people who buy items wholesale to stock their own stalls in other parts of the city. They make bulk purchases of anything from clothes to sunglasses, shoes, handbags, bedding and childrens toys. Many of these wholesale shops will also sell individual items if you ask politely. The prices here are as cheap as anywhere in the city. (Because many products have marked prices, tourists pay the same as the locals and can secure fantastic bargains.) If Yaowarat Road is the heart of Chinatown, then Trok Issaranuphap is its soul. Its culinary soul, to be precise. Stall after stall is laden with exotic foods fresh, dried, sour, sweet, spicy or mild. Walking the full length of this narrow alley is like a heavy gym session for your senses. By the end, they will be exhausted. Your eyes will strain to look in every direction at once. Your nose will scramble to interpret a barrage of alluring foreign scents. And, if you have common sense, your taste buds will be wooed into submission by all the food you try. Yaowarat favorites include the delicate flavors of birds nest soup, simple yet delicious wonton noodles, and the peppery punch of kway chap noodle soup. Beyond all this succulence, at the northern end of Trok Issaranuphap, is Leng Buai La Shrine. The oldest Chinese shrine in Thailand, it dates back more than 300 years. Amid the cacophonous noise and consumer frenzy of Yaowarat, it is a refuge of calm and spirituality. On the brightly colored pillars that flank its entrance, two ornate dragons face each other, protecting the temple. They have joined forces. Thai and Chinese cultures have achieved a similar synthesis stronger than the sum of the parts. Ronan OConnell is a freelance writer. Email: travel@sfchronicle.com If you go Getting there Cathay Pacific, Eva Air and Air China offer flights from San Francisco to Bangkok with stopovers in Hong Kong for Cathay Pacific, and in Taipei for the other two airlines. Round-trip flights start from about $800. Yaowarat is in the southwestern corner of central Bangkok, pinned up against the Chao Phraya River. It can be reached in 20 to 40 minutes (depending on traffic) by taxi from the upmarket tourist areas of Silom, Siam and Asoke. Where to stay Grand China (Yaowarat): +66 2 224 9977, www.grandchina.com. Grab a superior room from just $60 a night at this large, well-appointed hotel right on Yaowarat Road. (It is recommended, however, to stay in either the Silom or Siam areas, both of which cater to tourists far better than Yaowarat.) Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park (Silom): +66 2 632 9000, www.bangkoklumpinipark.crowneplaza.com. Brilliant location opposite the giant Lumpini Park; offers an amazing breakfast buffet and a lovely swimming pool. Rooms start from $150. Pathumwan Princess hotel (Siam): +66 2 216 3700, www.pprincess.com. With rooms from $110, many with views across central Bangkok, it also has the advantage of being located on top of MBK, one of Bangkoks most popular shopping centers. Where to eat Yaowarat is one of Bangkoks most famous districts for food. There has been a crackdown on street-side restaurants in the past year, and they are banned from certain parts of the city. Fortunately, this has not extended to Yaowarat, which still teems with street food, from steamed dumpling to grilled seafood and sweet Thai toast. There are also many fine restaurants. Cotton restaurant: Inside Shanghai Mansion hotel, 481 Yaowarat Road, +66 2 221 2121. Decorated to resemble Shanghai in the 1930s, this charming hotel has a beautifully appointed restaurant that serves delicious duck. Hua Seng Hong restaurant: 371 Yaowarat Road, +66 02-222-0635. This seafood restaurant is typically very busy and filled with locals, which is always a great sign. What to do Yaowarat is the best area in Bangkok to explore by foot. Start at one end of Sampheng Lane and meander all the way to the other, snaring bargain handicrafts, fashion accessories and souvenirs along the way. More information Thailand Tourism Authority: www.tourismthailand.org/hom Phahurat: Bangkoks other ethnic neighborhood Located directly west of Yaowarat, Phahurat is the only other district of central Bangkok that has a distinct foreign flavor. Also known as Little India, much of its allure resides in its back-alley markets, similar to Chinatown. Also like Yaowarat, Phahurat gets its name from the main road that runs through it. There is no real boundary between Yaowarat and Phahurat, with one flowing into the next. In the backstreets that run adjacent to Yaowarat Road, at its western end, fabric and textile stalls start to pop up. Run by Indian Sikhs, these businesses selling Indian cotton and silk become more and more common the farther west you walk, before eventually you spill out near the eastern end of Phahurat Road. To your left, at this point, is a medium-size shopping center called India Emporium. Here you will find yet more fabric shops, outlets selling Indian clothing and, on the top floor, a small food court that serves tasty and cheap Indian food. Phahurat is not the prettiest of places. Yet many a romance is linked to this neighborhood, as it is one of Bangkoks prime destinations for buying traditional Thai wedding dresses and suits and other matrimonial needs. Ronan OConnell JERUSALEM Israel pressed forward with promises of retaliation and damage control Sunday after a U.N. vote last week on an antisettlement resolution that passed thanks to an abstention by the U.S., Israels close ally. Israels Foreign Ministry said it began summoning the ambassadors of countries who voted in favor of the resolution, including those from the permanent members of the Security Council Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France. In a highly unusual move, the U.S. ambassador was later summoned as well, even though it had abstained and not voted in favor, Israeli media reported. Speaking to a weekly meeting of his Cabinet on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was also considering a plan of action against the U.N., without elaborating. We will do all it takes so Israel emerges unscathed from this shameful decision, Netanyahu said. The resolution, which condemned Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, sparked outrage in Israel and led to a new low in relations between Netanyahu and U.S. President Obama. Israel has accused Obama of colluding with the Palestinians against the Jewish state. We feel betrayed, extremely frustrated. We are angry. This is not how you treat friends, said Cabinet minister Yuval Steinitz. The resolutions immediate impact appears to be largely symbolic, but Israel fears it could open the door to an increase in international steps, including economic measures. Much of the international community considers the settlements illegal or illegitimate and an obstacle to peace. In addition to the measures declared Sunday, Israel has recalled its ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal for consultations and canceled a planned January visit to Israel by Senegals foreign minister. A visit by Ukraines prime minister has also been canceled in light of its support for the U.N. vote and Israel has pledged to cut funding to U.N. agencies. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MOSCOW Russias transport minister says a pilot error or a technical fault is likely to be the cause of Sundays plane crash over the Black Sea. All 84 passengers and eight crew members on the Russian militarys Tu-154 plane are believed to have died when it crashed two minutes after taking off from Sochi, Russia. Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said in televised remarks Monday that investigators are looking into a possible pilot error or a technical fault and that a terrorist attack was not among the main theories. Rescue teams continued to search for victims Monday after the plane on its way to Syria crashed into the Black Sea shortly after takeoff. The passengers included dozens of singers in Russias world-famous military choir. More than 3,000 people including more than 100 divers flown in from across Russia worked from 32 ships and several helicopters to search the crash site, the Defense Ministry said. Drones and submersibles were also being used to help spot bodies and debris. Powerful spotlights were brought in so the search could continue around the clock. Emergency crews found fragments of the plane about 1 mile from shore. By Sunday evening, rescue teams had recovered 11 bodies, and Sokolov said fragments of other bodies were also found. The plane belonging to the Defense Ministry was taking its world famous choir, the Alexandrov Ensemble, to a New Years concert at Hemeimeem air base in Syrias coastal province of Latakia. Those on board also included nine Russian journalists and a Russian doctor, Yelizaveta Glinka, acclaimed for her work in war zones. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Monday a nationwide day of mourning. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons and will do everything to support the victims families, Putin said. Sokolov said the planes flight recorders did not have the radio beacons common in more modern aircraft, so locating them on the seabed will be challenging. The Tu-154 is a Soviet-built three-engine airliner designed in the late 1960s. More than 1,000 have been built, and they have been used extensively in Russia and worldwide. The plane that crashed Sunday was built in 1983, and underwent factory checkups and maintenance in 2014 and this year, according to the Defense Ministry. The passenger list for the Sochi plane included 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble. You are possibly aware of a law about Benami property in our country which came into being in 1988, but neither were its rules ever framed, nor was it notified. It just lay dormant, Modi said in his monthly Mann ki Baat radio address. We have retrieved it and turned it into an incisive law against Benami property. In the coming days, this law will also become operational, he said. Modi also spoke about some who are devising newer wily ways and means to counter the government's fight against corruption. Everyday many new people are being taken into custody, currency notes are being seized, raids are being carried out. Influential persons are being caught. The secret is that my source of such information are people themselves, he said. Information being received from common citizens is many times higher than that being obtained through the government machinery, he added. Defending the frequent changes in rules after demonetisation, he said, the government, being a sensitive government, amends rules as required, keeping the convenience of the people as its foremost consideration, so that citizens are not subjected to hardships. To counter these new offensives, we too have to devise appropriate new responses and antidotes. When the opponents keep on trying out new tactics, we have to counteract decisively since we have resolved to eradicate the corrupt, shady businesses and black money. He also said that rumours spread by some people that political parties enjoy various concessions and exemptions are wrong. Khawaja Muhammad Asif made an indirect nuclear threat to Israel, after he took a fake news doing rounds on social media that said Israel purportedly warned Islamabad of a nuclear attack presuming Pakistan interfered in the ongoing Syrian issue. By India Today Web Desk: Reminding the world that Pakistan is a nuclear power, the country's defence minister tweeted an indirect nuclear threat at Israel after taking a fake news that said Israel warned Islamabad of a nuclear attack for interfering in the ongoing Syrian issue. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif tweeted on December 23, "Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh. Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too AH [sic]." advertisement A fake news article on AWDnews.com falsely quoted the Israeli defence minister as saying that the country will "destroy Pakistan" for promising to send troops to Syria. The headline said, "Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops into Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack". The above story even attributed the quote to Moshe Ya'alon, former defence minister of Israel who left the ministry in May. At present, Avigdor Liberman is the Israeli defence minister. It looks like Pakistan defence minister jumped the gun and reacted to this news without verifying whether the source is authentic enough. The Times of Israel, in a report, states, "Israel has never publicly confirmed or denied possessing nuclear weapons, nor issued threats to use nuclear weapons. It would be beyond unlikely for it to brazenly threaten Pakistan that "we will destroy them with a nuclear attack," as the report claimed that Ya'alon did on Tuesday. Such ostensible comments by Ya'alon would have caused major headlines worldwide." A Twitter account that goes by the handle @Israel_MOD and says "Official Twitter account of Israel's Ministry of Defense," replied to Khawaja Asif saying, "The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said [sic]" and "reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false [sic]". --- ENDS --- nws good news Garofalo Richard Garofalo of Dongan Hills, seen with his daughter Dayna, discovered he had a cousin, Brittany Turpin (inset), who lives in Tucson, Arizona. He found Brittany thanks to a DNA kit he received from his daughter for Christmas last year. (Staten Island Advance photos courtesy/Brittany Turpin and Dayna Garofalo) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It started with a Christmas present and it ended with a miracle. This is how Richard Garofalo, a Vietnam veteran from Dongan Hills, described his experience after using a DNA kit his daughter Dayna gave him as a Christmas present last year. "I didn't even want it [the DNA kit]," Garofalo said. "I didn't care that much." What he discovered a few months later melted his heart. Along with a list of all the countries he was from, Garofalo found out he had a cousin named Brittany Turpin in Tucson, Arizona. "The first time I talked to her she was crying for how happy she was," Garofalo said. 'I WAKE UP HAPPY EVERY DAY' Garofalo said that they haven't stopped talking since. "We talk every day on the phone and on Skype," he said. "I even talk to her children." Turpin said that she is very similar to Garofalo and that the experience has been life-changing. "I was nervous at first, but it's been a lifelong journey and I wanted to see it through," she said. "I wake up happy everyday," Turpin continues. "It has been the best thing next to having kids." FIRST MEETING IN SPRING When Garofalo becomes a grandfather in the spring, the two cousins will meet for the first time. "It will be quiet busy over here," Garofalo said with overwhelming happiness. "To me this is miracle," he said. The surprises, however, didn't stop there. Garofalo also found out his father was adopted. "We even found his adoption papers," Garofalo's daughter said. "Needless to say we were all shocked to hear this, especially my father," she added. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The United States has always taken its fashion cues from Europe, carrying the finest lux brands from Italy, France and Spain in high-end stores. But there's more to European retail than expensive goods from luxury designers, like Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Versace. With three large-scale Staten Island retail projects in different stages of development, European retailers are leasing space here to compete in the New York marketplace, which is considered to be the nation's fashion capital. And there are affordable European retailers that offer trendy apparel and other items, which have become increasingly appealing in the United States. For example, Primark, which is opening in the Staten Island Mall, New Springville, in March, will offer trendy fashions for very low prices. "New York is the shopping capital of the world," said James Prendamano, managing director of the St. George-based Casandra Properties who is working on leasing for the Empire Outlets, which is slated to open in 2017 on the St. George waterfront. "We see 60 million tourists per year and we've got 15 million people within the 45-minute drive time to the North Shore. We certainly have the base and demographics," he added. In some cases, European retailers are looking for an opportunity to enter the market, said Prendamano, who is also leasing space in Riverside Galleria, a retail development being planned for Charleston. "Quite frankly, the cost to penetrate the market is significantly lower here (than in Europe). Our demographic is strong out here, so retailers -- both domestic and international -- have woken up to this in the last few years," he said. Staten Island is also a more cost effective alternative to Manhattan, where rents are nearly quadruple for commercial space, said Prendamano. "They (international retailers) are seeing Staten Island as an opportunity to penetrate a market that they were previously unable to penetrate, and at a fraction of the cost of what you'd pay per square foot in Manhattan," he said. "As more retailers find success here and there's more reporting data, we take more of the questions out of the equation for them, and they see an opportunity to take a shot," added Prendamano. TIED TO TOURISM Some say that the fact that European retailers are eyeing Staten Island is directly tied to the tourism the New York Wheel and outlets are expected to bring. "We are breaking through ceilings as far as the number of people coming to New York City. People are coming from overseas and the European retailers want to be here," said Joseph Ferrara, principal of BFC Partners. CAPTURING THE MARKET But European retailers say it's important to do the homework before opening in a new market. Primark principals say it's important to offer the types of merchandise that Americans -- and in this case, specifically New Yorkers -- will want to spend their money. "We trade in 11 countries, and every country has got differences (in product demand). In terms of the U.S., whether we are on High Street in Boston or in a mall in Pennsylvania, we get differences," said Tim Kelley, director of communications for Primark, which is opening 10 stores in the United States as part of a sublease agreement with Sears. Primark was especially interested in branching out into the New York marketplace by leasing the second floor of Sears in the Staten Island Mall. "Staten Island is a great place, and the Staten Island Mall in particular is a great place, where everyone on the Island shops. It is a hub for the Island. We are delighted to be there," said Jose Luis Martinez De Larramendi, president of Primark U.S. Corp. "People in the U.S. and on Staten Island are looking for fashion and affordable fashion, and we have that," he added. European retailers opening here also give Staten Island a taste of international fashion apparel, said Kelley. "The selection of merchandise that customers on Staten Island will buy in March is the same range of merchandise they can buy in Dublin, Ireland. We adjust the mix of merchandise to suit the local market," said Kelly. "Our ladies collection brings the best of European fashion to the U.S.," said Kelly. MORE EUROPEAN RETAILERS IN MALL In addition to Primark, a British retailer, Superdry, recently opened in the Mall. The international brand boasts a wide selection of apparel, from T-shirts to outerwear, with an urban edge offered at affordable prices. The brand is favored by many international celebrities, including Idris Elba, David Beckham, Zac Efron and Helena Christensen. Zara, a retailer from Spain, is among the first companies to sign on to open as part of the Mall's expansion. The company plans to open a 30,000-square-foot space in the new section of the Mall that is expected to be complete in fall 2018. "I think overall we have to continue to be different from everything else. There is so much retail out there in general," said James Easley, Mall general manager. "Some (retailers) will go and the rest will stay. I think the ones that are new, innovative and first to market are the ones who will succeed," he added. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK The Christmas-themed train decorated with lights and mock snowmen will be running across Pakistan to spread the message of peace and tolerance. By India Today Web Desk: Pakistan Railways is running a special 'Santa Train' to send out the message of interfaith harmony, peace and tolerance this Christmas. Photo: Twitter/@defencepk The Christmas-themed train decorated with lights and mock snowmen will be running across Pakistan and the government aims to change mindsets in the country where attacks on religious minorities are a regular affair. Photo: Twitter/@defencepk advertisement "This is a sign of tolerance, everybody will celebrate Christmas together," Human Rights Minister Kamran Michael told AFP. The train will be spreading the Christmas cheer from Islamabad to Peshawar and then Lahore. Photo: Twitter/@defencepk --- ENDS --- 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 By PTI: Panaji, Dec 25 (PTI) AAP chief ministerial candidate for Goa, Elvis Gomes has attacked Manohar Parrikar saying the Defence Minister has "severely curbed" the operational freedom of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. Gomes also said political parties should come under the RTI Act and that anonymous donations to them should be banned. He said that Parrikar, who was chief minister of the state before he was inducted into the Union Cabinet, visits Goa "every weekend". advertisement "The operational freedom of the Chief Minister is severely curbed, and the situation will remain like that until this government is voted out," he told PTI. The state goes to poll next year. He also criticised demonetisation saying there is "no positive" effect visible in the state since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the move. "Such a move cant be justified at the cost of peoples livelihood," he said. On the issue of medium of instruction in schools, he said, "These are divisive issue. AAP will shortly make known its stand on the subject." PTI PBR TIR AAR --- ENDS --- Santa had eight reindeer. This Canberra Christmas baby has almost as many names. First-time parents Alex Pabian and Stella Vongdara welcomed their baby boy at 7.21am at the Canberra Hospital on Sunday. Canberra's first Christmas baby was born after a three-day labour to parents Stella Vongdara and Alex Pabian at the Canberra hospital. Credit:Karleen Minney Weighing a healthy 3.11 kilograms - about six pounds for the traditionalists - their baby was a welcome Christmas gift. But he was also an early one - at noon, the Isabella Plains couple were yet to choose a name for their beloved son. A 27-year-old man died at Casuarina Sands on Christmas Day in an apparent drowning. ACT Policing said they and ambulance paramedics were called to the Cotter River swimming spot on Sunday afternoon. "ACT Policing are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, however at this stage do not believe the death is suspicious," they said in a statement. "ACT Policing remind Canberrans to take care when swimming and watch out for each other when in and near the water." Police will prepare a report for the coroner. A 27-year-old man has died at Casuarina Sands in an apparent drowning on Christmas Day. Police and ambulance services were called to the swimming spot on the Murrumbidgee River in the afternoon and found the man unresponsive. Detectives are investigating the scenes in Mirrabooka overnight. Casuarina Sands is a popular picnic and swimming spot in the Cotter Reserve. Police say they are investigating the death but at this stage do not believe it is suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner. Police also reminded Canberrans to "take care when swimming and watch out for each other when in and near the water". Changes in the political and strategic dynamic of the Asia-Pacific region are accelerating notably in the Philippines with profound implications for Australia and America's role in world affairs. I was recently in the Philippines and spoke to a range of businessmen and women and journalists, including from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, one of the country's more respected newspapers. The general consensus was that President Rodrigo Duterte would have moved towards China irrespective of who won the American presidency. Duterte was described as a cunning and clever politician, who should be judged on his actions not his words. He has been very rude towards Barack Obama, although quite conciliatory in his remarks about Donald Trump. It was put to me that he believes he has Trump's measure. All my interlocutors were critical of the activities of his death squads. At the street level people are pleased that neighbourhoods are "safer", but no one believes it will last. The drug barons are untouched and protected by wealth and position. They will bide their time. Drug pushers and couriers can easily be recruited with grinding poverty providing a very strong incentive. The Soviet Union was bound to collapse eventually. But that it collapsed as peacefully as it did 25 years ago this week is largely a tribute to one leader: George H. W. Bush. History will remember America's 41st president for ensuring that so large and authentically historic an event could take place so casually. Sure, there are other reasons for the demise of the ghastly USSR on Christmas Day 1991: the US defence build-up during the Reagan years, the forces of glasnost and perestroika that Mikhail Gorbachev unleashed, the implosion of central planning, the failure of Marxism-Leninism and the revolt of the republics. All true. But it was Bush's prudent and cautious response to the revolutionary upheavals from 1989 to 1991 that helps explain why the blood-soaked superpower disappeared almost overnight and with virtually no bloodshed. The temptation today is to regard all this as inevitable. But it could easily have been so much messier. When empires collapse, brutality and violence usually coincide: think of the British departure from Kenya, Malaya and the Indian subcontinent; or the French from Vietnam and Algeria; or the Belgians from Congo. I hadn't picked Prince Charles as the leader of an establishment fight against the populist encouragement of religious intolerance, but if that's the fight he's leading, I'm following, republican or not. True, one speech by the next king of Australia is unlikely to become the pivot around which the Western world turns to rediscover that at its liberal heart is the staunch defence of the persecuted. Yet despite its probable futility, the prince's Christmas message - delivered in that most establishment of ways on the BBC's Radio 4, and three days before his mother's - was a timely intervention in a world overrun by fearsome propaganda peddled by the anti-migration brigades. He came to the BBC with what should be a standard exhortation to the world: to keep living the lessons of last century's horrors, and to give safe haven to those seeking refuge. He noted the rise of attacks on Christians in the Middle East, as well as on Jews, Yazidis, Ahmadis and Baha'is, and that an unfathomable 65 million people each year are now fleeing their homes. If there's any lesson to be learned, it's that once in a while, remember to be nice to yourself. Credit:Kirsty Begg/Stocksy My dad sent me some money for the holidays. It was enough to make my eyes widen for a second. I could have done a number of responsible-grown-up things: paid down principle on my student loan, perhaps, or replenished my still-damaged savings account. But I didn't. Over the course of 2004, two things happened: I finally established positive cash flow after having been laid off during the dot-com bust, and I got dumped. The relationship was a bad one. But even though the breakup was long overdue, it still left me feeling gloomy just in time for my December birthday (which I spent crying at my desk at work) and Christmas. The five classes in regional French cooking were held Saturday mornings at 10am at a culinary school two miles from my house. They were taught by senior-level students of the degree program, impressive in their chefly whites, our syllabus in the form of recipe bundles to be prepared and consumed during each session. I'd trundle up on a cold January morning for the lessons where our little group, perhaps 12 of us, would listen sleepily to descriptions of foodstuffs local to the region du jour. We would then pair off with another student with our assigned recipes, ready to inflict our amateur-hour shenanigans upon one of the most celebrated culinary traditions in the world. Each week the same faces would gather over our ranges and cutting boards, embarrass ourselves in front of the almost-professional chefs and cook something that approximated French cuisine. When it was time to tuck in, the instructor would hustle off to the cellar in search of opened bottles of wine that had been used in the previous week's wine tasting courses, so the "final exams" became festive indeed. The course brought us Provence's ratatouille and soupe au pistou, a vegetable soup with basil and parsley. Normandy delivered pork roast basted in hard cider and served with apple rings sauteed in butter. In Perigord, we stuffed our faces with clafoutis, a sort of custard tart with cherries and brandied plum ice cream. There were gougeres cream puff dough with cheese; frisee and lardons salad curly endive with chunks of bacon; and boule de neige a dome of chocolate cake covered in whipped cream. Then came that greatest of days: Alsace-Lorraine. Every dish except the dessert (a rich plum tart) had pork in it including the salad, which consisted of grated Gruyere cheese and bacon with some diced onion playing the role of "vegetable." The entire class series was worth it for the discovery of choucroute garnie or "garnished sauerkraut": a revelation of sauerkraut braised in white wine for an hour, piled onto a platter, and garnished with about six pounds of pork products chops, belly, sausages arranged artfully around it. I think it was two days before I stopped smelling like smoked meat. "Convert, flee or die": that was the ultimatum given to Chaldean Catholics in northern Iraq by Islamic State militants as they overran their towns in 2014. In August 2014, the militants came to Nagham al-Katta's village in Karemlash, south-east of Mosul, forcing her family to flee, leaving behind their home, all their possessions and their friends. Iraqi Chaldeans Slivana Toma and Ramz Habib, with their son Savio, 2, were among thousands of Christians forced to flee Iraq. Credit:Kate Geraghty Part of the oldest Christian religion in the world, 10 to 15 Chaldean families have been arriving in Australia every day for the past two months as part of a federal government agreement to take in 12,000 refugees from the Syrian-Iraqi humanitarian crisis. This Christmas was the first that many of those families could celebrate their faith with their families, without the worry and danger of being killed. After two years in a Jordanian refugee camp, Mrs Katta and her family arrived in Australia in August. She was "very happy" to spend Christmas Day with her extended family. "We pray for the peace in the world especially for Iraq and we hope that finish this bad situation for all the Christians and the people who are still there," she said. There was nary a scrap of tinsel or a single bauble decking the halls at Parramatta children's court to give hint that, outside, Christmas was unfolding on a glorious Sydney summer day. In fact, the courthouse was largely void of life, save for the presence of an unlucky few - the registrar, a couple of police prosecutors and legal aid lawyers, and two jovial security guards manning the entrance metal detector. Each of them had drawn the festive short straw: the Christmas Day bail shift. In courtroom 4, where the air conditioning was aspiring to deliver a white Christmas, registrar Barbara Baker was concerned only with adult matters and she had a sizeable bail list to get through. Domestic violence, after all, is not known for respecting the holiday season. It featured prominently in the charges of those before the court on Sunday. As families get together to celebrate Christmas Day, one spends it as they have done every day of the week leading up to the holiday - distraught over a beloved uncle gone missing. Kim Mackell, 64, has been missing since December 18 after being dropped at Central Station, following a Christmas barbecue in Ultimo with family and friends. Missing man, Kim Mackell, last seen at Blackheath station. Fairfax Media understands Opal card information followed by CCTV footage was used to confirm with family that Mr Mackell got off the train at Blackheath, as intended, at 8.50pm that night. It is believed he then waited for a taxi at the nearby New Ivanhoe Hotel, 250 metres south of the station on the Great Western Highway, arriving at his home about 10pm. He has not been seen since. Speaking in his radio programme he said, I wish there was a discussion in Parliament on funding for political parties. He added that rumours were being spread on funding for political parties. Law is same for everyone, whether it is individual, organisation or a party, he said. PM added that amid the disruptions, something good also happened, and thanked the members of Parliament for passage of the disability bill. This time Parliament session was the reason of people's dismay. People expressed anger against the disruption, so did the President and Vice-President, said Modi. The disability bill was passed and for that I thank all MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on behalf of the Divyangs (disabled), he added. A 27-year-old man has drowned at a beach south of Sydney after being pulled unconscious from the water on Christmas Day. Emergency services were called to Wattamolla lagoon at the Royal National Park, near Sutherland, about 6.45pm on Sunday. It is understood the man was at the beach with friends when he disappeared under the water. Police said swimmers began to search for the man, finding him and pulling him back to shore. They then performed CPR and called triple zero. The NSW government spent a record $309 million to reverse the rising road toll in 2016 but has been left with a death count even worse than 2015. Highway patrol police will review parts of their strategy next year after the worst road toll in six years. And despite a multimillion-dollar investment by the government, the size of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command has remained largely static as road users have risen by half a million in five years. The death of a woman in a two-car collision at Casino in northern NSW around 2pm on Christmas Day brought the road toll to 374. Adam Stone is an entrepreneur making the gig economy work for him. The 22-year-old entrepreneur has raised $545,000 in seed funding in the US and Australia for Speedlancer, a new venture he hopes will take on skilled freelancing site Freelancer.com Adam Stone, entrepreneur and founder of Speedlancer. Credit:Craig Sillitoe Photography After using what he describes as "every freelancing platform under the sun", Stone said he understood why freelancing worked but also why there was a perceived stigma around it. "I wanted to make outsourcing effective for start-ups and small businesses who don't have access to a HR manager or the time to go through and recruit the talent that they need." Residents of an apartment block on Hoddle Street were evacuated by firefighters after a two-storey brick building caught fire in suspicious circumstances late on Christmas night. Firefighters rushed to evacuate the residents, responding within five minutes after calls to report the blaze around 11.30pm on Sunday. A firefighter investigates the Hoddle Street structure on Christmas night. Credit:Patrick Herve Twenty people were evacuated with some residents assisted out by firefighters in breathing apparatus. It took crews 35 minutes to get the blaze, which was contained to a single unit, under control. Giving Transurban the go-ahead to build toll road exit ramps through a huge parcel of public land next to Docklands will destroy a major urban renewal opportunity for Melbourne, a residents group says. Since 2009, the Victorian government has been planning a major residential and commercial redevelopment of what it calls "E-Gate" 20 hectares of largely disused railway land wedged between North Melbourne railway station and Docklands. Anthony McKee is among a group of residents whose homes overlook the old North Melbourne railway yards Credit:Jason South But plans to redevelop the publicly owned land were put on hold last year, when the Andrews government said it would build a major new toll road with Transurban through Melbourne's west. The toll road will have three city exit ramps pumping traffic into the CBD. Two of these ramps will dissect the E-Gate site. The government argues the off-ramps will merely skirt the edges of the site. Residents, though, say it will have a major impact. Police are desperately seeking information on the whereabouts of a missing 78-year-old - whose car was found abandoned on Friday. Juraj Zdunic was last seen leaving his Doubleview home around 4pm on Wednesday, December 21. He left his home in his white coloured Toyota Camry, which was located 60 kilometres north on Reserve Road near Great Northern Highway in Muchea on Friday, December 23. Juraj Zdunic has not been seen since Wednesday, December 21. Police suspect that the pensioner may have forgotten where he was going or got lost en-route and say they have concerns about his welfare. They also highlighted a bumper sticker on his car which says 'I Love Croatia.' He is described as fair skinned, approximately 170 centimetres tall, of medium build, with white hair and green eyes. PHNOM PENH: One of the worst mass murderers of the 20th century will learn his fate today at a controversial war crimes tribunal convened to investigate allegations of genocide and other crimes against former leaders of the Khmer Rouge, which ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. However, proceedings have thrown the United Nations and the Cambodian government into dispute and hundreds of staff have not been paid for months. Appeal Kaing Guek Eav, who ran the Tuol Sleng prison, in which ''enemies'' of the state were tortured and killed. Credit:AP The UN, which wants to prosecute more alleged perpetrators of crimes against humanity, says it is being blocked from doing so by the government. The decision on an appeal against the 19-year jail sentence for Khmer Rouge executioner and torturer Kaing Guek Eav - better known as ''Duch'' - will be handed down today in the Courts of Cambodia, where the UN-appointed Swiss judge, Laurent Kasper-Ansermet, has been prevented from assuming his official duties. Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to seek the support of the incoming Trump administration for joint action against Islamic State in the Syrian city of Raqqa. His call came only days after Iran, Russia and Turkey issued a "Moscow Declaration" in which they suggested that they could become guarantors of a Syrian peace deal and "invited all other countries with influence over the situation on the ground to do the same". Turkish troops are close to capturing the IS stronghold of al-Bab in north-west Syria and could move via the town of Manbij toward the group's de facto capital in Raqqa, Mr Erdogan said in a televised speech in Istanbul on Saturday. He reiterated his country's readiness to extend its fight against the jihadist group in Raqqa if US President-elect Donald Trump agrees to prevent Kurdish forces from participating in such an operation. Vatican City: Pope Francis on Sunday offered a Christmas hope for peace in a world lacerated by war and terrorism, urging people to remember migrants, refugees and those hit by economic instability caused by "idolatry of money". Francis, marking the fourth Christmas season since his election in 2013, also urged Palestinians and Israelis, facing renewed tension after a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements on occupied land, to have the courage to put aside hate and revenge and "write a new page of history". Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for ' to the city and to the world' ) Christmas' day blessing. Credit:ALESSANDRA TARANTINO His traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message was linked by a common thread of war, violence and suffering at a time that should be defined by harmony and peace symbolised by the infant Jesus. "Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, which have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities," he told some 40,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square. A young software engineer from Kolkata was chased along the footpath near her office in Pune and stabbed to death. By Pankaj P. Khelkar, Manogya Loiwal : In a gruesome incident, a 23-year-old software engineer was chased and stabbed multiple times to death in Pune on Friday late evening. The incident took place only 500 metres from her office as a young assailant chased her brandishing knife along the footpath while the deceased screamed for help. The deceased has been identified as Antara Das, who had come to Pune from Kolkata, advertisement After a chase for some distance, she was caught by the assailant, with whom Antara supposedly had a heated argument. The killer hit her on her head and stabbed her in neck. Shouting 'Bachao-Bachao', Antara hit a motorcyclist, identified as Satyendra Krushnanand Sinha, who rushed her to a hospital, where she was announced brought dead. Aadhar card of Antara Das, who was stabbed to death in Pune. Sinha has recorded his statement with Pune police as an eyewitness. He described the appearance of the assailant to the police, who are now trying to ascertain the identity of the killer. SEVEN POINTS TO KNOW: Antara Das, a 23-year-old resident of Sarsuna in Behala, was a Capgemini employee. Antara had moved to Pune a year back for job. The victim was attacked by a knife on her head and neck by a youth. Antara had left the office around 8:25 pm, after which she had been followed and was attacked about 500 meters from her office, in a dark shady area. The lone eyewitness informed the police as soon he saw her bleeding. He told the police that he stopped his vehicle after noticing a 'fight' between Antara and the assailant. Two people rushed Antara to nearby Dhanvanthri hospital where she was announced dead on arrival. The family of the deceased reached Pune in the late Saturday evening after they were informed. No one has been arrested by police till now. The police are going through CCTV footage for further investigation and interrogating the people whom Antara knew. --- ENDS --- Claim: A stuntman was killed during the filming of the chariot race scene in the 1959 version of 'Ben-Hur' and that his death was left in the final cut. Rating: About this rating False Advertisment: It is frequently claimed that a stuntman was killed during the filming of the chariot scene in the 1959 epic Ben-Hur (from MGM, directed by William Wyler). Versions of the rumor include Wyler's leaving the fatal accident in the final cut (against the wishes of the stuntman's widow), yet no published discussions of the film mention the accident, and Charlton Heston's 1995 autobiography In the Arena specifically states that no one was seriously injured during the filming of the scene. The Internet Movie Database labels as false the rumor that the stunt double for Stephen Boyd (the villain Mesalla) was killed during the chariot race. This rumor has been attached to practically every human injury faked by stuntmen for the race scenes. (See the end of this article for a listing and analysis of the individual stunts.) In John Baxter's Stunt: The Story of the Great Movie Stunt Men (1974), much is made of the care that went into the filming of this climactic race. The scene was managed by veteran stuntman Yakima Canutt, who included his two sons in the stunt team. Joe Canutt, doubling for Heston, received the only injury when he was flipped out of chariot, catching himself on the center hitching rail before pulling himself back in place. His only injury was a gash on his chin requiring four stitches. The scene was used in the final print: https://youtu.be/frE9rXnaHpE https://youtu.be/-yv-6XDSrvM But there was an earlier, silent version of Ben Hur, also produced by MGM and released in 1926 (this date varies with sources). Kevin Brownlow gives a thorough discussion of the trials and tribulations involved in the seemingly jinxed 1925 production in The Parade's Gone By (1969). The intention was to shoot the chariot race in a recreation of the Circus Maximus on location in Rome. The second-unit director in charge of the chariot race was B. Reeves "Breezy" Eason, known for his genius with action scenes involving horses. He was also known for being ruthless. Vets were seldom consulted: if a horse limped, they shot it. Some suggested he was not much more caring with stuntmen. The set in Rome proved to be unsuitable due to problems with shadows and the racetrack surface. Francis X. Bushman (Mesalla) relates the following: "During one take, we went around the curve and the wheel broke on the other fellow's chariot. The hub hit the ground and the guy shot up in the air about thirty feet. I turned and saw him up there it was like a slow-motion film. He fell on a pile of lumber and died of internal injuries." It was decided to give up the Rome location. Another set was built in Culver City and filled with both extras and the Hollywood elite on a festive Saturday in October. To ensure a good race, Eason offered a bonus to the winning driver. One spectacular unplanned pile-up was left in the final cut, 42 cameras were used that day, and a total of 50,000 feet of film was shot. The final, choreographed pile-up, in which Mesalla meets his end, was shot later at the cost of five horses. No human was seriously injured in the U.S. filming. Most film histories concentrate on this fact, and neglect the death in Rome. Another impressive and controversial scene in the 1926 version is the sea battle. Filmed at Livorno, Italy, it used hundreds of local extras, many of whom apparently lied about being able to swim. Friction was evident between the fascist and anti-fascist camps of the Italian cast. According to Brownlow, director Fred Niblo found a pile of sharpened swords on the deck of the pirate flagship apparently the man casting the extras had separated the crews along political lines in hopes of getting a real naval engagement. During filming, the staged fire on one of the triremes got out of control, sending armor-clad extras overboard. Whether any died is debatable. Bosely Crowther (The Lion's Share, 1957) reports that no one died, although three men dressed as Roman soldiers showed up after being missing for three days. Others maintained that some deaths did occur but were covered-up by the studio. Brownlow again quotes Bushman as saying to Niblo, "My God, Fred, they're drowning, I tell you!" as they watched the catastrophe. Niblo supposedly answered, "I can't help it, those ships cost me $40,000 apiece." Baxter accuses Crowther of falsifying the bloodier facts of Ben-Hur. The problems associated with the 1926 version and rumors of cover-ups prompted similar rumors in the press regarding the later film. Andrew Marton, director of the chariot scene in the 1959 version, exploded at a press conference, telling reporters that 20 men and 100 horses had died while filming the race, adding "That's what you want to hear, isn't it?" This outburst apparently help feed the gossip. The early days of the film industry was particularly hard on stunt people. Baxter lists 55 deaths, mostly stunt people, as occurring in California film productions during the years 1925-30. Most of these deaths were hushed up. Although later years saw fewer deaths, and less secrecy, the legacy of studio spin-doctors and confusion between the two movies helped create a movie legend. The following is a chronological listing of the stunts in the chariot race scene of the 1959 version of Ben-Hur: A guide to voter rights in Indiana. What you need to know before you cast a ballot elections By India Today Web Desk: In the almost three decades of his career, Aamir Khan has come to be known as Mr Perfectionist. But the perfectionist Khan was once impulsive. On India Today Unforgettables, Aamir revealed to Ranveer that at the age of 17, he announced to his parents that he was done with studies and wanted to join films. ALSO READ | Ranveer Singh tells Aamir Khan: Not an actor, I wanted to be a Hindi film ka hero advertisement ALSO READ | Ranveer Singh to Aamir Khan: Priyanka Chopra helped me understand why I'm so energetic Aamir recollected, "All hell broke loose. Everybody said, 'No, how can you do this? You have to be a graduate. How can you stop your studies?' I said, 'I'm not stopping my studies, I'm starting my studies. I should learn about the field I want to be in and films is where I want to be.' That's all. I didn't listen to any one." Ranveer was intrigued - what made Aamir realise that acting was his calling? "It must've been when I was about 15-16 or so. What really made me realize that I want to be in the films, whether it's acting or any other part of cinema, is when I did a short film for a friend, Aditya Bhattacharya. He was making a short film to learn cinema and filmmaking, and he needed help. So he asked me if I'll act in it, and I was his actor, spotboy, production manager and assistant director, all rolled into one. And the experience of doing that film made me realize that this is where I want to be," Aamir shared his epiphany. In retrospect, Aamir feels that the seed was sown much earlier. "I realized it at the age of 15 or 16, but it was always in me. When I was a kid, I used to love listening to stories. And a lot of directors and writers would come to pitch scripts to my dad and my uncle. I would sit in a corner and listen to those stories. So, I must've heard hundreds of stories of different writers and directors who come and pitch. Kabhi storyline hai, kabhi ek outline hai, kabhi ek fully developed script hai. Every Saturday and Sunday, I used to listen to stories and that was my first training ground of understanding scripts and stories . And I remember, my dad always used to say, at the end of a narration, "Sirf ek line mein batayiye aapki kahaani kya hai. Agar ek line mein bata nahi sakte toh kahaani mein dum nahi hai." I realized later on that he was saying, "What is the premise of your film?" If today, you read a book on screenplay writing, that's the first thing in it. All these went into me at a very young age... I was 7 or 8 at that time. It came into my conscious thinking when I was about 15," he revealed. advertisement An awestruck Ranveer wanted to know all about his journey. Did Aamir do theatre in college, he wanted to know. "I did some theatre in college, but I was thrown out of the play," Aamir candidly confessed. He adds, "When I entered junior college, I wanted to audition for the college play. I went to the Hindi play auditions, and I was amongst 60 to 70 young boys who also wanted to audition. I didn't make it. Once I got rejected, I was like, now what do I do? I was really hoping to do this play but I was out. On the notice board, I saw a notice for auditions for a Gujarati play going on. Now, I don't know Gujarati. But usme likha tha ki we need a chorus actor. There was a chorus of 30 painters on the bridge and there were 6 main characters. So I said, yaar, chorus mein ghus jaata hoon. Because then, I don't need to know the language. Kuch toh karna hai mujhe theatre mein. So I had this "never give up" kind of attitude even then. Two days before the show, the director threw me out of the play," Aamir said. advertisement Ranveer was surprised as to how Aamir got himself thrown out from the chorus. Aamir revealed, "He threw me out because there was some Maharashtra bandh or something and my mom didn't let me leave the house. So, the next day when I went for rehearsal, he asked me why I didn't come. I said my mom didn't let me leave the house. He said that all others came. I said I was trying to convince her but she didn't let me leave. He told me to get out." He added, "In the whole play, among the chorus, I was the only guy who had a line. Main roj rehearasal karta tha. But life is so strange. I was sitting on the grass, watching the rehearsal go on and I had tears in my eyes. I was so angry. Itne mein ek ladka aaya, jo FTII ka tha. He came with another friend and said, 'This is Inderjeet Singh Bansal and he wants to make a diploma film and he is looking for an actor. Are you free?' I said, 'main abhi free hua hoon." I did a Film Institute diploma film. Woh dekhke, Rajeev Singh ne mujhe apni film mein liya. Woh dekh ke Ketan Mehta ne mujhe Holi mein liya. Aur Holi dekh ke Mansoor ne mujhe Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak mein liya." advertisement Aamir's story reminds us of a Shah Rukh Khan dialogue, if it's not a happy ending, "picture abhi baaki hai mere dost." ALSO WATCH: Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh discuss their acting journey on India Today Unforgettables --- ENDS --- Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city. Never miss a Swansea story with our daily newsletter Sign up to comment on our stories here Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea Astronauts Peggy Whitson, Shane Kimbrough and Thomas Pesquet discuss Christmas on the International Space Station. (Image credit: NASA) Today, astronauts on the International Space Station will celebrate the day in many of the same ways that people on Earth celebrate the holiday relaxing, talking to friends and family, and sharing a special meal. But they do it all while weightlessly floating inside a laboratory that's whizzing around the Earth at 17,500 mph (28,000 kilometers/hour). Astronauts at the space station even have gifts from home to open this morning. The gifts were sent to space earlier this month inside a Japanese cargo supply ship. Because the spacecraft goes around the Earth every 92 minutes, its occupants will see about 15 sunrises throughout the day. That's 15 Christmas mornings in less than 24 hours! Instead of waking up and getting straight to work, like they did on Thanksgiving, the astronauts will enjoy the day off for Christmas. NASA spokesman Dan Huot told Space.com that the astronauts usually get Sundays off anyway, so this year they'll have Monday (Dec. 26) off as well. [Holidays in Space: An Astronaut Photo Album] As is tradition, the astronauts sent Christmas wishes down from space this week in preparation for the worldwide holiday. On Tuesday (Dec. 20), NASA shared a video in which three of the six crewmembers aboard the station talked about what the holiday means to them and what's on the dinner menu, of course. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet rocks a classic Santa hat in the video. In that weightless environment, though, his hat takes on the pointy shape of one you'd find on an elf or a lawn gnome. At least it didn't float away from his head. Kudos to Pesquet for sporting his Christmas spirit! See more Pesquet talked about his big family back home in France, where his grandmother would usually cook huge meals for him and his 25 cousins. "I won't be able to be there of course but I'll think of them. I'll try to give them a call and catch up as much as I can and make the most of this opportunity to look at the Earth and reflect about what Christmas means to us, to individuals, to the world in general, and I think we'll have a good time on board the ISS and share a Christmas meal together," Pesquet said. [Space Christmas: Festive Photos of Cosmic Beauty] Their meal will consist of many of the same foods Americans eat during the holidays turkey, green beans, potatoes, cornbread stuffing and fruit salad. But instead of using plates, theyll be eating out of cans and pouches. The astronauts even get to enjoy some gingerbread cookies, chocolate cake and hot cocoa for dessert. [Space Food Photos: What Astronauts Eat in Orbit] Astronauts aboard the International Space Station show off their Christmas dinner. NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson sends a package of dehydrated mashed potatoes floating in microgravity while holding packets of cider and hot cocoa. NASA astronaut and ISS commander Shane Kimbrough holds packages with turkey, fruit salad, green beans and potatoes. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet looks on in a weightless Santa hat. (Image credit: NASA) Besides the traditional American holiday fare, Pesquet has some "French delicacies" to share with his crewmates: chicken supreme with morels and ox tongue, for example. From the subtle looks on his face, American astronaut and ISS commander Shane Kimbrough seemed a bit skeptical about trying the foreign foods Pesquet discusses in the video. NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson was also in the video. "I think being on board the ISS gives us a slightly different perspective of Christmas," she said. "Obviously friends and family are important to all of us. But besides funny hats there is another very important aspect of being on [the] ISS, and thats seeing the planet as a whole, and it actually reinforces, I think, that the fact that we should live as one people and strive for peace." Email Hanneke Weitering at hweitering@space.com or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebookand Google+. Original article on Space.com. The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service. Tupolev-154 has remained a dependable carrier for the Russian military since the days of cold war. The medium range jet is now being phased out. By India Today Web Desk: The Russian Defence Ministry said that the agencies, searching for the debris of the missing plane, successfully located parts of the Tu-154 jet off Sochi coast in the Black Sea. The Russian government also informed that the body of one of the people travelling in the plane was recovered from the Black Sea, about 6 km from the shoreline. advertisement The Tu-154 plane was an important carrier for the Russian military. READ| Russian plane crash update: First body recovered from Black Sea 6 km off Sochi coast Here is all you should know about Tu-154: Known as the Russian workhorse, the full name of Tu-154 is Tupolev-154. Tupolev-154 was considered the backbone of Russian airlines for decades since Soviet days. Tupolev-154 was designed during the cold war years in 1960s. Tu-154 was put into the Russian military service in 1972. As it remained an important carrier, Tu-154 was modernised in 1985, when new engines and equipment were used to upgrade it. Tupolev-154 is powered by three engines making it highly efficient in carrying loads and people. Tu-154 is a narrow-bodied jet aircraft of medium range. Russian military has been phasing out Tu-154 since 2000. At present, only 50 Tu-154 planes are in service. The Black Sea tragedy was not the first time, when a Tu-154 plane met with an unfortunate end. As many as 39 Tu-154 planes had crashed before Sunday's mishap. A BBC report says that a Tu-154 plane crashed at Smolensk in western Russia in April, 2010 killing 96 people onboard, including the Polish President Lech Kaczynski. --- ENDS --- Shaheed El-Hafed, Dec 25, 2016 (SPS) - The Saharawi community in Mauritania, including the martyr Ali Mayaras sector, organized Saturday a platform to express support and solidarity with the Saharawi political prisoners of Gdeim Izik who are due to appear Monday before a Moroccan court. "This initiative is part of the international campaign to support Sahrawi political prisoners and call for their immediate and unconditional release," according to a press statement. The Saharawi community also condemned the trial of these political prisoners, launching an appeal "urging all international human rights organizations to exert pressure against Morocco for the immediate release of Saharawi political prisoners. It also called on the United Nations to set up a UN mechanism for the protection of human rights in the occupied part of Western Sahara. (SPS) 062/090/TRA Lima (Peru), 24 Dec 2016 (SPS) - The Peruvian Council for Solidarity with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (COPERASD) called for the release of political prisoners from the group of Gdeim Izik and all Saharawi political prisoners in the Moroccan prisons. Before the trial of the Saharawi prisoners, the group of Gdeim Izik, COPERASD calls in a communique for "the release of the Saharawi political prisoners", urging the international community to denounce "the genocidal policy of the Kingdom of Morocco against the Saharawi population. "The trial lacks guarantees and it is automatically void, as has been pointed out by the international organizations," it said, adding that "the defense of the Sahrawis is hampered". "The feudal kingdom of Morocco has expelled international jurists and denied access to international observers to this trial," added the Peruvian Council, calling Morocco "the greatest transgressor of human rights in the world." "Therefore, we demand the release of all Saharawi political prisoners and call on the United Nations to stop the extermination of the Sahrawis," the Council said, urging the international community to organize the referendum on the self-determination of the Saharawi people ". (SPS) 062/090/TRA This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD Danny Fishman has visited all of Harbor Points apartment buildings and all of its restaurants, bars, pharmacies and grocery stores. Since last summer, Fishman and his colleagues at the Manhattan-based Gaia Real Estate have established a constant presence in the mixed-use development in the citys South End. Those trips have produced one of the biggest real estate deals in the citys history as the firm acquired five Harbor Point apartment buildings for approximately $395 million earlier this month. Gaias acquisition recognized the transformation in recent years of the South End and showed that a growing number of investors view Stamford as an emerging city with significant growth potential. We think of Stamford as part of the greater New York metropolitan area; we look at it almost like Brooklyn, Fishman, a Gaia managing partner and co-founder, said in an interview last week at the companys midtown Manhattan headquarters. The mix of Harbor Points potential, the urban feeling and proximity to work and New York City make it a unique place. Coming to Stamford Gaia and four institutional partners three Israeli firms and a French retirement fund acquired the properties from Stamford-based developer Building and Land Technology and the Lubert-Adler Real Estate Funds. The portfolio includes The Key at Yale & Towne, Vault Apartments, The Lofts at Yale & Towne, 111 Harbor Point and Postmark Apartments. Together, they house about 1,200 units. The sale ranked as the largest in the city since a group of buildings at Landmark Square in downtown Stamford sold in 2007. For Gaia, the purchase represents its second largest since its 2009 founding. Fishman and his colleagues had tracked Stamfords growth for years, but they began to seriously contemplate in the summer making their first move in the city. As he and his colleagues got to know Stamford, Fishman said he noticed a gap between the citys reputation and their experience on the ground. The perception is a little bit old-school, like of an aristocratic place, Wall Street, Fishman said. In reality, you find a place that is very vibrant, urban and cool, with young professionals and restaurants and bars and parks full of people and kids and pets. I ate at least once in every restaurant and had a drink at least once in every bar in Harbor Point. Since BLT began construction in 2009, a once-industrial section of the citys waterfront has transformed into an approximately 100-acre development; Harbor Point now houses some 2,360 apartments, with another 2,400 planned. Secondary-market cities like Stamford appeal to real estate investors looking for a faster return than they would receive in core markets like New York City, said David Eyzenberg, founder and managing partner of Eyzenberg & Co., a Manhattan real estate investment bank, and an adjunct professor in New York Universitys Stern School of Business. Investors see more volatility in secondary markets and require higher current returns for properties in those areas, he said. An acquisition in New York City could earn 15 percent to 20 percent of its return from cash flow and the balance after a capital event, such as a sale or refinancing, according to Eyzenberg. Fishman said he expects Gaias Harbor Point buildings to generate 50 percent of their return from cash flow. You are effectively getting a substantial return faster, as the New York deal requires you to wait until the very end to make the substantial portion of your profit, Eyzenberg said in an email. Forged in recession Fishman, 50, was born in Jerusalem. He has worked almost 25 years in fund management, real estate and related fields. Since 2009, Gaia has invested more than $2.5 billion, with its portfolio including some 18,000 apartments and approximately 575,000 square feet of office space. The firms name refers to the Greek goddess of Earth. The company started out in the recession buying up New York City condo properties at deeply discounted rates, working with developers who needed the business to meet sales thresholds to open their new buildings. We saw an opportunity to buy, Fishman said. We were not afraid that it was the end of the world, as people thought in 2009. In retrospect, we should have bought everything we saw in 2009. Looking ahead While praising BLTs work in Harbor Point, Fishman said Gaia wants to improve its new buildings amenities. The firm is considering features such as co-working areas, yoga and Pilates studios, pet spas and bicycle stations. Gaia will employ about 30 in Stamford to manage the Harbor Point properties, Fishman said. We want to make it more of a community, Fishman said. There are amenities we just need to utilize them and make them more functional and provide services and things to make it more urban feeling and provide what this demographic wants. Rents would not go up, Fishman said. The Harbor Point buildings represents a long-term investment, and the firm would also consider buying other Harbor Point apartment buildings and residential properties elsewhere in Stamford, he said. I was very much impressed by them, said Stamford Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jack Condlin, who met last week with Gaia executives. They very quickly convinced me theyre here for the long term. Theyre going to increase the value of their buildings. I see them as buying a lot of property here. Citing the emergence in recent years of the Silicon Alley technology sector in New York City, Fishman said that he sees similar potential in Stamford. If startups have offices in Stamford, a lot of the employees will want to live in Stamford, and they will live in Harbor Point or downtown, Fishman said. New industries are coming. I dont see any reason why Stamford wont be part of all these things. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate J: What is your name? P: Pauline Lapointe. J: And how old are you? P: I'm 42. J: And you live here in Greenwich? P: Yes. J: And this is your dog and your children? P: Yes this is a Bernese Mountain Dog, he's 4 months. This is Tristan, hes 4 . . . Tristan: And this is my little brother! P: . . .and Benjamin is 8 weeks. Tristan: He's a cutie patootie! J: And what is your dogs name? P: Bentley. J: Have you guys lived here for long? P: Ive lived in the United States for 11 years. I'm Dutch and my husband is American. He grew up in New Hampshire. J: How did you meet him? P: In Manhattan. I was working there. J: So you guys are just taking a walk today? P: Yeah, we are doing some Christmas shopping. We are not really succeeding at the moment. We are going to get some nice shoes for my husband. J: Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? P: Yeah, we will celebrate the night before Christmas at our house, and then we will go to our family in upstate Connecticut. Everybody comes there for a big Christmas dinner. J: I bet you guys are very excited! P: No special plans, but a traditional Christmas dinner. J: And anything for New Years? P: You know, I just had a newborn. Normally, I would do something more exciting like stay in the city, but with him I have to take it easy a little. So I think we will spend it with friends. J: Maybe you can watch the ball drop on television. P: Yeah, I would do that and go see it in the city, but waiting for hours in the cold, I'm not going to do that again! J: Yes it is very cold. How about one more question? P: Sure J: What brought you to the United States? P: I used to work for a European software company and they asked me to start a U.S. operation in Manhattan. It was supposed to be a three-year project, and then you know, we sold the company and I met my husband. We figured, so, well, we have a child here, certainly our child is American, too. Its not so easy to go back to Europe. But we go travel to Europe twice a year and my family comes to visit twice a year. I see them more than an average American sees their family after college. J: Oh that's lovely. P: Yeah. J: Well thank you so much. Enjoy your Christmas! I hope you get everything you asked for. Montana lawmakers will be asked to increase funeral benefits for crime victims, raising the compensation for the first time in more than 20 years. The family of a victim killed during the course of a crime is entitled to state money for the cost of the funeral. Compensation is capped at $3,500, but legislation drafted by the 15-member Commission on Sentencing would increase the amount to $7,000. Funeral expenses vary between different funeral homes and in cases where a tribal member was killed, tribal governments will sometimes give families money to cover the costs, said Matthew Dale, director of the Office of Consumer Protection and Victim Services. The $3,500 covers the cost of cremation, but not much more, Dale said. Dale, who also sits on the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, said the board made a recommendation to the Legislature in 2015 to increase the compensation amount. In 2013, the Montana Crime Victims Compensation Fund received 51 homicide-related claims. The fund paid $78,364 in funeral costs, according to the 2013 Montana Statewide Compensation Report. In 2014, the compensation fund paid $37,810 in funeral expenses for 15 victims. In 2015, the fund paid $94,407 to 44 victims, Dale said. Compensation for funeral expenses is not a lot of money from the state budget but can have a huge effect on the victim's families, said Sen. Cynthia Wolken, D-Missoula, chairwoman of the Commission on Sentencing. The commission found the compensation amount for funeral expenses wasn't keeping pace with increasing costs. Coming up with the money to bury a loved one should be the last thing a family has to worry about after a homicide, Wolken said. The bill would also extend the time a victim can apply for compensation from one year to two, fund clean-up costs of crime scenes and offset relocation costs. While studying how to better help crime victims, the commission heard from one family who had a mattress taken and a carpet torn up after a sexual assault in their home, Wolken said. The family couldn't afford the cost of replacing some items ruined during the investigation. Relocation funds will take some of the burden off the families who leave their homes after a crime. Domestic violence victims may want to move out-of-state or to a new home after reporting a crime to police, Wolken said. Montana voters made it clear with the passage of Marsy's Law that they want to improve the lives of victims and increase resources to help them, Wolken said. The crime victim's fund was established as a payer of last resort, meaning neither personal funds nor insurance can cover the cost of the claim. The Commission on Sentencing and the Law and Justice Interim Committee have drafted 19 bills they hope to introduce during the 2017 session. A Russian military plane carrying 92 people has crashed into the Black Sea. Here are other aircraft which disappeared in 2016. By India Today Web Desk: The tragic disappearance of Malaysia airlines flight MH370 shook the entire world. More than 239 passengers and crew vanished without trace on March 8 2014 and even after several search operations, the debris could not be found. A similar incident has taken place today. A Russian military plane carrying 92 people has crashed into the Black Sea. In fact, the plane had disappeared from the radar two minutes after taking off from the resort of Sochi. advertisement Also read: All you want to know about Russian military plane Tu-154 that crashed in Black Sea The Russian agencies have found the debris of the plane in the Black Sea, however only one body has been retrieved and rest of the remaining 91 people including eight crew members are feared dead. Russian defence ministry said that the Tu-154 was carrying soldiers, 64 members of the famed Alexandrov military music ensemble and nine reporters and was flying to Latakia, Syria. This is not the first time in 2016 that a plane went missing. Here are the others which disappeared: - Egyptair flight MS804 On May 18,2016 an Airbus A320 while flying at 37,000 feet disappeared from radar screens about 150 miles north of the Egyptian coast. A total of 66 people including seven crew and three Egyptian security officials were on board. After a search operation, Greek authorities found "floating material" likely to be a debris from the EgyptAir plane that crashed over the Mediterranean. Later on, the Egyptian accident investigators found one of the "black boxes" from flight MS804 but all the 66 lives were lost. Also read: Greek authorities find crashed EgyptAir plane debris: Egyptian civil aviation ministry - Indian Air Force AN-32 A massive search operation was launched after Indian Air Force AN-32 went missing with 29 people onboard. Also read: No trace of missing IAF AN-32, search continues The aircraft en route to Port Blair from Chennai went missing over the Bay of Bengal and the place carried 11 people from the Air Force, two from the Army, nine from the Navy, one person from Coast Guard and eight defence civilians of the Naval Armament Depot from Vishakhapatnam. The plane took off from Chennai's Tambaram aircraft and was scheduled to land at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar islands. Also read: All 29 feared dead as IAF AN-32 goes missing over Bay of Bengal, massive search on The AN-32 transport aircraft was inducted into the IAF between 1984 and 1991. As the AN-32 lacks features which come along with modern aircraft, there is no device on the aircraft which can emit such acoustic signals. advertisement Also read: Why missing IAF aircraft AN-32 had little chance of being found in case of crash Last year in June, a Dornier plane had vanished from the radar screen and for 33 days no debris was found. The three-member crew on board did not give a distress call and after many days a submarine searching underwater picked up transmissions. --- ENDS --- A n ex-Centrepoint resident and former homeless person has thanked Evening Standard readers for their generous support of our homeless campaign in a special Christmas message. In an alternative Queens speech-style video Tori Taiwo hailed the Young and Homeless Helpline being launched by the charity as the lifeline so many young people have been searching for. Thank you so much for joining me on Christmas Day and sharing a thought for the 25,000 people young people facing homelessness this Christmas, she says. Not too long ago I was one of those young people too. Due to a breakdown in relationship with my family I was forced to leave the place I call home twice. Christmas message: Tori recorded the message in her new home For months I went from sofa surfing to staying in places that were unsafe before being referred to Centrepoint where I got my own flat and support from staff. Although being in Centrepoint was a safe place, Christmas was a difficult time for me because I spent it completely alone. Tori spent her first Christmas away from home alone, eating microwaved rice. She describes it as the worst Christmas of my life. But with her stay at Centrepoint came counselling, workshops in wellbeing and money management and guidance. Homeless helpline: Tori is now a photographer and fashion dress maker Now she works as a photographer in a job she loves and will be spending Christmas with her family. Speaking about the homeless helpline campaign, she said: This year, homeless young people have been given a voice over the festive period through this Christmas appeal. Your kind donations are helping us to launch the first national helpline specifically for homeless young people. So thank you so much. This will dramatically change the lives of thee facing homelessness by directly connecting them to support in their local area. Centrepoint helpline pkg It will be the lifeline that so many young people have been searching for. The homeless helpline appeal was launched less than two months ago and has raised more than 2million. When launched in February the helpline will let young people aged between 16 and 25 who face homelessness or are already sleeping rough gain the help they need when they need it. Money raised in the campaign will not just help fund the service for three years but also pay for accommodation and the counselling and workshops Tori was helped by. Centrepoint helpline: Poppy's story In Britain 150,000 young people face homelessness each year and Christmas is a particularly hard time to spend it alone, especially not having a place to call home, she said. So today while you are at home with your family, friends and loved ones - opening your Christmas presents and eating your Christmas dinner - please share a thought and a few pounds to support the Young and Homeless appeal this Christmas. Your donations will stop a young person ending up on the streets and spending yet another Christmas alone. Once again thank you for all your support and Merry Christmas to you and yours. A man was rushed to hospital after being stabbed on Christmas Day in north-east London. Police were called to Upper Clapton Road, Clapton, at around 1.25pm amid reports of a stabbing. They found a man, thought to be in his 20s, suffering from stab injuries near the junction with Mount Pleasant. He was taken to an east London hospital by ambulance where he remains. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. Clapton: Police were called to the scene at around 1.25pm / @shomrim Police cordoned off the scene and pictures taken by neighbourhood watch group the Shomrim appeared to show some clothes strewn across the floor. There have not been any arrests. Officers from Hackney are investigating. Victim: the man remains in hospital with non life-threatening injuries / @shomrim A Met police spokesman said: Police were called at approximately 13:25hrs on Sunday, 25 December to reports of a man stabbed in Upper Clapton Road, near the junction with Mount Pleasant Lane, E5. Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man, believed aged in his 20s, suffering stab injuries. He was taken to an east London hospital for treatment - he remains there. His injuries are not life threatening. I n the year that brought us President Trump, Brexit and Mrs Mays faux leather trousers, 2016 has not been lacking in news. But with Londons eclectic mix of residents and events it has not all been doom, gloom and politics. In an ode to the stranger part of the city, the Standard has collected some of the best quirky stories from the capital and beyond this year. It includes raving pensioners, waving man-size rabbits and a fried chicken obsessive. Chicken Connoisseur Chicken fan: The Connoisseur unveils another review / @4wings_please A north London chicken fan became an internet sensation after videos of him reviewing fast food restaurants went viral. Elijah Quashie, also known as The Chicken Connoisseur, attracted millions of hits with his series of hilarious YouTube videos documenting visits to fried chicken shops in search of the pengest munch. Chicken fan: He travels around the city reviewing fast food restaurants Describing himself as "a food critic for mandem who care to know what the finest chicken restaurants in London are and where to find them he travels the city sampling a standard meal of wings, a burger and chips. With a passion for BBQ sauce and "creps" - slang for trainers - his blunt and entertaining critiques have totted up millions of views. When the Connoisseur, a former shoe-shop worker who claims to have a collection of 40 pairs of rare trainers, is a fan of a particular item, he brands it "peng" - a slang word for great. But Chick King in Tottenham was one of the shops to experience the harsher side of his reviews when it did not have his choice condiment. Man didn't even have burger sauce, he said. How can I respect you?" "The Hotspurs aren't the only mediocre disappointment in Tottenham. "The highly spoken of Chick King really wasn't saying much. Been gassed up for years so my expectations were high and the delivery was lacking all kinds of flavour." And he published a particularly scathing review of a restaurant in Edgware Road where he described the service as "shambolic". "I asked man for BBQ sauce," he said. "He was like yeh how much do you want? I asked for three, he said I'll give you one. Wagwan? Mr Quashie said he decided to start the reviews after watching Gregg Wallace, who he described as the bald one on Masterchef, judging a plate of food. He said: I wondered to myself, what makes his opinion more valued than anyone elses? "Is it because hes been eating more food, so he has an experienced palate? Im not sure. I thought, no one is doing this for the type of people who eat at chicken shops. White rabbit man Mysterious: The white rabbit of Barnes / Philippe Vallade Commuters began reporting sightings of a mysterious white rabbit appearing in Barnes on the first day of each month. The somewhat sinister-looking "animal" was seen in an array of costumes, including a multi-coloured waistcoat and a burkini. Mysterious white rabbit appears in Barnes on first day of every month And terrifying images showed the huge rabbit perched on the wall on misty autumnal mornings in London. But the story behind the rabbit was much less ominous it turned out to be a man who just wanted to make people feel good. Performance artist Spike Mclarrity told the Standard: Im just a bloke wearing a costume, thats the reality of it, but its what it does to people. "They see me and their consciousness shifts. Is that a rabbit I just saw on the wall? Celebrity chums: The white rabbit with Boris Johnson / Spike Mclarrity Then that becomes a story for the day. Theyll say youll never believe what I saw today. Thats one of the things I enjoy. From Boaty McBoatface to Trainy McTrainface Boaty McBoatface will have a more sensible moniker More than 120,000 people voted to name a new 200 million research ship Boaty McBoatface after a former BBC presenter suggested it as a joke name. James Hand suggested the idea after the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) website opened a public poll to pick a name for the ship. TODO: define component type brightcove Inspirational names such as historical figures or landmarks were requested but the public backed Boaty McBoatface with 124,109 votes. And, to the delight of commuters, a South West Trains guard renamed a London Waterloo bound train Trainy McTrainface in a nod to the saga. Joke: Passenger Matthew Fifield took a picture of Trainy McTrainface as he boarded in Haslemere / Matthew Fifield Eventully, following an Evening Standard campaign, the ship was named after BBC veteran Sir David Attenborough. But organisers agreed to honour the public vote and name an underwater sea vessel stored on the ship Boaty McBoatface. Clingy fox New friend: The fox is filmed falling asleep on the man's knee Most Londoners are used to overly confident foxes trotting along the citys streets but 23-year-old Henry Hoffman encountered a particularly friendly one on his way home one night. The barman spotted two women cowering from the fox in the street outside Hampton Wick station as he made his way home from a night out. He went to shoo the fox but, rather than scaring the animal away, he instead made a new best friend. Undeterred, the fox took a liking to Mr Hoffman and obediently followed him home. He told the Standard: I was just walking home from the station and I saw these girls cowering at what I thought was a dog. They looked scared. I ran over to try to shoo it away and realised it was a fox. Then we became great friends. In footage filmed by Mr Hoffman, the fox is seen sinking its teeth into his bag and refusing to let go. The video then cuts to the animal appearing to go sleep on his knee as he pets its head. Mr Hoffman is heard saying: I love you but you have to let me go home. Youre too needy. The Polish pensioners who danced the night away in Fabric Clubber: DJ Jacob Hansen with the elderly couple / Jacob Hansen When Fabric DJ Jacob Hansen spotted a couple in their late 70s at the house and techno party WetYourSelf he thought they were lost. But it turned out that retired engineer Wadysaw Nykiel, 82, and his wife Stanisawa Zapasnik, 79, a former bank worker from Warsaw, had been visiting their daughter in Hackney and had decided to visit after reading a review in a Polish newspaper. They arrived when the club opened at 10pm and danced all night, leaving at 5am - an experience they later described as a "dream come true". Supporter: 82-year-old Wadysaw Nykiel who partied until dawn at Fabric with his wife, backs the campaign to save the club. / Jacob Husley. Mr Hansen, who goes by his DJ name Jacob Husley, told the Standard he gave the couple two tequila shots and a cup of tea on the house before they joined the crowds on the dancefloor. He said: "They were really sweet, they were on the balcony with their hands together ballroom dancing." "They were really happy, they loved the crowd, it was really, really great," he said. "In 10 years of doing this every Sunday it's the best experience I've had - it's just amazing. Cats on the Tube Barriers: Every advert was replaced with the cat pictures. / Glimpse. A group of cat lovers raised thousands of pounds just so they could replace all the adverts in Clapham Common Tube station with pictures of cats. The group called the Citizens Advertising Takeover Service, or CATS for short - said they want to give passengers a break from the constant advertising on the underground. So they raised 23,000 in order to remove them all and instead displayed pictures of cats most of whom were looking for a home. Cats at Clapham Common London Underground 1 /8 Cats at Clapham Common London Underground A passenger passes some of over 60 adverts in Clapham Common underground station, London Dominic Lipinski/PA A passenger passes some of over 60 adverts in Clapham Common underground station, London Dominic Lipinski/PA A passenger passes some of over 60 adverts in Clapham Common underground station, London Dominic Lipinski/PA A passenger passes some of over 60 adverts in Clapham Common underground station, London Dominic Lipinski/PA A passenger passes some of over 60 adverts in Clapham Common underground station, London Dominic Lipinski/PA A passenger passes some of over 60 adverts in Clapham Common underground station, London Dominic Lipinski/PA Commuters travelling through the station were able to enjoy big pictures of the feline faces staring back from 68 posters. One of the posters shows cats sent in by members of the public, who each donated 100 to make their pet famous. Cat owner, Randy Cepuch, even flew in from the United States to see his pets face in lights. Cat pictures take over Clapham Common station adverts He said: Instead of asking you to buy something, were asking you to think about whats really valuable in your life. It might not be cats, but its probably something you cant find in the shops. The scheme has now been picked up by copycat groups around the world. Tube chat badges Stop talking: Londoners condemned the tube chat scheme / Tube Chat Jonathan Dunne was vilified by Londoners after handing out badges at stations around London in a bid to encourage people to strike up conversations on their commutes. The badges were designed to look like the Baby on Board badges but instead read Tube Chat. Shut up: Badge created for Londoners who don't want to Tube Chat / @shutuptubechat They were accompanied by a card saying: Have a chat with your fellow travellers. Wear this badge to let others know youre interested. Youll benefit from a daily chat. But Mr Dunnes invention did not spark a positive reaction from most Londoners who took to social media to lambast him for encouraging people to break the "golden rule" of silence. The 42-year-old told the Standard: "London is so isolated and lonely. "My wife and I both come from small towns in America and locally we know everyone. "If you go to the supermarket there you know everyone at least by their face, but as soon as you walk out of the door in London you're isolated." In typical London style, people took to social media in waves with their alternative versions of the badges. Some kept the message simple, with just no, f**** off or, the slightly more polite alternative, dont even think about speaking to me. Others were a little more creative with their ideas, with one reading wake me up if a dog gets on. P ope Francis urged Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus by thinking about the plight of today's children, bemoaning how some must escape bombs or flee in migrant boats and how others are prevented from being born at all. Francis celebrated a sombre Christmas Eve Mass in a packed St Peter's Basilica, processing to the altar behind cardinals draped in golden vestments as the Sistine Chapel choir sang Gloria and the church bells rang out across Rome. Francis has spent much of the year denouncing the Islamic extremist violence that has driven Christians from Middle East communities that date to the time of Christ. He has also demanded Europe in particular do more to welcome refugees, saying Jesus himself was a migrant who deserved more than being born in a manger. And he has called out the wasteful ways of the wealthy when children and the poor die of hunger every day. In his homily, Francis urged his flock to reflect on how children today are not always allowed to lie peacefully in a cot, loved by their parents as Jesus was, but rather "suffer the squalid mangers that devour dignity". Among the indignities, he said, are "hiding underground to escape bombardment, on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat overladen with immigrants". "Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons," he added. The Mass late on Saturday was the first major event of the Christmas season, followed by Francis' noon Urbi et Orbi (To the city and the world) blessing on Christmas Day. In another appeal, Francis called for the faithful to not get caught up in the commercialisation of Christmas - "when we are concerned for gifts but cold toward those who are marginalised". Materialism has "taken us hostage this Christmas", he said. "We have to free ourselves of it!" Additional reporting by the Press Association A Russian plane that went missing after it took-off from Sochi, crashed into the Black Sea. The Russian agencies have found the debris of the military plane. Russian Emergencies Ministry members work at a quay of the Black Sea near the crash site of Russian military Tu-154 plane, in the Sochi suburb of Khosta, Russia (Pic: Reuters) By India Today Web Desk: Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered probe into the crash of a Syria-bound military plane. In a statement, Kremlin said, "Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to form and head a state commission to investigative the crash of the Tu-154 plane in Sochi." Putin expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and friends of the victims. advertisement Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry plane Tu-154 crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday morning. READ| All you want to know about Russian military plane Tu-154 SEARCH OPERATION The Russian agencies have found the debris of the plane in the Black Sea. All the 92 people including eight crew members are feared dead as there was no sign of any survivor. Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov confirmed recovery of four bodies from Tu-154 crash site off Sochi coast. The first body was recovered about six kilometres from the shore. Search operation in the Black Sea. (Photo: @SputnikInt) The Russian Defence Ministry said that the debris of the plane flew apart along the coast. The debris was spotted about 1.5 kilometer from the coast at depths of 50 to 100 meters. According to Russina media reports, four vessels, four helicopters, a plane and a few UAVs have been pressed into the search operation. Six ships and vessels of the Black Sea fleet, remotely operated deep submergence vehicles, and 63 divers have been deployed, Russia TV reported. HOW IT HAPPENED The Tu-154 plane carrying 92 people had disappeared from radar after it took-off from Sochi. Russian air traffic controllers had lost contact with Tu-154 plane 20 minutes it took-off from Sochi. The Tu-154 was still maneuvering in Russian airspace over the Black Sea, when it disappeared. The plane departed at 5:20 am local time (7:40 am IST) and failed to check in with the tower at 5:40 am (8 am IST), Russian officials were quoted as saying in local media reports. However, some other reports said that the plane went off radar just two minutes after the take off from Sochi airport. Search operation in the Black Sea. (Photo: @SputnikInt) WHO WERE ONBOARD The missing plane had 84 passengers onboard and eight crew members. The plane was flying to Syria's Latakia province. The Russian Defence Ministry said that among the passengers aboard were nine journalists and more than 60 musicians of Alexandrov Ensemble. advertisement The Alexandrov Ensemble is an official army choir of the Russian armed forces. The journalists and the musicians were due to take part in a New Year's concert at Russian airbase in Syria. Watch: Russian agencies find debris of missing military plane Tu-154 --- ENDS --- F or its opening few minutes, the Call the Midwife Christmas special offers a picture-perfect winter scene. There are flurries of snow, a visit from Santa, and a Christmas tree in the corner. But it doesnt take long before the nuns of Nonnatus House venture off to sunnier climes the plains of South Africa. Its 1962, and a mission hospital in the Eastern Cape is in dire need of some helping hands. Cue Sister Julienne, Trixie, Barbara and more heading off to try and make things right. BBC/Neal Street/Coco Van Oppens This 90-minute festive episode offers a brilliantly conceived change of scenery for the show and what scenery it is. The special was shot on location near Cape Town, among stunning mountains, and desert plains. The sweltering heat is palpable and considering the December chill, you might find yourself wishing for summer. One thing Call the Midwife has done expertly in the past is exploring social issues Series 5 especially as the timeline moved into the Sixties and the Christmas episode is no different, with the characters encountering South Africa in the grip of Apartheid. Call the Midwife - Christmas Special 2016- Trailer - BBC One But it's not all serious stuff. There are moments of fish-out-of-water comedy too goats in the road, Trixie trying to stop her make-up from melting off, and rogue spiders that make for a warm watch. Best of all, the show will be back for a full eight-episode series in 2017 and its heading into interesting territory again. According to show creator Heidi Thomas, the Nonnatus House crew will be facing the beacon of the pill, the shadow of the Kray twins, the lure of independence and the call to duty when it returns for good. BBC One, Christmas Day, 8pm I ts been a whole year since Doctor Who fans received a new episode of the classic long-running BBC sci-fi show. In a year with no full series, fans have been left to hold out hope for this years Christmas special titled The Return of Doctor Mysterio. With some familiar faces returning, and an significant new one expected to make an appearance, here are five things you need to know. 1) Its a superhero story The Doctor has always been somewhat of a super hero but the latest special is having a more literal go at the trope in the full tights-and-a-costume sense. Enter The Ghost a super-powered vigilante who flies around and says things like duty calls! as he zooms off. Of course, this being Doctor Who theres going to be some kind of twist. Is he an alien? Is he even real? 2) Its set in New York but it wasnt filmed there The Doctor occasionally heads for adventures in the Big Apple (Daleks in Manhattan, The Angels Take Manhattan), and hes back again for Doctor Mysterio. The episode was actually filmed in a backlot studio in Bulgaria, though. It looks like the Christopher Reeve version of Superman and we have to matte proper New York onto the skyline, Steven Moffat told the Radio Times. I think well deliver a terrific New York. Doctor Who Christmas special: The Return Of Doctor Mysterio - BBC Trailer 3) The Doctor has two companions Jenna Coleman left her role as Clara Oswald at the end of Series 9 to join ITVs smash hit Victoria but The Doctor wont be lonely this Christmas. Christmas TV Highlights 2016 - in pictures 1 /12 Christmas TV Highlights 2016 - in pictures The Great British Bake Off Paul Hollywood, Sue Perkins, Mary Berry and Mel Giedroyc on The Great Christmas Bake Off, featuring a selection of bakers from previous series, which will be the final show on the BBC before it moves to Channel 4 BBC Doctor Who Charity Wakefield as Lucy, Peter Capaldi as Doctor Who and Matt Lucas as Nardole in the Doctor Who Christmas special, The Return Of Doctor Mysterio BBC Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes the Magic Fairy (voiced by Dominic West) and Cindy (voiced by Bel Rowley) in an adaptation of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes, taking on the classic fairytales of Cinderella, Jack And The Beanstalk, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs and "serving them with a mischievous twist" BBC Maigret Rowan Atkinson as Maigret on ITV over the festive season Colin Hutton/ITV Grantchester James Norton as Sidney Chambers and Robson Green as Geordie Keating in Grantchester Christmas Special ITV Mrs Brown's Boys Brendan O'Carroll as Mrs Brown in the Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas and New Year Special 2016 BBC Ethel and Ernest Ethel And Ernest, an adaption of a graphic novel by Raymond Briggs, as the BBC has unveiled its Christmas highlights BBC Outnumbered The cast of Outnumbered is all grown up in their 2016 Christmas Special Colin Hutton/Hat Trick/BBC The Last Tango in Halifax Nicola Walker as Gillian, Anne Reid as Celia, Derek Jacobi as Alan and Sarah Lancashire as Caroline in the Last Tango in Halifax Christmas Special BBC He has two companions this time. Matt Lucas is returning as Nardole, who first appeared in last years Christmas special The Husbands of River Song, while Charity Wakefield stars as undercover reporter Lucy Fletcher. 4) Its not very Christmassy Think of this as a Doctor Who special that happens to be airing at Christmas, rather than a Christmas episode of Doctor Who. LEGO Doctor Who 1 /9 LEGO Doctor Who LEGO Doctor Who The first set to be available LEGO The TARDIS The Doctor's ship is the centre of the kit LEGO The Twelfth Doctor The current Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi LEGO Clara Oswald The current companion, played by Jenna Coleman LEGO Daleks The legendary villains LEGO Weeping Angel Monsters who can only move when you're not looking at them LEGO The TARDIS The classic blue Police Box exterior LEGO Its got virtually no Christmas in it at all apart from the very first scene which has one solitary Christmas tree and the Doctor goes, 'Ho, ho, ho,' and thats it, Moffatt says. We ignore Christmas for the rest of it. Bah humbug. 5) There might be an appearance from Bill While The Return of Doctor Mysterio is set to be a standalone adventure, we wouldnt be surprised to get a glimpse of new permanent companion Bill. The character was unveiled when actor Pearl Mackie was cast as Jenna Colemans successor, and shell be joining Series 10 when it airs in 2017. BBC One, 5.45pm I f the BBCs line up of Call the Midwife and EastEnders isnt your idea of top Christmas viewing, ITV have something different in store. Fans of detective shows should tune in to Maigrets Dead Man a feature-length period mystery that will keep you awake even if youre stuffed full of Christmas turkey. Heres what you need to know. Rowan Atkinson is back Many actors have portrayed Jules Maigret over the years the most famous being Michael Gambon back in the early Nineties. This is Rowan Atkinsons second time in the bowler hat, having made his debut earlier this year in Maigret Sets A Trap. Also starring in Maigrets Dead Man are Lucy Cohu as Madame Maigret, Shaun Dingwall as Inspector Janvier, and Mark Heap as Doctor Moers. It was filmed in Budapest The Parisian setting might look convincing but the series didnt actually shoot there for the most part. Instead, Maigret was filmed in Budapest, Hungary. Recreating Paris in the Fifties requires special effects irrespective of where you shoot, but strangely enough, less so in Budapest, where many places are architecturally very similar to Paris, and which is also much less expensive, says Exectuive Producer John Simenon. Maigret's Dead Man - Christmas Day 9pm Its based on Georges Simenons novel of the same name Belgian author Georges Simenon wrote 76 Maigret novels over the years, and Maigrets Dead Man is the 29th book in the series. It was first published in 1948 under its original French name Maigret et Son Mort. The plot sees Maigret receive death threats from anonymous callers, while trying to find the culprits behind several attacks on farm-owning wealthy families. Christmas TV Highlights 2016 - in pictures 1 /12 Christmas TV Highlights 2016 - in pictures The Great British Bake Off Paul Hollywood, Sue Perkins, Mary Berry and Mel Giedroyc on The Great Christmas Bake Off, featuring a selection of bakers from previous series, which will be the final show on the BBC before it moves to Channel 4 BBC Doctor Who Charity Wakefield as Lucy, Peter Capaldi as Doctor Who and Matt Lucas as Nardole in the Doctor Who Christmas special, The Return Of Doctor Mysterio BBC Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes the Magic Fairy (voiced by Dominic West) and Cindy (voiced by Bel Rowley) in an adaptation of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes, taking on the classic fairytales of Cinderella, Jack And The Beanstalk, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs and "serving them with a mischievous twist" BBC Maigret Rowan Atkinson as Maigret on ITV over the festive season Colin Hutton/ITV Grantchester James Norton as Sidney Chambers and Robson Green as Geordie Keating in Grantchester Christmas Special ITV Mrs Brown's Boys Brendan O'Carroll as Mrs Brown in the Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas and New Year Special 2016 BBC Ethel and Ernest Ethel And Ernest, an adaption of a graphic novel by Raymond Briggs, as the BBC has unveiled its Christmas highlights BBC Outnumbered The cast of Outnumbered is all grown up in their 2016 Christmas Special Colin Hutton/Hat Trick/BBC The Last Tango in Halifax Nicola Walker as Gillian, Anne Reid as Celia, Derek Jacobi as Alan and Sarah Lancashire as Caroline in the Last Tango in Halifax Christmas Special BBC Theres more Maigret on the way If you enjoy Atkinsons take on Maigret, theres good news ITV are working on two more adaptations for 2017. First up will be Night at the Crossroads, based on Simenons 1931 novel, and Maigret in Montmartre, adapted from the 1950 book. ITV, Christmas Day, 9pm Sarabjit died following an attack on him by inmates of a Lahore prison in April 2013. By PTI: Dalbir Kaur, sister of Indian soldier Sarabjit Singh who died in a Pakistan jail in 2013, joined the BJP on Sunday. "She joined the party in the presence of BJP MLA and Punjab Minister Surjit Jyani at a conference organised by the party's Kisan Morcha in Fazilka," Punjab BJP Kisan Morcha general secretary Gurwinder Singh said. When asked by reporters, Kaur confirmed that she had joined the BJP. advertisement KAUR CLOSE TO BJP SINCE 2005 Kaur had grown close to the BJP even in 2005, during her struggle to get her brother out of jail, and there were reports of her joining the party. Sarabjit died following an attack on him by inmates of a Lahore prison in April 2013. He was convicted for terrorism and spying by a Pakistani court and sentenced to death in 1991. However, the government stayed his execution for an indefinite period in 2008. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh could not attend the Kisan Morcha's conference because of inclement weather. --- ENDS --- The Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad will confer a honorary doctorate to the actor on Monday. By Ashish Pandey: Fans lovingly call him the Baadshah of Bollywood, King Khan and many other names but now Shah Rukh Khan will be called Dr Shah Rukh Khan. The prestigious Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad will confer a honorary doctorate to the actor on Monday. ALSO READ: Will Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan's cold war intensify with Netflix? advertisement ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan and Sunny Leone's Twitter conversation is oh-so-sweet Industrialist Sanjiv Saraf who is known for conducting the Jashn-e-Rekhta festival that celebrates Urdu poetry will also get a doctorate from the university. President Pranab Mukherjee will be the chief guest of the function where both the prominent personalities will get the doctorate. "Actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist" Shah Rukh Khan will be awarded the Doctor of Letters for his "outstanding services in the field of arts and culture." However, the decision has also created controversy, as Maulana Mufti Mohammed Nadeemuddin Siddiqui, spokesman of the All India Association of Imams of Masjid, criticised the university and questioned why it is giving Honoris Causa to a person belonging to the film industry and associated with dance and music. Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad has earlier also awarded an honorary doctorate to actor Aamir Khan. --- ENDS --- It didnt look like it would be a very good Christmas. My mom was in the hospital and this was back in the day when you stayed in the hospital a week or two for almost any surgery. My two brothers and I were at home with dad. We would travel in to see mom every night after school, but school was out for Christmas and mom wasnt home. The doctors and nurses did their best to get everyone home for Christmas. Everyone in the section of the hospital she was in, except her, made it home. Mom was a nursing instructor at the hospital and being the only patient in that section was a huge plus. The nurses rolled out the red carpet and gave us the use of the family room, which had a small kitchen, sofa, TV and chairs. They had put up a Christmas tree and on Christmas Day, they turned the room over to the Don Staman family. We boys didnt expect much that year. Mom was always Santa Claus. Dad would go shopping with her sometimes, but most of the time it was mom. So with Santa in the hospital, we figured it would be a lean present year. On Christmas Day, we woke up to a day like any other. Dad had already been up early to do all the chores, including ours. He hurried us to get ready and we soon headed to the hospital. When we got to moms room, she was awake and ready to celebrate. So we headed to the family room. Stepping in we were shocked. Santa had arrived in grand fashion. Dad was determined to make sure we three boys didnt have a bad Christmas, so he went all out. If the truth be told, he probably went a little, a lot, overboard. There around the Christmas tree were two foosball tables, a pinball machine and more toys than any three boys, even if had we been nice, deserved. From a monetary perspective it was a great Christmas, but it would have been a great Christmas even had dad not bought us a single gift that year. Why? We were able to spend Christmas together, as a family. The gifts were nice, but being with my brothers, my mom and my dad was the best gift that year. I remember a few of the gifts. I remember there were tons of gifts that year, but what I remember more than anything is being together. This year, my mom and dad have both passed away - mom when I was in college and dad a few years ago. One brother lives in Hawaii with his wife and two kids and the other is here in town with his wife and two kids. I wont be spending Christmas with either brother this year, but I will spend it with my wife, two daughters and four of my six grandchildren. This Christmas, dont worry all that much about the presents you got for your kids or the presents you werent able to get for them. Instead, focus on some quality time with your loved ones. Let them know how much you love them by giving them the gift of you. Tyler Nichols hadnt missed a deer season since he was 6 years old. Then fate intervened. Nichols, a 2011 graduate of Millard South, was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident last summer outside of Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where he was stationed as part of the U.S. Armys 82nd Airborne Division. Needless to say, there was no deer season this fall. He would never say those days in the woods were over, but they were going to be a lot more difficult. Ive been hunting and fishing my entire life, he said. Nichols accident happened on June 19, Fathers Day. Nichols didnt remember anything until he woke up breathing with the aid of a ventilator at the UNC Medical Center-Chapel Hill, where he spent six weeks. Hed been life flighted and almost died. Doctors told him hed fractured vertebrae in his spine and would be a quadriplegic. Yet, on his first day at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, he was maneuvering around in a motorized wheelchair. Im to the point now where I can move my arms, my shoulders and Im working on getting a little bit of mobility in my hands, Nichols said. On Dec. 16, Nichols left Madonna and he and his wife, Emma, moved in with his parents. John and Kim Heineman bought a house in Elkhorn with a more open floor plan after the accident. That gives Tyler and Emma, an Omaha Marian graduate who works in the domestic abuse program at Heartland Family Service, a place to land until they figure out the rest of their lives. On Monday, Nichols life took another good turn. He was presented with a $15,000 Action Trackchair by the organization Friends in Service of Heroes. The aim of F.I.S.H, which was founded in 2013, is improving our troops quality of life one friend at a time. It basically means I can get out and enjoy the outdoors like I was able to before, Nichols said. It means I wont have to miss another deer season or go another summer without fishing or anything like that. Now I can access any place I want to go. Nichols had first seen an all-terrain wheelchair at Madonna. Instead of wheels, it has tracks similar to a tanks. Its completely camouflaged and has fishing and gun mounts as well. Its controlled by a joystick and can be tilted to maintain proper balance on uneven terrain. He talked to his new squad leader, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Horn from Fort Riley in Kansas, about possibly getting one from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. When they realized it wasnt covered, Nichols figured hed have to come up with the money on his own. Then he got a call from Horn. He told him to call a man named Paul Chapa right away. It was about a tractor. He more or less said hed heard my name come up a few times and they were going to give me a tractor, he said. I guess initially they only had enough funds to give one other veteran a trackchair. They had a caller call in to a radio station in Kansas and give a donation of $15,000 so they could get another chair for me. They picked it up Monday at the Vietnam Veterans Hall in Kansas City. It comes with a carrier that attaches to the ball hitch of a truck. Chapa, the F.I.S.H. president, spoke to the crowd at the presentation. Radio personality Rob Carson, who had helped raise the funds, also was on hand. To see it and know it was mine was a really great feeling, Nichols said. Emma, whose father Greg Wagner is a public information officer for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said things havent been easy since the accident. But she said Nichols never complains. Theyve only been married two years, but the accident has made them stronger and brought them closer together. Its made me grow up, she said. Its taught us life is precious. When he got to the hospital, he coded for two minutes. They had to bring him back. Were really thankful for him being here. No two spinal injuries are alike. So despite what those doctors said last summer, Nichols is going to keep working to improve as an outpatient at Madonna. Emma said they want to get him as far as he wants to go. This spring, that means rolling his new Action Trackchair out of his parents garage and going turkey hunting again. On Christmas Day, theyll be at home, enjoying time with family. Maybe well take his tractor out for a spin, Emma said. The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District has resumed pumping operations into Elwood Reservoir as part of efforts to utilize excess flows in the Platte River for groundwater recharge in and adjacent to Centrals irrigation service area. Central reminds people who use the lake for winter recreation that ice conditions can be affected by rising water levels. Extreme caution should be used, particularly by ice fishermen venturing onto the ice. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recommends that an angler should not venture onto a frozen lake or pond unless at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice is present. Game and Parks also suggests anglers wear a life jacket on the ice, carry picks, use a spud bar to check ice thickness and keep a long rope with them to aid in rescue if they fall through the ice. Central has agreements with Tri-Basin Natural Resources District, the State of Nebraska and the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program to divert excess flows into its canal system during the non-irrigation season for recharge to benefit groundwater levels and return flows to the river. Recharge operations were delayed this fall by a bridge and culvert construction project near the head gate of the E65 Canal, which prevented diversion of water into the canal. Also, Johnson Lakes water level which was lowered to facilitate the collection of shoreline survey data will begin rising over the next several days to normal winter operating levels. The water level was lowered about 3 feet over the past few weeks to allow access for the surveying project. After the project is completed, the lake will rise about 2 feet to its normal winter levels. Ice fishing safety tips The recent blast of arctic air grew ice on lakes and ponds and sent anglers out ice fishing. Ice fishing is one of our great winter sports. It is a fun, social activity best enjoyed with a group of friends, said Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Anglers are reminded to check the ice often as they make their way to their favorite fishing spot. A minimum of 4 inches of quality ice is recommended for fishing and at least 5 inches for snowmobiles and ATVs. Check ice thickness as you go out. Ice thickness is not uniform on any body of water, Larscheid said. Early ice offers an excellent chance for success. If fish are finicky, plan to cut a series of holes and spend 15 minutes at each hole targeting active fish. Use small baits and light line. Now that we have ice, we need to go through our mental safety check list. Go with a friend and be sure to cut some test holes to check ice thickness as you go out, Larscheid said. Safety tips: There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. New ice is usually stronger than old ice. Dont go out alone. If the worst should happen, someone would be there to call for help or to rescue. There could be pockets of thin ice or places where ice recently formed, so check ice thickness as you go out. Avoid off-colored snow or ice. It is usually a sign of weakness. The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process. Safety items in the bucket: Ice picks, about 50 feet of rope and a throwable flotation seat cushion for use in case of rescue. Paddlefish licenses on sale Try a new fishing experience this spring snagging paddlefish on the Missouri River. Paddlefish licenses in Iowa are on sale now. Visit the Iowa DNR online license system to buy a special license or call 800-367-1188. Calendar SUNDAY Christmas Day, Game and Parks offices closed MONDAY Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex open to the public, 10 a.m. 4 p.m., 402-234-2217. To Dec. 30. WEDNESDAY First segment of light goose hunting regular season closes THURSDAY First Steps Pistol Class, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 5 8 p.m., 402-471-6141 SATURDAY Archery antelope hunting season closes Archery, Mule Deer Conservation Area and Statewide Whitetail Buck deer hunting seasons close Underwater spearfishing season ends Archery fishing season for game fish ends By India Today Web Desk: It's celebration time for Sonam Kapoor. After having won the Editor's Choice Best Actress of the Year for her performance in Neerja at the recently held Stardust Awards, Sonam took off to London to bring in papa Anil Kapoor's birthday. ALSO READ: Did Sonam Kapoor just officially confirm her relationship with Anand Ahuja? SEE PIC: Sonam Kapoor and rumoured boyfriend Anand Ahuja colour-coordinate their outfits advertisement ALSO READ: Did Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja have a hush-hush holiday in Los Angeles? SEE PIC: Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja make for a picture-perfect couple Sonam's rumoured boyfriend Anand Ahuja was also present. A photo of the two celebrating together has emerged on social media. While Sonam is all smiles, Anand looks goofy, with a huge bow on his head. This is not the first time that Anand was a part of a Kapoor gathering. A few weeks earlier, Sonam's sister Rhea shared a photo of a family gathering, where Sonam and Anand were seen holding hands. The increased public appearances of the rumoured couple have set tongues wagging. Although Sonam insists that she is single, her frequent photos with Anand and social media banter suggests otherwise. It remains to be seen if the two come out out in the open with their relationship anytime soon. --- ENDS --- The politicians shut up after the election, but the sleazy salesmen and con artists are still ringing your phone with robocalls. There is now a glimmer of hope for those of us tired of running to the phone to hear recorded messages from phony IRS agents threatening us with jail unless we send them money right away. Under pressure from the Federal Communications Commission, phone companies are beginning to offer more blocking services against robocalls and other illegal telemarketers. So far, the best options are available for wireless phones and internet-based phones services through carriers such as Charter and AT&Ts U-verse. People with old-fashioned landline phone service must suffer on. Annoying people is a huge business. YouMail, which offers a robocall blocker service, estimates there were 30 million made in August alone in the 314, 636 and 618 area codes around St. Louis. Its also a law-be-damned business. Prerecorded calls are illegal unless the recipient agrees in advance. There is an exception for political and charity calls to landline phones. Debt collectors can also use robocalls to prod people behind on federal loans, mainly student loans. Telemarketers are forbidden from calling people on government do-not-call lists, with exceptions for politics, charity, polls and bill collectors. So the majority of robocalls are breaking the law. Thats not surprising, considering that most are sleazy offers or outright scams, often run from overseas and designed to fool people out of their money. The phony IRS agent scam, run largely from India, netted $26 million. But theres been some progress lately. AT&T announced last week a free program called Call Protect for its wireless customers with Android and iPhones that support AT&Ts HD Voice technology. It will give a suspected spam warning on the incoming call screen if it detects a likely telemarketer, politician, debt collector or the like. Google began last summer updating Nexus and Android One phones to offer spam telemarketing and robocall protections. Sprint plans to offer a system. Companies are starting to at least pay attention, said Tim Marvin, who is managing a Consumers Union campaign designed to make the phone companies do more. Smartphone users have plenty of other options from call-blocker apps at least 20 iPhones and 30 for Android with names such as Hiya, Whoscall and Should I Answer, RoboKiller and Nomorobo. They range in price from free to $9.99 per month. Some work better than others, Marvin said. Many try to identify incoming telemarketing and robocalls using blacklists of phone numbers reported by users. The system lets welcome robocalls get through such as appointment reminders from the doctors office, or a school announcing a snow day. By YouMails count, one of the biggest robocallers to St. Louis numbers is Charter Communications. The vast majority of these types of calls are made to confirm scheduled appointments, for follow-up surveys, and for collections, said a Charter spokesman. Pay TV and internet services, such as Charter and CenturyLink around St. Louis, offer packages that include home telephone services using Voice over Internet Protocol. Those companies are urging customers to sign up for a free robo-blocking service offered by Nomorobo.com. When a suspected robocall comes in, the customers phone rings only once. Then Nomorobo answers it with a recording saying that solicitors arent welcome, but a human being can press one to have the call connected. A determined telemarketer can get through, but a machine cant. Nomorobo recently began offering a service for smartphones. But there is no such service for standard landline phones, and theyre still easy pickings for robocallers. Thats preventable, says Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, who has been pressing the phone companies to do more. Canada has a system, called Primus, that can work with landline phones, but U.S. companies havent adopted it. Some companies offer partial solutions for landlines, usually for an extra fee. CenturyLink, serving western St. Charles County, offers Security Screen, which answers calls from unidentified, toll-free and long-distance numbers. Callers must give their full phone number to be put through. If so much robocalling is illegal, why arent robocallers all in jail? Because they are awfully hard to catch, said McCaskill, who is pushing legislation that would make it easier to catch them. You shut down one operation and they open up another one, she said. They disguise their real locations and send spoof caller IDs. One popular scam displays the name Social Security on caller ID, then asks for the callers bank account information. The best solution would be for the phone companies themselves to offer free robo-blocking, says McCaskill. In fact, it ought to be a big selling point for them. Say, Hey, we can block your robocalls, she tells phone executives. It makes you more attractive. Prodded by the FCC, major phone companies set up last summer a joint committee to find a fix. Tony Tersigni already plays a big role in shaping health care policy in the United States. In 2017, hes going global. Tersigni has been tasked with organizing a World Congress of Catholic health care leaders next fall. It will be the third World Congress and will focus on addressing global health disparities. As the CEO of Edmundson-based Ascension, the nations largest Catholic and nonprofit health care system, Tersigni has regular access to Pope Francis, leader of the Roman Catholic Church. This is very important to the pope, this whole area whether its diseases, whether its caring for the poor, whether its disparities. Obviously, hes very passionate about it, Tersigni, 67, said. The pontiff is known for saying that health care is a universal right, not a privilege. Yet, for some, income and geography can be barriers to good health. In the St. Louis region, life expectancy depends greatly on where someone lives. The pope believes Catholic hospitals have a large role to play in reducing these disparities. He refers to them as field hospitals that are responsible for actively reaching out to and taking care of those in need. In the U.S., Catholic hospitals have substantial influence. One in six patients in the U.S. is treated in a Catholic hospital, according to the Catholic Health Association of the United States. None have the size and scale as Ascension in the United States. Ascension operates 141 hospitals across 24 states and the District of Columbia, plus more than 2,500 sites of care and 30 facilities for seniors. It brings a great humbleness in terms of the responsibility that the pope is asking all of us in Catholic ministry around the world to take on, Tersigni said. We know, in just Ascension, we invested $1.8 billion last year in community benefit and charity care, and for me, I look at it and say, Maybe thats not enough, what else could we be doing? Tersigni, as chairman of the chair of the International Confederation of Catholic Health Care Institutions, will be in charge of lining up guest speakers to travel to the Vatican for the three-day retreat to share their knowledge and perspective. Its expected to attract nearly 600 attendees. Itll be an opportunity for leaders of Catholic health care organizations in different countries to share how they approach the issue. We dont believe we can get to eliminating disparities by only talking about the individual, Tersigni said. Were going to have to move into these other areas, and some of them get controversial especially when you start talking about social policies in other countries. The U.S. faces its own tumultuous time when it comes to health care policies. President-elect Donald Trump and fellow Republicans have vowed to repeal President Barack Obamas landmark health law, the Affordable Care Act. Without a replacement, a repeal would mean that millions of Americans would lose access to insurance coverage. Repealing the ACA in its entirety something that Trump has indicated he may be reluctant to do also could mean the end of certain consumer protections that require insurance coverage to meet minimum thresholds and forbid lifetime limits on coverage. Other ACA provisions that hang in the balance include allowing children to stay on their parents plans until the age of 26 and barring insurers from excluding consumers from coverage based on pre-existing health problems. Tersigni has been a strong proponent of the ACA, mainly because it provides access to insurance for many low-income individuals. Nearly a month after returning from a meeting at the Vatican in November, Tersigni flew to Washington to meet with members of Trumps transition team to talk about the future of health care. He read the team a list of the components of the law he thought were particularly important and needed to be preserved, he said. Drury Hotels Co. makes a good living with its roadside lodging business but is adding downtown accommodations and historic preservation to its lineup. Newly opened in downtown Pittsburgh is a Drury Plaza hotel in a former Federal Reserve branch bank built in 1931. Creve Coeur-based Drury bought the Art Deco-style building in 2013 and began restoring it a year later. The 207-room hotel includes a 10-story 1956 addition to the original structure. Two bank vaults in the basement are now meeting rooms. An indoor firing range on the eighth floor is redone as the hotels swimming pool. Drury Plaza in Pittsburgh is the newest of 10 historic renovations of downtown buildings by Drury in Cleveland; San Antonio; New Orleans; Santa Fe, N.M.; Wichita, Kan.; and St. Louis. Carolyn Feltner, Drurys marketing director, said the companys decision to enter downtown markets was simple. Its where our guests want us to be, she said. In much of the country, the hotel industry has rebounded from the recession. Average daily room rates and revenue per available room RevPAR in hotelspeak are up in most cities. While travel for business and leisure is strong producing near-record hotel occupancy growth in average daily rates is expected to weaken through 2019, commercial real estate company CBRE said in its outlook for 2017. Regardless, boutique hotels are opening in cities from Seattle to Miami and Boston to San Diego. Three such hotels are in the works in downtown St. Louis. Drury does not consider itself a boutique brand, but its renovations of old buildings as hotels provide features unavailable at its build-from-scratch highway hotels that make up most of the companys livelihood. Examples: An old banks ornate lobby becomes a plush hotel lobby. Bronze-doored elevators used by workers at an early 1900s telephone company headquarters take hotel guests to their rooms. A Beaux Arts-style school board buildings auditorium becomes a large hotel meeting room. The downtown projects provide Drury, a mid-priced brand, more upscale hotels that complement its other Drury Inn & Suites and Drury Plaza Hotel offerings. Renovations are rewarding but we have to work with a buildings [existing] layout to make it a hotel, Feltner said. Drurys interest in downtown outposts began in St. Louis when it bought the rundown St. Louis Railroad YMCA next to Union Station. The four-story Y designed by Union Stations architect, Theodore Link, opened in 1907. It closed in 1970. After housing several ventures, including a nightclub, the former Y became Drury property in 1986. The company peeled away decades of clumsy remodeling to reveal the lobbys original terrazzo floor, a grand staircase with cast-iron railings and marble and slate stairs. Later, the company put a Drury Inn in the old Union Market downtown. Then came Drurys biggest downtown St. Louis project. In 1997, Charles Drury, the companys chief executive, bought the International Fur Exchange and adjoining Thomas Jefferson office buildings which were under demolition and the adjacent stainless-steel-sheathed American Zinc Co. building. Drurys move saved the buildings, which are now combined as the Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch. The hotel is undergoing a partial renovation, which will include a balcony on the Market Street side of the hotel to provide guests a view of the Arch. Family-owned Drury opened its first hotel in 1973 in Sikeston, Mo., and provides little financial information. The company, which owns more than 130 hotels in 21 states, said its 2015 revenue was $514 million. In addition to old-building renovations in Pittsburgh and St. Louis, Drurys downtown projects are rehabs of the former Board of Education Building in Cleveland, the former Cumberland Telephone Co. in New Orleans, the Hotel Broadview in Wichita, the Sisters of Charity dormitory and hospital in Santa Fe and, in San Antonio, redos of the former Alamo National Bank and City Public Service buildings. New hotels next to interstates in towns big and small will continue to make up most of Drurys business. Feltner said the company will open five to seven such hotels each year. Drury also will also grow its presence in downtowns. Planned to get underway in 2017 are Drury hotels at the former First Financial Centre building in Milwaukee and at the former Indianapolis Business Journal building in Indianapolis. By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 25 (PTI) Realty major Tata Housing has tied up with private equity firm Macquarie Group to set up a Rs 2,000 crore fund to be used for the companys luxury housing projects. Australia-based Macquarie Group will put in Rs 1,400 crore while the Tata group firm will contribute Rs 600 crore. "Tata Housing and Macquarie have joined hands to invest Rs 2,000 crore in the Indian real estate market," a source said. advertisement Macquarie will have 70 per cent stake in the fund. A Tata Housing spokesperson declined to comment. According to sources, the investments will be in the form of equity infusion into the fund to expand Tata Housings presence across premium and luxury projects in the top 8 cities in the country over the next 3-5 years. The projects would be targeted at marquee locations in Mumbai, National Capital Region, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Pune. This is the second such fund for Tata Housing. Its subsidiary Tata Value Homes has formed a fund of about USD 90 million as it targets to develop about 16,800 homes over the next 10 years. In May last year, World Bank Group member IFC had announced an investment of USD 25 million (around Rs 160 crore) to finance affordable projects by Tata Housing. In May this year, UK-based CDC also invested USD 25 million. Established in 1984, Tata Housing is a subsidiary of Tata Sons, which holds 99.86 per cent of equity share capital of the company. Over the past few years, Tata Housing has emerged as one of the leading real estate players with a pan-India presence across the affordable and luxury segments. Tata Housing sells premium and luxury homes in the Rs 60 lakh to Rs 14 crore range and currently has 29 projects with around 70 million sq ft under various stages of development at 13 locations across the country. Under its Tata Value Homes brand, the developer sells apartments at an entry price of Rs 16 lakh across cities. PTI MJH ABM BAL --- ENDS --- I took my children into the voting booth with me and later my grandchildren so they could learn the procedure and why it is so important. The Department of Transportation fined airlines $4.5 million in 2016 for infractions ranging from lengthy tarmac delays to failing to compensate passengers for lost luggage, almost double last years amount and the highest since 2013. The DOTs Aviation Consumer Protection Division, which is responsible for ensuring that airlines follow federal regulations, issued 23 consent orders voluntary agreements worked out between the agency and an airline that generally have the same effect as a court order in 2016, up from 15 last year. Its the third-highest number, in terms of civil penalties, in 10 years. But it isnt clear whether these actions are benefiting the passengers theyre supposed to protect. Industry watchers say the numbers dont tell the full story something you already know if youve flown this year. The years biggest enforcement action was a $2 million fine against United Airlines for violating federal disability assistance regulations. Investigators found numerous instances in which the airline failed to return passengers wheelchairs, other mobility aids or assistive devices to them in a timely manner. It also said the airline failed to return them to passengers in the condition in which the airline received them. United says the complaints it received represented a very small number when compared to the number of requests for wheelchair assistance it received. One of the most interesting enforcement actions, and a sign that the DOT is taking its full-fare advertising rule seriously, is a $150,000 fine levied against VivaAerobus, a Mexican discount airline. (The rule stipulates that the full price of an airline ticket, including all mandatory taxes and fees, must be displayed in the price quote.) In response to a consumer complaint, the agency found that VivaAerobus advertised fares that did not include a mandatory issuance fee. The fee could not be avoided and was not disclosed to the passenger until the final step in the booking process. The government also found that VivaAerobus used what it called the opt-out method of selling optional services, which preselected several optional services and required that customers remove them before finalizing the booking to avoid being charged for them. The airline blamed the infractions on a website error. Several enforcement orders were addressed through a sting operation called Task Force Lightning, an undercover operation in which plainclothes DOT investigators visited a dozen American airports to ensure that airlines front-line employees were disclosing their obligations for compensating passengers. Airlines were dinged for infractions including improper disclosure of baggage compensation rules and providing inaccurate denied-boarding compensation information. The fines were relatively small, ranging from $30,000 to $45,000, but as I noted in an earlier column, DOT insiders say that the goal of the task force was education, not punishment. Ben Edelman, a university professor based in Boston whose complaint resulted in a $40,000 fine against British Airways for inaccurately quoting taxes, fees and carrier charges on its U.S. website, says the government takes its time evaluating customer complaints. For example, he says, one grievance he filed against American Airlines for using the label tax for its own surcharges has been pending since Dec. 12, 2013. Industry critics are also unhappy with the size of the DOT fines, saying they are not a significant deterrent. Airlines collect about $250 billion in revenue each year for travel to, from and within the United States, which means their DOT fines represent about 0.002 percent of their profits. By comparison, the average traffic ticket ($150) is about 0.3 percent of the median household income of $55,775. Imagine if every speeding ticket were suddenly cut by a factor of 100, so that the average ticket was 0.003 percent of your annual income. Would you take a $1.50 speeding ticket seriously? The DOT says the fines make a difference and are based on a variety of factors, such as the consumer harm caused by the violation, whether the airline profited from the infraction and whether its a repeat offense. We try to figure out an amount thats high enough to have a deterrent value, says Blane Workie, assistant general counsel for Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings. Consumer advocates say that while theyre encouraged by this years enforcement actions, the DOT has focused on some issues while ignoring others. The takeaway from Task Force Lightning is that consumers still dont know their rights, and more needs to be done to keep them informed, says Charlie Leocha, president of Travelers United, an advocacy group for air travelers. He thinks that the DOT needs to begin posting some of the rules that deal with lost-luggage compensation and denied-boarding statements at airports, so passengers will know their rights. It would keep the airlines honest, Leocha says. Stratford District Council's new chairman Cllr Sue Adams received the chain of office from outgoing chairman Cllr Mike Gittus back in May. Cllr Susan Adams, chairman of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, writes for the Herald. . . CHRISTMAS has a very special meaning when we remember the birth of Jesus, and we come together to celebrate with family and friends. We must also remember the less fortunate, the homeless, the sick, and the areas in the world that are suffering from famine, natural disasters and the results of terrorism. Since becoming chairman of the council seven months ago, I have had the privilege of joining a group from Stratford on a visit to Fuzhou in China. We hope this visit cemented relationships to benefit business and tourism, and to create a great opportunity for our young people to enjoy exchange visits. Across the district I have attended many functions and met the many volunteers who give freely of their time for the benefit of others. The voluntary sector is very important to the lives of so many of our residents, and provides support in so many ways. I would like to personally thank them for all they do. Looking forward to 2017 we will see the opening of our new hospital in Stratford, for the care of cancer patients, and a new eye clinic and a health and wellbeing hub. I would like to thank South Warwickshire Foundation Trust for its vision and for providing this wonderful facility for all our residents. Special thanks must also go to the essential services that continue to operate throughout the Christmas period: police, ambulance service, fire service, and all the medical staff who do such a vital job. susan-adams Finally, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year. LAS VEGAS, NV -- (Marketwired) -- 12/25/16 -- Bellatora Inc. (OTC PINK: ECGR), a U.S. based manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of innovative vaporizer products and eLiquids for alternative tobacco and marijuana consumption is pleased to announce the appointment of Atom Miller to serve as Director and CEO. Mr. Miller brings a diverse background having worked for some of the finest Food and Beverage companies in the U.S., including California Pizza Kitchen, Quantum Corporation, and Bertolini's (Co-Executive Chef). He worked under Roberto Perotti from The Rex LA as Executive Sous Chef for TreVisi and LaScala at MGM. During his tenure with TreVisi he opened The Mansion with Restauranteur Gustav Mahler and Domenico Cornacchia. He later moved on to managing audio/visual operations for the world's largest AV company, PSAV a division of AVHQ. Due to the loss of his father to lung cancer, Mr. Miller brings a heartfelt passion to Bellatora. He explains, "If there was one thing I wish I could've helped my Dad with, that would've been quitting smoking." He goes on to define Bellatora's purpose, "We are fanatically passionate about removing the avoidable health risks of tobacco and marijuana for our customers, while retaining the pleasure." Atom defines Bellatora's method, "We do this in two ways: one, by providing the highest quality American ingredients in all our eLiquids, and two; by using closed-loop vaporizer systems that eliminate consumer tampering, reducing the risk of health and respiratory issues." As CEO, Mr. Miller will lead the Bellatora team as it continues to quickly gain ground in establishing itself as an innovative leader in the U.S. and global tobacco and marijuana vaporizer industry. Atom Miller CEO, Director About Bellatora Inc. Bellatora's purpose is to provide superior and innovative vaporizer products and eLiquids offering tobacco and marijuana smokers a healthier lifestyle alternative, while not polluting the environment for others. The freedom to vape. The liberty to enjoy. An established American marketer, manufacturer, and distributor of electronic vaporizers and eLiquids, Bellatora's line up of premium quality electronic vaporizers, cigars, cigarillos, and cigarettes as well as eLiquids used in electronic vaping devices, provide significantly lower health risks, as well as product discreteness, and controlled active ingredient concentrations from tobacco and marijuana products. Bellatora is a US public company, trading under the symbol ECGR (OTC PINK: ECGR). For additional information, please visit www.bellatora.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include projections of matters that affect revenue, operating expenses or net earnings; projections of growth; and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Such forward-looking statements are generally qualified by terms such as: "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "believes" or similar words of like kind. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or qualified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking information. These factors are discussed in greater detail in the company's business plan and filings with the OTC Markets Group. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3094420 Contact Information: Atom Miller CEO 700 N Valley St Suite B PMB 93532 Anaheim, CA 92801 Tel: 1 (877) 831-3898 Email [email protected] Source: Bellatora, Inc. By PTI: By Prasoon Srivastava & Moumita Bakshi Chatterjee New Delhi, Dec 25 (PTI) Crashing data tariffs, free voice calls, disruptive entry of Reliance Jio and a no-holds-barred turf war to safeguard Rs 9 lakh crore worth of cumulative investments have set the tone for an action-packed 2017 for the telecom sector, which also had to grapple with the thorny issue of call drops this year. advertisement If anything, the high-voltage narrative of 2016 has left mobile subscribers craving for more in the coming year both in terms of tariffs which have touched new lows, and technology. 4G has boosted mobile speeds to levels never experienced before by the data-hungry Indians. "About Rs 9,27,000 crores have been invested so far by telecom service providers (TSPs) in building world class telecom infrastructure," industry body COAIs Director General Rajan S Mathews said. Incumbent telecom operators in representations throughout the year have shared how their revenues have taken a hit on various accounts ranging from Trais decision to bar differential tariff platforms like Facebooks Free Basics, Airtel Zero, to Reliance Jio unveiling free services. Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP Partner Hemant Joshi said however that the prohibition on discriminatory tariffs has played a significant role to make data services affordable and accessible by everyone and is one of the important factors behind the rising adoption of data services in India. The telecom regulators latest recommendation to allow third party platforms to provide free data without bias towards a particular telecom operator or internet content is likely to rekindle the debate on net neutrality in 2017. Looking back, the going year started-off with a setback- of-sorts for consumers when the Supreme Court quashed penalty provision for call drops, prompting the regulator to seek more powers to penalise errant telecom operators. The Telecom Department and regulator launched a combined offensive -- in form of review meetings and drive tests - to ensure that service quality issues remain at the forefront all through the year. To address the problem of call drops, operators have added about 3.51 lakh BTSes in last 12 months, according to Mathews. Besides this, Trai continues to work on review of service quality norms, ombudsman model, and interconnection all of which are expected to take shape in 2017. There was never a dull moment for the telecom sector this year, and the market pulsated with action thanks to improved affordability, falling handset prices and operator investments in improving network coverage (helped by policies like Right of Way and spectrum sale). The year saw India overtaking US to become the worlds second-largest smartphone market with an installed base of 275 million devices. It has also predicted that 4G connections will grow to 280 million by 2020. advertisement According to global mobile industry body GSMA, India will add 330 million unique subscribers by 2020 (from 616 million unique users as of June 2016). In addition, the industry is set to invest heavily, with operator capex growing to USD 34 billion between 2016 and 2020, says GSMA. If anything, demonetisation and digital push ?- resulting in increased adoption of mobile wallets -- will put the market on a turbo charge, say industry watchers. Already, the average Indian is consuming data -- movies, gaming, connecting on social media -- like never before, in the aftermath of the industry price war triggered by the entry of Indias richest businessman Mukesh Ambani in the telecom industry. Jio, which launched full-fledged 4G services in September, has promised free voice calls for life along with rock-bottom data prices, once its ongoing free services come to an end on March 31, 2017. The markets appetite for data can be gauged from the fact that Ambani had set a target of 100 million customers in the "shortest time possible" for Reliance Jio, but the new venture notched 52 million customers in just 83 days, growing faster than Facebook and WhatsApp. MORE PTI PRS MBI ANZ SA BAL --- ENDS --- advertisement OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/24/16 -- Tonight at sundown, Jewish people in Canada and around the world mark the beginning of Hanukkah-the Jewish festival of light-by lighting the first candle of the menorah. This eight-day festival commemorates the Jewish people's struggle for religious freedom and their liberation from oppression. It is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, and the possibility of miracles even during the most challenging times. Canada was built by people of every faith, representing many cultures and a multitude of languages. We are a nation of diverse people, with roots in every corner of the world, living peacefully together. Hanukkah is an opportunity to reflect on the blessings and freedom we enjoy, and to remember those around the world still facing tyranny and oppression. As Minister of Canadian Heritage, I want to wish everyone celebrating Hanukkah a bright and peaceful holiday. Chag sameach. Stay Connected Follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Flickr. Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Pierre-Olivier Herbert Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage 819-997-7788 Source: Department of Canadian Heritage LANCASTER, Calif., Dec. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently investigating the State Bar of Arizona (SBA) and Court, for possible American Disability Act (ADA) violations. The Bar and Court, have been disclosing disabled Arizona Attorneys' mental health records onto Arizona Courts' website, via the Internet. Many should know that, "The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits the State Bar from inquiring into an applicant's mental health condition when the applicant's past conduct and performance demonstrate fitness to practice law," says Ira Burnim, legal director at the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Kudos must be given to the U.S. (DOJ) because it responded in a matter of lighting speed within three days after learning about the State Bar of Arizona / Court disclosing disabled Arizona Attorneys' mental health records on the Courts website and for public viewing. According to the State Bar of Arizona's Articles & By-Laws, their Mission Statement reads in part: "The State Bar of Arizona is a non-profit organization that serves the public and enhances the legal profession by promoting the competency, ethics and professionalism of its members and enhancing the administration of and access to justice." Thus, United States Department of the Treasury (IRS) granted in April 1988 to the Arizona Bar a tax status recognition of 501(c)(6) "Business League-Trade Association." Contrary, the Arizona Bar does not appear designated by the Dept. of the Treasury (IRS), as being granted; political subdivision sovereign powers of the Arizona State or Quasi-Governmental prosecutorial powers. To date, U.S. (DOJ) is continuing to move with lightning speed, because of the paramount safety risks to Disabled Arizona Attorneys regarding their mental health or other medical record disclosures onto Arizona Courts' website. Disabled Arizona Attorneys who believe they have been victimized by the Arizona Bar are instructed to immediately contact the U.S. Department of Justice at (202)616-4478, and advise you want to be added as a Disabled Arizona Attorney (ADA) victim in Complaint Inquiry Case#563668. Question Presented: Does the State Bar of Arizona believe it is above the law, allowed to disclose disabled Arizona Attorneys mental health records for public viewing and disregard Confidentiality Laws, HIPAA Laws and (ADA) Laws applicable to disabled attorneys. For media inquiries, contact Star Moffatt, Spokeswoman [email protected] or [email protected], (661) 945-6121. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-doj-now-investigates---state-bar-of-arizona-for-targeting-disabled-arizona-attorneys-reports-moffatt-law-firm-300383533.html SOURCE Moffatt Law Firm By Adama Diarra BAMAKO/PARIS (Reuters) - A French-Swiss aid worker has been kidnapped in the city of Gao in northern Mali, and French and Malian authorities are working together to rescue her, the French foreign ministry said on Sunday. Sophie Petronin, who runs a non-governmental organization that helps children suffering from malnutrition, was kidnapped on Saturday afternoon, but, so far, no one has made a claim of responsibility, Malian Commandant Baba Cisse said. Mali has been beset by attacks from resurgent Islamist groups, including Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) this year, especially in the north. Gao - seized by Islamist militants in 2012 before French forces drove them out a year later - is considered the most secure town in northern Mali with multiple U.N., French and Malian army checkpoints along main roads. "In liaison with the Malian authorities, they (French authorities) are fully mobilized to seek and release, as soon as possible, our compatriot," the French foreign ministry said. A local radio station in Gao said the aid worker was affiliated with Aide Gao and was snatched by a group of men who drove off with her in a Toyota pickup truck. Aide Gao was not available for comment. Last month, despite the relatively heavy security in Gao, the offices of the U.N. peacekeeping mission located next to the city's airport terminal were razed by a truck-bomb explosion. Mali's government signed a peace deal last year with secular armed groups, but Islamist militants pledging allegiance to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State have fought on and launched dozens of attacks on Western targets in recent months. The peace agreement has been broken many times, adding to difficulties faced by U.N. forces trying to stabilize the former French colony. (Additional reporting by Tiemoko Diallo in Bamako and Marine Pennetier and Maya Nikolaeva in Paris; Writing by Edward McAllister; Editing by Louise Ireland) JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Bezeq Israel Telecom said on Sunday it had received notice that Israel's telecoms regulator would likely allow Bezeq to merge its various business units. Bezeq, Israel's dominant telecoms operator, had long argued for an end to its "structural separation", in which it is forced to keep its mobile phone, fixed line, satellite TV and internet units as separate entities. Permitting an end to structural separation would ultimately allow Bezeq to offer packages of phone, internet and TV. Its smaller competitors, many of which are barely making profit, have urged the regulator to keep the structural separation in tact, arguing that Bezeq will become more powerful. The Communications Ministry, Bezeq said, hinges on Bezeq's commitment to invest in infrastructure and accelerate the deployment of a fiber optics broadband network in 2017 and reach 76 percent of households within three years. Before amending Bezeq's license, the ministry intends to hold a hearing during 2017 regarding the procedures of the cancellation of the structural separation. Bezeq said it was examining the prospect of implementing measures to allow it to merge its units. (Reporting by Steven Scheer) French National Front political party leader Marine Le Pen (L) and politician Marion Marechal-Le Pen attend a ceremony in tribute to the victims and the families of the fatal truck attack three months ago, in NIce, France, October 15, 2016. REUTERS/Eric By Andrew Callus and Michel Rose PARIS (Reuters) - For two years, disaffection with mainstream politics and disarray among her opponents have played to Marine Le Pen's agenda. But as the days tick down to election year in France, events may have started to dim her presidential prospects. Since late November, the anti-immigrant, anti-globalization far-right National Front candidate's showing in opinion polls has slipped from about three out of 10 voters to one in four. Her niece, the National Front member of parliament Marion Marechal-Le Pen, has re-opened old faultlines within the party. And the policies and personalities of those emerging as Marine Le Pen's main opponents look set to make campaigning tricky for her in the months ahead. The election rules are simple: the two candidates who win the most votes in an April first-round vote go through to a run-off round on May 7. By polling so well for so long, Le Pen's presence in that run-off had been seen as one of the few certainties in the race. Not any longer. "Le Pen not reaching round two would have been a wild bet even four months ago," the historian Justin Vaisse, director of the French foreign ministry's center of analysis, forecasting and strategy, tweeted this week. "(That's) now credible -- even though many unknowns remain." The choice on Nov. 27 of Francois Fillon as Le Pen's main conservative challenger in the Republicans party primary was among the first signs of trouble. She put a brave face on the victory for the former prime minister, whose socially conservative views on abortion and gay marriage are attractive to many Le Pen supporters and helped land him the ticket ahead of the more centrist Alain Juppe. She focused instead on Fillon's aggressive plans to slash public sector spending, calling it an attack on the French workers she and her second-in-command, Florian Philippot, have promised to protect. But the impact in the polls was immediate. A Harris Interactive survey after thE Nov. 27 primary put her on 24 percent of voting intentions, behind Fillon on 26 -- her lowest score in months, and one that has not improved since. Then her niece Marechal-Le Pen twisted the knife, giving a Dec. 10 interview in the Journal de Dimanche Sunday newspaper. The 27-year-old is ideologically much closer to her grandfather Jean-Marie, the party's now ostracized founder, than to her aunt Marine and party's modernizers led by Philippot. From her Vaucluse constituency in the south of France, part of Marechal-Le Pen's line is a form of social conservatism not very different in voters' eyes to that of Fillon - with both expressing clear reservations on abortion and gay marriage. "I am neither in a minority nor am I isolated," she told the newspaper, standing firm on proposals that the state should no longer pay for pregnancy terminations. Just days earlier, party leader Marine Le Pen had made clear that she would not change France's abortion laws. Marechal-Le Pen has also attacked Phillipot, who is gay, over his support for government-funded safe-sex posters depicting gay couples. She called the poster campaign "an embarrassment for children and for homosexuals," and said: "The majority, in the FN, do not share that choice at all." Fillon, a Catholic like Marechal-Le Pen, has said he would not change France's abortion laws, but has said he is personally opposed. He also wants to limit adoption rights of gay couples. By stepping onto her traditionalist turf, Fillon leaves the Le Pen campaign more dependent on her pro-worker agenda, which includes a lowering of the retirement age, hiking minimum wages and preserving a generous welfare safety net. In that area, she already faces fierce competition from the opposite end of the political spectrum -- Jean-Luc Melenchon of The Left Party, a hardliner and former Socialist who is running for president with the backing of the French Communist Party. Melenchon is much more credible in this area than Le Pen, according to the political commentator Thomas Guenole. "Le Pen is trapped between Francois Fillon and Jean-Luc Melenchon," said Guenole in an editorial for Le Figaro newspaper. Melenchon was eliminated in the 2012 presidential contest but scored a sizeable 11 percent of first-round votes. He is doing at least that well or better in regular polls of voting intentions in 2017. MACRON FACTOR Another hurdle for Le Pen is the youthful Emmanuel Macron's announcement on Nov. 16 that he too is running for president, as an independent candidate who rejects the traditional politics of Left versus Right. Opinion polls since then show the 38 year-old former economy minister consistently in third place. He is still well behind Le Pen and Fillon, but even before he launched officially, some of her worst scores were in scenarios where he stood against her. Macron has yet to get down to deep policy specifics, and has targeted the center, but pollsters detect a brand of "populism-light", and say his independence and youth could blunt Le Pen's anti-establishment appeal. "He takes (votes) from everyone," said Jean Chiche, a voting science researcher at Sciences-Po university in Paris. Indeed, if current popularity levels were to convert into voting in April's first round, Le Pen would be out of the running at Macron's expense. A Dec. 20 Odoxa poll of approval ratings made Macron the most popular politician in France on a score of 35 percent, ahead of Fillon on 31, and Le Pen on 27. Two days later, an Elabe poll made him political personality of the year on 48 percent, ahead of Fillon on 44, with Le Pen trailing at 24. As for the ruling Socialists, should he win their January primaries as the polls predict, former Prime Minister Manuel Valls has a lot of ground to make up from the distant fifth place in polls, behind Fillon, Le Pen, Macron and Melenchon. For now at least, his bid has little bearing on Le Pen's prospects. But there is everything to play for in an election campaign that has already created many surprises. Just over a month ago, Le Pen's likely main rivals included heavyweights such as former prime minister Juppe or former president Nicolas Sarkozy for the Republicans, and the incumbent Socialist President Francois Hollande. After Fillon's surprise win and Hollande's shock decision to not seek re-election, three people who had dominated politics for decades were consigned to campaign history, shattering many of the certainties as to what will happen on May, 7 2017. (Additional reporting by Gerard Bon; Editing by Brian Love and Mark John) Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong shouts during a protest against what they call Beijing's interference over local politics and the rule of law a day before China's parliament is expected to announce their interpretation of the Basic Law in light of two By Fathin Ungku SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore police are investigating a conference that Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong addressed via Skype without a permit, police and one of the event's organizers said on Friday. Singapore issued new public speaking rules in October to clarify that foreign companies and individuals need a permit to sponsor or take part in certain events. The government of the multi-ethnic island is sensitive about anything that it thinks could upset social harmony. Wong, 20, who helped organize pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2014, spoke to a "Civil Disobedience and Social Movements" conference in November, organized by a Singapore group called the Community Action Network. Jolovan Wham of the network said although police advised him Wong needed a permit, he and other organizers went ahead anyway as they considered it a "simple discussion about the role of civil disobedience, social movements and civil society activism". "I didn't' think there was anything wrong with going ahead with the event. Its a very harmless event, it was for a discussion, so I dont understand why it should be restricted by these regulations," Wham told Reuters. Wham said police had questioned him for 45 minutes. Police said they were investigating. "Police confirm that a report has been lodged and investigations are ongoing," said a police spokesperson who declined to be identified or give further details. The Singapore foreign ministry did not respond to emailed requests for comment. In October, Wong was denied entry and to Thailand where he was due to give talks on democracy, and sent back to Hong Kong. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said at the time his expulsion was a matter for China, not Thailand. He was barred from entering Malaysia in 2015. Wong's difficulties in traveling in the region have raised concern among human rights groups about Chinas influence. In Hong Kong, Wong told Reuters that the Singapore police action constituted "political censorship" and he speculated that it was a result of Chinese pressure. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the Singapore government had taken the action and questions should be referred to it. Ties between Singapore and China have been strained in recent months, particularly after the seizure of nine of the city-state's troop carriers by Hong Kong customs on their way back from a military exercise in Taiwan. Beijing disapproves of other counties maintaining military ties with self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province. (Additional reporting by Venus Wu in HONG KONG, Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Robert Birsel) A worker cleans near a row of flags after the national flag of Sao Tome was removed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after Sao Tome ended ties with Taiwan, at the ministry in Taipei December 21, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer TAIWAN OUT By J.R. Wu TAIPEI (Reuters) - In Taipei's leafy Tienmu district, nearly half the flagpoles in front of the imposing pink building that houses most foreign embassies are bare, as Taiwan's dwindling band of diplomatic friends jump ship to its giant neighbour. Another flag was taken down this week when tiny West African state Sao Tome and Principe severed ties with the self-ruled island that China claims as a renegade province. Reshuffled for symmetry, the flag of the Solomon Islands now flutters from the pole still bearing the Sao Tome plaque. Taiwan had as many as 30 diplomatic allies in the mid-1990s, but now has formal relations with just 21, mostly smaller and poorer nations in Latin America and the Pacific. And Beijing is keen to nab the rest, angered by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen earlier this month, the first public contact at that level since Washington switched recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979. China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, who leads the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which traditionally advocates independence for Taiwan, even though Tsai says she wants peace with China. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. "From the issue of Sao Tome cutting off ties it can be seen that the DDP authorities ought to understand one thing that they should speed up the proper handling of cross-Strait relations, or similar incidents will continue to happen," said the overseas edition of the People's Daily, an official organ of China's ruling Communist Party. Taiwan - official title Republic of China (ROC) - has competed with China for diplomatic recognition since the defeated Nationalists fled there in 1949 at the end of the Chinese civil war, but the tables turned decisively in Beijing's favour in the 1970s when the United Nations and United States switched sides. Taiwan has accused China of providing financial incentives to Sao Tome in exchange for recognition, charges Beijing denies. While Taipei and Beijing have both played that game previously, Taiwan now cannot hope to match the spending power of the world's second-largest economy. "If China, for the sake of gaining Sao Tome, wants to put up large sums of money, please go ahead. It can play dollar diplomacy, but Taiwan will not play," said Lo Chih-cheng, a senior DPP lawmaker. "UNNECESSARY SPENDING" Taiwan's diplomatic efforts have at times descended into farce, with some countries like Liberia switching ties several times, sometimes in the space of a few years, depending on the money they could wrangle out of Taipei or Beijing. In 1999, Papua New Guinea (PNG) changed its mind just a week after deciding to establish ties, and in the following decade there was a public outcry after media reported millions of dollars were wasted in a failed bid to lure it back. The public remain unimpressed by the cost of what some see as a face-saving exercise, said Chuang Fu-yao, a Taipei resident walking near the embassy compound. "Most people don't even know how many diplomatic allies we have. Our own feeling is we are spending a lot of money to do unnecessary things," he said. Taiwan lost six allies during the last DPP-led government from 2000-2008, accounting for many of the 12 empty flagpoles at the embassy building. Under Tsai's predecessor Ma Ying-jeou, from the more China-friendly Nationalist party, one more was lost. Sao Tome, population just under 200,000, needed around $210 million in grants and low-interest loans, according to Taiwanese daily the United Daily News. Taiwan foreign minister David Lee told reporters only that an "astronomical figure" was discussed. "The government of Sao Tome and Principe, however, with excessive financial difficulties, and demands beyond those the ROC could meet, has ignored 20 years of friendly diplomatic relations, playing both sides of the Taiwan Strait while holding out for the highest bidder," Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said. Sao Tome's prime minister this week denied the country asked Taiwan for money. Taiwan's Central American allies are also vulnerable. Diplomats in Beijing have told Reuters they believe Panama, one of Taiwan's oldest diplomatic friends, could be next to go. Earlier this month, a large Chinese business delegation visited Panama after Tsai was there in June for the formal opening of the expanded Panama Canal. Seeking to shore up its Central American ties, Tsai will visit Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador next month. In Africa, now only Swaziland and Burkina Faso have ambassador-level relations with Taiwan. Perhaps, said one foreign diplomat at the embassy building, allies are leaking away to the mainland in anticipation that Beijing will eventually win this battle of wills and bring Taiwan back under its control. "Maybe they think: 'I will wait for you there'," he said. (Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Will Waterman) SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) December 22, 2016 VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Delaware 1-7598 94-2359345 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 3100 Hansen Way, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1030 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (650) 493-4000 Not Applicable (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 8.01. Other Events . On December 22, 2016, the Company issued a press release entitled Varian Medical Systems Announces Agreement to Acquire PerkinElmers Medical Imaging Business; $276 Million Acquisition to Expand Digital Flat Panel Business for Varex Imaging. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference into this item. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits . (d) Exhibits . 99.1 Press Release dated December 22, 2016 entitled Varian Medical Systems Announces Agreement to Acquire PerkinElmers Medical Imaging Business; $276 Million Acquisition to Expand Digital Flat Panel Business for Varex Imaging. 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. By: /s/ John W. Kuo Name: John W. Kuo Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Dated: December 22, 2016 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Number Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated December 22, 2016 entitled Varian Medical Systems Announces Agreement to Acquire PerkinElmers Medical Imaging Business; $276 Million Acquisition to Expand Digital Flat Panel Business for Varex Imaging. 4 Exhibit 99.1 FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Spencer Sias (650) 424-5782 [email protected] Howard Goldman (801) 978-5274 [email protected] For Immediate Release: Varian Medical Systems Announces Agreement to Acquire PerkinElmers Medical Imaging Business; $276 Million Acquisition to Expand Digital Flat Panel Business for Varex Imaging PALO ALTO, Calif., December 22, 2016 Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) today announced an agreement to acquire the Medical Imaging business of PerkinElmer, Inc. (NYSE:PKI) as an addition to the Varian Imaging Components business, which is slated to become an independent public company, Varex Imaging Corporation, through a previously announced separation expected to be completed in January 2017. The acquisition is expected to close after the planned separation of Varex from Varian and following receipt of required regulatory approvals. Varex will pay $276 million to acquire PerkinElmers Medical Imaging business, which is a supplier of digital flat panel X-ray detectors that serve as components for industrial, medical, dental and veterinary X-ray imaging systems. This business, which has about 280 employees, is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. with operations in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom The acquisition, which is contingent on the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including obtaining third party and regulatory consents, is expected to be immediately accretive to Varex following the closing. This is a natural fit for our Varex business with complementary digital imaging products that will serve to accelerate our profitable growth with more than $140 million in new revenue, said Sunny Sanyal, the current president of Varians Imaging Components business who is expected to become CEO of Varex. This acquisition would add new digital imaging technology to our portfolio that would enable us to offer customers a broader range of imaging solutions and provide us with additional cross-selling opportunities. This would also expand our footprint in the industrial imaging sector. Furthermore, on a combined basis, this acquisition would give us the ability to strengthen our manufacturing productivity. Varex plans to finance the acquisition through an expansion of its bank credit facilities to approximately $600 million. As announced previously, Varex is expected to transfer approximately $200 million in cash to Varian as part of the separation. Varex is a growth business with strong cash flows that we are confident will enable us to support a debt level at approximately three-times fiscal year 2016 proforma EBITDA including both businesses, said Sanyal. The Varian Imaging Components business (Varex) is a leading innovator, designer and manufacturer of X-ray imaging components, including tubes and digital flat panel detectors and other image processing solutions for medical and industrial applications. This global business generated about $600 million in revenues in fiscal year 2016 and has a more than 65-year history of successful innovation, manufacturing and commercialization in X-ray imaging. Robert Friel, chairman and chief executive officer of PerkinElmer, said, Combining our Medical Imaging business with Varexs capabilities will better position the business to support its customers and continue to innovate and develop new imaging systems. In addition, the divestiture will allow PerkinElmer to focus our investments and accelerate growth in higher priority areas. -- more -- Varian Medical Systems Announces Agreement to Acquire PerkinElmers Medical Imaging Business Page 2 # # # About Varian Medical Systems, Inc. Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, focuses energy on saving lives by equipping the world with advanced technology for fighting cancer and for X-ray imaging. The company is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiation. The company provides comprehensive solutions for radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is also a premier supplier of X-ray imaging components, including tubes, digital detectors, cables and connectors as well as image processing software and workstations for use in medical and industrial settings, as well as for security and non-destructive testing. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 7,700 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements concerning industry or market outlook, including customer demand for and acceptance of products or technology; the ability to complete the acquisition and its impact on financial results; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals; growth drivers; future orders, revenues, or earnings growth or other financial results or performance; and any statements using the terms anticipate, believe, expect, slated, expand, confident, plan, will, would, could or similar statements are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the companys actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include the ability to complete the planned spin-off on the anticipated timing, or at all; the ability to complete the acquisition of PerkinElmers Medical Imaging business on the anticipated timing, or at all; the ability to effectively integrate the products of PerkinElmers Medical Imaging business into the company's product offerings and sales and marketing operations, recognize the intended benefits of the acquisition, and retain the services of key acquired personnel; global economic conditions; currency exchange rates and tax rates; the impact of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (including excise taxes on medical devices) and any further healthcare reforms (including changes to Medicare and Medicaid), and/or changes in second-party reimbursement levels; demand for and delays in delivery of products of the company, PerkinElmers Medical Imaging business or their respective customers; the companys ability to develop, commercialize and deploy new products; the companys ability to meet regulatory requirements, regulations or procedures; changes in the legal or regulatory environments; the impact of reduced or limited demand by purchasers of certain X-ray products; and the other risks listed from time to time in the companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which by this reference are incorporated herein. The company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements in this release because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday called back ambassadors to New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela in response to United Nation Security Council resolution on illegal settlements on Palestinian territory. PM spokes person said that the ambassadors were called back for consultation. The UNSC resolution condemned the illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory. The resolution demanded an end to the resolution. The resolution was tabled by New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal. By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 24 (PTI) Police have arrested two male friends who were accompanying the 17-year-old girl who was shot dead in southwest Delhis Najafgarh area. The accused, Shubham, had allegedly shot the girl since he disapproved of her friendship with another man, Nitin, police said. Shubham told police he had a heated argument with the minor girl over her friendship with Nitin, they added. advertisement Shubham had been angry with the girl for the last few days. On December 20, when he had gone to drop the girl at her house with Yogesh in the latters Mercedes, he saw Nitin standing close to the girls mother, police said. He was upset that the girls family was in touch with her friend and shot at her with Yogeshs pistol, they said. They said at the time of the incident Shubham was allegedly under the influence of alcohol. On the day of the murder, her mother had called her around 7 PM, asking her to return home soon as it was getting late. She assured her that she would be back soon. "Three days police remand of both accused Shubham & Yogesh obtained in Njfgarh minor girl murder case. Shubham & Yogesh arrstd in Njfgarh minor girl murder case. Sec 302, 363 IPC, 25, 27, 30 Arms act & 77 JJ Act imposed (sic)," tweeted Surender Kumar, DCP(Southwest). "Shubahm had been hiding at Tughlakabad. We received a tip off on Friday afternoon that he will be coming to Saket. Our team laid a trap and we held him on late Friday evening," police said. Police said they have booked Yogesh, the owner of the pistol and the Mercedes car under the appropriate sections of the Arms Act. PTI SLB TIR --- ENDS --- A popular rumour this weekend was that Iron Man, aka Robert Downey Jr, was in India. As it turned out, it was a different actor, named Albert Serrato... who kind of looks like Robert Downey, if you squint. Net n fail Downey and out A popular rumour this weekend was that Iron Man, aka Robert Downey Jr, was in India. It all began with people uploading pictures 'posing with RDJ' in a Chennai mall. As it turned out, it was a different actor, named Albert Serrato... who kind of looks like Robert Downey, if you squint. Mobile shopping advertisement What kind of products are people comfortable buying on their mobile phones? Web wow A thousand apologies When Kieran Cameron had to apologise to his girlfriend Jodie, he did so in the most millennial way: sending her the same message-'R u angry with me'-via text, Twitter, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and Snapchat. Web win The Magnificent Triumph of Love is a video that's leaving desis all emotional. The wedding video, with over 90,000 views, tells the story of Maneet, a Jain, and Huda, a Pakistani, who overcome all sorts of odds to marry. It features emotional interviews with the bride and groom, and their parents, who changed their beliefs, all for the sake of love. Someone please pass the tissues. Twitter tattle Slammin' Islam When Janie Johnson tweeted "...London is gone-all Islamic", Londoners decided to run with it. One memorable reply from a fellow stated that he had been forced to wear a burqa, but had found it to be both comfy and warm. Net fail A photo of Narendra Modi, Manmohan Singh and L.K. Advani has sparked off a new meme. The three politicians had gathered to pay tribute to the victims of the Parliament terror attack. However, the sombre image was soon boasting captions like "When you're standing in the ATM queue and the person in front takes out a second card" Viral video Over 2.8 million watched this group of Sikh men dancing the bhangra while shovelling snow in Canada Over 54 million watched this video describing the menstrual cycle:'All 28 days-in just two minutes' A father's voiceover describing his daughter's make-up routine video had over a million in splits --- ENDS --- From sedition to demonetisation, here is what most of the Indians discussed in 2016. By Avinaw Rajvansh : Last year, it was the word 'intolerance' that went on the become the most popular word of the year. But while there were many debates on sedition, surgical strikes this year, there is one word that has probably changed the whole economic scenario in the country. Demonetisation This year, demonetisation has become the the most used and talked about word of this year. advertisement Also read: Approaching deadline: What happens after Narednra Modi's 50-day promise to curb black money Before November 8 this word used to find its place mostly in the dictionary of economics but since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes on November 8, this word has become the talk of the town. Also read: Who said what on PM Modi's demonetisation drive Here are some other words which ruled the charts on social and traditional media during 2016: Surgical Strikes Surgical strike was although not a new word for many Indians but it was an uncommon one. However, after 29 September things changed. The word surgical strike become synonymous with patriotism for Indians. Photo: Reuters In the wee hours of September 29, the Indian army conducted a surgical strike along the LoC in response to the terrorist strikes on Indian soil , including the ones in Poonch and Uri on 11 and 18 of September respectively. Also read: Drones filmed operation, 2 soldiers hurt by mines: All you need to know about the surgical strike Even when the demonetisation was announced by PM it was widely called as 'Surgical strike against black money'. Cashless Ever since demonetisation has been announced, the Modi government has urged Indians to go for digital payments. The centre has been doing its bit to promote e-banking, Paytm, and e-wallets to fulfill their aim of making India a cashless nation. Also read: Only Paytm accepted: 10 Delhi Metro stations will go completely cashless from January 1 Also read: Kerala auto-rickshaw drivers go cashless; accept credit, debit cards to fight demonetisation crisis Photo: Twitter/@i_neelshah Sedition Sedition was the word which made its mark during the starting months of the year. In February, a protest march was held in JNU campus to commemorate the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Also read: The Sedition joke: Going from bad to worse It was reported that various anti-national slogans were raised during the protest. Also read: What 'really' happened inside JNU on February 9? A firsthand account on a Quora thread explains JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was later arrested in sedition case. After Kanhaiya, many others were also booked in sedition charge. Sedition was not new in law, but it was not commonly used till 2016, in last 62 years only around 300 cases in High Court and close to 20 reached the Supreme Court. advertisement But this year this word became more common and was also much debated about. Also read: What did Umar Khalid say yesterday in his speech? --- ENDS --- Donating 40 of her books to Tauranga Hospitals Childrens Ward is a dream come true for one local author. Tauranga childrens author Kimaya Kim Donaldson visited the ward recently to hand over the special Christmas gifts to play specialist Debbie McDougall. This is a dream come true to have my books here, says Kimaya. It fills my heart up to overflowing because this is where they belong. Its fantastic. The books have been purchased by sponsors who, each year, decide where they should be donated. In previous years they had been donated to Aucklands Starship Hospital. The books are so uplifting, especially the energy of the colours, added Kimaya, who has been a childrens author for 14 years but also engages in therapeutic work with children and parents. A lot of the themes within the books are about self-awareness, emotional understanding and empowerment. It brings the children to a really grounded, centred perspective but in a fun way. Families having unwell children at this time of year puts a lot of pressure on them and I hope my books can help them in some small way, says Kimaya. For many of us, the summer break is a chance to take care of the house to do list. Whatever the renovation, asking for a written quote to know the cost before you agree to the service is the advice from Consumer Protection this summer. MBIE Consumer Protection Manager Mark Hollingsworth says the weeks surrounding Christmas are extremely busy. We all want our homes to be looking their best for the occasion, but dont forget to get the price of any agreed work in writing when engaging with tradespeople, he advises. It often surprises me most people dont place the same importance on quotes as they do a job contract, for example. Ask your friends and neighbours for tradespeople they would recommend, or google for reviews and evidence of work for any tradespeople you are thinking of working with. Shop around and get written quotes from several businesses offering the same service before deciding the price is right for you. When it comes to paying, you dont have to pay more than what is quoted. I strongly advise consumers to do their homework so they can feel confident dealing with tradespeople. The Consumer Protection website outlines what you need to know on the Getting Quotes and Estimates page. Protect your rights this summer and find out how much a job will cost before you agree to it. Further details on the process for getting a quote (or an estimate), as well as how to work with the service provider if youre dissatisfied with their work, can be found on the Consumer Protection website. A tourist was airlifted to Waikato Hospital after suffering a serious neck injury in Opotiki on Christmas Eve. The 18-year-old male had been swimming in the surf at Opotiki at about 7pm on December 24 when he sustained a very serious neck injury. He was airlifted to Waikato from Whakatane Hospital on Christmas Day, says a Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter spokesperson. The rescue helicopter was dispatched to Whakatane hospital at 10:30am to retrieve the 18-year-old-male tourist. He was flown to Waikato hospital for further assessment and treatment. The helicopter spokesperson says the helicopter was tasked due to the nature of the injury and distance by road to Waikato Hospital. UPDATED 2:50PM: The woman whose body was found in the water near Waiheke Island on Christmas Day has now been identified. Earlier police issued a plea for information to help identify the woman whose body was spotted in the water by a member of the public about 2km north of Korakorahi Point at 1:20pm. A police spokesperson says they are now in contact with the womans next of kin. The womans death will be referred to the Coroner. EARLIER: Police are appealing to the public for help to identify a woman whose body was found in the water near Waiheke Island on Sunday. The woman is believed to be in her late 50s or early 60s and was wearing a blue, one-piece swimsuit. She has a distinctive tattoo on her left forearm that may help the public identify her. Her body was spotted in the water by a member of the public about 2km north of Korakorahi Point at 1:20pm on Sunday. A post-mortem is expected to take place on Monday, but based on initial enquiries, police do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances relating to her death at this stage. Anyone who believes they can identify this woman or has any information can contact Auckland Police on 09 302 6640. An 8-year-old boy suffered moderate injuries after he was struck by a car while crossing a road in Opotiki on Christmas Day. The boy was heading home after swimming when he was hit while crossing State Highway 35, near Wainui Road, at about 8.50pm. Fairfax reports paramedics assisted the boy at the scene and was eventually taken to Opotiki airfield from where he was flown to Rotorua Hospital by the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter. The boy was in a comfortable condition late on Sunday night. Police also attended the crash. It was not yet known if charges would be laid against the driver. -stuff.co.nz A Springdale wind farm now has a state-prescribed rate for selling power to NorthWestern Energy. Crazy Mountain Wind, a 78 megawatt project near Springdale, would be large enough to power 15,000 to 29,000 homes if developed. A price dispute with NorthWestern Energy has slowed the wind farms progress for years. Its been under development for a while. Its grown in size and changed average output several times," said Travis Kavulla, Montana public service commissioner. Small projects like Crazy Mountain Wind are known as qualified facilities, guaranteed a contract with a regulated utility under federal law. But the price of the contract is negotiable and price is where things have stalled for Crazy Mountain. On Thursday, Montanas Public Service Commission attempted to settle the price debate, by setting two rates that NorthWestern would be required to pay for Crazy Mountain energy. In times when demand for energy was high, the utility would pay $42.38 a megawatt hour. But, when energy wasnt in peak demand, the price would fall to $36.36. Both rates were lower than the $49.83 per megawatt hour that developer Marty Wilde, of WINData LLC, has said the wind farm needed to turn a profit. Wilde didnt return calls from The Gazette this week. NorthWestern said it could work with the PSC-set rates, which were similar to the prices it agreed to this week with another wind farm, the Vivaldi Wind Project, less than a half hour drive east of Springdale. I think it is a rate that we can work with. It's not far off the rate we recently agreed to with the Vivaldi project, said Butch Larcombe, NorthWestern spokesman. NorthWestern had said that Wildes rate was more than the utilitys customers should bear. The utility had sought a rate of $38.79 a megawatt hour and said customers would be overcharged $73.1 million if the wind farms requested rate was granted. There is prime wind power country along the Yellowstone River between Springdale and Columbus. Both Crazy Mountain and Vivaldi, located 11 miles north of Reed Point, are in the wind corridor. A third project, Greycliff Wind, east of Big Timber, has also struggled to reach a price with NorthWestern. In July, the PSC ruled that Greycliff could charge NorthWestern Energy $45.49 per megawatt hour, which was about 16 percent lower than Greycliff developers said was needed to make the wind farm profitable. Greycliff said it needed a price in the mid-$50s, which would have been similar to the wind energy rate for Spion Kop Wind Project, a NorthWestern renewable energy source. With the Greycliff project, NorthWestern had suggested a price of $36.65 a megawatt hour. At the time, no wind project had been able to work at the $45.49 per megawatt hour rate the PSC set. But Vivaldis new contract in the $36 range changes the discussion. None of the wind farms planned in the Yellowstone River wind corridor are asking for a price higher than what NorthWestern receives for the electricity generated by its hydroelectric dams, which is close to $60 a megawatt hour. Ketamine drug used as an anaesthetic to animals like horses in Delhi zoo may be making its way to rave parties in the city this festive season, and could be used as "date rape drugs". The report states that ketamine drug vials are misused in sexual abuse at dance clubs and rave parties. By Mail Today: The city's party animals may be getting high this festive season on club drugs that were stolen from the Delhi zoo. Union minister Maneka Gandhi has written to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for action against authorities at the park for misappropriation of ketamine vials. While ketamine is administered as an anaesthetic to animals like horses, it is also among the three most common "date rape drugs". The other two are Rohypnol and GHB, often used at dance clubs, concerts and rave parties. advertisement "The Delhi zoo has been involved in a number of malpractices and criminal negligence resulting in the death of a large number of animals," says the minister's letter, dated December 21. "The inspection of the zoo was conducted by Central Zoo Authority (CZA) at my request. Among other things, it was found that the zoo management has misappropriated ketamine, a schedule 'X' drug, in blatant violation of law. They have also been using veterinary drugs almost a decade past their expiry date." After several instances of its misuse in sexual abuse of women came forth, the government included ketamine in the stringent schedule X of the Drug and Cosmetics Act in December 2011 to curb its easy availability. Being a highly dangerous article and of premium value in the black market, chemists and institutions which procure it need to maintain a detailed record of its purchase, usage and sale, including preserving empty vials for future governmental checks. A senior officer said, "Its (NDPS Act) violation is a non-bailable offence." MANEKA GANDHI WRITES LETTER SEEKING ACTION In her letter, the union minister for women & child development has requested Dr GN Singh - who heads the apex body for license approvals of specified categories of drugs and medicines - to prosecute those responsible in the alleged scandal. "I am sending the CZA reports to you with a request to take immediate action against the Director of the zoo and the veterinary officers found to be guilty," she wrote. The Delhi zoo-deemed a "Centre of Excellence" by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) - has been in the eye of a major controversy since the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) conducted a series of raids on its premises. Among them is the alleged "illegal procurement and missing of Schedule 'X' drug ketamine from the zoo." The CZA says it found that the "NZP (Zoo) procured one number of 50 ml vial ketamine (100 mg/ml) from M/s Global Technology Solutions dated 05.09.2015. This was entered in the Stock Book as a 50 ml vial." "However, during physical inspection, it was informed by the Veterinary Officer that the NZP has received 5 vials of 10 ml ketamine. Also, there were two vials of 10 ml available in the NZP stock which has not been used. Mr. Paulose, Veterinary Compounder, procured another two empty vials of 10 ml each. Dr. AK Bhawal, Veterinary Officer, and Mr. Paulose could not explain the reason of one missing 10 ml vial of Ketamine," the report states. advertisement Official sources said, "One ml ketamine is sufficient to rape a woman. Imagine what 10 ml can do?we suspect this could have made its way into the black market. This is highly unacceptable." While zoo director Amitabh Agnihotri could not be reached for a reaction in spite of several calls and SMSes, the zoo curator, Riyaz Khan, said over phone, "We don't know about this (missing ketamine vials) and we don't want to talk about it." --- ENDS --- SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Rabbi Yaakov Rapoport had some help from the Syracuse Fire Department to light the menorah on Saturday evening, marking the first night of Hanukkah. He and a firefighter crawled into the cabin of a fire truck's ladder and were lifted to the menorah on the west end of Clinton Square. He reminded those in attendance at the event that a little bit of light can chase away a lot of darkness. This year Hanukkah begins Saturday night and lasts through Sunday, Jan. 1. The ceremony in Clinton Square has happened since 1982, Rapoport said. On the first night of Hanukkah special prayers are recited, and one candle is lit on the menorah. Each night another candle is lit. The eight-day commemoration of Hannukkah is based on the lunar calendar and therefore can fall anytime from late November to late December. Here is the schedule for the lighting of community menorahs, sponsored by Chabad Lubavitch of Central New York: Sunday, 4 p.m.: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse. Monday, 4 p.m.: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse. Monday, 5:15 p.m.: Fayetteville, opposite the fire station. Tuesday, 4 p.m.: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse. Tuesday, 5:15 p.m.: Manlius, corner of route 92 & 173 at the town clock. Wednesday, 4 p.m.: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse. Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner. Thursday, 4 p.m.: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse Thursday, 4:45 p.m.: Hancock International Airport Thursday, 6 p.m.: Destiny USA mall, Syracuse, center court. Friday, Dec. 30, 3:40 p.m.: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse Saturday, Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse Historically, Hanukkah marks the victory of the Jews, led by the Maccabees, against the Syrian persecution and religious oppression more than 2,000 years ago. When the Maccabees came to rededicate their temple, they found only a small amount of oil - enough for only one day - to light the menorah. But the oil is said to have lasted eight days. At the end of the ceremony, Rapoport thanked the fire department and city for their continued help putting the event together. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The roof of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Syracuse leaks so badly maintenance workers have to mop up puddles off the floor whenever there's a heavy rain. Decades of wind, rain and freezing temperatures have worn the face off St. Joseph on a statue looking out on Columbus Circle from above the cathedral's front door. And the sound system in the Catholic church is on its last legs. It conked out three years ago during a crowded St. Patrick's Day Mass. "We had a full church, no sound and people had to scream," said Msgr. Neal Quartier, the cathedral's rector. Parishioners of the cathedral and other Catholic churches throughout the seven-county Syracuse diocese have rallied to support a fundraising campaign to pay for a $12 million top-to-bottom renovation of the 131-year-old cathedral in 2017. The prominent landmark in Columbus Circle, considered the mother church of the Syracuse diocese, will get a new slate roof, electric system, lighting and audio system. A radiant heating system under the floor will be ripped out and replaced. Water-damaged masonry and plaster will be repaired. The church's interior walls will be repainted green. All the pews, which can seat up to 800 people, will be removed and refinished. It will be the cathedral's third major renovation. Fundraising for the project began earlier this year. About $11.5 million has been raised so far from cathedral parishioners, Catholics from throughout the diocese and other donors. The diocese hopes to raise another $7 million in endowment funds to pay for short- and long-term maintenance, social outreach, arts and music programming. Quartier said the restoration is important for both downtown Syracuse and Catholics throughout the diocese. The priest, who has lived in the cathedral rectory 35 years, is happy to see downtown booming after witnessing its long gradual decline. The cathedral is seeing an uptick in visitors coming from the nearby Hotel Syracuse, which recently reopened after a major renovation. Quartier said the Victorian Gothic cathedral is the focal point of Columbus Circle and can't be left to decay like its 102-year-old neighbor, Mizpah Towers, the long vacant, former First Baptist Church at Montgomery and East Jefferson streets. Diocesan officials realized the longer they waited to restore the cathedral, the more rapidly it would deteriorate. Preserving the building is important for Catholics because the cathedral is the "mother church" for the diocese, Quartier said. It's the place where Bishop Robert Cunningham preaches, ordains new priests and presides over other diocesan ceremonies. Four bishops and two rectors are buried in a crypt below the cathedral's main altar. Anyone in the diocese, even if they are members of other parishes, are welcome to use the cathedral for weddings and funerals, Quartier said. The cathedral, originally known as St. Mary's Church, was built in 1885 at the corner of Montgomery, Jefferson and East Onondaga streets. It was an immigrant church. Each stone on the cathedral's exterior was hauled from quarries, cut, chiseled and lifted into place without any modern machinery. The sanctuary was later expanded and in 1904 the church was renamed the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Much of the building's artwork focuses on Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Five stained glass windows above the sanctuary chronicle Mary's journey with her son from his conception and birth to his death and resurrection. The church has 124 stained glass windows made in Munich, Germany. The cathedral also is home to Central New York's oldest and grandest pipe organ. It was designed and built by Hilborne and Frank Roosevelt, a pair of pioneering organ builders who were the first to incorporate electricity into the instrument. The organ was installed at the cathedral in 1892. While the restoration of the church won't begin until January, a renovation of the adjoining rectory is nearly complete. The rectory is being converted into a parish center with restrooms, offices, meeting rooms and classrooms. The third floor will have three small residential suites for priests. The bishop lives in a separate building connected to the parish center. The cathedral will close April 17, the day after Easter, when work begins in earnest and reopen Sept. 3 when the project is expected to be finished. While the cathedral is closed, Mass will be celebrated in the parish center. The original plan called for the cathedral to remain open during the renovation. "But we realized the dust and mess of ripping up the entire floor and still having liturgy was impossible," Quartier said. Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245 It's Christmas, so the cartoons are light in number but still heavy in subject matter. This week's batch includes pointed criticism of violence in the Middle East, where the Nativity story is set; a depiction of Russian leader Vladimir Putin as the Grinch; the Ghost of Christmas Future bearing bad tidings; a weary plea for peace in violence-plagued Chicago; and a couple of riffs on Amazon delivery drones. Amid all this holiday frivolity, the outlier is Darrin Bell's comment on the post-election blame game being played by Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. Coming next week: 2016 in cartoons. Making a building invisible to earthquakes may sound like something from the future. But this kind of technology and engineering is ever necessary if we are to protect important infrastructures from the destruction of a sudden massive earthquake. As strange as it may seem, scientists and researchers have found a few possible ways to "hide" infrastructure from seismic waves. Elastodynamic Invisibility Cloak The mathematician William Parnell from the University of Manchester in England suggests that wrapping the base of a building, or at least its key components, with a rubberized elastodynaamic cloak could divert the earthquake shock waves and essentially leave the building untouched. The premise is that by surrounding an object with the cloak, the object will be spared from substantial damage. While the idea is still in its testing stage and the likelihood of creating building-sized cloaks isn't deemed practical, the technology could still find its uses in other matters of everyday life. Zigzag Array of Holes Another method to make infrastructure more resistant to earthquakes has been proposed by Vladimir Liberman, a physicist from the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Liberman and his colleagues are testing the possibility that, by drilling holes of different sizes and orientation around an important infrastructure, such as nuclear plants or hospitals, the seismic waves could be deflected even before they reach the structure. The team's experiments and simulations reveal that the process could reduce the impact from a 7.0 magnitude earthquake to a magnitude 5.0 or even lower. However, the theory still hasn't been tested in real-world situations, and the impact of the holes on nearby unprotected infrastructure is still unknown. A Cloak of Trees Mathematicians at the Imperial College in London, with collaborators from France, are looking at trees to protect important structures. Their idea is that, by surrounding an important building, such as a historic site, with a blanket of trees, the dense forest could act as a natural seismic metamaterial that would deflect the seismic waves. Such is the case in natural forests, where the irregular pattern and height of the trees provide a natural protection to the surrounding areas. Earthquakes are one of the world's most destructive forces. Unlike hurricanes or droughts, earthquakes occur without warning and can cause substantial damage to property and life. While the mystery of earthquakes and how to predict them is still unclear, researchers continue to look for ways to protect existing infrastructure against the devastating effects of this natural disaster. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As 2016 draws to a close, many people are excited and relieved to welcome 2017. As always, each country has their own unique way of celebrating the coming of a New Year and this time will not be different. From London to Sydney and Hong Kong, these places are definitely determined to celebrate with a bang. Dubai What else would you expect from Dubai but excellence? After last year's Guinness World Record holding fireworks display, you can expect an equally magnanimous show this year. Lasting six minutes, the record holding fireworks display ended with an artificial sunrise to cap the show off. Who does that? Dubai does that. London Along the river Thames and the Westminister and Waterloo bridges will be six main ticketed viewing areas in London. At 10 a ticket, a DJ'd party will ensue through the night until fireworks decorate the backdrop of the iconic Big Ben. The celebration, of course, will not be complete without the communal singing of the Auld Lang Syne. New York City The Big Apple never fails to deliver when it comes to huge New Year parties, but the most iconic of all is the Times Square party where crowds will once again gather to watch big celebrities perform their hearts out as all await the ball drop, shower of confetti and epic fireworks display at the stroke of midnight. Sydney The Sydney Harbour provides as excellent display when it comes to New Year's fireworks display, and who wouldn't want to see fireworks at the backdrop of the famous Sydney Opera House. Families can have picnics in the surrounding Goat Island and Shark Island, attend parties around the surrounding area or even take a ferry for a unique and memorable view. Hong Kong The city of Hong Kong never fails to impress when it comes to pyrotechnics display. A perfect view of the Victoria Harbor reflecting the incredible light show can be enjoyed from the sky high and high end bars around the city, or even against the backdrop or the city skyline by boats. Berlin If anyone can throw a party, it's Berlin. By 2pm, the first come first serve party opens its gates from Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate. Live bands, DJs and shows will entertain the large crowd until the giant fireworks display at the stroke of midnight. But don't worry if you came a little later because the party only ends when the sun is already up on the first day of 2017. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new report indicates that Samsung will be rolling out different versions of its upcoming Android 7.0 Nougat update to different models of the company's flagship Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge in different regions of the world. While some owners of the smartphones will be getting the latest version of the update, Android 7.1.1 Nougat, others will be receiving the older version, Android 7.0 Nougat. Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge To Receive Android 7.0 Nougat In Australia The news was confirmed by a rep for Vodafone in Australia, which is one of the regions that is set to receive the older version, Android 7.0 Nougat, on both the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. According to the report, in a response to a customer inquiry as to whether customers will be upgraded directly to the latest version of the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update, the rep wrote the following: "I've checked in with the right people for you @chri5tin3 and @shauno100, and they've confirmed the references to Samsung skipping 7.0 refer to other markets and not to Australia. We're definitely testing 7.0 for both devices." The customer who had inquired about the upgrade status replied that the decision was "odd and unfair." Other Regions And Note 5 And S6 Variants We recently reported that Samsung, which has been running an Android 7.0 Nougat beta program for interested owners of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, had confirmed to a beta tester in the program that the smartphone maker would in fact be offering Android 7.1.1 Nougat upon official release of the update. Recently, Vodafone announced via its dedicated software upgrade page that the Android 7.0 Nougat update had been officially moved into carrier testing by the network, indicating that release of the upgrade was imminent. Observers anticipated that, based on the prior guidance from Samsung, the released version would be Android 7.1.1 Nougat. That appears not to be the case, however, at least in Australia, and it now remains unclear as to which models in which other world regions will be receiving which build, either Android 7.0 Nougat or Android 7.1.1 Nougat. It also remains unclear what the status is for the older flagship smartphones expected to receive the Android 7.0 Nougat upgrade following the rollout to the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, namely the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6, S6 edge, and S6 edge Plus. It was initially assumed that those models would follow in the footsteps of the S7 models and also skip directly to Android 7.1.1 Nougat, but now that seems uncertain, and may also vary by model and region. When asked directly about the status of the older Galaxy models, the rep replied that "we've got no news to share about rolling out the Android N update to older handsets," but encouraged the customer to revisit the support page for more information in the future. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The clamping of the umbilical cord is suggested to be delayed in term and preterm infants, because of the several benefits that this procedure would provide. The research supporting this statement belongs to an American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)-endorsed guidance, coming from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The guidance was published, Dec. 21, on the official AAP website, and it will also appear in the January issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, under the name of Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping After Birth. Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping In 2015, a similar recommendation was issued, suggesting that the umbilical cord should not be cut earlier than 30 to 60 seconds after birth, when it comes to term and preterm infants. However, the World Health Organization recommends delaying the procedure by an entire minute in the same conditions. "While there are various recommendations regarding optimal timing for delayed umbilical cord clamping, there has been increased evidence that shows that the practice in and of itself has clear health benefits for both preterm and term infants," noted Maria A. Mascola, M.D., lead author of the committee opinion. Physiologic studies in term infants have suggested that the blood transfer from the placenta takes place approximately one minute after birth, and is extended for a total of three minutes; the first breaths that the newborn takes have been correlated with this process. Additionally, the blood supplies have important quantities of iron, which can further prevent iron deficiencies in the first year of life of the newborn. Iron deficiency can account for cognitive, motor and behavioral impairment, due to the irreversible developmental processes that it obstructs. The longer the placental transfusion, the greater the benefits. The connection also facilitates immunoglobulins, as well as stem cells, which are indispensable for tissue and organ repairs. Major Health Benefits Among the benefits that the delay in this procedure facilitates, the hemoglobin increase and the iron improvement are some of the most crucial when it comes to the upcoming stages of development of the newborn. Delaying this procedure could show positive effects even several months after the child is born, and positively affect the developmental processes. For preterm infants, the delay could also result in a reduced need for blood transfusion, due to the better transitional circulation and higher levels of red cells. Additionally, it also translates into a smaller incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and intraventricular hemorrhage. When it comes to preterm children, the transitional circulation is the first which can be improved through the means of this delay, which can result in a higher number of red blood cells. Another study, published in the journal Pediatrics, suggests that the umbilical cord milking can be employed in improving the circulatory functions for babies who are born through cesarean section, too. However, although there are major health benefits of delaying this procedure, it has one potential disadvantage as well, as it could lead to a slight increase in the cases of jaundice, which would require phototherapy. Along with the recommendation, ACOG also notes that neonatal jaundice should be monitored and treated, when necessary. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This Account has been suspended. Tesla Motors has been known to add hidden features, also known as easter eggs, in the software updates that it launches for its electric vehicles. As an example, last month, software updates for the P100D Ludicrous vehicles in the Model S electric sedan and Model X electric SUV ranges included an easter egg that boosted performance. With the update, the acceleration time of the electric vehicles from 0 to 60 mph was reduced by a tenth of a second. In February 2015, Tesla Motors released an easter egg that transformed the Model S into the Lotus Esprit submarine from the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. For its latest easter eggs included in the 8.0.2 software update, Tesla Motors is getting into the holiday spirit and blasting off its customers to space. Tesla Model X Holiday Show The first easter egg involves the Model X electric SUV, as Tesla Motors looks to spread the holiday spirit through a light show that the vehicle can play. To activate the easter egg, Model X owners will first have to press and hold the Tesla Motors icon at the top of the vehicle's infotainment screen and then enter the code "holiday" in the passcode screen which will pop up. According to the official Tesla Motors forums though, if the "holiday" passcode does not work, Model X owners can try "modelxmas" instead. After the easter egg has been confirmed, the user will be asked to exit the Model X and lock the doors. The electric SUV will then swing open its Falcon Wing doors and start a light show using its headlights, fog lights, turn indicators and other exterior lights. To add even more to the experience, the Model X will begin playing Wizards in Winter by the Trans Siberian Orchestra, so that music will accompany the light show. The Model X needs space of about 6 feet above and around the vehicle so that the holiday show will properly kick in and draw the envy of neighbors. Tesla Model S, Model X Trip To Mars The second easter egg, which can be activated on both the Model S and the Model X, will transform the vehicles into spacecraft bound for Mars. To launch the feature, Model S and Model X owners will need to type in the access code "mars". The image on the infotainment screen will then become that of Mars, with the rendering of the car to also be changed into the Interplanetary Transport System of SpaceX, which is the space exploration company also owned by Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Computer bugs or coding errors are a common phenomenon in the tech world as almost all software being developed has bugs. Any software which has a bug since the start of its lifecycle and is discovered later is called a zero-day. Every day we hear such zero-days being discovered making it easy for hackers to hack into the system or your PC. Though such bugs cost big money, there are many such instances that such software errors have caused losses in millions of dollars. Today we bring to you 10 such famous and interesting bugs from the tech world. Top 10 Famous and Interesting Bugs in Tech World 1. Ariane 5 Crash Arian 5 was the fifth in the Ariane series of European civilian expendable launch vehicles for space launch use and was to be used for launching satellites into space. The name comes from the French spelling of the mythological character Ariadne. On a sunny day in Kourou, French Guiana on June 4, 1996, the unmanned Ariane 5 exploded only about 40 seconds after its launch. This $500 million rocket exploded due to a very common software bug known as Integer Overflow. The internal SRI* software exception was caused during execution of a data conversion from 64-bit floating point to 16-bit signed integer value. The floating point number which was converted had a value greater than what could be represented by a 16-bit signed integer. 2. Patriot Missile Software Failure This software bug ended up causing more human loss than can be counted in money. 28 US military soldiers were killed and 98 were injured when an Iraqi missile hit their barracks because the missile system meant to protect them failed due to a software bug. The missile defense system called Patriot failed to track and intercept the incoming Iraqi missile due bug in Patriots radar and tracking software and failed to deploy on time. 3.Y2K Bug or Year 2000 Bug This bug caused losses as well as gave rise to new breed of startups. In the late 90s, Y2K bug was perhaps the most talked about bug even as the world waited for airplanes to collide, ships to veer off course, stock markets to collapse as was forecasted by many tech experts. The bug was a simple mistake in the time management system of computers which used only two digits to represent the year. So 1970 would be represented as 70 and 1999 would be represented as 99. This method worked fine till 31 Dec, 1999 but failed to take into consideration this millennium. Due to this bug, almost all computers which ran in those days would have read 1 January 2000 many 1 Jan 1900. The collapse never happened but it took a while for software developers to fix this bug. 4. PayPal Bug That Made a $92 Quadrillion deposit On a hot humid day in June 2013, Chris Reynolds got a fright of his life because his PayPal account showed a credit of $92,233,720,368,547,800. The Pennsylvania PR executives account balance had swelled to a whopping $92,233,720,368,547,800. Thats a cool $92 QUADRILLION (and change). The money was credited into Reynolds PayPal account due to a bug which catapulted him to become the worlds richest man till the fun lasted. Reynolds was richer a million times than worlds richest man at that time, Mexican telecom mogul Carlos Slim who worth $67 billion. PayPal admitted that the credit was due to a software bug and offered to donate an unspecified amount of money to a cause of Reynolds choice. 5. Gangnam Style broke YouTube In 2014, YouTube was broken by a music video called Gangnam Style by Psy. YouTube developers built their platform on a 32-bit register, meaning that YouTube could track a range of -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647 values for its view counter. Since one cannot, unfortunately, register a negative view on YouTube, this translated to a view-tracking capability of nearly 2.15 billion. We never thought a video would be watched in numbers greater than a 32-bit integer, YouTube said in a Google+ post, but that was before we met PSY. Google fixed this YouTube bug by changing the view count to a 64-bit signed integer. 6. Bug in Windows native calculator This bug has not caused any loss but continues till date. Every version of Microsofts Windows operating software has a calculator which cant give correct answer for square root(9)-3. The answer this arithmatic should be 0 but the Windows calculator doesnt give 0 as an output. See the image below to understand the bug. The Calculators result is the same for any other number. For example answer of sqrt(4)-2 should be 0 but it wont give 0 as an answer. This bug has been discovered years earlier but continues unabated even in Windows 10. 7. Year 2038 problem with 32-bit Unix computers This time bug problem is similar to the Y2K bug issue we had in late 90s except that this is still to be patched. The world 32-bit computers could come to standstill on 19th January, 2038 as the time will end on that date. The Year 2038 problem is an issue for computing and data storage situations in which time values are stored or calculated as a signed 32-bit integer, and this number is interpreted as the number of seconds since 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970 (the epoch). Such implementations cannot encode times after 03:14:07 UTC on 19 January 2038. According to software engineers, the Year 2038 bug doesnt have a solution. 8. Software Race Condition Bug Creates Blackout for 50 Million People On August 14, 2003, a blackout across eight US states and Canada affected 50 million people. PC Authority described the cause, a race condition bug, as something that occurs when two separate threads of a single operation use the same element of code. Without proper synchronization, the threads tangle and crash a system. Thats what happened here with the result 256 power plants offline. The major disruptions manifested themselves in the form of cellular communication with the best form of communication during the outage said to be a laptop using a dial-up modem. And if you just cringed in horror at the word dial-up, youre not alone. 9. $327 million Mars Climate Orbiter explosion due to software error The Mars Climate Orbiter launched on December 11, 1998 by NASA to hunt for planets which can support human life. Unfortunately, due to an error in the ground-based computer software, the $327.6 million project according to the NASA fact sheet went missing 286 days later. Because of a miscalculation, Orbiter entered the Mars atmosphere at the wrong entry point and disintegrated shortly thereafter. 10.AT&T Nine Hour Outage due to a software bug For nine hours in January 1990, AT&T customers in the United States could not make a long-distance calls. This paralysed the entire United States telephone network for a whole day. The root of the problem was a bug in the AT&T software that controlled the companys long-distance relay switchessoftware that had just been updated. AT&T wound up losing $60 million in charges that daya very expensive bug. Lisa is moving west near 10 mph and that track is expected to continue as the center of the storm passes southeastern Mexico. | Read More Spreading joy at the Canberra Hospital with labradors Ralph and Barry made working Christmas Day less "ruff" for Australian Federal Police kennel manager Emily O'Donohue and assistant Rebecca Hughes. The pair led the tinselled six-month-old puppies through the hospital's wards to visit children and the elderly on Sunday. Tia Al Murabet, 8, of Dickson, gets out of bed for a cuddle with AFP dogs-in-training Barry and Ralph. Credit:Karleen Minney Dickson eight-year-old Tia Al Murabet was one patient to delight in the dogs' presence. "The kids don't get to see their own pets, so we can bring them in here," Ms Hughes said. Her appointment was largely welcomed by the health sector, some of whom felt health had been somewhat of a second-order priority under her predecessor. A boost to staffing in the hospital system has been promised for 2017, including more nurses and doctors to help staff the recently-opened $24 million Canberra Hospital emergency department expansion, new adult mental health unit and more roles in the community sector. But those promises did little to quell the exasperation of nurses trying to manage staff shortages in the hospital, with repeated calls for an independent review of work health and safety, calls which still seem to have fallen on deaf ears - the minister instead offering a "nurse safety review". There were revelations of the city's Calvary public and private hospitals having the highest rate of "inappropriate" antibiotic prescribing in the country, data dating back to 2014, due to a first-ever national report on the issue, with the hospitals instituting internal policy changes in a bid to address it. It is still unclear how Canberra Hospital has preformed on this issue, as ACT Health did not provide any data to the landmark report released earlier this year. In the primary health space, it was the first full year of operation of the Capital Health Network, which replaced what was known as Medicare Locals. From childhood obesity programs to trialling pharmacists in doctors surgeries and a host of other work, the network has several wins during the year, despite ongoing issues connecting the dots between the different levels of the system. Across the health system, obesity and similar chronic diseases remain the largest longer term challenges for all, and these problems turn up, in varying shades of urgency, in GP surgeries, emergency departments and community health settings alike. Some general practitioners were inundated as the ACT recorded the biggest influenza season in at least five years, although the latest numbers do not confirm how many cases of "man flu" turned up at surgeries around the city. Tensions between Calvary Public Hospital's management and ACT Health also marred financial negotiations, as visiting medical officers highlighted their concerns patients in the northern suburbs may be missing out on key treatment options available at the Woden hospital. Those doctors, after what was understood to be a complicated departure of a single VMO from the health system, also now face the ongoing threat of new conditions allowing for their contracts to be struck out without notice, if the relationship they have with the department deteriorates. But it was not all bad news in health in 2016. The successful surgery for a young Timorese girl, who travelled to Canberra for the treatment, was a shining example of what Canberrans can do for others. All important hand hygiene rates in the hospitals continued to rise, a likely contributor to falling rates of hospital-acquired infections, golden staph and returned to hospital within 28 days of discharge. And the nurse-led walk in clinics across town continued to see thousands of patients, mainly for common colds and urinary tract infections, treatments of the more everyday variety than surgery successes; but no less important in the Territory's overall health system. It can sometimes feel as though you need an army to prepare for Christmas Day. So how does providing a feast with all the trimmings for 250 guests sound? That is the annual challenge for volunteers at the St John's Care Canberra's community lunch. Bruce Millar and Annette Pilloni help to dish up two course Christmas lunch for 250. Credit:Karleen Minney For Franklin couple Annette Pilloni and Bruce Millar it's their tradition. "We have volunteered here for the past two years and before that we helped out at Woden Community Service on the day," Ms Pilloni said. Canberrans may be left dreaming of a white Christmas on Sunday with the mercury set to hit 31 degrees. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted a 30 per cent chance of a shower in the afternoon. It's expected to reach 31 degrees in Canberra on Christmas Day. Credit:Priyanka Gupta On Saturday, the territory was hit by storms, hail and minor flooding, with the bureau issuing a severe thunderstorm warning late in the afternoon. The ACT State Emergency Services responded to 18 calls for help. The majority came from the north for fallen trees, branches and minor flooding. Most of New South Wales will swelter through Christmas Day with a heatwave affecting much of the State, including parts of Sydney. A low intensity heatwave is expected to move across the Sydney suburbs and much of central NSW on Sunday, the Bureau of Meteorology says. The bureau forecasts the city centre will be spared but western Sydney will see temperatures in the low 30s on Christmas Day. The maximum temperature in the city will be 27 degrees. The chances of an afternoon thunderstorm are increasingly slim, Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Rob Taggart says. An elderly woman has died after she was caught in a house fire on the NSW Central Coast. Emergency services were called to the home in Saratoga about 2am on Christmas Day where a 93-year-old woman lived. Exhausted firefighters were being called back to work due to understaffing caused by poor leave management Credit:Karleen Minney Residents told police a neighbour tried to get to the woman after he noticed she had not been evacuated, but he was overcome by smoke and unable to reach her. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and the woman was taken to Gosford Hospital, where she later died. Detectives will await the results of a post-mortem to determine whether a man found unconscious on a Sydney footpath on Christmas night was murdered. Two women found the 45-year-old man sprawled on the path in Lidcombe just after midnight on Sunday. The 45-year-old man suffered a large cut to his head and had stopped breathing by the time paramedics arrived. Despite working on him for almost 30 minutes, witnesses say, the man died at the scene on John Street, near the intersection of Yarram Street. Police on Monday were trying to piece together his last movements to determine whether he was assaulted or the victim of misadventure. A stabbing attack on Saturday night left a man with a severed artery and a woman with a damaged tendon, police say. The pair were walking to their car parked in a unit complex on Defiance Road at Woodridge about 7.20pm when a man confronted them and began stabbing the 36-year-old man in the leg. Police are investigating after a stabbing attack at Logan. Credit:Glenn Hunt The woman was stabbed in the hand while trying to stop the attack, before the offender ran away, police said. The injured man received first aid by police who arrived on scene before paramedics took him to hospital in a serious condition. Last winter, after a family holiday, my wife and I were returning home through San Francisco and decided to take two days outside the city to de-stress. Our mini-vacation got off to a rocky start: Two hours in, we were still downtown waiting in line with everyone else renting a car that morning. By noon, though, we were cruising over the Golden Gate Bridge on the winding road to Stinson Beach. We joked about our mood rising from the effects of negative ions, something we had read about a couple of decades ago, when social psychologists at New York University found that wind and surf can cause electrification of the air that can make people happy. For us, it worked. Just an hour's drive from San Francisco, Stinson Beach feels like another world. It has a vibe of remote California and evokes an alternate reality that makes even walking blissful. Two days can feel like a week-long getaway. Even in winter, you can dip your toes in the ocean, stretch your legs, have lunch outside on the patio at the Breakers Cafe, soak up the Zen without setting foot in a yoga retreat. A visit takes some planning, as there are only a couple of lodging options in the burg and they can fill up fast. We booked a room six weeks ahead at Sandpiper Lodging, a little hotel a short walk from the beach. That day, we meandered north on the 101, zagging west on Highway 1 past Muir Woods National Monument, a glory of deep redwood forest. On a previous visit, we had enjoyed a loop-trail hike among those giants, walking right through one of the massive trunks. The parkland was donated by businessman William Kent (a progressive Republican) and proclaimed a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt, who probably foresaw that it would get a brisk flow of visitors. Feeling pressed for time, we didn't stop there and instead continued on to Muir Beach. (Both woods and beach are named for naturalist and conservationist John Muir, who campaigned for what now is the National Park Service.) Muir Beach is a simple crescent of sand overlooked by bluffs, where we took a break for a short, steep walk that switchbacked up the cliff's edge. We paused from time to time to check the progress of a few surfers and the dog racing around the tiny bathers on the beach below. The afternoon light skimmed off the azure water, and we could tell that the negative ions were doing their work. They were disrupted only by signs that warned of a Tsunami Hazard Zone: "In case of earthquake go to high ground or inland." The text wasn't as upsetting as the image of the hapless stick figure running with no chance of escaping the huge, beautiful blue curl bearing down on him. We drove on to Stinson Beach and nearly missed the town, even though Highway 1 goes right through it. It's tiny. We checked into the Sandpiper, a cozy low-slung motel with flowers vining up to the second-floor balcony, and settled into our room upstairs. It thrilled me to stand on the balcony and look out to sea. By the standards of a D.C. winter, the day felt like fall, and the gas fireplace sliced through the chill wonderfully. Stinson Beach is a stone's throw from several yoga retreats. With its visual beauty and proximity to San Francisco, the place has exerted a pull on Bay Area musicians at least since Jerry Garcia lived and recorded here in the early 1970s. It was here that he launched his bluegrass side project, Old and in the Way. Janis Joplin had her ashes scattered at Stinson Beach. And Ramblin' Jack Elliott was living in a trailer when he passed through around 1986 and gave a solo concert just to impress a woman. The town feels like an old rural version of California. The Sandpiper's owners, John Vantress and his wife, Heather, bought the place three years ago after she had worked there for more than a decade. She grew up in Bolinas, just beyond the lagoon. Vantress grew up over the ridge in Tiburon. Fortified by an outdoor lunch of omelets and home fries at the Parkside Cafe, we crossed the road through town and started up the hill on the Dipsea Trail. We passed a French family on a walk, strung along the trail like beads on a chain. Mostly, though, we had the trail to ourselves in long stretches of sunlight. Sometimes we stopped to soak it in, facing the sea. The view to the west went on forever. To the right, Bolinas Lagoon cut a blue slice just below the hills to the north. Continuing on, the trail dipped into the forest of spruce and chaparral. The tree canopy filtered the light for a blue-green effect as we approached the redwoods of Muir Woods. This trail is home to the Dipsea Race, the oldest foot race in America, dating back more than a century, to 1905. Held every June, the race covers the trail's length, with runners clambering from Mill Valley, about seven miles inland, to the ocean. The race's organizers claim that it is one of the most beautiful courses in the world. I don't doubt it. Another walking option, according to a park ranger, is a mountain loop: Go up the Dipsea to where the Steep Ravine Trail forks to the left; follow that up the eponymous ravine to the Pantoll Ranger Station and then bear left to take the Matt Davis Trail west, back down to Stinson Beach. With the late sun dropping in the western sky, our afternoon walk ended with us reaching the beach just about the time when the sun kissed the sea. Open mic night at Breakers is popular for its range of local musical talent. On our night, it had a silver-haired jazz guitarist and a teenage keyboard player. It's also a good place to grab dinner. It may have been on this site that Garcia and friends in Old and in the Way had their first gig in the fall of 1972, according to local lore. (Or maybe not; it's hard to say. Breakers opened in 2009 but its building started out as a market and gas station in the 1920s.) The next morning, it attracted a line for bagels outside. It's just a pleasant place to say hi to people. After another barefoot stroll in the sand, we set off in the morning fog on a misty drive back through the woods to the bedroom community of Larkspur for a gradual reentry to urban America. There, we grabbed an artisanal lunch including chanterelle-and-leek risotto at Farm House Local. Even though it lasted less than 48 hours, that trip has returned to my thoughts a lot lately. After this election season, I'm thinking that a negative-ion cleanse could be the winning ticket. Sales of publicly owned land generated more than $150 million this year alone with the government preparing to sell off dozens more sites. The sell-off was of "surplus" government sites in some of Melbourne's most sought-after suburbs. The sites are located throughout Melbourne and stretching out to regional Victoria. However, some of the sales were made between public agencies and departments, including a former research site in Knox sold to government property development agency Places Victoria for $64.7 million. Public sales of surplus government properties exceeded $40 million in 2016. The government land sell-off has ignited calls from housing groups to hand over some of the properties for affordable housing. The threat of terrorism at St Paul's Cathedral was not enough to keep the community away from Christmas Day morning services. If anything, it had the opposite effect. "How dare they," said former policeman Tony Tulloh. "How dare they try to attack such a soft target; not just the building, but this community? They wouldn't try to target a battalion of tanks, would they? That'd be too hard." Mr. Tulloh was visiting from New South Wales with his wife Trudie and their two sons. They had deliberated between attending an Anglican or Catholic church for Christmas during their five-day trip to Melbourne, and settled on St Paul's. Then, when they heard that a terrorist plot against the cathedral had been foiled, it reaffirmed their choice. "We came in defiance," said Mrs. Tulloh. Andrew Boyd, who was visiting from Perth with his wife and three children, had not been so confident in his decision to attend. "At first, we were concerned about coming," he said, "but if you don't do this, what else don't you do?" In the end, he and his wife decided not to let fear stop them, "Otherwise the terrorists win." A grass fire in Victoria's Mallee region is now under control, but residents are being told to be prepared for any change in the situation. A Country Fire Authority advice to residents warns smoke is still visible from nearby communities. Roads are closed at the corner of Sunraysia Highway and Kellys Road, and the corner of Sunraysia Highway and Acklands Road due to fallen trees. Do you know more? Email scoop@theage.com.au The grassfire, which broke out at Kellys Road, Woomelang,had travelled south past Sunraysia Highway and Curyo. if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi... CASABLANCA, MoroccoThe owner of Ricks Cafe in Casablanca teared up as she remembered election night when Donald Trump thundered to victory, turning her election night party into a wake as Moroccan revelers expressed dismay that the candidate whod touted a Muslim ban won Americas highest post. They are worried about what it means for them, said American Kathy Kriger, 70, a former diplomat turned cafe proprietess in the Moroccan commercial capital. There was disgust at what Trump had said and open hostility, but since hes been elected, I think people are in shock and they are afraid to speak openly about what it means. They are trying to hold back and be pragmatic in terms of not doing anything overtly to offend people. A spry grandmother with salt and pepper hair and pentagonal-shaped reading glasses, sporting Moroccan beads over a traditional embroidered blouse, Kriger looks the part of expat who lost her heart to Morocco and found a way to stay. Her dismay over Trumps election victory was reflected in multiple interviews with Moroccan officials, artists, and opinion makers, who fear a Trump victory may mean the countrys multilingual, internationalist class will find it harder to visit the U.S.and may face rising militancy and unrest at home for cooperating with a White House seen as anti-Islam. Trumps recent comments likening the truck attack in Germany as an attack on Christendom havent helped. Moroccan officials knew what they were getting with a would-be Clinton administration. President Bill Clinton called on King Mohammed VI in Morocco, and Hillary Clinton visited as secretary of State. She spent time in the country after her husbands bruising terms of office touring Moroccos ancient forts, mountains, and deserts. She also infamously was tarred during the election campaign by leaked emails regarding the Moroccan monarchys contributions to the Clinton Foundation and a recent lavish conference held there. Under the Bush and Obama administrations, cooperation especially on counterterrorism was strengthened, though Moroccan officials gripe the U.S. had been slow to recognize the spread of al Qaeda in North Africa. Now Morocco is seen as leading in both targeting terrorists and re-educating the population as part of the deradicalization fight, employing the countrys famous center of Islamic learning (founded by a woman), the University of Karawiyyin, to train, or re-train, a new generation of modern-minded Muslim clergy. Morocco is also seen as one of the few Arab countries that survived the Arab Spring relatively unscathed, implementing constitutional reforms in response to demonstrations that empowered elected officials, established the equality of the sexes, making the public feel heard. Moroccan officials said they prefer the new Trump administrations forceful language about Iran to the deal-making of the Obama administration. The Sunni constitutional monarchy sees Tehran engaging in power-grabbing adventurism on behalf of Shiite peoples from Syria, to Iraq to Yemen. But they would have been more comfortable with the Americans they already knowHillary and Bill Clinton, and what they saw as Hillary Clintons more precise language referring to Islamic militancy rather than Trump and his National Security Adviser Michael Flynns equating extremism with the entire Muslim faith. Flynn infamously tweeted the phrase Fear of Muslims is rational, with a link to a video that listed decades of high profile terror attacks, pointing out that the attackers in each one were Muslim. In his book The Field of Fight, Flynn mixes descriptions of Islam with more radical, militant strains, making them sound synonymous. Thats the kind of sentiment that drove Ricks owner Kriger to open the restaurant based on the classic World War II-era film Casablanca. She went on record with sentiments that high-profile Moroccans only felt comfortable expressing privately. It was just after the attacks of 9/11 on New York and Washington. She instinctively feared a backlash against the Islamic wolda painting of the whole region as enemy and other. I thought it would be an ideal time to establish a Ricks Cafe because I thought it could do something for both sidesshow that it wasnt what paranoid people thought this part of the world was like, she said, something that would entice people to visit Morocco and be proud to know there was something here started by an American. For Moroccans and other Arab visitors, I wanted to give people hope that this wasnt what America was like, she said. She hoped her restaurant would be a beacon of American hospitality among Moroccans angered by what she feared would be the outsized U.S. response to being attacked. She says she was proven right when U.S. troops invaded Iraqan action largely seen as unjustified following what many in the Arab world considered the more understandable invasion of Afghanistan, where the Taliban were sheltering al Qaeda. Kriger had first arrived in Morocco in 1998 for a four-year posting as a commercial emissary working out of the U.S. Consulate in the bustling business-focused Casablanca. She couldnt bear to leave after her diplomatic posting endedpartly because shed fallen for the warmth of the Moroccan people and their complex tapestry of Arab, French, and Berber culture, and partly because the Oregon-born diehard Democrat couldnt bear to work for the incoming Bush administration. She rounded up funding from American friends, and with the help of local Moroccan officials shed befriended in her diplomatic post, she refurbished a run-down 1930s Art Deco mansion in Casablancas old city just a stones throw from the seashore. Studying the 1942 film Casablanca frame by frame, she and an American designer friend brought the imaginary gin joint alive, a labor of love she describes in her 2012 book Ricks Cafe, Bringing the Film Legend to Life in Casablanca. There are arches atop columns framing an inner courtyard where Moroccan piano player Isam plays the part of movie piano player and Humphrey Bogart sidekick Sam. (The line attributed to Bogart is play it again, Sam, but he actually says Play it, Sam.) Isam is often joined by a jazz band, the music live-streamed nightly on Facebook. A dark wood bar lines one wall, and tables are tucked in every available space. The original film was, in part, a component in a drive to help the government convince an isolationist U.S. public to care about the mayhem unfolding across Europe and the flight of persecuted groups ahead of the relentless Nazi war machine. They conceived the idea to do Casablanca shortly after the Pearl Harbor bombing, Kriger said, describing why Warner Brothers bought the screenplay Everyone comes to Ricks. The idea was they would show this love story but the backdrop of what was happening in Europe via French Morocco, explaining it in human terms to an audience, Kriger said, sketching out the plot over Moroccan mint tea, with the film playing on a loop in the background in the casino area of her establishment. She plays the film so a younger generation of Moroccans can watch, and learn. It showed the Jews fleeing, and freedom fighters battling the Nazis, and made the war real via the characters in a painful love triangle: spurned lover-turned-bar-owner Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart; rebel agent Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman; and her cuckolded husband, freedom fighter Victor Laszlo, played by Paul Henreid. The echoes of a distant war play out in a plot to find purloined blank travel papersthe kind resistance agents can use to traverse Nazi territory with ease to help them sabotage the German war effort. Bergman and her freedom fighter husband need the papers, but the Nazis in Casablanca are also hunting the missing documents. Everyone goes to Ricks to look for them, because as previously mentioned, everyone comes to Ricks. Thats how the Ingrid Bergman character runs into Rick (Bogart), the man she stood up in Paris months earlier, never mentioning to him that she was already married to someone else. Moroccan youth had never seen or heard of the film, Krieger said, but the moment she opened her doors, the foreign tourists poured in. She learned the hard way that her gin joint could never close, after reading travelers angry blogs saying things like I flew all the way from Australia and Ricks was closed. Now the restaurant stays open seven days a week, with live jazz most nights. Kriger spends each night perched at a stool tucked at the far corner of the bar, surveying her all-Moroccan staff of fez-hatted waiters swooping among the tables. She occasionally strolls through the two floors packed with patrons now a 50/50 mix of foreigners and locals. For Kriger, a Christian at home in a Muslim country who feels both safe and loved by her all-Moroccan staff, the U.S. reaction to the Islamic world is baffling. Just like after 9/11, they thought of all Muslims as the same, Kriger said. A lot of Americans who don't absorb the details of news are going to see all Muslim countries as the same. She thinks her business will survive any future anti-Islamic statements or even policies of the incoming administration. People know my feelings. They know Im not responsible for Trump. But she said her friends who travel to the U.S. frequently are now worried theyll either be denied future visas, or attacked during their visit because they are Muslim. They are worried about the reaction in the U.S. - how are they going to be treated - because they know hate crimes have gone up against Muslims. On a recent evening, after circulating through the tables, she had her first run-in with a Trump voter. An American businessman has stopped by Krigers corner perch to compliment her chef on the stick-to-your-ribs lamb couscous and the crisp gin martini. She asked where he was from and he replied, Washington, D.C. Unfamiliar with Trump voters in her own social circle of expat Americans, Moroccans, and Hillary-voting friends back home via Facebook, she made an assumption that proved wrong. Oh how is it in Washington with everything thats going on? The patron did not appreciate her query. He went into a real rant against President Obama and said, It cant be any worse than the last 8 years. Obamas worse than Jimmy Carter. Trump is going to be good for business, period. And I said end of conversation, she recounts, shutting him down and signaling in no uncertain terms that he should leave. Its left her shaken that she is back to square one, trying to explain to her friends in the Arab world that Americans dont hate themand treating incoming American patrons with care. I opened Ricks as a neutral zone where people would leave all their troubles outsideno vitriol or debates. Instead, shared aspirations, Kriger said. Kind of schmaltzy, but where people could feel safe and not subjected to insults. Am I going to limit my conversation? No, but Ill be more like Rick, Kriger said. Hes got a heart of gold but hes a tough guy and hes had to make some choices. She says that may mean showing Trump supporters the door. In the week before Christmas in each of his four years as commandant of the United States Marine Corps, General Charles Krulak and his wife would set to baking cookies, cookies, cookies. Were talking about hundreds of dozens of cookies, Krulak recalled this week. He further reported, Always chocolate chip. Around 4 pm on Christmas Eve, they would load the cookies into their car and set out to deliver platefuls to all the Marines who were standing watch at the Marine facilities in the Washington, D.C. area. Around midnight, just as Christmas Eve was turning to Christmas Day in 1998, they reached the most distant location, the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. They stopped at each of the many commands and facilities there. The last place we delivered them was at the headquarters of the commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Krulak remembered. The commandants wife, Zandi Krulak, had a plate of cookies ready and he took it into the guard shack, where he offered it along with seasons greetings to the staff sergeant on duty. Heres your cookies, Charles Krulak would recall saying. I want to make sure you save some of them for the officer of the day. An officer was also supposed to be on duty, but Krulak saw no one else present. Where is the officer of the day? Krulak asked. Sir, hes out walking his post, the staff sergeant said. The staff sergeant meant the officer was checking the facility to ensure all was as it should be. Who is the officer of the day? Krulak asked. Sir, its Brigadier General Mattis, the staff sergeant replied. No, Im not asking who is the general officer, Krulak said. Someone of Mattis high rank might have been expected to be serving as the duty officer for the whole base, but he would have been free to remain home and would have passed his holiday undisturbed unless something truly urgent arose. No, I dont mean him, Krulak said. Krulak was only asking about the duty officer of the day (DOD) for that particular post. This task on Christmas would have been expected to go to the most junior of them. Whos the DOD? Krulak asked. Sir, its Brigadier General Mattis, the staff sergeant said. Staff sergeant, again, I dont mean whos over all of the duty officers, whos above all of them, Krulak said. Who is the duty officer? Sir, its Brigadier General Mattis, the staff sergeant said. Krulak looked over at two cots that had been installed for the sergeant and for whichever officer was on duty. Okay, let me make it easy, Krulak said. Who slept in that cot over there? Krulak noted that by this point the staff sergeant was becoming a touch irritated. Sir, Brigadier General Mattis slept there, the staff sergeant said. At that moment, Krulak heard clicking shoe heels approaching down the marble hallway, joined by the clanking of a sword. Brigadier General James Mattis appeared, having been out walking his post in full dress uniform, complete with sword hanging at his hip. Jim, what are you doing standing duty? Krulak asked. Sir, I checked the roster to see who would be standing duty on Christmas and one of the persons who was going to be standing duty was a man who had two young children, Mattis said. And, since Im a bachelor, I figured why should I spend Christmas morning looking at my own little Christmas tree when we have a husband whos got a wife and children who are going to miss their father because he is standing duty? Krulak would recall just shaking his head, amazed and admiring. His Christmas gesture of bringing the cookies had become a Christmas tale that would be worth telling for many Christmases to come. Well done, Im proud of you, very proud of you, Krulak told Mattis. Eighteen years later, Mattis has gone from Christmas duty officer of the day to President-Elect Donald Trumps pick as our next Secretary of Defense. He had in the meantime fought in Afghanistan and Iraq and acquired the nickname Mad Dog Mattis, which those who know him say attests only to the fierce warrior, not to the scholar and thoughtful commander who loves his fellow Marines. He was known to spend a night in a fighting hole with a sergeant and a lance corporal when he could have been snug in a cozy bed. Mattis is one appointment in which even Trumps opponents should be able to discern considerable merit. Hes a good one, Krulak told the Daily Beast this week. The story Krulak told of a remarkable moment in a Quantico guard shack back in 1998 suggests that at this time of year, a far better nickname than Mad Dog Mattis would be Merry Christmas Mattis. So, call the tale The Commandants Cookies and Merry Christmas Mattis. Krulak answered the obvious question that arose at the end. Oh yeah, he got his cookies, Krulak said. Hopefully Santas sleigh has mud flaps. While the United States braces for a Christmas snowstorm, the North Pole is set to be 50 degrees warmer than normal, with temperatures approaching 32 degrees Fahrenheitenough to melt the snow into a slushy mess for Rudolph and friends. Thats the thing about climate change, or as its more accurately called, global climate disruption. Its not as simple as global warming, because when you mess with the Earths climatic systems, the results arent uniform. Around Thanksgiving, for example, the Arctic was 36 degrees warmer than usual, while a mass of cold polar air moved over Siberia, causing record low temperatures and, reportedly, several deaths from freezing. And you may recall that in 2014, the polar vortex froze North America while also changing the jet stream, contributing to Californias recent drought. This kind of variation is what led climate truther and U.S. Senator James Inhofewho not only denies that climate change is real, but alleges a vast international conspiracy to lie about itto bring a snowball to the Senate floor back in 2015. Ironically, just as Senator Snowball was showboating on the floor of the Senate, NASA observed that the massive, 618-square mile Larson B Ice Shelf in Antarctica was falling into the sea. Yes, Senator, it snowed in Washington in March. But in 2015, the Northeastern United States was an anomalously cool area in a world of record high temperatures. Just look at the map. Of course, now the NASA program that produced that map, and the observations in Antarctica, has been slated for closure by the President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team. Because nothing helps denial more than closing your eyes, plugging your ears, and chanting, I cant hear you. Indeed, the more one cares to look at the facts, the more obvious it is that the current warming of the Earth is unprecedented in scope and magnitude. Every region of the world goes through cold and warm periods. But whats happening at the North Pole is part of a larger pattern. This year, for example, Arctic Ocean ice reached its lowest level ever measured, beating the record from 2015. That causes a feedback loop, since ice reflects solar radiation more than water or land do. The less ice, the more heat absorption; the more heat absorption, the less ice; et cetera. Moreover, last winter was the warmest ever at the North Poleuntil this winter, that is. The World Weather Attribution network crunched the peer-reviewed climate models, and concluded that warm years like this one should occur once every 50 years, even in the context of moderate global warming. (They were unheard of a hundred years ago.) And now weve had them back to back. In the rest of the world, including China, scientific findings like these have shifted government policies to favor cleaner energy and conservation. But in the incoming administration, the worldwide scientific consensus is derided as climate alarmism. For example, earlier this month saw a dust-up between the Republican-led House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and Senator Bernie Sanders. The House Committee had retweeted a poorly researched article from Breitbart.com headlined Global Temperatures Plunge. Sanders tweeted back, Whered you get your PhD? Trump University? Aside from the spectacle of a House committee tweeting material from the platform for the Alt-Right, the article in question was pure bunk. It noted that global temperatures have declined from their all-time peak in March 2016, failing to note that even the somewhat lower temperatures would have been world records just 10 years ago. Imagine if that were your childs feverits not 104, but its still 103. Still no cause for alarm? Sadly, such minutiae are unlikely to be noticed by all but the most ardent climate-watchers. To everyone else, climate change is starting to look like a game of he said/he said. Except, on the one side are politicians, and on the other is the entiretyas in 100 percent entiretyof peer-reviewed scientific articles on climate. A recent study showed that of 928 peer-reviewed articles were published in scientific journals over a five-year period, 928 adduced evidence proving the existence of human-caused climate change, and zerozero!produced evidence contradicting it. Meanwhile, as the Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting website noted, the most prominent climate deniers are people who know nothing about climate science. The head of the House Committee on Science, Lamar Smith, is a lawyer. Scott Pruitt, tapped to head Trumps EPA, is too. Trumps space policy advisor, who has called for ending NASAs climate research, has a masters in political science. If a doctor told you that you had cancer, but a lawyer told you that you didnt, who would you trust? Trouble is, the lawyers are getting paid more. As Naomi Oreskes and others have painstakingly researched, energy companies have created an entire parallel universe of pseudosciencestuff that comes on corporate letterhead from The Heartland Institute or the Global Climate Coalition but which is, in fact, pure drivel written by non-scientists to sow doubt and postpone action. A 2008 study reviewed 141 books that denied the serious of environmental problems; 130 of them were published by Conservative Think Tanks (CTTs) or authors affiliated with them. And who funds the CTTs? Fossil-fuel industry groups, big oil donors like the Koch brothers, and individual companies like ExxonMobil, which has spent tens of millions of dollars on CTTsand whose CEO is set to be the next secretary of State. Or to take another example, the Heartland Institute (leading funders: ExxonMobil, Koch Industries, Philip Morris) put out a colorful poster last year showing 58 experts [who] dont believe global warming is a crisis. Well, I checked the resumes of all 58. Turns out only three have any credentials in climatology or atmospheric science. Sixteen are conservative political pundits, 11 are meteorologists, six are conservative economists, and the rest a hodgepodge. There is no controversy over climate change, any more than there was a controversy over the dangers of tobacco smokea pseudo-controversy created by the same network of think tanks. Thats why the United States stands alone in the civilized world in denying climate change, and why the new drill, baby, drill administration is set to undo the tiny amounts of progress we have made. So, Santa, if your workshop really is melting, at least you know who to blame: the people moving into the White House. Art in Lincoln in 2016 was highlighted by the best multi-artist contemporary art exhibition to be held in the city in years and the most important series of work to come from a Nebraska-based artist in decades. It also saw the citys galleries, museums and pop-up show venues filled with a couple of dozen excellent shows, evidence that Lincolns art scene continues to thrive, producing work and exhibitions well above what would be expected from a city of its size. It took some effort to narrow those shows down to a top 10. But here it is -- my best of art in Lincoln for 2016: 1a. Uncommon Likeness, Sheldon Museum of Art. Uncommon Likeness: Identity in Flux uses 18 works to explore questions of what is identity and how is it represented in art. The show doesnt answer those questions. But it provides some guidance, looking at ethnicity, the assumption of multiple identities and roles and observations from history in multiple media, incorporating three-dimensional objects along with paintings and photographs. The objects, which include Nick Caves Soundsuit, a Santeria-influenced abstract painting, a creepy Cindy Sherman photographic self portrait and a Francisco de Goya etching, dont fit together in any formal manner. But each has a powerful impact and, taken as a whole, make up a fine show of contemporary art that looks at portraiture and identity in unforgettable fashion. Uncommon Likeness is on view through Dec. 31. 1b. A Memory in Peril, Francisco Souto, Kiechel Fine Art. In Sept. 2015, Francisco Souto began a series of drawings about his native land, Venezuela, and the impact of the current economic and political upheaval on its people. The result was three large, panoramic drawings and 20 smaller pieces, with drawings set inside circles. It was the most powerful and important series of work to come out of Nebraska in decades. A master with a pencil, Soutos highly detailed drawings are technically impressive and emotionally resonant with their images of protesters confronting the military and hungry children sharing bread. Full disclosure -- I collaborated with Souto throughout the year as he worked on the drawings, visiting his studio to discuss the work in progress. 3. It Was Never Linear, Sheldon Museum of Art. The most significant contemporary painting exhibition in Nebraska in more than a decade, It Was Never Linear wasnt a showcase of art stars. Rather, it exhibited the work of a dozen artists who are now becoming prominent, some figurative, some abstract and some operating in the space between. Several of the paintings from the exhibition were purchased for Sheldons collection. 4. Timeshare, Molly Zuckerman-Hartung, Fiendish Plots. Molly Zuckerman-Hartungs show of paintings on cloth demanded examination and thought and rewarded both as she presented something of a language using dye and bleach to create abstraction and paint for figurative elements. The Brooklyn artists works hinted at everything from the opening of a Hitchcock movie and a film strip to a punk take on Robert Rauschenbergs silk screens. 5. Cell and World: A Renegade Exhibition. At 5 p.m. May 27, an old house at 22nd and R streets became, for a few hours, an art gallery, the site of a guerilla installation by nine artists who filled the rooms with ceramic figures climbing on ropes, abstract floor and wall pieces, and a giant pipe that ran out of a second floor window. When darkness fell, Cell and World!: A Renegade Exhibition closed -- for good. 6. Vox Stellarum, Elin Noble, Hillestad Gallery. Nearly two dozen black-and-white printed silk organza panels hung floor to ceiling in the Hillestad Gallery in Vox Stellarum," moving in the breeze from passers by and the air conditioning, triggering the moire effect -- a wavy, watery appearance of lines in the fabric, creating a psychedelic op art feel up close. A video by Michael Burton of the Massachusetts artist Nobles work, shot very close up, was projected on the gallery wall. The panels and video created an enveloping, hard-to-leave installation. 7. "They Gave Us Directions," Lux Center for the Arts and Theres Always an Apex Predator, Tugboat Gallery, Jay Kreimer and Wendy Weiss. With They Gave Us Directions, Kreimer and Weiss created a chaotic, never overwhelming installation in response to and drawn from spending much of the last two years working in India. The installation included wall pieces, paintings and photographs that captured Indian street life and architecture, some rolling sculptures, a loom and a vendor cart that played Indian street music in the gallery. With Theres Always a Apex Predator, the duo looked at World War II German prisoner of war camps through sobering imagery and a small sculpture derived from Kreimers fathers experience as a POW, along with pointed, funny appropriations from comic books, magazines and Hogans Heroes, and graphic wall pieces. 8. Postmark Shenanigans, Frank Hansen, and The Last American Hitchhiker, Mark Kneeskern, Iron Tail Gallery. Des Moines, Iowa, artist Frank Hansen and Texas-based Mark Kneeskern were friends and collaborators through Kneeskerns death in 2014. Hansens June exhibition of surreal, paintings on old pieces of wood covered with imagined figures with large heads and distended arms, layers of paint and scrawled text was dedicated to Kneeskern. Hansens show was followed by an exhibition of Kneeskerns work. The Last American Hitchhiker was drawn from Kneeskerns archives and Hansens collection of his work along with the book recounting his hitchhiking adventure that gave the show its title. A representative sampling of Kneeskerns work, the show included wild, cartoonish paintings, explorations of skulls in paint and pencil, black-and-white sketches, found wood sculptures and boxes filled with bones, photographs and pill bottles. The connections between the work of Hansen and Kneeskern are obvious and illuminating and the shows together served as a fine memorial for Kneeskern. 9. Cast Study: BiMolar, Bri Murphy, Tugboat Gallery. Lux gallery director Murphy was Lincolns 2016 art star, having curated a strong series of Lux shows, several of which could have made this list; participating in Cell and World, a drawing show at Nebraska Wesleyan Universitys Elder Gallery; and creating this bravely provocative exhibition at Tugboat. Recording her own behavior for a year on a long scroll to document her life with bipolar disorder, Murphy combined videos of her taking prescriptions, pill bottles, porcelain casts of her wisdom teeth and a curiosity box into a very powerful, personal show. 10. Quiltscapes, Pauline Burbidge, International Quilt Study Center & Museum. The first U.S. solo exhibition of the 2000s from Burbidge, the U.K.s top quilt artist, is comprised of a series of quilts covered with leaves, grasses and horizon lines sketched from journeys through the Scottish landscape in layers of black, greys and blues in the large pieces that hang like giant paintings in the gallery space. Connected to the North Country Quilting tradition of 19th and early 20th centuries, Quiltscapes is visually arresting, contemporary quiltmaking at its finest. It is on view through March 25. Administrators from the College Station school district expect the public school financing system, which they say places too much of a burden on the taxpayer, to be a major topic of discussion in the upcoming legislative session. Superintendent Clark Ealy said the current funding system used by the state is in need of an overhaul. State funding to public schools has dropped significantly in the past 10 years, leading to an increased burden on the local districts and, in turn, the taxpayer. He said the state is contributing around $340 less per student than it did before, and districts are paying $990 more. Thats the thing that were trying to have people in our community and across the state understand, Ealy said. The state has not kept up with their share. College Station administrators made an overhaul of the financing system a legislative priority this session. Ealy said all Texas schoolchildren should have an equal opportunity for a quality education and hed like to see a finance system that ensures that. He said the state should also provide greater budget transparency in the use of local school property taxes that are paid back to the state each year by districts with an excess. He said that money should be reinvested in public schools and not used for anything else. Another concern shared by both Bryan and College Station administrators is the states A-F accountability rating system for school districts. Both districts are joining others across the state in calling for legislators to do away with the rating system in favor of something that more accurately describes the quality of learning students are receiving, they said. Assistant Superintendent Greg McIntyre said last week after the school board voted unanimously to approve a resolution calling for the repeal of the A-F grading system that the system lacks a full description of all the indicators of a great school. The resolution requested the development of a community-based accountability system that lets districts design their own systems that can meet state standards and allow for innovation and customization. Ealy said hed also like to see a reduced number of curricular standards assessed on the STAAR tests for accountability purposes, allowing teachers to teach to greater depth. Thats the heart of what we do educate kids, he said. Its not about learning less, its about learning deeper and not having to go so fast. A Lincoln program is helping bridge the gaps between mental health providers, those who need mental health services and the police officers who are frequently sent to mental crises. The REAL Program, run by the Mental Health Association of Nebraska, connects Lincoln cops with mental health peers who can help people in need, whether it's a place to sleep, a pamphlet of resources or someone to talk to. The association will send someone who also has struggled with mental health issues to listen, talk and find some hope. Peer supporter Amie, who asked that her last name not be used, said she knows how important it is for police to collaborate with mental health professionals. She found herself in need of a similar program nine years ago while living in Grand Island, where she said authorities mostly dealt with her by putting her in jail or hospitalizing her. "I have arrests for disturbing the peace, assault, traffic tickets, burglary, possession," she said. In all, Amie said, she has 53 criminal convictions, and no one tried to get to the bottom of why she was committing crimes or how she could be helped. "Some of the (arrests) stemmed from psychosis," she said. Amie, 41, said she had visions that told her what to do -- like break into homes. "I was experiencing those things in jail and no one was there to help," she said. "I was never offered any mental health care." Then she found Keya house, a respite home run by the Mental Health Association of Nebraska. And from there, she found a job, a passion and a better life. If REAL had been available a decade ago, Amie said, her life might have been saved much earlier. *** Police officers have always had to deal with people who have mental health issues, but the number of those calls has grown as the population has grown, said Lincoln Public Safety Director Tom Casady. There are several causes for the increase, including simple population growth. He said he also thinks the general decline in community-based outpatient care and support for people with chronic mental illnesses is a factor. Basically its caused people to devolve ... in the absence of sufficient community care, he said. More and more people arent getting any kind of care, and more are becoming involved in incidents that involve the police. In Casadys terms, the city is dealing with mental health crises in the backseats of police cruisers. I think (police) are the largest provider of emergency mental health care, he said. The second largest is Lincoln Fire and Rescue. "And its a nationwide problem, its not just Lincoln. Casady feels strongly about the issue, but he's at a loss for solutions. Is there another chronic illness for which the default response when a patient experiences a critical symptom is to call the police?" he asked. "No. "Would you call police for someone who was having a diabetic episode? No." According to a September study by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, one in five Nebraskans has reported mental illness in the past year, and 47 percent of them got treatment. According to the same report, an increase in access to community-based services could help prevent some hospitalization and police calls. Still, Casady said, in the first half of 2016, Lincoln cops were sent to 1,500 mental health calls. Because of the volume of calls, Lincoln police officers must go through weeks of mental health training. They also participate in the REAL Program. (The Mental Health Association) takes referrals from officers when they encounter someone who needs help and support -- normally on calls relating to mental health crises, Casady said. All an officer has to do is send an email to the program. In the five years REAL -- which stands for respond, empower, advocate, listen -- has been active, about 300 officers have made 1,600 referrals. Hundreds of police officers have made one or two referrals, Casady said. Its really quite phenomenal. The program has helped lower repeat calls. The questions were interested in are: Is that person less likely to have a crisis that comes to the attention of police? Are they less likely to commit a crime? Are they less likely to be the victim of a crime? And the answer is yes, Casady said. When a referral is made, one of three peers from the REAL program reaches out to see what help is needed. (The peers) have experience living with mental health problems or have been incarcerated, said Kasey Moyer, director of the Mental Health Association of Nebraska. They know what its like to go through stuff and not know what resources are available and just be scared. They engage on a level of understanding and its not of judgment. Stigma is big with mental health, and the peers get it. Theyll go wherever people need help -- homes, schools, even under bridges. Our goal is to hook them up with appropriate services, Moyer said. If the person refuses help, the peers back off. To date, 84 percent of those contacted have accepted peer services. If they say no, they dont want us there, then we leave, Moyer said. We believe in choice and dignity thats how we all learn. ... If we allow someone to be in charge of their failures and successes, then that person succeeds because of what they did. *** Handing control to the person in need is the driving factor in the REAL Program. Its amazing to see people get their power back and know they can do anything," Amie said. "The program is successful because it helps divert unnecessary hospitalization and incarcerations." But what Amie has seen help the most is the compassion most Lincoln police officers have. "They don't just send us an email and go on their way," she said. "They'll follow up. If 30 years ago I was dealing with the police who had the same thoughts and views and beliefs, I may not have had as many visits with them." The program doesn't just help those in need at the moment, Amie said. Her own continuing recovery comes from being part of the program. "I get to share my lived experience to help and inspire other people that there is hope," she said. "And I get to work with such a strong support system. If I'm going through something, they understand and don't judge." Furthermore, Amie said, having peers with lived experiences helps give incentive to people who wouldn't otherwise reach out. "I believe in each person I work with," she said. "I believe they can do great things." Moyer said there's still work to be done. If we can figure out how to access people before law enforcement involvement, that would be fantastic, Moyer said. "I dont know what that would look like. (LPD) always seems to be the first call. She believes one of the reasons people call 911 is access. "A lot of times when people get scared, the first thing people do is call the cops," she said. "When the emergency is happening -- caseworkers, social workers -- most likely arent available 24/7 -- they're available 9-to-5. A lot of people, when its the first time dealing with those situations, dont know what the options are." Help beyond criminal convictions is something Moyer would like to see . "A mental health court would be fantastic and I do think we need to look more at not just behavior and crime, but whats going on," she said. "I dont think mental health issues are an excuse for behavior, but I do think we need to be providing them the opportunity to know what is available so they can get the help they need." Conservation board tables property lease program, examines deficit The Des Moines County Conservation Board on Wednesday tabled a proposed program that would have generated revenue for the conservation department. NORWALK In sixth grade, Alicia Briggs had to dissect a cow heart. Rather than shy away from the beefy muscle, she was the only girl and one of the only students who was actually interested in the project. I think thats the day I said, This is fascinating; this is what I want to do, Briggs said. I went to public school. It was a very good school district, and it kept me interested in science as a girl. The experience led Briggs down a path in medicine, earning her undergraduate degree at the University of California and attending medical school at the Ross University School of Medicine. Today, she is the interim chairwoman of pediatrics at Norwalk Hospital and interim network director of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine for the Western Connecticut Health Network. Its a career path that, despite the demands of leadership, has allowed her to balance a family and her dream of working in medicine, thanks, in part, to a loving support system at home. As a woman, knowing at some point you want to be a mother and a wife and have a career, I think I was drawn to pediatrics because those lifestyles are more conducive to having a family, Briggs said. But that balance isnt possible in many other sectors of medicine, forcing women to choose one or the other and creating a bulletproof glass ceiling. Nearly a third of all practicing physicians in the U.S. are women. They account for more than 60 percent of pediatricians and more than 51 percent of obstetricians/gynecologists. While women are equally and sometimes overrepresented in residency programs and departments like pediatrics, the gender ratio reverses drastically in the higher echelons of medicine as leadership roles become more time consuming. Women represent less than 20 percent of division chiefs, medical school deans, department chairs and hospital CEOs, according to a 2016 study from Medscape, a medical news website. Overall, women account just for 14 percent of department chairs, 23 percent of vice chairs, 22 percent of division directors and 39 percent of residency program directors. Organizations such as the American Medical Womens Association and the Women in Medicine department at Yale University are working to close this gap, but with the increasing demands of leadership roles in medicine, its not easy. Theres definitely a leaky pipeline because theres a gap between the number of women entering medical school and the number of women practicing and thats a problem, said Eliza Chin, executive director of the AMWA. Were working toward greater equality, but it takes time. Forced to choose Dr. Aparna Oltikar, chairman of the Department of Medicine for Danbury and New Milford Hospitals, oversees roughly 400 people, sees patients, travels to meetings and conferences at night and on the weekends, and is often on call. Medicine is a 24/7 field, Oltikar said. Its not like when you go home medicine stops. In leadership at a hospital, problems can happen anytime. Medicine doesnt respect national holidays and nighttime hours. Oltikar said this reality forces many women to choose between the demands of a family and the demands of work. Having no children of her own, save for a beloved black lab, Oltikar was able to ascend to her current role. While the phrase women can have it all has become a mantra for some determined to have a career and a family where they are the primary caretaker, Oltikar believes its not possible to do everything and do it well, even for the strongest, most determined women. Absolutely there is pressure to choose, Oltikar said. I dont keep these hours because I like to keep them. So many meetings are held at night and on the weekends. And because of that it becomes more and more male dominated. At the end of the day, as progressive as our society is, we still arent at the point where men are going home and cooking dinner and making sure everyone has clean underwear. They go home and have their dinner that someone has prepared for them. So when meetings are being scheduled, and the vast majority of people holding meetings are men, they will schedule them at 7 or 8 at night because they dont have to go home. I could not go, but then my voice isnt heard. I need to be at the table, and if that table is being set at 7 p.m. then Im not getting home until 9, and that means Im not making dinner for my family. For Briggs, balancing her family and her leadership role in medicine is made possible by the flexibility of pediatrics and a supportive spouse at home, a privilege she acknowledges not all women have. She tried the stay-at-home mom thing, only taking on a part-time role at Norwalk Hospital when her family relocated to Connecticut in 2010. But she missed the work, and before long was back in the hospital full time. Part of the beauty of my job as a pediatric hospitalist has been that I can work nights and that allows me to have more time during the day to be with my family, Briggs said. And I get less sleep. You sacrifice sleep for that, but a lot of support comes from my husband. Having a good support system at home, a husband helps out a lot and weve always had a part time nanny who helps out, that makes this possible. The pay gap Newly trained women doctors earn, on average, about $17,000 less than their male counterparts, according to a February study by Health Affairs. The pay disparity exists even after the researchers accounted for factors such as medical specialty, hours worked and practice type. Women had lower starting salaries than men in nearly all specialties, researchers found. Additionally, the Association of American Medical Colleges reports the average cost for one year of medical school at a public institution is $33,000 for in-state students and $57,000 for out-of-state students. At private institutions, one year has an average price tag of $50,000 regardless of residency status. So, with the average medical student taking on close to $200,000 in debt and the skyrocketing cost of living near most of the nations top hospitals, even taking on a part-time medical position isnt something everyone can do. You come out of medical school with such high debt that you dont have the opportunity to work part time if you wanted to have and start a family, Briggs said. The pressure financially to pay back loans is so high that women dont feel like they can work part time. It used to be that you could work part time. These days, it almost makes it impossible. For me, I went into medicine because its truly what I wanted to do. You cant go into these days because of money or prestige. Sometimes its hard to find the rewards. Its time-consuming, its exhausting, its expensive. You have to do more work and you get less pay. But if you love it and I love my job then its worth it. Progress in Connecticut? As part of her role as chairman of medicine, Oltikar sits on the medical executive committee for the Western Connecticut Health Network. Its a committee comprised of all clinical leadership, and of more than a dozen members, only four are women. Diane Burke, spokeswoman for the Western Connecticut Health Network, said the network does not have a breakdown of roles by gender, but a quick count on the networks website reveals five of the 13 people that make up the top leadership are women, though some of those roles are not medical. At Norwalk Hospital, one of the five oncologists in the Whittingham Cancer Center is a woman. In orthopedics, one of 25 doctors listed is a woman. Of the 22 doctors that make up the clinical leadership across the entire WCHN, just two are women Oltikar and Vice President for Medical Affairs Dr. Patricia Tietjen. Neither are at Norwalk Hospital. While these statistics are not representative of the entire hospital or network, they do provide a glimpse into the gender disparity that persists in medicine. The Connecticut Hospital Association does not track gender representation across the state, and neither the American Medical Association nor the AMWA offer a breakdown by state. Even so, Oltikar said Danbury Hospital and the Western Connecticut Health Network are ahead of the curve when it comes to improving gender equity in leadership roles. My predecessor was a woman and she is now the vice president of medical affairs, so basically head of all doctors at all of the hospitals in the network, Oltikar said. She went from being in my current position to that role, so kudos to Danbury. They seem to be a little bit ahead in that regard. It was nice to be able to see that my big boss and someone who held my position before me was a woman, and I think that makes a difference in letting women know it is possible. KKrasselt@scni.com; 203-354-1021; @kaitlynkrasselt This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK Under the Federal Rail Administrations proposed new high-speed rail plan for the Northeast Corridor, trains would run through Fairfield County partly along aerial structures. A new, two-track infrastructure would continue from Westchester County, N.Y., through coastal Fairfield County. The new line would parallel Interstate 95 typically on embankment or aerial structure through Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk, and merge with the existing railbeds west of the Greens Farms train station in Westport, according to the Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the FRAs Preferred Alternative released this month. As far as what the aerial structure would look like, we dont determine that in this recommendation, said Matthew Lehner, spokesman for NEC Future, the FRAs vision for the Northeast Corridor. The design, construction type, aesthetics, etc., would all be determined by state and local leaders if they wanted to move forward with that effort and project. This is often done/called a Tier II study when federal funds are used. As such, the FRA has not developed a detailed design for the Preferred Alternative. Rather, the federal agency has developed the following potential construction types for the Preferred Alternative: tunnels, trenches, at-grade, embankments, aerial structures and major bridges. Old idea, modern engineering Aerial structures arent new to railroad construction. Massive wooden trestles were used to span rivers and valleys in the construction of the transcontinental railroad in the 19th century. The FRA now defines aerial structures as bridges and viaducts, which can be used in heavily urbanized areas where at-grade construction isnt practical. As such, they would be built at river crossings, in wetland areas, through valleys, or crossing over existing roads and highways where vertical grade changes do not permit at-grade construction. Such construction is being employed as part of California High-Speed Rail. The San Joaquin River Viaduct will comprise a 4,740-foot structure that will span the San Joaquin River and Union Pacific tracks parallel to State Route 99. The viaduct will feature arches representing the northern gateway into Fresno as well as a pergola structure to cross the Union Pacific tracks, according to California High-Speed Rail Authority. FRA officials note such construction techniques in California but caution against drawing parallels to Connecticut. Fairfield County A color-coded conceptual map within the Tier I study shows the potential construction types with yellow denoting tunnels, purple being trenches, blue being at-grade and green designating embankments. Aerial structures designated in red form a significant stretch of the route from Stamford to Darien. Local officials have sounded alarm about what such construction might mean for lower Fairfield County where available right-of-way land is scarce and property values are among the highest in the U.S. I share the same concerns as Sen. Blumenthal and others as to how that might impact the Norwalk landscape, said Norwalk Mayor Harry W. Rilling. And if Ive been informed correctly, its kind of a bypass up to Darien, so were being asked to provide the landscape but not reap any of the benefit. So Im not overly enthused at this point and I certainly will make sure that we make everything we can to protect our city. A map provided in the FRA report at www.necfuture.com shows the segment diverging from the existing rail line in Darien and appearing to follow Interstate 95 to Greens Farms. The Connecticut Preservation Trust for Historic Preservation is among the organizations asking the FRA to rethink its plan. Daniel Mackay, Preservation Trust executive director, acknowledges that the representative route does not allow communities to identify specific, detailed impacts. However, the NEC Future plan requires the creation of another round of industrial-scale transportation infrastructure in Fairfield County where communities and resources have already suffered the brunt of an expanded I-95, Mackay said. Twenty-nine miles of new high-speed-rail routes? It wont be pretty. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Congressman Joe Courtney, and U.S. sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal this month issued a statement expressing opposition to the proposed rail realignment as it pertains to the eastern shoreline and beyond. Should the FRA continue in its pursuit of its proposed alignment, we will work to ensure that Connecticut exercises every tool at its disposal at the state and federal levels to stop any effort to move forward with this misguided plan, the elected officials wrote. Old Lyme, new rails People in Old Lyme took up the battle against the proposed rail realignment after learning that the plan would bring an aerial structure through the center of their historic downtown, While the FRA appears to have abandoned that construction type in favor of a tunnel, the impacts would be the same, said Gregory Stroud, who founded SECoast, a nonprofit organization that formed in 2016 in response to the proposed high-speed rail plan. Its a choice of poisons. I guess I cant say which is worse or which is better, Stroud said. I can say I dont believe that the offer of a tunnel is a serious one. We just dont believe that the FRA is prepared to spend money on a tunnel and we dont believe its feasible. And if it is serious, they should study it before they choose the route. SECoast has engaged the Connecticut Preservation Trust in the effort to get the FRA to rethink is plan. The two organizations have asked the FRA to extend the public comment period for the Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement by 60 days. The current deadline for comment is Jan. 31. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy With her mother, Celeste Frye-Lintern, at her side, Tallulah Lintern, 10, of Stamford, reads a passage during the Christmas Eve Carol and Candlelight service on Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Stamford. The congregation held 's Christmas Eve service celebrated the proclamation "Fear Not Good News, Great Joy, For All People." WASHINGTON The fall of Aleppo just weeks before Barack Obama leaves office is a fitting stamp on his Middle East policy of retreat and withdrawal. The pitiable pictures from the devastated city showed the true cost of Obamas abdication. For which he seems to have few regrets, however. In his end-of-year news conference, Obama defended U.S. inaction with his familiar false choice: it was either stand aside or order a massive Iraq-style ground invasion. This is a transparent fiction designed to stifle debate. Five years ago, the popular uprising was ascendant. What kept a rough equilibrium was regime control of the skies. At that point, the U.S., at little risk and cost, could have declared Syria a no-fly zone, much as it did Iraqi Kurdistan for a dozen years after the Gulf War of 1991. The U.S. could easily have destroyed the regimes planes and helicopters on the ground and so cratered its airfields as to make them unusable. That would have altered the strategic equation for the rest of the war. And would have deterred the Russians from injecting their own air force they would have had to challenge ours for air superiority. Facing no U.S. deterrent, Russia stepped in and decisively altered the balance, pounding the rebels in Aleppo to oblivion. The Russians were particularly adept at hitting hospitals and other civilian targets, leaving the rebels with the choice between annihilation and surrender. They surrendered. Obama has never appreciated that the role of a superpower in a local conflict is not necessarily to intervene on the ground, but to deter a rival global power from stepping in and altering the course of the war. Thats what we did during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when Moscow threatened to send troops to support Egypt and President Nixon countered by raising Americas nuclear alert status to Defcon 3. Russia stood down. Less dramatically but just as effectively, American threats of retaliation are what kept West Germany, South Korea and Taiwan free and independent through half a century of Cold War. Its called deterrence. Yet Obama never had the credibility to deter anything or anyone. In the end, the worlds greatest power was reduced to bitter speeches at the U.N. Are you truly incapable of shame? thundered U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power at the butchers of Aleppo. As if we dont know the answer. Indeed the shame is on us for terminal naivete, sending our secretary of state chasing the Russians to negotiate one humiliating pretend cease-fire after another. Even now, however, the Syria debate is not encouraging. The tone is anguished and emotional, portrayed exclusively in moral terms. Much less appreciated is the cold strategic cost. Assad was never a friend. But today hes not even a free agent. Hes been effectively restored to his throne, but as the puppet of Iran and Russia. Syria is now a platform, a forward base, from which both these revisionist regimes can project power in the region. Iran will use Syria to advance its drive to dominate the Arab Middle East. Russia will use its naval and air bases to bully the Sunni Arab states, and to shut out American influence. Its already happening. The foreign and defense ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey convened in Moscow this week to begin settling the fate of Syria. Notice who wasnt there. For the first time in four decades, the United States, the once dominant power in the region, is an irrelevance. With Aleppo gone and the rebels scattered, we have a long road ahead to rebuild the influence squandered over the last eight years. President-elect Donald Trump is talking about creating safe zones. He should tread carefully. It does no good to try to do now what we should have done five years ago. Conditions are much worse. Russia and Iran rule. Maintaining the safety of safe zones will be expensive and dangerous. It will require extensive ground deployments and it risks military confrontation with Russia. And why? Guilty conscience is not a good reason. Interventions that are purely humanitarian from Somalia to Libya tend to end badly. We may proclaim a responsibility to protect, but when no American interests are at stake, the engagement becomes impossible to sustain. At the first losses, we go home. In Aleppo, the damage is done, the city destroyed, the inhabitants ethnically cleansed. For us, there is no post-facto option. If we are to regain the honor lost in Aleppo, it will have to be on a very different battlefield. Bill Clinton was an elector from New York this year. After voting for his wife, Hillary, on Monday, he explained her defeat: We had the Russians and the FBI, and she couldnt prevail against that. The former president was frustrated and disappointed, and he wasnt alone. When you win the popular vote by 2.8 million, when a switch of 80,000 votes in three states would have swung the Electoral College your way, when you were absolutely convinced that victory was assured no wonder theres so much frustration. No wonder the Democrats are playing the blame game. They are trying to pin their defeat on a variety of outside factors: not only the Russkies and the Feds, but misguided reporters and misleading data, fake news and faithless voters. And in such a close election, all those variables certainly affected the outcome. But heres the blunt truth that Bill Clinton and many other Democrats wont face: The main reason they lost is that they had a poor candidate who ran a poor campaign. The old adage is true, that the buck stops at the presidents desk. That applies to campaigns, as well: The buck stops with the candidate. And her husband. Hillary is right in claiming there is a vast right-wing conspiracy ready to take down the Clintons. But repeatedly, over many years, the Clintons have handed their enemies ammunition to use against them. Yes, the Russians hacked the computers of Clinton advisers, and yes, FBI Director James Comey seriously violated Justice Department norms by resurfacing questions about Clintons email practices so close to Election Day. But in politics, stories resonate when they play into a pre-existing narrative, and the Clintons have acquired their reputation for deceptive behavior the old-fashioned way. Theyve earned it. Bill Clinton was first dubbed Slick Willie in 1980, when he was running for re-election as governor of Arkansas. Paul Greenberg, the local columnist who coined the nickname, once told the Washington Post, It doesnt mean liar. It means dissembler. This is a particular subspecies of lying. Its a very lawyerly, sophisticated, elastic lie. No one made Hillary set up a private email server when she became secretary of state, and then defend her decision with a series of lawyerly, sophisticated and elastic explanations. No one made the Clintons set up a foundation that was vulnerable to charges of influence peddling. No one forced Bill Clinton to meet with Attorney General Loretta Lynch just as the Justice Department was investigating his wifes handling of classified information, a self-inflicted wound in the Slick Willie tradition. Exit polls reflect this long history of elastic explanations: 55 percent of voters viewed Hillary Clinton unfavorably; 61 percent said she was not honest and trustworthy. Sixty-three percent criticized her email practices, and those voters went 69 to 24 for Donald Trump. Clinton compounded her problems with the way she campaigned. She candidly told the website Humans of New York, I know that I can be perceived as aloof or cold or unemotional, and in private, she is a charming and witty person. But for the public Hillary, that perceived lack of warmth has been a political liability her whole career. In hindsight, there were many warning signs that her campaign was in trouble. Long before the FBI or the Russians intruded, Bernie Sanders won more than 13 million votes in the Democratic primaries. Jeb Bushs crushing defeat should have sounded similar alarms, since Hillary and Jeb both depended heavily on lengthy resumes, large war chests and longstanding family connections all assets that proved far less effective this year than in previous cycles. Both suffered from the same Trump sobriquet, low energy, and good sources inside Camp Clinton tell us that Hillarys popular appeal was so tepid that aides had to book small venues to make her events look more crowded for the cameras. Yet the Clinton campaign remained terminally complacent. They ignored all these signs because their data told them they were going to win. Even President Obama criticized her relaxed travel schedule on NPR: If were not showing up, if were not in there making an argument, then were going to lose. And we can lose badly, and thats what happened in this election. Trump did show up in Wisconsin and Michigan during the last week, and Clinton did not the final mistake in a long series of missteps. The Russians and the FBI have a lot to answer for, but if the Clintons are placing blame for their defeat, they should start with themselves. Merry Christmas. I wish you nothing but merry and bright this day. If you do not celebrate Christmas, please take no offense at my greeting. None was intended, only the good news and hope of peace on earth. Conversely, I never take offense in how you greet me during this most wonderful time of the year: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad, Seasons Greetings, Happy Hanukkah or even Do you want fries with that? The make-believe war on Christmas has grown tiresome, especially in a nation as diverse and free as ours. Plus, calling how we greet one another in December war seems petty and parochial when real war in real places is killing real people. I say Merry Christmas because Im a Christian, a cradle Catholic, whose ancestors came from County Clare in Ireland and a Christian enclave in Lebanons Beqaa Valley. My Lebanese grandparents grew up 30 miles from each other over the mountains east of Beirut. My Christian roots are only 200 miles from Aleppo, where this Christmas, real war is being waged against real people with horrifying consequences. You know the disastrous details: Anti-government rebels, fighting to oust Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, became trapped in Aleppo, Syrias largest city at 2 million and the countrys industrial engine. With Russian and Iranian fighter jets and helicopters mercilessly raining bombs on Aleppo and Lebanese Hezbollah forces providing ground troops, Assad has reduced the city to a grotesque, post-apocalyptic postcard. The death toll is enormous. As Aleppo fell this month, atrocities against civilians, including children, have been reported. The United Nations called it a complete meltdown of humanity. Bereft of wisdom As I watched news footage last week, survivors stumbled past shelled-out buildings and mountains of rubble, the light clearly gone from their eyes indeed their souls. Today much of the world celebrates the birth of the Prince of Peace. Syria is overwhelmingly Muslim, but Aleppo is without a guiding light such as the one over Bethlehem 400 miles to the south. Surely, too, men (and women) who have perpetrated this atrocity are bereft of wisdom, let alone humanity. Before you jump to political blame and theres plenty to go around, including this countrys president remember that Aleppo was a city of 2 million human beings, 2 million sets of hopes and dreams, 2 million reasons to love and be loved. More than 400,000 have been killed in Aleppo, and thousands of others have fled, creating an enormous humanitarian crisis. Still, only our lesser angels account for such horrors playing a game of political gotcha. Plus, the decision to destroy Aleppo to save it is on Assad and no one else. Turning a blind eye During a fierce battle on Monday in which 80, including women and children, were killed, 7-year-old Bana al-Abed tweeted from eastern Aleppo: Pray for us and goodbye. The next day, her mother, Fatima, said, Last message under heavy bombardments now, cant be alive anymore. When we die, keep talking for 200,000 still inside. Bye. Miraculously, Bana and Fatima made it out alive. For the past week, green buses made their way slowly from eastern Aleppo, ferrying 25,000 Aleppines away from the fighting but to unsure futures. Periodically, the long line of anguish and fear ground to a halt as shelling and fighting persisted. For now, the refugees from Aleppo are being bused south to Idlib province. Evil will dog them, however. Idlib is rebel-controlled and surely next on Assads hit list to recapture and ravage if necessary. So where will Aleppos last survivors go? Will they find room at the inn? Some of the world says theyre full, and they indeed may be. Some of the world will refuse them because of whom they pray to and how they look. Some of the world will simply turn a blind eye. Today in churches and at home with family and friends, we mark the blessed event and the hope of Jesus Christs birth. Many in that faithful fraternity sport wrist bans marked WWJD, What would Jesus do? Its a fair question for Christians. What would Jesus do about Aleppo? Maybe a fairer one is what would I do? Me, whose Christian family comes from the same neighborhood but, like almost all of you, shares neither religion nor circumstance with Bana and Fatima. Ill start by praying that they are still alive this Christmas morning. George Ayoub can be reached at ayoubcolumns@gmail.com or via Twitter @georgeayoub. The fire in the Colonial Apartments building on Tuesday night was put out quickly, and after more than half an hour standing in the cold outside the building where he lived, Ronald Dodson decided to go back inside, turn on his TV, settle into his chair and take a load off his bad hip. "We thought the fire was out and everything was contained," Dodson said. "We thought it was alright." It wasn't long after he'd sat down when he got a knock on his door and was told by firefighters that he needed to leave the South Side building, Dodson said. On Christmas Eve, Dodson was in the Lazy K-T motelhis second different motel of the week feeling concerned but optimistic about his immediate future and grateful for the help that organizations like the Red Cross of Montana and the Salvation Army have provided him and others displaced by the fire. The Billings Fire Department determined that the second floor fire was accidental and caused by a the electrical failure of a lamp. Further investigation of the "room and contents fire" gave rise to safety concerns, leading to the building's closure due to what acting Battalion Chief Vince Christensen described at the time as "gas and electric problems." More than 22 units were affected by the fire, according to a press release from the Salvation Army. Reliant on Social Security and with limited family resources in Billings, Dodson said the experience of moving from place to place toting a paper bag and a small travel bag in which he threw some clothes and personal items has been "unsettling." "I'm 61 years old, I've been there four-and-a-half years," he said of the Colonial Apartments. "It's not the most beautiful place in the world but it's home and when you're out of your home it's unsettling." Dodson had Christmas plans to catch a ride with his sister in Wyoming and pick up his 89-year-old mother who lives in Big Timber, but has since decided he'd rather be by himself for fear of ruining the day for them. "I would've just had it on my mind," he said. "I don't want to stand and brood and ruin everyone's Christmas." Still, Dodson indicated the holiday hasn't been completely ruined for him. Outside his room, a Salvation Army van could be heard honking its horn in the motel courtyard, announcing that hot meals of ham, green beans with bacon and onion, scalloped potatoes and apple crisp had arrived for those in need. "It was quite the Christmas gift just how they helped me out," Dodson said of the Salvation Army and Red Cross. "God bless those people." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Detroit, United States Sun, December 25, 2016 Honda is in talks with Google to install the tech company's self-driving technology in Honda vehicles. Honda says collaboration with the Google unit called Waymo would let researchers learn about integration of sensors, software and computers. The automaker says that if a deal is reached, it will provide vehicles to Waymo that are modified to handle the technology. The Hondas would join Waymo's fleet that includes Lexus SUVs and Chrysler Pacifica minivans. (Read also: New app allows public to report fake news) Honda has said it intends to put autonomous vehicles on highways around 2020. The potential partnership would be the latest in a flurry of autonomous vehicle deals recently between technology companies and automakers. Google has been working on software and sensors since 2009 and has been testing autonomous cars on public roads for several years. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 25, 2016 Indonesians are all about trends. Here are the five most popular food trends in Indonesia in 2016, as reported by Antara news agency. (Read also: Japanese cheese tarts are all the craze these days) Samyang instant noodle The Korean spicy ramen was a must-try instant noodle throughout 2016. The popularity of the dish came about courtesy of the Samyang Challenge, a popular video showing the reaction of public figures while trying the spicy noodle. A photo posted by marianhalim (@marian_halim) on Dec 19, 2016 at 5:17pm PST Tahu bulat Tahu bulat (round tofu) is not the usual fried fritters. While sellers of fried fritters use carts, tahu bulat's sellers travel with pick-up vehicles and fry the tofu in the car. A catchy tune roars, enticing hungry food enthusiasts to buy the fried tofu. The instant popularity led to the appearance of the Tahu Bulat game on smartphones. A photo posted by tia (@tia_punya) on Dec 19, 2016 at 12:39am PST Martabak Martabak is not a new kid on the block, as it has been around for decades. However, the modern martabak with premium fillings such as Nutella, Ovomaltine and matcha (green tea powder) managed to steal the thunder this year. One of the most talked-about martabak joints serving premium-grade martabak is Makobar. Owned by the first son of President Joko Jokowi Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Makobar offers a pizza-shaped Indonesian pancake with various toppings, such as Cadbury, Toblerone, Nutella and Kit Kat. A photo posted by Markobar1996 (@markobar1996) on Dec 7, 2016 at 11:36pm PST Cheesecake There were many up-and-coming Japanese cheesecake brands this year. One of the most hotly anticipated cheesecake brands is Pablo Cheesetart. Originally from Osaka, Japan, the Pablo Cheesetart opened its first branch at the Gandaria City shopping mall in South Jakarta in November. Since then, food enthusiasts have been flooding to the outlet. A photo posted by Pablo Cheesetart Indonesia (@pablo_cheese_tart_indonesia) on Dec 18, 2016 at 7:24pm PST McDonald's Apple Pie After a long hiatus, McDonald's apple pie returned in October. This comeback warmed the hearts of fans, although the size of the pie is noticeably smaller compared to the previous version that was popular in the 1990s. (asw) Recent terrorist attacks in Ankara, Turkey, and Berlin, Germany, add to a growing list of incidents that are becoming increasingly difficult to remember. Does one begin the list with the plane hijackings in the '60s and '70s, or the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993, or the USS Cole attack in 2000, or the second World Trade Center attack in 2001, or Ft. Hood, San Bernardino, Orlando, Paris or Nice? And that's not all of them, nor will it be the end of them, if we don't have a better response. During the great wave of immigration in the early 20th century, the United States barred those afflicted with tuberculosis, venereal disease, trachoma and other serious diseases from entering the country. Now a different kind of infection is invading Europe and increasingly the United States. It's called radical Islamic terrorism. The West continues to admit people from terrorist countries, people who have been infected with this killer disease, seemingly fearing the affliction less than being labeled intolerant. How is that working out? So afraid of being charged with Islamophobia, German Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted more than 1 million refugees in 2015 from nations that breed terrorists. It was inevitable that some would come to destroy rather than assimilate. Mounting evidence that many of these people are time bombs waiting to explode still fails to open eyes that have been deliberately shut. Take the case of a 24-year-old Tunisian named Anis Amri, the suspect in the Berlin Christmas market attack, shot dead by authorities on Friday in Milan, Italy. Amri was one of a number of suspected terrorists who have come from Tunisia, a country that has reportedly sent more fighters to Syria than any other. The Charlie Hebdo attacker was Tunisian, as was the man who drove a truck into a crowd in Nice on Bastille Day, killing 86 people. ISIS had urged similar attacks be made and, apparently, the Berlin suspect obeyed. The UK Daily Mail reports Amri was jailed four years ago in Italy for burning down a school. He also was arrested three times in Germany before giving police the slip earlier this month. German authorities reportedly were in touch with Tunisian officials to get Amri a passport so he could be deported. But Tunis rejected the request, saying it had no record of his ever being a citizen. Was this a lie, or was he a plant? We may never know. Chancellor Merkel's response to all of this is a case of too little, too late. She wants to ban Muslim women from wearing full-face veils. That is a political move, not a strategic one. It will not deter terrorists from their mission, as more enter Germany hidden among legitimate refugees. Responding to the latest terrorist attacks, President-elect Donald Trump said he has been proved "100 percent correct" when it comes to his plans to curtail Muslim immigrants from nations that spawn terrorists. Given the number already in Europe or those who have been self-radicalized and allowed into the U.S., it may be too late. The West can either acquiesce or fight back. Trump wants to fight back. It's better than waiting for the next attack, hoping we're not the target. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 24 2016 The long-drawn negotiations over the gas-rich Masela block may come to an end soon as the main sticking point has been resolved following a recent meeting in Japan. Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan told reporters that his two-day trip to Tokyo was fruitful as the two governments had apparently reached an agreement on the duration of the Masela blocks contract extension after it expires in 2028. Japans biggest energy developer Inpex Corp., which holds a 65 percent stake in the block, previously proposed a 10-year contract extension to make up for lost time resulting from prolonged negotiations and repeated plan of development (POD) revisions. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nova Riyanti Yusuf (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 24 2016 The triple catastrophes and struggle to remain nationalist have been a challenge for local government officials in the dire time of the emergency response phase since the Dec. 7 earthquake in Aceh. Aceh, a region faced with a unique set of problems, among others an armed conflict exacerbated by the earthquake/tsunami on Dec. 26, 2004, is constantly being challenged, with the most recent quake striking Pidie Jaya early this month. A series of calamities have had an undeniable impact on the lives of communities. Even without the decades-long conflict, as Didier Fassin pointed out in his book Humanitarian Reason, natural disasters constitute both the most massive (in terms of number of victims) and the purest (being putatively beyond human control) of collective misfortune. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login TheJakartaPost Please Update your browser Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below. Just click on the icons to get to the download page. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Sat, December 24 2016 The Chinese Embassy in Indonesia has taken note of a recent article entitled Framing of Uighurs as terrorist threat for Indonesia, which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 22. We would like to make the following clarifications in response. First and foremost, in accordance with the Chinese Constitution and relevant laws and regulations, the Chinese government remains fully committed to respecting and protecting the freedom of religious belief enjoyed by all Chinese citizens, including over 20 million Chinese Muslim brothers and sisters. Seeing is believing. In recent years, many Indonesian friends have visited China. Either in Beijing, Shanghai or the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, they have seen with their own eyes the real religious conditions of Muslims in China and have even joined the Chinese Muslims for prayer in local mosques. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jon Afrizal (The Jakarta Post) Jambi Sun, December 25, 2016 Jambi Police intensified an investigation over a Christmas tree decorated with the word "Allah [God]" in Arabic script allegedly erected by a four-star hotel in Jambi and questioned 14 people following the suspension of the hotel's operation. "Those questioned are people who knew about the ornaments," Jambi police chief Brig. Gen. Yazid Fanani said on Sunday. Several journalists and the employees of Novita Hotel are among witnesses questioned by investigators over the tree. Police also urge people not to be easily provoked by the incident and not to cause public tension. Meanwhile, the chairman of Jambi's Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Adri Hasan slammed the hotel for the incident, which he claimed was blasphemous. "We want this case to be thoroughly investigated to prevent restlessness among Muslims," he said. Jambi Governor Zumi Zola also called on all parties to monitor security and tolerance in Jambi and not to get involved in any misconduct. However, Zumi also expressed regret over the incident that could have stemmed from the hotel's negligence. The Jambi municipal administration decided to temporarily suspend the operation of Novita Hotel over the word Allah as one of the ornaments decorating the Christmas tree in the hotel's lobby. Jambi Mayor Syarif Fasha said on Friday the decision to close down Novita Hotel was made to ease religious tensions related to the matter. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Angela Charlton (Associated Press) Paris Sun, December 25, 2016 Open borders symbolize liberty and forward thinking for many Europeans but they increasingly look like the continent's Achilles' heel. Europe's No. 1 terrorism suspect crossed at least two borders this week despite an international manhunt, and he was felled only by chance, in a random ID check in a Milan suburb. The bungled chase for Berlin market attack suspect Anis Amri is just one example of recent cross-border security failures that are emboldening nationalists fed up with European unity. Extremist violence, they argue, is too high a price to pay for the freedom to travel easily. Defenders of the EU's border-free zone say the security failures show the need for more cooperation among European governments, even shared militaries not new barriers. Hidebound habits of hoarding intelligence within centuries-old borders are part of the problem, they contend. But their arguments are criticized by the likes of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who is hoping to win France's presidency in May. "The myth of total free movement in Europe, which my rivals are clinging to in this presidential election, should be definitively buried. Our security depends on it," she said in a statement Friday, calling Europe's free-travel zone a "total security catastrophe." That poses a dilemma for European Union devotees like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, facing a re-election battle next year. Merkel's defense of the EU, and the welcoming hand she extended to Syrian war refugees, were once seen as assets, signs of her moral authority. Today, with anti-immigrant, anti-establishment sentiment rising across Europe, they are threatening to become liabilities. Countless numbers of people cross borders in the 26-country Schengen travel zone every day, thanks to a 31-year-old system encompassing nearly 400 million people that has dramatically boosted trade and job prospects across the world's largest collective economy. It's a pillar of a system designed to prevent new world wars, yet it is a system under growing strain. While EU countries debated over how to manage an influx of migrants last year, eastern nations rebuilt border fences and exposed EU weaknesses. The German far right is insisting on closing the country's borders. Merkel's conservatives are suggesting "transit zones" to hold migrants at the borders while their identities are confirmed, and making it easier to hold people in pre-deportation detention. Berlin truck attacker Amri is a painful reminder of how Islamic extremists have used Europe's open borders to attack the principles of tolerance they are meant to epitomize. After migrating illegally from Tunisia in 2011, he was imprisoned for burning down a migrant detention center in Italy. When freed, attempts to deport him to Tunisia failed for bureaucratic reasons. He subsequently traveled to Switzerland and then Germany, where he apparently fell under the influence of a radical network accused of recruiting for the Islamic State group. Although Germany rejected his asylum application last summer and flagged him as a potential terror threat, authorities patiently waited for Tunisia to produce the required paperwork before deporting him. Just as the deportation was being finalized Monday, Amri is believed to have hijacked a truck and rammed it into holiday crowds at a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 and injuring dozens. He evaded an international manhunt for more than three days, apparently slipping into France possibly with a pistol in his pocket and then Italy before stumbling into a standard ID check in suburban Milan, where he died in a shootout with police. Germany, France and Italy have failed to explain how he escaped the dragnet. "Movement from one country to another in Europe is easy, especially for someone like Anis Amri, who had lived in Europe for several years" and knew which borders were easier to cross, said Tunisian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bouraoui Limam. France is especially embarrassed. It has been under high security as part of a state of emergency since last year, and the French are acutely concerned about train security after American passengers thwarted an attack on an Amsterdam-Paris train in 2015. Yet French President Francois Hollande visited the Alpine town of Chambery on the same day that Amri is believed to have passed through its train station en route to Italy, unnoticed by border guards or the president's security detail. The next morning, as Italian police were identifying Amri's body, France's interior minister visited a Paris train station to talk about the vigorous transport security in place for the holidays. France's far right and the conservative opposition have assailed the Socialist government as lax. "How could this person enter in Europe without being monitored? How could we let him settle in Europe?" said Eric Ciotti, lawmaker for the conservative Republicans. What's worse, it was not the first time. Last year, hours after Islamic State extremists killed 130 people at multiple targets in Paris, key suspect Salah Abdeslam fled to Belgium despite increased checks on both the French and Belgian borders. It took authorities four months to find him. Further, Abdeslam, a French national, had traveled through the Italian port of Bari on a roundtrip journey to Greece in August, months before the attack. And in 2014, Mehdi Nemmouche allegedly killed four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, then crossed into France and traveled to the Mediterranean city of Marseille before being picked up in a police check. Security and migration will be central issues in elections in the coming year in Germany, France and the Netherlands, all founding nations of the EU. And related fears could be key to fueling opposition calls for an early election in Italy after its recent political crisis. The leader of Italy's anti-migrant Northern League, Matteo Salvini, called Saturday for closing and reinforcing Europe's borders after the Berlin attack. "I don't want another two or three massacres before Europe wakes up," Salvini said. A candidate for France's left-wing primary next month, Vincent Peillon, pleaded for joint European rules on borders, defense and intelligence. "It's all of Europe that is being attacked," he said. Le Pen's far-right National Front party wants to retrench rather than reach out, to "give France back full control over its sovereignty." As Europeans head home for the holidays, many crossing multiple borders on the way without showing a single passport or changing any currency, people are asking themselves: Is it all worth it? Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin and Colleen Barry in Milan, Italy, contributed to this report. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 25, 2016 State railway company Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) will increase the number of trips from Jakarta to Bandung, West Java, to anticipate increasing demand during the year-end holiday period as car travelers may look to avoid the out-of-shape Cisomang bridge. KAI will add four more Jakarta-Bandung trips, bringing up the total number of daily trips to 20. The extra trips aim to accommodate those who want to avoid the deformed Cisomang bridge in Purwakartapart of Purbaleunyi toll road, which connect the two cities, KAI president director Edi Sukmoro has said. We have adjusted to the current situation so that our brothers and sisters who want to travel can be accommodated, Edi said in Jakarta on Sunday, as reported by tribunnews.com. Earlier on Friday, one of the six pillars supporting the bridge on the Jakarta to Bandung route reportedly had slightly shifted. Hence, the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry declared that trucks were prohibited from passing over the bridge, while smaller vehicles like vans and sedans were allowed to pass. Meanwhile, the toll road is expected to see heavy traffic throughout the festive season. (wnd/ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 25, 2016 Parishioners joined a solemn Pontifical Mass for Christmas in Jakarta Cathedral Church lead by Jakarta Archbishop Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo on Sunday morning. Cathedral Church in Central Jakarta held five Christmas mass ceremonies on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the church spokesperson Susyana Suwadie said. The masses would deliver messages of love and peace. "Humans should love each other and love the environment," Susyana said as reported by kompas.com. There have been four parking spaces provided for churchgoers outside the church. The church's official website katedraljakarta.or.id announced that parishioners could park their vehicles in Santa Ursula High School, Central Jakarta Post Office, Army's office and the yard of Istiqlal Mosque, which is located next to the church. Kompas.com reported the yard filled with parked cars and motorcycles of both church and mosque congregations as the mosque also held a weekly Quran study. The Jakarta Cathedral also had an evening mass on Saturday held at three times, 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 25, 2016 Indonesia has welcomed the UN Security Council's resolution approved on Friday at UN headquarters in New York on an illegal Israeli settlement on Palestinian territory. In a statement released by Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry on Saturday, the Indonesian government accepted the resolution, which was approved without veto. Fourteen member countries supported the resolution while the US abstained. (Read also: Israel's Netanyahu lashes out at Obama over UN vote) The statement said the resolution showed success and leadership of the UN Security Council to solve conflict between Israel and Palestine. The resolution stated that the settlement on Palestinian territory had no legal basis and was a violation of international laws. The government said the resolution was decided in high time amid the shifting of international attention on Palestinian issues among global agendas. Indonesia supported the resolution, calling on the two countries along with international communities to start negation again. Along with international communities, Indonesia supported the peace process between Palestine and Israel. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Jerusalem Sun, December 25, 2016 Israel's prime minister says he will do "all it takes" to ensure Israel is unscathed by an anti-settlement resolution passed at the United Nations last week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already ordered several retaliatory steps against countries that supported the resolution. He told his Cabinet on Sunday that Israel was looking into a "plan of action" against the UN. Since the vote passed, Israel has recalled its ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal for consultations and canceled a planned January visit to Israel by Senegal's foreign minister. A visit by Ukraine's prime minister has also been canceled, reportedly in light of the UN vote. The resolution, which condemned Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, passed after the US declined to use its veto. (ags) "The thing that is in Room 101 is the worst thing in the world. ... The worst thing in the world varies from individual to individual." -- George Orwell, "1984" PHILADELPHIA -- For Christos and Markela Sourovelis, for whom the worst thing was losing their home, "Room 101" was Courtroom 478 in City Hall. This "courtroom's" name is Orwellian: There was neither judge nor jury in it. There the city government enriched itself -- more than $64 million in a recent 11-year span -- by disregarding due process requirements in order to seize and sell the property of people who have not been accused, never mind convicted, of a crime. The Sourovelises' son, who lived at home, was arrested for selling a small amount of drugs away from home. Soon there was a knock on their door by police who said, "We're here to take your house" and "You're going to be living on the street" and "We do this every day." The Sourovelises' doors were locked with screws and their utilities were cut off. They had paid off the mortgage on their $350,000 home, making it a tempting target for policing for profit. Nationwide, proceeds from sales of seized property (homes, cars, etc.) go to the seizers. And under a federal program, state and local law enforcement can partner with federal authorities in forfeiture and reap up to 80 percent of the proceeds. This is called -- more Orwellian newspeak -- "equitable sharing." No crime had been committed in the Sourovelises' house, but the title of the case against them was the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. 12011 Ferndale St. Somehow, a crime had been committed by the house. In civil forfeiture, it suffices that property is suspected of having been involved in a crime. Once seized, the property's owners bear the burden of proving their property's innocence. "Sentence first -- verdict afterwards," says the queen in "Alice in Wonderland." In Courtroom 478, the prosecutors usually assured people seeking to reclaim their property that they would not need lawyers. The prosecutors practiced semi-extortion, suggesting how people could regain limited control of their property: They could sell it and give half the proceeds to the city. The "hearings" in Courtroom 478 were often protracted over months, and missing even one hearing could result in instant forfeiture. The Sourovelises were allowed to return to their house only after waiving their rights to statutory or constitutional defenses in a future forfeiture action. Such action was forestalled when their case came to the attention of the Institute for Justice, public interest litigators who never received the "You can't fight city hall" memo. It disentangled the Sourovelises from the forfeiture machine, shut down Courtroom 478, and now is seeking a court ruling to tether this machine to constitutional standards. There might somewhere be a second prominent American who endorses today's civil forfeiture practices, but one such person is "very unhappy" with criticisms of it. At a 2015 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on forfeiture abuses, one senator said "taking and seizing and forfeiting, through a government judicial process, illegal gains from criminal enterprises is not wrong," and neither is law enforcement enriching itself from this. In the manner of the man for whom he soon will work, this senator asserted an unverifiable number: "95 percent" of forfeitures involve people who have "done nothing in their lives but sell dope." This senator said it should not be more difficult for "government to take money from a drug dealer than it is for a businessperson to defend themselves in a lawsuit." In seizing property suspected of involvement in a crime, government "should not have a burden of proof higher than in a normal civil case." IJ's Robert Everett Johnson notes that this senator missed a few salient points: In civil forfeiture there usually is no proper "judicial process." There is no way of knowing how many forfeitures involve criminals because the government takes property without even charging anyone with a crime. The government's vast prosecutorial resources are one reason it properly bears the burden of proving criminal culpability "beyond a reasonable doubt." A sued businessperson does not have assets taken until he or she has lost in a trial, whereas civil forfeiture takes property without a trial and the property owner must wage a protracted, complex and expensive fight to get it returned. The Senate Judiciary Committee might want to discuss all this when considering the nominee to be the next attorney general, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Jerusalem Sun, December 25, 2016 Israel's prime minister lashed out at President Barack Obama on Saturday, accusing him of a "shameful ambush" at the United Nations over West Bank settlements and saying he is looking forward to working with his "friend" President-elect Donald Trump. Benjamin Netanyahu's comments came a day after the United States broke with past practice and allowed the UN Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as a "flagrant violation" of international law. Although the US opposes the settlements, it has traditionally used its veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council to block resolutions condemning Israel, saying that disputes between Israel and the Palestinians must be resolved through negotiations. Welcomed by the Palestinians, the resolution, while mostly symbolic, could hinder Israel's negotiating position in future peace talks. Trump also condemned the UN vote Saturday, taking to Twitter to say it "will make it much harder to negotiate peace." But, he added, "we will get it done anyway." A year ago, Trump told The Associated Press that he wanted to be "very neutral" on Israel-Palestinian issues, but his comments became much more pro-Israel as the race progressed and he took a sharp tone against the Palestinians. Netanyahu said the US abstention was "in complete contrast" to US commitments including one that he said Obama made in 2011 not to impose conditions for a final agreement on Israel at the Security Council. "The Obama administration conducted a shameful anti-Israel ambush at the UN," Netanyahu said. The White House declined to comment on Netanyahu's criticism. The U.S. and much of the international community consider Israel's settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as an obstacle to peace. Netanyahu rejects such claims, blaming the failure of peace efforts on the Palestinian refusal to recognize Israel's Jewish identity. The decision to abstain from vote was one of the biggest American rebukes of its long-standing ally in recent memory and marked a final chapter in the icy relations between Netanyahu and Obama over the last eight years. Netanyahu called the decision "distorted" but said Israel will overcome it. He said he had spoken with US leaders, both Democrats and Republicans, who vowed to fight the move, including he said, from Israel's "friend" in the incoming administration, the president-elect. "The decision taken at the UN yesterday was part of the swan song of the old world biased against Israel," Netanyahu said. "We are entering a new era and as the President-elect Trump said yesterday, this is going to happen much quicker than people think. In this new era there is a high price for those trying to harm Israel," he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Josh Lederman (Associated Press) Honolulu Sun, December 25, 2016 For most people, a Christmas Eve phone call with the first lady of the United States is an unexpected surprise. But Austin was holding out for someone else. "I want to hear Santa talk," said Austin, one of a handful of kids who called the NORAD Tracks Santa program on Saturday and found Michelle Obama on the other end of the line. Santa couldn't get to the phone, the first lady patiently explained, "because he's delivering all the gifts" 3 million as of late morning in Honolulu, where President Barack Obama and his family are on vacation. There was a bittersweet note this year as the first lady carried out her annual Christmas ritual for the final time, taking calls from kids who wanted to know exactly how much progress Santa had made on his journey. It'll be up to the next first lady, Melania Trump, to decide next year whether to continue the tradition. But Austin had another concern in mind: Would Santa know where to go? "I'm going to move to another house," said Austin, joined by three other kids in North Carolina. No matter, Mrs. Obama replied. "He's going to be able to find you no matter where you go," she said, according to a transcript released by the White House. "That's the special thing about Santa." The first lady spent roughly a half-hour taking calls before joining her husband, daughters Sasha and Malia and family friends for lunch at Side Street Inn, whose greasy food and low-key atmosphere is popular among Hawaii locals and tourists alike. Then the family drove to Breakout Waikiki, a "live action" experience where visitors are "trapped" in a room and must work together to break out. But before the family fun, there was a geography lesson as the first lady updated children about Santa's most recent locales on his gift-giving voyage: Sardinia, Malta and Hungary, to name a few. If there was a lesson for the first lady, it was a crash course in the latest hot-item gifts. A girl named Kirsten told Mrs. Obama she wanted a drone from Santa. Joshua wanted a Hot Wheels garage, while Aiden wanted a hoverboard. But it was Adilyn whose gift seemed to catch the first lady off guard. "I'm getting a hedgehog tomorrow," Adilyn said. Dan Lin contributed to this report. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 25, 2016 Top officials from the Home Affairs Ministry, National Police and Indonesian Military pay visits to several churches in the capital to ensure safety and wish Christians a merry Christmas. During a visit to Batak Protestant Church (HKBP) in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Saturday evening, Home affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo highlighted the government would continue to protect the country's motto Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). Christianity makes up about 10 percent of the Muslim-majority country, which is home to more than 250 million people. (Read also: Salatiga Police to amplify security for 12 Churches during Christmas) National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and TNI commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo said they hoped Christmas celebrations across the archipelago would run peacefully and smoothly. The high ranking officials are also scheduled to visit other churches in Jakarta during Christmas Eve, including the Jakarta Cathedral in Central Jakarta. Police guaranteed safe Christmas celebrations across the country amid attempted bomb plots and terrorist arrests in several places, deploying thousands of officers to safeguard churches and shopping malls. (Fac/jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang Sun, December 25, 2016 Thousands of Christians and Catholics join Christmas eve mass on Saturday evening in Semarang, Central Java, under tight security measures. Thousands of parishioners who came with their families packed Semarang Cathedral Church to join the evening mass lead by Priest FX Sukendra Wignyosumarta. Sukendra promoted diversity in his sermon amid rising intolerance acts and the recent foiled terror attempts in several areas of the country. "Jesus was born amid Roman colonialism. Now, we live in the development phase of Indonesia. Let us build this country based on Pancasila [the state's ideology]. We must maintain the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia by upholding the diversity," he said. There have been reports of intolerance acts following the large-scale protest that saw thousands of Muslims take to the capital's streets to stage protests against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama in November and December. Meanwhile, Semarang Mayor Hendrar Prihadi, Semarang Military Commander Col. Zainul Bahar and Semarang Police chief Sr. Comr Abiyoso conducted visits to several churches in the city as efforts to ensure the security for Christmas celebrations. "The Semarang administration wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, and we are committed to the safety of Semarang," said Hendrar. Members of Police, Indonesian Military (TNI) and public order agencies joined forces to safeguard 252 churches across Semarang. (rin) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram Sun, December 25, 2016 More than 6,000 residents of Bima municipality in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) remain in shelters with close to 1,000 having started to contract flood-related diseases following major flash floods that struck the city. "[Currently,] there are 6,030 people staying in 19 emergency shelters," NTB Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) chief Muhammad Rum said on Sunday. The 19 shelters have been set up in eight subdistricts: Jatiwangi, Lewirato, Monggonao, Paruga, Penaraga, Penatoi, Sadia and Tanjung. Residents were using mosques, school buildings and shops as shelters as they could not yet return to their respective homes damaged by the flash floods, Rum said. While others had returned home to clean their houses from debris carried by the floods. (Read also: Flash floods displace 100,000 people in Bima) The floods took place in 33 subdistricts of five districts in Bima municipality where at least 105,000 families were affected. Furthermore, Rum said 929 Bima residents were suffering from respiratory illnesses, skin rashes and diarrhea. Local administrations had set up, jointly with the local military command, several medical posts and a field hospital to help the affected residents. "We have also distributed logistics aid to the shelters. There are currently seven public kitchens, which can serve up to 5,000 people per kitchen," he said, adding that aid from other regions had also arrived in Bima such as food supplies, clothes, medicine and assistance funds. The NTB BPBD and local administrations had begun collecting data on the houses and public facilities damaged by the floods on Wednesday. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 25, 2016 The Law and Human Rights Ministry granted sentence reductions for more than 6,000 Protestant and Catholic convicts on Sunday for the occasion of Christmas. The annual Christmas remission was given to 6,707 convicts this year, Minister Yasonna Laoly said on Sunday, who hoped that the sentence reduction would be seen as self-reflection by the convicts. Being imprisoned should not be seen only as suffering but also as introspection of ourselves to return to the right way, Yasonna said as reported by kompas.com. Seventy-nine convicts will soon be able to enjoy freedom as they will immediately be released from prison having obtained the remission. The convicts have received sentence reductions of between 15 days and two months depending on how long they have served their terms for. Meanwhile, several prominent corruption convicts such as Otto Cornelius Kaligis who was serving time for bribery, former Bank Century owner Robert Tantular and graft convict Anggoro Widjojo were not eligible for the Christmas remission, a spokesperson for the ministrys directorate general for penitentiaries, Akbar Hadi, said. They did not get their sentences reduced as they did not have the status of justice collaborator as required by the 2012 government regulation on remission, he added. The government grants sentence reductions to convicts on special occasions such as religious holidays and Indonesia's Independence Day on August 17. There are currently 203,308 convicts being held in prisons and detention centers across the country, nearly double the facilities actual capacity of 118,952, ministry data show. (wnd/rin) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 25, 2016 The National Police has detained three Indonesian nationals deported from Syria for allegedly joining militants in the war-torn country, an official has said. It is true that three Indonesian citizens have been arrested for allegedly going to Syria [to fight with militants], said National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Rikwanto on Sunday as quoted by Antara news agency. The three men identified as Tomi Gunawan, 18, a resident of Pekanbaru in Riau; Jang Johana, 25, from Bandung, West Java; and Irfan, 21, from Jakarta. The three suspects claimed that they did not know each other, Rikwanto added, saying that they were all arrested in Syria on Dec. 5 because they had allegedly joined militants fighting the Syrian government. The three men were deported from an Istanbul airport where then the National Polices Densus 88 counterterrorism squad immediately arrested them once they had arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Banten, Tangerang, on Saturday. All of them were taken directly to the polices Mobile Brigade (Brimob) headquarters in Kelapa Dua, Depok, West Java, for interrogation. (wnd/ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Tunis Sun, December 25, 2016 About 200 people have protested in the Tunisian capital against the return of "Tunisian jihadis" who have fought abroad. The gathering Saturday was prompted by the deadly truck attack in a Berlin Christmas market by Tunisian Anis Amri, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and was killed Friday in a police shootout. Amri, 24, was slated to be deported home from Germany. Banners at the protest in front of Parliament in Tunis read "Close the doors to terrorism" and "No tolerance, no return." Protesters waved Tunisian flags and sang the national anthem. Protester Faten Mejri said "for us, they are not Tunisians. They are awful people." Tunisia says at least 800 Tunisian "jihadis" are under surveillance since returning home after fighting in Syria, Iraq and Libya. (ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 25, 2016 The National Polices Densus 88 counterterrorism squad reportedly shot dead two alleged terrorists in Purwakarta, West Java, on Sunday for allegedly planning acts of terrorism on Christmas and New Year festivities. The two suspects have been identified as Abu Sovi, aka Abu Azis, from Bandung, West Java, and Abu Faiz from West Bandung. The incident is the latest in a series of raids aimed at preventing terrorist attacks in the Muslim-majority nation. At 12:30 p.m. local time, Densus 88 raided a floating house on Jatiluhur dam where Sovi and Faizaccording to two other terrorist suspects Rijal, aka Abu Arham, 29, and Ivan Rahmat Syarif, 28, who were previously arrested in Cibinong, West Javawere reportedly hiding. However, Faiz and Sovi refused to surrender and attacked the Police with machetes, where the officers had to resort to shooting the assailants, National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Rikwanto confirmed. Earlier this week, Densus 88 killed three terrorist suspects in a shoot-out on the outskirts of Jakarta, and claimed they had foiled a suicide bombing planned for the end of the year. Authorities have so far foiled 14 attacks and have made more than 150 arrests this year related to terrorism. Eighty-five thousand police and 15,000 military personnel have been deployed to secure the nation during the Christmas and New Year period. (wnd/ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Benson Ang (The Straits Times/Asia News Network) Singapore Sun, December 25, 2016 Singaporean Adrian Khong, 47, has been bitten by bedbugs twice. Both times occurred when he was travelling - while trekking in Nepal in 1994 and again in San Francisco last year. Bedbug populations have reportedly multiplied since the 1990s, according to the website BedBug Central, which tracks their spread, and the blood-sucking critters can now be found in almost every country and region. Although the reason for their surge is unconfirmed, one contributing factor could be the rise of international travel, suggests a publication by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The parasites thrive in places with a frequent turnover of people, such as hotel rooms, airplanes and taxis. (Read also: Fantasy, history and shopping in London) Cafe owner Mr Khong says his first encounter with bedbugs was not unexpected, as he had stayed in a teahouse which provided only basic accommodation and was not very clean. His second encounter was more surprising as it happened in a fourstar hotel in San Francisco, where he stayed for three nights during a work trip last year. After the first night, he found red bite marks on the right side of his torso. By the second night, he was convinced of a bedbug infestation and demanded that the hotel move him to another room. He says: "I was surprised there were bugs even in a reputable fourstar hotel. There was otherwise nothing else wrong with the room." In hotel rooms, bedbugs have been found not just on beds, but also on walls and in blankets and pillows, according to a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene document. The insects are a nasty inconvenience for travellers as they are notoriously difficult to eliminate. BedbugRegistry.com, a free public database of user-submitted bedbug reports from across the US and Canada, has collected about 20,000 reports across 12,000 locations so far. The site was founded in 2006. On airplanes, bedbugs "hitchhiking" on a tourist's luggage in a plane's cargo hold have been known to hop onto other bags and lay eggs, exacerbating the problem. Reports of infestations in homes, apartments, hotel rooms, hospitals and hostels in developed countries appear to be on the rise, says Dr Yew Yik Weng, a consultant at the National Skin Centre here. (Read also: Tokyo airport debuts toilet paper for smartphones) A Daily Mail Online report in February, for instance, noted that the Waldorf Astoria and Marriott Marquis hotels - among the most prestigious hotels in New York - were "infested" with the bugs. Dr Michael Chiam, 55, a senior tourism lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, says: "Bedbugs can happen anywhere. Even good and reputable hotels sometimes face such a problem." The problem lies in "the transient nature of the hotel business" and the fact that bedbugs can hide and travel in clothes and luggage, says Mr Gevin Png, 42, course manager of Temasek Polytechnic's diploma in hospitality and tourism management. "This makes hotels highly susceptible to bedbugs," he says, adding that they can make a swift dent on a hotel's reputation these days, with the popularity of social media platforms. From his research, negative bedbug-related reviews could mean a fall in occupancy rates for the affected hotel. And if not addressed, the damage to the hotel's reputation could be permanent. "Half of the guests who find bedbugs in a room will likely switch hotels immediately and probably never go back to that hotel," he says, adding that guests can make claims against the hotel for medical bills or even take legal action for "pain and suffering" encountered during the stay. The bug's bark, however, may be worse than its bite. Dr Sue-Ann Ho, a consultant at the National University Hospital's division of dermatology, explains that most of the time, treatment is not required for bedbug bites. (Read also: Tourism Ministry targets 400,000 Muslim tourists from the Middle East) "If the areas bitten are not scratched, they may resolve in a week or two," she says, adding that topical steroids and antihistamines can help with the itch. It is recommended, she adds, that victims consult a dermatologist for the bites, especially if they have many bites, and these develop into blisters or skin infections. Singaporean Mona Ang also encountered bedbugs during a one night hotel staycation in Sentosa two years ago. The adjunct lecturer in a private education institute, who is in her 40s, brought along her own pillow, on which, she believes, the bedbugs followed her home. After reaching home, she noticed tiny bites on her neck, arms and the back of her thighs. A doctor prescribed her anti-itch cream and oral medication. Alarmed, she quickly hired a pest exterminator, who found the bugs - and their eggs - on her mattress and bed frame. "They sprayed insecticides all over them and in the rest of the house. Their equipment reminded me of the one used in the Ghostbusters movie," she says, referring to the 1984 classic. After the episode, her home had to be aired for a few hours and she also had to sun her blanket and pillows to get rid of the smell of the insecticides. She says: "Nowadays, I do a quick check of every hotel bed before I lie on it. I also clean my luggage more carefully after returning from a trip." Bedbug 101 What are bedbugs? They are blood-sucking parasites found worldwide. They come out of their hiding places at night and feed on the exposed skin of the host, usually without the knowledge of the person. They feed on blood, but are generally not believed to be transmitters of any infections. Adult bedbugs are about the size of an apple seed, up to 5mm long, and can survive up to a year without feeding. Here is how to avoid bringing bedbugs home with you: Do your research When planning where to stay, check for recent complaints of hotel infestations on BedbugRegistry.com or Bedbugger.com Check reviews before booking a hotel room as guests who have encountered bedbugs are likely to mention this in their hotel review. Inspect the room Check the surface of the mattress and under the blankets, especially in the corners, mattress seams and around the headboard. Pay particular attention to cracks, crevices, seams and folds. Look for dried blackish spots, skin sheddings and even live bugs. Use a torch or the light from your smartphone to help you spot them more easily. If you want to be extra careful, use a hairdryer and run it across the surfaces you are inspecting. The heat should send any bedbugs scurrying out. Do not let them get into your luggage When inspecting the room, place your luggage in the bathtub. Bedbugs generally do not like smooth, hard surfaces as they are difficult to hide in. When packing or unpacking your luggage, place it on the luggage rack away from walls, the bed or the couch - places where bedbugs commonly reside. But before doing this, check that there are no bedbugs on the luggage rack. Pack your dirty clothes in sealable bags if you think you have been in bedbug-infested quarters. There are several anti-bedbug sprays on the market, but experts have given them mixed reviews. If bitten, do not scratch Instead, wash the bites and treat them with an anti-itch cream or apply calamine lotion. Then seek advice from a medical professional. If an insect has burrowed into your skin, you are not dealing with a bedbug. Seek medical help immediately as it may be a tick, which can be a carrier of various diseases. Upon your return, destroy any bugs or eggs in your luggage Place your bags on the hard surface floor, not the sofa or the bed. Wash dirty clothes in warm or hot water, then dry them in a dryer on a hot setting. This is sufficient to kill bedbugs in clothing or linens. Then, sun your bags under direct sunlight for at least 30 minutes. If the infestation is localised, cleaning the area with a vacuum cleaner that produces hot steam is enough. But if the whole house is affected, it is advisable to engage a pest control company. Source: Chan Brothers Travel, Dr Michael Chiam, Dr Sue-Ann Ho, Dr Yew Yik Weng, Lonely Planet website This article appeared on The Straits Times newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Christmas can wear you out, and the stress and frayed nerves make you wonder why you go through the pretense of it all. Dont despair, though. That yuletide soul-searching can inspire to quote one of the most-loved holiday stories a wonderful, awful idea. One morning on the day after Christmas, Theodor (aka: Dr. Seuss) Geisel, the author of The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and a host of other childrens classics, felt disheartened, convinced he had lost the meaning of the holiday. Geisel realized that his gloomy mood mirrored the attitude of a disagreeable creature he created a few years earlier the Grinch. Thus, an idea for another book was born, one that could help him rediscover the truth about Christmas. His work on How the Grinch Stole Christmas would not be complete until he joined forces with animator Chuck Jones, famous for his Looney Tunes shorts, and the celebrated horror actor Boris Karloff. When The Grinch made its television debut on Dec. 18, 1966, it became so popular that a new word was added to the holiday lexicon. Even after a half-century, The Grinch has few detractors, even when considered in a cultural context. Take, for example, the annual war on Christmas debates, epitomized by arguments over wishing someone a Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays. In the perceived divide over religious and secular holiday celebrations, The Grinch has a unique ability to satisfy both camps. The Grinch is often described as secular. The program never mentions the birth of Jesus. In fact, a direct reference to Scripture would have been out of place among the peculiar, insect-like residents of Whoville and their Tah Tinkers, Floo Floobers, Bizzel Binks and Dafflers. Geisel even commented that he had a hard time finding the right note to end his Christmas tale because he did not want to make it a religious tract. Concluding that The Grinch is theologically silent, however, is a mistake. Anyone willing to risk falling into the trap of overanalyzing Dr. Seuss books might begin by noting that they have often been used to teach Christian doctrine, even though Geisel did not consider himself a highly religious person. Still, he was steeped in Christianity while growing up in Springfield, Mass. Geisel not only attended his mothers Episcopal church but his fathers Lutheran congregation. His earliest experiences of Christmas came when he joined the other members of the towns German-American community to sing Stille Nacht and O Tannenbaum. Later, at Dartmouth and Oxford, he participated in chapel services. He was drawn to church in part by hymns and their use of rhyme and repetition. One particular hymn seems significant. He memorized Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, including the final lines, God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity. Perhaps Geisel recalled the songs numerical reference when he depicted the Grinchs conversion in the book: And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadnt before Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesnt come from a store. The importance of three hours in the New Testament goes without saying. Two pages later, the Grinchs heart grows three sizes as Christmas true meaning dawned on him, a point magnified literally in the animated cartoon. Geisel was reportedly a perfectionist who selected words with extreme care. If he sought to give his readers and viewers a concise, subtle reminder of the spiritual nature of Christmas that God became flesh and dwelt among men he called up the right number. In the Bible, three represents the presence of God. Ultimately, Christmas morning in Whoville provides a lesson for everyone, whether the holiday is approached from a religious perspective, a secular one, or, most likely, a combination of both. All the Whos have faith and know in their hearts that they have something that can never be stolen. And Geisel seems to emphasize their diversity young, old, tall and small. No one is kept away from the celebration. Even the green guy whose burglary spree left the Whos houses with nothing but hooks and wire is welcomed. As the Grinch ends his descent down Mount Crumpit, the Whos open their circle unconditionally. There is no protest over what he had done. No retribution. No questions asked. This holiday season could be happier if more people imitated this capacity for forgiveness. This sense of harmony could be what Geisel was missing on the morning he first imagined How the Grinch Stole Christmas. He certainly longed for it. One of his earliest commentaries on Christmas was an illustrated poem published in Colliers Magazine on Dec. 23, 1955. A Prayer for a Child describes a childs Christmas wish to God: Please tell all men That Peace is good. Thats all That need be understood. As a year highlighted by division starts to close and we deal with the stresses of the Christmas rush, look for those moments of peace. Its what the Grinch found as he carved the roast beast. And, no, Dr. Seuss would not mind not in the least. The Journal Star should be ashamed of their headline for the article covering Gov. Pete Ricketts' announcement of tax savings (Governor credits jobs effort for drop in insurance taxes, Dec. 15). The taxpayers benefiting are not working people like us but business corporations. Ricketts credits the re-employment program he championed last year for helping these businesses avoiding paying $17.6 million into the states unemployment compensation fund. The Journal Star should have mentioned the main feature of the re-employment program is requiring applicants to jump through more hoops in order to stay eligible for benefits, fill out more than twice as many applications and apply for more jobs than before. The Journal Star should report why Nebraska unemployment claims have dropped big time in 2016, whether more workers lost eligibility rather than found new jobs. Ricketts says businesses use their tax savings to reinvest. Im sure that the new owners of Cabelas will be happy to reinvest in new workers. Oh, wait, Cabelas is leaving Sidney and could lay off about 1000 workers, and the execs who made the company a good investment are heading off with big bonuses financed by the rest of us through another of Ricketts' corporate tax breaks ("Cabelas execs collect bonuses," Nov. 22). Would Nebraskans understand better if the headline had read, Ricketts credits paying less in unemployment comp to laid-off workers for big corporations tax savings? I wonder. Jim Boucher, Valley More than 400 Nebraskans are expected to participate in the Women's March on Washington on the day after the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, but they won't be demonstrating just for women's rights. "I'll be marching for people of color, the LGBT community, Muslims, anyone who has felt threatened or fearful that their rights may be overlooked in the next few years," Jen Lambert of Omaha said. "Women cross all over those borders," she noted. "It's also about immigrants," Rachael Henderson of Elkhorn said. "About everyone who is worried about their rights. "Dehumanizing certain people based on their race or religion has no place in the America I've grown to love." Both women stressed that they are speaking for themselves, not for organizers of the march, which will be composed of men and children as well as women from across the United States. The event is designed to "send a message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world, that women's rights are human rights," the event's organizers have stated. More than 200,000 people are expected to participate in the Washington event. Some Nebraska participants will travel to Washington next month on chartered buses. "I have three children and I haven't been as active as I should have been because I've been very comfortable and suddenly I'm not," Lambert said. "It's time for me to start speaking out." Lambert said "it's really easy for me and a lot of my peers to feel comfortable because our rights weren't necessarily being challenged," but now she wants to stand "in solidarity with everyone else who values equality." Women's health care and reproductive rights are "part of this," she said, but now it's far more than that. Henderson, who also is the mother of three children, said "the message is about inclusivity." "The rhetoric over the past few months has been negative/aggressive toward certain minorities and certain groups," she said. "It is my duty as a mother to work hard to make sure my children's world is a place of love and safety," Henderson said. "I need to help give them a safe place to live." Looking ahead, there is "reason to worry" about the future, she said. "The time to do something is now." The Washington march will begin near the U.S. Capitol and end near the White House. Organizers originally had envisioned a concluding event rich with symbolism in front of the Lincoln Memorial, but inauguration events crowded out that possibility. 1876: Christmas services in Lincoln Sunday schools had become an important custom. The residence of H.M. Rice, 2830 Q St., was destroyed by fire. 1886: There were numerous proposals to provide proper hospital accommodations for Lincoln. The Burlington Railroad decided to put on a sleeper car from Chicago to Lincoln. 1896: The New York Journal was said to have offered William Jennings Bryan $1,000 per week to become its Washington correspondent. U.S. Sen. John M. Thurston delivered an Omaha address supporting Cuban independence. 1906: The building of the Burlington station annex on Seventh Street was a notable improvement in Lincoln. 1916: The Thomas P. Kennard mansion at 1627 H St. was to be made into a dormitory for working boys. The house had previously served as a University of Nebraska fraternity house. The State Association of Music Teachers was founded. 1926: Speakers at the Nebraska Bar Association Convention included famed trial lawyer Clarence Darrow and Roscoe E. Pound, a former Lincoln resident who had become dean of the Harvard Law School. 1936: The Nebraska State Teachers Association announced a plan to provide teachers $50 per month upon retirement. The plan was to be submitted to the Legislature. 1946: The Lincoln temperature plunged from 58 degrees to 13 degrees in 12 hours. The thermometer in Chadron read 25 degrees below zero. A statewide airport plan, which would entail construction, expansion or improvement of 182 Nebraska airports, was announced. 1956: Nebraska State Penitentiary Warden Joseph Bovey said the old solitary confinement "holes" at the penitentiary were still being used on a limited scale until a new "adjustment center" was completed. 1966: Lincoln savored announcement of federal plans for a new office building and courthouse, a $12.5 million project, in the area bounded by 15th, 16th, N and P streets. A mother and her 1-year-old child lost their lives in a fire at their Havelock home. The father and two other children were burned. The winter's first storm covered Nebraska with as much as 13 inches of snow. 1976: Edward Binder, 53, of Lincoln was appointed by Gov. Jim Exon as the new adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard. District Judge C. Thomas White, 48, of Columbus was appointed to the Nebraska Supreme Court. White succeeded retiring Judge John E. Newton. 1986: In Nebraska City, Todd Thrane collapsed before he could rescue 16-month-old Savannah Gill and her brother, Anthony, 21/2, from a fire in the house in which the three lived. The fire was caused by an electrical short in an appliance. All died of smoke inhalation. The Nebraska Supreme Court said John Joubert should be put to death for the murders of DannyJoe Eberle, 13, and Christopher Walden, 12, both of Bellevue. Chief Justice Norman Krivosha said the fatal knifings met the test of Nebraska law, which says a slaying must be especially heinous to qualify the perpetrator for capital punishment. 1996: Several dozen Union Pacific workers spent their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day cleaning up a 30-car derailment near Alexandria. The crash caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage to the cars and track. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the death sentence of condemned killer Randolph Reeves. Reeves had been on death row since 1981 for the murders of Janet Mesner and Victoria Lamm at a Quaker meeting house in March 1980. 2006: After 14 years serving moviegoers, the Star Ship 9 Theaters building is set for demolition later this month to be replaced by a parking garage and high-rise. On Christmas Day, the theaters remaining employees enjoyed a final special dinner prepared by the manager Barbara Ehmke (all homemade). Ehmke will prepare snacks and hors doeuvres for the last night crew Dec. 31 and serve it after 9:15 p.m. when the front doors are locked for the last time. One of the last movies playing is Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest. Theater opening in April 1992 included The Silence of the Lambs. SOUTH SIOUX CITY Residents who were displaced by a Nebraska plant's gas odors are demanding to know what steps are being taken to let them return to their homes. Residents have been out of their homes since October because of harmful hydrogen sulfide gas that a Big Ox Energy plant pumped into sewer lines in South Sioux City, according to the Sioux City Journal. A plug was placed to block the residential sewer line from the industrial line that Big Ox was using, but the smell has lingered. South Sioux City Public Works Director Bob Livermore said that, starting next week, a team of people will meet with each homeowner to assess damages. The strength of the odor differs in each affected household in the five-block area. "One of the things we need to do is sit down and go through each individual issue with improvements to make the decisions on what needs to be done in the home," Livermore said. Livermore said he is not sure who will be at the individual meetings with residents but said they may include contractors and South Sioux City and Big Ox officials. The city has said that Big Ox will reimburse displaced residents for meals, laundry, hotels and other costs totaling about $336,000. LETTER: Instead of dropping 'The Ode,' find another way to honour Labrador Many writers to the Telegram have chimed in, some with vitriol, on the decision by MUN not to sing "The Ode to Newfoundland" at the recent or future graduation convocations. I am astonished, however, at the number who see no problem with changing its ... Prime Minister Narendra Modi said if the evils of corruption and black money had been tackled by the previous governments, he would not have been forced to take a tough decision like demonetisation. "If the ills of the country had been tackled on time in the past 40 years, I would not have resorted to such a harsh decision. "Those who failed to take the decision have pushed the country to grave perilI have saved the country, as I had promised to do," Modi said at a public rally in Pune after inaugurating the Rs 11,420-crore Pune Metro project. Continuing with his defence of demonetisation, he again warned the corrupt and black money hoarders to come clean or face the consequences. Reiterating his earlier statements in Mumbaito continue the war against corruption, black money hoarders, terror and Maoists until achieving victoryModi exhorted those with undeclared money to reveal their untaxed wealth and "sleep peacefully". "If they don't declare, then at least I will not sleep," he warned, vowing to give justice to the 125 crore people of the country, who have suffered over 70 years because of a handful of corrupt elements. He said after the 50 days post-demonetisation, the sufferings of the masses would gradually ease, but the problems of the corrupt and the black money hoarders will increase. "Nobody will be spared and the poor will get justice." Dwelling on the rural-urban divide, Modi said the Centre has launched a "Rurban Mission" to ensure all-round development of urban centres and the villages without the latter losing their soul. "In rural areas, we shall improve the quality of life, employment, provide same opportunities and facilities as in urban areas, which can slow the pace of migration from the rural areas to cities," Modi said. He said under the changed scenario, people are not merely content with railways or highways, but demand I-ways (Information Highways) and digital grids, and besides water pipelines, they want gas pipelines and optical fibre networks. "Urbanisation is going on at a brisk pace in India and whatever we do is not enough. If we only think of the next elections, we shall never confront the challenges facing urban areas. "So, irrespective of the immediate political gains, we must adopt a long-term vision to tackle the challenges of development," Modi said. It was also imperative to complete all projects within the deadline and if possible, think of catering to the needs of the people after 25-30 years, he urged. Since demonetisation, he said, the value of small currencies like Rs 100-Rs 50 had gone up, the incomes of urban and rural bodies in the country had shot up by 200-300 per cent, compared to the 50-60 per cent earlier. The additional revenues would be used for public benefit, he added. Madhya Pradesh government is mulling to offer 'salad' along with the daily meal served to inmates across all prisons in the state, an official said. "Providing 'salads' along with the meals is one of the measures being mooted by the Jail Department in its effort to make the food in state's prisons more nutritious," Sanjay Choudhary, Director General (Jail) told PTI. The issue was discussed at a meeting in Bhopal on Friday convened to review the functioning of jails in state. It was chaired by Minister for Jail Kusum Mehdele and attended by Jail department's senior officials along with the superintendents of 39 district and 11 Central jails. After the Bhopal's Central prison jail break by eight operatives of the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in October this year, Jail department had banned outside food items, mostly brought by the family members of the inmates in all jails of the state. "The meeting was informed that essential items like tooth-paste and brush would also be provided in the jails. However, there would be total ban on bidis and cigarettes," a Public Relations department officer said. It was also decided that additional barracks would be constructed in those jails that are housing more inmates than their capacities. "Outer walls of the jails would also be constructed. The minister assured that the issues raised by the jail superintendents would also be soon sorted out," he added. RACINE COUNTY Feet firmly on the ground, a local videographer can now glide or swoop like a bird, capturing images from the sky such as those featured in the 3-minute video simply called Racine County, Wisconsin. County Executive Jonathan Delagrave debuted an early version of the 3-minute promotional video, made by Ivan Barra of Ivan Barra Films, during his budget address in October. At least half of the video was shot from above by drone camera, Barra said: the aerial images include numerous local companies headquarters, Reefpoint Marina, Wingspread Conference Center and Riverbend Nature Center. Barra, who came to Racine from New York City and served in youth ministry here for 14 years, started his company three to four years ago. He specializes in the short-form documentary, which Barra described as something watchable on the web. With the intention of expanding his capabilities, last Christmas Barra bought a 3DR Solo quad (four-propeller) drone for $1,200 to $1,500 including camera. He estimated it took him about 10 hours of practice until he was comfortable flying the drone and landing it on its small, square landing pad. Barra uses the pad partly to avoid blowing dirt and dust up and onto the camera. The landing pad has another purpose, he continued: The drone always attracts interested onlookers, and it gives them a visual cue to stay back from that spot and out of harms way. Commercial drone pilot license On Sept. 2, Barra said, during the first week the commercial drone pilot license test became available, he passed it and obtained his license. A drone hobbyist may not use a drone for compensation, but the commercial license allows it, he explained. Until then, Barra had been contracting out his drone videography but, with his own license, he took over. Since then hes used the drone in the Racine County film, one for Northterra Real Estate to help it sell the former suburban library land, and a film for Dover Stables. Barra also put his drone to powerful use in an emotional, 2-minute, 44-second documentary he made for the Racine Community Foundation. It tells the story of Andre Rutkowski, a Racine youth who died of leukemia, the fund created in his name, and its role and the foundations role in the public art mosaics that were installed at Zoo Beach. In the films last shot, videorecorded with the drone, the camera pulls back from the beach mosaics, upward and over the lake, giving a wider view of the beach and shoreline. I wanted to capture all three of the mosaics and the lakefront, almost like Andre was looking down on it, Barra explained about the shot. It was a nice finale to that video, commented the late Andres father, Tom Rutkowski. How much Barra will use his drone camera for his films will always depend on the project, he said. With Racine County, I knew I wanted to shoot a lot of video with it. The drone is merely a tool, Barra said. I dont want to be a one-trick pony, and say, Im the drone guy, and thats it. If it moves a story forward, thats when it can get used, he said. If not, and its a beautiful shot, its going to get cut. The U.S. green light that allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem could spur moves toward new terms to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it also poses dangers for the United Nations with the incoming Trump administration and may harden Israels attitude toward concessions. The Obama administrations decision to abstain and allow the U.N.s most powerful body to approve a long-sought resolution calling Israeli settlements a flagrant violation under international law was a sharp rebuke to a longstanding ally and a striking rupture with past U.S. vetoes. U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said it is because this resolution reflects the facts on the ground and is consistent with U.S. policy across Republican and Democratic administrations throughout the history of the state of Israel that the United States did not veto it. She cited a 1982 statement by then-President Ronald Reagan that the United States will not support the use of any additional land for the purpose of settlements and that settlement activity is in no way necessary for the security of Israel. The Security Council vote Friday, however, was anything but routine for Washington, which traditionally vetoes all resolutions related to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict on grounds that differences must be solved through negotiations. It was the first resolution on the conflict approved during President Barack Obamas nearly eight years in office and shone a spotlight on his icy relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The U.S. decision to abstain on the 14-0 vote followed months of intensely secret deliberations in Washington, a spate of fresh Israeli settlement announcements that sparked exasperation and anger from American officials, and recent attempts by Israels government to have parliament legalize thousands of homes built on privately owned Palestinian land. After Egypt suddenly postponed a scheduled vote on the resolution Thursday, reportedly under pressure from Israel and supporters of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, four new sponsors stepped up and pushed it through Malaysia, New Zealand, Venezuela and Senegal, each representing a different region and reflecting the wide support for the measure. Trump demanded that Obama veto the resolution and tweeted after the vote, As to the U.N., things will be different after Jan. 20th when Trump takes office. It would be virtually impossible, however, for Trump to overturn the resolution. It would require a new resolution with support from at least nine members in the 15-member Security Council and no veto by one of the other permanent members Russia, China, Britain or France, all of whom supported Fridays resolution. Republicans, who control Congress, immediately threatened consequences. Sen. Lindsay Graham, who heads the Senate panel in charge of U.S. payments to the U.N., said he would form a bipartisan coalition to suspend or significantly reduce funding. He added that countries receiving U.S. aid could also be penalized for supporting the resolution. Under U.N. rules, failure to pay dues leads to the loss of voting privileges in the General Assembly. The vote on settlements sparked behind-the-scenes discussion in the usually divided Security Council on what else might be achieved on the Israeli-Palestinian issue while Obama is still in the White House. New Zealand has been pressing for the council to consider a resolution that would set out the parameters for a settlement of the conflict, and its draft ideas remain on the table. But Israels U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon warned the council after the vote that the resolution would not spur peace efforts. By voting yes in favor of this resolution, you have in fact voted no,' Danon said. You voted no to negotiations. You voted no to progress, and a chance for better lives for Israelis and Palestinians. And you voted no to the possibility of peace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately retaliated against some of the nations that proposed Fridays resolution. He recalled his nations ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal for consultations, canceled a planned January visit to Israel by Senegals foreign minister and ended Israeli aid programs to the West African nation. Israel rejects this shameful anti-Israel resolution at the U.N. and will not abide by its terms, Netanyahus office said in a statement. The Israeli leader blamed Obama for failing to protect Israel against this gang-up at the U.N. and even colluding with its detractors. He said, Israel looks forward to working with President-elect Trump and with all our friends in Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, to negate the harmful effects of this absurd resolution. By contrast, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat hailed the result as a victory for the justice of the Palestinian cause. He said Trumps choice was now between international legitimacy or siding with settlers and extremists. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, urged the Security Council to stand firm by this decision and not be cowed by negative threats or spin. (AP) President Reuven Rivlin joined Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in condemning the passing of UN Security Council Resolution 2334. The President stated, United Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel and so it will remain. There is no international body with the power to revoke this status. This disgraceful, serious, and unfortunate decision taken by the UN causes diplomatic damage to Israel. This is a decision which brings us no nearer to negotiations with the Palestinians, but rather makes such a prospect even more distant. There has never been and will never be a replacement for direct negotiations between the two sides. We expected that the United States our greatest ally and friend which has stood unwavering on the side of Israels security needs throughout the years would stand by us at this time and not abandon us, leaving us in the hands of a cynical body driven by alien interests. The third light of Chanukah, I will light in Beit El together with the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) A Russian plane carrying 92 people to an air base in Syria crashed Sunday into the Black Sea minutes after taking off from the city of Sochi, Russias Defense Ministry said. Thousands of rescue workers were searching the undersea crash site but there appeared to be no survivors. Those on board included dozens of members of Russias world-famous army choir. The cause of the crash wasnt immediately known. At least one expert cited a terror attack as a possible reason a scenario rejected by Russian officials. In all, 84 passengers and eight crew members were on the Tu-154 plane when it disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off in good weather. Emergency crews found fragments of the plane about 1.5 kilometers (less than one mile) from shore and by Sunday afternoon, rescue teams had already recovered 10 bodies. The plane belonged to the Defense Ministry and was taking the Alexandrov Ensemble to a New Years concert at Hemeimeem air base in Syrias coastal province of Latakia. Those on board also included nine Russian journalists and a Russian doctor famous for her work in war zones. New Years is the main holiday for most Russians. Russian President Vladimir Putin went on television to declare Monday a nationwide day of mourning. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons and will do everything to support the victims families, Putin said. More than 3,000 people including dozens of divers worked from 27 ships and several helicopters to search the crash site, according to the Defense Ministry. Drones were also flown over to help spot bodies and debris. About 100 more divers were being flown in from naval facilities across Russia, and powerful spotlights were brought in so the search could continue around the clock. Magomed Tolboyev, a decorated Russian test pilot, said the circumstances of the crash indicated that all on board had died. There is no chance to survive in such situation, he said, according to the Interfax news agency. The plane gets instantly blown into pieces. The Tu-154 is a Soviet-built three-engine airliner designed in the late 1960s. More than 1,000 have been built, and they have been used extensively by carriers in Russia and worldwide. The plane that crashed was built in 1983, and underwent factory check-ups and maintenance in 2014 and earlier this year, according to the Defense Ministry. Viktor Ozerov, head of the defense affairs committee in the upper house of the Russian parliament, said the crash could have been caused by a technical malfunction or a crew error. He said it could not have been a terror attack because the plane was operated by the Russian military. I totally exclude the idea of an attack bringing down the plane, he said according to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency. However, some experts contested Ozerovs claim, saying the crews failure to report a malfunction pointed at a possible terror attack. Possible malfunctions certainly wouldnt have prevented the crew from reporting them, Vitaly Andreyev, a former senior Russian air traffic controller, told RIA Novosti, adding that it points at an external impact. Russian planes have been brought down previously by terror attacks. In October 2015, a Russian passenger plane carrying mostly Russian tourists back from vacation in Egypt was brought down by a bomb over the Sinai, killing all 224 people aboard. Officials said the explosive device was planted in the planes luggage compartment. The local affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility. In August 2004, two Russian planes were blown up in the skies over Russia by suicide bombers, killing 89 people. A Chechen warlord claimed responsibility for the twin attacks, which happened on the same day. The Russian military has repeatedly flown groups of Russian singers and artists to perform at Hemeimeem, which serves as the main hub for the Russian air campaign in Syria. The passenger list for the Sochi plane released by the Defense Ministry included 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, including its leader, Valery Khalilov. The ensemble, often referred to as the Red Army choir, is the official choir of the Russian military and also includes a band and a dance company. The choir sang Get Lucky at the opening of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games that Russia hosted in Sochi, becoming an instant online sensation. The damage to the choir was reported to be extensive. Viktor Yeliseyev, head of the rival choir of the Russian National Guard, said most singers of the choir have died. Also on board was Yelizaveta Glinka, a Russian doctor who has won wide acclaim for her charity work, which has included missions to war zones in eastern Ukraine and Syria. Her foundation said Glinka was accompanying a shipment of medicine for a hospital in Syria. Putin presented Glinka with an award earlier this month. We never feel sure that we will come back alive, she said at the Kremlin award ceremony. But we are sure that kindness, compassion and charity are stronger than any weapon. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev described the crash as a terrible tragedy. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was personally coordinating the rescue efforts. In recent years, Russian airlines have replaced their Tu-154s with more modern planes, but the military and some other government agencies in Russia have continued to use them. While noisy and fuel-guzzling by modern standards, the plane has been popular with crews that appreciate its maneuverability and ruggedness. Its an excellent plane, which has proven its reliability during decades of service, veteran pilot Oleg Smirnov said in televised remarks. In April 2010, a Tu-154 carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others crashed while trying to land at a sporadically used military airport in Smolensk in western Russia, killing everyone on board. Investigations by both Polish and Russian experts blamed pilot error in bad weather conditions, but Polish authorities have launched a new probe. (AP) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times To learn, or not to learnthat is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of halachah to light the Chanukah licht at home, thus leaving seder early, or to continue learning in the sea of the Talmud . . . The Lakewood yeshiva has its kollel members stop learning to light the Chanukah candles. Yeshiva University does not. YU used to have them continue learning until night seder is over. Now, I am told that they let them go after afternoon seder. Rav Moshe Feinsteins Yeshiva (MTJ), tells their kollel yungeleit to continue learning as well. In Eretz Yisrael, virtually all kollel members stop learning and go home. At Torah Vodaas, Beis HaTalmid, and Yeshiva Chaim Berlin, they all give kollel members time off to light candles in the proper time at home. Chaim Berlin and Mir Yerushalayim make the kollel members come in earlier to make up for the lost learning time. Those who come back to yeshiva after Chanukah licht in the Mir get doughnuts. Yeshivas Chaim Berlin doesnt offer doughnuts to the kollel members, and very few come back. What about places of work? The Five Towns Jewish Times has the men in the office continue working until the day is over. B&H Photo does not dismiss any earlier on Chanukah either. Suit Central in Cedarhurst switches off, allowing their employees to light at staggered times between ten minutes after sunset until tzeishakochavim. OK, enough with the hyperbole and theatrics; lets get down to the halachah. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 672:1) writes, We do not light the Chanukah lamps before the sun sets, rather [we light them] with the end of shkiyah. We neither delay it nor do it earlier. There is an opinion that if he is tarud he may light from plagMinchah (1 hours before sunset), but he must place enough oil in it to remain until there is no longer foot-traffic in the market. The Chofetz Chaim writes (MB 672:10) that the halachah is that men are forbidden to do melachah (work) or learn within 30 minutes before lighting time. This is the ruling of the MagenAvraham, the Taz, the Bach, and the MachatzisHaShekel. Eating a set meal of more than a kbeitzah of bread is likewise forbidden as the ShulchanAruch explains in regard to daveningMinchah (See OCSiman 232). What Type Of Work Is Forbidden? It is forbidden to perform the type of work that is liable to continue, such as a haircut or bath, or doing business. Specifically, one may not wash dishes or iron clothing, among other things. Rav Elyashiv explained (KuntrusHilchosChanukah, page 6) that even cooking or baking during this time is forbidden for someone who has an actual obligation to light. This is more stringent than cholhamoed because the reason for this prohibition is on account of pirsumeinisa, publicizing the miracle. According to this, Rav Elyashiv has ruled that a storeowner must go home and light when the time for Chanukah candle-lighting has arrived. If, however, his living is dependent upon his store being open during those hours, he should leave someone that is not obligated in lighting in the store. If this is not possible, then he may delay going home until 50 minutes after sunset. If this is not possible, then he should appoint a shliach to light on his behalf. When The Wife Is Working Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, ztl, writes that if the wife is working, however, the father should not light before she comes home from work on account of shalombayis (EmesLYaakov page 254). The rationale is that if one does not have enough money for both Chanukah candles and Shabbos candles, the Chanukah candles are set aside for shalombayis. Rav Yaakov, ztl, held that there would be a shalombayis element here as well. The Halachah For Women Women refrain from melachah (work) after the candles are lit. The reason women have this custom is that a woman, Yehudis, the daughter of Yochanan the KohenGadol, brought about a miracle. She was very attractive and told the persecuting general that she would be intimate with him. Yehudis then fed him dairy products so that he would be thirsty. He drank wine and got sleepy. She was able to kill him, cut off his head, and stake it on the walls of the city, which caused his soldiers to retreat in terror. This halachah applies to women but not to men. Gathering The Family It is also appropriate to gather the entire family around to light the menorah, even if in waiting for them there will be somewhat of a delay in lighting (See MB 672:10). If most family members are home, then one or two children who arrive later should light on their own and not delay the rest of the family. It is interesting to note that the Steipler Gaon (Orchos Chaim p. 17) would even gather his married daughter who would fulfill her mitzvah later on in her own apartment. Such is the importance of the pirsumeinisa of Chanukah. The Actual Time To Light The Gemara tells us that we light the candles from the time the sun sets. There is a debate as to whether this means the beginning of what we call sundown or whether it means when three medium stars appear. Practically speaking, Rav Moshe Feinstein, ztl, held that we light 1318 minutes after sunset. Rav Aharon Kotler held that we light 2530 minutes after sundown. When one will be unable to light later, one may light as early as plagMinchah which is 1 halachic hours before sunset. Generally, in New York City, this is sometime between 3:30 p.m. and 3:37 p.m. Conclusions It seems to this author that if the custom of the yeshiva is to continue to learn, then one should follow the yeshivas custom. Many yeshivos in the United States do not dismiss the married kollelyungeleit until well after candle-lighting. The rationale for this may be based upon the Meiri (Shabbos 21b) who mentions this minhag for the yeshiva students in France during his time. Otherwise, the pirsumeinisa obligation would indicate that one should stop learning. Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita is also quoted in a new sefer that a kollel member should not continue learning and have his wife light but should stop when Chanukah candle-lighting time arrives and go home to light. Regarding work, the frum owners of an establishment should allow the men to go home early to light Chanukah candles on time. A staggered system that is similar to one suggested earlier may be ideal. The author can be reached at [email protected] Back in the day, Chanukah in Israel was synonymous with jelly donuts, which were parve. As the years passed, the jelly donut market expanded to a lucrative filled donut marketplace, including items ranging in price from a shekel or two to NIS 15 for donuts with icing, decorations, and fillings one would find in exclusive pastry shops. With this donut evolution came another change and today, not all the donuts are parve but many are dairy. The following attachment from the Eida Chareidis assists one in identifying donuts sold under this hechsher. The dairy ones have vanilla icing running across the top, including donuts with chocolate topping. Parve donuts on the other hand include all types with the exclusion of those with the white icing lines across the top, once again including those with chocolate topping. The Eida adds that the hechsher is only valid on products sold in stores with its hechsher or in sealed packaging. The Eida adds donuts are deep fried in oil or the dough is kneaded with a majority of fruit juice. (Courtesy of Jerusalem Kosher News) Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman is calling on Israel to cut all ties with the PA (Palestinian Authority) following the passing of UN Resolution 2334, including joint contact. The resolution categorizes all settlements illegal and in fact, residents of the communities liberated in the June 1967 Six Day War are viewed as international criminals by the Security Council. It is reported the senior minister has instructed the IDF to halt all cooperation and contact with senior PA officials to the exclusion of security cooperation. Lieberman explains his actions, that the Security Council resolution presented by Egypt was the result of PA pressure on the Arab League. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Two Libyan men have been arraigned in a Maltese court on charges of hijacking a domestic Libyan flight to the Mediterranean island of Malta. Defendants Moussa Saha and Ahmed Ali each entered pleas of innocent and wore bulletproof vests in their appearance Sunday. They face up to life in prison. The hours-long hijacking standoff Friday at Valletta airport ended peacefully after negotiations. Those on board the hijacked Afriqiyah Airways plane returned to Libya on a different plane Saturday. Other charges include possession of imitation weapons, using violence against a person on a flight, holding people against their will, making threats of violence and attempting to cause financial or economic instability to a government. Afriqiyah Airways said the hijackers wanted to go to Rome but ended up in Malta due to fuel limitations. (AP) Never before or since has the entire Billings community so determinedly celebrated Christmas as it did in 1916. No poor folks Christmas this, they say, but a community Christmas for every little boy and girl who is lucky enough to have his or her home in Billings this yuletide, The Billings Gazette reported several days before the holiday 100 years ago. Every organization the Elks, Rotarians, Kiwanis Club, womens clubs, mens clubs, churches, businesses and a good share of citizens decided in early December to combine their individual efforts into what they hoped would be a citywide Christmas they would remember for decades to come. Organizers announced their intention to interest every school child in the city in the affair and launched a campaign to raise donations to pay for it all. Ten days later, more than $1,000 had been pledged to the fund, including nickels and dimes gathered from schoolchildren. According to state statistics, 7,282 children ages 6 to 21 enrolled in Yellowstone County schools that fall. A majority lived in Billings. Organizers concentrated on the younger end of the spectrum. They estimated that 2,500 gifts would have to be purchased so that no child would go home empty handed. Grandiose plans centered on a tree of immense height to stand in front of the Elks Club on Third Avenue North. A crew under John Edy trekked to the back of the Rimrocks to cut the giant pine on Dec. 16. Montana Power Company was in charge of decorating this monument to the new-born spirit of community Christmas, The Gazette reported. It was topped with a brilliant electric star. Over and around sparkled dozens of yards of tinsel, gold streamers and hundreds of decorations. Several dozen stockings filled with Christmas cheer hung from its limbs. Then as a fitting climax, some three-score colored electric globes are scattered over the tree, The Gazette reported. High-power searchlight placed on a tree across the street floods it with concentrated rays of light. Excitement brewed in Billings schools, and even the youngest memorized the words to carols they would sing around the tree on Christmas Day. A choir of 200 voices culled from churches, schools and the public rehearsed under the direction of Mrs. J.I. Wernham. On Christmas Eve, members of the choir planned to drive through the city in 12 groups two automobiles per group and at every corner, before every lighted house, they will raise their voices in Holy Night, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear and Joy to the World. Well aware that Christmas would not be universally joyous, the community organizations and the Salvation Army identified families in need. Salvation Army Adjutant Sainsbury said clothing and food was collected for baskets to be delivered to those who could not be reached any other way. There will be a large number of people that will not let their boys and girls attend the community tree at the Elks and will not let it be known that they are in need of charity, Sainsbury told The Gazette. Then, there will be lots of little boys and girls who will be unable to attend the community tree for lack of shoes and other clothing. Some desperate families shivered in quickly erected shelters. Just before Christmas, the Billings Womens Club pleaded for help for a widow and her six children, all of the children younger than 8. The whole family huddled in one bed in a shack so decrepit snow blew through the walls. Destitute, the children and their mother had no warm clothes and only scant bedding. A small ineffective stove was all they could rely on for heat and cooking meager meals. Sunlight glittered on the snow and ice as Christmas dawned clear and cold. The Gazette reported the temperature at 10 below. Already hundreds of volunteers were heeding the lure of the big tree. Word had mistakenly spread that the ceremonies would begin at 10 a.m. instead of noon, and organizers scrambled to open early for the multitudes of children who had already thronged to the Elks Club. A cannon fired at noon, and a flag was unfurled, releasing a flock of doves. Because of unusually cold temperatures, gifts were distributed by Santa in the lobby of the Elks Club. Orderly lines formed at 10 a.m. and continued until 1 p.m. During that time, more than 2,000 stockings full of goodies and upwards of 2,000 toys were given away, The Gazette reported. The retail value of every stocking was 50 cents. Fifty cents was a generous gift in 1916, but Billings had every reason to feel big hearted and deep pocketed. Prosperity was the general rule as homesteaders, railroads and merchants flourished in and around the 34-year-old city. And there was every reason to believe the fast-growing city would continue on its golden path. Billings, famous for its liquor-fueled early history, was about to go dry. Montana, now sporting a population of about 450,000, had voted for laws prohibiting the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in the fall 1916 election by a 58 percent majority four years before nationwide prohibition of the manufacture, transportation and sale of liquor took effect. In conjunction with efforts to establish a new morality, city police and the county sheriffs office vowed to clear Billings of prostitutes, gamblers and other undesirables. The campaign, once started, will not ease until every loafer, floater and undesirable of both sexes has been landed behind bars or chased out of the state, the mayor announced on Dec. 5. Automobiles of every make and model filled Billings streets alongside horse-drawn carriages. Billings was electrified and conscious of the need for better roads to bring crops to railheads here. Department stores crowded downtown streets and plans were made for expanding the trolley system to new neighborhoods springing up around the citys core. The federal government had doubled the number of acres a homesteader could claim to 640, providing the land was used for grazing. Precipitation for dryland farming remained abundant and crops were bountiful on freshly tilled sod. World War I grinding on in Europe created a huge market for Montana agriculture. Demand for sugar beets was so high that Great Western Sugar increased the contract price a dollar a ton for the coming season. That amounted to a $150,000 Christmas present for growers in the Billings and Bighorn basins, The Gazette said. Climbing prices for Montana crops and profiteering middlemen helped drive prices of food products at home so high that some nationwide boycotts of groceries were instituted, and Congress sought to investigate. There was even talk of ending exports so prices could be stabilized at home. Despite Billings best efforts to flaunt its community spirit, events were unfolding in a globalizing world that would reach even this city still so remote from the main events of history. President Woodrow Wilson tried assiduously to maintain neutrality a stand that had helped him win re-election a month earlier. But Germanys conduct was increasingly alarming. Its ruthless U-boats targeted merchant ships and passenger ships as well as warships and frequently left all aboard to die. The American government sent a protest to Germany in late November decrying the deportation of Belgian civilians for forced labor in Germany. War had taken a shocking toll in 1916. More than a million people died in the Battle of the Somme that dragged on from July 1 to Nov. 18. British casualties numbered 57,470 on the first day. Among them were 19,240 dead. Billings, far from the front line and with a healthy contingent of German immigrants, did not seem eager to take sides. In the days before Christmas, the new Behrendt Brothers store at First Avenue North and 29th Street advertised the arrival of new toys from Germany including Zeppelin airships, machine guns and the latest mechanical wonders. One of the brothers told The Gazette that he had learned that a German ship had breached the British naval blockade and arrived in New York with a large shipment of toys. He immediately placed an order. Considering that the toys have run a blockade and are the finest made, the prices are very reasonable, he said. Government officials carefully avoided suggestion that the U.S. might join forces allied against Germany in World War I, but generals openly complained that the United States was woefully unprepared to defend itself. The volunteer army had been a failure, they argued, and it was time to implement universal service. They wanted all young American males to be trained to respond in case of war. The government was also urged to build new ships, Army war machines and expand its fledgling aviation program. Preparedness entered the lexicon of 1916. The U.S. declared war on April 6, 1917, and the first soldiers arrived on the Western Front in the summer of 1918. Roughly 4 million U.S. troops were mobilized. Of those, 110,000 died in combat and 43,000 more succumbed to the Spanish flu. Christmas 1916 in Billings, spectacular by any measure, could never really be duplicated. By Christmas 1917, the U.S. was a nation at war and Montana, as usual, had contributed more than its share of soldiers. In preparation of the Christmas season, The Journal Times touched base with Greg Petro, president of the Racine Interfaith Coalition, an organization of congregations committed to promoting social justice through training and empowerment of people of faith. Here is what he had to say about his organization, the Christmas season and the new year. RIC recently held a community meeting at Emaus Lutheran Church, which has a primarily Hispanic congregation, to answer questions about legal rights and community support. Why are these sorts of events important? Many people do not have the means to obtain sound legal advice regarding their personal situation. In the case of undocumented people, they are also afraid to speak to others about their immigration status because they fear being taken away from their families and loved ones. Events like the one at Emaus bring people together to obtain good advice, to possibly speak to others without fear of being deported, and hopefully to come to know that there are many in our community who care about them and their families and that they are treated with a certain level of dignity that all humans inherently deserve. RIC representatives at the meeting mentioned a few ways the organization plans to help immigrants with concerns about their status in the United States in 2017. Can you outline what some of those are? The following are ways in which RIC is currently working to support our immigrant brothers and sisters: Work with our member churches to provide a safe place to exchange concerns and ideas Educate citizens about issues affecting undocumented people Lobby lawmakers about laws affecting immigrants Work to connect immigrants with legal services and community leaders Provide language interpreters for people requiring it in the courts and medical situations Call attention to and promote all the ways immigrants positively contribute to our city and society The coalition brings together more than 20 religious organizations around Racine for a common goal. Why is that sort of unity important, especially in a day and age when unity is lacking at a national level? The level of disrespect and hostility in the areas of civil discourse, at public events and at times even within families is alarming. And we are all too familiar with acts of terror and violence all over the world being done in the name of God and religion. RIC is our communitys answer to this: respect, cooperation and love for each other within the diversity of our different religious traditions. The values we embrace together and the issues we believe are important far outweigh any differences we may have. RIC has been doing this for over 23 years. What are your and your familys plans for the Christmas holiday? We will be attending Mass on Christmas Eve and as a deacon I will also assist at that Mass. Afterward we are going to a family Christmas Eve celebration. On Christmas Day we will go to another family gathering and then in the evening I will be going to the Racine Correctional Institution in Sturtevant with a group of volunteers to do a Catholic Communion Service and a Bible study with some of the inmates there. If you could make one New Years resolution for the city of Racine, what would it be? That every child be loved unconditionally from the moment of their birth until death. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Patrick Donachie It remains to be seen what impact Donald Trumps presidency will have on the faith-based community, but the moment serves as an opportunity for religious communities to unify and not be overwhelmed by anxiety. The advice came during a community clergy breakfast held by state Sen. James Sanders (D-Far Rockaway). Whether Trump is the best thing the world has ever seen or the worst thing that the world should never see, be prepared, Sanders said during the breakfast held last Friday at Christ Pentecostal Temple in Jamaica. Other speakers at the event included Pastor Darryl James of Grace Episcopal Church, Rev. N.J. LHeureux Jr. of the Queens Federation of Churches and Professor Matt Meyer of the Interfaith Prisoners of Conscience Project. LHeureux called for calm in the elections aftermath, saying he had confidence in the strength of the U.S. Constitution and the gradual pace of government, which could curtail the Trump policy proposals he had found disquieting. James called on community members to commit to action within their own neighborhoods. Sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zone to do the things that God has called us to do to make a difference in our community, James said. The panelists also addressed the rise in hate crimes since Trumps election, with LHeureux asserting that Trump had not been the cause of instances of xenophobia but exacerbated issues that had long existed. TICHIGAN Flashback 10 years. Natasha Hegemann, now a teacher, was a 17-year-old senior at Union Grove High School when she was dealt a devastating blow and diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkins lymphoma. Hegemann spent much of her senior year at Childrens Hospital in Wauwatosa fighting the illness. Karen Helbling, Hegemanns mother, and her family were determined to help Hegemann beat the cancer. Were a pretty tight-knit family, Helbling said. I said We are going to be one step ahead of this. We are not going to lay down and surrender. With the support of her family and friends, Hegemann successfully pulled through. It made her grow up quick, Helbling said. Toward the end of her treatment, Hegemann was able to participate in the Make-A-Wish program. To thank her family for their assistance throughout her scary ordeal, she chose a trip for her and her family to visit the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Giving back years later The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Childrens Hospital never strayed far from the forefront of her and her mothers mind. For a while, Hegemann assisted by collecting stuffed animals and bringing them to Childrens Hospital during annual check-ups. Now, a sixth-grade teacher at Washington-Caldwell School, 8937 Big Bend Road (Highway 164), Tichigan, 27-year-old Hegemann often discusses her medical past with her curious students. I teach reading, English and health, so we talk a lot about any kind of health aspects. I always share my story with my students because I think its a great learning opportunity. Hegemann said. So when Helbling told Hegemann about a way she could have students write and raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she thought it might be a good fit. It all kind of piggy-backed off each other, Hegemann said. A successful collaboration began. But boy did these kids rally around her, Helbing said. They probably had not experienced something like this too much. They were panic stricken, but really supportive with homework and calling her and just being there. #SantaProject The program, sponsored by Macys Department Store, is called #SantaProject. As part of the program, children write letters to Santa and earn $1 for each letter to be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Hegemann first asked for sixth-grade students to participate. But soon, all students, nearly 170 in total in kindergarten through eighth grade, wrote letters. In addition, children in the 4K and 5K programs participated, writing 204 letters total and generating $204 in funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I knew it wouldnt be too much money, but every little bit helps, Hegemann said. Our seventh- and eighth grade-students also have 4K and 5K buddies, so this was a perfect buddy project for them. I explained what Make-A-Wish is and who it goes too. I have really, really great students with big hearts so they thought it was great we were helping in some way. Community in cooperation Both Hegemanns mother, and her mothers business, School Days Mall, 9500 Durand Ave., in Sturtevant, decided to match whatever the school raised. Well, I always had said in my lifetime I would give back to them (the Make-A-Wish Foundation) at least what my family was given. I obviously dont keep track, but I just try to do something every year, Helbling said. Halpin Personnel, 615 N. Pine St., in Burlington, and New to You consignment shop, 2000 W. Main St., in Rochester, also contributed. In total, more than $1,000 was raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Hegemann plans to continue participating in the program, as it is a good way to engage students and most importantly, give back anything makes a difference. Beaver County preparing for robust Election Day turnout As the Nov. 8 midterm election approaches, nearly 114,000 people are registered to vote in Beaver County. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Paris Europe's open borders symbolize liberty and forward thinking for many residents but they increasingly look like the continent's Achilles' heel. Europe's No. 1 terrorism suspect crossed at least two borders this week despite an international manhunt, and was felled only by chance, in a random ID check in a Milan suburb. The bungled chase for Berlin market attack suspect Anis Amri is just one example of recent cross-border security failures that are emboldening nationalists fed up with European unity. Extremist violence, they argue, is too high a price to pay for the freedom to travel easily. Millions of people cross borders in the 26-country Schengen travel zone every day, thanks to a 31-year-old system encompassing 400 million people that has boosted trade and jobs across the world's largest collective economy. Defenders of the EU's border-free zone say the security failures show the need for more cooperation among European governments, even shared militaries not new barriers. Hoarding intelligence within centuries-old borders, they contend, is part of the problem. But their arguments are rejected by far-right leaders like Marine Le Pen, who is hoping to win France's presidency in May. "The myth of total free movement in Europe, which my rivals are clinging to in this presidential election, should be definitively buried. Our security depends on it," she said Friday, calling the free-travel zone a "total security catastrophe." That poses a dilemma for EU devotees like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, facing a tough re-election battle next year. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Washington In boasting about his tenure in the White House, President Barack Obama often cites numbers like these: 15 million new jobs, a 4.9 percent unemployment rate and 74 months of consecutive job growth. There's one number you will almost never hear: More than 1,030 seats. That's the number of spots in state legislatures, governor's mansions and Congress lost by Democrats during Obama's presidency. It's a statistic that reveals an unexpected twist of the Obama years: The leadership of the one-time community organizer and champion of ground-up politics was rough on the grassroots of his own party. When Obama exits the White House, he'll leave behind a Democratic Party that languished in his shadow for years and is searching for itself. "What's happened on the ground is that voters have been punishing Democrats for eight solid years it's been exhausting," said South Carolina state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, who lost two gubernatorial campaigns to Nikki Haley, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for ambassador to the U.N. "If I was talking about a local or state issue, voters would always lapse back into a national topic: Barack Obama." When Obama won the presidency, his election was heralded as a moment of Democratic dominance the crashing of a conservative wave that had swept the country since the dawn of the Reagan era. Democrats believed that the coalition of young, minority and female voters who swept Obama into the White House would usher in something new: an ascendant Democratic majority that would ensure party gains for decades to come. The coalition, it turns out, was Obama's alone. After the November vote, Democrats hold the governor's office and both legislative chambers in just five coastal states: Oregon, California, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware. Republicans have the trifecta in 25, giving them control of a swath of the middle of the country. The defeats have all but wiped out a generation of young Democrats, leaving the party with limited power in statehouses and a thin bench to challenge an ascendant GOP majority eager to undo many of the president's policies. The president's party almost always loses seats in midterm elections. But, say experts, Obama's tenure has marked the greatest number of losses under any president in decades. "Obama just figured his important actions on policies like immigration and health care would solidify support, but that hasn't really materialized," said Daniel Galvin, a political science professor at Northwestern University and the author of a book on presidential party building. "He's done basically the minimal amount of party building, and it's been insufficient to help the party." It's a political reality that Obama has only been willing to acknowledge publicly after his party's devastating November losses. He's admitted he failed to create "a sustaining organization" around the political force that twice elected him to office. "That's something I would have liked to have done more of, but it's kind of hard to do when you're also dealing with a whole bunch of issues here in the White House," he said at his year-end press conference. It is perhaps not surprising that Obama a politician who promised a post-party era turned out not to be a party stalwart. The Wisconsin Historical Society holds millions of items. They include Civil War documents, Wisconsin maps, Native American pottery, a carbon fiber Trek bicycle, Holocaust survivor oral histories, childrens clothing from the 1800s and a patch worn into space by Sparta astronaut Deke Slayton on a 1975 Apollo mission. So when Paul Bourcier, the societys lead curator, laid out boxes last week filled with wooden contraptions made more than 150 years ago by a Marquette County farm boy, it was clear that the pieces were of importance. Each box was affixed with an orange piece of paper that lets curators quickly know which item out of the massive collection should be saved first in the event of a fire or other calamity. The boxes held the wooden and metal pieces of a clock fashioned in the shape of a scythe; a wooden barometer and parts to a thermometer made up of wooden sprockets that somehow, its not entirely clear, indicated temperature. There was also a less complex dolly jig designed to make a small doll dance. He had a very scientific mind, said Bourcier. But he also had a sense of humor. John Muir may be best known for his environmental activism that led to the creation of national parks and the founding of the Sierra Club, but his time in Wisconsin was consumed with farming and tinkering. Throughout 2016, Muirs story has been shared in 25 state communities that have agreed to host a traveling exhibit on the man credited with convincing the U.S. government to protect and establish Yosemite, Sequoia, Grand Canyon and Mount Rainier as national parks. Michael Edmonds, deputy director of the Historical Societys library and archives division, made a point of getting the exhibit into northern Wisconsin, home to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The people who live there and care about history, and the local historical societies, often are neglected, Edmonds said. The number of exhibits they get asked to host are minuscule. Wisconsins John Muir explores Muirs youth on two Wisconsin farms, his studies at UW-Madison, his advocacy for national parks and his views on environmental issues such as logging, hunting and climate change in an eight-panel pictorial. Each community that takes part receives free copies of Muirs memoir, The Story of My Boyhood and Youth, for a book club discussion. The exhibit runs through Tuesday at the W. J. Niederkorn Library in Port Washington before it traipses through the state over the next 11 months. Muir was born in 1838 in Dunbar, Scotland, and immigrated to Wisconsin with his father 11 years later. They first settled on a 160-acre farmstead they dubbed Fountain Lake Farm (now Ennis Lake and part of John Muir Memorial County Park) between Montello and Portage. This is where Muirs appreciation for nature began to take root, thanks to woods overlooking a flowery glacial meadow and a lake rimmed with water lilies, according to the Sierra Club. In his later teens, Muirs family moved to Hickory Hill Farm near Portage where Muir continued making wooden mechanisms. But because his father was such a harsh disciplinarian, he ordered all of the family to go to bed after chores were completed at dusk. He also had little tolerance for his sons inventions. His father didnt care what time he got up, said Matt Blessing, an archivist who has written about Muir. So what does Muir do? He goes to bed at 8 p.m. and quickly discovers he can get by on four or five hours of sleep. He gets himself up at midnight and goes down into the cellar and (by candle light) begins making inventions he thinks his father will support because theyre going to improve the efficiency of the farm. One of his creations was a saw blade out of a womens corset that he used in a table saw. A Scottish neighbor encouraged Muir to take his inventions to the 1860 Wisconsin State Fair, at that time held near Camp Randall in Madison. This is where Muir is first publicly noted in an article in the Wisconsin State Journal. That same year, Muir enrolled at UW-Madison where he lived in North Hall and his room became a curiosity. Muir had a device that at a set time tipped him out of bed and then lit a lamp. He also invented a clockwork desk that automatically dispensed books from a rack below and kept them on the desk for a set period of time before it would switch to another book. The unconventional-looking desk has been on display in the lobby of the Historical Society since the 1920s. Its very famous, Edmonds said. You would think the amount of time he put into building it should have been spent on studying. In an effort to pay for his education, Muir, during the winter of 1861-62, taught in a small log schoolhouse at the intersection of Storytown Road and Sun Valley Parkway about two miles west of Oregon that would later be home to the Lake Harriet School. One of his students described Muir as having an ungroomed look with hair reaching to his shoulders, an unkempt bearing, and poor clothes, according to account by the Oregon Area Historical Society. Muir left Madison in 1863 for the University of the Wilderness as he called it, and spent time in woodworking factories in Canada and Indianapolis and conducting botanical studies in his spare time. In 1867, he was nearly blinded in an industrial accident and bedridden for nearly a month. The traumatic experience led him to devote the rest of his life to the inventions of God, and to leave his days of inventing behind. Its travel, its natural science, its the environment, its poetry and a lot of American and European history, Blessing said. Muir walked to the Gulf of Mexico, before he sailed to Cuba and then to Panama where he crossed the isthmus of Central America and sailed up the West Coast, landing in San Francisco in 1868, according to his Sierra Club biography. Muir herded sheep in Yosemite and by 1874 had launched a writing career that led to hundreds of articles and several critically acclaimed books. Muir founded the Sierra Club in 1892 and in 1901 wrote Our National Parks, a book that drew the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt, who signed legislation between 1901 and 1909 creating five national parks. In 1916, Congress created the National Park Service that now oversees more than 400 units. Muir died in 1914 in Los Angeles. These are in the crown jewel category for us, Edmonds said as he surveyed some of Muirs work, spread out on a conference table in the Sellery Room of the Societys grand building at State and Park streets and across Langdon Street from Memorial Union. The walls of the room, named after George Sellery, a former history professor and dean of the UW-Madison College of Letters and Science, are covered with historic images. They include an H.H. Bennett photograph from 1880 of Stand Rock in Wisconsin Dells, a poster from the 1900 Wisconsin State Fair and a painting from 1833 of Nasheakusk, the son of Black Hawk. John Muir didnt make the walls of the conference room but his years in Wisconsin are seen as formidable and allow us to claim one of the most influential environmentalists in history as our own. Were trying to make Muir relevant for today, Edmonds said. The idea is to take history and use it to inform conversations today. The balance of representation between councillors and non-elected people on the LEADER evaluation committees has been questioned by Cllr Michael O'Meara. "The role of councillors has been lessened. It is a further erosion of our role," he said following a presentation at Nenagh Municipal District Council by Tipperary County Council's Community and Enterprise director Attracta Lyons. The Lowry Team representative pointed out that the number of councillors on the actual LEADER board had fallen from 18 to 12 and pointed out that the evaluation committee had no representative from his area in Lower Ormond. "It is vitally important that we have at least one councillor from each municipal area on those committees," he said. Cllr O'Meara described the lack of representation as appearing to be part of a "national narrative to sideline local representatives". "We are democratically elected. We walk the roads every five years. This is unacceptable and I want to know the reason why we are being precluded from these evaluation committees," he said. Cllr O'Meara called on councillors to seek legal advice as to why they were being excluded. "LEADER is a key brand name in rural Ireland. Indeed it was often the only show in town. I am extremely angry," said Cllr O'Meara. Ms Lyons said they would take Cllr O'Meara's remarks on board. Earlier, she said that the selection for the LEADER independent evaluation committees had taken place. Two committees of 12 members, with four to be nominated through the Education Training Boards/ Local Enterprise Office and local development companies and eight to be selected by public call. Lorrha People in the Great War which was launched in the local GAA Clubhouse in Moatfield recently having been penned by local man Gerard O'Meara is a compelling read for anyone with associations with the parish, or indeed anyone with an interest in the impact of The Great War on the parishes of Ireland. Because, while the book is titled Lorrha People in the Great War and gives great detail of Lorrha people who served in other conflicts including the Peninsular War, the War of Independence and the Second World War, it is social history which really captures the imagination in word and image - some of the photos contained are indeed unique. Researching and producing this fine publication was indeed a labour of love for author Gerard O'Meara and the attention to detail in each page is quite remarkable. There are accounts, reports and stories on so many locals, families and events which took place that the publication can be rightly acknowledged as a very significant historical document. The book was designed by Thurles man Brendan O'Connor (formerly of The Tipperary Star newspaper) and all 382 pages are very attractively laid out indeed. As with most publications, the photographs are extremely important and Gerard went to some lengths to source relevant images which really enhance the book. There are 69 chapters in the book and each one is as interesting as the next. However, most parishioners will probably be drawn to the chapter on Victoria Cross medal recipient Martin O'Meara, while sourcing out mention of their own people in the book also. There are sections too on the military service of Lorrha people, and on awards of valour to Lorrha people during the Great War. Maps too form a very interesting section for anyone who is familiar with the parish. In his acknowledgement, Gerard who resides in Cork, pays tribute to the role played by his father in helping to bring the book together. "Several times, I asked my father about the background of a Lorrha person who served in the Great War. Not only would I get details of that person, but frequently he remembered the parents and previous generations of those soldiers. I was privileged to be able to make use of this invaluable resource during the course of my work," Gerard wrote. And you know, Gerard's work has now become that 'invaluable resource'. This book is the kind which each parish could publish, and many have. It is a universal but local story told in a very clear, concise and very informative way. Having this book in the library of each primary school in the parish is a must - what a magnificent service Gerard has undertaken. It is local history at its brilliant best. The book gives the life story of all those soldiers (and some civilians) affected by the conflict. It is as much a personal, family, local and parish history. It is an invaluable record of a catastrophic period of history that affected virtually every family in Lorrha and throughout Tipperary and Ireland. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in the military history of Ireland and indeed to the wider area of North Tipperary with frequent references to Terryglass, Kilbarron, Borrisokane, Cloughjordan, Roscrea etc. An unexpected feature of Gers research was that so many soldiers from Lorrha served with the Australian Imperial Force. Apart from Martin OMeara VC, Michael OMeara from Ross and Patrick OHoulihan (Killed in Action) from Abbeyville also served. A chapter is devoted to Cornelius Aloysius Deane, father of Governor General William Deane who visited his ancestral parish in 1999. Michael Francis Donahoo whose grandparents came from Ballymacegan was killed during the Battle of Fromelles. Frank de Groot of Dublin, whose wife came from Lorrha, gained fame, fortune and notoriety in Australia after the conflict. Given the strong Australian connection, it was no surprise that the Australian Ambassador to Ireland Mr. Richard Andrews launched the book on a great night in Moatfield. The book is available locally and would make a unique Christmas present for people who love their parish, or local history. We all recognize how important a highly skilled and qualified workforce is to sustain our economy. Employers often share with me that they are challenged to find and keep qualified employees. Along with the important academic, employability and technical skills, I also remind our business partners about the value in embracing community service as a key indicator of employee engagement. As president of Gateway Technical College, I have found that embracing service increases value to our organization and the communities we serve. For many organizations, community service is a strategy that allows employees to demonstrate interest, knowledge and skills in areas outside their daily assignments. This type of employee support demonstrates a commitment to all aspects of employee development and the community in which they live. The Independent Sector, a leadership network for foundations and corporations, estimates the value of a volunteer hour nationwide and for each state. In 2015, a volunteer hour in Wisconsin was valued at $22.48. Gateway, for example, has used this calculation to estimate a savings of $817,614 of community resources over the last five years through the service learning projects of our students. Krystal Bartholomew stated I would not be able to enter the job world with the experience I have and contacts I have made without service learning. The opportunity for employees to demonstrate leadership through service builds community and corporate awareness, creates positive impacts addressing the needs of the community in which the business is located and strengthens employee moral through personal commitment and civic engagement. I am convinced that the opportunity to connect and engage in service within our community is valued by our students and staff. As a member of Wisconsin Campus Compact, we strive through our Civic Action Plan toward a shared understanding of the needs of our community and the personal and professional growth of our employees. Increasing our culture of service is directly aligned with our civic responsibility and affirms the centrality of the public purposes of higher education. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF KANSAS CITY ANTI-CRIME GROUPS THAT FOCUS MOSTLY ON EARNING NICE MEDIA COVERAGE AND NOT MUCH ELSE!!! More than any other criticism . . . We credit our blog community with calling out KCNOVA and other elected leaders for their SILENCE amid the historic 2016 slaughter rather than any semblance of accountability. Unreported by any media and a TKC EXCLUSIVE . . . Nearly 1/4th of the task force members DROPPED OUT before their latest reports have been filed. involved at first Right now, the official Kansas City homicide count is 123.That's one of the worst numbers we've had in almost a decade and threatens to be the most homicides so far this century depending mostly on the weather for the remainder of the year.Accordingly . . .There's a litany of these groups but we don't feel like picking on neighborhood volunteers and people with really good intentions for Christmas . . . So, instead, let's look at our local government efforts that never deserve a break from scrutiny . . .This year marks the a horrific fact check fromand their bold statements about crime a couple of years ago amid a statistical anomaly homicide drop that had more to do with colder temperatures, adjusted counting methodology and happenstance rather than the reality of violence on local streets that has beenLike it or not, most locals can see through so much promotional and propaganda coverage via the media and the comments from our blog community are a sign of this fact.Worse still . . . What we learned this year is that the so-calledwas really just a publicity stunt and aimed mostly at advocating a pro-Hillary, anti-gun agenda during the presidential year.One of the Latino dudes knew it was a joke and politely curtailed his involvement, one of the members switched careers and no longer needed the group for resume fodder, two of the ladieswere simply too busy to dedicate their time to an effort that wasn't really that serious.And so . . .It turns out that maybe Kansas City anti-crime clubs aren't really the answer and in a year whendedicated their way,and an upcoming threat to. . . Local residents might want to consider renewed support of KCPD rather than yet another exercise in "anti-crime group" futility.You decide . . . . . . We invite all of our blog community towherein deliciousness is served up with a savory home-style flavour that exemplifies the spirit and taste of Kansas City!!!If you clicked this link and enjoyed the taste. Contact tony@tonyskansascity.com for more low cost & high impact advertising opportunities!!! Call!!! We have to realize that weather, in all its forms, has influenced and shaped humanity in every conceivable way. The weather and the surrounding environment (which is also shaped by weather) has influenced language in every part of the world, how people built the houses and shaped their societies, what they ate, and the way that they dressed for centuries. Whole religions were formed as a sort of answer to the meteorological events happening all around. And its not inconceivable that people throughout history have tried, or at least thought about, controlling the weather. Only with the technological advancements brought on in recent decades did we actually begin to tap into this Bond villain-like superpower. However, we are still at the beginning of this journey and we have still more to discover. We still dont know all the ins and outs of weather, let alone enough to control it. We can at best influence it. But regardless of this, people have tried on many occasions to do it to the best of their abilities. Here are ten such cases. 10. Fog Dispersal With the advent of flight over the past century, fog began to be a serious problem for aircraft trying to take off or land safely. And in WWII, pilots no longer had the luxury to sit around and wait for the fog to lift on its own before taking off. Thats why in 1942 the Prime Minister of Britain, Winston Churchill, ordered the Petroleum Warfare Department to come up with an idea to solve this problem. The result was FIDO, or Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation. By burning petrol around the airfield at a rate of 100,000 gallons per hour, engineers were able to produce enough heat as to temporarily lift the fog, thus allowing the pilots to safely take off or land at a moments notice. According to the British RAF (Royal Air Force), 15 airfields were fitted with this capability in England, as well as a few others in the US and the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. Between 1943 and 1945, some 2,500 aircraft landed safely in otherwise dangerous conditions, thus ensuring the survival of over 10,000 soldiers. In 1959 the last FIDO installation at RAF Manston was dismantled. Even today fog dispersal is done regularly at many airports around the world, but the technology has improved a bit since WWII. If temperatures are below freezing, CO2 or propane gas is released from the ground in order to lift the fog. If temperatures are higher, however, airports make use of helicopters or even burners to help with the problem. 9. Hail Cannons In existence since the late 1890s, hail cannons came about after an Austrian wine grower named M. Albert Stiger conducted some experiments in his backyard. The result was an oversized, megaphone-shaped cannon that fired rings of smoke about 985 feet into the air. It was made out of a sheet of metal, mounted on a wooden frame. The concept was that a strong whirlwind of air and smoke, blasted into the sky by one such cannon, will disrupt the normal formation of hail in the overhead clouds. Hail was, and still is, a major issue and a serious threat to all crops, making the hail cannon a true scientific blessing for farmers. After a few seemingly successful tries, the number of hail cannons in the Italian province near Venice alone had skyrocketed from 466 to 1,630 in less than one year. But as these cannons became more and more common throughout other parts of Europe, reports of inconsistencies began to surface. These were initially disregarded on the grounds of improper firing, shooting delays, or poor positioning. Then, in 1903 the Italian government arranged a two-year-long experiment involving 222 cannons. The regions involved in the experiment still experienced hail, the cannons were deemed a failure, and the whole concept was soon abandoned. Perhaps surprisingly, these cannons are still in use today. One company that makes them says that their cannons work by creating a shockwave traveling at the speed of sound, disrupting the creation of hail and turning it into slush or rain. When a storm is close by, it begins firing every four seconds, tracking the storm via radar. In 2005 a car manufacturer in the US deployed such cannons, disturbing an entire community with its incredibly loud noise. At some point, even the guys at Mythbusters considered testing these hail cannons, but after some deliberation, they agreed against it, saying that the methodology makes the machine completely untestable. 8. Cloud Seeding Besides hail, one other meteorological element that can considerably shrink any crop yield is drought. In 1946, a meteorologist by the name of Vincent Schaefer, together with a Nobel Prize laureate Irving Langmuir, discovered cloud seeding. This is a form of weather modification which supposedly increases the amount of rainfall. Rain is created when supercooled droplets of water come together and form ice crystals in a process known as nucleation. No longer able to stay suspended in the air, these ice crystals start falling to the ground and in the process begin to melt and turn back into rain drops. The logic behind cloud seeding is that some particles like silver iodine or dry ice can kick start this process and enhance the raining capabilities in clouds. These particles can either be delivered by plane or sprayed from the ground. But like the hail cannons mentioned above, it is particularly difficult to prove their effectiveness. Even to this day, there is no sure way of knowing if any given cloud will actually produce rain or not. Nevertheless, cloud seeding has been reported as being a success in initial trials in countries like Australia, France, Spain, the US, the UAE, and China. However, cloud-seeding expert Arlen Huggins, a research scientist at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada, said in an interview that nobody can attribute any given storm solely to cloud seeding. In fact, the process works best not in periods of drought, but when there are normal or above normal periods of precipitation. At best, cloud seeding should increase the amount of rain or snow by up to 10%, and this excess water can be stored for later use. 7. Project Cirrus As early as 1946, the US Armed Forces began testing cloud seeding, trying to discover its true potential and what other uses it might have to benefit the country. They made a total of 37 test flights in the first year and a half, flying over thunderstorms, line squalls, and even tornadoes. One big threat, as many of us know, are the annual tropical hurricanes coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. So, in October 1947, Project Cirrus expanded to test cloud seeding on a hurricane traveling east bound, 350 miles off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida. They dropped 80 lbs. of dry ice into the raging storm, only to realize that the hurricane suddenly changed direction and began traveling back towards the United States. Savannah, Georgia was hit by record-breaking winds of up to 85 MPH, more than 1,400 people were left homeless, and at least two people died. The total damage was reported into the millions of dollars, and the project and its participants were blamed for what happened. Project Cirrus then relocated to New Mexico and the research continued. However, not long after their arrival to the area, local tourist attractions began blaming the team for the unusually wet weather they began experiencing soon after. Despite the seemingly positive results, by 1952 the project ran out of funding and was cancelled soon after. 6. Project Stormfury Not wanting the research made in the previous decade to go to waste, another ambitious experimental program was launched in 1962, in order to see if its possible to use cloud seeding to lessen a hurricanes destructive potential. Scientists were wishing to decrease the wind speeds of any hurricane by making use of silver iodine. Rocket canisters filled with the stuff were dropped into the storms eye from an airplane flying overhead, as well as making use of gun-like devices mounted on the wings, spraying silver iodine over the storm. The hope was that these particles would counterbalance the normal convection within the eye of the storm, thus giving it a larger radius and in turn, reducing the overall wind speeds generated. The tests were carried out in four hurricanes over a period of eight days. Half the time wind speeds decreased by 10-to-30%, while the other half experienced no change. The lack of any response to these tests was initially attributed mostly to faulty execution and deployment. However, later studies have indicated that hurricanes dont contain nearly as much supercooled water for cloud seeding to be effective. Moreover, researchers discovered that some such storms can undergo similar processes naturally, just like seeded hurricanes would. It was then concluded that the initial successful tries were actually naturally occurring events, backed only by the very little knowledge in the behavior of hurricanes at the time. The last test fight took place in 1971, and in 1983 Project Stormfury was officially canceled. These experiments werent without merit, however, since they helped meteorologists better understand and forecast the movements and intensities of future hurricanes. 5. Project Skyfire At every moment of the day, there are around 1,800 thunderstorms in progress all over the globe. And every 20 minutes, these storms produce somewhere around 60,000 lightning strikes. Unsurprisingly, some of these lightning strikes start fires. Every summer, 9,000 forest or grassland fires in the US are started this way, causing extensive loss of timber, wildlife, watersheds and recreation areas. Project Skyfire was initiated in 1955 by the US Forest Service in the hopes of better understanding the natural processes that initiate thunderstorms, and maybe decrease the frequency of lightning as much as possible. For the first several years of the project, scientists gathered information and began using silver iodine in high concentrations, in the hopes of overseeding clouds and thus reduce the number of lightning strikes. Their results are hard to quantify, due to the lack of any controlled experiments, but it would seem that initial tests were somewhat successful. In any case, in 1960 and 1961, the US Army, under name Project Skyfire, attempted lightning suppression by using millions of tiny metallic pins in order to seed the clouds, instead of dry ice or silver iodine. These were actually small pieces of foil oppositely charged at each end. This material is used today as a form of countermeasure for aircraft trying to evade enemy missiles or radar. 4. Operation Popeye Vietnam War With the previous projects above, its no wonder that cloud seeding was intended for military purposes at some point or another. Operation Popeye, or Operation Compatriot, was a top secret military campaign waged in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. The goal of the operation was to flood the routes between North and South Vietnam during the monsoon season with as much rain as possible, in order to make roads inaccessible. The Ho Chi Minh trail was especially targeted due to its logistical importance for the Viet Cong. The whole operation lasted from 1966 up until 1972 and consisted of over 2,600 flights over the regions of Cambodia, Laos, South Vietnam and the previously mentioned trail. In total, some 47,000 units of cloud seeding material was dropped during this time, at a cost of over $21.6 million. If it actually worked or not is still a matter of debate, but it is believe that they were able to extend the monsoon season by 30 to 45 days. Also part of the operation were regular flights over the dense jungles, spraying them with various herbicides in order to provide less material and cover for the North Vietnamese. Operation Popeye reached the public consciousness when a columnist by the name of Jack Anderson revealed it in the Washington Post in March, 1971. The US Defense Secretary, Melvin Laird testified under oath in 1972 in front of the US Senate that they never actually used any weather modification techniques in Southeast Asia. Only two years later, one of Lairds private letters was leaked where he admitted that he did lie in front of the Senate. This inevitably lead to the Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques, or ENMOD to be signed in 1976 by members of the UN. 3. Black Rain in Belarus In April 1986, one of the biggest man-made disasters took place in the former Soviet Union, present-day Ukraine. Due to a faulty reactor design and inadequately trained personnel, one of the reactors at Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, killing many and resulting in the complete evacuation of the nearby town of Pripyat. However, this was just the beginning and the worst of the disaster was still to come. The radioactive cloud that ensued was threatening many large cities in the Soviet Union like Moscow, Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod and Yaroslavl. In order to prevent such a catastrophe, the Soviet government quickly dispatched aircraft to fly over the radioactive cloud and spray it with cloud seeding material, in an area of about 60 miles surrounding Chernobyl. In the wake of the explosion, people in present-day South Belarus reported heavy, black-colored rain falling in and around the town of Gomel. And just before the hellish rain began, several aircraft had been spotted circling the city and surrounding area, ejecting some colored material. Moscow has never admitted to using cloud seeding in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, but two Soviet pilots later admitted to it. Alan Flowers, a British scientist and the first Westerner to examine the extent of the levels of radioactivity and fallout around Chernobyl, discovered that Byelorussians were exposed to levels 20 to 30 times higher than normal as a result of the nuclear rain, causing intense radiation poisoning in children. In 2004, he was expelled from the country for claiming that the Soviet Union used cloud seeding in 1986. He said, The local population says there was no warning before these heavy rains and the radioactive fallout arrived. 2. The Beijing Weather Modification Office Today, 52 countries are involved in weather modification in one form or another, either to enhance precipitation or to suppress hail. But none are more involved in the process than the Chinese. The Weather Modification Office came into being sometime in the 1980s and has since grown to around 37,000 people strong; the largest in the world. These people operate throughout the entire country, but mostly in its northern and northeastern regions, which are more predisposed to droughts. They also try to counteract hail, or severe sandstorms. The Weather office makes use of 4,000 rocket launchers, 7,000 anti-aircraft guns, and about 30 airplanes to achieve its goals. But besides working on increasing the amount of precipitation, or suppress the fall of hail, the Bureau also makes sure that national holidays or special events get the weather they deserve. In 1997, the technology was used on New Years Day to make it snow. Another of its high-profile operations was during the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing. During the opening ceremony, some 1,100 rockets were fired into the clouds outside the city, ensuring a precipitation free evening by making it rain away from the event. Prior to every October 1, Chinas National Day, the government uses cloud seeding over Beijing in order to make it rain, dissipating pollution and clearing the skies. Another future prospect for the Beijing Weather Modification Office is to lower summer temperatures, thus lowering the annual consumption of electricity. 1. Desert Rain The weather is created and influenced by our own planets rotation, the suns rays, and the moisture coming in from the oceans. The most we can do, when compared to these natural forces, is minimal at best, and things should probably remain like that. But anyway, as the worlds population has increased to numbers never before seen, humans have moved in larger numbers to regions less hospitable for comfort. We are, of course, talking about the desert. Over the past several decades more and more people have begun inhabiting places like the United Arab Emirates in the Arabian Peninsula, one of the driest places on Earth. And its no surprise that people living there would want a rainfall now and again. Thus, a Swiss company took advantage of the situation and began building 33-foot-high towers that produce negatively charged ions. These supposedly generate the formation of storm clouds. The theory of ionization has been around since the 1890, being first mentioned by Nikola Tesla. However, there was no evidence of it actually producing any rain in the various experiments conducted since. Moreover, the Swiss company is unwilling to share any proof or information regarding its technology and how it actually works, keeping it a closely guarded secret. There were a few rain storms since the installation was put in place, but scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology have said that these were part of an unusual weather pattern the Middle East was experiencing at the time. Other Articles you Might Like The greatness of Knossos grows as new evidence suggests that an ancient Aegean city not only recovered but also flourished following the collapse of the Bronze Age The latest discoveries on Crete at the site of the ancient city of Knossos suggest that the capital of Minoan Civilization was far larger and more impacting than experts believed. Scientists already knew that Knossos was Europes oldest city and ruled over the massive trade empire during the Bronze age, nevertheless, new evidence suggests that the Minoans may have actually survived into the Iron Age. Europes oldest city, the majestic site of the Greek Bronze Age, was the seat of power of the mythological King Minos and the home of the enigmatic labyrinth. Also linked to far reaching legends like Daedalus and son Icarus, the Minoan palace and the Minoans were also considered to be the sons and daughters of Atlantic by the ancients. This civilization is widely acclaimed as the birthplace for all western civilization and, when the mainland Greeks came out of the Stone Age, the Minoans managed a maritime empire across the entire Mediterranean basin and beyond. When Rome was not even so much as an idea, Minoans built the first paved roads. Even though the ancient city was previously thought to have perished around 1200 B.C. after the volcanic eruption of Thera on Santorini, new artifacts discovered by a team led by a University of Cincinnati assistant professor of classics, Antonis Kotsonas, suggest that it was much larger and richer than was previously thought. According to a press release on Kotsonas work, "recent fieldwork at the ancient city of Knossos on the Greek island of Crete finds that during the early Iron Age (1100 to 600 BC), the city was rich in imports and was nearly three times larger than what was believed from earlier excavations. San Francisco meeting The discovery suggests that not only did this spectacular site in the Greek Bronze Age (between 3500 and 1100 BC) recover from the collapse of the socio-political system around 1200 BC, but also rapidly grew and thrived as a cosmopolitan hub of the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Antonis Kotsonas, a University of Cincinnati assistant professor of classics, will highlight his field research with the Knossos Urban Landscape Project at the 117th annual meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America and Society for Classical Studies. The meeting takes place Jan. 7-10 in San Francisco. The Knossos Urban Landscape Project over the past decade has recovered a large collection of ceramics and artifacts dating back to the Iron Age. The relics were spread over an extensive area that was previously unexplored. Kotsonas says that this exploration revealed considerable growth in the size of the settlement during the early Iron Age and also growth in the quantity and quality of its imports coming from mainland Greece, Cyprus, the Near East, Egypt, Italy, Sardinia and the western Mediterranean. No other site in the Aegean period has such a range of imports, Kotsonas says. The imports include bronze and other metals jewelry and adornments, as well as pottery. He adds that the majority of the materials, recovered from tombs, provide a glimpse of the wealth in the community, because status symbols were buried with the dead during this period. The antiquities were collected from fields covering the remains of dwellings and cemeteries. Distinguishing between domestic and burial contexts is essential for determining the size of the settlement and understanding the demographic, socio-political and economic development of the local community, explains Kotsonas. Even at this early stage in detailed analysis, it appears that this was a nucleated, rather densely occupied settlement extending over the core of the Knossos valley, from at least the east slopes of the acropolis hill on the west to the Kairatos River, and from the Vlychia stream on the south until roughly midway between the Minoan palace and the Kephala hill. Research partnership Kotsonas Jan. 9 presentation is part of a colloquium themed, Long-Term Urban Dynamics at Knossos: The Knossos Urban Landscape Project, 2005-2015. Kotsonas serves as a consultant on the project, which is dedicated to intensively surveying the Knossos valley and documenting the development of the site from 7000 BC, to the early 20th century. The project is a research partnership between the Greek Archaeological Service and the British School at Athens. Kotsonas has served as a collaborator on the project since 2009. Funding for the University of Cincinatti research was supported by the UC Department of Classics Louise Taft Semple Fund. Kotsonas underlines that because the site also is a popular tourist attraction, there is a strong interest in development around the site. The Knossos Urban Landscape Project works to inform the community about the importance of preserving the area that has history yet to be uncovered, history that could be lost if future development destroyed unexplored parts of the site. The AIA and SCS Joint Annual Meeting brings together professional and vocational archaeologists and classicists from around the world to share the latest developments from the field. The conference is the largest and oldest established meeting of classical scholars and archaeologists in North America. UCs Classics Department in the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences is one of the most active centers for the study of the Greek and Roman Antiquity in the United States. UC excavations have been led at two Bronze Age palatial centers, Knossos in Crete, and Pylos in the Peloponnese, a site first discovered by UC archaeologist Carl W. Blegen in 1939. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Nobody apart from the prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, was particularly worried by the prospect of an election in Greece, main opposition New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday. "I think elections don't frighten anyone. They frighten Tsipras. I saw no panic abroad or any concern over the prospect of elections," Mitsotakis said at a dinner that he gave for accredited journalists ahead of the holidays. According to Mitsotakis, the worst scenario for Greece was a delay in completing the second review, since the money will "run out for good" in July and Greece will find itself "with its back to the wall" from March until July. Even if the review is completed "nothing will change," Mitsotakis added and noted that Greece had already paid for the prime minister's u-turns once. "You can't fool everyone all of the time. Society realises that his main intention is to remain in power," ND's leader said. He also attacked Tsipras for his track record on reforms and for the "slapdash" approach to the one-off Christmas benefit for pensioners. "Tsipras, through his actions, shows that he neither understands nor is able to carry out reforms...all he does is "sort out" contract workers and appoint new ones, in order to make them permanent," Mitsotakis claimed. As for the pensioners' benefit, Mitsotakis said that he would also have given a part of the primary surplus to pensioners but only after consulting with Greece's partners "to avoid these debacles, with statements of repentance and the various terms and provisions." Among others, ND's leader pointed out, at the same time as handing out the Christmas bonus, the government was cutting the previous EKAS benefit for low-income pensioners. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Cypruss newly-discovered wealth of offshore natural gas could boost the prospects for a peace settlement on the divided island, President Nicos Anastasiades has said Cypruss newly-discovered wealth of offshore natural gas could boost the prospects for a peace settlement on the divided island, President Nicos Anastasiades has said a few days after Nicosia said it had picked Eni, Total and ExxonMobil for three exploration licenses. In an interview with Kathimerini newspaper ahead of next months crucial talks in Geneva, the Greek Cypriot leader said that the prospect of covering a significant part of Turkeys energy needs and of transforming his country into a regional energy hub could prompt Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan into making the much-needed concessions that would pave the way for a deal. The most important thing is for [Turkey] to become an energy hub. The normalization of ties with Israel and the need to get natural gas supplies from there, presupposes that that pipelines will run through Cypruss Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Cyprus Republic may not have veto rights, but it can raise objections over the pipeline route, said Anastasiades, adding that Ankara could also be interested in the discovery of natural gas deposits. Turkey might show interest in buying natural gas from Cyprus; but the possible transfer of natural gas to the European Union could also be of interest to them, given their plans to become an energy hub, he said. On Wednesday, Cypruss Energy Ministry said that the government had awarded Eni and Total a joint exploration block. Eni also won another on its own while a third went to ExxonMobil in partnership with Qatar Petroleum, the ministry said. In the same interview, Anastasiades repeated that the withdrawal of Turkish troops, stationed in northern Cyprus since 1974, was key to reaching an agreement, while stressing that Athens and Nicosia were on the same page regarding the negotiation process. A multilateral summit on Cyprus will take place in Geneva on January 12. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report The Maronite minority is facing the possibility of the extinction of their language There is much at stake with the Cyprus Talks, aimed at reunifying the divided island, greekreporter.com notes and adds: The Maronite minority in particular is facing the possibility of the extinction of their language, Cyprus Maronite Arabic (CMA) or Sanna, according to UNESCO which has designated it a severely endangered language since 2002. Who Are the Maronites? The Maronites are descendants of Syrian and Lebanese Christians and their language, Sanna, is a unique dialect of Arabic influenced by the Aramaic spoken by Jesus. They first came to Cyprus in the 12th century and once flourished in Kormakitis, the largest of four Maronite villages in the northern part of the island. Nowadays, with fewer than 150 elderly who still reside in the north and speak the language, the situation is dire, explains George Skordis, an activist from Kormakitis trying to preserve the Sanna language. The situation is urgent because people are dying every day, and some of the words are only known to a few of them, he told the AFP. Skordis runs an NGO called Hki Fi Sanna, meaning Speak our language in Sanna. Reunification: A Last Chance to Save the Sanna Language During the Turkish military invasion of the northern third of Cyprus in 1974, the great majority of the Maronites were forced to relocate south to the Greek-Cypriot controlled part of the island. As of 2000, all remaining speakers of Sanna were 30 years of age and older, and in 2011 a census revealed that of the nearly 5,000 Maronites living on Cyprus today only 900 people spoke the language at different levels. Now the latest round of Cyprus Talks have brought some hope to the remaining Maronites on the island that maybe they could reunify their minority community as well and keep their ancient language and culture alive. The problem is that because we have lost our village its very difficult to keep our language, Katy Foradari, who teaches Sanna in Kormakitis explained to AFP. Despite living in the Greek-Cypriot section of the island, since 2008 many young Maronites have been able to visit the northern Turkish-occupied sector and attend summer classes learning Sanna and participate in a summer camp. Around 100 students from the age of 5 to 17 attended this past summer, learning the alphabet, grammar, and songs in the native, and almost forgotten language. Yiannakis Mousas, represents the Maronite minority community in Parliament in Nicosia, and says that the only way to save the ancient Sanna language and culture is a solution to the Cyprus dispute. Only through the return of the Maronite people, of their property, of their schools, of their churches, only in this way do we have a good chance to revive the language, he told AFP. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Bahrain-based GFH Financial Group said it has repaid the entire $300 million, which was originally drawn in 2006, to its debt syndicates, nearly two years ahead of schedule. The facility, which was payable on a yearly installment basis with final maturity in July 2018, has now been settled with a recent payment of an outstanding amount of $29 million. On the successful repayment, Group CEO Hisham Alrayes said: "We are pleased to continue to strengthen our balance sheet with this prepayment. The facility had participation from a mix of GCC and international banks, who were very pleased by GFHs excellent repayment capability throughout the repayment period despite market challenges." GFH is one of the most recognised financial groups in the Gulf region dealing in asset management, wealth management, commercial banking and real estate development. "As we deleverage and repay our liabilities, we free up our assets pledged under these financing facilities and are able to generate positive cash flows thereof, which are being deployed to expand GFHs businesses," noted Al Rayes. "We have been able to significantly deleverage over the past few years, having had consolidated financing liabilities in excess of $1 billion in 2008 compared to $112 million currently; with a low debt to equity ratio of 16 per cent only," he stated. According to him, this low ratio provides GFH with a solid platform to grow the business in future. "Today, GFH is a stronger, more liquid and highly capitalized Group and through our sound commercial and investment banking activities, we are set for a brighter future," he added. Its operations are focused in the GCC, North Africa and India and is listed in Bahrain Bourse, Kuwait Stock Exchange and Dubai Financial Market.-TradeArabia News Service Chevron Corporation announced that its wholly-owned subsidiaries have entered into a sales and purchase agreement with Star Energy Consortium to sell Chevrons Indonesian and Philippines Geothermal assets valued at $3 billion. "These assets deliver reliable energy to support the needs of Asia-Pacifics growing economies," said Jay Johnson, executive vice president, Upstream, Chevron Corporation. "This sale is aligned with our strategy to maximize the value of our global upstream businesses through effective portfolio management." In Indonesia, Chevron subsidiaries operate the Darajat and Salak geothermal fields in West Java. In the Philippines, company subsidiaries have a 40 per cent equity interest in the Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc., which operates the Tiwi and Mak-Ban geothermal power plants in Southern Luzon. TradeArabia News Service One of the most mind-boggling decisions to make this holiday season is the perfect place to celebrate the occasion; however budget doesn't always coincide with plans. What's better than spending the holidays with your family out of town and not worrying about the price tag? If you're looking for ways to shrink your expenses and looking for the perfect place to spend the holidays then you're in the right place. In courtesy of Business Insider and CBS Pittsburgh, here are a few travel tips to make the vacation as cheap as possible and some affordable holiday escapes for your family. First and foremost, the top most priority to consider is the place where you'll be staying. Hotels don't usually cost less especially during the holidays, so consider renting an apartment or a condo instead of checking in a hotel. Not only will this lessen expenses, this option also provides spacious rooms and more amenities. Renting an apartment is just the first step to minimizing your expenses when you're in a hotel room cooking isn't really an option and ordering food from a hotel won't be wallet-friendly. So grab your stuff and take a trip to the grocery store and buy supplies which can last for several days. If you want to spend your vacation on a beach, consider Myrtle Beach. This offers several affordable beachfront hotels which cost less. There are also lots of activities to look forward to when spending your holidays here such as visiting the Myrtle Beach Skywheel, Family Kingdom Amusement Park, WonderWorks indoor amusement park, Hollywood Wax Museum and Alligator Adventure, known as the "Reptile Capital of the World". If a kid-friendly vacation is what you're up for, then a trip to Washington D.C. would be the perfect one for you. With lots of iconic monuments and museums, your family trip will surely be memorable and cheap since affordable lodging places are also widely distributed in the area. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 After the alleged recent terrorism-related attack in Berlin, British officials are now suggesting the tourists to extremely wary with their trips. Those who plan not to cancel their trips or have already reached the place are to avoid the area as much as possible. Mirror recently reported about the Foreign Office getting ahead with the travel advice. Future tourist trips to Berlin are highly discouraged after the recent incident of a truck savagely plowing the streets, killing 12 people in the process. According to the Foreign Office, the local authorities have already made all the necessary steps in increasing the security in the city to avoid further incidents this holiday season onward. There had been a significant amount of increase in the security with public establishments city-wide. As reported by Telegraph, the city official police twitter page advises tourists and local citizens to stay indoors as much as possible. They have also asked social media users to avoid spreading inaccurate news or rumors while using the photos of the said event. At the time of the writing, a number of suspects are already arrested, though they strongly deny their involvement with the offense. The local authorities are still under the assumption of the suspects being still at large and might be waiting for another chance to pull off an attack. The best course of action to avoid any potential danger of terrorism for tourists is by canceling scheduled trips or making arrangements for an early return. However, such provisions require extra fees, which is well worth the trouble given the situation in Berlin. It is also worth noting that travel insurances aren't usually covered with the event that causes such unforeseen problems. This particularly includes terrorist attacks, which have exclusive costs. The recent events in Berlin have also pushed Met Police in the UK to increase its security, posting hundreds of police and SAS troops on patrol for any suspicious events. This is to ensure the protection of entire London for the entire holiday duration. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Traveling during the holiday season seems quite a rush and might lead to impatience causing a very stressful travel experience. For airports, it has changed a lot over the years but it does not mean a lot has improved in the system. According to Motto, here are some tips on how to make traveling during the holidays as stress-free as possible. Upon arriving at the airport here are tips that will help you survive the bustling crowds and holiday journey without breaking a sweat. During the winter season, flights could be canceled due to the relentless weather of heavy snow, storms or rainfall. To protect yourself from these, buy travel insurance with a good trip delay and cancellation coverage. One travel insurance website suggested is the Berkshire Hathaway's Aircare, they provide travel insurance that helps rebook missed or canceled flights automatically or gets you in the airport lounge area to relax if the delay is that long. According to Travel and Leisure, it is important to check in right at the beginning of the 24 hour window period for you to avail a better seat. Arriving early will save yourself from running through the crowded airport. When traveling, do not think too much at it will only cause havoc to the whole holiday travel experience. Rather, enjoy the moment at the airport, simply relax, take a body massage to a nearby shop within the facility, eat good food, and shop if you are an avid shopper, to release stress and keep you happy throughout the journey. Another thing is to always bring a power bank to ensure power security. Though airports have added charging stations for phones to other gadgets, it is usually hard to find since there are too many people using the lines. In conclusion, just leave early in the morning, have an alternative route mapped out, scout out delays in airline flights or any accidents within the area to avoid traffic, and save money on gas by using an application that locates gas stations that offer the lowest gas price. For more details about the latest news and current updates stay tuned to Travelers Today. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Announce local polls immediately: NC The Nepali Congress has urged the government to announce the date of the local elections immediately. Satinder Pal Singh Zirakpur, December 24 Residents of Shalimar Enclave, which falls under Ward No. 12, have been facing insanitary conditions. Reason: Shalimar Enclave in Zirakpur has turned into a dumping ground for all sorts of waste collected from nearby colonies and the resultant pungent smell has turned lives of people living in the area miserable. The residents of the area while talking to The Tribune said the garbage was being dumped in an open site adjacent to the residential area and opposite to food joints. The presence of heaps of garbage poses a serious threat to public health. Though the issue of cleanliness has been haunting the residents for years, the authorities concerned have done nothing to overcome the problem. The Ward No. 12 is represented by SAD-BJP candidate Ajaib Singh. The Ward comprises Shalimar Enclave, Krishna Enclave, Basant Vihar, Kamdhenu Enclave and Dhakoli village. Deepak Kumar, a resident of Shalimar Enclave, said several people had been experiencing the problem for years and their repeated complaints had fallen on deaf ears. The residents alleged that park in Shalimar Enclave was not properly maintained. Play area for children has little equipment, including slides and swings, and looks unclean as major portion of the park is found to be covered with dry leaves. It is unfortunate that the civic body is still unable to solve the maintenance issue. A park is supposed to rejuvenate the soul and mind of users. However, it is not serving the purpose well, said Anil Rana, a resident. The residents also claimed that open manholes in the lane were posing threat to commuters at night as these could not be anticipated in the dark. Anita, an area resident, alleged that after re-carpeting of the road, manholes were left like that only. Is the civic body waiting for some tragedy to happen? rued Anita. She said she could not let her daughter play outside due to open manholes. Residents of Krishna Enclave have been living in fear of electrocution due to live wires running parallel to their houses. In this society, there have been four cases of electrocution in the past and the residents want officials of the Electricity Department to take corrective steps. In August, Sandeep Kumar of Krishna Enclave fell victim to these low hanging wires. He said This is my second life. It is a miracle that I am still alive after coming in contact with live wires, he said while recalling the incident. He further said Three more such cases of electrocution had happened in the past. However, despite these incidents, the authorities concerned have done nothing to cover these wires to prevent such untoward incidents. Residents of Dhakoli village allege despite paying taxes, they get pathetic civic amenities be it roads or water crisis. The latest issue bothering the residents here is of defunct streetlights on the stretch leading to various other colonies in the village. They allege that commuting during night becomes dangerous as entire area is dark and anything can happen. The anti-social elements become active at night as there was no light in the area, they added. Commuters also face hardships while travelling on these broken roads. The residents said the authorities had failed to take steps for improvement of the road infrastructure here. Ajaib Singh, area councillor of Ward No. 12, said Residents of Shalimar Enclave will soon heave a sigh of relief as the garbage dumped here would be shifted to Peer Muchalla dumping ground. Though due to widening of roads, residents were facing problems due to dysfunctional streetlights, it will be resolved within a couple of weeks. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 24 Despite four days of police remand of the auto-rickshaw driver, the accused in the gang-rape case, the UT police have failed to recover his vehicle, allegedly used in the crime, and identify the co-accused. The accused, Wasim Malik (28), a resident of Tin Colony, Sector 52, was today presented before a local court that sent him to a 14-day judicial remand. He was earlier arrested and later taken on two days of police remand twice on the plea of tracing his vehicle and the co-accused. He was accused of gang-raping a 21-year-old call centre employee along with his accomplice. The police did not seek further remand from the Duty Magistrate and was sent to judicial custody. Police sources said Wasim was a hard nut to crack and they were yet to extract vital information from him. The victim had earlier identified the arrested auto driver during the test identification parade. The victim was gang-raped while returning home from work allegedly by the auto driver and his accomplice at knife-point in a forest area in Sector 29 on December 12. Prateek Chauhan Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 25 Indira Gandhi International Airport will soon get aircraft washing robots to clean the jumbo jets. According to a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) official, the washing technique will be imported from Sweden. Till now, more than dozens of people were involved in cleaning the aircraft and they were consuming a lot of time and the quality of work was not up to the international standards either. But with these robots, aircraft will be cleaned in less time with more accuracy. In this regard, DIAL has issued tender to Air India SATS as well. In India, this will be the first technique of its kind to be installed. According to Air India spokeperson Dhananjay Kumar, the washing machine will come to India by January-March 2017. Thereafter, they will start working at IGI Airport. Air India SATS has entered into the contract for this automatic technique named Nordik Dino of Aviator Group of Sweden. It is to be noted that presently the washing and cleaning of aircraft in India is done by manual labor. One average Jumbo 707 aircraft takes eight to ten hours to be cleaned by 15 to 20 people. And it is a risky job as well. And there is more likelihood of workers getting injured by even slight carelessness. The new technique will be completely computerized and automatic. The system will comprise mobile power unit, spray nozzle and cleaning brushes. These could be controlled by a remote control. Presently, this technique, apart from the British airport, is used by Thai and Qatar airways. For IGI airport, three types of machines are to be imported. Nordik Dino 4380: This machine is equipped with three arms system. This can clean up to the height of 11 meters of the aircraft. Nordik Dino 777: This system design is used to clean the B-777, A330 and B747 type of aircraft. This also consists of three arms and can clean as well up to 11 mtrs height aircraft. Nordik Dino: This system is used in cleaning small aircraft. This is useful for cleaning B757, B737 and A320 model aircraft. Tribune News Service Karnal, December 25 On the occasion of the Good Governance Day today, three CM Windows were opened at the subdivisional level, including Indri, Assandh and Gharaunda, in the district. Minister of State for Food and Supplies Karandev Kamboj inaugurated the window at Indri, while ADC Priyanka Soni opened the cell in Assandh and SDM Yogesh Kumar inaugurated the window in Gharaunda. It was a great move of the government to reach out to the people, said Kamboj. Now, residents of the rural areas could register their complaints near to their villages at the subdivision level. However, earlier, they had to go to the Mini-Secretariat at the district headquarters in register their complaints, said the ADC. CM Window opened in Samalkha Tribune News Service Panipat, December 25 Deputy Commissioner Dr Chander Shekhar Khare today inaugurated the CM Window at the SDM office in Samalkha in the district. The DC said now, residents could file their complaints at the subdivision level. He directed officials of various departments to take and sort out complaints seriously which arrive at the CM Window. Samalkha SDM Gaurav Kumar said that special training had been given the employees concerned. He said that residents of the subdivision would not need to go to the district headquarters to file their complaints at the CM Window. Ambala Cantt gets CM Window Tribune News Service Ambala, December 25 Ambala Cantonment SDM Subhash Chandra Sihag today inaugurated the CM Window here. He said: Now, residents will not have to go to Ambala City to file their complaints. All complaints will be resolved in a proper and time-bound manner. A trained operator has been appointed to monitor the status of complaints, besides uploading them. On the first day, Kshitij Dutta, a resident of Maheshnagar, filed his complaints in context with the repair of road and removal of electricity poles against the Municipal Corporation and Power Department, respectively. CM Window starts functioning Shahabad, Pehowa Tribune News Service Kurukshetra, December 25 The authorities today launched the CM Window at Shahabad Markanda and Pehowa subdivisions in the district today. Inaugurating the cell at Pehowa on Good Governance Day today, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dharamveer Singh said the CM Window at the sub-divisional levels would make grievance redress system hassle-free and transparent. Urging people to lodge their complaints, Singh said the state government had started the CM Window system on December 25, 2014, as part of commitment of governance. Shahabad Markanda SDM Hawa Singh Pachar said complainant should mention their mobile phone number to get update and track status of their complaints through the online complaint redressal system. Parvesh Sharma Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 25 A letter written by Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to drop the proposed, much-publicised World Herbal Forest to be set up in the Morni hills of Panchkula has worked wonders as it got all obstacles cleared from the Forest Department within days. The authorities are now preparing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to be signed with yoga guru Ramdev and the work is likely to start soon. Last year, the government had planned the project for thousands of acres. However, it would initially be launched on a smaller space and authorities will keep expanding it after analysing its performance. The Haryana Government has also agreed to provide accommodation to Patanjali Trust staff, who will work in the park to develop medicinal plants. Having failed to see any positive development even after repeated letters, sources informed that infuriated Vij wrote a detailed letter to the CM some days ago and demanded that the project should be dropped as the Forest Department and other officials concerned were deliberately delaying the project without any valid reason. After this, the CM pulled up the officials concerned and the authorities swung into action and cleared all technical obstacles. In April 2015, the government had announced its plans to develop a herbal forest in the state to plant 25,000 medicinal saplings of different varieties from all over the world at Morni hills. The project would give a major boost to medical tourism in the state. Officials strongly believe that the park will help the government in promoting Morni as a tourism hub of the state. The project got delayed only because of the lethargic attitude of the officials concerned. I wrote a letter to the CM asking him to drop the project if we could not make it a reality as the delay is only giving the government a bad name. I have learnt that all obstacles have been cleared and the MOU would be signed in the coming days, Vij told The Tribune. Dipender Manta Tribune News Service Mandi, December 25 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi, will set up a Centre for Design and Fabrication of Electronic Devices (C4DFED) to boost research in nanofabrication technology. The Centre will house 1,000 labs equipped with latest equipment required for research in the field of next generation device fabrication and characterisation. The institute would organise an international conference on the Trends in Technologies for Fabrication of Futuristic Semiconductor Devices Make in India context in 2017, wherein experts, scientists, technologists, industrialists and entrepreneurs will be invited to discuss and plan future strategies. Modern hanging bridge model prepared Engineers have developed a model of modern hanging bridge equipped with paddle and gear system to cross rivers. The would facilitate commuting in remote areas of the state, where old-fashioned pully bridges are still used to transport produce. Outreach activity The IIT in collaboration with IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and PES (Power and Energy Society) organised a lab visit and painting competition on Energy Saving and Innovations in the Usage of Renewable Energy for the students of Saraswati Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, recently. Students were briefed about the procedures and preparation for admission to technical institutions in India. Photography workshop The Photography and Movie Club organised photography workshop for students. Lectures were organised on topics Let there be light and Within a Frame. The critique and competition sessions had three categories like composition, perspective and natural light. Participants were asked to click photographs during their visit to a remote village near Kataula. Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, December 25 Even as BJP ministers have maintained a guarded silence on granting identity certificate to West Pakistan refugees (WPRs) to avoid a confrontation with their coalition partner PDP, the party today broke its silence on the controversy and reiterated its commitment to restoring the constitutional rights of these refugees, who have been denied basic needs like education and healthcare since 1947. The BJP chose the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to break its silence on the issue but the party ministers, who are part of the coalition government with the PDP, havent yet spoken on the controversy. The BJP leadership was forced to break its silence because the Congress as well as other pro-Jammu political and social groups had mounted pressure on the saffron party to clear its stand on granting domicile or identity certificate to these refugees. The BJP state general secretary (organisation), Ashok Koul, today cleared the partys stand on the issue, saying that it was not going to compromise on the humanitarian issue. While adopting an aggressive posture, Koul said that since these refugees had been living in different parts of the Jammu region since 1947, they had every right to stake a claim on citizenship like other residents of the state. He made it clear that the granting of rights to WPRs was purely a humanitarian issue and some political parties had launched a malicious campaign only for petty political gains. Koul also seized the opportunity to take those parties to task which had rendered indirect support to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar who were living on the outskirts of Jammu city. By breaking its silence on the ongoing controversy, the BJP has tried to not only counter its rivals campaign but has also given a signal to its coalition partner PDP that the party was not going to compromise on the issue. The granting of citizenship rights to these refuges was part of the partys agenda in J&K before it formed government with the PDP. Even in the Agenda of Alliance, both coalition parties promised to take measures for sustenance and livelihood of the West Pakistan refugees. The BJP today organised functions at various places in connection with the celebrations of Atal Bihari Vajpayees birthday. However, none of the party ministers who spoke at these functions touched on the ongoing controversy surrounding identity certificates to these refugees. Tribune News Service Jammu, December 25 Former BJP ideologue Hari Om has termed the BJPs U-turn on the issuance of domicile certificate to Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan as inhuman. Hari Om, who had resigned from the party to oppose the formation of the coalition government with the PDP, alleged that the BJP had proved that it was no different from the separatists and other mainstream parties in the state. Hari Om now heads Jammu For India (JFI), an organisation formed to create awareness among the people about anti-people policies of the government. Saying the PDP, NC, Congress, CPM and separatists were on same page when it came to denying people rights in the state, he said the BJP too was following the same path. The party (BJP) has betrayed its own constituency for power. It has ditched those who voted for it in large numbers and with great enthusiasm hoping that if voted to power, it will end the Jammus long night of discontent and despair. People had high hopes that the saffron party would ensure equal treatment for Jammu and Kashmir at all levels and in all spheres, said Hari Om. He said people had hoped that there would be rotational chief ministership and equal share in the Cabinet but everything was surrendered to the Kashmir valley. The JFI convener accused the BJP of compromising its ideology by agreeing to strengthening Article 370 and by recognising the Hurriyat and Pakistan as stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has turned out to be worse than the Congress which right from 1947 repeatedly ditched the people of Jammu and Ladakh and pandered to communalism in Kashmir, he said. Manju Dewan The lovely chill of December calls for kebabs and more kebabs. We can experiment with a variety of them in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Whereas nutritional value is concerned nothing beats the black gram. So, kebabs made with them can be served at all meal times whether it is breakfast, tea or dinner or even as a midday snack. You can both pan fry or shallow fry them. (Dewan is a Ludhiana-based culinary expert) As told to Poonam Bindra Black gram kebab Ingredients 2 cup black gram (boiled) 1 sp ginger paste 1 sp garlic paste 2 sp semolina 2 potatoes (boiled and mashed) 2 sp coriander leaves (chopped) 3 sp kasoori methi 1 tsp green chillies (chopped, seedless) To garnish Few tomato, cucumber or any fruit slices. Method Mash the boiled grams, add rest of the ingredients. Mix well, prepare a smooth batter and roll them into balls of equal size. Shallow fry them. Arrange them in a toothpick along with cucumber and tomato slices. Serve them hot with a dip of your choice. Cross in the land of the khukuri It is unfair to doubt the patriotism of Christians, as they love this country just like other Nepalis Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chhaajli (Sunam), Dec 24 Sirf photo hi reh gayi ae. Mere papa ni aunge wapis (Just a photograph is left. My father will never return), says an inconsolable Kamaldeep Kaur, who is slated to get married in February. She blames herself for the extreme step her father, Harpreet Singh Khalsa, took last week. It was for her marriage that Harpreet Singh was knocking at the doors of Harwinder Singh Kaka and Sarabjit Mistri agents of the Crown Credit Cooperative Society where he had invested Rs 9.18 lakh with the promise of getting back double the amount. Bankrupt, he sold 4 acres and mortgaged the 3 acres left. Still unable to repay loans, he committed suicide. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Majority of the residents of Chhaajli village in Sunam have a similar tale to narrate. This can be anyone of us if the government doesnt get our money back soon, says Jai Kumar, spokesperson for the Sangharsh Committee and a junior engineer, who himself had tried to end his life. Harpreets suicide brought to light the scale of the scam. Almost each of the 2,500 families of the village with a population of 13,500 had invested in the companies and lost their land, jewellery and savings in the Rs 10,000-crore scam involving seven companies. At Harpreet Singhs house, a number of duped investors, including Dhyan Singh, Sukhdev Singh and Pal Singh, share the same story while fighting tears. They proceed to the village bus stop where the absconding company agents ran their office. The two have been booked for abetment to suicide of Harpreet Singh. Within no time, a crowd collects all of them are duped investors. Each has lost his land or house or means of transport. Paul Singh, a young marginal farmer, lost Rs 8 lakh. A youth who identifies himself as Sukha says his family has lost 20 acres. Sarabjit Singh, Naresh Kumar, Chamkaur Singh, Gopal Dass, Gurmeet Singh the names change, the script does not. A man who walks with a limp wades through the crowd and identifies himself as former panch Krishan Lal. The government will not get sufficient wood for the funeral of all of us. We are all on the path of ending our life like Harpreet Singh, he cautions. Almost every family, barring the few agents of chit fund companies, especially Crown, is under debt in this village. Each piece of land is mortgaged, and jewellery pawned on hopes of big returns. When we go to the police, they counter us by saying that we can also be booked, he says. What for? For trying to earn more through a registered company with a proper office? Is that a crime? he asks. The village sarpanch, Kamaldeep Singh, admits that the situation in the village is not good. There would hardly be any family which did not invest in the company, he adds. The company agents gave good returns in the initial years but when people made good investments, they vanished. Saada bura haal hai. Har parwaar dukhi hai (We are suffering badly. Each family is upset), he says. We have taken up the matter with the police also, but they are not helping. Villagers point to the houses of Ram Singh Sidhu, Harwinder Singh Kaka and Sarabjit Mistri, the agents of the company who allegedly made huge profits. SHO of Chhaajli police station Rakesh Kumar, who took over just 15 days back as part of the election-related reshuffle, says it is true that almost the entire village had invested in the chit fund companies. I have been recently posted here. People have numerous complaints against the company. Every house seems to have invested. Even a number of police personnel invested and lost money. We are taking action against those responsible for the farmers suicide, we will arrest them soon. Chhaajli residents are still hopeful that the government will do something soon, but many are sceptical. At deceased Harpreet Singhs house, his aged mother Dalip Kaur takes a long time to gather herself to utter a few words. Saada kucch banega? she asks. Saharsa (Bihar), December 25 A Dalit man was beaten to death while six others were injured, one of them seriously, by a group of musclemen during fishing at Purikh village in Bihar's Saharsa district on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Chano Ram (55) who succumbed to his injuries during the course of treatment at Sadar hospital, Deputy Superintendent of Police Subodh Viswash said, adding that six injured persons are being treated at the hospital. An old land dispute could be the reason behind the incident, the DSP said adding that one Purushottam Singh, one of the attackers, has been arrested in this regard. PTI Mumbai, December 25 Enforcement Directorate (ED) has questioned AirAsia India's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) here in connection with an alleged forex violation case. ED is probing ousted Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry's allegation that fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore, involving non-existent entities in India and Singapore, were carried out in an instance involving the airlines. Officials said the CFO, Ankur Khanna, was questioned by the investigating officer of the case earlier in the week and his statement was recorded under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). There was no immediate comment from AirAsia India spokesperson. ED had earlier issued summons to the airline and its officials to submit relevant documents and explain the matter to investigators as part of the probe. They added that the CFO could be called for questioning again apart from few other executives. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe is also looking at a specific transaction of Rs 12 crore, out of Rs 22 crore, made to a Singaporean firm. ED officials said the agency is also examining the documents and findings of an in-house forensic investigation, as claimed by Mistry. In October, flagging "ethical concerns" in Tata Group's joint venture with AirAsia, Mistry had claimed a forensic investigation had revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent entities in India and Singapore. As a bitter war plays out between Mistry and Tata Group's interim Chairman Ratan Tata, the former had alleged that due to the latter's passion for aviation, the Tata Sons Board increased capital infusion into the aviation sector at multiple levels of the initial commitment. In a letter written to the Board members of Tata Sons a day after he was ousted on October 24, Mistry said, "Board members and trustees are also aware that in the case of AirAsia, ethical concerns have been raised with respect to certain transactions as well as overall prevailing culture within the organisation. "A recent forensic investigation revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent parties in India and Singapore." Mistry went on to allege that "executive trustee Mr Venkataraman, who is on the board of AirAsia and also a shareholder in the company, considered these transactions as non-material and did not encourage further study". It was only at the insistence of the independent directors, one of whom immediately submitted his resignation that the board decided to belatedly file a FIR, Mistry had said in the letter. He claimed it was Tata who had completed negotiations with Air Asia, but early in his tenure as the Chairman of Tata Sons he (Mistry) was asked to table a proposal for the JV with Air Asia at a Tata Sons board meeting. In 2013, Tata Sons had joined hands with Malaysian carrier AirAsia and Arun Bhatia's Telestra Tradeplace to start low cost carrier AirAsia India. The carrier had to wait for nine months before taking off. In September 2013, Tata Group had joined hands with Singapore Airlines to start a new full-service airline in India, 18 years after a failed attempt. Tata Sons owned 51 per cent stake in the carrier, which has been christened as Vistara, with Singapore Airlines holding the rest. PTI Jitendra K Shrivastava Patna, December 24 Sikh pilgrims visiting the city during Parkash Utsav can enjoy free ride on the Ganga with the Bihar Government arranging three steamers to ferry devotees. These steamers will ferry devotees from Gandhi Ghat to Kangan Ghat via Gai Ghat, a distance of 7 km, during the celebrations to mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh from January 1 to 7. The ferries VY Giri, CL Kasturba and Gangayatri have been provide by the Inland Waterways Authority of India. The largest of the three, UY Giri, has the capacity to carry 920 persons, while the smallest one, Gangayatri, can ferry 107 passengers. CL Kasturba has the capacity of 350 persons. The administration is yet to decide on the number of trips to be undertaken by the ferries during the festival period, said Patna City sub-divisional officer Yogendra Singh. This is in addition to other free services, including e-rickshaw and ring bus services, to be provided to pilgrims during the period. Pilgrims can use the bus service to visit five city gurdwaras Patna Sahib, Kangan Ghat, Guru Ka Bagh, Gai Ghat and Handi Sahib. Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, is located in the city where streets are narrow. Water transport services will ease traffic snarl-ups as the Ganga flows parallel to the roadway that leads to the city. Gurdwara Kangan Ghat is also located by the river and a tent city had been set up there for pilgrims. New Delhi, December 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on their birthdays. "Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life," Modi tweeted. The Prime Minister wished Sharif for his 66th birthday, right after greeting the nation for Christmas. "Merry Christmas! We remember and celebrate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. His message of peace, unity and compassion inspires us all," the Prime Minsiter said in his Christmas tweet. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Modi then wished Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion of his 91st birthday in a series of tweets along with a video of the two leaders together. "Wishing our most beloved and widely respected Atal ji a happy birthday. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life," he tweeted. "Atal ji's exemplary service and leadership has had a very positive impact on India's growth trajectory. His great personality is endearing," Modi added. The Indian Prime Minister took many by surpise last year when he dropped in at Sharif's granddaughter's wedding in Lahore to wish him on his way back from Afghanistan. The relationship between the two countries have cooled since, particularly after militant attacks on Indian military camps, an unrest in Kashmir and cross-border shelling. India accuses Pakistan of stoking the unrest in Kashmir and sponsoring terrorism, while Pakistan accuses India of doing the same in its restive Balochistan. Agencies Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service Dharamsala, December 24 Reiterating that the Narendra Modi-led NDA governments demonetisation drive was akin to fire-bombing the countrys poor, AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi today claimed it had thrown the HAT off Himachal. He was referring to the impact of demonetisation on the states horticulture (H), agriculture (A) and tourism (T) sectors. Rahul, here to preside over a function to mark the completion of four years of the Virbhadra Singh government, performed Kullu nati (folk dance), much to the delight of the artistes. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Addressing an impressive 20,000-strong crowd at the Police Grounds, he said a mere 6 per cent of black money was in cash and 94 per cent in the form of assets. Yet the PM had done nothing regarding black money invested in real estate and large sums stashed in foreign banks. While the government has benefited the super rich, it has been mum on the farmers demands for a loan waiver, cut in power bills and hike in the minimum support price. The Congress brought the land acquisition Bill to protect farmers land, but the NDA tried to kill it, he claimed. Asking a woman retailer in the crowd, identified as Rakesh Lata, to show him the currency notes with her, he said these notes were white, but would turn black when these went into the hands of persons like Vijay Mallya. Not all black is in cash and not all cash is black money, he said, accusing the PM of having given a mere Rs 3 laddoo to the poor but a Rs 1,200-crore laddoo to Mallya. He said the Swiss Government had provided a list of Indians with huge deposits in banks, but the government has been dithering on releasing the names". He demanded that the PM should come clean on allegations that he had received payoffs from the Sahara group and the Birlas as Gujarat Chief Minister. Rahul accused Modi of snatching away land of tribal people in HP the same way that the BJP governments in MP, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh had done. The CM said he had worked with Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi. While crediting the Congress for the progress made by the state, he reminded the people that the "BJP had opposed the formation of HP and the merger of Punjab's hill areas." He praised local MLA and minister Sudhir Sharma for the success of the rally. Mumbai, December 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation for a Rs 3,600-crore grand memorial for Shivaji Maharaj off the city coast, an event that comes a few months ahead of the civic polls and amid tussle among parties to claim the legacy of the 17th century warrior king. Even as its chief Uddhav Thackeray accompanied the Prime Minister for the event, the Shiv Sena today appeared unhappy with the ally BJP, alleging that it hijacked the occasion to take political benefit. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Modi, accompanied by select dignitaries, including Governor Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Thackeray, sailed in a hovercraft from Girgaum Chowpatty beach in south Mumbai to reach near the memorial site, some 1.5km off the coast. The PM performed the jalpujan at the designated spot, symbolically marking the start of construction of the magnificent memorial in the Arabian Sea, which, according to the state government, is going to be the tallest such structure in the world. Shivajis descendants Udayanraje Bhosale and Sambhaji Raje (both Parliamentarians) were also on board the hovercraft. During the ceremony, Modi was seen talking to Thackeray, whose party, despite being an ally, has been a bitter critic of demonetisation. Earlier, the Shiv Sena accused the BJP of hijacking the occasion to reap political benefit. The BJP should not forget this memorial is a dream of every citizen of Maharashtra. The previous government (of Congress-NCP) also tried to start work on the memorial though it was unsuccessful for reasons best known to them, said Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande, adding the trend of BJP hijacking events, whenever it is in power, is in bad taste and does not go down well with public. In October last year, Thackeray had boycotted a foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Ambedkar memorial, apparently after he was denied a seat alongside the PM on the dais. The proposed memorials main feature will be an imposing 192-metre-tall statue of a triumphant Maratha king riding a horse. The statue will be surrounded by an art museum, an amphitheatre, auditorium, exhibition gallery and other facilities. With elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation round the corner, the BJP left no stone unturned to ensure Modis official visit here also boosts the partys chances in the crucial elections. The Congress, meanwhile, strongly criticised the BJP-Shiv Sena for preventing their silent, peaceful rally to protest against demonetisation during Modi's visit. Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam said in a statement that he has been placed under house arrest by the police since Friday night and not permitted to leave his home in Andheri. Rs 1.06 trillion worth infra projects kick off The Prime Minister also laid foundation stones for many key infrastructure projects, including the countrys longest sea bridge and two metro lines in the city, entailing investment of over Rs 1.06 lakh crore. The 22.5-km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will connect the citys eastern suburbs with the mainland across the harbour, via a 16.5-km sea bridge and a viaduct. Two new metro projects the 23.5-km DN Nagar-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro-2B corridor and the 32-km Wadala-Ghatkopar-Thane-Kasarvadavli Metro-4 corridor are part of a plan to have a 200-km metro network across Mumbai. PTI Amaninder Pal Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 24 He may have won the sympathy of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, but Norway-based NRI Anil Kumar, whose five-year-old son was recently taken into custody by the Norwegian Government, could be in trouble in Punjab. For, a Samrala court has issued non-bailable warrants (NBW) against him for allegedly duping his wife he married 13 years ago. Anil, who is vice-president of Overseas Friends of BJP, Oslo, is evading arrest. The Samrala court had recently ordered that he be summoned through a proclamation under Section 82 (1) of the CrPC, which means the court will declare him a proclaimed offender (PO) if he is not arrested by the next date of hearing (January 24). (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) In a case filed by Geeta Devi Sharma (46) of Jodhwal village in Ludhiana district, the NRI faces charges under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 498-A (cruelty by husband) of the IPC. Geeta claims Anil married her in 2003 and left for Norway two months later. On his return in 2004, he began pressing her for a divorce. He and his parents put up demands for dowry, forcing her to leave their house. Later, Anil obtained a divorce decree from a Norwegian court in 2007, says Geeta. As my husband did not complete the immigration formalities, I was denied a visa thrice. Therefore, I couldnt contest the divorce. How can he obtain a divorce in Norway when the marriage was solemnised in India? The divorce is illegal, she claims. An FIR, registered on Geetas complaint under Sections 498-A/406 at the Machhiwara police station in June 2009, was cancelled after a police inquiry absolved Anil of all charges. Geeta claims she is Anils second wife and the child in custody of the Norwegian authorities is his son from the third wife. Speaking to The Tribune from Oslo, Anil admitted he was facing a case in Samrala. Refusing to elaborate, he said: How is this case related to my sons case? I have obtained a divorce. She is filing baseless complaints. Karachi, December 25 Pakistan on Sunday released 220 Indian fishermen, a goodwill gesture which comes amid strain in ties after the recent cross border terror incidents. The 220 fishermen released from Malir jail here were arrested for allegedly entering Pakistans territorial waters illegally and fishing, jail superintendent Hassan Sehto told PTI. The fishermen boarded a train to Lahore, from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border. The interior ministry ordered the release of the 220 fishermen while 219 are still in our custody, Sehto said. The goodwill gesture comes amid strain in ties between the two countries after Pakistan-based terrorists attacked an Indian army base in Uri in September. Last week, the Pakistan fishermen forum claimed that Indian maritime authorities had picked up dozens of Pakistani fishermen from inside Pakistans territorial waters near the Gujarat coastline and taken them away, though the government has not responded to the claim so far. PTI Seema Kaul Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 24 The CBSEs decision to conduct an examination for selection of principals has drawn flak from private schools with some accusing the board of interference and questioning why the decision applies only to private schools. The board has decided to conduct the Principal Eligibility Test (PET) for aspiring teachers to become principal and for existing principals, who fulfil the minimum qualifications of principal as laid down in rule 53 (I) of affiliation by-laws of the board. This amendment shall not be applicable to the principals of government schools, said a CBSE circular. The decision was ratified by the CBSEs governing body on December 20. The board also decided to have a nominee of the CBSE and a state government nominee on the selection panel for private school principals. The service conditions of all teachers and principals are defined in the Delhi School Education Rules which apply to all schools in the NCT of Delhi. Any amendment cannot be arbitrarily made to this as it is an Act of Parliament. Similar rules would be in force in other states as well, said Ameeta Mulla Wattal, Principal, Springdales School, Pusa Road, New Delhi. She said the proposed PET was discriminatory as it would only apply to private school principals. National Independent Schools Alliance president Kulbhushan Sharma said, The CBSE is trying to take the reins in its hands and is interfering with the functioning of private schools. Far-West receives first snowfall, rains With winter season in full swing, upper parts of Far-West region on Sunday experienced first snowfall and rains of this season, adding to the woes of commoners. Manas Dasgupta Tribune News Service Ahmedabad, December 24 On the pattern of Wagah border, the Gujarat government with the clearance from the Centre has opened another India-Pakistan border point for public viewing. Border tourism will now become a major attraction for the visitors to Gujarat in addition to the famous Somnath and Dwarka temples, the Asiatic lion sanctuary in Gir and other important tourist spots. Suigam border with Pakistan in Banaskantha district of north Gujarat will be thrown open to the visitors from the country every Saturday and Sunday. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) A special Beating the Retreat ceremony akin to the one performed at Wagah was organised by the Border Security Force at Suigam border this evening in the presence of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, except that there was no one present from the Pakistan side. Rupani assured governmental assistance for higher education to the children of the Army and BSF personnel killed or permanently disabled in action. He also promised to complete construction of mobile towers on the borders at the earliest to enable the personnel to stay constantly in touch with their families. He announced that in the next budget, the government would make all electronic goods purchased by the Army and BSF jawans tax-free. New Delhi, December 25 With Rahul Gandhi targeting the Prime Minister over 'Sahara diaries' bribery issue, a controversy erupted after Congress put out a list linked to it on Twitter in which a reference to its leader Sheila Dikshit also allegedly figured, prompting her to junk the documents. The BJP immediately latched onto the issue, saying there cannot be double standards and that Rahul was "whipping a dead horse" as the apex court has already cleared the matter while parties like JD(U), RJD and NCP demanded that everyone mentioned in the diaries should be probed. Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who is also Congress chief ministerial candidate in Uttar Pradesh, strongly denied the charges and trashed the documents, saying the Supreme Court has already made its observations on them. "There is no iota of truth in the allegations. I totally reject these allegations," she said. Asked about Congress putting out the "list" publicly on its twitter handle, she told PTI, "It surprised me". She, however, said she has nothing to do with the issue and refused to speak further saying the matter is sub-judice. Sources close to her said she may take up the matter with the party. "The list has so many names. Then why are you focusing on Sheila Dikshit. I don't even remember anything like this. There are names of other chief ministers. Why don't you talk about them? Why only Sheila Dikshit?" she said. BJP national Secretary Siddharth Nath Singh said, "There cannot be double standards but Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and their spokespersons are making stupid mistakes time and again. A horse has died and his death has been certified by the Supreme Court." Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, he said the Congress leader "should have gained wisdom by now, he is no more a child". JD(U) leader K C Tyagi said, "I want that the Sahara diaries should now be made public and all the people named in it should be questioned." "There are accusations against Sheila Dikshit, Raman Singh and Shivraj (Singh Chouhan) and some other leaders that they have received money from Sahara and that is why we demand that the entire list should be made public," he alleged. RJD leader Manoj Kumar said irrespective of who has been named in the list, immediate action should be taken and a probe by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court ordered. "Because we don't want to target an individual, rather we don't want the Prime Minister's position losing its credibility in front of the entire world and this is our priority," he said. Majeed Memon of NCP said, "It does not matter if the person is from Congress or BJP or is a PM or a former CM. "If someone has committed a crime and he/she is being accused, then he/she should be dealt with in accordance with the law." Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that Narendra Modi as Gujarat Chief Minister had taken money from Sahara and Birla groups and demanded an independent inquiry into it, a charge rejected by BJP. The ruling party had said the "baseless, false, shameful and mala fide" allegations were an attempt to divert attention from the AgustaWestland probe as names of Congress leaders and the "family" are coming up. PTI Islamabad, December 24 An 11-year-old boy has sued the office of President Mamnoon Hussain for stealing his speech which he had prepared to deliver at an event to celebrate the birth anniversary of Pakistans founder MA Jinnah. The six-grader, Muhammad Sabeel Haider, through his father Naseem Abbas Nasir, approached the Islamabad High Court, filing a petition against the presidency for stealing his speech and giving it to someone else without his consent. Justice Aamer Farooq yesterday reserved the verdict on the maintainability of the young orators petition, The Express Tribune reported. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Haider, who studies in the Islamabad Model College for Boys, said in the petition that he participated in a programme arranged by the presidency and delivered a speech on March 23 this year and later, the President had given him a letter of appreciation. He said a ceremony related to Jinnahs 141th birth anniversary was scheduled under the title Quaid-e-Azam aur Bachay and that the respondents had requested him on December 14 to deliver a speech in the ceremony on the topic Pakistan ka Mustaqbil which had to be recorded on December 22. He said he participated in daily rehearsals from December 14 onwards. The counsel said Haiders speech was forwarded for approval from the presidency, adding that the respondents had approved it. On December 22, shockingly, Haider was replaced by a girl from another school, and more astonishingly, the speech which she delivered was the original script of the speech of the petitioner, the counsel said. PTI Pune, December 25 A 23-year-old woman IT professional from Bengal was murdered by an unidentified person after an argument between them barely a few metres from her office here, police said as chilling details of the case emerged on Sunday. As the killing sent shock-waves among the IT employees, police formed multiple teams to nab the assailant and launched a probe from various angles amid suspicion that the attacker had been following the victim, Antara Das. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Das, hailing from Bengal and working with an IT major here, was attacked by the man with a sharp-edged weapon near Kanbay Chowk in Talawade, on Friday night barely 500 metres from her workplace on the outskirts of the city, while she was walking down from the office. According to her parents, a youth, who was with Antara during training in Bengaluru, was following her. Since they have expressed their suspicion, we are investigating from that angle and also from other points, said a police officer with Local Crime Branch. We are focusing on whether the incident could be the fallout of an affair or one-side affair. Teams have been dispatched to Bengaluru for further investigations, said SP Pune (rural) Jai Jadhav. Another officer from local crime branch, said, The angle of robbery has, however, been ruled as valuables with the woman were found to be intact. Talking to PTI, one of the eye-witnesses, Satyendra Sinha, who rushed Das to a nearby hospital with the help of some passerby, said, While riding the bike near Kanbay chowk, I saw a couple having an argument and suddenly saw that the girl collapsed on the pavement. As I stopped, the woman who was bleeding came near my bike, held my hand and pleaded for help saying save me. She felt unconscious near the bike. Meanwhile, the person, who was wearing blue black t-shirt, disappeared from the spot, Sinha said. I then with a help of a car driver, rushed her to the nearby private hospital, where she was declared dead later, Sinha, who works with a private firm, said. He added that since it was dark and there were no street-lights on the road, the face of the person, with whom the woman was having an argument, could not be seen. PTI Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 24 The BSF today seized 7-kg contraband, suspected to be heroin, near the Bharopal border outpost falling under the Amritsar sector. Sanjeev Bhanot, officiating IG, BSF (Punjab frontier), said the troops spotted suspicious movement near the fence around 10:50 am. They told the suspected Pakistani smugglers to stop, but the latter didnt. When the troops opened fire, the miscreants fled. During a search operation in the area, seven packets of contraband, weighing 1 kg each, were recovered. Anirudh Gupta Ferozepur, December 24 Local Akali MP Sher Singh Ghubaya, whose son Davinder Pal Singh and brother Munsha Singh joined the Congress recently, said today that he would not campaign for SAD candidates in the Assembly poll. I will prefer to sit at home, he told The Tribune on the phone. I have been pushed to the wall despite years of loyalty to the party. When I did not get my due, what can I expect for my children? he added. The SAD is yet to take action against Ghubaya, who has accused the Badals of not keeping their word to give the ticket to one of his family members. The MP said he had no plans to switch over to the Congress, even as he claimed that Akali leaders close to Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal were hatching a conspiracy to harm his political career. I have been repeatedly humiliated at the hands of the Deputy CM and his coterie, but still I am not keen on leaving the party, he said. Ghubaya, the then sitting MLA from Jalalabad, had vacated his seat to facilitate Sukhbirs entry into the Vidhan Sabha in 2009. However, he has been at loggerheads with the Deputy CM of late. Belonging to the Rai Sikh community, which has a sizeable presence in this area, Ghubaya had defeated Jagmeet Brar and Sunil Jakhar, respectively, in the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Toronto, December 25 A gurdwara in Canada has been spray-painted with "racist" graffiti and profanity by some unidentified persons, prompting police to treat the incident as a hate crime, a media report said. The graffiti was visible around six locations in and around the building of the gurdwara on 81st Street in Calgary city of Alberta province. Police said a graffiti coordinator and a hate crime coordinator have been called in to investigate the vandalism, Calgary Herald reported on Saturday. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Meanwhile, the World Sikh Organisation (WSO) of Canada condemned the "racist vandalism" of the Sikh Society of Calgary that took place early on Thursday morning and asked community members to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity around gurdwaras to the authorities. "The racist graffiti included a swastika and profanity," the organisation said. WSO Vice President for Alberta, and Calgary resident, Tejinder Singh Sidhu said: "While we are saddened to see the racist vandalism of the Sikh Society of Calgary, it comes at a time when we are seeing racist, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic vandalism in several places across Canada". "These deplorable acts are motivated by ignorance and all Canadians must stand in solidarity to ensure that racist and discriminatory rhetoric is loudly rejected," Sidhu said in a statement. In January last year, a gurdwara in Edmonton was spray- painted with racist graffiti and earlier this year, racist-anti Sikh posters were posted at the University of Alberta, WSO said. PTI Praful Chander Nagpal Fazilka, December 25 Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarbjit Singh who was killed in a Pakistan jail in 2013, on Sunday joined the BJP at a state-level Kisan rally in Fazilka in presence of BJP state president Vijay Sampla. Kaur vowed to canvass for the BJP in coming Punjab Assembly elections. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who was to attend the rally failed to turn up as his plane could not take off due to dense fog in Delhi. Sampla held the Congress responsible for farmer suicides in Punjab as "it failed to work out farmer-welfare schemes during its five-decade rule in the country". When asked by reporters, Kaur confirmed that she had joined the BJP. Kaur had grown close to the BJP even in 2005, during her struggle to get her brother out of jail, and there were reports of her joining the party. Sarabjit died following an attack on him by inmates of a Lahore prison in April 2013. He was convicted for terrorism and spying by a Pakistani court and sentenced to death in 1991. However, the government stayed his execution for an indefinite period in 2008. With agency inputs Harish Khare The Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung, has done a very un-Indian thing: he has walked away from a significantly important job. And, the reason he cites for wanting to vacate the Delhi Raj Niwas, again, is very un-Indian: he wants to spend time with his family. In a country where every rule and every norm is sought to be bent in the interest of the family, Jung Saheb has done just the very opposite. As the Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung had landed himself with a rather ticklish assignment and it became a virtually impossible job once the Aam Aadmi Party came to power. And, it became even more problematic an office once the AAP stormed back to power, totally decimating the BJP and Congress. Since the AAP had handed Narendra Modi his first electoral defeat, it was inevitable that the Centre would not let the Kejriwal government do its job. The AAP government was not to get the time of the day from the Centre. Simple. And, since Arvind Kejriwal himself entertains illusions of national leadership, he went about using, rather systematically, his chief ministerial pulpit to irritate and annoy and eventually get under the Prime Ministers skin. As Lt-Governor, Jung found himself in the middle of this volatile mismatch of egos, temperaments and agendas. As neither the Centre nor the Delhi Government was averse to being petty and petulant, the Raj Niwas became an unhappy house to live in. Jung is primarily a decent and cultured man, a sensitive soul and he found himself trapped in this clash between two raw and rough men. And, this quarrel primarily a political battle became a daily bruising affair. This could not possibly be his cup of tea. These kinds of political games take their toll on body, mind and morals. And, a time comes when a call needs to be taken: whether or not to submit to the demeaning and soul-sapping demands of politicians and their debased preoccupations. Even though he found himself in a job which became a political assignment, he must have been ill at it because he is not a politician. No one becomes a politician at the age of sixty. It became an unenviable job. It is possible to debate what he did or did not do as the designated hatchet man of the Centre, but I am glad he decided to walk away and reclaim himself. He has not allowed himself to be consumed by the job. And, that is something that needs to be applauded. CHANDIGARH and its satellite towns Mohali and Panchkula are home to very many former personnel of the armed forces. It is not surprising that the ex-servicemens fraternity in the region is much agitated about the treatment that has been meted out to a former Chief of the Air Force and the suppression of the seniormost general in naming the next Chief of the Army Staff. In both cases, some unwritten code seems to have been given a go-by. All armed forces personnel, especially the officer corps, take considerable pride in having internalised the concept of izzat that unwritten but well-understood protocol of respect for tradition and hierarchy that distinguishes the fauji biradari from the others. Well-earned izzat is a lifelong badge of honour for a man in uniform. Suddenly, it is this concept of izzat that is deemed to have been so cavalierly trifled with in both the cases. The arrest of a former Chief of the Air Force is particularly galling. The CBI brass, whatever its presumed institutional autonomy, is staffed with policemen, most of whom make it to the investigative agency after having already flirted with dubious patrons. A policeman can never be trusted to be respectful to the notions of izzat. I have never fully understood the great faith the civil society and other self-appointed anti-corruption crusaders tend to put in an autonomous CBI as the answer to all our problems such as corruption, black money, etc. It is nothing but a script for a police raj. A DSP-level officer can deviously manoeuvre the investigation so that a former Air Force Chief too finds himself reduced to and, treated as a common thief. There is something seriously amiss in this bogus obsession with let-CBI-investigate-this-matter mantra. No one knows what prompted the government to overlook Lt-General Praveen Bakshis claims. It would be unfair to attribute motives to the governments decision, though the incumbent political crowd had earlier made a great fetish of the seniority principle. Whatever the calculation, every citizen has an obligation to point out that the government has been needlessly thoughtless. Maybe, such disdain towards the armed forces and its traditions was inevitable once Manohar Parrikar came to preside over the Raksha Mantralaya. Maybe, the government thought it had a right to assert its partisan choices once the outgoing chief has set the template for compliance and conformism to political bosses. Its appetite is whetted. It is a common refrain among the analysts that the armed forces are an institution. No quarrel. Those who demand and, deserve institutional respect should have the courage and gumption to stand up to and defend their izzat. THE other day, the voters in Chandigarh queued up to elect a new municipal body. The BJP scored a very, very comprehensive victory. The Chandigarh civic poll was the first popular verdict on this rather curious business of demonetisation. The outcome has been interpreted not unsurprisingly as a massive endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. So be it. The Chandigarh results have regurgitated a very legitimate political question: is it not time for the BJP to get itself rid of the Badals Akali Dal burden? The BJP-SAD alliance had lost its raison detre quite some time ago, though at one time, Punjab benefited from this entente. Though nothing is permanent in politics, the SAD-BJP ties endured primarily because the BJPs three wise men Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Murli Manohar Joshi and LK Advani had invested heavily in this relationship. The alliance produced a much-needed political stability, after decades of turmoil and violence in this border state. In recent years, the blissful matrimonial alliance had been reduced to an arrangement of convenience. A divorce no longer seems so unthinkable. And the future of this relationship acquired a potency of its own since the BJP parted company with the unlovable Chautalas and won, on its own, an impressive majority in the neighbouring Haryana. This matter of whether or not to continue the alliance with the Badals has been debated within the Punjab BJP in recent months. The status quoists have, for now, prevailed. The BJP, especially since May 2014, has found the Badals company rather embarrassing. The Akalis besmirched reputation distracts hugely from the BJPs claims to be the arbiter of good governance and good politics. On the other hand, the Akalis have needlessly confined themselves to a Punjab role. In particular, I believe that had it not been for the compulsions of the alliance with the BJP, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would have had played a much larger role in national affairs. He is by far the most experienced political figure in the country. And, coming from a border state and representing a very important religious community, Mr Badal should have been heard and heeded in these last two turbulent decades. Now age has probably ruled him out from any national role. Not only that, the BJP leadership has cunningly understood that the senior Badal has now only one ambition: how to ensure a political future for his son. No one can predict whether Narendra Modis popularity would be sufficient to help carry the Badals over the majority line in the next assembly election, but it is reasonably certain that the BJP would not have the alliance albatross around its neck for long. TODAY we celebrate Christmas. For one day, we can put behind our petty cleverness. The day gives us a licence to be joyous and cheerful. It is also an invitation and almost a command to be good and noble so, do join me and have a cup of coffee. kaffeeklatsch@tribuneindia.com Call it a hangover from our colonial past or whatever, Christian festivals, especially Christmas, have been celebrated all over India for a long time. As children, growing up in Nainital, we took bets with each other on whether it would snow before or on Christmas day. Later, we did the same when we lived in Chandigarh and wondered whether it would snow in Simla. I still recall the first midnight mass I attended and what a moving experience that was. We called it Bara Din (the big day) and were more than satisfied with a slice of Christmas cake from a Christian neighbour. In short, it was a gesture of good neighbourliness to celebrate what your community members considered special. The same was true of Eid and sevian exchanged between Muslim and Hindu families in the same neighbourhood. We have come a long way from those simple times and the Christmas that is celebrated now is a whole new story: for days, we have been bombarded by flyers that come with the morning newspapers of Christmas sales, bazaars, melas, special dinner offers and advertisements of a delectable range of cakes and puddings. Every little market (even our modest local row of shops) have tinsel and stars winking in the sunlight and Santa caps sold by little children, shivering in their rags. As for the malls, one is greeted by unending musical loops of Christmas carols (Jingle Bells is maddeningly played over and over) and right from the foyer to every floor, Santas, with bells and a fake Ho-ho-ho, lure children into the shops that are awash with toys and other temptations. The cumulative onslaught on parents and children empties wallets faster than one can afford. My granddaughter (who lives in America) is visiting us and she managed to persuade us to get a Xmas tree. Then many hours were spent by indulgent grandparents in decorating it with baubles, cotton wool 'snow' and fairy lights. After I finish writing this column, we have promised to take her to buy her Christmas gifts. It is obvious that for most children her age, Christmas is no longer about carols of a birth in a stable, the Magi or the Star over Bethlehem. Nor have they any idea of a midnight mass in a church to celebrate the birth of Christ. It is all about gifts, food and noise. Like so many NRI children, my little one is quite unaware of the traditional rites and rituals that made festivals special for earlier generations. We were in Brazil with another granddaughter for Diwali this year and I tried to tell her (in broken Portuguese) what alpana and diyas are and why we light up our homes to welcome a goddess called Laxmi. Even I faltered as I tried to tell her that the goddess has four arms and can stand without drowning on a lotus. Finally, it was the puris I made for dinner that endeared Diwali to her. Changing times have redefined our festivals and while I applaud the addition of more festivals from other religions into our yearly calendar of celebrations, I also regret the change that is slowly converting a festival's traditional significance into a commercial opportunity for clever marketing experts. Our own festivals have got infected with the glitter and gloss of the American way of celebration. Food, drink and exchanging gifts is a wonderful way to spread cheer but spare a thought for the original reason it is celebrated. Decorating a Xmas tree together is great for family bonding but it would be even more significant if instead of buying the baubles, the family sat together and made them at home with scissors and paste and silver paper. Call me an obscurantist but my constant recall of our childhood is an effort to not make the future generations of my family into a faceless part of a globalized world but proud citizens of a culture that celebrates the festivals of each and every religion in the world. So embracing Eid, Christmas or Thanksgiving is great but remember what it is that you thank the Maker for. And remember that Diwali is not just a time to buy new clothes, it is also a time to clean the cobwebs in your home and life. Writing my last column of the year brings so many memories of the months gone by: some happy and some sad. The happy memories span births, weddings, reunions with friends and family but the sad memories are inevitably those that mark the passing away of dear friends. I am sure that this is trye of everyone's experience but some deaths hit one harder. The loss of Dileep Padgaonkar and Prof. MGK Menon earlier this month saddened me deeply. Prof. Menon had been steadily becoming frailer and his age was against him, nevertheless the loss of a dear mentor and a father figure is never judged in terms of years spent. He was the most eminent scientist of his times but I only knew him as a Trustee of the India International Centre. His guidance and firm support will remain with me as will the vivacity and erudition of Dileep, an extraordinary editor, a lover of books, music and food. In their own way, they shaped my working and personal life: RIP. Forex reserves, BoP to come under pressure While remittance income grew by 3.2 percent (to Rs171.8 billion) in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, imports jumped 69.1 percent to Rs220.7 billion Mona in Chandigarh A policeman guards a house-cum-office in Chandigarh, as Harman Singh Sidhu sits attentive, typing away on his iMac some fresh RTIs about safe roads. Singh is the sole mover and shaker behind Supreme Court passing an order banning all liquor shops within 500 metres of national and state highways across the country. While our judicial system has the bad reputation of being tardy; this particular case reached a conclusion in about four years. But the journey culminating into this momentous decision, in a country where we lose one life in every four minutes in road accidents, started a long ago. On October 24, 1996, Harman, then 26, visited Renuka in Himachal Pradesh. Along with three of his friends, he wanted yet another encounter with a leopard cub that he happened to see a few weeks before on that stretch. He didn't want to click pictures. Not wishing to intimidate or intrude, all young Harman wished was to see this agile cub in its natural habitat. That was not to be. It was almost evening. The road had developed cracks after landslides. As his friend on the wheel manoeuvred a turn, the car skidded off. "The vehicle loosened its grip and barely clung on. Just as we thought we'd survive, it dived down, first landing on its top, and another turn and it was back on the wheels." While the other three pushed their way out, Harman with extreme pain in arms was immobile. The friends, two of them having just completed their MBBS, winced at the possible complications. They ferried him to the road. It was getting dark, an ideal time for the wild cats. Thanks to a truck driver, they reached Paonta Sahib to get medical aid. "At that time all I wanted to know was when I would be back on my feet. Having probably broken my legs, six months is all I thought." That pushed his plans to move to Canada permanently to set up an industrial unit by a few weeks, so he thought. The ticket booked for November 2 was to be cancelled, but that did not seem a big deal. It was only a few weeks later that a doctor did plain talk: Harman would be fortunate to start a new life on a wheelchair. Accepting life bound to four wheels came as a shock. For two long years he remained confined to bed. It was a spinal injury. He accepted it. But there was a degree of defiance in him, too. The accident changed the entire roadmap of his life. His brother gifted him a computer; and he got a career: designing websites. Through it he saw a brave world outside. The worldwide accident data shocked him. He came to know there were thousands like him. A chance meeting with then Superintendent of Police Amitabh Singh Dillon facilitated in him designing a website for Chandigarh Traffic Police. It was a reader-friendly site; it received one lakh visits in the initial three months. ArriveSAFE started functioning from his home is 2005. He became a part of a UNO-BBC documentary 'Collision Course' in 2007 that was shot partly in Brazil and in India. The work continued. Researching and reading, he came across a letter saying there were 185 liquor vends along an NH-1 stretch from Jalandhar to Panipat. The data was more startling: driving under the influence is one of the five major causes of accidents. Harman filed a PIL along with young advocate Ravi Kamal Gupta in the Punjab aand Haryana High Court seeking order not to have liquor vends along the highways. The court ruled in Harman and Gupta's favour. But governments of the two states challenged it in the Supreme Court. They stuck to their plea. The verdict came on December 15. That day Harman felt vindicated, but also sorry for the government approach. "It is shameful that governments are instrumental in selling liquor though it is none of their job to be doing so. I feel a deep sense of satisfaction that by this order, we can hope to have one reason less for such accidents' causes," says Harman. Harman is continuing his work on road conditions. All these years he has hardened himself, though life's lonely journey at times frightens him. "My formula right now is to divide up time in short parts. Six hours a day is what I plan. That sometimes is split into a neat 15-minute segment. This way I keep myself gainfully employed." The lone policeman outside his house is a part of security provided to him as he faces threats from the liquor lobby that has failed to buy him off. While working for road safety, travelling remains a passion for him. A driver takes him in his Innova through congested country roads. "I like to sit still somewhere, where I can hear the breeze talk," he says, quietly. The wind is blowing his way, for sure. Azhar Qadri in Budgam (J&K) At age 55, an illiterate Zeba finds it hard to understand how one can go buy or sell 'cashless' in her Lanura village (Budgam). She has heard the people of Lanura talk about it. "It seems good," says Zeba, "if we don't suffer any loss, then it is good." Zeba's son, Shabir Ahmad Lone, is training for about a fortnight. His is part of a "rigorous effort" by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited and National Informatic Centre to introduce electronic payment system in Lanura. It is an effort to teach the inhabitants of Lanura to go cashless, go digital. Most villagers are daily wagers. Some are into making like Kangri -- a clay bowl weaved into a willow wicker used in winters as ember-fuelled heaters. A few of them have small agricultural land. Lone, 28, has a small shop at the gates of Lanura and he, like others in the village, has memorized the benefits of going cashless. "This will put an end to corruption," he says. The lessons that Lone has been trying hard to learn since early this month may be a routine affair to many in urban societies, where e-businesses, online shopping and e-transactions are the new basics of life. In Lanura, it is something revolutionary and, for many, hard to understand. The nearest bank from Lanura is about 3km away, where each household maintains at least one account. So, even cashless transactions would demand villagers to walk up to the bank for their daily cash requirements. According to the 2011 census, the worker strength in the village is 192 while marginal workers are 50 -- 44 among them women. The literacy rate in Lanura is low and the hamlet is part of Bugroo-B panchayat block, which has a population of 1910 - nearly half of whom lives below the poverty line, according to official records. That's why Lone's younger brother Showkat still finds it hard to fully understand the online world. In the morning, the village women are taught about the e-transactions. In the evening, it is the turn of men. "Women are showing more willingness to learn. Most of elder men are reluctant," says Mohammad Yasin Thokar, who taught people of Lanura to go cashless. Thokar says the internet speed and availability is a problem in the village. "The 2G internet availability is good, but 3G speed in available only at select spots," he said. Last week, Thokar was in Dreygam, a village next to Lanura. He was teaching high school students about how to "go cashless, go digital". It is the third class at High School Dreygam in recent days and students are now learning how to operate the e-wallet Paytm. Thokar gives a demonstration to students, most of them Dreygam's girls. Three classes later, Insha Hamid of Dreygam has memorized the theory of going cashless. "We can pay electricity bills and other bills and recharge our phones by using this (mobile phone) application. We had to stand and wait in queues at banks, but by using this application we will not need to do it. It will save time," the class IX student said. Tribune News Service Mussoorie, December 25 Chief Minister Harish Rawat was upset today at the delay in Combined Medical Hospital being reconstructed at the site of old Civil Hospital for the past seven years in Mussoorie. Rawat, finding time from his schedule, reached the construction site of the hospital and was shocked to see that the building was still not completed. He aired his concern at the delay and enquired about the slow pace of the work and found out that the executing agency, Uttar Pradesh Nirman Nigam, had initiated the work in 2009 but it had not been completed due to several hiccups that included the paucity of funds. Rawat, terming the construction of the hospital important, announced to release of Rs 50 lakh out of Rs 2 crore sanctioned additionally for its construction. He said it was sad that the hospital building had not been completed and directed officials to speed up the work. He said the issue of fund crunch had been discussed and around Rs 50 lakh had been released. Former MLA Mussoorie Jot Singh Gunsola also raised the issue of delay in the construction of the hospital and said a large population from the villages around Mussoorie was also dependent on the hospital. The Chief Minister also met Congress workers from Dhanaulti, who warned the Chief Minister that if any outsider candidate was given the Congress ticket, they would quit the party. They were assured by the Chief Minister that their views would be considered while distributing the ticket and said the talks of leaving Dhanaulti ticket for PDF minister Pritam Panwar should come to rest. The Chief Minister walked on Mall Road and interacted with tourists. He also took milk at a shop owned by Gunsola. Rawat, speaking to mediapersons, said the Congress would contest elections on every seat. He said new slogan of all-weather Char Dham road project that would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon was futile as all roads in the state were all weather roads already. Speaking on the issue of CBI summoning him in the CD sting case, Harish Rawat said he would pay visit to the CBI headquarters as he had full faith in the court. He said the whole matter was nothing but false propaganda being made by the BJP. Prayers, exchange of gifts mark celebrations Tribune News Service Dehradun, December 25 The Christian community celebrated Christmas with fervour here today. The occasion witnessed prayers and exchange of greetings and gifts. Braving the winter chill, people in large numbers congregated at churches to usher in Christmas. Bishops and pastors led services and delivered sermons in the churches of the city. People of other communities too celebrated the day. The churches witnessed endless visitors throughout the day and huge crowds thronged during the morning prayers. Special masses were organised at St. Francis Church and St. Johns Church in the city. Kumaon abuzz with Xmas celebrations Pithoragarh, December 25 Christmas was celebrated across the Kumaon region today. Morning prayers at churches were followed by cultural programmes on the life and teachings of Lord Jesus. Over 700 members of the Christian community along with others gathered for morning prayers in Methodist Church, Pithoragarh, that was constructed by English priest John Henry Buden in 1879. Bimal Deep Philip, a leader of the Christian community here, said, The morning prayer was attended by people from all regions in the town, including local leaders and MLA Mayukh Mahar. People of all religions greeted the Christian community. In Almora, the oldest church that was constructed in 1872, was abuzz with celebrations. The day was celebrated in Champawat, Lohaghat, Nainital, Haldwani, and also in remote areas Berinag and Abbot Mount hill of Lohaghat subdivision. Several programmes were also organised at several minority-run schools, such as Saint Francis Institute, True Revival School and Bethni Jeewan Dhara in Tanakpur town of Champawat district. OC Clothes distributed in Raipur Basti Tribune News service Dehradun, December 25 Making A Difference by Being the Difference (MAD), a group of youth activists, conducted a clothes distribution drive at Raipur Basti on the occasion of Christmas here today. Woollens were given to over 70 families. Pallavi Bhatia, a member of the MAD, said, This is our third phase of the cloth distribution. We have received an enthusiastic response in form of generous donations by residents. MAD had set up its donation boxes at various locations wherein clothes were collected. This was followed by segregation and bundling of clothes as per the age-group of their probable recipients. The MAD is still collecting clothes through its donation box at the Crossroads Mall for further distribution. Karan Kapoor, another member of the NGO, said, We will continue the distribution of clothes. All Doonites are requested to share the care this winter and donate their old clothes. Around 30 volunteers of the MAD took up the activity. Shardul Aswal, Ayush Joshi, Sharad, Saurabh Dandriyal, Pallavi Bhatia, Rajat Panwar, Kunen and Adarsh were also present. Carols in Haridwar Tribune News Service Haridwar, December 25 The pilgrim city of Haridwar celebrated Christmas with fervour and gaiety today. Devotees offered prayers to Lord Jesus and Mother Mary at various churches across the city. Churches were decorated with lights and colourful badges, balloons and Merry Christmas stickers. People thronged churches late last night for mid night mass prayers and throughout today lighting of candles and offering of prayers was done. At the BHEL-situated Sector-1 Methodist Church, teachings from the holy Bible were read out to the devotees. The Reformed Presbyterian Church at Dev Pura witnessed hundreds of people on the festive occasion. The church was echoed with Christmas carols. People thronged the Church and Father Wilson Messiah gave sermons. Father Messiah urged people to live in peace and harmony and urged all to profess communal harmony. Special prayers were also held at St Marys School church. Apart from school staff and students, people from Jwalapur and other parts of the city also offered prayers to Lord Jesus and Mother Mary. Apart from Christian community, people from other sects also visited the city churches, lighted candles and wished Merry Christmas to Christians. Youths, particulary from school and educational institutes, were spotted visiting the Churches on the pious occasion. Fun games, prizes for poor children Tribune News Service Dehradun, December 25 The Pratishtha Foundation celebrated Christmas along with children from underprivileged families at its Clement Town centre here today. Children participated in several fun games and antakshari. They were also given prizes. Children gave scintillating dance performance on various songs. Volunteers of the organisation, attired in the dress of Santa Claus, distributed gifts among children. Manisha Chamyal, a member of the foundation, said the motive behind the event was to spread happiness among underprivileged kids. Vivek Rana, vice-secretary of the foundation, thanked volunteers. Foundation president Deepak Kothiyal, vice-president Pranjal Sharma, secretary Deep Prakash Pant, treasurer Chandra Shekhar along with Kritika Gupta, Sandeep Rawat, Meghna Gupta, Manisha Chamyal, Vaishali Gurung, Yogita Malla, Shweta Singh, Yeshwant Bhatt, Umang Garg, Muzakkir and Aman Bhatt, were present. Kabul, December 25 An Afghan official says that at least two Afghan civilians were killed by a roadside bomb in eastern Laghman province. Sarhadi Zwak, spokesman for the Laghman provincial governor, said the attack took place early this morning near a shrine in Mihterlam, the provincial capital. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but Taliban insurgents routinely use roadside bombs to target Afghan security forces and government officials with civilians frequently caught in the crossfire. AP Kabul, December 25 There was an angry reaction in Afghanistan to news that the first female fixed-wing pilot in the countrys air force was requesting asylum in the United States after completing an 18-month training course. The Afghan Defence Ministry confirmed on Sunday that Captain Niloofar Rahmani, 25, had sought asylum after the Wall Street Journal quoted her as saying that she feared her life would be in danger if she returned home. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) A recipient of the US State Departments Women of Courage award in 2015, Capt Rahmani had been a symbol of efforts to improve the situation of women in her country, more than a decade after the fall of the Taliban regime. Mohammad Radmanish, a defence ministry spokesman, said the government hoped that her request would be denied by US authorities who have spent billions trying to build up Afghan security forces. When an officer complains of insecurity and is afraid of security threats, then what should ordinary people do? he said. She has made an excuse for herself, but we have hundreds of educated women and female civil right activists who work and it is safe for them. Capt Rahmani, who graduated from flight school in 2012 and qualified to fly C-208 military cargo aircraft, had been in the United States on a training course and had been due to return home on Saturday. In a conservative country notorious for the restrictions placed on women, Rahmanis story stood out as a rare example of a woman breaking through in areas normally reserved for men. Her success came at a price, however. The citation for the Women of Courage award said she and her family had received direct threats not just from the Taliban but also from some relatives, forcing her family to move house several times. However, there was little sympathy on Afghanistans active social media networks, which were replete with comments criticising Rahmani, accusing her of wasting government money spent on expensive training and avoiding her responsibilities. Niloofar Rahmani took a million dollars from the pockets of the people of Afghanistan to pay human traffickers to get to America to seek asylum, one Facebook user wrote in comments typical of others. Dozens of Afghan troops receiving training in the United States have gone missing over the past two years, and at least one has been detained while trying to cross the border to Canada. Reuters Dhaka, December 24 A woman and a teenage boy today blew themselves up in the capital here when Bangladesh polices elite counter-terrorism unit raided a three-storey building where heavily-armed militants, belonging to an Islamist group blamed for the deadly cafe attack, were hiding. The counterterrorism unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) cordoned off the building at the capitals Ashkona early in the morning. They laid siege to the building, called out the militants to surrender after evacuating residents. The police did not try to storm the building as militants had a lot of explosives. We have wrapped up the operations (raid) this afternoon as two of them (militants), including a woman, were killed and another two women surrendered along with two minor children, an official of the unit said. A minor girl, who suffered minor injuries when the woman killed herself, has been hospitalised. PTI New York, December 25 Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif threatened Israel that his country could use nuclear weapons after a fake news report that his Israeli counterpart had threatened nuclear retaliation for Islamabads role in Syria against IS. Highlighting the serious problem the proliferation of fake news poses, a report in the New York Times said one such story prompted Asif to threaten to go nuclear. In a post on Twitter, Asif lashed out at Israel after a false report which the minister apparently believed that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons attack. Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh (sic), the minister tweeted. Israel forgets Pakistan is a nuclear state too. The NYT report said Asif appeared to be reacting to the fake news article published on awdnews.com, which was titled Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack. The article had appeared on the website on December 20. The fake story about Israel even misidentified the countrys defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. PTI Kabul: The first fixed-wing female pilot in the Afghan air force has sought asylum in the US. Captain Niloofar Rahmani on Friday expressed her intention to remain in the US following a 15-month training period in Texas, Khaama Press reported. Things are not changing for the better in Afghanistan, Rahmani told The New York Times. Things are getting worse and worse. IANS Climate scientist and astronaut Sellers dies Washington: Piers Sellers, a climate scientist and former astronaut who gained fame late in life for his eloquent commentary about the earths fragility and his own pancreatic cancer diagnosis, has died. He was 61. Sellers shared his astronauts perspective on climate change in Leonardo DiCaprios documentary Before the Flood, released this fall. AP Work begins on Chinas 1st PPP high-speed rly Beijing: Chinas first public-private partnership (PPP) funded high-speed railway project with an investment of $6.46 billion has started construction in eastern province of Zhejiang, official media said on Saturday. The 269-km-long Hangzhou-Taizhou Intercity Passenger Line will see 51 per cent private funding. Private investors will have a 30-year franchise period, with four years for construction and 26 years for operation. PTI Washington, December 24 US President-elect Donald Trump said today that Russian President Vladimir Putins remarks that the Democrats were looking elsewhere for their defeat in the elections were so true. Putin said today about Hillary and Dems: In my opinion, it is humiliating. One must be able to lose with dignity. So true! Trump tweeted. At his annual news conference in Moscow yesterday, Putin said the Democrats are losing on all fronts and looking elsewhere for things to blame, The Washington Post reported. In my view, this, how shall I say it, degrades their own dignity. You have to know how to lose with dignity, he said. The Democratic party and the Clinton Campaign have been blaming Russian hacking into their emails and servers for their loss. Outgoing US President Barack Obama has ordered an investigation into the alleged Russian interference in the US presidential elections. Putin criticised the Democrats for blaming him for their defeat. Outstanding figures in American history from the ranks of the Democratic Party would likely be turning in their graves. Roosevelt certainly would be, Putin said. Trump understood the mood of the people and kept going until the end, when nobody believed in him... except for you and me, he added. Earlier yesterday, the Trump Transition Team released a letter from Putin to Trump in which he called for strong bilateral relationship. Serious global and regional challenges, which our countries have to face in recent years, show that the relations between Russia and the US remain an important factor in ensuring stability and security of the modern world, Putin wrote. I hope after you assume the position of the President of the USA we will be able by acting in a constructive and pragmatic manner - to take real steps to restore the framework of bilateral cooperation in different areas as well as bring our level of collaboration on the international scene to a qualitatively new level, said Putin. PTI From the time she was in middle school, Denice Swanke wanted to work at an Alaska wilderness park. She got her wish the day after Thanksgiving when Swanke, the former superintendent of the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, took over as deputy superintendent at Denali National Park and Preserve, the 6 million-acre home to the tallest peak in North America. Leaving the battlefield monument shed directed since 2012 wasnt easy, she said during a telephone interview from Denali, which marks its 100th birthday in 2017. I had to do a fair amount of soul-searching, she said, but this has been a life-long dream. For Swanke, 47, the beauty of arriving at the park during the off-season is the chance to put energy and time into relationships and learning how things work. She said shes responsible for the operational side of things, including interpretation and education programming, science and resource management, maintenance and safety. Having her recently retired husband Steve alongside her after the couple had lived about three hours apart while she was at Little Bighorn is part of the deal. It had to be a place he could move to. Living and working in the same place has been great, she said. According to the parks website, Denali enjoys about 600,000 visitors annually, has more than 100 permanent employees and has an annual budget of $14.3 million. Mount Denali is 20,310 feet above sea level. About 15 percent of the park more than 1,400 square miles is covered by glaciers. Denali is slightly larger than New Hampshire and a little smaller than Massachusetts. About 3,000 earthquakes rattle the park annually. The average temperature in January is 2 degrees, rising to 55 degrees in July. On the winter solstice Dec. 21, daylight at Denali lasted about 4 hours. During the summer solstice on June 21, 2017, the sun is expected to shine nearly 21 hours. Each winter, about 3,000 miles of trails are patrolled by dog-pulled sleds. More than 50,000 people visit the park during winter months for sled dog demonstrations. In 2015, 1,090 people 155 of them women attempted to summit Denali, and more than half of those who attempted it succeeded. Eleven people were rescued while trying, and one died in the attempt. On average, it took mountain climbers almost 17 days from the start of the ascent to the completion of the descent. Scaling North Americas tallest peak, which used to be known as Mt. McKinley, is on Swankes to-do list for 2017. I have rock-climbing experience, as well as wilderness and backcountry in the winter experience, but Ive never put those together with mountain climbing, she said. Its not a job requirement, but itll be a hoot. While the cramped visitor center and curatorial needs were top problems at her former posting, at Denali housing is the real challenge, she said. People who worked at the Little Bighorn Battlefield monument could live in Hardin or Billings or Sheridan, Wyo., but that isnt the case here, she said. Fairbanks is 130 miles away, so thats not a choice. She and her husband are staying in temporary park housing. There arent a lot of places for rent or for sale, she said. Those homes dont even make it to a listing, except on some cork board somewhere. Swanke said she cherishes the opportunity to have worked with visitors, staff and stakeholder groups at the Little Bighorn monument. Projects she points to with pride include work in the historic Superintendents Lodge; the Hands-on- Preservation Experience, which realigned and cleaned headstones inside the monument; and the Indian Memorial, dedicated in 2013. Theres a lot of future work in motion at Little Bighorn, she said, including repairing and restoring the historic fence around Last Stand Hill. Improving both the tour road and the Visitor Center are still on track in the General Management Plan, which is now in the Environmental Assessment process, she said. That work really needs to be done, and I think the foundation is laid for that. Lee and Michele Noyes, past editors of Battlefield Dispatch, call it a pleasure and a privilege to have known Denice during her tenure. In an email, they said they applaud her genuine efforts to return the monuments museum collection from storage in Arizona through productive outreach to stakeholders. Swankes efforts will enhance the experience of visitors to the Battlefield as well as preserve its historical landscape and legacy. We thank her for such diligence and initiative. The National Park Service has not yet announced who will succeed Swanke at Little Bighorn National Monument. As Swanke was preparing to depart for Alaska, Crow tribal members held a naming ceremony for her. Shes now known as Bia-ba-cheeitche-itchik, which means Good Woman Chief. I couldnt have asked for a nicer farewell than that, she said. It was an incredible honor. Girl, 14, quits school to support mother, sister after quake Fourteen-year-old Rejina Tamang of Sigarche settlement in Gati VDC, Sindhupalchok, has been working as a daily wage earner to support her family after her father Tek Bahadur died in the 2015 earthquake. Jerusalem, December 25 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday summoned the US ambassador to Israel to discuss the US abstention in a UN Security Council resolution demanding an end to settlement-building. Separately, the envoys of 10 other nations were called in to the Israeli Foreign Ministry to be reprimanded on Sunday, and Netanyahu had more harsh words for Washington over Fridays UN vote. An Israeli spokesman gave no details of when Netanyahu would meet US Ambassador Daniel Shapiro. The resolution was passed in the 15-member Security Council because the US broke with its long-standing approach of diplomatically shielding Israel and did not wield its veto power, instead abstaining. Netanyahu put his personal imprint on Israel's show of anger by repeating at the weekly Cabinet meeting what an unidentified Israeli government official contended on Friday - that the administration of US President Barack Obama had conspired with the Palestinians to push for the resolution's adoption. The White House has denied the allegation. According to our information, we have no doubt the Obama administration initiated it (the resolution), stood behind it, coordinated the wording and demanded it be passed, Netanyahu told the Cabinet. Reuters Heavy and tiring to wear for long periods of time, the high-tech prosthetic arm does not always go to school with Lily Rhodes. And she never takes it horseback riding, where a slight delay in the mechanical arms reaction time would throw her off balance. But that doesnt mean the new arm hasnt been the blessing that Rhodes expected last February, when the teenager tried on the sophisticated Bebionic limb for the first time. She wanted a sense of independence back, and she got it. I can do things I couldnt do before, Rhodes said recently. And when I dont need the arm, I dont have to wear it, so it works out great. The Tulsa World chose Rhodes new arm as the Feel-good story of the year, remembering when Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak and the Hanger Clinic worked with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma to pay for the top-of-the-line prosthetic. Rhodes lost her arm after a crash involving an all-terrain vehicle near Keystone Lake in May 2015. The new arm has 14 programmable grip patterns and hand positions, allowing Rhodes to control it by flexing her own arm muscles. And it lets her perform delicate tasks like zipping jackets, buttoning shirts and holding a piece of paper in one hand while writing on it with the other. She uses the arm mainly for cooking, doing homework and painting, which is another one of her hobbies. Now in her second year at Bishop Kelley High School, Rhodes has attracted nearly 30,000 followers on Instagram, where she mainly posts about riding horses. Its working fantastically, said Steve Rhodes, Lilys father. A lot of people worked hard to make this possible, and we appreciate it. Other feel-good stories of 2016 include: Drive your truck A veterans widow planned a trip to Tulsa to pick up a 1992 Chevy Silverado truck, which her husband had traded in before deploying to Iraq in 2006. Several years after her husbands death, Ginger Gilbert Ravella spoke at a Folds of Honor Foundation event with Lee Brice, whose song I Drive Your Truck reached No. 1 on the country music charts in 2013. The lyrics describe someone driving an old pickup as a way to remember a loved one who had died, and for obvious reasons it had become an emotionally powerful song for Ravella. So Brice helped track down the trucks new owner and arranged to have it returned to Ravella. Although she lives in San Antonio, the truck came to Tulsa for some restoration work before going to its new home. College student starts scholarship fund A senior at the University of Oklahoma, 21-year-old BerThaddaeus Bailey established a scholarship fund for low-income students at his alma mater, Tulsas Central High School. Many graduates have created scholarship funds for Central students, Bailey pointed out. I guess the only difference, he told the Tulsa World last January, would be that I did it a little bit earlier in my life. Parade crash survivor returns to work After losing a leg in the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade crash in October 2015, Leo Schmitz triumphantly returned to work at American Airlines last summer. A computerized prosthetic leg and months of physical therapy gave the 55-year-old maintenance worker the dexterity to climb stairs, step over obstacles and kneel inside of aircraft. But his positive attitude and sense of humor made him a symbol of resilience and survival after the tragedy. I was the worst injured person there who pulled through, and Im thankful for that. Because the other families didnt get that chance, Schmitz told the Tulsa World in August. Class ring returns 60 years after it was lost A class ring from the Chilocco Indian School in north-central Oklahoma cost $18 in 1953. Kimberly Griffin found one while using a metal detector on the dry bed of Lake Lewisville, near her home in Flower Mound, Texas, during a drought in 2014. It took some detective work, but Griffins efforts eventually led her to Vera Freeman, a retired schoolteacher in Tahlequah. For some reason, I just felt like I had to try to find this person or find a relative, Griffin told the Tulsa World in November. I felt driven to do whatever I could to find this person. The package arrived with a note that said, I hope this makes you smile. It did, Freeman said. It really did. Car washes help son learn to read Doctors said Brian Campbell, diagnosed as a baby with a rare genetic disorder that leads to developmental delays and heart problems, wouldnt live past the age of 10. Valerie Campbell, during an interview at her south Tulsa home, said she cant imagine life without Brian. She almost lost him when he was a baby. When he was 3 months old, he had a respiratory arrest and died in my arms, she told the Tulsa World in August. He had pneumonia and we didnt know it, and we were actually on the way to the doctor and my mother-in-law was driving the car when it happened, and I gave him CPR all the way as I was giving her directions to get to the hospital. Brian was revived. But learning disabilities left him struggling with simple math, and he never expressed a desire to learn to read. Until, that is, he developed an obsession with car washes. While Brian wanted no part of conventional childrens books, a stack of car wash magazines was like Candyland. Read them to me! Read them to me! he urged his mother. And the little bulb went on, she told the World. Valerie cut pictures out of car wash magazines, placed them in photo albums and created books to share with her son. What do you think this picture should say? she would ask. And he would tell me what it should say, so I would write down his words. Pretty soon he was able to read it because I would point to the words as he would say them, and thats kind of how I taught him how to read. Because of the familys experiences, Valerie was invited to participate on a panel after an Aug. 19 showing of the movie Life, Animated at the Circle Cinema. The film documents the story of Owen Suskind, an autistic man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films. Now 34, Brian is outgoing and seems to wear a permanent smile. OKLAHOMA CITY Interest in the 2018 gubernatorial race is picking up. Well, my posture right now is I am considering whether to consider it, said former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, a Democrat. I am listening. But in the same breath, Edmondson said he is probably through with politics. Edmondson said people are encouraging him to run again. He narrowly failed to secure the Democratic gubernatorial nomination against Jari Askins in 2010. Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican, defeated Askins in 2010 and would go on to defeat Democrat Joe Dorman in 2014. Fallin cant seek another term as governor. Dan Boren, also a Democrat, and Dorman, a former member of the Oklahoma House, have said they are not seeking the office. But former state Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, is eyeing the race. I have not made that decision, said Corn, who made an unsuccessful bid in 2010 for lieutenant governor, losing to Todd Lamb, a former Republican state senator from Edmond. I have had a number of people talk to me about it. At present, he doesnt plan to re-enter public life, but is listening to those who want him to run. He currently serves as city manager in Anadarko. He served in the Oklahoma House before being elected to the state Senate. He said given the political landscape in the state right now, it is very difficult for a Democrat to win unless the candidate offers the change people are looking for, Corn said. I wont make any type of decision until after session, Corn said. I want to see what the legislature does. It continues to governor with bad public policy and reckless fiscal policy. If they continue on that track, it will have a bearing on a decision by me. House Minority Leader Scott Inman, D-Del City, is also pondering a run. He expects to make a decision in the spring. I have spent a little more than a year touring the state, going to different towns and communities visiting with business leaders, education leaders and civic leaders talking about the potential of running in 2018, Inman said. Inman said he is trying to determine whether voters would be receptive to his message. He wants to properly fund education and health care and push back against the fiscal irresponsibility of the current administration, he said. On the Republican side, Lamb and State Treasurer Ken Miller are mentioned. Continuing to serve the people of Oklahoma is at the forefront of my mind, Lamb said. My wife, Monica, and I have discussed what life will be like should a gubernatorial campaign be in our future, and we are preparing to take the necessary steps. As I am finishing my yearly 77-county tour, I receive consistent encouragement to run in 2018. I am steadfast and tenacious about our states future. I am not driven to be in political office, but I am driven to make a difference, said Miller, a former Republican statehouse member. I will see how things unfold in the coming months while I continue to search for the best way I can serve the people of Oklahoma, whether that would be as a candidate for governor or in some other capacity where my skill sets and passion align. Kailali remains shut to protest mass slaughters of cows Kailali remains shut on Sunday to protest against the alleged slaughters of cows. The shutdown has been called by various Hindu organisations demanding prompt investigation into the incident and action against the guilty. FremantleMedia has agreed to hire an additional local director for Picnic at Hanging Rock following criticism it had imported a foreign director. Canadian Director Larysa Kondracki remains on the series along with Australian director Michael Rymer, but FMA will additionally hire a local female director. Two early career Victorian female directors will also be attached to observe the production process. Jo Porter, FremantleMedia Australia Director of Drama said: Fremantle Media acknowledges the sensitivity around the selection of the creative team and as a consequence, we have engaged with Screen Australia, Film Victoria, the Australian Directors Guild and the commissioning broadcaster, Foxtel, to move forward in a productive manner. We assembled two directors who will bring this iconic story to life and honour the incredible legacy of the Joan Lindsay novel. We now welcome the engagement of a third, Australian female director to work with Michael and Larysa on this landmark project, she said. This is a unique opportunity for true international collaboration on this major work. Larysa is a gifted director and is held in high esteem internationally, helping to maximise the dramas success in foreign territories such as the US. Michael has an enviable track record in Australia and abroad and brings a unique perspective to the telling of Australian stories. Ian Hogg, CEO FremantleMedia Australia & Asia Pacific, said: FremantleMedia Australia has a strong track record of championing gender equality. We have a proud history of taking Australian-led stories overseas, including Foxtels Wentworth, which is now an international success and has attracted critical acclaim for telling strong female stories. Samantha Lang, President of the Australian Directors Guild said, The decision by Fremantle to hire a female director to direct an episode of the series and receive the credit is a significant outcome and could only have occurred with the support and commitment of our colleagues at Foxtel, Screen Australia and Film Victoria as well our advocates at WIFT who raised industry awareness of the issue. It also sustains the work that has gone into the Screen Australia Gender Matters initiative. Sophie Mathisen, WIFT NSW President added, Given the disproportionately low instance of female directorship of significant works of dramatic film and television, WIFT NSW welcomes the addition of a third female director to the upcoming Foxtel and Fremantle production of Picnic at Hanging Rock. Through a united effort with the ADG we are pleased with this outcome that will provide a meaningful credit on a domestic project of scale Significantly, Screen Australia has also committed to changing their program guidelines and propose to make it an expectation that applicants for direct funding of television productions guarantee their project is written and directed by Australian citizens or residents. This will ensure that Australian directors will be engaged on Australian funded productions said Kingston Anderson CEO of the ADG. The ADG also thanked Foxtel for their ongoing support of Australian drama and for the engagement of Australian directors. Film Victoria CEO, Jenni Tosi said, The two female director placements on offer builds on Films Victorias track record in recognising the value of women in the screen industry and the importance of ensuring they have access to development and progression opportunities in the industry. The addition of a third Australian female to the directing team on Picnic is a terrific example of the collaborative and co-operative spirit that exists between screen agencies, Guilds, businesses and broadcasters here in Australia. Were delighted this matter has been resolved and we look forward to the production enjoying great success with audiences at home and abroad. Applications for the female director placement opportunities close at 5pm, Friday 6 January at www.film.vic.gov.au Written by Bea Christian and Alice Addison, the miniseries begins shooting in Victoria in February. Loadshedding hours down in eastern Nepal Loadshedding hours have fallen drastically in the eastern region of the country, as the state-owned power utility has started to manage electricity load in an efficient manner. Maoist Centre should focus on districts now Education Minister and leader of CPN (Maoist Centre) Dhaniram Poudel has said his party lost peoples support for focussing on government instead of remote areas, calling on the party rank and file to focus on the districts. Eating curry, according to experts, can help kill certain types of cancer cells without the need of chemotherapy. A recent research suggests that capsaicin, an ingredient found in spices like chili and pepper can inhibit the growth and can result in the death of large numbers of breast cancer cells. At present, chemotherapy is the only available treatment option for the most aggressive stage of breast cancer but a team of researchers from Ruhr-Universitat Bochum in Germany conducted an experiment on cultivated tumor cells of triple negative breast cancer. The researchers discovered that a certain type of receptors called Transient Receptor Potential Channels (TRPV1) are activated by capsaicin. Capsaicin was added to these cells every day for a certain number of hours and they observed a series of responses where they have seen how cancer cells were divided slowly. A large number of these cells also died which stopped them from moving quickly and spreading to the other parts of the body. However, the researchers said that it's not enough to have the molecule consumed through food. Lead researcher Professor Hanns Hatt said that if only the TRPV1 receptor can be switched on specific drugs, then it can be can be considered as a new approach to the treatment of cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer is a sub type of breast cancer that is most difficult to treat because they lack the three receptors that are found in other cancer types. When treating breast cancer cases, those three receptors are the targets of the treatment and that makes the treatment successful. About 10 to 20 percent of breast cancer are classified as triple negative which is why this discovery on how capsaicin cause reaction to cancer cells can spark a new hope to those patients suffering from this type of cancer. Following the latest citing on Motorola's Moto X Play on benchmarking website GFXBench running an Android 7.1 Nougat, another device under the "Z" series is speculated to receive the Android 7.0 Nougat firmware soon after it gained a Wi-Fi certification. Motorola's Moto Z Play smartphone, Model XT1635-02, is all set to receive the Android Nougat update after passing the Wi-Fi certification tests at the Wi-Fi Alliance. The updated Z Play device will be able to support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi frequencies, according to Nashville Chatter. The Interoperability Certificate issued by the Wi-Fi Alliance is considered as a pre-requisite for a Nougat update, although no official confirmation has been disclosed on the firmware's release and details or specifications about the tested device. Meanwhile, the Motorola's Android 7.0 Nougat update has already reached other devices such as its Moto G4, G4 Plus, Moto Z, and Z Force smartphones. Like the rest of the Moto Z series, the Moto Z Play release in September comes pre-installed with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. According to past reports, the Moto Z Play is considered one of the best mid-range devices in the market today. The device's features are similar to the Moto Z, such as its splash and dust resistance and 5.5-inch full HD Super AMOLED display that supports Full HD Resolution. As per its internal chassis, the device is powered by a Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor, which is coupled with an Adreno 506 GPU and 3GB of RAM, Neurogadget reported. The Moto Z Play is enclosed with both metal and glass material, which has a capacity of 32GB internal memory, expandable with a microSD card. In its optics department, the primary camera supports a 16MP resolution that includes special functions such as phase detection and laser autofocus, and dual-LED (dual tone) flash. Its front-snapper captures in 5MP resolution that can function in low light conditions through a LED flash. Other additional features in Moto Z Play include its fingerprint sensor and a hefty 3,510 mAh battery. The Moto Z Play is currently pegged at a price range of $418 to $449 at Amazon. Starting this year, China's TCL Communication Technology Holding Ltd. will make and sell BlackBerry-branded mobile devices globally, following the Canadian company's announcement of halting its phone production while accelerating its services and software business. The global deal agreement states that TCL will "design, manufacture, sell, and provide customer support for BlackBerry-branded mobile devices." Blackberry, on the other hand, will "continue to control and develop its security and software solutions, serve its customers and maintain trusted BlackBerry security software," according to the official press release. The Chinese hardware maker behind the Alcatel brand has produced handsets for BlackBerry, such as the DTEK50 and DTEK60 phones that are rebadged versions of OEMed devices. Now, TCL Communication will move to manage all sales and distribution of future Blackberry phones while serving as a global distributor, Tech Crunch reported. The said partnership, which is BlackBerry's first global licensing agreement expanding on its existing relationship with TCL, will enable future TCL smartphones to carry BlackBerry's security software and service suite and with the company still providing the security, apps and customer support. However, the semi-exclusive deal tagged as "global" will have exemptions such as big markets in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India or Indonesia. According to The Verge, BlackBerry already has a licensing agreement situated in Indonesia, and is currently working on another deal with an Indian company. In 2009, Blackberry Company marked 20 percent of the global smartphone market, which plummeted to 0.1 percent, the lowest in its market share loss for several years. After the dimming spotlight for the smartphone market of BlackBerry, it transitioned to its software and services aspect that raked $156 million in its latest quarter, down from $166 million in the prior quarter. TCL has a good reputation when it comes to resurrecting other companies' brands, such as buying the smartphone business of the French telecommunications equipment maker Alcatel, which places as the 4th selling phone brand in North America today. In the past, the Chinese phone maker also bought the rights to the "Palm" brand from HP, although the ownership has not produced any devices yet. New work plan ends PM monopoly With the Cabinets bill committee approving the work plan on medical expenses of VVIPs, the monopoly of Cabinet and prime minister to allocate the treatment amount to politicians and influential people has effectively come to an end. Bright Ideas: Proper Lighting for Improved Productivity Humans traditionally lived in diurnal, 24-hour cycles of light and darkness, with the day filled with natural light and the moonlit night enhanced only by the light of a fire. Under such lighting conditions, people would naturally labor during the day and sleep at night. They were all early risers Thousands of search and rescue workers from across Russia, including more than 100 Navy divers, converged on the Black Sea port of Sochi Sunday, searching for clues to the crash of a military plane that plunged into the sea with 92 people on board. A military spokesman said there were no survivors from the flight, which carried dozens of singers from the internationally acclaimed Alexandrov Ensemble, the official choir of the Russian armed forces. President Vladimir Putin declared Monday a nationwide day of mourning, as search teams prepared to work through the night to find evidence that could help determine why the TU-154 jetliner crashed two minutes after takeoff. "We will conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons and will do everything to support the victims' families," Putin said. Hours after the crash, officials said debris from the aircraft and some bodies had been recovered just off the Russian coast, with the main section of the plane found in 70 meters of water and 1.5 kilometers off the coast. Authorities said there was no immediate evidence of terrorism, while cautioning that criminal activity had not been ruled out. Russia's RIA Novosti news agency, quoting an unidentified source, said the plane likely crashed because of a technical malfunction or pilot error. The Soviet-era jetliner was carrying 84 passengers and eight crew, including 60 members of the famed choir who were set to perform for Russian military personnel at a Russian airbase near the Syrian coastal city of Latakia. Authorities said nine Russian reporters also were on board. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed his condolences in a message sent to Putin Sunday, saying the crash would not affect his government's Russian-backed war against insurgents. "Our prayers are with youour sorrows and joys are one," Assad told Putin. A condolence message on the Twitter feed of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the passengers and crew of the TU-154 which went down earlier today, and with the Russian people." Also on board was Yelizaveta Glinka, a well-known Russian physician known for her charity work. She was on her way to help deliver medical aid to Syria. There was an angry reaction in Afghanistan to news that the first female fixed-wing pilot in the country's air force was requesting asylum in the United States after completing an 18-month training course. The Afghan Defense Ministry confirmed on Sunday that Captain Niloofar Rahmani, 25, had sought asylum after the Wall Street Journal quoted her as saying that she feared her life would be in danger if she returned home. A recipient of the U.S. State Department's "Women of Courage" award in 2015, Capt. Rahmani had been a symbol of efforts to improve the situation of women in her country, more than a decade after the fall of the Taliban regime. Mohammad Radmanish, a Defense Ministry spokesman, said the government hoped that her request would be denied by U.S. authorities who have spent billions trying to build up Afghan security forces. "When an officer complains of insecurity and is afraid of security threats, then what should ordinary people do?" he said. "She has made an excuse for herself, but we have hundreds of educated women and female civil right activists who work and it is safe for them." Capt. Rahmani, who graduated from flight school in 2012 and qualified to fly C-208 military cargo aircraft, had been in the United States on a training course and had been due to return home on Saturday. In a conservative country notorious for the restrictions placed on women, Rahmani's story stood out as a rare example of a woman breaking through in areas normally reserved for men. Her success came at a price, however. The citation for the "Women of Courage" award said she and her family had received direct threats not just from the Taliban but also from some relatives, forcing her family to move house several times. However, there was little sympathy on Afghanistan's active social media networks, which were replete with comments criticizing Rahmani, accusing her of wasting government money spent on expensive training and avoiding her responsibilities. "Niloofar Rahmani took a million dollars from the pockets of the people of Afghanistan to pay human traffickers to get to America to seek asylum," one Facebook user wrote in comments typical of others. Dozens of Afghan troops receiving training in the United States have gone missing over the past two years, and at least one has been detained while trying to cross the border to Canada. Open borders symbolize liberty and forward thinking for many Europeans - but they increasingly look like the continent's Achilles' heel. Europe's No. 1 terrorism suspect crossed at least two borders this week despite an international manhunt, and he was felled only by chance, in a random ID check in a Milan suburb. The bungled chase for Berlin market attack suspect Anis Amri is just one example of recent cross-border security failures that are emboldening nationalists fed up with European unity. Extremist violence, they argue, is too high a price to pay for the freedom to travel easily. Defenders of the EU's border-free zone say the security failures show the need for more cooperation among European governments, even shared militaries - not new barriers. Hidebound habits of hoarding intelligence within centuries-old borders are part of the problem, they contend. But their arguments are criticized by the likes of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who is hoping to win France's presidency in May. "The myth of total free movement in Europe, which my rivals are clinging to in this presidential election, should be definitively buried. Our security depends on it," she said in a statement Friday, calling Europe's free-travel zone a "total security catastrophe." That poses a dilemma for European Union devotees like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, facing a re-election battle next year. Merkel's defense of the EU, and the welcoming hand she extended to Syrian war refugees, were once seen as assets, signs of her moral authority. Today, with anti-immigrant, anti-establishment sentiment rising across Europe, they are threatening to become liabilities. Countless numbers of people cross borders in the 26-country Schengen travel zone every day, thanks to a 31-year-old system encompassing nearly 400 million people that has dramatically boosted trade and job prospects across the world's largest collective economy. It's a pillar of a system designed to prevent new world wars, yet it is a system under growing strain. While EU countries debated over how to manage an influx of migrants last year, eastern nations rebuilt border fences and exposed EU weaknesses. The German far right is insisting on closing the country's borders. Merkel's conservatives are suggesting "transit zones" to hold migrants at the borders while their identities are confirmed, and making it easier to hold people in pre-deportation detention. Berlin truck attacker Amri is a painful reminder of how Islamic extremists have used Europe's open borders to attack the principles of tolerance they are meant to epitomize. After migrating illegally from Tunisia in 2011, he was imprisoned for burning down a migrant detention center in Italy. When freed, attempts to deport him to Tunisia failed for bureaucratic reasons. He subsequently traveled to Switzerland and then Germany, where he apparently fell under the influence of a radical network accused of recruiting for the Islamic State group. Although Germany rejected his asylum application last summer and flagged him as a potential terror threat, authorities patiently waited for Tunisia to produce the required paperwork before deporting him. Just as the deportation was being finalized Monday, Amri is believed to have hijacked a truck and rammed it into holiday crowds at a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 and injuring dozens. He evaded an international manhunt for more than three days, apparently slipping into France - possibly with a pistol in his pocket - and then Italy before stumbling into a standard ID check in suburban Milan, where he died in a shootout with police. Germany, France and Italy have failed to explain how he escaped the dragnet. "Movement from one country to another in Europe is easy, especially for someone like Anis Amri, who had lived in Europe for several years" and knew which borders were easier to cross, said Tunisian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bouraoui Limam. France is especially embarrassed. It has been under high security as part of a state of emergency since last year, and the French are acutely concerned about train security after American passengers thwarted an attack on an Amsterdam-Paris train in 2015. Yet French President Francois Hollande visited the Alpine town of Chambery on the same day that Amri is believed to have passed through its train station en route to Italy, unnoticed by border guards or the president's security detail. The next morning, as Italian police were identifying Amri's body, France's interior minister visited a Paris train station to talk about the vigorous transport security in place for the holidays. France's far right and the conservative opposition have assailed the Socialist government as lax. "How could this person enter in Europe without being monitored? How could we let him settle in Europe?" said Eric Ciotti, lawmaker for the conservative Republicans. What's worse, it was not the first time. Last year, hours after Islamic State extremists killed 130 people at multiple targets in Paris, key suspect Salah Abdeslam fled to Belgium despite increased checks on both the French and Belgian borders. It took authorities four months to find him. Further, Abdeslam, a French national, had traveled through the Italian port of Bari on a roundtrip journey to Greece in August, months before the attack. And in 2014, Mehdi Nemmouche allegedly killed four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, then crossed into France and traveled to the Mediterranean city of Marseille before being picked up in a police check. Security and migration will be central issues in elections in the coming year in Germany, France and the Netherlands, all founding nations of the EU. And related fears could be key to fueling opposition calls for an early election in Italy after its recent political crisis. The leader of Italy's anti-migrant Northern League, Matteo Salvini, called Saturday for closing and reinforcing Europe's borders after the Berlin attack. "I don't want another two or three massacres before Europe wakes up," Salvini said. A candidate for France's left-wing primary next month, Vincent Peillon, pleaded for joint European rules on borders, defense and intelligence. "It's all of Europe that is being attacked," he said. Le Pen's far-right National Front party wants to retrench rather than reach out, to "give France back full control over its sovereignty." As Europeans head home for the holidays, many crossing multiple borders on the way without showing a single passport or changing any currency, people are asking themselves: Is it all worth it? Carrie Fisher is in stable condition days after suffering a medical emergency, according to her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds. Reynolds tweeted Sunday that the family would share any updates on Fisher and thanked the public for its "prayers & good wishes.'' Earlier in the day, Oscar winner Sally Field tweeted that she was thinking of the "Star Wars'' actress with all her "heart and soul.'' Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill of ``Star Wars'' fame are among many others who have expressed hope that the 60-year-old Fisher recovers after falling ill on a flight and being admitted Friday to a Los Angeles hospital. Fisher is also known for such books as "Postcards from the Edge'' and "Wishful Drinking.'' China's first aircraft carrier will carry out drills in the Western Pacific, in what the navy called part of routine exercises, amid renewed tension over self-ruled Taiwan that Beijing claims as its own. The navy said in a statement late on Saturday the Liaoning, along with its accompanying fleet, would conduct "exercises far out at sea," without giving details of the location or route, in what is likely its first blue-water drill far from home waters. "This exercise is being carried out in accordance with annual exercise plans," the navy said in a statement also carried on the front page of the official People's Liberation Army Daily. China's successful operation of the Liaoning is the first step in what state media and some military experts say will be the deployment of domestically built carriers by 2020. Taiwan's Defense Ministry said on Sunday it had been monitoring the drills closely as the Liaoning went through the Miyako Strait, a body of water between the Japanese islands of Miyako and Okinawa, heading into the Pacific. It said it was monitoring whether the aircraft carrier would continue into the Bashi Channel, which lies between Taiwan and the Philippines, on its return. The Japanese Defense Ministry said on Sunday evening that a Maritime Self Defense Force ship and a P3C patrol airplane had spotted six Chinese naval vessels including Liaoning travelling through the passage between Miyako and Okinawa and into the Pacific. There was no territorial incursion, the ministry said. One Z-9 patrol helicopter that took off from a Chinese frigate flew near Miyako Island, prompting the scrambling of Japanese jet fighters, said the Japanese Defense Ministry. Nikkei business daily reported that Japan had told China via diplomatic channels that it was closely watching the moves of the aircraft carrier. China's military conducted its first ever live-fire drills using an aircraft carrier and fighters in the northeastern Bohai Sea close to the Korean peninsula this month, and has more recently been in the East China Sea. The navy showed pictures on its official microblog from the drills in the East China Sea, including J-15 carrier-borne fighter jets launching into the sky, overseen by navy chief Wu Shengli. They conducted aerial refuelling and air combat exercises on Thursday, the navy said. China's growing military presence in the disputed South China Sea in particular has fuelled concern, with the United States criticizing its militarization of maritime outposts and holding regular air and naval patrols to ensure freedom of navigation. The Western Pacific exercise comes amid new tension over self-ruled Taiwan, following U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's telephone call with the island's president that upset Beijing. China's air force conducted long-range drills this month above the East and South China Seas that rattled Japan and Taiwan. China said those exercises were also routine. China's Soviet-built Liaoning aircraft carrier has participated in previous military exercises, including some in the South China Sea, but China is years away from perfecting carrier operations similar to those the United States has practiced for decades. Last December, the Defense Ministry confirmed China was building a second aircraft carrier but its launch date is unclear. The aircraft carrier program is a state secret. Beijing could build multiple aircraft carriers over the next 15 years, the Pentagon said in a report last year. Christmas was marked around the globe Sunday with sincere wishes that hopes for world peace expressed all day will last all year. In Bethlehem, where believers say Jesus was born, Palestinian boy scouts and girl scouts held a festive Christmas celebration with a march through Manger Square. They carried Palestinian flags as they passed a giant Christmas tree decked out in gold, in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity. Pope Francis used his Christmas Day message to call for the guns to fall silent in Syria, where he said "far too much blood has been spilled." He also appealed to Israeli and Palestinian leaders to "have the courage and the determination to write a new page of history." He told Christians that materialism has "taken Christmas hostage...we have to set it free." Several hundred Iraqi Christians attended Mass in their hometown near Mosul as both a sign of hope and defiance. Once home to thousands of Assyrian Christians, Bartella, on the outskirts of Mosul, fell to Islamic State in August 2014. Worshippers were bused to the town Christmas Eve from the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital of Irbil, where they have been living. As bells pealed before the service, women joyously wailed when they stepped into the church. Almost everyone held a lit candle during the service conducted in Aramaic and Arabic. About a dozen U.S. military servicemen and a 100-man contingent from the Iraqi military also attended the service in a sign of solidarity with the worshippers. Assyrian priest Yacoub Saady said, "This is the mass of defiance. We, the Christians, are the oldest component of this country. We are staying put and no power can force us to leave." Obama, Trump send greetings U.S. President Barack Obama enjoyed Christmas morning with his daughters and first lady Michelle in Hawaii before spending much of the day with U.S. Marines at Kaneohe Bay. Obama telephoned U.S. soldiers, sailors and Marines stationed around the world to thank them for their service. President-elect Donald Trump enjoyed his Christmas at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and also tweeted Hanukkah greetings for the Jewish festival of lights, which coincides with Christmas this year. In one of the more unusual U.S. Christmas traditions, George Washington's legendary crossing of the Delaware River in 1776 during the American Revolution was reenacted for the 64th year. About 10,000 history buffs and the curious stood on both sides of the river, in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania and Titusville, New Jersey, to watch the participants in their continental army uniforms. One group of celebrants had the best perspective of Earth on Christmas Day -- the crew of the International Space Station. They enjoyed Christmas dinner, including food specially prepared and canned by a French chef forFrance's Thomas Pesquet. U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson said seeing the planet as a whole reinforces what she called the need to live as one people and strive for peace. President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday he intends to dissolve his charitable foundation, which is currently under investigation in ((northeastern)) New York state, in an effort to avoid any conflicts of interest before he takes office in January. Trump gave no timeline for closing the Donald J. Trump Foundation. Since he won the November 8 presidential election, Trump's vast portfolio of U.S. and overseas business interests as well as his foundation have come under increased scrutiny. Trump Global Businesses Interactive Map Click Here For An Interactive Map of Trump's Foreign Properties "The foundation has done enormous good works over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups, including supporting veterans, law enforcement officers and children," Trump said in a statement Saturday. "However, to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as president I have decided to continue to pursue my strong interest in philanthropy in other ways," it continued. In October, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman had ordered Trump's charitable foundation to immediately stop soliciting contributions because it was not registered in the state to seek public donations. The state order followed a series of reports in The Washington Post that suggested improprieties by the foundation, including using its funds to settle legal disputes involving Trump businesses, and how much money he has actually given away. Trump said he has directed his counsel to take the necessary steps to implement the charity's dissolution. On Saturday, however, Amy Spitalnick, a spokeswoman for Schneiderman's office, told Reuters news agency the president-elect cannot shutter the foundation while the investigation is ongoing. "The Trump Foundation is still under investigation by this office and cannot legally dissolve until that investigation is complete," Spitalnick told Reuters. Spitalnick would not comment to Reuters on an expected completion date for the investigation. Trump takes office on January 20. Package deal among major parties soon: PM Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that major parties will soon reach a consensus on resolving the political stalemate. As Christians around the world prepared to celebrate the religious holiday, several hundred Iraqi Christians were celebrating Christmas Eve Mass in their hometown near Mosul as both a sign of hope and defiance. Once home to thousands of Assyrian Christians, Bartella, on the outskirts of Mosul in Nineveh province, fell to Islamic State (IS) militants in August 2014. IS ransacked the Mar Shimoni church, destroying crosses and removing religious icons and other fixtures, before setting it alight. WATCH: Iraqi Christians, Pushed From Town by IS, Return for Christmas Eve Mass Iraqi forces freed Bartella in October as part of an ongoing campaign to liberate nearby Mosul. But residents have not been able to return; much of the town has been destroyed in recent fighting, and basic services are lacking. The militants also planted bombs in the city. Worshippers were bused to the town from the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital of Irbil, where they have been living. As bells pealed before the service, women joyously ululated when they stepped into the church. Almost everyone held a lit candle during the service, which was conducted in Aramaic and Arabic. "It is a mix of sadness and happiness," Bishop Mussa Shemani told Reuters before celebrating the Christmas Eve Mass. "We are sad to see what has been done to our holiest places by our own countrymen, but at the same time we are happy to celebrate the first Mass after two years." At the end of the service, however, Assyrian priest Yacoub Saady said, "This is the Mass of defiance. We, the Christians, are the oldest component of this country. We are staying put and no power can force us to leave." Roughly a dozen U.S. military servicemen and a 100-man contingent from the Iraqi military also attended the service in a sign of solidarity with the worshippers. Volunteers had worked to clean the church for the service, its first since IS militants took over 2 years ago. For many of the worshippers, the sight of Bartella, once a vibrant town of 25,000, was shocking. Only a few homes stand unscathed. Most have been damaged by shelling or blackened by fire. Even with the distant sounds of explosions, however, many residents were happy to enter their town and church again. "Our joy is bigger than our sadness," said university student Nevine Ibrahim, 20, who returned to Bartella Saturday for the first time since she, her parents and four siblings left in 2014. Their house was badly damaged; everything they owned was gone. "I don't think we can return. The house can be fixed, but the pain inside us cannot," she said, seated among three of her siblings. "Who will protect us?" Altar boy Masar Jalal, 16, and his father attended Mass on Saturday. It was Masar's first visit to Bartella since he fled with his family to Irbil in 2014. "I cried for what has become of the town," Jalal told the Associated Press. "I will only come back to live here if there is security." Elsewhere Saturday, security measures were heightened in Rome, where Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass in a packed St. Peter's Basilica. On Friday, the man believed responsible for the Berlin market attack was killed near Milan. Francis has spent much of this year pleading for the world to better protect innocents caught up in wars, migrations and abject poverty. He also told Christians that materialism has "taken Christmas hostage. ... We have to set it free." The late-night Mass was the first major event of the Christmas season. It will be followed by Francis' noon Urbi et Orbi (To the city and the world) blessing on Christmas Day. In Bethlehem, Palestinian boy and girl scouts kicked off Christmas celebrations in the West Bank town with a festive march through Manger Square. The marchers carried Palestinian flags as they passed a giant Christmas tree decked out in gold, in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity. Pilgrims from around the world watched the outdoor festivities, while inside the 4th century church, they waited in long lines to visit the Grotto of the Nativity, where tradition says Jesus was born. In Pakistan More than 1,000 congregants attended midnight Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Karachi. Father Mario Rodrigues emphasized that Christmas was a time to strive for peace across the world. In London on Sunday, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Church of England and the global communion of 85 million Anglican Christians, planned to say in his Christmas Day sermon that 2016 had left the world "more awash with fear and division." Welby, who was to deliver his sermon at the Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England, was to say the world's values were "in the wrong place, with economic, technological and communications progress failing to deliver justice." "The end of 2016 finds us all in a different kind of world one less predictable and certain, which feels more awash with fear and division," he was to say. Robert Berger in Bethlehem contributed to this report. An angry Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned U.S. Ambassador Daniel Shapiro Sunday to talk about the U.S. abstention in a U.N. Security Council resolution opposing Jewish settlements. Neither the State Department nor Netanyahu's office commented on Sunday's meeting.The foreign ministry summoned ambassadors from the 14 nations that voted for the resolution Friday, but reports say several of the diplomats did not answer the call. Netanyahu told the Israeli Cabinet Sunday that the resolution was "reckless and destructive." He pointed out that the U.S. and Israel have always agreed that the Security Council is no place to resolve the settlement issue. He called the U.S. abstention instead of a veto "shameful." Before lighting a Hanukkah candle in front of the Western Wall in East Jerusalem Sunday, Netanyahu said countries that voted for the resolution and then sent Hanukkah greetings to Israel do not understand the meaning of the Jewish festival. "The Jewish people observe the holiday of Hanukkah in order to remember the victory of the Hasmoneans in a revolt against the Greeks, culminating with the miracle of the oil and the rededication of the Temple," Netanyahu wrote on Facebook. "How is it possible to offer our best wishes for Hanukkah and at the same time deny our deep connection to the Western Wall in Jerusalem and other places in our land?" Friday's resolution calls on Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem." It says settlements there have "no legal validity." The Palestinians have long argued that Jewish settlements in areas they want as part of a future state are illegal and a major impediment to a final peace settlement. Israel insists Jews have a biblical right to those lands seized in the 1967 war. It says Palestinian refusal to recognize Israel's right to exist is the major roadblock to peace. Netanyahu warned his Cabinet Sunday that Friday's U.N. vote may be an attempt by President Barack Obama to reinforce U.S. Mideast policy before he leaves office in less than a month. This would include another possible resolution and a Mideast peace conference scheduled for January 15 in Paris in which Israel says Secretary of State John Kerry will spell out the U.S. vision for a two-state solution. Israeli settlement expansion has created a chilly relationship between Netanyahu and Obama. Netanyahu said Sunday he has talked with "our friends in the United States, Republicans and Democrats alike," who "understand how reckless and destructive this U.N. resolution was."He said he is looking forward to working with those friends and "the new administration when it takes office next month."U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn on January 20. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, voicing outrage at a U.N. Security Council vote calling for an end to further settlement activity in the occupied territories, said Saturday that he had ordered his government to stop funding five U.N. institutions. The vote passed the 15-member Security Council on Friday after the United States chose not to veto the resolution, as it has in numerous other instances when other council members sought to rein in Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In televised remarks, Netanyahu said that his order would withhold nearly $8 million in funding to unnamed U.N. institutions and that "there is more to come." He did not elaborate. He said he had ordered his Foreign Ministry to review within a month all of Israel's engagements with the world body, including all funding and the presence of U.N. representatives on Israeli soil. Netanyahu called the U.S. abstention and the resolution itself "shameful" and said his government would ignore its provisions. He also recalled Israel's ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal two of the resolution's four sponsors and suspended Israeli aid programs to the West African nation. Turning his displeasure on the U.S. government, he then accused President Barack Obama of backing out of a long-standing commitment to stand by Israel. "The [Obama] decision not only does not help us make peace, it stands in the way of peace," he said. For their part, Palestinians and Arab countries across the region hailed the vote. Former Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat called the vote "a clear and unanimous message" to Netanyahu that his policies would not lead to peace or security, either in Israel or elsewhere in the region. The French news agency AFP quoted a Hamas spokesman as voicing appreciation to those envoys who had voted for the resolution. Fawzy Barhoum described the ballot as "a vote for the right of the Palestinian people [to live] on their land." Citing biblical connections to the land, Israel has for decades built Jewish settlements on territories seized from its Arab neighbors in the Six-Day War of 1967, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Most countries view those settlements as well as those abandoned by Israel in Gaza a decade ago as illegal and a principal obstacle to regional peace. With that dichotomy firmly in place Saturday, Netanyahu made clear that his government looked forward to working with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump "to negate the harmful effects of this absurd resolution." Trump takes office January 20. On Friday, Trump promised changes in the U.S. role at the United Nations once he takes office. In a tweet, he said "things will be different after Jan. 20th." Hostilities in Afghanistan have left around 30,000 people dead and as many wounded, mostly insurgents, according to the latest official estimates. As of Sunday, counter-insurgency operations conducted by Afghan police and military forces around the country had left more than 18,500 "enemy" fighters dead and wounded 12,000 more, according to defense and interior ministry officials. Mohammad Radmanesh, the deputy defense ministry spokesman, told VOA that authorities have also captured hundreds of insurgents. He declined to discuss casualties among the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces, or ANDSF, but admitted they "increased by more than 10 percent compared to the previous year." ANDSF suffered around 20,000 casualties, including 5,000 deaths in 2015, according to the United States military. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), a U.S. government watchdog, reported in October that more than 5,500 Afghan forces were killed in the first eight months of 2016 while around 10,000 were wounded. The totals for the full year are likely to be much higher because the war has intensified since August. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, told the Security Council in New York last week that conflict-related incidents have killed more than 3,000 civilians this year. In addition, an unprecedented 551,000 people have fled their homes because of the intensified and expanded war. Afghan and U.N. officials say more than 1 million Afghan refugees, including undocumented families in neighboring Pakistan and Iran have returned home in 2016, setting a record. When internally displaced people are counted in, more than 1.5 million Afghans have been on the move since January, according to UNAMA officials. Analysts hold out little hope that 2017 will be much better without a peace and reconciliation process between the Afghan government and the Taliban. An explosion outside a Catholic Church during a Christmas Eve Mass injured more than a dozen people, including a police officer, late Saturday on Mindanao, Philippines, police and a priest said. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast, which damaged a police car and injured people standing outside the Sto. Nino church in Midsayap town, North Cotabato. Authorities are investigating the blast and did not immediately say who they thought was responsible. At least 13 people, including one police officer, were injured in the explosion, which Reuters news agency identified as a grenade. The Communion was ongoing when the explosion took place, Father Jay Virador told AFP. The blast occurred about 30 meters (98 feet) from the churchs entrance and caused panic, Virador said. There was no more concluding prayers as there was a commotion. People hurriedly left the church, he said. Midsayap is about 900 kilometers (559 miles) south of Manila, on the large Philippine island of Mindanao, which is home to a Muslim minority and decades of armed rebellion. Earlier this week, the U.S. embassy in Manila warned citizens against traveling to the restive southern islands because of kidnapping and bombing threats. Separatist and terrorist groups continue to carry out attacks and kidnappings against civilians, foreigners, political leaders, and Philippine security forces in Mindanao, the U.S. advisory said. Security forces are on high alert this holiday season after Australian and Indonesian police foiled terror plots earlier this week. Pope Francis on Sunday offered a Christmas hope for peace in a world lacerated by war and terrorism, urging people to remember migrants, refugees and those hit by economic instability caused by "idolatry of money." Francis, marking the fourth Christmas season since his election in 2013, also urged Palestinians and Israelis, facing renewed tension after a U.N. resolution condemning Israeli settlements on occupied land, to have the courage to put aside hate and revenge and "write a new page of history." His traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message was linked by a common thread of war, violence and suffering at a time that should be defined by harmony and peace symbolized by the infant Jesus. "Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, which have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities," he told some 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square. Security was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and at the Vatican after Italian police killed the man believed to be responsible for the Berlin market truck attack while other European cities kept forces on high alert. "Today this message [of peace] goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace," he said, speaking in Italian from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. He called for peace in Syria, urging immediate assistance to the exhausted population of the city of Aleppo, which Syrian government forces recaptured last week after four years of devastating fighting with rebels. "It is time for weapons to be still forever [in Syria], and the international community to actively seek a negotiated solution, so that civil co-existence can be restored in the country," he said. Francis, the first Latin American pope, also said Christmas should inspire everyone to help the less fortunate, including migrants, refugees and those swept up by social and economic upheavals. "Peace to the peoples who suffer because of the economic ambitions of the few, because of the sheer greed and the idolatry of money, which leads to slavery," he said. At his Christmas eve Mass on Saturday, Francis said the feast had been "taken hostage" by dazzling materialism that puts God in the shadows. On Sunday, he also called for an end to "fundamentalist terrorism" in Nigeria, a reference to Boko Haram, which has killed 15,000 people and displaced more than two million during a seven-year insurgency to create an Islamic state.. Francis further appealed for an end to tensions between the government and opposition in Venezuela, for harmony in Colombia, which recently ended a civil war with FARC guerrillas, and an end to strife on the Korean peninsula and in Myanmar. South Koreas special prosecutor team investigating a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye said Sunday it was considering whether to raid the presidential offices and if it did so, it had no choice but to do so publicly. Special prosecutors are investigating allegations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, and aides to pressure big companies to contribute to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives. In case of raiding the Blue House ... to carry out that, there is no choice but to make it public, Lee Kyu-chul, a spokesman for the special prosecutors team told reporters in a briefing, referring to the presidential offices. We are still considering whether the raid is needed and if needed what the raid should be aimed at. Park, whose father ruled the country for 18 years after seizing power in a 1961 coup, was indicted in a December 9 parliamentary vote. She has denied wrongdoing but apologized for carelessness in her ties with Choi, who is facing her own trial. Prosecutors have said previously they needed access to the presidential offices as part of their investigation. The office has denied access. Park has immunity from prosecution as long as she is in office even though her powers have been suspended since parliament voted to impeach her. A large crowd of protesters, including about 200 young people dressed as Santa Claus, took to the streets of central Seoul Saturday for the ninth weekend in a row to demand the immediate resignation of the president. Authorities in northern Mali say a Swiss aid worker has been kidnapped in the northern town of Gao. A regional security ministry spokesman said the abduction occurred Saturday when three men stormed her house and took her and an orphan living in her home. There has been no claim of responsibility, and it was not immediately clear why the aid worker was seized. A French diplomatic source told Reuters that Paris was aware of the reported abduction and was working to verify details. That report quoted a local radio station as saying the woman was affiliated with Aide Gao, a small nonprofit that helps children suffering from malnutrition. Gao was occupied by Islamic extremists in 2012, until a French-led military operation forced most of the jihadist force from the region. Small units continue to stage attacks and abductions in the region, however. Another Swiss woman, a Christian missionary working in the region, has been abducted twice, most recently last January. Authorities believe she is being held by al-Qaida-linked militants. Jason Miller, who President-elect Donald Trump announced this week would serve as his White House communications director, said Saturday he would not take the job. Miller, the communications director for Trumps transition team, said in a statement that his family needed to take priority over career moves. He said he and his wife were expecting their second daughter in January. Trump takes office January 20. This is not the right time to start a new job as demanding as White House communications director, Miller said. He said his duties would instead be handled by Sean Spicer, who Trump named his press secretary Thursday, the same day Miller was announced as communications director. Trump also said in that announcement that spokeswoman Hope Hicks would be director of strategic communications. Rainbow journal Over the last 20 years, SINHAS has presented various facets of Nepals turbulent times On Christmas Day 1965, as folks back home celebrated the holiday with friends and family, a bullet tore through the thigh of Waco native Marine Sgt. Louis S. Sims Sr. during heavy fighting in the Vietnamese city of Chu Lai. He was in command of 35 men at the time, and they helped whisk him away to treatment aboard a helicopter. Two years later, Sims left the Marines, but not before receiving a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Ribbon, a National Defense Service Medal and a Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was my Marine, said Shirley Sims, Louis wife. She said she thinks about her late husband every day, not just on holidays. Louis Sims died in October of last year at the age of 73, having suffered from the effects of Agent Orange and post-traumatic stress disorder in the years after his discharge. He had multiple health problems before he passed, Shirley Sims said. He had been a big man, but he was down to 80 or 90 pounds when hospice came to our home. Shirley Sims said meeting the man who would become her husband for more than 40 years was an answer to prayer, one she whispered as she walked to work at the Plantation Foods plant near Gholson Road and Lake Shore Drive that now carries the Cargill name. She noticed Louis, also an employee at the time, and they married two months later. God blessed me, and I won him, said Shirley Sims, 73, a spiritual person who said a higher power guides her path. I told him many times, God saved you for me. She said life with her Marine presented blessings and challenges. She knew he struggled with images and emotions rooted in his time in Vietnam. He seldom talked about war, at least with her, but when he did, he would mention the sound of bullets peppering the ground around him and his men. It would bother him. He would hang his head, Shirley Sims said. We didnt know for a long time he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Even with the nightmares of war tugging at his emotions, disturbing his sleep and his sense of well-being, the graduate of Wacos segregated Moore High School managed to put in more than 30 years at Plantation Foods. He also worked short stints for the city of Waco and a local meat company, Shirley Sims said. Louis Sims mood started to improve with visits to the Veterans Affairs hospital, but he could not overcome the physical problems that plagued his later years. He once asked me, Are you going to put me in a nursing home? Shirley Sims said. I said, No way, baby. I just told the doctors to tell me what to do for him and I did it. She said hospice helped her care for her husband shortly before he died, while she continued to pray for him and share Bible verses. One of her favorites is John 15:13: Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. She said she believes that verse applies to her husband and his display of courage on Christmas Day more than 50 years ago. Louis Sims Jr., 42, said his father served as the backbone of the family despite his battles with PTSD and physical challenges. He was the man, Louis Sims Jr. said. He made sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to do, held everybody accountable, the girls and me. He could be stern like a commander, but he also was soft-spoken and he could get on your level. The girls Sims referenced are Gianna Gordon and Tara Cooper, daughters of Shirley Sims who Louis Sims Sr. helped raise as his own. Louis Sims Jr. said his father talked more freely with him about the war than he did others in the family, and he often described scenes beyond belief. It was a brutal war, day in and day out, he said. His father told him of daily firefights and the use of booby traps in the jungles of Vietnam to kill or maim troops. Even when men sought relaxation and night life in larger cities, they risked having ground glass or animal feces placed in their drinks, Louis Sims Jr. said. He said his father returned to America fearful of public places and alarmed by the chilly reception he and other Vietnam vets received. The last time we went to the Heart O Texas Fair, I was 8 years old, Louis Sims Jr. said. My father could not stand to have anyone walking behind him. He said it was almost like being back at war. Going to a restaurant was out of the question. He did not like the crowds, and he knew what could be done in kitchens. He said his father would describe the jungles of Vietnam as being so black that the darkness rested on mens shoulders like blankets. Maybe surprisingly, his father enjoyed watching war movies on television in the comfort, and safety, of his home, Louis Sims Jr. said. Oakwood Cemetery On Christmas Day, the Sims family likely will visit the grave of Louis Sims Sr. in Oakwood Cemetery, as they do on most special occasions. Shirley Sims will think about her Marine, how handsome he looked in his uniform and the sacrifices he made for others, she said. She might repeat what she said when her husband was laid to rest last year: It was an honor what he did: laid down his life for his country. It made him stronger. I would like to salute all veterans and thank them for the courage to fight for this country. I pray for them all. God bless you all. When Kathy Endres went to college, degree options available for women were rather limited: nursing, teaching, library science and so forth. But Endres trying to figure out what to do with her life joined the U.S. Air Force looking for adventure and direction. Sent overseas to a combat zone, she found all she was seeking and more. Endres 68, a native of Oklahoma City, moved several times before she started school because her father was in the Air Force until she was 4 years old. The family ended up near Alvord, about halfway between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls. After graduating high school, she spent a year and a half at Texas Womans University in Denton, but decided she didnt like the career options. Not every woman wanted to be a social worker or nurse. For a time Endres worked, but she decided to join the Air Force after discovering that her sister, who had enlisted, was stationed overseas. I thought, OK, I want that opportunity, Endres said. So, at 23, Endres joined the Air Force in January 1972 and was assigned to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Her specialty became weather observation after training at Chanute AFB in Illinois, followed by transfer to Holloman AFB in New Mexico. Other options, such as air traffic control, didnt interest her. Endres spent three years at Holloman before finally getting the chance to see the world. For a while it looked as if that wouldnt happen. During the Cold War in 1975, Germany and the U.S. military didnt welcome women in what was considered a combat zone. But, because the U.S. needed a weather observer for air missions, her qualifications left the Air Force with little choice. Helping watch East Germany Fulda, Germany, was a quaint town located near the border dividing East and West Germany. History notes that NATO forces considered this area as the most likely spot for invasion from Soviet bloc forces, and thus considered an important hot spot in Germany during the Cold War. We were probably less than 20 miles as the crow flies from the border, Endres said. It was there that she was assigned to an Army installation at an airfield, serving as weather observer for Cobra, Huey and OH-58 helicopter pilots, all of whom flew border surveillance near East Germany. She was stationed at the airfield, where they made accommodations for her, but lived in a cute little apartment in the basement of a family home in town. Arriving in August, she found it cold and damp after living in hot, dry New Mexico. It was a weather shock, she said. Still, she liked it enough that when she had the option to extend her deployment another year, she did so. In all, she spent three years there. Endres enjoyed living in Germany. She spent much of her free time traveling, visiting England, Denmark, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, France and Austria among many locations. She even went to sanctioned sections of the Soviet Union, including Moscow and Leningrad. Rotating back to the States at the end of three years, Endres went to Bergstrom AFB in Austin. When it came time to re-enlist, she opted to get out and use the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Texas at Austin. Opportunity leads to profession She unitentionally found a new career at her apartment complex when she was asked to become the resident manager. This led to a lucrative career in property management that changed her plans of foreign service with the State Department as a diplomat. In 1983, she decided to join the Air Force Reserves, but went back in an administrative capacity. It turned out to be a good move, as he met her husband, Beau Crosby, in 1986 at Bergstrom, who was also in the reserves. They were married in the summer of 1986. She made a series of moves with her husband, usually working in property management. When he was recalled to active duty in the Pentagon in 1988, they moved to Virginia, where she went on inactive reserve. She finally left the reserves in 1991 as a staff sergeant. In 2003, the couple moved to Texas and retired to Woodway. Married 30 years, she and Crosby have, between the two of them, three children and four grandchildren. Although Endres used to tout the military life to others in the 1990s, in todays military, Im not sure I would recommend it, she said. She would, however, advocate the return of the draft. It teaches self-discipline, teamwork and respect for yourself and others, she said. Voices of Valor, featuring stories about Central Texas veterans, publishes every Sunday in the Waco Trib. To suggest a story about a Central Texas veteran, email voicesofvalor@wacotrib.com. Voices of Valor is proudly sponsored by Johnson Roofing. [Update] Russian military plane crashes en route to Syria with 92 on board A Russian military plane with 92 people on board has crashed into the Black Sea on its way to Syria, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, and it was unlikely there would be any survivors. Compared to some of the frigid temperatures of the past few days, the balmy Christmas Eve on Saturday afternoon seemed almost like summer. The National Weather Service website showed a reading of 75 degrees about 2 p.m. Saturday as activity on the recently bustling Austin Avenue was winding down. The sun broke through the overcast skies only briefly, but meteorologist Matt Stalley of the NWS in Fort Worth said a few more sun rays could be expected in coming days. A chance of rain is in the forecast at least until Wednesday, though, with temperatures climbing into the 70s every day but Tuesday, when the expected high is 59 degrees. Christmas Days expected high is 76 degrees, with a 30 percent chance of rain. Donna Davis, a salesperson at the variety store Cameron Trading Co., said the store had good business Thursday and Friday, and traffic continued strong through Saturday morning. It had dropped off by midafternoon, though, as Austin Avenue was almost empty of shoppers and many businesses were closed for Christmas Eve. Energizes people Its been good, but I really think theres more activity when the air is a little brisk, Davis said. That energizes people. All over McLennan and surrounding counties, police agencies reported mist and fog in the morning, with the ground drying out under overcast skies in the afternoon. No one reported significant rainfall or other weather-related events. The Texas Department of Public Safety communications station in Waco reported only an average amount of traffic accidents despite rain-slick roads. The record high temperature for Christmas in Waco was 91, recorded in 1955. The record low was 7 degrees, recorded in 1983. Every year about this time, someone in the astronomical realm speculates what the Star of Bethlehem was. Some say a supernova. Some say a comet. Or, as a Real Clear Science article this year argues, some say the giant planet Jupiter, an unusually bright celestial object when it crosses our nighttime sky. Certainly, Jupiter must have dominated desert nights more than 2,000 years ago. Even with present-day haze and city lights, it typically outshines most stars. Yes, evangelical purists might hold that such scientific arguments cheat God of glory, as if the nightly trek of Jupiter somehow diminishes the story of a heavenly marker that oriented and led wise men some biblical scholars believe they were astrologers to the recently born Christ. Nonsense. I consider scientific study and research as mankinds peek beyond the celestial curtain at an array of wonders utterly divine in nature, many running by laws of physics that required centuries for us to understand. Even now we dont understand them all, something Einstein acknowledged. Earlier this year, I spent an enlightening morning drinking coffee and discussing theology, scientific research and learning with Ralph C. Wood, Baylor Universitys mild-mannered professor of theology and literature, and A. Christian van Gorder, associate professor of religion and a specialist in the amazing multitude of world religions. We were discussing with retired chemist W. Richard Turner what some imagine as the uneasy mix of science and faith. At one point, Wood summoned a passing Baylor mathematician to our table. The mathematics prof then obligingly spent several minutes talking to us about the wonder of numbers in terms of truth and how, yes, he saw them as essentially divine in their nature to refute nonsense and shine light on theories once deemed impossible or even heretical. I wont pretend I understood everything he said, but he praised the perfection and absolutes that numbers offer when combined in different ways. Ive sensed this meshing of science and faith often enough. One of my favorite columns of 2015 was by former Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center chief cardiologist Michael Attas and longtime pulmonary medicine specialist Rodney Richie, both doing what good physicians should do. In this case, they touted politically controversial Environmental Protection Agency ozone standards because of the good these new standards offer for peoples health and well-being. Consider this robust excerpt: The Declaration of Independence guarantees us life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The question then becomes whose life? Whose liberty? Does the liberty of companies to pollute our water or air supersede my right to life and health? Does the clout of Americans for Prosperity have more weight than the well-being of everyday, ordinary citizens? Does the fact that the wealthy, politically influential Koch brothers are leading voices against any environmental regulation and also happen to be the leading investors in coal and fossil fuel ring any moral bell at all among thinking Americans? It should. I wasnt surprised to learn Dr. Attas was also an ordained Episcopal priest who helped found Baylors remarkable medical humanities program. In it, students immerse themselves meaningfully in ethics, religion, literature, philosophy and history along with the sciences. In a Baylor Magazine interview, this gutsy physician and priest explained a vision in which ethics and spiritual formation have a fundamental and influential role in Baylors pre-med curriculum. As humans, we can have a tendency to compartmentalize our faith life and our academic life and our social life, Attas said. But the real world is not compartmentalized. Its multi-disciplinary. Everything we do what we see, experience, read and think makes us who we are. The vision was to work with students to help form and shape them with a worldview that integrated faith in the practice of medicine. Some of this returned to me a few weeks ago when I witnessed high-tech demonstrations of what Waco High Schools long-mothballed planetarium could be if properly overhauled and catapulted into the 21st century. While those of my graying generation were thrilled at old-styled planetariums and their casting pinpoints of light onto domed ceilings to better outline the heavens, todays planetariums showcase vivid IMAX-type programming about ecology, geology, environmental science, anatomy, chemistry, physics and engineering. All of this holds the power to instill in students a curiosity about not only the heavens above us but the world around us. For instance, among other things, one planetarium program can track soot and sulphur in our air, giving students a better idea of the invisible threats we take into our bodies with each and every breath. Another offers up-to-the-hour tracking of earthquakes and tremors across our globe, including those possibly caused by fracking. Yet another shows how the stars will appear to our descendants 10,000 years from now assuming we have any descendants. That in itself is a sobering thought. Yet another program outlines the increasingly tortuous path of monarch butterflies, surely one of Gods most beautiful creations. Their migratory perils hint at the environmental complications that may undermine us all if were not prudent. Such programming proves we live in a world anything but static and in a universe continuing to evolve in ways that may or may not benefit us. Much of our success is dependent on willpower, conscience, curiosity, courage and, finally, the intellect the good Lord gave us. Presumably, God expects us to use that intellect to solve problems and not simply rely on biblical scripture to survive and flourish. Scripture, after all, partly represents not-to-be-ignored signposts as Christians and others journey to confront new challenges. Those signposts yield principles that, when embraced, ensure our work ultimately seeks the betterment of others, Christian or not. I remember a particularly frustrating conversation I had with a local political activist who cavalierly dismissed the threat of global warming a concept that even a basic earth-space science student can grasp as an obvious threat to the natural order of things. Her attitude: Place your faith in God. Let him handle it. Yet this approach assumes God gives some of us the intelligence to tackle such mighty problems, then invites us to allow this gift to lie fallow in short, to dispense with our very faith in ourselves. What a sacrilegious waste of creation. This holy seasons campaign to revamp, modernize and imaginatively program a modest-sized planetarium long locked away behind a hallway door that at least some Waco High students and teachers thought hid only mops, buckets and disinfectants is one key to expanding young minds. The Waco Independent School District fundraiser to transform this space into a full-fledged community planetarium asks we take an exceptionally long view one that challenges those of faith to envision a bigger picture than even the Bible can reasonably contain. Can the minds of the next generation reconcile faith, science and the awesome divinity of the nighttime sky in ways that many of us have not? Certainly we owe our children at least that opportunity. The Reach for the Stars campaign seeks to modernize the Waco High School Planetarium for both school and community use in collaboration with Baylor University, McLennan Community College, Texas Tech University, Tarleton State University and Texas State Technical College. For more information, contact Bruce Gietzen at 755-9454 or visit wacoisd.org. School building torched in Parbat An unidentified group of arsonists last night set fire to Shaligram Secondary School located at Setibeni Bazaar of Shaligram VDC in eastern Parbat. The freshness of Packer's woes should not obscure the scale of this professional disaster. Packer may have successfully cashed in his bet on Macau, but has lost his bigger bet on China. This is the only way to interpret his retreat from Melco Crown and the scuttling of his plans in Las Vegas. His break up with Mariah Carey, and its reported $50 million bill, is looking like a bad date by comparison. Crown's transgression in China has seriously tarnished the Crown brand with the clients bankrolling his global ambitions: Chinese high rollers. This has serious implications for every casino he operates as Crown's recent market update showed. They have clearly twigged to the message from Beijing and have deserted his casinos in droves, which is why VIP revenue has plunged since the detention of the 18 Crown employees who will be spending Christmas in a Beijing jail. Packer might want to stay in his Argentine bunker a little longer, so no one can hear him scream if the Chinese high rollers never come back. As for the successful Melco Crown sale, you only have to go back to Packer's hubristic words from last year to know that selling out of Macau was not part of the plan. "There aren't many Australians who have built a truly global business," he told The Weekend Australian in August last year. "I am going to give it my all to be one of the Australians who succeeds in that ambition." At the opening of Melco Crown's Studio City in October Mariah Carey's assets distracted attention from Packer's proclamation of devotion to that other significant partnership in his life Melco Crown partner Lawrence Ho. "We're a role model joint venture of how an Australian company and Chinese company should work," he said. Casino watchers in Asia are now questioning what exactly Packer brought to Melco Crown besides the original casino licence. His shower of tinsel which included The Audition, the short film starring Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt which cost as much as $US70 million failed to make any lasting impact beyond the incredulity at its cost. Following the massive about-face this month, Crown will return to its old role of being a local gambling operator with very small operation in the United Kingdom. You can't get more Australian than that. Blackmores happy pills The good news for Packer is that his fortune has remained intact despite the turmoil and he stands to reap a bounty after Crown announced plans to send hundreds of millions of dollars back to its investors from the Melco Crown sell-down, and through dividends. Marcus Blackmore also gets pretty good cash flow from his pill-popping outfit thanks to dividends, and a rather generous employee profit share scheme. But there is no hiding how much his paper wealth has been torched thanks to a little indigestion from the Chinese market. Blackmore's market value has more than halved, wiping out more than $2 billion of investor wealth. This includes a $500 million cleanser for Marcus Blackmore himself. The news is even worse for Bellamy's Organic which is facing lawsuits over its market disclosure after a disastrous downgrade this month. The company attempted to bury the news of how badly it misjudged the Chinese market and the strength of its so-called "luggage channel". This a reference to one of its main sales channels during the peak of the baby formula craze. People were grabbing the ultra pricey and organic product straight off supermarket shelves and literally channelling it overseas in their luggage. It was always going to end in tears when China turned the rapid ascent into a steep decline. Luckily, the top execs at Bellamy's managed to cash in before the massive bout of indigestion hit the share price. The group's chief executive, Laura McBain, and chairman, Rob Woolley, rebalanced their investment portfolios in August with a combined $5 million share sale realising a 1450 per cent gain on the stock since its 2014 listing. "Laura and Rob will be investing in personal assets and supporting private family investments," the company said at the time. McBain clinched a sale price of $14.55 a share for her stake, and her chairman Woolley did better at $14.60 for nearly half his stake in the group. It was not a good look this month when Bellamy's shares were trading about the $6 mark. Then came the prolonged trading suspension, and then multiple class action lawsuits by investors. When, or if, it ever re-emerges from its voluntary suspension from trading next year, the stock will certainly be trading much lower. Laura and Rob's great escape still pales next to that of Fone Zone founder, Maxine Horne. In September, Horne diversified her own portfolio with a $49.5 million shares sale in September at $4.95 a share. In November, the stock plunged after news leaked of a potential relationship negotiation with business partner Telstra. Fone Zone's main business is running Telstra retail shops so this was a big deal. She would have been $15 million worse off had she sold these shares when this news hit the share price in November. The stock has chugged into Christmas at a modest $3 a pop. Forrest's gumption And the comebacks don't get any more epic than the revival of Andrew Forrest's fortunes. And this time, it looks like it is here to stay. Sure, his iron ore is pretty low grade, but the price of the not-so-precious metal has been on a tear. And Fortescue has managed to re-engineer its operation to become a low-cost miner that can survive in any environment. The high iron ore price has allowed Fortescue to pay down debt to a level that puts it on the verge of becoming a cash cow for Twiggy. He owns one-third of the company which hit a valuation of $21 billion this month. This added more than $5 billion to the fortunes of Forrest in less than a year. And that does not include other perks of being the boss like naming the new supertankers after his wife, Nicola and the rug rats. And if you believe Forrest, this revival of his outrageous fortune is exactly how he planned it. We were all looking at the high-wire act and ignoring the safety net he had in place, so he says. "I had this rock-solid faith in Fortescue since I started the company," Forrest told BusinessDay in October. "With every really brave plan A, we had had a bulletproof plan B, and people don't give us credit for that. People just see the high wire of the plan A. It's not a rabbit out of a hat." Sure, his current net worth may look piss weak compared to 2008, when the value of Forrest's shares hit $13 billion. But this time it is based on real money. In 2008, Fortescue had barely dug up its first ounce of the steel-making ore, and it had gorged on billions of dollars of debt debt to do so. And then the financial crisis hit. Speaking of gorging, Forrest's triumph even managed to upstage the incredibly shrinking fellow Perth billionaire, Gina Rinehart. She shed about 40 per cent of her body weight according to midyear reports which coincided with Clive Palmer having similar success with the scales. The weight loss also coincided with her private company stacking on the debt to fund its newly operational Roy Hill mine. The long-term debt tally came to $7.2 billion on Hancock Prospecting's accounts last year, generating an interest bill of $586 million. And keep in mind she has yet to pay the $386 million bill for the Kidman cattle station. It would have been enough to drive CBD back to the buffet table, that's for sure. Livingstone, I presumed CBD got very excited when the Commonwealth Bank announced in March that Catherine Livingstone fresh from her retirement as Telstra's highly regarded chairman was coming aboard, with immediate effect. The bank's chairman David Turner who turned 71 last February was by then its longest serving director, and well past his use-by date. I mean, how on earth was the bank going to reach Turner's deluded goal of being "the ethical bank" while he remained chairman? Turner had been on the board and then chairman since the genesis of the wealth and insurance failures. Sure enough, Turner announced in October that he will step down at year's end. Turner may have wished he acted sooner after receiving a very public black eye with a first strike against the bank's remuneration report in November. At least he can rest easy that it was not his fault not according to David Turner. Turner told CBD's colleagues at the AFR that our poor banks have been caught in the same reactionary madness that has delivered us Brexit and Donald Trump. "If you think back to why Donald Trump was elected or why people voted for Brexit, they could well say, 'Well, here's an establishment issue that we just don't like'," he told the Fin. "And why don't we like it? Because there's some element of life that we feel is slightly unequal, that we're not totally happy about, and here's a part that, [banks are] a perfect target." So, those anti-establishment fund managers who voted their billions of dollars worth of stock against the bank's remuneration report were merely reflecting their anger at the inequality meted out on their downtrodden tribe. At least we can rest assured that the banks played no part in bringing this mess upon themselves including the Labor Party's call for a royal commission. Captain's knock And to end off on a positive note, who else could we turn to besides a dual Irish-South African citizen named Michael Clarke who succeeded with his bonkers idea of running Grange maker, Treasury Wine Estate, along the same lines as his previous employer Oxo cube maker, Premier Foods. Clarkie has now taken home $10 million in remuneration during the past two years, in what is a very fair reflection of the massive turnaround he has engineered at the winemaker. The share price was $3.50 when he started in March 2014. It peaked at $11.50 in October this year as the market recalibrated yet again the potential he has unleashed at TWE with his relentless drive for efficiency and focus on the brands that matter. Loading Merry Christmas Clarkie. The Manus Island detainees began to fear the worst when Australian Border Force officials made inquiries about whether anyone had contact details for the family of a young Sudanese refugee named Faysal Ishak Ahmed. Their first thought was that similar requests for family contacts had been issued before the deaths of two other detainees, Reza Barati and Hamid Khazaei, were confirmed back in 2014. Mr Barati was murdered and scores of detainees were injured when chaos descended on the detention centre in February that year. Mr Khazaei died several months later, 13 days after presenting at the centre's medical clinic with an infected foot. "It meant he is in a dangerous situation," was how one detainee, Behrouz Boochani, interpreted the call for contact details for the family of Mr Ahmed, who had been held at the centre for more than three years. Second-rung leaders bid to end House row With top leaders failing to break the deadlock over the constitution amendment bill and holding the elections, second rung leaders from the ruling parties and the main opposition are engaged in informal dialogue. Carrie Fisher's former co-stars as well as other Hollywood heavyweights took to social media on Saturday to express their concern for Carrie Fisher who suffered a heart attack on a flight from London. Harrison Ford who played Han Solo opposite Fisher in Star Wars said in a statement on Saturday to The Hollywood Reporter: "I'm shocked and saddened to hear the news about my dear friend. Our thoughts are with Carrie, her family and friends." Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill wrote, "As if 2016 couldn't get any worse... sending all our love to @carrieffisher." Fisher, the iconic Princess Leia from Star Wars, has been promoting her new book The Princess Diarist when she went into distress minutes before landing at LAX, upon which time she was rushed to a local emergency room. As of Saturday morning, the 60-year-old actress and author is stable but remains in intensive care, according to her brother Todd. Kabul: Contending that her "life isn't at risk at all", military officials in Afghanistan have asked that the United States reject the asylum case of Captain Niloofar Rahmani, the first female fixed-wing pilot in the Afghan air force. On Thursday, Rahmani revealed she had applied for asylum this (northern) summer, saying she felt unsafe in Afghanistan, where she and her family have received death threats. For the past 15 months, she has been training at air bases in Arkansas, Florida and Texas. Captain Niloofar Rahmani on the day after her graduation from a flight training program at Little Rock Air Force Base, by the Arkansas River in Little Rock. Credit:The New York Times Captain Rahmani said that her Afghan male colleagues in the air force treated her with contempt and that she felt at risk. "Things are not changing" for the better in Afghanistan, Captain Rahmani said. "Things are getting worse and worse." Russian officials said they cannot rule out terrorism in the crash of a military plane en route to Syria which plunged into the Black Sea minutes after it took off on Sunday, killing all 92 people on board. Earlier, a Russian official had downplayed any suggestion of terrorism. But on Sunday afternoon, after being asked if investigators are looking into a possible terror attack, Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said an "entire spectrum" of possible reasons is being considered. He added it was premature to speculate about what caused the tragedy in which dozens of Red Army Choir singers, dancers and orchestra members lost their lives. There was speculation by a few aviation experts, echoed by some officials, that terrorism could not be ruled out given the suddenness with which the plane disappeared and the size of the debris field. On this Christmas morning, many empty stockings have been filled, thanks to caring people in Billings, Montana and Wyoming. Throughout the year, The Gazette brings readers information on how to get involved with their communities, how to give back and make our hometowns better. For todays edition, we invited nonprofit organizations to tell why they are thankful. In a special, four-page Opinion section today, we present 40 letters from charitable groups and projects. The letters are powerful, positive testimony to the importance of volunteers, donors and sponsors. Because of selfless giving, hungry families have groceries. Children have safe, fun care after school. Our schools have support for new hands-on science classes. Homeless folks are sheltered. Montana Rescue Mission staff even go out to look for the unsheltered on cold nights to invite them in. The PATH team based at the Mental Health Centers HUB drop-in center searches out troubled, homeless persons under bridges and in camps year-round. Thanks to nonprofit organizations, elders are treated with compassion and those with little means are remembered with holiday gifts. DAV volunteers drive our U.S. military veterans where they need to go for health care in Billings and across Montana. Local clinics provide needed care, regardless of a patients ability to pay. Its notable that Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Healthcare, RiverStone Health and most Montana hospitals and clinics are nonprofit. Charitable giving is a strong tradition in our region, and we are better for it. Charity is also a basic teaching of the worlds great religions. So on this day when both Christmas and Hanukkah are being celebrated in homes and places of worship, thanks for giving to your community. Taruka preps for bullfighting festival A management committee of nine members has been formed to organise the annual bullfighting festival in Taruka, Nuwakot. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers a range of skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, cleansing devices, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools. The company also provides fragrance products in various forms comprising eau de parfum sprays and colognes, as well as lotions, powders, creams, candles, and soaps; and hair care products that include shampoos, conditioners, styling products, treatment, finishing sprays, and hair color products, as well as sells ancillary products and services. It offers its products under the Estee Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, MAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Smashbox, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, GLAMGLOW, Kilian Paris, Too Faced, Dr. Jart+, DECIEM, and The Ordinary brands. The company sells its products through department stores, specialty-multi retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies, and salons and spas; freestanding stores; its own and authorized retailer websites; third-party online malls; stores in airports; and duty-free shops. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York, New York. New York Community Bancorp, Inc. is the bank holding company for New York Community Bank. New York Community Bank is the nations 47th-largest financial institution and its largest thrift. As a thrift, the bank specializes in real estate and consumer accounts specifically real estate loans and savings accounts and has limited exposure to other forms of business banking. Among the benefits to consumers are interest-bearing checking and saving accounts that come with higher-than-average interest rates. New York Community Bank was founded in 1859 to serve Queens County, New York. It operated under that name, growing all the while, until 2000 when it changed its name to better reflect the business. The company IPOd in 1993 and has made multiple acquisitions in the time since. As of 6/30/2022, the bank had $63.1 billion in assets and $41.2 billion in deposits. New York Community Bank operates in greater New York City, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, and Arizona. The company provides deposit products ranging from interest-bearing checking and money market accounts to savings accounts, IRAs, and CDs. Brands under the companys umbrella include AmTrust in Florida and Arizona, Ohio Savings Bank, Garden State Savings Bank, and Atlantic Bank. The bank offers a wide range of real-estate-related loans including but not limited to multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, and consumer loans and mortgages. Investment products include annuities, mutual funds, and life insurance. Customers include individuals, small businesses, and organizations and are served through a network of more than 230 branches, and 300 ATMs, online, mobile, and by phone. Many of the locations are open 24 hours and 6 days a week although those hours are not available at all branches. Clients can access their accounts digitally 24/7. New York Community Bancorp and its underlying business carry investment-grade credit ratings from all the major rating agencies. The credit outlook in the 4th quarter of 2022 was stable as it had been for some time. In New York, it is a leader in the multi-family market specializing in lower-cost housing in rent-controlled areas. As of June 30, 2022, the multi-family loan portfolio accounted for more than 75% of all investments. The company has a stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plan that help to sustain a high level of ownership. By The Associated Press Dec. 24, 2016 | 09:18 PM | LOS ANGELES Tributes and well-wishes poured in for "Star Wars" actress Carrie Fisher, who was spending Christmas Eve in a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a medical emergency on a flight the day before."Princess Leia can survive anything!" wrote one fan on Twitter. "Hold on, Carrie Fisher. We're taking you into 2017 with us," wrote another. Her "Star Wars" co-star Mark Hamill said he was sending "all our love."Todd Fisher, the actress' brother, said Friday night that his sister is receiving excellent care, but that he could not classify her condition. And Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo opposite Fisher, in a statement said: "I'm shocked and saddened to hear the news about my dear friend. Our thoughts are with Carrie, her family and friends."Fisher, 60, experienced medical trouble during a Friday flight from London and was treated by paramedics immediately after the plane landed in Los Angeles, according to reports.Celebrity website TMZ, which first reported the incident, said anonymous sources told them the actress suffered a heart attack.Todd Fisher said much of what had been reported about the incident was speculation.We have to wait and be patient," he said. "We have so little information ourselves."Fisher's publicist and representatives for her mother, Debbie Reynolds, and her daughter, Billie Lourd, did not return calls from the AP. Tharu community protests against Province 5 split plan The Tharu community in Nawalparasi staged a demonstration on Saturday, demanding that the Nabalpur area of the district should be included in Province 5. Advertisement By Jim Waters, Bluegrass Institute Dec. 23, 2016 | LEXINGTON, KY By Jim Waters, Bluegrass Institute Dec. 23, 2016 | 11:48 AM | LEXINGTON, KY Congress Should evaporate Obamacare's ocean - By Jim Waters Geologists are concerned that the Dead Sea's water level is dropping faster than Santa from the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Experts estimate the water level in this famous sea separating Israel and Jordan dropped by more than 131 feet since the 1950s and continues to lose more than three feet of water annually. It's not because too much water is somehow flowing out of the Sea of Salt, as it's known. One of the sea's unique features is that it's the terminal lake of the equally famous River Jordan. Water flows in from the Jordan but none flows out. Scientists believe evaporation is a contributing factor. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-2nd District, rightly believes Washington's budget process can be used to evaporate another sea Obamacare's ocean. This approach allows Congress to use its power of the purse to weaken a dreadful plan while, at the same time, providing a strategy for transitioning millions of Americans who receive some type of subsidized coverage into better and affordable policies. As Guthrie told me, Congress can use the budget process to "repeal everything in Obamacare that's a spending or tax item." That, of course, includes mandates and their accompanying fines. While the Supreme Court's ruling allowing Obamacare to proceed was, in the annals of judicial history, as low as the Dead Sea's surface Earth's lowest point the black-robed justices at least correctly branded as a "tax" the Obamacare penalty cuffed on certain employers and individuals choosing not to offer or purchase coverage. Evaporating Obamacare's sea rather than draining its swamp allows Congress to expeditiously exorcise the health-care boondoggle's worst demons while saving its best angels. "Congress has the power to tax," Guthrie told me. "So, you can choose whether or not you buy it, but if you choose not to buy it, then you have to pay a tax. So, what we (Congress) can say is: you don't have to pay the tax." Since the budget-reconciliation process, which finalizes the spending plan for our current fiscal year, will be at the top of Congress' agenda when it returns to Washington in January, eliminating this tax by the end of February could provide an economic boost to a lot of Kentuckians. Congress can and should do this. It would give badly needed breaks for low- and middle-income families who otherwise would receive smaller-than-needed federal tax-return checks this spring resulting from increased penalties for not purchasing unaffordable coverage. Evaporating Obamacare's swamp by choking it at its point of funding without necessarily waiting until it has every replacement policy in place allows Congress to: Avoid the Senate's 60-vote threshold requirement, which would be enforced on a stand-alone repeal bill. Meeting this bar would be difficult considering the GOP holds only a 52-46 seat majority; budgets require only a simple majority vote. Give providers and insurers the opportunity to recover from Obamacare's disastrous effects and reset plans with some confidence they can survive and stabilize. Address egregious funding issues created by Obamacare, including the $716 billion worth of Medicaid cuts used to pay for the imploding program. Evaporating the sea using this approach would offer a beautiful constitutional approach toward getting rid of the current health-insurance ugliness. It would reassert Congress' power of the purse at a time when the unconstitutional growth of both the judicial and executive branches during Obama and Obamacare's tenure must be reversed. Scientists are concerned the Dead Sea might eventually dry up. It won't happen in our lifetime, but let's hope the worst aspects of Obamacare evaporate into thin air during the next Congress. Jim Waters is president at The Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, Kentucky's free-market think tank. Read his weekly Bluegrass Beacon column at www.bipps.org. He can be reached at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com and @bipps on Twitter. VIDEO One Colorado animal shelter has a lot to celebrate this Christmas. All of the dogs at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, a nonprofit animal shelter in Colorado Springs, have been adopted thanks to the shelter's "Bring Them Home for the Holidays" campaign.The shelter waived pet adoption fees for those wanting to take home a furry friend before the holidays.A video of the staffers cheering the shelter's empty cages quickly went viral on Facebook with more than 150,000 views."Although we've come close to adopting out all of our available dogs before, Monday was the first time we succeeded and had our dogs kennels completely empty!" Gretchen Pressley, the shelter's community relations manager told ABC News. "Seeing so many pets find wonderful new homes is what makes it all worthwhile for us."Pressley added that it's not too late to adopt a pet, as the shelter still has cats, and more dogs are available daily. It is waiving pet adoption fees until the New Year.According to the shelter, they adopted out 25 cats and 23 dogs as of Monday, but the kindhearted staff and volunteers wont be stopping anytime soon. Well have more dogs available later tonight or tomorrow. Keep those adoptions coming!. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/12/2016 (2139 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitobans in southern Manitoba and Winnipeg will wake to a thick blanket of snow on Boxing Day. Environment Canada is forecasting between 20 to 30 centimetres of snow will blanket the city by Monday afternoon as a Colorado low from northeastward continues to develop and intensify, Some areas of Manitoba near the U.S. border will potentially see 40 to 50 centimetres. JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A pedestrian scrambles across Portage Avenue and Edmonton Street in downtown Winnipeg. The city and southern Manitoba will have winter storm and possibly blizzard conditions for the day. An update at 9:30 p.m. Saturday by Environment Canada said radar imagery shows the main area of snow stretches from southeastern Saskatchewan including Estevan and Moosomin, through most of Manitoba south of a line from Dauphin to Berens River, as well as North Dakota. Strong, northerly winds gusting to 60 to 70 km/h will develop tonight and continue into Monday afternoon, creating near zero visibility and blowing snow over open areas Sunday night and Monday. Blizzard conditions are likely over the Red River valley and southwestern Manitoba where the winds should be the strongest. Conditions should gradually improve from west to east starting Monday afternoon. Environment Canada is telling Manitobans to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. Tourist buses to be given access through Narayangadh Muglin road The tourist buses will now be allowed access through the under construction Narayangadh Muglin road stretch during the daily routine closure. Teradyne, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and supports automatic test equipment worldwide. The company operates through Semiconductor Test, System Test, Industrial Automation, and Wireless Test segments. The Semiconductor Test segment offers products and services for wafer level and device package testing in automotive, industrial, communications, consumer, smartphones, cloud computer and electronic game, and other applications. This segment also provides FLEX test platform systems; J750 test system to address the volume semiconductor devices; Magnum platform that tests memory devices, such as flash memory and DRAM; and ETS platform for semiconductor manufacturers, and assembly and test subcontractors in the analog/mixed signal markets. It serves integrated device manufacturers that integrate the fabrication of silicon wafers into their business; fabless companies that outsource the manufacturing of silicon wafers; foundries; and semiconductor assembly and test providers. The System Test segment offers defense/aerospace test instrumentation and systems; storage test systems; and circuit-board test and inspection systems. The Industrial Automation segment provides collaborative robotic arms, autonomous mobile robots, and advanced robotic control software for manufacturing, logistics, and light industrial customers. The Wireless Test segment provides test solutions for use in the development and manufacture of wireless devices and modules, smartphones, tablets, notebooks, laptops, peripherals, and Internet-of-Things devices under the LitePoint brand name. This segment also offers IQxel products for Wi-Fi and other standards; IQxstream solution for testing GSM, EDGE, CDMA2000, TD-SCDMA, WCDMA, HSPA+, LTE, and 5G technologies; IQcell, a multi-device cellular signaling test solution; IQgig test solution; and turnkey test software for wireless chipsets. Teradyne, Inc. was incorporated in 1960 and is headquartered in North Reading, Massachusetts. The following companies are subsidiares of Iron Mountain: AB Archyvu Centras, AB Archyvu Sistemos, AB Archyvu Sistemos Estonia Branch, AS Archivu Serviss, Accutrac Software Inc, ArchivesOne, Archyvu sistemos, Arhiv-Trezor d.o.o., Ausdoc Group Pty Limited, Ausdoc Holdings Pty Limited, Bonded Services (International) B.V., Bonded Services Acquisition Ltd., Bonded Services Group, Bonded Services Group Limited, Bonded Services International Limited, Bonded Services Limited, Box Butler, Britannia Data Management Limited, Capital Vision Holdings SAS, Capital Vision SAS, Connected Corporation, Cornerstone Records Management, Crozier Fine Arts, Crozier Schweiz Ag, Custodia S.O.S. SA, DBJ Limited, DMS Storage s.r.o., DigiGuard, Disaster Recovery Services Limited, Docscan Cape Town Proprietary Limited, Docscan Proprietary Limited, Docu-File JHB Proprietary Limited, DocuTar Iratrendezo es Tarolo Szolgaltato Kft., DocuVault, Docufile (Pty) Ltd, EAC Invest, Eurospags Investments ApS, EvoSwitch, F.T.S. (Freight Forwarders) Limited, F.T.S. (Great Britain) Limited, F.T.S. (Road Transport) Limited, FTS Bonded Limited, Fairfield Fine Art, File Express Limited, Film Media Services Limited, First International Records Management AG, First International Records Management LLC, Fleet Freight Limited, Fontis International GmbH, Fortrust, G4S Secure Data Solutions Colombia, Glenbeign Records Mangement (GRM) DWC-LLC, Global Logistics Worldwide Limited, Haworth Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Haworth Group Limited, Hays IMS, Helcom Limited, IG2 Data Security, IM Mortgage Solutions LLC, IMI Investments Two Ltd, IMSA Peru SRL, IO.com, Information Storage Consolidation Co, Iron Mountain (Deutschland) Service GmbH, Iron Mountain (Espana) Services S.L, Iron Mountain (Gibraltar) Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain (Ireland) Services Limited, Iron Mountain (Nederland) Data Centre B.V., Iron Mountain (Nederland) Data Centre Holdings B.V., Iron Mountain (Nederland) Data Centre Services B.V., Iron Mountain (Nederland) Services BV, Iron Mountain (Schweiz) AG, Iron Mountain (UK) Data Centre Limited, Iron Mountain (UK) EES Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain (UK) PLC, Iron Mountain (UK) Services Limited, Iron Mountain A/S, Iron Mountain Acquisition Holdings Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Argentina S.A., Iron Mountain Arsivleme Hizmetleri A.S., Iron Mountain Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd, Iron Mountain Asia Pte Limited, Iron Mountain Australia Group Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Australia Group Services Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd, Iron Mountain Austria Archivierung Gmbh, Iron Mountain BPM SPRL, Iron Mountain Belgium NV, Iron Mountain Bulgaria, Iron Mountain Canada Operations ULC, Iron Mountain Ceska Republika S.R.O., Iron Mountain Chile S.A., Iron Mountain Chile Servicios S.A., Iron Mountain Cloud LLC, Iron Mountain Colombia S.A.S., Iron Mountain Cyprus Limited, Iron Mountain DIMS Limited, Iron Mountain Data Centers LLC, Iron Mountain Data Centers Services LLC, Iron Mountain Data Centre Pte. Limited, Iron Mountain Data Management (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain Data Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain Deutschland GmbH, Iron Mountain Do Brasil Ltda, Iron Mountain Document Holdings Sweden AB, Iron Mountain Document Storage Services LLC, Iron Mountain EES Holdings Ltd., Iron Mountain Enterprises Sdn. Bhd., Iron Mountain Espana SA, Iron Mountain Eswatini (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain Europe (Group) Limited, Iron Mountain Europe Ltd., Iron Mountain FZ-LLC, Iron Mountain Finland OY, Iron Mountain France S.A.S., Iron Mountain Fulfillment Services Inc., Iron Mountain Global Holdings Inc., Iron Mountain Global LLC, Iron Mountain Group (Europe) Limited, Iron Mountain Hellas SA, Iron Mountain Holdings (Europe) Limited, Iron Mountain Holdings (France) SNC, Iron Mountain Holdings Sweden AB, Iron Mountain Hong Kong Ltd., Iron Mountain Incorporated, Iron Mountain India Private Ltd, Iron Mountain Information Management LLC, Iron Mountain Information Management Services Canada Inc., Iron Mountain Information Management Services Inc., Iron Mountain Intellectual Property Management Inc., Iron Mountain International (Holdings) Ltd, Iron Mountain International Holdings BV, Iron Mountain Ireland Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain Ireland Limited, Iron Mountain Korea Limited, Iron Mountain Latin America Holdings Sociedad Limitada, Iron Mountain Lesotho (Proprietry) Limited, Iron Mountain Luxembourg Sarl, Iron Mountain Luxembourg Services S.a.r.l., Iron Mountain MDM Limited, Iron Mountain Macau Limited, Iron Mountain Magyarorszag Kereskedelmi es Szolgaltato Kft., Iron Mountain Management Services GmbH, Iron Mountain Mayflower Limited, Iron Mountain Mexico Holding S. de RL de CV, Iron Mountain Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Iron Mountain Mexico Servicios S. de RL de CV, Iron Mountain Mortgage Finance Holdings LLC, Iron Mountain Mortgage Finance I LLC, Iron Mountain Nederland B.V., Iron Mountain Nederland Holdings B.V., Iron Mountain New Zealand Limited, Iron Mountain Norge AS, Iron Mountain Participations SA, Iron Mountain Peru S.A., Iron Mountain Philippines Inc., Iron Mountain Poland Holdings Ltd, Iron Mountain Polska Services Sp z.o.o., Iron Mountain Polska Sp. z.o.o., Iron Mountain Receivables QRS LLC, Iron Mountain Receivables TRS LLC, Iron Mountain Records Management (Puerto Rico) Inc, Iron Mountain Records Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain SRL, Iron Mountain Sdn. Bhd., Iron Mountain Secure Shredding (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain Secure Shredding Canada Inc., Iron Mountain Secure Shredding Inc., Iron Mountain Services Private Ltd, Iron Mountain Services S.A.S., Iron Mountain Shanghai Co Ltd, Iron Mountain Singapore Pte. Ltd., Iron Mountain Slovakia s.r.o., Iron Mountain South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South Africa Information Management (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South Africa Records Management (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South America Sarl, Iron Mountain Southeast Asia Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain Sweden AB, Iron Mountain Taiwan Ltd., Iron Mountain UK Services (Holdings) Ltd, Iron Mountain US Holdings Inc, Iron Mountain Vietnam Company Limited, Iron Mountain d.o.o. Novi Banovci, Jigsaw Freight Limited, Jigsaw Pieces Limited, Jin Shan Limited, KDM Spectrumdata Pty Ltd, KH Data Capital Development Land LLC, Lane Archives Technologies Corporation, Livevault, Marshgate Morangis Sarl, Mimosa Systems, Nettlebed Acquisition Corp., Novo Group Limited, Novo Holdings Limited, Novo Overseas Limited, NxtGen Data Center & Cloud Services, OEC Records Management Company Private Limited, OSG Records Management (Europe) Limited, OSG Records Management Center LLC, OSG Records Management Centre LLC, OSG Records Management Crypto LLC, OSG Records Management Foreign LLC, OSG Records Management LLC, OSG Records Management LLC (Ukraine), OSG Records Management LLP, OSG Services sp. zoo, Oda International Management Corporation NV, Osrecki d.o.o., PT Iron Mountain Indonesia, Preferred Media Ltd, Prism Integrated Sdn Bhd, Recall, Recall (London) Limited, Recall (Shanghai) Ltd., Recall Europe Finance Ltd., Recall Europe Limited, Recall GQ Ltd, Recall Holdings, Recall Holdings Limited, Recall India Information Management Pvt. Ltd., Recall International Pty Limited, Recall Italy SRL, Recall Limited, Recall Overseas Holdings Pty Limited, Recall Shredding Limited, Recall Technology Pty. Ltd., Recall Total Information Management India Pvt. Ltd., Record Data Limited, Royal Seal S.R.O., SIA RIATech, Saracen Datastore Limited, Shanghai Iron Mountain Data Storage Co. Ltd., Shuttle SRL, Startify, Superior Storage Limited, UAB Confidento, and Xepa Digital. Read More Yadavs SSFN has differing take on bill Even as the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal appears to be hardening its position on constitution amendment with fresh calls for a 10-province federal model, other parties in the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha have stood in favour of passing the bill through Parliament with some revision. Nelnet, Inc. engages in loan servicing, communications, education technology, services, and payment processing businesses worldwide. The Loan Servicing and Systems segment provides loan conversion, application processing, borrower updates, customer service, payment processing, due diligence procedures, funds management reconciliation, and claim processing services. This segment also provides student loan servicing software; business process outsourcing services specialized in contact center management, such as inbound calls, outreach campaigns and sales, and interacting with customers through multi-channels. The Education Technology, Services, and Payment Processing segment offers financial management services; school information system software; website design and cost effective admissions software; FACTS Giving, a donation platform; and customized professional development and coaching services, educational instruction services, and technology products that aid in teacher and student evaluations. It also offers tuition payment plans, and service and technology for student billings, payments, and refunds; solutions for in-person, online, and mobile payment experiences on campus; payment processing services, such as credit card and electronic transfer; faith community engagement, giving management, and learning management services and technologies; and an integrated commerce payment platform, financial management, and tuition payment plan services, as well as a school management platform that provides administrative, information management, financial management, and communication functions for K-12 schools. The Communications segment provides fiber optic service to homes and businesses for internet, television, and telephone services. The Asset Generation and Management segment acquires, manages, and owns loan assets. The Nelnet Bank segment operates internet industrial banks. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. The following companies are subsidiares of Barclays: Adler Toy Holding Sarl, Aequor Investments Limited, Alymere Investments Limited, Alynore Investments Limited Partnership, Analog Analytics, Analog Analytics Inc, Analytical Trade Holdings LLC, Analytical Trade Investments LLC, Analytical Trade UK Limited, Archstone Equity Holdings Inc, Ardencroft Investments Limited, B D & B Investments Limited, B.P.B. (Holdings) Limited, BB Client Nominees Limited, BBAIL SAS, BCAP LLC, BIFML PTC Limited, BMBF (No.24) Limited, BMI (No.9) Limited, BNC Brazil Consultoria Empresarial Ltda, BNRI ENG 2013 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG 2014 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG GP LLP, BNRI England 2010 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2011 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2012 Limited Partnership, BNRI Limehouse No.1 Sarl, BNRI PIA Scot GP Limited, BNRI Scots GP LLP, BPB Holdings SA, BVP Galvani Global S.A.U., Barafor Limited, Barclay Leasing Limited, Barclaycard Funding PLC, Barclaycard International Payments Limited, Barclays (Barley) Limited, Barclays Aldersgate Investments Limited, Barclays Alzin Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Asia Limited, Barclays Asset Management Limited, Barclays BR Investments S.a r.l., Barclays BWA Inc., Barclays Bank (Suisse) S.A., Barclays Bank Delaware, Barclays Bank Ireland PLC, Barclays Bank Ireland Public Limited Company, Barclays Bank Mexico S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays Bank UK PLC, Barclays Bayard Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bedivere Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bordang Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Brasil Assessoria Financeira Ltda., Barclays CCP Funding LLC, Barclays Cantal Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Capital (Cayman) Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Limited, Barclays Capital Canada Inc., Barclays Capital Casa de Bolsa S.A. de C.V., Barclays Capital Derivatives Funding LLC, Barclays Capital Effekten GmbH, Barclays Capital Energy Inc., Barclays Capital Equities Trading GP, Barclays Capital Finance Limited, Barclays Capital Futures (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Barclays Capital Japan Securities Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Capital Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.2) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.3) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees Limited, Barclays Capital Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Capital Real Estate Finance Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Inc., Barclays Capital Securities Client Nominee Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Trading Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Claudas Investments Partnership, Barclays Claudas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Commercial Mortgage Securities LLC, Barclays Converted Investments (No.2) Limited, Barclays Corporation Limited, Barclays Direct Investing Nominees Limited, Barclays Directors Limited, Barclays Dryrock Funding LLC, Barclays Electronic Commerce Holdings Inc., Barclays Equity Holdings Limited, Barclays Equity Index Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Europe Client Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Firm Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Executive Schemes Trustees Limited, Barclays Financial LLC, Barclays Financial Planning Nominee Company Limited, Barclays Funds Investments Limited, Barclays Funds and Advisory Japan Limited, Barclays Global Service Centre Private Limited, Barclays Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Group Holdings Limited, Barclays Group Operations Limited, Barclays Group US Inc., Barclays Index Finance Trust, Barclays Industrial Development Limited, Barclays Industrial Investments Limited, Barclays Insurance Guernsey PCC Limited, Barclays Insurance Services Company Limited, Barclays Insurance U.S. Inc., Barclays International Luxembourg Dollar Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Investment Management Limited, Barclays Investment Solutions Limited, Barclays Investments & Loans (India) Limited, Barclays Korea GP Limited, Barclays Lamorak Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Leasing (No.9) Limited, Barclays Leto Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Long Island Limited, Barclays Luxembourg EUR Holdings S.a r.l, Barclays Luxembourg Finance S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg GBP Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Global Funding S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings SSC B, Barclays Marlist Limited, Barclays Mauritius Overseas Holdings Limited, Barclays Mercantile Business Finance Limited, Barclays Merchant Bank (Singapore) Ltd., Barclays Nominees (George Yard) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Manx) Limited, Barclays Oversight Management Inc., Barclays Payment Solutions Inc., Barclays Pelleas Investments Limited Partnership, Barclays Pelleas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Pension Funds Trustees Limited, Barclays Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Private Asset Management (Monaco) S.A.M, Barclays Private Bank, Barclays Private Clients International Limited, Barclays Receivables LLC, Barclays SAMS Limited, Barclays Securities (India) Private Limited, Barclays Securities Japan Limited, Barclays Security Trustee Limited, Barclays Services (Japan) Limited, Barclays Services Corporation, Barclays Services Jersey Limited, Barclays Services LLC, Barclays Services Limited, Barclays Shea Limited, Barclays Singapore Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Switzerland Services SA, Barclays Tenedora De Immuebles SL., Barclays Term Funding Limited Liability Partnership, Barclays UK Investments Limited, Barclays US CCP Funding LLC, Barclays US Funding LLC, Barclays US GPF Inc., Barclays US Investments Inc., Barclays US LLC, Barclays Unquoted Investments Limited, Barclays Unquoted Property Investments Limited, Barclays Wealth Management Jersey Limited, Barclays Wealth Nominees Limited, Barclays Wealth Services Limited, Barclays Wealth Trustees (India) Private Limited, Barclayshare Nominees Limited, Barclaytrust Channel Islands Limited, Barcosec Limited, Barsec Nominees Limited, Blossom Finance General Partnership, Branchcall Computers (Pvt) Limited, Braven Investments No.1 Limited, CP Flower Guaranteeco (UK) Limited, CP Newco 1 Limited, CP Newco2 Limited, CP Newco3 Limited, CP Propco 1 Limited, CP Propco 2 Limited, CP Topco Limited, CPIA Canada Holdings, CPIA England 2008 Limited Partnership, CPIA England 2009 Limited Partnership, CPIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, CPIA Investments No.1 Limited, CPIA Investments No.2 Limited, CRE Diversified Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe LLC, Calthorpe Investments Limited, Capton Investments Limited, Carnegie Holdings Limited, Central Platte Valley Management LLC, Chapelcrest Investments Limited, Charles Schwab Europe, Claudas Investments Limited, Claudas Investments Two Limited, Clydesdale Financial Services Limited, Cobalt Investments Limited, Compania Regional del Sur S.A., Compania Sudamerica S.A., Condor No.1 Limited Partnership, Cornwall Homes Loans Limited, Crescent Crown Land Holding SPV LLC, Crescent Legacy LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential L.P., Crescent Plaza Residential LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential LP LLC, Crescent Real Estate Member LLC, Crescent Resort Development LLC, Crescent TRS Holdings LLC, Crescent Tower Residences GP LLC, Crescent Tower Residences L.P., Curve Investments GP, DBL Texas Holdings LLC, DMW Realty Limited, Desert Mountain Development LLC, Desert Mountain Properties Limited Partnership, Develop Training Group Limited, Dorset Home Loans Limited, Durlacher Nominees Limited, EWRD Summit LLC, Eagle Financial and Leasing Services (UK) Limited, East West Resort Development V L.P. L.L.L.P., East West Resort Development VII LLC, Equity Limited Partnership, Equity Value Investments No.1 Limited, Equity Value Investments No.2 Limited, Erimon Home Loans Ireland Limited, Expobank, FIRSTPLUS Financial Group Limited, Finpart Nominees Limited, First Assurance, Foltus Investments Limited, Full House Holdings Limited, Gallen Investments Limited, Global Dynasty Natural Resource Private, Globe Nominees Limited, Gracechurch Services Corporation, Grays Station LLC, Grupo Financiero Barclays Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hawkins Funding Limited, Heraldglen Limited, Holding Stuttgarter Strae GmbH, Hurley Investments No.1 Limited, Imalivest Mineral Resources LP, Investors In Infrastructure Limited, J.V. Estates Limited, JV Assets Limited, Kirsche Investments Limited, LTDL Holdings LLC, La Torretta Beverages LLC, La Torretta Hospitality LLC, La Torretta Operations LLC, Lagalla Investments LLC, Leonis Investments LLP, Liability Partnership, Long Island Assets Limited, Long Island Holding A LLC, Long Island Holding B Limited, MK Opportunities GP Ltd, MK Opportunities LP, MVWP Investors LLC, Maloney Investments Limited, Marbury Holdings LLC, Menlo Investments Limited, Mercantile Credit Company Limited, Mercantile Leasing Company (No.132) Limited, Meridian (SPV-AMC) Corporation, Mintaka Investments No. 4 Limited, Mira Vista Development LLC, Mira Vista Golf Club L.C., Mountainside Partners LLC, Murray House Investment Management Limited, Naxos Investments Limited, Nile Bank, North Colonnade Investments Limited, Northstar Mountain Properties LLC, Northstar Trailside Townhomes LLC, Northstar Village Townhomes LLC, Northwharf Investments Limited, Northwharf Nominees Limited, OGP Leasing Limited, Oakes Millers Ltd, Ownership Trustee Limited, PIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, Palomino Limited, Pecan Aggregator LP, Pelleas Investments Limited, Pelleas Investments Two Limited, Pippin Island Investments Limited, Preferred Liquidity LLC, Preferred Liquidity Limited Partnership, Procella Investments LLC, Procella Investments No.1 LLC, Procella Investments No.2 LLC, Procella Investments No.3 LLC, Protium Finance I LLC, Protium Master Grantor Trust, Protium Master Mortgage LP, Protium REO I LP, R.C. Grieg Nominees Limited, RVH Limited, RVT CLO Investments LLP, Razzoli Investments Limited, Real Estate Participation Management Limited, Real Estate Participation Services Limited, Relative Value Holdings LLC, Relative Value Investments UK Limited, Relative Value Trading Limited, Roder Investments No. 1 Limited, Roder Investments No. 2 Limited, Ruthenium Investments Limited, SPM GP Limited, Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC, Servicios Barclays S.A. de C.V., Societe Civile Immobiliere 31 Avenue de la Costa, Solution Personal Finance Limited, Southern Peaks Mining LP, Standard Life Aberdeen, Surety Trust Limited, Surrey Funding Corporation, Sussex Purchasing Corporation, Sutton Funding LLC, Swan Lane Investments Limited, TPLL LLC, TPProperty LLC, Tahoe Club Company LLC, Tahoe Club Employee Company, The Logic Group Enterprises Limited, The Logic Group Holdings Limited, Third Energy Holdings Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No. 2 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.1 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.3 Limited, US Secured Investments LLC, Union Center LLC, United Counties Bank, Verain Investments LLC, Walbrook Group Ltd, Wedd Jefferson (Nominees) Limited, Wessex Investments Limited, Westferry Investments Limited, Wilmington Riverfront Receivables LLC, Woolwich Homes Limited, Woolwich Plan Managers Limited, Woolwich Qualifying Employee Share, Woolwich Surveying Services Limited, Woori BC Pegasus Securitization Specialty Co. Limited, and Zeban Nominees Limited. Read More Killeen, TX (76540) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. Read More NextEra Energy, Inc. is the largest electric utility holding company in the US. It operates a network of power generation and distribution facilities that include fossil-fuel-generated and green energy. As of mid-2022, the company was capable of generating 58 GW of electricity with nearly 60% of the load produced by green sources including wind and solar. In their view, going green isnt an option, its the solution. NextEra Energy has been recognized multiple times as a leader in clean energy and ESG practices and was ranked the #1 electric and gas utility on the Forbes list of Most Admired Companies. The company is the result of several mergers that begin with FPL Group. FPL Group is now a subsidiary of NextEra Energy and the third-largest provider of electricity in the US servicing nearly half of Florida. FPL and its affiliates are the single largest provider of renewable energy generated from wind and sun. The group changed its name in 2010 following a decision to shift focus onto renewable energy sources. Today, NextEra Energy, Inc through its subsidiary FPL serves about 12 million people in eastern and southwestern Florida. The company employs nearly 14,900 people who service 5.8 million accounts. The company is in business to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity to retail and wholesale clients. Electricity is generated through wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas, and coal-fired facilities. The company is also engaged in the construction and operation of new facilities, specifically renewable power generation, storage, and delivery facilities, and can offer custom solutions tailored to any need. Offerings include tailored services to assist businesses with their transition to clean energy. NextEra Energy also owns and operates 7 nuclear power stations in Florida, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin generating power for the wholesale market. Unlike other companies that are targeting net-zero emissions, NextEra Energy has a plan to reach real zero and is investing heavily to reach that goal by 2045. The company had invested nearly $50 billion in green energy infrastructure and initiatives by mid-2022. The plan is to first work on reducing its own emissions and then take its knowledge and expertise to the world. General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates in five segments: North America Retail; Convenience Stores & Foodservice; Europe & Australia; Asia & Latin America; and Pet. It offers ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and salty snacks, ice cream, nutrition bars, wellness beverages, and savory and grain snacks, as well as various organic products, including frozen and shelf-stable vegetables. It also supplies branded and unbranded food products to the North American foodservice and commercial baking industries; and manufactures and markets pet food products, including dog and cat food. The company markets its products under the Annie's, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Blue Buffalo, Blue Basics, Blue Freedom, Bugles, Cascadian Farm, Cheerios, Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp, EPIC, Fiber One, Food Should Taste Good, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gardetto's, Go-Gurt, Gold Medal, Golden Grahams, Haagen-Dazs, Helpers, Jus-Rol, Kitano, Kix, Larabar, Latina, Liberte, Lucky Charms, Muir Glen, Nature Valley, Oatmeal Crisp, Old El Paso, Oui, Pillsbury, Progresso, Raisin Nut Bran, Total, Totino's, Trix, Wanchai Ferry, Wheaties, Wilderness, Yoki, and Yoplait trademarks. It sells its products directly, as well as through broker and distribution arrangements to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, natural food chains, e-commerce retailers, commercial and noncommercial foodservice distributors and operators, restaurants, convenience stores, and pet specialty stores, as well as drug, dollar, and discount chains. The company operates 466 leased and 392 franchise ice cream parlors. General Mills, Inc. was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The following companies are subsidiares of Caterpillar: Advanced Tri-Gen Power Systems LLC, Anchor Coupling Inc., Asia Power Systems (Tianjin) Ltd., AsiaTrak (Tianjin) Ltd., Banco Caterpillar S.A., Berg Propulsion International Pte Ltd., Bucyrus, Bucyrus Australia Surface Pty. Ltd., Bucyrus Europe Holdings Ltd., Bucyrus Europe Limited, Bucyrus International (Chile) Limitada, Bucyrus International (Peru) S.A., Bucyrus Mining Australia Pty. Ltd., Bucyrus Mining China LLC, Bucyrus UK Limited, Cat Rental Kyushu LLC, Caterpillar (Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Caterpillar (China) Financial Leasing Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (China) Machinery Components Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (HK) Limited, Caterpillar (Huainan) Machinery Service Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Langfang) Mining Equipment Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Luxembourg) Investment Co. S.a r.l., Caterpillar (NI) Limited, Caterpillar (Newberry) LLC, Caterpillar (Qingzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Suzhou) Logistics Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Thailand) Limited, Caterpillar (U.K.) Limited, Caterpillar (Wujiang) Ltd., Caterpillar (Xuzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar (Zhengzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar Acquisition Holding Corp., Caterpillar Americas C.V., Caterpillar Americas Co., Caterpillar Americas Funding Inc., Caterpillar Americas Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Asia Limited, Caterpillar Asia Pacific L.P., Caterpillar Asia Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Asset Intelligence LLC, Caterpillar Belgium S.A., Caterpillar Brasil Comercio de Maquinas e Pecas Ltda., Caterpillar Brasil Ltda., Caterpillar Brazil LLC, Caterpillar Castings Kiel GmbH, Caterpillar Centro de Formacion S.L., Caterpillar China Limited, Caterpillar Commercial Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Commercial LLC, Caterpillar Commercial Northern Europe Limited, Caterpillar Commercial S.A., Caterpillar Commercial S.A.R.L., Caterpillar Commercial Services S.A.R.L., Caterpillar Communications LLC, Caterpillar Corporativo Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Cote DIvoire, Caterpillar Credito S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., Caterpillar DC Pension Trust Limited, Caterpillar Digital Services & Solutions SARL, Caterpillar Distribution International LLC, Caterpillar Distribution Services Europe B.V.B.A., Caterpillar East Real Estate Holding Ltd., Caterpillar Emissions Solutions Inc., Caterpillar Energy Solutions Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH, Caterpillar Energy Solutions Inc., Caterpillar Energy Solutions S.A., Caterpillar Energy System Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Engine Systems Inc., Caterpillar Equipos Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Eurasia LLC, Caterpillar FS (QFC) LLC, Caterpillar Finance France S.A., Caterpillar Finance Kabushiki Kaisha, Caterpillar Financial Acquisition Funding LLC, Caterpillar Financial Aftermarket Solutions Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Australia Leasing Pty Limited, Caterpillar Financial Australia Limited, Caterpillar Financial Commercial Account Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Corporacion Financiera S.A. E.F.C., Caterpillar Financial Dealer Funding LLC, Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Caterpillar Financial Leasing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Financial New Zealand Limited, Caterpillar Financial Nordic Services AB, Caterpillar Financial Nova Scotia Corporation, Caterpillar Financial OOO, Caterpillar Financial Receivables Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Renting S.A., Caterpillar Financial SARL, Caterpillar Financial Services (Dubai) Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services (Ireland) plc, Caterpillar Financial Services (UK) Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services Argentina S.A., Caterpillar Financial Services Asia Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Financial Services Belgium S.P.R.L., Caterpillar Financial Services CR s.r.o., Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Services GmbH, Caterpillar Financial Services India Private Limited, Caterpillar Financial Services Leasing ULC, Caterpillar Financial Services Limited Les Services Financiers Caterpillar Limitee, Caterpillar Financial Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Caterpillar Financial Services Netherlands B.V., Caterpillar Financial Services Norway AS, Caterpillar Financial Services Philippines Inc., Caterpillar Financial Services Poland Sp. z o.o., Caterpillar Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Limited, Caterpillar Financial UK Acquisition Funding Partners, Caterpillar Financial Ukraine LLC, Caterpillar Fluid Systems S.r.l., Caterpillar Fomento Comercial Ltda., Caterpillar Forest Products Inc., Caterpillar France S.A.S., Caterpillar GB L.L.C., Caterpillar Global Investments S.a r.l., Caterpillar Global Mining America LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Equipamentos De Mineracao do Brasil Ltda., Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Expanded Products Pty Ltd, Caterpillar Global Mining Germany Holdings GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Holdings GmbH, Caterpillar Global Mining Hong Kong AFC Manufacturing Holding Co. Limited, Caterpillar Global Mining Hong Kong Limited, Caterpillar Global Mining LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Mexico LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Global Mining SARL, Caterpillar Global Mining U.S. Parts LLC, Caterpillar Global Services LLC, Caterpillar Group Services S.A., Caterpillar Holding (France) S.A.S., Caterpillar Holding Germany GmbH, Caterpillar Holdings Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Hungary Components Manufacturing Ltd., Caterpillar Hydraulics Italia S.r.l., Caterpillar IPX LLC, Caterpillar IRB LLC, Caterpillar Impact Products Limited, Caterpillar India Private Limited, Caterpillar Industrial Inc., Caterpillar Industrias Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Industries (Pty) Ltd, Caterpillar Insurance Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Insurance Company, Caterpillar Insurance Holdings Inc., Caterpillar Insurance Services Corporation, Caterpillar International Finance Designated Activity Company, Caterpillar International Finance Luxembourg Holding S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Finance Luxembourg S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Holding S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Luxembourg I S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Luxembourg II S. a r.l., Caterpillar International Product SARL, Caterpillar International Services Corporation, Caterpillar International Services del Peru S.A., Caterpillar Investment Limited, Caterpillar Investment One SARL, Caterpillar Investment Two SARL, Caterpillar Investments, Caterpillar Japan LLC, Caterpillar Latin America Services S.R.L., Caterpillar Latin America Services de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Latin America Services de Panama S. de R.L., Caterpillar Latin America Servicios de Chile Limitada, Caterpillar Latin America Support Services S. DE R.L., Caterpillar Leasing (Thailand) Limited, Caterpillar Leasing Chile S.A., Caterpillar Leasing GmbH (Leipzig), Caterpillar Leasing Operativo Limitada, Caterpillar Life Insurance Company, Caterpillar Logistics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Logistics (UK) Limited, Caterpillar Logistics Inc., Caterpillar Logistics ML Services France S.A.S., Caterpillar Logistics Services China Limited, Caterpillar Luxembourg Group S.ar.l., Caterpillar Luxembourg LLC, Caterpillar Luxembourg S.a r.l., Caterpillar Machinery Nantong Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Marine Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Marine Asset Intelligence, Caterpillar Marine Power UK Limited, Caterpillar Marine Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Maroc SARL, Caterpillar Materiels Routiers SAS, Caterpillar Mexico LLC, Caterpillar Mexico S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar Mining Canada ULC, Caterpillar Mining Chile Servicios Limitada, Caterpillar Motoren (Guangdong) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG, Caterpillar Motoren Henstedt-Ulzburg GmbH, Caterpillar Motoren Rostock GmbH, Caterpillar Motoren Verwaltungs-GmbH, Caterpillar Netherlands Holding B.V., Caterpillar North America C.V., Caterpillar Operator Training Ltd., Caterpillar Overseas Credit Corporation SARL, Caterpillar Overseas Investment Holding SARL, Caterpillar Overseas Limited, Caterpillar Overseas SARL, Caterpillar Panama Services S.A., Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Caterpillar Paving Products Xuzhou Ltd., Caterpillar Pension Trust Limited, Caterpillar Poland Sp. z o.o., Caterpillar Power Generation Systems (Bangladesh) Limited, Caterpillar Power Generation Systems L.L.C., Caterpillar Power Systems Inc., Caterpillar Power Ventures International Ltd., Caterpillar Precision Seals Korea, Caterpillar Prodotti Stradali S.r.l., Caterpillar Product Services Corporation, Caterpillar Propulsion AB, Caterpillar Propulsion International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Propulsion Italy S.R.L., Caterpillar Propulsion Namibia (Proprietary) Limited, Caterpillar Propulsion Production AB, Caterpillar Propulsion Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar Propulsion Singapore Pte. Ltd., Caterpillar R&D Center (China) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe LLC, Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Ramos Arizpe Servicios S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar Reman Powertrain Indiana LLC, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Drivetrain LLC, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Renting France S.A.S., Caterpillar Reynosa S.A. de C.V., Caterpillar SARL, Caterpillar Services Germany GmbH, Caterpillar Servicios Limitada, Caterpillar Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Servizi Italia Srl, Caterpillar Shrewsbury Limited, Caterpillar Skinningrove Limited, Caterpillar Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd., Caterpillar Special Services Belgium S.P.R.L., Caterpillar Switchgear Americas LLC, Caterpillar Switchgear Holding Inc., Caterpillar Tianjin Ltd., Caterpillar Torreon S. de R.L. de C.V., Caterpillar Tosno L.L.C., Caterpillar Transmissions France S.A.R.L., Caterpillar Tunneling Canada Holdings Ltd., Caterpillar Tunnelling Canada Corporation, Caterpillar Tunnelling Europe Limited, Caterpillar UK Employee Trust Limited, Caterpillar UK Engines Company Limited, Caterpillar UK Group Limited, Caterpillar UK Holdings Limited, Caterpillar Undercarriage (Xuzhou) Co. Ltd., Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar Used Equipment Services Inc., Caterpillar Venture Capital Inc., Caterpillar Work Tools B.V., Caterpillar Work Tools Inc., Caterpillar World Trading Corporation, Caterpillar Xuzhou, Caterpillar of Australia Pty. Ltd., Caterpillar of Canada Corporation, Caterpillar of Delaware Inc., Centre de Distribution de Wallonie SPRL, CleanAir Systems, Downer Freight Rail, ECM Railway Evolution Romania s.r.l., ECM S.p.A., EDC European Excavator Design Center GmbH, EMC Holding Corp., EMD International Holdings Inc., ERA Information & Entertainment (BVI) Limited, ERA Mining Machinery Limited, Electro-Motive Diesel Limited, Electro-Motive Locomotive Technologies LLC, Electro-Motive Technical Consulting Co. (Beijing) Ltd., Energy Services International Limited, Equipos de Acuna S.A. de C.V., Eurenov S.A.S., F. G. Wilson (Proprietary) Limited, F. Perkins Limited, FG Wilson (Engineering) Limited, GB Holdco (China) Inc., GFCM Comercial Mexico S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., GFCM Servicios S.A. de C.V., Gremada Industries - Assets, Hong Kong Siwei Holdings Limited, Inmobiliaria Conek S.A. de C.V., JCS Co., Kemper Valve & Fittings Corp., Leo Inc., Locomotive Demand Power Pty Ltd., Locomotoras Progress Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Lovat, M2M Data Corporation, MGE Equipamentos & Servicos Ferroviarios, MWM, MWM Austria GmbH, MWM Benelux B.V., MWM Energy Australia Pty Ltd, MWM France S.A.S, MWM Real Estate GmbH, MaK Americas Inc., MaK Americas Inc. (Canada), Magnum Power Products LLC, Marble, Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH, Mec-Track S.r.l., Metalmark Financial Services Limited, Motoren Steffens GmbH, Nippon Caterpillar LLC, P. T. Solar Services Indonesia, PT Caterpillar Finance Indonesia, PT. Bucyrus Indonesia, PT. Caterpillar Indonesia, PT. Caterpillar Indonesia Batam, PT. Caterpillar Remanufacturing Indonesia, Perkins Engines, Perkins Engines (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, Perkins Engines Group Limited, Perkins Engines Inc., Perkins Group Limited, Perkins Holdings Limited LLC, Perkins India Private Limited, Perkins International Inc., Perkins Japan LLC, Perkins Limited, Perkins Machinery (Changshu) Co. Ltd., Perkins Motores do Brasil Ltda., Perkins Power Systems Technology (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Perkins Small Engines (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Perkins Small Engines LLC, Perkins Small Engines Limited, Perkins Technology Inc., Progress Metal Reclamation Company, Progress Rail Arabia Limited Company, Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd, Progress Rail Canada Corporation, Progress Rail Equipamentos e Servicos Ferroviarios do Brasil Ltda., Progress Rail Equipment Leasing Corporation, Progress Rail Holdings Inc., Progress Rail Innovations Private Limited, Progress Rail Inspection & Information Systems GmbH, Progress Rail Inspection & Information Systems S.r.l., Progress Rail International Corp., Progress Rail Leasing Canada Corporation, Progress Rail Leasing Corporation, Progress Rail Leasing de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Progress Rail Locomotivas (do Brasil) Ltda., Progress Rail Locomotive Canada Co., Progress Rail Locomotive Chile SpA, Progress Rail Locomotive Inc., Progress Rail Maintenance de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Progress Rail Manufacturing Corporation, Progress Rail Raceland Corporation, Progress Rail Rocklin Corporation, Progress Rail SA Proprietary Limited, Progress Rail Services Corporation, Progress Rail Services Holdings Corp., Progress Rail Services LLC, Progress Rail Services UK Limited, Progress Rail Switching Services LLC, Progress Rail Transcanada Corporation, Progress Rail Welding Corporation, Progress Rail Wildwood LLC, Progress Rail de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pyroban Group, Pyroban Group, Pyrrha Investments B.V., Pyrrha Investments Limited, S&L Railroad LLC, SCM Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd., SPL Software Alliance LLC, Sabre Engines, Servicios de Turbinas Solar S. de R.L. de C.V., Shandong SEM Machinery Co. Ltd., Solar Turbines, Solar Turbines, Solar Turbines (Beijing) Trading Services Co. Ltd., Solar Turbines (Thailand) Ltd., Solar Turbines CIS Limited Liability Company, Solar Turbines Canada Ltd./Ltee., Solar Turbines Central Asia Limited Liability Partnership, Solar Turbines EAME s.r.o., Solar Turbines Egypt Limited Liability Company, Solar Turbines Europe S.A., Solar Turbines India Private Limited, Solar Turbines International Company, Solar Turbines Italy S.R.L., Solar Turbines Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Solar Turbines Middle East Limited, Solar Turbines New Zealand Limited, Solar Turbines Saudi Arabia Limited, Solar Turbines Services Company, Solar Turbines Services Nigeria Limited, Solar Turbines Services of Argentina S.R.L., Solar Turbines Switzerland Sagl, Solar Turbines Trinidad & Tobago Limited, Solar Turbines West-Africa SARL, Tangshan DBT Machinery Co. Ltd., Tecnologia Modificada S.A. de C.V., Towmotor Corporation, Traction & Mining Motor Repairs Pty Ltd, Turbinas Solar S.A. de C.V., Turbinas Solar de Colombia S.A., Turbinas Solar de Venezuela C.A., Turbo Tecnologia de Reparaciones S.A. de C.V., Turbomach, Turbomach Endustriyel Gaz Turbinleri Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited, Turbomach France SARL, Turbomach GmbH, Turbomach Netherlands B.V., Turbomach Pakistan (Private) Limited, Turbomach S.A. Unipersonal, Turbomach Sp. Z o.o., Turner Powertrain Systems Limited, UK Hose Assembly Limited, Underground Imaging Technologies Inc, United Industries LLC, VALA Inc., Vasky Energy Ltd., Wealdstone Engineering, Weir - Oil & Gas Division, West Virginia Auto Shredding Inc., Western Gear Machinery LLC, Wetland Sustainability Fund I LLC, Williams Technologies, Yard Club, Zhengzhou Siwei Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Sales Co. Ltd., and okyo Rental Ltd.. Read More AbbVie Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals in the worldwide. The company offers HUMIRA, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune and intestinal Behcet's diseases; SKYRIZI to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults; RINVOQ, a JAK inhibitor for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients; IMBRUVICA to treat adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and VENCLEXTA, a BCL-2 inhibitor used to treat adults with CLL or SLL; and MAVYRET to treat patients with chronic HCV genotype 1-6 infection. It also provides CREON, a pancreatic enzyme therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; Synthroid used in the treatment of hypothyroidism; Linzess/Constella to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation; Lupron for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis and central precocious puberty, and patients with anemia caused by uterine fibroids; and Botox therapeutic. In addition, the company offers ORILISSA, a nonpeptide small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist for women with moderate to severe endometriosis pain; Duopa and Duodopa, a levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel to treat Parkinson's disease; Lumigan/Ganfort, a bimatoprost ophthalmic solution for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension; Ubrelvy to treat migraine with or without aura in adults; Alphagan/ Combigan, an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist for the reduction of IOP in patients with OAG; and Restasis, a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant to increase tear production, as well as other eye care products. AbbVie Inc. has a research collaboration with Dragonfly Therapeutics, Inc. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois. Energizer Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and distributes household batteries, specialty batteries, and lighting products worldwide. It offers lithium, alkaline, carbon zinc, nickel metal hydride, zinc air, and silver oxide batteries under the Energizer and Eveready brands, as well as primary, rechargeable, specialty, and hearing aid batteries. The company also provides headlights, lanterns, and children's and area lights, as well as flash lights under the Energizer, Eveready, Rayovac, Hard Case, Dolphin, Varta, and WeatherReady brands. In addition, it licenses the Energizer and Eveready brands to companies developing consumer solutions in gaming, automotive batteries, portable power for critical devices, LED light bulbs, generators, power tools, household light bulbs, and other lighting products. Further, the company designs and markets automotive fragrance and appearance products, including protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products, air fresheners, and washes to clean, shine, refresh, and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces under the brand names of Armor All, Nu Finish, Refresh Your Car!, LEXOL, Eagle One, California Scents, Driven, and Bahama & Co; STP branded fuel and oil additives, functional fluids, and other performance chemical products; and do-it-yourself automotive air conditioning recharge products under the A/C PRO brand name, as well as other refrigerant and recharge kits, sealants, and accessories. It sells its products through direct sales force, distributors, and wholesalers; and through various retail and business-to-business channels, including mass merchandisers, club, electronics, food, home improvement, dollar store, auto, drug, hardware, e-commerce, convenience, sporting goods, hobby/craft, office, industrial, medical, and catalog. Energizer Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri. The following companies are subsidiares of Sonic Automotive: AM GA LLC, AM Realty GA LLC, AnTrev LLC, Arngar Inc., Autobahn Inc., Avalon Ford Inc., Car Cash of North Carolina Inc., Cornerstone Acceptance Corporation, ECHOPARK: AM GA LLC, ECHOPARK: AM Realty GA LLC, ECHOPARK: EP Realty NC LLC, ECHOPARK: EP Realty SC LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark AZ LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark CA LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark Driver Education LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark FL LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark NC LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark Realty TX LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark SC LLC, ECHOPARK: EchoPark TX LLC, ECHOPARK: Echopark Automotive Inc., ECHOPARK: SAI DS LLC, ECHOPARK: SAI DS Realty TX LLC, ECHOPARK: SAI Vehicle Subscription Inc., ECHOPARK: TT Denver LLC, ECHOPARK: TTRE CO 1 LLC, FAA Beverly Hills Inc., FAA Capitol N Inc., FAA Concord H Inc., FAA Concord T Inc., FAA Dublin N Inc., FAA Dublin VWD Inc., FAA Holding Corp., FAA Las Vegas H Inc., FAA Poway H Inc., FAA Poway T Inc., FAA San Bruno Inc., FAA Santa Monica V Inc., FAA Serramonte H Inc., FAA Serramonte Inc., FAA Serramonte L Inc., FAA Stevens Creek Inc., FAA Torrance CPJ Inc., FirstAmerica Automotive Inc., Fort Mill Ford Inc., Franciscan Motors Inc., Frontier Oldsmobile-Cadillac Inc., Kramer Motors Incorporated, L Dealership Group Inc., Marcus David Corporation, Massey Cadillac Inc. (TN-MI), Mountain States Motors Co. Inc., North Point Imports LLC, Ontario L LLC, Philpott Motors Ltd., SAI AL HC1 Inc., SAI AL HC2 Inc., SAI Ann Arbor Imports LLC, SAI Atlanta B LLC, SAI Broken Arrow C LLC, SAI Calabasas A LLC, SAI Chamblee V LLC, SAI Charlotte M LLC, SAI Chattanooga N LLC, SAI Clearwater T LLC, SAI Cleveland N LLC, SAI Columbus Motors LLC, SAI Columbus T LLC, SAI Columbus VWK LLC, SAI Conroe N LLC, SAI Denver B Inc., SAI Denver C Inc., SAI Denver M Inc., SAI FL HC1 Inc., SAI FL HC2 Inc., SAI FL HC3 Inc., SAI FL HC4 Inc., SAI FL HC7 Inc., SAI Fairfax B LLC, SAI Fort Myers B LLC, SAI Fort Myers H LLC, SAI Fort Myers M LLC, SAI Fort Myers VW LLC, SAI GA HC1 LLC, SAI Irondale Imports LLC, SAI Irondale L LLC, SAI Long Beach B Inc., SAI MD HC1 Inc., SAI McKinney M LLC, SAI Monrovia B Inc., SAI Montgomery B LLC, SAI Montgomery BCH LLC, SAI Montgomery CH LLC, SAI Nashville CSH LLC, SAI Nashville H LLC, SAI Nashville M LLC, SAI Nashville Motors LLC, SAI OK HC1 Inc., SAI Oklahoma City C LLC, SAI Oklahoma City H LLC, SAI Oklahoma City T LLC, SAI Orlando CS LLC, SAI Peachtree LLC, SAI Pensacola A LLC, SAI Philpott T LLC, SAI Riverside C LLC, SAI Roaring Fork LR Inc., SAI Rockville Imports LLC, SAI Rockville L LLC, SAI S. Atlanta JLR LLC, SAI SIC Inc., SAI Santa Clara K Inc., SAI Stone Mountain T LLC, SAI TN HC1 LLC, SAI TN HC2 LLC, SAI TN HC3 LLC, SAI Tulsa N LLC, SAI Tulsa T LLC, SAI Tysons Corner H LLC, SAI Tysons Corner I LLC, SAI VA HC1 Inc., SAI VS GA LLC, SAI VS TX LLC, SAI Vehicle Subscription Inc., SAI West Houston B LLC, SRE Alabama 2 LLC, SRE Alabama 5 LLC, SRE Alabama 6 LLC, SRE California 10 LBB LLC, SRE California 11 PH LLC, SRE California 1 LLC, SRE California 2 LLC, SRE California 3 LLC, SRE California 4 LLC, SRE California 5 LLC, SRE California 6 LLC, SRE California 7 SCB LLC, SRE California 8 SCH LLC, SRE California 9 BHB LLC, SRE Colorado 1 LLC, SRE Colorado 2 LLC, SRE Colorado 3 LLC, SRE Colorado 4 RF LLC, SRE Colorado 5 CC LLC, SRE Florida 1 LLC, SRE Florida 2 LLC, SRE Georgia 4 LLC, SRE Georgia 5 LLC, SRE Georgia 6 LLC, SRE Holding LLC, SRE Maryland 1 LLC, SRE Nevada 2 LLC, SRE North Carolina 2 LLC, SRE North Carolina 3 LLC, SRE Ohio 1 LLC, SRE Ohio 2 LLC, SRE Oklahoma 1 LLC, SRE Oklahoma 2 LLC, SRE Oklahoma 5 LLC, SRE South Carolina 2 LLC, SRE South Carolina 3 LLC, SRE South Carolina 4 LLC, SRE Tennessee 6 LLC, SRE Tennessee 7 LLC, SRE Tennessee 1 LLC, SRE Tennessee 2 LLC, SRE Tennessee 3 LLC, SRE Tennessee 4 LLC, SRE Tennessee 5 LLC, SRE Texas 10 LLC, SRE Texas 11 LLC, SRE Texas 12 LLC, SRE Texas 13 LLC, SRE Texas 14 LLC, SRE Texas 15 LLC, SRE Texas 16 LLC, SRE Texas 9 LLC, SRE Texas 1 LP, SRE Texas 2 LP, SRE Texas 3 LP, SRE Texas 4 LP, SRE Texas 5 LP, SRE Texas 6 LP, SRE Texas 7 LP, SRE Texas 8 LP, SRE Virginia - 1 LLC, SRE Virginia 2 LLC, SRM Assurance Ltd., Santa Clara Imported Cars Inc., Sonic 2185 Chapman Rd. Chattanooga LLC, Sonic Advantage PA LP, Sonic Automotive - 1720 Mason Ave. DB LLC, Sonic Automotive 2424 Laurens Rd. Greenville Inc., Sonic Automotive 2752 Laurens Rd. Greenville Inc., Sonic Automotive Aviation LLC, Sonic Automotive F&I LLC, Sonic Automotive Support LLC, Sonic Automotive West LLC, Sonic Automotive of Chattanooga LLC, Sonic Automotive of Nashville LLC, Sonic Automotive of Nevada Inc., Sonic Automotive of Texas LP, Sonic Automotive 1495 Automall Drive Columbus Inc., Sonic Automotive 1720 Mason Ave. DB Inc., Sonic Automotive 2490 South Lee Highway LLC, Sonic Automotive 3401 N. Main TX LP, Sonic Automotive 4701 I-10 East TX LP, Sonic Automotive 6008 N. Dale Mabry FL Inc., Sonic Automotive 9103 E. Independence NC LLC, Sonic Calabasas M Inc., Sonic Development LLC, Sonic Divisional Operations LLC, Sonic FFC 1 Inc., Sonic FFC 2 Inc., Sonic FFC 3 Inc., Sonic Fremont Inc., Sonic Houston JLR LP, Sonic Houston LR LP, Sonic Momentum B LP, Sonic Momentum JVP LP, Sonic Momentum VWA LP, Sonic Resources Inc., Sonic Santa Monica M Inc., Sonic Santa Monica S Inc., Sonic Walnut Creek M Inc., Sonic Wilshire Cadillac Inc., Sonic eStore Inc., Sonic of Texas Inc., Sonic Buena Park H Inc., Sonic Cadillac D LP, Sonic Calabasas A Inc., Sonic Calabasas V Inc., Sonic Camp Ford LP, Sonic Capitol Cadillac Inc., Sonic Capitol Imports Inc., Sonic Carrollton V LP, Sonic Carson F Inc., Sonic Carson LM Inc., Sonic Clear Lake N LP, Sonic Clear Lake Volkswagen LP, Sonic Denver T Inc., Sonic Downey Cadillac Inc., Sonic Fort Mill Chrysler Jeep Inc., Sonic Fort Mill Dodge Inc., Sonic Fort Worth T LP, Sonic Frank Parra Autoplex LP, Sonic Harbor City H Inc., Sonic Houston V LP, Sonic Integrity Dodge LV LLC, Sonic Jersey Village Volkswagen LP, Sonic LS Chevrolet LP, Sonic LS LLC, Sonic Lake Norman Chrysler Jeep LLC, Sonic Las Vegas C West LLC, Sonic Lloyd Nissan Inc., Sonic Lloyd Pontiac Cadillac Inc., Sonic Lone Tree Cadillac Inc., Sonic Lute Riley LP, Sonic Massey Cadillac LP, Sonic Massey Chevrolet Inc., Sonic Mesquite Hyundai LP, Sonic Newsome Chevrolet World Inc., Sonic Newsome of Florence Inc., Sonic North Charleston Dodge Inc., Sonic North Charleston Inc., Sonic Plymouth Cadillac Inc., Sonic Richardson F LP, Sonic Sanford Cadillac Inc., Sonic Shottenkirk Inc., Sonic Stevens Creek B Inc., Sonic Volvo LV LLC, Sonic West Covina T Inc., Sonic Williams Cadillac Inc., Stevens Creek Cadillac Inc., The Sonic Automotive Family Emergency Fund (SAFE), Town and Country Ford Incorporated, and Windward Inc.. Read More China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page A young man wanted to make a point about racism in the United States, but his plan backfired when he was exposed for a liar by police. 20-year-old Khalil Cavil of Texas was working at the Saltgrass Steak House in Odessa when he claimed he was discriminated against because of his Muslim name. Cavil took Lawrence Gerard Nassar By: Tanya Malhotra WorldWideWeirdNews.com (Scroll down for video) A college professor and USA Gymnastics team physician is facing up to life in prison after allegedly sexually assaulting multiple young girls and collecting child porn, according to police in Michigan. A federal grand jury indicted 53-year-old Lawrence Gerard Nassar, on federal child pornography charges. Nassar was a physician for the U.S. Gymnastics Team and a professor at the Michigan State University. According to the indictment, Nassar received and attempted to receive child pornography and he possessed thousands of images of child pornography. If convicted of both of these charges, Nassar faces a mandatory minimum of five and up to 40 years of imprisonment. He also faces up to lifetime supervised release. In a separate case, attorneys representing 15 alleged victims of Nassar, filed a Notice of Intent to File Claim against Nassar and the Michigan State University. The claims arise out of multiple instances of sexual assault and battery, molestation, and harassment of girls by Nassar, an employee/agent/representative of Michigan State University. Nassar is accused of digital penetration of girls without proper notice, gloves, lubricant, or chaperones under the guise of providing medical care and treatment at his office at Michigan State University. Nassar used his position of trust and confidence in an abusive manner. Nassar has been charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13. Nassar repeatedly assaulted a girl, beginning when she was six years old. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Nassar pleaded not guilty to the charges and his bail was set at $1,000,000. Michigan State University failed to properly investigate, discipline and sanction Nassar for his abusive and harassing conduct. Michigan State University is required to protect students and others from harassment and sexual assault by their employees. An NCAA champion gymnast and former member of the United States womens national team previously filed suit, alleging that Nassar sexually assaulted and abused her while she was training at a U.S.A. Gymnastics team training center. A medalist at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games alleged that Nassar, while serving as the U.S.A. Gymnastics team doctor, groped and fondled the victims private parts under the guise of performing osteopathic therapy. Chuck E. Cheeseas special event By: Wayne Morin WorldWideWeirdNews.com (Scroll down for video) Five adults who were acting like kids at a Chuck E. Cheeseas location, became violent when police showed up at the scene, according to police in Massachusetts. Everett Chief of Police Steven A. Mazzie announced the arrest of 5 individuals, following the disturbance that occurred at Chuck E. Cheeseas on Saturday. Paul Mazzie, who was assigned to patrol the Gateway Mall and Shopping Center, and Ptl. Raoul Goncalves, who was working a paid police detail, were informed of adults consuming prohibited alcoholic beverages at the Chuck E. Cheeseas. This occurred in an area frequented by children. A male suspect became belligerent with the officers along with several other patrons who were apparently consuming alcoholic beverages in the establishment. He was taken into custody, but the other patrons began inciting the crowd who turned hostile against the responding officers. Several patrons began punching and kicking the responding officers, and additional units were summoned from Everett, Medford Police and the Massachusetts State Police. After order was restored, the Everett Police Department arrested 5 individuals. Samuel Ramos, 33, of Dorchester, was charged with Disorderly Person, Resisting Arrest and Interfering with Police. Pedro Abreu, 53, of Chelsea, was charged with Disorderly Person, Resisting Arrest and Assault & Battery Dangerous Weapon. He also was arrested on 6 outstanding warrants. Jose Rosado-Cruz, 30, of East Boston, was charged with Disorderly Person, Resisting Arrest and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer. Emily Joyce Emerson, 22, of Lynn, was charged with two counts of Assault and Battery on a Police Officer and being a Disorderly Person. Yoselin Enid Rosado, 33, of Roxbury, was charged with Disorderly Person and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer. Chief Mazzie said: aItas extremely disappointing to see adults behave in this manner in an establishment that is designed for young family fun. Iam thankful that our officers were able to restore order in a quick manner and were able to hold those responsible for the disturbance accountable for their actions.a All suspects were arraigned in Malden District Court. A man in Georgia, was arrested over his evil act against his defenseless dog. Officials with the Hall County Animal Control have arrested Gerardo Damian-Rosas of Gainesville, after he was accused of tying his dog to railroad tracks and leaving it to be hit and killed by an oncoming train. Authorities responded to an area near White Sulphur Road, after receiving a call about a dog on the train tracks. Sadly, by the time officers arrived, the dog was already dead. aThere was evidence that the dog had been purposefully tied to the tracks, which ultimately led to his death,a Mike Ledford, who is the director of the Hall County Animal Services, said. aThis was an outrageous and shocking act of cruelty against a defenseless animal, and our department works tirelessly to hold those responsible for such acts accountable,a he added. Damian-Rosas was arrested and charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty. He was released after posting $5,700 bond. Mike Weaver, who is the attorney for Damian-Rosas, believes the facts presented are anot accurate and that there had been a lot of misunderstandings about what happened.a The owners of a horse caught a neighbor having sex with their animal after hiding in their barn in middle of the night, according to court documents in the United Kingdom. Leeds police said that they have arrested 53-year-old Julian Ridgeway, after being accused of having sex with the 13-year-old horse belonging to Louise Lumley and her husband. Ridgeway has been charged with intercourse with an animal and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence. He has been found guilty of the crimes following a trial. According to the criminal complaint, Ridgeway snuck into Lumleyas barn, where he had sex with the 13-year-old horse named Honey. Lumley and her husband became suspicious after noticing that Honey was acting strangely. One night, the couple decided to hide in the barn. They stood on buckets and watched as Ridgeway entered the barn. He then led Honey to a nearby pigs den, where he had sex with the horse. Lumley called the police and Ridgeway was arrested. Ridgeway denied the allegations, but his DNA was found on the horse. Several years ago, Ridgeway was found guilty of attempted murder after trying to kill a 16-year-old girl who caught him having sex with her pony. He was sentenced to serve 8 years in prison. William Roberto Ferreira Costa By: Mahesh Sarin WorldWideWeirdNews.com (Scroll down for video) A man killed six people at a brothel after he was told that his favorite prostitute was not available for him. 27-year-old William Roberto Ferreira Costa of Brazil, walked into the Leo Drinks Bar brothel in Jaboticabal, to have sex with a prostitute. However, Costa said that he was aovercome with emotiona after being told that his favorite prostitute, 30-year-old Dione da Silva Lima, was having sex with another man. Costa, who is a married man and the father of a newborn baby boy and a 4-year-old girl, flew into a jealous rage. He went outside to his car and got his gun. He returned to the brothel and shot 6 people. Costa began his shooting spree by killing the brothels 72-year-old female owner. He then killed her 29-year-old granddaughter, a waitress and a 46-year-old prostitute. However, Costa was not done. He burst into the bedroom of his favorite prostitute. There, he killed her and her client, who was identified as Anderson Montenor, 37, who was in the area for business. Costa stayed at the scene until police arrived. After his arrest, Costa, who was never in trouble with the law, apologized to the families of the victims, and to his wife and two children. (Scroll down for video) A prisoner who was angry that a corrections officer was messing with his life, decided to kill her while she was on duty, according to police in Arkansas. Texarkana police said that they have brought charges against 28-year-old Tramell MacKenzie Hunter, after being accused of killing 47-year-old Lisa Mauldin. The Miller County Sheriffs Office said that the incident unfolded on Sunday, at approximately 1:00 p.m. Two female correction officers were attacked by Hunter within the Miller County Detention Center. Both correction officers were transported to the Wadley Hospital, for injuries sustained during the attack. Mauldin succumbed to her injuries and Corrections Officer Demaris Allen, was transported to a Little Rock hospital. Security surveillance video of the prison showed that the attack unfolded in the kitchen area of the prison. Investigators did not reveal what led to the confrontation, but Hunter said in court that Mauldin was messing with his life. Hunter was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated robbery and domestic battery. A mother claimed that she was mentally disturbed when she choked her newborn baby to death moments after giving birth, according to court documents in the United Kingdom. Bognor Regis police said that they have arrested 30-year-old Gintare Suminaite, after being accused of killing her newborn baby daughter. She was charged with one count of murder. Suminaite has pleaded guilty to one count of infanticide as part of a plea bargain agreement with prosecutors. The judge accepted her guilty plea as Suminaite claimed that she was mentally disturbed in the hours leading up to killing her child due to blood loss. She could be sentenced to just probation or a fine. According to the criminal complaint, Suminaite gave birth in bathroom of her home while she was alone. After seeing her daughter alive, Suminaite choked her baby to death using her hands or a rope. Suminaite waited several hours before calling an ambulance. Suminaite was taken to the St. Richards Hospital in Chichester, Where she was treated for severe blood loss. The baby was found dead in the bathtub of the home, and her body was covered with clothes. You are the owner of this article. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. The September 11 terrorists planned their fatal plot in Hamburg, Germany, right under the local intelligence services nose. The Germans drew extensive lessons from that intelligence failure; they became the most skilled country in the Westprobably except for Israelin locating terrorist plans and cells. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The failures uncovered in France and Belgium following the attack on the Bataclan theater do not exist in the German system. Nevertheless, the Germans expected to be hit by a major attack eventually. The terror attack in Berlin did not surprise anyone, and the Germans expect more attacks of this kind. Site of Mondays terror attack in Berlin. Ostracism has not worked well in the context of Islamic radicalization (Photo: Getty Images) The terror attack in Berlin, which ISIS claimed responsibility for, doesnt seem like an act carried out by an organized terror network, but rather as an act of a lone wolf terrorist. Its too early to say, but this kind of terrorism is reminiscent of similar phenomena we see in the West in general. A young man, the son of immigrants (usually not an immigrant himself), undergoes a quick radicalization process, and with relatively limited cooperation with others he executes a plan that could be very fatal. A truck is an intimidating weapon, as we saw in Nice. The West, like Israel, is extensively dealing with questions of how to defeat such terrorism. How do we prevent lone terrorists from embarking on a murderous mission, when their level of communication with the outside world is limited, thereby limiting the effectiveness of different monitoring devices? How do we locate radicalization and cut it off? Clearly, a more public and online radicalization process makes it easier for the intelligence agencies to locate it and maybe even intervene before the attack. In the European Union, there is a variety of plans giving teachers, academics and police tools for locating radicalization that could turn fatal. How well is it working? To a limited extent. The Wests biggest failure hides in comments repeated by US President George W. Bush, followed by President Barack Obama: Islam is not the problem. The problem is terrorism and the radicals leaning on it. These statements were the recommendation of the American security authorities, which pleaded with Bush to make a distinction between the good and the bad and not turn the entire Muslim world into an enemy. The statement itself is accurate, of course, but it failed to bring along the most effective communal tool against radicalismsocial rejection. For example, how does the West fight racism? It tries (or tried, to be more accurate) to ostracize the racists. It puts them to shame and embarrasses them in their ignorance and hate. Yes, it is wearing out, but the Western norm is that racists are people who should be kept away from the camp, and thereby turned into an insignificant and illegitimate phenomenon. The ostracism has not worked well in the context of Islamic radicalization. The West tried to convince, its leaders said the right words, but the European Muslims are not rejecting radicalism. Their leaders will condemn it, but they dont persecute and remove the radicals from their midst. And I dont mean violent radicalism; its very easy to condemn after an attack. There is no rejection of the inciting, inflaming radicals. The West failed strategically, but the moral failure belongs to many Muslim communities in Europe. The crisis stems from the fact that the Muslim community idea is an artificial construction of foreignness. Because what does the Persian-speaking Iranian Shiite Muslim in Germany really have in common with the Turkish- and German-speaking son of the Turkish immigrants and with the Syrian refugee who speaks neither language? There are sub-communities here, and sub-sub communities. They are poor, and they dont have an agreed upon leadership. When there is no homogenous community, its hard to create effective ostracism mechanisms, and on the edges its easier for radicalism to spread. As long as this remains the situation, more and more young people will hear radicalizing messages and carry out sacrifice attacks. The security forces can do an excellent job trying to prevent them (and in Israel its being done), but the disease and the medication can only be found in the community. Nadav Eyal is Channel 10's chief international correspondent. Our initial plan was to take Hazem Hassim Ajaj from the village Deir Jarir to the hill overlooking the settlement of Mitzpe Kramim. High Court Case 953/11 deals with his claim to regain control of section 13 in parcel 19, on which part of the settlement was built. This land, he says, had been cultivated by his family for decades, until the settlement Kochav Hashachar was built nearby, denying the family access to the land. The plot remained abandoned for years, until the establishment of Mitzpe Kramim, first as a neighborhood at the outskirts of Kochav Hashachar and later as an illegal outpost that became bigger and bigger and currently numbers 43 families. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter But the evening began to fall and photographer Shaul Golan begged us to take advantage of whatever daylight was left. So we found ourselves stopping at the side of the road, not far from Ajajs house, in the open area directly overlooking the Amona outpost . Ajaj tightened his coat, arranged his collar and looked down at the outpost slated for evacuation following a High Court ruling. But hes not interested in Amona. Hes interested in the Regulation Bill being devised around the Amona saga. His petition to the High Court of Justice contains seven dossiers of protocols, documents, the sides responses, depositions and aerial photographs. The advocate of the Regulation Bill believe that if it passes in the Knesset, these seven dossiers could then be tossed away and burned, Ajaj's land expropriated, and Mitzpe Kramim would be made legal by the power of the new law. But Ajaj declares that no Israeli law will keep him away from his land. Hazem Hassim Ajaj against the backdrop of Amona. I dont want any compensation. Money comes and goes, but the land stays (Photo: Shaul Golan) I will never give up, he says. My lawyer will continue the battle on my behalf and I will do everything he instructs me to do. If it means having to go to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, well go there. The threat of turning to the ICC has been hovering over the Regulation Bill from day one. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that its approval could lead him to The Hague, and not just him - but also a long list of officials in the political and military echelons. Is this just an empty threat? Apparently not. Ajaj may not be able to go to The Hague on his own with his lawyer, Hossam Younes, as only a political entity can file a claim with the ICC - like the Palestinian Authority. A senior PA official we spoke to last week says that the Palestinians have already begun the legal work regarding the Regulation Bill and its implications over a month ago. That work went into high gear after the bills approval process began at the Knesset. We have a legal team operating in the West Bank and a legal team of experts operating abroad and studying the issue, he says. We are collecting data and looking into the possibility of submitting these documents to the ICC in The Hague. If we have too, well definitely go there. Mitzpe Kramim. Forty-three families, 150 children (Photo: Shaul Golan) Peace Nows recently published Settlement Watch report is all about the numbers behind the Regulation Bill and what these numbers mean. According to Peace Nows count, which is based on the analysis of aerial shots and master plans of the West Bank settlements, the law will regulate 3,921 housing units by expropriating about 8,183 dunams (2,000 acres) of private Palestinian lands in the settlements and outpost. Fifty-five outposts that have been built illegally on private lands deep within the territories will be able to receive permits and become official settlements. Looking at what the West Bank map would look like if the law is adopted leaves no room for doubt: The outposts regulation will create a sequence of Jewish settlements that will make it very difficult to implement the two-state solution which Prime Minister Netanyahu himself supports in his statements, most recently in an interview with American newsmagazine television program 60 Minutes. The lawif it passes all Knesset readingswill not apply to cases that the High Court has already ruled on. The court is currently discussing dozens of petitions filed by Palestinians claiming ownership of lands on which outposts and settlements home have been built. The legal proceedings regarding these cases have not been completed yet, and the new law will basically shelve those petitions. High Court Case 953/11 is one of those petitions whose fate has yet to be decided. The petition was filed by attorney Hossam Younes in November 2011 on behalf of Daud Ahmed Ali Rabia, who claims ownership of section 23 in parcel 19, and on behalf of Ajaj, who claims ownership of section 13 in the same plot. Without getting into the petition, which is laden with details and injunction numbers and different orders, let us just note that Rabia argues that he inherited the section from his grandmother and Ajaj says he bought it from his uncle before he died in Amman, Jordan. All the documents presented by these two men have been added to the petition. An error became reality We met on a Tuesday afternoon in a cafe in Ramallah, not far from Ajajs workplace. Rabia was supposed to come too, but a few hours before the meeting he had a heart attack and was rushed to hospital. There are maybe 8 kilometers (5 miles) between Deir Jarir and the land under discussion, Ajaj said, and the entire area there, not just my section, belonged to people from my village. Kochav Hashachar was built on the lands of Deir Jarir. My section belonged to my grandfather. He had lands which he left for his children. Each one got a piece. I bought this section from one of my grandfathers heirs, my late uncle Qassem Amer Elshayeb. I grew up on this land. We planted wheat there and there was a well where we would take the sheep to drink. As soon as Kochav Hashachar was established, the problems began. The settlers removed us from there, stopped us from coming there with the flock and from growing wheat, and only later said that it was a closed military training area. We lived on that land. All our flock drank from the well that was there. The moment we were banished, my father sold the herd, because we didnt have another source of water, and became unemployed. One can only envy the view Mitzpe Kramims residents have. The community is located east of Allon Road and above the Jordan Valley, and the residents see in front of them the whole the valley and the Moab mountains on its eastern side. There are two playgrounds there, mobile homes and a row of permanent houses. Vineyards and fruit trees have been planted alongside the road leading to the community from Kochav Hashachar. The petition was filed by Ajaj and Rabia against the state and the communitys residents. The residents argued in response that it was the state that built the outpost, and that the state must reach an agreement with the petitionersif they really do own the landand compensate them with money or alternative land. The state confirmed in its response that sections 13 and 23 in parcel 19 are regulated private property beyond the jurisdiction of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council. The land remained empty until Independence Day 1999, when Mitzpe Kramim was established south of Kochav Hashachar. Eight months later, the residents were evacuated from the place as part of the outpost agreement signed between then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak and the Yesha Council heads. The agreement stated that the outposts buildings would be moved into Kochav Hashachar. Instead, the caravans were moved to their current location. Attorney Younes. Land theft (Photo: Shaul Golan) Aviad Caspi, head of infrastructure at Israel's Civil Administration, referred to the caravans move to the current place as an error. Error or not, Mitzpe Kramim has developed since then, and today the two sections that Rabia and Ajaj have claimed ownership of include 35 caravans and four permanent buildings, with a total of 150 residents. The entire outpost, which is defined as illegal, has 43 families with some 150 children. In November 2013, the outposts residents filed a civil claim with the Jerusalem District Court against the state and the two Palestinian petitioners, demanding that the two sides reach a settlement that would allow the residents to remain in their homes. Attorney Younes, representing the two men, said that the claims goal was to delay the High Court proceedings. A year later, in November 2014, the High Court issued a conditional order against the state and Mitzpe Kramims residents, essentially accepting Rabia and Ajajs claims. No new developments have been recorded since then. In November 2015, the state turned to the High Court and asked to wait for the completion of the District Court proceedings. The High Court gave the state 18 months. In the time that has passed since then, there has been hardly any progress. There is half a year left till the end of the extension granted by the High Court, attorney Younes sighs, and Im telling you that there is no chance the District Court proceedings will be completed by then. The states interest is to delay the decision as much as it can. Thats the last thing they need, a new Amona in half a years time. The Regulation Bill will basically cancel the petition. Not just that one. I am running a number of High Court petitions regarding private lands with outposts on them. I have a High Court petitions over plots on one of the hills in Eli, in Beit El, in Givat Asaf, and even in Amona. If the law legitimizing land theft passes, the Palestinian petitioners will no longer have any place in the Israeli legal system. The only option they will be left with is international. To sue not only the responsible people in the Civil Administration, in the army and in the political echelon, but also the settlers themselves whose names and details we already have. Ajaj claims that for many years he didnt even know that he could turn to the Israeli court. I didnt know that the Israeli law could come to my aid, he says. As soon as I was told that I could petition the court in Jerusalem, I did it immediately. We explained to him that the new law states he is entitled to pecuniary compensation for his land, if it indeed turns out that he is the owner. Ajaj was unmoved. Im firmly against any compensation. Money comes and goes, but the land stays. Ill say more than that: The settlers say that they invested money in the place, that they built infrastructures and homes at a value exceeding the value of the land. Im willing to pay back everything they invested, as long as they leave the homes and go away, despite the fact that they forced me out of the land, that they forcibly took it away from me. When I heard that a settlement had been built on it, I felt as if my hand had been cut off. Do you have that kind of money? I dont, but I assume that any bank in Ramallah will give me a loan for this purpose. Fear of arrest warrants Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority is preparing files on each and every one of the petitions and collecting data. A file is also being prepared on the Regulation Bill itself ahead of a possible lawsuit at the International Criminal Court. The Defense Ministrys legal advisor, Ahaz Ben-Ari, and Deputy Attorney General Roy Schondorf were at the Knesset recently to speak at a meeting of the committee appointed to handle the Regulation Bill as part of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. Channel 10 reporter Akiva Novick published some of their comments. According to the report, Ben-Ari said: The defense establishment opposes this law, clear and simple. I find it difficult to believe that such a law would pass in Israel. Netanyahu said it was a recipe for reaching The Hague. Is there a public servant who will dare sign an expropriation order? According to the same report, Schondorf added that an investigation in The Hague has many implications on the individual level. An authority to prosecute, personal arrest warrants. The senior PA officials comments emphasize the legal advisors stand: Our work on the ICC file is daily and routine. The data being collected there includes anything new that occurs in regards to the settlement enterprise. The teams are collecting findings and information, which are handed over to jurists who examine them. The source notes that there is also a Palestinian team which is closely monitoring the progress of the Regulation Bill. He clarifies, however, that at this stage the PA is inclined to raise the issue at the UN by proposing a Security Council resolution. If the Palestinians dont get what they want there, the next stop will be The Hague. A Russian passenger plane with 92 people aboard, including a well-known military band, crashed into the Black Sea on its way to Syria on Sunday minutes after takeoff from the resort city of Sochi, the Defense Ministry said. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Tu-154, which belonged to the Defense Ministry, was taking the Alexandrov choir to a concert at the Russian air base in Syria. A total of 84 passengers and eight crew members were on board the plane when it dropped off of radars minutes after taking off in good weather. Emergency services found fragments about 1.5 kilometers (less than one mile) from shore at a depth of 50 to 70 meters (165 to 230 feet.) The cause of the crash wasn't immediately known. Red Army Choir visits Israel in 2014 (R) Tu-154 aircraft (L) (Photo: Shutterstock and Alexandrov Choir) Rescuers have already found one body and personal documents belonging to some of those on board. There was no word of survivors. Nine Russian journalists, including a TV crew from Channel One, were also among the passengers. The plane was headed to the Hemeimeem air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was personally coordinating the rescue efforts, and President Vladimir Putin has received official reports on the incident. The Tu-154 is a Soviet-built three-engine airliner designed in the late 1960s. More than 1,000 have been built, and they have been used extensively by carriers in Russia and worldwide. In recent years, Russian airlines have replaced their Tu-154s with more modern planes, but the military and some other government agencies in Russia have continued to use them. Israel has taken a series of diplomatic moves against nations that voted in favor of the contentious UN Security Council resolution calling for an end to settlement construction, from recalling ambassadors to cutting ties and canceling official visits. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Foreign Ministry to "reevaluate all of our ties to the UN within a month," and said he had already cut NIS 30 million in funding to five UN institutions. "Five institutions that are particularly hostile towards Israel," he explained. Israel is also considering stopping work visas to employees of these UN agencies and expelling UNRWA spokesman in Israel, Chris Gunness, who Jerusalem is accusing of inciting against the State of Israel. UN Security Council voting in favor of anti-settlement resolution (Photo: AP) Another measure being examined is to stop payments of NIS 186 million a year (about 46.5 million euros) to the UN in membership fees. Netanyahu, who is also the foreign minister, recalled Israel's ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal soon after the vote and has summoned the ambassadors of all nations who voted in favor of the resolutionexcept the USto his office on Sunday morning to rebuke them. He also instructed the Foreign Ministry to cancel a scheduled visit of the Senegalese foreign minister to Israel in three weeks as well as cancel all Israeli government aid to the West African nation. "Those who work with us will gain, because Israel has a lot to offer the nations of the world. But those who stand against us will lose, because there will be a diplomatic and economic price to their actions against Israel," he said in a speech on Saturday night. One of the aid projects Israel is leading in Senegal is of drip-irrigated vegetable farms, which are part of an initiative to alleviate poverty through agricultural innovation. The program is based on low-pressure drip-irrigation that saves water and produces improved quality of vegetables and fruits. Growing lettuce in Senegal using drip-irrigation (Photo: MASHAV) As part of the project, Israeli experts train locals in advanced irrigation methods and help construct infrastructure like greenhouses, nurseries and study centers. Several dozens of Senegalese arrive in Israel every year for further training. Israel has invested hundreds of thousands of shekels a year in this project over the past decade, and it is one of the biggest projects in Africa. New Zealand, which is ending its two-year term as a member of the UN Security Council at the end of this month, has in the past submitted its own initiative that included an expression of commitment to the two-state solution, condemnation of settlement construction, condemnation of incitement and violence on both sides of the conflict and addressing the humanitarian situation. The initiative was not taken seriously and New Zealand's representatives had to withdraw it but decided to support the original Egyptian resolution draft that was also adopted by Malaysia and Indonesia. And while New Zealand and Senegal submitted the resolution along with Venezuela and Malaysia, Israel has no diplomatic ties with the latter two nations, so there are no countermoves it can take against them. Israel was disappointed with some of the countries that supported the vote, primarily Britain (whose Prime Minister Theresa May is leading a pro-Israel policy), Ukraine, Japan and Uruguay. Ukraine, which is a normally friendly state towards Israel, voted in favor of the resolution. In protest, Netanyahu decided to cancel a scheduled state visit to Israel by Ukraine's Jewish Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman. Ukraines decision to vote in favor of the resolution appears to demonstrate the extent to which President Barack Obama was behind the decision. Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman (Photo: AFP) According to officials in Israel, Groysman is thought of as one of Israels main supporters and even wanted that his country not be involved in the consultations held on the resolution. However, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko decided to vote in favor of its passage following a telephone conversation with US Vice President Joe Biden. Jerusalem did not expect much from France or Spain, but has hoped Russia's President Vladimir Putin would veto the decision. Netanyahu even called him twice last week. You make it possible. Since 1957, south Billings has been a better place because of you and your support of Friendship House of Christian Serv A drive-by shooting took place on Sunday morning as terrorists fired rounds in the direction of the Beit El settlement adjacent to Ramallah. No injuries damage were immediately reported in the attack. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A number of ammunition shells were located at the scene as security forces combed the area in pursuit of the terrorists who fled shortly after committing the attack. Scene of the incident near Beit El (Photo: TPS) In the last two weeks, a number of shooting attacks have taken place in the West Bank. Last Monday, an Israeli bus was hit by live rounds in the Judean mountains near Talmon. There were no passengers in the bus , and no injuries were reported. Ammunition shells found (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) Twenty-four hours beforehand, an Israeli citizen was lightly wounded in another shooting attack Beit Aryeh-Ofarim in the Binyamin region. In this case too, the terrorists managed to escape from the scene. The dIsraeli driver suffered shrapnel wounds in his face and continued driving until he reached a military pillbox nearby. Two-and-a-half weeks ago, a shooting attack took place when shots were fired at an Israeli vehicle near the Palestinian village of Deir Abu Mash'al near Beit El. While no one was injured in the attack, the vehicle was damaged. Forty firefighting crews were called from all over the country to Haifa Bay on Sunday morning after a gasoline refinery burst into flames, threatening to spread throughout the vicinity and sending plumes of smoke into the northern skies. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter According to Magen David Adom paramedics, there were no injuries reported immediately after the incident. However, resident of Kiryat Haim and Kiryat Motzkin are being urged to remain inside and close their windows. Fire in gasoline refinery (: " , , ) X Fire services reported that their priority was to contain the giant conflagration in order to prevent its spreading to other gas tanks. Photo: Reuters The incident involves one thousand cubic meters of gasoline. The fire is not under control, the fire services said on Sunday morning. Gas refinery on fire Shortly after 11:30am, firefighters managed to reach the roof of the burning refinery and pour foam on it from multiple directions. They described the progress as a significant relaxation. However, full control over the fire had still not yet been attained as the flames continued to rage. By 4:30pm, the flames had showed few signs of waning however and in fact were reinvigorated, throwing the fire services into a state of confusion as to why. "It isn't clear. According to the representatives of the refinery the amount (of gas) was supposed to have been finished a long time ago," said a firefighter. It later emerged that the amount of gas had been miscalculated. Fire erupts in Haifa gas refinery Investigations are currently underway as to whether the fire was caused by static electricity. When the fire broke out, the container was in the process of being emptied into another one. Photo: Monat Galpaz Before the fire services managed to reach the roof, a spokesman from the national firefighters' commission, Yoram Levi described the severity of the situation in an interview with Ynet. Plume of smoke soars into the Haifa skies (Photo: Gil Soiri) The incident is centered on one tank that is burning and that will burn until the fire is put out. The aim is to prevent damage to other tanks, he said. Fire fighting aircraft are not relevant for this incident. We are using foam and water cannons. In addition, we are cooling down the gas tanks situated nearby. This is a very serious incident it can potentially cause extremely serious danger. The disaster comes just one month after Haifa was hardest-hit by the wave of fires which swept across Israel. A total of eleven neighborhoods went up in flames in Haifa as the fires ravaged the city and 527 homes were completely destroyed. Only several months ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bragged about the relations between Israel and Senegal. We have a great relationship, he said in a meeting with Senegalese President Macky Sall, and we will make it greater. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter This past weekend, however, the prime minister recalled the Israeli ambassador from Dakar for consultations and cancelled all Israeli aid to Senegal. New Zealand was punished for its Security Council vote as well, and the Israeli ambassador in Wellington will also be spending the New Year vacation in Israel. So what happened to Netanyahus declarations that Israel is enjoying unprecedented international relations during his term? And why did he choose to punish Senegal and New Zealand, but avoided summoning our ambassadors in Washington, Moscow, London and Paris for consultations? The prime ministers conduct can only be defined as Netanyahu is not afraid of the weak. The Obama administration put Netanyahu in his place and back to his real dimensions (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Barbara Tuchman, whose book The March of Folly describes countries that make decisions against their real interests and conduct their affairs in a self-destructive mode, would have likely added Netanyahus behavior to the list. After four terms as prime minister, he has backed Israel into an extremely isolated corner and is, God forbid, turning it into an outcast among the nations. This is nothing less than terrible. But after the shock, its important to stress that this isnt the end of the world: The reality that has been created in the territories since 1967 is stronger than any UN resolution, the Palestinians will remain with just a piece of paper for now, and not a single settler will be required to find an alternative home. The international communitys decision serves, more than anything, as a wakeup call for the Israeli leadership to do something, to initiate a real renewal of the talks with the Palestinians. The Palestinian people will not disappear, and the international community wont leave us alone. We can no longer assume that America will keep providing us with a sweeping strategic umbrella, not even during the Trump era. The Obama administration put Netanyahu in his place. America is unwilling to tolerate a situation in which the leader of a small country, which relies on the United States for its actual existence, thinks he can do whatever he wants, including an attempt to get President Obama down on his knees through a Congress speech. We should assume that this may repeat itself in the Trump administration as well. We have already seen Republican presidents who acted against the Israeli interest and in favor of the American interest. For example, the Reagan administration, which launched an open dialogue with the Palestinian Liberation Organization. This past weekend, our magician lost his magic. Netanyahu was kicked out, as he says, not only from his home on Jerusalems Balfour Street , but also from the United Nations building on New Yorks 1st Avenue. A female terrorist responsible for carrying out a stabbing attack in the Old City of Jerusalem was sentenced to 16 years in prison by the Jerusalem Magistrates Court on Sunday morning. According to the indictment, Shrouq Dawit stabbed two Jews in October 2010 and injured one of them. In addition to her prison term, she was ordered to pay compensation to the victims of NIS 80,000. US President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that the UN vote demanding Israel halt settlements in the West Bank and declaring all those built thus far illegalincluding those in eastern Jerusalemwould make a peace deal "much harder," but said it could happen anyway. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "The big loss yesterday for Israel in the United Nations will make it much harder to negotiate peace. Too bad, but we will get it done anyway!" Trump said in a message on Twitter. The US's decision to abstain from the vote, thereby enabling its passage, marked a stark departure from long-standing US policy to veto anti-Israel resolutions in the world body. President-elect Donald Trump (Photo: AFP) The US abstention meant the adoption of the first UN resolution since 1979 to condemn Israel over its settlement policy. By deciding not to veto the move, the US took a rare step that deeply angered Israel, which accused President Barack Obama of abandoning its closest Middle East ally in the waning days of his administration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the resolution as a "shameful blow against Israel at the United Nations." Photo: AP Trump, who campaigned on a promise to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, had bluntly said Thursday that Washington should use its veto to block the resolution. "As the United States has long maintained, peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians will only come through direct negotiations between the parties, and not through the imposition of terms by the United Nations," he said in a statement. Trump has chosen as ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who has said Washington will not pressure Israel to curtail settlement building in the West Bank. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed his party Sunday to refrain from making public declarations relating to annexation of territories or construction in the West Bank, warning that more international maneuvers could be made against Israel until the expiration of President Obamas tenure in office on January 20. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The instructions came during a Likud party forum meeting held shortly before a special cabinet security-diplomatic meeting which is scheduled to be held in the afternoon. During the meeting, the prime minister is expected delineate plans Israel intends to take against the UN in retaliation for the contentious UN Security Council resolution calling for an end to settlement construction, and defining all those built thus far and in the future as illegalincluding those in eastern Jerusalem. Echoing his speech yesterday denouncing Resolution 2334, Netanyahu once again heaped criticism on the Obama administration during the weekly Sunday government meeting: I share the anger and frustration of the members of the government in light of this most unbalanced decision against Israel, that was taken in the most innapropriate manner by the Security Council, he said. I have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated the decision and stands behind it, he stated unequivocally. It coordinated its phrasing and saw to it that it would be passedcompletely contrary to the traditional American policy of not seeking to impose final terms through the Security Council, he continued. PM Netanyahu (Photo: Flash90) With no attempt to conceal his disdain for the outgoing President in light of his decision to not veto the move, Netanyahu said, It was the explicit commitment made by President Obama to prevent steps such as these. We will do all that we need in order to ensure that Israel emerges unharmed from this shameful decision. Concluding his statement, Netanyahu urged his ministers to conduct themselves with responsibility. I say to the ministers, you need to act with insight, with responsibility and coolheadedness. That means both in action and in words, he said. I am asking that ministers act with responsibility in accordance with the guidelines that will be given at the cabinet meeting today after the government meeting. I have asked the Foreign Ministry to prepare a plan of action against the UN and other international organizations which will be presented to the cabinet and until then we will assess additional measures. Despite his exhortations, Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) already called on Israel to impose sovereignty on the West Bank. In the near future we should impose sovereignty on the the whole of Area C in Judea and Samaria Bennett said in response to the resolution. Naftali Bennett (Photo: Daniel Elior) There are two alternatives: surrender of sovereignty. We have tried surrendering and giving up for 25 years already. The time has come for sovereignty. But it would not be the first time Bennett has made such statements. Indeed, Shortly after the US population voted for Donald Trump, Bennett hailed his victory, saying that it helped create an opportunity for Israel to abandon its stated commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state. During her speech after the adoption of the resolution in the UN, US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power specifically cited statements made by both Netanyahu and Bennett in an effort to justify the US's decision. "One cannot simultaneously champion expanding Israeli settlements and champion a viable two-state solution that would end the conflict. One has to make a choice between settlements and separation," Power said. "The Israeli Prime Minister recently described his government as 'more committed to settlements than any in Israel's history,' and one of his leading coalition partners (Bayit Yehudi Leader Naftali Bennettted) recently declared that 'the era of the two-state solution is over.' At the same time, the prime minister has said that he is still committed to pursuing a two-state solution. But these statements are irreconcilable." An indictment was issued against a 31-year-old female terrorist from the Palestinian neighborhood of Kafr 'Aqab who carried out a vehicular attack in the Qalandiya checkpoint this month. According to the indictment issued against Amani Hasim by the Jerusalem Magistrates' Court on Sunday, she drove to the checkpoint, saw an IDF soldier and sped up in his direction before running him over. She stands accused of a terroristic act of intent to inflict severe injury and possession of a knife. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Sunday that ambassadors to Israel from countries that supported Fridays contentious UN Security resolution against Israeli settlements be summoned to be reprimanded, including US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Ambassadors from 10 of the 14 countries that voted in favor of the resolution and have embassies in Israel - Britain, China, Russia, France, Egypt, Japan, Uruguay, Spain, Ukraine and New Zealand - were summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, the ministry said. The other ambassadors were summoned to the Foreign Ministry despite the fact that Sunday is a non-working day for them and despite the fact that it is Christmas. However, given the festive period, some of the ambassadors will be represented by their subordinates. UN Security Council votes against Israel (Photo: AP) While the other ambassadors will be reprimanded by high-ranking officials in the Foreign Ministry, Shapiro will meet with Netanyahu. Netanyahu also told cabinet ministers that he will not meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos next month. Netanyahu has not actually scheduled a meeting with May. The prime minister also instructed his cabinet members not to meet with representatives from countries that supported the resolution and avoid traveling to these countries. As part of one of the retaliatory measures since the adoption of the resolution, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman instructed the IDF on Sunday morning and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) to halt all state-civil activities with their counterparts in the Palestinian Authority. Avigdor Lieberman (Photo: Motti Kimchi) The move however, does not signal a termination of security and committee cooperation. During a Likud party forum meeting held shortly before a special cabinet security-diplomatic meeting which is scheduled to be held in the afternoon, Netanyahu reiterated his criticism of the resolution , and pointed the finger squarely at President Obama. I have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated the decision and stands behind it. He also enjoined the ministers to act responsibly and with coolheadedness, lest their public declarations about annexation provoke further maneuvers until President Obama leaves office on January 20 next year. Israels remonstrations aside, senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat welcomed the resolution. PLO Sec. Gen. Saeb Erekat Speaking to ynet on Saturday night, he accused Netanyahu of continuing with his political blindness and arrogance of power. Israel has a prime minister who believes that ignoring us means we dont exist and he just wants to defy the international community He wants to confiscate their land, steal their water, dictate their lives, plan for them, subjugate them and then he wants us to pray to God and thank him for being under Israeli occupation, he continued. This was a unanimous decision by the by the international community yesterday telling Israel and Netanyahu that enough is enough. It was a wake-up call. Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein approved to the police on Sunday to search the parliamentary office of MK Basel Ghattas (Joint List) who is currently under arrest on suspicion he smuggled cellphone into prison for Palestinian security prisoners. The police officers will be accompanied in their search with the Knesset's chief security officer and its legal advisor. Police on Sunday searched the home and Knesset office of MK Basel Ghattas (Joint List), who was arrested last week on suspicion of smuggling cellphones to Palestinian security prisoners locked in Israel jails. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein authorized the search of Ghattas's office and police searched it on Sunday afternoon accompanied by the Knesset's officer and the parliament's legal advisor. The Knesset's legal advisor, Eyal Yinon, also submitted an opinion to Edelstein determining that Ghattas should not be allowed to vote so long as he is under arrest. Edelstein decided to accept the recommendation. Ghattas at court for his remand extension hearing (Photo: Motti Kimchi) "A member of Knesset who is under arrest, including house arrest or other forms of arrest that prevent him from arriving at the Knesset building, cannot participate in votes at Knesset committees or in the plenum," Yinon wrote. According to the law, only an MK sentenced to time in prison is automatically suspended. The law does not specifically prohibit an MK under arrest from voting, and theoretically Ghattas could demand to be allowed to arrive at the Knesset to vote, but the new legal opinion will now prevent him from voting. Yinon opined that Ghattas should not be allowed to vote remotely by asking another MK to vote in his stead or by using a paper ballot. He explained that Knesset members have to be present in order to vote, and that even MKs who may be sick, in mourning, abroad and missing for any other reason are not allowed to vote remotely. Investigators leaving Ghattas's office with boxes of documents (Photo: Knesset Spokesman's Office) Ghattas was arrested on Thursday after Knesset Speaker Edelstein stripped him of his parliamentary immunity , which protected him from arrest and police search. His remand has been extended until Monday . "There are reasonable grounds to believe that releasing the suspect could be harmful to public security, Judge Menachem Mizrachi determined. Fellow Joint List MKs Jamal Zahalka and MK Hanin Zoabi also showed up at the court to support the suspect, who is the first serving MK to spend night under arrest. During the remand extension hearing on Friday, Ghattas refused to divulge who provided him with the phones that he is believed to have smuggled to the prisoners, on the grounds that "he does not want to be a snitch." The family of Hadar Goldin, whose body is being held by Hamas, was furious to learn that the State of Israel has recently returned bodies of 16 Palestinian terrorists to their families for burial. accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of surrendering to the Palestinians. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "The State of Israel has shown weakness and has apparently given up on bringing the bodies of Hadar and Oron Shaul home," the family said in a statement. The bodies of Shaul and Goldin have been held by Hamas since they were killed during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. The government has promised the families to make every effort to bring them back for burial in Israel, but arrangements have thus far not materialized. Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul "For a long time now, the Israeli government has demonstrated terrible weakness against terror and against Hamas," the family claims. "While Hadar and Oron are in the hands of Hamas, Netanyahu is returning the bodies of terrorists, improving infrastructure in Gaza, paying the salaries of Hamas terrorists and sending goods to Gaza to the extent no other government has ever done before. All this happens without Israel demanding negotiations or information on Hadar and Oron. The statement the prime minister made about returning the bodies of these boys has proved empty." Funeral of Palestinian terrorist whose body was returned by Israel (Photo: AFP) The Goldin family is demanding that the prime minister meet with them and the Shaul family to ensure that government policy will change immediately. The families noted that during the construction of the framework for the deal with Turkey, the families demanded that the deal include their sons for the reconstruction of Gaza, but they were left out of the settlement. A fake news story has touched off a tense Twitter confrontation between nuclear power Pakistan and Israel in an episode that underlines the potentially harmful impact of such stories in sensitive global affairs. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter In an apparent response to a fake story claiming Israel's former defense minister threatened a nuclear attack against Pakistan if it sends troops to Syria, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif reminded Israel that "Pakistan is a nuclear state too." Pakistani Minister of Defense (Photo: Reuters) Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh.Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too AH Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 23, 2016 Israel's Defense Ministry tweeted back Saturday, saying the original story on the site AWD News was "totally fictitious." AWD has been identified by fact-checking organizations as a fake news site. Israel maintains a policy of nuclear ambiguity, neither confirming nor denying the existence of an arsenal. Pakistan became a nuclear power in 1998. The countries have no diplomatic ties. There was no immediate reaction from Pakistan to Israel's response. Latest News Norfolk, Virginia - More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed a six-month deployment when the ships arrived at Norfolk Naval Station and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, today. While deployed the Wasp ARG/22 MEU team operated in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations (AOO) conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and supporting Operation Odyssey Lightning (OOL) in Sirte, Libya. "This ARG/MEU team has had an exceptional deployment at every level," said Commander, Amphibious Squadron Six Capt. F. Byron Ogden. "The hard work and dedication of every one of our Sailors and Marines is what made that possible. After months of superbly answering our call to duty, now we can enjoy the holiday with our families and friends." The Wasp ARG and 22nd MEU's mission during OOL was to conduct precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte to support the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) forces fighting there. Precision airstrike capability from the ARG was provided from Aug. 1 to Dec. 6. On Dec. 6 GNA forced claimed liberation of the city. The Wasp ARG and 22nd MEU also participated in bilateral exercises in both AOOs to include Exercise African Sea Lion with the Royal Moroccan Navy, Exercise Noble Shirley with the Israeli Defense Force, and Exercise Sea Breeze, a 13 partner nation training exercise that was the largest ever international amphibious exercise in the Black Sea. To accomplish these missions the ARG travelled a total of 87,000 nautical miles, conducted over 2,400 flight hours, and completed 44 replenishments-at-sea during the course of the deployment. "Over the past six months, we have shown the incredible flexibility and combat power that the MEU and Navy-Marine Corps team bring to the fight," said 22nd MEU Commanding Officer Col. Todd P. Simmons. "Every Marine and Sailor contributed phenomenally, and I couldn't be prouder of this incredible team." The Wasp ARG consist of Amphibious Squadron Six, amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Fleet Surgical Team (FST) Two, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) Four Detachments, Beachmaster Unit (BMU) Two detachments, TACRON 22, HSC-22 det. Two. The 22nd MEU consists of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's Command Element, the Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264, and Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22. West Palm Beach: President-elect Donald Trump today said he will dissolve his charitable foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month. The revelation comes as the New York attorney general's office investigates the foundation following media reports that foundation spending went to benefit Trump's campaign. Trump said in a statement that he has directed his counsel to take the necessary steps to implement the dissolution of the Donald J Trump Foundation, saying that it operated "at essentially no cost for decades, with 100 per cent of the money going to charity." "The foundation has done enormous good works over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups, including supporting veterans, law enforcement officers and children," he said in a statement. "I will be devoting so much time and energy to the presidency and solving the many problems facing our country and the world. I don't want to allow good work to be associated with a possible conflict of interest," he said. Trump said he will pursue philanthropic efforts in other ways, but didn't elaborated on how he'd do so. The Democratic National Committee criticized Trump for what it called "a wilted fig leaf to cover up his remaining conflicts of interest and his pitiful record of charitable giving." The statement from party spokesman Eric Walker also took a jab at the president-elect over his controversial business holdings: "Shuttering a charity is no substitute for divesting from his for-profit business and putting the assets in a blind trust - the only way to guarantee separation between the Trump administration and the Trump business." A 2015 tax return posted on the nonprofit monitoring website GuideStar shows the Donald J Trump Foundation acknowledged that it used money or assets in violation of IRS regulations, not only during 2015, but in prior years. Those regulations prohibit self-dealing by the charity. That's broadly defined as using its money or assets to benefit Trump, his family, his companies or substantial contributors to the foundation. The tax filing doesn't provide details on the violations. Whether Trump benefited from the foundation's spending has been the subject of an investigation by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. In September, Schneiderman disclosed that his office has been investigating Trump's charity to determine whether it has abided by state laws governing nonprofits. Documents obtained by The Associated Press in September showed Schneiderman's scrutiny of The Donald J Trump Foundation dated back to at least June, when his office formally questioned the donation made by the charity to a group supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi personally solicited the money during a 2013 phone call that came after her office received complaints from former students claiming they were scammed by Trump University, Trump's get-rich-quick real estate seminars. The Trump Foundation check arrived just days after Bondi's office told a newspaper it was reviewing a lawsuit against Trump University filed by Schneiderman. Bondi's office never sued Trump, though she denies his donation played any role in that decision. New Delhi: After receiving a positive public feedback on notes ban, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday promised more action against black money and vowed to introduce a strong law to deal with 'benami' properties. "You are possibly aware of a law about Benami property in our country which came into being in 1988, but neither were its rules ever framed, nor was it notified. It just lay dormant," Modi said in his 'Mann ki Baat' radio address. "We have retrieved it and turned it into an incisive law against Benami property. In the coming days, this law will also become operational," he said. The Prime Minister also spoke about some who are devising "newer wily ways and means" to counter the government's fight against corruption. "Everyday many new people are being taken into custody, currency notes are being seized, raids are being carried out. Influential persons are being caught. The secret is that my source of such information are people themselves," he said. "Information being received from common citizens is many times higher than that being obtained through the government machinery," he added. Defending the frequent changes in rules after demonetisation, he said: "The government, being a sensitive government, amends rules as required, keeping the convenience of the people as its foremost consideration, so that citizens are not subjected to hardships. "To counter these new offensives, we too have to devise appropriate new responses and antidotes. When the opponents keep on trying out new tactics, we have to counteract decisively since we have resolved to eradicate the corrupt, shady businesses and black money." He also said that rumours spread by some people that political parties enjoy various concessions and exemptions "are wrong". "Some people are spreading rumours that political parties enjoy all kinds of concessions. These people are absolutely in the wrong. The law applies equally to all. Whether it is an individual, an organisation or a political party, everyone has to abide by law and everyone will have to," he said. "I assure you that this is not the end. This is just the beginning in our fight against corruption. We have to win this war against corruption and black money. There is no question of stopping or going back in this fight," he said. The prime minister also lamented the logjam in parliament that evoked strong displeasure from the president and vice president, among others, and said he wanted a good discussion on demonetisation as well as on political funding. He said some people are spreading rumours that political parties enjoy concessions and exemptions but they are wrong. The law is equally for all. "It was my earnest wish that the ongoing campaign against corruption and black money, including the realm of political parties and political funding, be discussed extensively in the Parliament. Had the House functioned properly, there would have been comprehensive deliberation, he said. Giving a push to his plea for cashless economy, Modi also launched two new schemes for traders and customers that will dole out 15,000 prizes daily to those making digital transactions. New Delhi: Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh on Sunday visited Eastern Command headquarters at Fort William in Kolkata as part of his farewell visit to the Army's Eastern Command. Singh is set to retire on December 31 and will be succeeded by Lt. General Bipin Rawat. He addressed the officers of HQ Eastern Command at Albert Ekka Auditorium, in Fort William. "He spoke about the current multi-pronged challenges faced by the Indian Army starting from low-intensity conflict, disaster management, infrastructure development, fast track modernisation to preparedness for conventional warfare," said an official statement here. "General Dalbir Singh stated that the Indian Army was fully prepared for any eventuality. He also interacted with the JCOs and soldiers and praised them for their splendid hard work and urged them to continue the same for the nation," it added. Lt. Gen Praveen Bakshi, GOC-in-C Eastern Command thanked General Dalbir Singh for steering the Indian Army with his exemplary leadership and presented a memento on behalf of the Eastern Command. Islamabad: Pakistan on Sunday released 220 Indian fishermen held for trespassing into its territorial waters as a "goodwill gesture" to its nuclear-armed rival India, officials said. "We released 220 Indian fishermen today as a goodwill gesture," Deputy Superintendent of Karachi's Malir prison Hassan Sehto told AFP, adding that 219 others still remain in Pakistani custody. The freed fishermen are expected to cross over into India on Monday. Indian and Pakistani fishermen are frequently detained for illegal fishing since the Arabian Sea border is not clearly defined and many boats lack the technology to fix their precise location. The fishermen often languish in jail, even after serving their terms, as poor diplomatic ties between the two neighbours mean fulfilling bureaucratic requirements can take a long time. Relations between the two nations have plummeted since a deadly attack on an Indian army base in the disputed region of Kashmir in September, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. There have since been repeated outbreaks of cross-border firing, with both sides reporting deaths and injuries. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region. New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday extended his warm greetings to the nation on the occasion of Christmas. "Warm greetings & best wishes for a blessed Christmas to all my fellow citizens in India & abroad," President Mukherjee tweeted. "May the spirit of Christmas fill our hearts with love and compassion. May the divine teachings of Lord Jesus Christ inspire us to contribute our very best for the welfare of humanity," he added. Warm greetings & best wishes for a blessed Christmas to all my fellow citizens in India & abroad #PresidentMukherjee President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) December 25, 2016 May the spirit of Christmas fill our hearts with love and compassion #PresidentMukherjee President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) December 25, 2016 May the divine teachings of Lord Jesus Christ inspire us to contribute our very best for the welfare of humanity #PresidentMukherjee President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) December 25, 2016 PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to extended his warm wishes on the occasion saying, "Merry Christmas! We remember & celebrate the life & teachings of Jesus Christ. His message of peace, unity & compassion inspires us all." Merry Christmas! We remember & celebrate the life & teachings of Jesus Christ. His message of peace, unity & compassion inspires us all. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2016 Defence Minister Defence Minister Joining the beeline, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also extended Christmas greetings to everyone and wished for peace and happiness. New Delhi: Sabarimala is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimages located at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad grama panchayat in Kerala. Lord Ayappa's temple attracts millions of tourists each year. Situated amidst 18 hills, it happens to be one of the world's largest annual pilgrimages. On Sunday, as many as 20 people were left injured in a minor stampede that took place at the famous Sabrimala temple. "20 Sabarimala pilgrims were injured in minor stampede at famous hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa. The injured have been admitted to Sannidhanam hospital," says Pathnamthitta Collector R Girija. However, this is not the first time that a stampede like situation has occurred in the Sabrimala Temple premises. On January 14, 2011, one of the most devastating incidents of all times took place when as many as 106 pilgrims were killed and more than 100 injured. It happened on the Makara Jyothi Day at Pullumedu near Sabarimala. The stampede took place when pilgrims were returning from the Sabarimala shrine on the last day of the annual festival when a jeep toppled. Before that on January 14, 1952, 66 Ayyappa pilgrims were burnt to death when two fireworks sheds caught fire. In 1999, same day, as many as 52 pilgrims were killed following a stampede during their return after witnessing the Makara Jyothi at Pamba. One of the main causes for 1999 stampede happened to be collapse of the sides of a hillock, reportedly. Incidentally, the two-month-long pilgrimage, which started in November 2010, reported no such tragedy before this stampede. Thiruvananthapuram: A 31-year-old American tourist was arrested after being allegedly found in possession of a satellite phone, banned in India, while on his way to board a flight back home at the airport here, police said on Sunday. Marks Jordan Andrew, a US citizen, was detained yesterday after Immigration officials found the satellite phone in his bag. He was questioned by CISF, in-charge of airport security, and later handed over to local police. The American was arrested and a case registered under the Wireless and Telegraph Act, police said. He was produced before a city court which remanded him to 14 days judicial custody. Andrew, hailing from California, had arrived here via Mumbai-Bengaluru and was on his way back to US via Dubai when he was intercepted. Police said Andrew told them that he was unaware that satellite phones are banned in the country. Kolkata: NIA sources has revealed that ISIS suspect Abu Musa had planned to attack Mother House in Kolkata. He had chosen Mother House in Kolkata as it is a soft target and has American, British and Russian visitors. Reportedly, Musa's plan was in retaliation to the bombing of IS forces in conflict-ridden Syria and Libya State, NIA sources added. Earlier, Jamaat-Ul Mujahideen Bangladesh activist Mohammed Masiuddin alias Abu Musa was questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Kolkata to probe a possible conspiracy being hatched by his Syria-based handler Sultan Abdul Kadir Armar to target American assets and nationals This is the second international probe agency which has questioned Musa. Also, he was quizzed by Bangladesh police in connection with its probe in the July 1 Holey Artisan Bakery attack. 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed in the attack in July this year. Official sources said a team of FBI questioned Masiuddin for over five hours during which they focussed their questions around Armar, alias Yosuf Al-Hindi, who is believed to be planning attacks on American assets and nationals world wide. Armar, 40, a native of Bhatkal in North Karanatka, is suspected to be in touch with radicalised American youth either looking to join or already recruited by the banned ISIS terror group. The US officials later shared their inputs with the National Investigative Agency (NIA) about their questioning of Masiuddin. The questioning of Masiuddin was allowed on reciprocal basis as the US agency has been extending help to the Indian security agencies in various terror-related cases Masiuddin was arrested in July this year during a joint raid by the NIA and West Bengal CID from Viswabharati fast passenger train at Burdwan station in connection with Burdwan bomb blast of October, 2013 in the state His handler Armar, a fugitive based in Pakistan since 2008, was also part of a group of Indian Mujahideen operatives which had broken away from the organisation to form the IS- affiliated Ansar al-Tauhid in 2014. Ansar al-Tauhid functions from Tehreek-e-Taliban?s training camps in Pakistan?s North Waziristan Masiuddin spoke about his connections with top leaders of at least two terror groups and admitted that he had been assigned the task of spreading their tentacles in West Bengal and other places in the eastern part of the country A resident of Labhpur in Birbhum district, Masiuddin, who was staying in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur with his family including two children, had visited West Bengal this July after almost six years His phone records showed that he had communicated several times with people from Syria, Iraq and Bangladesh. Masiuddin was using a mobile application to keep in touch with top leaders of terror groups in the three countries, NIA sources said Masiuddin had allegedly been tasked with beheading his neighbour in Labhpur and raping his daughter to "prove his mettle" over the mobile phone application The chat application was similar to one of the main accused of Burdhwan terror case, Suleiman, of the Jamat-ul Mujahideen Bangaldesh and Moulana Yusuf of Ansar-ul-Tauhid, the sources said. Mexico City: At least 10 Mexican states over the past few days have suffered serious gasoline shortages, which the state oil company Pemex attributes to the clandestine theft of fuel from the pipelines. "We are currently taking various measures to re-establish the adequate and opportune supply of gasoline and diesel to the country," Pemex tweeted. As local media have reported over the past few hours, the lack of fuel at gas stations affects at least 10 states of the nation, Efe news agency reports. The states hardest hit are Michoacan, which on Friday reported severe problems in several cities due to the lack of fuel, as well as Aguascalientes, Guanajuato and Zacatecas. Other regions like Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Morelos, Puebla, Tlaxcala, San Luis Potosi and Durango are also experiencing gasoline shortages in a number of their cities. On December 21, Pemex announced the suspension of operations on the Salamanca-Leon pipeline due to clandestine drainage, which interrupted the arrival of fuel to a number of regions around the country. Pemex explained in a video that when the system detects a drop in pressure at some point in the 17,000-km network of pipelines, distribution is suspended for safety reasons until company personnel go to the problematic site to test it and repair the defect. According to Forbes, besides the problem of clandestine theft, the lack of fuel in certain areas is also due to maintenance of the Cadereyta Refinery in the northern state of Nuevo Leon, and a new system of billing by Pemex Refining. Rome: More than 100 skiers have been rescued after being trapped on the slopes of the Italian resort of Cervinia after a lift failed in high winds, authorities announced. Adriano Favre, the head of the rescue team in the Aosta Valley, yesterday announced the successful rescue just before midnight. The skiers had been stuck since 1430 GMT (2000 IST). "Luckily the wind wasn't too cold... there are no cases of hypothermia, and everything is under control," Favre said. The wind had been blowing at up to 150 kilometres an hour and had caused damage to infrastructure on the mountain, he added. Around 150 rescuers worked for hours to free the 130 skiers, who were stuck between two points of the lift - between 2,550 metres and 2,800 metres. By Damali Mukhaye The ruling National Resistance Movement Party has called upon Ugandans to share the little they have with one another during this Christmas season. The chairperson of NRMs Electoral Commission Dr.Tanga Odoi says Ugandans should look beyond religious or political affiliations while sharing this Christmas. He particularly asks those whose relationships were severed during the general elections to use this time as they remember the birth of Jesus Christ to mend fences. Skopje: Residents of the northwestern Macedonian village of Tearce has voted in an election rerun that could tilt the national election result. The rerun yesterday involved a single polling station with 714 registered voters in the village, 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the capital of Skopje. The rerun was ordered following complaints about voting irregularities from the opposition Social Democrats. Only 307 votes separate the country's two main rivals nationally. Former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski's conservative VMRO-DPMNE party won 51 seats in the 120-member parliament, while the Social Democrats claimed 49, leaving both needing a coalition partner to form a government. In the annulled vote in Tearce, 404 registered voters cast ballots. VMRO-DPMNE won 91 votes to 87 for the Social Democrats, while the rest were split among four Albanian-minority parties. The national election was called two years early as part of a Western-brokered deal to defuse a two-year political crisis sparked by a massive wiretapping scandal. The left-wing opposition blamed Gruevski for an illegal wiretapping operation targeting more than 20,000 people. Voting went generally smoothly and ended at 7 p.M. Local (1800 GMT). Voting was halted for 15 minutes due to problems with the ultra-violet lamps used in the voting verification process. Election authorities use invisible spray on voters' thumb to mark them as having cast votes and check all voters with UV lamps to make sure they will not try to vote again. Police said yesterday they got a report that two individuals allegedly tried to bribe an unidentified number of residents, offering them from 100 to 500 euros, in order not to vote. The bribers allegedly asked for identity documents from voters as proof they will not cast the ballot. Authorities are investigating the allegations. According to the monitors of civic organization "Civil", attempts have been made to bribe about 40 residents. Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE-led conservative coalition had announced ahead of the vote they would not be taking part in the rerun and will not recognize the results. Antonio Milososki, a VMRO-DPMNE senior official, has blamed the leftist opposition of trying to "falsify the electoral will of the citizens". "They (the opposition) are trying with some reruns to manipulate or to create conditions for falsifying the will of the people," he said. Results are expected later today. Honolulu: Seven months after President Barack Obama visited Hiroshima, the city where World War II all but ended, his Japanese counterpart is paying his respects at the site where the brutal conflict began. Prime Minster Shinzo Abe is travelling to Pearl Harbor, where he and Obama hope to underscore the alliance between their two nations - 75 years after the Japanese surprise attack that brought America into history's bloodiest war. The two leaders are meeting Tuesday in Hawaiian state capital Honolulu, on the archipelago's Oahu island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The visit has particular resonance for Obama, who was born in Hawaii and spent much of his childhood and adolescence here. Abe and Obama will visit the wreck of the USS Arizona, where 1,177 sailors and Marines died. The ship's rusting remains, still visible, are now a memorial. On December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy," as then president Franklin D. Roosevelt said, Japan's General Isoroku Yamamoto unleashed a devastating attack on Pearl Harbor's "Battleship Row." The assault caught the Americans off guard, and the Japanese sunk or heavily damaged eight US battleships. The two-hour offensive killed 2,403 Americans in all and injured more than 1,100 others. An explosion in the Arizona's ammunition stocks sealed that ship's fate. Just as when Obama visited Hiroshima, the purpose of Abe's tour is not to question decisions made three-quarters of a century ago, or to offer an apology, rather to pay homage to the victims and encourage historical reflection. "It puts a bookend in some ways to this open US-Japan conversation about the past and the war," said Japan expert Sheila Smith from the Council on Foreign Relations. "It puts us on a very different pedestal on the reconciliation side of things which I think is important for the region to see." In Hiroshima in May, during a speech given to a completely silent crowd, Obama launched an impassioned plea for a world without nuclear arms and he wrote a message in the visitor book at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. "We have known the agony of war. Let us now find the courage, together, to spread peace, and pursue a world without nuclear weapons," he wrote. More than 16 million Americans served in uniform from 1941 to 1945 - more than 400,000 were killed. Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima marked the beginning and end of the conflict between Japan and America, but it is impossible to compare the two. One was an attack on the heart of US naval power in the Pacific, the other an atomic bomb over a city. But each event has cemented itself in the hearts and collective memories of the people, and both places remain hallowed sites of pilgrimage to this date. Beijing: China's navy plans a training exercise in the Pacific that would include for the first time its sole aircraft carrier, state media reported -- a move likely to ratchet up regional tensions. The duration of the drill and the route of the flotilla were not known. But the Soviet-made carrier is based in the northeastern city of Dalian, suggesting the fleet would enter the Pacific through a disputed island chain between Taiwan and Japan. "A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning, headed towards the West Pacific on Saturday for scheduled blue-water training," Xinhua said Saturday, citing China`s navy spokesperson Liang Yang. Japan`s Defence Ministry confirmed eight Chinese vessels, including the carrier and three destroyers, had been spotted by one of its ships in the central part of the East China Sea on Saturday afternoon. In recent days the Liaoning has been involved in exercises in the Yellow Sea, with J-15 fighter jets taking off from it and conducting air refuelling and combat drills, Xinhua said. Earlier in the month the Liaoning led large-scale exercises in the Bohai Sea that included live ammunition for the first time. Tokyo controls the string of uninhabited islands known as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China that are also claimed by Beijing and Taipei. The Chinese navy drills are seen as a show of strength by Beijing at a time of rising tensions with Taiwan and the United States following a protocol-breaking telephone conversation between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and US President-elect Donald Trump. China views Taiwan as a renegade province and fiercely opposes diplomatic recognition of it as a country. Last Tuesday the Chinese navy returned a US underwater probe it had seized in the South China Sea, where competing territorial claims have heightened tensions in the region. New Delhi: In a huge gaffe, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has reportedly threatened to nuke Israel after he read a news report about a similar warning from his Israeli counterpart but it turned out to be false. The Pakistani minister said that his country won't hesitate to use nuclear weapons against Israel if it faces a similar threat. His knee-jerk reaction follows a fake news report which claimed that his Israeli counterpart threatened a "nuclear retaliation" for Islamabad's role in Syria. The story of this embarrassing faux pas by a senior Pakistani minister was picked up by various news organisations. The New York Times wrote that a fake news story prompted the Pakistani defence minister to threaten to go nuclear. In a Twitter post, Asif slammed Israel after he apparently believed that Tel Aviv had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons. "Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh," the minister reportedly wrote on his Twitter account. "Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too," he wrote. According to Times, Asif was reacting to a fake news article published on awdnews.com titled Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack. The article had appeared on December 20. The fake report even misidentified the country's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The article quoted a former minister Moshe Yaalon. Reacting to the fake news, the Israeli Defence Ministry responded on Twitter to say the it was fictitious. "The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon reg Pakistan was never said," the Times quoted the ministry's Twitter post as saying. "Reports referred to by the Pakistani Def Min are entirely false," the ministry added in a second post. The Times wrote that the proliferation of fake news stories, spread on social networks and produced by a variety of sources including pranksters, has become an increasingly serious problem. Baghdad: At least nine civilians were killed and another 17 wounded on Saturday after the Islamic State jihadist group shelled mortars at two neighbourhoods east of the Iraqi city of Mosul. Nineveh provincial council member Hossam Eddin al-Abbar said that IS intensively shelled the al-Zuhur and al-Qudis neighborhoods in Mosul, Efe news agency reported. Al-Abbar added that the Iraqi forces failed to move the wounded to hospitals as IS militants control al-Qudis neighbourhood, while al-Zuhur remains under the control of Iraqi forces. Over the past few days, the Iraqi forces-held eastern neighbourhoods of Mosul have been targeted by mortar shells, as well as other indiscriminate attacks carried out by the IS. The Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces launched an offensive on October 17 to free Mosul and the entire province of Nineveh from the IS, which conquered large swathes of northern Iraq in 2014. Valletta: Two Muammar Gaddafi loyalists, who hijacked an internal Libyan flight before giving themselves up at Malta, have been charged with a string of offences, including terrorism. Both men pleaded not guilty. The two Libyan men, 28-year-old Ali Saleh and 27-year-old Moussa Soko, arrived at Malta Law Courts on Sunday escorted by armed guards, Xinhua news agency reported. They were charged with hijacking the plane and holding the 109 passengers and six crew members against their will. Both the hijackers denied the charges in court. They did not file a request for bail. On Friday, the men hijacked the Libyan flight operated by state-run Afriqiyah Airways and diverted it to Malta International Airport. The plane was flying a domestic route in Libya, from the southern city of Sebha to the capital Tripoli. After a four-hour standoff at the Maltese airport, all passengers and crew were safely released. The two hijackers surrendered peacefully. They were later found to have used replica weapons for the hijacking. Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has summoned US Ambassador Daniel Shapiro, two days after Washington abstained in a vote on a UN resolution against Israeli settlements. Their meeting came after Israel yesterday called in 10 representatives of 14 other states that voted for the resolution. An official Israeli source confirmed only that Netanyahu and Shapiro had met, without elaborating on the content or outcome of their discussions. The UN Security Council passed the measure Friday after the United States abstained, enabling the adoption of the first resolution since 1979 to condemn Israel over its settlement policy. The resolution demands that "Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem". It says settlements have "no legal validity" and are "dangerously imperilling the viability of the two-state solution." Netanyahu, who also holds the foreign ministry portfolio, had rejected the resolution as a "shameful blow against Israel". Yesterday, he repeated Israel's claim that US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry were behind it. "We have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it, stood behind it, coordinated the drafts and demanded to pass it," the premier said at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting. "This is of course in total contradiction to the traditional American policy of not trying to impose conditions of a final resolution," he said, "and of course the explicit committment of President Obama himself in 2011 to avoid such measures." The Haaretz daily's website said that for Israel to summon an American ambassador was "considered a most unusual step". "Even more unusual is the fact that unlike the other envoys who were summoned on Sunday (yesterday) to the foreign ministry, Netanyahu will conduct the conversation himself at his office," it said ahead of the meeting. By deciding not to veto the UN move, Washington took a rare step that deeply angered Israel, which accused Obama of abandoning its closest Middle East ally in the waning days of his administration. The text was passed with support from all remaining members of the 15-member council, with applause breaking out in the chamber. The landmark vote came despite intense lobbying efforts by Israel and calls from US President-elect Donald Trump to block the text. Washington: President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have sent their final Christmas salutations from the White House, highlighting common values uniting Americans of all faiths. "The idea that we are our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated," Michelle Obama said. "Those are values that help guide not just my family's Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; nonbelievers and Americans of all backgrounds," the president added. The Obamas' seasonal greeting comes at a time when America is deeply divided after a brutal presidential campaign that pitched populist Donald Trump and his frequently incendiary rhetoric against Hillary Clinton. The Obamas appeared jovial in their greeting, showing a flashback to the filming of their first Christmas message in 2009, when the president couldn't stop giggling. Barack Obama also used the address to re-cap his time in office, saying the country was much stronger than it had been than when he succeeded George W Bush. "Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low," he said. "We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more." As is custom, the couple also thanked US troops and their families. Vatican City: Pope Francis has celebrated Christmas Eve Mass in a packed St Peter's Basilica, rounding out a year marked by his pleas for the world to better protect innocents caught up in wars, migrations and abject poverty. As the Sistine Chapel choir sang "Gloria" and the basilica's bells rang out across Rome, Francis yesterday processed to the altar behind cardinals draped in golden vestments for the service celebrating the birth of Jesus. The late night Mass was the first major event of the Christmas season, followed by Francis' noon Urbi et Orbi (To the city and the world) blessing on Christmas Day. Francis has spent much of 2016 bemoaning the Islamic extremist violence that has driven Christians from Mideast communities that date to the time of Christ. He has demanded Europe in particular do more to welcome refugees, saying Jesus himself was a migrant who deserved more than being born in a manger. And he has denounced the wasteful ways of the wealthy when children and the poor die of hunger every day. Vatican City: Pope Francis urged the world`s 1.2 billion Catholics to feel compassion for children, notably victims of war, migration and homelessness in his Christmas Eve mass but also those "not allowed to be born". Addressing a 10,000-strong crowd late Saturday, the pontiff urged worshippers to celebrate "authentically", by acknowledging "the fragile simplicity of a small newborn" and "the tender affection of the swaddling clothes". "Let us allow the child in the manger to challenge us, but let us also allow ourselves to be challenged by the children of today`s world," he said, speaking in St. Peter`s Square. Many children have died this year while attempting the perilous Mediterranean migrant crossing to Europe which has claimed more than 5,000 lives in 2016 alone. Thousands of traumatised Syrians including children meanwhile left the former rebel enclave of Aleppo this week after four months of suffocating siege. Children are "hiding underground to escape bombardment" or "on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat overladen with immigrants", the pontiff said, before reiterating his opposition to abortion. "Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons," he said. And in an echo of his well-established criticisms of materialism, Francis also urged the faithful to avoid indifference, "when Christmas becomes a feast where the protagonists are ourselves, rather than Jesus". The pope, who celebrated his 80th birthday a week ago, has made simplicity and modest living the hallmarks of his papacy. On Sunday, Francis will deliver his fourth Christmas message to the faithful massed in St. Peter`s Square. By Damali Mukhaye The Democratic Party president Nobert Mao has called upon Ugandans to use this Christmas season to re-connect to God irrespective of their religious beliefs. Mao tells KFM that Ugandans have currently drifted away from God and many have already lost faith and hope for this country. Citing the Uganda Motto-For God and My Country, Mao says that all that Ugandans need to do is cry out to God for help and he will always intervene in whatever situation. Vatican City: Pope Francis offered his thoughts to victims of terrorism Sunday in his annual Christmas address, days after the truck attack that left 12 dead at a festive Berlin market. "Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, and to those who have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities," the pope told crowds at the Vatican in his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and The World) message. Pope Francis urged an end to the fighting in Syria as he gave his Christmas address at the Vatican on Sunday, saying "far too much blood has been spilled" in the conflict. "It is time for weapons to be still forever, and the international community to actively seek a negotiated solution," the pontiff told crowds gathered for his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and The World) message. Mexico City: Western Mexico's plague of violence continued on Christmas Day with the discovery of six decapitated heads in one state and the slaying of seven people in another. The Michoacan state prosecutor's office said the six heads -- which it referred to as "cephalic extremities" -- were found in Jiquilpan, a municipality near the state of Jalisco in a region that has been a battleground between competing drug gangs in recent years. In a brief statement, it said the six men had not yet been identified and their bodies had not been found. Meanwhile state security officials in the neighboring state of Guerrero said gunmen entered a house and shot to death seven people in the municipality of Atoyac de Alvarez. Five were members of one family and two were a married couple. The document from the Guerrero Coordination Group said witnesses reported that the shooting occurred around 3 AM (local time). Guerrero, where Acapulco is located, is one of the states most plagued by drug gang violence. Riyadh: A Saudi soldier was killed in a cross-border firefight with Yemeni rebels, the interior ministry said Sunday. A border post was attacked overnight by Huthi rebels, a spokesman said, adding that one soldier wounded in the exchange died before reaching hospital. He was the latest of at least 111 Saudi soldiers and civilians to die in the country`s south since the kingdom launched a coalition to battle Yemeni insurgents in March 2015. Most Saudi casualties have been from retaliatory cross-border rocket attacks or combat. But there have also been previous deadly mine blasts in Jazan. In Yemen itself, more than 7,000 people have been killed, mostly civilians, since March last year according to the United Nations. A Yemeni military official said Sunday that five rebels were killed in a coalition air raid in the southern Shabwa province. Also in Shabwa, three armed tribesman were killed in an ambush by fighters belonging to the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda. President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi Sunday visited the port city of Mukhalla, on Yemen`s southeast coast, for the first time since loyalist forces retook it from jihadists. Washington: At least seven people were killed on Christmas eve due to sporadic violence across the US, officials said. In Wilson county, North Carolina, the local sheriff's office said four people were shot dead on Saturday evening, Xinhua news agency reported. The victims were identified as a mother and a son with their respective boyfriend and fiance. The motive behind the attack was not ascertained. In Memphis, Tennessee, a shooting near a supermarket resulted in one death and another is in critical condition. The shooting took place at a neighbourhood where frequent gang-related violence occurs. In Pearl, Mississippi, a shooting incident killed two and injured one. Local police said a 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, who were dating, were killed while the girl's father was injured. Police said the younger man was the suspected shooter and his fatal wound was self-inflicted. In Johnston, Rhode Island, what seemed to be a domestic dispute turn violent and led to the death of a girl. Police said the father of the girl, who sustained non-life-threatening stabbing wounds, was the suspected shooter. In a mall in Lynnwood, Washington, a man who was trying to break up a brawl was stabbed by one of the persons involved in the fight. Police have taken the 19-year-old perpetrator into custody. In St. Petersburg, Florida, police are looking into a double shooting that may have left one critically injured. Jalalabad (Afghanistan): A Taliban commander was killed and four others were injured as government aircraft targeted militant-positions in eastern Afghanistan, the police said on Sunday. The air raids on Taliban hideouts in Batikot district of the eastern Nangarhar province took place on Saturday night. Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Rahman was killed in the attack and four of his armed men sustained critical injuries, Xinhua news agency reported. A large amount of arms and ammunition of the militants were destroyed in the airstrike, the official said. However, Taliban militants were yet to comment about the airstrike. Istanbul: Turkey on Sunday deployed more tanks and artillery to the border with war-torn Syria, where Ankara is pressing a campaign to capture an Islamic State group bastion, reports said. Several tanks, military transport vehicles and at least 10 artillery units including cannons were sent to Oguzeli and Karkamis in southeastern Turkey, state news agency Anadolu reported. The latest deployment came as Turkish forces tightened their grip around the IS bastion of Al-Bab in northern Syria, as Ankara-backed Syrian rebels and Turkish troops pressed a fierce assault to capture the town. Sixteen Turkish soldiers were killed by IS in the battle for the flashpoint town Wednesday -- Ankara`s biggest loss so far since it launched its incursion into Syria in August. The Turkish army said it killed 12 IS jihadists Sunday near Al-Bab, though it was not possible to independently verify the claim. A Britain-based monitoring group meanwhile said on Friday that at least 88 civilians had been killed in 24 hours of Turkish air strikes on Al-Bab, including 21 children. Syrian President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said "Al-Bab is nearly finished", and reiterated a previous vow that Turkish forces would head next to the town of Manbij, a former bastion of IS that is now under the control of US-backed, Kurdish-led militia. Ankara views Syria`s Kurdish forces -- which have played a lead role in the battle against IS -- as "terrorists" linked to a 30-year Kurdish insurgency in Turkey. It has vowed not to take part in any international offensive to reclaim Raqa, IS`s main bastion in northern Syria, should Kurdish fighters take part. Erdogan will discuss the issue with the incoming US administration after President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated in January, Erdogan said. North Kivu: At least 22 civilians were killed in a massacre in Democratic Republic of Congo`s restive North Kivu province over the weekend, an official said Sunday. The bloodshed occurred in Eringeti, a town 55 kilometres (35 miles) north of the regional hub Beni, a city plagued by a wave of attacks that have claimed more than 700 civilian lives according to regional official Amisi Kalonda, who blamed the latest violence on Ugandan rebels. Kalonda said members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group of rebels dominated by puritanical Ugandan Muslims and entrenched in the region for about two decades, stormed the town on Saturday afternoon. "The ADF has yet again plunged the people of Eringeti and its surrounding areas into mourning," he told AFP, speaking from the North Kivu capital Goma. "Yesterday, they killed 10 civilians. Twelve other bodies were found (Sunday) in the surrounding villages." "The modus operandi is always the same," he said, adding that the victims were either killed with knives or machetes. For the past two years the region around Beni has been afflicted by a series of massacres that have killed hundreds of civilians, most of whom were hacked to death. Congolese officials have blamed the attacks on the ADF but several expert reports have suggested that other groups, including elements within the Congolese army, took part in some killings. A Congolese army spokesman confirmed the attack saying military forces had "killed four ADF rebels" but added that "the toll on the civilian side is very heavy". Teddy Kataliki, the head of a prominent local civic group, also spoke of at least 22 victims. "Yesterday the bodies of 10 civilians were found and today another 12," he said, adding that this was a provisional toll. "We don`t understand this situation which continues to bereave the region of Beni," he said. He said another such attack was underway on Sunday evening in the town of Oicha, further south. An army spokesman said troops were engaged in an operation in the area but refused to provide further details. Tehran: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin welcomed the "Syrian army`s victory against the terrorists in Aleppo" during a late-night phone call, Iranian media reported on Sunday. "The Syrian army`s victory sends a message that the terrorists cannot achieve their objectives. We must stop terrorists using the ceasefire to rebuild their forces and create new bases in other regions of Syria," Rouhani said following the call on Saturday night, according to a statement published by state media. Putin also welcomed the defeat of rebel forces in Syria`s second city and said cooperation between Tehran and Moscow "will continue". They said peace talks would take place in Kazakhstan, without providing further details. Iran and Russia have been the key backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and label all rebel forces in the country as "terrorists". "The result of this cooperation is a major victory in the fight against international terrorism," added Putin. Syrian troops this week retook control of eastern Aleppo, which has been held by disparate rebel groups since mid-2012, after a devastating month-long offensive that has caused tens of thousands of refugees to flee their homes. Russia`s entry into the conflict in September 2015 -- primarily through air strikes -- helped turn the tide for Assad, while Iran has provided military advisors and frontline "volunteer" fighters. By Abubaker Kirunda & Julius Ocungi Pastor Zakaliya Sserwada of Evangel Church of Uganda has asked president Museveni to forgive the embattled Rwenzururu king Charles Wesley Mumbere who is battling several charges including terrorism. Delivering his Christmas message to the congregation in Jinja, Sserwada has implored the president to use this Christmass period to prepare for dialogue with the King Mumbere who is on remand at Luzira Prison. King Mumbere and hundreds of his royal guards were arrested in following clashes between security forces and the guards at his palace in Kasese that left over 100 people dead. However Pastor Sserwada says that the Christians remember the birth of Jesus Christ, President Museveni should consider forgiving the king for peace and harmony to prevail. Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese John Baptist Odama has advised Ugandans to desist from being lured to fights against the government by their leaders. Delivering his Christmas Sermon at St Josephs Cathedral Church this morning, Bishop Odama said such a move can plunge the country into violence. Citing the recent killings in Kasese district in which over 100 lives were lost, the Bishop said a violent approach to addressing grievances only causes more harm, adding that the best way to solve problems is through dialogue. The Bishop has also called on Ugandans to use the festive season to preach unity amongst as the only way to have a stable nation. Meanwhile, Northern Uganda Diocese Bishop Rt. Rev Johnson Gakumba while giving his sermon at Christ Church warned police and security operatives against extorting money from suspects during their operations. Bishop Gakumba said police should uphold professionalism and desist from acts of corruption and denial of justice. The bishops warning comes amid numerous allegations that police officers and UPDF soldiers currently deployed to quell the insecurity in Gulu town were demanding for money from suspects arrested during patrols before they can be released. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ Jang-Sup Shin William Lazonick By Jang-Sup Shin and William Lazonick The revolt of "angry white Americans" is now accepted broadly as a major cause of the unexpected victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election. Trump had various problems, including tax avoidance as well as sexist and racist remarks and behavior, which would have disqualified him as a national leader of a democratic society in a normal situation. Those angry Americans, however, leaned toward Trump over Hillary Clinton. The presidential election had already become a mudslinging contest that forced voters to choose between two flawed candidates rather than for the better choice. In this situation, disaffected voters supported Trump with an expectation that he would at least jolt the current system that had made them angry. They saw little hope for change from Clinton because she was a representative of the elite establishment who was responsible for building an inequitable economy and was benefiting from it. But in the selection of Trump as a systems-jolter, the angry Americans have been conned. The system is more likely to be strengthened. Trump blamed outsiders such as immigrants and its trading partners for U.S. problems and those angry Americans cheered his rhetoric of "making America great again." In our view, however, there is an unresolvable incongruity between this political rhetoric and the economic reality because, at the core of the system, lies "predatory value extraction" within the United States. Since the 1980s, U.S. business corporations have been restructuring employment relations and financial behavior. The mantra of the day was that American corporations should recover their international competitiveness against their Japanese and German counterparts through "corporate restructuring." American workers then kept hearing the story that the U.S. economy enjoyed a resurgence during the 1990s thanks to the success of the restructuring process. But corporate restructuring has been a very painful process. Millions of people lost secure, well-paying jobs and were forced to find new employment in new locations for lower wages and fewer benefits. There have also been social costs of supporting those out of work, temporarily or permanently. Since the 1980s growing numbers of workers have been on the losing end of the so-called U.S "success" story. In the United States from World War II to the late 1970s, labor productivity increases were paralleled by wage increases. The U.S. middle-class emerged and prospered during the period. Since the 1980s, however, wage increases have not kept up with labor productivity increases. Under the incessant pressure for restructuring, U.S. workers on average have had to accept far lower earnings than the value they have contributed to their companies. From the mid-1990s, they began working longer hours than Japanese workers, who they used to deride as "ants." The proportion of "contingent workers" in the total workforce also increased sharply from 10.5% in 2010 to 15.8% in 2015, so that hard work today was often followed by no work tomorrow. Who then took most of the economic gains from the restructuring? They were a small group of powerful stock-market traders who made fortunes trading in corporate stocks and top corporate executives who got the vast majority of their compensation from stock-based pay in the forms of stock options and stock awards. They have reaped, and have legitimized, these outsized rewards by carrying out U.S. corporate restructuring in the name of "maximizing shareholder value." This "unholy alliance" between financial investors and top executives is evident if one examines how U.S. corporations actually distributed their profits and cash reserves. For the decade 2006-2015, U.S. corporations' total net equity issues new share issues less shares taken off the market through buybacks and merger-and-acquisition (M&A) deals was minus $4.16 trillion. The U.S. stock market became a huge money sucker from U.S. corporations although the tendency of net outflow has existed on a smaller scale as in other stock markets of advanced countries. Our research at the Academic-Industry Research Network shows that for the decade 2006-2015 the 459 companies comprising the S&P 500 expended $3.9 trillion on stock buybacks, representing 53.6 percent of net income of $7.28 trillion. The $3.9 trillion is an enormous amount of money that could have been utilized for job creation and long-term investment for corporations. But U.S. shareholders and top executives drew down the money only to purchase stocks and get rid of them in the name of "maximizing shareholder value." Another 36.7 percent of net income, $2.67 trillion, was spent on dividends during the period. U.S. corporations had already maintained higher dividend payout ratios than their counterparts in Western Europe or Asia. But the payout ratio increased even higher during the process of restructuring after the 1990s. Much of the remaining 9.7 percent of net profits was held abroad, sheltered from U.S. taxes. Shin Jang-sup is an economics professor at the National University of Singapore and former advisor to Korea's finance minister, and William Lazonick is professor of economics at University of Massachusetts Lowell and president of The Academic-Industry Research Network. Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life! Many trends on the horizon offer opportunities that could transform our cities. From self-driving vehicles and the sharing economy through to cloud computing and blockchain technologies, each of these trends is quite significant on its own. But the convergence of their disruptive forces is what will create real value and drive innovations. Take blockchain and the sharing economy as an example. Bringing these two forces together can potentially disrupt established companies like Uber and Airbnb. The success of these companies is largely due to their ability to make use of existing assets people owned, that had been paid for, but from which new value could be derived. Effectively, these companies set up digital platforms that harnessed excess capacity and relied on other people to deliver the services. The same applies to other so-called sharing economy companies that merely act as service aggregators and collect a cut off the top. In the process, they gather valuable data for further commercial gain. But can this business model be challenged and enhanced for the benefit of those who are delivering the service and creating the real value? Can technology be used to bypass the third party and allow direct peer-to-peer collaboration within a distributed governance structure? What could a peer-owned and peer-run marketplace look like? Blockchain technology could just be the answer. What is different about blockchain? You can think of blockchain as the second generation of the internet a transformation from an internet of information to an internet of value. Blockchain allows suppliers and consumers even competitors to share a decentralised digital ledger across a network of computers without the need for a central authority. The assets that can be described on the blockchain can be financial, legal, physical or electronic. No single party has the power to tamper with the records sophisticated algorithms keep everyone honest by ensuring data integrity and authentication of transactions. But the impacts of blockchain go well beyond financial services and transactions. Its real value is in establishing trust-based interactions and accelerating the transfer of governance from centralised institutions to distributed networks of peer-to-peer collaboration. The impact can be profound: a centralised institution acting as intermediatory in a transaction of value is now at risk of being disrupted because the same service can be provided on the blockchain through peer-to-peer interaction. Blockchain gives service providers a means to collaborate and derive a greater share of the value for themselves. Smart agents on a blockchain could do just about everything provided by a service aggregator. The technologys trust protocol allows autonomous associations to be formed and controlled by the same people who are creating the value. All revenues for services, minus overheads, would go to members, who also control the platform and make decisions. Trust is not established by third parties, but rather through an encrypted consensus enabled by smart coding. The transformation has already begun We already have examples of this technology in action. Arcade City, a global community of peer-to-peer services, is planning to offer a ride-sharing service on the blockchain. To catch a ride, the user buys digital currency (known as tokens), creates an offer and commits funds for the ride. A driver claims the offer, matches the funds to signal their commitment to provide the service, and picks up the passenger. The blockchain releases the funds as soon as the user acknowledges completing the ride. Arcade City has a city council, which will overlook the system for three years until it is fully decentralised and up and running. The same concept of using distributed public record technology can be applied to a wide range of urban applications. For example, an energy startup in Perth is looking to trial a peer-to-peer technology solution that would allow consumers to offer excess energy, available through their solar panels, on the blockchain. Clever code matches the suppliers with consumers without the need to go through the energy provider. Still more questions than answers The blockchain technology and ecosystem around it are evolving rapidly, and are probably raising more questions than answers. How do we establish a system of transparent governance to ensure the longevity of the blockchain? What about security, speed, cost and, more importantly, regulations? As with other disruptive technologies, there will be winners and losers. If the technology is successfully managed for scalable growth, it could very well disrupt established norms and transform our societies. Large layers of data generated by consumers today, which are controlled by hubs, can become public. In a world driven by blockchain, consumers can monetise their own data to derive greater value. By knowing when and how to take advantage of this technology, we have an opportunity to transform the digital platforms for tomorrows cities. The blockchain becomes the citys operating system, invisible yet ubiquitous, improving citizens access to services, goods and economic opportunities. Today, the technology is yet to mature. It remains to be seen if the expectations can live up to reality. But, in many ways, this is quite reminiscent of the internet in the mid-1990s. Not many people would have predicted its significance back then. Had we understood the impacts of the internet 20 years ago, what could we have done differently to create more value? That is where we stand today with blockchain. The power of this transformation will become more compelling as the hype settles down and we begin to unleash the possibilities. Hussein Dia, Associate Professor, Swinburne University of Technology This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Now read: Top Google searches in South Africa for 2016 When MyBroadband asked Cybersmart CEO Laurie Fialkov what he wanted from the government to improve broadband in South Africa, he had a simple answer: less. Less interference, less regulation, less reporting, and less licencing fees, is what Fialkov asks from the government in 2017. Many other Internet service provider CEOs have also complained about the increasing administrative overhead which is required to run a telecoms company in South Africa. Without the cumbersome administrative requirements, it will become easier and cheaper to roll out telecoms infrastructure and services in the country. Spectrum and easier wayleave permission process Many ISP executives have also urged the government to hand out valuable spectrum and make it easier to get permissions to build fibre networks. Webafricas Greg Wright said additional spectrum is sorely needed to allow mobile operators to reduce data prices. Vox Telecom CEO Jacques du Toit concurred. We need to reach finality on the white paper and once that is agreed upon, the spectrum auction and allocation must follow, he said. Without this we dont stand a chance in moving forward. Wright also called for a more efficient wayleave approval process to speed up fibre roll-outs across the country. Wright also asked for more pressure on Telkom to reduce the price of its IPC service and to launch a naked ADSL service. Portugal is considering abandoning golden visa scheme Biden and Erdogan to meet at G-20 summit NATO supports normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and welcomes EU efforts Bank of England raises interest rates by largest amount since 1989 Scholz says Berlin must change its attitude toward China Cavusoglu and Stoltenberg disagree over Sweden's and Finland's fulfillment of commitments Turkish Vice President to visit Azerbaijan and occupied Shushi Britain buys 250 million pounds worth of oil from Azerbaijan from July 2021 to June 2022 Yair Lapid congratulates Benjamin Netanyahu on winning election Armenian MOD: Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense spreads another disinformation ENISA: War in Ukraine, geopolitics fuel cyberattacks Armenian MFA: Yerevan and Baku agree to speed up work on agreeing procedure of Commissions' activities Zelenskyy will not participate in G20 summit if Putin participates in it WP: Man who attacked Pelosi's husband was in the U.S. illegally At Upper Lars, 30 cars are allowed through per day instead of previous 300: What are authorities doing? Bloomberg: Turkey unlikely to sign Sweden's bid for NATO membership before the end of the year Military servicemen in Armenia to be attested: Discussion at parliamentary standing committee IEA calls for urgent action on gas shortages in Europe French Senate to consider resolution demanding immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenian territory Papikyan: The final number of dead will be published after the identification is complete Armen Grigoryan presents to Patrushev consequences of Azerbaijani aggression Indonesia reveals its own kamikaze drones UN: Russia resumes participation in inspection of ships in Black Sea Grigoryan: Armenia interested in using communication routes through Azerbaijan Investigative Committee: 10 officers charged in Armenia FT: Azerbaijan demands EU funding and long-term contracts for gas supplies Security Council Secretary: Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenian territory US becomes 2nd largest gas supplier to EU Russian Defense Ministry reports release of 107 Russian servicemen from Ukrainian captivity How U.S supports Azerbaijan in 20 years by suspending 907th Amendment? Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will receive less funds in 2023 than in previous two years German government urges its citizens to leave Iran Armenian MFA: Unblocking infrastructures is one of the main directions of talks Armenia MFA: We expect positive results in relations with Turkey in near future Armenia to open diplomatic representations in several countries in 2023: Uruguay among them Former Pakistani Prime Minister injured in shooting of election motorcade Russian MFA: Great Britain transferred underwater drones to Ukraine Armenia FM: International community has sent very clear signal to Azerbaijan Prime Minister receives Arin Karapet, Swedish MP Dollar, euro drop in Armenia Armenia FM: In few days there will be meeting between me, Bayramov, Blinken in Washington IRNA: Iran's IRGC eliminated a group that was planning attacks on government agencies Lawcoster 'Pobeda' to resume flights to Armenia at end of this year Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: One cannot despair, struggle must continue Deputy FM: Armenia can make some progress in simplifying visa regime with EU Turkey says Russia assures not to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine CSTO deputy chief: Armenia-Azerbaijan escalation, confrontation risk remains Armenian MFA: Cautious optimism in restoration of diplomatic relations with Hungary Uzbekistan refuses to resume operation of Mir cards in country Belarus Council: If Poland unleashes aggression, war will spread throughout Eastern Europe Peskov: It is up to the Ministry of Defense to increase the term of military service Valerie Boyer: Corrupt, racist Azerbaijan is attacking Armenia borders, seeking to continue ethnic cleansing, genocide Meeting of CIS Security Councils chiefs kicks off in Moscow Charles III travels with teddy bear and toilet seat EU plans to finance programs in Armenia for AMD 55 billion 747 mln Economy minister: Armenia and Iran are making efforts to jointly sell goods to third countries Azerbaijani Armed Forces practice capturing borders during exercises on border with Iran Storm in Philippines leaves 150 people killed Inflation in Turkey is up to 85.51% in October Armenia economy minister on Central Bank: First they said increase would be 4%t, then 1%, then 6% Borrell thanks UN and Turkey for facilitating Russia's return to the grain deal Foreign direct investments in Armenia last year totals AMD 129.2bln Minister: Examination of Armenian soldiers' bodies continues Jaguar station wagon from Elizabeth II fleet to be sold at auction IMF plans to provide more than $165 million to Armenia Marukyan: Baku says Karabakh Armenians should either stay on Azerbaijan terms or leave for 3rd country Minister of Economy: Armenia's role in Eurasian Economic Union grows Biden says U.S. troops will stay in Europe for a long time Vahan Hunanyan: Yerevan and Tehran have no disagreements on most issues Armenia, Russia to collaborate in information security Artsakh State Minister: There are many principal disagreements with Armenian authorities Public TV Company of Armenia to make purchase worth AMD 2 698.6mln for Junior Eurovision 2022 Armenian-Russian trade turnover up by 71.7%, Economy Minister Secretaries of CIS Security Councils to discuss nuclear security Economy minister: Armenia exports to other EEU countries increased 2 times Outgoing Artsakh Minister Artak Beglaryan to take position in state government system Japan Coast Guard reports 3 North Korean missile launches in a day Pashinyan says Armenian government did a lot for revival of Armenian aviation Oil falls in price Patrushev comments on Zelenskiy's statement about preventive nuclear strike WSJ: Americans favor Republicans over Democrats Turkey announces normalization of grain corridor Gold prices are down Putin calls on CIS countries security councils to use all their security capabilities SPRING PR founders were awarded the 'Global PR Leader of the year' Copper prices are rising State Duma member proposes to extend term of military service in Russia Iranian MPs: Powerful Iran will never tolerate changing of its borders Turkey to complete construction of pipeline in Black Sea in November Newspaper: Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty to be signed in Georgia US delivers more than 200 artillery systems to Ukraine since February Secretary of Armenian Security Council to visit Moscow Switzerland to direct $100 million to repair energy infrastructure in Ukraine Study: Blue whales eat 10 million particles of microplastics a day Microsoft president warns of shortage of staff to fight climate change Latvia extends state of emergency on Belarus border WSJ: UAE tried to convince Saudi Arabia not to cut oil production Cavusoglu: Greece must stop arming the demilitarized islands in the Aegean Sea Moody's downgrades outlook for banks in Germany, Italy, and 4 other countries to negative About 40 international companies to announce their relocation to UAE by end of year No Yes, a light case Yes, two or more light cases One serious case Two or more serious bouts Vote View Results 3 Lessons Mobile Wallets Can Learn from Alipay by Casey Bullock, General Manager, Global eCom North Americas, at Worldpay Alibaba saw record sales on Singles Day 2016, with $17.8 billion in revenue more than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined, as reported by CNNMoney. Singles Day began as a simple holiday to celebrate those not in relationships but in recent years, it has grown to become the biggest annual Chinese shopping day. Given the success of Singles Day its no surprise that the companys mobile wallet is the worlds most popular online payment method, with a reported 44 percent of global ecommerce market share*. According to a new study from Worldpay, Alipay is set to command 60 percent of global mobile wallet spend by 2020. While options like Apple Pay and Google Wallet are gaining momentum, Alipays head start poses a major threat to mobile wallet competitors and its recent partnerships with Point of Sale vendors in the U.S. and Europe are only fueling Alipays continued growth. Mobile payments providers and other companies looking to compete must take several strategic steps to gain a bigger piece of the global ecommerce market. Turn mobile payments into a lifestyle choice When many U.S. and other Western consumers think of mobile wallets, the first thought that likely comes to mind is, the ability to buy physical goods. For other types of payments or online chatting, Western consumers tend to use separate, purpose-built apps outside the mobile wallet. In contrast, Alipay has taken mobile wallets far beyond simply purchasing physical goods and turned Alipay into a lifestyle choice embedded into daily activities and interactions and Western mobile wallet providers should follow suit. For example, according to a speaking session from Alipay at Money2020 Europe, the mobile wallet is launching the Alipay Local Services Platform in more than 12 countries and regions to allow Chinese tourists to travel like locals while abroad. The Alipay Local Services Platform is meant to help more than 100 million Chinese tourists all over the world easily find and use local services in the Alipay app, such as shopping, searching for a restaurant, booking a taxi, ticket booking and tax refunds. All such activities and interactions can be completed within the Alipay app, rather than using several different restaurant, tourism and local deal apps. This has helped to ensure Alipay is part of consumers daily lifestyles even when theyre on-the-go. Provide a ubiquitous experience Mobile wallets should cater to all consumer needs by providing omni-channel experiences with offerings such as in-browser payments or in-app money transfers. The coming years are likely to see major technology companies, including Facebook, Apple and Google more innovatively integrate payments into consumers lifestyles. The recent launch of in-app money transfers from Facebook marks one of the first steps in terms of delivering a ubiquitous experience. In addition to Facebooks money transfer capabilities, mobile wallets from Apple and Google are being extended to in-web browsers, meaning any online merchant can support these technologies. It also means shoppers can use a single payment method both online and in-store, making the proposition much more attractive for the rising proportion of people who prefer mobile commerce. Consumers want the option to pay how they want, when they want, wherever they want. If consumers preferred mobile wallets are offered wherever they shop whether online or in-store they are more likely to build engagement and loyalty with that brand. Make security a priority Security is a top concern for consumers. According to the 2015 Online Payment Journey data from Worldpay, 51 percent of retail consumers know a website is a secure place to shop if they see payment authentication logos on the homepage. Additionally, consumers are skeptical of payments, mobile and otherwise, if directed to another site. In fact, additional data from the study found 28 percent of shoppers would be so concerned about security when redirected to another site they would abandon the sale all together. Mobile wallets should make sure authentication logos are clear if customers are redirected to a new page for payment, as making security a clear priority is crucial to maintaining and increasing sales. In addition to clearly displaying payment authentication logos, mobile wallets can also capture more sales by joining a security initiative such as the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Payments Working Group or obtaining all applicable payment certifications to enhance consumer loyalty. The W3C makes the online payments experience consistent for shoppers regardless of which payment method they use and has the potential to be instrumental in harmonizing the Western mobile payments market. Due to Alipays recent partnership with European and U.S. Point of Sale vendors, these markets might see Alipay popping up in store and via online shopping sooner rather than later. While many other small steps will be needed for companies to rival Alipay, these three steps can make a significant difference in gaining market share and a competitive advantage. About Casey Bullock Casey Bullock is General Manager, Global eCom North Americas for Worldpay. Current responsibilities include managing all commercial personnel working directly with Worldpays clients in the North America region. Prior to Worldpay, Mr. Bullock was vice president, general manager fraud solutions for Chase Paymentech, and focused on the creation and delivery of enterprise-class fraud prevention capabilities into the e-commerce marketplace. * Worldpay 2016 Global Payments Report. Other Point of Sale news: Singapore is a hotspot for startups in Southeast Asia. There are plenty of funding options available (both from the private and government sectors) and the ease of setting up a business is well-known. On top pf that, Singapore is also praised for having a comprehensive digitally-connected ecosystem, which is a necessity for most tech startups who wish to use the island nation as a launching point. There is no shortage of venture capital firms residing here, including Quest Ventures, Wavemaker Partners and Jungle Ventures, to name a few. It is vital to for a startup to get the right funding partner one that will give the company not only the required capital but also, guidance and advice to scale quickly and successfully. With this precise reason in mind, Arnaud Bonzom and Florian Cornu collaborated to come up with Map of the Money 4.0. The tool is a layout designed to help startups and entrepreneurs understand venture firms in Singapore. It also provides the companies with a means of understanding the best way to raise money for their business idea. About Map of the Money 4.0 Source: Pixabay The tool by Bonzom and Cornu is an information platform detailing the activity of venture funds over a one-year period. The venture funds have a combined value of more than US$4 billion in Assets Under Management. A user will be able to find about information such as the fund size of a venture capital (VC), the bare minimum to its top investment allocation, the companys portfolio and even the known investments done by the company itself. All these are valuable indicators that give a background of sorts into the kind of startups a particular firm is inclined to fund. The History The first version of Map of the Money was introduced in 2009 by Meng Weng Wong, the co-founder of Singapores first tech accelerator, JFDI Asia. It has been updated twice in 2012 and 2014 to adjust in accordance to Singapores thriving startup ecosystem. The 2016 update features the work of Cornu and Bonzom. Story continues Map of the Money has been pivotal in showcasing the significant changes in the venture capital community over the years. According to their data, 500 Startups entered the Southeast Asian region in 2016 and has since set up a range of micro funds for Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. Source: Pixabay There have also been signs of a maturing VC ecosystem. Certain venture capital firms have shifted their focus to the Series A level of funding, such as the likes of Rakuten Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures and NSI Ventures. Rakuten Ventures might have started at US$10 mil, but theyve since closed funds with figures between US$50 mil to US$100 mil. Eduardo Saverin, the co-founder billionaire behind Facebook, has since come in to fill the need for investors at the Series B stage under the company B Capital Group. Although 4.0 is the latest version of the tool, Bonzom and Cornu are already working on the next update for Map of the Money. (By Annette Rowena) Related Articles - Payment with benefits: CardUps game-changing product - Legally bound: E-signing on the dotted line with Attores - 5 expert tips to be the best fintech startup in Asia Four Makati City police officers are under investigation for allegedly extorting P500,000 from an overseas worker they arrested last Wednesday for carrying an unlicensed firearm, an official said yesterday. Chief Inspector Aurelio Domingo, Police Officer 3 Marvin Garcia, Police Officer 2 Lloyd Fernandez and Police Officer 1 Shaminoding Tomondog have been relieved from the Makati polices Special Operations Group, said Chief Superintendent Tomas Apolinario, Southern Police District (SPD) director. The four lawmen were transferred to the SPDs holding unit while they are under investigation for grave misconduct and irregularity in the conduct of police operation. Overseas worker Rodolf Galicias partner, a Thai woman, sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after he was arrested. He was in the country for the holidays. She said the police officers demanded P500,000 for Galicias release and for them not to file charges against him. Apolinario said the NBI initially set an entrapment operation against the four police officers, but changed plans after the police insisted on receiving the money in the police station. He said the NBI then sought his help to confront the police officers involved in the alleged extortion. The Makati police is under the SPDs supervision. Apolinario said they will investigate the incident as it appeared the documents used in Galicias arrest were in order. He said they will check if there was an irregularity in the operation. Galicia remains in the custody of the Makati police. DAVAO CITY Local authorities here are honing their skills, including in flower arrangement, in preparation for the arrival of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as part of his state visit to the Philippines next month. Abes visit, tentatively set for the second week of January, reportedly includes a trip to President Dutertes hometown aside from the usual honors at Malacanang. Abes upcoming trip would be a reciprocation of Dutertes state visit to Tokyo last October. The Japanese officials who came here were so particular about the flowers that would be used to welcome the Prime Minister, a source told The STAR. A Japanese Air Force jet arrived here four days ago in what was called a probing flight to test the landing instruments, measurement of the runway and other details at the airport. The probing arrangement was reportedly carried out between the Japanese Defense Ministry and the Presidential Protocol Office. The President, in almost all his speeches, mentions Davao City as his showcase of the trademark Duterte governance. The President had been mayor of this city for 23 years and three years each as vice mayor and first district representative, separately. Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. confirmed Abes scheduled visit to Davao City, pointing out that there was a large concentration of Japanese soldiers and traders here during the Japanese occupation. In fact, Davao City used to be known as the Little Tokyo of the Philippines, as shown in the various landmarks and historical markers depicting the Japanese occupation all over the city. Davao was said to be home to many Japanese migrants in the early 20th century, most of whom were engaged in farming abaca or Manila hemp. Davao City and Mindanao in general are beneficiaries of many Japanese-funded projects, most of which were aimed at alleviating poverty and consolidating peace in the south. Story continues Mindanao reportedly gets the biggest chunk of Japanese development aid to the Philippines, through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Meanwhile, six Philippine Navy (PN) aviators are now training in Japan to fly TC90 patrol planes, five of which type of aircraft are on lease from Tokyo and set for delivery in the first quarter of the coming year. Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Japans Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) supervises the Navy aviators training program at Tokushima Air Base in Tokushima Prefecture. With Jaime Laude Senegal on Sunday defended its vote at the UN Security Council to halt Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, after Israel decided to recall its ambassador to Dakar and to suspend its aid programme. "Senegal's position must be saluted. The international community hails Senegal's stance, especially the Muslim nations," government spokesman Seydou Gueye said in a statement carried by national television. "Senegal abided by its diplomatic vision. Since 1975, Senegal has been a member of the (UN) Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People," Gueye said. Asked about Israel's suspension of all its aid programmes in the west African nation, the spokesman said the government had not yet been officially informed of the decision. "When it is informed of such a decision, it will issue a response," Gueye said. He did not comment on Israel's move to recall its ambassador to Dakar. Senegal, one of the UN Security Council's 10 non-permanent members, re-established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1995. The landmark UN resolution was passed Friday after the United States abstained. That enabled the adoption of the first UN resolution since 1979 to condemn Israel over its settlement policy. The vote came despite intense lobbying efforts by Israel and calls from US President-elect Donald Trump to block the text. It was scheduled at the request of New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela, which stepped in after Egypt put the draft resolution on hold. After the resolution passed, Israel recalled its ambassadors to Senegal and New Zealand for consultations. It has no diplomatic relations with Venezuela or Malaysia, which also voted for the resolution. In another act of protest, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also decided to cancel a visit by Senegal's foreign minister set for January. While the resolution contains no sanctions, Israeli officials are concerned it could widen the possibility of prosecution at the International Criminal Court. They are also worried it could encourage some countries to impose sanctions against Israeli settlers and goods produced in the settlements. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Vesna Vulovic, a Serbian stewardess who miraculously survived a plunge from 10,000 meters (33,000 feet) after her plane exploded in mid-air in 1972, has died. She was 66. Serbia's state TV said Saturday Vulovic was found dead by her friends in her apartment in Belgrade. The cause of death was not immediately known. Vulovic was working as a Yugoslav Airlines flight attendant on Jan. 26, 1972, when the Douglas DC-9 airliner she was aboard blew up high above the snowy mountain ranges of Czechoslovakia. All 27 other passengers and crew aboard perished. Vulovic entered the Guinness Book of Records in 1985 for "the highest fall survived without a parachute." It was suspected that a bomb was planted inside the jet during a scheduled stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark, but no arrests were ever made. Trapped in the plane's tail cone, she plummeted to earth in sub-freezing temperatures and landed on a steep, heavily wooded slope near a village. The fuselage tumbled through pine branches and into a thick coating of snow, softening the impact and cushioning its descent down the hill, crash investigators said at the time. Vulovic was rescued by a woodsman who followed her screams in the dark forest. She was rushed to a hospital, where she fell into a coma for 10 days. She had a fractured skull, two crushed vertebrae and a broken pelvis, ribs and legs. Initially paralyzed from the waist down, Vulovic eventually made a near-full recovery and even returned to work for the airline in a desk job. She never regained memory of the accident or her rescue. She told the AP in an interview in 2008 that she could only recall greeting passengers before takeoff from the airport in Denmark and then waking up in the hospital with her mother at her side. An instant national heroine, she went on to put her celebrity at the service of political causes, protesting against Slobodan Milosevic's rule in the 1990s and later campaigning for liberal forces in elections. A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines late Sunday, cutting off electricity to millions and disrupting Christmas celebrations for tens of thousands who fled its approach, officials said. Typhoon Nock-Ten made landfall in the eastern island province of Catanduanes at 6:30 pm (1030 GMT) with gusts of 235 kilometres (146 miles) an hour, the state weather service said. Officials said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the storm, one of the strongest this year to hit the disaster-prone archipelago on the Pacific Rim. The military and local governments earlier moved at least 102,000 people from the coasts, Catanduanes and the nearby Bicol peninsula, an impoverished region which is home to more than five million, provincial officials said. "Most of Bicol is without electricity," Joaquin Berces, a member of the region's civil defence office told AFP as residents hunkered down in the dark. "We stayed indoors for our own safety and we probably won't know the extent of the damage until tomorrow," he said by telephone from Legazpi city, the regional capital about 350 kilometres southeast of Manila. Communication and power lines have been cut in Catanduanes, he added. - Festivities abandoned - Experts had earlier warned of large coastal waves of up to 2.5-metres (eight-feet) high, floods and landslides. The typhoon was forecast to sweep west toward the country's most densely populated areas, passing just south of the capital Manila on Monday afternoon. "It would pass over land overnight and we hope that would dissipate the typhoon's strength somewhat" before reaching the Manila area, state weather forecaster Lorie de la Cruz told AFP. She said maximum sustained winds during land fall were 185 kilometres (115 miles) per hour, far lower than the 250 kph winds estimated earlier by the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Nock-Ten, named after a bird found in Laos, struck on one of the biggest holidays in the mainly Christian nation, and one provincial governor offered roast pig at evacuation centres to entice people to abandon celebrations at home. "Floods terrify me. Each time I hear about a coming typhoon I want to throw up," Criselda Buenvenuto, 68, told AFP as she joined neighbours sheltering at a school in the town of Santo Domingo in Bicol. The hunchbacked widow lived alone in the kitchen of her house after the rest of it was destroyed during a typhoon 10 years ago that killed more than a thousand people. In the village of Alcala on the slopes of the active Mayon volcano, about 100 babies, toddlers, parents and elderly people were the first to be trucked off to another school as rain and strong winds shook trees. "There are large ash deposits on the slopes (of Mayon). Heavy rain can dislodge them and bury our homes in mud," said local official Alberto Lindo. - Clear the beaches - The government forced more than 12,000 residents to move away from the Catanduanes coast, provincial vice governor Shirley Abundo said on ABS-CBN television. In Camarines Sur province near Catanduanes, governor Miguel Villafuerte said on his Facebook page that nearly 90,000 residents were moved out of their homes as part of his "zero casualty" goal. "Please evacuate, we will offer roast pig at the evacuation centres," he said in another post on Twitter. Civil defence officials in Bicol said earlier nearly half a million people in the region were in harm's way and needed to be moved out. All ferry services and commercial flights in the area were suspended. Some 20 typhoons or lesser storms strike the Philippines each year, routinely killing hundreds of people, and Bicol is often the first region to be hit. It prides itself on having sharpened its disaster response to minimise casualties. Rescue workers in Manila and surrounding provinces have been put on standby, evacuation centres opened and food and other rations stocked. The coastguard on Sunday ordered the beaches south of Manila to be cleared of holidaymakers by Monday, while residents of the capital's seaside slums were warned to leave their homes. Mammoth tsunami-like waves devastated the city of Tacloban and nearby areas when super typhoon Haiyan struck the central Philippines in November 2013, leaving 7,350 people dead or missing. CHEYENNE, Wyo. Outgoing Cheyenne Mayor Rick Kaysen will lead the Wyoming Association of Municipalities after he hands over his position to Mayor-elect Marian Orr Jan. 3. The Wyoming News Tribune reports that Kaysen will become the association's interim executive director on Jan. 4. The move comes after the group's executive director, Shelley Simonton, announced earlier this week she's resigning due to personal reasons. Kaysen says he was tapped for the interim position during the association's Wednesday board meeting. The mayor has been a member of the municipalities group for eight years and has served on its board most of his time in office. Kaysen will serve in his new role through June 30, when the board is expected to name a permanent replacement for Simonton. George Baldwin and Steve and Laurie Miller opened Cool Beans Coffee Shop on Dec. 18 at 1221 La Crosse St., at the corner with West Avenue. The new business offers a variety of coffee drinks made with Kickapoo Coffee beans from Viroqua, as well as tea, smoothies, soda pop and muffins, scones, cookies and other baked goods from Great Harvest Bread Co. in La Crosse. It also will sell Kickapoo Coffee beans, bulk teas and apparel and other merchandise with the Cool Beans logo. And at some point Cool Beans will sell sandwiches. Hours for now are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Cool Beans has 19 employees. Baldwin formerly owned Northwoods Martial Arts in West Salem and Sparta. Steve Miller has nearly 30 years of experience in retail management and his wife is a senior lecturer in the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Economics Department. Baldwin said he wanted to open a coffee shop because Theres a lot of opportunities for developing good experiences and good relationships (in a coffee shop) while still making a profit. Steve Miller said he and his wife were interested in starting Cool Beans because We wanted to have a place where area residents could go to meet friends and develop friendships. The Millers and Baldwin extensively remodeled the building, which had been vacant for three years. For more information, check the coffee shops Facebook page. Kris Buhr has moved her Modern 2 Classics Automotive and Detailing and her Buhrs Best Cleaners businesses to 1201 La Crosse St., between Beef & Etc. and Burrito House in La Crosse. The building also is just west of and across the street from Cool Beans Coffee Shop. Modern 2 Classics offers automotive repair and detailing services and previously was in Holmen. Buhrs Best makes and sells various cleaning products for homes, businesses and automobiles, and previously was on French Island. Modern 2 Classics and Buhrs Best Cleaners moved in September to their new location, where they will have their grand opening Jan. 28, said George Majewski, who handles marketing for both businesses. We were looking for a facility for quite some time that could accommodate both businesses, he said. Hours for both are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, by appointment only Saturday and closed Sunday. For more information, call Modern 2 Classics at 608-790-3114 or Buhrs Best Cleaners at 608-317-6217, or visit either firms Facebook page or www.buhrsbest.com. Jay Haskell has purchased Noffke Sign Co. in Suite C at 505 Empire St. in Holmen. Haskell, who has been with the firm since 1999, purchased it from Scott Kronn in November. Haskell received a bachelors degree in graphic design from Viterbo University in 2001. The company specializes in logo design, vehicle lettering, commercial signs and lettering, construction and realty signs and installation, storefront graphics, monument signs, trade show graphics and banners, Haskell said. Noffke Sign was started by Steve Noffke in 1991. Kronn became co-owner in 1994 and later became sole owner. The firm moved from Midway to its current location off of South Holmen Drive in 1999. For more information, visit www.noffkeco.com or the firms Facebook page. If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more. The holiday season is the perfect time to relax and watch a movie even if youre a busy entrepreneur. So if you find yourself with any extra time on your hands over the next couple of days, why not enjoy a film with some useful business themes? The following 10 business movies could be especially of interest to entrepreneurs over the holidays. Business Movies to Watch During the Holidays How to Succeed in Business Robert Morse, who most recently starred in the popular drama Mad Men about Madison Avenues golden age, stars as an ambitious window washer who rises through the ranks to become the head of the World-Wide Wicket Company. Jam packed with zany antics and lively musical numbers, How to Succeed in Business is one part satire, one part business success story. OK, this movie isnt exactly meant as serious business advice. But as a feel-good aspirational romp, it may just capture your heart. The Music Man Robert Preston plays a salesman who sets out convince the good people of River City, Iowa to purchase instruments, uniforms and music books for the towns boys band. Only one trouble with that. The town doesnt have one! So now the enterprising hero in The Music Man must now sell the idea of creating such a band too. And first he must create an urgent need for what hes selling. You wont believe what Prestons character, Prof. Harold Hill a.k.a. the music man does next. Of course, this might not be the way your business goes about making a sale, but, hey, its all in good fun. Enjoy! Youve Got Mail The title may suggest this movie is mostly about email. And it is sorta. But a subplot of this classic romance also deals with the competition between a small neighborhood business and a big box store. In this respect, Youve Got Mail is a classic David and Goliath story in which a small book store, operated by Meg Ryan, faces a mega retailer operated by Tom Hanks. Unfortunately in this story, Goliath wins. But dont think that means this film is lacking a great small business lesson. The movie is all about the passion it takes to keep a small business going even against impossible odds. And its also about the need to make choices in your life regarding what you really want. Those are certainly lessons any small business owner should be able to understand. Emperor Waltz This Bing Crosby musical juggles a bunch of themes most small business owners and entrepreneurs should find familiar. They include the importance of innovation, of pursuing big prospects and of leveraging customer testimonials to make even more sales. In Emperor Waltz, an enterprising traveling salesman (played by Crosby) gets his foot in the proverbial door with the Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. The plan is to sell the monarch a disruptive new product the gramaphone. The hope is that this one sale will lead to others among Europes royal elite. Of course, there are some complications along the way. You may not be trying to sell your product to royalty but this movie will still make you smile. The Fountainhead This film adaptation of Ayn Rands classic novel stars film icon Gary Cooper and should be a must see for any entrepreneur struggling to stay true to a vision. In The Fountainhead, Cooper plays Howard Roark, an entrepreneur who refuses to compromise his designs for his clients. His unconventional approach certainly looses him lucrative contracts in the short term. But eventually those who admire his work seek him out and Roark soon has no trouble finding clients. The story is a good reminder that sometimes its a bad idea to cater to everyone. Instead, create a unique vision for your business and your clients will come to you! 9 to 5 In 9 to 5, Dabney Coleman plays an obnoxious and exploitive boss who threatens and harasses his employees even as he takes credit for their ideas. The movie should serve as a cautionary tale for any boss or other business leader who plans to mistreat or neglect the team that gives them the support critical support day in and day out. In the movie, Colemans character eventually becomes so toxic that his team, played by Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton decide to get rid of him with hilarious results. Desk Set Desk Set is a romantic comedy starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. But the movie also has another plot about automation. The employees at a fictitious TV network become convinced that a new computer system installed at work is going to systematically replace them and take all their jobs. But a computer analyst soon convinces them that the system has been installed not to replace them but to free them up for more important tasks. The movie explains how business automation need not be feared but can sometimes be a great way to improve efficiency. Its also very entertaining comedy. Holiday Inn Holiday Inn may be one of the most cherished holiday film classics in decades. But did you know it can also be viewed as a great story about niche marketing, branding and the development of a lifestyle business? When Jim Hardy, a sing and dance man played by Bing Crosby, finds the never ending grind of show business intolerable he does something about it. Hardy develops the ultimate business niche, a night club only open on holidays. The idea is to create a slower pace where he can create shows for an appreciative audience and still take it easy the rest of the year. But his winning brand soon attracts Hollywood and the possibility of being thrown back into the same old grind he left behind. Instead, Hardy fights for the lifestyle he wants no matter what lucrative rewards Hollywood might offer. Bride and Prejudice This Bollywood-style romantic comedy follows the relationship between a young woman helping to run her family business and an American real estate entrepreneur whose family is building a luxury hotel in her native India. Bride and Prejudice is a re-imagining of a classic novel by Jane Austen. But it introduces subplots about the importance of understanding the culture in which you are doing business. International film star Aishwarya Rai plays a woman who must teach an American entrepreneur the importance of respecting the culture and values of the country where he has decided to operate. Of course, the film has plenty of show stopping numbers that make it well worth watching too. Mr. Blandings Builds His Dreamhouse Finally, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dreamhouse is the story of a New York City advertising executive who decides to build a home in the country for his family. The movie tells the story of Jim Blandings, played by Cary Grant, who believes the hype around building a home in the country only to discover its not all its cracked up to be. Contracting bills mount, his daily commute is a nightmare and he feels as if he barely sees his family. On one hand, the movie is a commentary on the same advertising Blandings creates for his customers. On the other, in the end Blandings gets the home hes always wanted showing that perseverance and following ones dreams are often rewarded. Projector Photo via Shutterstock Save money on shipping costs for your Amazon purchases. Plus, enjoy thousands of titles from Amazons video library with an Amazon Prime membership. Learn more and sign up for a free trial today. Fans of Western novels will be thrilled at this news: A batch of 12 books by the late Jack Schaefer, a writer of Western novels, are to be back in print and as ebooks by next fall. They can thank the perseverance and patience of John Byram, director of the University of New Mexico Press. The press just republished as quality paperbacks the first three titles of the dozen the coming-of-age novel Old Ramon and The Canyon, a novel based on a Cheyenne legend, and the true-story collection Heroes Without Glory Some Good Men of the Old West. Byram explained how UNM Press came to get the rights to reprint these titles. In 2013, he heard that one of Schaefers popular Western novels, Monte Walsh, (1963) had gone out of print and the rights had reverted to the authors estate. I wrote a note to the agency that controls the rights to the estates literary works and asked if its possible to reprint Monty Walsh. I got no answer, Byram said. At least not right away. Background on Schaefer. A native of Ohio, he was an Easterner who became a Westerner in midlife, though he had been writing about the Old West. A cross-country train ride and a visit to Santa Fe triggered his move. Hes kind of a New Mexico transplant. He moved here in 1955 and adopted New Mexico as his home, and his history of writing about the West was crystallized when he moved here, Byram said. Schaefer built a home outside of Santa Fe. Back to the matter of the reprinting. Almost two years after Byrams inquiry, he heard back. The agency wrote me a nice response. They asked, Are you still interested? They were considering releasing the first e-book editions as well. None had appeared officially as ebooks. Thats attractive to us, he said. As a genre Western novels are successful as ebooks. UNM Press placed a bid. Long negotiations followed. The press obtained the rights to do those aforementioned first three books. The republication rights for the remaining nine titles came later, after negotiations, Byram said. Is this a coup for UNM Press? Byram thinks so. Its an amazing opportunity when a university press gets the rights to release an entire group of Westerns by such a well-known author as Jack Schaefer, he said. Schaefer, who died in 1991, earned recognition for his writing. He received the 1975 Western Literature Associations Distinguished Achievement Award and the 1986 Saddleman Award from the Western Writers of America. All 12 of the Schaefer books UNM Press is republishing share a common front-cover design. Each has its title and authors name on a black band at the bottom. Above that band are Western images with similar themes. Lisa Tremaine and Catherine Leonardo of the press, together with the literary estate and the authors son, Jon Schaefer, were involved in the design decision-making. The paintings on the covers were created before 1920, making them perfect in feel and also copyright-free, said Tremaine, the press art director and a senior book designer. Leonardo is also a senior book designer. For example, the illustration on the cover of Heroes Without Glory is The Lost Greenhorn by 19th century painter Alfred Jacob Miller. This is the presss republication schedule for the remaining nine Schaefer books. In June, it will publish First Blood and Other Stories, The Big Range, The Pioneers and Shane. (Shane, first published in 1949, became a Western film classic starring Alan Ladd.) Scheduled for release next fall are The Kean Land and Other Stories, Mavericks, Company of Cowards and Stubby Pringles Christmas and Monte Walsh. (Monte Walsh was a popular film starring Lee Marvin.) UNM Press republishing works of Western novelist and New Mexican Jack Schaefer Imagine being able to easily flit from one end of New Mexico to the other, visiting Chaco Canyon in one moment and Cloudcroft the next, all from a smartphone, all with one app. That is no longer just a wish but a reality as the state Department of Cultural Affairs has released a free tool that not only indicates hundreds of culturally and historically significant spots, but has links to all of them, said Douglas Patinka, department deputy chief information officer. The best use of it is to just discover new places, he said. The best way to use it is to find out whats nearby. The app has built-in location sensors, Patinka said, to help with local searches. The information is available on the web, but because its location-specific, where youre located, it will show the places nearby. It really works best as an app, he said. We do have location sensing built into mobile devices, and we also have groupings by region or grouping by different themes and different concepts, like art, for example. The locator device is particularly handy, Patinka said. So if youre in downtown Santa Fe and you want to know what museums are nearby, you can open the app; it presents a map with points of interest, he said. You can find out more information about those points that are near you. If youre interested in a specific type of thing, like archaeology, for instance, you can follow the tags and see related places with those similar tags. The project began with a $128,000 appropriation from the Legislature in 2014. The department spent more than a year soliciting suggestions of sites to include in the app, Patinka said. We also wanted to include information about our own facilities, historic sites, museums around the state to create a resource that would direct people to public places that have cultural significance, he said. It was quite the laborious chore and one that is not yet even close to complete, Patinka said. We had to assess the data-readiness of different collections, not only assessing our own, and inviting institutions to submit information to us, Patinka said. We reached out to the museum community, the Forest Service, national park system. We told them that were creating this resource and tell us whats important. This is just the beginning of what the department anticipates being an ongoing process. Once we had determined what was going to be included in it, at least in the first phase, then we started generating public information for it, he said, gathering photographs and creating the narrative. Including active links including social media sites photographs and any other resource imaginable was included in the app, Patinka said. That was one of the things that we wanted to ensure, to not include outdated information, he said. We wanted to link directly to websites, in some cases, social media and where a resource has a website, we link out. We have photographs, as well. We have a lot of photographs, about 800. At the moment, about 225 sites are listed, primarily museums and historic sites, he said. But well be building on it, Patinka said. Historical markers, we have about 600 of those in our database. What weve been doing is collecting photos and GPS coordinates. Thats going to be the next big push once we get through the launch. The project will not only help local residents discover New Mexico, but also out-of-state visitors, said Veronica Gonzales, cultural affairs Cabinet secretary. The Cultural Atlas provides access to an enormous database of diverse and eclectic cultural opportunities, she said. Exploring the traditions and history of peoples and cultures across the state of New Mexico has never been easier to navigate and discover. To download the app, click here. A Las Cruces woman, whose relatives migrated to the Land of Enchantment from the South, has made her own memorable journey to the footsteps of the White House. Surgeon Karen Guice grew up in Las Cruces, attending New Mexico State University and then the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in the mid-70s. She is currently the acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs of the Military Health System, but she didnt take a direct path to her current position. Before becoming a top government official with the U.S. Department of Defense, she was a successful surgeon. Guice said in a phone interview this month that she had no idea she would eventually end up working for the federal government. She has no military background but her work as a surgeon and knowledge of public policy made her a good fit for the job. Shes responsible for developing strategies and priorities for the health system. She helps manage a $50 billion budget and oversees a system that includes 54 hospitals and hundreds of health clinics. The system serves active-duty military, retirees and their families. Her day at her Pentagon office usually starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends about 5 p.m. but shes always on call and says there is no typical day. Her best-laid plans often go out the window. On a day-to-day basis, my schedule changes three to four times, she said. Im at the beck and call of my boss (the secretary of defense). Or if the White House calls and I need to go the White House, my schedule changes. Career shift UNM School of Medicine, she said, was progressive for its time and there were several other women in her program. She was, however, the first woman Professor of Surgery at Duke University. Guice has been no stranger to discrimination because of her gender but brushed it off and continued advancing. I managed it (the discrimination) with humor instead of letting it get under my skin, she said. Because its not worth it. You have to diffuse the situation. Her medical residency took her out of New Mexico to Seattle. After her residency in Washington state, she joined her husband in Cincinnati where he had taken a job. They then moved to Galveston, Texas, where she became a member of the surgical team at the University of Texas Medical Branch. This was followed by surgical positions at the University of Michigan, Duke University and the Medical College of Wisconsin. It was during the Bill Clinton administration that she shifted her career. She said during coffee breaks her fellow surgeons would complain about Hillary Clinton and her health-care reforms. She said she became intrigued and interested in public policy. I got tired of everyone complaining about it but doing nothing, she said. If you want to change the system, you have to be a part of that system. Guice said she had the desire and knew her medical background would be asset but she didnt have the knowledge of public policy to make the switch. She decided to return to school and earned a masters degree in public policy from Duke University in 1995. She was then chosen as a 1997-98 Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow and a year later became a staff member for the Senate Committee on Labor. It was her foot in the door to the world of public policy and politics. Always a Lobo Guice met her husband, Keith Oldham, who is now chief of surgery at Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin, before leaving New Mexico. The two were on rotation together at the hospital and struck up a friendship that eventually led to marriage. Having two successful people in a marriage has meant sometimes having to live apart. They have two adult sons and manage their long-distance relationship with two daily phone calls and a commitment to maintaining their bond. Every day they play a game they made up called misery poker. Throughout the day you pick up misery cards, she said. At the end of the day, we show each other our misery cards and discuss it. Whomever has the best misery hand goes first. Guices time with the Military Health System is coming to an end. She will exit when the new president comes into office. Her last day on the job is Jan. 20 at noon. She said shes not sure what the future will hold but doesnt miss surgery and has no plans at the moment to return to it. She said she would love to return to New Mexico for a visit some day. She pays tribute to her roots on her Twitter account tagline: Acting Asst. Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Mother, wife, physician, researcher & UNM Lobo. Its still the place she considers home and every day she wears at least one piece of jewelry from New Mexico. She credits her upbringing for her success. She describes her family as nurturing and involved. Her extended family also lived in Las Cruces, making it hard to get into trouble growing up because I couldnt hide from my family. I grew up in a wonderful family, she said. My mother was a very determined woman and a school teacher. Popular culture portrays the Christmas holiday as a time for families to be together, opening gifts, eating hearty meals and generally sharing good cheer. But someone has to keep the lights on, fight the fires, care for the sick and elderly, staff the hotels and movie theaters. Folks like Albuquerque Fire Department Capt. Greg Aragon say its just part of the job. Their families accept that theyll still get to celebrate, just not at the same time as everyone else. When it comes to holidays and birthdays, the first question they ask is are you working that day? Its just something thats in our lifestyle, said Aragon. He said those who work on the holiday usually bring in potluck meal items to share and some stations even hold a gift exchange. Some jobs, like Aragons, have a set schedule so they know months in advance that theyll be working the holidays and can plan accordingly. For others, like Bobby Sanchez, a longtime lineman for Public Service Company of New Mexico, its hit or miss. Sanchez can stay at home, but he has to be ready to be called out to fix a damaged transformer or make emergency repairs when a car topples a power pole. The kids are disappointed if I have to work on Christmas, but they understand, Sanchez said. What I tell them is that were getting power on for people who dont have electricity so they can spend time with their families. He said people frequently thank them for working on the holidays, often in cold weather and dangerous conditions. Sanchez is one half of the power equation. PNM System Operator Robert Romero usually spends the holidays monitoring the electricity load flowing through the main power line network. Hes the one who calls out the lineman if something happens and the lights go out. I think maybe once in my whole career Ive had Thanksgiving and Christmas off, Romero said. My family, they dont know any different. Romeros schedule is such that he knows hell get to spend Thanksgiving 2017 with his wife and four kids but hell be working again on Christmas. Hotel workers Yancy Sturgeon, managing director at the Hotel Parq Central in downtown Albuquerque, has worked plenty of Christmases during his 26-year career in the hospitality industry. Its like being in a hospital, youre never closed. You have to be around, Sturgeon said. Often he was working out of state and unable to celebrate with family members. When he was closer to home, they got together either before or after the actual holiday. The biggest thing is just being with family, he said. This year, Sturgeon will be on duty on Christmas Eve when staff will put milk and cookies and a letter from Santa in each occupied guest room. He said the hotel is typically quiet over Christmas and he only needs a small staff. He puts out a list so staffers have the option to choose which holiday they work. Most who work (on Christmas) are college kids and may not have family in town, said Sturgeon. Theater staff While hotels may be quiet over the holidays, going to the movies is a big tradition with many families. Sandy Dodson, theater director at Premiere Cinemas in Rio Rancho, is expecting a big crowd for the latest Star Wars movie Rogue One, which hit theaters on Dec. 16. Like Sturgeon, Dodsons career choices have been in places like restaurants, resorts and theaters that stay open on holidays. My family has always accepted it because thats our lifestyle, Dodson said. When her children, twins now aged 16, and a daughter, 13, were young, Dodson said she used to sneak home from work at 1 a.m. to play Santa. We do what we have to do to get through, but now that theyre older, it kind of makes my life a lot easier, she said. This year, Dodson, her husband and children will celebrate the holiday on Christmas Eve, then she and her 16-year-old son will be working together at the theater on the holiday. Dodson actually enjoys the experience. We get a lot of gratitude from the guests. Theres always a handful that thank us for working on the holiday, which makes you feel appreciated, she said. Everybody is here in a great mood and knock on wood everything goes without flaws. Its a perfect day. Health-care folks At Rust Medical Center, Presbyterian Healthcare Services hospital in Rio Rancho, registered nurse Patrice Edwards, 23, volunteered to swap shifts with another employee who was scheduled to work on the holiday so her co-worker could be home with her kids. I just saw on the schedule that I wasnt working on Christmas and I dont need to be off for the holidays because I dont have kids, Edwards said. Many of her friends are in the medical world and will also be working, so she plans to get together to celebrate with them on an alternative date. The hospital is decorated for the holiday, with decorations on the windows and trees in the hallways. There are a lot of patients that are in the hospital by themselves so that its way cool working on the holiday. We can be like family to the patients and spread the Christmas cheer, said Edwards. This is the first Christmas Prisilla Molinar will be working at the Brookdale Tramway Ridge senior care home. As a medication assistant, she works closely with the seniors, helping them manage their medicines and appointments. She feels they have become members of her own large extended family and shes looking forward to baking cookies and singing carols. Itll be like a regular Christmas here. Its like a home away from home for me, she said. Her 4-year-old son will be with her grandmother in Albuquerque where Molinar will celebrate with her own family after work. Christmas is my favorite holiday, its the only time my grandma makes tamales, said Molinar. A quick bite If you are working today and need a quick meal, here are a few places open on Christmas Day: Sonic: open restricted hours Village Inn: open restricted hours McDonalds: open restricted hours Onalaska police Friday, Dec. 9 9:39 a.m. An Onalaska resident reported her locked vehicle in the 500 block of Quincy Street was entered and items valued at $220 were taken. 9:12 p.m. A retail business in the 1200 block of Crossing Meadows Drive reported an unknown person committed retail theft and a gas drive-off. Saturday, Dec. 10 10:25 p.m. to 10:42 p.m. An Onalaska resident reported an unknown male damaged an exterior door in an attempt to gain entry in the 900 block of 12th Ave. S. Monday, Dec. 12 to Tuesday, Dec. 13 11:16 p.m. to 1:26 a.m. A 37-year-old La Crosse female was arrested for attempted retail theft in the 9300 block of Hwy. 16. Monday, Dec. 12 1:30 p.m. to 1:26 a.m. Employees of an Onalaska retail business in the 3100 Market Place reported the theft of items valued at $270 were taken from their locker room. Holmen police Thursday, Dec. 1 3:40 p.m. A 26-year-old Holmen male was arrested on the northbound ramp of Hwy. 53 for operating while under the influence, prohibited alcohol concentration and obstruction. 2:54 a.m. Onalaska residents reported vandalism to the exterior of their home and the tires of multiple vehicles in the 3500 block of Hwy. 35, with damage estimated at $1,376. Between Dec. 4 and Dec. 6 10 p.m. and 4:26 p.m. Onalaska residents reported a burglary of items valued at $4,880 and criminal damage to property where they were house-sitting in the 3500 block of Hwy. 35. Saturday, Dec. 10 7:16 p.m. A Holmen Police Department officer assisted in arresting a 24-year-old male without a permanent address in the 1100 block of George Street, La Crosse, for possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed knife and obstruction. Monday, Dec. 12 3 p.m. A Holmen resident reported he was the victim of a phone scam, losing $159.50 in the fraud. Tuesday, Dec. 13 9:31 p.m. A 17-year-old Holmen male was cited for possession of controlled substances, 17 and older; drug paraphernalia, 17 and older; and unreasonable and imprudent speed. West Salem police Tuesday, Nov. 8 11:29 a.m. A 46-year-old male was arrested in the 700 block of North Tilson Street for disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property. Friday, Nov. 11 10:11 a.m. A 33-year-old male was arrested in the 100 block of South Leonard Street for disorderly conduct, strangulation/suffocation and probation violation. 4:24 p.m. A 22-year-old male was arrested at the intersection of Leonard Street and Hwy. 16 for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. A 26-year-old female was arrested for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. Thursday, Nov. 17 12:56 a.m. A 22-year-old female was arrested in the 800 block of West Avenue North for two counts of bail jumping and possession of drug paraphernalia. 11:52 p.m. A 40-year-old female was arrested in the 900 block of Hwy. 16 for bail jumping, possession of methamphetamine, possession of controlled substance and was cited for operating after revocation. Saturday, Nov. 26 2:31 a.m. A 29-year-old female was arrested in the 400 block of Commerce Street for resisting arrest, operating while intoxicated and operating with prohibited alcohol concentration. Wednesday, Nov. 30 8:38 p.m. A 37-year-old male was arrested on a warrant in the 800 block of West Avenue North 3:36 p.m. A 40-year-old female was arrested on I-90 for a driving complaint, on two warrants and for possession of a prescription medication without a prescription. Friday, Dec. 2 11:48 p.m. A 21-year-old male was arrested in the 100 block of South Leonard Street on a warrant and probation hold. Onalaska fire Two weeks ago, the Onalaska Area Fire Department responded to 32 EMS calls, excluding vehicle accident with injury; a motor vehicle accident with injuries; a smoke scare, odor or smoke; a smoke or odor removal; an unintentional smoke detector activation, no fire; and a public service assistance call. The Onalaska Area Fire Department responded to 28 EMS calls, excluding vehicle accident with injury; two smoke detector activations due to malfunction; a carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO; and two incidents of being dispatched but cancelled en route. Holmen fire Two weeks ago, the Holmen Area Fire Department responded to 17 medical incidents and a sounding fire alarm. The Holmen Area Fire Department responded to 12 medical incidents, a vehicle fire and two carbon monoxide incidents. Think law enforcement and you might conjure up the stern-faced individual asking for a license the time you were pulled over, or the strictly-business officers waving you past the scene of an accident. But theres another side to the law enforcement community that often gets overlooked: the compassion many who wear the badge have for the people they encounter on their job. Take the case of one Sandoval County Sheriffs deputy. The act of kindness he extended to someone he had to arrest might have helped turn a life around. Deputy Jacob Trujillo was on duty several months ago when he got a call about a car on the side of the road on the outskirts of Bernalillo, where a woman was waving her arms in distress. When I was dispatched out there, I noticed the woman was crying and she told me her car had broken down and needed help, Trujillo said. I looked inside the car and saw an orange needle cap and little signs that this person may be a drug user. After questioning the woman and her boyfriend, Trujillo found out there was a loaded, uncapped heroin needle under the drivers seat, he said. He explained to her that she was going to be placed in custody and charged with possession of heroin. I am one of those guys who likes to talk to people. I dont just like to say, Yeah, youre getting charged. Get in the car,' Trujillo said. Come to find out, they had just gotten back from the doctor to find out she was pregnant. We had a little heart-to-heart all the way down to the jail. Trujillo told the woman she needed to make better decisions with her life now that she was going to be a mother, he said. When she went to court, Trujillo told the district attorney the woman was trying to get her life in order to try and help her, he said. I tried to stay in touch with her ever since that day, Trujillo said. Even after the arrest, we had a pretty good relationship just in passing. Having that type of relationship is almost taboo, he said, because most people dont think they could ever trust a person who arrested them again. Trujillo said after he found out that the woman had her baby and it was completely healthy, he was proud of the woman he helped. I felt compelled to go to Walmart, with the assistance of other deputies, and got a bunch of stuff, and that night just drove by her place and dropped it off, Trujillo said. During a recent ride-along, Trujillo told the Observer his awareness for community came from his teamwork training at the academy. He was honored as valedictorian for his sheriffs training class of 2014 before entering the SCSO after graduation. It doesnt matter what color of uniform you wear, it can be a blue uniform or tan uniform, theyre your brothers and sisters no matter what, Trujillo said. This conveys over to the general public, too, because we dont like seeing anybody get hurt. His work didnt go unnoticed. Trujillo received recognition from KOB-TVs Eyewitness News, appearing on its Pay It 4ward segment holding the womans baby. The Sandoval County Commission also recognized Trujillo at its meeting earlier this month. County Commissioner Glenn Walters said publicly thanking deputies for a job well done is always a good thing. His (Trujillos) actions were about serving the community, by both the arrest and then him and his partners follow up, Walters said. Honoring Trujillo was initiated by Sandoval County Manager Phil Rios with the support of the entire commission, he said. Locally, our deputies have truly served our community and the community is very supportive of their efforts, Walters said. The outpouring of community support in recent years for our local law enforcement officers that made the ultimate sacrifice by their death while on duty demonstrates the real local feelings about, and appreciation for, our local law enforcement officers. Trujillo said hes not a hero because he feels there are many officers who have done more in the line of duty. Theres so many people out there that have done things just like this and have done more, Trujillo said. There are those who have risked their lives in this profession and have died in this profession those are the heroes, those are the ones that paid the ultimate sacrifice. In a show of solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux, Bernalillo Highs Native American student club presented a lunchtime powwow Wednesday and collected over 30 cases of water for Dakota Access Pipeline protesters. Members of the Hahn Youth Council named after a Pueblo word for Native people danced, sang and shared stories in a school dining area while classmates ate pizza and sandwiches. Gina Christy, the groups leader, choked up as she talked about the Siouxs fight against an oil pipeline they believe threatens their sacred lands and access to clean water from the Missouri River. We are proving we are strong we will continue to be strong, said Christy, a Michigan native whose mother is Acoma and father is Saginaw Chippewa. Christy told the Journal she was horrified to hear that pipeline protesters had been blasted with water cannons a month ago in freezing temperatures, likening it to the Civil Rights struggle in the 1960s. The 17-year-old senior said she had hoped the country was past these battles. It is hard to see it happen again, Christy added. I didnt expect it to hit me as hard as it did. Her classmate, Ilai Sandoval, 16, was so moved by the #NoDAPL movement that he drove 24 hours to visit the Sacred Stone Camp in North Dakota with his cousins a month ago. For nearly a week, Sandoval talked to protesters, drawing inspiration from their dedication and passion. It was great to see all those people coming together to support Standing Rock, Sandoval said. The group scored a victory on Dec. 4, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied a critical easement for the pipeline crossing under Lake Oahe and vowed to explore alternate routes. Sandoval was on hand for the announcement, which drew cheers and applause in the camp. Energy Transfer Partners and Sunoco Logistics Partners, the pipeline construction firms, have said they will continue to push their plans without any additional rerouting. When Sandoval got back to Bernalillo High, he looked for a way to help the remaining protesters and remembered that they were running low on bottled water. He and about a dozen other members of the Hahn Youth Council helped organize a schoolwide water drive last week, which was approved by the district and ultimately collected 30 to 40 cases. A representative from the Jemez Pueblo will travel to Sacred Stone Camp to deliver the water, along with a banner that reads Spartans Stand in Solidarity, referencing the school mascot. After the powwow, students added their signatures and colorful handprints around the bright red letters. Lorilei Chavez, Bernalillo High Native American liaison and the Hahn Youth Councils sponsor, said she was proud to see her kids come together to show their pride and unity. She stressed that the council is against violent protest but supports peaceful demonstrations against the Dakota Access Pipeline. I really wanted this to be student-driven, Chavez said. The Spartans have done their part in sending a message. We have Native youth here at this high school with the capacity to stand up for something they believe in. Is this a dream or is it real? Second-grader Axel Rodriguez saw the towers of gift-wrapped shoeboxes piled high on the tables of the Columbus Elementary School library and couldnt help but exclaim. Inside each of the boxes were toys and trinkets, packed with care and donated by people from around southern New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Truth or Consequences, Silver City and Deming Christmas presents meant for the mostly very poor children of Palomas, a dusty border town just over the U.S.-Mexico line. Two years ago, the program known as Shoeboxes for Palomas spearheaded by the New Mexico Office of Border Health and joined by several church and nonprofit groups ran into a snag. After years of allowing donors to bring over hundreds of gift-filled shoeboxes, so chosen because they could be easily reviewed by customs officials, Mexican customs suddenly decided to charge an arm and a leg to import the gifts: $800 to $1,000, according to organizers. The unexpected fee shocked the Americans. No one wanted to raise too much of a fuss and spark an international incident, however local. So they settled on delivering the gifts to the Columbus school, where more than 500 of the 645 students are U.S.-born citizens growing up in Palomas. I get a little emotional when I speak of our kids, said principal Armando Chavez, pausing to find the words. *They are so impoverished. Some are not as needy as others, but some of our kids experience Third World conditions, dirt floors at home, heat by kerosene lamps. This is why our school is so important. They come here and they know they are safe. Columbus is one of the poorest places in New Mexico. And across the border, its not just the poverty, but the legacy of violence: Palomas was especially hard hit by the drug violence that brutalized Ciudad Juarez and its outskirts between 2008 and 2011. Many of the schoolchildren are old enough to remember. Librarian Maggie Calderon receives the shoebox gifts in her small office and organizes them according to age and gender. Teachers give her a list of their neediest students, and she makes sure they get presents first because the shoeboxes might be the only presents some kids get for Christmas. Unfortunately, this year she had to scramble. Ever since the groups stopped handing out the gifts in Palomas, fewer people have been donating. This year Calderon got close to 400 shoeboxes, and she made up the difference by filling gift bags with fleece tops, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and school supplies she could afford at Wal-Mart. We have more students this year and fewer presents, she said. Volunteer Cindy Anaya handed out gifts to a chorus of thank yous and gracias, and the children, who were supposed to wait until they got back to their classrooms, tore open the lids on their boxes to see what treasures they might find. After school dismissed, they gathered on the steps of the Mexican immigration agencys trailers in Palomas, waiting for their parents and comparing their presents. They shouted over each other excitedly: I got dinosaurs! I got a doll and a backpack! I got two pairs of gloves and lollipops! Across the street was Mexican customs, and I stopped in, wondering if something had gotten lost in translation. Customs staff in Palomas turns over almost every year, and organizers in the U.S. couldnt recall exactly who spoke to whom or when. So I thought I would ask about current policy. I found Ivan Larios, a deputy customs manager, in his office and explained the situation. They really wouldnt allow Christmas gifts to cross the border without a duty? Hold on, he said. I hope you dont misunderstand. You can make donations as long as you follow the law. Then, sighing as if he had met one too many scam artists, he said: Do you know how often people come with a truckload full of merchandise and say its donations? Thats why we ask people to follow the protocol. All the Americans have to do next year is stop by a few weeks before Christmas and fill out some paperwork, he said. Even then, he said, a quick chat with the Palomas customs director should be enough to clear up any issues. The very poorest children in Palomas arent U.S. citizens and dont attend the Columbus school, after all. Maybe next year, some holiday diplomacy and a sprinkle of Christmas magic could revive a true cross-border tradition. UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Lauren Villagran in Las Cruces at lvillagran@abqjournal.com. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor. DALLAS A Dallas man has been arrested on capital murder charges after authorities found him covered in blood in the parking lot of an Oklahoma prison. Dallas police say 32-year-old Jeshur Robinson was arrested in connection to the stabbing death of his father, 61-year-old Glen Williams. Robinson was found on state prison property in McAlester, Oklahoma, sitting in his fathers truck with a bloody knife, wounds to his hand and blood on his clothes and the truck. According to an arrest affidavit, Dallas police found Williams at about 10 a.m. Saturday at his home, dead from apparent stab wounds. Police say Williams truck was missing, his pocket was turned out and there were signs of a fight. Officials say Robinson drove himself to the state prison in Williams truck. As he was being treated for a hand wound, he tried to hide a knife by throwing it into an ambulance, according to the affidavit. Robinson told Oklahoma officers that he had been in a fight about 10 p.m. Friday night. Police found methamphetamines and arrested him. Officers found Williams checkbook and credit cards in the truck. Robinson was being held at the Pittsburg County jail in McAlester, Oklahoma on Sunday on $1 million bond. A Pittsburg County sheriffs office employee said no attorney information was listed in his records. La Crosse native John DeDakis knows the power of the truth. DeDakis, who now lives in Washington, D.C., has a journalism career that spans more than four decades and has four novels under his belt, all of which reinforced the importance of getting the facts straight. Im a journalist at heart, so chronicling the truth of something is important, DeDakis said. Even though I fictionalized a lot of the details, the deeper truth is very much there. While in his most recent book the protagonist, Lark Chadwick, is a young woman with a life a touch more exciting than DeDakis own, her experiences as a young reporter particularly one covering the White House were pulled straight from lived experiences, either his friends or his own. As his lifelong friend Bill Hoel of La Crosse put it, He tends to write from things he knows and theres always credit to be given for that. Maybe thats the journalist in me, but Id rather read something thats more realistic. Hoel, who first met DeDakis at Central High School and bonded with him over a shared love of journalism while working at a radio station newsroom, has read all but one of his friends books. He researches his stuff very carefully, and I know that firsthand from the research he did using my wife as a resource, Hoel said. DeDakis most recent novel, Bullet in the Chamber, was partially inspired by the death of his son, Stephen, in 2011 from a heroin overdose. Heroin is everywhere. Its in La Crosse. Its in Small Town, America; its not just a big city problem, DeDakis said. Its a problem that also found its way into the home DeDakis shares with his wife, Cindy, after their son became addicted to the drug. Hed had an emergency room experience that revealed hed been using heroin. Up until then hed hidden it very well, DeDakis said. DeDakis and Stephen had a heart-to-heart, but both knew addiction wasnt something that could be fixed with one father-son talk. Then Aug. 21, 2011, Stephen borrowed his dads car and didnt make it home. When he disappeared it was out of character for him, so I was pretty sure heroin was a factor, DeDakis said. Stephen was found a week later, leaving his parents devastated. After years of grief therapy, DeDakis decided to include the experience in Lark Chadwicks story. Part of the reason I wrote it is the catharsis I found a way to take Stephens story and imbued it into the ongoing series that Ive written, DeDakis said. DeDakis knows the risk of putting himself out there, but hes not worried about anyone judging his parenting. If youre going to judge me as a parent, get in line, because I got there first, DeDakis said. His son was 22 years old when he died, an adult by any definition, and DeDakis loved him. As he said, the struggle between love and control is a universal theme. Often those two things are blurred. A lot of people think that if you love someone, youre going to make them conform to your image. Love allows the person to make their own choices, DeDakis said. Hoel was quick to defend his friends family as well. Knowing John and his wife, I dont think theres anything more they could have done, Hoel said. I dont see any flaws in them as people. Hoel describes DeDakis as personable and genuine. Theres not a lot of posturing with John. Hes still a very earnest guy, Hoel said. That earnestness comes through in his books. DeDakis learned to start making it up as he described novel-writing while working as a senior editor for The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer on CNN. Its a really chaotic show, but Wolf is just unflappable, DeDakis said. Hes smart enough he could ad lib the show, but there are some really solid writers that support him. Despite the chaos and rewarding nature of the show, being an editor and not having the creative outlet of putting words together left him feeling like something was missing. After a brief foray in biography-writing, DeDakis turned to fiction, beginning his first novel, Fast Track, in 1995. It took him 10 years and 14 major revisions to get it published, stealing a couple hours here and there for his passion and finding a literary agent who worked well with him. The story just held my interest and I kept getting closer. I figured, Ill just keep doing this until it happens, DeDakis said. He started pouring his personal experiences, with a lot of creative license, into his fiction immediately sometimes by accident. DeDakis didnt realize until years later that Lark Chadwick was heavily influenced by his sister Georgia, who committed suicide at a young age. One of the things Im doing as a writer is creating a protagonist that I wish my sister would have allowed herself to become, DeDakis said. (Lark) isnt the sort of woman who lets a man define who she is. Lark Chadwicks story continued in three more books, including Bullet in the Chamber, which came out Oct. 1. DeDakis retired from CNN in 2013 and focused on writing and manuscript editing before branching out into teaching. I think at my core, Im an encourager. I really try to fan the ember of creativity that a person has, so it means a lot to me to be able to work with someone who is at the beginning of their career, DeDakis said. His friends corroborate that characterization, with Hoel saying its obvious how much DeDakis enjoys following in the footsteps of his mother Ruth, who taught at Franklin Elementary School. Hes a good guy earnest, sincere and genuinely interested in learning, Hoel said. I think he got that from both parents. His mother was a teacher, and his father (N. George DeDakis) was an attorney. While DeDakis hasnt lived in La Crosse for many years, he makes time to visit often. He plans to return to the area in 2017 while on a promotional tour for his book. ST. PAUL Phil Lagardes obsession started with a bar of Ivory soap. Lagarde, who lives in Stillwater, was studying to be a chef in the early 1980s when he took a class in ice carving at North Hennepin Technical College in Minneapolis. The first day, they set us down with a block of Ivory soap, Lagarde said. The second day, we got a 400-pound block of ice. I ended up making a swan. Lagarde, 68, started carving wooden models to show restaurant owners what he could create out of ice. I wanted to get little statues of the ice carvings that I did, so if I went around and talked to people, Id have something to show them something that wouldnt melt. Thirty-five years later, Lagarde spends six to seven hours a day in his basement workshop making wooden toys. He donates the toys 1,500 thus far this year to police officers and firefighters, who hand them out to children who have been affected by traumatic events. Trucks, cars, dinosaurs, knights, saber-toothed tigers, dragons, you name it, said Lagarde. I went to the fire station yesterday and dropped 30 toys and three fire trucks, and then I dropped 90 toys at the police station. They can carry them around in their squad cars, and if they come across a kid in a stressful situation, they can hand them one and, hopefully, it will help distract them. Lagarde recently added another beneficiary to his donation list: the Washington County Jail in Stillwater. After reading an article about efforts to make the jails lobby more child-friendly, Lagarde decided to donate five boxes of toys to the jail. Jail staff will give some of the toys to children of incarcerated parents during the next few weeks and keep some for children to play with as they wait. On a recent weekday morning, Lagarde pulled into the jails parking lot, unloaded the boxes from the back of his black Mazda 5 and used a pushcart to transport 122 toys to the jails lobby. Jail commander Roger Heinen and Sgt. Dave Stumpner greeted him at the door. Oh, wow, this is awesome, Heinen said. The kids will love these. Thank you. Lagarde pulled out one of his most special toys a knight on horseback carrying a shield and flag to show the men. He joked that he was getting a reputation in Washington County as a toy monger and told the men to contact him when they needed more toys. Heinen said Lagardes toys will help alleviate the stress and anxiety that come with jail-time visits during the holidays; between 6 and 16 children visit the jail each week. Its wonderful to have something to hand out, Heinen said. Its kind of hard for these kids to understand why Mom or Dad cant be with them at Christmas, and coming to jail is scary for a child, so its nice to give them something to brighten their day as they walk out the door. Lagarde works through an organization called TLC Toys, based in Andover. TLC Toys receives donations of wood for volunteers to make toys; last year the organization gave away 31,286 toys. Lagarde used 14 pieces of wood, including black walnut, cherry, hard maple and oak, to make a 10-inch-tall knight and horse. A small velociraptor had a body made out of oak, legs made out of cherry and arms made out of maple. Mel Hartman, founder of TLC Toys, said Lagardes years of practice have paid off. To do it at the level that he does, that takes a lot of talent, Hartman said. Hes extremely good. Extremely. One can no longer laughingly dismiss the possibility of Pakistan coming under a fundamentalist dispensation, administering perhaps a slightly moderate version of what the Taliban had imposed on Afghanistan Few countries have paid a greater price for their freedom than Bangladesh, which became independent on December 16, 1971. Pakistans Army and its local collaborators, belonging to organisations like the al Badr, al Shams, Razakars and Shanti (Peace) Committee, all spawns of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, killed over three million people, raped 450,000 women, and sent millions as refugees to India, in their savage bid to crush the independence movement. Their last diabolical act was murdering, on the eve of independence, a number of the countrys leading writers, journalists, academics, scientists and doctors-in an attempt to cripple vital areas of its post-independence life by killing leading talents in these. Pakistans atrocities in Bangladesh are widely known. The transformation it itself underwent in the process of committing these and the impact of Bangladeshs liberation on its own life, have received little attention. Criminalisation of a large section of the Army and its high commands sanctioning of even the most horrific savagery in Bangladesh, prepared the ground for the mass murders and gross human rights violations in Balochistan. Further, Bangladeshs liberation and Pakistans comprehensive defeat at Indias hands in the 1971 war, contributed, albeit indirectly, to the Islamisation of Pakistans military and society. From the 1960s, Islamabads Directorate-General of Inter-Services Intelligence had tried to prop up the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh as a counterpoise to the secular and democratic Awami League headed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It failed. The Awami League swept the polls in East Pakistan, winning 298 of the 300 seats in the Provincial Assembly, and secured a majority in the whole of Pakistan, winning 167 of the 313 seats in the National Assembly, in the elections in December 1970. Yet, instead of allowing it to form the Government at the national and Provincial levels, the Army unleashed its nightmare of savagery. It failed again. Influential sections in Pakistan concluded, albeit wrongly, that Bangladesh would not have sought independence if a strong Islam-based Pakistani identity had subsumed its cultural and linguistic Bengali identity. Concluding, as a corollary, that Pakistan needed a strong and binding Islamic identity to remain united in the face of discontent in Balochistan and Sind over the federal Governments exploitation of both, they welcomed General-turned-dictator Zia-ul-Haqs drive to Islamise Pakistan and its Army. Drastic consequences followed. Zahid Hussain writes in Frontline Pakistan: The Path to Catastrophe and the Killing of Benazir Bhutto, that during Zia-ul Haqs tenure at the helm of the Army and the country, Islam was incorporated into the Armys organisational fabric. For the first time, Islamic teachings were introduced into the Pakistan Military Academy. He adds, A Directorate of Religious Instruction was instituted to educate the officer corps on Islam. The subjects for promotions examinations were made to include Islamic education. Officers were required to read The Quranic Concept of War by Brigadier (Later Major-General) SK Malik and were taught to be not just professional soldiers, but also soldiers of Islam. Gen Zia upgraded the status of maulavis until then barely tolerated by the military elite attached to Army units and integrated them into the ethos of Army life. Zahid Hussain writes, Scores of highly professional and secular officers were sidelined for not meeting the criteria of being a good Muslim many conservative officers reached the senior command level. Radical Islamist ideology permeated the Army with the free flow of religious political literature in the Armed Forces training institutions. Friday prayers at regimental mosques, a matter of individual choice in the past, became obligatory. The character of the officers corps changed. Earlier, it mainly drew young men from liberal, westernised urban families and rural landed aristocracy, many of whom loved the good life and had little time for religious bigotry. Those who were exceptions and fundamentalists at heart had no impact on the general ethos. From the 1980s, officers began coming from the conservative rural or middle class and lower middle class backgrounds and were more prone to be attracted by Gen Zias Islamisation drive. They became his regimes main base. The strength of such officers, known as Zia bhartis or Zia recruits, in the Pakistani Army, is a matter of speculation. Zahid Hussain quotes a retired lieutenant-general as saying that 25 to 30 per cent had fundamentalist Islamist leanings. Shuja Nawaz, author of Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army and the Wars Within, states that Zia recruits would run the Pakistani Army once the senior Lieutenant Generals, commissioned between 1960 and 1980, retired. Given that it is now 2016, the process has largely been completed. The Pakistan Armys Islamisation drive ran parallel to the promotion, with aid from the US and Saudi Arabia, of the mujahideen groups jihad against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. It saw in it an opportunity for securing enhanced financial and military aid from the US, besides realising its long-cherished dream of establishing a puppet regime in Afghanistan. This led to deepening links between the ISI, which was coordinating the execution of the entire design, and Islamist fundamentalist jihadi groups like Gulbaddin Hekmatyars Hizb-i-Islami, which were loyal to Islamabad; moderate ones loyal to King Zahir Shah were marginalised. Pakistans sponsorship of the Taliban and support to Mullah Omars regime in Kabul continued to strengthen the Army and the ISIs ties with the fundamentalist Islamist forces. The process continued even after the collapse of the Taliban Government in Kabul following the post-9/11 US-sponsored invasion of the country. Pakistans objective here was to destabilise the Afghan Government and replace it by a surrogate dispensation of its own. An offshoot was the glorification of the mujahideen as heroes. The process, which continued from the beginning of the Afghan jihad, also came to cover organisations like the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizb-ul Mujahideen and terrorists like Hafiz Sayeed and Masood Azhar, as Pakistan stepped up their unconventional war against India as result of another development following Bangladeshs liberation. This has strengthened enormously not only the Taliban but fundamentalist Islamist forces in Pakistan, which are now trying to forcibly impose their obscurantist ways on the whole country. With the civilian Governments prestige in steep decline following allegations of corruption cutting across party lines, and the Army perhaps divided at crunch time, one can no longer laughingly dismiss the possibility of Pakistan coming under a fundamentalist dispensation, administering a slightly moderate version of what the Taliban had imposed on Afghanistan. Should this happen, the crackdown in Bangladesh must be regarded as one of the factors that triggered the long chain reaction leading to it. (The writer is Consultant Editor, The Pioneer, and an author) Source : Daily Pioneer Anis Amri, the Tunisian man suspected of driving a hijacked truck into a Berlin Christmas market on Monday, was fatally shot by police in Milan during the early hours of Friday morning. The shooting ended a nearly four-day-long international manhunt after the terror attack killed 12 people. That conclusion could be seen as a success for Europes security authorities. But for many on the continents far right, the location of the 24-year-old Tunisians death is political and a sign that the European Unions Schengen area, which allows for border-free travel within most of the union, has failed. After all, they point out, Amri was able to not only leave Germany but cross through France before arriving in Italy. If the man shot in Milan is the Berlin killer, then the Schengen Area is proven to be a risk to public safety, Nigel Farage, the firebrand anti-European British politician, tweeted on Friday. It must go. Not long before Farages message, Marine Le Pen, the leader of Frances far right National Front, published a blog post that dubbed the Schengen area a security disaster, adding that France had been reduced to learning after the fact that an armed and dangerous jihadist was probably wandering on its soil. Meanwhile, Beppe Grillo, leader of Italys euroskeptic Five Star Movement party, also wrote his own blog post that praised the bravery of the policemen in Milan before adding that Italy had become a pathway for terrorists thanks to Schengen. The Schengen area is a grouping of 26 European nations that signed an agreement to abolish border controls between them and strengthen Europes external borders. The 1995 agreement was originally separate to the European Union, but it has since become a part of E.U. law. All but six E.U. nations have signed up, with the exception of Britain and Ireland, which opted out, and four other newer E.U. member states that are legally obligated to join. A number of non-E.U. states, such as Switzerland and Iceland, are also members. For many Europeans, the Schengen Area may be the most obvious example of European integration in their daily lives. In total, 400 million people can travel freely in an area that spans over 1.6 million square miles. Given Europes history of division, borderless travel has a symbolic component, too. With no border controls, it can start to feel like Europe is one large and diverse country rather than a continent made up of nation-states. Writing in French newspaper Le Figaro last year, Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, said the Schengen area was one of our very greatest achievements. Yet even Schengens supporters admit it can create problems. The open borders create opportunities for drugs and arms smuggling, making it easy and cheap to move illicit goods from one end of Europe to the other. Ten years ago you wouldnt have found Kalashnikovs in Western Europe, Nils Duquet, senior weapons researcher at the Flemish Peace Institute, recently told WorldViews. The recent refugee crisis has placed even more strain on the system. A number of wealthy Western European countries have threatened to close their borders in response to waves of new arrivals from the Middle East and Africa. Poorer countries at Europes periphery have struggled to cope with the number of people passing through in the hopes of claiming asylum in Western Europe. Amri was himself a newcomer to Europe, having left Tunisia after the countrys 2011 revolution and taken an illegal boat across the Mediterranean to Italy. He quickly ended up in the Italian prison system, where he was moved multiple times because of problems with other inmates, the Associated Press reports. His family said that he tried and failed to find work in Switzerland after his release . He then headed to Germany last year and applied for asylum. Amris application was rejected, and he was the subject of a terror probe for his links to known extremists. However, moves to deport him were delayed because of his lack of a passport. Some reports say he had used false identities at least six different names and three different nationalities in his travels around Europe. Amri was sought by German police after they discovered his identity documents in a wallet in the truck that drove through Berlins Breitscheidplatz Christmas market. After he was killed, Italian authorities said on Friday that Amri had a train ticket to Milan that had left Chambery, France, the day before. It remains unclear why he had traveled via France. Despite the criticism, the Schengen area remains important for the day-to-day lives of many people in Europe. One of them was the Polish driver who was found dead in the truck used by Amri to attack the Christmas market. The unnamed driver had been due to deliver steel to Berlin. Investigators are assuming he was taken hostage by the perpetrator of the attack and that, given signs of a struggle and the trucks erratic path, he may have died while trying to stop it. Source : MSN Golden Anniversary of Kwanzaa featuring H.E. Mathilde Mukantabana, Rwandan Ambassador by Khubaka, Michael Harris H.E. Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana, Republic of Rwanda to the United States of America. Local, State, National and International participants are home for the holidays and will join to prepare for a weeklong celebration beginning at our California State Capitol. 2017 will manifest the prayers of our elders, ancestors and children yet born... California State Capitol Kwanzaa Celebration Noon, Monday, December 26, 2016 John L. Burton Hearing Room (4203) Sacramento, CA ~ Join us for a special 50th Anniversary, California State Capitol Kwanzaa, featuring our honored guest and keynote speaker, H.E. Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana, Republic of Rwanda to the United States of America. Local, State, National and International participants are home for the holidays and will join our annual event at the California State Capitol. Together, we will return to the heart of Africa, the Great Lakes Region of the African Continent, at the Mountains of the Moon, the source of the Nile River to reflect upon on our collective journey as people of African Ancestry, here in the Great State of California. In 1966, Dr. Maulana Karenga, the son of Maryland Farmer and Baptist preacher distilled and created a synthesis of many ancient African agriculture celebrations, from practical experience celebrating "first fruits of the harvest." Today, our California Grown Pan African holiday challenges us to place a higher value on ancient African cultures while utilizing modern scientific methodology toward expanding the practice of our ancient/future, showcasing an understanding of the "first fruits of the harvest." California remains the #1 Agriculture Economy in America, and many agriculture sectors of "California Grown" products are the world standard. California ranks No. 1 in U.S. fruit and nut production, growing an overwhelming majority of the Nations grapes, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, avocados, raspberries, kiwifruit, olives, dates, and figs. Californias nut production supplies virtually all U.S. almonds, walnuts, and pistachios. Our California Black Agriculture Working Group continues to share our expanded vision of expanding equitable partnerships throughout the California Agriculture industry, educational institutions and supporting sectors of the economy. Job creation, career advancement and community economic development is assured by engaging a new generation of Black Agriculturalists throughout the State of California, ready to take full advantage of expanding California ~ Pan African Agriculture Trade and Commerce, in the spirit of Kwanzaa. Our California State Capitol Kwanzaa is a festive, joyous celebration of the oneness and goodness of life rooted in our ancient agrarian way of life. Kwanzaa is a living social practice culminating in a week of remembering, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding and rejoicing. Ghanaian musician Wanluv Da Kubolor has described Ghanas out-going president, John Mahama as a talented thief who has stolen much from us in his latest rap video. The musician who does not like John Mahama from day one seemed happy that he has lost the presidential elections miserably. In the short rap video, Wanluv Da Kubolor has outlined some reasons why Ghanaians kicked John Mahama out of office. He said, Hey president we tiya u coal pot we dey fire u Mek u resign eh Wot kraa u wan do? Turn we to slaves? E b we do U start teef Den we no mind Ridey dier u steal ah Bost wana mind Wana head no dey We no dey see top Wana vision start clear op norr Light off Red White Green New flag Dark star in the middle U dat Yor legacy best corruption More fallacy Dis administration See woyome E go free Herr dead goat E go me If we dey yor back seff We b yor back case I confirm the akonfem Left a fowl taste Now watch the video and agree or disagree with him Tunis (AFP) - Tunisia's security forces called on the government Sunday to take "exceptional measures" to combat the return of jihadists fighting for extremist groups abroad. Tunisia has witnessed a wave of jihadist attacks since its 2011 revolution, including on foreign tourists, and the United Nations estimates that their are more than 5,000 Tunisians fighting for extremist outfits, mainly in Iraq and Syria. "The return of terrorists from hotbeds of unrest in Tunisia is worrying and could lead to the Somalisation of the country," said a statement from the internal security forces' national union. Battle-hardened fighters "have received military training and have learnt to use all sorts of sophisticated weapons," it added. The warning came a day after Tunisian authorities said they had arrested three people including the nephew of Anis Amri, a national suspected of carrying out a deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market this week. Hundreds of people gathered outside parliament in Tunis on Saturday to protest against letting jihadists back in the country. President Beji Caid Essebsi said earlier this month that Tunisia would refuse to pardon Tunisians who fight for jihadist organisations. "Many of them want to return, and we can't prevent a Tunisian from returning to his country," he told AFP, "but we will be vigilant." Following a storm of criticism in the press and on social media, on December 15 he told Tunisian local television that "we will not be indulgent with the terrorists". On Friday evening, the country's Interior Minister Hedi Majdoub told parliament 800 Tunisian nationals who had fought for extremist groups abroad had since returned to the country. Soldiers of the Barhkane operation stand next to debris following a suicide car bomb attack at the airport of Gao on November 30, 2016. By (AFP/File) 25.12.2016 LISTEN Paris (AFP) - A Frenchwoman who runs an aid group has been kidnapped in Mali's restive north, the French foreign ministry confirmed on Sunday. Sophie Petronin was abducted in the city of Gao on Saturday, the ministry said, adding that French and Malian authorities were working together "to find and free our compatriot as quickly as possible". Petronin was the director of a non-governmental organisation that helps children suffering from malnutrition, the ministry said, adding that officials were in contact with her family. Malian officials had on Saturday reported the kidnapping of a woman with dual French and Swiss nationality in Gao, but the Swiss foreign ministry said Sunday there was no indication that Petronin held Swiss citizenship. Northern Mali fell to jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda from March 2012. These forces were driven out of key towns by a French-led military intervention the following year. Barely a week goes by without attacks on security forces despite a peace pact signed last year following lengthy negotiations between the government, groups backing it and ethnic Tuareg rebels. Kidnappings, however, are rare. Cairo (AFP) - Egypt has ordered the detention for 15 days of an Al-Jazeera journalist accused of incitement and fabricating news, a prosecution official said on Sunday. It was the latest move against the Qatar-based broadcaster which Egypt accuses of supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood of ousted president Mohamed Morsi. Egyptian Mahmoud Hussein, 51, flew to Cairo on Tuesday for a family holiday but was stopped and interrogated at the airport for several hours before being released. On Friday, police raided his Cairo home and arrested him. He was questioned again on Saturday and Sunday, when prosecutors decided to hold him for 15 days. The prosecution official said Hussein would be held "pending an investigation into accusations that he incited against the state and broadcast fake news and documentaries". The interior ministry confirmed the accusations in a statement posted on its Facebook page. It said Hussein was implicated in an Al-Jazeera "plot" aimed at "fomenting discord and inciting against state institutions... and broadcasting false news as well as fabricated news reports and documentaries". In November, Al-Jazeera broadcast a documentary called "The Soldiers" in which former conscripts spoke about compulsory military service in Egypt, drawing criticism from the media. Al-Jazeera Managing Director Yasser Abu Hilalah denounced Hussein's arrest in remarks broadcast by the news channel. "Mahmoud Hussein was on a visit to his country and was not working for Al-Jazeera at the time," he said, adding that the arrest "will not stop Al-Jazeera from its professional role". "We will continue to cover Egypt and we don't succumb to pressure," he said. Egypt provoked international condemnation in 2013 when it arrested three Al-Jazeera journalists, including a Canadian and an Australian, and sentenced them to jail on similar accusations. They were later released. Their arrest, months after the military overthrew Morsi who had been backed by Qatar, coincided with a massive crackdown on his supporters and the Muslim Brotherhood being blacklisted. By Hafsa Obeng, GNA Accra, Dec. 26, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Friday granted bail to, a 38 year-old banker Kwabena Adu Gyamfi after he was arraigned for stealing. He was said to have stolen an amount of GH 11,000.00 from an account at Barclays Bank Oda branch, belonging to the estate of the deceased Nana Adu Gyamfi Kumaning III. He pleaded not guilty to the charge but was granted bail in the sum of GH 15,000.00 with three sureties and one to be justified. The case was later adjourned to January 17, 2017. Prosecuting, Police Detective Chief Inspector Isaac Agbemehia told the court that the complainant is a banker with the Forensic Investigation Department of Barclays Bank, Head Office, Accra, whiles the accused is with the Customer Life Circle Management Department of the same Bank. He said on October 24, relatives of customer Nana Adu Gyamfi Kumaning III went to the Oda branch and presented letters of administration to enable them access the funds of the customer who died in 2015. He said when the branch manager went onto the accounts of the deceased, he realized that even though the said customer died in 2015, there had been two transfers of GH 6,000.00 and GH 5,000.00, so he referred the matter to the Forensic Investigation Department of the bank. The prosecution said during investigations, it was reveled that on June 2, the accused person transferred GH 6,000.00 to another account belonging to one Sarah Sosu, another customer at the Airport City branch, and on June 14 transferred GH 5,000.00 to his own account at the Abossey Okai branch. He told the court that Sarah withdrew the GH 6,000.00 on June 3, whiles the accused person used his ATM Card to withdraw the GH 5,000.00 on different occasions. Police Detective Chief Inspector Agbemehia said the complainant after investigation reported the matter to the Fraud Unit CID Headquarters and the accused was detained. During interrogation, the accused denied the offence and stated that, it was the owner of the account who came to the bank on the said dates and ordered him to do the transfers, and that the said owner of the account has also come for the GH 5,000.00 from him. He said further investigations also disclosed that the deceased passed away in 2015 and could not have resurrected and gone to the bank. The prosecution also noted that Kwabena could also not show any proof that the deceased was the actual person that came to ask for the transfer. Further investigations also proved that, Sarah, the recipient of the GH 6,000.00, is the cousin of Kwabena and the Closed Circuit Television cameras at the bank did not also show the deceases at the bank on the said dates when the transfers were made. GNA By Erica Apeatua Addo, GNA Nsuata (W/R), Dec. 24, GNA - Three out of four sisters, who slept in their mothers drinking spot 'Golden City Kitchen' at Akyempim in the Tarkwa Nsueam Municipality have been found dead. Grace Nartey, 15, sister of the deceased, who survived was, however, found unconscious and was taken to the Tarkwa Government Hospital where she is currently responding to treatment. Chief Inspector George Sarkyi, station officer at Nsuata, told the Ghana News Agency that on December 18, he received a call that three children had died in a drinking spot. He said he and his officers rushed to the scene but were told that the deceased Abena Amos, 15, Arabi Dadzi, 13 and Akaba Dadzi, 7, have already been deposited at the Tarkwa Government Hospital morgue awaiting autopsy. Inspector Sarkyi said all the deceased, Grace and their mother lived at Akyempim and during their leisure time they assisted their mother at the drinking bar. The station officer said on December 17 there was power outage as result of a heavy down that occurred during the day and because of that Madam Dadzi put a generator in the bar to enable the deceased and Grace have access to light as they slept. Inspector Sarkyi said the mother woke up only to find out that all her children were unconscious. He said Abena, Arabi and Akaba were sent to the Tarkwa Government Hospital, but they were pronounced dead on arrival. Inspector Sarkyi suggested that the fumes that emanating from the generator might have made the deceased to suffocate to death. He reminded the public on the need to desist from keeping their generators indoors when they are working. Inspector Sarkyi said the case was still under investigation. GNA Tema, Dec. 24, GNA - The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) workers' unions have denied media reports suggesting they recorded a loss in revenue of GHa32 million between January and September this year. The two unions at a joint press conference described the media report as palpable fabrications calculated at 'tainting the public image of well-performing state corporations like BOST and TOR'. The two unions unanimously on behalf of the workers TOR and BOST denied media publication on December 20, 2016, under the headline: 'BOST post 32 million cedis loss from fuel trading business losses between January and September 2016'. Mr John Elton Botwey, Chairman of the General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union at TOR, addressing the media said 'BOST trading business has never been in the red since the company started trading. He said 'BOST will declare its end of year profit in a few days as it does every BOST year- and needless to emphasis again, that even just last year, we made a profit of 124 million cedis for the nation'. Mr Botwey flanked by Mr Abdul Rahman, Chairman of BOST Senior Staff Union, and Mr Bernard Owusu, National Chairman General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union. He said contrary to some series of publications aimed at watering down the quality of progress TOR and BOST had made in recent years, under the leadership of Mr Kwame Awuah Darko, the Managing Director, fuel security has improved with consistent fuel supply for the past 30 months. Ghana they said saved $1.1 billion under 12 months of deregulating fuel price which according to them would have gone into consumption of fuel as subsidy under, price deregulation, had it not been BOST and TOR. The unions said achievements made included government's effective control of the supply side of the market forces under deregulation, helping to do away with emergency cargoes by the Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs). TOR's production, they said, has been boosted from 28,000/bpd a day to 45,000bpd and its expected to do 60,000bpd with the commercialization of F61. Mr Botwey said as a result of the synergy between BOST and TOR, there was about 100 million US dollars cut in importation of finished petroleum product for each month. The unions also refuted some allegations leveled against the companies in connection with the evaluation report for repair of storage tanks. 'That document in circulation is incomplete, has no signature, and has not been approved, TOR did a departmental estimate on the cost of repairing the tanks and that estimated amount is higher than the proposed winning cost of the contract in the incomplete evaluation report. 'Therefore, the document being quoted and circulated is not a valid document worth relying on', they said. GNA By Bajin D. Pobia, GNA Wa, Dec. 24, GNA - The Upper West Regional House of Chiefs have called on Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, the President elect, to intensify the fight on indiscipline in the country. They said our developmental efforts cannot be sustained if the high levels of indiscipline in the society were not addressed. 'The unprecedented levels of indiscipline, offensive show of power and opulence by political parties in government are concerns that we call on you to set your eyes on when taking over as the President of the nation', they said. Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton, President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, said this at a special meeting with the President elect in Wa on Saturday. Nana Akufo-Addo was in the Region on a 'thank you' tour to express his and the New Patriotic Party's gratitude to the traditional rulers and the people for voting massively for the party and providing it with five parliamentary seats. Kuoro Kanton, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Tumu Traditional Council, said Ghana's politics must be devoid of greed and corruption and all must put aside our various loyalties and offer our loyalty to the service of the nation. 'We need to restore Ghana to the status of a country worth dying for; Ghanaians have a moral right and duty to confront our political leaders and insist on transparency, accountability, equity and fair play. 'It is our belief that such a right will have more value if we as individuals avoid corrupt acts', Kuoro Kanton said. Governments are responsible for the economic circumstances of the day and should always be ready to accept the challenge and work towards social and economic sustenance. Kuoro Kanton urged the President-elect to remain focused and bring the hopes and aspirations of Ghanaians as stated in his party's manifesto to fruition. On the President elect, the House said: 'Your relentlessness, resilience and versatility have been rewarded. You have used the challenges on your path as a springboard to the high office of president'. 'Your victory has left many wondering whether they were day dreaming. Your spirit of perseverance, persistence and consistency is a good mark of a leader whose eyes are always on the ball and never detracted once focused', the House said. The Tumu Kuoro said the victory of Nana Akufo-Addo was a victory for democracy; a victory for Ghanaians and a victory for the advancement of the NPP's transformation agenda you proposed. The House also congratulated President John Dramani Mahama for honourably accepting the verdict of the people of Ghana, while thanking all political parties for deepening our democracy. GNA By Ken Sackey, GNA Accra, Dec. 24, GNA - The President-Elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has assured the overlord of Gonjaland, the Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Boresa I, that he would work closely with him over the course of his tenure in office to bring progress and prosperity to the people of Gonjaland. He said this on Friday when he paid a courtesy call on the Yagbonwura and chiefs of Gonjaland, at the Jakpa Palace, Damongo. Nana Akufo-Addo, who is on a 3-day 'Thank You Tour' of the 3 Northern Regions and the Brong Ahafo Region, told the Yagbonwura that 'we came here today to thank you, and to reassure you and to let you know that we are going to work very closely with you to improve governance in the country. I am going to need your constant advice and guidance.' Nana Akufo-Addo, during the campaign trail of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), visited the Yagbonwura at the Jakpa palace on August 30, 2016, to elicit his support and prayers for him and for the NPP ahead of the conduct of the December 7 elections. 'God listened to your prayers and on the 9th of December, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, declared me winner in the presidential election, and the NPP victors in the parliamentary elections. I came here today to thank you much,' the President-Elect said. Nana Akufo-Addo told the Yagbonwura that, even though he has lost one son, in the person of President Mahama, 'you have another in his place. So you have lost nothing, as some of your children are going to be working closely with me - Otiko Afisa Djaba, Samuel Abu Jinapor and Clifford Braimah, amongst others - so you will have your grandchildren all around me.' He assured the Yagbonwura that, 'My doors will always be open to you. Where I am going, I will need your support and continuing prayers, and to assure you that all the commitments I made to the Ghanaian people during my campaign, with the help of the Almighty, I am going to fulfil all of them.' The President-Elect also used the opportunity to thank the Kpembewura, Babanye Ndefosu II, who was present at the Jakpa Palace, for his prediction on September 2, 2016, where he told Nana Akufo-Addo that he was going to win the 2016 election by a margin of 53 per cent. 'He (Kpembewura) was like a soothsayer, the one who was able to see into the future and he is the one who predicted that I would get 53 point something percent of the vote. So I want to thank you for the Kpembewura, my old friend Bismark,' Akufo-Addo said, to a rapturous applause from the gathering at the Jakpa Palace. Nana Akufo-Addo, in concluding, noted that before the conduct of this year's election, 'we had no seats in Gonjaland. But today we have one in Salaga South, and everywhere in Gonjaland, my vote went up. So I came to thank you for that as well.' On behalf of the Yagbonwura, the Kpembewura, Babanye Ndefosu II, assured President-Elect Akufo-Addo that 'we are going to give you the necessary support. 'You told us you are not going to turn your back on Gonjas, and, for that matter all Gonja's sitting here and elsewhere are going to give you their full support. We hope you will deliver for the people of Ghana, and in the first 4 years (of your tenure) the people of Ghana will see that we have a good government in place,' Kpembewura Babanye Ndefosu said. GNA By Ken Sackey, GNA Accra, Dec 24, GNA - President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he is committed towards working to bring unity, lasting peace and progress to the Dagbon Traditional Area. 'I have said it before and I will repeat it today. I have no agenda in Dagbon other than the unity, peace and progress of Dagbon,', he said on Friday during separate calls on the Regent of Dagbon, the acting President of the Dagbon Traditional Council and head of the Andani Royal Gate, the Kampakuya Na, Yakubu Abdulai Andani, and the Bolin Lana, Head of the Abudu Royal Gate, Mahamadu Abdulai. 'I am going to work with you, the Kampakuya Na (Yakubu Abdulai Andani) and with you, Bolin Lana, (Mahamadu Abdulai), and everybody to make sure that reconciliation and peace become reality in Dagbon, so that things are normal again. 'We should get rid of the military detail and the police barracks. All those things should go, so that things become normal here again in Yendi. And I know that I can count on you to help me reach this goal,' Nana Akufo-Addo said. The President-elect is on a thank-you tour of the three northern regions following the support he got that ensured his emphatic win at the December 7, 2016 polls. At the respective palaces of the Kampakuya Na and Bolin Lana, the President-elect Akufuo-Addo said 'before the election I came here to see you and to seek the support of you and your people. You were kind enough to receive me and you prayed for me. 'You prayed that God will bless my enterprise and the enterprise of the New Patriotic Party. Thanks to the Almighty God, I am happy to tell you that he blessed our enterprise and gave us victory on the 7th of December.' Nana Akufo-Addo thanked the Kampakuya Na for being the first traditional ruler to send a delegation to Accra to congratulate him on his and the NPP's victory in the December 7th elections. He said he was honoured by that gesture, which he believed indicated the close relationship that the Kampakuya Na wished to forge with him, a development he warmly welcomes. Nana Akufo-Addo said the late Ya Na, Yakubu Andani, father of the Kampakuya Na, and the late Ya Na, Mahamadu Abdulai, father of the Bolin Lana, were both his good friends, who treated him as their younger brother, and he, in turn, considered himself, now, as an older brother to the two chiefs. To this end, Nana Akufo-Addo, appealed for the support, understanding, co-operation and solidarity of the Kampakuya Na and Bolin Lana for his government, adding that 'I am confident that the relationship we have built over the years will show that in me you have an older brother who is going to be a true companion to you.' He continued, 'I want to assure you that all the commitments I made to the Ghanaian people - how we are going to revive our agriculture, develop our industry, bring employment to our people and wealth and prosperity - all those commitments I am, by the grace of God, going to keep them so Ghana can move forward and find her way to progress and prosperity.' The President-Elect thanked the Kampakuya Na and, subsequently, the Bolin Lana, for helping the NPP's parliamentary candidate for Yendi, Mohammed Habib Tijani, retain his seat. 'We had two seats in Dagbon - Yendi and Tolon - in 2012. Now we have five. Apart from Yendi and Tolon, we have added Gushegu, Nanton, Savelugu. In 2012, the NPP presidential candidate received 38 per cent of the popular vote in the Northern Region. Today, it has gone up to 42 per cent. The next time, God so permitting, it will be the majority of the 12 seats in Dagbon and the plurality of the popular vote in the Northern Region,' he said. Nana Akufo-Addo said it was his fervent wish that, in his time as the nation's President, Dagbon would be restored to its proper place in the affairs of Ghana as an ancient, respected traditional state at peace with itself, and an area of progress and prosperity. GNA CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE SENT BY SHEIKH ABDULLAHI MAIKANO CHARITY FOUNDATION (SAMCF) ON BEHALF OF THE ITS SPIRITUAL LEADER; KHALIFATUL AKBAR, SHEIKH ABULFAID BIN SHEIKH ABDULLAH MAIKANO On 7th December, 2016, Ghana, a multiparty democracy went to the polls and elected its president and 275 parliamentarians to represents their constituents. Once again, this election has witnessed a phenomenon where a sitting President has lost to the opposition leader. The colorful and beautiful concession of defeat by the sitting President to the opposition leader is something that must be commended by all. The Ghanaian model of democracy has come of age and thus a shining star on the continent of Africa. For this reason, Sheikh Abdullahi Maikano Charity Foundation (SAMCF) under the spiritual leadership of his spiritual eminence, Asheikh Alhaji Abul-Faid Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano Jallo wishes to extend its profound congratulations first of all to the people of Ghana for the show of maturity, tolerance, respect and peace before, during and after the elections. We also want to extend our congratulations to the winning team under the leadership of the President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufu Addo and his Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia. We pray to almighty Allah to continue to guide them, bestow His favors and wisdom onto them, guide and protect them so that they will be able to bring the needed development for which they were voted to power. SAMCF wants to thank the President, John Dramani Mahama for his show of patriotism and statesmanship. The President has indeed shown to the world that Ghana is undeniably the beacon and doyen of democracy in Africa. Nonetheless, Mr. President, Ghanaians have no doubt that you will continue to support this new government whenever the need arises. We also wants to congratulate the Electoral Commission for the good work done and the exhibition of professionalism before, during and after the elections. The Electoral Commission has indeed not let Ghanaians down; you have cemented and further deepened our democratic credentials making us a model for Africa. We also want to congratulate our security services for the way and manner in which they conducted themselves in the elections. We say Ayeko to you. SAMCF has no doubt that you will continue to offer the country what you know how to do best, that is, peace and security. We also congratulate the international community, the local and foreign observers, international and local media for their responsible and excellent reportage. To all and sundry who played diverse roles in this election, SAMCF salutes you all for your bravado. We are also calling on Ghanaians to forge ahead into surmounting every problem bedeviling our development as a country. Let us come together to continue being the shining black star of Africa. Thank you. Abubakar Abdul - Mumin Public Relations Officer Abubakari Yakubu Cisse Chief Operating Officer President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the Overlord of Gonjaland, the Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Boresa I, that he is going to work closely with him over the course of his tenure in office so as to help bring progress and prosperity to the people of Gonjaland. President-Elect Akufo-Addo made this known on Friday, December 23, 2016, when he paid a courtesy call on the Yagbonwura and Chiefs of Gonjaland, at the Jakpa Palace, Damongo. Nana Akufo-Addo, who is on a 3-day Thank You Tour of the 3 Northern Regions and the Brong Ahafo Region, told the Yagbonwura that we came here today to thank you, and to reassure you and to let you know that we are going to work very closely with you to improve the governance of Ghana. I am going to need your constant advice and guidance. It will be recalled that, on August 30, 2016, Nana Akufo-Addo, then NPP presidential candidate, visited the Yagbonwura at the Jakpa palace, to elicit his support and prayers for him and for the NPP ahead of the conduct of the December 7 elections. God listened to your prayers and on the 9th of December, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, declared me winner in the presidential election, and the NPP victors in the parliamentary elections. I came here today to thank you very much, the President-Elect said. Nana Akufo-Addo told the Yagbonwura that, even though he has lost one son, in the person of President Mahama, you have another in his place. So you have lost nothing, as some of your children are going to be working closely with me Otiko Afisa Djaba, Samuel Abu Jinapor and Clifford Braimah, amongst others so you will have your grandchildren all around me. He further assured the Yagbonwura that, My doors will always be open to you. Where I am going, I will need your support and continuing prayers, and to assure you that all the commitments I made to the Ghanaian people during my campaign, with the help of the Almighty, I am going to fulfil all of them. The President-Elect also used the opportunity to thank the Kpembewura, Babanye Ndefosu II, who was present at the Jakpa Palace, for his prediction on September 2, 2016, where he told Nana Akufo-Addo that he was going to win the 2016 election by a margin of 53%. He (Kpembewura) was like a soothsayer, the one who was able to see into the future and he is the one who predicted that I would get 53 point something percent of the vote. So I want to thank you for the Kpembewura, my old friend Bismark, Akufo-Addo said, to a rapturous applause from the gathering at the Jakpa Palace. Nana Akufo-Addo, in concluding, noted that before the conduct of this years election, we had no seats in Gonjaland. But today we have one in Salaga South, and everywhere in Gonjaland, my vote went up. So I came to thank you for that as well. On behalf of the Yagbonwura, the Kpembewura, Babanye Ndefosu II, assured President-Elect Akufo-Addo that we are going to give you the necessary and whole support of Gonjas. You told us you are not going to turn your back on Gonjas, and, for that matter all Gonjas sitting here and elsewhere are going to give you their full support. We hope you will deliver for the people of Ghana, and in the first 4 years (of your tenure) the people of Ghana will see that we have a good government in place. President John Dramani Mahama has urged the nation to reflect on the birth and life of Jesus Christ as we count our numerous blessings over the year. In a Christmas Message issued by Communications Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the President also drew attention to the just ended successful elections and emphasised that Gods favour shall continue to abide with us during the Christmas festivities and in the coming years. The message said ahead of his departure to Bole in the Northern Region with his family to celebrate Christmas, President Mahama urged drivers to drive with care and responsibly. He prayed that God grants the nation both an incident-free and accident-free festive period, the statement said. Political campaign is not an easy task to be left in the hands of neophytes. Politicians in general know this basic rule in politics. Every election has been fought on the strength of the human resource available to a political party. Volunteers have at all materials times played crucial role NDC campaigns. These volunteers support the main campaign team in executing their task. In the past, these volunteers were responsible for mounting party flags on poles, pasting posters, sharing paraphernalia in pursuit of galvanizing support for the party. These breathtaking exercise was done not for any material gains. There were those who engaged in this exercise on empty stomach. Others leave their works and engage in this laborious work with the sole aim of either helping the party retain power or recapture power. The contributions of volunteers to NDCs victory in previous elections is well scripted in the history books of the party. In the past, shockingly as this may sound, people acted as volunteers because they wanted their names to be mentioned as persons who contributed to the partys victory. Those were the days when selfless service and sacrifice to the party was ones claim to fame. Sadly, this enviable virtue which bounded NDC supporters as comrades has evaporated. In modern days, selflessness and sacrifice for the NDC has given way to tokenism, cronyism, greediness and godfatherism. These things which were alien to the pillars and principles on which the NDC was founded are now the fulcrum around which the party operates. People see the least opportunity in the party as money making avenue. The slightest opportunity is seen as as pot of gold where people could easily deep their hands into it and become rich over night. This mentality was what led to the formation of hundreds of volunteer groups for this years election. Of course, there were some few groups which predated this years election. But they were even the worse culprits. They were also caught in the web of enriching themselves instead of galvanizing support for the party. The NDC entered into the December 7 election with a lot of resources at its disposal. The party also had a lot of impressive infrastructural achievements to campaign on. The NDC also enjoyed relative stability compared to the main opposition, NPP. What was left for the party was how to manage these positive attributes and put them to profitable use. Alas! This was where the NDC shot itself in the foot. Poor coordination became the Achilles heels of the outgoing party. Mr Kofi Adams was until the last election trusted as a master tactician in grassroot mobilization. Mr Sidii Abubakar was also touted as wielding same attributes. This brought a lot of respite to NDC folks. With Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo in the saddle, supporters of the NDC were convinced that the election would be a walk over. Unfortunately for the NDC, the supposed talents of these kingpins fizzled into thin air at a time they were needed most. A major contributing factor to the partys defeat was how these volunteer groups were handled. Almost all these groups had the same agenda. Their sole campaign tool was the almighty green book. It was so easy to form a volunteer group ahead of this years election. All that one needed to do was to get some few friends, create a WhatsApp group, give it a name that have something to do with NDC, get an influential person in the party or government to link you to those in charge of the campaign funds, and start making money. This became a very lucrative business at the tail end of the campaign. With the number of volunteer groups multiplying day in day out, there was scramble for resources and needless infighting to gain ground. Some went to the extent of blackmailing others to gain favor with those who control the largesse. At this point, fine ladies were the best persons to put forward to request for funds. Without these fine ladies in your group, you cannot be assured of maximum collaboration from those in charge of the purse. I recalled how a leader of one of the groups made of oldies complained bitterly on facebook about how they have been neglected because they were not sparkling. There were some of these groups who were formed by some powerful but unseen hands to prepare the stage for their future political standing in the NDC. The groups in this category never had problem with funding. The godfathers behind it made it possible for them to secure branded air-condition buses to tour the country. At this point all that members of these volunteer groups did was to show pictures in the greenbook to villagers and take selfies with them. These selfies were used as proof of what they were tasked to do. Facebook in particular was daily awashed with greenbook holding NDC volunteers engaged in hearty talks with electorates. Due to the money making opportunity that was created courtesy volunteerism, some constituency executives abandoned their constituencies and joined the craze. They left the enormous work that needed to be done in their constituencies in hot chase for money. Constituency women organizers and youth organizers in particular, were those who latched on this rare opportunity. They left the jobs for which they were elected in their respective constituencies to do to go chasing their own share of the free Mahama paper. They were mostly praised by their masters as doing yeomans job in ensuring Mr Mahamas reelection. Few weeks to the election, these volunteers, mostly based in Accra, were sponsored to travel outside their constituencies to other regions like Upper East, Upper West, Brong Ahafo, Volta etc to campaign. With their green books in their hands they engaged anybody who crossed their path. Language barrier became the main shortfall that exposed how unwise this decision was. To the chagrin of some of the locals, hospitals, roads, circle interchange and other projects were shown to them as achievements of the Mahama government. Based on this, the locals were entreated to vote for Mr Mahama. Persons who walked on roads with gullies were shown pictures of asphalted roads constructed in other places as justification for Mr Mahamas retention in office. Those without electricity were shown pictures of rural electrification projects Mr Mahama had commissioned in other villages. Those without portable drinking water were shown pictures of the Teshie desalination projects and other water projects. Those who complained of hardship were directed to watch pictures of the Kotokuraba market, Cape Coast Stadium, Komenda Sugar Factory and other projects. This was the kind of uninspiring and counterproductive campaign the NDC used its volunteers to staged. What would Circle Interchange do to someone in Domeabra Obom who cannot feed his family? How will a driver in Central Tongu feel if he sees pictures of Teshie-37 road asphalted while the road he plies is unmotorable? Aside the anger this campaign style sparked in persons who live in areas where non of the projects in greenbook were located, some constituency executives who hosted these volunteers also became furious. Resources that should have gone to them were wasted on these volunteers. The arrogance some of these volunteers made matters worse. It is open secret that some constituency executives angrily told the leadership of the party that they were going to leave the work for the volunteers to do since they were those financed to do their work. These warnings were taken lightly and at the end it affected NDC substantially. In the past, constituency executives led the partys campaign in their various constituencies. In this years election however, some constituency executives did not participate directly in the party. Some PCs relied on these volunteers, they invited them to their constituencies, spent huge sums of monies on them while constituency and branch executives were told to sacrifice for the party. I remember when the President visited my constituency, I had to beg leaders of some of these volunteer groups for T-shirt to give to known NDC activists. I saw with my eyes T-shirts packed in sacks but these volunteers were unwilling to give them out. Apparently my PC had paid for the printing of the T-shirts, but for strange reasons they were left in the hands of volunteers who had know idea of how we have been dealing with the people. Days after the Presidents visit to my constituency, a leader of one of the volunteer groups who is my friend complained to me about how my PC had been reluctant in paying the balance of a sum they were promised before they visited my constituency. I was awestruck by this development. We had many of our comrades in the constituency who walked several distances to work for the party without any monetary compensation. But those who travelled in air condition buses to the constituency for some few hours to showcase their Accra lifestyles were paid huge sums of money. This angered many of our comrades in the hinterlands. There were instances were some volunteers visited constituencies without the knowledge of constituency executives. This also generated lots of anxiety among our comrades. Volunteers became the chieftains over elected constituency executives. Their phone numbers were in high demand because you cannot get to the big shots except through them. The love for money dominated their work and this created needless competition amongst them. The competition was not over who wins souls for the NDC but who rides in the most luxurious cars, wear fancy cloths, take selfies with kingpins and hurriedly upload same on social media. Moneyteerism replaced volunteerism; that was the exact description of the sad incident. A few of these groups received no or little support for their supposed projects. The groups that fell under this category were groups which had members who openly chastised some leading lights in government and party. They were taught a bitter lesson for opening their mouths too wide. Regrettably, the Volunteers Coordinating Centre under the aegis of Mr Kofi Adams and headed by one Mawutor Agbavitor supervised this dismal execution process. This centre was more of a business centre than the purpose for which it was actually established (more on this later). Ordinarily, the Youth leader or his deputies should have been in charge of these volunteers. But that was not the case. The Youth Leader and his deputies rather rivaled these groups from its inception. It took some open confrontation to get the Youth Leader and his deputies to mend their broken relationship with these groups. The Youth Leader and his deputies saw these groups as parallel structures put by unseen hands to dwarf their influence and at the end kick them out of office at the next Congress. They moved in quickly to avert the impending calamity but it was too late. Truth be told, the Youth Leader and his two deputies are partly to be blamed for the wasteful use of the volunteers. If they had asserted their authority and provided leadership, that mess would probably not have cascaded to that level. When things got offhand, the Youth Leader and his deputies embarked on a phantom special operation code named operation 57% for JM. This was completely at variance with what some of these groups campaigned for. From the word go, it was clear Sidii Abubakar had lost grip on the youth front. Some of these volunteers became more powerful and influential than the Youth Leader. The Youth Leader who until his election was touted as darling boy of the Big House was said to have been sidelined by managers of the campaign. The Big House was allegedly said to have found favor with other persons hence sponsored them to form these volunteer groups. How the Youth Leader lost his position at the Big House to some leaders of these volunteer groups is something that political scientists may in the near future investigate. With all these worrying issues unresolved, December 7 came to pass and we lost miserably, albeit painful. We lost favor with the youth though a lot of money was earmarked for youth operation. Whether the said money was used judiciously and for the right purpose is another interesting topic for discussion. Volunteers which many thought would compliment the effort of the main campaign team became our waterloo. The formula for murdering the NDC was very simple: the Presidency provided the wood for the coffin, party leadership provided the nail and hammer, and the volunteers nailed it beautifully to send us to opposition. We have arrived in opposition, more lessons to be learned. Ghanapoliticsonline.com Banjul (Gambia) (AFP) - Ansu Sanyang was ready. Sick of providing so little for his parents and sisters with any work he could find, the young Gambian resolved to take the migrant route through Libya to Europe. Then on Friday, December 1, he hesitated, hanging back to cast his vote in a presidential election that felt different to previous years. "I changed my mind," said Sanyang, a couple of days after longtime President Yahya Jammeh accepted defeat and seemed willing to leave office after 22 years. "I was glad, very glad, because I had hoped that that man (would) get this," the 25-year-old added, referring to the unexpected election victory of self-made real estate developer Adama Barrow. Weeks later, the elation Sanyang felt has turned to uncertainty over the vote's disputed outcome, while his life and those of thousands of other Gambians are left hanging in the balance. That Adama Barrow, who struggled before establishing himself in business, could become Gambian president lit a small flame of hope for the young in the country A nation of fewer than two million people, The Gambia accounts for the highest number of migrants per capita of any nationality crossing the sands of the Sahara through Niger to Libya where they board rickety boats that ply the Mediterranean to Italy. That a man like Barrow, who struggled financially before establishing himself as a businessman, could one day become Gambian president had lit a small flame of hope for the young in this poor west African country. "There is a crisis in The Gambia, that's why everyone is taking the Back Way (migrant route)," Barrow told AFP earlier this month. Combining study with grinding work as a security guard in London, Barrow has lived the migrant experience himself. "You hear the name Europe, you think it's heaven. It's never like that," he said. Jammeh however has taken a different line. "Anybody who wants to migrate, let them migrate," he said recently. "It's a matter of taste, migration is a choice, it's not because of poverty." 'All gone the Back Way' Longtime Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh, who initially conceded defeat in a December 1 presidential poll, has lodged a Supreme Court case to challenge the result On a bad day, Sanyang earns as little as 250 dalasis (about $6 / 5.6 euros). One recent day he was helping fishermen bring in their catch, and took home 1,000 dalasis -- a really good haul. When he isn't helping on the boats, Sanyang breaks bricks at construction sites, or does whatever job he is told is available that morning in the neighbourhood, labouring until nightfall. There was resignation in his voice as he admitted he was once again thinking of leaving, after it became clear Jammeh would not go without a fight. Desperate Gambians feel they have no time to waste. "Decades before, Gambians were not travelling across Africa, but now you see kids aged 12, 13, 14 joining them," said student Mbembe Kuyateh, 25, after Friday prayers in the Westfield district on the outskirts of the capital, Banjul. "Many of my friends left The Gambia. Some drowned in the Mediterranean Sea and some made it to Europe," Kuyateh said. Others describe the villages upriver where there are almost no men aged between their late teens and early 40s. "I couldn't believe it, they had all gone the Back Way," said one Banjul-based diplomat who passed through such a village on a recent trip. 'He wouldn't give up' People hold a banner reading "Gambia made its choice, let's respect it" during a protest in support of Gambia by Senegalese NGOs and civil rights groups in Dakar The scars left by the departed who never reached the shores of Italy are visible all around The Gambia. Samba Mbengu, a mechanic, recalls the endless fights he had with his brother, Ali "Mille Franc" Mbengu, a rising star on the wrestling circuit who worked as a tailor by day. "He insisted he wanted to travel and in order to convince him (to stay) I bought him a sewing machine, but even after all that he wouldn't give up," Mbengu recalled. After months of arguing, Mbengu agreed to finance the trip, and stayed in close contact with his brother as he made his way through to Libya. "I never anticipated I was going to spend this much money," he told AFP, refusing to give a precise figure but admitting it was more than 100,000 dalasis ($2,300). "He called me telling me how much pressure they came under from the agents over there, and how sometimes they could be maltreated if the money isn't sent on time," Mbengu added. One week in November, his brother's usual phone calls stopped. Looking up at the ceiling of the tailor shop to compose himself, Mbengu recalled the moment one of his brother's fellow travellers told him Ali had drowned. "It has traumatised us... that's all I can say," the mechanic added, looking away. 'Only me and God' The first time he had readied himself to leave, Sanyang didn't even tell his closest family about his decision, describing the deep shame he felt at being the eldest son, the breadwinner, but unable to provide enough so his parents could stop working. "I don't like my mum crying, they don't want you to go," he said. "We have no help, only me and God." The Gambian economy has suffered several blows in the last three years, making life extremely hard for those without connections to the ruling party or family in Europe sending back remittances. A 2013 drought was followed by the region's Ebola crisis, which despite never actually touching The Gambia itself scared off tourists who account for 20 percent of GDP. Then a dispute over tariffs with Senegal, whose territory surrounds The Gambia, effectively cut the country off from supplies for months. Sanyang believes that betting his life on a journey to Europe may still be worth it. "I have a lot of friends telling me I should do it. I must do something for the family," Sanyang said. "It's no good for me to sit here." Journalist Kwami Sefa Kayi has stated that the public spectacle that surrounded what has become known as the Montie 3 was by far his lowest point in 2016. The comments made by the two radio commentators and their host, their conviction and the remission of their sentences by the president, Mr. Sefa Kayi said, will remain a scar on the nations conscience. [It was] a low moment that I pray should never be allowed to happen again, he said on Joy FM/MutltiTVs news analysis show, Newsfile. Kwame Sefa Kayi who has hosted one of the biggest radio morning shows in the country, Kokrokoo, on Peace FM for 17 years, was commenting on one of the most topical controversies in 2016 the 'Montie 3'. Three pro-government communicators on a pro-National Democratic Congress (NDC) radio station, Montie FM, threatened to kill some judges of the Supreme Court and cause the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood, to be raped. They were upset that the judges were delivering unfavourable judgments against the Election Commission in a case brought against it by Abu Ramadan, a private citizen. Making the comments on a day commemorating the murder of three High Court in the 1980s, the commentators reminded the Supreme Court judges of the fate that befell their fellow judges decades ago. The Supreme Court summoned the three, together with owners and managers of the station and charged them with criminal contempt. They all pleaded guilty with explanation and apologised profusely. The court, however, sentenced the three communicators to four months imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 cedis each. After the judgment, government ministers and NDC functionaries queued to sign a petition calling on President John Mahama to exercise his power of prerogative of mercy and free the three. The President did exactly that, generating a flurry of condemnation. Speaking on the last edition of Newsfile for 2016, Kwami Sefa Kayi prayed that Never again should we, those of us on radio and television, those of us in the media [generally], never again should we use the power of the media to denigrate, malign and incite people to the extent that a whole Supreme Court has to come in. The whole saga of the Montie 3, I think, was an embarrassing moment for all of us journalists, politician, ordinary everyday Ghanaian, judges it is a blot on our conscience, he said. The radio and TV personality said he was particularly embarrassed because a profession he cherished so much could be brought to such a low ebb. And the theatre continued with educated and enlightened people I thought knew better defending it, going ahead to do a petitionand eventually, the president did what he did, Kwami stressed. He listed the smooth and peaceful conduct of the December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections as his high point of the year. President John Mahamas concession even before the Electoral Commission officially declared the election results, for him, was remarkable. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com| Malik Abass Daabu The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is urging Ghanaians to continue to pray for the President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo as the country celebrates the festive season to enable him serve the best interest of the country. In a statement extending their felicitations with Ghanaians, the NPP said this years Christmas was important especially because it comes ahead of a change in government which majority of Ghanaians have voted for in the just ended elections. We want to appeal to all Ghanaians to remember the president-elect and the NPP in their prayers so that we can be well-positioned to serve the best interest of the country after taking power. The statement said Ghanaians needed to celebrate the yuletide in moderation to avoid any mishap which will ultimately affect the country. It is important to be reminded ourselves of the need to be moderate and measured during the celebrations to avoid any unpleasant happenings that will be injurious to us as individuals and the nation. More importantly, we are celebrating this year's holidays at a time the change we had all been yearning for in the political leadership of the country has been made possible through the support Ghanaians offered the NPP during the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections. It is our firm belief that the benefits of the change will begin to manifest next year after the president-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been sworn into office on January 7, 201, the statement signed by the general secretary of the party, John Boadu said. The party further assured Ghanaians that it was ready to seek effective partnership with various stakeholders in a way that will promote the countrys development. We want to use this occasion to re-assure the nation that the incoming NPP government will seek effective partnership with all Ghanaians, individuals and groups, as we work together to ensure that the new era of change engenders the kind of progress and prosperity that will satisfy the needs and aspirations of the people, it said. By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana Ghanaians must reflect on the birth of Christ this Christmas season while counting their numerous blessings over the year. This is the call by President John Mahama in his Christmas message to Ghanaians. In a statement issued by the Minister of Communications, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, President Mahama said the favour of God shall continue to rest upon the country throughout the festive season and beyond. He urged Ghanaians, especially drivers across the country to be careful while driving during the period to ensure an incident-free Christmas and New Year. He prayed that God grants the nation both an incident free and accident free festive period. The statement announced that the President would leave Accra for Bole in the Northern Region where he is expected to celebrate Christmas with his family. Read the full statement below: CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA On the occasion of Christmas, HE John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana extends warm wishes to all Ghanaians, and urges the nation to reflect on the birth and life of Jesus Christ as we count our numerous blessings over the year. The President also drew attention to the just ended successful elections and emphasised that God's favour shall continue to abide with us during the Christmas festivities and in the coming years. Ahead of his departure to Bole in the Northern Region with his family to celebrate Christmas, President Mahama urged drivers to drive with care and responsibly. He prayed that God grants the nation both an incident free and accident free festive period. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Signed: EDWARD K. OMANE BOAMAH (DR.) MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS ACCRA By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana In the wake of NPP and Nana Akufo Addo winning overwhelmingly Election 2016, rumours started circulating in Ghana that the NPP hacked into the Electoral Commissions computers to stop Mrs Charlotte Osei and the Electoral Commission (EC) from doctoring the election results to favour the NDC and President Mahama. As a down to earth person, always interacting and familiarising with the ordinary economically-suffering and needy persons, I boarded a trotro bus from Kumasi Abrepo to Kumasi Kejetia. While on the bus, a man sitting behind me in the back row seat was happily talking to another passenger saying how NPP had hired a NASA computer scientist or analyst to hack into the ECs computer to help NPP win Election 2016. At a point, I felt it necessary although uninvited, to chip into the mans private conversation to correct his erroneous belief. I asked, could I please ask you a question? I have overheard your conversation but I feel your story is not as 100% true as you are alleging. The NPP has not, and had not, hired anyone to hack into the ECs computers for whatsoever reason. It must be noted that it is criminal to hack into corporate, national or international security agencies and even private persons computers. Anyone doing so opens themselves up to criminal prosecution. What is hacking? Hack among other dictionary definitions means, to circumvent security and break into (a network, computer, file, etc.), usually with malicious intent How then could NPP, a political party that believes in the inviolable sanctity of the rule of law and democratic dispensation engage in such a nefarious activity? I would wish whoever is the person taking that dishonourable credit for hacking into the ECs computer will come out to debunk that false allegation. He could have been employed by the NPP to help us quickly and expertly collate the election results from the polling stations and the constituencies collation centres. Anything more to this as is being falsely alleged is the figment of peoples warped imagination. NASA is the U.S. space agency, acronym of National Aeronautics and Space Administration, set up in 1958 Back to the trotro bus, the man who was being chatty over the phone and later engaged one of my friends on the bus in a conversation claimed to be a big NPP faithful who visits the Ghanaian internet news portals to read about the NPP and Nana Akufo Addo almost everyday. When questioned about who the prolific writers defending the cause of the NPP are, he started mentioning only people with doctorate degrees. He said, Dr Okoampa, Dr Baah Tuffuor, and Dr Osei etc. Apart from Dr Okoampa who is indeed the no.1 prolific writer, are there not many others who although are without doctorate degrees, do come before the other PhD holders the man mentioned? In Ghana, most Ghanaians are so infatuated with PhD holders and do kowtow to them very unnecessarily. Yes, the NPP might have taken genuine measures to neutralise the rigging plots hatched and set in motion by Mrs Charlotte Osei and her EC outfit and President Mahama and the NDC but they did not hack into the ECs computers. The credit for the resounding success of Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP goes to all Ghanaians who in diverse ways campaigned for, prayed for, and voted for positive change from NDC to NPP. Again, there were other ordinary Ghanaians who do not even have a University degree but who played remarkable roles to defy the malicious intents by that shameless Mrs Charlotte Osei to rig the election for NDC and President Mahama as it was perceived; for Nana Akufo Addo and NPP to win the election to the joy of almost all Ghanaians. To these unknown ordinary persons, I say, bravo and more grease to your elbows. Do not bother if the credit due you is given to other people with higher University degrees. All that matters is we have won the election for the incorruptible Nana Akufo Addo to come to relieve Ghanaians of their economic hardships and to save Ghanaians from the thievery and the institutional corruption that were overtly being perpetrated and perpetuated by President Mahama and the NDC government. Merry Christmas to Boat and his colleagues and all the NPP Prayer Warriors as well as all those who campaigned and voted for Nana Akufo Addo and NPP to win the election. Stay tuned for more info from Rockson Adofo, a returnee from Ogyakrom Rockson Adofo 25.12.2016 LISTEN By Bajin D. Pobia, GNA Wa, Dec. 25, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President-elect, has said the chieftaincy institution needs reform to make it more meaningful in our current governance system. He said there is still an obstacle bars the active participation of traditional authorities in the governance of the country and his administration would work closely with traditional authorities to address this concern. Nana Akufo Addo said it is the intention of his administration to reform the chieftaincy institution for traditional authorities to play effective roles in the governance system of the country. Nana Akufo-Addo said this at a special meeting of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, held to thank the people of the region and to assure them of his preparedness and commitment to deliver on his campaign promises. He said the revival and modernisation of agriculture, the industrialisation development effort, restructuring of Savannah Accelerated Development Authority and making it a genuine instrument of progress for the people in the northern part of Ghana would be pursued vigorously. Nana Akufo-Addo said the provision of dams and other irrigation facilities would enable people in the communities to undertake all-year-round agricultural production to make the nation food sufficient. He expressed concern that some neighbouring countries with less favourable climatic conditions have been able to modernise their agriculture sector and are now exporting vegetables and other produce. He said Ghana could do it better and it was based on this that the NPP promised to provide dams in the communities for the people to put their energies and spare times into productive ventures to produce more for the society and for export. Vice President elect, Alhaji (Dr) Mahamud Bawumia, National Women Organiser of the NPP, Afusah Atiko Adjaba, Ambrose Dery, Member of Parliament for Nandom, and Bugri Nabu, Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP among others accompanied Nana Akufo- Addo. GNA 25.12.2016 LISTEN By Afedzi Abdullah, GNA Cape Coast, Dec. 25, GNA - It is generally acknowledged that one's ability to speak more than one language creates many opportunities, particularly in the field of work. For this reason the study of foreign languages has become an integral part of various educational curricular worldwide. With Ghana surrounded by three francophone countries, namely, Togo, Burkina Faso and Cote d' Ivoire, the study of French should be paramount. French is one of the most learned foreign language after English, and the sixth most widely spoken language in the world. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) and it is spoken by more than 220 million people from 77 countries in the World. For us in Ghana, a proficiency in French would boost bilateral and multi-lateral relations and strengthen sub-regional integration for socio-economic development. Graduates and professionals, who miss the opportunity to study the language in school, later do so in private intuitions. However, many Ghanaians have shown disinterest in the teaching and learning of the French language for a number of reasons. The spread of the French language in Ghana is inhibited by many challenges including, inadequate number of teachers, lack of interest and continuation, fear of failure on the part of students, less improved curriculum, insufficient funding and ignorance of the importance of French. Ongoing in Central Regional capital, Cape Coast, is an agenda to build a strong foundation for children in the study of French and this is spearheaded by Ecole Francaise. Ecole Francaise, the only a private Bilingual Basic Educational Institution in Cape Coast and the whole of the Central Region uses both English and French to instruct Mathematics, Science, ICT and all subjects. Established in 2011 with just four pupils, including two sons of the proprietress, the school can now boast of more than three hundred pupils. As a bilingual school, it offers all the subjects under the Ghana Education Service (GES) curricula amidst extra curricula activities like sports, music and dance, cadet, taekwando and French drama. At the school's fifth anniversary and Speech and Prize giving day celebration, Mrs Ama Atta Sagoe, its proprietress, said the school was born as a result of her desire to give her children French education when the family relocated to Cape Coast from Accra. The anniversary celebration was held under the theme 'Significance of Bilingual Education in the 21st Century'. She said being bilingual came with numerous benefits and urged parents to invest in bilingual education for their children. She said their children would have a competitive edge and a practical, intellectual and aspiration benefits in today's global society over their colleagues. Ms Julie Fournier-Angelo, Cultural Affairs Director at the French Embassy, said the French Government was committed to the spread of the language and would not hesitate to assist countries that tried to learn the language. She said the French Government has been instrumental in providing teaching and learning materials to Ghana and pledged to continue to support the country in that direction. Ms Angelo said the French government provides more than 20 scholarships to Ghanaian masters and PhD students to study in France annually. Mrs Edith Agorbiah, a French tutor at the Ghana National College, a guest speaker at the ceremony, said being fluent in a second language opened up the world of new opportunities especially in the job market. She said learning a second foreign language promoted technology, science, culture and a technical know-how, which are the tools of development. With the above analysis, it would be prudent for all to take the teaching and learning of French seriously in Ghana, she said. It should be given the required attention just as the English Language right from pre-school to be studied alongside English for the benefit of the individual and the country at large. GNA A GNA Feature by Priscilla S. Djentuh Accra, Dec. 25, GNA - Corruption is a form of unethical or dishonest use of position of authority for personal gain. In the political field, it may linked to the abuse of power, embezzlement and bribery which causes a decision maker to deviate from entrusted policies for personal benefit. Corruption on the African continent coupled with poverty have been re-echoed as a character trait by the western media for many decades. The projection of a 'Corrupted Africa'' if not 'impoverished Africa'' by the western world is unfair and yet, some African leaders by their actions do confirm the ''corrupted Africa'' tag through deliberate indulgence in corruption and bribery in governance. A report by the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2015 revealed various ranks by which African countries are projected on corruption and countries listed included Botwana, Cape Verde, Seychelles, Rwanda, Mauritius and Namibia. Other African countries on the list include the Tanzania, Gambia, Togo and Nigeria. Our beloved, cherished for being the beacon of democracy in West Africa, Ghana, was ranked the 7th most corrupted country in Africa and this is no good news for all Ghanaians. So how have some African countries set her integrity aright, clearing the negative perception of a 'corrupted Africa''? The RTI BILL According to the secretariat of the Right to Information Coalition (CRTI), Ghana, twenty African countries have made efforts to successfully pass the Right to Information (RTI) bill into law and this includes Burkina Faso which is the 7th in West Africa to pass the bill, and this has earned praise from the Media Foundation of West Africa (MFWA). Liberia, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone including Nigeria and Niger have all passed the RTI Bill into law in previous years as part of commitment towards accountability and transparency in governance. The RTI Coalition, Ghana, as part of its efforts to push for the passage of the RTI bill into Law in August 2015 garnered a group of concerned citizens from various work forces in Accra including students who volunteered to solicit public information from various public institutions in the country. The activity was in accordance with article 21 (1) (f) which states that 'all persons shall have the right to: information, subject to such qualifications and laws as are necessary in a democratic society''. At the end of three-week exercise, some public heads where these concerned citizens (this creates the impression that all of them were denied access to information) wrote to, requesting information on public issues such as the school feeding programme and mode of scholarships grants to tertiary students which is of public interest were denied access to such information. The main reason being the said information are confidential to the public institutions. However, some of the institutions where the volunteers requested information, gained answers to certain questions but officials were hesitant to release public documents as requested. Meanwhile some volunteers who were market women in Makola and Tema stations were able to solicit information from the AMA concerning the payment of their monthly dues. These traders discovered with their enquiries that the supposed monthly dues solicited from them by agents of the AMA were supposed to be paid yearly! The John Mahama led administration was beset by several scandals including the Woyome judgement debt scandal, the Smartty bus branding saga, the GYEEDA corruption allegation and the mismanagement concerns at SADA amongst others all of which led to the loss of funds for the state. The passage of the RTI bill into law will help to discover many of such corrupt practices in governance and possible solutions to curb the canker. According to the Media Foundation for West Africa, Ghana is touted as the most stable democracy in West Africa. Successive governments, including the current government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have trumpeted their commitment to transparent and accountable governance. The right to access information have already been granted Ghanaians, what Ghana needs now 'is a law that will spell out the modalities for enjoying this right'', the RTI Coalition said. This is in spite of the fact that more than ten years have passed with pleas by the citizenry and advocacy by civil society groups for a RTI law to be passed. After the last sitting of parliament before the December polls, the RTI Coalition, Ghana, released a statement expressing disappointment ''over yet another failure by parliament to pass the RTI Bill into law despite promises that the Bill will be passed in the second and third sittings of the legislature this year''. The statement said 'Following a series of engagements with the leadership of Parliament and the Attorney General (AG), the AG took a bold step by incorporating all the proposed amendments into a new RTI Bill, and on 18th October, the AG withdrew the old Bill and tabled the revised Bill (RTI BILL 2016) for consideration by Parliament. She specifically wrote to Parliament requesting that the Bill be considered under a Certificate of Urgency''. It said the bill was immediately referred to the Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for review and report, affirming that the review process by the committee was within a day, October 23, and submitted to parliament on October 25. However, the momentum could not be sustained as the minority members of Parliament raised issues including the lack of quorum to pass the bill. The majority leader Alban Bagbin, afterwards assured Ghanaians of the passage of the RTI Bill into law when parliament resumes its sitting after the 2016 elections. Meanwhile various concerns were raised on Wednesday Dec. 21, 2016 when parliament resumed passing the Bill. Minority leader, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu 'urged the speaker to suspend the consideration of the bill because it could have some implications on some sections of the Presidential Transition Act.'' The RTI is recognised by the UN, the Commonwealth and African Union as a fundamental human right for transparent governance. In accordance with the international conventions and treaties on human rights and in order to operationalise the constitutional provision, the RTI Bill was drafted by the government in 1999. The draft was reviewed in 2003, 2005, and 2007 but failed to be presented to parliament for consideration. On 5 February 2010, an RTI Bill was presented to the fifth parliament and referred to the joint committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Communications for consideration and report. The RTI Coalition said the Joint Committee did a nationwide consultation but could not present their report to the house nor review the problem clauses of the Bill. After the elections in 2012, the Bill was reintroduced to Parliament in Nov 12, 2013 and was referred to the Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. The Select Committee received memorandum from the forum for Former Member of Parliament, the RTI Coalition Ghana, and the office of the National Chief Imam and the Muslim Community in Ghana. Among others, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI, Africa office), the Perfector of Sentiments Foundation (POS) and Persons with Disability Ghana also presented memorandums to the committee on the RTI bill. Consideration of the bill by the current parliament began in March this year but it was withdrawn and a new bill was introduced due to the numerous amendments proposed by the Select Committee of Parliament. The existence of the RTI Bill in Ghana would made it possible for every citizen to access information on policies that governs them, ranging from uses of taxes to exorbitant contracts given out. When citizens begin to access such information, the decision maker who got the people's mandate to serve would be very much reminded there and again about accountability to the people. The elected governors of the citizenry will be mindful to discharge their duties without bias. At the end of the day, accountability and transparency may be of paramount interest to those who govern thereby enable citizens to effectively peruse governance activities. GNA Christians in the country today marked the birth of Jesus Christ with church services. In Accra, many churches were filled to capacity with few seats to spare. At the Harvest Chapel International Church, the Christmas Day service was dedicated to the children ministry who took control of the every church activity and this they did amidst singing and dancing, poetry recitals, and an enactment of the birth of Christ. Reverend Fitzgerald Odonkor, Head Pastor of the Harvest Chapel International Ministries, said the birth of the Christ signifies a miraculous intervention of God in the affairs of mankind. He said it also sets the stage for mankind to be humble and a memorandum of giving was signed between mankind and God. Rev Odonkor said the world is still under God's miraculous intervention and this should serve as our strength and reassure us that no matter the challenges and difficulties [we face] the good Lord will surely intervene to redeem us. He said: the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger signifies humility and this should remind Christians on the need to be humble at all times and it should also remind us that irrespective of where we are located, God can raise us if we totally depend on Him. However, he cautioned, that: God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Rev Odonkor urged Christians to use the festive occasion to reach out to the less privileged in the society. The wise men who visited Christ gave out their best precious gifts as an example for us also to give precious gifts to friends and loved ones. We must also use the time to reconcile with others who might have wronged us in any waywe must forgive, he said. Rev Odonkor said the birth of Christ also offers the world a message of hope, good tidings, joy to the world, peace on earth and the greatest gift is the offer of Jesus Christ to mankind as a saviour of the world. At the First Love Church of the Lighthouse Chapel International at Legon, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills admonished the congregation to recognise their position as relations with Jesus Christ. He emphasised that Jesus Christ acknowledged men as his brothers hence puts man in a unique position to benefit from the blessings of having God as his father. Quoting scriptures from Luke 1, he said Christmas presented the opporunity to receive special blessings from God, noting that as Christs birth was a blessing to mankind, the period of his birth signifies continuous blessings from God. By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana with additional files from GNA Two-thirds of middle-income Americans dont have comprehensive financial plans, according to a new study by investment adviser Financial Engines. Without a plan, it can be difficult to achieve financial success. Its like trying to get to a destination without a map. Now is a great time to review your finances and make a plan to get on track for 2017. Here are several key things you can do before the end of 2016 to improve your money situation in the new year and beyond. Create a budget Budgeting is a perennial challenge for many of us. GOBankingRates 2015 Life + Money survey found that sticking to a budget is the biggest money challenge for Americans. However, the right system can ensure that your money goes where it should. To get your budget under control, review your bank and credit card statements to see how youre spending money, said Scott Bishop, director of financial planning at Houston-based STA Wealth Management. Determine whether your money is going toward goals such as savings or debt repayment or toward unnecessary expenses that prevent you from reaching those goals. Use software such as Quicken or an app such as Mint to track expenses, Bishop said. And to avoid overspending, start giving yourself a weekly cash budget, he said. Pay yourself first Americans top financial resolution for the past several years has been to save more, according to Fidelity Investments seventh annual New Year Financial Resolutions Study. Such a resolution isnt surprising, considering that GOBankingRates found that one-third of Americans have nothing saved for retirement. A separate survey found that 34 percent have nothing in savings accounts either. Certified financial planner Dominique Henderson, owner of financial planning firm DJH Capital Management in Cedar Hill, Texas, said people need to save more. You should be paying yourself at least what your tax rate is, he said. For many people, that means saving 15 percent of their income. Save most of that 15 percent in a 401k or workplace retirement account through automatic deductions from your paycheck. Or, save through an automatic transfer from your checking account to an individual retirement account, such as a traditional IRA or Roth IRA. For the remaining percentage, set up an automatic transfer from checking to savings each month to build an emergency fund to cover at least six months worth of expenses. Adjust tax withholding If you got a tax refund of $1,000 or more this past spring, you are letting the IRS keep too much of your money during the year, said Henderson. That money could be going toward something else to reach your goals, he said. Adjust your W-4, and get more in your paycheck every month instead of giving the government an interest-free loan. You can file a new W-4 form with your employer and claim more allowances so you will have less tax withheld. The IRS website has a withholding calculator you can use to figure out how many allowances to claim. Use that extra money in your paycheck to pay down debt or increase savings, Henderson said. If your company doesnt offer matching 401k contributions, put the extra money into an IRA. Contributions to a traditional IRA are tax-deductible. Or, you can open a Roth IRA and benefit in retirement when you make tax-free withdrawals. Traditional IRA and 401k withdrawals are taxed at your regular income-tax rate. Check credit report Reviewing your credit report and checking your credit score annually helps you save money in the new year, Bishop said. The higher your credit score, the less it will cost you to borrow money. The most commonly used credit score the FICO score ranges from 300 to 850. If you get well above 700, the cost of credit on a car or house or other things can be much cheaper, said Bishop. Some employers also check job candidates credit reports, he said. If your credit is bad, it might hinder a job search in the new year. Your credit report which you can get for free from AnnualCreditReport.com shows all of the loans and lines of credit you have, the amount owed and your payment history. It might also include a list of businesses that have checked your report, and any bankruptcies or public records related to you. By reviewing your credit report, you can figure out why you have a low or high score. Checking your report will also help you identify any errors dragging down the score. For example, Bishop said he paid off a car loan early, but the bank incorrectly used the wrong code that indicated it had repossessed the car. Also, look for any lines of credit you didnt open, which is a sign of identity theft, he said. Immediately alert the credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion of any errors or signs of fraud to protect your finances and identity in the new year. Make most of bonus Companies plan to give an average bonus this year of $1,081, according to a survey by staffing firm Accounting Principals. The extra income can help out financially if you spend your bonus the right way. But it also can push you into a higher tax bracket, Henderson said. If your 2016 income is at the upper end of a tax bracket for example, the 25 percent bracket and your bonus would push you into the 28 percent bracket, have your bonus deferred until next year so you wont be hit with a tax bill, Henderson said. If youre not at risk of being pushed into a higher tax bracket with a big bonus, Henderson said, use that money to maximize your 401k contribution. The maximum you can contribute in 2016 is $18,000, or $24,000 if youre 50 or older. Check your insurance Review your auto and homeowners insurance policies to see if there are any gaps in coverage you need to fill before the start of 2017, Bishop said. It can be financially devastating if you dont have enough coverage and have to pay out of pocket when disaster strikes. For example, standard homeowners policies cover most types of winter storm damage, such as damage from wind, ice and snow, according to the Insurance Information Institute. But if melting snow creates floodlike conditions and water seeps into your house from the ground up, you wont be covered without a flood insurance policy. So, talk with your insurance agent to make sure you have enough coverage. Also, Bishop urged you to look at life insurance coverage. The Life Happens website has calculators to help you figure out how much you need. And make sure you have disability insurance to help replace your income if a disability leaves you unable to work. Also, consider a long-term-care insurance policy to pay for care from a home health aide, or in an assisted-living facility or nursing home. Donate to charity Donating to charity before the end of the year can lower your tax bill next spring. Now is a good time to clean out your garage and attic to find items that can be donated to a charitable organization, Henderson said. If you itemize on your tax return, you can claim a deduction on your federal tax return for the fair market value of the items you donate. Goodwill has a donation value guide on its website that can help you figure out the market value for common household items and clothing. When you donate, get a receipt for any property or cash you give. Review investments Review your investments at the end of the year, and check to see if you still have the right asset allocation in your portfolio, Henderson said. For example, if your stock holdings posted big gains this year, they might make up a bigger percentage of your portfolio than makes sense for you. To lower your exposure to stocks and reduce risk, sell some shares before the end of the year. Be strategic about the stocks you sell. When selling stocks that have risen in value, offset your gains and lower your tax bill by selling some losing stocks, too, Henderson said. If you hold stock or any asset for more than a year and sell at a profit, you will pay tax on your capital gains typically 15 percent or 20 percent. Sell stocks that have fallen in value to offset gains dollar for dollar. If your losses are more than your gains, deduct the difference up to $3,000 as a loss on your tax return to offset other income. Map of the DRC locating Eringeti, North Kivu. By (AFP/File) 25.12.2016 LISTEN Goma (DR Congo) (AFP) - Twenty-two civilians were killed in a massacre in Democratic Republic of Congo's restive North Kivu province over the weekend, an official said Sunday. The bloodshed happened in Eringeti, a town 55 kilometres (35 miles) north of the regional hub Beni, a city plagued by a wave of massacres that have claimed more than 700 civilian lives according to regional official Amisi Kalonda, who blamed the latest violence on Ugandan rebels. Map of the DRC locating Eringeti, North Kivu. By (AFP/File) 25.12.2016 LISTEN Goma (DR Congo) (AFP) - At least 22 civilians were killed in a massacre in Democratic Republic of Congo's restive North Kivu province, officials said Sunday, the latest in a two-year wave of violence plaguing the region. The bloodshed occurred in Eringeti, a town 55 kilometres (35 miles) north of the regional hub Beni, a city hit by a series of attacks that have claimed more than 700 civilian lives according to regional official Amisi Kalonda, who blamed the latest strike on Ugandan rebels. Kalonda said members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group of rebels dominated by puritanical Ugandan Muslims and entrenched in the region for about two decades, stormed the town on Saturday afternoon. "The ADF has yet again plunged the people of Eringeti and its surrounding areas into mourning," he told AFP, speaking from the North Kivu capital Goma. "Yesterday, they killed 10 civilians. Twelve other bodies were found (Sunday) in the surrounding villages." "The modus operandi is always the same," he said, adding that the victims were either killed with knives or machetes. For the past two years the region around Beni has been afflicted by massacres that have killed hundreds of civilians, most of whom were hacked to death. Congolese officials have blamed the attacks on the ADF but several expert reports have suggested that other groups, including elements within the Congolese army, took part in some killings. Congolese army spokesman Mak Hazukay confirmed the attack, saying military forces had "killed four ADF rebels" but added that "the toll on the civilian side is very heavy". Teddy Kataliki, the head of a prominent local civic group, also spoke of at least 22 victims. But a Catholic priest in the area said there had been 27 deaths and the toll could rise "if bodies are found in the forest" bordering the town. 'Toll likely to rise' The priest said the Christmas midnight mass was held in the afternoon before nightfall for security reasons. "Yesterday the bodies of 10 civilians were found and today another 12," Kataliki said, adding that this was a provisional toll. "We don't understand this situation which continues to bereave the region of Beni." Kataliki said another such attack was underway on Sunday evening in the town of Oicha, further south. An army spokesman said troops were engaged in an operation in the area but refused to provide further details. The priest however said, when contacted late Sunday, that the army "has pushed back the attackers". When the Beni massacres kicked off in October 2014, the ADF was quickly branded the culprit by both DR Congo authorities and MONUSCO, the UN mission in DR Congo. More than two years on, Congolese authorities and the UN have been unable to protect civilians and the ADF remains the only official explanation -- with the government insisting on a jihadist link to the killings. It comes as relations with the international community have soured over President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down despite his term ending on December 20. 25.12.2016 LISTEN By Albert Futukpor, GNA Tamale, Dec. 25, GNA - Christians have been urged to lead lifestyles that could influence others to be of good behaviour for the betterment of society. Reverend Peter Enibo Gagara, Area Supervising Minister in Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), who made the call, said Christians should lead examplery lifestyles to positively influence others because they are the light to the world. Reverend Gagara was delivering a Christmas day sermon titled: 'The Birth of the Eternal Word of God' at the ICGC, Kingdom Temple in Tamale. He read several scriptures from the Books of Genesis, Luke and Isaiah to announce and proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ saying all believers must submit to the word of God. Reverend Gagara reminded Christians of the life of Jesus Christ asking them to emulate Him (Jesus Christ) to be a blessing to the world. He said life was all about fulfilling the assignment of God, which should be the focus of all Christians, urging them to eschew negative tendencies such as backbiting, looking down upon others amongst others and be obedient children of God. GNA 25.12.2016 LISTEN By Iddi Yire, GNA Tema, Dec. 25, GNA - Reverend Jonas Kwame Cosmos Kumah Tengey, the Greater Accra Regional Pastor of the Great Commission Church International (GCCI), has called on Ghanaians to pray for the success of the incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) government. He said Ghanaians must all pray for the hand of God to come upon Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, the President-elect and his team, so that they would be able to spearhead the nation's socio-economic development agenda. "May the Lord's good hands come upon the nation for progress in every aspect of the nation in 2017 and beyond," Rev Tengey said in his Christmas homily at the Grace Temple Branch of GCCI at Christian Village, Tema. "As a nation, we all need to thank God Almighty for His faithfulness and blessings upon us in this year 2016 which is about to end," he said. "As we all cried unto God for peace before, during, and after the election on December 7, God truly answered us because of His mercies," he said. He said: "Now, to enjoy the year 2017 and beyond, we need, as a nation and as people of God, to humble ourselves, pray, seek the face of God, and turn from our evil ways to do His will alone." Rev Tengey also urged Christians to seek the favour of God, which according to him would make them excel in all their endeavours. GNA The President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has promised to continue with all the unfinished projects legitimately commenced by the Mahama administration when he officially assumes office. He also pledged to fulfill all other campaign promises with particular emphasis on re-engineering the private sector as an engine of growth to push the economy to take its proper shape. Nana Akufo-Addo made the pledge when he visited the Paramount Chief of the Tongo Traditional Area, Tongo Rana Kubilsong Nalebtang. The President-elect stated that the task ahead in the management of the countrys economy, its politics and the resuscitation of social life could be herculean and daunting, however, with prayer support, and the renewal of will by all Ghanaians the challenge could be surmounted. He, therefore, urged the citizenry, especially the faithful, to pray with him for Gods guidance and direction to lead the country to the utmost satisfaction of all for a more robust economy to better the life of every Ghanaian. Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated his promise and assurance to operate an open door system of administration in his government and said what Ghana needed at this crucial moment of her history was to get the people united and bring all on board to strive to bring the needed development. The Tongo Rana congratulated the President-elect and reminded him of the huge task ahead of him by the promises tabled in his campaign. He said the people of the Tongo Traditional Area had high hopes in him as the incoming President of Ghana, and were, therefore, waiting to see the Pwalugu Tomato Factory back into operations. The regent also reminded him not to renege on the promises made to build a dam each in village in the area, adding that when these were done it would create employment for many of the idle youth and stem the migration to bigger cities in the region and beyond. The President Elect was accompanied by the Vice President-elect, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Member of Parliament (MP) Elect-for the Navrongo Central Constituency, Kofi Adda; MP-elect for the Zebilla Constituency, Frank Fuseini Adongo; MP for Nabdam, Mr Boniface Gambila among other high-ranking regional executives of the NPP. BARGROUND When Vision 2020 of Ghana was drafted and gusseted early 1995, which was going to take 25yrs to get to the marked year with the ultimate aim of achieving a state of economic autarky; it became a great inspiration to many, even though such a mark year was seen very far into the future in the early days of the vision documentation, we remained confident as people, it possible and it will be achieved, the pathway to develop an enviable economy in Africa. As at 2016, it left with only 4yrs in fulfillment of such a vision or remain as a nation of shifting polls of our vision, more of talking with no actions and a country with full of promises that are bound to be failed, year after year. To understand the current economic development status and Financial Positioning as a Nation in 2016, it is paramount and very crucial era before any leader, to steer the drive of governance from 2017 to 2020 to be remembered deeply in the heart of the citizens. Furthermore to establish a cogent intellectual analysis in the body of polity in Ghana, in comparative measurement of 16yrs democratic governance of the left-wing and their efficiency in the economic developmental agenda to that of the right-wing democrat, 8yrs in power and currently having the opportunity to take the steer for the next 4yrs towards the marked year of Vision 2020. This will give a balance view on 16yrs of Left-wing and to some extent 12yrs of the right-wing in the business of economic management affairs and it impact, furthermore to justify as citizens which type of political party and ideological framework, we should trust to be reliable and hand over the destiny of the nation to, in the promising years ahead. I could authoritatively state as an economist, analyzing from our current economic status, the future of Ghana aspiring state of economic independence, depends strongly on technical skilled laborers to contribute meaningfully to the GDP-Growth, but how do we as a state achieve that. A.UNSOLVED CHALLENGE AT THE DOOR OF EVERY ELECTED PRESIDENT Man by nature, has no ability to control and manage external force beyond his control. I could authoritatively state further that, none of Ghanas elected President has ever entered office with a parochial self interest driven agenda, each assume office with great vision, much energy and hope to fulfill his promises as believed. However a system that suffer from disorderly operations, has the ability to deny the realization of the vision of the visionary due to inability to technically have control over all the various human actors assign a role in implementation phase, which has always been the major reason that frustrate the visions from this great leaders. This has been known to be the unsolved challenge faced by the entire President that has assumed offices since from the 1ST Republic up to date. Several examination into the cause roots of this problem, emanated to be of different variable factors but the major influence has been lack of technical education to drive efficiency and result oriented spirit of the civil service system, used in the various capacity. A case study to paint a picture of the thesis; Orders from President for execution, pass through chain of commands from Minister to CEOs of Civil Institute then to the working staff, finally to the citizens. A President with quality leadership could only guarantee the efficiency at the apex, due to sanity in political structure and common in ideological drive but could never be assured of the same accuracy at the base of the chain of command in the civil service system to the benefit of the citizens, he seeks to serve. B. THE CAUSE OF GENERAL ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN GHANA The national economic management operations and it efficiency has more to do at the base of Civil service operations than the apex of the political ecosystem and it atmosphere. Let examine the case study of Youth Employment promises, it only possible when the youth are technically aligned and abreast with skills to tap into the market opportunities. This promise could failed woefully when the skills of the youth in the market misaligned to the real opportunities created, furthermore lack the right working behaviour and discipline to access those opportunities. The question raised is, do we have reliable state institutions and microeconomic set-up which is very strong enough to accommodate the about to be created opportunities? All this corrections and development, brings to the door of technical skills orientations. C. TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY MODEL Prof. Rajni Kothari a renowned Political Economist of Indian asserted in early 1970 in his book; THE FOOTSTEPS INTO THE FUTURE:diagnosis of the Present World and a design for an alternative and I quote The main fault in higher education in developing countries is that Universities are far too oriented to liberal arts and general science training and do not give adequate attention to technical education. Ghana has become a victim to such educational deficiency, the reason behind the sudden rise in service industry with no complementary primary and secondary sector economy. Administration has become a big industry overnight with no economic foundation. Of what value is a tertiary sector economy delinked from primary and secondary sector economy, it is just a consumption of national purse with no economic rate of return to relied on in the basic economic computation. D. PROPORSAL AND REQUEST TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT As a Think-Tank, we humbly request, the coming government to uphold the agenda of converting some of the Polytechnics to Technical Universities with the necessary legal instrument. However need to evaluate the competence and specialty in the operational performance of the various polytechnic contributions to the technical skills industry of Ghana before conferring upon them such status. Our findings across the 10 regions of all the Polytechnic operations in Ghana evidenced that some are really working hard to define their technical efficiency and contribution to Ghana Industry, while others are also joking in their operational system like any average liberal College. E. CONCLUSION AND EXPECTATION AS A THINK TANK As Bastiat Institute, we have identified the weakness of the Ghana, in its technical labour operations in the global capital market and it developmental dynamics, this led to extensive research to deepen the knowledge in Investment Banking & Risk Management as a collaborative project with the Finance Department and Academic Quality Assurance Department of Cape Coast Polytechnic. And we believe as a capital democrat institute the domestic market will be opened for strong collaborations of Public Private Partnership as well as enabling environment for private sector led economic management. We are ready as an Institute to contribute our quota to the Ghana economic developmental agenda as well as Africa. Our official position as an Institute is to congratulate the newly elected President in taking up the steer of power from 2017 and remain committed to assist within our ecosystem as complement to drive his vision for the people of Ghana in his first mandate of office. Prof. E. Tweneboah Senzu Senior Fellow, Bastiat Institute-Ghana [email protected] www.bastiatghana.org Editor's Note: Nigeria has the highest maternal death rate in the world second only to India in fatality rate according to the 2016 World Health Organisation report. In the second part of his report, Legit.ng's Bayo Olupohunda examines the depressing statistics of maternal deaths, the role of traditional birth attendants and how corruption and poor health care system fuel maternal deaths in Nigeria. Read the first part HERE Grim maternal mortality statistics According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) report "Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 - 2015, "an estimated 830 women die from avoidable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth every day. At the country level, Nigeria and India are estimated to account for over one third of all maternal deaths worldwide in 2015, with an approximate 58 000 maternal deaths (19%) and 45 000 maternal deaths (15%), respectively." The child bride culture with its many health risks leaves Nigeria's northern region with worst maternal and infant death rate in the country Other indices of the extent of maternal death in Nigeria are much worse. A report by the United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund, UNICEF revealed a scourge that has become endemic. UNICEF reports that Every single day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 children under five and 145 women of childbearing age. This makes the country the second largest contributor to the underfive and maternal mortality rate in the world." The report also revealed that "for every 10 minutes, one woman dies on account of pregnancy or childbirth in the country. Africa still too risky for women According to the WHO report, "in 2015, with sub-Saharan Africa alone accounting for roughly 66% (201 000) of global maternal death, the continent is considered the riskiest region in the world for dying of complications in pregnancy and childbirth." Also in 2015, the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) by the WHO had also rated Nigeria among five countries in sub-Saharan Africa with the highest number of maternal death in the world. Of the 830 daily maternal deaths that occured in 2015, 550 occurred in sub-Saharan Africa making it the continent with the highest mortality rate in the world. Source: World Health Organisation The MMR is calculated by taking into consideration "the deaths of women while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management". According to experts, maternal deaths occur particularly in areas where women have many babies in short time spans under malnutrition, poor hygiene conditions and lacking access to medical treatment. In a more troubling scenario, the National Demographic Healthy Survey placed the National Maternal Mortality rate at 545 per 100,000 live births. UNICEFs estimation of the incidence of maternal mortality in Nigeria is from 800 per 100,000 to 1,100 per 100,000 live births! These gruesome statistics point to deeper problem READ ALSO: Two women die after child birth in Lagos Planning to fail The five-year National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP) developed in 2010 and implementable till 2015, with the goal of improving the health care of Nigerians through the development of a sustainable health care delivery system failed even in the implementation stage. Nigeria budgetary allocation to health is poor with most of budgeted fund stolen by corrupt officials. Source: NigerianHealthWatch The health plan had targeted a maternal mortality ratio of 273 per 100,000 live births in 2013 and 136 per 100,000 live births in 2015, which would have reduced mortality to one-third ratio between 2010 and 2015. Part of the provision of the plan was that a percentage of the three levels of government - federal, state and local government budget allocated to the health sector should be scaled up from 5% in 2011 to 15% by 2015. But like everything in Nigeria, many targets in the NSHDP was not met as the most recent figure given by the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey is 576 per 100,000 live births while the governments spending on health has varied from 4% to 9% between 2001 and 2013, according to analysis by NOTAGAIN campaign. The health budget also declined from 6.07% in 2012 to 5.61% in 2013 and climbed slightly to 5.6% in 2014. Traditional birth attendants: Partners or part of the problem? Nkantu Oku lost her wife in early 2016 when the family chose to consult a traditional birth attendant. We chose traditional birth attendants over hospital because we had our first child safely there, But when we decided to have second baby there. Complications beyond the know-how of the TBA occurred and my wife died but the baby survived. Mr Nkanta is one among many Nigerians who still considers traditional birth attendants a safe way of delivery in spite of the dangers associated with the traditional practice. A traditional birth attendant performs local birth procedure on a pregnant woman. Source: VOA But traditional birth attendants have a long history in pre and post- colonial Africa. For ages, despite having no formal training, traditional birth attendants have provided the maternal care needs of many African communities. Traditional birth practices are rooted in deep cultural beliefs. A 2014 study by MedCentral found that in many Sub-Saharan African and South Asian countries, more than 50% of all births occur at home, and these countries also tend to have the highest maternal and new-born mortality rates. Home births are most common in rural areas and among poorer women and many of these births are attended by Traditional Birth Attendants. Investigations by UNFPA also confirmed that more Nigerians prefer the traditional birth attendants to health facilities. In 2013, according to findings, 154,304 attended antenatal at the Primary health care (PHC) centers, while only 16,699 delivered. The same trend continued in 2014, where between January and August, 121,451 attended PHCs for antenatal, but only 13,000 delivered there. According to BioMed, while task shifting is crucial to achieving health related SDG goals, health workers are divided about the roles of the TBAs given the high rate of fatalities. READ ALSO: Mother dies after doctor leaves baby's head in her womb Corruption fuels poor health care For several years, poor budgetary allocation to the health sector and stealing of resources by corrupt government officials have ensured public health funds have disappeared into private pockets. According to Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi the Executive Director of Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education): Nigerias scary maternal mortality indices are fueled by decades of looting from the public till by the political elite and the peoples indolence to hold political office holders to account. 2016 Health Overview Poor budget allocation to health affect effective healthcare delivery Source: NigeriaHealthWatch Failed promises In 2009, at a health care summit in the nations capital with the theme Accepting collective responsibility for improving our health in Nigeria, stakeholders set deadline to several health targets including reducing infant mortality rate increasing budget allocations to the baseline level by at least 25% each year towards achieving the Abuja Declaration target of 15%; committing to at least 90% budget release and 100% utilization by the end of the year; reducing maternal mortality ratio by a third which was at the time (136/100,000 live births) from 545/100,000 live births by 2015. Sadly, none of the targets were as the indices have worsened. Economic impact of high maternal mortality rate Maternal mortality rate impacts on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) especially in sub-Saharan Africa that has the highest rate of MMR in the world. According to a 2006 study on Effects of maternal mortality on gross domestic product (GDP) in sub-Saharan Africa by African Journal of Health Sciences, the maternal mortality of a single person was found to reduce per capita GDP by US$ 0.36 per year. The study revealed high maternal mortality rate has significant negative effect on GDP. "Thus, as policy-makers strive to increase GDP through land reform programs, capital investments, export promotion and increase in educational enrollment, they should always remember that investments in maternal mortality reducing interventions promises significant economic returns." the study concluded. Medical expert reacts A culture of abuse In many public public hospitals across the country, pregnant women mostly from poor background are serially abused by hostile nurses and other medical personnel during ante-natal sessions and roughly treated during labour. An eye-witness, Ajibola Islamiyat Adepoju, related her experience with a culture that has become ingrained in Nigerian public hospitals: "I witness an act of negligence some years ago when I rushed a young lady to a hospital. She went into labour but the nurses kept shouting at her that it's not time. In spite of her distressful condition, they isolated her alone in the labour room. not knowing that it was because their doctor was just on his way to the hospital. I decided to join the lady in the labor room since she was alone and screaming that her baby is coming. To my greatest shock I realised that it was true and the baby was actually completely out, I screamed and rushed out to get the nurses. The lady is alive but she lost the baby." Such negligence and unprofessional conduct are common features in many hospitals today. Maternal health and child bearing as human right Many international human rights frameworks have highlighted adequate care and protection of women during pregnancy and childbirth as human rights issue. Disrespect and abuse during childbirth is also an important part of the framework. Also, chapter II (article) 17(3)(d)) of the Nigerian constitution requires all organs of government, authorities and persons exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers to ensure adequate medical and health facilities for all persons in Nigeria. The United Nations described human rights as rights which are inherent in our nature and without which we cannot function as human beings'. The right to quality health (including maternal health) is an important duty of government because it signatory to international laws and instruments such as the Universal Rights of Women Rights of Child Bearing Women Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), The Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other regional treaties like The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. But with the growing statistics of maternal death. Nigeria has failed its citizens. From MDGs to SDGs and Nigeria's track record of failure In 2000, Nigeria joined other members states of the United Nations to pledged to work towards a series of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These goals included the target of a three-quarters reduction in the 1990 maternal mortality ratio (MMR; maternal deaths per 100 000 live births), to be achieved by 2015. This target (MDG 5A) and that of achieving universal access to reproductive health (MDG 5B) together formed the two targets for MDG 5: Improve maternal health. But in spite of the resources committed to reducing maternal deaths, Nigeria was among the countries that failed to meet the target with the country and India are estimated to account for over one third of all maternal deaths worldwide in 2015, with an approximate 58 000 maternal deaths (19%) and 45 000 maternal deaths (15%), respectively. Nigerians do not trust their healthcare system and would seek alternative care elsewhere if they can afford it. Source: Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ending circle of death According to the WHO, "achieving the SDG target of a global MMR below 70 will require reducing global MMR by an average of 7.5% each year between 2016 and 2030". While the realities are grim for Nigerian women given the history of institutional failures, corruption and poor budget allocation to health; reducing the human tragedy the scourge has become is still achievable. Genevieve Dozie, an obstetric nurse with the Maimonides Medical Center told Legit.ng: "A network of numerous specialists work as a team to bring about positive outcome with pregnancy and childbirth. It is much more than doctors and politicians. It takes conscience, dedication, accountability, liability on the part of healthcare workers. The art of childbearing streams from periods of family planning, fertility, prenatal, laboring, immediately delivered down to post partum period. Any death around this period is still an obstetrical mortality. "The doctor may have the knowledge, expertise and the money is there, but if he has no conscience, much may not be achieved. In some foreign countries, doctors own practices but they don,t own hospitals. They bring their patients to the hospitals and follow the hospital protocols in the care of their patients. Hospitals could sue the provider if he or she is negligent. "Patients are accountable to keep their appointments and follow their providers, advice. Adequat resources, state of the art equipment and Health care workers adequately paid. With education, social and medical advocacy, we will go a long way in minimizing the frequency of obstetrical mishaps in Nigeria," she concluded. In Nigeria, maternal deaths pose an unending tragedy for women and families. For many pregnant women, giving birth has become one of the scariest experiences of motherhood. Many pregnant women dread the possibility of going into labour and never returning alive. At the Akodo General Hospital in Epe suburb of Lagos on a sunny afternoon in November, a small crowd formed a prayer circle outside the main lobby leading to the labour room. They were seeking divine help for a family member in labour. Their anxiety and distressed looks paint a picture of a health care system in crisis. The challenge for the Nigerian government will be to prevent more women from dying during child birth. Source: Legit.ng - Primate Babatunde Ayodele urged Nigerians to pray to make 2017 a better year - The religious leader said President Buhari has good intention for the country - He however said a lot will go wrong in 2017 Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church has released his prophecies for 2017 and urged the country to pray in order to avert disaster. According to Daily Post, the religious leader gave prophecies concerning Nigerian politics, health sector, government agencies, the police force, business, aviation, customs, INEC, telecommunication and education. Ayodele urged the Igbos to align with a strong political party as their time to produce the presidency is not here yet. READ ALSO: 7 Christmas prophecies from Dele Momodu He also said the former president Olusegun Obasanjo would be playing his last politics in the country, while President Muhammadu Buhari will face a lot of disappointment even though he means well for Nigeria. Primate Ayodele releases 2017 prophecies Read some of his 2017 prophecies below: Nigeria will sign agreement with Germany, France and United States of America on terrorist. President Buhari will face a lot of disappointments among his trusted aides and political associates. There are lots of changes he will want to implement but he will suffer setback. He means well for Nigeria and has good plan for the country but there are a lot of people surrounding him that will mislead him and dont want him to succeed. Despite the effort of his government, there will still be problem between his political admirers. I also foresee political tension in Kwara, Kogi, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Benue, Pleteau, Edo and Yobe states. The Igbo should form an alliance with a strong party their time has not yet come. They will not win the presidency in 2019. South west may be cheated politically. South-South may lag behind except they rise up and they come in one voice. In 2019, there will be different agitation of who becomes the President. I foresee internal wrangling in Aso Rock Villa. I foresee crisis between the President and the Vice President. Obasanjo is playing his last politics. Olusegun Obasanjo and Buhari will have issues and Arewa consultative forum and some core northern elders will have issue with Buhari government. I foresee that Buhari will have issues with some past head of states and he should pray against health challenges. He should pray so that he is not bereaved. I foresee the death of any former civilian and a former military leader in Nigeria. Let us pray to rebuke the death of a Minister and also a very prominent politician. Let us pray to God to grant all the former Presidents in Nigeria good health. Goodluck Jonathan will be involved in the moves to bring the PDP back to political reckoning. I foresee that President Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will hold meetings on ways to re-strategize concerning the All Progressives Congress but the outcome may not work as expected because Buhari will not listen to the right people. President Buhari will hold consultations on ways to appoint new Ministers or re-shuffle his cabinet but I foresee that he will still not get it right. Buhari will misbehave. Minister of Labour, Communication, Energy and Transport must be prayerful and careful about their work. The Minister of Finance will face challenges. Let all the Ministers pray to rebuke accidents among them. I foresee mass protest against the government of the day. Buhari will form new political associates with some South west political leaders that will ouster Asiwaju Tinubu. The Spirit of God says President Buhari and Asiwaju Tinubu will part ways. I see the re-emergence of the Fulani Herdsmen troubles in Igala land, Benue and Taraba states. I see killings in Nigeria and this will affect the offices of the Service Chiefs in the military. Let us pray against outbreak of disease, attack and blood flow at IDP camp. Some of the Chibok girls will be released again and not all of them will be seen and I foresee the government taking new dimension on the issue of the Chibok girls and there will be controversies on the issue of the Chibok girls. Buhari government will face a lot of challenges if he did not do the right thing. Two governors will escape attack. I foresee attack in some local government in Katsina state. There will be mismanagement of funds and changes in some of the management of the local government. I foresee the government will break joint account as local government will have direct access to their funds. The Kaduna state governor will take unpopular policy that will lead his government into troubles. Abuja will be attacked. READ ALSO: Ambode should reduce price of rice to N7000/bag - Nigerian prophet Lets pray to rebuke earthquake and landslide in Nigeria. There will be flooding in some parts of Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, plateau, Kogi and Benue states. The economy will improve a little bit and will later experience some downward movement. This will continue until the government is ready to do the right thing. The Spirit of God says there will be series of political consultations in the country, the outcome of which may ruin the political fortunes of some politicians. I foresee that through the media the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will announce the names of some people involved in corrupt practices. Buhari and Minister of Transport will quarrel. Nigeria will borrow money because our foreign reserve will not perform as expected. Let us pray we dont lose any ambassador. I foresee technical troubles with the Presidential jets in the months of April, May, June and August. I foresee doctors going on strike. There will be political assassinations in Nigeria and some African country. Let us pray we dont lose a prominent Professor. The Biafra will cause Buharis government a lot. Nnamdi Kanu should be released because he may have ill health in the prison and also Dasuki. I foresee changes in custom, Chief of Staff to the President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Some of Buhari aides will be changed. Source: Legit.ng Two Tomah City Council incumbents wont seek re-election. Mike Murray (District 3) and Eric Prise (District 5) filed declarations of non-candidacy this week. No other candidates had taken out nomination papers for either seat as of 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Murray was appointed to the council in October 2015 and ran unopposed in last Aprils election to fill out the remainder of the term. Prise is stepping aside after two terms on the council. He served two months as acting mayor last year after Shannon Hough resigned. The only candidate who has submitted completed nomination papers is incumbent Wayne Klinge in District 7. Incumbent Mary Ann Komiskey has taken out papers in District 1. Neither Klinge nor Komiskey has yet to draw a challenger. Candidates are required to submit nomination papers with at least 20 signatures. City council members serve two-year terms. In the race for three seats on the Tomah School Board, two candidates have stepped forward. Incumbent Nancy McCoy and former school board member Jerry Fushianes have filed declaration of candidacy forms. Incumbent Deb Buswell, a 12-year veteran of the board, filed a declaration of non-candidacy last week. McCoy was first elected in 2014. The third incumbent, John McMullen, hadnt submitted papers as of Friday. School board candidates arent required to collect nomination signatures. School board members serve three-year terms. Voters this spring will also have choices in two statewide elections. Annette Zielger is running for re-election as Wisconsin state Supreme Court justice, and Tony Evers is running for a new term as state Superintendent of Public Instruction. A primary, if necessary, is Feb. 21. The general election is April 4. - Kebbi state has become a beehive of activities as sales increase - Traders from Chad, Cameroon and Niger are rushing to Kebbi to buy rice - The huge foreign demand has put smiles on people's faces Traders from Chad, Cameroon and Niger rush to Kebbi for rice Nigeria has reaffirmed its position as giant of Africa, at least in one aspect, as people from all over Africa, are rushing to Kebbi state to buy rice. According to Leadership Sunday, the state has turned into a beehive of local and cross-border market activities following the current rice production boom in the state, which is being driven by the government of Governor Atiku Bagudu. Merchants from the neighboring countries of Niger, Benin and Cameroun are reportedly trooping into the state. READ ALSO: Lagosians besiege sale centres, buy LAKE Rice at approved price According to eyewitnesses, in most of the major markets in the state, no fewer than 100 trailers, loaded with bags of rice leave the state on a daily basis. Kebbis flagship rice is Faro. Other brands have names like Labana and the newly introduced LAKE Rice-which came about as a result of partnership between Lagos and Kebbi. Reportedly residents of the state have appealed to the federal government to also buy a good portion of the produce and store in national grain reserves. It is pertinent for the federal government to buy up the rice produce from farmers in Kebbi and store up in silos and Government Strategic Grain Reserves across the country in order to avert any threat of shortage that is looming in the country. Engr Suleiman, who is a site manager of federal government-owned Kebbi Silos says the federal governments Strategic Grain Reserve in the state has a capacity of preserving a hundred thousand metric tons of grains. Also, Alhaji Sahabi Augie, the chairman of the Rice Farmers Association in Kebbi state, alarmed by the huge foreign demand of rice, has begged the federal government to join the purchase and storage rather than just allow people from other countries besiege our markets and take away our food to their countries. READ ALSO: Buhari applauds Lagos, Kebbi for Lake rice Augie also confirmed that the state has been witnessing influx of grain buyers from different parts of the country and from neighbouring countries of Niger and Benin and Cameroon. Meanwhile, a British media source has quoted, Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu who said 102 bags of fake rice was smuggled into the country to be sold during the festive season. Preliminary examination of the product branded as "Best Tomato Rice" showed "how sticky the rice was and only God knows what would have happened if our people consumed it." Source: Legit.ng AAR Corp. provides products and services to commercial aviation, government, and defense markets worldwide. The Aviation Services segment offers aftermarket support and services; inventory management and distribution services; and maintenance, repair, and overhaul, as well as engineering services. This segment also sells and leases new, overhauled, and repaired engine and airframe parts, and components; and provides inventory and repair programs, warranty claim management, and outsourcing programs for engine and airframe parts and components, as well as performance-based supply chain logistics programs in support of the U.S. department of defense and foreign governments. In addition, it offers airframe inspection, maintenance, repair and overhaul, painting, line maintenance, airframe modification, structural repair, avionic and installation, exterior and interior refurbishment, and engineering and support services; and repairs and overhauls components, landing gears, wheels, and brakes. The Expeditionary Services segment provides products and services supporting the movement of equipment and personnel by the U.S. and foreign governments, and non-governmental organizations. This segment also designs, manufactures, and repairs transportation pallets, and various containers and shelters; and provides engineering, design, and system integration services for command and control systems. The company serves domestic and foreign passenger airlines; domestic and foreign cargo airlines; regional and commuter airlines; business and general aviation operators; original equipment manufacturers; aircraft leasing companies; aftermarket aviation support companies; and domestic and foreign military customers. It primarily markets and sells products and services through its employees and foreign sales representatives. AAR Corp. was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois. The federal government will cap new applications for private sponsorship of Syrian and Iraqi refugees at 1,000 in 2017, due to a backlog and long wait times faced by those whose applications are still being processed. But some feel the move, announced earlier this week by Citizenship and Immigration Minister John McCallum, betrays the positive global perception Canada has seen since late last year when the Liberals took office and committed to accepting more refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria. The governments playing politics here, on the one hand saying we should be celebrated for being welcoming, and then on the other hand stopping people from being able to get to safety, said Lesley Wood, a sociology professor at York University who has sponsored two Syrian refugee families. The governments policy, which came into effect Dec. 19, places a limit of 1,000 sponsorship applications for the next year by groups of five people or more and community sponsors such as organizations. It forms part of a broader strategy to address the large backlog and long wait times in the Privately Sponsored Refugees category, according to the government. Nearly 39,000 Syrian refugees have arrived in Canada since November 2015, of which 13,700 have been privately sponsored. But Canada4Refugees, which represents private sponsorship groups, estimated earlier this month fewer than one-third of refugees who applied before April have arrived in Canada, with more than 5,000 applications still being processed. Wood helped sponsor a family of six who are from near Aleppo and arrived in Canada this past June. The Syrian government took full control of the city, once the stronghold of the rebellion, on Thursday, marking President Bashar Assads most significant victory over opposition fighters since the uprising began five years ago. Theyre worried about their family members, said Wood. Were just starting a new sponsorship to try and raise the money for the womans sister, whos got six kids, so a family of eight. News like this makes us wonder whether were going to be able to bring her and her kids. Its absurd. Wood also helped sponsor a second family of four individuals who lost two children in the war. However, she said, they are stuck right now in Jordan because their applications havent been processed. We were expecting them a year ago, so even when the numbers were moving fast, they werent moving fast enough for people whose lives are in danger, she said. Seher Shafiq of Lifeline Syria, an organization that matches Canadian sponsors with families trying to flee the war, said their group alone has a backlog of about 2,000 refugees. Were encouraging people to fundraise so that we can match some of these cases to sponsor groups and put them in line to be processed by the government, said Shafiq. When the picture of Alan Kurdi came out, we had overwhelming amount of sponsors, so many so that we couldnt match them quick enough to our cases, but now we have an opposite situation where weve had people, some of them almost a year, waiting for sponsor groups. Shafiq said the organization has helped bring 400 privately sponsored refugees to Canada, while another 800 have been matched with sponsors and whose cases are being processed by the government. Theres definitely a perception that weve done a lot and the job is done. We definitely should be proud, she said. Canada has been recognized on the world stage for taking action for this crisis but at the same time the need is so great that we often forget theres still so much to be done. Syed Hussan, an organizer with immigrant and refugee group No One is Illegal, called the governments new policy a tweak to an already disappointing system. The Liberal government has taken a piecemeal approach and has therefore been unable to adequately respond to the needs of global refugee flows, Hussan said. Theres millions of refugees, millions, and Canadas taking so very few either as percentage of its population or as a percentage of its size. The backlog is because the Liberals have simply not hired enough people to process the applications, according to Hussan. He said those trying to flee the war will face the harshest consequences because of this. The key challenge is going to be that people will keep looking for alternative venues for safety and dignity, he said. Syrians . . . who are stuck, who are going to try and make the journey they can through the perilous Mediterranean crossing and face death. While its unclear how the government will select which 1,000 applications to process next year, the cap has would-be sponsors feeling that raising the necessary funds might be an urgent matter if, for example, applications are picked on a first-come, first-served basis. An application cannot be processed until a certain minimum amount is raised, depending on the number of refugees one wishes to privately sponsor. It takes at least $12,600 to sponsor one individual and $27,000 for a family of four, according to Shafiq. Wood is aiming to raise about $60,000 that will be needed to bring the family of eight to Canada. We know its going to be a long process even when the numbers are favourable but this could really slow things down, she said. The worry is that theyre in a conflict zone and as their kids get a little bit older, they get dragged into fighting. Theyre in danger both from the bombing, but theyre also in danger of being dragged in against their will. Read more about: SHARE: JERUSALEMThe Israeli governments furious reaction to the United Nations Security Councils adoption of a resolution opposing Jewish settlements in occupied territory underscores its fundamental and bitter dispute with the international community about the future of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that there is nothing wrong with his controversial policy of building Jewish towns in occupied areas that the Palestinians, with overwhelming world support, claim for their state. But Fridays UN rebuke was a stark reminder that the rest of the world considers it a crime. The embattled leader is now placing his hopes in the incoming administration of Donald Trump, which is shaping up as the first major player to embrace Israels nationalist right and its West Bank settlements. In a series of statements, Netanyahu has criticized the Obama administration for letting Resolution 2334 pass Friday by abstaining, using unprecedented language that has turned a policy disagreement into a personal vendetta. From the information that we have, we have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it, stood behind it, co-ordinated on the wording and demanded that it be passed, Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday. In turning his anger toward Israels closest and most important ally, Netanyahu has underplayed the embarrassment that all 14 other nations on the Security Council voted in favour of the measure. Those votes came from countries that Netanyahu loves to boast of cultivating relations with, including Russia and China and nations across the developing world. This is the same prime minister who told us dozens of states are on board with us, former prime minister Ehud Barak told Channel 2 TV on Saturday. I looked for Russia, China, England, France. Where are all the friends that were meant to stand with us? The resolution marked a sharp international rebuke of Israeli settlement policies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem territories captured in the 1967 Mideast war and claimed by the Palestinians as parts of a future independent state. Some 600,000 Israelis now live in the two areas, complicating any partition of the land between Israel and a future Palestine. Netanyahu routinely dismisses international criticism of the settlements, saying that the dispute with the Palestinians goes back to long before the 1967 war. He also notes that when Israel dismantled its Gaza settlements in 2005, Hamas militants responded by firing rockets and subsequently seizing control of the territory from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. With Fridays resolution, however, the world sent a strong message that it rejects these arguments. The resolution said the settlements have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of international law. It also urged all states to distinguish between Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. In the short term, the resolution is largely symbolic. It did not include talk of sanctions or any other punitive measures against Israel. The importance of the resolution is to remind Israel, at least at the rhetorical level, that the international community is not completely happy, to say the least, with the ongoing status quo, said Arie Kacowicz, a professor of international relations at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Riad Malki, the Palestinian foreign minister, said Netanyahu was being disingenuous by calling the resolution anti-Israel. This resolution is about settlement activities, the two-state solution and ending the occupation, he said. Netanyahu, by his statements and his actions, is isolating Israel for the sake of settlements. Malki said the Palestinians hoped the resolution would bolster their case at the International Criminal Court, which has launched a preliminary investigation into the settlements. He also said he hoped it would encourage European countries to follow up on an EU recommendation to clearly label products manufactured in settlements and encourage other countries to do the same. On Jan. 15, days before President Barack Obama leaves office, France is expected to host a Mideast conference where dozens of countries may endorse an international framework for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Netanyahu vehemently opposes such activity, saying it undermines the negotiating process. The recent diplomatic defeat would be much more damaging if not for a potential remaining and rather major ace in Netanyahus hand: the incoming Trump Administration. In a striking departure from past policy of incumbent presidents waiting on the sidelines, Trump tried to scuttle the resolution and called for a U.S. veto. After the vote, Trump vowed that things will be different after Jan. 20th. Critically, he has appointed an outspoken supporter and donor to the settlements, his longtime attorney David Friedman, as ambassador to Israel. And aides say Trump is serious about a promise to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which even many Israelis fear could spark violence. The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem, home to sensitive religious sites, as the capital of the future state to which they aspire. After Fridays vote, Netanyahus office said he looked forward to working with Trump to negate the harmful effects of this absurd resolution. Netanyahu has since gone on a campaign to punish the countries that took part in the resolution. He has cancelled a slew of diplomatic visits and summoned ambassadors from Security Council countries, including the U.S., on Sunday, Christmas Day, in protest. According to an Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter, Netanyahu also cancelled an upcoming meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May. It remains unclear what Trump might be able to do. While he will be able to wield the U.S. veto to prevent further action against Israel in the council, mustering enough votes to overturn Fridays decision appears to be impossible. The basis for the resolution is found in the Geneva Conventions, which forbid the settling of areas captured in war from another country. Israel has said the law doesnt apply because the territory was captured from Jordan, which has renounced all claims to the land. Israel has also defended the occupation on religious and security grounds. When Netanyahus rivals in Israel oppose the settlements, it is not necessarily due to a conviction that peace could be at hand, but rather concern for Israels democracy. If Israel becomes inseparable from the West Bank, it will have to grant its 2.5 million Palestinians voting rights or increasingly be unable to call itself a democracy. The country is toxically divided on the issue, and key sectors of society, including intellectual elites and much of its security establishment, want to see settlements end. Many of them welcome some openly, and many more quietly any world pressure to bring that about. Dan Miodownik, a professor of political science and international relations at Hebrew University, said there were actually some positive elements for Israel in the resolution. He said it endorsed the idea of territorial swaps, meaning that Israel could keep some settlements as part of a negotiated peace deal. And the differentiation between Israel proper and the settlements signalled that unlike in the past, Israel was no longer being forced to defend its right to exist. Read more about: SHARE: PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREAIf Santa Claus stopped in North Korea this year, hed find some trees and lights and might even hear a Christmas song or two. But he wouldnt encounter even a hint of what Christmas actually means not under a regime that sees foreign religion as a very real threat. There are almost no practicing Christians in North Korea. But there used to be. And while the trappings of the holiday season they once celebrated havent been completely expunged, any connections they had to the birth of Jesus have been thoroughly erased. Take Christmas trees, for example. They arent especially hard to find in Pyongyang, especially in upscale restaurants or shops that cater to the local elite and the small community of resident foreigners. A waist-high tree was long a feature at the offices of the Koryolink mobile phone provider. The trees are often decorated with colourful lights and shiny baubles, but none of the displays have explicitly religious associations. Many are up all year, further diluting their Christmas connotation. Instrumental versions of White Christmas and Let It Snow have been in the rotation of mood music piped into the dining room of one of Pyongyangs ritziest hotels since at least August. In the countryside, where such pockets of affluence are rare to nonexistent, so too, presumably, are any of these sorts of glitzy decorations. This wasnt always the case. Before the advent of the ruling Kim regime, North Korea was fertile ground for missionaries and Pyongyang had more Christians than any other city in Korea. It even had a seated Catholic bishop. Most of that presence was erased by the early 1950s, and the North has kept a tight lid on all Christian activities in the country since. Article 68 of the North Korean constitution does give a nod to the freedom of religion with the rather significant proviso that religion must not be used as a pretext for drawing in foreign forces or for harming the State or social order. A handful of Christian churches and other religious facilities are allowed to operate, but under tightly restricted conditions. There are four state-approved Christian churches in Pyongyang: one Russian Orthodox, two Protestant and one Catholic. Inside the Catholic cathedral are crosses, but no crucifixes. Weekly services feature hymns and prayers offered in a highly formalized manner, but there are no sacraments. State-appointed laymen lead the services, which are not sanctioned by the Vatican. The Protestant churches are reportedly largely unused. The fact that Christmas-themed music and decorations are allowed at all and, in fact, generally taken for granted almost certainly signals how little association they evoke with the officially frowned-upon and subversive religion that spawned them. Overt, unsanctioned religious activities are a very different matter. As one American tourist found out not too long ago, merely leaving a Bible in a public space is enough to land you in jail for a potentially very long time: Jeffrey Fowle was sentenced to 15 years but ended up being released after six months. And Canadian Hyeon Soo Lim, a Christian pastor, was sentenced last year to life in prison with hard labour for alleged antistate crimes inside the country. Read more about: SHARE: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, and markets biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, neuroscience, and covid-19 diseases. The company's products include Revlimid, an oral immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma; Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; and Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis. It also provides Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia; Yervoy for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma; Abraxane, a protein-bound chemotherapy product; Reblozyl for the treatment of anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia; and Empliciti for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In addition, the company offers Zeposia to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; Breyanzi, a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma; Inrebic, an oral kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with myelofibrosis; and Onureg for the treatment of adult patients with AML. It sells products to wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, retailers, hospitals, clinics, and government agencies. The company was formerly known as Bristol-Myers Company. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in New York, New York. The Buckle, Inc. operates as a retailer of casual apparel, footwear, and accessories for young men and women in the United States. It markets a selection of brand name casual apparel, including denims, other casual bottoms, tops, sportswear, outerwear, accessories, and footwear, as well as private label merchandise primarily comprising BKE, Buckle Black, Salvage, Red by BKE, Daytrip, Gimmicks, Gilded Intent, FITZ + EDDI, Willow & Root, Outpost Makers, Departwest, Reclaim, BKE Vintage, Nova Industries, J.B. Holt, and Veece. The company also provides services, such as hemming, gift-packaging, layaways, guest loyalty program, the Buckle private label credit card, and personalized stylist services, as well as special order system that allows stores to obtain requested merchandise from other company stores or its online order fulfillment center. As of March 11, 2022, it operated 440 retail stores in 42 states under the Buckle and The Buckle names. The Buckle, Inc. also sells its products through its website, buckle.com. The company was formerly known as Mills Clothing, Inc. and changed its name to The Buckle, Inc. in April 1991. The Buckle, Inc. was incorporated in 1948 and is headquartered in Kearney, Nebraska. CRESTON, Mont. Maranda Johnson stood on the stepladder, nine months pregnant, and poured a trickle of water from a huge jug into the vat. Next to her, her husband Michael Johnson operated a 1-horsepower mixer, emulsifying the collection of organic oils and water into a thick mixture. They stood in the workshop of their house, where all the products in their business, The Good Stuff Botanicals, are born. It's more of a modern apothecary's nook than workshop, with jars of raw, organic treats from nature lining the walls, while others held oils in which seeds or other materials marinate for a year at a time. Inside the vat was the mixture that changed the course of this couple's life, compelling them to quit their jobs and take on the business of botanicals full-time. "We found an old Romanian Gypsy recipe," Maranda said. "We tinkered with it for two years until it really started working." The resulting Gypsy Cream has put The Good Stuff Botanicals on the map, and now the couple's wares are in 70 stores across the country, including the organic Huckleberry's section of 16 Rosauers grocery stores. Like many good ideas, the recipe for Gypsy Cream was developed out of necessity. Before they knew about the cream, Michael had been struggling with psoriasis, and the medications he'd been prescribed were not cutting it. By the time he and Maranda met, he'd tried nearly everything to soothe and heal his skin. "Steroids were not the answer for us," he said. They were already interested in natural remedies, so Maranda explored apothecary and other natural-remedy books for a solution. When they found the recipe, they experimented until it was effective for Michael. The Good Stuff's products use raw and organic materials, harvested in the local forests if possible, and never include GMOs, parabens, sulfates, chemicals, fragrance, or dyes. "We started in our kitchen, in a blender," Michael said. "We were going through blenders . " Maranda started. " . every week," Michael finished. The cream proved so effective for Michael's skin that the couple began giving it away as gifts. When their first child was born, they gave the NICU nurses at Kalispell Regional Medical Center a jar of Gypsy Cream as a thank you. It worked so well for the NICU's patients' diaper rash that it replaced another product, and the Johnsons continue to donate cream to the hospital. Hemp oil is one of the main reasons the cream can heal and soothe so quickly, Michael said. Molecularly, it's relatively small when compared to coconut butter, so it's absorbed through the pores instead of clogging them, he said. They also tout the water they use in their products, which comes from a local hot spring with a high silica content and a favorable pH. Gypsy Cream began to sell, and the couple worked three farmers markets a week all summer. Eventually, their botanical product line grew to include 15 items, ranging from creams to toners to bath salts. A production line that once put out perhaps 12 bottles of cream at a time now makes 12 cases of 24 bottles a week. They aren't technically certified organic, but that's only because they didn't think the USDA's rules went far enough. They spent almost a year filling out the paperwork and getting visits from inspectors, but when the final paperwork arrived, the USDA said they needed to include some parabens so the product has a two-year shelf life. They rejected the USDA, Maranda said, and continue to use all organic, raw products. "We sell fresh peaches," Michael said, "not canned peaches." Even the process of using the mixer to emulsify the wax and the water is part of it, they said, because otherwise they would have to use an emulsifying wax that they don't want in their product. While they still peddle their botanicals at farmers markets, the product is stocked in many local shops, such as Withey's Health Foods, Sykes' Market, Sage & Cedar, and more. Even big names like Saks Fifth Avenue and the hit show, "Shark Tank," have come calling, but the Johnsons aren't interested in being on TV. Their next step is finding a bigger workspace, perhaps a co-op of makers and artists, to expand. Until then, they'll continue in their home, letting the business grow organically. But before all of that, Maranda needs to give birth. Luckily, the couple has all the diaper-rash cream they could need. "A little bit of Gypsy Cream goes a long way," Maranda said. For more information on The Good Stuff Botanicals, including a list of Montana retailers, visit www.thegoodstuffbotanicals.com. White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides insurance and other financial services in the United States. The company operates through five segments: HG Global/BAM, Ark, NSM, Kudu, and Other Operations. The HG Global/BAM segment provides insurance on municipal bonds issued to finance public purposes, such as schools, utilities, and transportation facilities, as well as reinsurance protection services. The Ark segment writes a portfolio of reinsurance and insurance, including property, marine and energy, accident and health, casualty, and specialty products. The NSM segment operates as a managing general agent and program administrator for specialty property and casualty insurance to various sectors comprising specialty transportation, real estate, social services, and pet. The Kudu segment provides capital solutions to boutique asset and wealth managers for generational ownership transfers, management buyouts, acquisitions and growth finances, and legacy partner liquidity, as well as strategic assistance to investees. The Other Operations segment offers insurance solutions to travel industry through broker channel and on a direct-to-consumer basis; and manages separate accounts and pooled investment vehicles for insurance-linked securities sectors, including catastrophe bonds, collateralized reinsurance investments, and industry loss warranties of third-party clients. White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. The following companies are subsidiares of Dover: APM Grundstucksverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Accelerated Production Systems, Acme Cryo Intermediate Inc., Acme Cryogenics, Acme Cryogenics Inc., Acme Elevator, Advansor A/S, Advansor Dover International (Poland) sp. z o.o., Advansor Germany GmbH, Alfred Fueling Systems Holdco Ltd., Alfred Fueling Systems Inc., Alfred Fueling Systems Intermediate Holdco Ltd., All-Flo Pump Company, Anman LLC, Anthony Equity Holdings Inc., Anthony Holdings Inc., Anthony Inc., Anthony International, Anthony International Foreign Sales Corp., Anthony International Holding Company, Anthony Mexico Holdings LLC, Anthony North Holdco Inc., Anthony Specialty Glass LLC, Anthony TemperBent GP LLC, Audax ECII Blocker Inc., Auto Glanz Solutions LLC, AvaLAN Wireless Systems Incorporated, BELVAC CR spol s r.o., BSC Filters Limited, Belanger, Belanger Inc., Belvac Middle East FZE, Belvac Production Machinery Inc., Blackmer, BlitzRotary GmbH, Blue Bite LLC, Blue Bite LLC, Butler Engineering and Marketing S.P.A., CDS Visual, CDS Visual Inc., CEP Liquidation LLC, CP Formation LLC, CPC Europe Inc., CPI Products Inc., Caldera, Canada Organization & Development LLC, Chief Automotive Technologies (Shanghai) Trading Company Ltd., Chippewa Square Captive Insurance Company, Colder Products Company, Colder Products Company GmbH, Colder Products Company LTD, Cook Compression LLC, Cook Compression Limited, Cook-MFS Inc., Cryogenic Experts LLC, DD1 Inc., DDI Properties Inc., DE-STA-CO Benelux B.V., DE-STA-CO FRANCE, DE-STA-CO Shanghai Co. Ltd., DESTACO UK Limited, DFH Corporation, DFS Netherlands B.V., Datamax International Corp, De Sta Co (Asia) Company Limited, De-Sta-Co Cylinders Inc., DeStaCo Europe GmbH, Delaware Capital Formation Inc., Delaware Capital Holdings Inc., Dositec Sistemas SL, Dosmatic U.S.A. Inc., Dover (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Dover (Schweiz) Holding GmbH, Dover (Shanghai) Industrial Co. Ltd., Dover (Shenzhen) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover (Suzhou) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover Asia Trading Private Ltd., Dover Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Dover Business Services EMEA Limited, Dover Business Services Europe S.R.L., Dover Business Services LLC, Dover Business Services Philippines Corporation, Dover CLP Formation Limited Partnership, Dover Canada Holdings ULC, Dover Canada Operations ULC, Dover Corporation Regional Headquarters, Dover DEI Services Inc., Dover Denmark Holdings ApS, Dover EMEA FZCO, Dover Energy UK Ltd, Dover Engineered Products Segment Inc., Dover Europe Inc., Dover Europe Sarl, Dover Fluids UK Ltd, Dover France Holdings, Dover France Participations, Dover France Technologies, Dover Fueling Solutions Segment Inc., Dover Fueling Solutions UK Limited, Dover Germany GmbH, Dover Global Holdings LLC, Dover Holdings de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dover Imaging & Identification Segment Inc., Dover India Pvt. Ltd., Dover Intercompany Services UK Limited, Dover International B.V., Dover International Operations Inc., Dover International Ventures Inc., Dover International ithalat ihracat ve Pazarlama Limited Sirketi, Dover Italy Holdings S.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Finance Sarl, Dover Luxembourg Participations Sarl, Dover Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Services Sarl, Dover Operations South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Dover Overseas Ventures Inc., Dover Pumps & Process Solutions Segment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment Segment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment UK Ltd, Dover Resources International de Mexico S. de R.L. C.V., Dover Solutions Colombia SAS, Dover Southeast Asia (Thailand) Ltd., Dover Spain Holdings S.L., Dover Switzerland Participations GmbH, Dover UK Pensions Limited, Dover WSCR Holding LLC, Dover WSCR LLC, Dover do Brasil Ltda., Dow-Key Microwave Corporation, Dresser Wayne Data Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Dresser Wayne Fuel Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ECI - IGT Holdings LLC, ECI Holding Company LLC, ECI RegO S. de R.L. de C.V, ECI RegO Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., ECII (Mexico) LLC, EOA Systems Inc., Ebs-Ray Holdings Pty Ltd, Ebs-Ray Industries Pty Ltd, Ebs-Ray Pumps Pty Ltd, Em-Tec, Engineered Controls International LLC, Espy, Ettlinger, Ettlinger Kunststoffmaschinen GmbH, Fairbanks Environmental Limited, Fibrelite Composites Limited, Fibresec Holdings Limited, Fibresec Limited, Finder, GAL LLC, GIIER LLC, Gala Industries, Guangdong Tokheim LIYUAN Oil Industry Technology Limited Company, Highland Park Insurance Company, Hill PHOENIX Inc., Hill PHOENIX WIC LLC, Hill Phoenix Costa Rica Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, Hill Phoenix El Salvador Limitada de Capital Variable, Hill Phoenix Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Honduras Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hiltap Fittings Ltd., Hydro Systems Company, Hydro Systems Europe Ltd., Industrial Motion Control LLC, Innovative Control Systems, Innovative Control Systems Inc., Inpro/Seal LLC, JK Group, JK Group S.P.A., JK Group USA Inc., K S Boca Inc., K&L Microwave DR Inc., K&L Microwave Inc., KPS (Beijing) Petroleum Equipment Trading Co Ltd., KPS Fueling Solutions Sdn. Bhd., KPS Hong Kong Holding Limited, KPS UK Limited, KS Formation Inc., KS Liquidation Inc., KSLP Liquidation L.P., Kiian Digital (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Knappco LLC, Knowles Electronics, LIQAL, LIQAL B.V., Liquip, Liquip, Liquip International Pty Limited, MAAG, MARKEM FZ SA, MARKEM-IMAJE Corporation, MIP Holdings Inc., MS Printing Solutions, MS Printing Solutions S.R.L., Maag, Maag Automatik Plastics Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Maag Gala Inc., Maag Germany GmbH, Maag Italy S.R.L., Maag Pump Systems, Maag Pump Systems (US) Inc., Maag Pump Systems AG, Maag Reduction Inc., Maag Service (Malaysia) Sdn. Bdn., Maag Service (Taiwan) Ltd., Maag Systems (Thailand) Limited, Macro Technologies LLC, Malema, Marathon Equipment Company (Delaware), Markem Imaje Center of Competencies Spain S.L.U., Markem-Imaje, Markem-Imaje (China) Co. Limited, Markem-Imaje - Unipessoal Lda, Markem-Imaje A/S, Markem-Imaje AB, Markem-Imaje AG, Markem-Imaje AS, Markem-Imaje B.V., Markem-Imaje CSAT GmbH, Markem-Imaje Co. Ltd., Markem-Imaje GmbH, Markem-Imaje Holding, Markem-Imaje Identificacao de Produtos Ltda., Markem-Imaje Inc., Markem-Imaje India Private Limited, Markem-Imaje Industries, Markem-Imaje Industries Limited, Markem-Imaje KK, Markem-Imaje LLC, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Ltd., Markem-Imaje N.V., Markem-Imaje Oy, Markem-Imaje Philippines Corporation, Markem-Imaje Pty. Ltd., Markem-Imaje S.A., Markem-Imaje S.A. de C.V., Markem-Imaje S.r.l., Markem-Imaje SAS, Markem-Imaje Sdn. Bhd., Markem-Imaje Singapore Pte. Ltd., Markem-Imaje Spain S.A., Markpoint Holding AB, Midland Manufacturing LLC, Midwest Cryogenics Inc., Mouvex, Northeast Services Inc., Northern Lights (Nevada) Inc., Northern Lights Funding LP, Northern Lights Investments LLC, Nova Controls Inc., OK International, OK International Holdings Inc., OK International Inc., OK International Ltd., OPW Engineered Systems LLC, OPW Fluid Transfer Group Europe B.V., OPW Fluid Transfer Solutions (Jiang Su) Co. Ltd., OPW Fluids Group Inc., OPW Fuel Management Systems Inc., OPW Fueling Components (SuZhou) Co. Ltd., OPW Fueling Components LLC, OPW Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., OPW Slovakia s.r.o., OPW Sweden AB, Officine Meccaniche Sirio S.R.L., PDQ Manufacturing, PDQ Manufacturing Inc., PISCES by OPW Inc., PSD Codax Holdings Limited, PSD Codax Limited, PSG (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PSG (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PSG California LLC, PSG Germany GmbH, Petro Vend Sp. z o.o., Pike Machine Products Inc., Pole/Zero Acquisition Inc., Precision Brasil Equipamentos E Servicos Para Postos De Combustiveis Ltda., Precision Service - Servicos De Manutencao E Instalacao De Postos De Abastecimento De Combustivel Ltda., Production Control Services, Pump Management Services Co. LLC, Quantex Arc Limited, Quantex Patents Limited, RAV France, Ravaglioli S.P.A., Reduction Engineering GmbH, RegO (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., RegO Holding GmbH, RegO Products, RegO Valve (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Rego GmbH, Revod Corporation, Revod Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Revod Sweden AB, Robohand Inc., Rosario, Rosario Handel B.V., Rotary Lift Consolidated (Haimen) Co. Ltd., SE Liquidation LLC, SWEP France, SWEP Germany GmbH, SWEP Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., SWEP North America Inc., SWEP Slovakia s.r.o., SWEP Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Seabiscuit Motorsports Inc., Shanghai RegO Flow Technology Company Ltd., Shine Bloom - ECI A Blocker Corp., Shine Bloom - ECI Blocker Corp., Shine Bloom - ECI S Blocker Corp., Simmons Sirvey Corporation, So. Cal. Soft-Pak, So. Cal. Soft-Pak Incorporated, Soft-Pak, Solaris Laser, Solaris Laser S.A., Somero Enterprises, Sound Solutions, Sound Solutions, Space S.R.L., Spirit, Start Italiana S.R.L., Superior Holding LLC, Superior Products LLC, Swep Energy Oy, Swep International A.B., Swep Japan K.K., Sys-Tech Solutions, Sys-Tech Solutions Inc., Systech, TQC Quantium Quality S.A. de C.V., TTSI III Inc., TWG Canada Consolidated Inc., TXHI LLC, Tartan Textile Services Inc., The Espy Corporation, The Heil Co., Tokheim, Tokheim Belgium, Tokheim China Company Limited, Tokheim GmbH, Tokheim Group, Tokheim Hengshan Technologies (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Tokheim Holding B.V., Tokheim India Private Limited, Tokheim Sofitam Applications, Triton Systems, Tulsa Winch Inc., UPCO Inc., US Synthetic, Unattended Payment Solutions LLC, Unified Brands, Val TemperBent Glass L.P., Vectron Frequency Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vehicle Service Group LLC, Vehicle Service Group UK Limited, Vos Food Store Equipment Ltd., WSCR Corp., Warn Automotive LLC, Warn Industries, Waukesha Bearings, Waukesha Bearings Corporation, Waukesha Bearings Limited, Waukesha Bearings Russia LLC, Wayne Fueling Systems, Wayne Fueling Systems (Rus) Limited Liability Company, Wayne Fueling Systems Australia Pty Ltd, Wayne Fueling Systems Canada ULC, Wayne Fueling Systems Italia S.R.L., Wayne Fueling Systems LLC, Wayne Fueling Systems Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden AB, Wayne Fueling Systems UK Holdco Ltd., Wayne Industria e Comercio Ltda., WellMark, WellMark, and em-tec GmbH. Read More New Jersey Resources Corporation, an energy services holding company, provides regulated gas distribution, and retail and wholesale energy services. The company operates through four segments: Natural Gas Distribution, Clean Energy Ventures, Energy Services, and Storage and Transportation. The Natural Gas Distribution segment offers regulated natural gas utility services to approximately 564,000 residential and commercial customers throughout Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Sussex counties in New Jersey; provides capacity and storage management services; and participates in the off-system sales and capacity release markets. The Clean Energy Ventures segment invests in, owns, and operates commercial and residential solar projects situated in New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. The Energy Services segment offers unregulated wholesale energy management services to other energy companies and natural gas producers, as well as maintains and transacts a portfolio of physical assets consisting of natural gas storage and transportation contracts in the United States and Canada. The Storage and Transportation segment invests in natural gas transportation and storage facilities. It provides heating, ventilation, and cooling services; holds commercial real estate properties; and offers solar equipment installation, and plumbing repair and installation services, as well as engages in the water appliance sale, installation, and servicing activities. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Wall, New Jersey. The Boeing Company is the worlds largest manufacturer of airplanes and commands more than 50% of the market in some channels and categories. The company and its family of subsidiaries design, develops, manufacture, sell, service, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and related services worldwide. The company operates through four segments including Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital providing products and services to end-users in 150 countries. Boeing got its start in 1910 when William E. Boeing developed a love for aircraft. Soon after he takes his first plane ride which leads him to build a hangar and begin construction of his first plane. The onset of WWI helped spur the companys growth but business was cut drastically in its wake. The start of WWII was another milestone for the company and one that led to its current position of dominance. The company was incorporated in 1916 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Boeing employs over 140,000 people in 65 countries making it one of the most diverse employers on the planet. The Commercial Airplanes segment is built around the iconic 7-series which includes the 737, 747, and 787. The segment provides commercial jet aircraft for passenger and cargo requirements, as well as fleet support services for regional, national, and international air carriers and logistics and freight companies. In terms of global volume, the company estimates about 90% of all air freight is carried aboard one of its jets. This segment also includes the Dreamliner family of planes. The Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane for many carriers as it opens up the potential for new one-stop destinations because of its capacity and range. The Defense, Space & Security segment develops and manufactures a range of systems including manned and unmanned aircraft, missiles, missile defense systems, satellites, communications equipment, and intelligence systems for governments. Among the many iconic brands within this segment are the AH-64 Apache, Air Force One, B-52, C-17 Globemaster, Chinook, F/A-18, and the V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft used by the Marines. The Global Services segment offers a range of products and services that include supply chain and logistics management, engineering, maintenance, upgrades, conversions, spare parts, pilot and maintenance training, technical and maintenance documents, and data analytics to its commercial and defense customers. Boeing is also a leader in innovation, leveraging its many decades and avenues of experience to further aerospace and defense technology. Among the many innovations is the MQ-25 Stingray which will be the worlds first autonomous aircraft. The Stingray is only one of many areas of research that also include drones and undersea vehicles. Dollar General Corporation, a discount retailer, provides various merchandise products in the southern, southwestern, Midwestern, and eastern United States. It offers consumable products, including paper and cleaning products, such as paper towels, bath tissues, paper dinnerware, trash and storage bags, disinfectants, and laundry products; packaged food comprising cereals, pasta, canned soups, fruits and vegetables, condiments, spices, sugar, and flour; and perishables that include milk, eggs, bread, refrigerated and frozen food, beer, and wine. The company's consumable products also comprise snacks, such as candies, cookies, crackers, salty snacks, and carbonated beverages; health and beauty products, including over-the-counter medicines and personal care products, such as soaps, body washes, shampoos, cosmetics, and dental hygiene and foot care products; pet supplies and pet food; and tobacco products. In addition, it offers seasonal products comprising holiday items, toys, batteries, small electronics, greeting cards, stationery, prepaid phones and accessories, gardening supplies, hardware, and automotive and home office supplies; and home products that include kitchen supplies, cookware, small appliances, light bulbs, storage containers, frames, candles, craft supplies and kitchen, and bed and bath soft goods. Further, the company provides apparel, which comprise casual everyday apparel for infants, toddlers, girls, boys, women, and men, as well as socks, underwear, disposable diapers, shoes, and accessories. As of February 25, 2022, it operated 18,190 stores in 47 states in the United States. The company was formerly known as J.L. Turner & Son, Inc. and changed its name to Dollar General Corporation in 1968. Dollar General Corporation was founded in 1939 and is based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Standard Motor Products, Inc. manufactures and distributes replacement parts that are used in the maintenance, repair, and service of vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry with a complementary focus on specialized original equipment parts for manufacturers across agriculture, heavy duty, and construction equipment industries. The company's Engine Management segment provides electronic ignition control modules, camshaft and crankshaft position sensors, ignition wires and coils, switches and relays, exhaust gas recirculation valves, pressure and temperature sensors, variable valve timing components, mass airflow and fuel pressure sensors, electronic throttle bodies, and diesel injectors and pumps; and anti-lock brake, vehicle speed, tire pressure monitoring, and park assist sensors. This segment offers its products under the Standard, Blue Streak, BWD, Intermotor, OEM, SMP Blue Streak Canada, GP Sorensen, Locksmart, Standard Motorcycle, and Blue Streak Race Wires brands. Its Temperature Control segment provides components for the temperature control systems, engine cooling systems, power window accessories, and windshield washer systems of motor vehicles under the Four Seasons, ACI, Hayden, Factory Air, and Maxair brands. Its products include air conditioning compressors and repair kits, clutch assemblies, blower and radiator fan motors, filter dryers, evaporators, accumulators, actuators, hose assemblies, thermal expansion devices, heater valves, heater cores, A/C service tools and chemicals, fan assemblies, fan clutches, oil coolers, window lift motors, window regulators and assemblies, and windshield washer pumps. The company serves primarily automotive aftermarket retailers, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers, and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico, and other Latin American countries. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Long Island City, New York. Background: Colima volcano is one of the most active in North America and one of the potentially most dangerous ones. It has had more than 30 periods of eruptions since 1585, including several significant eruptions in the late 1990s. Scientific monitoring of the volcano began 20 years ago.The Colima volcanic complex is the most prominent volcanic center of the western Mexican Volcanic Belt. It consists of two southward-younging volcanoes, Nevado de Colima (the 4320 m high point of the complex) on the north and the 3850-m-high historically active Volcan de Colima at the south.A group of cinder cones of probable late-Pleistocene age is located on the floor of the Colima graben west and east of the Colima complex. Volcan de Colima (also known as Volcan Fuego) is a youthful stratovolcano constructed within a 5-km-wide caldera, breached to the south, that has been the source of large debris avalanches. Major slope failures have occurred repeatedly from both the Nevado and Colima cones, and have produced a thick apron of debris-avalanche deposits on three sides of the complex. Frequent historical eruptions date back to the 16th century. Occasional major explosive eruptions (most recently in 1913) have destroyed the summit and left a deep, steep-sided crater that was slowly refilled and then overtopped by lava dome growth.--- Theres a reason you have a rearview mirror in your car. You have to see whats behind you. Its the same thing when it comes to your money, and thats why Ive looked back at what I consider some of the most important money stories that can impact peoples finances. Heres my countdown of the top 10 financial stories for 2016 and what we can learn from them. 10. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau structure ruled unconstitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit objected to the agency being run by a single director who can be removed only for cause by the president. Under the ruling, the director can be removed at the presidents discretion. The lesson: This is an important agency. But a president too cozy with corporate America could pick a director who wont be as fierce a champion for consumer protection. An Internal Revenue Service telephone scam was a big-time con in 2016. (Susan Walsh/AP) 9. The $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot. The year began with the biggest jackpot in U.S. lottery history. There were three tickets, sold in California, Tennessee and Florida. The odds of winning that jackpot were 1 in 292 million. Lots of people played hoping to become instant millionaires after taxes. The lesson: You want financial security? Spend less and save more. Dont gamble your money away. 8. Fiduciary rule. The Labor Department, the federal agency that oversees retirement plans, finalized a rule to require financial professionals advising people about their retirement accounts to act in their clients best interests. The lesson: We need to make sure investors are getting the best advice possible to manage their retirement savings. 7. Prince died. Prince Rogers Nelson once wrote slave on his face to protest a music deal that left him without ownership of his music. But the Purple Rain artist, an icon in the music business, who died at 57, didnt have a will. The lesson: Listen to Princes When Doves Cry. Then imagine your heirs crying and fighting over your stuff. Is that the financial legacy you want to leave? If not, get a will. 6. Stock market decline/stock market rise. The year began with the Dow crashing. In January, the Dow dropped 392 points in one day. It dipped again by nearly 400 points in September. But by the end of year, its been riding high, with the Dow coming close to reaching a 20,000 milestone. The lesson: This is the nature of investing. There will be lots of ups and downs. So invest for the long term. You cant time the market. 5. Overtime. A rule by the Labor Department that would have made overtime pay available to full-time salaried employees earning up to $47,476 a year, up from the current threshold of $23,660 a year, was halted by a Texas judge. The rule would have affected 4 million workers. The lesson: They giveth and they taketh away. 4. Internal Revenue Service telephone scam. This was a big-time con in 2016. Scammers, claiming to be from the IRS, were threatening people with jail time if they didnt pay a tax bill they didnt owe. But by the end of the year, the number of new victims started to drop precipitously after federal enforcement actions took place in the United States and India, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Police in India conducted a raid at nine call centers, helping to curb this con. The agency says theres been a decline from as high as 200 new victims a week last spring to 19 new victims in the past week. The lesson: This scam might pick up again as the tax season approaches. But please dont be fooled. The IRS will not call you demanding payment. 3. Pension insurance program running out of money. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., which insures private pensions, reported a $58.8 billion shortfall in covering multi-employer pension plans that are expected to fall short themselves within 10 years. The lesson: More evidence that you need to save. 2. Wells Fargo. The CFPB fined Wells Fargo $100 million for unbeknown to its customers opening hundreds of thousands of unauthorized bank and credit-card accounts. The lesson: Calls to roll back regulation of major financial institutions are insane. Clearly theres need for increased consumer protection. 1. Andrew Puzder picked by Donald Trump for labor secretary. This selection should cause concern among workers. Puzder, who runs the parent company of Hardees and Carls Jr., has opposed rules that would expand overtime eligibility and has criticized efforts to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. The lesson: We need to double down on efforts to fight for a living wage for workers. Heres hoping 2017 will bring better personal finance news. Readers may write to Michelle Singletary at The Washington Post, 1301 K St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071 or singletarym@washpost.com. Personal responses may not be possible, and comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writers name, unless otherwise requested. To read previous Color of Money columns, go to wapo.st/michelle-singletary. In May of 1983, a propulsive bit of doomy guitar-pop called Hand in Glove began appearing on radio playlists across England: The Smiths assault on a British music scene dominated by soggy synth-pop was on. Working-class lads from down-at-heels Manchester, the band made four towering albums of blasted romanticism before abruptly splitting, breaking the hearts of a fan base of fanatical loyalty and devotion. The pint-sized engine of the bands shimmering sound was guitarist Johnny Marr, who tells his story in this breezy, often scattered autobiography Set the Boy Free. The rock-star memoir is a notoriously uneven genre. For every Bruce Springsteen who writes thoughtfully and perceptively about his life, there are a dozen more erstwhile rockers whose books are cheap cash-ins or vanity projects. Unfortunately Set the Boy Free tilts toward the latter, although not without some redeeming qualities. Born into a lively clan of Anglo-Irish immigrants, Marr gives an account of his bands early days that is colorful and slangy, if not terribly revealing. The book is best when he sticks to musicianly shop-talk. An authentically brilliant composer with a quicksilver ear and an uncanny instinct for instrumental hooks, Marr learned how to put songs together by studying the girl-group records of the early 1960s, and the sonic signature of the Smiths songs proves, in his telling, to be a product of hard work, good luck and an inventive approach to recording. The wobbly tone undergirding How Soon Is Now? was created by running a tremolo effect through four amplifiers; the ghostly drone that shadows The Queen Is Dead was the fortuitous result of an overamplified guitar feeding back. [Why would Bruce Springsteen need to write an autobiography?] The black hole at the center of this memoir, from which no light escapes, is Marrs relation with the Smiths singer Morrissey, whose androgynous looks and soaring croon made the band catnip to a legion of self-identified misfits and loners. Theirs was a working relationship of uncommon fecundity and emotional complexity, yet Marr often seems to be circling the topic warily. Of their fateful first meeting in 1982 a ground-zero moment in the history of British rock Marr remembers mostly what they both were wearing (1950s Levis with bike boots for Marr, suit trousers and a baggy cardigan for Morrissey) and what record they listened to first (Youre the One, by the Marvelettes). Likewise, the breakup of the band in 1987, which in some quarters has attracted slightly less analysis than, say, the Zapruder film, gets from Marr just two brusque and not particularly edifying paragraphs. [Joyce Carol Oates on the Zapruder film] The musician and author Johnny Marr ( Jon Shard) This odd evasiveness is not confined to all things Morrissey. Much of Marrs story is shadowed by an elliptical defensiveness, conveying the disorienting quality of an argument of which one only hears one side. Of his personal habits, he writes, with studied banality, I relished the opportunity to dive into the rock n roll lifestyle and everything that came with it. . . . It was a fun thing to do and no one could say I wasnt living the dream. [Once upon a time, rock-and-roll was strange, wild and dangerous] It is instructive, if faintly depressing, to read Morrisseys 2013 Autobiography in this context, if only to get a corrective of sorts to Marrs airy vagueness. To pick an example almost at random: In 1986, the Smiths briefly added a fifth member, guitarist Craig Gannon, who in Marrs telling lightened the mood and added a dimension to the sound, but who was quiet and became more remote as time went on, leading Marr to admit that things werent working out. Morrissey, in contrast, provides a ruthless account of a sullen and probably unhinged . . . crackpot; for Gannons bandmates, the continual difficulty was in trying to get him out of bed. A charitable conclusion is that Morrissey is being petty, and Marr gracious. Less generous readers might feel that Marr is being overly politic. The second half of the book traces a post-Smiths life that has been a predictable, if frantic, roundelay of collaboration with the Pretenders, the Talking Heads, The The, Modest Mouse and the Cribs, as well as various bands of his own. Here, too, an unintentional melancholy seeps in. Marr was 23 when the Smiths broke up; his five years in one of the worlds most famous bands now comprise less than a tenth of his lifespan. As a thought experiment, think of yourself at age 23 and then imagine that everything you have accomplished since then is polluted with a vague tang of the anticlimactic. It is not a fate I would wish on anyone. When Marr concludes that Ive had the best job in the world and says that I love my work and Ive always appreciated the good luck thats come with it, one hopes he means it. Michael Lindgren is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post. Mike Milligan of Columbia, Md., does not share his name with anyone famous. He does, however, share it with other Mike Milligans. Its a name that is just distinctive enough to convince some people that he is the Mike Milligan they are looking for. Often, he is not the Mike Milligan they are looking for. Wrote Mike: In the last decade, I have gotten emails containing bills or contracts for day care in New Zealand, water use in Edinburgh, raw lumber purchases in Indiana, and sound and light equipment in Texas. He has also received notices about hotel reservations in Abu Dhabi and England, rental car reservations in Gibraltar and Qatar, track meets in Australia, a church picnic in California and a dating service in Florida. The word that Mike has coined for a shared-name fellow: dopplenym. That is the subject of todays column. [The phone rings when you live in Washington and share a politicians name] Not long after their wedding, William W. Chamberss wife curtly asked him: What did you do for her? Mrs. Chambers held in her hand a letter addressed to William W. Chambers from a woman thanking him for the wonderful job he had done. Upon further inspection, it became clear that the note should have gone to Chambers Funeral Home proprietor William W. Chambers. Wrote William, of Clinton, Md.: Over the next couple of years we received calls for William Chambers about selling land, winterizing a cigarette boat, and from a collection agency for the purchase of flowers. Then one day, while waiting for a medical appointment, William heard the receptionist call his name. He walked into his doctors office and found the other William W. Chambers. We each finally had met our double, wrote William. Many years ago, Glenn Marcus met a woman at an art opening and, hoping to ask her on a date, exchanged contact information. When Glenn reached her by phone a few weeks later, she said she had Googled him and was disconcerted to find that the first Glenn Marcus to pop up had been convicted of sexual slavery, in a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court. I was able to convince her that I was a different Glenn Marcus, wrote Glenn, of the District. She did agree to go out, and we have been happily married for many years now. When retired Foreign Service officer David Ballard signed up for LinkedIn, he realized he had very little to put in the organizations section of his profile. So he founded the Unaffiliated David Ballards United group and sent an invitation to every David or Dave Ballard on LinkedIn. It read: Is this the group for you? Could be, if your name is David or Dave Ballard. You already have all of the benefits of being a David or Dave Ballard, so this is a group which offers you nothing more than that, other than the opportunity to bask (or wallow) in the community of LinkedIn members with that name. Does that sound too good to pass up? Wait, theres more! Well, there may be more at some point. I cant think of anything right now. David/Dave. [Twitter wants to know: Will the real John Kelly please stand up?] The group numbers fewer than a dozen. There is a motto Anomie, Ennui: Whats it to me? and a logo: LinkedIns generic overlapping blank profile heads. The group has no activities, but its founder said he enjoys following the lives of his fellow David Ballards, an interesting bunch that includes a video game developer, a filmmaker, a nature photographer and a senior executive at Baylor Health Systems. The men send each other congratulations on work anniversaries and promotions. Wrote David: In short, my connection with my namesakes has been a lot of fun, and validating in obvious ways. Finally, there is this story from Karen Buglass, of Rockville, Md., more homophone than doppelnym. When Karens daughter, Amy, was little, an aunt loved to regale the family with tales of her valuable collection of blue glass. A few years later, when Karen and Amy were leaving the Tucson airport, a strange man approached them and demanded: Are you carrying blue glass? This alarmed Amy. She was even more freaked out when her mother answered in the affirmative. The mans actual question had been Are you Karen Buglass? Wrote Karen: He drove our reserved taxi. Say, do you have a funny homophonic story like Karens? Send it to me with Sounds the Same in the subject line. Helping Hand Ill get straight to the point: The Washington Post Helping Hand fundraising campaign is hoping to raise $225,000 for Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Homestretch and Community of Hope. All three charities work with homeless families and youths in our area. Our total so far is $108,037. The deadline is Jan. 6. Your tax-deductible gift can get us to our goal. For more information or to donate online, visit posthelpinghand.com. Twitter: @johnkelly For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly. Montgomery County is considering revamping admissions to language-immersion programs to give more consideration to low-income students. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) As Montgomery County looks to bring greater diversity to its popular language-immersion programs, school officials have proposed giving extra consideration to students who face economic disadvantages and scaling back preferences for siblings of students in the programs. Facing concern about racial and ethnic disparities in some of its highly sought academic programs, the Maryland school system is rethinking how it runs the programs to increase access to minority students. A report in March sparked debate about what the high-performing district should do to increase the number of black and Hispanic students enrolled in magnet, gifted and language programs. One of the reports recommendations for language immersion was to end automatic admissions for siblings to make access to the lottery-based program more equitable. But many parents spoke passionately against that idea, citing educational benefits when siblings learn the same language and can practice with each other, especially when parents do not speak the language the program teaches. The county school board tentatively approved changes in December that would keep practices the same for current families under a grandfathering provision, but the move would reshape the future admissions process. The changes, part of a broader policy on school transfers, are up for public comment until Feb. 3. If the board gives its final approval, the lottery for 2018-2019 would be weighted, giving extra consideration to siblings of enrolled students, children from lower-income families and certain other factors the superintendent may identify. Were trying to find a policy that creates more equity in the lottery process, said school board member Patricia ONeill, who proposed the new approach. This takes care of all the families who are currently in the program, and it still gives a nod or an advantage to siblings. Hopefully, we will gain a more diverse pool of applicants. Seven elementary schools offer lottery-based language-immersion classes in Montgomery, and there are many more applicants than seats. The school system offers the programs in Spanish, French and Chinese. Though the programs use lottery-based admissions, they are racially uneven. The study found that white students account for 29 percent of kindergartners in the school district but 44 percent of the kindergartners invited into language immersion. Hispanic students account for 31 percent of kindergartners districtwide but just 19 percent of those invited into the special programs. [Maryland school district examines racial disparities in its gifted programs] Many say that a big part of the problem is a lack of awareness, with families unfamiliar with the programs when applications are due, a date that falls months before students enter kindergarten. District officials, who have engaged in outreach, say they expect to roll out a more robust plan in January to better reach underrepresented families. But some say that another problem is inequities caused by what is called the sibling link that allows siblings to bypass the lottery. Siblings account for nearly 1 in 5 applications to language immersion, according to the March report, and at three of the seven immersion schools, siblings represented 40 percent or more of the applicants. Nearly 53 percent of sibling applicants were white in 2013-2014, the year of the reports focus. Many school district leaders and parents say the underlying problem is that Montgomery needs more language programs. Superintendent Jack Smith has proposed a budget for next year that he says would add four to five dual-language programs. There is an insatiable demand for language in the school system at the earliest possible age, ONeill said. I personally would like to see language in every school. The idea is more than the district can afford, she said, but language programs should not be restricted to those lucky few who win the lottery. [Report on racial disparities in gifted and magnet programs gets strong reaction] Some hope the board will reconsider its proposal after the public comment period. School board member Rebecca Smondrowski said she supports the weight for students with economic disadvantages but would like to keep the current admissions practices for siblings. Having multiple members of a household being able to speak to each other, practice together, use the language does make a difference, and I think it has a positive effect on the learning, she said. Smondrowski said adding more seats to language programs is key as is a more extensive outreach effort to families of underrepresented students. The school system should take both steps before the board considers ending the provision for sibling admissions, she said. Emily Bleimund, a parent of two with a son in French immersion at Sligo Creek Elementary School, said she and others are grateful the grandfathering provision will mean their younger children get to attend, but they are concerned for immersion families of the future. Many parents would be willing to help the district do community outreach, she said, saying the board should not change its sibling practices until it sees how much improvement could be made by increasing awareness of the programs, especially in underserved communities. If there are families that would participate, but for knowing about the program, thats what we need to work on, Bleimund said. Governor Larry Hogan (R) speaks to the fifth-grade class during a visit to Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Md. (J. Lawler Duggan/For The Washington Post) At the end of a recent Sabbath dinner at a Montgomery County synagogue, Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt introduced Gov. Larry Hogan by describing his guests intense schedule of outreach to Marylands Jewish community. That Tuesday, Hogan (R) had visited a Jewish school in Baltimore. On Friday, before the dinner, he lunched with Jewish leaders in Rockville and visited a Jewish school there. On Sunday, the governor was to host a Hanukkah party at his Annapolis residence. Joked the rabbi: And on Monday, Im taking him to the mikvah, the ritual bath used for, among other purposes, conversions to the Jewish faith. Hogan, a Roman Catholic, wont be switching religions. But he is seeking to capitalize on a trade and cultural mission to Israel in September with a series of events that could help him win over traditionally Democratic Jewish voters and strengthen his chances of reelection in 2018. Analysts say the governor, whose approval rating halfway through his first term in office is about 70 percent, has an especially good opportunity to pick up support in Montgomerys Jewish electorate. Though they are more likely to be registered Democrats or independents, those voters are sympathetic to Hogans avoidance of hard-line conservative positions on divisive social issues such as abortion and gun control, and to his emphasis on economic management and job creation, these analysts say. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who is Catholic, visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem during a trip to Israel in September 2016. (Office of Governor Larry Hogan) They also welcome the governors robust support for Israel, including his vocal opposition to efforts around the nation to encourage boycotts of Israeli products or other economic actions against the Jewish state. The Jewish community in Montgomery County is very much in play, said Ronald J. Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington. Hes cultivating relationships that may pay dividends in the next election. Some Jewish leaders in the county say Donald Trump could undercut Hogans efforts if the president-elects administration fails to curb or disavow the open anti-Semitism and intolerance of some of his supporters. Hogan pointedly distanced himself from Trump during the election, declaring early on that he would not vote for the Republican nominee. (He said he wrote in his fathers name on the ballot.) Their shared party affiliation, however, could still mean negative repercussions for Hogan from voters offended by Trumps behavior. Two years from now, it will take a lot more than a trip to a Jewish day school and a Shabbat dinner to flip people, said Susan Turnbull, a former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee who sits on the Jewish relations councils board. Although Hogan does present a moderate, nonpartisan image, Turnbull said, thats going to be a lot more difficult when Donald Trump, the head of his party, is president. Montgomerys Jewish population exceeds 100,000, and Jews typically turn out to vote in relatively high numbers. Hogan lost Montgomery by 66,382 votes in 2014, one of only four jurisdictions that he failed to win in his upset victory over then-Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown. Hogan campaigned heavily in Baltimore County and did well with Jewish voters there a point he noted to reporters after his meeting with elementary students at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville. But Jewish voters in Montgomery are more liberal. I won the Jewish community overwhelmingly in Baltimore County by, like, 20 points, Hogan said. In Montgomery County, weve been doing great outreach. But its not really about that. Its about trying to represent everybody in the state. Speaking to a gymnasium full of students at the school, with many of the boys wearing yarmulkes and a large Israeli flag on the wall, Hogan said the goal of his seven-day trip to Israel was to strengthen economic, educational and cultural ties with Maryland. He also spent much of his talk at Congregation Bnai Tzedek, a synagogue in Potomac, describing his visit to the Jewish state and comparing it to Maryland. Were like Israel. We may be small in geographic size, but were very powerful, Hogan said. He touted his decision to propose a doubling of spending, from $5 million to $10 million, for a program that provides scholarships for low-income students to attend parochial and private schools. Parents and other adults in attendance at Charles E. Smith said they were impressed by Hogans good humor and easygoing manner. He was very personable; he was a delight to listen to, said Jocelyn Krifcher, a board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, whose youngest daughter is in 12th grade at the school. But Krifcher, a Democrat, added: That doesnt mean that every Democrat is going to turn around and vote for him next time. Hogans efforts may be aimed at luring campaign donations as well as votes, or at least at denying donations to any potential Democratic opponents. Jewish voters in Montgomery and elsewhere in Maryland are a disproportionately large source of campaign contributions, analysts said. One potential Democratic challenger to Hogan, Baltimore County Executive Kevin B. Kamenetz, is Jewish and has a political base in the Jewish community in his county. But he isnt well known elsewhere in the state, including in Montgomery. Other possible Democratic candidates include Prince Georges County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, Rep. John Delaney and state Del. Maggie L. McIntosh (Baltimore). In a sign of the risks that Trump could present for Hogan, the governors administration drew criticism from Jewish leaders earlier this month when it declined to link a recent surge of hate-based incidents in Maryland to Trumps election. The controversy began when Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford (R) responded to a question at a legislative breakfast organized by Jewish leaders by saying that he did not know why such incidents were happening now a comment that drew a gasp from the audience. Questioned Friday about the rise in hate-based incidents, Hogan said he saw a lot of frustration and anger out there in the country. He did not mention the Trump campaign as a contributor. A man wielding a knife was shot and fatally wounded Christmas morning in a confrontation with D.C. police officers, the police department said. The incident occurred about 11:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of Walnut Street NE, police said. The man who was shot was identified as Gerald Hall, 29, of Northeast Washington. A man who identified himself as Halls uncle said the slain man had a girlfriend on Walnut Street. He had taken Christmas presents for his four children to her house to wrap them, said the uncle, Juan Burl. In a statement, police said that officers were sent to Walnut Street in response to a report of a domestic disturbance. They encountered the man with the knife and ordered him to drop it, police said. However, he ignored the order, they said. At least one shot was fired by police, and the man was hit and taken to a hospital, a police statement said. It was not clear where the man was struck, and it was not known when he died. Police said the knife the man had was found at the scene of the shooting. They did not provide details about it. Reached by telephone Sunday night, Halls uncle said his nephew was an electrician whose death left him really hurt. He said that he was trying to learn for himself what had happened. There has to be another side to the story, he said. I know that there is. The officer who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave. The officers involved were wearing body cameras, and the footage will be reviewed, police said. They said the police departments Internal Affairs Bureau will lead the investigation. Residents of Walnut Street said it is a quiet part of the Woodridge neighborhood, near the border between the District and Prince Georges County, Md. None of the neighbors interviewed reported hearing or seeing anything unusual. Then suddenly, one said, everybody is over here, referring to uniformed officers and plainclothes investigators who kept arriving. All I could hear was car doors slamming as police arrived, a second neighbor said. It was not clear exactly where the fatal confrontation occurred, but the second neighbor said she saw the back door of a house open, and police were going in and out, in and out. In an unrelated incident of gunfire in the District on Christmas Day, police said a man was wounded about 7 a.m. in the Columbia Heights area. He was hit at Georgia Avenue and Harvard Street NW, about half a mile from the Columbia Heights Metro station. The man was conscious and breathing after being shot, according to police, and walked to a hospital. Police described the suspect as a black man who wore a tan jacket and rode a bicycle toward Sherman Avenue. In still another incident, police said a shooting by a masked assailant was reported about 10:30 p.m. in the 600 block of 46th Place SE. Gwen Wright, 22, holds her 1-year-old son, Amarion, while she makes food in her kitchen for a community Halloween party at Genesis, the subsidized apartment building in Northwest Washington where they live. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post) Gwen Wright needed to get to the hospital. The labor pains were radiating from deep in her gut, like pliers twisting her insides. First they were an hour apart, now every 30 minutes. She was a week past her due date, and the baby was coming. But when she stepped off the Metro that spring day in 2015, she turned in the opposite direction from the hospital. She had an appointment to keep an interview that could change everything for her and her son on the way. Sorry Im late, she told the women seated at a folding table in a drab conference room at a nonprofits office in Northwest Washington. They smiled back at her and asked polite questions, nodding as she described her hopes for her son. At 20, Gwen had no idea how to be a mother. The last time shed seen her own mother, she was 2. Someone else had tried to be her parent, and then someone else, again and again until just before Gwen was too old to be in the foster-care system any longer the pregnancy test strip turned pink. I just want him to have a better life than I did, Gwen explained, holding her protruding stomach. She knew her son was far more likely to end up in the system, parentless, just as she had been. But she was being given a chance to break that cycle. An organization called Generations of Hope was helping to launch a social experiment that had never been tried before. A small apartment building was being constructed where foster kids-turned-moms would live alongside seniors grandparent-like figures who would offer support but who also needed support themselves. In return for subsidized rent, the moms and seniors would help one another get by. Gwen was determined to live in the building. So during her 20-minute interview, she avoided talking about her past. She didnt tell them about the act of violence that led to her pregnancy. Shed already had to explain that night to her siblings, who knew she was gay, and she couldnt bear to describe it again. She didnt mention her fear that when her son was placed in her arms, she wouldnt recognize his features. Instead, she assured the organizers and herself, her son would not go into foster care. She wouldnt let people walk in and out of his life, she said. I just want my son to be able to say, My mother did all that she could. Then Gwen thanked the women for their time and walked more than a mile to MedStar Washington Hospital Center to prove herself right. Welcome home A light shines at Genesis, where foster kids-turned-moms live alongside seniors who offer support in exchange for receiving support themselves. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post) Seven months later, rain was pouring down on Gwens new home. She longed to be upstairs in her one-bedroom apartment, with its crisp white walls and humming refrigerator, its cabinets filled with red Hawaiian Punch for herself, Gerber formula for her son, Amarion. Gwen loved how the apartment smelled. Like nothing. Shed always lived in places filled with other peoples smells. She was sitting beneath a stuffy tent in the buildings back parking lot, surrounded by all her new neighbors and dozens of important-looking people who had come for the Nov. 19, 2015, grand opening of the building on Georgia Avenue, just south of the Maryland border. It had been named Genesis as a symbol of new beginnings. Gwen took a seat in a row of people in suits. She wore cargo pants. Amarion wore a bib that said, Spit happens. For the past seven months, shed been learning how to be his mother how to mash bananas and sweet potatoes the way he liked, how to hold him with his head against her chest, how to decide whether to take him to the doctor. When Amarion wailed for hours in the middle of the night, Gwen would stay awake until 4 a.m. with him, often crying just as hard. Her new neighbors were struggling with being mothers, too. In a city with more than 1,100 children in foster care, these eight young women had been chosen to keep history from repeating itself. Their own parents had abandoned them, disappeared into prisons or been shot to death. One young woman had a mother who would whip her naked body with a cord, then pour alcohol into her wounds. When the torture was over, she would take her children out and buy them toys. Tyaira Barber, 21, grew up praying for her mother to get out of jail, then praying for her to stop doing drugs. Tyaira moved to her sisters house, then to her cousins, to her school friends, to her boyfriends. She would do anything to hide that she was homeless. She refused to be a foster kid. Until she was 16, and couldnt hide the growing bump beneath her jeans. [A hidden world: Desperation for hundreds of homeless families in D.C.] At the same Child and Family Services Agency building where Tyaira turned herself in, Antonee Fox was dropped off by her mother. She was 16. In one arm, she held her 1-year-old son, Noah. In the other, a car seat carrying her infant son, Tarif. I cant do this anymore, Antonees mom told her in the car. You got two kids. Woman up. And then all Antonees belongings were in seven bags on the agencys curb, and her mom was pulling away. Now a $7.2 million, 29-unit apartment building was designed to make sure her kids didnt end up with the same stories. Well, good morning, everybody! D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) told the crowd beneath the tent. Welcome to Ward 4! And welcome home! Home. Community. Home. Community. Every person who took to the microphone kept stressing the same words, and each time, the crowd clapped. Gwen joined them, applauding for all the groups who made this place possible for her: the city, the nonprofits Mi Casa and Generations of Hope, the donors, the social workers who had shaped her childhood. So far, it was a community of strangers. But the mayor sounded certain it would become much more. Where Genesis stood now, she said, there used to be two large bungalow-style homes. Both were abandoned. The bushes out front grew wild. In one, squatters lit the roof on fire. They sat empty for years, until the city came and tore them down. And from a pile of rubble, they were trying to build something better. Gwen, second from right, and her siblings during childhood. Although her sister and two brothers were adopted, Gwen never was. (Courtesy of Gwen Wright) Gwens son, Amarion, eats dinner in the community room at Genesis, which is designed to help keep him and other children out of the foster-care system (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post) A generation of neglected children Gwens story started with fire, too. She was 2 years old. Her older brother was 4. Their mother had left them alone in her Southeast Washington apartment. The stove was on. The flames came fast. If it werent for the neighbors who knocked down the door, thats where Gwens story would have ended. She later learned, she said, that her mother was down the street, getting high. She never saw her again. In the mid-1990s, the crack epidemic was at the end of its rage, and the city was in its withdrawal period. A flood of children had been left uncared for. The child-welfare system was so overwhelmed it was being sued for negligence. Children were living in temporary emergency shelters. Reports of abuse and malnourishment went uninvestigated. In 1995, a federal judge took control of the system from the District. [A lost mother and her missing daughter] Today, social workers call the hundreds of kids who came into the citys care at that time the youth bubble or the legacy kids. Without an effective system to find them permanent homes, the children grew up moving from one temporary setting to another, often without ever being adopted. That was Gwens life. First she moved to her grandparents house, but her grandmother died soon after. Then she moved in with a family she doesnt remember. Then to a family she remembers wanting to be adopted by. Even though their teenage son would take Gwen and her younger sister into his room to play games that were anything but. Even though the foster mother would whip them with a Home Depot paint stick. One day at school, her teacher saw the welts. And so Gwen moved again. And again. By the time she turned 21, she estimated, she had lived in more than 40 places. Connections and conflict The bare cream walls at Genesis exploded with color. Over the course of a year, a mural artist helped the residents paint birds and butterflies using stencils that could be mastered by young and old. Then the artist painted each member of the community onto the walls so every person who walked into the building could see who called this place home. There was Gwen, holding Amarion in her arms. Tyaira, with 4-year-old daughter Aniya on her lap and 2-year-old daughter Audreyy at her side. Smiling beside the moms were colorful renderings of the elders: Dellie Reed, a brassy Louisiana native who couldnt keep her house after her husband died of bone cancer. Ernie Osunkoya, who came from Nigeria to America to be a doctor, and found cocaine instead. Bonnie Duffy Page, who herself had become a mom at 16 and then a grandmother at 33 before suffering multiple strokes that limited her mobility. Together, they had become neighbors, saying hello in the halls, borrowing corn bread mix and can openers, giving one another rides to Walmart. The seniors knew whose child liked to color and whose liked to bang on the piano. Miss Dellie took the older kids to summer camp at her church. Miss Bonnie left her door unlocked so the moms could stop by to watch Wendy Williams with her, or confide how overwhelmed they felt. Mr. Ernie would greet everyone with a drawn-out helloooo in his Nigerian accent, then ask, How are you doing today? Tyaira Barber hugs Dellie Reed during a Friday night womens group meeting at Genesis. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post) Tyaira, a nursing assistant, carries her daughter Audreyy, 2, on the way to pick up her daughter Aniya, 4, from school. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post) But the connections theyd made couldnt erase their problems. Tyaira was raising her daughters on her own. Her unpredictable schedule as a nursing assistant meant she often needed babysitters, but she barely trusted any of the adults at Genesis enough to let them close to her kids. Miss Dellie was struggling to pay her rent, but she was too proud to ask anyone in the building for help. Gwen couldnt find a steady job, so she enrolled in a city-funded mechanic training program that paid $10.25 an hour. It was all the way in Southeast Washington; to get Amarion to day care and make it there on time, she had to leave her apartment by 6 a.m. and take three buses. By the time she came back to Genesis, she was too tired to talk to anyone. Generations of Hope had helped launch intergenerational communities such as this one across the country. There were always growing pains, especially during the first year. But those communities had been focused on adults who had adopted foster children or were caring for a relatives children. Genesis was the first to focus on foster children raising kids of their own, and the first to be created in the close, unforgiving quarters of a city apartment building. Noise was a constant source of conflict. One older woman called the police on a young mom for having her TV too loud. There were fights over who could park in the small lot behind the building. After Miss Bonnie tried to resolve a dispute, she found her tires slashed. I was looking for a peaceful place, she said after she had the tires replaced. I knew there was going to be some challenges, but I didnt expect all these issues to come up. Many of the young moms had boyfriends who practically lived with them against the terms of their leases. One woman had given birth to a third child, and two others were pregnant. Some seniors suspected that the boyfriends were responsible for the disappearance of speakers and routers from the community spaces. But kick all the men out, and some of the moms would lose reliable father figures who provided financial support and took out the trash for the older neighbors. Each week, there was an issue to smooth. The program managers who worked in the building, Wendy Jason and John Kemp, believed Genesis would only work if the community solved its problems together. If they interfered too much, that harmony would never form. If they interfered too little, arguments would boil over into screaming matches in the halls. Bonnie Duffy Page, sitting on her walker, leads a womens group discussion at Genesis. There, the women talk about their daily lives and if Miss Bonnie brings along vodka and orange juice their romantic endeavors. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post) So they put their trust in time and filled the evenings with potlucks, Zumba sessions, art classes, coffee and chat, ice cream and chat. At weekly ladies nights, the women talked hair and doctors and church and when Miss Bonnie brought vodka and orange juice along men and relationships. You must have done it with a man at least once, right? one of them asked Gwen one night as 10 women sat around a folding table. Theyd seen the way she dressed in baggy clothes and flat-brimmed hats. Theyd met the woman she started dating shortly after moving in. They had always wondered about her pregnancy, and shed never explained. Well, I. . . Gwen started. Was it rape? Miss Dellie asked. For a moment, Gwen let herself remember that night. Stopping by the 7-Eleven on her way to her foster home. Hearing someone behind her. Taking the shortcut near the woods. Being thrown to the ground. Closing her eyes, waiting for it to be over. A month later, she bought a pregnancy test and discovered that a violent mans child was inside her. Yet she didnt want to get rid of the baby. She didnt believe in abortion. And having the child, she thought, would mean she would always have a family. It barely occurred to her to tell her foster mother, or the police, or anyone but her siblings that she had been raped. She had never trusted the adults in her life. Now, at least, that had changed She looked up at her neighbors and answered Miss Dellies question: Yes. A place of their own Christmas was coming, and Amarion, now 18 months old, was walking and talking. He looked, thankfully, so much like Gwen. Big brown eyes. Full cheeks. His expressions were serious, except when Gwen plugged her phone in to an old boombox and turned on music. Then he loved to wiggle. Are you ready to put up your tree? Gwen asked him earlier this month. Amarion helps his mother, Gwen, decorate their Christmas tree earlier this month. (Jessica Contrera /The Washington Post) Amarion reached out to the cardboard box holding the fake white tree Gwen bought for $25 in October, as soon as Walmart set out its Christmas decorations. Her ex-girlfriend sat in the corner with her headphones and sunglasses on in defiance. When they got together, they had made an agreement: Gwen wouldnt let people walk in and out of her sons life. If they were going to be together, Gwen said, her girlfriend would have to commit to being Amarions mother even if they broke up. Then they did break up. And now they were constantly fighting in front of Amarion. But this was the first Christmas Gwen thought he might remember, so she wasnt about to change her mind. Are you going to take your headphones out? Gwen demanded as she pulled the four-foot tree out of the box. The headphones stayed in. Gwen looked away and sifted through a Dollar Tree bag filled with blue candy canes and boxes of glittery ornaments. She opened one and found only baubles, no hooks to place them on the tree. Didnt you buy them? her ex asked. When you buy ornaments, wouldnt you think the hangers would come with it? Gwen said, distressed. Her ex shook her head. Well, I have never done this! Gwen snapped. She walked to her closet and found a bundle of black yarn. Plopping down on the couch, she started cutting it into small pieces. She slipped each strand through the loops on the ornaments, tied the ends together and cut off the extra. Her son would have golden ornaments. Her son would go see Santa at the mall. Her son would rip open presents on Christmas morning. Ready? she asked him. Show me where you want it. Amarion pointed with a finger covered in melted candy cane. Gwen slid the ornament onto the plastic branch. Then he tottered away and began playing with the cardboard box instead, like a boy who would never celebrate Christmas without a tree theyd decorated together. Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly described previous intergenerational communities Generations of Hope helped to launch. They were focused on adults who had adopted foster children or were caring for a relatives children, not simply adults raising foster children. The story has been updated. Brittany Galan, 24, was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 6 weeks old. (Tamir Kalifa/For The Washington Post) When Brittany Galan was diagnosed with leukemia at 6 weeks old, doctors warned her parents she had little chance of surviving she was so young and so sick. But after being treated with chemotherapy, I lived and lived! said the exuberant 24-year-old. Everyone calls me the miracle baby. The lifesaving chemo, however, took a heavy toll. It messed me up neurologically, Galan said. In grade school, she had trouble with reading and math and eventually went on ADHD medication. In college, the once-avid runner developed a heart problem. Recently, Galan, who juggles two part-time jobs working with children with emotional problems, began taking medication for anxiety and depression. Sometimes I think, Whats next? she said. I take a lot of pills. I feel like an old lady. One of medicines greatest successes is the sharp rise in survival rates for children with cancer. But the flip side of that success is that many of those children are turning up years or even decades later with serious and sometimes life-threatening complications, including second cancers, heart disorders, cognitive problems and infertility. These treatments seem to accelerate the aging process, said Greg Aune, a researcher and pediatric oncologist who works at a clinic for childhood cancer survivors at University Hospital in San Antonio, where Galan gets her care. Aune, like a growing number of scientists and clinicians, is focusing intently on late effects of cancer treatments. Many of these researchers work in clinics designed specifically to monitor the health of childhood cancer survivors and alert them to potential risks. With the ranks of survivors swelling, there is an urgent need to understand the treatments effects on the entire body, not just the tumor, and to come up with less-toxic therapies. Greg Aune speaks at The Washington Post Lives Chasing Cancer Summit in December. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post) Aune has a personal stake in the research. As a teenager growing up on a wheat farm in eastern Washington state, he was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma and treated with intensive radiation and chemo. Two decades later, he ended up in emergency surgery to replace a badly scarred heart valve and three blocked arteries, a direct result of the treatment. At 41, he had a mild stroke while at his daughters gymnastics class and was diagnosed with diabetes. His childhood cancer treatment saved his life, and at 43, he appears robust, but he worries that his battered heart might fail. If I had been born a lot earlier, I wouldnt have to worry about late effects because I wouldnt be here, Aune said. In the 1960s, fewer than half of children with cancer were alive five years after their diagnoses; now, more than 80 percent are. There are more than 420,000 childhood cancer survivors in the United States today, and the number is expected to increase to 500,000 by 2020. [8-year-old girl with hard-to-treat leukemia gets groundbreaking treatment ] Yet the improved survival rates came at a high cost, said Gregory Armstrong, an oncologist at St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis. He runs the National Cancer Institute-sponsored Childhood Cancer Survival Study, which tracks more than 30,000 childhood cancer survivors. In the 1980s, survivors began worrying about new health problems, but the severity and connection to their treatments were not appreciated until years later. This is a population that appears much older than its chronological age, Armstrong said. (Whitney Leaming/The Washington Post) As cancer doctors realized that patients might live not just for another five years but for another five decades or more, their just-keep-them-alive impulse evolved. Doctors carefully cut back on chemo and radiation for patients who seemed unlikely to relapse. The less-punishing therapies bolstered long-term survival. Almost 11 percent of five-year survivors diagnosed with cancer in the 1970s were dead within 15 years of their diagnoses; that dropped to less than 6 percent for those treated in the 1990s, according to Armstrongs research. Still, patients continue to suffer from severe late effects. By age 50, 1 in 3 women who received chest radiation for Hodgkins lymphoma will develop breast cancer, compared with less than 1 in 20 in the general population, Armstrong said. People who develop cancer as adults also can suffer from late effects. But children are more vulnerable to toxic therapies because their bodies are still developing, researchers say. And they have many more years of life in which complications can occur. Immunotherapy, a new approach that uses the bodys immune system to fight cancer, could cause less collateral damage but its use in children is a long way off. For every patient I saw last week, I used the same medications we have had for the last 30 years, Aune said. And they are very toxic. Brittany Galan underwent chemotherapy for two years, starting when she was an infant. She has since had learning disabilities and heart problems. (Tamir Kalifa/For The Washington Post) A drug to heal the heart When Aune is not caring for patients at University Hospital, he spends much of his time in nearby Greehey Childrens Cancer Research Institute, where he oversees experiments in mice on the effects of chemo, including drugs called anthracyclines that can be toxic to the heart. Much of the research on late effects involves the heart, which is especially vulnerable to aggressive childhood treatments. On a recent day, his lab manager, Thomas Andrews, anesthetized an 8-week-old mouse before laying it on its back on a heated board. With a cotton swab smeared with Nair, he removed a bit of fur from the animals chest, then used a very small probe to take a scan, shown on a monitor, of the mouses left ventricle. The echocardiogram allowed Andrews to measure the animals heart-pumping efficiency. [FDA: Repeated anesthesia may harm the brains of babies and toddlers] The mouse was destined for a study looking at whether vigorous exercise can limit heart problems caused by doxorubicin, which is also known as Adriamycin and is an anthracycline. After the mice receive several doses of the drug, some are put on treadmills for exercise, and others are not. Early data suggest that the ones on the treadmills do better, Aune said. Another mouse experiment involves a medication called dexrazoxane, which is used to prevent heart damage caused by certain chemo drugs in breast-cancer patients. Its use in children has been controversial and spotty because some older studies have suggested that the medication, which is given at the same time as chemo, increases the risk of second cancers. There have also been concerns that it could blunt the cancer-fighting effectiveness of chemo. But those worries have been largely disproved in recent years, and now a clinical trial in humans may be paving the way for widespread use of the drug, also called Zinecard. Eric Chow, an oncologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, is leading an effort to see whether the drug prevents long-term cardiac deterioration. He and other researchers are scrutinizing the cardiac function of people who were in trials in the late 1990s and early 2000s and treated with either doxorubicin alone or the chemo drug plus Zinecard, the heart-protectant. We didnt really know what happened to those patients and what happened in terms of heart disease, Chow said. Did the medication have any protective effects that could be detected 20 years later? A preliminary analysis released earlier this month showed that the Zinecard group appeared to have more preserved heart function many years later. One theory is that the drug interferes with a protein that makes heart tissue more vulnerable to certain chemo agents. Saro Armenian, a pediatric oncologist at City of Hope in Duarte, Calif., is taking another approach to counter the heart-damaging effects of anthracycline drugs. He is exploring whether giving childhood cancer survivors a common blood pressure drug will prevent heart failure as they get older. The question is, he said, if you have been treated with chemo, can you take a drug to help the heart to heal? He likened the approach to using low-dose baby aspirin to protect arteries among the general population. Terri Rupar, national digital editor for The Washington Post; Aune; Ariella Chivil, patient advocate; and Matthew Zachary, founder of Stupid Cancer, participate in a panel discussion during The Washington Post Lives Chasing Cancer Summit. (Kristoffer Tripplaar/For The Washington Post) Galan embraces Zeff Gomes, a medical technologist who was part of the team that helped treat her childhood cancer, after running into him at a restaurant in San Antonio. (Tamir Kalifa/For The Washington Post) Survivors clinic Six-year-old Sammy Cuevas, decked out in black pants and a matching vest, watches videos on his mothers phone as he waits for his checkup at the University Hospital survivors clinic. When he was 4 months old, he had surgery to remove a brain tumor called a medulloblastoma, followed by a year of chemo. There were times, said his mother, Claudia Cuevas, when I thought, The cancer wont kill him, but the chemo will. He already has chemo-related problems, including mild deafness, severe constipation and what his doctors call an overall failure to thrive. At 34 pounds and a little over 3 feet tall, the first-grader is in the third percentile for size for his age. As Sammy gets older, he will be monitored for late effects including leukemia and fertility problems. Nevertheless, Sammys doctor, Shafqat Shah, is optimistic about Sammy. Our hopes for him are pretty dang good, she said. His mother also was upbeat. Hes very good with numbers, she told the doctor. But he has a little trouble with pronunciations because of his hearing problem. Patients are referred to the survivors clinic officially called the South Texas Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Program three to five years after they are finished with treatment, when the threat of relapse has receded. Depending on their anticancer regimen, they may get comprehensive blood tests, echocardiograms, lung function tests and hearing examinations. Red flags prompt immediate referrals to specialists. On a recent day in a clinic conference room, a few teenagers talked about life as childhood cancer survivors. High school senior Katelyn Garcia, who developed leukemia at 14 months and struggled with learning disabilities and seizures in middle school, is now headed to college and wants to become a child-life specialist someone who takes care of children undergoing cancer treatment. Her friend, Carmen Villarosa, who had a kidney tumor when she was younger, worries that her cancer treatment might make it difficult for her to have children when she is older. Galan plays with her niece, Eva Marie Galan, 2, in the back yard of her parents' home in San Antonio. (Tamir Kalifa/For The Washington Post) [How research involving dogs might help cure cancer in humans] Bryon Martinez, who was diagnosed with leukemia in the fifth grade and gets annual echocardiograms to check for heart problems, is an accomplished cross-country runner who hopes to go to Georgetown University and become a pediatric oncologist. When his mother, Ana Isabel Martinez, speaks in Spanish about his illness, she weeps quietly. It was extremely difficult, she said. Aune knows what the survivors are going through. When he was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma, he said, people told me it was a good cancer, because it was fairly curable. Everyone said I should just get through the treatment, and then life would go back to normal. At the time, his mother wisely urged him to bank his semen, an experience the 16-year-old found almost unbearably embarrassing. My doctors didnt mention it, he said, My mother read about it in Readers Digest. After he had surgery for the cancer, Aune had radiation to his chest and abdomen for nine weeks and received eight chemo drugs over nine months. He lost 70 pounds. It was years before he felt normal again. Later, as a 35-year-old training to become a pediatric oncologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center, he became so exhausted that he could not walk more than 30 steps a fatigue he attributed to a demanding job and four small children but was actually due to the radiation and, probably, the chemo. (By then, he and his wife had managed to have two sets of twins via artificial insemination.) After having heart surgery, he switched his career focus to late effects, vowing to fill research gaps and work with survivors. Having already dealt with a raft of medical problems, he is philosophical about his future. You never know whats going to come your way, he said, so you better do what you want to do now. Everyone calls me the miracle baby, said Galan, who now works with children with emotional problems. (Tamir Kalifa/For The Washington Post) Read more: A consumers guide to the hottest field in cancer treatments immunotherapy. Treating dogs for cancer could help improve treatments for humans. Three cancer patients explain how a psychedelic drug eased their fears. People demonstrate outside the Tunisian parliament in Tunis on Dec. 24. (Associated Press) TUNISIA Police arrest 3 with ties to Berlin attacker The Interior Ministry announced the arrest of a nephew of Berlin Christmas market attacker Anis Amri along with two others suspected of belonging to the same extremist network. The ministry said in a statement that Amri, through an alias, had sent his 18-year-old nephew Fedi money through the post office to join him in Europe and become part of the network led by extremist Abou Walaa. Amri claimed to be the networks emir. The ministry said the nephew told them he was in contact with Amri via the messenger app Telegrams encrypted communications to avoid detection. He said Amri had recruited him and asked him to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State, which he did and sent it to Amri via Telegram, The Tunisian prosecutors office ordered all three held in pretrial detention pending further investigation. 1 of 20 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad 20 of the prettiest holiday light displays in the world View Photos Photos of holiday decorations from Syria to South Korea Caption Photos of holiday decorations from Syria to South Korea Dec. 23, 2016 People are silhouetted as they walk through a light installation titled "Universal Journey" composed of 824,961 light bulbs at the Universal Studios in Singapore. Wong Maye-E/AP Wait 1 second to continue. Associated Press TURKEY Erdogan to ask Trump to stand against Kurds Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to seek the support of the incoming Trump administration for joint action against the Islamic State in the Syrian city of Raqqa. Turkish troops are close to capturing the Islamic State stronghold of al-Bab in northwest Syria and could move via the town of Manbij toward the groups de facto capital in Raqqa, Erdogan said in a televised speech Saturday. Erdogan reiterated his countrys readiness to extend its fight against the extremist group in Raqqa if President-elect Donald Trump agrees to prevent Kurdish forces from participating in such an operation. Turkey is concerned that the Kurds territorial gains in Syria could lead to a new state within the country, in turn provoking separatist Kurdish aspirations at home. Kurds have established control over much of Syrias north during five years of civil war. Bloomberg News German city ordered to evacuate while bomb is defused: More than 54,000 people in the southern German city of Augsburg were ordered to leave their homes Christmas morning while authorities defused a 1.8-ton aerial bomb from World War II. The evacuation was set to begin at 10 a.m., and authorities said it was impossible to say how long it would take. Nigerian troops capture Boko Haram stronghold: Nigerias army has captured a key Boko Haram camp, the Islamist militant groups last enclave in the vast Sambisa Forest that was its stronghold, President Muhammadu Buhari said. Reuters was unable to independently verify whether the rebel camp had been taken. Chinese carrier group completes exercises: Chinas military says its first aircraft carrier group has carried out a series of fighter launch, recovery and air combat exercises in the Yellow Sea. Chinese media speculated that the fleet will soon be sent to the South China Sea, an area of dispute with multiple nations. From news services U.S. TEENAGERS underperformed in math, reading and science when compared with many of their peers around the world. That was the disappointing news from the latest round of international assessments. But the assessments also showed progress in improving equity and closing the achievement gap, an encouraging sign that some efforts to strengthen schools are on the right track. Results released this month from the 2015 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), administered every three years to evaluate education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of 15-year-olds in some 70 countries, showed the U.S. system in the middle of the pack in reading and science and near the bottom on math. The reading and science test scores were on par with U.S. performance in 2012, while the math results dipped slightly. A singular bright spot was a narrowing of the achievement gap between rich and poor students. No other country, said Andreas Schleicher, who oversees the test at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, is making greater progress on closing its equity gap. Could that be the result of the closer attention that states and districts were required to pay to minority and other at-risk children under the wrongly maligned and forsaken federal No Child Left Behind Act? Experts rightly caution against trying to draw a straight line from policy to standardized test scores, but PISA has proven to be useful with its nuanced insights into what seems to work and what seems not to. For example, a common trait among countries that consistently score high on these assessments is their insistence on high academic standards that encourage conceptual thinking and understanding. Only of late did the United States move toward such high standards, as many states adopted the Common Core. It is important to stick with those standards and give them the opportunity to have an effect rather than, as has become politically fashionable, demonize them. Other lessons emerge: the effectiveness of high-quality preschools, attention to attendance, devoting more and better resources to the neediest students, and having a professional teaching force. PISA, like all tests, has its flaws, but no number of excuses about the different social structures or student demographics of other countries can sugarcoat the shortcomings in American education or the difficulties the country faces if its workforce cant compete against its foreign counterparts. FOR SOME years now, around Christmastime, there has been a pseudo-controversy going on promoted if not wholly created by various talky people on radio and TV about a war on Christmas, seen as a concerted effort by the disciples of secularism to eliminate or ignore religious elements of the holiday. Now, with a new administration coming to power, the war apparently has been won by the righteous. You can say again, merry Christmas because Donald Trump is now the president, proclaimed Corey Lewandowski, a former aide to President-elect Trump, who has himself voiced similar sentiments. Actually, weve been at liberty to say merry Christmas for quite a few centuries; this isnt like the early Christians emerging from the Roman catacombs into the bright light of freedom. But its true that social pressure arising from the effort to avoid giving offense to people of other faiths, or of none, has led to some silly evasions and to a great many spare and uninspiring greeting cards. Probably, though, no amount of training was ever going to condition many of us to replace office Christmas party in everyday speech with holiday party (the amount of misbehavior being about the same at either). After centuries of use, wishing someone a merry Christmas has become a fairly innocuous statement of good cheer, with widespread appeal. And much of the message in the Gospels does have such appeal. Jesus of Nazareth was a Jew, a product of centuries of Jewish thought and debate over the deepest questions of life. He is revered as a prophet by Muslims, and his teachings are respected and honored by millions who do not accept the idea of his divinity in any way. But these teachings are also often honored in the breach. This Christmas might be a good time to give a thought to passages such as these from the Book of Matthew: Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth, . . . . Blessed are the merciful . . . the pure of heart . . . the peacemakers. Even more timely, perhaps, are these words of Jesus: I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. A few hundred miles north of little Bethlehem was the great ancient trading center of Aleppo, like Bethlehem a part of the Roman Empire at the time of Jesus birth. Today much of the city is in ruins, thousands of its inhabitants murdered, maimed, dispersed to any place that will take them and to some that will not. Few of these strangers are being welcomed by our own country fewer than by our far less populous neighbor, Canada, whose people have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to aid and support them. Blessed indeed are they, for understanding that the true meaning of Christmas is more than a jolly greeting. Three men slumped on their cots in a clean but cramped dormitory room. They looked glum and shellshocked, as if they had suddenly found themselves in a forbidding foreign place. In many ways, they had. Javed Hakimi, Mohsen Amiri and Navid Mohammedi were among 45 unhappy passengers who arrived here under guard on a charter flight from Frankfurt this month. It was the first of many such flights that are expected to return thousands of Afghan asylum seekers from Germany under a European Union agreement with President Ashraf Ghani. Across Western Europe, as many as 80,000 Afghans eventually may be repatriated after their asylum applications are rejected, under the agreement signed by Ghani and E.U. officials in October. After the flight from Frankfurt landed, some of the passengers headed for buses home. But these three had no one waiting for them. They said that their immediate families live in Germany, and that once their 10-day stay at a government rest house ended, they would have nowhere to go. I am completely alone here, said Amiri, 35, who added that he survived a capsizing off Greece in 2012 while trying to reach his mother and siblings in Germany. I was a law-abiding person there, and I was training to be a house painter, but they rejected my asylum case and said I had to go home. This is not my home. I dont even know where to start looking. [Tunisian suspect in Berlin Christmas market attack faced past German terror probe, official says] To German officials, these were the easiest foreigners to legally remove amid a chaotic surge of refugees from Syria, Iraq and other countries that has overwhelmed many nations and generated an angry backlash across Europe. All the Afghans had arrived illegally, some had committed crimes in Germany, and none were found to qualify for political asylum. To Afghan officials, these men will become a burden that the poor, insurgent-plagued country cannot afford. Hundreds of thousands of longtime war refugees are pouring back from next-door Pakistan; large numbers of rural families have been displaced by the Taliban and are living in camps. This is a real crisis for us, said Rohullah Hashimi, an official at the Afghan ministry responsible for refugees. We pleaded with the Europeans to only send those who wanted to come voluntarily, but there was a lot of pressure for us to take back more. Many Afghans sold everything before they left their country, and they have returned penniless. With no prospects, he said, they may try to reach Europe again or even join the insurgents. Hakimi, 57, spent more than 20 years in Germany, where he married and raised two daughters, but his criminal record made him a high priority for the new return policy. He was once convicted of drug dealing there and was imprisoned for two years, then deported to Afghanistan. Last year, he sneaked back, paying smugglers to guide him across a half dozen countries. He was working in his brothers restaurant in Hamburg this month when he received a notice to report to the police. His lawyer said it was probably a routine matter. Instead he learned he was about to be put on a plane. Yes, they accused me of selling drugs, but I served my time in prison, and I wanted to be with my family again, Hakimi said. He said one man slated for the same flight had killed someone but was allowed to stay at the last minute after a church said he had converted to Christianity and repented. Mohammedi, 21, has even fewer ties to Afghanistan, having grown up in Iran, where his family had fled to escape civil war. He said they faced harassment there and encouraged him to go to Germany to live with an uncle. In 2011, at age 16, he made the hazardous journey across mountain forests and open water, winding up at a train station in Paris late at night. I bought a ticket to Frankfurt and was so exhausted I fell asleep on the train, Mohammedi said. A policeman woke me up and asked where I was from. I told him Afghanistan, and he said to me in Dari, Dont worry. Youre safe now. Youre in Germany. As a minor, Mohammedi said, he was sent to school and given a multiyear visa. But several weeks ago, he said, he was suddenly informed that his asylum claim had been rejected and was asked whether he wanted to go home. Three times I told them no, but they sent me anyway, he said. His family is still in Iran. Until recently, Germany was sending back only Afghans who would leave voluntarily, but after being flooded with nearly 900,000 migrants in 2015, the government decided to speed asylum processing for those fleeing civil wars, such as Syrians, and step up the deportation of others less likely to win asylum cases, including many Afghans. This year, Germany has deported a record 23,750 asylum seekers. More than 200,000 foreigners have pending deportation orders, including 12,500 Afghans. [A humanitarian crisis looms in Afghanistan as the number of displaced climbs] Under the E.U. agreement with Kabul, German officials said they will focus on individuals with criminal records and recent illegal entries, and avoid returning those from unsafe regions of Afghanistan. But the policy has aroused anger among Afghan expatriates, who protested at the Frankfurt airport when the first plane departed. Afghan officials said they had little to offer the new arrivals except food and shelter for a few days, subsidized by the nonprofit International Organization for Migration, which is also providing those without homes a one-time payment of about $600. Its not much to start a new life, said Hashimi, the government official. We can offer them some guidance and positive morale, but anything else is beyond our capacity. Amiri, who was happily reunited with his family in Germany four years ago, seemed the most undone by his abrupt deportation. He recounted in vivid detail his harrowing journey from Afghanistan, when an overloaded smugglers boat from Turkey capsized near the shores of Greece. It was the middle of the night. The boat was too crowded and the water was very turbulent. We all started swimming, and I finally reached the banks, but five people drowned, including three children, he said. It was May 20, 2012. The date is engraved in my mind. The German government was welcoming at the time, Amiri said, but when he was being deported, it was a different story. The police searched me many times and took all my money at the airport, he said. On the plane, there were more police than passengers, and they treated us like terrorists, even following us to the bathroom. After this first flight, Afghan officials said, the deportations were halted for the Christmas season. The second group will arrive in January. Read more In Pakistan, five girls were killed for having fun. Then the story took an even darker twist. Pressure mounts on Afghan vice president over brutality accusations Pakistani birds caught up in international intrigue Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Customers wait in line at a branch of In Touch, operated by State Bank of India Ltd., in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, on Dec. 9, after Prime Minister Narendra Modis Nov. 8 decision to ban high-value currency notes. (Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg) Over the past two years, this suburb of New Delhi mushroomed into a flourishing enclave of small cellphone manufacturers, attracting tens of thousands of workers from the countryside. Noida, known as the handset hub, was touted as a showcase for Prime Minister Narendra Modis pet Make in India initiative. Then on Nov. 8, Modis government took a step that has jolted the bustling industrial quarter. It scrapped high-denomination currency, with a view, officials said, to curbing illicit wealth and the financing of terrorism. But the cash shortage triggered by the move has also curbed legitimate small enterprises. Many of Noidas manufacturing units have slashed production by nearly half, and more than a quarter of the workers have gone back to their villages. It was a booming sunrise industry before November 8th. Not now, said Vipin Malhan, president of the Noida Entrepreneurs Association, who also runs a business that makes cellphone accessories here. Many small factories and assembling units, which used to work round-the-clock, with three shifts, have scaled down to just a single shift. We are all in shock now. One word that businesses dread is uncertainty. The government has thrown that at us. Modi came to power in 2014 promising to boost business, create jobs and crack down on corruption. Halfway through his term, this single controversial decision appears to be freezing business in centers such as Noida nationwide. Several small- and medium-scale industrial clusters, employing a total of more than 80 million people across India, are reporting declining sales, production slowdowns and layoffs since bills worth 500 and 1,000 Indian rupees were invalidated (500 Indian rupees is worth about $7.40). Towns famous for weavers, lockmakers, power looms, bicycle-parts manufacturers, ready-made garments and handicrafts face rising inventories of unsold goods. Citizens were given 50 days to exchange their old bills for new ones, but the process has been slowed by long lines at banks. Even large car manufacturers have halted production in some of their factories for several days because of a sharp dip in consumer spending. And in a reflection of the belt-tightening that has accompanied the general sense of uncertainty, credit card companies have posted a decline in the total value of transactions, even as the cash shortage is forcing people to use their cards more. This month, Goldman Sachs downgraded its outlook for growth in Asias third-largest economy in the coming year to 6.3 percent. We started hearing murmurs that there were no fresh orders from the market. That our raw material was stuck because we could not pay. Stocks were piling up, said Sudhir Ramphool Singh, 33, who lost his job at a cellphone assembly unit in Noida and returned to his Dharavu village in northern India this month. He is the sole breadwinner for his family of seven. Production slowed. The unit was shut down for 10 days. When it reopened, many of us were asked to go. Ironically, it was Modi who helped boost cellphone business in Noida last year. Earlier, Indias rules favored importing fully manufactured mobile phones from places like China and Hong Kong, said business tax consultant Saurabh Mathur. But Modi made it cheaper for entrepreneurs to import critical components and assemble them here. That shifted about 100,000 jobs from China to India. Lava International, one of the leading cellphone manufacturers in Noida, said it had also halted production for 10 days and sent workers on leave. We are waiting and watching and will plan our next course of action based on how the situation improves or deteriorates, the company said in a statement. With the large bellwether state of Uttar Pradesh slated to hold elections early next year, the business slump and the lines at the banks have become campaign issues. Forget about creating new jobs. Modis decision is taking away peoples jobs, the opposition Congress party leader, Rahul Gandhi, said at a public meeting this month. Despite nearly two decades of impressive economic growth, India has not created nearly enough new jobs. Nearly a million job seekers enter the job market every month. Yet, in 2015, only 135,000 new jobs were created, the lowest number since 2009. Every place I call, I get the same answer: Business is down, there is no job, said Singh, who is anxious to get back to a factory job. Modi has urged people to adopt digital payment methods and bear some pain to support the long-term goal of rooting out corruption. The losses in the small- and medium-scale industries are nominal and temporary, said Kalraj Mishra, the minister for micro, small and medium enterprises. Once the currency flow resumes, the industrial momentum will be back. Mishras office is conducting 50 training sessions every day in small industrial hubs to help residents transition to cashless transactions. But many business owners in these clusters say it is not easy to change because daily wage laborers do not accept checks and do not have smartphones with Internet. You cant fit a jet engine to a bullock cart and expect it to fly said Bandish Jindal, a bicycle parts manufacturer in the northern city of Ludhiana and president of the Federation of Associations of Small Industry of India. How are we supposed to become cashless overnight? Last week, about 200 business executives in Ludhiana staged a sit-in against the cash-swap decision, calling it ill-conceived. They even formed a stick brigade and are threatening to beat tax officers who show up to scrutinize our books needlessly and harass us. In the countrys largest textile town, Bhiwandi, in western India, more than 2 million power looms used to operate round-the-clock. Countless machines are silent now. The cash shortage has come as the latest blow to the industry that was already hit by global competition. Fifty to 60 percent of power looms have shut down, and more than 150,000 workers have gone back to their villages, said Rashid Tahir Momin, whose family owns about 400 power looms. One of Momins workers, Mazhar Zainuddin, used to earn nearly $200 a month. Now he is working at a construction site for half that amount near his ancestral village of Barbata, far away. I left my village 15 years ago, said Zainuddin, speaking from Barbata by phone. Now I am back here, where I started. Read more: Indians like to pay cash. The government is now forcing them to swipe cards. No cash? Have a sweet instead. Political parties are feeding Indians waiting in long bank lines. Its payday in India and banks are begging for police protection Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Lisa Monaco, senior counterterrorism adviser to President Obama, often is in contact with families of Americans who have been taken hostage. (Jeff Chiu/AP) Inside the White House, it is known as the tragic summer of 2014. Islamic State forces were rampaging across Iraq and Syria, erasing borders and massacring opponents and minority groups. President Obama and his national security team knew they had to stop the advance, and they knew that any military action would put at risk the lives of at least four Americans being held by the group in Syria. One after another the American hostages James Foley, Steven Sotloff and Peter Kassig were murdered. The fourth, Kayla Mueller, was killed in 2015. In the tense months before and after their deaths, Lisa Monaco, the senior counterterrorism adviser to the president, was meeting with the grief-stricken families. They told me about their frustration and their disappointment; their confusion about how the government was handling finding and recovering their loved ones, Monaco said. For Monaco, those meetings became the basis for a White House-directed effort to change the way the United States works to bring home American hostages and, just as importantly, how they work with families. Today, family members of those taken captive and their advocates point to improvements. Theres greater coordination within the government and a greater willingness to share information, said Rachel Briggs, executive director of Hostage US, a nonprofit group that provides support to families and released hostages. Is it much improved today from what it was? Absolutely. Is there a further distance to travel? Yes. The challenge for the White House is ensuring that hard-won lessons, many of which came at the expense of American hostages and their families, are passed along to the Trump administration, and that the government continues to make progress at the dauntingly complex task of hostage recovery. [U.S. considers new fusion cell to deal with overseas hostage situations] Gauging improvements to a hostage recovery process that is, by necessity, cloaked in secrecy can be difficult. To oversee recovery efforts and communicate with families, the Obama administration created a single fusion cell that includes representatives of the FBI, the Pentagon, the State Department and the intelligence community. We were making hard and sincere efforts to find and bring back our people, Monaco said. But there was often little coordination among government agencies and no unified strategy, she added. Hostage recovery was rarely the top priority for military or intelligence officials managing wars or seeking to stop the next terrorist attack. Since the fusion cell was set up in 2015, it has overseen almost 100 recoveries, about 25 percent of which came from terrorist groups, according to U.S. officials. Officials refused to break down the numbers, but the overall figure includes people who were kidnapped by criminal gangs in different parts of the world. But hostages from the United States are still less likely to make it home safely than hostages from other countries, said Peter Bergen, a terrorism expert at the New American Foundation. Weve got a lot of data and are crunching the numbers, he said. Outcomes for Americans are significantly worse than any other group. Some of the difference could be due to the U.S. governments refusal to pay for the release of Americans, on the theory that it only encourages more hostage-taking. Americans may also be more attractive targets because of the United States superpower status. [U.S. government to stop threatening prosecution of hostage families for paying ransom] The toughest cases involve hostages taken by stateless jihadist groups. Last week, a Taliban ally that kidnapped Caitlin Coleman, 31, and her husband, Joshua Boyle, 33, in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region released a video showing the couple and their two toddler children. We have waited since 2012 for somebody to understand our problems, Coleman said, while her Canadian husband and the children, who were born in captivity, sat nearby. The group is believed to have grabbed Coleman and Boyle while they were backpacking in Afghanistan in 2012. Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) said the changes the White House instituted in 2015, including the fusion cell, still have not produced a coherent strategy to bring home Americans. What are the deliverables? he asked. What have you delivered that you couldnt deliver before? As soon as the U.S. government gets information that an American has been taken hostage, a team from the fusion center calls the family and dispatches intelligence analysts and regional experts to meet with them. They start by creating a communication plan. How do you want to be notified? Do you want a call every single day? said Jeff Dubel, the acting director of the fusion center. The team will then work to declassify intelligence about the recovery effort. The White Houses changes also gave families greater latitude to pay ransom to terrorist groups or work with allied governments without fearing prosecution at home. But the policy change means little to most families, who dont have the wherewithal to rescue their children on their own, Perry said. The government is really their only advocate. Theyre told not to do anything outside of channels. But nothing inside the channels seems to work. Even among the families there is broad disagreement over how best to ensure that American hostages make it home. Some representatives insist that more aggressive U.S. military rescue efforts are the solution. What is needed is a concerted government policy that makes it prohibitively costly for groups to hold American hostages, said Barak Barfi, a principal adviser to the Sotloff family during their son Stevens incarceration by the Islamic State. Other families, including the relatives of Luke Somers, who was killed during a rescue attempt in Yemen, disagree. Somerss death followed an early failed attempt by the U.S. military to free him. Lukes life wasnt in imminent danger until after the first raid, said Jordan Somers, Lukes brother. He believes a more patient approach would have produced a better result. We would have paid whatever we could to bring my brother home, he said. [The death of Luke Somers and why hostage rescue missions often fail] Two years after his brothers death, Jordan and his mother are still trying to understand Lukes life as a hostage. The hostage fusion cell recently gave them a case report that included a declassified timeline of Lukes time in captivity. But big questions remain. Throughout much of Somerss 15 months as a hostage, the government told his family that he was being held by Yemeni tribesman. Only near the end did they learn that he had been transferred to a Yemeni offshoot of al-Qaeda. If we had known, it might have changed our strategy, Jordan said. The situation was much more dire than we were led to believe. He still gets regular calls from the fusion cell, and he recently he spoke with Monaco, hoping she could help him and his mother get more money for mental-health care. They had already used up an initial $5,000 government grant, provided to them through congressional legislation. Monaco told him that she was unable to help. The unfairness of the whole situation in its entirety is just outlandish and upsetting, Jordan said. I take it too personally . . . in a way we still feel forgotten. Monaco said she understands the frustration. Nothing we can do here will substitute for that loss, she said from her basement office in the West Wing. Nothing is 100 percent satisfactory, and nothing is going to be enough until these families see their loved ones come home. That is just true. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Daniel B. Shapiro, was requested Sunday to attend a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the United States refusal to block a U.N. Security Council resolution that harshly criticized Israeli settlements, a senior official in the prime ministers office said. The meeting follows a series of summons Sunday, Christmas Day, of envoys from countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel and that voted in favor of the resolution. Passing by a vote of 14 to 0, the resolution declares that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation under international law. It also calls the settlements a major obstacle to achieving a two-state solution and peace with the Palestinians. Breaking with a long-standing policy of blocking resolutions dealing with Israel, the United States did not use its veto powers to stop its passage, opting to abstain instead. [U.S. declines to veto U.N. Security Council resolution for Israel to stop Jewish settlement activity ] The summons were part of a series of diplomatic measures announced by Netanyahu, who is also Israels foreign minister, since the resolution was adopted Friday. Israeli media reported Sunday that Netanyahu had instructed members of his cabinet to refrain from traveling to countries that voted for the resolution. Following the U.N. vote, Netanyahu recalled Israels ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal and canceled scheduled trips to Israel by the Senegalese foreign minister and Ukraines prime minister. He also said that Israeli aid to Senegal will be canceled and that contributions Israel makes to five U.N. agencies will be halted. I share my ministers feelings of anger and frustration vis-a-vis the unbalanced resolution, Netanyahu said at his weekly cabinet meeting Sunday. He laid blame for the resolution squarely on the shoulders of President Obama. [Netanyahu blasts U.N., Obama over West Bank settlements resolution ] From the information we have, we have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it, stood behind it, coordinated on the wording and demanded that it be passed, Netanyahu said. He said the move contradicted traditional American policy not to dictate terms of a permanent peace agreement on Israel. Over decades, American administrations and Israeli governments had disagreed about settlements, but we agreed that the Security Council was not the place to resolve this issue, he said. As I told [U.S. Secretary of State] John Kerry on Thursday, friends dont take friends to the Security Council. Netanyahus anger was matched by more-militant voices in his right-wing coalition. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, head of the ultranationalist Jewish Home party, held a news conference at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, one of Judaisms holiest sites, saying the city has been the capital of Jews for 3,000 years. He said that in response to the resolution, Israel should evaluate its approach to the 1994 Oslo Accords, which set out a plan for two states, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians. He said that Israel should instead impose sovereignty on land it captured after the 1967 war. He also urged the government to ramp up construction in Israeli settlements, built on land the Palestinians hope to use for a state. The Israeli human rights organization BTselem estimates that there are close to 600,000 Israelis living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The figures are based on data from Israels Central Bureau of Statistics and the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies. Palestinians say the figure is probably higher. Over the past six months, Israel has announced plans to add hundreds of units to existing settlements, each time drawing a rebuke from the White House. More recently, right-wing voices in Netanyahus government have been pushing legislation to legalize settlements built on privately owned Palestinian land. The U.S. abstention Friday was a rare rebuke to Israel, reflecting mounting frustration in the Obama administration over settlement growth. With his time in office due to end in less than a month, Obamas decision not to veto was a last-minute symbolic statement of that displeasure and a sense of exasperation that the time has come for two states to be carved out of the contested land. Responding with a strongly worded statement, Netanyahu said the Obama administration had not only failed to protect Israel against this gang-up at the U.N., it has colluded with it behind the scenes. He said he looked forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump to negate the harmful effects of this absurd resolution. Media reports Sunday said Netanyahu had instructed Foreign Ministry officials to look into ways to overturn the resolution. Dore Gold, president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and until recently the director general of the Foreign Ministry, said it was possible to bring another resolution to supersede the previous one. This happened, he said, with a 1975 U.N. decision stating that Zionism is racism. It took nearly 20 years and a unique set of political circumstances, including the support of former U.S. president George H.W. Bush, to change that decision, Gold said. I cant speculate about the Trump administration, but I think his instincts about how this resolution damages peacemaking and negotiations are absolutely correct, said Gold, who served as Israels ambassador to the United Nations from 1997 to 1999. Netanyahus self-righteousness that this resolution is going to be changed or reversed by Trump is totally unfounded, said Alon Pinkas, a former diplomat and adviser to Israeli prime ministers. If he really thinks this can happen, then either he is panicking or plainly misleading. Pinkas said that while the resolution was unlikely to have any immediate consequences, in the long term it could set an international precedent on Israel and its settlements. Read more Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Maybe there was a Google Home speaker under your Christmas tree, or you decided to buy one yourself. Youve unpacked the device, asked Google a few quick questions, maybe even had the device tell you some jokes. Now youre wondering: What else can it do? A lot, actually. Google Home taps into Googles smarts, connects to a growing number of third-party services, and can even be taught some new tricks that the folks at Google didnt even think about. Here are just 10 tips for things to do with your new voice-controlled speaker: Control Netflix with your voice. Google Home works seamlessly in concert with Googles Chromecast video streaming adapter, as well as a growing number of TVs that have Chromecast built-in. Okay Google, play a video of baby pandas on your TV automatically starts a YouTube stream of cute little panda pups. However, YouTube voice search can be hit or miss, if only for the sheer size of YouTubes catalog. Okay Google, play Stranger Things from Netflix on TV. Courtesy of Netflix. Voice control for your television becomes even more useful with Netflix. To do this, simply connect your Netflix account to your Google account in the Google Home app (Settings > More Settings > Videos and Photos). After doing his once, you can simply say things like Okay Google, play The OA from Netflix on TV, and the device will oblige. You can even ask Google Home to pause playback, or skip back a minute if youve missed anything. Okay Google, add berries to my shopping list. Janko Roettgers / Variety Manage a family shopping list. Okay Google, add coffee to my shopping list automatically adds the item to a list called Google Assistant shopping list that can be accessed on your phone with the Google Keep app (available for both Android and iOS). Unfortunately, that list is only associated with the primary account holder that set up the Google Home device in the first place. However, theres an easy work-around to give everyone in your family access to the list: In Google Keep, simply select the three-dots button in the right corner of the list, select collaborator, and invite other family members to the list as well. Story continues Find your displaced phone. Ready to leave your home, but dont know where your phone is? Google Home can help if you first teach it a few extra tricks, that is. Out of the box, Google Home cant help locate mobile devices just yet, but once you link the device with a service called IFTTT, you can select a so-called recipe that will automatically call your number whenever you say Okay Google, find my phone. This requires getting an account for IFTTT, but as a reward, youll have access to a number of extra features, including posting updates to Facebook or Twitter simply by speaking to your Google Home device. Check if the drugstore is still open. Google Home cant just be queried for random bits of Google knowledge; it also taps into the information Google has saved about businesses and places in your town. Okay Google, check when the nearest CVS is closing can be extremely useful when you realize youve forgotten to buy something, and Okay Google, whats the traffic to CVS helps you to figure out whether youll actually make it before it closes. Okay Google, let me talk to Akinator. Courtesy of Elokence Play 20 questions. Google started to add support for third-party services earlier this month. These services actually come with a different voice its as if Google Home was connecting you to another person. One of the most entertaining ones can be triggered with the phrase Okay Google, let me talk to Akinator, and is basically the classic 20 questions game. Think of a celebrity, answer Akinators questions with yes or no, and in a couple of tries, it actually guesses who you were thinking of. Its impressive and fun at the same time. Beam your vacation photos to your TV. Google Home cant just control Netflix on your TV, its also a great voice control for Google Photos, the companys free cloud photo storage service. Google Photos has long relied on machine-learning technology to actually understand who and what is in every image. Combined with voice control, the results are close to magic. Okay Google, show me photos of lake Tahoe on TV. Courtesy of Google. Okay Google, show me photos from summer 2015 on TV results in great vacation slide shows, Okay Google, show me photos of my pets on TV is delightful, Okay Google, show me photos of snow on TV brings back memories, and Okay Google, show me photos of (name of a person) on TV can be truly heartwarming. Play podcasts. Google Home is a great podcast player. Not only does Okay Google, Play This American Life fire up the most recent episode of the show, but Google Home actually remembers if you have to interrupt your listening halfway through an episode. The next time you ask for that podcast, Google Home is going to start playing where you left off. There are also special commands to skip to a different episode and more. Whats more, theres a special playlist of constantly updated news podcasts accessible simply by saying Okay Google, tell me the news. You can personalize your news briefing in the Google Home app (Settings > More Settings > News). Order an Uber. After linking your Google and Uber accounts in the Google Home app (Settings > More Settings > Services), youll be able to request a ride with a simple Okay Google, get me an Uber. Okay Google, get me an Uber. Piotr Adamowicz / Shutterstock Google Home can even deliver updates on the car on its way to your house with Okay Google, wheres my Uber. And if you change your mind and decide to stay in after all, you can always say Okay Google, cancel my Uber. Use it as the ultimate music player. Google Home isnt just great for podcasts, its also the ultimate music player, and can tap directly into your Spotify, Google Music or Pandora account to play songs, playlists and genre-based mixes with voice commands like Okay Google, play some jazz. The experience becomes even better if you add Googles $35 Chromecast Audio adapter to the mix. Connect it to speakers and stereo systems around the house, and youll be able to blast your favorite tunes in every room, perfectly synchronized. Also great: Google Home also has Chromecast tech built-in, so you can use the Spotify, iHeartRadio or SoundCloud app on your phone to start playback of songs or shows on the device. Turn off the lights. Google Home can also be used to control a small but growing list of internet-connected appliances around your home. The best use case so far: lightbulbs like Philips Hue, which can not only be turned on and off, but even change color with commands like Okay Google, turn the living room purple. And at the end of the day, you wont have to walk around your house anymore to manually turn off the light in every room. Just say Okay Google, turn off all the lights, and youre done. Its so convenient you may even find yourself saying Okay Google, good night to stay on good terms with your new favorite electric roommate. Related stories Donald Trump Pep-Talks Tech Titans at CEO Summit Google Top Searches 2016: Pokemon Go, Prince, Donald Trump, iPhone 7 Why China Is Absent From Amazon Prime Video's Global Rollout VALLETTA, Malta (AP) Two Libyan men have been arraigned in a Maltese court on charges of hijacking a domestic Libyan flight to the Mediterranean island of Malta. Defendants Moussa Saha and Ahmed Ali each entered pleas of innocent and wore bulletproof vests in their appearance Sunday. They face up to life in prison. The hours-long hijacking standoff Friday at Valletta airport ended peacefully after negotiations. Those on board the hijacked Afriqiyah Airways plane returned to Libya on a different plane Saturday. Other charges include possession of imitation weapons, using violence against a person on a flight, holding people against their will, making threats of violence and attempting to cause financial or economic instability to a government. Afriqiyah Airways said the hijackers wanted to go to Rome but ended up in Malta due to fuel limitations. Goma (DR Congo) (AFP) - At least 22 civilians were killed in a massacre in Democratic Republic of Congo's restive North Kivu province, officials said Sunday, the latest in a two-year wave of violence plaguing the region. The bloodshed occurred in Eringeti, a town 55 kilometres (35 miles) north of the regional hub Beni, a city hit by a series of attacks that have claimed more than 700 civilian lives according to regional official Amisi Kalonda, who blamed the latest strike on Ugandan rebels. Kalonda said members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group of rebels dominated by puritanical Ugandan Muslims and entrenched in the region for about two decades, stormed the town on Saturday afternoon. "The ADF has yet again plunged the people of Eringeti and its surrounding areas into mourning," he told AFP, speaking from the North Kivu capital Goma. "Yesterday, they killed 10 civilians. Twelve other bodies were found (Sunday) in the surrounding villages." "The modus operandi is always the same," he said, adding that the victims were either killed with knives or machetes. For the past two years the region around Beni has been afflicted by massacres that have killed hundreds of civilians, most of whom were hacked to death. Congolese officials have blamed the attacks on the ADF but several expert reports have suggested that other groups, including elements within the Congolese army, took part in some killings. Congolese army spokesman Mak Hazukay confirmed the attack, saying military forces had "killed four ADF rebels" but added that "the toll on the civilian side is very heavy". Teddy Kataliki, the head of a prominent local civic group, also spoke of at least 22 victims. But a Catholic priest in the area said there had been 27 deaths and the toll could rise "if bodies are found in the forest" bordering the town. - 'Toll likely to rise' - The priest said the Christmas midnight mass was held in the afternoon before nightfall for security reasons. Story continues "Yesterday the bodies of 10 civilians were found and today another 12," Kataliki said, adding that this was a provisional toll. "We don't understand this situation which continues to bereave the region of Beni." Kataliki said another such attack was underway on Sunday evening in the town of Oicha, further south. An army spokesman said troops were engaged in an operation in the area but refused to provide further details. The priest however said, when contacted late Sunday, that the army "has pushed back the attackers". When the Beni massacres kicked off in October 2014, the ADF was quickly branded the culprit by both DR Congo authorities and MONUSCO, the UN mission in DR Congo. More than two years on, Congolese authorities and the UN have been unable to protect civilians and the ADF remains the only official explanation -- with the government insisting on a jihadist link to the killings. It comes as relations with the international community have soured over President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down despite his term ending on December 20. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) An Afghan official says that at least two Afghan civilians were killed by a roadside bomb in eastern Laghman province. Sarhadi Zwak, spokesman for the Laghman provincial governor, said the attack took place early Sunday morning near a shrine in Mihterlam, the provincial capital. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but Taliban insurgents routinely use roadside bombs to target Afghan security forces and government officials with civilians frequently caught in the crossfire. By Abdiqani Hassan and Feisal Omar BOSASSO, Somalia (Reuters) - Al Shabaab Islamist militants shot dead a military prosecutor in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region on Sunday, witnesses and officials said, the type of targeted killing that Al Qaeda-allied gunmen frequently commit throughout Somalia. Al Shabaab's insurgency aims to drive out African Union peacekeepers, topple Somalia's Western-backed government and impose its strict version of Islam on the Horn of Africa state. On Sunday, Abdikarim Hassan Firdiye was shot dead as he got out of his car outside a restaurant in Puntland's largest city, Bosasso. Just a few days ago, a regional official's aide was killed in a similar and targeted attack and, days before that, al Shabaab gunmen killed the region's deputy police commander outside a hotel. "Two teenagers armed with pistols shot him in the head after he got off his car," Hassan Ahmed, a waiter at the restaurant, told Reuters. "His bodyguards fired back but the killers had already disappeared by then," he said. Abdifatah Haji Aden, Chairman of Puntland's military court, said: "We believe it was the same militants who killed the other two officials last week that also killed him. We shall pursue them." Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the killing. "Today, we killed a prosecutor who had sentenced many teenagers - many boys and girls - to their deaths for alleged links to al Shabaab," said Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, the group's military operations spokesman. The al Shabaab insurgency persists in Somalia as the country struggles to restore order and rebuild infrastructure after more than two decades of conflict and chaos that have left the nation in tatters. Somalis have been voting for weeks for a new parliament and will vote for a new president on Dec. 28. (Writing by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Louise Ireland) By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Christians in Aleppo celebrated under a giant Christmas tree lit up for the first time in five years, hailing what many described as the return of peace to a city that came back under full government control last week. The fall of rebel-held east Aleppo was the biggest victory of Syria's nearly six-year-old civil war for supporters of President Bashar al-Assad, and many in pro-government parts of the city have been jubilant. However, the rebel defeat has also brought severe hardship on civilians who fled from insurgent-held areas, thousands of whom have been forced to camp in wilderness under the snow. Aid groups say many are in peril and children have died from exposure to severe winter weather. In the war ravaged St. Elias Cathedral located on what was long the frontline in Aleppo's historic Old City, priests prayed for peace at the first Christmas Eve Mass for five years, attended by dozens of worshippers, including some Russian officers. "The festive atmosphere is great. It's a new birth for Jesus Christ and a new birth for the city of Aleppo," said George Bakhash, a Christian community leader. He said the numbers attending mass across the city had surged, now that worshippers no longer feared missiles from rebel-held areas. Many Syrian Christians supported the government in the civil war, viewing Assad, a member of a Shi'ite-derived minority sect, as a protector against rebel fighters mainly drawn from Syria's Sunni Muslim majority. In the comparatively undamaged parts of the city that had long been held by the government, restaurants were thronged by Christians late into the night. Hundreds of people danced and celebrated in the Azizya neighbourhood, where the public Christmas tree had gone unlit since rebels took the eastern half of the city in 2012. Giant posters depicted Assad and his Christian ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin. In live footage shown on state television, a woman identified as the mother of slain Syrian soldier carried her son's picture alongside an image of the Virgin Mary. Story continues "I am sure his soul is in peace now because Aleppo has been liberated," she said. Although some Christians stayed on the sidelines of the civil war, many saw the rise of Islamic State and other Sunni Muslim insurgent groups as a threat to the very existence of their communities, some as old as the bible. The Christian population of Aleppo has shrunk since the start of the conflict to around 50,000 from 250,000 according to Bakhash. FIGHTING IN RURAL AREAS Outside the city, rebels still hold at least 40 percent of Aleppo province, and rebels have still fired sporadic shells from the fringes of the city to the south. Russian jets resumed heavy strikes on rebel-held rural areas of Aleppo province after a pause during a ceasefire to complete the evacuation of rebels from the city. A bombing raid in the rebel-held town of Atareb in western Aleppo countryside killed at least seven refugees who had fled from the city under the evacuation deal, a local resident said. Some people who fled east Aleppo earlier in the war have begun returning to inspect homes in neighbourhoods reduced to rubble by years of aerial bombing, which intensified last year when Russia joined the war. The army and pro-government militias are still combing parts of east Aleppo. Rebels accuse the pro-government forces of carrying out summary executions of scores of youths who stayed behind, and say looting has been rampant. The government denies its forces have executed prisoners or looted homes. Thousands of people who were bussed out of Aleppo's rebel-held eastern districts as they fell to government forces have ended up in makeshift camps exposed to severe winter weather. Many left everything behind as they fled under the evacuation deal, under which only mostly elderly people stayed. "We brought a few belongings just to wear.. We lost everything," Omar Sarout, 55, told Reuters by internet message from a makeshift camp for more than 700 people, mostly women and children, run by Turkish and Gulf charities. Yousef Hanbali, a carpenter who fled Aleppo for a makeshift camp in Idlib province, said his family hoped to reach Turkey to find work. "We need money. We left without anything," he said. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; additional reporting by Firas Maqdisi in Damascus; editing by Peter Graff) A collateral victim of the Syrian war, Aleppo soap has found a sanctuary far from the ruined city whose elegant souks, many now reduced to rubble, have made the coveted green bars for centuries. In an industrial zone on the outskirts of Paris, a Syrian master soapmaker is carrying on the tradition, mixing olive oil and laurel oil with water and lye to produce a deeply moisturising natural cleanser that has won devotees worldwide. The scent of laurel oil wafts through the corridors of the factory in Santeny, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) southeast of the French capital, where big blocks of soap are drying. Wearing white overalls, Hassan Harastani stirs a bubbling pea-green mixture in a giant cauldron while chatting with businessman Samir Constantini. Constantini, a trained doctor, began importing soap from Syria's historic second city in 2004 and later began producing the soap under the "Alepia" brand. His plan had been to open a soap factory on the outskirts of Aleppo with Harastani, a master of the art who learnt the trade from his father. But Syria's brutal civil war, which has made a smouldering ruin of much of Aleppo, laid waste to his plans. Harastani and his family fled the fierce fighting that turned the city into a global symbol of suffering. "We could no longer go to the factory because of the shelling and kidnappings," he said. With all but one or two of around 50 soap factories destroyed in Aleppo, Constantini and Harastini decided to start producing the soap on French soil. "We left our country, our houses, our businesses, our friends," Constantini says, counting off his losses with a sigh. "I used to have lots of customers, in Syria but also abroad, in France, Italy, Germany, the Gulf countries, South Korea, Japan, China," he says. "I was an ordinary person who loved his work and his family... It's the only profession I've known for over 35 years." - 'We will return' - On arriving in France, he resumed his trade, 4,000 kilometres from home. Story continues Constantini is adamant that the Made in France soap is still essentially Syrian. "If a top French chef opens a French restaurant in New York it remains French cuisine, not New York cuisine. It's the same for the soap. It is made by the master soapmaker Harastani and is, therefore, proper Aleppo soap," he argues. The entire soapmaking process -- from the selection and mixing of the oils and lye through to the drying and cutting -- is carried out according to family recipes dating back more than 3,000 years. "I am very proud to carry on this tradition," says Constantini. "The know-how is not being lost. It will endure despite what is happening in Syria." The nearly six-year war came to a head in the eastern part of Aleppo last week, as thousands of hungry, terrified residents began being bussed out of the city after weeks of bombings. For Constantini the war has mushroomed into a "world war" pitting global powers against each other in a scorched-earth battle for control of the Middle East. With no immediate end to the fighting in sight, he says the best thing he can do is "continue making this soap and hope that peace will return." Harastani says he does not know what the future holds but is "not so pessimistic". One thing is certain, he says. "We will return to Syria someday." Valletta (AFP) - The two men accused of using fake weapons to hijack a Libyan plane earlier this week with 117 people on board before diverting it to Malta appeared in court Sunday. Moussa Saha and Ali Ahmed Saleh pleaded not guilty in Valletta's law courts to a string of offences including hijacking a plane and threatening passengers. If convicted they face maximum sentences of life in jail. The Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320 was en route from Sabha in southern Libya to the capital Tripoli when it was taken over and forced to fly to Malta, sparking a four-hour runway standoff. While the two suspects were initially thought to have used a real grenade and at least one pistol to stage the hijacking, it later emerged that they had allegedly used fake weapons, a Maltese government statement said. The pair were escorted into the Christmas Day hearing under heavy armed security and the two men were wearing bullet proof vests. Through his lawyer, Moussa asked the court to allow him to communicate with his family and be allowed to pray. The presiding magistrate said usual practices and procedures should be followed. Sources close to the investigation told AFP that the men refused to answer any questions during their interrogations. They were remanded in custody. The case continues. Hijackings have become relatively rare since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States led to increased security on flights. CINCINNATI (AP) Prosecutors and attorneys have some studying ahead as they prepare for a redo of the trial of a former University of Cincinnati police officer accused of murder in a racially charged shooting case. With more than six months after the first trial to prepare for their courtroom rematch, there are potential advantages for both sides. Ric Simmons, an Ohio State University law professor and a former prosecutor, said prosecutors and attorneys will analyze what seemed to work and what didn't the first time. "In that sense, both sides can learn from mistakes," he said. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said prosecutors talked to jurors after the Nov. 12 mistrial and that a majority were ready to find Ray Tensing guilty on voluntary manslaughter and a few also voted to convict on murder. That persuaded Deters to try again on the same charges, although he said he needs to do better in presenting the case against Tensing. "I think that there were ways I could have couched my arguments differently," Deters said when announcing his decision. Defense attorney Stewart Mathews also expects to have some changes. "I think any time you do things twice, you do things differently," Mathews said after a Dec. 12 pretrial hearing. Simmons said the prosecution benefits from now having seen "the defense theory of the case" laid out in the first trial. Defense attorneys usually go into trials knowing more about how the state will try to prove its case because of pretrial evidence disclosure the defense is entitled to. But Simmons added that second trials can be tougher on prosecution witnesses defense attorneys can use their testimony from the first trial to point out contradictions as they try to "punch holes" in the state case to create reasonable doubt in jurors' minds. Jurors watched Tensing's body camera video of his July 19, 2015, confrontation with Sam DuBose, but the two sides offered opposing testimony about how it should be interpreted. They probably will consider ways to enhance their interpretations. Tensing's own appearance on the stand will also likely be deconstructed by both sides to develop different points to make if he testifies again. Story continues The Tensing case is among fatal police shooting cases in three states headed toward retrials next year after jurors were unable to reach verdicts. The prosecutors are bucking a tendency by many jurors across the country to give police officers the benefit of the doubt on split-second decisions to shoot. Judge Leslie Ghiz on Dec. 14 imposed a gag order in the Tensing case, citing "unprecedented and extensive media coverage" as she tries to limit pretrial publicity that could make it more difficult to seat a jury for the May 25 trial. She said she intends to keep the case in Hamilton County, although Deters said earlier he'd like to move it to another county to get jurors away from intense local attention that might have "seeped into the jury room" in the first trial. In South Carolina, former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager, like Tensing, is a white officer charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of a black motorist during a 2015 traffic stop. In New Mexico, retired Albuquerque Detective Keith Sandy still faces a second-degree murder count in the shooting of a mentally disturbed homeless man during a 2014 standoff. A special prosecutor dropped charges against another former officer, Dominique Perez, following their October mistrial, but the incoming district attorney said recently he plans to make final decisions on whether to retry both men soon after he takes office next month. Both Tensing and Slager testified they feared for their lives. Defense attorneys in the New Mexico case argued that the police shooting was justified after the homeless man, carrying two small knives, made a move toward a K-9 handler. Philip Stinson, a Bowling Green (Ohio) State University criminologist who tracks police shooting cases, counts 78 officers charged with murder or manslaughter in on-duty shootings since the beginning of 2005. There have been 27 convictions on at least one charge so far, 14 in jury trials. Only one jury conviction was for murder. There have been 15 jury acquittals. ___ Associated Press writer Mary Hudetz contributed in Albuquerque. ___ Follow Dan Sewell at http://www.twitter.com/dansewell For some of his other recent stories: http://bigstory.ap.org/content/dan-sewell Koh Phangan (Thailand) (AFP) - For many ravers on the tropical oasis of Koh Phangan, the origins of the Thai island's debauched full moon parties are as hazy as their memories of the beach bash the next morning. Yet Sutti Kursakul, a middle-aged island native with a distinctive black moustache, claims he not only remembers the first moonlit party but organised it. "I held the first full moon party in around 1988. It was a farewell to my Australian friend," Sutti told AFP as neon-clad tourists flowed in and out of his bar, vibing to house music. What started as a monthly gathering for spiritually inclined trance fans in the 1990s has since exploded into a world-famous monument to hedonism. Up to 30,000 people, mostly young western backpackers, descend on Haad Rin beach each month to guzzle buckets of booze, knock back drugs and jump through hoops of fire -- an increasingly perilous beachside activity as the evening's intoxication takes hold. Now thumping electronic dance music has replaced the psy-trance beats of the 90s, while a cottage industry of neon clothing and body paint vendors has turned the beach into a one-stop shop for the party faithful. And they keep on coming. That is despite junta-run Thailand's political woes and the October death of beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which was followed by a month-long "toning down" of the kingdom's normally wild nightlife. Through a decade of military coups and curfews, Thailand's buoyant tourist industry has kept the economy afloat. Thailand has already welcomed more than a record 30 million tourists in 2016. They are expected to rake in more than $68.5 billion, a figure that will represent 17 percent of the economy. - Can't stop the rave - Over the years the full moon party has often been cast as a depraved, crime-ridden drug fest where foreigners trash their idyllic surroundings and take excessive risks. "The western media is so negative," said Sharon Kahatai, an Israeli hostel owner who made the island his home nearly a decade ago. Story continues "I think the full moon (party) is an amazing project. I don't know if there are other projects like that which bring young people, 18 to 22, from all around the world to be together." Some old-school ravers say the notoriety and commercialism are changing the event for the worse. But Sutti insists the spirit is the same. "Nothing has changed about the full moon party -- just more people," he told AFP, stressing how the revellers bring crucial cash into the pockets of locals. Thai tourism authorities want to lure wealthier visitors to the kingdom. But hedonistic fixtures of Thailand's nightlife such as the full moon party appear safe. Cyclical crackdowns on Thailand's freewheeling party scene never seem to stick and the beach rave shows no signs of slowing down. "It's obviously popular with many people," said Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, the public relations director of Tourism Authority of Thailand. He said budget travellers still have an important role to play, despite efforts to develop Thailand as a luxury travel destination. While backpackers may be short on cash, they have pull especially online. "In this world of social media, they see a lot, they share what they see, and we're happy," he told AFP. By Adam Jourdan SHANGHAI (Reuters) - When her father's lung cancer worsened, Yin Min, a 51-year-old financial broker from Shanghai, faced a choice: pay nearly $3,000 a month for an approved drug or pay a fraction of the price for a generic drug not approved for use in China. Yin, like many families in China, turned to the increasingly popular, unregulated market of online pharmacies, agents and peer groups for drugs. She bought a generic version of Iressa, not approved for use in China, directly from a manufacturer in India. "With this sort of misfortune, it's hard to put into words the financial pressure you feel," Yin told Reuters. Of 30 cancer patients interviewed by Reuters over the past year, two thirds took routes similar to Yin's, pushed by China's high drug prices and a lack of access to newer drugs. The patients were aged between 32 and 81, had varying income levels and suffered from a variety of cancers. There is no official data on how many cancer patients in China turn to unregulated channels, but research indicates an increase globally in the use of gray and counterfeit markets. Liu Xuemei, a 61-year-old carcinoma patient from Beijing, said she went through a pharmacy agent to get a cheaper alternative to the approved Zadaxin, while Zhao Xiaohua, who has lung cancer, said he found a cheaper treatment through a patients group recommended by his doctor. Patients Reuters spoke to said doctors often turn a blind eye to them accessing drugs through the gray market, and some actively help them do this. Medicines bought through unofficial channels are not necessarily harmful, and some of the Indian generics available online are approved for use in other markets. But they can include drugs that are ineffective or fake. The reason patients in China turn to these unregulated channels are largely financial. Low average salaries, a chasm between urban and rural wealth, and creaking state reimbursement schemes mean serious disease is among the leading causes of poverty, creating a major social burden and rising debt. In Yin's case, the generic drug she bought was 13 times less expensive than the China-approved branded Tarceva. But Chinese also turn to unofficial channels because of bottlenecks in China's drug approvals, which pharmaceutical executives say can mean drugs lag markets like the United States by 5-10 years. China requires all new drugs to be tested and approved in the country, but has a shortage of specialists for this work. The national drug reimbursement list, the main catalog of medicines covered by state health insurance, is being updated for the first time since 2009. That means even if a drug has been approved, patients can often only access it if they pay for it themselves. China's health ministry did not respond to Reuters' questions about patients turning to unregulated channels to buy medicines, or the lack of access to new drugs. The high cost of drugs is not confined to China, and there has been a jump globally in so-called 'buyers clubs' informal patient groups sourcing drugs via the grey market to help those with HIV and hepatitis access drugs at more affordable prices. LIMITED OPTIONS China last year had four million new cancer cases, according to official data, and the nation's personal healthcare bill is set to soar almost fourfold to 12.7 trillion yuan ($1.84 trillion) by 2025, according to Boston Consulting Group. For many Chinese, being left outside the health system at a time of need is in sharp contrast to the 'iron rice bowl' concept of state benefits and guarantees for life. "If we can't buy the drug in China or we can't afford to buy it, then what other options do we have?" asked Duan Guangping, a banker in Chongqing, whose mother got lung cancer in 2011. He bought a drug for her from Bangladesh. China has sought to increase insurance coverage for serious diseases, and encourage drug makers to lower their prices to gain better market access. It has also tried to speed up the regulatory approval process by thinning out the waiting list, forcing manufacturers to withdraw new drugs where trial data isn't strong enough. But change has been slow. "A lot of new oncology drugs were approved in the U.S. and UK, but in China there's a 5-7 year delay," said Li Tiantian, a former doctor and founder of medical platform DXY.com. "A lot of patients with cancer cannot wait." The overall 5-year survival rate for cancer in China is just over 30 percent, less than half the level in the United States, according to Deutsche Bank. LEGAL RISK Turning to unofficial channels can also carry a legal risk. Leukemia patient Lu Yong, a prominent member of a local 'buyers club', was arrested last year and charged with selling unapproved drugs and credit card fraud. He was later released after a public outcry. In 2004, after buying a generic version of Iressa from India, Lu helped set up an online group for leukemia patients, who wanted the same drugs he was getting at a fraction of the price of the approved drug in China. The generic started at around 3,000 yuan ($435) and the price slowly dropped over the years, Lu said - to a long way below the price of the approved drug from AstraZeneca . "There was no other option, so we took this path even though what we were doing was against the law," Lu told Reuters before his arrest. Lu declined to comment to Reuters after his release, but in his earlier interview he said he never profited from the transactions and only helped other patients to make the complicated overseas payments. "It's because of problems with China's public health insurance system that so many seriously ill patients aren't able to survive," he said then. (Reporting by Adam Jourdan and SHANGHAI newsroom; Editing by Ian Geoghegan) Qaraqosh (Iraq) (AFP) - Iraqi Christians celebrated a bittersweet Christmas in a town near Mosul from which they had fled over two years before, in a church still marred by damaged crosses and jihadist graffiti. Sunday's mass at the Mar Yohanna church in Qaraqosh east of Mosul brought residents home for Christmas, but did not change the fact that they are still displaced and longing to return permanently. "This feeling is indescribable... we were waiting for it," Imama Behnan, one of the worshippers, said of the mass, the church bell ringing as she spoke. But she later began crying over what was lost when the Islamic State jihadist group overran the area in 2014, prompting its population to flee en masse. "I am crying for Qaraqosh, crying for our house, for our place," said Behnan, who wore a scarf wrapped around her head and a crucifix around her neck. IS "forced us from our houses and stole our money, and after we returned, after the liberation, we saw that they burned (the houses)," she said. Iraqi forces recaptured Qaraqosh from IS as part of a massive military operation aimed at retaking Mosul, the last jihadist-held city in the country, which was launched on October 17. But when Behnan saw her town for the first time in some two and a half years, it was not the happy scene for which she had hoped. "We were waiting for liberation, but not this liberation. We were waiting to return and see our houses gleaming, but unfortunately, we saw that they were all burned," Behnan said. Before the mass, Christian militiamen with Kalashnikov assault rifles slung over their backs swept the area around the church, while others cleaned dust off long-disused pews inside. But some damage could not be so easily erased. The bell tower is missing part of its facade and is surrounded by a pile of rubble, while an image of the Virgin Mary inside the church and a statue of her nearby have been defaced. - 'Need to return' - Story continues A toppled cross lies on the roof of the church, while part of another on the wall behind the altar has been broken off. And graffiti is still present on some inside walls, including a line that reads "In memory of the soldiers of the Islamic caliphate", and a partly obscured IS slogan: "The Islamic State remains." But in Qaraqosh, IS ultimately did not remain, making it possible for Christmas mass to be held, albeit with security forces deployed around the church. "It brings back memories. It was two years for us that we did not attend mass here," said worshipper Rassen Yohanna. "It feels... like a real Christmas," he said. Yohanna said he hopes to return home to live in Qaraqosh. It "is our land and our country and our area", Yohanna said, adding: "Any person hopes to return to his area." Father Yonan Hanno, who served at Mar Yohanna church prior to the IS assault, said he hopes the mass will be a new beginning, but that the area must be stabilised before true recovery can begin. "God willing, this mass will be the beginning of new hope, especially because this mass is on Christmas," Hanno told AFP. But much remains to be done. "Today, we are happy about the liberation, but this liberation is not enough for the return. Today, security forces are still heavily present in our areas, our area is almost considered a military area," Hanno said. "If the area is truly stabilised, the people will begin to return to their houses, because there are many people who need to return to their areas to again feel at ease and secure in their homes." By Hyunjoo Jin SEOUL (Reuters) - Headed for a fourth straight annual profit decline, Hyundai Motor is trimming its cost fat; scaling back on business class flights and annual family home trips for overseas employees, executives told Reuters. The South Korean automaker has been hit by its exposure to weak emerging markets, and a product line-up that features more sedans than sport utility vehicles, just as SUVs have become more popular across many global markets. The belt-tightening - which also includes cutting back on printing and fluorescent light bulbs - aims to buy Hyundai time to prepare new models and a design revamp. "We're trying to address a mismatch between the market trend and our product line-up," said one Hyundai insider, referring to a need for more SUV models. "That's a longer term plan. For now we're trying to save every penny," he said, declining to be identified because the plans are not public. Since October, Hyundai Motor Group executives have taken a 10 percent pay cut, the first such move in seven years. The number of executives at Hyundai Motor alone has risen by 44 percent in five years, to 293 last year. The group has also downgraded hotel rooms for executive travel, and is encouraging video conferencing as a cheaper alternative to travel, insiders said. "We're in emergency management mode," said another insider, who didn't want to be named as he is not authorized to speak to the media. In a response to Reuters for this article, Hyundai Motor said it is "making various cost-saving efforts", with shrinking global demand and growing business uncertainty, but did not elaborate. Other costs, such as low-margin supplier parts and labor at the heavily-unionized automaker, are tougher to pare back, said Ko Tae-bong, analyst at Hi Investment & Securities, noting Hyundai needs also to spend more on research and development in self-driving and other new technologies. While Hyundai remains cash-rich, its costs as a proportion of revenue have risen for five straight years, to 81 percent so far this year, regulatory filings show. Story continues "Cutting expenses are stopgap measures, and won't do much to improve its bottom line," Ko said, calling them more "symbolic". SALES DECLINE Hyundai grew quickly after the global financial crisis, with brisk sales of its Sonata and Elantra sedans. It was the only major automaker to increase sales in the United States in 2009. But it has struggled to maintain that momentum as rivals' sales of SUVs have boomed and emerging market economies have weakened. Hyundai Motor shares have fallen 40 percent in the past three years, the worst performer among global automakers. The automaker's top U.S. executive has resigned, and the South Korea sales chief and China head have been replaced. Sales of Hyundai cars, and those of its affiliate Kia Motors , could drop to 8 million this year, a first decline since Hyundai bought its smaller domestic rival in 1998, said Ko, the analyst. For next year, Hyundai-Kia Executive Vice President and research head Park Hong-jae, expects sales to pick up again. "It was a difficult year this year. Things will get better," he told reporters on Thursday, citing recovery in markets such as Brazil and Russia. Another Hyundai source said the group has trimmed its preliminary 2017 sales target to 8.2 million vehicles, from 8.35 million forecast in mid-year. MORE SUVS While it looks to manage its staff budget, Hyundai is beefing up its SUV offerings, freshening up its Sonata sedan, and redirecting exports from slow-demand markets such as the Middle East to the United States. In the United States, SUVs accounted for 28 percent of Hyundai's sales in January-November, up from 23 percent a year earlier, according to Autodata Corp, but less than half the industry average. At its plant in Montgomery, Alabama, Hyundai has replaced some Sonata production with its popular Santa Fe SUV. Next year, Hyundai will look to plug a gap in its SUV offerings for developed markets by making a sub-compact model - under the project name "OS" - in South Korea for sale at home, in the United States and Europe, people inside the company said. Hyundai makes sub-compact SUVs locally in China, India and Russia. "We need that small SUV in the U.S, much sooner than later," Scott Fink, one of Hyundai's biggest U.S. dealers, told Reuters. In sedans, Hyundai is pushing sales of bigger, higher-margin models like the Azera, or Grandeur, and its Genesis luxury line. Its smaller sedans, including the Elantra and Sonata, have lost ground to rivals like Honda Motor's Civic, which one Hyundai executive said has "wowing design". Hyundai is working on a next generation of cars with "a different flair" to hit the market from 2019, Luc Donckerwolke, senior vice president for design, told Reuters on the sidelines of a recent event. The biggest holder of Hyundai Motor preferred shares, the Norway-based Skagen Kon-Tiki fund, expects the automaker to get back on track over the next couple of years, with new SUVs, recovering emerging market currencies and better plant utilization. Knut Harald Nilsson, the fund's lead portfolio manager, reckons Hyundai's margins should recover to above 7 percent over that period, from 6 percent earlier this year, but are unlikely to return to the 10 percent levels of a few years ago "anytime soon". (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; editing by Tony Munroe and Ian Geoghegan) By Philip Noble SANDRINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth, 90, missed a traditional Christmas church service on Sunday for the first time in decades due to a heavy cold, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said. Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning living monarch, and her husband Prince Philip, 95, both suffering what the Palace described as heavy colds this week, delayed the journey to their Sandringham country residence in eastern England by a day, travelling there by helicopter on Thursday. The queen has attended the Christmas service at the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene in Sandringham every year since the family started celebrating Christmas there in 1988. Before then, the family spent Christmas at Windsor where Elizabeth attended a service since the mid-1960s. It was unclear if Elizabeth had ever missed a Christmas Day service before. Philip was driven to church and walked in unaided, a Reuters photographer said, while Prince Charles, heir to the throne, walked to the church with his wife Camilla and other members of the family. "The queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery," a palace spokesman said. "Her Majesty will participate in the Royal Family Christmas celebrations during the day." Elizabeth's other children, Anne, Andrew and Edward attended along with Prince Harry, Charles's second son. Prince William, second-in-line to the throne, was spending Christmas with the parents of his wife, Kate. After more than six decades on the throne, the Queen has cut back on international tours but still regularly performs official duties around Britain, although she said on Tuesday she would reduce such visits. While Elizabeth's father, George VI, died at the relatively young age of 56, her mother, known as Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, lived until 101 and was still appearing in public almost up until her death in 2002. "GREAT LOVE" Elizabeth has maintained the popularity of the monarchy despite years of political, social and cultural change since she became Queen Elizabeth II on Feb. 6, 1952, aged just 25. In a pre-recorded Christmas broadcast, she invoked the example of Jesus and quoted the words of Mother Teresa to praise those who she said did small things with love. "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love," Elizabeth said. "It's understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems are so big that we can do little to help." "On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine." Elizabeth, the symbolic head of the Church of England, noted that despite Jesus's humble beginnings and maligned life, billions of people - including her - rely on his teachings and draw inspiration from his example. The Times reported on Wednesday that Philip carried out more public engagements last year than did his grandsons William and Harry, and William's wife Kate combined. (Additional reporting by Adela Suliman; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Louise Ireland and Robin Pomeroy) NAIROBI (Reuters) - Burundi has halted legal action against 11 non-governmental organisations that were banned due to accusations they conspired with opponents of President Pierre Nkurunziza, the prosecutor general's office said on Saturday. Nkurunziza's government has often accused civil society groups of working against it during a crisis that erupted last year over his disputed election for a third term. About 450 people have been killed in political violence. "The Prosecutor General of the Republic informs the national and international community that he has terminated judicial proceedings against some civil society organizations," Prosecutor General Sylvestre Nyandwi said in a statement. It said the NGOs and non-profit groups had been suspended from operating in order to investigate "their share of responsibility in the insurgency movement launched in April 2015". The 11 organisations authorised to reopen include the Observatory for Government Action (OAG), which opposed Nkurunziza's plan to seek another term in office on the grounds that the move was unconstitutional. Opponents of the president said his re-election also violated a deal that ended a civil war in 2005. The government, however, cites a ruling by the constitutional court saying the president could seek another term. It also dismisses allegations of human rights abuses. Most of the groups' leaders have fled the country fearing for their safety, and a representative of one of the entities told Reuters conditions remained difficult. "It is hard to reopen and work as long as there are no acceptable conditions for us to fulfil our mission," the representative said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The violence in Burundi has alarmed a region where memories of the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda remain raw. Like Rwanda, Burundi has an ethnic Hutu majority and a Tutsi minority. (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Helen Popper) By Daniel Trotta and Bob Chiarito NEW YORK/CHICAGO, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Fans of Hollywood actress Carrie Fisher said they were saddened that the "Star Wars" star was hospitalized but also inspired by the appearance of a young Princess Leia in the most recent installment of the cinematic space saga. Fisher, 60, suffered heart problems during a flight on Friday from London to Los Angeles, and as of Saturday was in critical condition and undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of an L.A. hospital, her brother Todd Fisher said. Todd Fisher did not respond to requests for an update to her condition on Sunday, and a spokeswoman for the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center has declined to comment, citing patient confidentiality laws. After celebrity friends and co-stars wished her well on Saturday, many fans went to a Christmas Day screening of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," in which a digital replica of the young Princess Leia appears on screen at the end. "It's kind of surreal that this movie is coming out now and to think of Carrie Fisher/Princess Leia having a heart attack, it's pretty terrifying," Mike Rosenberg, 28, who works in finance, said at a Times Square cinema. "It's Christmas Day. I'm sure everyone has her in their heart today." The audience gasped when seeing Princess Leia, said Heather Kemp, a 44-yer-old attorney who had just seen "Rogue One" in a Times Square cinema. "It was sad and it was inspiring at the same time," Kemp said. "Whenever you see any of the characters like C3PO and R2D2, there were reactions. But yeah, definitely for her." The Princess Leia character, who was courageous and a capable fighter as well as glamorous, was a role model for Kemp when she first saw the original movie. "She's spunky," Kemp said. At least one fan in the Chicago suburb of Skokie expressed optimism for Fisher by attributing Leia-like abilities to the actress. "She's a warrior and will pull through," said Alexa Mullally, 38. "I grew up watching Star Wars and adored Princess Leia." Story continues At another screening in Evanston, Gary Mendel, 50, summed up the feelings of many fans who saw a long list of beloved celebrities die in 2016. "I'm hoping 2016 took enough of our idols and will let her recover," Mendel said. Fisher appeared as Leia in the original trilogy from 1977 to 1983 and reprised the role last year in Disney's reboot of the "Star Wars" franchise, "The Force Awakens," when the character carried the title of General Leia Organa in the rebel alliance. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta in New York and Bob Chiarito in Chicago; Editing by Sandra Maler) By Daniel Trotta and Bob Chiarito NEW YORK/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Hollywood actress Carrie Fisher was in stable condition, her mother Debbie Reynolds said on Sunday, after the "Star Wars" star suffered a cardiac episode two days earlier on a flight from London to Los Angeles. "Carrie is in stable condition. If there is a change, we will share it. For all her fans and friends, I thank you for your prayers and good wishes," Reynolds said on Twitter. Fans of the actress who famously portrayed Princess Leia in "Star Wars" said they were saddened by the 60-year-old's illness and hospitalization. But they said they were inspired by the appearance of a young Princess Leia in the saga's most recent movie playing in theaters this weekend. Fisher suffered heart problems shortly before her flight landed in Los Angeles on Friday and received emergency treatment on the plane before she was rushed to a hospital. A stable condition would be an upgrade from Friday, when her brother, Todd Fisher, said she was in critical condition. The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center has declined to comment, citing patient confidentiality laws. The daughter of a Hollywood power couple, movie star Reynolds and entertainer Eddie Fisher, she achieved her own fame portraying Princess Leia in the cinematic space saga launched in 1977. After celebrity friends and co-stars wished her well on Saturday, many fans went to a Christmas Day screening of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," in which a digital replica of the young Princess Leia appears on screen at the end. "It's kind of surreal that this movie is coming out now and to think of Carrie Fisher/Princess Leia having a heart attack, it's pretty terrifying," Mike Rosenberg, 28, who works in finance, said at a Times Square cinema. "It's Christmas Day. I'm sure everyone has her in their heart today." The audience gasped when seeing Princess Leia, said Heather Kemp, a 44-yer-old attorney who had just seen "Rogue One" in a Times Square cinema."It was sad and it was inspiring at the same time," Kemp said. "Whenever you see any of the characters like C3PO and R2D2, there were reactions. But yeah, definitely for her." Story continues The Princess Leia character, who was courageous and a capable fighter as well as glamorous, was a role model for Kemp when she first saw the original movie. "She's spunky," Kemp said. At least one fan in the Chicago suburb of Skokie expressed optimism for Fisher by attributing Leia-like abilities to the actress. "She's a warrior and will pull through," said Alexa Mullally, 38. "I grew up watching Star Wars and adored Princess Leia." At another screening in Evanston, Gary Mendel, 50, summed up the feelings of many fans who saw a long list of beloved celebrities die in 2016. "I'm hoping 2016 took enough of our idols and will let her recover," Mendel said. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta in New York and Bob Chiarito in Chicago; Editing by Sandra Maler and Mary Milliken) China's navy sent its sole aircraft carrier into the Pacific for the first time, state media reported -- a move likely to ratchet up regional tensions. The duration of the drill and the route of the flotilla were not known. But the Soviet-made carrier is based in the northeastern city of Dalian, suggesting the fleet would enter the Pacific through a disputed island chain between Taiwan and Japan. "A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning, headed towards the West Pacific on Saturday for scheduled blue-water training," Xinhua said Saturday, citing China's navy spokesperson Liang Yang. Japan's defence ministry confirmed eight Chinese vessels, including the carrier and three destroyers, had been spotted by one of its ships in the central part of the East China Sea on Saturday afternoon. In recent days the Liaoning has been involved in exercises in the Yellow Sea, with J-15 fighter jets taking off from it and conducting air refuelling and combat drills, Xinhua said. Earlier in the month the Liaoning led large-scale exercises in the Bohai Sea that included live ammunition for the first time. State broadcaster CCTV in mid-December showed images of fighter jets taking off from the aircraft carrier, with targets exploding into flames and missiles releasing long trails of smoke. Tokyo controls the string of uninhabited islands known as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China that are also claimed by Beijing and Taipei. The Chinese navy drills are seen as a show of strength by Beijing at a time of rising tensions with Taiwan and the United States following a protocol-breaking telephone conversation between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and US President-elect Donald Trump. China views Taiwan as a renegade province and fiercely opposes diplomatic recognition of it as a country. Beijing is seeking to modernise and upgrade its military both to protect its borders and project power into regions such as the South China Sea, a resource-rich strategic waterway where it has disputes with several neighbours. Last Tuesday the Chinese navy returned a US underwater probe it had seized in the South China Sea, where competing territorial claims have heightened tensions in the region. In December 2015, the ministry of defence announced plans for Beijing to build its second aircraft carrier. Astronauts Peggy Whitson, Shane Kimbrough and Thomas Pesquet discuss Christmas on the International Space Station. NASA Today, astronauts on the International Space Station will celebrate the day in many of the same ways that people on Earth celebrate the holiday relaxing, talking to friends and family, and sharing a special meal. But they do it all while weightlessly floating inside a laboratory that's whizzing around the Earth at 17,500 mph (28,000 kilometers/hour). Astronauts at the space station even have gifts from home to open this morning. The gifts were sent to space earlier this month inside a Japanese cargo supply ship. Because the spacecraft goes around the Earth every 92 minutes, its occupants will see about 15 sunrises throughout the day. That's 15 Christmas mornings in less than 24 hours! Instead of waking up and getting straight to work, like they did on Thanksgiving, the astronauts will enjoy the day off for Christmas. NASA spokesman Dan Huot told Space.com that the astronauts usually get Sundays off anyway, so this year they'll have Monday (Dec. 26) off as well. [Holidays in Space: An Astronaut Photo Album] As is tradition, the astronauts sent Christmas wishes down from space this week in preparation for the worldwide holiday. On Tuesday (Dec. 20), NASA shared a video in which three of the six crewmembers aboard the station talked about what the holiday means to them and what's on the dinner menu, of course. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet rocks a classic Santa hat in the video. In that weightless environment, though, his hat takes on the pointy shape of one you'd find on an elf or a lawn gnome. At least it didn't float away from his head. Kudos to Pesquet for sporting his Christmas spirit! Pesquet talked about his big family back home in France, where his grandmother would usually cook huge meals for him and his 25 cousins. "I won't be able to be there of course but I'll think of them. I'll try to give them a call and catch up as much as I can and make the most of this opportunity to look at the Earth and reflect about what Christmas means to us, to individuals, to the world in general, and I think we'll have a good time on board the ISS and share a Christmas meal together," Pesquet said. [Space Christmas: Festive Photos of Cosmic Beauty] Story continues Their meal will consist of many of the same foods Americans eat during the holidays turkey, green beans, potatoes, cornbread stuffing and fruit salad. But instead of using plates, theyll be eating out of cans and pouches. The astronauts even get to enjoy some gingerbread cookies, chocolate cake and hot cocoa for dessert. [Space Food Photos: What Astronauts Eat in Orbit] Astronauts aboard the International Space Station show off their Christmas dinner. NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson sends a package of dehydrated mashed potatoes floating in microgravity while holding packets of cider and hot cocoa. NASA astronaut and ISS commander Shane Kimbrough holds packages with turkey, fruit salad, green beans and potatoes. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet looks on in a weightless Santa hat. NASA Besides the traditional American holiday fare, Pesquet has some "French delicacies" to share with his crewmates: chicken supreme with morels and ox tongue, for example. From the subtle looks on his face, American astronaut and ISS commander Shane Kimbrough seemed a bit skeptical about trying the foreign foods Pesquet discusses in the video. NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson was also in the video. "I think being on board the ISS gives us a slightly different perspective of Christmas," she said. "Obviously friends and family are important to all of us. But besides funny hats there is another very important aspect of being on [the] ISS, and thats seeing the planet as a whole, and it actually reinforces, I think, that the fact that we should live as one people and strive for peace." Email Hanneke Weitering at hweitering@space.com or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebookand Google+. Original article on Space.com. Editor's Recommendations KINSHASA (Reuters) - An ethnic Nande militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least 13 Hutu civilians on Sunday with guns and machetes in an apparent revenge attack for the deaths of Nande civilians last week, a local activist said. Tit-for-tat massacres by Hutu and Nande militia in eastern Congo's North Kivu province have killed dozens this year. Relations between the communities have worsened due to population movements and operations by the Congolese army against the largest Hutu militia in the area. Militia violence across the country has spiked in the last week, raising fears that political instability over President Joseph Kabila's tenure could stoke a surge in localized conflicts by creating a local security vacuum. Mai Mai Mazembe, a predominantly Nande militia, attacked the town of Nyanzale early on Sunday morning, Innocent Gasigwa, spokesman for the Civil Society of Rutshuru territory, said, adding that two militiamen were also killed. "This must be the response for last time," Gasigwa said, referring to an attack on Thursday by Nyatura, an ethnic Hutu militia, that killed at least 17 civilians in a nearby village. An army spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment. At least 40 people died last week in protests against President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down at the end of his constitutional mandate last Tuesday. The government says he will remain in office until an election can be organized in 2018. Mediators from the country's Catholic church hope talks between Kabila's ruling coalition and the main opposition bloc will produce a deal by Friday that would see Kabila step down after an election in late 2017. African and Western powers fear the violence could spark another major conflict in the massive central African nation where millions died between 1996 and 2003 during regional wars and which has never experienced a peaceful transition of power. (Reporting by Aaron Ross; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Robin Pomeroy) Donald Trump President-elect Trump's election victory shocked the world, as he defied the odds (and the polls) to come out on top. A lot has been written about how and why this happened, with some putting the shock election result down to Russian hackers or CIA Director James Comey. One factor that hasn't been discussed a great deal is the housing market. But, according to Markus Schomer, chief economist of PineBridge Investments, the prolonged effects of the financial crisis exacerbated economic issues, which in turns impacted the election result. "The reason Trump won was because of a part of the country where some of the benefits of the Obama economy havent been felt sufficiently," Schomer said in an interview with Markets Insider. "We have seen a lot of the manufacturing jobs leaving and no new jobs being created." Theres an inequality between the jobs that have been lost in the old manufacturing hubs - places like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan - and the new jobs created in places like California. Markus Schomer 2 This inequality was then exacerbated by a lingering problem in the housing market. "Before the great financial market crisis, housing was always a very liquid asset," said Schomer. "If you lose your job in Ohio, you sell your house and move to California, because thats where all the jobs are. Because of the housing crisis, so many people have been so underwater with their mortgage that they couldnt do that." Schomer said: "For the past six years, that typical mobility that we had in the US, where people would go where the jobs are, has been lost. At the same time, the jobs being created arent the kind of jobs that everyone can do. The people who lose their jobs in one industry can no longer just transfer it easily to another industry. Theres a cyclical element here, which is the housing story, and a structural element, that the skill sets are not easily transferable anymore." Geographic mobility within the US has decreased over the past several decades. According to a report by Liberty Street Economics published in October, the percentage of the working-age population (those between 25 and 59) that moved to a different state in a given year stood at 1.5% in 2010, down from 3% in the 1980s. Story continues "The idea of moving across state borders for a job has been woven into the fabric of the American Dream," the report said. "However, the image of the United States as a mobile nation has changed substantially over recent decades." Those in middle America are also much more likely to believe that their homes haven't increased in value. This chart by the Federal Reserve shows that US homeowners clustered on the coast are the ones that disproportionately feel that the value of their homes have increased. Middle America, where a lot of the jobs have been lost and for whom labor mobility is the most important, are more disullusioned about what their homes are worth. Screen Shot 2016 12 23 at 11.50.40 AM There was no policy to address these cyclical and structural rifts under the Obama presidency, according to Schomer. "Thats the one thing that was missing in the last administration," said Schomer, "there was no policy to address the job shortfall in places like Pennsylvania and Ohio. Maybe it should be the state government that does that, but the federal government never developed a strategy." NOW WATCH: Watch Yellen explain why the Federal Reserve decides to raise rates More From Business Insider - By Alberto Abaterusso Credit Suisse (CS) and Deutsche Bank (DB) have reached an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department according to which the two banks have to pay a financial penalty due to irregularities related to sale of subprime lending in 2005 and 2007. In order to close the dispute, Credit Suisse has to pay $5.3 billion and Deutsche Bank has to pay $7.2 billion. In addition, the Swiss bank will have to pay $2.48 billion in financial penalties and it has been held responsible for the damages to consumers. Credit Suisse must pay $2.8 billion in compensation for these financial damages over a period of five years. On Dec. 22, Credit Suisse Group AG, the Swiss international financial services holding company that runs the Credit Suisse Bank, closed at $14.85, down 8 cents from the previous trading day, with 2,904,838 shares traded on the NYSE. The stock is more volatile than the overall market with a beta of 1.34 and lost 31.53% year to date. Credit Suisse Group was outperformed by the S&P 500 with 42.28%. The 52-week range is between $10.01 and $22.22. Credit Suisse has a market capitalization of $31.59 billion and a volume of 2.09 billion shares outstanding, of which approximately 93.8% can be traded on the NYSE. Credit Suisse Group had $378.15 billion in cash on hand and $282.67 billion in total debt, as of the most recent quarter. The book value per share is $20.85. Among the top institutional holders of Credit Suisse Group, Brandes Investment Partners L.P. and Earnest Partners LLC stand out with 6,558,941 shares and 6,159,963 shares as of Sept. 30. On Dec. 22, Deutsche Bank closed at $18.63, up 9 cents from the previous trading day, with 8,607,428 shares traded on the NYSE. The stock lost 22.83% year to date. Deutsche Bank AG was outperformed by the S&P 500 with 33.58%. Story continues The 52-week range is between $11.19 and $26.37. Deutsche Bank has a market capitalization of $26.24 billion and a volume of 1.38 billion shares outstanding, of which approximately 92% can be traded on the NYSE. Deutsche Bank had $976.71 billion in cash on hand and $824.2 billion in total debt, as of the most recent quarter. The book value per share is $50.88. Bank of America (BAC) and Goldman Sachs (GS) are among the top institutional stockholders of Deutsche Bank. Disclosure: I have no positions in any stock mentioned in this article. Start a free seven-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Moscow (AFP) - A Russian military plane crashed Sunday in the Black Sea as it made its way to Syria with 92 people onboard, including more than 60 Red Army Choir members heading to celebrate the New Year with troops. Local news agencies, citing the defence ministry, said the Tu-154 plane had crashed shortly after take-off at 5:40 am local time (0240 GMT) from the southern city of Adler where it had been refuelling. Defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told Russian news agencies that one body had been recovered six kilometres off the coast of the resort city of Sochi, as a frantic search operation continued to hunt for the missing. "Fragments of the Tu-154 plane of the Russian defence ministry were found 1.5 kilometres from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 metres," the ministry said. The plane had been on a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase in western Syria, which has been used to launch air strikes in Moscow's military campaign supporting its ally President Bashar al-Assad in the country's devastating civil war. Among the plane's 84 passengers were Russian servicemen as well as 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group also known as the Red Army Choir, and its conductor Valery Khalilov. They were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the airbase. There were also eight crew members onboard, the ministry said. Nine journalists were among the passengers, with state-run channels Pervy Kanal, NTV and Zvezda saying they each had three staff onboard the flight. A list of passengers published by the defence ministry also included Elizaveta Glinka, a doctor and charity worker who serves on the Kremlin human rights council. Mikhail Fedotov, who heads the council, said Glinka was travelling to Syria to bring medication to a university hospital in the coastal city of Latakia near the airbase, agencies reported. - 'Too early' - Story continues Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told news agencies that President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the situation and was being kept updated on the search operation. "It's too early to say anything," agencies quoted Peskov as saying, adding that Putin was in constant contact with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. "The president is waiting for the picture to be clear." Konashenkov said that Deputy Defence Minister Pavel Popov had flown to Adler along with a team tasked with clarifying the circumstances surrounding the crash. Russia's Investigative Committee said a criminal probe had been launched to determine whether violations of air transportation safety had led to the crash. Investigators are currently questioning the technical personnel responsible for preparing the plane for take-off, the committee said. Tu-154 aircraft have been involved in a number of accidents in the past. In April 2010 many high-ranking Polish officials, including then president Lech Kaczynski, were killed when a Tu-154 airliner went down in thick fog while approaching the Smolensk airport in western Russia. Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of Assad since September 2015 and has taken steps to boost its presence in the country. In October, Putin approved a law ratifying Moscow's deal with Damascus to deploy its forces in the country indefinitely, firming up Russia's long-term presence in Syria. Russian warplanes have flown out of the Hmeimim base to conduct air strikes, and the base is also home to an S-400 air defence system. Doctor Who returns tonight for a Christmas special, The Return of Doctor Mysterio, but fans are getting another holiday present: a trailer for the new season, which will hit BBC America this spring. Related: Justin Chatwin Talks Suiting Up as a Superhero in Doctor Who: The Return of Doctor Mysterio As seen above, its narrated by new companion Bill (Pearl Mackie) and shows her learning curve alongside the Doctor (Peter Capaldi): Whats a Dalek? she asks. Oh, she will learn. Theres a lot of running, quipping, and, yes, drama. Im the Doctor, Capaldi says in one clip. I will save all your lives, and when I do, you will spend the rest of them wondering who I was. Related: Steven Moffat Shoots Down Both a Peter Capaldi Veep Cameo and Peter Jackson Directing Doctor Who The 12-episode Season 10 will be the final one for showrunner Steven Moffat, wholl step down as head writer as well. Broadchurchs Chris Chibnall, who has penned episodes of Doctor Who and its spinoff Torchwood, will then take the reins. Doctor Who: The Return of Mysterio airs Dec. 25 at 9 p.m. on BBC America. (WASHINGTON) Donald Trump spent the past two years attacking rival Hillary Clinton as crooked, corrupt, and weak. But some of those attacks seem to have already slipped into the history books. From installing Wall Street executives in his Cabinet to avoiding news conferences, the president-elect is adopting some of the same behavior for which he criticized Clinton during their fiery presidential campaign. Heres a look at what Trump said then and what hes doing now: ___ GOLDMAN SACHS Then: I know the guys at Goldman Sachs, Trump said at a South Carolina rally in February, when he was locked in a fierce primary battle with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. They have total, total control over him. Just like they have total control over Hillary Clinton. Now: A number of former employees of the Wall Street bank will pay a key role in crafting Trumps economic policy. Hes tapped Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn to lead the White House National Economic Council. Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary nominee, spent 17 years working at Goldman Sachs and Steve Bannon, Trumps chief strategist and senior counselor, started his career as an investment banker at the firm. Trump is following in a long political tradition, though one he derided on the campaign trail: If Cohn accepts the nomination, hell be the third Goldman executive to run the NEC. ___ BIG DONORS Then: Crooked Hillary. Look, can you imagine another four years of the Clintons? Seriously. Its time to move on. And shes totally controlled by Wall Street and all these people that gave her millions, Trump said at a May rally in Lynden, Washington. Now: Trump has stocked his Cabinet with six top donors far more than any recent White House. I want people that made a fortune. Because now theyre negotiating with you, OK? Trump said, in a December 9 speech in Des Moines. Story continues The biggest giver? Incoming small business administrator Linda McMahon gave $7.5 million to a super PAC backing Trump, more than a third of the money collected by the political action committee. ___ NEWS CONFERENCES Then: She doesnt do news conferences, because she cant, Trump said at an August rally in Ashburn, Virginia. Shes so dishonest she doesnt want people peppering her with questions. Now: Trump opened his last news conference on July 27, saying: You know, I put myself through your news conferences often, not that its fun. He hasnt held once since. Trump skipped the news conference a president-elect typically gives after winning the White House. Instead, he released a YouTube video of under three minutes. This week, Trump abruptly canceled plans to hold his first post-election news conference, opting instead to describe his plans for managing his businesses in tweets. I will hold a press conference in the near future to discuss the business, Cabinet picks and all other topics of interest. Busy times! he tweeted in mid-December. ___ FAMILY TIES: Then: It is impossible to figure out where the Clinton Foundation ends and the State Department begins. It is now abundantly clear that the Clintons set up a business to profit from public office. They sold access and specific actions by and really for I guess the making of large amounts of money, Trump said at an August rally in Austin. Now: While Trump has promised to separate himself from his businesses, there is plenty of overlap between his enterprises and his immediate family. His companies will be run by his sons, Donald Jr and Eric. And his daughter, Ivanka, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have joined Trump at a number of meetings with world leaders of countries where the family has financial interests. In a financial disclosure he was required to file during the campaign, Trump listed stakes in about 500 companies in at least 25 countries. Ivanka, in particular, has been caught making early efforts to leverage her fathers new position into profits. After an interview with the family appeared on 60 Minutes, her jewelry company, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, blasted out an email promoting the $10,800 gold bangle bracelet that she had worn during the appearance. The company later said they were proactively discussing new policies and procedures. Ivanka is also auctioning off a private coffee meeting with her to benefit her brothers foundation. The meeting is valued at $50,000, with the current top bid coming in at $25,000. United States Secret Service will be Present for the Duration of the Experience, warns the auction site. Trump on Saturday said he would dissolve his charitable foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month. ___ CLINTON INVESTIGATIONS Then: If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation, because there has never been so many lies, so much deception. There has never been anything like it, and were going to have a special prosecutor, Trump said in the October presidential debate. Now: Since winning office, Trump has said he has no intention of pushing for an investigation into Clintons use of a private email server as secretary of State or the workings of her family foundation. Its just not something that I feel very strongly about, he told the New York Times. She went through a lot. And suffered greatly in many different ways, he said. Im not looking to hurt them. A&E said it would no longer move forward with Escaping the KKK, a controversial documentary series that purported to examine the plight of people seeking to extricate themselves from the hate group known as the Ku Klux Klan, citing a recent discovery that producers involved with the show had made financial payments to some of the subjects involved with the program. The network said it had learned from producers Friday night that cash payments which we currently understand to be nominal were made in the field to some participants in order to facilitate access, in a prepared statement released just hours before the start of Christmas Eve. While we stand behind the intent of the series and the seriousness of the content, these payments are a direct violation of A&Es policies and practices for a documentary. We had previously provided assurances to the public and to our core partners including the Anti-Defamation League and Color of Change that no payment was made to hate group members, and we believed that to be the case at the time. We have now decided not to move forward with airing this project. A spokesperson for the network was unable to say whether producers might try to find another media outlet to show the series. The cancellation marks what would seem to be the final step of a gradual backtracking from the effort by the network, which is part of A+E Networks, a media company owned jointly by Walt Disney Co. and Hearst Corp. The program has generated adverse publicity since the network unveiled it, despite what executives had hoped would be become a powerful look at hate-groups in the United States. Just yesterday, the network changed the name of the eight-part documentary series, which had originally been titled, Generation KKK. The announcement of the new program sparked outrage on social-media networks, where actors such as Wendell Pierce and Ellen Pompeo, railed against the effort, though it was not clear whether any of the people criticizing the series had seen any of it for themselves. Story continues Executives at the cable network had said their intentions all along had not been to put a pop-culture spotlight on the Klan, but rather to chronicle efforts to help some members of the group extricate themselves,and also examines the way that the Klan encourages the indoctrination and recruitment of children. The network had secured endorsements from civil rights leaders associated with the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League, and Black Lives Matter, and had planned a social-outreach component for the series. Escaping the KKK had been scheduled to launch January 10. Canceling the show is the only acceptable decision, said Rashad Robinson, executive director of Color of Change, in a prepared statement. The advocacy group, which campaigns against racial discrimination, had been enlisted by A&E to lend support to the series. One of the many conditions for Color Of Changes involvement was that none of the on-air participants were being paid. It was the first commitment A&E made to us and we made it clear when we agreed to support content and marketing changes that we would withdraw if participants were paid, Robinson said. He called upon the network to increase the diversity of creative talent it taps to create its programming and also to do more programs on communities that are often the target of racism. Cancellation of the series suggests American viewers have grown more sensitive to hate-group activity in the wake of the recent U.S. presidential election. The election of Donald Trump as the nations 45th President has lent new energy to several groups that espouse racism and white nationalism. Other networks that have explored similar topics in the recent past have not met with similar reaction. In April, Time Warners CNN launched a documentary series, United Shades of America, led by comedian and activist W. Kamau Bell. The first episode showed the host, who is African-American, meeting with KKK members in a rural setting. A&E said it would continue to examine subjects similar to what was examined by the now cancelled project. Just because this particular show goes away, the issues of hate in America do not. We will still seek to fight hate in America through on-air programming including town halls and documentary programs produced in partnership with civil rights organizations, as well as continue to work with the civil rights community to facilitate a deeper dialogue on ending hate through comprehensive educational and outreach campaigns, the company said in its statement. Read the full statement below: The documentary Escaping the KKK was intended to serve as a close look at anti-hate extractors focused on helping people leave the Ku Klux Klanthe racist hate group with a long history of violence against African-Americans and others. Our goal with this series has always been to expose and combat racism and hatred in all its forms. However, A&E learned last night from the third-party producers who made the documentary that cash payments which we currently understand to be nominal were made in the field to some participants in order to facilitate access. While we stand behind the intent of the series and the seriousness of the content, these payments are a direct violation of A&Es policies and practices for a documentary. We had previously provided assurances to the public and to our core partners including the Anti-Defamation League and Color of Change that no payment was made to hate group members, and we believed that to be the case at the time. We have now decided not to move forward with airing this project. A&E takes the authenticity of its documentary programming and the subject of racism, hatred and violence very seriously. Just because this particular show goes away, the issues of hate in America do not. We will still seek to fight hate in America through on-air programming including town halls and documentary programs produced in partnership with civil rights organizations, as well as continue to work with the civil rights community to facilitate a deeper dialogue on ending hate through comprehensive educational and outreach campaigns. Related stories A&E Changes 'Generation KKK' Title, Partners With Color of Change A+E Networks Names Patrick Vien, Edward Sabin Managing Directors of International A&E Orders 'Generation KKK' Documentary Series Malawi has launched a testing center for humanitarian drones. The project is intended to explore the best ways to use drones to transport medicine and blood samples. Malawis government will operate the testing center in cooperation with United Nations Childrens Fund, or UNICEF. It is the first center of its kind in Africa. Officials from the government and UNICEF held a launch ceremony last week in the capital Lilongwe. Flights are expected to be fully operating by April 2017. The drones will be carrying materials as far as 40 kilometers. The most immediate use of drones in Malawi will be to help speed up the identification of HIV in babies. HIV is the virus that causes the disease AIDS. Malawi has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world, especially among babies and children. Each year, about 10,000 children die in Malawi of HIV, according to UNICEF. Currently, it can take up to 11 days to transport blood samples to laboratories by motorcycle or ambulance. It can then take another four weeks for blood test results to be returned. UNICEF officials are hoping the drone flights will save many lives by cutting the time it takes to get HIV test results. It is important for infected children to get treatment as soon as possible to increase their chances for survival. In March, UNICEF-Malawi successfully completed its first drone test flight. A drone traveled 10 kilometers to deliver materials from a community health center to a hospital in Lilongwe. Drones also will be tested to see if they can support transportation and collect information. These are important tasks in Malawi, where severe droughts and flooding can make damage assessments difficult during emergencies. Drone aircraft are also being used in other parts of Africa to transport blood, medicine and humanitarian supplies. Earlier this year, the Rwandan government signed a deal to cooperate with a U.S.-based company to transport supplies to medical centers across the country. In Madagascar, drones fly blood and laboratory materials from rural villages to a research station for testing. The aircraft help doctors speed up the identification of disease in patients and make quick deliveries of vaccines. Im Bryan Lynn. Lameck Masina reported this story for VOANews.com. Bryan Lynn adapted it for VOA Learning English, with additional material from Agence France-Presse and UNICEF. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story drone n. a small flying machine flown remotely by a pilot ambulance n. a vehicle that transports sick people deliver v. take something to a person or place assessment n. the act of making a judgement about something Cairo (AFP) - Egypt Sunday sentenced to life two men linked to the Islamic State group for plotting an attack on a Red Sea resort hotel during which three tourists were hurt, a court official said The men armed with knives stormed the restaurant of the Bella Vista hotel in Hurghada last January as tourists were having dinner, slightly wounding an elderly Austrian couple and a Swedish tourist. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, during which police shot dead one of the assailants, Mohamad Hassan Mohamed Mahfouz, and wounded the other, Mohamed Magdy Abul Kheir. The prosecution said that the pair had plotted the attack along with fellow Egyptian Ahmad Abdel Salam Mansour, identified as an Islamic State group jihadist based in Syria where IS is active. The court official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Abul Kheir was present in court for the verdict while Mansour was sentenced to life in absentia. According to the prosecution, Mansour incited the other two to carry out attacks against tourists in Hurghada and to join the IS jihadist group. The IS Egyptian affiliate is waging an insurgency in the north of the Sinai Peninsula that has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers. The jihadists have claimed attacks on other targets in Egypt, including a bomb attack on a Cairo church this month that killed 27 people. IS said it is also behind the October 2015 bombing of a Russian airliner carrying holidaymakers from the Sharm el-Sheikh Red Sea resort, an attack that killed all 224 people on board and that crippled Egypt's tourism industry and economy. BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Christians in Baghdad celebrated Christmas on Sunday in a heightened state of fear after deadly attacks on Christian-owned shops that sell alcohol. Two shops next door to each other were riddled with bullet holes and spattered with blood after gunmen opened fire late on Friday in Baghdad's Ghadeer neighborhood. Police and medical sources said three people were killed and four wounded. Local activists gave a higher death toll. Rayan al-Kildani, commander of Babiliyon Brigades, a group of Christian volunteers formed to fight Islamic State militants, said eight Christians and one member of the Yazidi sect had been killed in the attack. "What a bloody gift they gave us for Christmas," Joseph Warda, a Christian human rights activist, told Reuters. Maria Polos, a retired schoolteacher in the district where the attack took place, said she and other Christians were afraid to celebrate the holiday in public. "We fear getting killed like those in the alcohol shops," she said. "We feel we're aliens in this country." The sale of alcohol is generally shunned among Iraq's Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims, and Christian-run shops that sell it were frequently targeted by militants from both Muslim sects during Iraq's years of sectarian civil war. This year, government forces have been pushing fighters from the militant group Islamic State out of parts of northern Iraq where it had banned the practice of any religion apart from Sunni Islam. Areas once held by the group have seen their first Christmas services since 2013, and many Christians there have sounded more hopeful than they have for years about the fate of communities that date back to biblical times. In Baghdad, the capital which is firmly controlled by the Iraqi government and security forces dominated by Iraq's Shi'ite majority, Christians celebrate Christmas in churches decorated for the holiday. But many say they still live in fear, and do not feel the authorities protect them adequately. Although the identities of the attackers who struck the liquor store were not known, the area is predominantly Shi'ite and Shi'ite groups have firm control of security. Warda, the human rights activist, said militants from any sect that attacked civilians in the name of religion were "no better than Islamic State". Vian Dakhil, a lawmaker from the ancient Yazidi sect, whose members were targeted in northern Iraq by Islamic State for what Western countries described as genocide, also said one Yazidi and eight Christians were killed in the Baghdad attacks. "The criminals should be brought to justice as soon as possible so that their punishment serves as an example to those who dare kill civilians in the name of religion," Dakhil said on her Twitter page. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; editing by Peter Graff) Paris (AFP) - A Frenchwoman who runs an organisation for malnourished children has been kidnapped in Mali's restive north, France's foreign ministry confirmed on Sunday, as French troops joined in the search for the aid worker. Sophie Petronin was abducted in the city of Gao on Saturday, the ministry said, adding that French and Malian authorities were working together "to find and free our compatriot as quickly as possible". "We are continuing the search for Sophie. We have men deployed on the ground to find her. But up until now, there has been no result," a Malian security source told AFP Sunday. A French military source meanwhile told AFP: "French soldiers of the Barkhane force (in Mali) are actively taking part in the search alongside the Malians." Thousands of French soldiers have been deployed across the Sahel region just south of the Sahara since Operation Barkhane was launched in 2014. The troops have a base in Gao. The Barkhane forces' mission is to target jihadist groups that are active in the area including Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Despite sustained efforts, it has proven extremely difficult to bring the vast desert terrain of northern Mali under control with jihadists, rebels and criminals still on the loose. - 13 French hostages - Petronin is the director of a non-governmental organisation called "Aide a Gao" (Help Gao) that assists children suffering from malnutrition, the ministry said, adding that officials were in contact with her family. Petronin, who is in her sixties, had been working in Gao for a long time as head of the NGO she founded. According to French media, she is a doctor specialising in nutrition and tropical diseases who had escaped a kidnapping by Islamists in Gao in 2012. In Paris, prosecutors opened an investigation into Petronin's kidnapping, a judicial source said. Petronin is the latest French aid worker to fall prey to kidnappers in the Sahel. Story continues From 2010 to 2013, 13 French citizens were kidnapped or killed in the region, mostly by groups linked to AQIM. While those behind the kidnappings have often claimed to be holding their victims for political reasons, they have later -- behind the scenes -- demanded ransom in exchange for their release. Northern Mali fell to jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda from March 2012. These forces were driven out of key towns by a French-led military intervention the following year. But barely a week goes by without attacks on security forces despite a peace pact signed last year following lengthy negotiations between the government, groups backing it and ethnic Tuareg rebels. Marseille (AFP) - France on Sunday probed the fatal Christmas Eve killing of a 19-year-old in a cafe, the prosecutor's office said, as an investigation source claimed the victim was shot 15 times. Three attackers stormed the cafe in the southern city of Marseille late Saturday and opened fire using a Kalashnikov-style rifle, the prosecutor's office said. The attackers then fled the scene before police arrived, Marseille prosecutor Xavier Tarabeux said, adding that there were fears that another person may have been kidnapped. The cafe's 22-year-old manager was briefly detained for questioning but released Sunday. The victim of the attack was not previously known to police, and it is feared that one of the people sat with him in the cafe mau have been taken hostage. While investigators could not immediately confirm the attack's motive, it appeared that the victim had been intentionally targeted as his body was found riddled with 15 bullets, a source close to the investigation said. The latest killing brought the number of people shot dead in the Bouches-du-Rhone region this year to 33. Most were killed in Marseille, a port city known for its high crime rate. Most of them have been gangland killings. By Adama Diarra BAMAKO/PARIS (Reuters) - A French-Swiss aid worker has been kidnapped in the city of Gao in northern Mali, and French and Malian authorities are working together to rescue her, the French foreign ministry said on Sunday. Sophie Petronin, who runs a non-governmental organization that helps children suffering from malnutrition, was kidnapped on Saturday afternoon, but, so far, no one has made a claim of responsibility, Malian Commandant Baba Cisse said. Mali has been beset by attacks from resurgent Islamist groups, including Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) this year, especially in the north. Gao - seized by Islamist militants in 2012 before French forces drove them out a year later - is considered the most secure town in northern Mali with multiple U.N., French and Malian army checkpoints along main roads. "In liaison with the Malian authorities, they (French authorities) are fully mobilized to seek and release, as soon as possible, our compatriot," the French foreign ministry said. A local radio station in Gao said the aid worker was affiliated with Aide Gao and was snatched by a group of men who drove off with her in a Toyota pickup truck. Aide Gao was not available for comment. Last month, despite the relatively heavy security in Gao, the offices of the U.N. peacekeeping mission located next to the city's airport terminal were razed by a truck-bomb explosion. Mali's government signed a peace deal last year with secular armed groups, but Islamist militants pledging allegiance to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State have fought on and launched dozens of attacks on Western targets in recent months. The peace agreement has been broken many times, adding to difficulties faced by U.N. forces trying to stabilize the former French colony. (Additional reporting by Tiemoko Diallo in Bamako and Marine Pennetier and Maya Nikolaeva in Paris; Writing by Edward McAllister; Editing by Louise Ireland) An early Christmas present for all you Tannerinos out there: Netflix has renewed Fuller House for a third season. The official announcement came Saturday via the shows Facebook page. Creator Jeff Franklin teased the renewal the day before with an Instagram post that promised big news then added an update when he realized hed gotten the date wrong. Instagram Photo RELATEDCable/Streaming Renewal Scorecard 2016: Whats Coming Back? Whats Cancelled? Whats On the Bubble? Per the announcement, Season 3 will drop sometime in 2017. Netflixs revival of the 90s TGIF sitcom Full House starring original cast members Candace Cameron Bure (D.J.), Jodie Sweetin (Stephanie) and Andrea Barber (Kimmy) made a big splash when it premiered back in February. Netflix never releases ratings info, but third-party analyst Symphony claims Fuller House drew 14.4 million viewers in the 18-49 demo during its first 35 days of release numbers comparable to huge hits like The Walking Dead. Season 2 of Fuller House debuted earlier this month, including a guest turn from the late Alan Thicke and another plea from the cast for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to join the show and reprise their role as Michelle. Maybe in Season 3, we can finally hear a grown-up Michelle say, Youve got it, dude? Are you psyched for another season of Fuller House? And what did you think of Season 2? Have mercy and join us in the comments. Launch Gallery: Fuller House Season 2 Thoughts and Theories Related stories One Day at a Time Team on Reboot's 'Universal' Cuban-American Twist Michael Trucco Joins Netflix Pot Comedy as Kathy Bates' Rival Fuller House Season 2: The Best, Worst and Weirdest Moments in Photos Banjul (Gambia) (AFP) - Ansu Sanyang was ready. Sick of providing so little for his parents and sisters with any work he could find, the young Gambian resolved to take the migrant route through Libya to Europe. Then on Friday, December 1, he hesitated, hanging back to cast his vote in a presidential election that felt different to previous years. "I changed my mind," said Sanyang, a couple of days after longtime President Yahya Jammeh accepted defeat and seemed willing to leave office after 22 years. "I was glad, very glad, because I had hoped that that man (would) get this," the 25-year-old added, referring to the unexpected election victory of self-made real estate developer Adama Barrow. Weeks later, the elation Sanyang felt has turned to uncertainty over the vote's disputed outcome, while his life and those of thousands of other Gambians are left hanging in the balance. A nation of fewer than two million people, The Gambia accounts for the highest number of migrants per capita of any nationality crossing the sands of the Sahara through Niger to Libya where they board rickety boats that ply the Mediterranean to Italy. That a man like Barrow, who struggled financially before establishing himself as a businessman, could one day become Gambian president had lit a small flame of hope for the young in this poor west African country. "There is a crisis in The Gambia, that's why everyone is taking the Back Way (migrant route)," Barrow told AFP earlier this month. Combining study with grinding work as a security guard in London, Barrow has lived the migrant experience himself. "You hear the name Europe, you think it's heaven. It's never like that," he said. Jammeh however has taken a different line. "Anybody who wants to migrate, let them migrate," he said recently. "It's a matter of taste, migration is a choice, it's not because of poverty." - 'All gone the Back Way' - Story continues On a bad day, Sanyang earns as little as 250 dalasis (about $6 / 5.6 euros). One recent day he was helping fishermen bring in their catch, and took home 1,000 dalasis -- a really good haul. When he isn't helping on the boats, Sanyang breaks bricks at construction sites, or does whatever job he is told is available that morning in the neighbourhood, labouring until nightfall. There was resignation in his voice as he admitted he was once again thinking of leaving, after it became clear Jammeh would not go without a fight. Desperate Gambians feel they have no time to waste. "Decades before, Gambians were not travelling across Africa, but now you see kids aged 12, 13, 14 joining them," said student Mbembe Kuyateh, 25, after Friday prayers in the Westfield district on the outskirts of the capital, Banjul. "Many of my friends left The Gambia. Some drowned in the Mediterranean Sea and some made it to Europe," Kuyateh said. Others describe the villages upriver where there are almost no men aged between their late teens and early 40s. "I couldn't believe it, they had all gone the Back Way," said one Banjul-based diplomat who passed through such a village on a recent trip. - 'He wouldn't give up' - The scars left by the departed who never reached the shores of Italy are visible all around The Gambia. Samba Mbengu, a mechanic, recalls the endless fights he had with his brother, Ali "Mille Franc" Mbengu, a rising star on the wrestling circuit who worked as a tailor by day. "He insisted he wanted to travel and in order to convince him (to stay) I bought him a sewing machine, but even after all that he wouldn't give up," Mbengu recalled. After months of arguing, Mbengu agreed to finance the trip, and stayed in close contact with his brother as he made his way through to Libya. "I never anticipated I was going to spend this much money," he told AFP, refusing to give a precise figure but admitting it was more than 100,000 dalasis ($2,300). "He called me telling me how much pressure they came under from the agents over there, and how sometimes they could be maltreated if the money isn't sent on time," Mbengu added. One week in November, his brother's usual phone calls stopped. Looking up at the ceiling of the tailor shop to compose himself, Mbengu recalled the moment one of his brother's fellow travellers told him Ali had drowned. "It has traumatised us... that's all I can say," the mechanic added, looking away. - 'Only me and God' - The first time he had readied himself to leave, Sanyang didn't even tell his closest family about his decision, describing the deep shame he felt at being the eldest son, the breadwinner, but unable to provide enough so his parents could stop working. "I don't like my mum crying, they dont want you to go," he said. "We have no help, only me and God." The Gambian economy has suffered several blows in the last three years, making life extremely hard for those without connections to the ruling party or family in Europe sending back remittances. A 2013 drought was followed by the region's Ebola crisis, which despite never actually touching The Gambia itself scared off tourists who account for 20 percent of GDP. Then a dispute over tariffs with Senegal, whose territory surrounds The Gambia, effectively cut the country off from supplies for months. Sanyang believes that betting his life on a journey to Europe may still be worth it. "I have a lot of friends telling me I should do it. I must do something for the family," Sanyang said. "It's no good for me to sit here." - By Shuda Xia GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK), Diageo PLC (DEO), Vodafone Group PLC (VOD) and National Grid PLC (NGG) have reached their three-year low prices. GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) reached $38.35 The prices of GlaxoSmithKline shares have declined to $38.35, which is only 3% above the three-year low of $37.20. GlaxoSmithKline is a British pharmaceutical company. It is the world's sixth largest pharmaceutical company as of 2015. The company's drugs and vaccines earned over ?21.3 billion in 2013, and its top-selling products included Advair, Avodart, Flovent and Lamictal. GlaxoSmithKline has a market cap of $93.43 billion; its shares were traded around $38.35 with a P/E ratio of 253.08 and P/S ratio of 2.78. The trailing 12-month dividend yield of GlaxoSmithKline stocks is 5.44%. The forward dividend yield of GlaxoSmithKline stocks is 4.85%. GlaxoSmithKline had an annual average earnings growth of 1.70% over the past 10 years. In August, GSK announced that it was working on an experimental HIV drug. Now, the company has announced that the drug could be just as effective as existing drugs for HIV patients, but without the risk of toxic side effects. The drug, dolutegravir, is sold under the brand name Trivicay and may be as potent as more conventional three drug cocktails for treating HIV. Diageo PLC (DEO) reached $103.39 The prices of Diageo shares have declined to $103.39, which is only 3.8% above the three-year low of $99.46. Diageo is a British based international alcoholic beverages company. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer. The company's brands include Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Baileys and Guiness. The company sells its products in over 180 countries and has offices based in over 80 countries. Diageo has a market cap of $71.19 billion; its shares were traded around $103.39 with a P/E ratio of 22.96 and P/S ratio of 4.96. The trailing 12-month dividend yield of Diageo stocks is 3.01%. The forward dividend yield of Diageo stocks is 3.57%. Diageo had an annual average earnings growth of 6.10% over the past 10 years. Story continues Vodafone Group PLC (VOD) reached $24.65 The prices of Vodafone Group shares have declined to $24.65, which is only 1.9% above the three-year low of $24.17. Vodafone Group is a British based international telecommunications company. It was ranked fifth by revenue among mobile operator groups globally, and second in the number of connections. Vodafone operates networks in 26 countries and has partner networks in over 50 other countries. Vodafone Group has a market cap of $65.47 billion; its shares were traded around $24.65 with and P/S ratio of 1.32. The trailing 12-month dividend yield of Vodafone Group stocks is 6.18%. The forward dividend yield of Vodafone Group stocks is 6.18%. Vodafone Group has revenue of ?40.97 billion, operating income of ?1.37 billion, losses of ?4.02 billion and total assets of ?133.7 billion. The total equity of the company is ?65.88 billion and it has 107,667 employees. National Grid PLC (NGG) reached $58.20 The prices of National Grid shares have declined to $58.20, which is only 2.9% above the three-year low of $56.50. National Grid is a British international electricity and gas utility company. Its main activities are in the U.K. and northeastern U.S. The company had a market capitalization of ?40.4 billion in 2016. National Grid has a market cap of $45.68 billion; its shares were traded around $58.20 with a P/E ratio of 17.16 and P/S ratio of 2.32. The trailing 12-month dividend yield of National Grid stocks is 5.13%. The forward dividend yield of National Grid stocks is 5.16%. National Grid announced on Dec. 8 that it has entered into an agreement to sell a 61% equity interest in its U.K. gas distribution business to an association of long-term infrastructure investors. The consortium includes Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, Allianz Capital Partners, Hermes Investment Management, CIC Capital Corporation and Qatar Investment Authority. Disclosure: I do not own stock in any of the companies mentioned in the article. Start a free seven-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Pictures of the planet Mars show a rocky, lifeless scene. It is hard to imagine plants or animals could ever exist there. But scientists continue to look for evidence. NASA, Americas space agency, has found evidence that, a long time ago, there was surface water on the Red Planet. Scientists believe water is necessary to support life as we know it. So since that discovery, they have been looking for chemicals that would be present if there once was -- or still is--- life on the planet. At a December 13 conference in California, NASA scientists reported a breakthrough. They said for the first time that they had found very small amounts of an interesting element. It is called boron. John Grotzinger is the lead scientist for Curiosity, the space vehicle on Mars that is exploring the planet. We have an instrument called the chemistry camera, which has made a detection of boron. And boron is interesting because in some scenarios for the origin of life, boron is able to help catalyze some of the reactions that build materials that eventually could become part of RNA molecules. In other words, a camera on Mars showed the element boron. Boron is important because it could help build RNA molecules. And RNA molecules are important because they are one of the essential building blocks for life. Whats next? One of the next steps in the scientists search for life on Mars comes in 2020. That year, the next spacecraft is scheduled to launch. It will send rocks from Mars back to Earth. Scientists in Britain are getting ready for those Mars rocks now. Using a powerful microscope, they have already examined 200-million-year-old volcanic rocks found deep in the Pacific Ocean. The microscope revealed holes made by tiny living things called microbes. Microbes are the oldest form of life on Earth. They are only the size of one cell. Peter Cumpson works with Newcastle University. What we've been able to do is to look in detail at the carbon chemistry within those tiny structures and identify that as being the remnants of some form of life, probably fungal related. Next, the scientists in Britain will examine meteorites formed from ancient material from Mars. The material comes from a time when Mars would have been more likely to sustain life. Graham Purvis explains what they will be looking for in the material. He is a geoscientist with Newcastle University. What we intend to do is have a look at some of the rocks that may be available from NASA, which date back to a time when Mars was much warmer and wetter, and have a look at some of the structures and chemical signatures that we see in those rocks. The scientists hope to find tiny microbe holes in the ancient material similar to the ones they saw in the ocean rocks. If they do, they predict that the rocks coming directly from Mars will also show signs of life. That, in turn, could finally prove that we are not alone. Im Anne Ball. George Putic wrote this story for VOA News. Anne Ball adapted it for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story origin n. the point or place where something begins catalyze v. to cause an action or process to begin RNA molecules n. parts in cells in the body that are building blocks for life and help with genes remnant n. the part of something that is left when other parts are gone fungal adj. of, relating to or caused by fungus Honolulu (AFP) - Seven months after President Barack Obama visited Hiroshima, the city where World War II all but ended, Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe is paying his respects at the site where the brutal conflict began. Abe is traveling to Pearl Harbor, where he and Obama hope to underscore the alliance between their two nations -- 75 years after the Japanese surprise attack that brought America into history's bloodiest war. The two leaders are meeting Tuesday in Hawaiian state capital Honolulu, on the archipelagos Oahu island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The visit has particular resonance for Obama, who was born in Hawaii and spent much of his childhood and adolescence here. Abe and Obama will visit the wreck of the USS Arizona, where 1,177 sailors and Marines died. The ship's rusting remains, still visible, are now a memorial. On December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy," as then president Franklin D. Roosevelt said, Japan's General Isoroku Yamamoto unleashed a devastating attack on Pearl Harbor's "Battleship Row." The assault caught the Americans off guard, and the Japanese sunk or heavily damaged eight US battleships. The two-hour offensive killed 2,403 Americans in all and injured more than 1,100 others. An explosion in the Arizona's ammunition stocks sealed that ship's fate. - 'The agony of war - Just as when Obama visited Hiroshima, the purpose of Abe's tour is not to question decisions made three-quarters of a century ago, or to offer an apology, rather to pay homage to the victims and encourage historical reflection. "It puts a bookend in some ways to this open US-Japan conversation about the past and the war," said Japan expert Sheila Smith from the Council on Foreign Relations. "It puts us on a very different pedestal on the reconciliation side of things which I think is important for the region to see." In Hiroshima in May, during a speech given to a completely silent crowd, Obama launched an impassioned plea for a world without nuclear arms and he wrote a message in the visitor book at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Story continues "We have known the agony of war. Let us now find the courage, together, to spread peace, and pursue a world without nuclear weapons," he wrote. More than 16 million Americans served in uniform from 1941 to 1945 -- more than 400,000 were killed. Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima marked the beginning and end of the conflict between Japan and America, but it is impossible to compare the two. One was an attack on the heart of US naval power in the Pacific, the other an atomic bomb over a city. But each event has cemented itself in the hearts and collective memories of the people, and both places remain hallowed sites of pilgrimage to this date. The Arizona memorial attracts almost two million visitors annually, who file through a white building just above the enormous ship's wreck. - Message to Trump - The meeting takes on special significance, coming just four weeks before the swearing in of President-elect Donald Trump, who has sent mixed and sometimes contradictory messages as to the future of US-Asia ties. For Mireya Solis, an expert at the Brookings Center for East Asia Policy Studies, Obama and Abe will be sending a "strong message about the robustness of the US-Japan alliance." During his campaign, Trump suggested he wanted to renegotiate the terms of the US troop presence in Japan, where about 50,000 American personnel are stationed. He also has promised to scrap the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a massive global trade pact that Abe firmly supports and which was designed to stop China asserting too much economic influence in the region. Trump also blasted Obama for visiting Hiroshima. "Does President Obama ever discuss the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor while he's in Japan? Thousands of American lives lost," the president-elect said on May 28. But since his election on November 8, the populist businessman has reserved his sharpest barbs for China, and Abe was the first foreign leader to meet Trump after his election. "Trump's foreign policy in general is a bit of a wildcard. We don't really know really what he is going to do but I think the US-Japan relationship will likely stay very strong," said Jon Davidann, a historian at Hawaii Pacific University. The Daily Beast GettyRussia announced Wednesday that it views Norways work with other countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as provocative, warning that Norways efforts to bolster its military in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine this year will likely be the death knell for Oslo-Moscow relations moving forward.Oslo is now among the most active supporters of NATO's involvement in the Arctic, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Wednesday, according to TASS. We cons CHICAGO (AP) -- It's been a white but slick and messy Christmas for the northern Plains and some Western states. Most of the Dakotas and southwest Minnesota had turned into a slippery mess due to freezing rain Sunday morning before snow arrived later in the day as temperatures fell. The storm also brought on widespread power outages in the Dakotas and Nebraska. As of 11:15 p.m., the South Dakota Rural Electric Association was reporting 11,079 "member-consumer-owners" were without power. In Nebraska, high winds were cited for hundreds of power outages in central and eastern portions of the state. "Between the ice and snow, and winds howling like crazy, there will be nothing moving" until late afternoon Monday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Gust in Grand Forks, North Dakota. "Then it's dig-out time." Gust's advice to holiday travelers: "Stay put." For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. A blizzard warning was in effect for most of North Dakota, western South Dakota and a small section of eastern Montana through Monday, with expected snow totals of 8 to 15 inches and winds up to 55 mph. The South Dakota Department of Transportation announced the closing Sunday night of Interstate 90 from the Wyoming border to Chamberlain a stretch of about 260 miles. "The freezing rain from earlier today and dropping temps have created icy and slushy roadways; falling snow and increasing winds are creating zero visibility conditions in the west," the department said in a statement. The North Dakota Transportation Department closed a 240-mile stretch of Interstate 94 Sunday night, from the Montana border to Jamestown. A 100-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 83 between Bismarck and Minot also was closed due to drifting snow and near-zero visibility. Up to a inch of ice could accumulate in central Minnesota, and the weather service has said anyone who "must travel" should have an extra flashlight, food and water. The NWS office in Aberdeen, South Dakota, issued a flash flood warning for Brown County Sunday night due to the combination of rain and melting snow. As of shortly after 6 p.m., flooding was reported at several major intersections in Aberdeen. - By Cristiano Bellavitis, Ph.D. Most investors believe that blockchain and Bitcoin (the digital currency) are synonyms. What most people don't know, however, is the fact that the blockchain is an "infrastructure" and Bitcoin is one of many applications. IBM (IBM) is heavily investing in the blockchain to disrupt some large industries. Blockchain basics Blockchain is a new technology that enables businesses to work together with trust and transparency. Blockchain is a distributed shared operating system where all parties involved in an exchange have open access to an unchangeable digital record of transactions. Each participant always has an exact copy of the transactions and therefore all parties can confidently rely on this data. In theory, the blockchain guarantees accountability and transparency while streamlining business processes. The blockchain industry There aren't definitive numbers on companies using blockchain, but the IBM Institute for Business Value released some figures a few months ago: 70% of early adopters are working with blockchain to create new business models and reach new customers. 65% of banks expect to have blockchain solutions in production in the next three years. 80% of banks identified trade finance, corporate lending and reference data as having the greatest potential to be disrupted by the blockchain technology. 15% of banks intend to implement full-scale, commercial blockchain solutions in 2017. Companies expect reference data (83%), retail payments (80%) and consumer lending (79%) to be the segments that will be impacted the most by blockchain. Another recent study from Markets and Markets speculates that the blockchain industry will grow from $210 million in 2016 to $2.3 billion by 2021, for CAGR of 61.5% during the forecast period. Therefore, the blockchain is in the early stages of development but seems to have great potential and medium term economic value. Story continues Numbers about the market and the companies involved are limited, but according to this article IBM and Microsoft (MSFT) are the market leaders. IBM provided examples of how they are implementing the blockchain. I will get in touch with Microsoft to see whether they would like to contribute. Blockchain can disrupt large industries Food safety Food safety is one of the sectors that is receiving attention. Authenticity has been a challenge in China, and Walmart (WMT) is taking a proactive role in using new technologies to address it. By using blockchain, Walmart is able to build an ecosystem of supply chain partners that is based on trust. Health care The need for private, secure and reliable information flow in health care is clear as organizations balance information sharing needs with privacy, security and protecting against ongoing cyber-attacks. The application of blockchain technology can be applied to address a health care workflow and ecosystem from the beginning as it is introduced to this emerging digital industry. FinTech Banks and consumers are turning to fintech companies to disrupt the financial industry. FinTechs are moving quickly to create new approaches in payments, lending and new use cases for blockchain. IBM is helping FinTechs envision, build and monetize these new solutions by providing developer tools, technology, training and programs to share financial services expertise. IBM's cloud and blockchain ecosystem is helping FinTechs, start-ups, developers and independent software vendors drive faster design and development. For example, Eigencat, a Singapore-based startup, is using IBM Bluemix to deliver digital investment solutions for the financial market. The FinTech startup is also using IBM Cloud to develop new cognitive-based investment solutions using Watson APIs and broaden its reach within and outside Singapore. Working with the Singapore BlueMix Garage, start-up FreshTurf is creating an innovative blockchain-based network of storage lockers for shipping and parcel delivery throughout Singapore. A few examples of IBM applications in the blockchain industry: SBI Securities - testing blockchain for a new bond trading platform and for improving securities operations. Japan Stock Exchange - testing the potential of blockchain technology for use in trading in low transaction markets. Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFG - using blockchain to examine the design, management and execution of contracts among business partners. London Stock Exchange Group - exploring blockchain to manage risk and bring additional transparency to global financial markets. Kouvola Innovation - using blockchain to transform logistics value chains into a more seamless process that provides a trusted view of every piece of cargo. Kenya - The government is utilizing blockchain to develop an immutable and transparent education management system. In order to reduce the issuance of fraudulent academic degrees and limit the market of illicit academic certificates, the Kenyan government is working with IBM to launch an academic certificate issuance platform on a blockchain network. BNY Mellon - designing and developing a unique application for securities lending, using a blockchain network to trade and transfer assets. Mizuho Financial Group - testing blockchain for settlements using virtual currency. Everledger - using blockchain to track diamonds and other valuable assets. CLS Group - collaborating with IBM so that its payment netting service using Hyperledger Fabric meets the requirements necessary for delivering a resilient, secure, and scalable service. IBM investments in the blockchain IBM recently announced a $200 million investment in the new global headquarters for its Watson Internet of Things business in Munich. IBM is developing a new capability that connects IoT data to Blockchain through the IBM Watson IoT Platform. In addition, IBM opened a Blockchain Innovation Center in Singapore to accelerate blockchain adoption for finance and trade in the first collaboration of its kind with the Singapore Economic Development Board and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. IBM monetization and blockchain performance IBM is leveraging its Bluemix technology to implement blockchain solutions. IBM offers two price plans: The starter plan is free, but the more secure system costs $10,000 per month. We contacted IBM to ask about some performance and financial data about its blockchain business but they replied that they "can't provide any financial data related to IBM Blockchain at this time." We assume that the main reason for this is that the business is in its early stages and therefore does not materially impact IBM revenues. Considering that the estimates are for a total global industry valued at $210 million in 2016, at the moment this segment is of minor importance to IBM. We estimate that IBM has approximately 50 paying customers, therefore the revenues generated would be in the range of $6 million a year, plus ancillary revenues in the range of $50 million a year. Disclosure: We are long IBM. Start a free seven-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Members of Indonesia's elite anti-terrorism squad fatally shot two suspected militants and arrested two others during a raid Sunday on the main island of Java. The suspects were shot by the anti-terror unit after refusing an appeal from authorities to surrender from their safe house at Jatiluhur reservoir in West Java's Purwakarta district, said National police spokesman Brig. Gen. Rikwanto. The arrest came amid a security crackdown in several cities on Java after police arrested a would-be suicide bomber and other suspected Islamic militants who were allegedly planning a holiday season suicide bombing earlier this month. Rikwanto, who goes by one name, said two suspects were captured alive, including one who was injured and taken to a police hospital in the capital, Jakarta. He said police seized several machetes and documents from the suspects' floating house near the reservoir, including a will in which they stated that they had pledged their allegiance to the Islamic State group and wished to take part in suicide attacks. Three suspected militants who were allegedly planning a New Year's Eve suicide bombing were killed in a gunbattle this past week on the outskirts of Jakarta. Police said the holiday season plot was uncovered during the interrogation of militants arrested Dec. 10 who were planning a suicide bomb attack on a guard-changing ceremony at the presidential palace in Jakarta the next day. Police have said that foiled plot, in which a woman was to be the suicide bomber, was orchestrated by Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian with the Islamic State group in Syria. They also say Naim was behind a bomb lab that was raided last month in West Java and contained enough explosive materials to make bombs three times more powerful than those used in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people. The government has increased security across Indonesia. It has deployed 150,000 security personnel to safeguard churches, airports and other public places in a national security sweep. Indonesia has suffered a spate of deadly attacks by the Jemaaah Islamiyah network in the past. But strikes in recent years have been smaller and less deadly and have targeted government authorities, mainly police and anti-terrorism forces. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Should Connecticut compensate a prison inmate who was injected with psychotropic drugs against his will? A trial set for January, in which the inmate is representing himself, will decide. The inmate, Kacey Lewis, was taken from his cell, shackled and subdued with pepper spray for some of the 42 injections he received from the medical staff at Northern Correctional Institution in Somers, according to court records. U.S. District Judge Vanessa Bryant found the prison staff violated Lewis' rights to due process and ordered the civil trial, scheduled for the first week of January, to determine whether he is entitled to financial damages or other relief. The trial also will determine whether medical staff violated Lewis' rights against cruel and unusual punishment by being deliberately indifferent to his medical needs and through the suffering caused by the injections. Lewis, who is acting as his own attorney, has been imprisoned since 2009 on a 15-year sentence for the assault and kidnapping of his girlfriend. A panel made up of the three doctors at the Northern Correctional Institution determined after a hearing 2011 that the drugs were needed to treat a mental health condition they had diagnosed. In a letter to The Associated Press, Lewis insisted that he is not mentally ill and that the doctors "used false information and a bogus diagnosis to rationalize and justify" forcing him to be medicated. An advocate was appointed to represent Lewis' interests at the 2011 hearing. But that advocate, Dr. Mark Frayne, was the supervising psychologist who had been treating Lewis at the prison, and was on the three-person panel that recommended his the injections. Frayne later presided over and denied Lewis' appeal of the ruling, according to court documents. Bryant ruled that was a conflict of interest that denied Lewis his 14th Amendment rights to due process. "There is no evidence Defendant Frayne actually advocated on behalf of Plaintiff Lewis's opposition to involuntary medication at the hearing, nor is there any evidence that Defendant Frayne made any effort prior to the hearing to investigate any basis, or fashion any rationale, to support Lewis's objection to being forcibly medicated," Bryant wrote. Story continues Frayne did not respond to messages seeking comment. The state Department of Correction referred all comment to the University of Connecticut and its Correctional Managed Health Care department, which oversees the medical treatment in the prisons. A UConn Health spokeswoman said the school would not comment on the pending litigation. Dan Barrett, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, said it is not involved in the case, but is monitoring it because it has concerns over whether the due process rights of other inmates are being violated when it comes to decisions about their mental health. "The kinds of things he raises, appropriate treatment of mental health crises, are things we also see in cases, for example of solitary confinement," he said. "So the idea that we'll have some type of public airing of mental health care in prison is a good thing." 2016 has been a mental and emotional rollercoaster for numerous groups of people. From people of color to the immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ+ community, there is no denying that America hasn't been this vulnerable in a long time. Social issues have peaked interest and hate crimes have risen. But these acts of discrimination, however, are no stranger to the African-American community. With the timing right, Jermaine Cole took it in his own hands to give his two cents in what he knows best. When J. Cole dropped his fourth Billboard 200-topping album, 4 Your Eyez Only, earlier this month, the "platinum with no features" rapper proved his growth as an artist turning his new work into a musical masterpiece highlighting the oppression of a black man living in the ghetto. Mixing his personal anecdotes to create a fictional character based on the death of a friend, Cole has concocted a new creative conduit for pushing his craft forward. As race takes on a majority of the album's theme, Daily Emerald best summarized the album as a "track-by-track journey of a black man's experience of growing up in our nation, from encountering ghetto violence at a young age, suffering inescapable racial prejudices in real life and in the media and dealing with death and mortality." Eyez may be considered Cole's darkest and deepest album yet, as he invites listeners to open themselves to the struggles many face in contemporary America. However, this isn't the first time Cole has touched base on social issues in today's society. Often addressing race, Cole has referenced the media's influence on women, common insecurities and depression. Along with his recent release, here is a compilation of songs to which the Dreamville artist tackled such issues. "Immortal," 4 Your Eyez Only (2016) This isn't the first time Cole addresses the ongoing stereotypes the black community faces when it comes to its success. Rapping in the perspective of James, Cole dives into the come up of being a kingpin in the drug dealing game. Towards the end he raps, "They tellin' niggas, "sell dope, rap or go to NBA," (in that order)/It's that sort of thinkin' that been keepin' niggas chained." Story continues "Change," 4 Your Eyez Only (2016) Don't let the upbeat tempo of this song fool you; Cole ends "Change" striking the listener by addressing the shooting of a 22-year-old boy named James. "Change" references black crimes in the community and asks for a "call of action" to change for the better amongst the inner cities. "Neighbors," 4 Your Eyez Only (2016) Recalling moving into a new neighborhood, Cole's anecdote recalls a SWAT team busting down his recording studio doors in search for drugs. His relocation to a nice neighborhood posed a threat to residents, who assumed he was a dealer. Racial profiling is no stranger to the black or Muslim community and Cole paints one of the many horrific pictures people of color go through today. "4 Your Eyez Only," 4 Your Eyez Only (2016) For almost nine minutes, Cole perfectly ends his fourth album by seamlessly switching from James' point of view in the first few verses, to his own by the end, as he explains the death of his friend to his daughter. The song is an ode to his late friend for his struggles and going through them for the sake of his daughter. Though this song derives from a back story of crime, it may also relate to the fatherless youth without male role models in their lives. "Crooked Smile," Born Sinner (2011) One of his most powerful music videos and songs to date, J.Cole empowers women to know their worth and forget their insecurities. With media forever dictating how they should look and behave in the public eye, Cole's message says beauty is more than just what's on the outside. "Lost Ones," Cole World: The Sideline Story (2011) Here, J. Cole turns the narrative on his debut album to teen pregnancy. "This is a scene that happens everyday in America," he explained in a 2012 interview. "Lost Ones" takes on the male thought process, questioning his abilities to own up to his doing and raise a child while. In the second verse, he takes a vocal stance of the mother-to-be. Cole World: The Sideline Story (2011) We'll close by looking at Cole's debut album in its entirety. In an interview with Soul Culture, J.Cole confessed his struggle with society's pressure has caused him to go into depression. The production behind the album is him overcoming the mental struggle through his music. Jennifer Lawrence is definitely on Santas nice list. The 26-year-old Passengers actress visited Norton Childrens Hospital in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, to spread some holiday cheer on Saturday, The Courier-Journal reports. She posed for photos with patients and hospital staff, even getting a bit silly for one shot. The actress sported a smile as she posed in a goofy stance for one photo with staff. Wave3.com Other shots showed the star kneeling next to patients hospital beds with a wide smile. The Kentucky native has visited the hospital during the holiday season for the past three years, the Courier-Journal reports. Wave3.com My family and I have met so many wonderful children on our visits to the hospital, she told the publication at the time. Their strength and courage is inspiring. One woman gushed about Lawrences visit in a Facebook post, uploading a photo of the actress with hospital staff. RELATED VIDEO: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt Engage in a Battle of Insults Didnt have to do any photoshopping this year!!! I met this awesome lady, the social media user wrote, referring to Lawrence. She is every bit of amazing as everyone says she is. She is so sweet, funny, and flawless as all get out. Now if she can just see how awesome I am so we can be besties! This article originally appeared on PEOPLE.com. Jennifer Lawrence is definitely on Santas nice list. The 26-year-old Passengers actress visited Norton Childrens Hospital in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, to spread some holiday cheer on Saturday, The Courier-Journal reports. She posed for photos with patients and hospital staff, even getting a bit silly for one shot. The actress sported a smile as she posed in a goofy stance for one photo with staff. Other shots showed the star kneeling next to patients hospital beds with a wide smile. The Kentucky native has visited the hospital during the holiday season for the past three years, the Courier-Journal reports. My family and I have met so many wonderful children on our visits to the hospital, she told the publication at the time. Their strength and courage is inspiring. One woman gushed about Lawrences visit in a Facebook post, uploading a photo of the actress with hospital staff. Didnt have to do any photoshopping this year!!! I met this awesome lady, the social media user wrote, referring to Lawrence. She is every bit of amazing as everyone says she is. She is so sweet, funny, and flawless as all get out. Now if she can just see how awesome I am so we can be besties! This Immigrant Doctor Is Reimagining Health in the American City Matilde Garcia pulls colorful beads onto a thread as she completes another bracelet. This experience has taught me so much and made me very happy, she says. Garcia, a mother from a small village in Guatemala, began making jewelry nine years ago as part of a social enterprise brand, Wakami. Before this opportunity, she couldnt find work that would allow her time to also care for her family, and her various salaries were never enough to keep food on the table. Wakami began in 2006 to help artisans, 90 percent of whom are women from rural communities in Guatemala, generate income by expanding their markets. RELATED: From Bombs to Bracelets, This Jewelry Line Is Clearing Land Mines It all started with a dream of working with women living in rural communities, to improve their quality of life, says founder Maria Pacheco, who also founded the social company behind the jewelry brand Kiej de los Bosques. The company helps women form a small business, create Wakami products, and hire and train other women to join their business; the company then exports the products to more than 14 countries. There are 17 small businesses in Guatemala producing for the Wakami brand. The brand empowers women by teaching them entrepreneurship and life skills. For example, rather than just providing the materials, women must travel to the capital to choose and pick up their own supplies. Before becoming a Wakami designer, women are trained by a technician in their native language about the newest techniques and trends in jewelry design. These accessories represent their Guatemalan culture and values. Once a small business owner is generating income, she is provided with a smart investment platform that helps improve her familys quality of life through clean water, housing, nutrition, and education. In the time that she has worked creating Wakami products, Garcia says she has learned a lot, both personally and professionally. She is now managing 30 other mothers who create jewelry with her. Garcia travels once a week to Guatemala City to obtain the materials needed for the creations of the jewelry, then brings them to her community of San Lorenzo, Sacatepequez, so that the group can fulfill its work orders. She says at first she was afraid of going to the city and leaving the house without her husband, but she has gained confidence and self-respect through this program. Story continues I feel proud because I have improved the quality of life for my family, and I never dreamed my work would be seen in other countries, Garcia says. Take the Pledge: Stand With Working Women Around the World Related stories on TakePart: The Art of Weaving Is Helping Guatemalan Women Open Their First Bank Accounts Paper Is the New Bling in This Eco-Friendly Jewelry Line Made by Ugandan Women Original article from TakePart Kim Kardashian West is slowly returning to the spotlight and she has a surprising new accessory. The 36-year-old broke out her new lip ring for Kris Jenners holiday party on Saturday and Khloe Kardashian was especially pleased with the addition. How to die? How dope is my f sister? Look at this dress and look at the jewelry. You are a bad a bitch, Kim! Khloe declared in a Snapchat video devoted to her older sisters ensemble. Its unclear if Kardashian Wests special jewelry was faux or real, but seeing as how she has spoken out against tattoos and doesnt have any other non-ear piercings of her own (that we know of) were leaning towards thinking that this was not a real piercing. The mom of two wore a a shining gold, form-fitting, cleavage-baring dress. She wore her dark locks straight and topped off the look with the small hoop in the center of her bottom lip. Kardashian Wests 3-year-old daughter North West wore some fancy duds of her own. Look at Northie in her Alexander Wang custom little dress, Kardashian West said, taking over her sisters Snapchat to showcase Norths black, bejeweled gown. She loves it. It it unclear whether her husband Kanye West attended the party. Nathaniel Solis The day before the bash, Kardashian West was spotted attending the Los Angeles Ballets The Nutcracker with little North and the rapper at the Redondo Performing Arts Center Center. She sported a red, limited edition Vetements Zemfira hoodie featuring the Soviet Union symbol and beige heeled boots. Kim Kardashian Annoyed That Kanye West Refuses to Rest: She Seems Miserable, Says Source The couple have rarely been photographed together since October following Kardashian Wests Paris robbery. Earlier this month, the Wests were seen stepping out for dinner at the Santa Monica restaurant Giorgio Baldi. The couples relationship has been the talk of the town since the robbery and even more so after Wests recent hospitalization for exhaustion. Story continues However, a source close to the love birds revealed to PEOPLE last week that splitting is not even a point of discussion. What do you think of Kims new lip ring? Sound off below! A kitten has shown rescue workers that it has at least nine lives to live after falling about 25 meters down a tree near Auckland, New Zealand, and then running away. The fall occurred in the Panmure suburb, and the cat was already on rescuers radar, Stuff.co.nz reported. The kitten had previously been rescued and this was the third call out the fire department had received. Once the cat came down there was a short foot chase before the cat was apprehended and taken into custody. Now safely housed at a Lonely Miaow foster home, said one of the rescuers to Storyful. Credit: Facebook/Lonely Miaow Association Incorporated via Storyful (Reuters) - A Georgia man wielding a knife was shot by police and critically wounded after he confronted two officers responding to a domestic disturbance near Atlanta, officials said on Sunday. Stephan Richardson, 23, was shot several times around 7 p.m. ET on Saturday evening by Gwinnett County Police officers after he confronted them in a threatening manner, according to a statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), which is investigating the shooting. The incident occurred in Buford, Georgia, an unincorporated area of Gwinnett County about 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Atlanta. The officers, who were not injured, were not identified, according to the GBI. Richardson was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center and was in critical condition as of Saturday night, GBI spokesman Bahan Rich said by email. Further updates on his condition were not available on Sunday other than he was still being treated. When the investigation is completed, the matter will be turned over to the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office for review, the GBI said. (Reporting by Ben Klayman in Detroit; Editing by Alan Crosby) When Kwanzaa begins on Monday, the seven-day holidaywhich incorporates traditions from Continental African and African-American cultureswill have more to celebrate than usual: this Kwanzaa marks 50 years since the festival was first celebrated. The fact that Kwanzaa was conceived in 1966 is no coincidence. The festival of lights, which is rich with symbolism, was conceived during one of darkest periods in Los Angeles history, during a key moment in the civil rights movement. A key event that sparked the idea began in August of 1965, after the Watts riots, a series of clashes between police and African-Americans in the L.A. neighborhood, which left 34 dead, 1,000 injured, and $40 million worth of property damaged. The rebellion came within a week after Los Angeles police officer Lee Minikus arrested Marquette Frye on Aug. 11, 1965, on suspicion of driving drunk. The event was a breaking point in the communitys resentment of L.A. police chief William Parker and what they considered his double standard toward [African Americans] and whites, according to LIFE magazines editorial prefacing its Aug. 27, 1965, cover story on the riots. (Parker compared Watts rioters to monkeys in a zoo.) High levels of unemployment and segregation, cuts to federal anti-poverty programs, and a lack of affordable housing meant that racial tensions were already high when the riots broke out. Watts is the kind of community that cries out for urban renewal, poverty programs, job training. Almost anything would help, TIME explained in an Aug. 20, 1965, cover story about the riots. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter One potential source of help, once the chaos subsided, came from a community organization called US (meaning as opposed to them), which was formed by members of a discussion group called the Circle of Seven, led by Malcolm Xs cousin Hakim Jamal and one of Malcolm Xs disciples, a UCLA Africana Studies doctoral student who was born Ron Everett but changed his name to Maulana Karenga. As the groups influence increased, Karenga came up with Kwanzaa. He spread the word about the concept through Black Power conferences that he helped organized. (His organization US went on hiatus when Karenga was arrested in 1971, and a jury found him guilty in a trial in which it was testified that two women were tortured by Karenga and his followers. He was released on parole in 1975, but the holiday had already started to take on a life of its own, not defined by one person.) Story continues [Karenga] saw that black people here had no holidays of their own, and felt that holidays give a people a sense of identity and direction. Imamu Clyde Halisi, national chairman of US in 1972, told TIME. Muminina Jaribu, a member of the Committee for a Unified Newark, described it to the magazine as a time of making commitments to the liberation of our people. (And as for the timing, Halisi added that the Dec. 26 start to the holiday meant well be in a position to benefit from the after-Christmas sales.) By 1992, the holiday had lost much of its radical implication. It was being practiced more and more by middle-class professionals seeking to give their children a sense of black pride, TIME reported in a 1991 feature. My children grew up in a fairly white community, and that motivated me to teach them the value of the African-American heritage, a 50-year-old El Cajon, Calif.-based lawyer who celebrates with her physician husband and their five children, told TIME. Now, Karenga heads up the Africana Studies department at California State University-Long Beach and is the Executive Director of the African American Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Kwanzaa is clearly a celebration of family, community and culture, but it is also a celebration of freedom, he said in a statement on the 50th anniversary. It is an act of freedom in its recovery and reconstruction of African culture, our return to its best values and practices and our resistance to the imposition of Eurocentric ways of understanding and engaging the world. KALISPELL It's probably hard for drivers to not stop at the sight of a 20-foot-tall, Christmas-lit ice structure in the Olsen family's yard between their home and Helena Flats Road. At night, the stalactites make the structure look like a glacial chandelier illuminated by Christmas lights woven underneath the ice. "There will be a solid line of cars out here around Christmas," said Russ Olsen, who built the ice structure in his yard. "It's just one of those things that no one else does, so it's fun to do." The structure, which the Olsen family refers to as the ice castle, was constructed with a 1989 Ford F-150 propped up on its nose with a beam for support. After running Christmas lights around the vertical vehicle, Russ ran an underground sprinkler hose to the top of the pickup and has kept it spraying a mist of water to continue building ice over time. "We don't do anything small," said Angie Olsen, Russ's wife. Russ said he's built about five or six different ice structures over the years, depending each year on the weather. A frozen formation two years ago succumbed to December rains and broke apart before Christmas came. "You've got to have a year when it gets real cold like this," he said. "This one's built out the best." While the glowing ice tower might instill some Christmas spirit in passers-by, the structure is partially an homage to Russ's father, who used to build smaller structures at his home, right next door to where the Olsens live now, on the third-generation Olsen farm. Russ's father died in 1996. "He only did a couple of them, but he just made them out of whatever he could find out back," Russ said. Russ built his first ice structure about 16 years ago. He's used a number of different building materials; including a 30-foot telephone pole used for that first structure in 2000. "He's pretty creative," Angie said. "(Russ) has fun doing it; he probably wouldn't admit it though." Despite the Christmas castle in their yard, Angie said the family doesn't heavily decorate their home during the holidays. Angie directs most of her decorating to her Columbia Falls business, Angie's Greenhouse, which switches out flowers with wreaths and trees each winter. At the greenhouse, old vehicles are again transformed into art, such as the tie-die painted Volkswagen partially buried in asphalt in front of a wall of tires, each filled with colorful bouquets during the summer. Russ, with his paving business, helped put the vehicle in the ground. But back at home, "We don't have many other decorations; it's pretty simple," Angie said. "But I don't know if you'd call this simple." GAO, Mali (AP) As the sun starts to fall, the call to prayer at the mosque echoes throughout Gao, a predominantly Muslim town in northern Mali. At that same moment, a small church bell nearby also rings. It's a reminder that even in a town where just four years ago strict Islamic law was in force, some Christians have returned to rebuild their congregation, which fled the jihadist occupation. This is the first Christmas they've been able to hold a service at the Catholic church, which was torched in 2012 by the al-Qaida-linked militants who took over the major towns in northern Mali that year. Yet even as they celebrate, the fear of persecution is still widespread. Police stood by to protect the church as worshippers met Saturday and they returned again Sunday for the morning service. In a sign of the dangers that lurk, a Swiss aid worker was abducted from her home by armed men on Christmas Eve. The turnout this year at the Saturday night service was only several dozen people. In total, there are now about 125 to 150 Christians who have come back though that is still only half of what the population once was, says Philippe Omore, president of the Christian community in Gao. "The congregants have been fearful they don't want to come to the church yet so we must raise awareness," he said. Inside the church on Christmas Eve, a small choir of 10 people sang hymns in front of a tree lit up with colorful lights that was set next to a small nativity scene. After the two-hour service, church members met in a dining area on site to share sandwiches and salad. Many of the extremists who ruled Gao in 2012 came from outside the country Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Mauritania and they enforced their strict interpretation of Islam upon the local community, where tolerance had long reigned between Muslims and Christians. While the West African country is overwhelmingly Muslim, some Malians converted to Christianity during colonialism when the country was ruled by predominantly Catholic France. Story continues French forces ultimately liberated the town in 2013 but Christians who had fled to central and southern Mali waited about a year to make sure the peace would hold before they returned. Next they had to rebuild the church that had been destroyed by jihadists. "Christmas brings us joy in spite of the security threats," said the Rev. Afeku Anthero, a priest from Uganda. "On this night, God sent us his son as the prince of peace. Peace should reign in our hearts, in the Christian community and in our country. This is especially important for Mali where we need peace and where it has been difficult to reconcile and unite us." Still, Omore says life remains tenuous for the Christians who have returned, and peace is a dream at this point. "Before the crisis, we could go walk on the sand dunes outside of Gao but today because of the security situation that is no longer possible. We miss it, and we want to live as we did in the past free and without fear for our safety." DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / December 25, 2016 / Marcus Hiles, Chairman and CEO of Western Rim Property Services, develops impressive communities driven by his conviction that advanced design and environmentally clean and friendly housing are equally important and beneficial not only for individual residents, but for the entire society and the country in general. The forward-thinking property developer and philanthropist who singlehandedly altered the Texas real estate market with his creation of luxury apartments and town-homes has maintained the highest standards for protecting the environment. With upscale rentals that are seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape, utilizing sustainably minded building practices and featuring state-of-the-art, energy-efficient amenities; Marcus Hiles' Western Rim has made elegance eco-friendly. https://vimeo.com/marcushiles In all of the communities built and managed by Marcus Hiles throughout the Lone Star state, residents enjoy resort-style living and upgraded conveniences. From the rich wood and Italian marble flooring to the cooling radiant barrier roofing in the attics of Western Rims Estates, Towers and Mansions brand properties, lavish interiors and green construction go hand in hand. The striking design of extra-tall, dual pane windows belies their functionality: a layer of argon gas with a solar heat gain coefficient minimum of 0.22 reduces heat loss in colder months by as much as 75 percent, and helps minimize cooling requirements during summer. Energy bills are likewise controlled by highly effectual weather stripping; tight seals regulate the temperatures set by programmable thermostats and HVAC systems, which use substantially less energy than standard thermal comfort units. Homes are also treated with cellulose sound insulation, giving residents protection from outside noise, diminishing volumes between walls and floors by 80 percent. Water-conserving irrigation systems feed opulent baths outfitted with jetted tubs and rainwater showerheads, while ENERGY STAR stainless steel Whirlpool brand appliances provide stylish and sustainable choices for the refined gourmet chef-quality kitchens. Story continues In addition to the environmentally minded and well-appointed details of the properties themselves, Marcus Hiles also ensures that green space within Western Rims developments stands as a top priority. Communities center on expansive urban and private parks, often providing on-site walking trails and dog run areas, while preserving existing trees and vegetation on and around the properties; the native greenery removes air pollutants while storing and sequestering carbon dioxide, lowering greenhouse gas emissions overall by reducing energy demand. As Hiles has continues to build upmarket homes in the Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio suburbs, he has added to the natural beauty of those regions by increasing the tree canopy beyond their pre-developed statemore than 3,000 trees were planted last year alone. "We will continue to exhibit leadership in energy conservation and respect for the environment, while engaging our communities in ongoing efforts to safeguard the planet," Hiles confirms. Marcus Hiles, Fort Worth property development authority and philanthropist, has spent more than three decades creating properties that embody his unique vision of luxury living for working class Texans. While growing his residential communities, Marcus Hiles has personally donated more than 59 acres of parkland to the general public to preserve wildlife habitats and offer residents accessible green spaces. A graduate of Pepperdine and Rice Universities, he is deeply committed to education and has donated over $2.5 million to public and private K-12 initiatives, after school programs, and university career services and job placement programs. Marcus Hiles - Chairman & CEO of Western Rim Property Services: http://www.MarcusHiles-News.com Western Rim Property Services- Marcus Hiles - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Western-Rim-Property-Services-Marcus-Hiles-1013270532051763/ Marcus Hiles (@marcus_hiles) - Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcus_hiles Marcus Hiles - New Luxury Apartments in Frisco, TX - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmsJNbfOh-g Contact Information: www.MarcusHiles-News.com marcus@marcushiles-news.com SOURCE: Marcus Hiles Missouri may be the next state to offer medical marijuana to suffering patients. Two senators recently filed separate medical marijuana measures to be considered when the 2017 legislative season starts, both of which propose a comprehensive legal marijuana program for more patients, reports said. Sens. Jason Holsman and Rob Schaaf prefiled bills advancing the states marijuana program earlier in December. Both proposals call for legalization of medical marijuana. However, details on Holsmans Senate Bill 56 are still very limited. The bill aims to grant licenses for the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of marijuana for medical use, while Schaafs Senate Bill 153 also calls for cannabis manufacture and distribution, but broadens the scope of patients who could qualify for medical marijuana. Under SB153, Schaaf proposes people suffering from serious conditions including, cancer, HIV, AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, severe migraines, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathies, Huntington's disease or certain specified symptoms or complications associated with the conditions. The law would allow registered users to possess up to a 30-day supply of marijuana supplied by a practitioner. The senators' proposals come right after marijuana reform activists in Missouri failed to get a medical marijuana bill on the November ballot in September. The petition was shy 2,000 signatures needed to get a medical marijuana measure on the ballot. However, groups are pushing to see a legal and less restrictive medical measure on the ballot in 2018. At this point we have already filed a petition with the secretary of state to put it on the November 2018 ballot, Sheila Dundon, who works with Missouri reform groups like New Approach Missouri and Show Me Cannabis," told KOMU, Columbia, Wednesday. Story continues Currently in Missouri, only people with intractable epilepsy can participate in the states restrictive marijuana program. With a doctors prescription, patients suffering from very specific ailments are able to possess up to 20 ounces of cannabis extract. Only cannabinoid-based products marijuana that doesnt contain the psychoactive THC ingredient are available for consumption. Related Articles Can we all take a moment to obsess over Kate Middletons fabulous burgundy holiday coat? Christmas Day is here, and of course one of our favorite royals got us more fabulous fashion as our special gift. This morning, Kate Middleton and Prince William attended Christmas services in Bucklebury, Berkshire. And naturally, Kate looked stunning. Kate, aka Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, rocked a richly-hued coat to church on Christmas Day, and we are obsessed. Of course, the Duchess is no stranger to fabulous outerwear. She has an enviable coat for every occasion, and the holidays are no different. Along with their two totally sweet children, Kate and William made a fashionable Christmas pair. Just take a moment to absorb Kate Middletons fabulous burgundy holiday coat. Its so stunning we dont know where to begin. The rich color feels so royal. And paired with Kates matching stole, its perfect. The coat was designed by Hobbs, according to The Daily Mail, one of the designers that Kate often wears. The simple belt at the waist and cuffs adds an understated shape and detail thats perfect for the fashionable Duchess. We are totally obsessed with the cozy stole, that feels perfect for the holidays. The Middleton Family Attend Church On Christmas Day The holidays are all about snuggling in front of the fire or staying toasty in the snow. So Kates addition of this multi-shade purple stole makes her coat feel perfectly Christmas-y without going the traditional red and green. Plus, it adds a feeling of even more luxury to Kates already luxe style. And Kates maroon clutch perfectly matches daughter Charlottes tights, because she knows the beauty is in the details. The Middleton Family Attend Church On Christmas Day What a sweet way to pair herself with her favorite little accessory Princess Charlotte. Mom and daughter matched perfectly, and we think they make the sweetest pair. The whole royal family looked fabulously fashionable walking through the church grounds. The Royal Family Attend Church On Christmas Day We hope Duchess Catherine, Prince William, and their family have a wonderful and happy holiday! The post Can we all take a moment to obsess over Kate Middletons fabulous burgundy holiday coat? appeared first on HelloGiggles. London (AFP) - The widower of murdered British MP Jo Cox on Sunday urged people to heed the wake-up call of 2016 and come together in 2017 to fight extremism and terrorism. Brendan Cox in a televised speech called for people to reunite after a divisive year in Europe, the United States and the Middle East. Since 1993, Channel 4 television has shown an alternative Christmas message as Queen Elizabeth II's traditional speech to the Commonwealth is screened on other British channels. Jo Cox, 41, a mother of two young children, was shot and stabbed to death on June 16 in the days before Britain's EU referendum. Last month Nazi-inspired Thomas Mair, 53, was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of release after being found guilty of murdering the opposition Labour MP. "2016 has been an awful year for our family. And it's been a divisive one for the wider world," Brendan Cox said. "A year in which fascism, xenophobia, extremism and terrorism made us divided and feel threatened. From America to Europe to the Middle East and beyond. "And these trends could strengthen, they could gain momentum, they could consolidate. "But that isn't how it has to be. "Instead of being a turning point for the worse, 2016 could be a wake-up call that brings us back together." He urged people to reach out to those they disagreed with and defend the values of tolerance and fair play. "I hope 2017 might be the year in which we realise that we have more in common than that which divides us." Previous presenters of the Channel 4 message have included comedy character Ali G, French actress Brigitte Bardot, chef Jamie Oliver, cartoon character Marge Simpson, Iran's former hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and US whistleblower Edward Snowden. Channel 4's deputy head of news and current affairs Daniel Pear said: "2016 has been one of the most momentous years in recent history -- punctuated by political turmoil, conflict and a stream of dramatic events. "Brendan's message references this wider turbulence but is also a very personal reflection." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro to a meeting in the wake of Fridays U.N. resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem but it was unclear whether the confrontation would be Sunday night or later this week. Netanyahu ordered the Foreign Ministry to summon the envoys from Russia, China, Japan, Ukraine, France, Britain, Angola, Egypt, Uruguay and Spain, which voted in favor of the U.N. Security Council resolution to express Israeli ire. The measure passed 14-0 with the U.S. abstaining, breaking with the American tradition of protecting Israel. One Western diplomat complained to Haaretz the summons timing was unusual. "What would they have said in Jerusalem if we summoned the Israeli ambassador on Yom Kippur," the Western diplomat said. The resolution labels Israeli settlements illegal and asks the rest of the world to differentiate its dealings with Israel proper and the territory won in the 1967 Six Day War. Netanyahu labeled the resolution hostile and unbalanced at his weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday. obama netanyahu Photo: Kevin Lamarque Netanyahu summoned Shapiro on Sunday. Haaretz said he was asked to an "unusual" Sunday night meeting but Ynetnews.com said the two would meet later this week. Haaretz reported Netanyahu also warned Likud ministers more pressure could be applied to Israel before U.S. President Barack Obama leaves office Jan. 20. Netanyahu told his Cabinet the Obama administration worked on the resolutions wording to make sure it passed, contradicting past U.S. policy against allowing the U.N. to force conditions on Israel. "As I told [U.S. Secretary of State] John Kerry on Thursday friends do not take friends to the Security Council," Netanyahu told his Cabinet in English. Story continues Netanyahu and Obama have had a contentious relationship throughout both mens tenures. The relationship worsened during the 2012 election when Netanyahu threw his support behind Republican nominee Mitt Romney and accepted an invitation to speak before Congress without clearing it with the White House. At the same time, Netanyahu told his ministers to stop criticizing Obama and calling for the annexation of the settlements, the Jerusalem Post reported. "I wasn't surprised by the actions of the Americans or the U.N., because they were never our friends," Culture Minister Miri Regev told Army Radio. "I knew Obama was looking to take sweet revenge against Israel and Netanyahu. Since he was elected in 2009, he was hostile to settlements and Netanyahu. He revealed his true face with an anti-Israel decision but Netanyahu and Israel will defeat him." "I believe the next administration will clean this decision that stained the Obama administration, Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi told reporters outside Netanyahus office. Obama surrendered to the Iranians, abandoned the Syrians and stuck a knife in the backs of the Israelis." Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman ordered the Israeli Army and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories to stop all activity with counterparts in the Palestinian Authority, Ynetnews.com reported. Netanyahu said he is encouraged by the statements of our friends Republican and Democrat alike [who] understand how reckless and destructive this U.N. resolution was. President-elect Donald Trump expressed his opposition to the resolution and has selected David Friedman, a strong supporter of settlement activity, as his choice for U.S. ambassador to Israel. He tweeted Saturday the action will make it much tougher to negotiate a peace settlement. Netanyahu Saturday night called the resolution underhanded and an anti-Israel maneuver. He vowed to cut funding to U.N. institutions and ordered a full review of the Jewish States relationship with the international body. Israel recalled its envoys to New Zealand and Senegal, which pushed for the resolution, and called for sanctions against the two countries. "The Obama administration not only failed to protect Israel against this gang-up at the U.N., it colluded with it behind the scenes," the prime ministers bureau said. Ukranian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman had been scheduled to visit Israel this week. Netanyahu canceled the meeting. Related Articles By Felix Onuah and Alexis Akwagyiram ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's army has captured a key Boko Haram camp, the Islamist militant group's last enclave in the vast Sambisa forest that was its stronghold, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Saturday. Boko Haram has killed 15,000 people and displaced more than two million during a seven-year insurgency to create an Islamic state governed by a strict interpretation of sharia law in the northeast of Africa's most populous nation. The group controlled an area about the size of Belgium in early 2015 but has been pushed out of most of that territory over the last year by Nigeria's army and troops from neighbouring countries, shifting to a base in the Sambisa, a former colonial game reserve. "I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the camp fell at about 1:35 pm on Friday, December 23, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide," Buhari said in a statement. Reuters was unable to independently verify whether the base in Nigeria's Borno state, known as Camp Zero, had been taken by the army. Buhari said the capture of Camp Zero marked the "final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa forest". Army spokesman Sani Usman said the military was "happy and proud of the accomplished task" without giving further details. Nigeria's military has been conducting an offensive in the forest during the last few weeks. Officials said in recent days that insurgents were fleeing into surrounding areas, warning residents to be vigilant. Despite having been pushed back to the Sambisa forest, Boko Haram still stages suicide bombings in northeasteran areas and in neighbouring Niger and Cameroon. Ryan Cummings, director of Africa-focused risk management company Signal Risk, said it was unlikely that the entire insurgency was being coordinated from the Sambisa. "Boko Haram may have both logistical and operational bases both within and outside of Nigeria's borders," he said. Boko Haram pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS) last year but signs of a rift emerged in August after IS announced a new leader, Abu Musab al-Barnawi. Boko Haram's hitherto leader Abubakar Shekau later appeared to contradict the appointment in a video message. Analysts say Shekau's faction is based in the Sambisa while al-Barnawi's group operates in the Lake Chad area. (Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Catherine Evans and Helen Popper) Washington (AFP) - President Barack Obama and his daughters spent part of the Christmas weekend playing an "escape room" game, while White House successor Donald Trump ushered in the holiday overnight with a visit to church. According to pool reports, Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia and some friends spent part of Saturday evening playing "Breakout Waikiki" -- a live-action game where players are locked in a room with one hour to figure out a series of clues and riddles to escape. The Obamas are spending the holidays in Hawaii. Escape room games are all the rage in the United States, after years of popularity in Asia and elsewhere. "Your goal is simple: You have 60 Minutes to break out from one of our real life escape rooms," the website for Breakout Waikiki says. "Crack the codes. Use your gut. Solve the riddles. Find out if you have what it takes to break out in time!" The Obamas did, apparently. "They were yelling, screaming, having a blast. They broke out with 12 seconds left," the manager of Breakout Waikiki told BuzzFeed News. "To be totally honest, we didn't know that they were coming. It was 100 percent unexpected. They booked under a different name," manager MacGregor Greenlee told BuzzFeed News. "An hour earlier, Secret Service showed up." Afterwards, the Obamas enjoyed a local tropical specialty, flavored shaved ice, as the commander-in-chief shook well-wishers' hands. Michelle Obama was not part of the outing. The first lady spent part of her Christmas Eve volunteering with Canadian and American defense agency workers charting Santa's path around the globe and answered phone calls from excited children. "I'm detecting something on the radar screen. It is -- yes, it is Santa and he is being pulled by reindeer," the first lady told two young phone callers. Volunteers of the North American Aerospace Defense Command have been tracking Santa's round-the-world voyage every Christmas Eve, and taking phone calls from excited children, for more than 60 years. Story continues President-elect Trump and his wife, Melania, who are spending their Christmas holiday at the family's Mar-A-Lago resort, attended services late Saturday at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach -- the same church where they were married in 2005. Both Obama and Trump sent out holiday greetings via Twitter. "Wishing you a bright and Happy Hanukkah!" the president-elect wrote in a tweet signed by Donald & Melania Trump. Another Trump tweet sent on Sunday read "#MerryChristmas, accompanied by a picture of Trump standing before a Christmas tree with a celebratory raised fist. Obama also tweeted out Christmas greetings. "The best part of the holiday is the time we share with those we love," he wrote under his @POTUS handle. "On behalf of Michelle, Malia and Sasha, Merry Christmas everyone." Washington (AFP) - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama sent their final Christmas salutations from the White House on Saturday, highlighting common values uniting Americans of all faiths. "The idea that we are our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated," Michelle Obama said. "Those are values that help guide not just my family's Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; nonbelievers and Americans of all backgrounds," the president added. The Obamas' seasonal greeting comes at a time when America is deeply divided after a brutal presidential campaign that pitched populist Donald Trump and his frequently incendiary rhetoric against Hillary Clinton. The Obamas appeared jovial in their greeting, showing a flashback to the filming of their first Christmas message in 2009, when the president couldn't stop giggling. Barack Obama also used the address to re-cap his time in office, saying the country was much stronger than it had been than when he succeeded George W. Bush. "Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low," he said. "We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more." As is custom, the couple also thanked US troops and their families. Muscat (AFP) - Voters in Oman headed to the polls Sunday to choose municipal councillors in only the second local election held in the Gulf sultanate. Ruled by Sultan Qaboos since 1970, Oman has made tentative steps in recent years towards reform, though political parties remain banned. In 1994 it became the first Gulf monarchy to give the vote to women and in 2011 Qaboos decreed that elections be held for municipal councils. More than 620,000 voters were registered to take part in Sunday's polls, which will choose councillors for 11 municipalities including the capital Muscat. The councillors will have limited powers, as authorities will designate chairmen and deputy chairmen for the municipalities from outside those elected. "I voted for the person who will best represent me," Jawhara al-Zadjali said as she left a polling station in Muscat. Voters across the country are choosing 202 councillors from among 731 candidates, including 23 women, for the four-year posts. At the national level, Oman has a consultative council with limited powers, the 85-member Majlis al-Shura. In 2011 Qaboos slightly expanded the powers of the Majlis al-Shura after unprecedented social unrest when the normally quiet nation became caught up in protests which swept the Arab world. By Syed Raza Hassan KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan released 220 Indian fishermen on Sunday as a goodwill gesture aimed at easing tensions with its neighbor, officials said. The men were arrested more than a year ago, accused of entering Pakistani waters in an area of the Arabian Sea where the border is unclear. India is also holding Pakistani fishermen for the same reason and Pakistan hopes its gesture - on the birthday of the nation's father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which coincides with Christmas Day - will be reciprocated. We have total of 518 Indian fishermen out of which 220 are being released today as a goodwill gesture of the Pakistan government. In the next phase, 219 fishermen will be released on Jan. 5," Shunail Husain Shah, a police assistant superintendent, told Reuters. Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors have been more fraught than usual since a crackdown by Indian forces on dissent in Indian-controlled Kashmir began in July. In September militants killed 18 soldiers at an Indian army base, an attack New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. We appreciate Pakistans goodwill gesture of releasing Indian fishermen, but we expect a similar reciprocal move by India, 156 Pakistani fishermen including 13 children are languishing in Indian jails, Muhammad Ali Shah, president of Pakistan Fisher Folk, a fishermen's rights body. told Reuters. The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea states that fishermen who cross territorial waters can be warned and fined but not arrested, and Shah called on both countries to respect that. One of the fishermen being released, who goes by the single name Naresh, told Reuters: I am very happy, looking forward to meet my family back in Gujarat. We were treated nicely here, I will request the Indian government release the detained Pakistani fishermen as well. (Reporting by Syed Raza Hassan; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) Concern about the effects of fake news racheted up a notch Sunday with a tweet from Pakistans defense minister threatening nuclear war with Israel on the mistaken belief Israels defense minister had threatened Pakistan if it sent troops to Syria. Fake news has been credited with contributing to the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Now a typo-riddled fictitious story on AWD News was posted last Tuesday quoting former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon (Israels current defense minister is Avigdor Lieberman) as saying he would destroy Pakistan prompted a response Saturday from Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, threatening nuclear retaliation. The Pakistan Defense Ministry said Pakistan would retaliate against any nation that threatened it but pointed out Asif was reacting to a fake story. The Israeli Defense Ministry responded to Asif, saying Yaalon never made the threat and called the AWD report false. There was no subsequent response from Pakistan, but Asif was being criticized on Twitter for being taken in. Israel has remained neutral in the nearly 7-year-old Syrian civil war. The fact-checking site Snopes.com has said AWD has a record of promoting conspiracy theories and fake news. Among its fact-free scoops was a story alleging King Abdullah of Jordan had killed his wife in a Rome hotel room for having an affair. It also claimed the CIA tried to assassinate Trump. Israel is believed to have had nuclear capability since the 1960s but never has acknowledged it. It has said it would not be the first country to introduce nuclear weapons in the Middle East. Pakistan became a nuclear power in 1998. Neither country has signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, nor do they have diplomatic relations. Pakistan has previously threatened India with a nuclear attack. Story continues Fake news has proliferated on social media, even leading a North Carolina man to open fire on a Washington pizza restaurant Dec. 4, saying he was investigating an alleged child sex slave ring linked to Hillary Clinton operating from the restaurant. Edgar Welch, 28, is under federal indictment and could face five years in prison for firing multiple shots at the Comet Ping Pong restaurant. No one was injured. Related Articles For hundreds of protesters, it was cause to cheer when the Obama administration this month declined to issue an easement for the Dakota Access pipeline's final segment. But that elation was dampened by the uncertainty of what comes next: a Donald Trump-led White House that might be far less attuned to issues affecting Native Americans. "With Trump coming into office, you just can't celebrate," said Laundi Germaine Keepseagle, who is 28 and from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, where the demonstrators have been camped out near the North Dakota-South Dakota border. Anxiety over the 1,200-mile pipeline illustrates a broader uncertainty over how tribes will fare under Trump following what many in Indian Country consider a landmark eight years. President Barack Obama has won accolades among Native Americans for breaking through a gridlock of inaction on tribal issues and for putting a spotlight on their concerns with yearly meetings with tribal leaders. Under his administration, lawmakers cemented a tribal health care law that includes more preventive care and mental health resources and addresses recruiting and retaining physicians throughout Indian Country. The Interior Department restored tribal homelands by placing more than 500,000 acres under tribes' control more than any other recent administration while the Justice Department charted a process approved by Congress for tribes to prosecute and sentence more cases involving non-Native Americans who assault Native American women. Before Obama, a gap in the laws allowed for such crimes to go unpunished. In addition, the federal government settled decades-old lawsuits involving Native Americans, including class-action cases over the government's mismanagement of royalties for oil, gas, timber and grazing leases and its discrimination against tribal members seeking farm loans. "In my opinion, President Obama has been the greatest president in dealing with Native Americans," said Brian Cladoosby, chairman of the Swinomish Tribe north of Seattle and president of the nonpartisan National Congress of American Indians, based in Washington, D.C. "The last eight years give us hope going forward with the relationships we have on both sides of the aisle." Story continues Trump, meanwhile, rarely acknowledged Native Americans during his campaign and hasn't publicly outlined how he would improve or manage the United States' longstanding relationships with tribes. His Interior secretary pick, Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana, sponsored legislation that he says would have given tribes more control over coal and other fossil fuel development on their lands. But some of Trump's biggest campaign pledges including repealing health care legislation and building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border would collide with tribal interests. In Arizona, Tohono O'odham Nation leaders have vowed to oppose any plans for a wall along the 75-mile portion of the border that runs parallel to their reservation. And the nonprofit National Indian Health Board in Washington says it's aiming to work with lawmakers to ensure the Indian Health Care Improvement Act remains intact. The law, which guarantees funding for care through the federal Indian Health Services agency, was embedded in Obama's health care overhaul after consultation with tribes. The government's role figures prominently in Native Americans' daily lives because treaties and other binding agreements often require the U.S. to manage tribal health care, law enforcement and education. Some tribal members say they're unsure how much Trump understands or cares about their unique relationship with the federal government. "I think there was a great hope that we had here in Indian Country with the direct dialogue that President Obama had established with tribal nations," said Duane "Chili" Yazzie, president of the Navajo Nation's Shiprock Chapter. "If a similar effort to communicate with us were carried on by the Trump administration, I would be surprised." Though most reservations lean Democratic in presidential elections, Trump does have some supporters in Indian Country. They hope the businessman can turn around lagging economies in rural reservations, such as the 27,000-square-mile Navajo Nation, which covers parts of Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. "Trump is pro-job growth, and tribes need a healthy dose of business creation," said Deswood Tome, a former spokesman for the tribe from Window Rock, Arizona. "To do that, a lot of federal barriers must be removed. We're the only ethnic group who have so much federal control in our lives." The Dakota Access pipeline illustrates another chasm between Obama and Trump. This fall, the pipeline dispute led Obama's administration to begin tackling a final piece of its Indian Country agenda: guidelines for how cabinet departments should consult with tribes on major infrastructure projects. A top complaint from the Standing Rock Sioux was that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to properly consult with them before initially approving a pipeline route that ran beneath Lake Oahe, the tribe's primary source of drinking water. After the administration halted construction on the project in September to review the complaint, it held seven meetings with tribal leaders and began drafting a report on how federal officials should consult with tribes. U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said the report will be completed before Obama leaves office, and she expects it to have a lasting impact, even with an incoming administration that promises to undo some of the president's policies. What's unclear is whether Trump, who once owned stock in the pipeline builder, will seek to reverse the Army's decision this month to explore alternate routes. A spokesman said only that the president-elect plans to review the move after he takes office. However, Trump's transition team said in a recent memo to campaign supporters and congressional staff that he supports the pipeline's completion. In the meantime, Standing Rock Sioux Chairman David Archambault has begun lobbying for a meeting with Trump to make a case for his tribe's opposition to the project, which the chairman says threatens not just water but sacred cultural sites. "You have to respect Mother Earth; she's precious," Archambault said. "You can still believe in capitalism, and you can still invest in infrastructure projects, but these infrastructure projects should be focused toward renewable energy rather than fossil fuel development." ___ Associated Press writers Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Regina Garcia Cano in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, contributed to this report. ___ Follow Mary Hudetz on Twitter at http://twitter.com/marymhudetz. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/mary-hudetz. LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a man is in critical condition after being shot by police answering a domestic call. Authorities say two officers who answered the call around 7 p.m. Christmas Eve were confronted by a man wielding a knife at a home in Buford, an unincorporated area of Gwinnett County. In a news release, Gwinnett County police say the man was shot several times. The officers were not injured. GBI spokesman Bahan Rich said in an email says the man was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition Sunday. The identities of those involved have not yet been released. ___ Information from: WSB-TV, http://www.wsbtv.com/index.html (VATICAN CITY) Pope Francis on Sunday wished Christmas peace for people scarred by wars and for those who have lost loved ones to terrorism that he said is sowing fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities. An estimated 40,000 tourists and Romans calmly endured long lines for security checks to enter St. Peters Square. There they got a glimpse of the pope on the central balcony of St. Peters Basilica, where he delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) Christmas day message. Francis cited those suffering through the Syrian war, especially during the most awful battles in Aleppo. He pressed the international community to find a negotiated solution. He urged Israelis and Palestinians to abandon hate and revenge. He also lamented that in Nigeria fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children, a reference to child suicide bombers, and he decried conflicts and tensions in Africa, eastern Ukraine, Myanmar, the Korean peninsula, Colombia and Venezuela. The heavy security at the Vatican reflected apprehension in much of Europe, which is reeling from extremist attacks. Last week, 12 people died in Berlin when a Tunisian man who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group plowed a truck through a crowd at a Christmas market. He was killed a few days later in a shootout in near Milan. Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them, or who were wounded, as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, that have sown fear and death in the hearts of so many countries and cities, the pope said. Referring to the meaning of Jesus birth, Francis said: Today this message goes out to the ends of the Earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace. Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis urged peace in the Middle East at his Christmas address Sunday, in which he offered comfort to terrorism victims after a year of brutal jihadist attacks. The 80-year-old Argentine pontiff called for guns to fall silent in Syria, saying "far too much blood has been spilled" in the nearly six-year conflict which has also contributed to mass migration and homelessness. And despite few signs of progress, he urged Israelis and Palestinians to "have the courage and the determination to write a new page of history" in his message delivered from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica. A crowd of 40,000 gathered in the square below which, despite the sunny weather, was far from full. In her traditional Christmas Day speech, Queen Elizabeth II spoke out about the need for unity to overcome violence in the world. "On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine," she said in the pre-recorded televised speech. Europe has ramped up security for the holiday just days after the truck attack that left 12 dead at a Berlin Christmas market on Monday. For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. In Milan, where the suspected Berlin attacker was killed in a police shootout on Friday, there was a heavy security presence around the cathedral. The entrance has been protected by concrete barriers since the Berlin atrocity. In France, where the killings in Germany evoked memories of the jihadist truck rampage in June that left 86 people dead in Nice, 91,000 members of the security forces have been deployed to guard public spaces including churches and markets over the weekend. Religious ceremonies in Germany were heavy with the weight of Monday's attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State group. "Christmas this year carries a deep wound -- we are celebrating this festival in a different way this year," said Gebhard Fuerst, bishop of Rothenburg in the southeast. Story continues But the country's interior minister Thomas de Maiziere praised the public's reaction as "brilliant". "I am impressed by the determination... the Germans remain unshakeable," he told the Bild newspaper. - 'Closed doors, defended borders' - In Israel, security was tight for Christmas celebrations coinciding with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Around 2,500 worshippers packed the Church of the Nativity complex, built over the grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born, for midnight mass in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa used his homily to plead for compassion for refugees and for a halt to Middle East violence. "We fear the stranger who knocks at the door of our home and at the borders of our countries," he said. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury who is the spiritual leader of the world's Anglicans, said 2016 had left the world less stable. "The end of 2016 finds us all in a different kind of world; one less predictable and certain, which feels more awash with fear and division," he was due to say in his sermon Sunday. In The Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander called for national unity, pointing to unsettled politics, warning that the "extreme seems to have become the new normal". "The contradictions in the world have become bigger," he said on national television. - Icy swim, meat auction - Around the world, many braved winter temperatures to celebrate. In Slovakia 30 hardy swimmers took the plunge at Bratislava's Zlate Piesky lake, with some drinking beer in the nearly freezing water. But in the world's conflict-torn countries, there were reminders of the violence that has ravaged the world this year. Christians in Syria's Aleppo were preparing for Christmas services after President Bashar al-Assad's forces retook full control of the ruined former economic hub. The Old City's Saint Elias Cathedral, its roof collapsed under rocket fire, was set to host its first Christmas mass in five years. And in Bartalla, near the Iraqi city of Mosul, Christians filled the pews of the fire-scarred Mar Shimoni church for the first service since the town was retaken from IS jihadists who had seized it in 2014. By Jake Spring NINGDE, China (Reuters) - A dusty village on the outskirts of Ningde, a third-tier city in China's southeast, seems an unlikely place for the headquarters of a potential global leader in future automotive technology. Yet China's top-down industrial policy diktats - move up the value chain, clean up polluted urban skies, and shift to plug-in cars - have Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) poised to go from hometown hero to national champion, and beyond. China's answer to Japan's Panasonic Corp and South Korea's LG Chem Ltd has tripled its production capacity for lithium-ion car batteries in the past year to keep up with a surge in China's sales of electric cars. After a second major funding round completed in October, the company's value quadrupled to 80 billion yuan ($11.5 billion), CEO Huang Shilin said last week. CATL, which hopes to list on Beijing's over-the-counter exchange as part of plans to raise at least another 30 billion yuan by 2020, could be a dominant force globally. It has already overtaken LG Chem in lithium-ion car battery output, and is chasing down Panasonic and Warren Buffett-backed BYD Co Ltd (1211.HK). CATL plans to grow its battery capacity sixfold by 2020 to 50 gigawatt hours, which could put it ahead of Tesla Motor Inc's (TSLA.O) gigafactory in Nevada. "We continue to walk where the country guides us," Huang said. "We hope by 2020 we can achieve performance and price that lead the world." The company, founded just five years ago, is already pushing beyond China's borders, with offices in Sweden, Germany and France and plans to build a factory in Europe. Company representatives say that because of non-disclosure agreements they can only list BMW (BMWG.DE) as a customer for now. Despite the ambitious expansion, the emerging segment's dependence on government policy and rapidly evolving technology is not without risk. A123, a U.S. automotive battery maker, went from IPO to bust in just three years as battery costs remained stubbornly high and orders dried up. Story continues "People think we're a big successful company, but we think we're in jeopardy every day," marketing director Neill Yang said. "The market environment and technology changes so fast that if we don't follow the trend we could die in three months." BUILDING A CHAMPION To become a Chinese champion, a battery maker must first shed any foreign investment to be eligible for subsidies and other policy support, people in the industry say. Before he set up CATL, Robin Zeng had started Amperex Technology Ltd (ATL), a company now majority-owned by Japan's TDK . ATL initially had a 15 percent stake in CATL, but liquidated that holding last year, Yang said, when electric vehicle sales first started to take off. He declined to elaborate on the circumstances of that divestment. TDK separated from CATL to focus on batteries for mobile consumer electronics, but still collects royalties on some intellectual property used by CATL, a spokesman for the Japanese company said. "The reason is strategic and confidential. ATL still keeps a close relationship with CATL," said a person familiar with the situation, who was not authorized to speak to the media. ATL and CATL still share a Ningde campus, although the front gate and main office bear only the ATL name. Zeng, a Ningde local with a doctorate in chemistry, appears to be the remaining link between the two companies he founded. He declined an interview request. POLICY SUPPORT While government support for electric cars has driven demand for components such as batteries, Beijing is also rolling out other policies that could benefit leading producers like CATL, by forcing smaller firms to consolidate or go out of business. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MITI) said last month it is considering a rule that would increase minimum production requirements for battery makers by around 40 times to 8 gigawatt hours. Only BYD and CATL are roughly in line with that minimum, though Chinese media reports suggest Hefei Guoxuan High-Tech Power Energy Co Ltd and Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint-Stock Co Ltd may be close to or above that level by next year. Yang said subsidy support for batteries is fairly modest compared to those for producing electric vehicles, which totalled $4.5 billion last year alone. CATL has been nominated as one of three battery makers - with Guoxuan and Lishen - for incentives under China's 13th Five-Year Plan, promising around $15 million if it can meet targets, Yang said. He noted, though, that a single production line costs $40 million. Among national 2020 targets: to halve battery costs to below 1 yuan ($0.144) per kilowatt hour, and improve energy density by two-thirds. To get there, CATL is ramping up spending on research and development, where it employs more than 1,000 people with advanced science degrees. "The strength of their R&D investment is quite large," said Fu Yuwu, chief of the Society of Automotive Engineers of China, adding he hopes the company can become a global leader. "They have such large scale and the support of China's huge market, all the more reason they should do a good job of internationalizing," he said. (Reporting by Jake Spring, with additional reporting by Sijia Jiang in HONG KONG, Norihiko Shirouzu in BEIJING and Adam Jourdan in SHANGHAI; Editing by Ian Geoghegan) Tehran (AFP) - Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin welcomed the "Syrian army's victory against the terrorists in Aleppo" during a late-night phone call, Iranian media reported on Sunday. "The Syrian army's victory sends a message that the terrorists cannot achieve their objectives. We must stop terrorists using the ceasefire to rebuild their forces and create new bases in other regions of Syria," Rouhani said following the call on Saturday night, according to a statement published by state media. Putin also welcomed the defeat of rebel forces in Syria's second city and said cooperation between Tehran and Moscow "will continue". They said peace talks would take place in Kazakhstan, without providing further details. Iran and Russia have been the key backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and label all rebel forces in the country as "terrorists". "The result of this cooperation is a major victory in the fight against international terrorism," added Putin. Syrian troops this week retook control of eastern Aleppo, which has been held by disparate rebel groups since mid-2012, after a devastating month-long offensive that has caused tens of thousands of refugees to flee their homes. Russia's entry into the conflict in September 2015 -- primarily through air strikes -- helped turn the tide for Assad, while Iran has provided military advisors and frontline "volunteer" fighters. SANDRINGHAM, England (AP) A bad cold kept Queen Elizabeth II from attending the traditional Christmas morning church service near her Sandringham estate in rural Norfolk, England, raising some concerns about her health. It's extremely rare for Elizabeth, now 90, to miss the service, which is a cornerstone of the royal family's Christmas celebrations and brings the monarch into contact with locals who gather outside for a glimpse of her. "The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery," Buckingham Palace said. "Her Majesty will participate in the royal family Christmas celebrations during the day." Those festivities included a gala lunch. In past years, the royal family would often go for extended walks in the countryside. Elizabeth has been in generally good health and has maintained an active schedule in the last year despite traveling less often than in the past. Recently she stepped down as patron for about 20 charities and groups to lighten her work load. Her husband, 95-year-old Prince Philip, has also cut back on his public schedule and his charitable works in the last few years. He was also suffering from a severe cold earlier in the week, the palace said. Philip did attend the Sunday morning Christmas service, waving to well-wishers on his way out of the church in a car. Prince Harry spent time talking to locals after the church service and stopped to pet a dog. There was no sign of his girlfriend, American actress Meghan Markle, who recently visited him in London. Elizabeth and Philip were joined in Sandringham by other senior royals including Prince Charles. Prince William and his wife Kate, along with their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, were celebrating Christmas with Kate's parents at their home in Bucklebury, a village west of London. The queen used her annual pre-recorded Christmas Day message to praise British Olympic and Paralympic athletes and others who inspired her. The traditional message of goodwill was televised throughout Britain and much of the Commonwealth. Story continues The broadcast included video of her 90th birthday celebrations and a gigantic street party attended by charity workers from across Britain. The soft-spoken queen praised ordinary people for pitching in to do good works. "To be inspirational, you don't have to save lives or win medals. I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things volunteers, carers, community organizers and good neighbors. Unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special," she said. She also praised the charitable foundations started by Philip and Charles some 60 and 40 years ago, respectively. Related: For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. ___ Katz reported from London. Sandringham (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Queen Elizabeth II missed the Christmas Day church service attended by the British royal family on Sunday because she was still suffering with a heavy cold. The 90-year-old, who is the supreme governor of the Church of England, stayed indoors but was well enough to join in the family festivities at home afterwards, a spokesman said. The royal family traditionally spends Christmas together at her Sandringham private estate in Norfolk, eastern England. By custom they walk together to and from church, a rare occasion for the public to meet several members of the royal family. "Her Majesty The Queen will not attend church at Sandringham this morning," a palace spokesman said. "The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery. "Her Majesty will participate in the royal family Christmas celebrations during the day." The monarch and her 95-year-old husband Prince Philip delayed their departure from London to Sandringham from Wednesday to Thursday as they were both suffering from heavy colds. Prince Philip was well enough to attend the church service and was seen alongside their eldest son Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Charles's younger son Prince Harry attended, though as per royal protocol his girlfriend, the US actress Meghan Markle, was not at the family gathering. Charles's elder son Prince William was spending Christmas 2016 with his wife Kate's family in Berkshire, southern England, for the first time since their two children were born. They were seen taking Prince George, aged three, and one-year-old Princess Charlotte, to their first Christmas Day church service. Also absent from the public stroll in Sandringham was the monarch's eldest granddaughter, the equestrian champion Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, the former England rugby captain. Zara was pregnant with their second child but it was announced Saturday that they had lost the baby. Story continues Zara's mother Princess Anne, the queen's second son Prince Andrew and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, plus the monarch's youngest son Prince Edward, were seen leaving the Sandringham church service. Thousands had gathered outside and Harry chatted with well-wishers in the crowd. In her pre-recorded Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth, the queen paid tribute to inspirational unsung heroes, focusing on "ordinary people doing extraordinary things". The royals exchange simple, practical gifts, though on Christmas Eve as per German tradition, and the queen leaves the room when her message comes on the television, preferring to watch it alone. UPDATE: Queen Silvia returned home after two nights in the hospital. The royal court said in a statement, "The queen is back on her feet and feels well, given the circumstances." ORIGINAL: The Swedish Royal Court announced the morning of December 24 that Queen Silvia was taken to the hospital late Friday night after suffering from a heavy cold and dizzy spells. Swedens longest serving Queen was rushed to Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, one of Europes top health facilities. CLICK FOR FULL GALLERY Queen Silvia of Sweden fell ill on Friday Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/WireImage As of now, Queen Silvia is set to stay another night at KUH, which means she will be spending Christmas morning in the hospital. The Royal Court stated today in a press release, The Queen has been taken to hospital late last night. The Queen has had a cold for a time and was hit during Friday evening of dizziness. The Queen is still in hospital for observation and sampling and feels well under the circumstances. QUEEN SILVIA, CROWN PRINCESS VICTORIA AND PRINCESS SOFIA REMEMBER THEIR ROYAL WEDDINGS Queen Silvias daughter, Princess Madeleine, has been by her mothers side throughout the incident. Princess Madeleine, 34, traveled with her mother to the hospital and remained there overnight. The rest of the family, which includes Silvias two other children Prince Carl Philip and Crown Princess Victoria, have gathered now as well. They are all hoping for the Queen to be discharged soon so they can celebrate Christmas together. SEE HOW THE ROYALS ARE CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS The Swedish royals are known for their holiday traditions, which include releasing a festive video of themselves baking cookies or decorating the tree. On Christmas Eve there is always a Weihnachtsstollen, a fruit-cake soaked in brandy and covered with powdered sugar, in honor of Queen Silvias German heritage. Queen Silvia with husband King Carl Gustaf at the Formal gathering of The Swedish Academy Photo: BR/ dana press Dana Press Photos/PA Images Just yesterday Queen Silvia celebrated her 73rd birthday with her family at Drottningholm Palace. Queen Silvia was also seen with her family earlier this week. All of the Swedish royals stepped out to attend a Formal Gathering of the Swedish Academy in Stockholm on December 20th, 2016. Damascus (AFP) - Residents of the Syrian capital were facing their third consecutive day of water shortages on Sunday, with authorities accusing "terrorist groups" of deliberately poisoning water resources. The government cut off water to Damascus on Friday after concerns that rebel groups west of the city had poisoned wells and pipes. A statement by the Damascus City Water Supply and Sewage Authority said it had halted supplies after "terrorist attacks on all water resources feeding into Damascus and its surroundings". It said it was using reserves and would pump water to various city neighbourhoods according to a schedule published on its website. "Water has been totally cut for three days," said Rasha, a 51-year-old housewife. "We can live without electricity but we can't live without water." Supplies were pumped briefly to two districts on Saturday, AFP correspondents said, but tanks were empty again on Sunday. According to state news agency SANA, rebel groups attacked springs at Wadi Barada and Ain al-Fijeh, about 15 kilometres (9 miles) northwest of Damascus. It did not specify the type of attack, but the daily Al-Watan, which is close to the government, accused rebels of "contaminating the water resources into Damascus with pollutants and diesel". An estimated 1.5 million people live inside Damascus city, with another 3.5 million in its suburbs. While the capital has remained relatively insulated from the country's brutal internecine war, rebel factions have seized territory across Damascus province. The water shortages have come as Syrian government forces bombard Wadi Barada and Ain al-Fijeh, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Britain-based monitor said regime forces were shelling the area "to put pressure on Islamist rebel factions and Fateh al-Sham Front to accept a reconciliation deal". Fateh al-Sham, formerly Al-Nusra Front, changed its name after renouncing ties to Al-Qaeda. Story continues Under such local reconciliation deals, rebels agree to leave a town or village in exchange for safe passage elsewhere, often after months of devastating siege or bombardment. Over the past five months alone, such agreements have seen at least six towns around Damascus evacuated, with rebels, their families and other civilians bused to other opposition-held areas in northern Syria. More than 310,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict erupted nearly six years ago. Vatican City (AFP) - Tens of thousands of worshippers were set to gather at the Vatican on Sunday to hear Pope Francis address the world's Christians, as Europe marked Christmas under ramped-up security after the Berlin attack. The leader of 1.2 billion Catholics was expected to deplore violence around the globe as he gave his fourth "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and The World) Christmas message from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica. Religious leaders from the Vatican to Bethlehem struck a sombre note on Christmas Eve, warning that war, fear and divisions lie ahead in 2017 after a tumultuous year. In Europe, leaders are still reeling from this week's attack in Berlin where a truck ploughed through a crowded Christmas market, killing 12 people in an assault claimed by the Islamic State group. Locals and tourists alike however are still visiting the German capital's Breitscheidplatz market, with many stopping to light a candle or lay flowers for the victims. "It's really nice there are so many people here and it's still open," said Marianne Weile, 56, from Copenhagen. "So even though you are really sad about what happened you can still keep Christmas. It's not like this crazy guy ruined it for everybody." In Milan, where suspected Berlin attacker Anis Amri was killed in a police shootout on Friday, there was a heavy police presence around the cathedral. The entrance has been protected by concrete barriers since the Berlin attack. In France, 91,000 members of the security forces have been deployed to guard public spaces including churches and markets over the weekend. - 'Closed doors, defended borders' - In Israel, security was tight for Christmas celebrations coinciding with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Some 2,500 worshippers packed the Church of the Nativity complex, built over the grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born, for midnight mass in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Story continues Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa used his homily there to plead for compassion for refugees and for a halt to the violence wracking the Middle East. "We fear the stranger who knocks at the door of our home and at the borders of our countries," he said. "Closed doors, defended borders, before personal and political choices, are a metaphor for the fear that inevitably breed the violent dynamics of the present time." Pope Francis struck a similar tone in his Christmas Eve mass, urging a 10,000-strong crowd in St. Peter's Square to feel compassion for children, notably victims of war, migration and homelessness. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury who leads the world's Anglicans, meanwhile said 2016 had left the world more divided and fearful. "The end of 2016 finds us all in a different kind of world; one less predictable and certain, which feels more awash with fear and division," he was due to say in his sermon Sunday. - Icy swim, meat auction - Despite the security fears, many were braving winter temperatures to take part in traditional revelry. Among them some 30 hardy Slovaks participated in a winter swim at Bratislava's Zlate Piesky lake, some drinking beer in the nearly freezing water. In London, meat-lovers converged on Smithfield Market for the traditional Christmas Eve auction at butcher Harts, waving banknotes in the air as they bid on turkeys, pork cuts and rump steaks. But elsewhere there were reminders of the conflicts that have ravaged the world this year. Christians in Syria's Aleppo were preparing for Christmas services after President Bashar al-Assad's forces retook full control of the ruined former economic hub. The Old City's Saint Elias Cathedral, its roof collapsed under rocket fire, was set to host its first Christmas mass in five years. And in Bartalla, near the Iraqi city of Mosul, Christians filled the pews of the fire-scarred Mar Shimoni church for the first service since the town was retaken from IS jihadists who had seized it in 2014. In the mostly Catholic Philippines, a blast ripped through a police car outside a church as worshippers were arriving for a Christmas Eve mass south of Manila, injuring 13 people. Los Angeles (AFP) - Mexican cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto has little to prove, having won almost nothing but acclaim over two decades for his collaborations with the very biggest names in filmmaking. Since moving to Hollywood in 2000 he has worked on numerous occasions with Oliver Stone, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Ang Lee and Martin Scorsese, and shot movies for Cameron Crowe and Pedro Almodovar. Nominated only once for an Oscar -- for Lee's 2006 cowboy love story "Brokeback Mountain" -- Prieto has his biggest chance yet to go one better in February. He is among the early favorites to win a cinematography statuette for his work on Scorsese's religious historical epic "Silence," which features sweeping panoramas of Taiwan's rugged, mist-shrouded coastline. "It's something I'd enjoy, for sure. It's not something I strive for when I'm shooting or when I'm designing a movie," he tells AFP. The 51-year-old, who also filmed Morten Tyldum's 2016 sci-fi movie "Passengers" with Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, has a reputation for versatility and his unconventional use of lighting and color. But he insists he is never "flashy," bringing what the film demands rather than what will make him look clever. "I don't know if awards and all that recognize that stuff," he says, playing down his chances of an Oscar nomination. - Sin and sacrifice - From his adoptive home of Los Angeles, Prieto has helped lead a renaissance in Mexican cinema alongside Inarritu through films like "Amores Perros," "21 Grams," "Babel" and "Biutiful" (2000-2010). Among his other movies are Ben Affleck's Oscar-winner "Argo," Spike Lee's "25th Hour" and Curtis Hanson's acclaimed "8 Mile." "Silence" is Prieto's second collaboration with Scorsese since the pair scandalized Hollywood with the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll story of infamous financier Jordan Belfort in 2013's "The Wolf of Wall Street." Story continues "Here we are -- this man from New York City and this guy from Mexico City doing a movie about Portuguese priests in Japan," he recalls. "It was very foreign for both of us but really amazing, quite a journey." With its high-minded meditations on loyalty, faith, sin and sacrifice, "Silence" is tonally the diametric opposite of "The Wolf of Wall Street," which served up three hours of profanity, lawbreaking and nudity. Prieto said filming the love scenes between Lawrence and Pratt in "Passengers" was challenging, especially given it was her first sex scene. "The most important thing is that the actors feel comfortable, and I know that Jennifer was... a little nervous about it," he recalls. "Chris Pratt obviously is a gentleman and all of us were very respectful. But it's tricky, it's not easy." - 'Opposite styles' - Prieto developed a love of filmmaking as a child in Mexico City, where he and his older brother would make monster movies with their father's 8mm camera, learning stop-motion animation by watching 1960s fantasy film "Jason and the Argonauts." It whet his appetite for the movie business and he enrolled in film school, setting him on a path that would see him working with some of his heroes. Asked what kind of director he prefers -- collaborative or dictatorial, meticulous or freeform, a planner or an improviser -- Prieto says he appreciates the diversity more than any particular style. "Ang Lee and Oliver Stone are kind of almost opposite styles and I really enjoy both. Ang is a very precise director, very meticulous. Oliver likes to be surprised," Prieto says. "He thrived on a little bit of chaos on set and you have to be on your toes with Oliver all the time. I think Scorsese is a mixture of both. Same with Inarritu. They both are precise but also let things just happen." A Russian military Tu-154 plane bound for Latakia, Syria, crashed into the Black Sea two minutes after taking off from Sochi, Russia, on the morning of December 25. The plane was carrying 92 people, including military personnel, members of the press, and 64 members of a Russian army song and dance group, the Alexandrov Ensemble, according to a list of passengers and crew released by the Russian defense ministry. Airplane debris and four bodies had been found by early afternoon on December 25, Russian officials said. A large recovery operation was underway involving the Russian defense and emergency ministries. A technical fault was the probable cause, while pilot error and terrorism were unlikely, according to the Russian defense ministry. The Russian emergencies ministry said it had sent divers who were approved to operate at depth of 20 to 90 meters, and deep-water search apparatus called Falcon, which could operate at depths of 80 to 110 meters. Credit: Facebook/Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation via Storyful UPDATE: 1:51 a.m. EDT A body of a passenger of the crashed Tu-154 plane has been found about 4 miles from Sochi coastline, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Sunday. There is no word on other survivors of the plane belonging to the Russian defense ministry. The countrys investigative committee has opened a criminal case into the crash of the plane, which disappeared from radar early Sunday after taking off from Sochi. The investigation has been launched into "the violation of rules of flights safety or preparation for them," Svetlana Petrenko, the committee spokeswoman, told Tass news agency. Personal belongings of those on board were reportedly found off the Sochi coast. "There were 91 people onboard, 68 of them are musicians of the Alexandrov Ensemble, nine mass media representatives, six accompanying people and eight crew members," a source with regional emergencies services told Tass. UPDATE: 1:20 a.m. EST The missing Tu-154 plane of the Russian defense ministry crashed over the Black Sea on Sunday, Interfax news agency reported citing an unidentified source. The crash site has been located by rescue personnel, the report added. Debris and chassis of the plane have been found about 4 miles from the Black Sea coast, a source in the regional law enforcement services told Tass news agency. "The parts of the plane and undercarriage, and also an oily spot have been found some six kilometers from the coast," the source said. UPDATE: 12:50 a.m. EST The Russian defense ministry's Tu-154 plane likely disappeared early Sunday due to a technical fault or human error, a military source told RIA Novosti news agency. The plane was heading toward Latakia province in western Syria, bordering Turkey, for New Years concert, according to RT. Journalists from Russian broadcasters Channel 1 and Zvezda were on board the aircraft. UPDATE: 12:29 a.m. EST The missing Tu-154 plane of the Russian defense ministry had arrived in Sochi for refueling, a source told RIA Novosti news agency. Story continues According to preliminary data, the missing Tu-154 arrived in Sochi from Chkalovsky airfield near Moscow for refueling. It is likely that it crashed in the mountainous area of the Krasnodar region, the source reportedly said. Those on board the plane included journalists, military officials and musicians from Alexandrov Ensemble an official army choir of the Russian armed forces, according to Sputnik. The plane went off radar while it was maneuvering in the Russian airspace over Black Sea after its takeoff from Sochi. The plane was carrying 91 people, including 83 passengers and eight crew members, according to the Russian defense ministry. UPDATE: 12:03 a.m. EST The Russian defense ministrys Tu-154 plane disappeared from radar approximately 20 minutes after takeoff from Sochi, a source told RIA Novosti news agency. The plane departed at 5:20 a.m., local time, (9:20 p.m. EST Saturday) and failed to check in with the tower at 5:40 a.m., the report added. Musicians and journalists were on board the plane, according to Tass. Original story: The Russian defense ministrys Tupolev Tu-154 plane has disappeared from radar after taking off from Sochi city in the southwestern part of the country, Russian media reported Sunday. "Tu-154 [aircraft] of the Defense Ministry departed from Sochi and disappeared from radars after some time. Its search is currently organized," a source from the regional emergency services told Tass news agency. There are conflicting reports about the number of people on board the plane. RIA Novosti news agency reported that about 70 people were there, while the regional emergency services source told Tass that there were approximately 100 people on board the plane. The plane was on its way to Latakia province in Syria, according to reports. This is a developing story. Related Articles Moscow (AFP) - A Russian military plane headed to Syria has disappeared from radar after taking off from the southern city of Adler, local news agencies reported the defence ministry as saying Sunday. The ministry said that there are 91 people onboard and that search and rescue groups had been dispatched to locate the missing Tu-154. The plane had departed at 5:40 am local time (0240 GMT) from Adler, south of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, and was conducting a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase outside the coastal Syrian city of Latakia, the ministry said. The ministry said the plane was carrying Russian servicemen as well as members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group, who were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the base. There were nine members of the media on board, the ministry said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies that President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the situation and was being kept abreast of the search operations. Moscow has been flying a bombing campaign in Syria since September 2015 in support of long-time ally Bashar al-Assad. Dakar (AFP) - Senegal on Sunday defended its vote at the UN Security Council to halt Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, after Israel decided to recall its ambassador to Dakar and to suspend its aid programme. "Senegal's position must be saluted. The international community hails Senegal's stance, especially the Muslim nations," government spokesman Seydou Gueye said in a statement carried by national television. "Senegal abided by its diplomatic vision. Since 1975, Senegal has been a member of the (UN) Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People," Gueye said. Asked about Israel's suspension of all its aid programmes in the west African nation, the spokesman said the government had not yet been officially informed of the decision. "When it is informed of such a decision, it will issue a response," Gueye said. He did not comment on Israel's move to recall its ambassador to Dakar. Senegal, one of the UN Security Council's 10 non-permanent members, re-established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1995. The landmark UN resolution was passed Friday after the United States abstained. That enabled the adoption of the first UN resolution since 1979 to condemn Israel over its settlement policy. The vote came despite intense lobbying efforts by Israel and calls from US President-elect Donald Trump to block the text. It was scheduled at the request of New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela, which stepped in after Egypt put the draft resolution on hold. After the resolution passed, Israel recalled its ambassadors to Senegal and New Zealand for consultations. It has no diplomatic relations with Venezuela or Malaysia, which also voted for the resolution. In another act of protest, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also decided to cancel a visit by Senegal's foreign minister set for January. While the resolution contains no sanctions, Israeli officials are concerned it could widen the possibility of prosecution at the International Criminal Court. They are also worried it could encourage some countries to impose sanctions against Israeli settlers and goods produced in the settlements. SYDNEY (AP) Australian sailor Tom Slingsby has won the America's Cup and an Olympic gold medal. Still missing from his career resume is a line honors' victory in the Sydney to Hobart race. Slingsby will be the master tactician aboard super maxi Perpetual Loyal when it leaves Sydney on Monday along with 88 other yachts in the annual 628-nautical mile race to Australia's island state of Tasmania. The owner and skipper of Perpetual Loyal is Anthony Bell, who has made it a priority to raise money for hospital equipment for sick children. Another priority will be to finish the race after a few years where weather conditions forced the yacht to retire. "To win the Hobart you've got to get to Hobart, and we're very focused on our leanings around that," Bell told The Weekend Australian newspaper. Slingsby, who won a Laser gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, has been part of the fund-raising effort for sick kids. "We've formed a really tight friendship and great mateship," Bell said. "Tommy's probably one of the best sailors in the world and refuses to take a cent out of Loyal. He converts his stuff into kids' medical equipment and that is a good statement about him as a bloke." Slingsby is also focused on finishing and winning. "I've won an Olympic gold medal, I've won the America's Cup, the two biggest things in sailing," he said. "But I return back to Australia and I still get the question, 'Have you won the Sydney to Hobart?'" Slingsby is now based in Bermuda as he prepares to defend the America's Cup title he won as strategist with Oracle Team USA in 2013. Skippers in this year's Sydney to Hobart were told to expect favorable conditions over the opening day of sailing: a fast start on Sydney Harbour in a brisk north-easterly, and that the breeze will strengthen throughout the afternoon as the boats run down the New South Wales state coast. Story continues That translates to spinnaker sailing in 20 to 25 knots, allowing the super-maxis to pull away from the rest of the fleet and potentially challenge the race record. Earlier in the week, veteran Spanish sailor Juan Vila, navigator aboard race record holder Wild Oats XI, said the winner could finish in around 38 or 39 hours. That would have Wild Oats XI across the line at Constitution Dock in Hobart in about 1 day, 14 or 15 hours, well inside Wild Oats' record of 1 day, 18 hours, 23 minutes, 12 seconds in 2012. There are 12 international yachts, including skipper Jonas Grander on Swedish entry Matador, Richard Stain on Britain's Samskara, Kwanymin Rho aboard Sonic from South Korea and Joseph Mele, skipper of the U.S. entry Triple Lindy. Last year, American yacht Comanche won the storm-wracked race in 2 days, 8 hours, 58 minutes, 30 seconds. It was the first American winner since 1998 and the first foreign winner since Sweden's Assa Abloy in 2001. This Immigrant Doctor Is Reimagining Health in the American City Elizabeth Julius worked sunrise to sunset to make ends meet as a seamstress. Supporting her husband and two kids in a village in Tanzania, Julius was forced to put down her needle and thread each day once darkness fell. That all changed three years ago when she was introduced to Energy 4 Impact, a London-based organization that works in Africa to ensure energy access and foster entrepreneurship for impoverished women. With guidance from Energy 4 Impact, Julius took out a $500 bank loan and purchased a lamplight. But that was only the beginning. Solar energy has entirely changed my life, Julius, 29, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. I use it at work and at home, yet it doesnt cost me anything. Now able to continue working past daylight hours and increase her income, Julius went one step further and took out a loan to expand her tailoring business. Today, she operates a barbershop, mobile phone charging facility, and general storeall powered with solar energy. She feels more productive than ever, she said. On average, she makes 50,000 shillings ($25) a day. Energy 4 Impact, in conjunction with the U.S. State Department, hopes to help 400 women like Julius become solar entrepreneurs by 2020 with training and finance. They also aim to provide 360,000 people in Kenya and Tanzania with access to solar-powered cooking and lighting instruments. According to Energy 4 Impact, women and girls are most afflicted by energy poverty, spending hours every day collecting firewood, cooking over smoky stoves, and doing household choresall in poor or no lighting. In Tanzania, only 21 percent of the population has access to the electric grid, and nearly 70 percent of the Kenyan population and 95 percent in Tanzania depend on firewood, charcoal, and dung for cooking, according to Energy 4 Impact. Each year, almost 18,9000 deaths in Tanzania are attributed to smoke inhalation and fires. Since 2013, Energy 4 Impact has helped 1,400 businesses in East Africa. Story continues But getting quality equipment for these entrepreneurs is still a challenge, said Godfrey Sanga, a program manager for Energy 4 Impact. Poor quality and substandard or fake products is one of the main factors that is discouraging people from using the clean energy technologies, due to frequent failures and general poor performance, Sanga said. To ensure high standards, Energy 4 Impact works with a range of initiatives and business models that include providing financial and technical assistance for off-the-grid start-ups and ongoing research into the most impactful funding structures. And education is key. Energy 4 Impact hopes to increase energy poverty awareness across Tanzania and hold ongoing forums with women and youth groups. By showcasing successful businesses and demonstrating the benefits using the clean technologies in increasing productivity, incomes, and saving costs, it is expected that many people will be interested in adapting and using them in their lives for themselves and their families, Sanga said. Julius said her business is booming, in large part thanks to these types of education initiatives. I have nothing to complain about, she said. Virtually everybody in the village is happy with what we are doing, and our services are exclusively solar. Take the Pledge: Make Entrepreneurship an Option for Everyone Related stories on TakePart: The Next Space Race: Farming Solar Power in the Cosmos Tanzania: Where Climate Change Could Be a Good Thing? Original article from TakePart SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's special prosecutor investigating a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye said on Sunday it was considering whether to raid the presidential offices and if it did so, it had no choice but to do so publicly. Special prosecutors are investigating allegations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, and aides to pressure big companies to contribute to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives. "In case of raiding the Blue House ... to carry out that, there is no choice but to be make it public," Lee Kyu-chul, a spokesman for the special prosecutor's team told reporters in a briefing, referring to the presidential offices. "We are still considering whether the raid is needed and if needed what the raid should be aimed at." Park, whose father ruled the country for 18 years after seizing power in a 1961 coup, was indicted in a Dec. 9 parliamentary vote. She has denied wrongdoing but apologized for carelessness in her ties with Choi, who is facing her own trial. Prosecutors have said previously they needed access to the presidential offices as part of their investigation. The office has denied access. Park has immunity from prosecution as long as she is in office even though her powers have been suspended since parliament voted to impeach her. A large crowd of protesters, including about 200 young people dressed as Santa Claus, took to the streets of central Seoul on Saturday for the ninth weekend in a row to demand the immediate resignation of the president. (Reporting by Cynthia Kim, additional reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Robert Birsel) Credit: itsjustmax/Instagram You know how you're always told to avoid living with your best friend? That whole mixing business with pleasure thing is always very touch and go. Which is why I've always been fascinated--and envious--by the ladies from AYR, an independent clothing brand that has been e-commerce-only up until this month. Credit: Courtesy AYR In celebration of the opening of their beautiful pop-up shop in New York City's SoHo (which we are asking Santa to keep open forever as a Christmas gift to us), we spoke to the girls about how they met, what their biggest challenges are working together, and how their line allows them to express their individuality. Meet Jac Cameron, co-founder and creative director, Maggie Winter, co-founder and CEO, and Max Bonbrest, VP of PR and marketing. Oh, and if you find yourself in New York City this holiday season, be sure to stop by their store at 199 Lafayette Street, open through March 2017. How did you guys all meet? Maggie Winter: Max and I met in college at the University of Michigan. We were in a sorority. There, I said it. I'm not ashamed. Max and her roommate were the only people I knew when I moved to New York City. They used to take me out and taught me always to buy my own drinks, which I still think is good advice. Jac and I met working together at Madewell. She designed denim and I merchandised a handful of categories. We made this bomb chambray shirt that we still see everywhere. Jac Cameron: We had an excellent working relationship and had always talked about creating our own line. We imagined the product mix, the fit and feel of the denim, the fabrications. Max Bronbrest: Maggie and I became fast friends over a mutual love of pizza and Paris. Jac I met thru the J.Crew/Madewell family probably eight years ago and she was way too cool for me at the time. Now I get to sit next to her and talk fabric and form over her shoulder. RELATED: Where You'll Find All the It Girls in Paris Story continues You guys have such different person style, but you're always wearing AYR. How do you wear the brand differently and stay true to your own taste? That Friday kind #freshAYR A photo posted by itsjustmax (@itsjustmax) on Nov 4, 2016 at 3:13pm PDT MW: We all wear the brand a bit differently. I love how Max and Jac and everyone on the team puts the pieces together--I steal ideas for how to shoot the clothes online from how they style their outfits. Personally, I am extremely lazy with my clothing, and I really love AYR because wearing it ensures I'll look 50 to 75 percent nicer than I might otherwise. MB: I barely ever wore jeans and was not an avid online shopper before AYR, so it's a testament to the brand that it's converted even the toughest of customers. VIDEO: How to Create the Perfect Frayed Hem on Your Jeans I follow you all on Instagram and you are ALWAYS together. How do you separate work and friendship? Hangin in our new hood - come by next week to try on the new stuff and say A photo posted by AYR (@ayr) on Apr 29, 2016 at 4:32pm PDT MW: We don't. It's all one big beautiful glorious mess. MB: It's definitely a blended world at this point. Work isn't work anymore; it's just life. JC: I don't switch from colleague to friend, neither do Max or Maggie. It's all one in the same. I think it's important to spend time outside of the confines of the office and to make sure you have focused time chatting about anything other than work. But you must fight sometimes! What is the one thing that can always get you guys out of a fight? MB: Pizza (and wine). JC : Fries and wine. What's the best advice to give friends that are going into business together? MW: Work with people you admire. Work with people who are good at different things. Work with people who love what they do. Work with people who want the same things. The work brings out the best in us in many ways, which is infinitely awesome. RELATED: These Celebrity BFFs Are Seriously the Best MB: Surround yourself with people that know things you don't. Be honest with yourself and with them about what you do well (and learn to do it better!). Be open to feedback, learn to take advice, and most of all learn to not take anything too seriously. Remember how lucky you are to have an opportunity to do something different. See ya, weekend A photo posted by itsjustmax (@itsjustmax) on Oct 23, 2016 at 3:47pm PDT Jac, Maggie, and Max opened their pop up in a matter of five days thanks to the help of their friends and family: Matt Bindner (architect), BSP, Uprise Art, Scent, and Max's own grandmother, a floral designer, who decorated the shop with flowers. Ritsona (Greece) (AFP) - Before braving a 'trip of death' to escape Syria, Talal Rankoussi was a chef in a Damascus restaurant considered the largest in the world. Bawabet Al Dimashq -- Damascus Gate -- still holds that distinction in the Guinness Book of Records as it can seat over 6,000 people. So when 41-year-old Talal was asked by a US benefactor to spice up the meals for several hundred fellow Syrians at the Ritsona camp near Athens, the two-decade culinary veteran did not hesitate. The father of three, who crossed the Aegean in February in "a trip of death, riding a plastic tyre in an ocean under the rain", says the food handed out in the camp "is undercooked...with no regard to improving the quality." Like most refugee camps in Greece, Ritsona receives daily meals from catering companies commissioned by the army. But in terms of quality and nutritional value, it "just covers survival needs," says a camp operator who declined to be named. "It's been a challenge just to get the caterers to send pitta bread instead of white bread," the operator says, adding that "sometimes we have 200 meals left over that nobody wants to eat." - Enter 'Madame Sharba' - Then came Carolynn Rockafellow, an American former investment banker who moved to Greece last year after a 30-year career, including two decades at Credit Suisse. Rockafellow, originally from New York, has taken a personal interest in the well-being of Ritsona's 700 refugees, nearly half of them children. With personal funds and donations from friends, Rockafellow has created Cafe Rits, offering alternative cuisine out of one of the camp's few brick-and-mortar buildings. "I feel this story is as much about helping the Greeks as it is about helping the refugees," Rockafellow says over the sound of Talal furiously chopping vegetables. "This is a very tough situation for Greece and I think they're doing a great job," says the woman whose nickname around the camp is Madame Sharba, or Mrs Soup. Story continues Several times a week, she and a few helpers drive out to a supermarket on the nearby island of Evia and load a van with supplies for the day's meals, plus meat and vegetables for camp families to do their own cooking. About 3,000-5,000 euros ($3,200-5,300) a week goes into the Cafe budget. "Everyday we have distribution of either vegetables, meats or cooked meals. Meat once a week, vegetables twice or three times a week, cooked food twice a week," says Talal, now keeping a close eye on a bubbling cauldron of onion broth. Staple Syrian recipes include kibbeh, fattoush salad, maqluba rice, muhammara dip -- mostly made with locally sourced ingredients, and all a far cry from what Greek catering services can provide. - 'Bring back their culture' - Cafe Rits is like an oversized food truck, without the wheels. The walls are lined with pots, pans, tins and cutlery. A long bench where the food is prepared cuts across the room, while gas-fired stoves stand near the entrance. Water is brought in a plastic tub as there is no piping. Or heating. "I wanted to find a way to empower refugees, to bring them back their culture through food," says Rockafellow, who has two grown-up children and was a volunteer chef in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Sandy in the US. "Syrian people love to offer hospitality and something of themselves through food," she added. The dozen-strong volunteer team also prepares lunch bags for around 80 of the camp's children who take afternoon classes at nearby schools. "We also host parties. It's important to laugh... and to remember that this, too, shall pass," she says, adding that she wants to use her experience to help her refugee volunteers find jobs once they leave Greece. Talal, who reached Greece in February after a poor experience trying to find employment in Turkey, has applied for asylum in several European countries including Germany, Holland and France. But he would have "no problem" dishing out to patrons in a Greek establishment if given the chance. "This is my interest. This is my job," the stoic chef says with a smile. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Thirteen people were killed in the restive Mexican states of Michoacan and Guerrero, Mexican authorities said on Sunday, amid feuds between rival drug gangs that have racked the country. The prosecutor's office of the western state of Michoacan said in a statement the heads of six men were found in front of a business in the town of Jiquilpan, near the border with Jalisco, where drug traffickers from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) operate. A threatening message signed by the New Michoacan Family (NFM), a rival criminal group, was left next to the heads, the prosecutors office also said. In another episode in the mountains of Atoyac in the state of Guerrero, home to the resort town of Acapulco, seven people were killed by gunfire, including three police officers, state police said. (Reporting by Anahi Rama; Writing by Natalie Schachar; Editing by Phil Berlowitz) December 25 is celebrated in parts of the world as Christmas Day, as a religious holiday (commemorating the birth of Jesus) and a secular holiday. Its also a big day for other events in American history. Confederate troops Globally, December 25 was the day that Charlemagne and William the Conqueror were crowned; opposing sides called a truce in World War I; Mikhail Gorbachev left power in the former Soviet Union; and actors W.C. Fields and Charlie Chaplin passed away. But here are three pivotal events in U.S. history that happened on December 25th. Washington Crosses the Delaware (1776) Washingtons army had been issued a series of defeats in 1776 by British forces and were amassed between Philadelphia and Princeton. As a commander, Washington dealt with several critical problems: his forces were in need of a victory; many troops were at the end of their enlistment; and winter was ready to set in. It wasnt just Washington who crossed the Delaware River in a surprise attack; it was a re-energized military force that included John Marshall, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and James Monroe. A future president, Monroe was one of two men on the American side who were wounded as Washingtons troops routed a Hessian garrison in Trenton, in a battle the changed the Revolution. President Andrew Johnson pardons most Confederate soldiers (1868) This was one of the most controversial actions of Johnsons rocky presidential term. The former Democrat from Tennessee found himself unexpectedly in the White House after Abraham Lincolns death in 1865. Johnson fought against his own party members, the Radical Republicans, for several years. (Technically, both were in what was called the Union Party for the 1864 election.) And earlier in 1868, he survived trial in the Senate after being impeached by the House. President Johnson issued a general pardon on Christmas Day in December 1868 for all those who fought for the Confederacy, provided that anyone eligible applied for one. Story continues It was actually Johnsons fourth amnesty provision for Confederates, and it restored civil and property rights and provided immunity from treason charges. But it didnt allow former Confederate officials to vote or hold office. In 1872, the Amnesty Act was amended to allow almost all former Confederates, except for several hundred former high-ranking officials (such as Jefferson Davis), to hold public office and vote. First Test Run of the Modern Internet (1990) The Internet in various pieces had existed before 1990, but it was on Christmas Day that it was connected to the first Web browser. British software consultant Tim Berners-Lee was working at CERN, a physics laboratory in Switzerland that hosted visiting international scientists doing research into particle physics. At the time, the computers at CERN couldnt communicate with each other to share information, and Berners-Lee wrote a program over two months that became the first Web browser. On December 25, 1990, Berners-Lee accessed the first Web page ever built. But it took three years for people to start to understand the World Wide Webs potential. With the advent of the Netscape browser and America Online, the web took off in popularity in the second half of the 1990s. Today, the pervasiveness of the modern Internet is a major factor in many constitutional issues, from presidential elections to privacy. jason miller Jason Miller, whom President-elect Donald Trump named as White House communications director two days ago, said in a statement Saturday he won't be taking the job. Miller said he and his wife are expecting their second child in January, and his family is his "top priority." "This is not the time to start a new job as demanding as White House communications director," he said in the statement, which was first reported by Politico. Sean Spicer, the incoming White House press secretary, will instead assume Miller's responsibilities as communications director. Miller had been a top spokesman for Trump during his campaign, during which he also worked as the communications director. He was reportedly indecisive on whether to accept the White House job. Reince Priebus, Trump's incoming chief of staff, and Steve Bannon, his chief strategist, had encouraged Miller to take the job, according to Politico. NOW WATCH: Here's how the White House master bedroom has changed from president to president More From Business Insider Washington (AFP) - President-elect Donald Trump's pick for a key spokesman position has turned the job down, US media reported Sunday, just days after his appointment was announced. Jason Miller was named director of communications in the new Trump administration Thursday, but in a weekend statement he said he wanted to spend more time with his family. "After spending this past week with my family, the most amount of time I have been able to spend with them since March 2015, it is clear they need to be my top priority right now," Miller said in a statement, noting that he and his wife were expecting their second daughter. "This is not the right time to start a new job as demanding as White House communications director." Miller had served as a senior Trump spokesman, and the communications director's role is to shape the administration's media strategy. He said in his statement that Trump spokesman Sean Spicer will assume the communications director role. Miller had previously worked for Senator Ted Cruz, one of Trump's rivals in the Republican presidential campaign. Tunis (AFP) - Tunisia's security forces called on the government on Sunday to take "exceptional measures" to combat the return of jihadists fighting for extremist groups abroad. Tunisia has seen a wave of jihadist attacks since its 2011 revolution, including on foreign tourists, and the United Nations estimates that more than 5,000 Tunisians are fighting for extremist outfits, mainly in Iraq and Syria. "The return of terrorists from hotbeds of unrest in Tunisia is worrying and could lead to the Somali-isation of the country," said a statement from the internal security forces' national union, referring to the Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab group in Somalia. Battle-hardened fighters "have received military training and have learnt to use all sorts of sophisticated weapons", it added. The warning came a day after the authorities said they had arrested three people including the nephew of Anis Amri, a Tunisian suspected of carrying out a deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market this week. Hundreds of people gathered outside parliament in Tunis on Saturday to protest against allowing jihadists back into the country. The demonstrators also chanted slogans hostile to Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamist Ennahdha party, who had in the past backed the idea of "repentance" in exchange for renunciation of violence. On Sunday, he said he opposed a ban on returning Tunisian jihadists, saying the country should "assume its responsibilities". "This disease has to be dealt with seriously," Ghannouchi told a public meeting, saying his "treatment" was "justice, police, education and therapy". On Friday, Interior Minister Hedi Majdoub told parliament 800 Tunisians who had fought for extremist groups abroad had since returned home. President Beji Caid Essebsi said earlier this month the authorities would refuse to pardon Tunisians who fight for jihadist organisations. Story continues "Many of them want to return, and we can't prevent a Tunisian from returning to his country," he told AFP in Paris, "but we will be vigilant." Following a storm of criticism in the press and on social media, on December 15 Essebsi told Tunisian television that "we will not be indulgent with the terrorists". On Sunday, the interior minister said five people had been arrested in Ariana, north of Tunis, suspected of "recruiting young people to send them to conflict areas". Istanbul (AFP) - Turkey on Sunday deployed more tanks and artillery to the border with war-torn Syria, where Ankara is pressing a campaign to capture an Islamic State group bastion, reports said. Several tanks, military transport vehicles and at least 10 artillery units including cannons were sent to Oguzeli and Karkamis in southeastern Turkey, state news agency Anadolu reported. The latest deployment came as Turkish forces tightened their grip around the IS bastion of Al-Bab in northern Syria, as Ankara-backed Syrian rebels and Turkish troops pressed a fierce assault to capture the town. Sixteen Turkish soldiers were killed by IS in the battle for the flashpoint town Wednesday -- Ankara's biggest loss so far since it launched its incursion into Syria in August. The Turkish army said it killed 12 IS jihadists Sunday near Al-Bab, though it was not possible to independently verify the claim. A Britain-based monitoring group meanwhile said on Friday that at least 88 civilians had been killed in 24 hours of Turkish air strikes on Al-Bab, including 21 children. Syrian President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said "Al-Bab is nearly finished", and reiterated a previous vow that Turkish forces would head next to the town of Manbij, a former bastion of IS that is now under the control of US-backed, Kurdish-led militia. Ankara views Syria's Kurdish forces -- which have played a lead role in the battle against IS -- as "terrorists" linked to a 30-year Kurdish insurgency in Turkey. It has vowed not to take part in any international offensive to reclaim Raqa, IS's main bastion in northern Syria, should Kurdish fighters take part. Erdogan will discuss the issue with the incoming US administration after President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated in January, Erdogan said. By Enrico Dela Cruz MANILA (Reuters) - A typhoon slammed into central Philippines late on Sunday, bringing strong winds and heavy rains and cutting off power, but there were no immediate reports of casualties, weather officials and radio reports said. Typhoon Nock-ten was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph (115 mph) with gusts up to 255 kph when it made landfall over Catanduanes province, which was under the highest storm alert, on the Bicol peninsula on Sunday evening. The typhoon made a second landfall over Camarines Sur province, then weakened slightly with winds of 175 kph but gusts at 290 kph, the weather bureau said. "We continue to pray, stay positive and stay alert. Brownout in a lot of areas already," Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte said in a post on his Instagram account. Communication lines have been cut in some areas, radio reports said. Around 218,000 people fled to evacuation centres after authorities warned of storm surges and flooding in coastal villages and low-lying areas. Nock-ten could make another landfall early on Monday while moving west faster at 20 kph, from 15 kph previously, and crossing the provinces of Camarines Norte, Southern Quezon, Laguna, Batangas, and Cavite, weather forecasters said. The typhoon's eye will be near Metro Manila on Monday afternoon, they said. Land, sea and air travel has been suspended in some areas, leaving stranded thousands of people heading home for Christmas in the mostly Christian country. In 2013, more than 6,000 people were killed and 200,000 homes destroyed when Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest-ever storm to make landfall in the Philippines, hit the central islands of Leyte and Samar. About 20 major typhoons pass through the Philippines each year. Since 1948, at least seven have hit during the Christmas period. Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela's opposition said Saturday it would not resume stalled talks with the government next month over their country's grave crisis because a number of demands had not been met. "Conditions do not exist for the return to direct dialogue between the parties on January 13," the secretary of the MUD opposition coalition, Jesus Torrealba, said. He was responding to a letter from the Vatican which, along with the UNASUR bloc of South American nations, is attempting to forge a consensus to tackle Venezuela's dire economic and political situation. President Nicolas Maduro's government has already rejected the Vatican letter's urging that talks restart on January 13, calling it an "ultimatum." According to Torrealba, the letter called for an electoral calendar to "allow Venezuelans to decide their future without delays." Such language would imply early elections to replace Maduro -- something the president has fiercely resisted despite him suffering deep unpopularity. The opposition is demanding that the talks result in the setting of a recall referendum against Maduro or that presidential elections due for December 2018 be brought forward. On a blustery Christmas Day in late 1776, George Washington led a daring attack in what we would call today a special ops mission to attack pro-British forces in Trenton. At midday today, historical re-enactors will celebrate the event by crossing the Delaware River in front of several thousand people, in a relatively safe event. The event, about nine miles north of Trenton, is held in bucolic Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. The real event was at night, it was dangerous, and it was a key moment in the history of the Continental Army. And it bore little resemblance to the famous 19th-century painting marking the daring feat. Washingtons army had been issued a series of defeats by British forces and were amassed between Philadelphia and Princeton. As a commander, Washington dealt with several critical problems: his forces were in need of a victory; many troops were at the end of their enlistment; and winter was ready to set in. Across and down the river were the Hessians, a garrison of German mercenaries hired by the British. Led by Johann Rall, a 36-year veteran who had served under Catherine the Great in Russia, the Hessians had about 1,200 battle-seasoned troops in position. Washington had twice as many soldiers across the river. But he faced the prospect of losing much of his volunteer army in just a few days. The decision to attack the Hessians was made a few days before Christmas, and then a major storm, possibly a Noreaster, hit the region on Christmas. Washington used the storm to cover the invasion, and he had already decided to cross under the cover of darkness. The colonists had expert mariners from New England who were able to use local shallow-draft boats, to ferry all the troops across the icy riverunnoticed. Only a few officers knew of the attack plans. The rest of the troops were told they we going on a secret expedition. The Hessians also called off their advance patrols during the Noreaster. Somehow, Washington executed the crossing in the middle of the storm as ice chunks bobbed in the river as hurricane-strength winds hit. Story continues Early the next morning, Washington led the army into Trenton, where it was spotted by the Hessians. Rall also may have been notified but didnt act, probably not believing anyone would stage such a risky operation. In the battle, Washington outflanked the Hessians and also had brought artillery for the occasion. Rall was killed in action and the Hessians were defeated. About 1,000 prisoners were taken. It was the first of three victories for Washington in the brief campaign, which restored Colonial faith in the army. Young Lieutenant James Monroe was heroic in the fighting and was promoted. Other prominent Americans in Washingtons camp were Alexander Hamilton and John Marshall. In addition to energizing the spirits of his army, Washington had instilled a new respect in the British for the resolve and the military abilities of the rebels. Aden (AFP) - Yemen's President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi visited Mukalla on the southeast coast on Sunday, an official said, his first trip there since loyalist forces retook it from Al-Qaeda in April. Hadi and Prime Minister Ahmed bin Dagher met political and military officials from across Mukalla's Hadramawt province, the official said. The president praised efforts in the province to "eradicate the forces of evil and terrorism" and bring "security and stability" back to Mukalla. Quoted by the official news agency Saba, Hadi stressed the need to "tighten our ranks to meet the challenges we face", a reference to Al-Qaeda fighters still active across the vast province. Yemen's internationally recognised government has been based in second city Aden since it was retaken from Shiite Huthi rebels last year. Retaking Mukalla was facilitated by the intervention of Emirati special forces, members of a Saudi-led coalition that backs Hadi's government. A local official survived an assassination attempt on Sunday in Shibam, around 100 kilometres (65 miles) north of Mukalla, in an attack security sources blamed on Al-Qaeda. They said Faraj Neji survived an ambush but two of his guards were killed. Loyalist forces have been struggling to secure territory taken by the Huthis since the summer of 2015. A military official said Sunday that five rebels were killed in a coalition air raid in the southern Shabwa province. Also in Shabwa, three armed tribesman were killed in an ambush by fighters belonging to the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda, security officials said. Yemen's conflict has allowed jihadist organisations including Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group to expand, mainly in the country's vast desert east. In the north, a Saudi soldier was killed in a cross-border firefight with rebels, the interior ministry in Riyadh said on Sunday. A border post was attacked overnight by Huthis, a spokesman said, adding that a soldier wounded in the exchange died before reaching hospital. He was the latest of at least 111 Saudi soldiers and civilians to be killed in the country's south since the kingdom launched a coalition to battle the Yemeni insurgents in March 2015. The Yemen conflict has killed some 7,000 people since the Saudi-led intervention, according to the United Nations. From an Arizona tumbleweed tree to Rockefeller Center's iconic (and giant) Norway spruce, Christmas trees in America are as diverse as the people who make up this country. Small and large, quirky and traditional, religious and secular, the trees erected in cities and towns across the United States reflect the communities they come from; and they're so much more beautiful when seen together, like the sundry ornaments that decorate their branches each year. RELATED: The Most Popular Holiday Movie in Each of the 50 States The United States puts up some 40 million Christmas trees every year and, in 2011 alone, Americans spent over $3 billion on them, both real as well as artificial. The tradition of decorating a tree at Christmastime dates back to 16th-century Germany, and was popularized in English-speaking countries when Queen Victoria (and her German husband, Prince Albert) decorated Windsor Castle with a Christmas tree. RELATED: This California Street Goes Crazy for Christmas A popular magazine put the royal tree on their cover and, within a decade, the practice was widespread. The prevalence of Christmas trees was further boosted in the United States with the largescale arrival of German immigrants in the 19th century, who introduced the practice to new communities. Once relegated to private spaces, public Christmas trees became common in the early 20th century, as governments, businesses, and communities began putting up their own trees. Whether they are erected by department stores (like Atlanta's Great Tree), or even nations, like DC's National Tree, these evergreens are often lit in late November or very early December. RELATED: New York City's Best Kept Holiday Secrets Up until the 1950s, almost all Christmas trees were harvested from natural forests. Formal Christmas tree farms increased greatly in number after World War II, and helped shape (literally) what the trees looked like--producing denser trees in response to customer demand. Artificial trees became increasingly common as the 20th century continued, eventually eclipsing real trees in terms of dollars spent per year by American consumers. But whatever your personal tree preference, it's likely you'll find it reflected here. From lobster traps to natural boughs, these are the most memorable trees in the United States. Ivanka Trump at Trump Tower lobby in New York City. (Photo: Getty Images) Two men and their child were kicked off a JetBlue flight from New York to San Francisco on Thursday after one of the men recognized Ivanka Trump and allegedly harassed her before takeoff. Daniel Goldstein, an attorney from Brooklyn, accosted Ms. Trump who was traveling with her husband Jared Kushner and their three children. Why is she on our flight? She should be flying private. Goldstein reportedly said. Its unclear whether the comment was made directly to Ivanka or simply said aloud. The ordeal was captured in images published to Twitter by Goldsteins husband, Matthew Lasner, and a backlash is costing him on Amazon. Lasner, a professor at Hunter Colleges department of urban policy and planning in New York City, is the author of High Life: Condo Living In The Suburban Century and his book is being flooded with 1-star reviews, most containing plane-related puns. Amazon user Tom Wellborn writes: An oddly written book. Seems to start in one direction, then flys over to another unrelated subject, then jets back to yet another area, left me feeling Blue. user fmp4369 writes: Book left me feeling like I was stuck at an airport. Story didnt have any altitude. Hopefully its not made into an in flight movie. Some are less subtle with their critiques: Should be called Low Life. writes Anthony S. Author Matthew Lasner is one of the two angry men (married) who publicly harassed Ivanka Trump and her family on a JetBlue flight in December 2016. Do not support or purchase anything this man touches. says Terrance Wilson. Only one review on the Amazon product page is from someone who made a registered purchase. Someone did fire back a review in Lasners defense, user Axisofevil said: Well written and researched. A thorough examination of suburban v urban existence. Not recommended for white supremacists. The plane altercation set off a firestorm on social media and became national news thanks mostly to Lasners tweets. Lasners tweets, all of them, have since been deleted. Story continues A fellow passenger, Marc Scheff, who was sitting in the next row up from Trump, shared his story with facebook: Lasner and Goldstein with their young son were removed from the flight and put on next one available. Jet Blue in a statement said: The decision to remove a customer from a flight is not taken lightly. If the crew determines that a customer is causing a conflict on the aircraft, the customer will be asked to deplane, especially if the crew feels the situation runs the risk of escalation during flight. When they did arrive in San Francisco the men were confronted by TMZ. They offered no comment: Since the controversy began Lasners page on the Hunter College faculty site has been removed, casting doubt over his continued employment with the school. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2015 file photo, the reconstructed face of an Egyptian mummy known as the Gilded Lady is on display at the Natural History Museum, in Los Angeles. It is part of a traveling exhibition that used CT scanning to "unwrap" ancient mummies and is an example of museums working to present exciting and meaningful exhibits by increasingly relying on technology. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) NEW YORK (AP) -- Museums are always looking for ways to make their exhibitions more exciting. Now, new technologies are making that easier. From 3-D scanning and 3-D printing, to virtual reality and special apps, these technologies are being applied in a multitude of ways. Still other technologies are being tested and developed as museums seek to ever broaden public access. "Where we used to have one way of visiting and experiencing a museum, people now expect a variety of ways," said Catherine Devine, chief digital officer at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. "It's about exploring technologies." A look at some of the ways museums are integrating and developing technologies to engage their audiences: ___ NAVIGATING A BIG COLLECTION You can get lost in the giant American Museum of Natural History. Explorer, a new app, uses hundreds of Bluetooth hotspots to navigate visitors around its halls to artifacts that may interest them the most. "Instead of saying 'turn at West 14th Street,' it says 'turn left at the huge mosquito, go through the green sign,'" said Devine. "From the app's point of view, you don't have to say where you are. Whenever you raise your phone, the thing you're immediately in front of is at the top of the app." Devine said the app can also can customize visitors' tours. If a person selects "Really Big," for example, the app might take them to the museum's mammoth blue whale. Once there, layers of information are added, including animation, videos and fun facts like comparing the whale's weight to 1.6 million slices of pizza. ____ 3D PRINTING AND SCANNING Museums are still exploring the many and varied applications of 3-D printing and 3-D scanning for their programing, research and gallery experience. Some are already using the latest 3-D printing technology to make replicas of historical artifacts to give visitors a new way to interact with the object without damaging the original. 3-D scanning tools also allow for detailed analysis of fragile specimens. Story continues An example of that is an exhibition traveling around the country called "Mummies: New Secrets From the Tombs" organized by Chicago's Field Museum. It used a medical CT scanner to "unwrap" the mummies. Museum-goers can peek under the wrappings by manipulating large table-top computer scans placed alongside the delicate specimens to see their clothes, hairstyles and the jewelry they took to their graves. "The real power of 3-D scanning is that you have so many different potential outcomes," said Adam Metallo, who, with Vincent Rossi, leads the 3D digitization team at the Smithsonian's 19 museums and nine research centers. You can make an exact replica of something for display or create a digital model for a touchscreen interactive that people can view outside the museum. "We're interested in leveraging the technology to kind of take down the walls and provide unprecedented access," said Rossi. ____ VIRTUAL REALITY Virtual reality, which utilizes special head gear to create the effects, can transport visitors to places they could never reach, like inside the human body or the bottom of the sea. At the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, visitors can explore a space shuttle and walk through the nuclear disaster site in Chernobyl with a virtual reality headset. At a recent special event at the American Museum of Natural History, young visitors tested out virtual reality goggles that "shrank" them to the size of a beetle for a close-up view of the weevil's anatomy. Virtual reality also extends museums' reach beyond their walls: With just a smartphone and a Google Cardboard low-tech headset viewer, students can go on a virtual museum field trip from anywhere in the world. ____ ROBOGUIDES "Telepresence robots" screens mounted on two long poles on wheels use videoconferencing technology similar to Skype to connect visitors to expert information not quite available from a tour guide. The American Museum of Natural History tried it out recently at a special event inside its Northwest Coast Indians Hall to beam an indigenous member of the remote Haida Gwaii community into the museum to talk with visitors. And in the not-so-distant future, museum patrons will be able to ask questions to their smartphones about what to see and do during their visit. One of the smartest things Tesla did to help boost sales of the Model S was to rollout an all encompassing Supercharger network which enabled Tesla owners to recharge their vehicles for free during long drives. This move from Tesla was nothing short of brilliant as it addressed previously valid concerns that the Model S wasnt an ideal car for road trips and perhaps even for long commutes. Don't Miss: Watch the eerie first trailer for Alien: Covenant right here Over the past few years, Tesla has continued to expand the footprint of its Supercharger network and today there are already more than 769 Supercharger stations strategically located across most of the United States and other locations across the globe. Now seeing as how Tesla has never been a company known for resting on its laurels, word emerged over the weekend that the company has ambitious plans to dramatically improve the Supercharger experience. Responding to a tweet about upcoming Supercharger enhancements, Tesla CEO Elon Musk not only touched on the companys plans to eventually incorporate solar arrays at Supercharger stations, he also teased that the third-generation version of Tesla Supercharger technology will be a huge leap forward. When asked about the power of Teslas next-gen Supercharger technology, Musk coyly hinted that even 350 kW would be akin to a childrens toy. As a point of reference, most Supercharger stations have a capacity of 120 kW. Incidentally, because the number of Tesla owners has skyrocketed in recent years, Supercharging stations have increasingly become more and more crowded. As a result, Tesla just last month announced that Tesla vehicles purchased in 2017 will receive 1,000 miles worth of Supercharger credits. Following that, Tesla owners will have to pay for Supercharger access, albeit a relatively small fee. For what its worth, Tesla said that it will still cost less than the price of filling up a comparable gas car. Story continues Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com A Missoula woman faces multiple felony charges in a case that began with the alleged theft a dog. Tiffany Tyan Berger, 41, appeared Friday before Ravalli County Justice Jim Bailey on three felony counts of assault on a peace officer and felony theft. According to an affidavit, Bergers troubles began Thursday at about 2:45 p.m. when her sister reported that Berger had taken her dog. Bergers brother-in-law located Berger in Florence, where he retrieved the dog. Berger reacted by allegedly getting into the mans pickup truck while telling him: If youre going to take the dog, then Im going to take your truck. When the man attempted to get Berger out of the truck, she allegedly kicked him in the head, causing an injury near his right eye. Berger then drove off in the truck on Old Highway 93, where she stopped and blocked the intersection of the highway and Tie Chute Lane. When Montana Highway Patrol troopers arrived, Berger was uncooperative. After she attempted to kick the troopers, she was restrained by handcuffs and leg restraints and carried to a patrol car. Once inside, she began to kick the door and windows. As Berger was being placed in a restraint chair at the Ravalli County Detention Center, she kicked a detention officer in the face. Over an hour later, two officers removed her from the chair and began to escort her to an observation cell. At that point, she began to fight. Berger allegedly punched one officer in the face multiple times and bit another on the arm. Berger was also charged with misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence, resisting arrest, partner or family member assault, and unlawful possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle. Bailey set bail at $35,000. Introduction When studying constitutional law, students are likely to be exposed to the idea that interpretation of the United States Constitution may include reference to what are sometimes called "constitutional principles"--general and abstract normative ideas that can aid or guide attempts to glean meaning from the text and may even provide "extraconstitutional" or "nontextual" reasons for decisions in constitutional cases. For example, interpretation of the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment might be guided by an "antisubordination principle" or an "equal citizenship principle." Similarly, the federalism provisions of the constitution might be interpreted in light of a principle of "dual sovereignty" or a principle of "state sovereign immunity." What are constitutional principles? How do they relate to legal theory more generally? Where do they come from? What role can they play in constitutional interpretation and the decision of particular cases? This entry in the Lexicon explores these questions and examines the role of principles in constitutional interpretation. As always, the Lexicon is aimed at law students, especially first-year law student, with an interest in legal theory. What are "constitutional principles"? The phrase "constitutional principle" is used in a variety of senses. For example, thre phrase "constitutional principle" could simply be another way of describe a constitutional "rule" or "standard." (This seems to be the sense in which principle is used in Wechsler's famous conception of "neutral principles" of constitutional law. See Weschler, Toward Neutral Principles of Constitutional Law, 73 HARV. L. REV. 1 (1959). Or we might use the phrase to pick out matters of "principle" that are to be distinguished from matters of "prudence" or "pragmatisim." This Lexicon entry will focus on a more specialized or technical meaning of "principle." As I use the phrase, "constitutional principles" will be general and abstract normative propositions that are not themselves part of the constitutional text. Constitutional principles can be distinguished from rules and standards of constitutional law--principles provide normative guidance at a higher level of abstraction and generality than do "hard edged" constitutional rules or more "open textured" constitutional standards. This use of principle is related to Ronald Dworkin's use in his early essay Hard Cases and in his book on constitutional theory, A Matter of Principle. An example will help. Here is a passage from the majority opinion in Gonzales v. Raich: For example, cases such as Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 898, 117 S.Ct. 2365, 138 L.Ed.2d 914 (1997), and New York v. United States, 505 U.S. 144, 112 S.Ct. 2408, 120 L.Ed.2d 120 (1992), affirm that a law is not " 'proper for carrying into Execution the Commerce Clause' " "[w]hen [it] violates [a constitutional] principle of state sovereignty." The constitutional principle of state sovereignty is not in the text of the constitution. The text never uses the term "sovereign" or "sovereignty" and it never refers to the states as "sovereign". State sovereignty is not a rule of constitutional law. The principle doesn't provide any specific command, requirement, prohibition, or power. Instead, the principle of state sovereignty is best understand as shorthand for a normative conception of the powers and immunities of the states in the federal system. This is a bit tricky. The notion of a constitutional principle is a bit "vague around the edges" and I haven't provided a set of necessary and sufficient conditions that sharply define what counts as a constitutional principle. Nonetheless, this is a familiar idea that is frequently invoked in constitutional theory and practice. For an example of sophisticated use of "constitutional principles," by a contemporary legal theorist, check out the links Jack Balkin's work on the method of "text and principle" at the end of this Lexicon entry. Where to constitutional principles come from? Or to put the question just a bit differently, what are the sources of constitutional principles? Let's focus on three ways in which we might derive a constitutional principle: Principles derived from particular clauses. Some constitutional principles may be derived from particular clauses or provisions of the Constitution. For example, the "free speech" clause is vague, general, and abstract. What is the "freedom of speech"? What constitutes an "abridgement"? On approach to answering these questions is to posit a constitutional principle that states the central purpose or function that the clause serves. For example, the free speech clause might stand for a "principle of freedom of expression" or a "principle of equality of communicative opportunity." Principles derived from constitutional structure. Another possibility is that constitutional principles might be derived from the structure of the constitution--either of the whole constitution or of some identifiable part. For example, there may be a constitutional principle of state sovereign immunity. There is not "sovereign immunity clause" of the constitution, but it might be argued that the Eleventh Amendment, Article III, the Tenth Amendment, and the importance of the States to the whole structure of federalism are the source of a general principle that favors the immunity of states from suits in federal court. Principles Derived from Political or Constitutional Theory. Another possibility is that some constitutional principles might be derived from a source outside the text, for exampe, from background considerations of political morality or constitutional theory. For example, constitutions do not provide their own sources of normative legitimacy, but the conditions for constitutional legitimacy could be seen as the source of principles that would shape constitutional law. Suppose, for example, that we concluded that the constitution is legitimated by a theory of popular sovereignty--the constitution is legitimate because it was ratified by the people when originally adopted or because it is accepted by the people today. That theory of legitimacy might then provide a constitutional principle that would guide the interpretation of varoius provisions of the constitution. The Role of Constitutional Principles in Constitutional Interpretation What role do (or should) constitutional principles play in the interpretation of the constitution and in its application to particular cases, either inside or outside the courts? This is a complex issue, but we can simplify it by contrasting two uses of constitutional principle--which I shall call "direct" and "textualist." Direct Application of Constitutional Principle Constitutional principles might be considered to play a role in constitutional interpretation that is equal or even superior to the role of the text. Here, in schematic form, is how it might go: Step One: Identify a constitutional principle (on the basis of (a) the text of a specific clause, (b) a structural feature of the constitution, or (c) some extraconstitutional consideration of political morality or constitutional theory. Step Two: Apply the constitutional principle directly to a question of constitutional law, using the principle as the justification for a constitutional rule or doctrine that resolves a particular case. Textualist Use of Constitutional Principles There is an alternative way that constitutional principles might play a role in constitutional interpretation or adjudication. A "textualist" use of constitutional principle might proceed as follows: Step One: Determine the relevant textual provisions of the constitution. If these provisions are neither ambiguous nor vague with respect to constitutional question at hand, then apply the text, but if there is relevant vagueness or ambiguity, then proceed to step two. Step Two: Identify the constitutional principles that are relevant to the meaning of the vague or ambiguous constitutional provision. Step Three: Resolve the ambiguity and/or adopt a construction of the vague provision on the basis of the relevant principle (or principles). Step Four: Apply the disambiguated provision or the vagueness-resolving construction to the constitutional question at issue. The Difference Between Direct and Textualist Use of Constitutional Principles Most readers will immediately grasp the theoretical significance of the distinction between direct and textualist use of constitutional principles. Some theories of constitutitional interpretation insist that the text of the constitution plays an essential role in constitutional law. "Textualism" or "original meaning originalism," for example, insist that the linguistic meaning of the constitution is given by the "original public meaning" of the constitutional text. It might be thought that these theories are inconsistent with constitutional principless, but, as we have seen, this is not necessarily the case. If constitutional principles are used to resolve ambiguity or vagueness, then their use may be entirely consistent with an approach that gives pride of place to the original public meaning of the constitutional text. On the other hand, there are alternative constitutional theories that seem more consistent with the direct use of constitutional principles. For example, some forms of original intentions originalism conceptualize the original intentions of the framers as general principles: these principles (or intentions) can then be applied directly to resolve particular cases. Similarly, Ronald Dworkin's approach to constitutional interpretation could be understood as consistent with the direct approach to constitutional principle. Conclusion There is much more to be said about the idea of constitutional principles. And of course, the use of principles in legal theory is not limited to constitutional theory. Principles can play a similar role in statutory interpretation and in common-law reasoning. Nonetheless, I hope this Lexicon entry has given you a basic introduction that will enable you to think about the role of principles in constitutional theory. Related Entries The topics raised in this Lexicon entry are connected to several others in the Lexicon series. Here are few related entries that you might want to explore: Bibliography (This entry was last revised on December 18, 2016.) As 2016 comes to a close, several murder cases still unsolved in Polk County have police and the families of the victims searching for answers and some sense of closure. Police still working cases in Lakeland, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Haines City Arrest made Christmas Eve in murder of Mohammad Alam Have information? Call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 226-TIPS (8477) Mohammad Alam Lake Wales Police made a major arrest Christmas Eve in the murder of gas station owner Mohammad Alam. Julian Bird, already incarcerated on related charges, was charged with Alam's murder in October. The family is still grieving to this day, Lake Wales Police Lt. David Beck said. When we contacted them she was just sobbing grateful sobs. Lake Wales detectives are, however, still looking for a second suspect in the case. They think the duo robbed Alam, shot him and took off. Shavon Marlon Shawn In Haines City, acting Police Chief Jay Hopwood said they are close to solving the May shooting death of Shavon Marlon Shawn. He said they have a person of interest and are hoping to receive a report that will help tie them to the crime. Shawn, 32, was found with a gunshot wound behind Big Lots and Tractor Supply on May 15. His mother, Marva McIntosh, begged for answers during a vigil held soon after his death. I know someone knows something about my son, McIntosh said. And Im asking you to please come forward. We need closure. We dont know what happened. And I need some answers. Jonathan Charles-Pierre In Lakeland, its still a mystery who killed Jonathan Charles-Pierre, 35, who people knew as Haitian Jay. Police said Pierre was shot and killed in his home July 25 by someone he knew. That night, a witness who answered the door was ordered at gunpoint to call Charles-Pierre to the door. When Charles-Pierre appeared at the door armed himself, the armed suspect shot him and fled. His family held a news conference in August, pleading for someone to come forward and confess. Please call the police or walk in here and give yourself up, said his mother, Giselle Charles-Pierre. Jean Makenson Desroche Lakeland Police are also still working on the October 9 murder case of Jean Desroche. Desroche, 21, was shot and killed outside of his apartment on West 14th Street. He left behind a 9-month-old daughter. I just held [his daughter] and I kissed her because I know shes going to miss her Daddy, said his girlfriend, Taquavia Gousby, the day he died. Investigators have yet to name a suspect in this case. Jimmie Lee Rogers In Winter Haven, investigators are working to solve the murder of Jimmie Lee Rogers. Detectives said Rogers, 39, was gunned down in his car outside of his apartment Nov. 18. As with the Desroche case in Lakeland, investigators so far have no suspects in Rogers' death. His family held a news conference with police a month after his murder. You guys might be scared or whatever but we need someone to come forward and tell us what happened, said his sister, Lashonda Rogers. We just need all of the help we can get to solve this case. We want justice for him. We need justice for him. The family also joined police in placing yard signs and fliers around the city. For each of these cases, Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to an arresting. Tipsters can provide information anonymously. Call 1 (800) 226-TIPS (8477) or head to heartlandcrimestoppers.com to submit a tip online. JACKSON, Wyo. It's looking like more elk than officials would like are going to spend the winter at a refuge. National Elk Refuge biologist Eric Cole told The Jackson Hole News and Guide that the 6,000 elk on the property so far is well above the 15-year average. The animals started moving onto the refuge after elk hunting ended Dec. 16. Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest issued a plan in 2007 that said the population should be 5,000 elk due to food needs during harsh winters. Voluntary hunter reports show the 355 cow and calf elk that were killed this season was almost a record. ___ Information from: Jackson Hole (Wyo.) News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. It has been an enduring enigma to me as to why there is so little public activism around finance, given that there is activism in domains ... I was thinking of doing a Christmas themed column but thought to myself, Why should I do that when there are people out there working today going about their normal business (Okay, I actually said that out loud to myself but Im not crazy my mother had me tested). I figured, instead, that I would just say Merry Christmas to all those working on just another normal day of work. Q: I was stuck at a railroad with the lights flashing, there was no train. I waited 20 minutes with cars honking at me before I left. Did I break the law? How long are you supposed to wait if it never stops? -Jonathan A: You should wait until Christmas, sorry just trying to stay festive. I will also tell you that you did not break the law in my eyes by driving on after you realized there were angry drivers, I mean no train in the area. There is no time limit but according to Idaho code 49-648 it reads; Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. These requirements shall apply when: (a) A stop sign is in place and there is an absence of any mechanical warning signals;(b) A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train; A crossing gate is lowered or when a flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train; (d) A railroad train approaching within approximately fifteen hundred (1,500) feet of the highway crossing emits a signal audible from that distance and the railroad train, by reason of its speed or nearness to the crossing, is an immediate hazard;(e) An approaching railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to the crossing. (2) No person shall drive any vehicle through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed. As you can read it says nobody can proceed until it can be done safely. In your case stopping first was the correct thing. Once you realized that there was no train approaching you should have been able to do so without fear of being cited. The main issue the police would have had with you is if you had not stopped at all. Sometimes when lights are malfunctioning we will watch the lights to make sure that drivers are at least stopping before crossing the tracks. This is only done for revenue sake and not because we care about your well-being (Now how was that for sarcasm?) Officer down: As of the time of submission I dont have any officers down to mention, talk about a Christmas miracle. God bless those who gave us the ultimate gift. Have a question for Policemandan? Email your question(s) to policemandan@yahoo.com or look for Ask Policemandan on Facebook and click the like button. Mail to: Box 147, Heyburn, Idaho 83336 TWIN FALLS Students at two Twin Falls high schools are spreading holiday cheer this month. The student councils at Twin Falls and Canyon Ridge high schools held change drives to collect money to buy Christmas gifts for Twin Falls families in need. They shopped, wrapped and delivered presents in mid-December. Canyon Ridge High raised more than $23,000 a record. Twin Falls High raised $11,835.48. How did they raise money? When did the tradition start? The Times-News caught up with a few students to find out. Twin Falls High This years Change 2 Change project kicked off in late November at Twin Falls High School and students collected money for about two weeks. Since the programs inception in 2002, students have raised about $500,000. This year, the student council was aiming to raise $15,500 to sponsor seven families. They worked through groups such as the Fifth Judicial District Court Appointed Special Advocates to identify families who are really struggling, said student body secretary Emily Pilling, 17. Students met with families to determine their needs, including clothing and shoe sizes. Sometimes, families also request assistance with paying bills, such as for utilities or gas for their vehicle. We try to cover all the needs first, Emily said. As for fun items, parents often want everything to go to their children, said junior class senator Genavieve Williams, 17. Student council members sometimes have to pry to find out what parents want for themselves. And usually, it isnt much. One mother wanted just two cookie sheets. The project is an excellent way to focus on giving instead of receiving, she added. To raise money, student council members collected donations in empty water jugs during advisory classes at Twin Falls High. Other fundraisers included selling tardy passes (so students dont get in trouble for being late to class) and $1 candy cane grams. But for Change 2 Change, the majority of the donations come from the community, Emily said. Students drafted a letter to local businesses asking for support. We take letters to tons and tons of businesses, she said. After raising money, students spent the day Dec. 16 shopping at Fred Meyer, wrapping presents and going to each home to deliver presents. Each person in the household received about $300 worth of items. Im probably going to cry, Emily said in early December, anticipating the reaction from families when they receive gifts. Emily said she has gotten to know the families and theyre wonderful people. We want to give them the best Christmas ever. Canyon Ridge High Canyon Ridge High Schools student council was aiming to raise at least $23,000 through its Pennies for Possibilities fundraiser this year. I think were on track to get that, said student body vice president Brooke Brown, 17, in early December. Students have organized the change drive every year since Canyon Ridge opened in 2009. Its similar to Twin Falls Highs holiday fundraiser. When we split schools, thats one service activity we wanted to keep, Brooke said. The student council started seeking donations from big companies at the beginning of the school year. But the change drive officially kicked off Nov. 1. Teenagers collected money from classmates during fourth period classes and visited local businesses. Some businesses donated items, which students auctioned off Dec. 8. The businesses are very generous, Brooke said. Another way students raised money: selling treats such as cookies and donuts a lot of unhealthy things kids really like at the schools store, she said. Theres also a school-wide competition and whichever grade level brings in the most money gets a day off. The student council planned to sponsor six or seven families in need, depending on how much money they raised. They worked through school counselors to identify those in need. Then, student council adviser Jeremy Belliston made a phone call to each family to find out clothing sizes and what items theyd like. Student council members shopped Dec. 15 at Fred Meyer, and wrapped and delivered presents that same day, Brooke said. So its just a long day, but its good. TWIN FALLS Myril Houk of Hazelton tells an all-too-familiar story: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare took Houk's young grandchildren from her meth-addicted daughter and put them in foster care. Her daughter has been in and out of jail ever since. Houk filed for custody of her grandchildren, but a judge awarded it to their birth father, who was never married to the children's mother. Houk and her husband see their grandchildren every other weekend and provide security and support for the family. "We continue to pick up the pieces," she said. Houk started the fledgling Grandparents United for Change out of personal necessity. "When we were first reunited with the girls, they were really struggling with not having their mom in their lives," she said at the Twin Falls-based group's November meeting. The girls were "living in a situation of physical abuse and different kinds of trauma I went everywhere for assistance for them and kept hitting a wall." Convinced that "kin care" is preferable to foster care, Houk is determined to create a local support system for those raising second families. Houk plans to file the paperwork for tax-exempt nonprofit status by Jan. 1. The group will have a board of five or six volunteers. Some are raising grandchildren; others simply recognize the need for such a group. An initial group has formed to recruit board members and raise money through networking. Board seats will alternate, and terms will run for two years. The board will oversee the direction and operation of Grandparents United for Change, which already has an office at 155 Second Ave. N., Suite 202, in Twin Falls. Houk's group has raised enough money to open the office, where she holds weekly support group meetings. Most of the money raised so far has come from local businesses. Chobani, Chevrolet of Twin Falls and others have donated goods for fundraisers. The group wants a diverse board of directors. We want a good foundation, Houk said. Houk will not sit on the board; she plans to continue her work as director and will remain in charge of the day-to-day operations. She will volunteer as the director for the first year, or until the organization gets on its feet. The group plans to eventually hire office help and to contract other services, such as legal services and counseling for children and adults. She anticipates needing $100,000 for 2017. Her group has set a goal of raising 70 to 80 percent of that through donations and fundraisers. Houk plans to apply for grants for the other 30 percent. Mission The Grandparents United for Change mission is to support family caregivers in achieving safety, permanency and well-being for their families through education, advocacy and community collaboration. It lists three core values: provide resources and education, protect caregivers and children and promote unity of families. Vision The group's vision: One day all children will live in a safe and loving home, with relatives who inspire them to develop their full potential and to lead productive lives. Goals And its goals: ensure permanent placement with relatives in lieu of foster care, address special needs of children being raised by family caregivers, advocate for relative caregivers and raise awareness of their needs. TWIN FALLS Youve heard it before: It takes a village to raise a child. But for today's children, the village that safe community of adult siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and neighbors who once looked out for each others children rarely exists in modern society. And for children with absentee parents absent for whatever reason the legal system has taken over where traditionally families stepped in. Legally, grandparents dont have natural rights to their grandchildren. They must go through the same process as foster parents to gain guardianship or custody of their grandchildren. And the process can be heart-wrenching. A new group of kinship care advocates in the Magic Valley is uniting for change for changes in the law, in societys attitudes and in family culture. In 2012, 4.2 million households in the U.S. contained both grandparents and grandchildren younger than 18. Grandparents were the principal caregivers in two-thirds of those households. It's a situation that strains resources and depletes nest eggs. Children who live in grandparent-maintained households, the U.S. Census Bureau reports, are more likely to be poor than those who live in parent-maintained households. But these grandparents wouldn't leave these children to anyone else. In their shoes Imagine you and your spouse are retired. Your granddaughter gets pregnant in high school and has a baby girl. She goes back to school for a GED but can't keep her life together. You file for custody of your great-granddaughter and get it, with the father's blessing. You wish your granddaughter could fill the mother role, but for now this is the best situation for little Kambree. Or ... Your grandchildrens mother has been out of the picture for years. One day your son leaves his two children with you and doesnt come back. You raise them as your own, and your debt grows as you try to provide for the three of you. You give up your home and move into a tiny house to cut expenses. You take every part-time job offered, but that leaves you with little time for your new family. Then your grandchildren decide they want to move back into their fathers home. You are emotionally and financially devastated. Or ... Your daughter Sami gives birth to three beautiful babies. She never marries their father. Sami has an addiction; the state takes custody of your grandchildren and puts them in foster care. You file for custody to give your grandchildren security and stability within your family. But the judge grants custody to the children's father, who, by now, has married another woman, had another child and divorced. He is now in a relationship with a woman with three children and works the night shift to support the seven children in his life. His ex-wife takes care of your grandchildren when he's working. Not in my family Think not? Those are the stories of real Magic Valley people who raised their own families and now are raising second families. "You can look in every family and find someone who has lost their way," said Shawna Wasko, contract manager with the Office on Aging at the College of Southern Idaho. "It can happen to anyone," said Myril Houk, who helps raise her daughter Sami's three children, Krystena, 8, Taylee, 7, and Trevor, 18 months. Only one-third of children in the U.S. live with both parents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. At least 10 percent live with one or more grandparents, compared with only 3 percent in 1970. Census reports say the increase is due to high rates of divorce and teen pregnancy, and increases in drug usage and incarceration. Sami, addicted to methamphetamine, has been in and out of jail and is probably homeless. Sami's children are not included in the 10 percent living in kinship-care units, skip-generational families or grandfamilies, as they're called. The children live with Houk only two weekends a month in her modest farmhouse outside Hazelton. The older two do chores and keep an eye on 100 head of sheep, herding dogs and farm cats. It's the one stable environment in their lives, Houk said. "I like it here," said Krystena, who attends Harrison Elementary School in Twin Falls. "I want to live here." The children's primary residence is in Twin Falls with their father, who is responsible at least partially for four other children. Their father works the night shift at Chobani, then "sleeps all day," Houk said. "The kids have been raising themselves." Their father does his best, said Rachelle Lancaster, Houk's younger daughter, but they deserve better. "He's a good father and he's always been around," she said. "He has a lot of help from his ex and his family, but it's overwhelming to be a single parent." Houk worries about her grandchildren, especially Krystena. Children need more than shoes on their feet and roofs over their heads. "They need relatives to inspire them to lead a productive life," Houk said. "Krystena's teacher said she can definitely tell a difference in her when she comes back from my house." United grandparents Frustrated by her grandchildren's situation and seeing others in similar dilemmas, Houk began mulling ideas. She'd thought about starting an advocate group for some time now, Lancaster said. In September, Houk asked Lancaster to be on a steering committee to form a new nonprofit, Grandparents United for Change. Both know firsthand what obstacles grandparents face when trying to keep their grandchildren out of foster care. "I was mostly surprised by the (child-custody) laws," Houk said. As a grandparent, "you can't just take the kids and raise them as so many families did." Lancaster said it's frustrating when a family has the ability and desire to care for kids but faces legal obstacles. "I believe (families) should have the first right to take care of them," she said. A few generations ago, a situation such as Samis would have been handled by the family, Houk said. Now once you get in the system, you cant get out. While it's safe to say that most grandparents want the best lives for their grandchildren, few would know where to start if their grandchildren were suddenly handed to them. Many who end up raising their grandchildren end up on welfare, Houk said. Welfare is OK in an emergency, but it isnt OK when it becomes a lifestyle, she said. The system teaches the wrong standard. It fosters dependence. Houk hopes Grandparents United for Change will become a clearinghouse to help others navigate the legal and social aspects of guardianship. Families need a place where they can get all the information and support they need counseling, legal assistance, financial help and more. "We would like to be that place," Houk said. "We want to be able to take them by the hand and walk them through this process." Guardianship "is quite a burden on grandparents," said Twin Falls County Coroner Gene Turley. "They set up their retirement for themselves then find they need a part-time job to raise their grandkids." Turley is one of five or six Magic Valley residents planning to sit on Grandparents United's board of directors. He isn't raising any grandchildren, but he had two aunts who raised theirs. "In a perfect world, grandparents should get to spoil their grandchildren, then send them home," Turley said. "They shouldn't have to be the disciplinarians." Turley and others want to change society's attitudes toward children who are raised by family members other than their parents. "There is a stigma even within families," Wasko said. Real-life issues that take children from their parents or parents from their children have multiplied over the decades. While parental substance abuse is the primary reason Magic Valley children end up with their grandparents, Turley said, others include mental illness, financial instability, military deployment and death. Society as a whole is uninformed, Wasko said, about grandparents and the children they raise. "The last thing they need is society looking down on them." 'Admirable' sacrifice A Twin Falls attorney who specializes in child custody laws says most grandparents who volunteer to raise their grandchildren are doing the right thing. "It's admirable," said Patricia Migliuri, attorney with Nicholson Migliuri Rodriguez PLLC. "For whatever reason, when neither parent can support the child or the child is in an unstable home environment," grandparents can ask for guardianship, Migliuri said. "It's not an uncommon situation, but we do see it more frequently these days." Grandparents seeking guardianship is the most common legal proceeding in child-custody cases, Migliuri said. Guardianship statutes allow steps for grandparents or another family member to have rights to make decisions and provide care for the child. "It's a better alternative to fostering," she said. "These kids need the stability of knowing where they are going to live and who is going to take care of them." Parenting grandchildren is "the hardest and most rewarding thing you can do," Migliuri said. No matter what, kids are tied at the heart to family, said Lora Ohlensehlen, a Twin Falls therapist who specializes in family trauma. That's something that's missing in foster care, she said. "It's better for a child's mental health if a family member claims them." In her practice working with families in trauma, Ohlensehlen has seen children get emotionally stuck from stress. Children benefit from having regular schedules, predictable meal times and other facets of a stable family that grandparents can provide. "They don't grow and develop emotionally when they are under stress," she said. But these grandparents "are giving them a new definition of family: Families are kind and caring, and they are dependable. "Kids can grow emotionally with that." Often, family members have an informal arrangement such as Houk's to help raise the kids. "We as a family are blessed to help raise my youngest daughter's children," Houk said. Sometimes it works out; sometimes it doesn't. For one Twin Falls woman, her son's abandonment of his children upended her life. After she made tremendous sacrifices for her grandchildren, the two returned to their father. She was devastated. After agreeing to share her story with the Times-News, she backed out. Her situation with her family, she said, was too fragile. A success story Houk, who spoke to the Twin Falls County Republican Central Committee this month about making child-custody laws more family-friendly, would like to see more success stories like Howard and Marion Sullivan's. The Sullivans, in their early 70s, have "pretty much" raised Kambree, their 4-year-old great-granddaughter, Marion said. Three years ago, the Sullivans' 19-year-old granddaughter was out of work and couch-surfing with her infant daughter. "I offered her and the baby a home," she said. The Sullivans hired an attorney when their granddaughter failed to hold up her end of the arrangement. A judge gave them full custody of Kambree. "I have a soft heart for children," Marion said. "It hurts me to see what some of these kids go through." Kambree has a large extended family, including her grandfather, great-aunt and cousins in Twin Falls. Her mother gets to see her four hours each month. "It's a healthy relationship," Marion said. "Kambree loves to see her mom and I want her mom in Kambree's life but I'm not convinced she's ready to get Kambree back." The Bismarck-Mandan area is home to a multitude of holiday traditions. Families from diverse backgrounds eat different foods, tell different stories. For all, it's a time to reflect on family and sharing. It's a reflection of the growth and increasing diversity of the region over the past several years. Minority populations have increased in the area from 6.5 percent to 8 percent from 2010 to 2015, according to census estimates. Fifty refugees were resettled in the area this year. The Tribune visited with families of different faiths and cultures in the week before Christmas to find out what they'll be doing today. Kvass, holodetz and piroshki The Kulybchuk family is trying out an American tradition this year: Celebrating Christmas today. Where theyre from the Ukraine everyone gathers on Jan. 7-9. But theyre keeping most of their traditions. On Tuesday, they shopped for meat, milk, cheese and other groceries, the family explained. They plan to make wheat porridge, jellied meat, stuffed cabbage, cheese pastries and a lightly fermented drink known as kvass. They'll join four other Ukrainian families for services this afternoon, but they'll probably skip the caroling in brightly colored clothes, as they did back home. The family immigrated to the United States from Rivne in western Ukraine in March 2015. Members of the Pentecostal Church, they had been a religious minority in the predominantly Catholic and Russian Orthodox country. The parents, Anatolii and Svitlana, are here with four of their nine kids. They hope someday to bring everyone. Of course, we would love for everybody to be here together with us, Svitlana said through a translator. Luckily, they can Skype home for Christmas narrowing the thousands-mile gap. It is very difficult, but we are thankful for technology so we can at least see them, Anatolii said through a translator. 'The first fight for religious freedom' Shelly Bank is quick to remind: Its not the Jewish Christmas. But theres something to its proximity and visibility that makes it a good time to share her traditions with the primarily Christian community in Bismarck. Over the past 40 years, Bank has visited dozens of classrooms with menorahs, dreidel tops and candy. She tells the story of Hanukkah, lights the special candelabra and gives out candy. It was the first fight for religious freedom, Bank says of the holiday that marks the Jews successful battle to practice their religion under Greek-Syrian rule in 168 B.C. and the miracle of light that followed. I go to the schools, because I want them to ask questions, she said. Raised Christian in a military family, Bank converted to Judaism when she married her husband in Rapid City, S.D., more than 45 years ago. There was a small but vibrant synagogue then, which shuttered in recent years. I have a real advantage, because I grew up Christian and I know both sides, she said. The 66-year-old grandma plans to celebrate the holiday with her grandkids this year, as she does every year. Theyll light the candles, and during their 30-minute burn, theyll sit together as a family. A safe but uncertain holiday Christmas for 23-year-old Kaswara Isingoma brings some uncertainty: His family and friends are still in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he fled as a refugee after a massacre that left his parents dead when he was 10 years old. Im eating the food here, how is my family there? Are they OK, or? he said. Isingoma has been here for a year and three months. He came with his cousin, Christiano Mwesigwa, 22, and two other refugees. At his first Thanksgiving in 2015, he told the Tribune he was grateful for the new start in America. At the time, he had to speak through an interpreter. Now, he's nearly fluent. With little family here, he'll have a meal of meat and rice and invite friends to his apartment. It will be a little different than home. Christmas in the Congo is a big family celebration. Even on Christmas before we do anything we have to go to church, he said. There, they learn about the birth of Jesus, pray and sing. He likes to sing, but doesnt sing much since he got older. It's common in the Congo to exchange gifts, but it may be in the form of a favor or as simple as inviting someone to your home for a meal. In Bismarck, he will exchange those kinds of gifts with his friends. He has a car and he might offer a friend a ride, he said. Theres a chance hell be able to call home but he's not sure that's the best idea. If I call them, we can talk, but I dont want to call them all the time (because it might) make them feel bad, Im here, theyre there, he said. Balancing church and Santa In the days before Christmas, the Mitchell family stocked the house with nativity scenes, advent calendars and Bibles not the light-up reindeer that dot many homes around Bismarck. We dont focus a whole lot on Santa," said Tina Mitchell, who also is the director of family ministries at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck. Its definitely all about Jesus for us, and thats where we try to keep our focus, and we try to do service projects and volunteering. The three-member family fills shoeboxes with gifts for needy children on the Spirit Lake Nation Reservation. They ring bells for the Salvation Army and read Christmas devotionals at home. I think (Christmas) ends up being some kind of a strange, big culmination of everything we talk about and do all year long, her husband, Derrick, said. But its not all serious. The family has a knack for finding Lego-themed advent calendars and Star Wars ornaments. Their 10-year-old son, Jack, has been stacking a nutcracker collection for seven years, ever since he first saw the ballet. His latest was a stormtrooper and he cant wait to open up a nutcracker surely waiting for him under the tree. Sharon Rose Cook June 13, 1943 - December 19, 2016 TWIN FALLS Sharon Cook, 73, lifetime resident of Twin Falls, Idaho went to be with her Heavenly Father on December 19, 2016. She passed away at St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center. Sharon was born in Twin Falls on June 13, 1943, the daughter of Earl and Rose Cook. She has attended the Center for Independent Living for the last 20 plus years with her special staff and friends. She loved to go to her weekly ceramics class to be with dear sweet friends, loved to do latch hook and word search, going out to eat, and her soda. She is survived by her brothers Gary Cook (Carol) of Hansen, MA nieces Cassey and Kristie; and Dwain Butch (Gina) of Nottingham, NH, nephews Matthew and Andrew. She will also be dearly missed by her Twin Falls family, Mike, Bobby, David and Carol. We will miss her sweet smile and the twinkle in her eyes. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at White Mortuary Chapel by the Park at 2 p.m. with Bishop Mark Wasden conducting. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. BOISE In Idaho, police officers can get in trouble and lose their jobs in one agency, only to be hired in another. The state has taken steps to ensure that problem officers stay off the force, but that does not mean they cannot get a job in another state. Nor does it mean that problem officers from other states cannot get a job in Idaho. At least one national expert gives Idaho credit for operating one of the better programs in the nation to revoke an officers credentials. But Idahoans still could be put at risk by police chiefs and sheriffs who do not conduct, or choose to ignore, thorough background checks on applicants. The troubled pasts of the two Adams County sheriffs deputies who shot and killed rancher Jack Yantis last year near Council underscore the problem. Deputy Brian Wood had been fired in 2011 from his previous job as a police officer in the McCall Police Department in neighboring Valley County. Fellow Deputy Cody Roland had been counseled in 2007, while working for the Valley County sheriff, for his attitude during a traffic stop, and he was placed on a years probation in 2008 for conduct unbecoming in an unspecified off-duty incident. Roland left the Adams County Sheriffs Office less than a month after the Nov. 1, 2015, shooting. Sheriff Ryan Zollman dismissed Wood in August. Neither the deputies nor Zollman has explained their departures. Some police administrators let such officers resign in lieu of termination. That keeps their legally required certifications in place and their records clean so they may pursue other jobs. They might find work in small agencies such as Adams Countys, which dont pay as well. And the problem isnt just Idahos. Other states have it, too. The underfinanced departments depend on these cops who really should not be cops at all, said Roger Goldman, an emeritus professor at Saint Louis University School of Law and a national expert on police decertification. It is the nature of our system. What Idaho has done Nearly 300 Idaho law officers in the past 10 years have lost their jobs and will never again work for an Idaho law enforcement agency. They lost the certifications from the Idaho Peace Officer and Standards Training (POST), a division of the Idaho State Police. Among the reasons: domestic battery, sex with a minor, perjury, excessive force and witness tampering. Most of Idahos decertifications are for ethical or conduct violations. Some are for felony convictions, including those of Minidoka County Sheriff Kevin Halverson and Jefferson County Sheriff Blair Olsen, who were convicted of job-related theft and fraud Halverson in 2013 and Olsen in 2015. In 2000, former Boise police officer Randall Hayes was sent to prison for raping a 15-year-old girl while he was on duty in 1998. Boise officer Rob Berrier, who received the departments medal of honor in 2009, lost his job in 2011 for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a confidential informant. Berrier resigned before he could be fired. Other officers were decertified after pouring alcohol down minors throats while in uniform, covering up a sexual assault, or using too much cough syrup with dextromethorphan, or DXM, while on duty. High doses can cause euphoria or hallucinations. What Idaho does right Idaho POST has decertified 15 officers so far this year, less than 1 percent its active force of about 2,700 officers. The reasons included insubordination, grand theft, reporting to work while intoxicated, driving under the influence and having a romantic relationship while on duty. Idaho is one of 44 states whose police standards divisions have authority to revoke an officers certification. Idaho is one of 21 states that also can decertify correctional, juvenile correctional, and parole and probation officers. Those states decertified 1,847 officers in 2015, according to a survey by Matthew Hickman, a criminologist with Seattle University. Some states, like Minnesota, decertify only those officers convicted of felonies. Idaho and other states decertify for either felony or misdemeanor convictions or for violating the POST codes of ethics and conduct. Idaho has a reputation of being one of the better ones, Goldman said. But no state is immune, even the good ones. Tracking officers Idaho law enforcement agencies are required to notify POST when an officer is fired, resigns or retires. But theyre not required to report whether an officer may have engaged in conduct that could lead to decertification. About 20 states have such a requirement. With state laws a mish-mash, and inconsistent mandates for reporting trouble, it is hard to keep track of decertified officers. Worse, says Goldman, is that officers may be allowed to resign in lieu of termination. Sometimes an agency just wants the problem officer to go away. Sometimes an officer knows he is under suspicion and quits before being investigated or disciplined. These gypsy cops can go from department to department with little or no record of their bad behavior. Adams County Wood and Roland were summoned after dark to U.S. 95 next to Jack Yantis ranch because one of Yantis bulls had been struck by a car. A dispatcher called Yantis at home, telling him to go to the highway to take care of the injured animal. Yantis brought his rifle to euthanize it. The deputies said Yantis held his rifle in a threatening way and refused their commands to lower it. They shot him 12 times. The shooting led to an eight-month investigation by the Idaho State Police and the Idaho Attorney Generals Office. Attorney General Lawrence Wasden concluded the shooting was neither justified nor unjustified. Wasden and Idahos U.S. attorney, Wendy Olson, said there wasnt enough evidence to charge either deputy. The Idaho State Police investigation found the incidents of discipline of both deputies by prior employers things that should have shown up in a thorough background check. Wood had been fired in McCall for poaching. POST began a decertification investigation but ended it in 2012 and will not say why. Zollman, the Adams County sheriff, said he assigned a deputy to conduct a background check on Wood, and everything checked out, so Zollman hired Wood in 2013. Jerry Summers, then McCalls police chief, said no one called him. Wood and Roland are still certified, though their certifications are inactive. Though they are not currently employed in Idaho law enforcement, they are eligible to return. Efforts to ascertain their whereabouts and current employment were unsuccessful. Background checks Some experts, including Goldman, say better background checks are one answer. But Goldman said background checks might not weed out bad applicants. A bad record might not prevent an officer from getting a job. Managers of small, underfunded departments with few qualified applicants might think, It is because of the bad record we are able to hire him, he said. Hiring a new recruit means an agency must pay for weeks or months of training at the POST academy before the officer can start patrolling, straining limited resources. The rationalization is: We are not happy you that you did these things in the past, but on the other hand we can hire you right now, youve got your training and we do not have that much money in our agency anyway, and you cannot command much of a salary at any other place, Goldman said. But they are not going to tell you that. What they will typically say is, Oh hes a good guy. He just made a mistake that one time. Former Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney said large agencies like the Ada County Sheriffs Office or the Boise Police Department pay better than most and rarely consider, much less hire, applicants who have been fired for misconduct. Raney said every agency, even small ones, should conduct background investigations and preferably administer pre-employment polygraph and psychological exams. That would go a long ways, said Raney, now a consultant in Boise for the U.S. Department of Justice. Polygraphs are tricky, as they are not perfect science and only as good as the examiner, Raney said. But his office used them on applicants and flunked about one-third of them after the polygraphs revealed past crimes, misconduct or other things that would make them unfit, he said. Two more steps police could take Raney, who spent six years as chairman of Idahos POST Council, said it is hard to catch officers who resign before they are disciplined because of due-process protections, but he has a proposal: The only clear way to resolve this in Idaho is to strengthen POSTs authority in hiring decisions, making it so agencies are mandated to honestly report the terms of separation, he said. What I supported as the POST Council Chair was putting the agency heads certification at risk if they misrepresented the terms of separation. The council declined to require that, he said, but I think it may be the next step down the path. Goldman said agencies and the public also would benefit from a comprehensive, nationwide system for reporting problem law enforcement officers to a national database. Such a database already exists, and it is administered by an organization in Meridian. The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training is led by former Idaho POST director Michael Becar. The association maintains the National Decertification Index, which contains the names of decertified officers voluntarily supplied by participating states. The index now contains 21,548 decertifications reported by 40 states. Any law enforcement official checking backgrounds of applicants can query the index at no cost, Becar said. The public cannot access it. Raney said participating in, and using, the database should be mandatory for law enforcement. One more tool Even so, hiring decisions often come down to the ethics of the person doing the hiring or the agencys financial condition, Goldman said. There may be one more tool, he said: High liability and litigation costs could force insurers to drop problem departments. Raney agrees, especially since his suggestions for mandatory background checks and strengthening POSTs authority in hiring decisions arent likely to be backed by the Idaho Legislature for city and county employees. The harm reduction of avoiding litigation costs, insurance premium increases and public embarrassment after a bad event is the other driver, Raney said, but often comes after the fact. Pottersville is closer to how we live now than Bedford Falls. Mary Owen, youngest daughter of the Its a Wonderful Life co-star Donna Reed, is sitting in the Washington Square Diner in Greenwich Village. Across the street, a sold-out house is watching the film in a theater. Mary had just spoken to the audience, mostly millennials. Some had never seen it. She shared stories of her mother and secrets of the filming. She said watching it now is a good corrective to the campaign we just went through. The crowd cheered. Frank Capras film premiered 70 years ago this week. It was a commercial flop. People had already lived through the Depression, Mary says over a cup of chicken soup. They had already lived through runs on the bank. They had already lived through World War II, and the rationing. And then suicide. Why would they want to go to a movie [about] all of that? But it proved timeless. Mary pulls out an unpublished tribute to the film that her mother had delivered in 1975, just as television audiences were beginning to discover it. She had written: The great Capra was working with this sure and pure instinct for the human qualities goodness, badness, courage, despair, love and death (with no fear of looking hard at the latter), especially as they are borne by the common man, our everyday kind of neighbor Jimmy Stewarts George Bailey. George is the films hero, who is saved by selflessness: his own, through an epiphany about what his life has meant to others, and his communitys, whose generosity rescues him from arrest. Their selflessness is all the more powerful because it comes in response to the extreme selfishness they encounter in the world, personified by the rich, greedy, heartless and vainglorious old codger Mr. Potter. The thing that always irks me about Potter, Mary says, is that he got away with keeping that $8,000 money that belonged to the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan. Potters fraud, she says with a laugh, almost feels like Trump not having to show his taxes. Its hard not see a little of Potter in Trump. In 2007, Trump rooted for a collapse in the real estate market because then people like me would go in and buy. Potter tries the same strategy, only to be blocked by George. When George turns to him for a loan to cover the missing $8,000, Potters attack at 137 characters is almost Trumpian: What are you but a warped, frustrated young man? A miserable little clerk, crawling in here on your hands and knees and begging for help. Sad! At the end of that scene, Potter calls the police to swear out an arrest warrant for George. It had a familiar ring to Mary: When Potter says, See you in jail!, it reminds me of Trump all of his threats to put Hillary in jail. Mary called the film a corrective to the campaign because the campaign had been so mean-spirited, while the film shows the power of a strong and caring community: people helping theirs neighbors with genuine concern and without ulterior motive. When Georges guardian angel (third class) shows him what his hometown of Bedford Falls would look like had he never have been born, he encounters the same people hes known all his life. But theres a darkness to their character. A meanness in their tone. A loneliness in their eyes. A violence in their hearts. And a looseness to their morals. Leadership Georges ethical, principled, compassionate, selfless leadership mattered. It had made all the difference. Many Americans are worried that Trumps victory will usher in a dark, mean, intolerant mood reminiscent of Pottersville. Its true that his vanity, demagoguery, dishonesty and lack of curiosity form a dangerous and combustible brew. But the values of the country and the values of a community are defined by how individuals like George Bailey choose to live their lives more than by who sits in the Oval Office.The voters of Seneca County in New York State, where the imaginary Bedford Falls is said to be located, voted for Trump over Clinton. There, and in towns across America, live good and honest people Republicans, Democrats and independents who are struggling and worried about their futures. What unites them is their desire to live in communities where working people can earn a decent living and buy their own home. That is far stronger than their attachment to any particular politician or party. Bedford Falls belongs to us all. Now, we can get through this thing all right, George says in the midst of the bank run that nearly puts him out of business and hands control of the town to Potter. Weve, weve got to stick together, though. Weve got to have faith in each other. The words never again ring hollow as the city of Aleppo, Syria, has fallen to regime forces of Bashar Assad. A brutal siege that has ground on for years was finally brought to a bloody end by a surge of Russian air power, Iranian shock troops and assorted regional militia fighters. As we eulogize the dead of Aleppo, we must acknowledge the United States complicity in this tragedy. President Barack Obama speaks of the need to bear witness to injustice. He did little else for Aleppo. To what have we borne witness? To the use of smart bombs to target women and children, hospitals and bakeries, aid warehouses and humanitarian convoys. To the development and popularization of barrel bombs oil drums packed with shrapnel and explosives, dropped indiscriminately from aircraft to kill and maim as many civilians as possible. To the tactic of follow-on airstrikes designed to kill rescue workers, such as the intrepid White Helmets, who rush to the scene of an attack to save the innocent. And now to the busloads of refugees pouring out of Aleppo and the tens of thousands left behind to the tender mercies of the Assad regime and its Russian and Iranian allies. Obama has borne witness to all of this, and more, and done nothing to stop it. As with past atrocities, Aleppos destruction inspired much high-minded talk and the illusion of action. Endless meetings in the gilded palaces of Geneva and Vienna and elsewhere. Red lines drawn and transgressed with no consequences. Statements like this: Should we really accept the notion that the world is powerless in the face of a Rwanda, or Srebrenica? the president asked the U.N. General Assembly in 2013. If thats the world that people want to live in, they should say so, and reckon with the cold logic of mass graves. That reckoning is now upon us. The mass graves are before us, and the name Aleppo will echo through history, like Srebrenica and Rwanda, as a testament to our moral failure and everlasting shame. Even in a conflict that has killed nearly 500,000 people, driven half of Syrias population from their homes, created the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War II and spawned the terrorist army of the Islamic State even amid all this horror and depravity, Aleppo stands out. Aleppo may be lost, but the war in Syria is far from over. It will likely get worse as the Assad regime, Iran, Russia, Turkey, the Kurds, the Gulf states and others intensify their fighting over what is left of Syrias carcass. The United States still has a choice to make. The longer we wait to help end the war, the worse our options will become. But no one should believe that we have no choice. We must acknowledge that we have a stake in what happens in Syria. It is not just about the suffering of others, as moving as that is. It is about the national security of the United States: The resurgence of al-Qaida in Syria affects us. The rise of the worlds most advanced terrorist organization affects us, as we saw in Paris and San Bernardino, California. A refugee crisis that destabilizes allies such as Israel and Jordan and threatens the foundation of Western democracies affects us. We must also acknowledge that Assad, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qasem Soleimani, commander of Irans Quds Force, will never be viable counterterrorism partners. In fact, the opposite is true. The Syrian regime, Russia and Iran are not fighting the Islamic State. Their indiscriminate slaughter of Syrian civilians is what created the conditions for the Islamic States emergence. The bloody siege of Aleppo will be a windfall for terrorist radicalization and recruitment. To think that we can destroy the Islamic State by throwing in our lot with those who are strengthening it every day is a dangerous fantasy. Finally, we must acknowledge that ending the conflict in Syria will not be possible until Assad and his foreign backers realize they cannot succeed militarily. And make no mistake: Succeeding militarily is what they are trying to do. The fall of Aleppo will only encourage them to turn their guns on their next targets in Syria. We must recall the wisdom of former secretary of state George Shultz: Diplomacy not backed by strength will always be ineffectual at best, dangerous at worst. Just because America cannot stop every horror in the world does not absolve us of the responsibility of using our great power to end the worst injustices where we can, especially when doing so would benefit our own interests and make the United States and our partners more secure. We do not need to become the worlds policeman to defend our interests. But we cannot wall ourselves off from the chaos of our dangerous world. And if we try, the instability, terror and destruction at the heart of that chaos will eventually make their way to our shores. One might expect Russian President Vladimir Putin to take a victory lap after a lucky 2016. But at his traditional end-of-year press conference on Friday, Putin looked more tired than triumphant. He also appeared eager to steer attention away from geopolitics an area in which he has seemingly excelled this year to the minutiae of running Russia. That was wise: Putin knows hes received some advances, but he hasnt cashed them in. If not person of the year, Putin is surely troll of the year. If stories about Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential campaign are true, he has successfully mocked U.S. democracy and rubbed its nose in its imperfections. If they are not true, thats an even better outcome for Putin. In that case he made himself look like a major threat without lifting a finger. Asked about the election at the press conference, he trolled the Democrats as sore losers who blame external factors for their failures, throwing back an accusation U.S. Russia-watchers have hurled at him. Putins purported role in Donald Trumps victory has also helped him look fearsome to Europe. The German government believes he might try to disrupt next years election there. Austrian nationalists made a pilgrimage to Moscow to sign a cooperation agreement with Putins party, United Russia. Both front-runners in the French presidential election are Putin fans. And the ego boost Putin has achieved came cheap. Ukraine is securely locked in a frozen conflict and its political system appears to be imploding as President Petro Poroshenko and his team are revealed as the same kind of venal post-Soviet rulers as their predecessors. At the press conference, Putin trolled Ukraine, saying a bridge hed ordered built to annexed Crimea would be good for Ukraine after a normalization of relations with Moscow. He trolled Europes attempts to bring Ukraine into the fold, too, saying that he welcomed visa-free travel for Ukrainians to Europe scheduled to begin next year but that the European Union should allow Ukrainians to work there because thats what theyll come to do. In Syria, Putin helped President Bashar al-Assad to victory in Aleppo, redrawing the balance of forces and minimizing U.S. influence. As a result, Middle Eastern powers, including U.S. allies, have come to see him as an important player in the region for the first time since the Soviet Unions demise. Saudi Arabia has done a deal with Russia on oil output cuts something that would have seemed impossible just three years ago. And Putin didnt have to pay much for his new clout. Russia has only lost 25 people in Syria and spent between $2.5 million and $4 million a day, a manageable amount compared to Russias $51 billion defense budget for this year. In fact, despite much that is said about Russian war crimes and brutality, data from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights show that the Russian intervention has not increased the Syrian wars death toll this year. In the 11 months through November, 46,442 people were killed, as against 55,219 in 2015 and 73,447 in 2014. So why, at the end of the year, did Putin seem reluctant to celebrate? Even his seemingly boastful statement on Thursday that today we are stronger than any potential aggressor was apparently a bit of trolling rather than self-aggrandizement. It provoked U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby to respond with high praise for the U.S. military, enabling a smirking Putin to stress at the press conference that he was only talking about aggressors. One reason could be that Putin is yet to reap any tangible rewards from his seeming successes. Putin, unlike many of his supporters, hasnt acted overjoyed at Trumps victory. Its unclear how the mercurial billionaire will behave toward Russia and how much hell be constrained by a hostile Republican and Democratic establishment. Trumps potentially Russia-friendly pick for secretary of state, Exxon Mobil Chief Executive Rex Tillerson, faces skeptical vetting by the Senate. Putins intentions concerning Ukraine-related sanctions are unclear he hasnt spoken on the issue since a non-committal response to a reporters question in July. In 2017, Putin could build an amicable relationship with Trump or have a monumental falling-out. The EU has just extended sanctions against Russia through July. The buoyancy of Putins nationalist, euroskeptic allies in the West is still an unrealized threat to the establishment. In Austria, the Freedom Party, whose leaders recently came to Moscow to kowtow, has just suffered a painful electoral defeat, losing a bid for the presidency. Brexit hasnt produced a Putin-friendly government in the U.K. Theres a chance that in 2017, nationalist parties will fail in the Netherlands, France and Germany, destroying any post-Trump magic. And French front-runner Francois Fillon may not be as pro-Russian as president as in his opposition years: His immediate goal is likely be to keep the EU together, and unanimity on Russian sanctions has become a litmus test of unity. Putin has tried to prove that the sanctions are all but dead by selling off a stake in state-owned oil behemoth Rosneft to a consortium of U.S. ally Qatar and Swiss-based commodity trader Glencore, funded by Italian bank Intesa. But the bank appears to be having some last-minute doubts about jumping into this politically fraught deal, and Russia is unlikely to receive the foreign investors money this year. The deal looked great for Putin, but it could fail in 2017. Ukraines desire to get away from Russias orbit is still as strong as during the 2014 revolution. Though the government is unpopular, its hard to imagine the next one being pro-Russian. It might even be more staunchly nationalist than Poroshenkos. So far, Putin has managed to destabilize its neighbor but hasnt improved his chances of establishing control. The Syrian success is also tenuous. Putins hope, as he told the press conference, is to establish a ceasefire so that Russia, Turkey and Iran could broker a deal among the warring sides. That, however, would be conditional on defeating the Islamic State, a tough job if there ever was one, and on getting all the belligerents to the table an achievement that would seal Putins reputation as a foreign policy wizard, but one that seems as far off today as intergalactic travel. Putin has strengthened his ally Assads hand in negotiations that may not even take place in the foreseeable future or turn out to be as ineffective as previous attempts to pacify Syria. To top all that, Russias economic situation is precarious. The 2017 budget is based on $40-per-barrel Russian oil, and if OPEC cant deliver promised production cuts or if U.S. frackers start pumping at the first sign of falling inventories, Russia may face another year of recession and spending cuts. Russians have been patient throughout the last two years economic woes, but one more year with little good news could even undermine Putins seemingly unassailable advantage in the 2018 presidential election. Putin has done his best to manage Russias finances prudently and 2016 has been easy on the countrys currency reserves, but that has been a holding action rather than a brilliant anti-crisis strategy. That may be why Putin wants to talk about micromanaging Russias problems roads, the environment, a spike in the consumption of cheap, life-endangering alcohol and not Russias geopolitical achievements. He is at pains to demonstrate his grasp of the most minute budget and macroeconomic numbers. Hes telling Russians that hes thinking of them, not global hegemony. The geopolitics have mostly helped Putin consolidate his domestic support, and if next year the favorable narratives start to fall apart, Putin needs to make sure peoples everyday lives show some improvement. That would require at least as much luck as Putin has had this year. This appeared in Fridays Washington Post: Janet Yellen, chair of the Federal Reserve, spoke at the University of Baltimores midyear commencement on Monday, and her message was about as upbeat as any the students will ever hear from a practitioner of the dismal science. The economy is nearly at full employment, with prospects especially strong for college graduates, for whom the unemployment rate is an infinitesimal 2.3 percent. Whats more, grads can expect a large advantage in lifetime earnings over contemporaries with only a high school education. Last year, college graduates earnings averaged 70 percent more than high school graduates pay; that is up from 20 percent in 1980, she said. And the advantage kicks in quickly: Only a few years after graduation, its almost $18,000 a year, Yellen reported. Moral of the story: Higher education is a good long-term investment. That notion is being questioned as never before, though, due to concern about student debt, which now totals $1.3 trillion, spread out over 44.2 million borrowers. Yet as Yellen pointed out, government data shows that the vast majority of student borrowers who complete their degree programs find work that allows them to keep up with interest payments and eventually pay off the principal. According to studentloanhero.com, about 40 percent of student debt was incurred to finance graduate and professional degrees that is, MBAs, MDs and law degrees, which enhance future earnings even more than a four-year bachelors. Yellens words were a useful corrective to the view, expressed at great but tendentious length by presidential candidates this year, that student loans are crushing Americas young people and that a major federal initiative is needed to correct that. In fact, debt distress is disproportionately concentrated in certain segments of the market, including professional schools and for-profit four-year colleges. Solutions, if any, should be targeted and limited so as not to waste resources that could go toward other purposes, such as enhancing the prospects of those who do not attend college. In that respect, we had reservations about Hillary Clintons plan for debt-free college but thats academic now, and President-elect Donald Trumps ideas are the ones that matter. They are still rather murky at this point. During the campaign, a Trump adviser spoke of returning the student-loan business to private banks, as opposed to having the government originate them, and profit directly, as at present. The candidate advocated incentives for colleges to reduce tuition costs, as well as capped payments and long-term loan forgiveness all of which already have been suggested or attempted, in some form, by the Obama administration. This would be a good subject on which to probe education secretary-designate Betsy DeVos at her confirmation hearing next month. Whatever the next Congress and president do about student loans, policy must reflect the fact that the benefits of investment in higher education accrue not only to society but also to the individuals who receive the education. It is therefore perfectly reasonable both to subsidize that investment and to expect individual beneficiaries to pay for some of it themselves. RICHARDTON Funeral Mass for Sister Brigid McLean, 98, Richardton, will be held at 10 a.m. MST Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Sacred Heart Monastery, Richardton. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Richardton. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. MST Tuesday with a rosary being recited at 7 p.m. MST all at the Sacred Heart Monastery. Sister Brigid passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016, at Sanford Health St. Vincents Continuing Care Center, Bismarck. The Lord welcomed Sister Brigid McLean, OSB, into eternal life Dec. 20 at the age of 98, having been a member of Sacred Heart Monastery for 80 years. Sister Brigid was born in Plentywood, Mont., on July 20, 1918, and was baptized Helen Ann. She was the fourth of John and Martha McLeans 12 children who lived on a farm two miles west of Outlook. During high school she felt an inclination to religious life and after graduation she contacted her two aunts at Sacred Heart Convent in Garrison for guidance. The year 1936 was a crucial one in this growing Benedictine community. Having lost their savings in the bank failures of the depression there was pressure to join with St. Benedicts Convent in St. Joseph, Minn. Sister Brigid was one of six candidates who entered that year and all of them persevered! The community held on to its independence and Sacred Heart Monastery, now in Richardton, celebrated its centennial this year thanks in a large part to this group of entrants. For many of her years in community, Sister Brigid taught in grade and high school in various parochial and public schools in North Dakota, at Malta, Mont., and at the communitys academy in Bogota, Colombia. She served the community for many years as a formation director, subprioress and treasurer/bookkeeper. In her later years she also served as bookkeeper at St. Vincents Care Center in Bismarck and Trinity High School in Dickinson. Upon her return to live at the Monastery in Richardton, she helped in various assignments until she was no longer able. Her last years were spent as a resident of St. Vincents where she died. Though she ably served the needs of the monastic community in her many years, she will be remembered even more for who she was. She was a true Benedictine: a woman of prayer and good example. She always saw what needed to be done and set about doing it well. One of her major contributions to our community was the effort and organization she put into the move from our convent in Minot to Richardton. Cleaning out and packing a three-story convent/academy building, loading the trucks, and helping unpack when they arrived here was no small feat! She was a great sorter knowing when things were not worth keeping or saving was her forte. Sister Brigid is survived by her brothers, Leonard (Barbara) and Robert McLean; her sisters, Teresa McGrath, Agnes Hamman and Vivian Messbarger; numerous nieces and nephews; and her monastic community of Sacred Heart Monastery in Richardton, including her grandniece, Sister Jill West and her surviving monastic classmates Sisters Monica Thome and Annella Gardner. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com. (Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Dickinson) Egypts Suez Canal revenues recorded $389.2 million in November dropping by 4.7 percent year on year since November 2015 when they were at $408.4 million, according to official figures published by the Suez Canal Authority. The international waterway is a major source of foreign currency for Egypt as it is the fastest shipping route between Europe and Asia. The North African nation has been struggling to revive its economy since the 2011 uprising that ended Hosni Mubaraks three-decade autocratic rule and the ouster of his Islamist successor two years later. The uprising scared away tourists and foreign investors. Egyptian officials predicted Suez Canal revenues would increase following the inauguration of an additional lane to allow two-way traffic and works to deepen the main canal to allow the passage of larger vessels in August 2015, which cost upwards of around $4 billion. Officials had claimed the new canal would more than double revenues to reach $13.2 billion in 2023. However, falling oil prices and a slowdown in world trade led to falling of the revenue. The Suez Canal Authority said last month the waterway was expected to generate $5.7 billion in revenues this year. For the longest nights of the year, there is no better place to be than on snow-crusted ground, staring up at Montanas big empty sky. Democrats across rural America must know the feeling, this Christmas week, of looking into a black void and feeling so very alone. There is a chance for the pulse to quicken a flash of the northern lights, perhaps, the distant howl of a wolf in that utter darkness. And there is hope for a party spurned in the wide-open spaces of the country, as well. Meet Steve Bullock, the newly re-elected Democratic governor of Montana. Donald J. Trump took Montana by 20 percentage points a rare win for celebrity-infatuated megalomaniacs in a state whose voters can usually smell the type from a hundred miles out. But once again, Democrats won the governors office, and did it with votes to spare. Bullocks Mountain State secret sauce is something national party leaders should sample during their solstice. As a Montana native and a graduate of Columbia Law School, Bullock has a foot in both coastal elitism and prairie pragmatism. Every morning my wife and I drop our kids off at the same public schools that we went to, he said. Public, thats key. As in public land the great shared turf of the American West. Public health, which the governor expanded in this poor state. Simple stuff, grounded in the nontoxic populism of the past. So when the Trump administration starts taking away peoples health care, trashing public schools with a church-lady billionaire as education secretary, or colluding with a Congress that wants to offload public land, Montana can offer a resistance playbook. I asked the governor to give some specific advice to fellow Democrats. Show up, he said, noting that Barack Obama was at the Fourth of July parade in the hardscrabble Montana mining town of Butte in 2008. That year, the black community organizer from Chicago came within 2 percentage points of winning a state with one of the smallest black populations in the nation. To Hillary Clinton, on the way to fundraisers with tech millionaires, Montana was flyover country. Had she gone to Great Falls or Glendive, she would have seen that struggling white people desire the same things that struggling people in diverse urban areas want. Bullock brought Obamacares Medicaid expansion to his state, he attacked Republican calls for tax cuts as budget busters and community-killers. And in a state where hate groups still pop up like poisonous mushrooms, he was a champion of Native American sovereignty and gay and lesbian rights. Its not about identity politics, he said. Its about trying to bring everybody up. Thats the theme. Everybody. Not just the emerging demographics, charted on many a Democratic PowerPoint. Bullock didnt abandon people whose paycheck is dependent on coal. Nor did he make false promises about coal roaring back. Even coal plant owners acknowledge that their days are numbered as the free market turns to cheap natural gas to generate power, and as the world turns away from it for self-preservation. With the Trump presidency, truth will be a commodity more precious than the gold lining his throne in Manhattan. He no sooner won the Electoral College than he started the Trump era with a big lie, saying hed achieved a historic electoral landslide. For the record: His victory ranked near the bottom, 46th out of 58 presidential elections. But it was historic no president has ever lost the popular vote by a larger number, almost 3 million votes. And yet half of Republicans believe that he won the popular tally. As we say goodbye to a dreadful year, one that should be bound up in chains and dropped into the Missouri River, Democrats should not forget that they have the majority on their side on almost every major issue. Its time they got reacquainted with the millions of other people who make up that majority. Montana, we have a lot of work to do. On January 2, 2017, the Montana Legislature will convene for the 65th session. We only get a chance every two years to pass legislation and affect policy, and our states ability to support economic growth is on the line. The Missoula Economic Partnership takes an active role in issues that affect the economic health of our community. From an economic development perspective, our priorities are clear: to preserve and maintain the key economic development tools that are currently working to promote economic growth, and to secure reliable and predictable funding for infrastructure. Montana has several economic development tools that are currently funded and working well to foster business growth, entrepreneurship, and development. We must continue to support programs that provide grants and business assistance, such as the Big Sky Trust Fund and Primary Sector Worker Training. These programs provide incentives for job creation and workforce training, both of which are vital for a healthy economy. Other elements of a healthy economy include the following: A competitive business climate that is affordable, predictable and ripe with incentives for growth across diverse sectors A robust private sector environment that works in partnership with the public sector to spur innovation and collaboratively problem solve A skilled workforce to fill jobs talent is the new economic development currency, and a quality education is the best way to compete in a global economy Comprehensive and predictable infrastructure funding This year will mark the third attempt at passing an infrastructure bill. In the 2015 legislative session, a $150 million measure funding infrastructure upgrades and building projects failed to pass by a single vote in the Houses final minutes. Our states economy cannot afford for this to happen again. Infrastructure, at its most basic level, encompasses water, sewer, bridges and roads the basic building blocks of development. As Montana Infrastructure Coalition Executive Director, Darryl James, says: Montana hasnt adjusted our revenue tools and infrastructure funding formulas in decades, and we are unable to keep pace with growing physical and regulatory demands. Our goal is to identify sustainable funding for the essential infrastructure required to build and maintain healthy communities and a robust economy. Public infrastructure is crucial for economic growth, and while water, sewer, bridges and roads make up the physical and structural components on which our economy is built, Montana has another critical infrastructure need: broadband internet access. We need to recognize that broadband, especially in a state as vast as Montana, constitutes basic infrastructure, and seek ways to incorporate broadband expansion into infrastructure priorities. This is not an urban vs. rural concern this is a Montana concern. Broadband internet is an imperative for economic growth across the state. Current broadband infrastructure is sorely lacking, particularly in rural areas that would benefit the most from reliable broadband access. According to Broadband Now, Montana is the 50th most connected state in the nation. In other words, Montana has the worst broadband coverage of all 50 states. Lack of reliable broadband access is one of the biggest deterrents for companies looking to relocate or expand, and as a result, Montanas communities miss out on opportunities for job creation and economic growth. To build a vibrant economy, Montana needs sustainable funding for the basic infrastructure that forms the foundation of our economy and broadband access is a necessary component of that infrastructure. Last year, I wrote a column about infrastructure investments, and my position hasnt changed: As unsexy and politically charged as it is, Montanas investment in infrastructure is absolutely essential to our economic growth and development statewide and locally. Every citizen of Montana has a stake in the maintenance and enhancement of our infrastructure. Doing nothing is no longer an option. We must come together now to make our voices heard if we truly want to set the stage for healthy economic growth and development. The Missoula Economic Partnership looks toward the Legislature for a sustainable, healthy infrastructure plan. We cant afford to go yet another legislative session without adopting tools to address our states capacity to provide a healthy economy. Relocation Farm Bureau Financial Services is relocating from the current location at 1900 S. Reserve St. to 2813 Connery Way. Farm Bureau Financial Services provides a full suite of insurance and investment products for individual and commercial clients. The move includes Will Johnson, agent/financial advisor; Kevin Leavell, agent; Tim Unger, sales; Kristina Booher, sales; as well as service and claims personnel. Phone 406-728-6811. New associates Kati Hofman has joined EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley as a new agent. Travis Mateer has joined the resource center team at Missoula Aging Services as a call center specialist. The call center at MAS is being established to directly assist older adult clients, their families and caretakers with a wide variety of needs, including information, assistance or referrals to other programs and community resources. Mateer is a 2003 University of Montana graduate and formerly was on staff at the Poverello Center, where he established the Homeless Outreach program. Paul Marcus has joined Stockman Bank as vice president, operations manager for the Missoula market. He will manage and oversee operations and customer service for the Downtown and Burlington branches. He will also coordinate system support and delivery of eBiz/Cash Management services. Marcus, a graduate of UM, brings over 18 years of banking experience to the position, which includes management of operations, overseeing eBiz setup processes, and implementation of various operational procedures. He earned his bachelor of science degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from the University of Montana in 1998. Marcus is located at 1243 Burlington Ave. and can be reached at 406-258-1431. Kylee Watkins has joined First American Title Company as an escrow assistant. Watkins' previous experience was in administrative and child development. She also recently joined Missoula Young Professionals Group. Stacy Rye has joined ERA Lambros as a sales associate. Rye most recently served as a Missoula County commissioner. Rye also served on the Missoula City Council from 2004 to 2012 and on the Missoula Development Authority from 2013 to 2016. She has also worked for Missoula-area nonprofits for over 15 years, including most recently United Way of Missoula County, where she was the community relations manager and helped start community programs, such as Imagination Library, a free book-gifting program for Missoula County children under age 5. Rye holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Montana. She brings knowledge of residential and multi-family housing in Missoula County, subdivision, zoning, as well as municipal and county tax increment districts. She can be reached at 406-218-1338 or srye@eralambros.com. Jodie Hooker has joined ERA Lambros as the managing broker in its Polson office. Hooker started her career in real estate in 1999. From 2011 to 2016 she owned Zootown Real Estate as a buyers agent. She has many designations, including Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI) designation, Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and the Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) certification. As the managing broker in Polson she will be building a team of experienced agents that will work with both buyers and sellers. She can be reached at 406-239-7588. Bill Phelps, long home professional, has returned to Pioneer Log Homes. Phelps has spent the past 35 years in the log home industry working for Rocky Mountain Log Homes, Pioneer Log Homes and Custom Log Homes. During his career, he has worked with builders and homeowners in resort areas such as Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, and Big Sky, as well as throughout Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and across the U.S. Phone 406-961-3273 or visit pioneer-loghomes.com. Recognition John Herring, broker owner of RE/MAX All Stars was named the Missoula Organization of Realtors Realtor of the Year for 2017. Herring has been in the real estate business for 27 years and is currently president of the Montana Association of Realtors and is past president of the Missoula Organization in 2005 and 2013. Herring holds the Certified Residential Specialist and Graduate Realtor Institute designations and is an active top producer in the Missoula residential real estate market. He can be reached at RE/MAX All Stars at 406-544-1742. D.A. Davidson & Co. has named Paul Eichwald of Missoula to its Presidents Club. Eichwald qualified for the distinction based on his integrity, strong business practices and client-first focus and, by earning the honor, can become involved in the direction and philosophy of the company. Eichwald, senior vice president, financial consultant, has been with D.A. Davidson in Missoula since 1976. Besides having earned the Certified Wealth Strategist professional designation, he holds an MBA from the University of Utah and a bachelors degree from the University of Montana. Olan Bubba Alsup, LUTC, was recognized as one of the top performing agents and brokers in the country by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This nationwide recognition as a member of the HealthCare.gov Champions Circle goes to agents and brokers for their success during the 2017 Health Insurance Marketplace(sm1) Open Enrollment. The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce and First Interstate Bank will host the annual State of Missoula on Tuesday, Jan. 17, with workshops on Wednesday, Jan. 18. This years topic will discuss the future of entrepreneurship in Missoula. Join us at the the Doubletree by Hilton for lunch and listen to guest speakers Jon Hagmaier, CEO of Commonwealth Growth Group, Bryce Ward, associate director at the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) in Missoula, Linda Miller, with PDT, Inc. and Brian Morgan with Adventure Life. Speakers will share their stories of what its like to take the plunge from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur, and how they did it successfully. The workshops will follow up with topics such as: creating a professional leadership team and great work culture, utilizing local resources and the importance of a mentor. The closing workshop will even let selected entrepreneurs practice pitching their ideas to investors. Ward will emcee the event. Ward has a Ph.D. in economics, and brings his expertise in econometric analysis and applied microeconomics to BBER, which describes its general function as to produce a variety of economic and industry data including annual economic forecasts for the United States as well as Montana, its industries and counties. Ward previously was a senior economist at ECONorthwest consulting firm. Wards research on the local economy and how entrepreneurship plays into it will guide this event. He describes how Missoula is a prime location for entrepreneurship. In Missoula, we have a culture of creativity that can be capitalized upon thanks to the access to resources; resources like the State of Missoula event this year. This is a small enough town that any business owner is never more than one degree from the resource they need. This is evident with the collaborators of the State of Missoula event, which is organized by the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, the Missoula Economic Partnership, Blackstone Launchpad, Hellgate Venture Network and Goodworks Ventures all organizations dedicated to helping local businesses grow. Hagmaier will be the events keynote speaker. After working more than 16 years in public education, Hagmaier was a co-founder and CEO of Interactive Achievement (now known internationally as PowerSchool), an organization created to help educators develop the best solutions to stimulate learning in the classroom, particularly through technology. For the past eight months, Hagmaier has been the CEO of Commonwealth Growth Group, an organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of web-based software companies, aiding with financing, advising and networking. Hagmaiers background in education is part of what makes him a great resource for helping businesses learn and grow, much like his former students. At the State of Missoula, attendees will hear Hagmaier discuss many of the processes in building a business, such as knowing when to ask for assistance, cultivating mentorships and how to build a successful team that enhances your organization. The Kauffman Foundation reports on national startup activity annually, and has shown Montana topping the list of entrepreneurial states for the past four years. Because of this, the foundation helps fund Missoulas Blackstone Launchpad to help entrepreneurs with initial startup processes. Other resources for building businesses (as mentioned above) include: Hellgate Venture Network, Goodworks Ventures and the Missoula Economic Partnership. These organizations offer guidance and support for startup and entrepreneurial businesses in Missoula through opportunities in networking, financial strategy and expansion efforts. The above organizations all contributed their time and resources to put together this years State of Missoula to create an event with the best possible opportunities and resources for the attendees to learn and grow. The 2017 State of Missoula: Building Tomorrow's Missoula, the Entrepreneur Economy will be presented by First Interstate Bank on Tuesday, Jan. 17, and Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Visit the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce website for information and to purchase tickets for the event. A while back we published a column in which I talked about my delight in the many names of kinds of apples, and mentioned Louise Bogan's marvelous mid-century poem "The Crossed Apple." Here's yet another fine apple-name poem for my collection, by Susan Rothbard, who lives in New Jersey. That New At the market today, I look for Pinata apples, their soft-blush-yellow. My husband brought them home last week, made me guess at the name of this new strain, held one in his hand like a gift and laughed as I tried all the names I knew: Gala, Fuji, Honey Crisp watched his face for clues what to call something new? It's winter, only tawny hues and frozen ground, but that apple bride was sweet, and I want to bring it back to him, that new. When he cut it, the star inside held seeds of other stars, the way within a life are all the lives you might live, each unnamed, until you name it. BBC foreign correspondent Andrew Hardings book The Mayor of Mogadishu opens with an arresting scene: An attack by the militant group Al-Shabab is underway at a mosque in the Somali capitals government compound. Worshipers are jostling toward the exit. Only one man still kneels in prayer, apparently oblivious to the mayhem unfolding around him. That man is the books complicated subject, Mohamud Tarzan Nur, a Somali expat who served as Mogadishus mayor in the early 2000s, as the city edged out of Al-Shababs control and into a state of fragile near-normalcy. Through the story of a man who took one of the worlds most dangerous political gigs, Harding traces the turbulent modern history of Somalia a place where the author dodges bullets, discovers remarkable resiliency and glimpses striking beauty amid the ruins of the onetime Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Through elegant writing and dogged reportage, Harding sets out to introduce Nur, a man steeped in contradictions and controversy. In a sense, Harding tackles a mystery: Is Nur a brave and principled patriot or a charismatic opportunist with a carefully crafted public persona? One of the first stories Nur shares with the author that his mother delivered him in Room 18 of a beachfront hospital turns out to be a lie. In fact, he was born under a tree in the nomadic Ogaden region and grew up in a gritty Mogadishu orphanage, where he earned his nickname after sneaking out a window and swinging from a tree. Before his homeland descended into civil war, Nur left for Saudi Arabia in search of opportunity. He eventually settled in London with his young family. In 2000, he returned to Mogadishu to take the mayoral job, tapped for it as the self-described leader of the diaspora. There, Nur proved adept at restoring a measure of normalcy and eluding Al-Shabab attacks. He was somewhat less adept at dodging the capitals relentless mudslinging, clan politics and questions about government corruption. Nur, who is now running for president of Somalia, insists he is an open book. His trademark phrase echoes the recent U.S. presidential election: Believe me. But he remains guarded and slightly aloof, and thats Hardings main storytelling challenge throughout. As is often the case with nonfiction whose tough-skinned main subjects never quite open up, the book can leave some readers wanting more. But Harding perseveres, filling in gaps in our understanding thanks to Nurs likable wife, Shamis, and a brother living in Indiana. Harding also assembles a strong cast of supporting characters fellow expats who in recent years have flocked back home to help rebuild, get a taste of adventure and make money. Even as Nur remains a bit of a mystery in Hardings book, a fascinating, guardedly optimistic portrait of contemporary Somalia comes into sharp focus. Brazilian author Noemi Jaffes What are the Blind Men Dreaming? is a Holocaust story, have no illusions about that. But unlike Elie Weisels Night or Art Spiegelmans Maus, which focus on the terror of concentration camps, Jaffe follows her mother as she picks up the pieces of a world shattered by tyranny. The book is unconventional in structure and translation style, both to the readers benefit. The first portion is a translation of Jaffes mothers diary from the original Serbian by Ellen Elias-Bursac. The second, written by Jaffe, is a narrative reflection, translated from the Brazilian Portuguese by Julia Sanches. As explained by the author, her mother, Lili Stern, survived Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, then relocated to Sweden, where she wrote the diary. Her story is unlike many other Holocaust stories for a couple of reasons. First, its a womans story, focused the bonds between Lili and her female cousins and then between a mother and a daughter. Second, it spends only a limited time on the horrors of the camp. Compared to Weisel, she uses a much softer tone about the same horrible experiences, possibly because she was assigned to the kitchen and taken slightly better care of compared to those building structures or digging mass graves. Sterns diary takes the reader much further into her life. She conveys the complicated relationship she developed with food and gifts as well as what it meant to fall in love. Simple acts of kindness, like a visit from fellow Yugoslavs through the refugee camp gates, are magnified into deeply emotional exchanges. Her story shows the post-liberation complications that survivors faced: Who is alive? How do you find them? Is there still a thing called home, and do you even want to go back? Jaffe picks up the narrative a third of the way through. She re-examines her mothers story through a historical lens, adding context to her mothers lived experiences. Jaffes telling includes her own story of traveling from Brazil to Auschwitz in 2009 with her daughter Leda to see where my mother had been held prisoner and to feel what we hadnt been able to understand. The book in many respects is almost a literary Haggadah leading the reader through the unthinkable. The Haggadah leads Jews through the Seder meal at Passover, the literal celebration of freedom for the faithful. During the meal, the children gather to ask the four questions to gain their own understanding of the tradition. In her analysis, Jaffe asks her own questions about her mothers experiences and how she survived. How was she this strong? How could she still feel love? Why do we write about this horror? Simultaneously, Jaffe tries to impress her familys own freedom story upon her daughter to make sure another generation understands. The effects of the Holocaust on Jaffes family stretched far beyond the fenced in walls of Auschwitz. It stretched like a shadow to their life in Brazil until Jaffe began to tug at the strings looking for a way to feel what her mother felt, hunting for an explanation to her life. What she found, it seems, is how inexplicably strong her mother was and she is today. It is that strength, the willpower to go on that Jaffe aims to pass on to her daughters generation. It is said that we must never forget, but, as the world becomes a more volatile place, it becomes easy to wonder if some of those lessons have begun to be forgotten. Compelling pieces of literature from the Jewish diaspora such as Jaffes novel that make bystanders ask the questions and feel the inexplicable feeling of suffering and survival are more important now than ever. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Phil Lagarde's obsession started with a bar of Ivory soap. Lagarde, who lives in Stillwater, was studying to be a chef in the early 1980s when he took a class in ice carving at North Hennepin Technical College in Minneapolis, the Pioneer Press reported. "The first day, they set us down with a block of Ivory soap," Lagarde said. "The second day, we got a 400-pound block of ice. ... I ended up making a swan." Lagarde, 68, started carving wooden models to show restaurant owners what he could create out of ice. "I wanted to get little statues of the ice carvings that I did, so if I went around and talked to people, I'd have something to show them something that wouldn't melt." Thirty-five years later, Lagarde spends six to seven hours a day in his basement workshop making wooden toys. He donates the toys 1,500 thus far this year to police officers and firefighters, who hand them out to children who have been affected by traumatic events. "Trucks, cars, dinosaurs, knights, saber-toothed tigers, dragons, you name it," said Lagarde. "I went to the fire station yesterday and dropped 30 toys and three fire trucks, and then I dropped 90 toys at the police station. They can carry them around in their squad cars, and if they come across a kid in a stressful situation, they can hand them one and, hopefully, it will help distract them." Lagarde recently added another beneficiary to his donation list: the Washington County Jail in Stillwater. After reading an article about efforts to make the jail's lobby more child-friendly, Lagarde decided to donate five boxes of toys to the jail. Jail staff will give some of the toys to children of incarcerated parents during the next few weeks and keep some for children to play with as they wait. On a recent weekday morning, Lagarde pulled into the jail's parking lot, unloaded the boxes from the back of his black Mazda 5 and used a pushcart to transport 122 toys to the jail's lobby. Jail commander Roger Heinen and Sgt. Dave Stumpner greeted him at the door. "Oh, wow, this is awesome," Heinen said. "The kids will love these. Thank you." Lagarde pulled out one of his most special toys a knight on horseback carrying a shield and flag to show the men. He joked that he was getting a reputation in Washington County as a "toy monger" and told the men to contact him when they needed more toys. Heinen said Lagarde's toys will help alleviate the stress and anxiety that come with jail-time visits during the holidays; between 6 and 16 children visit the jail each week. "It's wonderful to have something to hand out," Heinen said. "It's kind of hard for these kids to understand why Mom or Dad can't be with them at Christmas, and coming to jail is scary for a child, so it's nice to give them something to brighten their day as they walk out the door." Lagarde works through an organization called TLC Toys, based in Andover. TLC Toys receives donations of wood for volunteers to make toys; last year the organization gave away 31,286 toys. "The good news is that all the wood for TLC is donated, but the bad news is that we don't get a choice as to the kind of wood we get," Lagarde said. Lagarde used 14 pieces of wood, including black walnut, cherry, hard maple and oak, to make a 10-inch-tall knight and horse. A small velociraptor had a body made out of oak, legs made out of cherry and arms made out of maple. Lagarde uses a scroll saw to create his toys. He pastes a pattern onto the wood and cuts along the line. "It takes patience and hand-eye coordination," he said. "You just follow the lines, so like anything else, it's practice, practice, practice." Mel Hartman, founder of TLC Toys, said Lagarde's years of practice have paid off. "To do it at the level that he does, that takes a lot of talent," Hartman said. "He's extremely good. Extremely." During a recent tour of his workshop at his South Sixth Street house, Lagarde showed off some of the 40 different toys that he creates. Each toy takes about an hour to make. He paints most of them, but some are dipped in a homemade mix of boiling linseed oil, mineral spirits and polyurethane. Lagarde wears safety glasses and listens to classical music piped through his headphones while working. He said it's not unusual for him to work four to five hours at a time. He's cut himself three times "it's not bad, you just cut your fingertip" and fallen asleep twice. He has since installed a "dead man's switch," so if his foot comes off the switch, the saw stops, he said. "It's something I like to do," he said. "It keeps me off the street and out of trouble. At least I'm not one of those guys sitting in a bar, drinking my lunch. You know what they say: 'Whoever ends up with the most toys, wins.' " Lagarde grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, and graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School in 1966. The second-oldest of five boys, he said he was not encouraged to pursue art as a career. "To tell you the truth, in the neighborhood I grew up in, a boy was not an artist," he said. He attended cooking school in Rochester, Minnesota, and then enrolled in the Air Force. He was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base outside Spokane, where he served as an aircrew survival and protection specialist. After his discharge, he enrolled in Eastern Washington State College in Cheney, Washington, graduating in 1976 with a bachelor's in food and nutrition. He moved back to Minnesota later that year and worked for restaurants. His longest stint was at the Afton House Inn, where he oversaw Sunday brunch and meals served on the Afton-Hudson Cruise Lines. But after 15 years, he said, it was time to try something new. "You know the old saw, 'If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,'" he said. "After 30 years, I was getting a little tired of cooking." In 2000, he took a job working the night shift at International Paper; he retired in 2015. "I used to work five days and scroll-saw two days a week," he jokes. "Now I'm working seven days a week." But he's happy to have all his hard work bring joy at this time of year, he said. "I was at a store a little while ago, and the clerk asked, 'How are you?,' " he said. "I told her I was mean, vicious, rotten and cruel. She said, 'You must have a very short Christmas list.' "I said, 'Actually, I have 31,000 kids on my Christmas list and that's on my good days.'" From the start of its offshore processing program that has seen more than 2,000 asylum seekers and refugees dumped on two remote Pacific islands, Australia has relied on draconian nondisclosure contracts to keep the extent of its brutality secret. But this month Lynne Elworthy, an Australian mental health nurse employed on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, defied the gag clauses and a federal law against whistle-blowers to tell me the policy was an exercise in absolute cruelty. Elworthy, who lives in the south Australian town of Gawler, near Adelaide, has observed for more than three years the impact of endless limbo on men in Manus. She has watched them grow inert. She has seen the plummeting lows induced by Australias punitive measures, as I did during five days on Manus last month. She has witnessed refugees losing their lives through mayhem and medical negligence in what she calls the lifeless pit of confinement. In the end she felt compelled to speak out because there is no room in my head or my heart for anyone except those guys on Manus. Now, Elworthy, who was supposed to return to Manus last week on her regular rotation, has been told she will not be going back. She has, it seems, been fired for her honesty. Elworthy told me: I knew the risk I was taking and I accept the consequences. But its quite disgusting the way this has been done. International SOS owns International Health and Medical Services, a company that has been paid hundreds of millions of dollars by the Australian government to run clinics in the detention facilities on Manus, the tiny Pacific island of Nauru and elsewhere. I.H.M.S. responded to my query about Elworthys dismissal by saying her contract was concluded in light of changes to operational requirements. It said in an email that she had occupied a surge position although she has worked there for several years in a constantly changing environment. Since July 2013, Australia has dispatched boat people trying to reach its shores to Manus and Nauru, far from inquiring eyes. There they have festered, grown ill, staged hunger strikes, attempted suicide; a handful have died. The conservative Australian government headed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull argues that its policy has stopped the boats and that Australia would otherwise be inundated. But its approach in effect cruelty as deterrence is a growing source of international embarrassment; and the government last month announced a vague one-time accord under which the United States would take some of the Manus and Nauru refugees. When, how many and from which island was left murky, but the men on Manus, who now number about 900, will almost certainly be last in line. The treatment of Elworthy, who was once banished from Manus for several months because she had given chocolates to the detainees, is consistent with Australias punitive obsession in regard to the human debacles on Manus and Nauru. Since the U.S. agreement, the government has even introduced legislation that would impose a lifetime ban from Australia on refugees held in one of the camps. So if a refugee in Manus were by some miracle to become an American citizen he would be unable to visit Melbourne. It is time to close this chapter, Elworthy told me. My greatest fear is that these men will end up being far worse off than they even suspect. The U.S. deal sounds like pie in the sky to me. The Manus and Nauru island prisons, orchestrated by Australia, are unfit for human habitation and unworthy of a liberal democracy that is a signatory of all major international human rights agreements. The Iraqis, Iranians, Burmese, Somalis, Sudanese and others who have fled for their lives, only to find themselves in a lifeless hell for 42 months, should be brought to Australia now, if they are not to go to the United States. Sometime in the distant past, Frank Woody sat down with a reporter from the Anaconda Standard and reminisced about his first Christmas in Missoula. It was snow, snow everywhere, as far as the eye could reach, Woody recalled of Dec. 25, 1856 160 years ago today. There was nothing like a house nearer than Stevensville, where Major Owens (sic) had two or three cabins inside the enclosure now known as the adobe fort, which was then surrounded by a stockade. A partial copy of the article popped up on the internet on ancestry.com several years ago, but seems to be lost in cyberspace now. It had a dateline of Missoula, Dec. 21, but no year was mentioned. It was headlined: There Was No Superfluity of Luxuries. But They Just Enjoyed Themselves in the Snow Covered Wilderness. Woody would help Chris Higgins and Frank Worden establish a store at Hellgate, the precursor of Missoula, in 1860. He became the citys first mayor in 1883. A longtime judge after that, he died in 1912 and is buried in the Missoula city cemetery. The judge, a native of North Carolina, was a prolific writer with a gift of gab and a sharp memory, making him one of western Montanas best early history keepers. He had arrived here in October from Salt Lake, driving a freight wagon full of trade goods in a train of the same. By Christmas, Woody was camped at Council Grove, eight miles west of whats now downtown Missoula but was then nothing but snow on this Christmas day. The party of six included his employer, a Scotsman named MacArthur, an old Hudson Bay Company man. Neil MacArthur had established what became the Hudson Bay post of Fort Connah near St. Ignatius 10 years earlier. Here he was bent on falling trees for a trading post that never came be. The campsite, Woody recalled, was on a beautiful island of about 200 acres, which was at that time in the river almost exactly opposite the present residence of Frank Promo. It was formed of a sort of slough, but it was covered with as fine timber as you ever laid eyes on and we were busy cutting it down. Even then it was a historic spot. The year before Washington Territorial Gov. Isaac Stevens had met Bitterroot Salish, Pend dOreille and Kootenai chiefs in council to sign the Hellgate Treaty the first treaty by which the Indians ceded any portion of their lands to the United States, Woody said. Our camp was in the middle of the grove, where the council had been held, and we slept in a big Indian lodge made of buffalo skins, he remembered. It was a magnificent camp and the winter we spent there was a pleasant one. Back East in November, Democrat James Buchanan had become the 15th president of the United States, defeating former president Millard Fillmore and John Fremont of the fledgling Republican Party, which would rise to prominence four years later with the election of Abraham Lincoln. It was a year of racial unrest and violence, in Bleeding Kansas and in a hall of the U.S. Senate in Washington. There in May, Sen. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts was severely beaten by cane-wielding Rep. Preston Brooks of South Carolina for a speech Sumner made attacking Southerners who sympathized with pro-slavery violence in Kansas. It took Sumner three years to recover and return to the job. There was much more peace and joy in Woodys Christmas camp. We were well provisioned, having plenty of flour and bacon and beef and we could get from the Indians all the fish we wanted, he said. The men one named Jackson, the others Bill Madison, Bill West, Jim Holt and MacArthur were a jolly, companionable lot of fellows and worked well together. Jackson, Madison and Woody wielded axes in the early part of that Thursday. There was nothing else to do, Woody noted. West did the hauling, while Holt, who was an Englishman and couldnt use the axe, was the cook. Bill West, he said, was one of the teamsters in his freighting party from Utah. Hed been paired with a man named Bean, and the two were so close the others took to calling them Pork and Beans. Poor Porks name clung to him, even after Beans had dropped from the party, Woody said. They took a portion of Christmas afternoon to rest and dream of our homes in the East and the Christmas days that we had spent there in years gone by, said Woody. I believe that Holt gave us a little extra dish for Christmas dinner, but the possibilities were not great and, though the dinner tasted good, it was not what you would call a swell Christmas dinner by any means. There was nothing to drink but water and coffee no Christmas punch drink and no eggnog for we had no liquor in camp. But there was a hearty good fellowship and cheer and, despite the conditions, that Christmas was a pleasant one, said Woody. We told stories of our homes, and Pork told us more about his wife and sister, until we laughed and laughed again. Our meals were laid upon a half cured buffalo hide, hard and stiff, spread upon the ground with the hair down. There was no linen and no silver, but it was a merry meal and we all enjoyed it. In the jovial atmosphere, Pork made what could have turned into a disastrous mistake. He looked at MacArthur, who was as bald as a billiard cue and very sensitive, Woody said. Mister MacArthur, you remind me of an uncle I had once, Pork, aka West, said. Do I? Hows that? He used to eat so much beef that his mouth and throat became coated with tallow, so we had to pour hot wata on his head to melt the tallow and his hair all came off. Woody said MacArthur turned red and looked uncomfortable. But we all laughed so hard that he didnt turn West loose, as I feared he might, the judge said. Thus the day went, and we enjoyed it fully. That was, as far as I know, the first Christmas spent by white men in this valley. I have spent a good many here since then, but none that were ever happier. It's sitting with my wife, Linda, on the living room floor in 1989, lights doused except those twinkling on the tree, our three little girls in their bunny-foot pajamas as Stubby swings into the saddle. I am a native of Butte, Montana, and I am extremely proud of my roots. Today I live in Seattle, a progressive city where we cherish our commitment to creating and maintaining a just society. I have always felt that my interest in supporting policies and ideas that favor all Americans and their peace and security was born on the lively streets of my hometown. Growing up in a company town, observing daily the grace and tenacity and humor of the working-class citizens of Butte, inspired me and filled me with a desire to live in a world where all citizens truly live with equal protection under our laws. My extended family is spread out across Montana, in the small towns and cities, including Missoula. Any visit home has always been comforting and reassuring as I am reminded of the friendliness and good neighbor practices that are sometimes missing in the big cities where I have lived. Even after many years away, I still smile and greet every person on the sidewalks where I live. I cant help it. Its the Montana in me. When I read about the hate that is spewed by Richard Spencer and his ilk I am filled with horror, as his type has no place in my beautiful Montana. The collective voice of good people everywhere must drown out the hatred that is spewed by Neo-Nazis. I and my Seattle friends support your efforts on this issue even as we combat insidious negative trends in our own backyard. Lets join together in this struggle to keep the United States of America on the right footing. God bless my Jewish friends and any beleaguered minorities in these times. I stand up with you for justice, freedom and love. Rebecca Sullivan, Seattle, Washington HELENA Veteran Jeff Young is home for Christmas. And this isnt just any home. It was built with a lot of special care by students in Walt Jones House Building Class at Helena High School. Capital High School students are also enrolled in the class. From very early on, the students decided they wanted to build the house for a disabled veteran. Young, who suffered hearing loss in the service, comes from a long line of veterans on both sides of his family. He joined the Navy in 1978 and served until 1984. He also was in the National Guard and served a year of active duty during the Gulf War in 1990-91. Young is not only a disabled vet, but he also works with homeless vets helping them to find work. It was through his job at Volunteers of America Northern Rockies that he first saw the flyer advertising the house on Butte Avenue. He bought it and moved in with his cat Pawli in early December, and marvels that he now owns this beautiful new house. Thanks to the students extra work, they also made it affordable for Young, who says, My house payments are cheaper than rent. Through fundraising, the students lowered the sale price of the 1,500-square-foot house by about $40,000. The kids did all the fundraising, said Jones, who credits them with raising $70,000 to $80,000. Much of that was done in Randy Husseys HHS English or technical writing class, where he emphasizes using writing in real world situations. We did a whole unit on it, Hussey said of the fundraising. We wrote letters to businesses. We wrote grants. We contacted local businesses. We wrote to the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Some of the students also started a GoFundMe site. And one of them, Bret Haux, whos been at U.S. Army National Guard basic training, is home for the holidays and plans to give Young more than $1,000 they raised from the site. Husseys 15 students were all writing as part of the project, Hussey said. It was probably seven students working on house-building who really took a lead role on fundraising. They took the ball and ran with it. It was awesome to see it truly was, he said. It was an effort I was truly proud to be a part of. The students also added a lot of loving touches to their work. This house was so much different, said Jones, comparing it to other houses students have built over a dozen years in his class. They took pride in their work. It was like they were getting paid. A lot of them went into the military or are from military families, he said. What impressed me the most was how determined the kids were to make it happen. They wouldnt take no for an answer. They said, Were doing it!" Former student Colton Sivils, who was a lead fundraiser with Haux, said the vet house will always feel special to him. My favorite part was the handmade cherry ceiling in the living room, Sivils said. We bought the lumber, planed it down, shaved it and lacquered it and installed it. Another fun part was the kitchen cabinets, he said. Made of cherry and maple, they were built by students. Students engraved the end of the counter cabinet with the words, For those who served. The Class of 2016. The mantel above the natural gas fireplace is also made of cherry with a maple insert and bears the carved inscription: Lest we forget. Both were engraved with a computer-controlled carving machine, said Jones. The students also built the house to be wheelchair-accessible. Im just glad we got it sold to a veteran, said Sivils. Ive had homes before, said veteran Young, but they were old fixer-uppers. This is the first new home hes ever owned. Im humbled, he said. I was reluctant at first to put in a buy-sell on it. Then I thought, Why not me? He admits, hes finding it all somewhat surreal. The past 10 years Ive lived in an old mobile home, he said. It was somewhat depressing. Now I feel human. Liz Mogstad, director of affordable housing for Rocky Mountain Development Council, couldnt be happier that Young bought the house. To me, he is very deserving, she said. I appreciate that after serving in the military, he works with Volunteers of America. He is giving back to other veterans. Hes lived a life dedicated to the service. Hes a deserving choice. RMDC acted like a contractor on this house, Mogstad said of their role. Basically, we find the lot, make the loan and sell the house at the end. Give the kids as much credit as you can, she added. It was their vision. It was their dream. While many local businesses assisted with funding and materials, major donations came from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, $40,000 in the past year, and an earlier donation of $50,000 that was used to purchase two lots for the houses built by the home-building class. The Power Townsend Foundation donated $12,900. The publisher of a white supremacist website is offering to call off a proposed armed march in Whitefish next month. Andrew Anglin runs The Daily Stormer, a site that recently called for a troll storm against people who objected to the work of Richard Spencer, who heads the white supremacist National Policy Institute and who lives part of the year in the ski resort town. Spencer gained notoriety when, shortly after the election, he spoke at a white nationalist rally in Washington where some raised their arms in Nazi-style salutes when he said, Hail, Trump. The Stormer claimed that members of Love Lives Here, an organization founded in 2009 in response to screenings of pro-Hitler films by a white separatist group, had harmed the Whitefish business of Spencers mother. Last week, it posted photos of members of the group with Stars of David with the word Jude German for Jewish superimposed on their clothing. The post included their phone numbers, addresses and social media information, and urged Stormer followers to harass them. Anglin followed that up with a post Thursday that added more names to the list, along with the names and contact information of other Whitefish businesses, the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, and the Montana Human Rights Network, as well as Montanas U.S. senators, Jon Tester and Steve Daines, and Gov. Steve Bullock. The three elected officials, along with Montana's congressman, Ryan Zinke, all have strongly denounced the beliefs espoused by The Daily Stormer and Spencer. And, he warned, For the next phase of our plan we are planning an armed protest in Whitefish. Montana has extremely liberal open carry laws, so my lawyer is telling me we can easily march through the center of the town carrying high-powered rifles. Anglin estimated he could attract 200 followers from his march, which will be against Jews, Jewish businesses and everyone who supports either. We will be busing in skinheads from the Bay Area. As for a date, he said only that the march would be held in the second week in January. Were aware of it, Sgt. Dave Herman of the Whitefish Police Department said Saturday, adding that the department was familiar with the posts, but had no details beyond that. Anglins most recent post included a photo of the gate at the Auschwitz death camp in Poland, where more than 1 million people, most of them Jews, were killed. Photos of Whitefish residents, including a child, were superimposed on the gate. Anglins site, and many of his posts, contain a disclaimer that The Daily Stormer opposes violence. But on Friday he appeared to back down, posting about a monumental breakthrough in which, among other things, he quoted an Associated Press report in which Love Lives Here head Will Randall reiterated that his group had never tried to pressure Spencers mother about her business. And he offered to call off his march if various terms were met, including a promise that any protest actions you take in the future against Richard Spencer will not involve his family members, from Love Lives Here. For women in freefall after alcohol or drug treatment, a recently opened sober living home gives them hope just in time for Christmas. At a time when they need support the most, six women have found a way to start over at a cozy, spacious residential home at 3045 Dexter St. in Butte called Women and Childrens Home. Young mother Diandra Standing Elk, who turned 24 on Friday, and 2-year-old daughter Shaughnessy have snuggled right into the community home, which has restrictions and conditions. Having graduated from the Montana Chemical Dependency Center in Butte, Diandra is job hunting so she can pay the $525-a-month rent and support herself and her child. The payment includes utilities, cable, and a house landline telephone. As soon as I get a job, Ill be able to get help with babysitting, she said. To help launch women with children like Diandra into a better life a chance to reboot, if you will MCDC pays the first months rent and a cleaning deposit, said Mary Bennetts of the Focus Recovery Group, the brainchild behind the Women and Childrens Home. But per the lease each renter signs, it is imperative that each tenant find a job and become self-supporting. We want to help the women get stability, find a job, get a little bank account, get a car or whatever, and save for maybe their own apartment, said Bennetts. MCDC has a limited amount of money from a federal grant called Access to Recovery, said Jon Ebelt, spokesman for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, which oversees MCDC. The money is restricted to Native Americans and can be used for an initial payment to obtain housing, among other things, at any location offering services to clients leaving treatment programs. "We are fortunate that this limited funding is available to help clients be successful as they move forward with their lives," added Ebelt. Bennettss group also runs the Sober Living Home for Women at 227 S. Jackson St., Butte, which opened last January. But children are not allowed as women in recovery or fresh out of the Butte Pre-Release Center get back on track. So the Dexter Street home allows children to be with their mothers while they get on their feet. For 2-year-old Shaughnessy, having the run of a big downstairs bedroom she shares with her mother, a play area, a childrens table in the kitchen, and a spacious fenced yard fills her with happy kid energy and unmistakable playfulness. Her mom marvels at her daughter as the little one revels in the cheery tabletop Christmas tree in the common living room. Its really comfortable compared to where I was living, said Diandra, a 2011 graduate of St. Labre Indian Catholic High School in Ashland. When I think of my previous living situation in Ashland, this feels really good here. Her parents in Billings have backed her recovery after she received two DUIs for driving while drunk and after partying and chemical dependency steered her life off course. She does have some work experience, though at the small bank in Ashland. So there is such a thing as a do-over. It just gives me hope that these girls wont be out on the street again, said Bennetts. Its a joy to watch them get their lives rebuilt, unify their lives again, give them hope, realize people do care and that they dont have to be out on their own, back on the streets. The Dexter house filled up on Wednesday when the sixth woman moved in. Most are in their 20s and 30s and already know one another from their recovery groups. Now there are seven children in the house plenty of playmates for Shaughnessy although several are babies. By next week, one more child arrives to be with his mother to make for a true full house, safe and secure. If job hunting takes a bit longer than expected, Bennett said her group can fall back on other programs. We work it out, she said. There are different agencies and churches that will support them. In the meantime, we just hold it together the best we can. Bennetts's group relies on private grants, including a $2,000 grant from The Morgan Foundation of Pennsylvania and a $500 grant from the Butte Community Foundation, among others. The group has received local donations of furniture and beds from private donors, too, for both homes. Another Dexter tenant grateful for her new home is Miranda Hill, who also graduated from the MCDC recovery program. She applies monthly for a grant through Western Montana Mental Health to help with rent while she job hunts. I am excited, because there arent a lot of sober living homes where you can have kids in the state, said Miranda, 31. So I was really happy to get into this one. Mirandas son, Cayden, 7, has joined her for Christmas, but the father of her 9-year-old daughter has custody of that child in Fromberg. Each tenant is responsible for buying her own groceries. Two adult-size picnic tables fill the kitchen with a colorful childs mini-picnic table smack dab in the middle of the floor. The longest a renter can stay in either house is two years. Diandra is grateful for lifes blessings thrown her way, especially at Christmas. But shes ready to buckle down as soon as the presents are unwrapped. Im trying to get into a routine, said Diandra, smiling nonstop as Shaughnessy bounces around her yet doesnt stray far from om. Im ready to get a job and start providing. A winter storm system hovered over southwest Montana on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, dropping several inches of snow and creating holiday havoc for highway drivers. No fatalities were reported across the region, but slick roads and poor visibility caused scores of accidents. Were getting hammered out here right now, Sgt. Tammy Perkins of the Montana Highway Patrol said early Christmas afternoon. Buttes been busy, Missoula is busy, and now Bozemans getting busy. She said dispatchers were too busy to total up the number of accident calls. Police urged motorists to stay home if at all possible and to take extreme care if they have to travel. Butte-Silver Bow Police Capt. Doug Conway said Sunday that despite the snow, we havent experienced anything out of the ordinary for this time of the year. According to the National Weather Service in Missoula, the storm system was expected to move eastward Sunday night, leaving a ridge of chillier air behind it. Temperatures were expected to be around zero early Monday in Butte. A similar-sized storm is expected starting Tuesday, dumping several inches of snow, followed by a real polar blast around New Years Day. As 2017 arrives, temperatures could look a lot like those the region experienced the week before Christmas, when Butte dipped to 30 below zero. Dear Congressman Zinke, I am a 60-year-old Vietnam Era, U.S. Army veteran. I believe that my oath to protect and defend the United States and our Constitution did not expire with my discharge in 1980. That is why I am writing you today. I visited your office in Helena a few weeks ago to express my concern over the hiring of Steve Bannon of Breitbart News to be a chief advisor of our incoming president. Mr. Bannon panders to and supports the white supremacist, so called alt-right. In visiting your office, I wanted to find out if you were planning on making a public statement condemning Mr. Bannons views and letting the Trump Transition Team know that Mr. Bannon was not an appropriate person to be serving in the West Wing. I received a wishy-washy response from your staffer and have not seen any public declaration on your part. I have also been alarmed by the rise of Richard Spencer of the National Policy Institute. This man lives in your hometown of Whitefish and coined the term alt-right to legitimize the suit and tie arm of the white supremacy movement in this country. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate groups in the U.S., considers him to be dangerous and the National Policy Institute to be on a par with the KKK. In support of this man, a Neo-Nazi site called the Daily Stormer has been harassing Jewish and human rights activists in Whitefish! Gov. Bullock, Sen. Daines and Sen. Tester have spoken out against this. I went to your office again today to ask if YOU, Mr. Zinke, were going to do the same. Your staffer said you would not be making a public statement. I want to know, why not? Are you afraid it will jeopardize your appointment to secretary of the interior? Do you agree with Steven Bannon, Richard Spencer and the rest of the white supremacists? What is it, Mr. Zinke? Standing on the sidelines and saying nothing is not acceptable. Saying nothing implies agreement with this evil. By saying nothing you are complicit. You are still working for the people of Montana as our sole representative in the House. I ask that you stand up for us, your fellow Montanans and your neighbors. Fulfill your oath to protect and defend! -- Mary Jean Martin, Helena The effort to deny Donald Trump the presidency by luring his electors to vote for some other candidate was doomed to failure. At the outset, most of the electors were chosen by state conventions and state executive committees before the partys presidential candidate was known. They were pledged to vote for the national nominee, no matter who it turned out to be. While a number of electors admitted they did not support Trump, they had to honor their pledge. After all, electors are stalwarts loyal to the core who would never disgrace themselves by walking away from any party candidate. The effort to dry-gulch Trump was sponsored largely by Democrats who were asking Trump electors to vote for Hillary Clinton. Talk about dreaming! The reason Trump won the election was because many of his voters believed Clinton would be worse. If Clinton would have urged her electors to go for Mike Pence, the effort may have picked up some steam because many ideological Republicans would feel more comfortable with him than with some unpredictable newcomer. Another reason the effort was futile: Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have laws that require the electors to vote for the candidate for whom they appeared on the ballot. These states had 304 legally-bound delegates a strong majority of the 538 electors. North Dakota does not require electors to vote for their presidential candidate but their loyalty is more binding than any state law. Because we have already had two elections in this century in which candidates who won the popular vote lost the electoral vote, we can expect an ongoing debate over changing the Electoral College. It will be a replay of the 1970s after George Wallace captured 55 electors. His success in the Electoral College drove the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to launch a nationwide discussion on changing the system. At the time, conservative writers concluded that the winner-take-all feature of the Electoral College forced presidential candidates to pander to small minorities in order to carry a state. In the debate, Rep. Ed Gossett alleged that it wasnt fair to have a winner-take-all system because it placed a premium on a few labor votes, a few Italian votes, a few Irish votes, a few African-American votes, etc. etc. But campaigning has changed since 1968. It appears that the leverage of minorities in urban states has become negligible and conservatives can be themselves. The campaign for presidency has already changed. In 2000, the top 10 states visited by George Bush and Al Gore included Texas with 84 campaign stops, the District of Columbia with 47, Pennsylvania 39, California 31, Florida 30, Michigan 29, Ohio 21, Tennessee 21, New York 20 and Missouri 18. Compare this to 2016 when only six states were visited more than 10 times by the major candidates Pennsylvania 23, Florida 20, North Carolina 18, Ohio 16, Virginia 12 and Iowa 11. Apparently, a new kind of swing state strategy dominates todays campaigns. This could mean that Gossetts argument is no longer valid and minorities no longer have leverage. So perhaps the winner-take-all system no longer forces conservative candidates to the left. While Electoral College reform provides interesting fodder for debate, it is purely academic as long as constitutional amendments require two-thirds of Congress to propose and three-fourths of the states to ratify. Even if the proposal could get through the Congress, it would die in a handful of small states where people believe they have an edge in the system. You can bet abolition of the Electoral College would have tough sledding in North Dakota, even in winter. When the snow started falling all across our state last week, Montanans got to work. We shoveled sidewalks for our neighbors who couldnt. We pulled out jumper cables for stranded strangers. We helped pull trucks out of ditches. As Montanans, these actions arent new or surprising to any of us. Its just what we do. People here say that Montana is like one small town with a really long Main Street. Theyre right. Our connections to one other, Montanan to Montanan, are real and strong. We hold each other, and ourselves, accountable. Because at the end of the day, Montanans want to be able to look each other in the eye and recognize that we all want many of the same things. We want good-paying jobs to support our families. We want our sons and our daughters to be treated fairly. We want to feel and be safe in our communities. We want the freedom to worship where and how we choose. And we want a better future for our children and our grandchildren. As the year comes to an end, its a time for reflection and a time for resolutions. Given some recent acts of division and hatred that have happened in some of our communities, heres a resolution that all I hope Montanans can agree upon. We will not tolerate hate against our fellow Montanans. Not because of their religion. Not because of the color of their skin. Not because of their gender. We will not tolerate hate and intimidation of any kind. Not now. Not ever. Montanans have a reputation for talking straight. And the differences that we have are small compared to what unites us. So I ask you as Governor, as a husband, and as a father of three young children to join me and build on and protect the Montana we know and love. In our communities, in our schools, in our places of work and worship, and in our homes. To do this we have to stand together. Act like our kids are watching and learning from the actions we take and the language we use. Geographically we may be a big state but we are one community. One Montana. Lets do everything we can, big and small, to remain one Montana now and for all future generations. -- Steve Bullock is the governor of the state of Montana. Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes [] The debate over the Dakota Access Pipeline has become one that is centered almost entirely on emotion and politics rather than reason, logic or science, as was proven when President Barack Obama refused to grant operators the final easement required to complete the project. That decision marked a disturbing day for America because it endorsed the fact that lawless, intimidating and terrorist behavior can be rewarded. But this decision doesnt change the facts. These are facts that have gone largely ignored, and there are many, many people who simply want straight-to-the-matter answers. We field many of these questions, and some individuals even offer advice or opinions: Why not make the pipeline extra thick? Could the company monitor the pipeline regularly? Maybe it should follow in the path of existing infrastructure off the reservation? Our answer to these questions, which are a simple It is or It does leaves many of these inquiring and eager-to-learn individuals shocked. Why isnt this information being shared? theyll ask. The information has been shared, but all too often it is drowned out by the drama and emotion that have engulfed this discussion. It is time to bring these facts to the forefront. Among the facts often ignored is the siting of the pipeline. It is a common misconception that the pipeline was originally slated to run north of Bismarck, but was changed because the people of Bismarck didnt want it. This was not the case. The pipeline was never a serious option for the people of Bismarck to even consider because there were too many parameters that made it an unviable option, including the fact that it would have been 11 miles longer, crossed 33 additional waterways, affected 48 miles of greenfield or undeveloped lands, and it would have been nearly impossible to build because of the North Dakota Public Service Commissions requirement that a utility not be within 500 feet of a dwelling. In addition to this, it is preferred that new infrastructure run along the same corridor as existing infrastructure, otherwise known as brownspace, and so a better alternative seemed to be to follow the present route of a natural gas pipeline built in 1982 and a high voltage transmission line the route that was ultimately chosen. The decision had nothing to do with race. It had nothing to do with money. It had everything to do with minimizing the impact to land, which has been a major goal of the industry for more than a decade. Additionally, because it ran along the same route as existing infrastructure (areas that already have been cleared not once, but twice) it drastically decreased the chances that cultural artifacts would be disturbed. Even then, Energy Transfer Partners were diligent in surveying the route to ensure that cultural artifacts were not disturbed. To suggest that discrimination played into the route decision lacks all logic. The pipeline crosses the Missouri once 14 miles upstream from Willistons water intake and it will also cross several other rivers and streams along the route, including the Big Sioux River near Sioux Falls, S.D., the Des Moines River in Iowa, and the Mississippi River. These resources are important, which is why ETP also went above and beyond the state and federal requirements to ensure that our land and water resources would be protected in the unlikely case of a mishap. At the Missouri River crossing in Morton County specifically, the pipe will be 92 feet below the riverbed, which is 88 feet more than what the federal government requires. Gravity alone dictates that any leaks will not make it near the river, but despite that, ETP planned for additional safety features, including extra-thick steel and double walls to help prevent corrosion and mitigate any possible leaks. It will also have shut-off valves on both sides of the river so that if state-of-the-art monitoring technology senses even the slightest change in pressure, the section will be shut down until it can be inspected and repaired. The pipeline will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year by full-time operations maintenance staff, including aerial inspections every 10 days, which is more than the federal requirement of just 26 times per year. This pipeline truly will be among the most advanced in our nation. Should an incident occur, stringent regulations ensure that the company takes responsibility to remediate and reclaim land at its own expense. Most important, this is a legal pipeline that followed all the rules and regulatory process for permitting. This is admitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that approved the permit and recommended to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy that the easement be granted, it is confirmed by the Standing Rock tribal chairman, who is quoted saying, That pipeline had every right to go through, and it was confirmed by four federal judges. Many facts have been ignored in the argument for this pipeline. Those who truly want the facts can visit www.ndoilcan.com/dapl for a list of this and other information with sources. We only hope that calmer heads may soon prevail, and we can return to the North Dakota way where we come together to work toward solutions and progress for our state. HOLMES Away in a manger was born Jesus Christ, surrounded by Mary, Joseph and animals. The scene is one that is remembered on Christmas in Christian churches across the world, and this week hundreds gathered in the countryside about 10 miles northwest of Reynolds where members of the Holmes United Methodist Church played out the Nativity scene live animals and all in Dwight and Sara Ollmans horse arena. The re-enactment has been done twice a night for two days for nearly three decades, the Rev. Sheri Fadley said. The Ollmans first saw another church performing a live Nativity scene, and they thought why not? Soon, a church group started promoting and producing the scene, sometimes attracting as many as 1,500 to the four productions, Fadley said. It just has really been a family affair for us, hasnt it? said Joan Bahr, who played the archangel Gabriel. Shes been part of the event since it began 29 years ago. Matthew Bahr, who has participated in the play almost every year for his whole life, agreed. Its the one thing you come home for, said Bahr, who has played Joseph for 10 years. Its amazing to see how full we are. Weve been doing it for (29) years, and there are people every year that have never been here. There was one year somebody came from Russia. Its just fun to see the variety of people. The event is reflective of how rural congregations are filled with Christmas spirit and the churches usually are fuller with people as they celebrate the birth of Jesus. For Holmes, the Christmas spirit may be stronger during the live Nativity scene because it brings people into the elements and back in time to when Jesus was born, which can help people start the year anew, Fadley said. There is some power in that, bringing people back to the rawness of his birth, she said. We have families that come back every year, because this is, for them what Christmas is. Going local Fadley leads services for three rural churches: Holmes, located about 10 miles west of Reynolds and 30 miles southwest of Grand Forks Beaver Creek Lutheran Church located 12 miles west of Hatton and about 50 miles southwest of Grand Forks and Trinity Lutheran Church near Sharon, which is about 65 miles southwest of Grand Forks. The Holmes church was founded in 1886 as the township attracted settlers from Europe. Over the years, the community shrank until nothing was left except the church. I think it is kind of cool that even though all of those other things have passed, the church is still here, she said. She said about 40 people attend the country church on a normal Sunday service, though during Christmas that number grows to about 50. That tends to be the case for many churches in North Dakota as residents come home to visit their families, but the increase may be more noticeable in the smaller, rural congregations. The Rev. Sarah Raymond presides over three rural Lutheran churches near Grand Forks: East Walle about 8 miles south of Grand Forks, Evanger about 6 miles southwest of Grand Forks and Walle about 7 miles south of Grand Forks. Her oldest church was founded in 1876 and the youngest in 1895. She said Christmas services can triple the size of her congregations. A lot of people have family home for the holidays, but I think a lot people come because it is a reminder of what was, and it reminds them of a time when things were simple, she said. I just think (the story of Jesus birth) is a simple story, and people just want to hear that. Family-dependent Rural churches are dependent on families, particularly during the Christmas season, when children who have moved away come back to spend the holiday with relatives. In North Dakota, many communities, especially rural ones, have seen their populations grow older as more of the younger members migrate toward larger cities. After being open for about a century, some churches in rural North Dakota have had to close in recent years due to dwindling numbers and increased bills. However, some congregation members will drive miles into the country to go to their church, even though one of the same denomination is down the street in town. Raymond agreed its a testament of loyalty people have for their congregations. None of my churches are in a town; they are all out in the country, she said. Some people drive from Minnesota to come to one of my churches. She added family connections run deep, which, along with an intimate setting, make rural churches especially attractive. I think it is the family atmosphere, she said. I think people really want to feel connected together, and in a small church you can get to know everyone really well. I think overall knowing the person next to you is pretty important. Fadley and Raymond say they are seeing an influx of younger people coming to church, but they are hesitant to call the observation a trend. Its too early to tell if the growth will continue, they said, but it is noteworthy. I would say, generally speaking, there is something that is changing, Fadley said. Something is kind of in the works. Prairie lights The hospitality and intimate setting of rural churches set them apart from congregations in larger cities, Raymond said. It offers a little bit of peace in a chaotic world, she said. The atmosphere changes with more people in her church, Raymond said, adding there is more energy. Fadley said rural churches can serve as connectors to the rest of the world. Rural churches and members of the congregations not only reach their corner of the world but also the rest of the globe, she said, adding it is important to have a global connection, whether people attend a church in rural America or the big city. Life can get hard, and church programs and the generosity of community members can come out in church life, she said. Its like a thousand lights on the prairie, where every one of those churches still exists, there are people coming together, she said. The church is a place where they are able to share the love of Christ with other people. My hope as pastor is that Christs spirit is always alive, it doesnt matter what week it is. NEW YORK The morning after Michelle Obamas big speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2012, in which she argued passionately for a second term for her husband, designer Tracy Reeses phone was ringing. And ringing. Mrs. Obamas powerfully delivered speech had attracted much attention but these phone calls were about her dress. A shimmering sleeveless sheath in rose and silvery gray, it was pretty universally considered a fashion slam dunk. And customers wanted it. There was only one problem, Reese recalls: We didnt have inventory we had made that dress custom. And so the label went into production. And people waited, Reese says. You know, so many people admire Mrs. Obama and they want to dress like her. We sold quite a few of those dresses. She estimates the number at over 2,000. Reese, who hails from Detroit, is one of the first ladys favored designers Mrs. Obama has been photographed in her clothes some 20 to 30 times. But unlike some past first ladies who favored one or two big-name designers, Mrs. Obama has spread her fashion choices among a huge stable of them often promoting lesser-known names, and taking care to promote American designers at such high-profile events as inaugurations, conventions and state dinners. Which is why so many designers and industry watchers will miss her when she steps away from her post after eight fashion-conscious years, and why they consider her one of the most influential first ladies in fashion, perhaps even more so than Jacqueline Kennedy, because of her broad appeal. Michelle Obama embraced everyone, says Andre Leon Talley, a fashion editor at Vogue magazine. She embraced black designers, Asian designers, European designers. ... She was very democratic in her choice of clothes. And that includes wearing fashion that ordinary women could potentially afford like cardigans from the retailer J. Crew. Shes made an effort to wear accessible fashion, Reese says. I think Jackie (Kennedy) was a great role model but she wore a lot of couture, and things that most Americans could not afford. Mrs. Obama, she says, has worn both high-end and moderately priced fashion. Reese, who is African-American, is particularly proud that one of her designs a black dress printed with bright red flowers is on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The first lady wore it to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Mrs. Obama set the stage for her broad-based fashion choices with her first inauguration. Previous first ladies had often gone with established luxury designers like Oscar de la Renta. Mrs. Obama wore a two-piece lemongrass-hued ensemble by Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo for day, and a one-shouldered white gown by New York-based, Taiwanese-Canadian designer Jason Wu at night. For her husbands second inauguration, she wore a sleek coat and dress by American designer Thom Browne, known for his eclectic talents, and in the evening Jason Wu again. It was an honor to have the opportunity to dress Mrs. Obama, Browne said in an email message. She is such a stylish individual because of her confidence and intelligence. For Browne, Toledo, Reese and others, it was never clear until the moment Mrs. Obama actually appeared whether she would be wearing their designs. We would get calls periodically from her team, says Reese. But we never knew exactly what things were for and when she would be wearing them. And I think that thats just necessary, because you dont know when plans will change. However it unfolded, it certainly could change a designers career. Weve been brought to the attention of millions more people than we ever would have reached, Reese says. David Yermack, a professor of corporate finance at New York University, studied the financial impact of Mrs. Obamas fashion choices in her first year as first lady. He says he found an immediate spike in stock prices of companies whose apparel she wore (he only examined publicly traded companies). There was a very strong and immediate reaction in the stock prices of the design firms and also the retailers, Yermack says. For major appearances, this could run into the tens of millions of dollars: Thats happened many times with her. And the public, Yermack says, remembers what Mrs. Obama wears. Do you remember what Pat Nixon or Laura Bush wore? She has the ability to hold the interest of the consumer in a way that almost no one else does. Ive looked far and wide Kate Middleton, Carla Bruni. Nobody begins to approach Mrs. Obama on this. Yermack thinks whats different about Mrs. Obama is that first ladies have traditionally tried to be nondescript in the way they dressed they didnt want to overshadow their spouses ... or be seen as spending a lot on clothing. But she had no inhibitions in that sense. She really had an impact on how professional women dressed, and how you could have fun with fashion, in a way that you couldnt imagine Rosalynn Carter or Barbara Bush ever doing, he says. Its a very short list of first ladies who are going to leave that kind of legacy. Last-minute shoppers headed to downtown Napa on Christmas Eve looking for those smaller, hard to find gifts and stocking stuffers. Its the little things that are difficult, said Sina von Reitzenstein while browsing at The Roost Napa on Second Street. Those darn stockings. Von Reitzenstein was still looking for items for her daughter, sister-in-law and boyfriend, she said. The Roost was her first stop. I always find something here, she said. Von Reitzenstein said that she likes to support small businesses because it is the only way to make commerce work in Napa. It also gives her a chance to find unique items that are difficult to find other places, like the Farm to Farm mug she had picked out for her boyfriend. Noel Riggs was also shopping at The Roost mostly for stocking stuffers. Im done, she said at about 1 p.m. Im really happy. I can go home and wrap now. In the cute paper shopping bags she carried, Riggs had socks from The Roost and specially picked chocolates from Anettes Chocolate & Ice Cream on First Street. Although she was picking up the last-minute items for her husband and children, Riggs said that she mostly buys for her three grandchildren, one of whom lives with her. Their family tradition is open one gift each on Christmas Eve and save the rest for Christmas morning when her 8-year-old granddaughter gets them up before sunrise. It is fun, she said. Just down the street at Muguette Renee Boutique, Omar Morgan was picking up handmade scented candles for six of his family members. Its an easy gift, he said, if they dont like the scent, they can just trade with someone else. Morgan bought the majority of his Christmas gifts the week before the holiday, but didnt rush on the candles since he knew the boutique would have them. The final week leading up to Christmas, shop owner Muguette Renee said that the majority of her customers have been men, which she isnt used to since she specializes in candles, perfumes, and lingerie. Husbands said that their wives sent them, she said. It was cute. Renee theorized that many men wait until the last minute to their shopping probably because they are generally calmer about the holidays. Theyre not so preoccupied about having everything be perfect, she said. Renee still finds herself trying to make everything perfect, although she said the desire has diminished over time. Christmas shopping was easy for her, though, because she picked things out from her own boutique. One of the benefits of owning a boutique, she said. Over on Pearl Street, Sam and Marissa Rhee were making some final purchases at Napa Bookmine while Marissas mother, Nancy Schleicher, tagged along. Yes or no? asked Sam Rhee holding up a copy of Hamilton: The Revolution by Jeremy McCarter and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The three then debated whether or not his brother-in-law who loves classical music may have already had the book. Im always last minute, said Marissa Rhee. After the threesome eats lunch, she said, they were going to ditch her mom so they could shop for her. The family planned on celebrating Christmas at Schleichers home in Napa, beginning Sunday morning with a big breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Its always nice to be home with mom, Rhee said. The Napa Bookmines owner, Naomi Chamblin, said that although there were people shopping on Christmas Eve, most had come the day before. December 23rd, she said, is our record breaking day of the year. She calls the holiday shopping season retail harvest. Between Black Friday and Christmas Eve, Chamblin said that she has only taken one day off and that was because she was sick. Because of her busy schedule, she often waits to the last minute to buy gifts. Im always a procrastinator, she said. I bought all my gifts this morning. Blizzard conditions mounted Christmas Day and through the night, with snow accumulations of more than an inch per hour and high winds prompting the closure of Interstate 94 between Jamestown and the Montana border, and N.D. Highway 83 between Bismarck and Minot. Travel advisories remained in effect for much of the state on Sunday night with near-zero visibility. Bismarck Police issued a no travel advisory within the City of Bismarck until further notice, saying roads are impassible in areas throughout the city and stranded vehicles blocking the roadways are creating unsafe conditions for emergency personnel. The highway closures exclude the Bismarck-Mandan and Dickinson metro areas. Sgt. Ryan Duletski of the North Dakota Highway Patrol said a few drivers had slid into the ditch by early afternoon, but it appeared many holiday travelers had heeded storm warnings, staying home or adjusting their plans around the weather. "It's either ice and sleet, or it's snow," he said. "It's not favorable for driving. Visibility will decrease when they travel open areas." He characterized travel as light outside city limits on Sunday afternoon. "Winds will accelerate to 40 to 50 mph Sunday evening into the overnight hours," said Adam Jones, a meteorologist for the Bismarck office of the National Weather Service. "Travel will be dicey just about everywhere. This will be dumping a considerable amount of snow in just 24 hours." As of 7:30 p.m., Bismarck had received 4.6 inches of snow, according to meteorologist Bill Abeling at the Bismarck NWS office. Ice accumulation of up to a half-inch was reportedly causing power outages in the Jamestown and Verona areas, he said. Included in the travel alert are Bismarck, Dickinson, Minot, Jamestown, Valley City, Devils Lake, Grand Forks and surrounding areas, according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Two to 3 inches of snow were on the ground in northwest North Dakota near Williston early Sunday morning, with 8 inches more expected. As of 2 p.m., heavy snowfall had begun in Bismarck. Abeling said Bismarck's blizzard conditions should end by noon Monday after dropping 12 to 18 inches. However, he expected patchy snow and winds of 20 to 30 mph to continue throughout most of the day. The overnight low was forecast at 15 degrees, with wind chill of zero to 5 below. Monday's high is forecast for 17, with an overnight low of 2 below zero. Tuesday's high will be 21. Motorists are asked to call 511 or monitor the state Transportation Department's roadmap online for updates. 21:26 Heavy snow in northern Japan caused transport chaos over the holiday weekend, with flights and train services cancelled and thousands of passengers forced to camp out at a regional airport for three straight nights. Sapporo on Hokkaido island had up to 96 centimetres (38 inches) of snow as of Friday night, the city's heaviest snowfall in half a century, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The snow blanketed New Chitose Airport, the main gateway to the northern island region, and caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled. The passengers' plight was compounded by the fact that most flights had been fully booked due to the holiday, national broadcaster NHK said. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] SANAA, Yemen On a rocky hill overlooking the Arabian Sea in the city of Aden sits the palace of Yemen's internationally recognized president. It's one of the few safe places in the country for him and his government, protected by troops at the gates, artillery and truck-mounted machine guns in the surrounding mountains and ships at sea. The rest of the southern city remains unstable. Only a 10 minute drive from the palace, a suicide bomber struck days ago at the Sawlaban military base, killing 52 soldiers. It was the fourth time militants have hit the base in the past six months. The last strike was only about a week earlier. All told, the attacks have killed more than 180 people. The bombings underscore how President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his main backer, the Saudi-led coalition, have failed to bring stability to the southern territories that his government controls in the civil war with Shiite Houthi rebels. Yemen's second largest city and once its commercial hub, Aden was intended to be a model of Hadi's legitimacy. Instead it has become a sign of Yemen's woes. Multiple armed groups compete for influence, chief among them a force known as the Security Belt, created and funded by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and their allies. Commanded mainly by Muslim ultraconservatives, it has been accused by critics of heavy-handed methods, abusing opponents and resisting Hadi's authority. On Friday, the governor of a neighboring province said fighters from the groups fired on his car as he tried to visit Hadi's palace for prayers. Aden was where Hadi's government made its last stand after the Houthis and allied troops loyal to a former president overran the capital Sanaa in 2014, took over much of the north and stormed south. Hadi was forced to flee the country, and a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia launched its intervention in March 2015, preventing Aden from falling. By July of that year, coalition-backed southern fighters pushed the rebels out of much of the south. Hadi's government hoped the restoration of Aden would mark the beginning of the end for the Houthis. But 18 months later, the rebels still control Sanaa and much of the north, while security remains elusive in the south. Hadi moves back and forth between Aden and the Saudi capital Riyadh, most recently arriving in the Yemeni city in late November. Suicide bombings and assassinations, mostly by al-Qaida and the Islamic State group's local affiliate, regularly target top military and government officials, army recruits and senior Muslim clerics. Aden's governor and security chief were assassinated last year. In October 2015, the then-prime minister and his entire Cabinet came under attack by suicide bombers at a five-star hotel in the heart of the city. Aden residents have burned tires and blocked roads in protests against fuel shortages, power cuts, delayed salaries and a lack of services. Others hold demonstrations demanding that southern Yemen, which was independent until 1990, secede again. "The general scene is foggy and we live in fear," said Shakeb Rageh, a reporter at Aden's radio station. "The explosions are terrifying people here." Hadi relocated the Central Bank to Aden in September, enabling his government to pay salaries for the first time in nearly four months. But remnants of the army, police, and intelligence agencies under his Interior Ministry remain poorly equipped and trained. Courts, judges, prosecutors, and policemen have not returned to work out of fear for their safety. The groups of local fighters known as Hirak, who fought off the Houthis, have fragmented after Hadi's promises to integrate them into the army failed to materialize. The Security Belt force, created by the Saudi-led coalition, presents itself as the new powerhouse to bring security in the absence of state institutions. The force is made up of some 15,000 southern fighters deployed across four provinces and mainly commanded by hard-line Muslims known as Salafis. Nabil al-Washoush, the Belt's top commander, told the Associated Press that his force receives funds directly from the Saudi-led coalition. Still, he said it answers to "our guardian president," Hadi, and his Interior Ministry. He said eventually the force will be integrated into the ministry, but for now its mission is to provide "support" to the security apparatus. The head of the force's operations room, Hussein Saleh, said the fragmentation of official security bodies created lawlessness that made the Belt necessary. "The state institutions are not back, there is no budget, and Islamic militants are from within our own people, not outsiders," he said. Security officials close to the interior minister said the government has been trying to get all the armed groups under its command but is facing resistance from the Security Belt. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press. Hadi supporters also see the creation of the Belt as part of tensions between the president and the UAE, which helps finance the force. Earlier this year, Hadi removed a prime minister, Khaled Bahah, who was backed by the Emirates. Hadi also installed a powerful military commander, Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood's Yemeni wing, as vice president, further straining ties with the UAE, which is a fierce opponent of the Brotherhood. Local media report killings and unlawful detentions by the Belt. Al-Washoush denied the claims and accused rivals of trying to "poison" the force's relationship with the community. On Friday, the governor of Abyan province, neighboring Aden, said Security Belt fighters shot out his car's tires as he headed toward Hadi's palace to join the president in Friday prayers. Al-Khidr al-Saidi said the fighters at a checkpoint detained six of his guards, contending that they had not been informed of the governor's visit. Belt fighters at checkpoints often detain and harass anyone believed to be from the north, said Rageh, the radio reporter. A bus driver coming from Sanaa said he was beaten by fighters from the Belt on Sunday when they stopped and searched his bus and its passengers at a checkpoint at the entrance to Aden. The driver spoke on condition of anonymity for his safety. He said the fighters were abusive with the passengers, then beat him, wounded a friend's hand and then detained them both. At first, he said, they were kept inside tankers on the side of the road, where the guards beat them more. Then they were moved to a tiny cell near the checkpoint where 30 people were being held, mostly northerners, he said. After they were released, the hospital refused to give him a medical report out of fear of the Security Belt, he said. Ali al-Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Hirak fighters, said that the Security Belt doesn't recognize the government's authority. "They think that they live in a different country with a different president." The air raids on Taliban hideouts in Batikot district of the eastern Nangarhar province took place on Saturday night. Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Rahman was killed in the attack and four of his armed men sustained critical injuries, Xinhua news agency reported. A large amount of arms and ammunition of the militants were destroyed in the airstrike, the official said. However, Taliban militants were yet to comment about the airstrike. --IANS soni/dg ( 106 Words) 2016-12-25-17:24:13 (IANS) A source told The Sun newspaper that Waterhouse, who previously dated actor Bradley Cooper for two years until their split in 2015, began seeing Madden, who plays Robb Stark in "Game of Thrones", earlier this year, reports mirror.co.uk. "Suki and Richard recently started dating after meeting through mutual friends. It's early days but they've got a great connection and are looking forward to spending quality time with each other next year," said the source. But her friend Cara Delevingne isn't Madden's biggest fan as they had a public feud over an awkward TV interview she did while promoting her film "Paper Towns" in July. Madden branded her sarcastic responses to the questions on "Good Morning Sacramento" as "unprofessional" and "ungrateful". The source said: "Obviously, it's horrendously awkward for Suki given her friendship with Cara and her history with Richard. Cara was furious with his comments and doesn't exactly think highly of him. There are definitely going to be awkward times ahead for the three of them." --IANS sug/nn/ ( 197 Words) 2016-12-25-06:26:12 (IANS) Along with the whole world, hundreds of christians in India's northeast state Tripura, gathered at Nandannagar Don Bosco Church to celebrate the annual Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. They prayed to the Lord for world peace along with their state and hope that the festival like Christmas can restore peace and harmony in the region. The priest of the church viewed that Jesus came to this world to bring peace. Special prayers and musical programs from midnight of Saturday were conducted during the annual Christmas Eve Midnight Mass here. The first Christian settlement, in once kingly state Tripura, is the Proteges who had a small colony at Moriamnagar on the outskirts of Agartala and had come as warriors and bodyguards for the Manikya dynasty kings who ruled the state for more than 500 years. The mass prayed to the Lord with the theme 'Jesus Christ savior of the world', and for bringing down in the sufferings of people. Thousands heard the priest speak inside the cathedral and people including, a good number of youth, turned out for the day. Agartala diocese covers the whole state. Agartala, where the diocese is based, is Tripura's capital, 2,585 kilometers east of New Delhi. Nearly 80 percent of the state's 3.7 million people are Bengali-speaking Hindus. Most migrated from Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan), which surrounds three sides of Tripura. The state is linked to the rest of India through Assam and Mizoram state to the east. Christianity entered the hilly kingly Tripura which later merged with India in October 1949. However, along with the Christians, hundreds of people from other religion as well celebrated the festival with full devotion and decorated their houses with lights and stars for the day. (ANI) In his last 'Mann ki Baat' address on November 27, Prime Minister Modi thanked citizens and banks across the nation for accepting demonetisation and braving the difficulties faced by the move. He also urged the nation to embrace digital banking to tide over the currency crunch. He also spoke on the burning issues of Kashmir unrest and hailed the valour of the Indian Armed Forces. (ANI) "Warm greetings & best wishes for a blessed Christmas to all my fellow citizens in India & abroad," President Mukherjee tweeted. "May the spirit of Christmas fill our hearts with love and compassion. May the divine teachings of Lord Jesus Christ inspire us to contribute our very best for the welfare of humanity," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to extended his warm wishes on the occasion saying, "Merry Christmas! We remember & celebrate the life & teachings of Jesus Christ. His message of peace, unity & compassion inspires us all." Joining the beeline, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also extended Christmas greetings to everyone and wished for peace and happiness. (ANI) Midnight mass at the tastefully decorated and illuminated churches in the two states heralded the celebrations. In the state capital, thousands of Christians, braving the winter chill, thronged the churches to offer prayers during the midnight mass with priests asking the devout to imbibe the true spirit of Christmas--love and charity. The bigger congregations of worshipers were seen at the historic churches like St. Mary's Basilica, Wesley and St.John's churches in Secunderabad, St.George's Church (Abids),Methodist Church (Chapel Road) and All Saints Church (Gun Foundry) in Hyderabad. Till late last evening, shops selling cakes, cookies, gifts and decorative materials were packed with people hurrying through their last minute shopping. Governor E S L Narasimhan and Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao extended their greetings to the members of Christian community. UNI SMS CS 1213 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1080200.Xml The President tweeted, "Warm greetings & best wishes for a blessed Christmas to all my fellow citizens in India & abroad. May the spirit of Christmas fill our hearts with love and compassion." "May the divine teachings of Lord Jesus Christ inspire us to contribute our very best for the welfare of humanity," Mr Mukherjee said. Prime Minister Modi in his message said, "Merry Christmas! We remember & celebrate the life & teachings of Jesus Christ. His message of peace, unity & compassion inspires us all.'' UNI RBE SV 1213 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-1080193.Xml The much-awaited project to upgrade theexisting four-lane highway between Mysuru and Bengaluru into a10-lane highway got a boost yesterday with the Union Governmentinviting tenders. The 60-metre highway includes toll and toll-free stretches. Whilethe six-lane section will be with toll, the two-lane stretch oneither side will be toll-free and can be used as a service road. The tenders have been called for by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). Interested firms can apply for tenders as per the NHAI norms by January 5 and the NHAI is expected to complete the tender process by March 2017. Works are expected to begin by the end of March or April first week and are expected to be completed by 30 months. The State Government has almost completed acquiring 2,200 acresland needed for the project, and only compensation remains to be paid. Once the highway is ready, it will take just 90 minutes to reachMysuru from Bengaluru, NHAI sources here said. The expressway will cover a distance of 118 km between VishwaVokkaligara Mutt after NICE Road in Bengaluru and Columbia AsiaHospital junction in Mysuru. The NHAI project will have six by-passes at Bidadi, Ramanagaram, Channapatna, Maddur, Mandya andSrirangapatna. The expressway is expected to cost Rs.3,600 croreexcluding Rs.2,300 crore in land acquisition costs. The 10-lane highway will have restaurants, fuel stations, toiletsand vehicle parking spaces at intervals of 40 kilometers. All thefacilities will be provided as per NHAI rules and the existingrestaurants will not come on the tolled stretch. According to the detailed project report, the highway will have an average daily traffic of 60,000 passenger car units. The expressway is expected to give healthy returns to the investor given the rising volume of traffic between the two cities. Currently, over a lakh vehicles use the Bengaluru-Mysuru route onthe weekends. The highway will take away at least 40 per cent of this traffic, leaving only the rest for the existing four-lane highway between the two cities.UNI BSP HVB CS 1134 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-1080128.Xml The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday said that Islamic State sympathiser Mohammed Musa was planning an attack on the Mother House in Kolkata to avenge the bombing in conflict ridden Syria and Libya. According to reports, Musa wanted to attack the Mother House since the place witnesses visitors from the United States, Russia and UK and is, therefore, a soft target. Musa, who was arrested in July 2016 by the state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for having links with the terror outfit, was later handed over to the NIA. (ANI) According to excise department, they arrested Ranjith Saranghi (24) and Rahul Adhik Rao Ghati (22), both hailing from Khanapur in Sangli district of Maharashtra. Excise squad team conducted raids during patrolling duty following the direction of Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh around 0330 hrs. The arrested persons had concealed money in specially designed jackets. Police arrested them while they were travelling in a KSRTC bus proceeding to Payyanoor from Bangalore. They recovered the money with denominations of Rs 2000 tune to Rs 51,80,000 and the remaining 6300 in Rs 100 denominations. UNI AK SHS AE 1500 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1080256.Xml BIRMINGHAM_NIGHT_TIME_SKYLINE_140710_18749959.JPG Stephanie Salvago ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham. David Sher is Co-Founder of AmSher Compassionate Collections and past Chairman of Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, ONB, and CAP. Let's turn Birmingham around. Click here to sign up for our newsletter. There's power in numbers. (Opt out at any time) Today's guest blog was written by Stephanie Salvago. If you'd like to be a guest blogger, please click here. "How did you end up in Alabama?" It is a question I ask people all the time. I use to ask it with a tone of disbelief. Yet, I would meet people from New York, California, England, South Africa, and many other places, all of whom wound up in Birmingham. Why would they move from these amazing places -- places that I always have wanted to visit -- to Birmingham, Alabama? And if it was something temporary, such as school or a job that brought them here, why did they stay? Yes, there was a time when I couldn't imagine anyone from a "bigger, cooler place" wanting to settle in Birmingham. I've always loved this area but couldn't imagine others, especially those who came here from these faraway "glamorous" places, wanting to live here. I grew up hearing friends say that they couldn't wait to get out of Birmingham and go elsewhere. I figured they may have known something I didn't. I loved growing up here -- especially in that part of the metro area which is Bessemer, where my family has been rooted for generations. Bessemer is a place that has had its struggles over the years -- economic, political, ethnic, racial, educational. But, as Dorothy said in the Wizard Of Oz, "There's no place like home." I love Bessemer and have come to love its big sibling Birmingham. Loving Birmingham, however, for someone born in the late 1980s, hasn't always been easy. While in college at the University of Montevallo, my friends and I would drive the roughly 45 minutes into Birmingham, hoping to have one of those "college student nights in the big city, " but it was never as amazing as we had hoped. Eventually, it was not even worth the gas to drive into town. Simply put, Birmingham seemed to be declining and didn't appear to have much to offer. I found myself thinking, "Birmingham is lame. There is nothing to do and nothing new." I started thinking of maybe getting away from Alabama after college, even given my strong family ties. But like people, cities change. And the Birmingham I had known in my college days, started to change. I began hearing about how people were taking risks in the city. Opening up specialty stores and restaurants. Breweries started showing up in once-neglected places like Avondale. At first I was excited, but nervous that this new spirit wouldn't last. Would people actually go into the city, just a few years after so many of my peers had written off Birmingham, even if it meant spending a little more on local draft beer than a national off-the-shelf brand? Yet, these places started to thrive, igniting a new energy that seemed to radiate throughout much of the city. Risk had brought about results, paving the way for renewal. I have never been as proud of my city as when these places -- representing a cultural renaissance -- started to thrive! People were coming out and supporting local businesses. Once I graduated from college in August 2009 -- and was "older, wiser" and more mobile -- I really started exploring MY city. I also wanted to contribute to the growth of my city -- Birmingham! I started trying new places, meeting new people and doing new things. It did not always turn out the way that I had hoped but more times than not I would end up with a new favorite restaurant or bar or new interest to pursue. Art classes near Five Points South is but one example. Another turning point was when I decided to move out of Bessemer and move into Birmingham, something I never could have imagined five years ago. However, I wanted to be in the city; that's where I felt my peers were starting to congregate and I wanted to be a part of it all. I haven't been disappointed. I am still finding new things to do and explore in my city. Finally, I've started to feel like an insider not an outsider; someone who lives in the city, not someone who just visits the city. I like to see myself as trying new things, as having grown and changed just like Birmingham, as being one of those Millennials, now 29, who is infusing new life into the city as the city infuses my life with energy, diversity and excitement. I am finally understanding why people are moving to and staying in Birmingham, be they from one of the suburbs, a city in another part of the US or even another country. Now when I ask the question, "What brought you to Birmingham?" I ask it with a tone of excitement. It may be something I never heard of before, it may be something for me to try. It may even be something that becomes my new favorite thing. Stephanie Salvago was born and raised in Bessemer, AL and now lives in Birmingham. She is the Marketing Director at the Levite Jewish Community Center. With Assembly polls dates in Uttar Pradesh all set to be announced in next week, Election Commission has started sending Central forces to the state. As the several phase of polling in the state for 403 assembly seat is likely to commence from western UP, hence the central forces have been sent there. UP will have seven phase polling similar like the 2012 elections starting from western UP, a senior official here told UNI. "EC has started allotting central forces and around 50 companies of the first phase would reach the state in a day or two," the official confirmed. In Punjab, which is also going to polls along with UP, 100 companies of forces have already been sent for the polls. The EC is expected to announce the poll dates on December 28. The Centre is expected to deploy around 250 companies of central forces for UP polls. Earlier the UP government was expecting the announcement of poll dates on December 22 but the officials of Goa, who will also go to polls, had requested the EC to announce it after Christmas. UNI MB SHS AE 1434 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1080261.Xml Confusion over an alliance between SP-Congress once again surfaced in the minds of Congress workers and leaders when both State President Raj Babbar as well as All India Congress Committee General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad, claimed that the Party is ready to contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, due next year, on its own for now. "Congress is prepared to fight the Uttar Pradesh polls alone for now and there is no talk of an alliance with any party," Mr Azad reportedly said, while addressing Congress workers in Western UP today. He urged the party workers to get into battle mode for the upcoming polls. Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Azad said demonetisation decision will ruin the country and its people and claimed that every person is troubled by it. "The Centre took the decision without any preparation and this will affect their performance in the UP polls. People who faced problems after demonetisation will take revenge from BJP by not voting for them," Mr Azad said. "Neither does the Prime Minister speaks in Parliament, nor does he talk to the poor or the media," he added. "Prime Minister is not at all concerned about the problems of common man and he only cares for a handful of country's people. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is continuously raising the farmers' issues and demonetisation among the people,'' he said. Meanwhile in Lucknow, Mr Babbar too made similar claims that the Party would fight the Assembly elections without any alliance. "The Party workers are excited and in full energy to fight the state elections alone," Mr Babbar said, while pointing that there will be no alliance and that they will fight on all the Assembly seats. Interestingly the claims were made both by Mr Azad and Mr Babbar even when they were reportedly in regular touch with the SP counterparts for 'pre-poll alliance', the announcement of which is also likely to made sometime in the next week. A senior Congress leader told UNI here today that in Punjab the party had announced two candidates list but in contrast in UP neither the Central Election Committee or the full candidates' screening committee has been constituted so far. "The situation clearly gives circumstantial evidence that Congress is forging for an alliance in the UP polls," the leader said. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had once again made claims that SP-Congress alliance will help them to get 300 seats in the state. Replying to a question on alliance with Congress during a function here, Mr Yadav said party president Mulayam Singh Yadav will decide on alliance. ''I have already said that SP is going to form a government and if we go into the polls in an alliance we will win more than 300 seats," he said.UNI MB SHS AE 1456 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1080302.Xml Four members of family died while six others injured when two vehicles collided head-on in Gopiganj area of Bhadohi district today. Police sources said here that incident occurred when a family was going to visit their relatives in car. Their car was crushed by heavy truck coming from opposite direction near Lalanagar Toll plaza. Sources said Kusum (25), Vimla Devi (52), Radha Devi (35) and Chhote (6) died on the spot in the accident. Severely injured Santu Yadav, Ramesh Sharma, Guddi, Menu and two others were rushed to the hospital. After the accident agitated crowd jammed the Varanasi-Allahabad National Highway. Police and administrative officers reached at the spot and pacified the situation. UNI XC-JDM MB SDR AE 1527 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1080439.Xml An elderly woman was killed and at least six others injured when a jeep overturned and dashed into a tree near Nanda on the National Highway-59 A, police said. The jeep was conveying a family from Indore's Mhow town to Betul for attending a wedding programme when the incident occurred last evening. Nafisa Ali (65) died on the spot. Police reached the spot and pulled out victims from the jeep. The injured were rushed to a hospital here. Shamina was seriously injured and referred to Nagpur while the rest were discharged after treatment. UNI XC PS VS AE 1526 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-1080398.Xml The Punjab Congress today got another boost ahead of the Assembly elections, with key leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Aam Aadmi Party, as well a large number of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and supporters, joined the party in the presence of Captain Amarinder Singh here. Ex-Akali leader from Atam Nagar and councillor Kamaljit Singh Karwal, once considered the right-hand man of MLA Simarjit Singh, and former AAP central executive committee member Yamini Gomar from Hoshiarpur were among those pledged their allegiance to Captain Amarinder and the Congress. Other AAP leaders to join the Punjab Congress were LR Nayyar, former Chief Commissioner (Income Tax), and party observer Gagan Sahni. Mr Karwal's supporters also came out in support of the Congress on the occasion. Capt Singh said all these leaders had joined the party unconditionally. They had become completely disillusioned with the policies of their respective parties and the agendas of their leaders, said the Punjab Congress president. He hailed their joining as another milestone in the Congress journey towards a clear majority in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, saying these developments highlighted the complete wipe out of all the other parties in the fray. Mr Karwal, who had met Capt Singh in Delhi a few days ago to extend his support to the Congress, was associated with SAD since 2007, expect for a brief period in 2014. The anti-people policies of the party, he said, had encouraged him to take the decision to move to the Congress. Yamini, who had openly accused AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal and AAP of being anti-Dalit, anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab, said AAP was in a total mess, with its leadership befooling the people of Punjab with fake promises. "AAP leadership is not even ready to blink its eyes over the issues of corruption and promotion of criminals in the party," she said. Yamini took a dig at Mr Kejriwal over the 3C corruption, criminal record and character issue, saying there was hardly a miniscule of the party leadership who fulfilled the party's motto of not coming in these categories. "More than 70 per cent of the AAP volunteers, who had joined the party with an aim to see Punjab on roads of progress once again, are now completely shattered with party leaders busy promoting their own vested interests", she said, adding that many more genuine people in AAP, who were feeling suffocated, would also enter the Congress fold in the coming days.MORE UNI VJ VS AE 1554 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0292-1080438.Xml "India joins Russia in mourning the tragic loss of lives of Russian servicemen in the air crash today," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. The Russian Emergencies Ministry and the Russian Defence Ministry have confirmed the crash of the missing Tu-154, saying the debris of the aircraft and alleged personal belongings of the passengers were discovered in the Black Sea. According to a report in Russia's Sputnik news agency, the jet with some 91 people including 83 passengers and eight crew members onboard lost contact with land while flying over the Black Sea on Sunday. Journalists, military personnel, musicians from Alexandrov Ensemble, an official army choir of the Russian armed forces were onboard. Initially, it was reported that the plane was carrying some 70 people. The preliminary data shows that the disappeared plane was heading to Syria's Latakia. (ANI) Ferrying passengers between different locations on National Waterway-1 (NW-1) is set to get boost, as Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Shipping Ministry has entered into an agreement with a joint venture of Thompson Design Group (TDG), Boston (USA) and Infrastructure Architecture Lab of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The agreement would identify suitable locations for construction of 18 ferry terminals in six cities -- Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Munghyr, Kolkata and Haldia, an official statement said here today. The consultants would also prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) and tender documents for 18 terminals. Notably, this JV had earlier worked on similar transport solutions for Governors Island (172 acre island in the heart of New York Harbour), Navy Pier, Chicago, US and Buffalo Bayou, Texas, US. The contract between IWAI and the JV of TDG and MIT was signed on December 21. Under the contract, the consultants would carry out technical and financial feasibility of ferry services at the six locations. The consultants would identify the best locations within the specific regulatory, planning and investment framework of the cities. During the course of identifying suitable locations for the terminal, the consultants would take into account commercial and passenger characteristic of each city with a goal of integrating transportation networks and facilities to each city. The economic and civic needs, gaps in civil infrastructure, urban usage, connectivity between modes, land availability and environment and social safeguards would also be given due consideration while zeroing in on the suitable locations. The Government was developing NW-1 under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) with technical and financial assistance of the World Bank at an estimated cost of Rs 5,369 crore. The project would enable commercial navigation of vessels with capacity of 1,500-2,000 tons. Phase-I of the project covers the Haldia-Varanasi stretch. The development of NW-1 was part of the government's renewed push to tap the possibilities of transportation of cargo through inland waterways which comes with the inherent advantage of helping decongest the clogged road and rail networks along with being cost effective and environment friendly.UNI RBE AE 1808 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-1080686.Xml City police today arrested two persons in connection with rape and killing of a three- year-old minor girl at Haji Kasam Chawl in Nagpada area of South Mumbai. The incident came to light last night after the girl's body was recovered from Kazipura. Police also said that the accused had also demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore from the deceased parents. According to police, the deceased had been missing since December 5 and a case in this regard was registered by her parents with the police. Later, the victim's parents received a call from some unidentified persons, demanding Rs 1 crore as ransom. Unable to shell out such a huge amount, the girl's father agreed to pay Rs 28 lakh to the alleged kidnappers, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Manojkumar Sharma said. The abductors later asked the girl's father to come with the ransom amount at Kalwa town in neighbouring Thane. During the course of investigation, a 16-year-old boy, who lived in the neighbourhood of the girl at Duncan road had passed on the information of kidnapping to her parents, was detained and quizzed by the police. Further interrogation revealed that the boy and his accomplice, also aged 16, had allegedly abducted the girl on December 5 and later strangulated her with the wire of a mobile phone charger the very same day, the official said. Both the accused were arrested in the wee hours and further investigations were on, Mr Sharma said, adding that the body has been sent for post-mortem. The sources also said the parents of one of the accused was also detained by the police for further interrogation to ascertain the involvement of major person in the crime. UNI AAA SDR AE 1730 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1080590.Xml President Pranab Mukherjee today saidlanuguage is a weapon which unites all people. All languages and religion unites people like rivers flowing towardssea, the President said in his address after inaugurating the89th Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan here. He said that only language can provide opportunity to exchangeviews with others freely. ''Kings were fighting for land but languagewas uniting the people'', he added. Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, in his address said that Bengaliliterary figures have upheld the country's rich culture. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the country is yet toproduce another Nobel laureate like Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore."India is yet to produce another Nobel Prize Winner in Literature,even after a century. No wonder, the National Anthems ofIndia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been penned by Gurudev," he added. He said that he was happy to note that Gurudev founded alongwith other eminent Bengali personalities Nikhil Bharat BangaSahitya Sammelan, an all-India literary organisation and presidedover its first Conference held in Varanasi. He said that "I am doubly delighted that the Sammelan is beingheld in the City of Bengaluru - known for its vibrant, harmoniousand all-inclusive cosmopolitan ethos and that too just a day afterthe Bengali Poet and Critic, Mr Shanka Ghosh, also a leadingauthority on Rabindranath Tagore, has been announced as the JnanpithAwardee for 2016. Mr Siddaramaiah said that Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi andGurudev had mutual admiration and respect for each other. "We allknow, it was Gurudev who bestowed the title of Mahatma on Gandhiji." In these times of international strife, is it not in the fitnessof things that both advocated the concept of plurality of nations,while denouncing competition and violence in our civilized world ? The most eminent Kannada Poets and Jnanpith Awardees, Dr K VPuttappa (Kuvempu) and Dr Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre(AmbikatanayaDatta) were deeply influenced by the concept of Cosmic Consciousnessof Gurudev. Another Jnanpith Awardee, Dr U. R. Anantha Murthy, whoheaded the Tagore Chair till his death, was profoundly impressed bythe propagation of the ideal of national integration espoused inGurudev's all-time classic, Gora.UNI MSP CS 1756 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0286-1080662.Xml Keralites today celebrated Christmas with traditional fervour and piety rejoicing the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem bringing hope and peace to humanity. Believers congregated in large numbers for the midnight service in cathedrals and churches of various Christian communities where senior prelates and priests conducted the special mass and gave out the Christmas message. Churches and homes were decked up with cribs depicting the birth-in-the manger scene and stars twinkling on Christmas trees. Carol groups of churches and art clubs have been busy visiting houses singing traditional Christmas songs. Governor Justice (Retd) P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and leaders of all political parties greeted people on the occasion. In a message, the Governor said the celebrations would inspire love, fraternity and amity. Pinarayi Vijayan said the message of Lord Jesus Christ was of peace and goodwill to the whole world. They extended warm greetings to all Malayalees especially the Christian brethren on the eve of Merry Christmas. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the principles enunciated by Jesus for mankind are relevant for all times to come. BJP State President Kummanam Rajasekharan, BJP MLA O Rajagopal, KPCC President VM Sudheeran also greeted people. Former Chief Minister and Senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy expressed the hope that the celebrations would provide an opportunity to the people to share amity and fraternity. In the capital, Arch Bishop M Soosai Packyam of the Latin Catholic hierarchy led the mass at the St Joseph cathedral. Special prayers were also held in churches of CSI, Jacobite and Mar Thoma communities across the state.UNI DS CS 1832 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0324-1080709.Xml CAMERA Featured Letter-Writer | Main | NPR Conducts Hostile Interview with Israeli Ambassador Over UN Resolution December 25, 2016 Reuters Reduces Israeli Ties to West Bank to Biblical Claim Only In an article yesterday ("Israel to re-assess U.N. ties after settlement resolution, says Netanyahu"), Reuters reduces Israel's claim to the West Bank to biblical only. Ignoring Israel's legal claim along with a very long historical record spanning thousands of years after the biblical period, the article misleads: Most countries view Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as illegal and an obstacle to peace. Israel disagrees, citing a biblical connection to the land. (Emphasis added.) Israel's claim to the West Bank rests on international law, cultural and religious ties, and post-biblical history, including the long-term presence of Jews for thousands of years, the Balfour Declaration, the San Remo Conference, and the League of Nations decision which was never repealed, and Article 80 of the United Nations charter which upheld Article Six of the League of Nations' Palestine Mandate enabling Jewish settlement. Indeed, the November 2015 Ministry of Foreign Affairs document "Israeli Settlements and International Law" goes into great detail about Israeli claims to the territory grounded in international law. The document notes that the Jewish presence in the territory was: recognized as legitimate in the Mandate for Palestine adopted by the League of Nations in 1922, which provided for the establishment of a Jewish state in the Jewish people's ancient homeland. After recognizing "the historical connection of the Jewish people with Palestine" and "the grounds for reconstituting their national home", the Mandate specifically stipulated in Article 6 as follows: "The Administration of Palestine, while ensuring that the rights and position of other sections of the population are not prejudiced, shall facilitate Jewish immigration under suitable conditions and shall encourage, in cooperation with the Jewish Agency referred to in Article 4, close settlement by Jews on the land, including State lands not required for public use". Some Jewish settlements, such as in Hebron, existed throughout the centuries of Ottoman rule, while settlements such as Neve Ya'acov, north of Jerusalem, the Gush Etzion bloc in southern Judea, and the communities north of the Dead Sea, were established under British Mandatory administration prior to the establishment of the State of Israel, and in accordance with the League of Nations Mandate. Many contemporary Israeli settlements have actually been re-established on sites which were home to Jewish communities in previous generations, in an expression of the Jewish people's deep historic and abiding connection with this land - the cradle of Jewish civilization and the locus of the key events of the Hebrew Bible. A significant number are located in places where previous Jewish communities were forcibly ousted by Arab armies or militia, or slaughtered, as was the case with the ancient Jewish community of Hebron in 1929. For more than a thousand years, the only administration which has prohibited Jewish settlement in these areas was the Jordanian occupation administration, which during the nineteen years of its rule (1948-1967) declared the sale of land to Jews a capital offense. The right of Jews to establish homes in these areas, and the private legal titles to the land which had been acquired, could not be legally invalidated by Jordanian occupation - which resulted from their illegal armed invasion of Israel in 1948 and was never recognized internationally as legitimate - and such rights and titles remain valid to this day. These historical and legal claims relate almost entirely to historical periods thousands of years after biblical times. CAMERA has contacted Reuters to request that editors redress the egregious omission. Dec. 28 Update: Reuters Agrees That Israel's Claims Not only Biblical, Improves Next Article While Reuters has declined to amend the Dec. 24 article flagged in this post, the news agency did agree with CAMERA that Israel's claim to the West Bank is not limited only to biblical ties. Indeed, a Reuters' article the next day expands that Israel's claim includes "biblical and historical connections to the West Bank and Jerusalem as well as security interests" ("Israel PM, angered by anti-settlement U.N. vote, summons U.S. ambassador"). Posted by TS at December 25, 2016 04:47 AM Neither you nor Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentions that article 80 of the United Nations Charter - known as "the Palestine clause" -has preserved the rights of the Jewish people under article 6 of the Mandate to settle in East Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria until today. This material omission is not new and is the principal reason Israel finds itself in the position it is today. If you and Israel's Foreign Ministry are not aware of the following document then I respectfully suggest you both get up to speed very quickly. http://www.bjpa.org/Publications/downloadFile.cfm?FileID=22125 Posted by: david singer at December 25, 2016 04:16 PM Thanks, David, for your point about Article 80 of the UN Charter, which upheld Jewish rights in Palestine under Article Six of the Mandate. It is covered in one of the provided links to an older CAMERA post, but we have added it in directly to this post as well. Posted by: TS at December 26, 2016 01:42 AM Best article on all of Jerusalem belonging to Israel. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/9488#.VYmNU_lViko One Nation's Capital Forever The detailed story of Jerusalem and our right to it. Just the facts. By Eli E. Hertz 11/05/10 19:34 Posted by: Barry Meridian at December 27, 2016 07:15 AM Glad to see you have rectified the omission. Article 80 is a critical link in Israel's legal claims. Security Council Resolution 2334 violates article 80 of the UN Charter and is therefore illegal in international law. http://www.jwire.com.au/palestine-anti-israel-security-council-resolution-2334-violates-un-charter/ Posted by: david singer at January 5, 2017 10:45 PM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment Addressing a rally organised to mark the 80th birth day of formerChief Minister N Dharma Singh here, he said that the anti-farmerspolicies and sufferings of the people due demonetisation should beexposed. Mr Siddaramaiah said that the Union government's changing stanceon the exchange of demonetised notes in banks and the restrictionson withdrawal of taxed cash from individual accounts had eroded theconfidence of the people in the currency and pushed them in a verycritical position. He alleged that this demonetisation is the biggest scam in therecent year and many NDA leaders defiantly benefited from it. He said that AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi has been unsparingin his attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his governmentover the issues and all the Congress workers should unitedly workand create awareness among the public. Mr Siddaramaiah said the Congress has already launched countrywide agitation against the NDA government's policies on farm, land and labour reforms, and now demonetisation was added on it, to reach the people. UNI SD MSP ADB2032 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0286-1080885.Xml Noted industrialist and Managing Director of Odisha Stevedores Limited (OSL) Mahimananda Mishra was detained by the Thailand Police in Bangkok. Odisha Director General of Police K B Singh told newspersons today that Mr Mishra wanted in connection with the murder of Seaways Shipping and Logistics Private Limited (SSPL) General Manager Mahendra Swain was kept at the Bangkok immigration centre. Along with Mr Mishra OSL's Executive Director Basant Kumar Bal, also an accused in the murder case was detained by the Thailand Police. Mr Singh said a four member team of the Odisha Police has gone to Thailand to bring both Mr Mishra and Mr Bal to Odisha. He said both Mr Singh and Mr Bal are expected to be deported to India tomorrow. The DGP said both Mr Mishra and Mr Bal would be arrested after they were brought to Odisha. Mr Singh said earlier the Kujang JMFC court had issued non-bailable warrant (NBW) against OSL chief Mahimananda Mishra and firm's Executive Director Basant Bal in connection with the murder. The Police Chief said Mr Mishra was caught with the cooperation of Interpol and the Thailand Police. Mr Singh said a number of criminal cases including murder, attempt to murder and kidnapping cases were pending against Mr Mishra. Both Mr Mishra and Mr Bal had gone to Thailand on a 15-day tourist Visa via Nepal and were staying in a star hotel with their family members. He said Police have arrested seven persons so far in connection with the murder. SSPL General Manager Mahendra Swain was murdered on October 26 last at Paradip.. Earlier Police had also issued a lookout circular against Mr Mishra in connection with the murder of Swain. The OSL chief had moved the Odisha High Court seeking anticipatory bail and challenging the lookout circular. However, the court denied interim protection to him. Similarly, police had conducted raid on the house of Bal on November 10 and froze his personal account.UNI BD BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1080931.Xml In the wake of ongoing probe into a busted terror module in West Bengal, the officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) today said few ISIS terrorists, who are currently in jail custody, had plotted a plan to attack and create hostage crisis in Missionaries of Charity Headquarters in the city. In a charge sheet, recently submitted in a city court, the NIA mentioned that during interrogation arrested ISIS suspect Md Masiruddin alias Mussa, who was nabbed from Burdwan in July earlier, confessed that they planned to carry out a suicide attack at Mother House to kill maximum number of people, coming from the `US, Europe and Russia. Mother House is the resting place of Mother Teresa, who was canonised on September 4. Mother Teresa worked throughout her life from the premises and her tomb draws many international visitors, which is the headquarters of Missionaries of Charity and where Saint (Mother) Teresa was buried in 1997 Officers of the National Investigation agency said Musa had close contact with Bangladesh-based Jamat Ul Mujahideen Bangladesh or JMB, which is said to be responsible for the attack on Dhaka's Holey Artisan cafe that killed 20 people, including an Indian student, in July this year. Investigators from Bangladesh have already interrogated him about his links to Abu Suleman, the mastermind of the Dhaka bakery attack. He had earlier revealed that Abu Suleman had visited in the city. A month ago, a seven-member team of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) interrogated Musa in the city. The 25-year-old Musa was arrested from the Burdwan railway station by CID on July 4 on charges of radicalising youths to join ISIS However, following the information, the city Police have beefed up security at Mother House and the important railway stations in the city limits, a senior official of the city police said.UNI BM RSA 2112 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-1080866.Xml Odisha Director General of Police K B Singh told mediapersons here that Mr Mishra wanted in connection with the murder of Seaways Shipping and Logistics Private Limited (SSPL) General Manager Mahendra Swain was not allowed to exit and impound at the Bangkok immigration centre. Along with Mishra OSL's Executive Director Basant Kumar Bal , also an accused in the murder case was detained by the Thailand Police. Mr Singh said a four-member team of the Odisha Police had gone to Thailand to bring back both Mishra and Bal to Odisha. He said both Singh and Bal were expected to be deported to India tomorrow. The DGP said both Mishra and Bal would be arrested after they were brought to Odisha. Mr Singh said earlier the Kujang JMFC court had issued non-bailable warrant (NBW) against OSL chief Mahimananda Mishra and firm's Executive Director Basant Bal in connection with the murder. The Police Chief said Mishra was caught with the cooperation of Interpol and the Thailand Police. Mr Singh said a number of criminal cases including murder, attempt to murder and kidnapping cases were pending against Mr Mishra. Both Mr Mishra and Mr Bal had gone to Thailand on a 15-day tourist Visa via Nepal and were staying in a luxury hotel with their family members. He said Police have arrested seven persons so far in connection with the murder. SSPL General Manager Mahendra Swain was murdered on October 26 last at Paradip.. Earlier Police had also issued a lookout circular against Mr Mishra in connection with the murder of Swain. The OSL chief had moved the Odisha High Court seeking anticipatory bail and challenging the lookout circular. However, the court denied interim protection to him. Similarly, police had conducted raid on the house of Bal on November 10 and froze his personal account.UNI BD PS RSA 2212 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1080936.Xml The feud within the the first family of the ruling Samajwadi Party suddenly escalated after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today reportedly sent the names of all 403 candidates of his choice for the upcoming state assembly elections to the party's national president Mulayam Singh Yadav. The development took place this evening when Akhilesh Yadav without prior information met the national president, and handed over the list of candidates. Akhilesh Yadav's main opponent Shivpal Singh Yadav, who happens to be his uncle, had also earlier announced the names of 175 candidates and it is yet to be ascertained whether the Akhilesh's list also includes the same names. Highly placed source within the party and close to Mr Akhilesh Yadav here tonight had confirmed the report of handing over the list. This move could be a part of his effort for a grand alliance in UP with Congress and others. It is also an attempt by Mr Akhilesh Yadav to prove his hold on the party and determination to enforce will, sources within the party hinted. Shivpal Singh Yadav in a tweet said that the ticket distribution would be on the basis of credibility and nothing else. UNI MB PS RSA 2311 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1080954.Xml Munir Hassan Mohammed, 36, of Derby and Rowaida El Hassan, 32, of Willeston Lane, London were remanded in custody by the court, Xinhua news agency reported. Both were charged with engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism and possessing a record of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. Mohammed was also charged with belonging to a proscribed organisation and dissemination of terrorist material. Mohammed and El Hassan were among six people arrested on December 12 in Derby, Burton on Trent and London. The remaining four individuals have since been released without charge. --IANS vgu/ ( 138 Words) 2016-12-25-04:08:13 (IANS) "The Obama administration has carried out an underhanded and an anti-Israel manoeuvre at the UN Security Council," Netanyahu said of the resolution passed by the 15-member body on Friday. The hardline Prime Minister also slammed the motion as "distorted and shameful", Xinhua news agency reported. Israel has recalled its envoys in New Zealand and Senegal, which together with Venezuela and Malaysia, submitted the resolution that was passed by a 14-0 majority. Netanyahu suggested that Israel might sever ties with the UN, saying he had already ordered to cut funds of 30 million shekels ($8 million) to five "exceptionally hostile" UN bodies. The Israeli cabinet has vowed to respond with a full annexation of settlement blocs. The UN vote came in the wake of the Regulation Bill, which the Israeli parliament approved in its first out of three readings almost three weeks ago to legalize Jewish settlements built on occupied Palestinian lands. Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that it welcomed the UN Security Council resolution that demands an end to the Israeli settlement building in occupied Palestinian territories. --IANS vgu/ ( 223 Words) 2016-12-25-04:46:12 (IANS) The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has reportedly agreed to hold a dialogue with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on the four demands put forward by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. According to The Express Tribune, the PML-N used backdoor measures to signal the talks and conveyed the message through a friend of Zardari. The ruling party also said in the message that it does not want to indulge in a political battle with the PPP and wants to negotiate on its demands. Earlier in October, Bilawal demanded that the federal government appoint a full-time foreign minister, form a parliamentary panel on national security, pass the opposition's bill to probe the Panamagate scandal and implement the resolution passed in May last year by an all-parties conference on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and gave the government time till December 27 to accept the demands. According to sources, the PPP has started consultations with senior leaders and most likely the party will show a softer stance toward the PML-N government by not taking to streets as it had earlier threatened. "The PPP's main demand is to stop the political victimisation of its leaders," a senior PPP leader said, adding that Zardari and others leaders are annoyed with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for using paramilitary Rangers and other agencies against the PPP. "Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (PML-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman have also been given the task by the Prime Minister to woo PPP leadership on this issue," sources said. Zardari, who recently returned to the country after an 18-month- long self-imposed exile, yesterday held meetings with the PPP leaders to deliberate different options including talks with the government as well as a possible alliance against it. (ANI) South Korea's special prosecutor investigating a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye said on Sunday it was considering whether to raid the presidential offices and if it did so, it had no choice but to do so publicly.Special prosecutors are investigating allegations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, and aides to pressure big companies to contribute to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives."In case of raiding the Blue House ... to carry out that, there is no choice but to be make it public," Lee Kyu-chul, a spokesman for the special prosecutor's team told reporters in a briefing, referring to the presidential offices."We are still considering whether the raid is needed and if needed what the raid should be aimed at."Park, whose father ruled the country for 18 years after seizing power in a 1961 coup, was indicted in a Dec. 9 parliamentary vote.She has denied wrongdoing but apologised for carelessness in her ties with Choi, who is facing her own trial.Prosecutors have said previously they needed access to the presidential offices as part of their investigation. The office has denied access.Park has immunity from prosecution as long as she is in office even though her powers have been suspended since parliament voted to impeach her.A large crowd of protesters, including about 200 young people dressed as Santa Claus, took to the streets of central Seoul on Saturday for the ninth weekend in a row to demand the immediate resignation of the president.REUTERS CJ NS1326 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1080317.Xml Yesterday's fatal detonation of an explosive by a female militant during a 16-hour police raid gave another example that the new wave of violent extremists in Bangladesh, notably the New Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh outfit, is fielding an unprecedented number of female jihadists, reports the Dhaka Tribune. According to Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) DIG Sanowar, "The woman came out with a girl and blew herself up chanting 'We will go to heaven'." "Neo JMB", an offshoot of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), is inspired by the ideologies of Islamic State. A raid by the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit at a house in Ashkona Purba Para area of Dhaka led to the capture of two female militants and rescue of three children. Two others were killed in the raid - a woman killing herself by detonating a suicide vest and a teenage boy whose cause of death remains unclear. The operation codenamed Ripple 24 was carried out early Saturday after a tip-off that wanted militant Musa was staying in the house. Also, two women - the wife of Major (Retd.) Jahid, allegedly the trainer of Gulshan and Sholakia attackers, and wife of "Neo JMB" leader Maynul Musa - surrendered with two babies. Over the last few months, law enforcers conducted such drives in Kalyanpur, Rupnagar, Azimpur, Savar, Narayanganj, Gazipur and Tangail, killing 26 suspected militants including "Neo JMB" coordinator Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury, thought to be one of the masterminds of the Holey Artisan bakery attack. (ANI) Pope Francis today offered a Christmas hope for peace in a world lacerated by war and terrorism, urging people to remember migrants, refugees and those hit by economic instability caused by "idolatry of money".Francis, marking the fourth Christmas season since his election in 2013, also urged Palestinians and Israelis, facing renewed tension after a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements on occupied land, to have the courage to put aside hate and revenge and "write a new page of history".His traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message was linked by a common thread of war, violence and suffering at a time that should be defined by harmony and peace symbolised by the infant Jesus."Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, which have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities," he told some 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square.Security was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and at the Vatican after Italian police killed the man believed to be responsible for the Berlin market truck attack while other European cities kept forces on high alert."Today this message (of peace) goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace," he said, speaking in Italian from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.He called for peace in Syria, urging immediate assistance to the exhausted population of the city of Aleppo, which Syrian government forces recaptured last week after four years of devastating fighting with rebels."It is time for weapons to be still forever (in Syria), and the international community to actively seek a negotiated solution, so that civil co-existence can be restored in the country," he said.Francis, the first Latin American pope, also said Christmas should inspire everyone to help the less fortunate, including migrants, refugees and those swept up by social and economic upheavals."Peace to the peoples who suffer because of the economic ambitions of the few, because of the sheer greed and the idolatry of money, which leads to slavery," he said.At his Christmas eve Mass yesterday, Francis said the feast had been "taken hostage" by dazzling materialism that puts God in the shadows.Today, he also called for an end to "fundamentalist terrorism" in Nigeria, a reference to Boko Haram, which has killed 15,000 people and displaced more than two million during a seven-year insurgency to create an Islamic state. .Francis further appealed for an end to tensions between the government and opposition in Venezuela, for harmony in Colombia, which recently ended a civil war with FARC guerrillas, and an end to strife on the Korean peninsula and in Myanmar. REUTERS VS PR1729 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1080620.Xml XI'AN, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Two thousand years ago, merchants and caravans began moving between east and west along the Silk Road, trading goods, philosophy and technology. Now a modern Silk Road, rekindling trade and achieving common prosperity, is in the making. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Chinese president Xi Jinping, has gained traction in the last three years, scholars and officials said. "Many projects have been pushed forward under the canopy of the initiative. Dots have been connected to form a big picture that has been envisioned," said Xiang Junyong, a researcher with Renmin University of China who follows the progress of the initiative. "A new Silk Road is being formed, and the main structure has roughly taken shape, through better links between cities along the routes, trade zones, international economic corridors and improved ports," said Xiang. In June, the university published a report on the progress of the initiative, chronicling successes in transportation, pipelines and telecommunication infrastructure, trade expansions, financial and cultural cooperation. Notably among the successes, more than 2,000 train services operate each year between China and European countries, shipping laptops, dinnerware and oil-drilling equipment to Europe and bringing back food, wine and baby formula. "Most countries along the Belt and Road are developing countries eager for better economic performance. By supporting the initiative, we are seeing better economic vitality and regional economic integration," said Fang Aiqing, vice commerce minister of China. NEW VITALITY Global economy is still plagued by problems of weak growth, weak demand with financial fluctuations lurking round each corner. The Belt and Road initiative targets growth and rebalancing global economy, said Fang. Over 30 countries have signed inter-governmental agreements on the initiative with China. From January to August this year, trade along the road exceeded 600 billion U.S. dollars, about 26 percent of China's trade total. Direct investment by Chinese companies was over 10 billion U.S. dollars, commerce ministry statistics show. Contracts were worth over 70 billion U.S. dollars, up 28.3 percent year on year. Projects such as a highway in Pakistan, high-speed railway in Turkey and rail link between Hungary and Serbia, are well under way. China has built 56 economic or trade zones overseas, and created more than 163,000 jobs in Belt and Road countries and regions. Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone in east Thailand is one of the most successful zones. Covering 12 square kilometers, it hosts 80 companies and provides jobs to more than 20,000 workers. "We call it the industrial China town," said Wu Guangyun, vice manager of the industrial park. "The new Silk Road is by no means a private path for China. Rather, it is a grand avenue that accommodates the prosperity of many nations," said Fang. The initiative also encompasses cultural, educational, tourism and archaeological exchanges. "We have the chance to explore ancient tombs in the south of Uzbekistan. I look for more such academic cooperation," said Feng Jian, director of relics protection in Xi'an, a key city along the ancient Silk Road. ANCIENT WISDOM REVISITED He Lifeng is another ministerial official who shares conviction in the rosy future of the new Silk Road. "History can be silent but it never disappears, and it is time to recall past experiences to shape the future," said He, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planning body.x "Global economic recovery in the past few years has been hard and circuitous. International trade and investment are slow, and globalization has met immense challenges," he said. "Faced with the challenges, we need to draw wisdom and beliefs from our ancestors and take action to break the stalemate and make a difference," he said. The ancient silk road turned post houses and small oases into great cities, and brought about exchange among the world's greatest civilizations. "We need to remember that when the ancient road was in its prime, China was a strong and open nation. Through the new Belt and Road initiative, China aims for further opening-up and common prosperity," he said. RABAT, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan King Mohammed VI urged on Saturday the appointed Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane to form the new government, the king's office said in a statement. Nearly three months after the appointment of Benkirane as prime minister for a second term, two of the king's advisers met Saturday with Benkirane and informed him of "the king's concern to see the new government formed as soon as possible." During the talks, the king's advisers also informed Benkirane of "the expectations of the king and all Moroccans regarding the formation of the new government," the statement said. Morocco's parliamentary elections were held on Oct. 7, which led to the Justice and Development party winning for the second time in a row and the reappointment of Benkirane as the prime minister. While Benkirane announced late in October that two political parties have joined his new coalition government, he has been struggling to make a deal with a third party to secure the majority of 395-seat parliament. VALLETTA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The two hijackers who diverted an internal Libyan flight to a Maltese airport are set to appear before a court in Malta on Christmas Day, police source told Xinhua on Saturday. Maltese Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar said earlier on Saturday that police had 48 hours to charge the two hijackers following their arrest on Friday afternoon. The law in Malta states that anyone arrested needs to be either charged within 48 hours or released. The Afriqiyah Airways was hijacked during an internal flight from Sebha to Tripoli by two men who threatened to blow it up. It was diverted to Malta after the hijackers refused to land in Tripoli. The hijacking came to a peaceful conclusion when the two men, identified as Ahmed Ali and Mousa Shada, gave themselves up after releasing 111 passengers and six crew members following a four-hour standoff. The passengers of the hijacked flight return to Libya Saturday morning. Details about the motives of the two hijackers have remained scarce. According to Maltese authorities, it was too early to say if the two men were linked to terrorist groups. Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Friday denied claims that the two men had requested political asylum. Although the hijackers threatened to blow up the plane in mid-flight, it later emerged that the two pistols and grenade in their possession were replica weapons. RABAT, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Morocco had warned Germany against an imminent threat twice before Monday's deadly market attack in Berlin, local media reported Saturday. Citing a high ranking security source, the Moroccan daily Assabah said that the Moroccan security services warned their German counterparts on Sept. 19 and Oct. 11 against a potential terrorist attack by year end. The source revealed that the main suspect, identified as Tunisian national Anis Amri, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group about a year ago and had been plotting the attack with an IS-linked Russian and several other Moroccans since June. Earlier Friday, the Italian government announced that Amri was shot dead by police during a routine patrol in Milan. The suspect opened fire at two police officers who had stopped him for his identification near a train station. Amri was killed and one policeman injured during the shootout. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere confirmed Friday the death of Anis Amri, who drove a truck into a crowded Christmas market on Monday, killing 12 and wounding 48 others. MANILA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people were wounded in a grenade attack in the southern Philippines late Saturday night, police and news report said. Police said unidentified men lobbed a grenade around 9:45 p.m. at a crowd attending a Christmas eve mass in Midsayap town, North Cotabato. Police said the mass was abruptly ended, adding that churchgoers fled the scene after the attack. Police said the victims suffered minor injuries, except for one who was critically wounded. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Gaber Nassar, Cairo University's president, receives an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Cairo, Egypt on Dec.22, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) by Mahmoud Fouly CAIRO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- A university's basic role is to educate, not to provide job opportunities, and free higher education should not be generalized but should be based on a student's financial situation, Cairo University's president told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. "We need to break the connection between education and employment. A university only teaches, while the labor market may need extra qualifications. A good university prepares its graduates to create job opportunities for themselves," Gaber Nassar explained, noting the government has already eight million employees serving the 90-million population. Cairo University chief argued that the misconception linking education with employment intensifies demand on higher education and shortage of technical education graduates, stressing that government employment of higher education would burden the state. Nassar said that there's no ultimate free of charge higher education and that it should be free only for students who deserve it. "For example, 25 to 40 percent of university students in five faculties in Cairo University paid from 25,000 to 200,000 pounds in private language high schools and later got free higher education," Nassar lamented, noting that the free education system should be adjusted based on students' financial situation, the business of their parents, their standard of living, etc. As for Cairo University's world ranking, Nassar said it is satisfactory given the difficult situation the country has been going through over the past six years of political turmoil that witnessed the ouster of two heads of state. "The strongest and most objective of the four world rankings is China's Shanghai ranking, where we moved from 470 to 401. Meanwhile, we moved from 1,299 to around 501 in Spanish Webometrics ranking and we came 551 out of 800 in British QS ranking," he said. He explained that Cairo University joins the race while already lacking about 30 percent of the required criteria due to the large number of students, citing that China's Peking University has seven faculties with about 15,000 students whose equivalents in Cairo University have 200,000 students. Nassar banned wearing the niqab (face-covering veil) among the teaching staff based on "scientific considerations" that a communication-based teaching process cannot be done with a face-covered teacher. "When we banned the niqab among professors, it started to disappear among students," Nassar boasted, adding that he limits extremist thoughts among students via artistic, cultural and reading activities as well as merging some 500 classrooms and offices used for prayer in campus into one mosque with one imam from the ministry of religious endowments. "We hold classy concerts at the university's 5,000 seat theater with renowned musicians, we start a reading initiative via a library offering gifts and rewards, and we are studying the establishment of a cinema inside the campus for educational purposes, copying world top universities," he told Xinhua. Nassar urged a cabinet structural reform to merge the country's over 30 ministries into 15 as extra unnecessary ministries cost money and time while the state is going through austerity, wondering why having a ministry for higher education and another for education. "This is bureaucracy and waste of money, while the country's economic conditions require austerity. Ministries should be merged so that an average citizen can feel that the burdens of economic reform are distributed among all, including the government," the top professor argued. Nassar came to office in 2013 when the university was in debt, and now the university has 2.6 billion Egyptian pounds (about 138 million U.S. dollars) in its bank account through transparent financial and administrative reform and development of research and production units. "We enlarged scientific research budget from 23 million pounds (about 1.2 million dollars) in 2013 to 480 million pounds (about 25 million dollars) in 2016. We started to gain funds from our partnerships with many institutions around the world," Nassar pointed out, noting that his university jointly registered 18 international patents in nanotechnology fields with partners in Europe and the United States in the past two years. With regards to cooperation with China, Nassar described China's educational experience as "inspiring," noting he visited Peking University in August and got acquainted with many aspects of this experience. "Over the past 25 years, China managed to develop the mechanisms of higher education at its universities. The exchanging academic visits and the cooperation between Cairo University and Chinese universities are so important and really flourishing," Cairo University chief told Xinhua. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa (C), apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, takes part in the Christmas Eve celebrations on December 24, 2016 outside the Church of the Nativity, revered as the site of Jesus Christ's birth, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem. (AFP/Xinhua) by Osama Radi, Emad Drimly, Saud Abu Ramadan GAZA/RAMALLAH, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Friday's overwhelming vote in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in favor of a resolution that condemns Israeli settlement in the Palestinian territories was a great victory for the Palestinian diplomacy, according to analysts. They believe that the new 2334 resolution, which gained 14 votes in favor and one sustained, during a UNSC special session held in New York, would encourage the Palestinians to go for another step forward to sue Israel at international courts and agencies. The voting on the resolution was made upon the request of four member states; Venezuela, Senegal, Malaysia and New Zealand, just 24 hours after Egypt, which leads the Arabs group, suddenly decided to withdraw an anti-settlement resolution it intended to submit to the UN Security Council on Thursday. "The vote in favor of the resolution is a victory to the Palestinian diplomatic policy and to the policy of President Mahmoud Abbas," said Nabil Abu Rdeinah, Palestinian presidential spokesperson, adding that "It empowers the vision of the two-state solution and condemns all the measures that Israel has introduced on the Palestinian lands." Ahmed Rafiq Awad, the Ramallah-based political analyst and writer, told Xinhua that there is no doubt that the resolution "was a great diplomatic victory for the Palestinians, and was made amid a severe imbalance of power with Israel that has been going on for several years. "The resolution is considered a historic victory for the Palestinians because it came after 37 years since the last resolution has been made by the UNSC against the Israeli settlement," said Awad, adding "the resolution also called on Israel to necessarily halt settlement." The analyst also said that the overwhelming vote in the UNSC "means a lot for the Palestinians, because they don't have the proper tools for confronting settlements, but only through international agencies." He said the Palestinians have wagered a lot on presenting the anti-settlement bit to the UNSC before current U.S. President Barack Obama leaves the White House. "I believe the Palestinians succeeded in this issue," he said. The Israeli settlement construction is one of the major thorny issues in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, and it was the main reason for halting the U.S.-sponsored peace negotiations that went on for nine months and stopped in April 2014. Hani el-Masri, the Ramallah-based political analyst, told Xinhua the vote in favor of the resolution and the fact that the United States didn't veto it "indicates that the Palestinian cause is a just cause," adding "the resolution is politically and legally important, and the Palestinians can develop its future strategy on it." "The Palestinian future strategy must depend on various angels based on changing the track of struggle," said al-Masri, adding "the Palestinian struggle should also continue with all means against settlement." The Palestinians had repeatedly asserted that the current Israeli settlement activities would undermine the U.S.-backed two-state vision and make it useless. They also declared that the ongoing settlement would encourage Israel to annex the West Bank in the future. Settlement and its expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have besieged the Palestinians and kept them living in isolated cantons. Israel is controlling around 60 percent of the territory and there are near 500 settlement posts and military bases, according to official Palestinian figures. The resolution may not have immediate practical ramifications, but it could open the door to lawsuits against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and for sanctions to be imposed on Israel -- both by the UN and by individual countries. In April 2015, Palestine officially became a full member in the ICC, and the Palestinians moved the file of Israeli settlement expansion to the court. The UNSC resolution would encourage the Palestinians to knock the doors of the ICC again. Sallah Abdul Aatti, a Gaza-based analyst and rights activist, told Xinhua that the UNSC resolution "is an exceptional aid to the Palestinian efforts to sue Israel in the international court to force it to stop or freeze its settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. However, he said that although the resolution "is great and encouraging, but it didn't put a mechanism or a timetable for freezing Israeli settlement," adding "instead, the Security Council brought the question back to the bilateral negotiations and implement the roadmap peace plan to deal with the issue." Abdul Aatti also noted that the resolution didn't include the seventh provision that calls for imposing economic sanctions on Israel, adding that the resolution is non-binding for Israel. "I believe that the UNSC resolution was a tactic more than being an applicable resolution," said the Gaza analyst, adding "the international community is still wanting to give the conflicting parties in the Middle East another opportunity for resuming the stalled peace process." A man dressed as Santa Claus ice skates at The Rink At Rockefeller Center on Christmas Eve in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., December 24, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly By Xinhua writer Yang Shilong NEW YORK, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Americans remain split on whether one should say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy holidays" in the annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ though the December holiday is increasingly secular over the years. "I say 'Happy Holidays'!" Michael C.Munger, a Director Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program, Department of Political Science, Duke University, emailed back to this Xinhua reporter when asked which way of greetings he prefers. "Christmas is so secular that there is not much difference." Munger added. "People object to the 'War on Christmas.' But it's a religious holiday and the U.S. is a secular state, according to the Constitution." The renown political science professor is among nearly the half Americans who favor more general "Happy Holidays" which lumps in other winter festivals including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve. The country's opinion is almost divided evenly in deciding whether stores and businesses should greet customers with "Merry Christmas" or something that is not faith specific, according to a recent poll by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). Forty-seven percent of Americans say stores and other businesses should use "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" out of respect for people of non-Christian faiths, while 46 percent say they should not, the poll said. Those results have not changed much since 2010, when those numbers were 44 percent and 49 percent, respectively. Americans'answers also reveal divides by religion, politics and age. Two-thirds of young adults say "Happy Holidays" is best; whereas, a majority of seniors prefer "Merry Christmas." A majority of white Evangelical Protestants and Catholics prefer "Merry Christmas," but a majority of the religiously unaffiliated and nonwhite Protestants say "Happy Holidays" is better. Republicans and Democrats also are split with 67 percent of GOP supporters picking "Merry Christmas" and 66 percent of Democrats siding with "Happy Holidays". For most of the U.S. history, most Americans say "Merry Christmas," with perhaps a "Season's greetings" thrown in sometimes, said Canadian historian Gerry Bowler, who just published his third book about the history of Christmas. U.S. presidents helped start the "Happy holidays" trend by sending out annual holiday cards with nonreligious messages, Bowler said. Dwight Eisenhower had mailed non-denominational cards in the 1950s and "Happy holidays" enjoyed a brief and happy reign in 1990s in the U.S., more or less uncontested as the country's corporate greeting of choice. The growing popularity of "happy holidays" has been derided as an attack on Christmas since Mid-2000s when John Gibson's book --"The War on Christmas: How the Liberal Plot to Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday is Worse Than You Thought" -- played right into the fears of many of the country's conservatives who see a broader persecution of Christians in America and political correctness run amok. While Christmas is observed by the vast majority of Americans, an increasing number of people do not celebrate the December holiday as religious, according to the PRRI poll, In 2005, 19 percent said it was not too religious compared to 27 percent this year. Age, political affiliation and religious affiliation are factors in whether Christmas is celebrated as a cultural holiday or a religious one. However, the "War on Christmas" seems a bit more pitched than usual this year thanks to a powerful ally -- President-elect Donald Trump. "We're all going to be saying 'Merry Christmas'," "If I'm president, you're going to see 'Merry Christmas' in department stores, believe me," Trump has said during his campaign. "The 'War on Christmas' helps illustrate the cultural divide that was key to the 2016 election. Trump's emphasis on cultural threat, including his calls for people to say 'Merry Christmas', tapped into existing Republican angst, which heightened white evangelical concerns and mobilized support in largely white Midwestern states," Paul A. Djupe, associate professor of political science at Denison University and Andrew R. Lewis, assistant professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati, said in their recent article titled "Where To Say 'Merry Christmas' vs.'Happy Holidays' - 2016 Edition." "The corresponding backlash from the left helps explain why more Democrats, secular people and Westerners grew in their preference for 'happy holidays.' As the 'War on Christmas' becomes increasingly political, perhaps we will see more Christmas skirmishes in the next few years," they concluded. For U.S. retailers, however, it might not be a hard choice as reams of sophisticated consumer research showed that "Merry Christmas" is rarely the best way to sell the most stuff around the holidays. "To say that you're only going to recognize one segment of your audience to the exclusion of others is not only bad socially and culturally, it is bad economically. You're limiting your audience and your customer base," said John Boiler,chief executive of 72andSunny, a Los Angeles ad agency that made Christmas ads this year for Target, Google, Comcast and Starbucks, in a story carried by the Chicago Tribune. "You're going to make the choice that is more inclusive - if you're also into making the most money for your shareholders," said Boiler, who is single-handedly responsible for much of the corporate Christmas messaging in the country. RABAT, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan security services have busted 19 terrorist cells since the beginning of 2016, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) said on Saturday. Director of the BCIJ Abdelhak Khiame told the press that the dismantlement of these cells have led to the arrest of 273 suspects. He said Morocco busted in 2015 a total of 21 terror cells and arrested 275 suspects. The BCIJ has arrested 47 individuals who returned to Morocco from the Islamic State (IS) group controlled areas, including 39 came from IS ranks in the Syrian-Iraqi territories and 8 others from Libya, he said. The security official underlined that since 2002, 167 cells have been dismantled, 46 of which were closely linked to groups active in IS conflict zones. During the same period, a total of 341 terrorist attempts have been foiled by Moroccan security services and 2,963 individuals were arrested and brought to justice, he added. This file photo taken on December 09, 2016 shows a Palestinian protestor in front of the Israeli settlement of Qadumim (Kedumim) during clashes with Israeli security forces following a demonstration against the expropriation of Palestinian land by Israel in the village of Kfar Qaddum, near Nablus, in the occupied West Bank. (AFP/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed at the Obama administration on Saturday, after a U.S. abstention in a UN vote that passed a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement construction. "The Obama administration has carried out an underhanded and an anti-Israel maneuver at the United Nations Security Council," Netanyahu said of the resolution passed by the 15-member body on Friday. The hardline prime minister also slammed the motion as "distorted and shameful." Israel has recalled its envoys in New Zealand and Senegal, which, together with Venezuela and Malaysia, submitted the resolution that was passed by a 14-0 majority. Netanyahu suggested that Israel might sever ties with the United Nations, saying he had already ordered to cut funds of 30 million shekels (8 million U.S. dollars) to five "exceptionally hostile" UN bodies. "There isn't a greater absurdity than calling the Western Wall an 'occupied territory'," Netanyahu said of the site in East Jerusalem, a territory that Israel seized in 1967 and the Palestinians see as their future capital. The Israeli cabinet has vowed to respond with a full annexation of settlement blocs. The UN vote came in the wake of the Regulation Bill, which the Israeli parliament approved in its first out of three readings almost three weeks ago to legalize Jewish settlements built on occupied Palestinian lands. The motion demands Israel "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem." It states that the building of settlements by Israel has "no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law." The United States, Israel's closest ally, traditionally protects Israel from such motions. B'Tselem, one of Israel's largest human rights organizations, welcomed the resolution. "Today's United Nations Security Council resolution reaffirms international consensus that Israel's settlements are illegal and harm Palestinian human rights," the group said in a statement. "It is not an 'anti-Israeli' resolution, but a balanced one, which rejects the occupation, not Israel," the statement read, adding that the group expects further international measures "for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians." About 500,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, lands that Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast War and has been controlling them ever since, despite international condemnations. The Palestinians wish to build their future state on these lands. The U.S. officially opposes the settlements and considers them as an obstacle to peace. The settlements are illegal under international law. CAIRO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Arab world received Friday's endorsed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution demanding immediate and complete halt of Israeli settlement activities on occupied Palestinian territories. Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit congratulated the Palestinian people and government on the "pivotal" resolution that was endorsed by a large majority and after more than 35 years of attempts to issue a similar resolution. "The resolution reflects massive international support for the historical struggle of the Palestinian people to get their legitimate rights, atop of which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital," said the AL chief in a statement Saturday. The resolution was endorsed Friday by 14 out of the council's 15 member states, while the United States, Israel's biggest ally, abstained but did not veto despite attempts of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Egypt, which initially proposed the draft resolution, attempted to delay the whole vote on the resolution, which was seen as response to pressure from Trump, yet the Egyptian foreign ministry later explained that the requested delay was only meant to make sure veto right will not be exercised against the resolution. The draft resolution was later on Friday resubmitted by New Zealand, Venezuela, Malaysia and Senegal and it was massively endorsed. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, also Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), thanked in a phone call on Saturday Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry for Egypt's vote in favor of the resolution. "Erekat reiterated confidence of the Palestinian people in Egypt due to its care and defense of the Palestinian cause," said the Egyptian foreign ministry in a statement. The spokesman of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hailed the adoption of the resolution as a "day of victory," and described it as "a blow to the Israeli policy." Earlier in December, the Knesset, Israel's parliament, has initially approved a couple of controversial pro-settlement bills that are meant to retroactively legalize about 4,000 settlement homes as well as unauthorized Israeli outposts and to allow expropriation of more Palestinian lands in the West Bank. Over 400,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the West Bank and at least 200,000 others live in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as the capital city of their future state. The Arab Parliament also hailed in a statement Saturday the UN anti-settlement vote and regarded it as "a step on the way of returning the rights of the oppressed Palestinian people who started to yield the fruits of their struggle." The Arab Parliament's chief Meshal al-Sulami called on the UNSC to pressure Israel to implement the resolution as well as the rest of UN relevant resolutions to achieve the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The resolution was also praised by many Arab states including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Sudan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Yemen and others, mostly describing it as "historic." Among non-Arabs, the anti-settlement resolution was welcomed by regional powers such as Turkey and Iran, several bodies including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Amnesty International, and world figures including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Israel is blamed by the international community for the deadlock of the Middle East peace process due to its settlement expansion policy that is rejected even by the United States. Supported by the United States, Russia, China, the European Union and many others, a UN-sponsored two-state solution seeks to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict via the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. ANKARA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The latest round of Turkish-Pakistani free trade talks have finished and substantial progress were achieved on tariff lines proposed for concessions by both sides, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Saturday. "Both sides undertook discussions on agreements on goods, services and investment. Considerable progress was made during the talks on all these agreements," Pakistan's embassy in Turkey said in a statement. The fifth round Turkish-Pakistani free trade talks were held in Turkey's capital Ankara on Dec. 21-23, in which both senior representatives from trade, industry and commerce took part. Negotiations over the deal were launched by then Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during the latter's visit to Turkey in October 2015. Then Turkish Economy Minister Mustafa Elitas and Pakistani Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan inked the free trade agreement framework in Islamabad this March. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached around 600 million U.S. dollars last year, including 289 million U.S. dollars in imports from Turkey. JERUSALEM, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israel canceled Saturday a scheduled visit by Ukraine Prime Minister Volodymyr Borysovych Groysman, a day after his country supported a UN resolution to end the settlements, Israeli media reported. The reports cited Israeli officials who confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was Ukraine's vote in favor of a proposal in the United Nations Security Council that urges halt to end the expansion of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. According to the officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered to cancel the visit. The vote, passed by a 14-0 majority, with the United States abstains, demands Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem." It states that the building of settlements by Israel has "no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law." Israel reacted furiously, immediately rejecting the motion and slamming it as an "anti-Israeli" move. Israel already called back its envoys in New Zealand and Senegal, which together with Venezuela and Malaysia proposed the resolution. On Saturday night, Netanyahu said Israel will reassess its ties with the UN, noting that he already ordered to cut 30 million shekels (about 8 million U.S. dollars) in funding to five "especially hostile" UN bodies. "I instructed the foreign ministry to complete within a month a re-evaluation of all our contacts with the United Nations, including the Israeli funding of UN institutions and the presence of UN representatives in Israel," he said in a broadcast address to the nation. The U.S., Israel's closest ally, traditionally protects Israel from such motions. On Friday, it abstained despite heavy pressures by Israel and President-elect Donald Trump for Washington to use its veto. The move came in the wake of the Regulation Bill, which the parliament approved in first out of three readings in the beginning of the month. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition supports the bill. About 500,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, lands that Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast War and has been controlling them ever since, despite international condemnations. The Palestinians wish to build their future state in these lands. The U.S. officially opposes the settlements and considers them as an obstacle to peace. The settlements are illegal under international law. LISBON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Saturday called on the Portuguese not to forget those people in war-torn areas during the Christmas holiday season. "Tomorrow and until the Kings Day, when Portuguese families get together, I ask them not to forget those who have no families and those who cannot be with their families. And not to forget peace in the world," he said at the palace in Belem, Lisbon, adding "there are many Aleppos in the world that one talks about," referring to Syria's war-torn largest city. After receiving the Catholic Organization Portugal Caritas, Rebelo de Sousa asked its president to light a candle for world peace. "To have you here with that flame of peace is very important because that is the peace we want every day," Rebelo de Sousa said. BETHLEHEM, West Bank, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday the United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 that condemned Israeli settlement in Palestine confirms the legal foundations for a solution to the conflict in the Middle East. Abbas' remarks, which were published by the official Palestinian News Agency WAFA, were made during a dinner held in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on the occasion of Christmas. "The voting in favor of the resolution hasn't resolved the Palestinian cause, but defined it," said Abbas, according to WAFA, adding "the resolution stressed on the legal basics for a solution and reiterated that Israeli settlement is illegal." The voting on the resolution was made upon the request of Venezuela, Senegal, Malaysia and New Zealand, just 24 hours after Egypt, which leads the Arab group in the UNSC, suddenly asked to postpone the voting. "The world said its word that settlement in the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, is illegal," said Abbas, referring to the 14 state members of the Security Council who voted in favor of the resolution. Abbas called on Israel "to sit together on the negotiation table to discuss all the outstanding issues between us and resolve it with good intensions," adding that "we are neighbors on this holy land and we want peace." "You (Israel) have your state, and we can have our state, and then we can live side-by-side in peace and security," said Abbas, according to WAFA report, adding "If you accept, then there are 57 Arab and Islamic countries will be ready to recognize you (Israel)." Earlier on Saturday, Abbas stated that the message of the countries who voted in favor of the UNSC resolution says that the Palestinian people are not alone in confronting injustice and colonization. "We are extending our hands for peace and we hope that the international conference for peace in the Middle East, which will be held in Paris in January, will make the year 2017 a year of ending the Israeli occupation," said Abbas. ALEPPO, Syria, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Rolling his wheelchair through the rubble-strewn crossing of Bustan al-Qasr into the former rebel-held eastern Aleppo, 53-year-old Bakri Maruf was fearless, unlike the first time he crossed through the same area three years ago, when shrapnels sliced through his legs and placed him in his wheelchair. "I was hoping I could cross back into eastern Aleppo on my feet, but because of my condition I couldn't, but I am happy anyway because I will take a look at my house in the Mashad neighborhood," he told Xinhua, as his son was walking beside him to help him. Maruf is one of thousands of people who have started returning to check on their homes in eastern Aleppo city in northern Syria, after the army declared its control over the entire city, following the withdrawal of the last rebel groups on Friday. Bustan al-Qasr was the main crossing between the former rebel-held areas in the east and the government-controlled ones in the western part of the city. The crossing was so important for the residents of Aleppo who used to cross back and forth between both parts of the city to visit their relatives or attend to their jobs, or schools. The wreckage of two buses sandbags had been used at the entrance of the crossing, which was a lifeline to both part of the city, especially when the rebels besieged the government side of Aleppo in 2012, the same year eastern Aleppo fell under the rebel control. At the time, the checkpoint was controlled by a group of rogue rebel groups who tried to extort money from the war-weary people using it. But with the recent military offensive in Aleppo, which has seen the evacuation of the rebels and their families from the eastern part of the city, the notion of eastern Aleppo and western Aleppo was over. It's one now, according to pro-government activists from Aleppo who want to see the city back as one again. Government trucks were quick to start removing the sandbags and the wreckages of buses blocking the crossings or streets between both parts of the city, which facilitate the flow of civilians, who had fled eastern Aleppo for a long time, to return to check on their homes. "I was afraid to not live the day when I return to my home, and even though it could be destroyed, my son will rebuild it one day, I am confident of that," said Maruf. On another part of the crossing, Foad Hilwani, a 38-year-old taxi driver, said he had been a merchant working with his father for 12 years ahead of the beginning of the crisis in 2011, which deprived him of his business. "When the war reached Aleppo, my business was negatively affected, and I finally lost my shop in the Bab al-Faraj area," he told Xinhua. Hilwani wished to return to his previous profession as a trader, as he expressed dismay with his current job. "I can't be a taxi driver forever, because I hate this job, so I need to return to my shop and home," he said. For her part, Suad Mazaneh, a 26-year-old mother of one child, said she was crossing back to eastern Aleppo to check her home in Zibdiyeh neighborhood. "I want to return home, to repair it and raise my kid there, to teach him the history of Aleppo and how beautiful this city is," she hoped. Mazaneh said that "now we can cross back and forth through Bustan al-Qasr, and the good part is that there is no more eastern or western Aleppo, now it's one and we are free again to go wherever we want without checkpoints between both sides of the city." The people in Aleppo in general has taken a breath after the eastern part of the city was emptied of rebels, as 35,000 people, including 5,000 rebels, have been evacuated during a week-long operation brokered by Russia and Turkey. Now, the entire city is under the government control, but the amount of destruction is so huge. Muhammad Hmaish, the chairman of Aleppo governorate council, said Saturday that over 10,760 civilians have been killed and 50,000 others wounded by the rebel mortar shelling on western Aleppo since 2012. Hmaish said the destruction that has befallen the city of Aleppo is estimated at 800 billion Syrian pounds, roughly 1.6 billion U.S. dollars. He added that the industrial wheel will return to the city, Syria's largest and once economic hub. U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's appointees are seen in this combination image. Top row (L-R) Gary Cohn, appointed National Economic Council Director, Nikki Haley, appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Steven Mnuchin, appointed Treasury Secretary, Linda McMahon, appointed Small Business Administration Administrator, Rex Tillerson, appointed Secretary of State. Bottom Row (L-R) Michael Flynn, appointed National Security Advisor, Reince Priebus, appointed White House Chief of Staff, Elaine Chao, appointed Transportation secretary, Andrew Puzder, appointed Labor Secretary, Stephen Bannon, appointed Chief White House Strategist, Senior Counselor. REUTERS/Files By Matthew Rusling WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- President-elect Donald Trump is spurring controversy by appointing several billionaires to his cabinet, sparking criticism from media and pundits that these industry titans will be on the side of the wealthy and forget about their working class supporters. Trump shocked the world last month by clinching the White House after the vast majority of pundits, polls and experts predicted he would lose. Trump won mostly with the support of white, working class Americans, many of whom have been left behind in an economy that has not fully recovered from the 2007-2008 economic nose dive. As the brash businessman prepares to take office, he is busy putting together a cabinet that includes a few billionaires, including now former Exxon CEO and incoming secretary of state Rex Tillerson. "I think there is some legitimate criticism about billionaires in the cabinet and their views of economic and business policies-especially regulatory protections, market mechanisms and transparency, etc," Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, told Xinhua. "But for the working class voter, it is worth noting that much of the anger isn't directed at the wealthy per se, but at the professional and political classes... There is still respect for wealthy individuals, including Trump, because they are seen as successes in their fields," he said. However, others have noted that many in Trump's cabinet, while industry giants, have no diplomatic experience. An argument has ensued in U.S. media over whether those with no experience in government - despite being big names in business - will be successful in their new role. "I certainly don't want to discount the importance of business experience as part of a cabinet secretary's skill set, and many successful business leaders have been able to make significant reforms and have an outsized impact on government because of their business experience," Mahaffee said. "Still it is worth noting how these cabinet members will be able to adapt to the slower pace and peculiarities of government, where much more has to be done through consensus and proper procedure rather than the pace they are used to as a business executive," Mahaffee said. "With regards to Tillerson specifically, I think there is a mindset among the Trump team and Trump supporters that is important to note...In their mindset, traditional diplomats have seemed quite adept at dealing with things like UN General Assemblies, conferences in Paris, and the Geneva cocktail party circuit. However, in the worldview of Trump and his team, global policy is not being driven by these traditional institutions, but by the actions of leaders like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," he said. "It is just one part of a greater emphasis by the Trump team on a world where it'll be less about traditional diplomacy and more the transactional relationship between great powers and regional powers," he said. Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua the problem for Trump is not billionaires in his cabinet but the policies they are proposing. "Most of the proposals being floated are tilted to the rich. Half of the benefits of his tax cut will accrue to the top one percent. Working people will be surprised they won't get more from him, because he campaigned against the establishment," West said. "Since his policies are more likely to help the well-to-do than ordinary folks, this will be a rude surprise for people who voted for him. When they realize what he is doing, it will undermine his political support," he said. Still, Trump has vowed to roll back the avalanche of regulations - more than 600 since President Barack Obama took office - that many believe have stunted economic growth. That, Trump believes, will unleash the power of the U.S. economy and rev up small businesses, enabling them to start hiring again instead of spending many hours and much money on dealing with regulations. Trump has vowed to cut corporate taxes from the current top rate of 35 percent - the highest in the developed world - to 15 percent. Small businesses would also pay 15 percent, as long as the profits are re-invested into the company. Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, told Xinhua that being a businessman does not always mean being a great political official. "There are many examples like Robert McNamara, who saw that their business acumen didn't translate into successful politics," he said, referring to the former secretary of defense who played a major role in escalating the U.S. war in Vietnam. "It is different," Zelizer said, comparing the two roles. "You are working for an elected government and responsible to an electorate, you are dealing with the political pressures within other countries, and you are not simply making economic decisions," he said. "Ideology, culture, politics and much more all must be considered," Zelizer said. West said many of the business people Trump has put on his cabinet have had successful backgrounds and have built tremendous value for their companies. "The major question about them is will they be effective in government. Many private sector people have difficulty adjusting to government life because it is a very different structure," he said. "It is harder to get things done because you can't just order people to do things and then see them automatically implemented. That will be a big surprise for many of the corporate leaders," he said. "The lack of diplomatic experience is a problem because they won't have the experience to resolve diplomatic issues," he said. "It is different running an international company from dealing with foreign policy. You need to know the right people in government and how to navigate local sensitivities all around the world," he said. Enditem People wearing Christmas hats look in a shop window on Fifth Avenue during a busy shopping day in Manhattan, New York City, U.S. December 17, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs by BETTY L. MARTIN HOUSTON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The amount Houston residents spend to deck the halls, gift family and friends, and purchase food for the Dec. 25 Christmas feast this year will be slightly less or no change from last year's, say a varied group of seasonal consumers intent on making merry despite a Texas economy recovering sluggishly from the oil market recession. Joshua Wingards' a two-paycheck income totalling about 100,000 U.S. dollars and savvy savings. Wingard, a technician for AT&T and his dental-assistant wife plan to spend about half -- 150 to 200 U.S. dollars -- for each of their children, a 6-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter, and various neices and nephews. "I've been fairly good at saving money, although our budget has been a lot tighter then in previous years," Wingard said. "Previously, we would buy gifts for every member of our family, however this year we're focusing on just the children and forgoing any sort of large or expensive gifts for adults. Where we might have spent around 500 (U.S. dollars) total for various gifts for (older) family members, this year it will be kept closer to 100 to 150 (U.S. dollars)." The Wingards' holiday spending is on track with Americans across the United States, according to a 2015 study by Avant Credit that puts the average amount spent on Christmas per family at 1,779 U.S. dollars. The national independent research firm Macroeconomic Advisors predicts consumer spending this year will push holiday sales to 3.5 percent above last year's, a few tenths below the nearly 4 percent average annual increase in Christmas sales from 2010-2015. The National Retail Federation suggests 2016 spending likely will be higher, judging by 2015's retail sales increase of 4.6 percent -- for a spending total of 616.1 billion U.S. dollars -- from the previous year to mark the highest holiday spending record in the United States since 2011. That 2015 figure did not include non-store holiday sales, an indicator of online and e-commerce sales, which grew 6.8 percent to a 101.9 billion U.S. dollar total. While the city of Houston will not receive a certified count of the 2016 Christmas sales until February, senior vice president for research and regional economist Patrick Jankowski at the Greater Houston Partnership, which works to promote the country's fourth largest city, predicts better Christmases now and ahead for the area. "The worst is behind us," Jankowski said, referring to the oil slump and the slow recovery of the job market. "When people are employed and feel more secure about the economy, they open their wallets." According to Avant Credit's 2015 study, more than half of Americans -- 58.8 percent -- wait for the biggest Christmas sales before purchasing, then mostly buy clothing and accessories, while 22.8 percent get electronic items. The most popular gift cited by the Avant study are gift cards for restaurants or department stores, and 66 percent get an early start on gift-giving or purchasing merchandise for themselves by shopping the after-Christmas sales. Born in Lebanon, a retired U.S. oil executive and successful investor in real estate and other holdings, 73-year-old Emile Nassar celebrates Christmas as his family's own personal Santa Claus despite fluxuations in the Texas or U.S. economy. "My Christmas, traditionally, has been the same for almost 40 years. I give money to my ex-wife, my son and all of my seven nieces and nephews and to my nine grand nieces and nephews," Nassar said. "Typically, I give about 3,000 (U.S. dollars). I give my immediate family, here in Houston, a personal Christmas letter enclosed with money so they can go shopping. I learned over 45 years ago they prefer to do their own shopping as my taste is very different from theirs. This has worked out very all of these years." This year's celebration may not be as lavish as previous years for Sharon Mellow, who is studying to be a real estate agent after working in a 60,000 U.S. dollars travel sales job. She is also mother of a 24-year-old son recently returned to cruise-ship cook's position after months of short-term disability following a work-related injury. "We're middle class, no savings. This year, the Christmas celebrations switched from my house to my mom's house," said Mellow, 53, a descendant of Anglo European settlers. Supplemented with monthly income from leasing her home, Mellow is determined to keep Christmas spending on par with last year's. She estimated she will again spend about 300 U.S. dollars for gifts and about 120 U.S. dollars for food. Mellow has tripled her budget for decorating her mother's home for the holidays, both inside and out, to 300 U.S. dollars this year. Each Christmas season, one of the most decorated houses in Houston's Memorial neighborhood, inside and outside, is that of Scottish descendent Robert Cummings, 62, a resperatory therapist for 24 years, and his Native American wife Brinder, who coordinates national motorcycle rallies. They celebrate their ethnic cultures as part of the traditional season with their grandchildren, ages 7, 11, 15 and 18. Cummings estimates that his original decorations decades ago cost about 150 U.S. dollars, to which he keeps adding about 20 U.S. dollars in new decorations each year. Food and beverages for Christmas Eve and the day itself set his household back about 200 U.S. dollars, but his big ticket category are the presents for Brinder and the grandchildren, for which he spends more than 300 U.S. dollars. High-school student Sarah Bryant, 17, saves the cash and checks she receives on her birthday to spend for Christmas gifts, which total about 150 U.S. dollars each year. Presents, she said, are just a small part of what she tries to give during the Christmas season. "I decorate the tree and all the inside decorations," Bryant said."We have a nativity scene and hang up stockings, with little Santa statues here and there. Our tree is tall, to the ceiling, and we decorate it with blue, red and green lights with ornaments of all different colors on its branches." She sings Christmas songs with her high school choir and each year, she partakes the family tradition kept by the family's women honoring their Mexican roots by making tamales for Christmas dinner. "It's a fun thing to do all together with me, my mom, sister, both grandmas, my aunt and her daughter," Bryant said. Other families were also quick to point out that the quality of Christmas is not about how much is spent. "I definitely look forward to time off from work (and) quality time I'm able to spend with family has become very valuable to me," Wingard said. "The receiving of gifts is far less important then just having some time to recharge my batteries with the people I love." Nassar said the essential part of Christmas is being with his family in Houston and at his son's home in Louisiana. "We dine together and I have the pleasure of watching everyone -- especially the young children -- opening their gifts," Nassar said. "We have a tremendous family bond with a lot of love." Mellow said it just wouldn't be Christmas without neighbors and friends coming by to share the edible and drinkable goodies and enjoy the popular seasonal film "A Christmas Story." "Our family enjoys the food, baking and decorations," Mellow said. "In the years past, we gave more gifts, but as we get older it becomes less about the gifts and more about the celebration of the day." For Cummings, it's all about friends and family, for the dozen or more people who come to the Cummings' Christmas Eve party every year to enjoy the heirloom decorations, Christmas and Celtic music and beverages including meade, as well as the nine family members who sit around the Christmas table to devour the home-cooked feast the next day. "It's a traditional family Christmas," Cummings said. "With just a mix of the pagan Yule spirit." Blue Mountains Vineyards Bottles of Blue Mountain Vineyards wine can be seen in a corner of Brown's ShopRite East Norriton. The move to grocery stores is a big reason that winery will close three of its outlets effective Jan. 1, 2017. (Facebook) Act 39 not only was a game-changer for consumers wanting more convenience and accessibility for their wine purchases but also for Pennsylvania wine producers. The fallout from the liquor reform bill, one of the most significant to pass the state legislature in 2016, is only beginning and no doubt will continue through next year, in many forms. Pa. wine distribution up until this year has been limited, extended beyond the home winery largely by satellite shops (and they only were allowed six total), festivals and restaurants. The law changed that dramatically, as grocery stores around the state began adding Pa. wine to their shelves and wineries were permitted to start shipping directly to consumers. That is reducing the need for the satellite shops, an impact that's reflected in Blue Mountain Vineyards' decision announced Friday to close its retail stores in Exton Square Mall, Hershey Giant and Willow Grove Giant on Jan. 1. The winery is based in New Tripoli, in Lehigh County. No one has said so officially, but that would seem likely to start a trend across the state as wineries shift their inventory to regional supermarkets. Owners Joe and Vickie Greff explained the move in an email to its customers. "As many of you may know, recent changes in Pennsylvania law have allowed for our wines to be readily available for purchase through supermarkets and take-out distributors," they wrote. "This is a very exciting time for us, as we can now be found in many Wegmans, ShopRite, Weis & Giant SuperMarkets throughout the state. With this shift in our industry; we are now forced to assess our business model and make changes accordingly. It is never easy to make decisions that could effect even one customer experience. "We apologize to all of our customers who have become accustomed to the convenience of purchasing our wines at these locations. Have no worries: with our expanding availability into so many of your local neighborhood stores, our locations in Lehigh Valley Mall, Reading Terminal Market, and The Winery in New Tripoli, and our easy online shop, you will have no problems keeping your shelves stocked with Blue Mountain Wine! Although this coming year will be the year of change for us, our gratitude for friends, family, our loyal customers (you), our diverse country, and the men and women who serve to protect our freedom, will never change." The winery has been in business since 1986 and is one of the original members of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Neuroscientists with the University of California, Berkeley, have observed brain re-tuning in action by recording directly from the surface of a person's brain as the words of a previously unintelligible sentence suddenly pop out after the subject is told the meaning of the garbled speech. Working with epilepsy patients who had pieces of their skull removed and electrodes placed on the brain surface to track seizures, a procedure known as electrocorticography, UC Berkeley graduate student Chris Holdgraf presented seven subjects with an auditory test by playing a highly garbled sentence, which almost no one initially understood, and then playing a normal, easy to understand version of the sentence, and immediately repeating the garbled version. The result: almost everyone understood the sentence the second time around, even though they initially found it unintelligible. When the garbled sentence was first played, activity in the auditory cortex as measured by the 468 electrodes on the brain surface was small. The brain could hear the sound, but couldn't do much with it, said Knight, first author of a study published this week in the journal Nature Communications. When the clear sentence was played, the electrodes recorded a pattern of neural activity consistent with the brain tuning into language. When the garbled sentence was played a second time, the electrodes recorded nearly the same language-appropriate neural activity, as if the underlying neurons had re-tuned to pick out words or parts of words. "They respond as if they were hearing unfiltered normal speech," Holdgraf said. "It changes the pattern of activity in the brain such that there is information there that wasn't there before. That information is this unfiltered speech." "It is unbelievable how fast and plastic the brain is," co-author Robert Knight, a UC Berkeley professor of psychology and Helen Wills Institute researcher, was quoted as saying in a news release. "In seconds or less, the electrical activity in the brain changes its response properties to pull out linguistic information. Behaviorally, this is a classic phenomenon, but this is the first time we have any evidence on how it actually works in humans." The observations confirm speculation that neurons in the auditory cortex that pick out aspects of sound associated with language, namely the components of pitch, amplitude and timing that distinguish words or smaller sound bits called phonemes, continually tune themselves to pull meaning out of a noisy environment. "We believe that this tuning shift is what helps you 'hear' the speech in that noisy signal," Holdgraf said, "the speech sounds actually pop out from the signal." Such pop-outs happen all the time: when you learn to hear the words of a foreign language, or latch onto a friend's conversation in a noisy bar; or visually, when someone points out a number in what seems like a jumbled mass of colored dots, and somehow you cannot un-see that number. "Normal language activates tuning properties that are related to extraction of meaning and phonemes in the language," Knight explained. "Here, after you primed the brain with the unscrambled sentence, the tuning to the scrambled speech looked like the tuning to language, which allows the brain to extract meaning out of noise." The findings are expected to aid the researchers in developing a device implanted in the brain that would interpret people's imagined speech and help speechless patients, such as those paralyzed by Lou Gehrig's disease, communicate. BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) will adjust tariffs on a number of exports and imports. The new plan comes into force on Jan. 1, according to the MOF website. To meet domestic demand, tax rates will be lower on some imported commodities next year including hydraulic actuators for aircraft. Imports tariff will also be reduced on commodities including tuna and arctic shrimp. Exports tariffs on commodities including nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers will be scrapped and commodities such as steel billet will see reduced export tariffs. In line with trade pacts, more imports from Hong Kong and Macao will be tariff-free next year, while some commodities from countries including the Republic of Korea, Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand will see reduced tariffs. The number of items to be taxed in 2017 will reach 8,547, said the plan. YANGON, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of 10,248 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to conflict-torn Mongko, Muse district in Myanmar's northern Shan state as stability has been restored there, Myanmar News Agency reported on Sunday. The IDPs are from 2,260 households of about 200 wards and villages. Myanmar government forces have claimed control of Mongko after two weeks' fighting earlier this month which came under attack by a combined forces of three non-ceasefire signatory armed groups, Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The government forces regained control of the town on Dec. 4 after fighting back and conducted area clearance operation and since Dec. 9, the IDPs, who abandoned their homes due to the conflicts, have been returning homes as the local authorities scrutinized them and admitted them back to the town. by Elena Chuquimarca QUITO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- An atmosphere of solemnity and reflection marks this year's Christmas celebrations in Ecuador, where an April destructive earthquake left many homeless and others living in precarious conditions. "This Christmas won't be the same. The earthquake changed our lives," one of the disaster's 16 survivors, Ondina Rojas, 34, told Xinhua in a faltering voice. Eight months after the powerful 7.8-magnitude quake rattled the country's north coast on April 16, area residents are having their first Christmas without their loved ones lost in the disaster, which claimed 668 lives and injured more than 16,000. As a gloomy reminder just days before Christmas, a 5.7-magnitude aftershock hit the same region on Dec. 19, spreading panic among residents still reeling from the country's worst disaster in nearly 70 years. Another three people died, all caused by heart attacks, and nearly 850 homes were damaged or destroyed. The mood is especially somber in the northern provinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas, which bore the brunt of the temblor. Rojas, who lives in Jama, a small ocean-side community on Manabi's Pacific coast, was trapped under rubble after the seismic waves toppled her home. Rojas and her only daughter, 6, were finally rescued 16 hours later, both sustaining injuries to their legs. In addition to recovering from the fear and wounds caused by the natural disaster, and the economic hardship of losing the roof over her head and other belongings, Rojas has been grieving the loss of her father, who died in the quake. Still, she is thankful for what she does have, including her mother, who she went to live with after her own house collapsed. "We are going to spend time together as a family, with my mother and my daughter ... (it is) a time to recollect and thank God above all else," said Rojas. "I am happy because my only daughter is alive, and my mother, who despite having a brain tumor, struggles day to day to survive," said Rojas, who now lives in Manta, Manabi. Rojas, who was unemployed at the time of the quake, now works for Ecuador's National Secretariat of Risk Management, offering schools and public institutions training about earthquake safety and evacuation procedures. Her thoughts often turn to the "mothers, fathers and children that lost their families, of the many people who were left without a home, of the many people who still live in shelters." She said she also focuses more on the present, thinking less about striving to leave a better future for her daughter, and more about making her daughter happy at the moment. "Today, I have her here with me, I don't know about tomorrow. I can't think of having material things because right now I only have a lot of debts, and the earth keeps moving," said Rojas. More than 3,000 aftershocks have shaken the coast since April and several of them were stronger than magnitude 5 on the Richter scale. Andrea Quijije, who lost her home in Manabi's seaside town of Bahia de Caraquez, is battle-hardened after living through various earthquakes. "On April 16, seconds that felt like an eternity destroyed homes, buildings and lives, but they couldn't destroy hope," Quijije told Xinhua. "Eight months have gone by since the earthquake and a day as symbolic as Christmas leads me to stop and see that my province, though damaged, is still standing," she said. This is the second time her house has been destroyed in an earthquake. The first time was in 1998, when a 7.1-magnitude temblor shook her hometown, causing substantial damage. "It fell in the earthquake and we built it again on the same spot. Now it has fallen for the second time, and we haven't been able to rebuild it yet. It has been very tough, but I'm still hopeful," said Quijije, who is currently renting a place on the outskirts of the city. Signs of recovery are everywhere, backed by government measures to promote rebuilding efforts. While some families are celebrating Christmas in shelters, others are observing the holiday in their new homes, or with surrogate families, who receive a kind of bonus for opening their home to those in need. "The shelter was too cold. Here in this house one is warmer," said Dayana Chavez, one of those taking advantage of the program, as she helped decorate the Christmas tree. The state-run Ecuador Reconstruction Program has repaired 11,167 homes and are constructing 13,000 new homes. The reconstruction effort is estimated to cost upwards of 3.344 billion U.S. dollars and take at least three years. More than 1 billion dollars have been spent so far. LUANG PRABANG, Laos, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Construction of the China-Laos railway officially started Sunday in northern Lao city Luang Prabang. Addressing the ceremony, Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Bounchanh Sinthavong said the development of the railway is of great significance in implementing the resolution of the 10th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and in boosting Lao socio-economy. The project will help expand and promote Laos-China cooperation in economy, trade, investment and tourism among others, as well as further strengthen economic ties in China-ASEAN free trade area, said the minister. "Once completed, the railway will benefit Lao people of all ethnic groups, facilitate and reduce costs of transportation, stimulate the development of agricultural and industrial sectors, tourism, investment and trade, as well as generate income for Lao people and the country," he added. Bounchanh, on behalf of the ministry and the project management committee, expressed the gratitude to China for supports. Infrastructure construction is the foundation for economic development. China-Laos railway project is a historic milestone in the comprehensive strategic cooperation between Laos and China. Huang Difu, general manager of China Railway International Co., Ltd and chairman of Laos-China Railway Company, said the China-Laos railway is a major strategic project. After the ground-breaking ceremony on Dec. 2, 2015, governments and businesses of China and Laos have closely coordinated to complete the formation of Laos-China Railway Company and sign agreements on concession period of the railway. Meanwhile, work on preliminary design, project bidding, imports of material and equipment, land clearance among other preparations have gained initial results, said Huang. "Following the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries as well as the preparatory situation of the project, it is now the time to officially begin construction of the railway," Huang added. China-Laos railway is an important part of the pan-Asia railway network and a major route linking China and Laos. The China Railway Corporation will take the best of its advantages on railway management, technology and resources to lead other enterprises on survey and design, construction and equipment manufacturing among others, as well as cooperate with the Lao government and relevant enterprises in a bid to construct and operate China-Laos railway in a good manner, Huang said. On behalf of Laos-China Railway Company, Huang pledged to resolutely implement the consensus reached by the two governments on railway construction and operation. On the basis of initial results, the company will continue to strengthen communication and collaboration with the Lao government at all levels, support each other, follow the plan and requirements so as to ensure high standards of quality and schedule, contributing to promoting socio-economic development of the two countries and prosperity of the two peoples. The launching ceremony of China-Laos railway construction on Sunday also saw the attendance of Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, former Deputy Prime Minister of Somsavat Lengsavad, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Guan Huabing, representatives of Lao ministries as well as representatives of cities and provinces along the railway. Thongloun also shovelled the earth and struck a gong for the official launch of China-Laos railway construction. The China-Laos railway has a total length of 414.332 km with over 62.7 percent of bridges and tunnels, linking Mohan-Boten border gate in northern Laos and capital Vientiane. There are 32 stations along the route. Operating speed on the route is designed at 160 km per hour. Construction of the project is scheduled for five years with investment of some 40 billion Chinese yuan (5.76 billion U.S. dollars), 70 percent of which comes from Chinese investment and the rest 30 percent from Laos. China-Laos railway is the first overseas route connecting with the railway system in China, using Chinese technology, equipment and investment. BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Jorge Castro, the head of Argentina's Strategic Planning Institute, has spoken highly of China's structural reforms and the bid to attract more foreign investment. In an interview with Xinhua, Castro said that China is "seeing the pushing between new, high-tech companies and traditional industries, which do not add value, such as steel, iron and coal." Last week, the Chinese government issued a statement from its Central Economic Work Conference which said the structural reforms would continue to advance in 2017. The world's second-largest economy said it will seek to make headway in five key reforms over the coming year, including reducing excess production capacity, and lowering company costs, among others. Castro emphasized that these will bring about a competition between new, high-tech enterprises and large state-owned enterprises with negative or nil rates of return. Castro said workers in such companies should be diverted to new technology companies. "The crucial element of the further opening-up will be free trade zones(FTZs), following the example of the first one, which opened in Shanghai," said Castro. WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Shootings and stabbings have killed at least seven people across the United States on Christmas eve, and left more injured. In Wilson County, North Carolina, the local sheriff's office said four people have been shot dead. The victims were identified as a mother and a son with their respective boyfriend and fiancee. The motive behind the attack has yet to be disclosed. In Memphis, Tennessee, a shooting near a supermarket resulted in one death and another in critical condition. The shooting took place at a neighborhood where frequent gang-related violence occurs. In Pearl, Mississippi, a shooting incident killed two and injured one. Local police said a 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, who were dating, were killed while the girl's father was injured. Police said the younger man was the suspected shooter and his fatal wound was self-inflicted. In Johnston, Rhode Island, what seemed to be a domestic dispute turn violent and led to the death of a girl. Police said the father of the girl, who sustained non-life-threatening stabbing wounds, was the suspected shooter. In a mall in Lynnwood, Washington, a man who was trying to break up a fight was stabbed by one of the persons involved in the fight. Police have taken the 19-year-old perpetrator into custody. In St. Petersburg, Florida, police are looking into a double shooting that may have left one critically injured. MEHTARLAM, Afghanistan, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two Afghan civilians were killed in a roadside bomb explosion in eastern Laghman province on Sunday, a local official said. "Two daily workers were travelling in a tricycle in Omarzai locality in provincial capital Mehtarlam city at 7:30 a.m. local time. The vehicle touched off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), triggering a blast which killed the two aboard the vehicle on the spot," Sarhadi Zwak provincial government spokesman told Xinhua. He blamed the Taliban militant group for planting the IED along the public road. The Taliban has been using the home-made IEDs to target security forces but the lethal weapons also inflict casualties on civilians, according to military officials. On Saturday, one shepherd was killed in similar incident in Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province. More than 2,560 civilians were killed and over 5,830 injured in the first nine months of the year in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan, according to the latest figures released by the UN mission in the country. Ground engagements remained the largest cause of civilian casualties, followed by suicide attacks and IED explosions. LOS ANGELES, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- A WWII veteran has sent an open letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, urging him to apologize to the Chinese people for the atrocities committed by Japan's imperial army during the war. John Yee, who was a Chinese member of the legendary Flying Tigers squadron and is now living in the United States, said in the letter that the Dec. 27 visit to Pearl Harbor by Abe is "more USA-Japan theater." The full text of the open letter is as follows: I was 17-years old and living in Kunming when the Japanese slaughtered hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Nanking, 1,340 miles (2,156 km) away. It was a horrible, sickening event, and shocked everybody in China. It started a long period of atrocities committed by the Japanese military against innocent Chinese people. Japan tried to take over Asia and Germany tried to take over Europe. Same thing, and just like Hitler tried to exterminate the Jews in Europe, the Japanese committed a genocide against the Chinese. But Western educators and media have yet to recognize the extent of the atrocities committed by Japan. The visit to Pearl Harbor by Shinzo Abe is more USA-Japan theater. The first people the Japanese should apologize to are the Chinese -- for the Rape of Nanking, for invading China, for murdering millions of Chinese people. Japan invaded Manchuria (Northeast China) in 1931, and when China appealed to the League of Nations, the Japanese contingent got up and walked out of the room. And the world's big Western powers -- England, France, Germany, Italy and America -- did nothing. Had they intervened, in any capacity, the slaughter of millions of Chinese might have been averted. The Japanese have no more excuse than Hitler had. There are several countries that Japan should apologize to, and China is at the top of the list. Not the USA. More Japanese and American back-rubbing seems to be on show in Pearl Harbor this week. LOS ANGELES, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- A veteran of the famous Flying Tigers jet fighters squadron during World War II has sent an open letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, urging him to apologize to the Chinese people for the atrocities committed by Japanese imperial army during the war. John Yee, who was born in China and is now living in the United States, said in the letter that the Dec. 27 visit to Pearl Harbor by Abe is "more USA-Japan theater." "The first people the Japanese should apologize to are the Chinese -- for the Rape of Nanking, for invading China, for murdering millions of Chinese people," said Yee, who added that he intends to send this letter through Xinhua. "I was 17-year old and living in Kunming when the Japanese slaughtered hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Nanking, 1,340 miles (2,156 km)away," Yee said at the beginning of the letter. "It was a horrible, sickening event, and shocked everybody in China. It started a long period of atrocities committed by the Japanese military against innocent Chinese people," he said. "Japan tried to take over Asia and Germany tried to take over Europe. Same thing, and just like Hitler tried to exterminate the Jews in Europe, the Japanese committed a genocide against the Chinese. But Western educators and media have yet to recognize the extent of the atrocities committed by Japan," he said. Yee was born on Nov. 29, 1921 in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province of China. He served as an interpreter for the Flying Tigers until 1942. The Flying Tigers was composed of members of the U.S. Army Air Corps fighting under the Chinese Air Force. He later studied at Denver University in the United States and taught Chinese language and East Asian history in both high schools and colleges in Colorado. In 2012, the Colorado State government declared July 17 "John Yee Day" to highlight his contributions to winning World War II, in particular his service to the Flying Tigers, headed by Claire Chennault. In the letter, Yee also recalled that Western countries failed to act when Japan invaded China. "Japan invaded Manchuria (Northeast China) in 1931, and when China appealed in the League of Nations, the Japanese contingent got up and walked out of the room. And the world's big Western powers -- England, France, Germany, Italy and America -- did nothing," he said. "Had they intervened, in any capacity, the slaughter of millions of Chinese might have been averted. The Japanese have no more excuse than Hitler had. There are several countries that Japan should apologize to, and China is at the top of the list. Not the USA," said Yee. More Japanese and American back-rubbing seems to be on show in Pearl Harbor this week, he added. People walk around in the reopened Christmas market at the Breitscheid Square in Berlin, capital of Germany, on Dec. 22, 2016. The Christmas market here attacked on Monday, was reopened on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi) by Xinhua writer Wang Bowen BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- When many parts of the world, religiously affiliated or not, have been immersed in the Merry Christmas air, there are some tensions and miseries we can't turn a blind eye to. Pope Francis urged Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus by thinking about the plight of today's children, bemoaning how some must escape bombs or flee in migrant boats and how others are prevented from being born at all. Francis called for the faithful to not get caught up in the commercialization of Christmas -- "when we are concerned for gifts but cold toward those who are marginalized." SWEET CHRISTMAS The festive atmosphere is felt across the globe. In Athens, clear blue skies, festive decoration, Christmas lights, musical happenings and extended holiday season shopping hours have lured thousands of people to the commercial center of the city. In Sri Lanka, a towering Christmas tree, claiming to have surpassed the world record, was unveiled, wowing people far and wide. The 73-meter artificial tree in capital Colombo is 18 meters taller than the current record holder, organizers said. The tree's steel-and-wire frame is covered with a plastic net decorated with more than 1 million natural pine cones painted red, gold, green and silver, 600,000 LED bulbs and topped by a 6-meter-tall shining star. In London, Queen Elizabeth II will broadcast her Christmas message to her people, an annual tradition started on radio by her grandfather king George V in 1932. "The message of Christmas reminds us that inspiration is a gift to be given as well as received, and that love begins small but always grows... I wish you all a very happy Christmas," the 90-year-old monarch said, in the pre-recorded message. In the southern hemisphere where the scorching sun dominates, Australia is seeing Santa Clauses dressed in shorts and walking in bare feet along the beaches to give out Christmas gifts. VIGILANT CHRISTMAS However, amid the happiness, the Australian government has also asked people to be on alert in this festive season, urging locals to report any suspicious activity and unusual behavior in the wake of a foiled terror plot earlier this week. A lorry ploughed into a crowd at a Christmas market in downtown Berlin on Monday night, killing 12 and injuring 50 others. Though it is relieving that the suspect Anis Amri was confirmed dead in a shootout with Italian police in Milan and would no longer pose a danger, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere told reporters on Friday that threats from extremists "remains high" in Germany and Berlin would not scale down security. The Berlin truck terror attack is stretching the nerves of many countries celebrating the holiday officially, who keep reminding its people to stay vigilant while enjoying the festive season. In France, where a more appalling truck crash masterminded by the Islamic State (ISIS) struck in its Rivera city of Nice on July 14 killed 86 people, an additional 3,000 military officers have been deployed to preserve calm during festive events across the romantic country where a state of emergency has been extended for the fifth time due to a persistent terror alert. Elsewhere in Europe, the Czech Republic has ramped up security measures to ensure people's safety during Christmas and New Year celebrations; Brussels has strengthened security measures at Christmas markets across the country whose terror alert level currently stands at 3, the second highest; Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Saturday called on the Portuguese not to forget those people in war-torn areas at Christmas "who have no families or cannot be with their families," stressing the dire need for peace. In the United States, sporadic shootings and stabbings have claimed the lives of at least seven people across the country on Christmas eve, and left more injured. BITTER CHRISTMAS For refugees begging for new life, Christmas sentiment is a luxury most of them couldn't afford to expect under shadow of long-running conflicts. At a shelter provided by the Red Cross in Rome, refugees with different nationalities, religious beliefs and ethnic backgrounds were treated with a feast dinner before Christmas eve. "My Christmas wish is that my baby girl can accept proper education in Europe," a young refugee mother who gave her name as Aisha told Xinhua correspondent. "As for myself, I just want a quiet life," she said with tears flashing. The young mother has gone through a life-or-death journey from Eritrea to Italy, praying for a new life somewhere in Europe. In Paris, refugees lined up before dawn in front of a humanitarian center in north Paris, hoping to get a place to sleep, an everyday scene in this chilly winter. Refugees from Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan and other countries gather each day around the center in the evening, spending their night in the cold, hoping to be accepted in the morning. Since the beginning of 2015, an unprecedented wave of refugees has come to Paris. As a result, train and subway stations in the city have become temporary refugee camps. Data in 2015 showed nearly 80,000 refugees asked for asylum in France, while only 26,700 got refugee status. The entire Europe has grappled with the large influx of refugees since early 2014, the biggest wave of refugees the continent has received since World War II. Despite the harsh reality, many refugees still expect Europe to bring them good luck and new life, a bitter-sweet wish yet to come true. COLOMBO, Dec 25 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena, on Sunday, pardoned over 500 inmates who were serving sentences for minor offences in Sri Lankan prisons in order to mark Christmas Day. Prison's Spokesperson, T.N. Upuldeniya said that 567 prisoners, including 7 female inmates had received a presidential pardon. Upuldeniya said that all the prisoners released were serving minor offences and those who could not pay their fines were also released. Upuldeniya said that the Prison's Department has also made special arrangements for families of Christian inmates to visit them in prison. Photo taken on Dec. 25, 2016 shows the rescue operation on the Black Sea coast at the crash site of Russian Defense Ministry's Tu-154 aircraft. Several bodies have been found at the crash site of a missing Russian military Tu-154 aircraft in the Black Sea, Russian media reported Sunday, citing the Defense Ministry press service. (Xinhua/Sputnik) MOSCOW, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Several bodies have been found at the crash site of a missing Russian military Tu-154 aircraft in the Black Sea, Russian media reported Sunday, citing the Defense Ministry press service. The ill-fated plane, en route to the Syrian port city of Latakia, vanished from the radar screens shortly after taking off from an airfield in the southern Russian city of Adler at 5:40 a.m. Moscow Time (0240 GMT), according to Russian media reports. "Fragments of the Russian Defense Ministry's Tu-154 aircraft were discovered in 1.5 kilometers from the Black Sea shore of Sochi at a depth of 50-70 meters," the ministry said. The ministry's spokesman Igor Konashenkov confirmed that 84 passengers including 65 choir members, and eight crew members were on board the plane. The ministry earlier placed the number at 91. The plane was conducting a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim air base near Syria's Latakia, said the ministry, adding that among those on board were Russian servicemen and members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the Russian army's official choir, who were heading to the air base for New Year celebrations. Among the 84 passengers there were also nine journalists, the ministry noted. Based on preliminary information, the misfortune was caused by technical malfunction or pilot error, a law enforcement source was quoted as saying. Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case over the crash. A defense ministry's commission, headed by Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov has departed to Adler. The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Russian aerospace and defense company Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. The file photo shows a black rhino walking on the savanna in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, on Aug. 16, 2015. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo) DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian conservationists and wildlife experts in the Ngorongoro crater said they were thinking of releasing into the wild Fausta, a 63-year-old female black rhino believed to be the oldest in the world. Freddy Manongi, Chief Conservator for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), said Saturday the aged female rhino was sent into a cage after being wounded by hyenas and eventually being perched by Oxpeckers. "The rhino has stayed inside the cage for a month now," said Manongi, adding that the rhino which has never given birth to any calves in its entire life is among more than 50 rhinos found inside the crater. He said they are now thinking over releasing the rhino into the wild after its gaping wounds caused by the hyenas had started healing. "Those hyenas must have taken advantage of her frailty which is why they attacked it, but we are determined to let it live for many more years," Manongi said. "This forced us to put it in a cage to protect it from further attacks as it was on record for being the oldest black rhino in the world," he said. The rhino's thrust into the limelight comes three weeks after wildlife enthusiasts in Kenya mourned the death of Solio, the country's oldest rhino which died at the age of 42 years, surpassing the average wild black rhino lifespan of 30-35 years. Early this week, Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa formed an investigative team to probe the mysterious disappearance of a male black rhino called John after it was moved from the Ngorongoro crater to the Sasakawa Black Rhino Sanctuary in the Grumeti-Serengeti game reserve where it reportedly died. Rhinos are among the most poached animals in East Africa with their population dwindling, forcing authorities to keep them in protected areas. The Tanzanian rhino management plan developed in 1998 set a goal of increasing the current population of black rhinos of 60 individuals to 100 individuals by 2018 through active metapopulation management. Save the Rhino, a UK-based conservation charity, estimates that there were 500,000 rhinos across Africa and Asia at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, the charity says there are 29,000 rhinos in the wild. BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will convene in Beijing on March 5 next year. The decision was adopted at a week-long bimonthly session of the NPC Standing Committee, which concluded in Beijing on Sunday. WAJIR, Kenya, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and some others injured by suspected Al-Shabaab militants who vandalized a communication mast in the northeastern Kenyan county of Wajir. North Eastern Regional Coordinator Mohamed Saleh confirmed on Saturday night that militants on Friday night destroyed a mast run by mobile operator Safaricom and set a car on fire in the Tarbaj area near the border with Somalia. The attackers used improvised explosives in the attack, Saleh said, adding that reinforcement had been deployed to the area to pursue the attackers. This is the third mast to be destroyed by militants in the Kenyan border region in less than a month. Two other masts were destroyed in Mandera county in similar attacks. Saleh said the authorities had mapped all masts in the border region with an aim of deploying officers to protect them. No group has claimed responsibility for the Friday attack but suspicion has fallen on Somalia-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab, which has staged a series of attacks in Kenya in recent years. Al-Shabaab has carried out several deadly attacks in the Kenyan border region this year, mainly targeting non-Muslims and police officers. Supporters of Zambian President Edgar Lungu celebrate victory of Lungu during a rally in Lusaka, Zambia, on Aug. 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) LUSAKA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Attacks on foreign-owned shops and violence in the run-up and after the general elections have marred Zambia's peaceful records of the year 2016. The southern African country prides itself on its relatively peaceful society and a history of holding peaceful polls. Both faced challenges in the year that will soon come to an end. In April, shops belonging to former refugees, mostly from Rwanda, were attacked by local mob in Lusaka, the country's capital, as they suspected the owners to be behind a spate of ritual killings that had hit some parts of the city. In macabre killings that shocked the nation, seven men were found dead with body parts missing in various densely populated areas of Lusaka. The killings stoked suspicions against foreign businessmen, though police later said none of the four arrested over the killings were foreigners. According to reports, at least 62 foreign-owned shops were looted in the ensuing riots. More than 250 local people were arrested. This is the worst attacks on foreigners that occurred in Zambia since the country got independence in 1964. The country is known for its hospitality, having hosted thousands of refugees fleeing civil unrest in their countries. Though the government quickly moved in to quell speculations about the attacks' xenophobic nature and condemn the attacks as acts of criminals who took advantage of the rumors to loot from shops, the image of the country has definitely suffered a blow. According to the Economic Intelligence Unit, the attacks highlighted challenging economic situations in the country. Analysts say high unemployment levels among young people could have fueled the attacks as many young people took advantage of the situation to loot from foreign shops following the rising cost of living. Some of the looters told local media that the government had failed to protect them as they have allowed foreigners, especially Rwandans, to takeover businesses in their communities. According to figures, Zambia's unemployment rate has averaged 14.44 percent from 1986 until 2014. The lack of formal employment has forced many people to venture into the informal sector and the emergency of foreign-owned shops which seem to do better than locals may have sparked resentment among local people, with some even accusing the foreigners of using "magic" in their businesses. TURBULENT ELECTION An even more alarming wave of violence hit the country in the run-up to the August elections, when supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and the main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) burnt properties of their opponents and battered those wearing clothes belonging to the other side. Some experts believe the uneven political playing field, such as the unfair application of a law that governs public meetings and procession, could have fueled the violence as opposition parties were angered by numerous cancelations of their rallies while the ruling party had unbridled freedom to conduct their own. Some of the violence was instigated by the police who stopped rallies of the main opposition party even after they had obtained permission. According to the Zambia Elections Information Center (ZEIC), a multi-stakeholder platform that brought together stakeholders in the run-up to the elections, key stakeholders such as the country's electoral body and the police did little to manage the situation. The coalition further indicated that animosity between the two major parties remained and despite signing peace accords to end violence, nothing came out of such as it was "cosmetic." The general elections were also challenging as it was the first time the country held five elections at once, including choosing a president, lawmakers, local government leaders, city mayors and a referendum that was meant to enhance people's rights. The elections were also held under an amended constitution that provided that a presidential winner must get more than 50 percent of the votes and have a presidential running mate. The outcome of the elections, which saw President Edgar Lungu and his PF being re-elected, resulted in further violence in opposition strongholds, with a number of properties belonging to members of the ruling party being destroyed. After the polls, the main opposition party felt the vote was stolen and accused the country's electoral body of presiding over fraudulent elections. Although the opposition party's decision to have the election results overturned was rejected by the Constitutional Court, the party is currently appearing in other courts over the matter. ENHANCING GLOBAL IMAGE Despite the negative publicity the political violence and attacks on foreign businesses have given to the country, Zambia's international profile reached a crescendo in 2016 through hosting of several high-level international conferences. This not only enhanced the country's profile but boosted the country's tourism with the huge number of delegates attending the events. Among the high-profile events was the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in March, a gathering of parliaments from across the world. The five-day event, which run from March 19 to 23, saw over 1,500 delegates descending on the Zambian capital to be part of the proceedings. About 700 of the delegates were members of Parliaments of various parliaments. By hosting the event, Zambia joined two other African nations, South Africa and Uganda that have hosted the event on the African soil. According to a statement issued by the organizers, the hosting of the IPU Assembly was a testimony of the high level of confidence the leaders of the region had in the ability of Zambia and its leaders to strengthen democratic principles. Other high-profile international events included the 51st Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank and the 42nd Meetings of the Board of the African Development Fund (ADF), both held in May. "PAINFUL" ECONOMIC MEASURES AHEAD On the economic front, the economic crunch that hit the country in 2015 following a decline in commodity prices and a power shortage continued into 2016. According to Finance Minister Felix Mutati, the country faced a number of challenges which resulted in growth declining to 3 percent in 2016 from the projected 5 percent, although it is expected to marginally rise to 3.4 percent next year. The economic growth, the lowest since 1998, has been attributed to lower copper prices as copper exports account for about 70 percent of Zambia's foreign exchange earnings, while low water levels in key reservoirs due to poor rainfall worsened the power deficit. Industrial observers have called for resolute action to restore macroeconomic stability and pave the way for a return to high, sustained economic growth. The finance minister has announced an Economic Recovery Program while a planned bailout financing package with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is planned for this year. Among stringent measures that forms the recovery program were removal of consumption subsidies on fuel, electricity and agriculture inputs, which have been a drain on resources. The government further plans to cut its expenditure and instill fiscal discipline. So far, subsidies on fuel were removed while plans to remove the other subsidies are expected to be done next year. Lungu was candid when he said his government will undertake serious economic measures which will be painful but necessary. "I have five years now which is sufficient time to take more decisive action. I will take measures to grow the economy and control expenditure. Some measures will be painful but they will yield results and by 2021, people will reward us for having taken such action," he said after winning the elections. However experts believe that the government needs to do more on fiscal discipline which has spiraled out of the way, resulting in the country recording deficits. "What's key at the moment is to have that medium-term plan which in a credible way addresses the fiscal imbalances. What is very clear is that if there is no action, particularly if the fiscal deficit stays at the level of nine percent or so of the GDP, then there is going to be a big problem," Tobias Rasmussen, IMF Representative, warned during a discussion earlier in the year. MANILA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- More than 6,000 people have been displaced as typhoon Nock-ten battered parts of the Philippines, authorities said Sunday. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement that government workers, particularly those involved in disaster relief and operations, are "working round-the-clock even on Christmas Day" as the weather disturbance, locally named Nina, maintains its strength and now endangers eastern province of Catanduanes. Packing maximum sustained winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 255 kph, Nock-ten is expected to make landfall over Catanduanes Sunday evening and will cross the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, southern Quezon, Laguna, Batangas and Cavite, the state weather forecasting agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Disaster Response and Management Bureau (DReAMB), the typhoon has displaced a total of 585 families or 2,340 individuals in Region V or Bicol Region. "The affected families are currently staying in two evacuation centers in Guinobatan, Albay," DSWD said in a statement. Some 975 families or 3,793 persons residing along coastal and riverside areas in the municipalities of Pambujan and Rosario in central province of Northern Samar have been evacuated and are currently staying in 14 evacuation centers in the region, it added. A total of 4,088 passengers have been stranded as of 9:00 a.m. local time in 10 seaports in Region V, as sea travel continued to be risky over the seaboards of Luzon, Samar, and Leyte, the department said. DSWD said it has started to provide relief assistance to the affected families. Nock-ten is projected to be outside the Philippines by Wednesday afternoon, Pagasa said. ANKARA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik Sunday expressed condolences to his Russian counterpart, Sergey Shoygu, over the Russian plane crashed in the Black Sea, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. "I have learned with great sorrow that the Russian Defense Ministry's Tu-154 military transport aircraft departing Russian city of Sochi crashed in Black Sea, leaving the passengers and the crew aboard dead," Isik said in a statement from the ministry. The minister also offered his condolences to the families and the people of Russia. Earlier on Sunday, a Tu-154 aircraft with 92 people on board Ministry crashed in the Black Sea after it disappeared from radar. Apart from eight crew members, there were nine journalists along with musicians from the Red Army Choir, or the Alexandrov Ensemble heading to celebrate the New Year with troops. Russian Defense Ministry confirmed Sunday that fragments of the Tu-154 plane were found 1.5 km from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi at a depth of 50 to 70 meters. There is no sign of survivors at the crash site, according to the Russian defense ministry. Supporters of Zambian President Edgar Lungu celebrate victory of Lungu during a rally in Lusaka, Zambia, on Aug. 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) LUSAKA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Attacks on foreign-owned shops and violence in the run-up and after the general elections have marred Zambia's peaceful records of the year 2016. The southern African country prides itself on its relatively peaceful society and a history of holding peaceful polls. Both faced challenges in the year that will soon come to an end. In April, shops belonging to former refugees, mostly from Rwanda, were attacked by local mob in Lusaka, the country's capital, as they suspected the owners to be behind a spate of ritual killings that had hit some parts of the city. In macabre killings that shocked the nation, seven men were found dead with body parts missing in various densely populated areas of Lusaka. The killings stoked suspicions against foreign businessmen, though police later said none of the four arrested over the killings were foreigners. According to reports, at least 62 foreign-owned shops were looted in the ensuing riots. More than 250 local people were arrested. This is the worst attacks on foreigners that occurred in Zambia since the country got independence in 1964. The country is known for its hospitality, having hosted thousands of refugees fleeing civil unrest in their countries. Though the government quickly moved in to quell speculations about the attacks' xenophobic nature and condemn the attacks as acts of criminals who took advantage of the rumors to loot from shops, the image of the country has definitely suffered a blow. According to the Economic Intelligence Unit, the attacks highlighted challenging economic situations in the country. Analysts say high unemployment levels among young people could have fueled the attacks as many young people took advantage of the situation to loot from foreign shops following the rising cost of living. Some of the looters told local media that the government had failed to protect them as they have allowed foreigners, especially Rwandans, to takeover businesses in their communities. According to figures, Zambia's unemployment rate has averaged 14.44 percent from 1986 until 2014. The lack of formal employment has forced many people to venture into the informal sector and the emergency of foreign-owned shops which seem to do better than locals may have sparked resentment among local people, with some even accusing the foreigners of using "magic" in their businesses. TURBULENT ELECTION An even more alarming wave of violence hit the country in the run-up to the August elections, when supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and the main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) burnt properties of their opponents and battered those wearing clothes belonging to the other side. Some experts believe the uneven political playing field, such as the unfair application of a law that governs public meetings and procession, could have fueled the violence as opposition parties were angered by numerous cancelations of their rallies while the ruling party had unbridled freedom to conduct their own. Some of the violence was instigated by the police who stopped rallies of the main opposition party even after they had obtained permission. According to the Zambia Elections Information Center (ZEIC), a multi-stakeholder platform that brought together stakeholders in the run-up to the elections, key stakeholders such as the country's electoral body and the police did little to manage the situation. The coalition further indicated that animosity between the two major parties remained and despite signing peace accords to end violence, nothing came out of such as it was "cosmetic." The general elections were also challenging as it was the first time the country held five elections at once, including choosing a president, lawmakers, local government leaders, city mayors and a referendum that was meant to enhance people's rights. The elections were also held under an amended constitution that provided that a presidential winner must get more than 50 percent of the votes and have a presidential running mate. The outcome of the elections, which saw President Edgar Lungu and his PF being re-elected, resulted in further violence in opposition strongholds, with a number of properties belonging to members of the ruling party being destroyed. After the polls, the main opposition party felt the vote was stolen and accused the country's electoral body of presiding over fraudulent elections. Although the opposition party's decision to have the election results overturned was rejected by the Constitutional Court, the party is currently appearing in other courts over the matter. ENHANCING GLOBAL IMAGE Despite the negative publicity the political violence and attacks on foreign businesses have given to the country, Zambia's international profile reached a crescendo in 2016 through hosting of several high-level international conferences. This not only enhanced the country's profile but boosted the country's tourism with the huge number of delegates attending the events. Among the high-profile events was the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in March, a gathering of parliaments from across the world. The five-day event, which run from March 19 to 23, saw over 1,500 delegates descending on the Zambian capital to be part of the proceedings. About 700 of the delegates were members of Parliaments of various parliaments. By hosting the event, Zambia joined two other African nations, South Africa and Uganda that have hosted the event on the African soil. According to a statement issued by the organizers, the hosting of the IPU Assembly was a testimony of the high level of confidence the leaders of the region had in the ability of Zambia and its leaders to strengthen democratic principles. Other high-profile international events included the 51st Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank and the 42nd Meetings of the Board of the African Development Fund (ADF), both held in May. "PAINFUL" ECONOMIC MEASURES AHEAD On the economic front, the economic crunch that hit the country in 2015 following a decline in commodity prices and a power shortage continued into 2016. According to Finance Minister Felix Mutati, the country faced a number of challenges which resulted in growth declining to 3 percent in 2016 from the projected 5 percent, although it is expected to marginally rise to 3.4 percent next year. The economic growth, the lowest since 1998, has been attributed to lower copper prices as copper exports account for about 70 percent of Zambia's foreign exchange earnings, while low water levels in key reservoirs due to poor rainfall worsened the power deficit. Industrial observers have called for resolute action to restore macroeconomic stability and pave the way for a return to high, sustained economic growth. The finance minister has announced an Economic Recovery Program while a planned bailout financing package with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is planned for this year. Among stringent measures that forms the recovery program were removal of consumption subsidies on fuel, electricity and agriculture inputs, which have been a drain on resources. The government further plans to cut its expenditure and instill fiscal discipline. So far, subsidies on fuel were removed while plans to remove the other subsidies are expected to be done next year. Lungu was candid when he said his government will undertake serious economic measures which will be painful but necessary. "I have five years now which is sufficient time to take more decisive action. I will take measures to grow the economy and control expenditure. Some measures will be painful but they will yield results and by 2021, people will reward us for having taken such action," he said after winning the elections. However experts believe that the government needs to do more on fiscal discipline which has spiraled out of the way, resulting in the country recording deficits. There's something special about a good heist movie. Just on the face value of the concept, it puts the audience in the position of having to root for the bad guys. It's the rare occasion where you actually don't want the honest guy to win - especially if the heist in question is particularly clever or difficult. We want to see these thieves come up with a hair-brained scheme to crack a vault or break into a museum and make off with the goods undetected. With John Quested's smart and savvy 1981 thriller 'Loophole,' we get to enjoy watching an honest man turn to crime in order to pull off one of the most daring and dangerous heists ever planned. American Stephen Booker (Martin Sheen) is a successful architect living with his family in London. While he may be successful, he's into the bank for two mortgages and other expenditures. When the partnership Stephen is in fails to secure a lucrative contract and goes belly up, it's the exact wrong time for his wife Dinah (Susannah York) to invest 10,000 in an interior design business. With few prospects and the bank manager Godfrey (Robert Morely) breathing down his neck, Stephen becomes desperate. Pressed on his heels, an offer to rebuild and expand an office building at the behest of a man called Daniels (Albert Finney) and his associate Mr. Gardner (Colin Blakely) is exactly what Stephen needs to find stability. Just when everything is going right, it all comes crashing down when Stephen realizes he's been duped into participating in a plot to break into the most secure bank vault in London. With no other honest options left, the promise of a minimum payout of 500,000 becomes too good for Stephen to resist. The best parts of a heist movie are watching the plan come together and seeing whether or not the gang gets away with it. As long as the characters are fun, flawed, and worth rooting for, the audience becomes more invested in seeing everything executed. Naturally, no plan is without its share of kinks and when the group of thieves must think on their feet, suspense and tension are amped up and you naturally become sucked into the action. 'Loophole,' however, is relatively content with keeping the kinks in the plan to a minimum. Much of the film revolves around Albert Finney's Daniels wooing and seducing Martin Sheen's honest, straight as an arrow Booker into a risky criminal act. To that end, we don't really get to enjoy much of the planning stage as the scheme is relatively straightforward. As for the titular "Loophole," the gang exploits is merely bureaucratic stupidity that prevents them from getting caught in the act. When the plan is simple and the chance of being caught slim, the film wisely uses nature to take care of the suspense. As our gang of thieves must tunnel underneath the vault through the sewer system, the drama, and suspense of their caper comes from rats, claustrophobia, CO2 gas buildup, and an unseasonal torrential rainstorm that threatens to drown them out. The majority of the fun to be found in 'Loophole' comes from is watching the thieves deal with each of these seemingly minor obstacles. They may be small, but when things stack up, they become major problems. Taken as a whole, 'Loophole' is a good bit of suspense fun and that's about it. Performances are generally solid as Martin Sheen and Albert Finney are in terrific form and the always great Jonathan Pryce is a true standout. But to that point, the film really could have used some sort of genuine human antagonist for the group to work against. Some smart and on point guard who sniffs things out or a detective on the trail of Daniels after his last heist, something that would add some more drama to the proceedings would have made this good film great. That isn't to say that the film is boring, it isn't, it just could have benefitted from the stakes being raised. 'Loophole' is an uncomplicated yet easy film to enjoy. It isn't amazing, but it isn't terrible either and well worth spending the 105-minute runtime watching. The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats 'Loophole' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber Studio Classics and is pressed onto a Region A BD-25 disc. Housed in a sturdy standard Blu-ray case, the disc loads directly to a static image main menu with music from the film playing featuring traditional navigation options. MOGADISHU, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The UN envoy for Somalia has expressed concern over renewed violence between rival states in the central Somali town of Galkayo, which killed at least three people and injured several others on Friday. In a statement issued on Sunday, Michael Keating, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, called on the warring states of Puntland and Galmudug to honor a ceasefire agreement reached last month. "Puntland and Galmudug must resolve their differences in a non-violent manner and immediately agree on steps to dismantle the roadblocks, reopen the roads, and pull back the forces without further delay. Any spoiler against peace and stability should be scrutinized," Keating said. Galkayo is currently divided into two parts, governed by Galmudug and Puntland respectively. The town has been plagued by recurrent clashes between the neighboring states over its control. Recent fighting in Galkayo that first broke out on Oct. 7 has killed more than 45 people and displaced tens of thousands. Keating said the situation in Galkayo has raised serious humanitarian concerns. He said trucks carrying humanitarian food supplies for people affected by drought had been blocked on the northern side of Galkayo over the past three weeks due to road blockades. Since the initial withdrawal of forces on Nov. 18, the joint committee of local authorities and elders from the two states has made efforts to sustain the ceasefire through dialogue. However, a stalemate in the negotiations over removing roadblocks installed by both states and opening the roads is putting the ceasefire in serious jeopardy. The tension came amid food insecurity in areas that are usually reached by humanitarian groups through Galkayo. "It is unprecedented for humanitarian supplies to be denied access by either side," said Keating. He called on the authorities of Galmudug and Puntland to immediately find a solution to the blockades to guarantee the safety and free movement of relief workers and supplies. Keating said the continued tension could prompt another mass displacement in Galkayo, where fighting had displaced an estimated 90,000 people since October -- about 30,000 displaced people have not returned home due to fear of renewed fighting. SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Up to five militants were killed and five others injured as clash erupted between security forces and Taliban group in Jarqdaq locality some 2 km outside Jauzjan provincial capital Shiberghan city on Sunday, deputy to provincial police chief Abdul Hafiz Khashi said. The clash, according to the official flared up after a group of Taliban militants stormed some checkpoints early Sunday and police returned fire forcing the rebels to flee. Five more militants sustained injuries in the firefight. Taliban militants haven't commented on the report. JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Rahman has been killed and four others injured as the government aircrafts targeted militants' positions in Batikot district of the eastern Nangarhar province Saturday night, police spokesman in the province Hazrat Hussain Mashriqwal said Sunday. The air raids, according to the official took place against Taliban hideouts in Dambar Khana locality during which commander Abdul Rahman was killed on the spot and four of his armed men sustained critical injuries. A number of arms and ammunitions of the armed militants were also destroyed during the strikes, the official contended. Taliban militants who are active in 16 districts of Nangarhar province with Jalalabad city as its capital 120 km east of Kabul are yet to make comment. Photo taken on Dec. 25, 2016 shows the rescue operation on the Black Sea coast at the crash site of Russian Defense Ministry's Tu-154 aircraft. Several bodies have been found at the crash site of a missing Russian military Tu-154 aircraft in the Black Sea, Russian media reported Sunday, citing the Defense Ministry press service. (Xinhua/Sputnik) MOSCOW, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Russian military Tu-154 aircraft carrying 92 people crashed Sunday in the Black Sea after taking off from the resort city of Sochi. Four ships and five helicopters are currently operating in the crash site, said the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman Igor Konashenkov, adding that the ministry is maneuvering more forces and equipment for the rescue mission. The ill-fated plane, en route to a Russian Navy base in the Syrian port city of Latakia, vanished from the radar screens shortly after taking off from an airfield in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi at 5:40 a.m. Moscow Time (0240 GMT). Latest information from the ministry said 92 people, including 84 passengers and eight crew members, were on board. Among them were 64 members from the Alexandrov Ensemble, the renowned choir of the Russian Armed Forces and its head Valery Halilov, as well as nine Russian journalists. They were heading to the air base for New Year celebrations. Fragments of the aircraft have been discovered in 1.5 kilometers from the Black Sea shore of Sochi at a depth of 50-70 meters, the ministry said. Several bodies of the victims have been recovered at the crash site by rescue workers. A defense ministry commission headed by Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov has arrived in Sochi. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the establishment of a special committee led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to investigate the incident, the Kremlin press service said. Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case over the crash. Based on preliminary information, the misfortune was caused by technical malfunction or pilot error, a law enforcement source was quoted as saying. The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Russian aerospace and defense company Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and has been widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. A hijacker (C), who hijacked and diverted an internal Libyan flight to a Maltese airport, arrives at the Maltese court escorted by heavy armed guards in Valletta, Malta, Dec. 25, 2016. Two Libyan plane hijackers arrived at a Maltese court on Sunday. They will be arraigned at Malta Law Courts in the day, two days after they hijacked and diverted an internal Libyan flight to Malta International Airport. (Xinhua/Mark Zammit Cordina) VALLETTA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The two Libyan plane hijackers appeared at a Maltese court on Sunday, charged with a string of offences including terrorism. The two Libyan men, 28-year-old Ali Saleh and 27-year-old Moussa Soko, arrived at Malta Law Courts on Sunday noon, escorted by armed guards. They were charged with hijacking the plane and holding the 109 passengers and 6 crew members against their will. Both the hijackers calmly denied the charges in court. They did not file a request for bail. On Friday, they hijacked the Libyan flight operated by Afriqiyah Airways, and diverted it to Malta International Airport. The plane was flying a domestic route in Libya in the day, from the southern city of Sebha to its original destination of the Libyan capital Tripoli. After a four-hour standoff at the Maltese airport, all passengers and crew were safely released. The two hijackers surrendered peacefully. They were later found to have used replica weapons for the hijacking. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A shepherd lost his life in a blast organized by militants in Spinboldak district of the southern Kandahar province on Saturday, spokesman for provincial government Samim Khapalwak said Sunday. According to Khapalwak, the explosive device planted by Taliban insurgents went off in Farodin village of Spinboldak district Saturday evening, killing an innocent shepherd on the spot. Denouncing the deadly blast, the official said that the militants even don't spare the civilians to have a peaceful life. Taliban militants are yet to claim responsibility. NEW DELHI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- In a warm goodwill gesture, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took to social media to wish his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his 67th birthday. "Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life," he tweeted in the morning. The Indian prime minister's apparent olive branch to Sharif came amid severe chill in relations between the two countries in the wake of alleged terror attacks by Pakistan-based militants. In 2015, Modi made an unscheduled visit to Lahore to personally wish Sharif on his birthday and attend the marriage ceremony of his relative. However, relations between the two countries started worsening after the deadly terror attack on an Indian Air Force base in the northern state of Punjab's Pathankot town by Pakistani militants. India blames Pakistani terrorists for the attack on the air base that houses vital military assets, but Islamabad has sought for a concrete proof. PARIS, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A female French humanitarian worker has been kidnapped in Mali, the French Foreign Ministry said Sunday. Sophie Petronin, who runs a nongovernmental organization to help children suffering from malnutrition, was abducted on Saturday in Gao, the largest city in northern Mali, said the ministry. The French authorities are working with the Malian government to seek the release of Petronin, the ministry said. The abduction was reported by the Malian Ministry of Security on Saturday night. Liu Yunshan (C), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, speaks at a national meeting on Party rules in Beijing, capital of China. The meeting was held in Beijing from Dec. 24 to 25. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo) BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has made an important instruction on strengthening the construction of an internal Party regulation system. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said improving Party regulations is a long-term and fundamental strategy to achieve overall stricter Party governance. The long-term stability of the Party and state requires the country to uphold the rule of law and integrate it with rule-based Party governance, Xi said. He said the whole Party must implement guidelines for improving Party rules in accordance with the spirit of the 18th National Congress of the CPC, and the third, fourth, fifth and sixth plenary sessions of the 18th CPC Central Committee. The Party should employ the spirit of reform and innovation and strive to establish a relatively complete regulatory system by the hundredth anniversary of its founding in 2021. The system provides institutional assurance of the Party's governing capacity, modernizes the national governance system and contributes to the great rejuvenation of Chinese nation, Xi said. A national meeting on Party rules was held in Beijing on Saturday and Sunday. Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting and urged implementation of Xi's instruction and the CPC Central Committee's arrangement. He also stressed firm adherence to the correct direction during construction of the regulatory system, which will embody the will of the Party, based on the Party constitution. Regulations should focus on stricter Party governance, said Liu, adding cadres should play an exemplary role in implementing the regulations and strengthening discipline. Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (1st R) strikes the gong during the launching ceremony of China-Laos railway construction in Luang Prabang, Laos, Dec. 25, 2016 (Xinhua/Liu Ailun) LUANG PRABANG, Laos, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Construction of the China-Laos railway officially started Sunday in northern Lao city Luang Prabang. Addressing the ceremony, Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Bounchanh Sinthavong said the development of the railway is of great significance in implementing the resolution of the 10th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and in boosting Lao socio-economy. The project will help expand and promote Laos-China cooperation in economy, trade, investment and tourism among others, as well as further strengthen economic ties in China-ASEAN free trade area, said the minister. "Once completed, the railway will benefit Lao people of all ethnic groups, facilitate and reduce costs of transportation, stimulate the development of agricultural and industrial sectors, tourism, investment and trade, as well as generate income for Lao people and the country," he added. Bounchanh, on behalf of the ministry and the project management committee, expressed the gratitude to China for supports. Infrastructure construction is the foundation for economic development. China-Laos railway project is a historic milestone in the comprehensive strategic cooperation between Laos and China. Huang Difu, general manager of China Railway International Co., Ltd and chairman of Laos-China Railway Company, said the China-Laos railway is a major strategic project. After the ground-breaking ceremony on Dec. 2, 2015, governments and businesses of China and Laos have closely coordinated to complete the formation of Laos-China Railway Company and sign agreements on concession period of the railway. Meanwhile, work on preliminary design, project bidding, imports of material and equipment, land clearance among other preparations have gained initial results, said Huang. "Following the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries as well as the preparatory situation of the project, it is now the time to officially begin construction of the railway," Huang added. Chinese staff attend the launching ceremony of China-Laos railway construction in Luang Prabang, Laos, Dec. 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun) China-Laos railway is an important part of the pan-Asia railway network and a major route linking China and Laos. The China Railway Corporation will take the best of its advantages on railway management, technology and resources to lead other enterprises on survey and design, construction and equipment manufacturing among others, as well as cooperate with the Lao government and relevant enterprises in a bid to construct and operate China-Laos railway in a good manner, Huang said. On behalf of Laos-China Railway Company, Huang pledged to resolutely implement the consensus reached by the two governments on railway construction and operation. On the basis of initial results, the company will continue to strengthen communication and collaboration with the Lao government at all levels, support each other, follow the plan and requirements so as to ensure high standards of quality and schedule, contributing to promoting socio-economic development of the two countries and prosperity of the two peoples. The launching ceremony of China-Laos railway construction on Sunday also saw the attendance of Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, former Deputy Prime Minister of Somsavat Lengsavad, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Guan Huabing, representatives of Lao ministries as well as representatives of cities and provinces along the railway. Thongloun also shovelled the earth and struck a gong for the official launch of China-Laos railway construction. The China-Laos railway has a total length of 414.332 km with over 62.7 percent of bridges and tunnels, linking Mohan-Boten border gate in northern Laos and capital Vientiane. There are 32 stations along the route. Operating speed on the route is designed at 160 km per hour. Construction of the project is scheduled for five years with investment of some 40 billion Chinese yuan (5.76 billion U.S. dollars), 70 percent of which comes from Chinese investment and the rest 30 percent from Laos. China-Laos railway is the first overseas route connecting with the railway system in China, using Chinese technology, equipment and investment. Genres : Science Fiction, Thriller Starring : Oliver Reed, Geraldine Chaplin, Don Gordon, and Diane Cilento Director : Michael Campus Plot Synopsis Z.P.G. (short for Zero Population Growth) is a 1972 Danish-American dystopian science fiction film starring Oliver Reed and Geraldine Chaplin and directed by Michael Campus. It is inspired by the non-fiction best-selling book The Population Bomb by Paul R. Ehrlich. The film concerns an overpopulated future Earth, whose world government executes those who violate a 30-year ban on having children. Filmed in Denmark, the film is almost entirely set-bound featuring art direction designed to reflect a bleak, oppressive future. Released Indian fishermen leave police station in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Dec. 25, 2016. Pakistan had freed 220 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture amid tension over cross-border fire exchanges in recent weeks, state radio reported on Sunday. (Xinhua/Masroor) ISLAMABAD, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan had freed 220 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture amid tension over cross-border fire exchanges in recent weeks, state radio reported on Sunday. The fishermen, who had been detained for illegally entering Pakistani water for fishing, were freed from a jail in the port city of Karachi, Radio Pakistan reported. They are expected to be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wahga border on Monday. Officials in Karachi said the freed Indians will be sent to the eastern city of Lahore by buses. Pakistan and India routinely catch fishermen who cross water boundaries for illegal fishing. Groups working for the welfare of such fishermen say the fishermen mistakenly enter other's waters as the two rivals have not yet reached an agreement on maritime boundaries. The fishermen have been freed at a time when the relations between the two countries are tense following the attack on an army base in the Indian-controlled Kashmir in September that killed 19 soldiers. India boycotted a regional summit in Islamabad in November that led to its postponement. However, Pakistan attended the Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference in the Indian city of Amritsar earlier this month. Indian Prime Minister Naendra Modi on Sunday sent birthday greetings to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. "Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life," Prime Minister Modi said on his official Twitter. YAOUNDE, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two suspected suicide bombers were killed after attempting to launch attacks on Sunday morning in Cameroon, one security source told Xinhua. Two young men suspected to be members of Nigerian Islamic sect Boko Haram killed themselves after detonating bombs attached to them at the entrance of one market in Mora, a small town in Far North Region near the border with Nigeria. The source said the attacks took place at around 8 a.m. and no other victim is reported at the moment. The Lake Chad Basin Commission has formed a multinational forces, which stations in Mora with the particular objective of eradicating terrorist threat in the region. Zhang Dejiang (1st R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), speaks at the closing meeting of the 25th session of the 12th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Sunday adopted a new law to tax polluters, particularly heavy industry. The Environment Tax Law was approved at the end of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee meeting which concluded Sunday afternoon. The law, to enter into force on Jan. 1, 2018, will be key to fighting pollution, according to Wang Jianfan, director of the Ministry of Finance tax policy department. China has collected a "pollutant discharge fee," since 1979. In 2015, it collected 17.3 billion yuan (about 2.5 billion U.S. dollars) from some 280,000 businesses, Wang said. However, some local governments exploit loopholes and exempt enterprises which are otherwise big contributors to fiscal revenue. For years, regulators have suggested replacing the fee system with a law. "The new law will reduce interference from government," Wang told a press conference. It will also improve tax payers' environmental awareness, forcing companies to upgrade technology and shift to cleaner production, Wang said. Under the new law, companies will pay taxes ranging from 350 yuan to 11,200 yuan per month for noise, according to their decibel level. It also set rates of 1.2 yuan on stipulated quantities of air pollutants, 1.4 yuan on water pollutants and a range of five to 1,000 yuan for each tonne of solid waste. For instance, polluters will pay 1.2 yuan for emission of 0.95 kilograms of sulfur dioxide and 1.4 yuan for one kilogram of chemical oxygen demand (COD). Carbon dioxide (CO2) is not included in the levying list. Provincial-level governments can raise the rates for air and water pollution by up to ten times after approval by the people's congresses. Lower rates may also be applicable if emission are less than national standards. The law only targets enterprises and public institutions that discharge listed pollutants directly into the environment. Punishment for evasion or fraud are not specified, but offenders will be held liable in line with the law on administration of taxation and the environmental law. With more than a year still to go before the law comes into effect, Wang said authorities will make preparations including drafting a regulation for implementation of the law. He added that revenue will all go to local governments, and will not reduce their capability to spend on environment protection. MOGADISHU, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Somali security forces are pursuing Al-Shabaab militants who killed a soldier and a civilian in the capital Mogadishu, a local official said Sunday. Mogadishu municipal government spokesman Abdifatah Omar Halane told reporters that the militants killed the two on Saturday night in the Wadajir district. The Al-Shabaab Islamist group has claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming its fighters killed two soldiers and recovered two AK47 riffle guns. Al-Shabaab has carried out frequent attacks in Somalia in its decade-long fight against the Somali government. The latest attack came as security has been tightened in Mogadishu for presidential election slated for the end of the year. by Xinhua writers Cao Kai and Gui Juan NANJIE, Henan, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Wang Hongbin, 65, has an astonishing ambition: building a communist community that distributes goods and services according to one's needs, a goal of communism once proposed by Karl Marx himself. Wang, secretary of Nanjie Village Communist Party Committee since 1977, has every intention of turning his dream into a reality. A 16-story apartment building stands in the corner of his village in central China's Henan Province. Work on the interior is expected to begin next year. Costing 200 million yuan (29 million U.S. dollars), it should be completed in 2018. "If you want to move into the 'proletarian apartments', all you have to do is handing over everything you own," Wang says. The building can accommodate 800 villagers, and a round-the-clock canteen will provide food the residents need. Clothes, shoes, cosmetics, even jewelry will be shared by all, after sterilization. "We will choose top brands and meet everyone's personal needs," said Wang, who has plans to accommodate all of Nanjie's 3,700 villagers in his utopian cloisters within 10 years. In many ways, Nanjie is more like an industrial park than a village. Most young people in China cannot wait to get away from home and work in cities, but here 26 village businesses employ everyone who wants a job. The village has only 33 hectares of arable land, nowhere near enough to feed the villagers. Only 21 people work on the plots dotted among factories. Since the 1980s, Nanjie's fortune has come from food processing: beer, chocolate, flour, instant noodles, liquor, medicine and spices. The village raked in 2 billion yuan in 2015, 150 million yuan of which was profit. Wang attributes the success to a collective economy and strong leadership, inspired by Mao Zedong, leading founder of the People's Republic of China. Mao's 123th anniversary of birth falls on Monday. At a symposium marking the 120th anniversary of Mao's birth in December 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Communist Party of China will hold high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought forever in pursuing the Chinese nation's rejuvenation. Xi said Party members should adhere to and make good use of the "living soul" of Mao Zedong Thought, namely seeking truth from facts, the "mass line" and independence. LONGEVITY OF MAO'S LEGACY It is hard to find another village in China quite like Nanjie where Mao's principles of morality and collectivism live on. Here, people still awaken to loudspeakers blaring "The East is Red," a classic anthem of the 1960s. Quotations of Mao appear on factory walls, in schools, shops and hotels, reminding people to sacrifice their personal interests for the benefit of the collective. Portraits of Mao hang in almost every living room. In the village square, a nine-meter white marble statue of the great helmsman is flanked by portraits of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin. A banner flutters over the statue, unambiguously declaring that "Mao Zedong Thought shines over us forever". In the early 1980s, like the rest of rural China, Nanjie dismantled communes and began to open up. Collective land was distributed among households and collective factories were contracted to individuals. It was not long before bankruptcy was the order of the day. The village committee took over two factories in 1984 and by 1986 Nanjie had re-collectivized all its farmland, expanded its industries and began taking care of its residents. Prosperity brought with it free water and electricity, then coal, gas, meat, eggs, flour and finally education. By the early 1990s, the village welfare system was complete. Even taxes and medical expenses were paid collectively. In 1991, Nanjie became the first village in Henan with sales revenue of 100 million yuan and the number of enterprises in the village grew to 19. "A collective economy is the inevitable path to common prosperity and the basis of solving 'san nong' (farmers, villages and agriculture) problems," trumpets Wang Hongbin. Wang believes Mao's greatest legacy in today's Nanjie is the socialist path to common prosperity, which conforms to the current government goal of building a well-off society by the end of 2020. Nanjie, a village with no special resources or talent, is a model for other villages on their march toward prosperity, Wang says. Collective economy does not oppose opening up and market reform, but benefits from them, he adds. While Nanjie is not alone in its collective economy, its distribution of wealth is unique. Huaxi Village in east China's Jiangsu Province has a strong steel and textile industry. There, gold bullion is distributed to villagers, making everyone a millionaire. In Nanjie, Wang and more than 300 villagers, mostly cadres and factory managers, receive a monthly salary of only 250 yuan, hardly enough for a family meal in Beijing or Shanghai. Most factory workers get 2,000 yuan. Locals' income consists of 30 percent cash and 70 percent in benefits. Wang plans to gradually reduce the cash and increase the welfare. "Ultimately and inevitably, we will root out private ownership and distribute goods according individual needs," Wang says. "Enthusiasm inspired by cash will wither away. Strong philosophical commitment is the key." WHOSE UTOPIA? Feng Di's wedding was very different from those of her peers in nearby Beixuzhuang Village. She married a Nanjie man in a group wedding with another 21 couples in East is Red Square on Oct. 1. The village paid for everything, including a parade, gowns, the banquet and accommodation for relatives and friends. The happy couples bowed before the gleaming statue of Mao and each received a copy of the once ubiquitous red book of Chairman Mao's sayings, as well as a golden Mao badge. "Nanjie is like a big family. There is nothing to worry about," said Feng, who was given a 120-square-meter apartment as a wedding present and a job in the village Communist Youth League. As her cost of living is minimal, Feng has some spare cash to shop online and watch movies in downtown theaters. Sheng Ganyu, once a township official in Xiangcheng County, came to Nanjie in 1994 after seeing a documentary on the village. He is editor-in-chief of the village newspaper and was awarded the title of "honorary villager" in 1996. He enjoys the same benefits as Nanjie natives. There are about 1,000 such honorary villagers. Sheng also earns 250 yuan a month, the same as the Party secretary. If he really needs money, he can apply to the village committee. In that way, Sheng's son, who studies film and television at college, was able to buy a professional camera and a computer worth more than 20,000 yuan. Sheng recently took a group of villagers to Sanya, a tony coastal resort in the island province of Hainan, as a reward for "good performance." Nanjie might seem like the land of milk and honey for the locals, but it is several more steps from paradise for the more than 6,000 migrant workers there. Ding Xiaohui has been working in Nanjie's noodle factory since 2008. She dreams of becoming an honorary villager, but the village stopped granting such titles in 2003. Ding earns 2,000 yuan a month but without free food, no gifted accommodation, nor any of the other niceties Nanjie locals enjoy. Seen by many as an Elysian communist Arcadia, Wang Hongbin admits exploitation still exists there. "Exploitation of workers from other villages is reasonable during the transition from collective capitalism to communism," Wang intones. He is confident that the work of building a communist community will be completed within his lifetime. His wife works in the laundry room of the village hotel and is a staunch supporter of her husband. Their three children, two daughters and a son, work as civil servants in the cities of Zhengzhou and Luohe. "They neither discuss, nor support nor oppose my cause," Wang says. TEHRAN, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Sunday offered condolences to the Russian nation and government after an aircraft crashed killing 92 people on board, official IRNA news agency reported. Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Bahram Qasemi expressed sympathy with the families of the victims. On Sunday, a Russian Tu-154 aircraft with 92 people on board crashed in the Black Sea. Eight crew members, nine journalists along with musicians from the Red Army Choir were on board the plane heading for the Russian military base in Latakia of Syria to celebrate the New Year with troops. There is no sign of survivors at the crash site, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presides over a conference on promoting the sustainable and healthy development of the country's western regions in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 23, 2016. Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli attended the conference. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged greater efforts to promote the sustainable and healthy development of the country's western regions. China has made remarkable progress since it initiated a strategy to develop its vast western areas in 2000. The 13th Five-Year (2016-2020) Plan period is a crucial time for western regions to realize transformation and upgrading, Li said at a conference on Friday. The country should push forward supply-side structural reform, expand demand moderately, boost innovation, continue to implement the west development strategy, and strengthen the coordination of it with other major strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative and development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, he said. The fundamental way to develop the regions is to enhance their endogenous growth through innovation and reform and opening-up, Li said. More efforts should be done to streamline administrative approvals, reduce taxation and fees, cut transaction costs, improve business environment, promote entrepreneurship, encourage private capital to participate in the development of the western regions. Li stressed the importance of infrastructure construction and ecological protection in promoting the western regions' sustainable development. He urged efforts to protect the environment, improve road and water infrastructure, and ensure the quality of drinking water for rural residents. Environmentally-friendly industries that can employ a large workforce are encouraged to move to the western regions. Investors are also encouraged to build factories there. Li called for efforts to develop advanced manufacturing sector and emerging sectors, and promote the development of industries with ethnic characteristics such as medicine and traditional handicraft. He added that in order to improve people's livelihoods, targeted and precise measures should be adopted to alleviate poverty. More education and health care resources should be channeled to the western regions, and basic public services should be increased. The west development strategy covers 11 provinces and autonomous regions including Gansu, Guizhou, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Yunnan, Inner Mongolia and Guangxi, in addition to Chongqing Municipality. The regions account for more than two thirds of the nation's territory, with a population making up over 20 percent of the nation's total. by Abdul Haleem KABUL, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government like yesteryear has been faced with multiple challenges in 2016 above all the increasing security incidents and futile efforts to find negotiated settlement to the country's lingering crisis. Prominent among different armed opposition groups, the hardliner Taliban has been fighting for over more than a decade to regain power and reinstate its fanatic religious reign in the war-stricken Afghanistan. The ongoing militancy in Afghanistan has claimed countless lives including civilians, militants and security forces throughout the outgoing year. According to a report of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released in October, a total of 2,562 civilians had been killed from January 1 to Sept. 30, 2016 and 5,835 civilians sustained injuries in the ongoing militancy and conflicts in Afghanistan over the period. The report attributed 61 percent of the casualties to the armed anti-government insurgents operating in Afghanistan. PEACE TALKS WITH TALIBAN Afghans from all walks of life including President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani have repeatedly expressed their hatred to the war and called upon the armed oppositions to give up fighting and join the national reconciliation process to rebuild the war-wrecked country. "This country wants peace," President Ghani has time and again said. To overcome the turbulent situation and bring an amicable end to the protracted conflict, the Afghan government parallel to fighting armed oppositions on battlegrounds has also been desperately striving in diplomatic fronts to bring Taliban and other armed outfits into political mainstream and integrate them back to society. The Afghan government, however, has noted that it has no peace with al-Qaida and Islamic State group. In efforts to achieve negotiated settlement, the government has reportedly held series of secret and informal talks with the Taliban militants in 2016 but all in fiasco. The talks have hit snags as the Taliban group after confirmation of the death of the movement's founder Mullah Mohammad Omar in July 2015 has faced fragmentation and Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor who succeeded Mullah Omar in August last year described the talks as an "attempt to divide" Taliban and halted the process. The peace process further suffered after the murder of Mansoor who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in May 21 along Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Mansoor's first lieutenant Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, an orthodox Sunni Muslim religious cleric who had served as the judge for Taliban hierarchy took charge of Taliban leadership on May 25 had utterly rejected the talks with the Afghan administration and instead pushed for war. Nonetheless, in the absence of Taliban representative, the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) composed of Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States held meetings in Islamabad and Kabul in January and February respectively to bring Taliban into negotiating table but the armed outfit refused to join the process. Taliban group in a statement on March 5 dismissed the (QCG) talks as "waste of time" stating, "Unless and until the foreign occupation of Afghanistan is over and the name of Taliban leaders deleted from the black list and Taliban detainees are freed" no talks would deliver. Zabihullah Majahid who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit has also asserted that the root cause of conflict in Afghanistan is the presence of thousands of U.S.-led foreign forces and stressed for the total withdrawal of more than 13,000 troops with the majority of them Americans serving in the country within the framework of NATO-led Resolute Support mission. The division within Taliban rank in the wake of Mullah Omar's death has complicated peace talks as Haibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of Taliban main faction, has denied the talks with the Afghan government and instead demanding direct talks with the United States. Washington has rejected the offer and noted that the U.S. government supports an Afghan-led and Afghan owned peace process. Moreover, Mullah Mohammad Rasoul, the leader of Taliban's breakaway faction, has adopted soft stance to talk with the government if foreign forces leave the country. Amid informal and secret efforts for achieving peace, Taliban militants briefly captured Kunduz city, the capital of northern Kunduz province, in October 2016 but have failed to defend it or overrun any other major city. PEACE AGREEMENT WITH HIZB-E-ISLAMI The Afghan government, after a couple of years of formal and informal talks with the Hekmatyar-led Islamic party the Hizb-e-Islami, finally inked the peace agreement with the dissident group, the third major militant outfit after Taliban and Islamic State group in Afghanistan. Although Hekmatyar who is known as "butcher of Kabul" among many Afghans for his major role in the factional fighting for the control of Kabul from 1992 to 1996 approved the deal with President Ghani on Sept. 29, has yet to return to the country. " The government's efforts for restoring peace in the country has yet to deliver while 2016 is nearing to end," prominent analyst General (Rtd) Atiqullah Omarkhil told Xinhua. Contrary to the Taliban group, Hekmatyar's party, according to the expert, is not a major fighting force and his joining to the peace process would have little impact on stabilizing security and won't encourage other militants to give up fighting. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT TO AFGHAN PEACE PROCESS The world community like yesteryear renewed its support to the Afghan government's peace efforts for achieving lasting peace through political process without any preconditions. Delegates from more than 70 countries and 22 international agencies at Brussels conference on Afghanistan in a communique issued on Oct. 5 stated that "The only way to a durable end to the conflict in Afghanistan is through a lasting political settlement." Part of the communique states "In order to reach a peace settlement, we remain fully committed to supporting an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process representing all Afghan citizens and their legitimate interests that preserves Afghanistan's unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and equal rights of all Afghans under the Constitution of Afghanistan." Backing the statement, a senior of the Afghan government-backed peace body the High Peace Council, Ismael Qasimyar said "We hope that our partners, allies and friends in international community support peace and stability in Afghanistan, because peace and stability in Afghanistan mean stabilities in the region and the world." ALGIERS, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Saraj on Sunday arrived in Algiers as part of a working visit to discuss with Algerian top officials the developments in Libya and ways to boost peace talks aimed at restoring peace and security to this eastern neighboring troubled nation. Upon his arrival in Houari Boumedien International Airport of Algiers, al-Seraj told reporters that his visit is part of continuing consultations between the two neighboring nations to reach positive settlement to the crisis hitting Libya for more than five years. The Libyan PM hailed "Algeria's key role and constant support to the national unity government, saying he is due to discuss several issues with the Algerian officials, including recent developments taking place in Libya in addition to the efforts that are underway to settle the crisis. Upon his arrival, al-Seraj was welcomed by his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmalek Sellal, and Minister of Maghreb, African Union and Arab League, Abdelkader Messahel. The visit of al-Sarraj is "an opportunity to reaffirm Algeria's consistent support to the peace process on the basis of a political solution, inclusive dialogue and national reconciliation, while respecting Libya's national sovereignty," said a statement of the Algerian Foreign Ministry. Al-Seraj's visit follows that of Libyan Major General, Khalifa Haftar, who paid a quick working visit to Algiers on Dec. 18. Fayez al-Seraj last week announced that Haftar's forces managed to control the key city of Sirte after chasing away Islamic State militants. Libya has been hit by a civil war after the toppling of late leader, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011. The collapse of the regime there transformed the country into a battlefield of different armed groups, including terrorists. Libya now has two rival parliaments, namely the internationally recognized one, based in the eastern port city of Tobruk, and the General National Congress (GNC) based in capital city Tripoli supported by General Haftar. A child plays in front of tents donated by China for the affected by the April 16, 2016 earthquake, in Pedernales, Manabi province, Ecuador, on May 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Str) by Elena Chuquimarca QUITO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- An atmosphere of solemnity and reflection marks this year's Christmas celebrations in Ecuador, where an April destructive earthquake left many homeless and others living in precarious conditions. "This Christmas won't be the same. The earthquake changed our lives," one of the disaster's 16 survivors, Ondina Rojas, 34, told Xinhua in a faltering voice. Eight months after the powerful 7.8-magnitude quake rattled the country's north coast on April 16, area residents are having their first Christmas without their loved ones lost in the disaster, which claimed 668 lives and injured more than 16,000. As a gloomy reminder just days before Christmas, a 5.7-magnitude aftershock hit the same region on Dec. 19, spreading panic among residents still reeling from the country's worst disaster in nearly 70 years. Another three people died, all caused by heart attacks, and nearly 850 homes were damaged or destroyed. The mood is especially somber in the northern provinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas, which bore the brunt of the temblor. Rojas, who lives in Jama, a small ocean-side community on Manabi's Pacific coast, was trapped under rubble after the seismic waves toppled her home. Rojas and her only daughter, 6, were finally rescued 16 hours later, both sustaining injuries to their legs. People hold photographs during an event to mark the first month after the earthquake of April 16, 2016, in Pedernales, Manabi Province, Ecuador, on May 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Str) In addition to recovering from the fear and wounds caused by the natural disaster, and the economic hardship of losing the roof over her head and other belongings, Rojas has been grieving the loss of her father, who died in the quake. Still, she is thankful for what she does have, including her mother, who she went to live with after her own house collapsed. "We are going to spend time together as a family, with my mother and my daughter ... (it is) a time to recollect and thank God above all else," said Rojas. "I am happy because my only daughter is alive, and my mother, who despite having a brain tumor, struggles day to day to survive," said Rojas, who now lives in Manta, Manabi. Rojas, who was unemployed at the time of the quake, now works for Ecuador's National Secretariat of Risk Management, offering schools and public institutions training about earthquake safety and evacuation procedures. Her thoughts often turn to the "mothers, fathers and children that lost their families, of the many people who were left without a home, of the many people who still live in shelters." She said she also focuses more on the present, thinking less about striving to leave a better future for her daughter, and more about making her daughter happy at the moment. "Today, I have her here with me, I don't know about tomorrow. I can't think of having material things because right now I only have a lot of debts, and the earth keeps moving," said Rojas. More than 3,000 aftershocks have shaken the coast since April and several of them were stronger than magnitude 5 on the Richter scale. Andrea Quijije, who lost her home in Manabi's seaside town of Bahia de Caraquez, is battle-hardened after living through various earthquakes. "On April 16, seconds that felt like an eternity destroyed homes, buildings and lives, but they couldn't destroy hope," Quijije told Xinhua. "Eight months have gone by since the earthquake and a day as symbolic as Christmas leads me to stop and see that my province, though damaged, is still standing," she said. Image taken on April 18, 2016 provided by the Ecuadorian and South American Public News Agency ANDES shows people standing in front of a collapsed building by the earthquake, in Portoviejo, Ecuador. (Xinhua/Cesar Munoz/ANDES) This is the second time her house has been destroyed in an earthquake. The first time was in 1998, when a 7.1-magnitude temblor shook her hometown, causing substantial damage. "It fell in the earthquake and we built it again on the same spot. Now it has fallen for the second time, and we haven't been able to rebuild it yet. It has been very tough, but I'm still hopeful," said Quijije, who is currently renting a place on the outskirts of the city. Signs of recovery are everywhere, backed by government measures to promote rebuilding efforts. While some families are celebrating Christmas in shelters, others are observing the holiday in their new homes, or with surrogate families, who receive a kind of bonus for opening their home to those in need. "The shelter was too cold. Here in this house one is warmer," said Dayana Chavez, one of those taking advantage of the program, as she helped decorate the Christmas tree. The state-run Ecuador Reconstruction Program has repaired 11,167 homes and are constructing 13,000 new homes. The reconstruction effort is estimated to cost upwards of 3.344 billion U.S. dollars and take at least three years. More than 1 billion dollars have been spent so far. Genres : Horror, Thriller, Mystery Starring : Robert Powell, Jenny Agutter, Joseph Cotten, Peter Sumner, and Lorna Lesley Director : David Hemmings Plot Synopsis When a 747 crash lands in a Sydney suburb -- a still-spectacular sequence that helped make this the most expensive Australian film of its time -- the inferno kills everyone on board except the pilot (Robert Powell of Jesus of Nazareth and Tommy) who emerges from the wreckage miraculously unscathed. But as a local psychic (Jenny Agutter of An American Werewolf in London) begins to communicate with the spirits of the doomed passengers, it will unlock a nightmare of madness, murder and supernatural horror. Hollywood legend Joseph Cotten in his final film performance co-stars in this shocker directed by British film icon David Hemmings (Blow-Up) and produced by Ozploitation maverick Antony I. Ginnane (Thirst, Turkey Shoot), featuring haunting cinematography by Academy Award winner John Seale (The English Patient, Mad Max: Fury Road) and now transferred in 2K HD for the first time ever. LAGOS, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government Sunday said it would formally re-open two major roads in the restive Borno State following the total defeat of Boko Haram in the northeast by the Nigerian military. Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said in a statement that officials and dignitaries will grace the opening of the Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak road and the Maiduguri-Mungono-Baga road. The two major roads, which had earlier been closed due to the activities of the insurgents in the area, are of strategic importance to the economy of the Lake Chad Region. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said that troops in the northeast region have crushed Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa forest. The Sambisa forest, especially the mountainous region of Gwoza near the Cameroon border, had been used as a shelter by the group. The Boko Haram seeks to impose strict Islamic law in northern Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and the biggest oil producer in the continent. The Nigerian government said in December 2015 that Boko Haram had been "technically" defeated, was no longer capable of conventional warfare and instead resorted to guerrilla attacks. Nigeria, with approximately 180 million population, shares land borders with Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east and Niger in the north. JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday summoned ambassadors of the UN Security Council's member countries for a reprimand over a West Bank settlements resolution, the Foreign Ministry said. The ministry said in a statement that the envoys were required to arrive at the ministry's headquarters in Jerusalem on Sunday, despite the Christmas and Sunday holiday. In all, 10 ambassadors or deputies were expected in Jerusalem, of France, Britain, China, Russia, Spain, Japan, Egypt, Angola, Ukraine, and Uruguay. The move was part of a "diplomatic and economic price" that Netanyahu vowed to exact from countries who supported the historic motion to end the Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. During his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu continued to lash out at U.S. President Barack Obama for not using the U.S. veto to prevent the vote. "We have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it, stood behind it, coordinated its versions and insisted upon its passage," Netanyahu said according to a statement released by his office. "Over decades, the American administrations and Israeli governments have disagreed about settlements. But we agreed that the Security Council was not the place to resolve this issue," he said. Also on Sunday, as part of the retribution, Isreali Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman instructed the Israeli Coordinator of the Government's Activities in the Territories to cease all meetings and talks with senior Palestinian officials. The vote, passed by a 14-0 majority, with the United States abstaining, demands Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem." It states that the building of settlements by Israel has "no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law." The Palestinians hailed the move, with Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, telling Israel's Walla news site that he hopes the resolution will help reignite the long-stalled peace talks. Israel reacted furiously, immediately rejecting the motion and slamming it as an "anti-Israeli" move. In a broadcast address at a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony honoring wounded soldiers and the victims of terrorism on Saturday night, Netanyahu denounced Obama for his "shameful ambush," adding that he is looking forward to working with his "friend," president-elect Donald Trump, to undo the move. Netanyahu said Israel will reassess its ties with the UN. He noted that he already ordered to cut 30 million shekels (about 8 million U.S. dollars) in funding to five "especially hostile" UN bodies. "I instructed the Foreign Ministry to complete within a month a re-evaluation of all our contacts with the United Nations, including the Israeli funding of UN institutions and the presence of UN representatives in Israel," he said. Netanyahu also canceled a scheduled visit by Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, a day after it called back its envoys in New Zealand and Senegal, which together with Venezuela and Malaysia proposed the resolution. The U.S., Israel's closest ally, traditionally protects Israel from such motions. On Friday, it abstained despite massive pressures by Israel and President-elect Donald Trump for Washington to use its veto. The move came in the wake of the Regulation Bill, which the parliament approved in first out of three readings earlier in December. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition supports the bill. About 500,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, lands that Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast War and has been controlling them ever since, despite international condemnations. The Palestinians wish to build their future state in these lands. The U.S. officially opposes the settlements and considers them as an obstacle to peace. The settlements are illegal under international law. VIENTIANE, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Lao southern Attapeu province will conduct a feasibility study on the construction of small-sized hydropower plants. The study will be carried out on the Youn River in Sanxay district which shares a border with Dakcheung district in Sekong province, state-run Vientiane Times reported on Sunday. According to the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment, the country's energy sector will undergo considerable growth, with several hydropower plants set to come online and begin electricity generation. The energy sector is viewed as the major factor in driving the economic growth rate to 7 percent, the ministry was quoted as saying. Many power plants are now fully operational, including the Hongsa Mine Mouth Power Project which has an installed capacity of 1,787MW. At least eight other major power plants will come online soon, including the Xekaman 1 with 322MW, Nam Ou 5 with 240MW, and the Nam Lik and Nam Phay hydropower plants. The government is promoting the rapid development of power plants for local energy supply in a bid to cut electricity imports. According to the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines, as of 2015, Laos had built 38 power plants at a cost of more than 81.7 trillion Lao kip (over 10 billion U.S. dollars) with total installed capacity of 6,265MW. In total, these plants can generate 33,315 million kWh of electricity per year. There are 45 power plants under construction and more will be developed. The Southeast Asian country is aiming for total installed capacity of about 12,000MW by 2025, said the Ministry of Energy and Mines. The abundant resources of the Mekong River and its tributaries give Laos the potential to produce more than 25,000MW of electricity. In 1975, only 19,000 families or three percent of Lao population had access to electricity. At present, as many as 89.6 percent of the population can access the power grid, said Vientiane Times. Enditem A woman lays flowers outside the building of The Alexandrov Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Russian Army in Moscow, Dec. 25, 2016. A Tu-154 aircraft of the Russian Defense Ministry with Alexandrov Ensemble's performers aboard crashed Sunday in the Black Sea after taking off from the resort city of Sochi. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn) MOSCOW, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Russian military Tu-154 aircraft crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday, presumably killing all 92 people aboard, said the Russian Defense Ministry. The ill-fated plane, en route to Russia's Hmeimim air base in the Syrian port city of Latakia, vanished from the radar screens shortly after takeoff from an airfield in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi at 5:40 a.m. Moscow Time (0240 GMT). Several bodies of the victims have been recovered at the crash site. Fragments of the aircraft have been discovered in 1.5 km from the Black Sea shore of Sochi at a depth of 50-70 meters. Over 3,000 people and dozens of ships have been deployed in a search and rescue operation led by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the ministry's press service said. More than 200 policemen have also been mobilized in the mission, according to the local administration of the Russian Interior Ministry. The federal Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case over the crash. Based on preliminary information, the tragedy was caused by technical malfunction or pilot error, a law enforcement source was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying. However, the Defense Ministry said the Tu-154 aircraft was flown by an experienced first-class pilot. The Interfax news agency quoted an emergency services source as saying that the possibility of a terror attack has been virtually ruled out. Live TV broadcast showed the weather was sunny at the time of the accident. According to RIA Novosti, the Tu-154 was built in 1983 and has spent 6,689 hours in flight, with the most recent technical maintenance conducted in September 2016. The Defense Ministry confirmed that a total of 92 people -- 84 passengers and eight crew members -- were aboard the plane. Among the passengers were 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, a renowned choir of the Russian Armed Forces, as well as nine Russian journalists. They were heading to the air base for New Year celebrations. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Dec. 26 a nationwide day of mourning, and promised a thorough investigation. Russian TV channels, including the Zvezda, the NTV and Channel One, have named their journalists aboard the Tu-154 plane. Established in 1928, the Alexandrov Ensemble is widely recognized as the oldest and biggest choir of the Russian military. The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and has been widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. Sunday's crash was the second accident in less than one week concerning Russian planes. On Monday, an Il-18 aircraft crash-landed near the Tiksi airfield in Russia's Far Eastern Sakha Republic, injuring 16 people. MOSUL, Iraq, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of 97 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed on Sunday in heavy clashes with the security forces and an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition aircraft in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. The soldiers of the ninth armored Division repelled attacks by dozens of IS militants and suicide car bombs on the recently-freed neighborhood of al-Intisar, al-Shaima and al-Salam in southeastern Mosul, leaving 51 militants killed and destroying four suicide car bombs, along with destroying three more vehicles carrying extremist militants, a statement by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said. Another IS attack occurred on the positions of the federal police, just south of Mosul, but the troops repelled the attack, killing 21 militants and destroying two suicide car bombs, the statement said. Also on Sunday, based on intelligence reports an international coalition warplane conducted an airstrike on a building in al-Wahda neighborhood, where many IS militants were believed hiding inside preparing for an attack on the security forces, leaving some 25 militants killed, according to the statement. The Iraqi forces continued during the day their clearing operations in the freed neighborhoods in the eastern side of Mosul, locally known as the left bank of the Tigris which bisects the city. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said in a recent report that 103,872 men, women, and children have fled their homes in Mosul and its adjacent districts since the beginning of military offensive in October to reclaim the IS largest stronghold in Iraq. The number of displaced people in and near Mosul is rising everyday. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Oct. 17 announced a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city. Since then, the Iraqi security forces, backed by international coalition forces, have inched to the eastern fringes of Mosul and made progress on other routes around the city. Mosul, some 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under the IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on December 25, 2016. (AFP/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday summoned ambassadors of the UN Security Council's member countries for a reprimand over a West Bank settlements resolution, the Foreign Ministry said. The ministry said in a statement that the envoys were required to arrive at the ministry's headquarters in Jerusalem on Sunday, despite the Christmas and Sunday holiday. In all, 10 ambassadors or deputies were expected in Jerusalem, of France, Britain, China, Russia, Spain, Japan, Egypt, Angola, Ukraine, and Uruguay. The move was part of a "diplomatic and economic price" that Netanyahu vowed to exact from countries who supported the historic motion to end the Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. During his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu continued to lash out at U.S. President Barack Obama for not using the U.S. veto to prevent the vote. "We have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it, stood behind it, coordinated its versions and insisted upon its passage," Netanyahu said according to a statement released by his office. "Over decades, the American administrations and Israeli governments have disagreed about settlements. But we agreed that the Security Council was not the place to resolve this issue," he said. Also on Sunday, as part of the retribution, Isreali Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman instructed the Israeli Coordinator of the Government's Activities in the Territories to cease all meetings and talks with senior Palestinian officials. The vote, passed by a 14-0 majority, with the United States abstaining, demands Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem." It states that the building of settlements by Israel has "no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law." The Palestinians hailed the move, with Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, telling Israel's Walla news site that he hopes the resolution will help reignite the long-stalled peace talks. Israel reacted furiously, immediately rejecting the motion and slamming it as an "anti-Israeli" move. In a broadcast address at a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony honoring wounded soldiers and the victims of terrorism on Saturday night, Netanyahu denounced Obama for his "shameful ambush," adding that he is looking forward to working with his "friend," president-elect Donald Trump, to undo the move. Netanyahu said Israel will reassess its ties with the UN. He noted that he already ordered to cut 30 million shekels (about 8 million U.S. dollars) in funding to five "especially hostile" UN bodies. "I instructed the Foreign Ministry to complete within a month a re-evaluation of all our contacts with the United Nations, including the Israeli funding of UN institutions and the presence of UN representatives in Israel," he said. Netanyahu also canceled a scheduled visit by Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, a day after it called back its envoys in New Zealand and Senegal, which together with Venezuela and Malaysia proposed the resolution. The U.S., Israel's closest ally, traditionally protects Israel from such motions. On Friday, it abstained despite massive pressures by Israel and President-elect Donald Trump for Washington to use its veto. The move came in the wake of the Regulation Bill, which the parliament approved in first out of three readings earlier in December. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition supports the bill. About 500,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, lands that Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast War and has been controlling them ever since, despite international condemnations. The Palestinians wish to build their future state in these lands. The U.S. officially opposes the settlements and considers them as an obstacle to peace. The settlements are illegal under international law. Smoke billows in the back as Shiite fighters from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitary forces advance towards the Iraqi town Jamaat Hussein, west of Mosul, on December 11, 2016, during an ongoing operation against Islamic State (IS) group jihadists. (AFP/Xinhua) MOSUL, Iraq, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of 97 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed on Sunday in heavy clashes with the security forces and an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition aircraft in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. The soldiers of the ninth armored Division repelled attacks by dozens of IS militants and suicide car bombs on the recently-freed neighborhood of al-Intisar, al-Shaima and al-Salam in southeastern Mosul, leaving 51 militants killed and destroying four suicide car bombs, along with destroying three more vehicles carrying extremist militants, a statement by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said. Another IS attack occurred on the positions of the federal police, just south of Mosul, but the troops repelled the attack, killing 21 militants and destroying two suicide car bombs, the statement said. Also on Sunday, based on intelligence reports an international coalition warplane conducted an airstrike on a building in al-Wahda neighborhood, where many IS militants were believed hiding inside preparing for an attack on the security forces, leaving some 25 militants killed, according to the statement. The Iraqi forces continued during the day their clearing operations in the freed neighborhoods in the eastern side of Mosul, locally known as the left bank of the Tigris which bisects the city. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said in a recent report that 103,872 men, women, and children have fled their homes in Mosul and its adjacent districts since the beginning of military offensive in October to reclaim the IS largest stronghold in Iraq. The number of displaced people in and near Mosul is rising everyday. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Oct. 17 announced a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city. Since then, the Iraqi security forces, backed by international coalition forces, have inched to the eastern fringes of Mosul and made progress on other routes around the city. Mosul, some 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under the IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions. NEW DELHI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 people have been injured in a stampede at a crowded temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala late Sunday evening, a senior police official said. "The stampede broke out at the Sabarimala temple at around 7 p.m. (local time) after some devotees tried to break a long queue to have a glimpse of their idol. Already there was a huge rush and some people cutting into the queue led to the incident," the official said on condition of anonymity. All of the 25 injured devotees, most from the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh, have been admitted to a nearby hospital by locals and police, and two of them are seriously injured, he said. Local TV channels reported that the situation is now under control and cops have been called in to tackle the crowd. A probe has been ordered into the incident, the police official said. This is not the first stampede at the temple. In 2011, a stampede there killed 106 pilgrims and left 100 others injured. It began after a vehicle overturned on the last day of a yearly festival which had attracted devotees from all over the country. A rescue operation on the Black Sea coast at the crash site of Russian Defense Ministry's TU-154 aircraft. (Sputnik Photo) MOSCOW, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Russian military Tu-154 aircraft crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday, presumably killing all 92 people aboard, said the Russian Defense Ministry. The ill-fated plane, en route to Russia's Hmeimim air base in the Syrian port city of Latakia, vanished from the radar screens shortly after takeoff from an airfield in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi at 5:40 a.m. Moscow Time (0240 GMT). Several bodies of the victims have been recovered at the crash site. Fragments of the aircraft have been discovered in 1.5 km from the Black Sea shore of Sochi at a depth of 50-70 meters. Over 3,000 people and dozens of ships have been deployed in a search and rescue operation led by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the ministry's press service said. More than 200 policemen have also been mobilized in the mission, according to the local administration of the Russian Interior Ministry. The federal Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case over the crash. Based on preliminary information, the tragedy was caused by technical malfunction or pilot error, a law enforcement source was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying. However, the Defense Ministry said the Tu-154 aircraft was flown by an experienced first-class pilot. The Interfax news agency quoted an emergency services source as saying that the possibility of a terror attack has been virtually ruled out. Live TV broadcast showed the weather was sunny at the time of the accident. According to RIA Novosti, the Tu-154 was built in 1983 and has spent 6,689 hours in flight, with the most recent technical maintenance conducted in September 2016. The Defense Ministry confirmed that a total of 92 people -- 84 passengers and eight crew members -- were aboard the plane. Among the passengers were 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, a renowned choir of the Russian Armed Forces, as well as nine Russian journalists. They were heading to the air base for New Year celebrations. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Dec. 26 a nationwide day of mourning, and promised a thorough investigation. Russian TV channels, including the Zvezda, the NTV and Channel One, have named their journalists aboard the Tu-154 plane. Established in 1928, the Alexandrov Ensemble is widely recognized as the oldest and biggest choir of the Russian military. The Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range airliner produced by Tupolev. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in use and has been widely used in extreme Arctic conditions. Sunday's crash was the second accident in less than one week concerning Russian planes. On Monday, an Il-18 aircraft crash-landed near the Tiksi airfield in Russia's Far Eastern Sakha Republic, injuring 16 people. BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Sunday called for early introduction of a draft e-commerce law so as to regulate and facilitate booming e-commerce in the country. The draft law was submitted for review by legislators at the week-long bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which concluded on Sunday. It is the first reading of the draft by the top legislature. During the discussion, legislator Yan Yixin said all parties involved in e-commerce should be subject to regulation of the new law. Yan suggested the law expand its coverage from the current e-commerce business operators and consumers to e-payment and express delivery service providers. Protection of personal information is a highlight of the draft law. It stipulates that operators must ensure personal information security for consumers. Those that fail will face fines of up to 500,000 yuan and could have their business certificates revoked. Legislator Han Xiaowu said more detailed regulations should be set down to specify procedures for citizens to safeguard their legal rights, file a law suit and claim for compensation once their information security was infringed upon. China is the world's largest e-commerce market. E-commerce trade amounted to over 20 trillion yuan (about 2.87 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2015, with online retail sales totaling 3.88 trillion yuan. Genres : Action Starring : James Callis Director : Miles Doleac Plot Synopsis When a U.S. congressman's daughter is brutally murdered in a small Mississippi town, a team of F.B.I. agents descends to investigate. They find a corrupt sheriff's department, whose chief deputy runs drugs for "Big" John Dawson, a shadowy, influential figure, who seems to be pulling the town's strings from his mansion on the outskirts of town. This high-pressure murder investigation could destroy the lives of all those involved. MOSCOW, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan talked about the Syria issue over phone on Sunday, the Kremlin said in a statement. The two leaders exchanged views in details on the situation in Syria, the Kremlin said, adding that President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is currently on a working visit to Russia, also took part in the discussion. The statement did not specify the content of their talks, but considering Putin's recent proposal to arrange a meeting between the Syrian opposition and the government at Kazakhstan's capital of Astana, their phone talk was probably about the preparation for the meeting. In his earlier talks with Putin, Erdogan has agreed to work with Moscow on such a meeting. In Sunday's phone talks, Erdogan also extended his condolences to Putin over the crash of a Russian military Tu-154 aircraft into the Black Sea earlier on Sunday, presumably killing all 92 people aboard. JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday demanded the U.S. ambassador to provide "clarifications" after Washington abstained from a UN vote on the illegitimacy of the West Bank settlements. A statement by the foreign ministry said Netanyahu summoned Ambassador Dan Shapiro for a meeting, which has yet to be scheduled. In the morning, the ministry said that Netanyahu, who is also acting foreign minister, instructed the ministry to summon the envoys of the UN Security Council's member countries which have an embassy in Israel for a reprimand. The list included the ambassadors or deputies of France, Britain, China, Russia, Spain, Japan, Egypt, Angola, Ukraine, and Uruguay. The move was part of a "diplomatic and economic price" that Netanyahu vowed to exact from countries which supported the historic motion to end the Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The vote, passed on Friday by a 14-0 majority, with the United States abstains, demands Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem." It states that the building of settlements by Israel has "no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law." Israel reacted furiously, with Netanyahu lashing at President Barack Obama and accusing him of "a shameful ambush." The White House rejected the accusations, saying it didn't promote the motion. The proposal was put forward by New Zealand, Senegal, Venezuela, and Malaysia in the wake of the "Regulation Bill," a government-backed act to annex private Palestinian lands in the West Bank and legalize unsanctioned outposts. About 500,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, lands that Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast War and has been controlling them ever since, despite international condemnations. Related: Arab world welcomes UNSC resolution against Israeli settlements CAIRO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Arab world received Friday's endorsed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution demanding immediate and complete halt of Israeli settlement activities on occupied Palestinian territories. ARUSHA, Tanzania, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people have died of cholera in central Tanzania's region of Dodoma due to a cholera outbreak, authorities said Sunday. Authorities in the region have, therefore, on Sunday banned selling of food stuff by the roadsides and other open places during the festive season, citing a possible escalation of the epidemic. James Kiologwe, Dodoma Regional chief physician warned residents, saying that at least 329 people contracted the disease in the latest outbreak. He warned that if no strict measures were taken the entire region would be affected. "I urge the public to be more careful during the festive season, avoid eating carelessly on the streets and maintain hygiene since the disease is likely to spread further if we don't comply with health standards," the official said. He cited Mpwapwa as leading other districts in the Dodoma Region with 208 cholera cases, followed by Kongwa (95), Chamwino (18) and Dodoma (8). The district also led in deaths with three cases as both Kongwa and Dodoma districts witnessed two deaths each. Following the new outbreak of the disease, Christine Mndeme, Dodoma District Commissioner said she had initiated a campaign against the disease aimed at eradicating it in the district. She called on ward and village health officers to spread awareness and education on the disease, urging them to quickly report any cases realized within their areas of jurisdiction. In October last year, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare notified the World Health Organization of new cholera outbreaks in 13 regions in the country, during which 68 people died. ATHENS, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Greece expressed condolences on Sunday over the crash of a Russian military aircraft in the Black Sea. "We express our sorrow for the tragic crash of the Russian Tu-154. We convey our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and we stand by the side of Russian people," the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Earlier in the day, upon order of Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, General Secretary of the Greek presidency contacted the Russian Embassy in Athens to convey condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin and to the families of the victims. A Russian military Tu-154 aircraft crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday, presumably killing all 92 people aboard. United Nations Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres(L) attends the ceremony to award him the Portugal's Prize for Human Rights 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal on Dec. 23, 2016. Next United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres was awarded Portugal's Prize for Human Rights 2016 on Friday at the Portuguese parliament in Lisbon. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) LISBON, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Next United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres was awarded Portugal's Prize for Human Rights 2016 on Friday at the Portuguese parliament in Lisbon. Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister who served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, thanked Portugal for the support the country gave him, which he highlighted was "one of the most important factors for the application to succeed." Guterres also pointed out that the world's human rights agenda was in decline and pointed to the "dramatic situation facing refugees." He praised the solidarity given by non-profit organizations, including the Portuguese Council for Refugees whom he donated the prize worth 25,000 euros to, and highlighted Portugal's role in human rights. "Portugal is particularly well suited to place itself at the center of mobilization," he said. "Firstly because Portugal is an example in terms of respecting human rights, at the level of the state and society. And secondly, in the case of refugees, Portugal has had an extremely positive behaviour, representing an important example before Europe's incapacity to mobilize itself to comply with international law." Guterres was the prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002. He was the United Nations' tenth High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015. During this time he faced some of most serious displacements in history caused by conflicts in countries like Syria, Iraq, South Sudan, Central African Republic or Yemen. Guterres, who is married and has two children, will become UN secretary-general on Jan. 1, 2017, following his formal election by the UN General Assembly on Oct. 13, 2016. KIGALI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A fire razed one room at Rwanda's Nyarugenge Prison in Kigali on Sunday, causing minor injuries, authorities said. Hillary Sengabo, Senior Inspector of Prisons (SIP) at Rwanda Correctional Services said the burnt room accommodated 68 inmates. He said rescue efforts by army and police were there in time to put out the fire before it spread. Rwanda's Minister of justice, Johnston Busingye who oversees prisons said the affected area was estimated at 2o square meters occupied by about 15 inmates. He added that their mattresses and other personal effects were destroyed in the afternoon fire. There is no report of loss of life as inmates were alerted by gun shots in the air, Minister Busingye said. The cause of the fire was not readily established. Authorities said some three inmates were injured and were receiving treatment. This is the second fire incident in Rwanda's prison in recent times, the earlier one having taken place at Muhanga prison in 2014. Nyarugenge prison has 3,127 inmates, according to authorities. A file photo taken on July 14, 2015, shows the former Flying Tigers vetran John Yee at his home in Denver, the United States. (Xinhua/Zhang Chaoqun) LOS ANGELES, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- A veteran of the famous Flying Tigers jet fighters squadron during World War II has sent an open letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, urging him to apologize to the Chinese people for the atrocities committed by Japanese imperial army during the war. John Yee, who was born in China and is now living in the United States, said in the letter that the Dec. 27 visit to Pearl Harbor by Abe is "more USA-Japan theater." "The first people the Japanese should apologize to are the Chinese -- for the Rape of Nanking, for invading China, for murdering millions of Chinese people," said Yee, who added that he intends to send this letter through Xinhua. "I was 17-year old and living in Kunming when the Japanese slaughtered hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Nanking, 1,340 miles (2,156 km)away," Yee said at the beginning of the letter. "It was a horrible, sickening event, and shocked everybody in China. It started a long period of atrocities committed by the Japanese military against innocent Chinese people," he said. "Japan tried to take over Asia and Germany tried to take over Europe. Same thing, and just like Hitler tried to exterminate the Jews in Europe, the Japanese committed a genocide against the Chinese. But Western educators and media have yet to recognize the extent of the atrocities committed by Japan," he said. A file photo taken on July 14, 2015, shows the former Flying Tigers vetran John Yee at his home in Denver, the United States. (Xinhua/Zhang Chaoqun) Yee was born on Nov. 29, 1921 in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province of China. He served as an interpreter for the Flying Tigers until 1942. The Flying Tigers was composed of members of the U.S. Army Air Corps fighting under the Chinese Air Force. He later studied at Denver University in the United States and taught Chinese language and East Asian history in both high schools and colleges in Colorado. In 2012, the Colorado State government declared July 17 "John Yee Day" to highlight his contributions to winning World War II, in particular his service to the Flying Tigers, headed by Claire Chennault. In the letter, Yee also recalled that Western countries failed to act when Japan invaded China. "Japan invaded Manchuria (Northeast China) in 1931, and when China appealed in the League of Nations, the Japanese contingent got up and walked out of the room. And the world's big Western powers -- England, France, Germany, Italy and America -- did nothing," he said. "Had they intervened, in any capacity, the slaughter of millions of Chinese might have been averted. The Japanese have no more excuse than Hitler had. There are several countries that Japan should apologize to, and China is at the top of the list. Not the USA," said Yee. More Japanese and American back-rubbing seems to be on show in Pearl Harbor this week, he added. KHARTOUM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia on Sunday reiterated its commitment not to harm the rights of any Nile Basin countries, calling for optimal use of the Nile water. Ethiopia's minister of foreign affairs, Workneh Gebeyehu, also underscored at a press conference his country's keenness to establish integrative relations with the Nile Basin countries to achieve joint interests. Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia signed Declaration of Principles in March 2015 in Khartoum regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), articulating the continuation of talks on political and technical issues, as well as conducting technical studies to protect the three countries' shares in the Nile. The GERD project unsettled Egypt as it fears the dam could impact its share in the Nile River waters, which amounts to 55.5 billion cubic meters. Ethiopia reiterated that the dam would constitute a benefit in field of electricity generating without posing any harm on either Sudan or Egypt. Projected to be the largest hydro-electric project in Africa, the GERD extends over an area of 1,800 square kilometers, and is expected to be completed in three years at a cost of 4.7 billion U.S. dollars. Fallen trees trigger power outage Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) general manager Kelvin Ramsook, speaking to Sunday Newsday in a telephone interview, explained the fallen trees were due to inclement weather and extensive rainfall. He reported that on Friday at 6.30 pm they lost supply in the area but were able to restore it by 9.30 pm. He said that at 9 am yesterday two trees fell and pulled down lines leaving Maracas, Las Cuevas and up to Blanchisseuse without electricity. He reported that TTEC worked around the clock and electricity was scheduled to be restored by 6 pm. Ramsook explained that because of weather conditions over the last week, and the last couple months, the soil area in Maracas, Las Cuevas and Blanchisseuse became water soaked soil a number of trees had fallen. He recalled that on Wednesday there was outage due to a landslide and electricity was restored the following day. Ultimate survivor The arrogance of a doctor in the public health system cau sed her cancer to spread and almost cost her her life. However, after much pain and suffering, Michelle OKieffe has bounced back and today helps other women in their battle with the disease, through her non-governmental organisation, Embracing All Real Survivors (EARS) Cancer Support Foundation. According to OKieffe, in February 2000 at age 32, she was a super healthy and energetic mother of two wonderful boys when she discovered a lump in her right breast. At the time she did not think anything negative about the discovery but wanted to find out what it was and so decided to visit her family doctor. After a physical examination, her doctor advised her to follow up with a surgeon in case it needed to be removed. She therefore visited a public health facility and the surgeon decided that a needle biopsy was necessary. At the time I wasnt aware of sonograms or mammograms but, as a layman I asked him if there wasnt some other tests he should do. He told me he was the experienced person here and he knew what he was doing so I said fine, and scheduled an appointment for the insertion, she recalled. Therefore, she took time off from work as the manager of a childrens store, went to the hospital and had the procedure done. It was as she was driving to work afterwards that she started experiencing pains in her right arm. She assumed it was normal after such a procedure and so was not concerned. However, when she tried to reach up into a cupboard she experienced extreme pain and realised she could not extend her arm. I did not call back the doctor who did the biopsy because of his attitude. I was more comfortable with my chiropractor. He spoke to a senior doctor who suggested that I see him immediately, said OKieffe. The next morning, at a private institution, the doctor examined her to find that her lymph nodes were swollen. He suggested immediate surgery, which was scheduled for the next day. The doctor removed a portion of her lymph node, performed a biopsy, and one week later he doctor confirmed that she had cancer. OKieffe told Sunday Newsday when the doctors told her they had to remove her auxiliary nodes as well as some breast tissue, she immediately asked to have a double mastectomy. I was under the impression that if something is giving trouble, get rid of it. If its the breast then get rid of both of them one time, she said. However, her doctor refused to do this because he said she was young, and so performed a lumpectomy instead in order to determine if the cancer was still in the breast or had spread, the stage of the cancer and if she had to do chemotherapy. While in recovery, her oncologist visited her bedside. I remember him asking me how I felt about all of this. I looked up at him from my bed, with tubes and everything coming out of me and said, I dont have time to feel anything. You need to tell me what you are going to do about this, she said. He told her he did not want to wait for the pathology report but wanted to start chemotherapy as soon as possible, which she did on March 18, 2000. She recalled how her employers helped by purchasing the drugs for her, as well as funding some of her treatments, and allowed her to stay home for a week after each treatment and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to them. OKieffes next step was radiation. However, about two weeks after her chemo was completed and while waiting for radiation treatment to begin, she felt something happening again in her breast - a strange stretching and pulling of her muscle. Initially, because of the fact that I had just completed this rigorous six months of chemotherapy, the doctors thought it was scar tissue, which would have been normal after my surgery, she explained. Unfortunately, after further examination, they realised that the tumour had recurred. Again she wanted to do a mastectomy but again the doctors said no. Instead, she went through 30 sessions of radiation in the hopes of reducing the tumour and it worked. It disappeared. However, in November of that same year, her breast became red, hot, and the tumour became almost as big as her breast and she had to go back under the knife for a third time. The third time, I felt as if I would die because that one... I was down and out for about two months, she said. While the main purpose was to remove the tumour, they were looking to see how the recurrence could have happened so quickly after chemo, after radiation. While in surgery, they actually saw the area where the original needle insertion was done and so decided to remove that thin strip of muscle. That meant that the muscle where the doctor did that was infected so the tumour kept coming back, she explained. OKieffe said she later found out there was a possibility that initially, her breast contained a cancerous tumour with a cyst inside. When the doctor inserted the needle, it could have punctured the cyst, which was filled with fluid, and as the liquid passed through the cancerous tumour, it caused the cancer to spread. If the tumour had been biopsied the way it was done in the private institution, a simple removal and a short round of chemo may have been all that was necessary After the removal of the strip of muscle, she never again had a recurrence of cancer. However, she did have other long-lasting effects from her treatments. The chemotherapy drugs caused sever degeneration of her bones so that she now has cervical spondylosis. Also, in January 9, 2001 she was put on hormonal drugs which she took for five years and which immediately thrust her into menopause. In March 2010, at age 42, during a routine check up, she discovered she was six months pregnant with her daughter Correne OKieffe. For almost ten years I did not have a period and, after bleeding for two months after she was born, I never had one again. I believe my daughter is divine proof that God is very much alive. She was a sign of complete healing, she said. Her personal experiences and those of other cancer patients over the years have moved OKieffe to create the NGO, Embracing All Real Survivors (EARS) Cancer Support Foundation, whose aim is to support survivors - anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer, whether they are in remission, going through treatment or . This blog is looking for wisdom, to have and to share. It is also looking for other rare character traits like good humor, courage, and honor. It is not an easy road, because all of us fall short. But God is love, forgiveness and grace. Those who believe in Him and repent of their sins have the promise of His Holy Spirit to guide us and show us the Way. Flow to spend $5.7M on TTFF The continued partnership, which marked 10 years this year, was sealed by Brian Collins, managing director of Flow and Bruce Paddington, Festival Founder at a small ceremony at Flows Head Office at Victoria Square in Port-of- Spain at which the contract was signed taking the sponsorship which started in 2005 to 2018. Collins said at the ceremony, We consider the TTFF to be one of our flagship relationships. We signed on to support TTFF very soon after the event launched in Trinidad and Tobago and weve seen it grown into a major attraction on the TT event calendar attracting local and overseas film aficionados. Through the TTFF I have seen local film grow from strength to strength and this year we saw three excellent and compelling films this year alone. For the past two or three years each year has seen at least two excellent films from Trinidad and Tobago and more if you consider the entire Caribbean. The TTFF has also spawned a thriving local Film Festival industry with events that focus on European films, environmental films and animated content as well. Bruce Paddington, Festival Founder and director said, We continue to be grateful to Flow as they have continued to be a leader in the private sector, shining a light to support the development and exposition of local and regional film. Weve had many sponsors over the years and were thankful for all of them, however Flow has never wavered in working as hard as possible to ensure that we continue to grow as a Film Festival. Were happy that they have signed on and look forward to building on the TTFF success over the next three years. The Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival started in 2005 and celebrates films from and about the Caribbean and its diaspora, as well as from world cinema, through an annual festival and year-round screenings. In addition, the TT seeks to facilitate the growth of Caribbean cinema by offering a wide-ranging industry programme and networking opportunities. Autism Society gets iPads IGT donated five iPads complete with software, screen protectors and hard cases to the Autistic Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ASTT) in 2012. By using the iPads, members of staff have found them to be an effective and engaging learning tool, which is used to improve motivation, engagement and learning outcomes for persons with autism, said Amoy Boodoo, manager of Autism Place, of the gift. The impact the iPads have had on improving the lives of children with autism has been immense, she said upon receiving the second batch of the devices. These donations were made possible through IGTs After School Advantage (ASA) Programme, a long-standing initiative which provides non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with new computer equipment and specialised educational software to help children as young as five years old become more computer literate. This philanthropic initiative is meant to provide an otherwise unavailable educational experience and bridge the digital divide among educational institutions and the community. The reality is that autism does not discriminate since it affects children around the world. IGTs donation of these iPads to the Autism Place is an acknowledgement that we must all do our part in creating an environment that aids communication among those affected by autism, said Ann- Dawn Young Sang, IGTs Regional Vice President for the Caribbean. President of ASTT, Teresina Sieunarine, said, I am very thankful for the support and interest that the IGT family has given to the ASTT. They have shown that they are committed to helping children with autism through the use of technology, by providing iPads for use in our centres. It has been proven that technology is quite effective in assisting children on the autism spectrum, as the iPad can be used as a visual support to facilitate learning, improve communication, increase independence, reduce anxiety and improve behaviours. She added, Technological aids like iPads are expensive and the ASTT would not be able to finance this wonderful initiative, so thanks again to IGT. Queen Elizabeth to miss Christmas Day church service United Kingdom,Human Interest/Society, Sun, 25 Dec 2016 IANS London, Dec 25 (IANS) Queen Elizabeth II will not attend Sunday's Christmas Day church service because she is still suffering from a heavy cold, the Buckingham Palace announced. A spokesman said the Queen would stay indoors to help her recover but she would still participate in the family's Christmas celebrations, the BBC reported. "Her Majesty the Queen will not attend church at Sandringham," a palace spokesman said. "The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery." "Her Majesty will participate in the Royal Family Christmas celebrations during the day," the spokesman added. Other members of the Royal Family are expected to attend the service. Crowds have already gathered in Sandringham, the Queen's Norfolk estate, in expectation of the service. The Queen and Prince Philip began their Christmas break this week one day late, postponing their trip because they were both suffering from colds. They flew from Buckingham Palace to the Norfolk estate by helicopter on Thursday, having missed a train on Wednesday. --IANS ksk/vt 'Barry': Vikram Gandhi's film on Obama shouldn't be missed (Review) Delhi,Cinema/Showbiz, Sun, 25 Dec 2016 IANS Film: "Barry"; Director: Vikram Gandhi; Cast: Devon Tarrell, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Mitchell, Ashley Judd; Rating: ***1/2 Let's puff up our chests with pride. This year, Ritesh Batra directed two films featuring a formidable western cast of Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, Charlotte Rampling, Jim Broadbent and more. And now another director of Indian origin helms a biopic, released on Netflix, on Barack Obama's student days at Columbia University. The director's cultural identity is completely invisible in "Barry". It is, in fact, a remarkably unostentatious look at a life that defies colour schemes and scoffs at the rigours of racism. The struggle, as shown in the film on the serene campus of one of the most beautiful educational universities in the world, is almost completely internal and unvarnished. Devon Tarrell, as the young Obama, brings a radiant grace to his part. His handsome matinee-idol looks do not come in the way of his portrayal of a man who was born to rule at a time, in the 1980s, when African-Americans were beginning to emerge as a cultural force to reckon with. Prudently, the narrative steers clear of demonstrating unreasonable levels of racism in the narrative. There are colour prejudices everywhere. But they don't overpower the narrative. Nor are they used to create irrelevant empathy for the protagonist. We often feel that the young Obama is isolated not so much by extraneous circumstances as by his own sense of uniqueness in a posh institution where students of African origin were a rarity in the 1980s. Uniquely, there is very little drama on screen. Director Gandhi curbs the tendency to embellish the narrative with flourishes and flamboyance even as 'A life as historical as Obama' was destined to be. Looking at Davon Tarrel's fluent, graceful but laidback portrayal of the young Obama, we get a vivid glimpse into the tranquil soul of a future world leader who just happens to be a cool dude. Davon plays young Obama as a still pool of water running deep and secreting turbulence within. It's a performance of enormous accomplishment, more so than it outwardly appears to be. Towards the end of the film, there is a sequence in a bar during a wedding where Barry chooses to tell two black bartenders, whom he has just met, that his father has just died in Kenya. Moments such as these are played as songs tuned to the key of life... No rise and fall of dramatic music, no emotionally manipulative props, just... life, as played at the lowest most accessible ebb. Sensibly, director Gandhi and his screenwriter Adam Mansbach seek out a centre to young Obama's campus journey in a love story between the young conflicted Obama and a spunky rich white aristocratic girl Charlotte (Anya Taylor-Joy). Again, the relationship is stripped of bravado and melodrama. A lot of the racial tensions remain muted and unspoken but are ultimately a vivid reality in this gently sketched biopic of a global leader whose mixed parentage proved to be more an asset than an encumbrance. Freed of homilies and liberated of isms, Barry is a tender ode to adventurous youth in those formative exploratory years when the young try to find their bearings. Look out for an Indian actor named Avi Nash playing Barry's forever-high-on-life-and-other-substances Pakistani roommate. "Barry" is a film where nothing much seems to happen. It doesn't strive to grab our attention. It simply claims our undivided attention by dint of its graceful attitude to life and politics. --IANS skj/rb/dg Intended as a discussion group, the blog has evolved to be more of a reading list of current issues affecting our county, its government and people. All reasonable comments and submissions welcomed. Email us at: bill.pysson@gmail.com REMEMBER: To view our sister blog for education issues: www.district100watchdog.blogspot.com Giriraj Singh says Nitish regrets leaving NDA Bihar,National,Politics, Sun, 25 Dec 2016 IANS Patna, Dec 25 (IANS) Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been regretting his decision to leave the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance. Singh said Nitish Kumar is regretting the move as he is now alone and under tremendous pressure to run the Bihar government with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of Lalu Prasad. "BJP did not dump Nitish Kumar in 2013. It was Nitish who walked away from the BJP-led NDA due to his high ambition," Singh, the Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, said. "But for Nitish Kumar's decision to leave NDA to realise his political aimbtion, there is no vacancy for the top as Narendra Modi is Prime Minister and will continue after 2019. Now, Nitish Kumar has been regretting," the minister said. Singh said the Bihar chief minister has already lost his face of governance and development. "When he was Chief Minister of Bihar in alliance with the BJP and when he was union minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, Nitish was known for his governance and development... not anymore now," he said. The Union Minister also downplayed the question if Nitish Kumar, the Janata Dal (United) President, was likely to return in the NDA fold in near future. Singh is the BJP's Lok Sabha member from Nawada constituency in Bihar. --IANS ik/pgh/vt Congress bids for opposition unity, sends out invite for presser Delhi,National,Politics, Sun, 25 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) The Congress has set its eyes on opposition unity to corner the Narendra Modi government on a host of issues, sending out an invitation to other opposition parties for a joint press conference in the national capital on December 27. The Congress move comes days after its Vice President Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking kickbacks from corporate houses. According to informed sources, Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel has approached leaders in the Janata Dal-United, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Left parties. The proposed press conference is scheduled at the Constitution Club here, and not at the Congress headquarters so that it doesn't get projected as a party event. According to Trinamool sources, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will arrive in the national capital on Monday for Tuesday's presser. Leaders of Left parties and JD(U) confirmed they have been approached by the Congress but are yet to decide on attending. Sources in the RJD and the NCP confirmed they will attend the press conference. The aim is to give out an impression of opposition unity on the November 8 demonetisation issue. A host of opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, had submitted a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee on December 16, the last day of the winter session of Parliament, accusing the government of stifling the opposition's voice and subjecting parliamentary democracy to "severe threat". While leaders of the TMC, RJD, JD-U and some other parties joined the Congress-led delegation, the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, NCP, DMK, Communist Party of India-Marxist, Communist Party of India and JD(Secular) stayed away. The stand-off between the opposition and the government over demonetisation led to a washout of the entire winter session of Parliament. Some 16 opposition parties had united to corner the Centre on demonetisation. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on December 21 accused Modi of taking kickbacks amounting to Rs 65 crore from corporate houses during his stint as Gujarat Chief Minister and demanded an independent inquiry into the charge. --IANS sid/tsb/dg Modi thanks people for enduring demonetisation 'pain' Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sun, 25 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked people for enduring the "pain" caused by the government's November 8 decision to spike 500 and 1,000 rupee notes that has caused an unprecedented cash crunch across the country. "I congratulate people for not only enduring pain but also for giving appropriate answers to those who were trying to mislead them," Modi said in his monthly radio address to the nation 'Mann Ki Baat'. The Prime Minister said people faced hardships and inconvenience but "answered back those who publicly tried to mislead them". The move to recall 86 per cent of the total currency in circulation was ostensibly aimed at to curb corruption and black money in the country. However, it has led to people in large number queuing up to withdraw or deposit cash in overcrowded banks and ATMs. --IANS ruwa/ksk 7 killed in Christmas Eve violence across US United States,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Sun, 25 Dec 2016 IANS Washington, Dec 25 (IANS) At least seven people were killed on Christmas eve due to sporadic violence across the US, officials said. In Wilson county, North Carolina, the local sheriff's office said four people were shot dead on Saturday evening, Xinhua news agency reported. The victims were identified as a mother and a son with their respective boyfriend and fiance. The motive behind the attack was not ascertained. In Memphis, Tennessee, a shooting near a supermarket resulted in one death and another is in critical condition. The shooting took place at a neighbourhood where frequent gang-related violence occurs. In Pearl, Mississippi, a shooting incident killed two and injured one. Local police said a 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, who were dating, were killed while the girl's father was injured. Police said the younger man was the suspected shooter and his fatal wound was self-inflicted. In Johnston, Rhode Island, what seemed to be a domestic dispute turn violent and led to the death of a girl. Police said the father of the girl, who sustained non-life-threatening stabbing wounds, was the suspected shooter. In a mall in Lynnwood, Washington, a man who was trying to break up a brawl was stabbed by one of the persons involved in the fight. Police have taken the 19-year-old perpetrator into custody. In St. Petersburg, Florida, police are looking into a double shooting that may have left one critically injured. --IANS ksk Which fighter aircraft for Indian skies? Ageing fleets crying for replacement (Special to IANS) Delhi,National,Defence/Security, Sun, 25 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi/Paris, Dec 25 (IANS) The dogfight for picking the Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) for the security of the Indian skies is beginning anew, this time for a much larger number than the 2007 figure of 189 asked by the Indian Air Force (IAF) -- an estimated 400 for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and 60 for the Indian Navy. While the IAF has already issued a global request for single-engine combat jets under the government's Make in India programme, the Indian Navy is looking for about 60 twin-engine shipboard fighters for delivery to begin within five years. The Navy's first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC 1) is due for delivery within the next couple of years, and the preferred choice this time is either the Boeing F/A 18 Super Hornet or French Rafale, which the IAF has already decided to buy. The two single-engine aircraft being considered by the IAF are US Lockheed Martin F 16 Fighting Falcon and Swedish Saab Gripen. Boeing, which developed the F 18 as a shipboard fighter, has also offered to make it in India while sources in Dassault, which makes Rafale, told India Strategic that they are aware of the Indian requirements and should be submitting a proposal soon. Rafale was also developed as a shipboard fighter. Meanwhile, the IAF is buying 36 Rafale MRCAs under a government-to-government deal and the first contractual payment of 15 percent was made in November. The first batch of six or so aircraft is to be delivered to the IAF in 2019 as per the contract although India has requested the timelines to be advanced. Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba recently stated that the Navy had jettisoned the indigenous naval variant of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) because of low power. He did not specify the number or choice for the naval requirement but did say that only a couple of them are available in the market and that he wants them as fast as possible, say in about five years. He expressed confidence that the government approval would come along speedily. As for the IAF, it has been losing two squadrons of Soviet-vintage MiG series aircraft every year, and although the numbers are being made up to an extent by the licence-production of 272 Russian Su 30MKIs, the depletion process of the IAF squadrons is continuing. Notably, in 2007, the IAF's requirement was put at 126 plus 63 options (189), but their acquisition process was scrapped in 2015 over price differences with the French Dassault whose Rafale was selected in 2012 against Eurofighter in the finals. The government then opted for a small number of 36 aircraft, or two squadrons, in 2015 for nearly 8 billion euro inclusive of about two billion euro for India-specific modifications and missiles as part of the package. Air Marshal V.K. 'Jimmy' Bhatia (Retd), former Commander-in-Chief of the Western Air Command (WAC), and Air Marshal Ashok Goel (Retd), former Director General Inspection, say the government should work towards both numbers and timelines. The IAF needs to modernise 20 squadrons, or roughly 400 aircraft, as the need of the hour. An IAF fighter squadron has 18 aircraft for combat missions and another two for training. At least three more are kept for Maintenance Reserve and Strike off Wastage. Notably, the acquisition process in India takes five to seven years, and that has to be factored in while planning for new fighter jets. An IAF proposal to upgrade some 100 1970s-generation Jaguars with more powerful Honeywell engines and better avionics to extend their lives by 10 to 15 years is also pending for rather long with the Ministry of Defence. (Gulshan Luthra is Editor of India Strategic defence magazine and website. The opinions expressed are personal. He can be contacted at gulshan.luthra@indiastrategic.in) --IANS gl/tb/vt India doing well on economic front: Modi Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sun, 25 Dec 2016 IANS New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India is doing well on the economic front, which is evident from different global reports. He said different indicators showed an increase in India's global rankings. "The Doing Business report of the World Bank has increased India's ranking...." In his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address to the nation, the Prime Minister said Indian farmers, despite the difficult situation, have broken last year's record in sowing different crops. "Whether it is the farmers or the labourer, the hardwork of the youth is bearing fruits," Modi said. According to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's World Investment Report, India is in third place in Top Prospective Host Economies. In the Global Competitiveness Report of World Economic Forum, India has jumped to the 32nd rank," Modi said. "We are trying to make business practices in India the best practices in the world, and succeeding as well." Modi said in the Global Innovation Index 2016, India has gone up by 16 points while in World Bank's Logistics Performance Index 2016, we have gone up 19 ranks. "There are many reports that indicate that India is moving ahead swiftly," the Prime Minister said. --IANS ao/tsb/vt Israeli PM slams Obama over UN vote on settlements Israel,Diplomacy, Sun, 25 Dec 2016 IANS Jerusalem, Dec 25 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed at the Obama administration on Saturday, after a US abstention in a UN vote that passed a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement construction. "The Obama administration has carried out an underhanded and an anti-Israel manoeuvre at the UN Security Council," Netanyahu said of the resolution passed by the 15-member body on Friday. The hardline Prime Minister also slammed the motion as "distorted and shameful", Xinhua news agency reported. Israel has recalled its envoys in New Zealand and Senegal, which together with Venezuela and Malaysia, submitted the resolution that was passed by a 14-0 majority. Netanyahu suggested that Israel might sever ties with the UN, saying he had already ordered to cut funds of 30 million shekels ($8 million) to five "exceptionally hostile" UN bodies. The Israeli cabinet has vowed to respond with a full annexation of settlement blocs. The UN vote came in the wake of the Regulation Bill, which the Israeli parliament approved in its first out of three readings almost three weeks ago to legalize Jewish settlements built on occupied Palestinian lands. Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that it welcomed the UN Security Council resolution that demands an end to the Israeli settlement building in occupied Palestinian territories.--IANS vgu/ Liverpool, Napoli in race to sign Brazilian defender Brazil,Sports,Football, Sun, 25 Dec 2016 IANS Rio de Janeiro, Dec 25 (IANS) Liverpool and Napoli are among several European clubs interested in signing teenage Brazilian midfielder Thiago Maia, according to media reports. The 19-year-old, who is contracted to Brazilian outfit Santos until June 2019, is also being sought Monaco, Schalke and Zenit Saint-Petersburg, Xinhua news agency quoted Brazilian publication Sambafoot as reporting. Maia said he would decide his future upon returning from vacation on January 11. "Santos and my representatives will decide if it's time for a transfer," the defensive midfielder was quoted as saying. Maia has made 91 first-team appearances for Santos since his debut in 2014. He has represented his country at under 17, under 20 and under 23 level, and was a part of the Brazil team that won the gold medal at the Rio Olympics in August. --IANS ajb/vt Netanyahu summons US ambassador 'for clarifications' on UN vote Israel,Diplomacy, Mon, 26 Dec 2016 IANS Jerusalem, Dec 26 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded the US ambassador to provide "clarifications" after Washington abstained from a UN vote on the illegitimacy of the West Bank settlements. A statement by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday said Netanyahu summoned Ambassador Dan Shapiro for a meeting, which has yet to be scheduled, Xinhua news agency reported. In the morning, the ministry said that Netanyahu instructed the ministry to summon the envoys of the UN Security Council's member countries which have an embassy in Israel for a reprimand. The move was part of a "diplomatic and economic price" that Netanyahu vowed to exact from countries which supported the historic motion to end the Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The vote, passed on Friday by a 14-0 majority, with the US abstaining, demands Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem". Israel reacted furiously, with Netanyahu lashing at President Barack Obama and accusing him of "a shameful ambush." The White House rejected the accusations, saying it didn't promote the motion. About 500,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, lands that Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast War and has been controlling them ever since, despite international condemnations. --IANS vgu/ China's first aircraft carrier conducts drills in Pacific China,Defence/Security, Mon, 26 Dec 2016 IANS Beijing, Dec 26 (IANS) China's first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, has left for the waters of the Western Pacific to carry out military drills in the region, the Chinese Defence Ministry said. The aircraft carrier left on Saturday and was spotted by Japan, according to its Defence Ministry statement on Sunday which clarified that it had not entered Japanese territorial waters. The ministry added that the drills are a part of the annual routine exercises, although it comes at a moment of tensions in the Pacific owing to the recent phone conversation between US President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, Efe reports. This month, Liaoning has been carrying out drills in the South and East China Sea, where China is involved in territorial disputes with its neighbours, including the Philippines and Japan. The aircraft carrier also carried out military exercises in the Yellow Sea, which separates China from the Korean Peninsula and Japan. According to the Chinese Defence Ministry, the Russian-made Liaoning has been acquired from Ukraine and reconstructed for use mainly in training and research missions. --IANS vgu/ Director of the Central Bureau for Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) Abdelhak Khiame said that this security apparatus continues to show effectiveness at the national and international level as it has managed to dismantle 45 terrorist cells and arrested 548 terrorists since its creation in 2015. In 2015, the BCIJ neutralized 21 terrorist cells and 19 other cells in 2016, four of which are affiliated to the notorious Al Faye Wa Al Istihlal terrorist group, said Khiame in an interview with Moroccos news agency MAP. The director of the BCIJ, also known as Moroccos FBI, said that 36 of the busted cells were loyal to the self-proclaimed Islamic state, adding that 548 suspects were brought before justice (275 in 2015 and 273 in 2016). As for Moroccan fighters within the ranks of the Islamic state, Khiame said that 71 have so far returned to the Kingdom. 47 were arrested in 2016, 39 of whom returned from the front in Iraq and Syria and 8 others from Libya. At the national level, 167 terrorist cells have been dismantled since 2002, he said adding that 341 terrorist attacks were foiled by Moroccan security services, while 2,963 suspects were arrested and brought before justice. Khiame also voiced satisfaction with the performance of the Moroccan security services and the Kingdoms comprehensive approach to tackle the root causes of terrorism. In this respect, he said that Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, adopted a multidimensional approach that integrates security, social and educational dimensions in the fight against terrorism. He drew special attention to the reform of the religious sphere and the promotion of universal values in the educational system along with the launch of substantive social development projects under the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH). Morocco stands as an instrumental partner in the global fight against terrorism, he said, noting that the Kingdom cooperates closely with France, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, the US as well as several Arab and African countries. Yet, the head of the BCIJ deplores the low level of cooperation in the Maghreb region which is facing serious security threats. Algeria refuses to cooperate with us, despite the trans-border threats that the region is facing. It is crucial to cooperate. In my opinion, much remains to be done at the inter-Arab level and not only in the Maghreb, he underscored. In this respect, Khiame warned that southern Algeria has become a sanctuary for Al Qaida, adding that the situation created by Algeria in Tindouf where thousands of sequestrated people have been abandoned to poverty and abject living conditions are falling as an easy prey to several terrorist groups in the region. Two senior Advisors to King Mohammed VI met Abdelilah Benkirane at the headquarters of the Head of the Governments office where they expressed the concern of the sovereign regarding the delay in forming the new government. The Advisors, Abdellatif Mennouni and Omar Kabbage, were sent to visit Benkirane upon directives from King Mohammed VI to express that the King urges the formation of a new government as soon as possible, Moroccos news agency said quoting a statement of the Royal office. During the same meeting which took place at the Head of Governments office, the Advisors to the King expressed to Abdelilah Benkirane the expectations of HM the King and all Moroccans concerning the formation of a new government, says the statement. Benkirane was designated by the Sovereign as Head of Government on October 10, after his party emerged victorious, albeit with small margin, in the October 7th legislative elections. Benkirane has led consultations with several political parties but has so far failed to record any breakthrough as to the formation of a coalition cabinet, a stalemate that puts the country on the verge of a political crisis. The consultations have also been overshadowed by a national and international context marked notably by the organization of the UN Climate Summit (November 7-18) and the preparations of a diplomatic and economic offensive in Africa in tandem with Moroccos effort to reintegrate the African Union, events from which Benkirane has been absent. The staggering formation of a government was hinted at with a serious tone by King Mohammed VI, in his speech on the occasion of the Green March, when he said that the future cabinet should not be the result of calculations aimed at fulfilling political parties wishes, based on electoral arithmetic, as if there were spoils to be shared out. The government should involve an efficient, coherent structuring effort, consonant with programs and priorities, the King had said. With 125 seats in Parliament, the PJD finds itself on an uphill battle to form a government in a stratified political landscape in which its arch rival the PAM has won 102 seats. The Moroccan constitution does not specify the measures to be taken in case the party that won most seats fails to form a government. Several scenarios are on the table including the intervention of the Monarchy as a supreme referee between the political parties by either interceding to convince the leader of the Rally of Independents which came in 4th in the elections and Benkirane to compromise or by designating a less controversial figure within the PJD to lead consultations. News / Local by Staff Reporter Bulawayo residents celebrated Christmas Day in different ways today.The usually busy streets of Bulawayo were almost empty as most people took time off to be with family and friends and enjoy the day set aside to remember the birth of Jesus Christ.Others spent it by going to various worship centres while for some, the day provided a perfect opportunity to tie the knot with beautiful attire being the order of the day.Picnics with loved ones were very popular and others visited a major attraction, an artistic impression of Bethlehem in Centenary Park. here for this, i liked prometheus and i'll see anything "alien"-related basically but that last shot in the trailer ruined my vibe, it reminded me that this will probably just be another lame cheap horror movie. but i hope not!! Reply Thread Link Yeah that last shot didn't fit and was weird I get wanting a glimpse~ of the Alien but like....it fits more with an Alien 4 tone instead of the 1 and 2 tone the trailer tried to have. Reply Parent Thread Link I was more put off by the tail being CGI in that shot. Reply Parent Thread Link This surprised me too, I was hoping they'd use practical effects more and that shot had no reason to be CG. Reply Parent Thread Link from early screenings the last shot is supposedly one of the best scenes in the movie. but people have said it would've been better if they kept it out of the trailer. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link When did I miss Danny Mcbride being cast in this? Looks....like a mesh of the first two. I'll be there. Reply Thread Link AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHKJASHDAKJGHSKDJG SDGSDHKGJSAFKSJFHASGGSDGSDGDD SEEING THE SHIP THERE. OFMG I'M DYING!!! WHERE ARE DAVID AND ELIZABETH?!! SO MANY QUESTIONS! I'm soooo excited. this looks amazing!!!! Reply Thread Link damnit! I JUST submitted my post for this, haha Reply Thread Link Apologies! I was counting down to midnight EST haha hoping it would be uploaded. Was genuinely surprised when it did =) Reply Parent Thread Link Its weird seeing Danny McBride in this. I'm so used to him being in comedy stuff. Reply Thread Link Ikr, it like penny from Happy Endings being in Gone Girl it just seems werid and wrong Reply Parent Thread Link I dig it so hard when comedic actors take on non-comedic roles. I'm stoked for this thing now. Reply Parent Thread Link Did you watch Damages maybe? That wad kinda their thing and all of those actors were terrific, I was surprised Reply Parent Thread Link I'm the same way and having him in this got me even more excited Reply Parent Thread Link Comedy is not easy. Actors who have a handle on it tend to be pretty capable actors in general (Jim Carrey, John C.Reilly come to mind) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Well the original had Paul Reiser who is a comedian Reply Parent Thread Link After Prometheus, I am nhft. James Cameron directing though? I'd take that. Only thing I liked about Prometheus was the opening scene with the waterfall because it made me want to go to Iceland. Reply Thread Link I was there. Dettifoss. After seeing the movie I also wanted to be there. Reply Parent Thread Link I was feeling it until I saw the tentacle scene it seems a little rapey Reply Thread Link True. I mean, even the way the facehugger impregnated the host is a violation itself in a way besides from becoming a host for the embryo itself. Reply Parent Thread Link Ridley Scott said outright it was meant to be rapey, so . . . Reply Parent Thread Link haha mte Reply Parent Thread Link there was a similar scene cut from the 1st movie Reply Parent Thread Link ugh i'm so pissed i can't watch this right now. this is everything i wanted! Reply Thread Link This looks like it may fix what Damon Linderloff and Ridley ruined. I dont have spoilers, and actively avoid them, but an Aliens podcast i listen to said they have a theory of what may have become of Shaw (Noomi Rapace) in this film. I could totally see it happening and it's not gonna be pretty if its true Reply Thread Link What's the theory? Reply Parent Thread Link That David basically turned Shaw into a guinea pig for all sorts of experiments with whatever he found inside the ship, and she will be beyond recognition. Of course, this is all a theory. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Spoil me tbh!! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link hi i need to know who's singing this version of nature boy kthx Reply Thread Link Aurora! Here is a live session Reply Parent Thread Link bless. thank you! Reply Parent Thread Link I was wondering the same thing, so thanks for this! It's really good. Added it to one of my Spotify playlists. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I got SO excited when I heard her voice come on in this trailer <3 Reply Parent Thread Link This looks fucking stupid. Like some big budget SyFy shit. At this point Scott is making films just to ward off his mortality. He really hasn't made anything interesting in like 15 years. Reply Thread Link this basically Reply Parent Thread Link The Martian was pretty good Reply Parent Thread Link No. It was a like a slightly better Jerry Bruckheimer production. Nothing special. Reply Parent Thread Link the martian wa s fucking awful matt damon playing matt damon but in space Reply Parent Thread Link yes, agreed about The Martian too. Reply Parent Thread Link So like, this is an legit official prequel to Alien? I want a movie about queen Ellen prior to Alien too or whatever werk. Good sis never catch a damn break, ridiculous Reply Thread Link Yes. It's a prequel to alien, and sequel to prometheus. Ridley Scott said he wants 3 films from this story. And he needs to calm the fuck down. Wrap this up with maybe one more movie after Covenant. Ripley doesn't need a prequel story tbh. However, I would love the final scene in Covenant (or possible sequel) to be when the Nostromo crew land on LV-426 from ALIEN. I love the idea of the supposed Alien 5 (which would ignore Alien 3 and 4) that may be happning. Sorry, that was a bunch of random thoughts ^^ Reply Parent Thread Link Yaaaaas Reply Parent Thread Link I'm still pissed Ridley Scott meddled with this and delayed/cancelled Alien 5 with Sigourney and Blomkamp. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link That gif tho <3 I need to rewatch Aliens again Reply Thread Link Sigourney Weaver and Michael Biehn had mad chemistry. That whole scene was like, "JUST KISS, FOR THE XENOMORPH'S SAKE!" Reply Parent Thread Link Right? And what I loved about their "romance" was that it wasn't some major thing in the story itself, nor did he have to save her or whatnot. They were on pretty much equal footing, though she rightfully was able to do things he couldn't. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Looks promising and more than leans to the theory that the black goo introduced in Prometheus is creating different creatures rather than just the Alien itself. Looks promising. Also likes how the shower scene called back to Lambert's death scene in the first Alien film. Clever. Reply Thread Link I feel like all I ever heard were In Development rumours, and now suddenly a trailer drops... IT TRULY IS A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE. Praise Queen Ripley, True XenoMum, dragging their slimy acidic asses across the universe, praise ha light! Reply Thread Link As always, your comments are on point! Reply Parent Thread Link QUEEN. I miss ha